Sunday, November 18, 2012
Ending Soon
The poll will be ending soon! 18 people have voted but only 8 have left a comment stating which gender they voted for. Please go here to leave your comment; because the poll is anonymous you must also leave a comment in order to be put in the drawing for a fun surprise. It's such a fun surprise that I don't even know what it will be yet! ;)
Saturday, November 17, 2012
Citrus Lane
One of the fun things about having a baby so far after my last means that instead of hand-me-downs from my other kids we get to start afresh with baby things.
Having recently gotten on the bandwagon of subscription boxes I was thrilled to come across a code for Citrus Lane, a box I've been wanting to try out! It's a monthly subscription box for infants, babies, and toddlers. They match each monthly themed box to your child's age, so different aged babies/toddlers get different items in their box.
What I love about subscription boxes is that you get to try items that you've never heard about. It's also a total surprise what you are getting each month so it's almost like getting a little present in the mail!
This was my first box from Citrus Lane and the kids and I had a blast going through it...the first things that we've bought for the baby so far!
This month's theme was "Fun With Food". Included in the box was:
*String Bean toy by Under the Nile ($8). Joe has a doll similar to this and it is one of his favorite toys...he sleeps with it and brings it in the car with us so I know the baby will love this, first as a teether and later as a little doll.
*Green Eats set of four snack bowls ($6.99). These are made from recycled milk jugs and are BPA free. I love the green color and I know that these will be favorites of all the kids.
*Goodbyn Snack Container ($5.49). BPA free and perfect for car rides, sticking in a diaper bag, etc.
*Juice Beauty Nutrient Moisturizer ($9) for mama. Can't wait to try this!
*Madecasse Chocolate Squares ($2) for mama. Hiding these for a day when I need them!
About $31.50 worth of items this month. Each Citrus Lane box costs $25 but you can often find good deal codes for them (I bought a Groupon deal for $35 for three months). You may be able to still use the code "takehalf" for 50% off your first box. Otherwise, I know the code SPRINGFUN will take 10% off your order. Some boxes are valued quite higher than this month.
You can also buy a gift subscription for someone...this is a perfect gift for a new mama!!
*This post is not sponsored by Citrus Lane, I just wanted to show off my fun box. Afflilate links are included in this post.*
Having recently gotten on the bandwagon of subscription boxes I was thrilled to come across a code for Citrus Lane, a box I've been wanting to try out! It's a monthly subscription box for infants, babies, and toddlers. They match each monthly themed box to your child's age, so different aged babies/toddlers get different items in their box.
What I love about subscription boxes is that you get to try items that you've never heard about. It's also a total surprise what you are getting each month so it's almost like getting a little present in the mail!
*String Bean toy by Under the Nile ($8). Joe has a doll similar to this and it is one of his favorite toys...he sleeps with it and brings it in the car with us so I know the baby will love this, first as a teether and later as a little doll.
*Green Eats set of four snack bowls ($6.99). These are made from recycled milk jugs and are BPA free. I love the green color and I know that these will be favorites of all the kids.
*Goodbyn Snack Container ($5.49). BPA free and perfect for car rides, sticking in a diaper bag, etc.
*Juice Beauty Nutrient Moisturizer ($9) for mama. Can't wait to try this!
*Madecasse Chocolate Squares ($2) for mama. Hiding these for a day when I need them!
About $31.50 worth of items this month. Each Citrus Lane box costs $25 but you can often find good deal codes for them (I bought a Groupon deal for $35 for three months). You may be able to still use the code "takehalf" for 50% off your first box. Otherwise, I know the code SPRINGFUN will take 10% off your order. Some boxes are valued quite higher than this month.
You can also buy a gift subscription for someone...this is a perfect gift for a new mama!!
*This post is not sponsored by Citrus Lane, I just wanted to show off my fun box. Afflilate links are included in this post.*
Wednesday, November 14, 2012
Money/Mommy Wars
In my circle of stay-at-home moms I've gotten a bit of startled silence when mentioning that I got a part-time job. I've received a couple comments on my blog, and even an e-mail stating "You've proven yourself wrong - a family apparently can't live comfortably on a limited one income budget."
I think it hits on all sides of the "mommy wars": stay-at-home vs. working, one income vs. two when someone who is a self-proclaimed stay-at-home mom living comfortably on ( a smallish) one income mentions getting a job.
I partly did it for my sanity; when you go weeks without talking to another adult other than your husband or mom you realize that you need a social circle, even if it is just co-workers at a job that you don't particulary like. A change of pace in your day can also help your sanity, especially when your days start to remind you of the movie "Groundhog Day". My hours correspond with my husband's so the children are not in day care or having babysitters (not that there is anything wrong with that, but it's not financially smart to work a minimum wage job just to pay babysitting fees for 3 children).
I can say without a doubt that I am not doing this because we couldn't make ends meet. This is a seasonal job and will end before the baby is born. With medical bills this year and a heafty co-pay for my prenatal care due in a few months the extra money won't hurt, but we could have managed these bills without the extra money. It would mean stretching our pennies a little tighter for awhile but I figured that since this was a perfect time to work for a few months before the baby was born, get myself through winter without being stuck inside 24/7 (does anyone else here have SAD?), and get ahead on bills I decided that a seasonal job was the perfect solution.
It's funny to say that getting a job wasn't really a financial decision, as we were doing okay before.
I spoke with HR and got my hours cut to a reasonable amount and my schedule looks more manageable the next few weeks. Those are the hours I wanted in the first place!
I think it hits on all sides of the "mommy wars": stay-at-home vs. working, one income vs. two when someone who is a self-proclaimed stay-at-home mom living comfortably on ( a smallish) one income mentions getting a job.
I partly did it for my sanity; when you go weeks without talking to another adult other than your husband or mom you realize that you need a social circle, even if it is just co-workers at a job that you don't particulary like. A change of pace in your day can also help your sanity, especially when your days start to remind you of the movie "Groundhog Day". My hours correspond with my husband's so the children are not in day care or having babysitters (not that there is anything wrong with that, but it's not financially smart to work a minimum wage job just to pay babysitting fees for 3 children).
I can say without a doubt that I am not doing this because we couldn't make ends meet. This is a seasonal job and will end before the baby is born. With medical bills this year and a heafty co-pay for my prenatal care due in a few months the extra money won't hurt, but we could have managed these bills without the extra money. It would mean stretching our pennies a little tighter for awhile but I figured that since this was a perfect time to work for a few months before the baby was born, get myself through winter without being stuck inside 24/7 (does anyone else here have SAD?), and get ahead on bills I decided that a seasonal job was the perfect solution.
It's funny to say that getting a job wasn't really a financial decision, as we were doing okay before.
I spoke with HR and got my hours cut to a reasonable amount and my schedule looks more manageable the next few weeks. Those are the hours I wanted in the first place!
Poll
I added a short little poll on the side bar at right. Do you think I'm having a boy or girl? Add your guess at right on the poll AND write boy or girl here in the comments under this post. Everyone who guesses right will be entered in a drawing to win a fun little surprise in the mail. Poll will close November 20th.
P.S. Anyone who is a friend on my person Facebook page, or relative, is unable to enter as they already know the answer! :)
P.S. Anyone who is a friend on my person Facebook page, or relative, is unable to enter as they already know the answer! :)
Tuesday, November 13, 2012
Homemade Toner
For years I've been using Proactiv products to clean my face. Not only were they expensive (less so for me since I bartered a large amount from someone who no longer used it for some children's clothing) but it also stopped working for my skin after a few years.
When I ran out of the Proactiv toner I decided I wanted something more natural and a lot less expensive. I searched around for recipes for making your own and finally found one with products that I already had on hand. I've been using it for a few weeks now and it works just as well as any of the more expensive toners that I've used before.
All you need is a squeeze bottle or other dispenser (I used my old Proactiv bottle)
Witch Hazel
Water
Essential Oil of your choice
Mix about 70% witch hazel to 30% water (you can experiment with what your skin will need...the next batch you may want less or more witch hazel). Add a couple drops of the essential oil. All I had on hand was tea tree oil, which is great for oily and problem skin. The mixture doesn't smell great but you get used to it after a few days and the smell goes away when dry. Study the essential oils to see what is best for your skin type - chamomile would be great for dry or sensitive skin, orange oil for greasy, and so on.
I estimate each bottle worth (which should last me a month or more) to cost about 10 cents.
When I ran out of the Proactiv toner I decided I wanted something more natural and a lot less expensive. I searched around for recipes for making your own and finally found one with products that I already had on hand. I've been using it for a few weeks now and it works just as well as any of the more expensive toners that I've used before.
Witch Hazel
Water
Essential Oil of your choice
Mix about 70% witch hazel to 30% water (you can experiment with what your skin will need...the next batch you may want less or more witch hazel). Add a couple drops of the essential oil. All I had on hand was tea tree oil, which is great for oily and problem skin. The mixture doesn't smell great but you get used to it after a few days and the smell goes away when dry. Study the essential oils to see what is best for your skin type - chamomile would be great for dry or sensitive skin, orange oil for greasy, and so on.
I estimate each bottle worth (which should last me a month or more) to cost about 10 cents.
Tuesday, November 6, 2012
This Week
*Remember that part-time job that I told you about? It's turned out to be not so part-time. I've been scheduled for around 35 hours a week recently and not liking it at all. I had a talk with my supervisor because I was told 15-25 hours at the most and so these hours have come as a surprise to me. Working at the biggest retail stores in the country, in the apparel department, means that I am on my feet the whole shift and for a pregnant lady that can get tiring. I'm scheduled for 6 days straight in the coming week. :( This will be seasonal for me so I'm trying to just get through it but this "part-time" job is eating up more of my time than initially thought. I give props to you working mamas...I don't know how you juggle everything!
*When I get home from or late I am physically exhausted but mentally awake so I've been burning the midnight oil and doing some more reading. This week it was Oceans Apart by Karen Kingsbury and Let's Pretend This Never Happened by Jenny Lawson (which is hilarious, but crude with bad language, so do not pick this up if that's not your cup of tea. Typically it's not mine but it was so funny that it made up for that). Any book recommendations that you have?
*We find out next week if we are having a boy or a girl!
*With the colder, darker days upon us I am itching to get out my sewing machine and crochet hook. I just need to find the time. My crafty to-do list is growing: mending, curtains need to be made for Becca's room, scarfs need to be crocheted, and I really would like to learn to knit. And maybe make some Christmas gifts as well. Do you like receiving homemade items for gifts?
*Did you get out and vote today? Was the wait in line long for you?
*When I get home from or late I am physically exhausted but mentally awake so I've been burning the midnight oil and doing some more reading. This week it was Oceans Apart by Karen Kingsbury and Let's Pretend This Never Happened by Jenny Lawson (which is hilarious, but crude with bad language, so do not pick this up if that's not your cup of tea. Typically it's not mine but it was so funny that it made up for that). Any book recommendations that you have?
*We find out next week if we are having a boy or a girl!
*With the colder, darker days upon us I am itching to get out my sewing machine and crochet hook. I just need to find the time. My crafty to-do list is growing: mending, curtains need to be made for Becca's room, scarfs need to be crocheted, and I really would like to learn to knit. And maybe make some Christmas gifts as well. Do you like receiving homemade items for gifts?
*Did you get out and vote today? Was the wait in line long for you?
Monday, November 5, 2012
MIA
I'm so far behind in everything that I've been neglecting you all! I'll be posting within the next 24 hours but wanted to let you all know that I am still here!!!
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