Free Meal ideas/coupons from Pillsbury

I LOVE when I can share these offers.
If you haven't signed up for the Pillsbury newsletter, it has great easy to make recipe ideas, as well as oodles of coupons sent your way. :)
I just logged in from my previous sign up and September's newsletter is offering $33 in coupons. Print now and save for Super Doubles week. :)
I guarantee them as a wonderfully "spam free" company. You'll just get one email newsletter each month.



Here is just a sample of what's to come.

Strawberries and Cream Dessert Squares
"This recipe rocks! I always get rave reviews when I make this!" - Maya176a

More recipe ideas await you in the newsletter...

Help for the domestically challenged...

When Calgon fails you, have you ever tried this?
(Just make sure it's in your closet, away from anyone of the human species -
just you and the Lord...He'll understand. :)

Since it's been one of those days for me, please share the floor during this week's Tasty Tuesday. I would LOVE if you could impart some wisdom for those that are searching to make their house a home?

So much of what I have learned in my role as a "Domestic Engineer" has come from wise women who have come before me. Surrounding myself with women who encourage me in this role has been a lifeline.
I still have many areas with which I am struggling, but I seek out and learn from those more skilled, and then share my strengths with what I know. I love to see that it truly is the "little things that are the big things" in making our house a home.
So please tell us one of your best "domestic diva" tips in the comments, and let's learn from each other.
How fun it will be to have a whole section of comments with tried and true nuggets.

So what have you been cooking up for Tasty Tuesday?
Please link to your exact recipe URL and also link back to www.beautyandbedlam.com

New Coupons/CVS deals

Since it's the beginning of the month, new coupons are located on my side bar. There are some fabulous ones, so think ahead for Super Doubles or Triple coupon weeks, (if your store ever offers this option).
Whenever I see $0.75 cereal coupons, I stockpile my cereal reserve. I wait for the store to offer them on sale and then use my coupons. You may print two of each from each computer in your home. Printing from my sidebar shares a penny with me, so I appreciate your extra support rather than just printing them directly from their site. :)
Also, if you haven't signed up with coupons.com, they will send you additional reminders.


I haven't shared many CVS deals lately because I had SO many items from last year, I haven't been shopping weekly. But I need to start restocking some necessities, so here are some deals from this week. Shop today or tomorrow, to receive the "through Tuesday" deals.

If you are new to the "how I get free items at CVS", watch my spontaneous tutorial that I made last year. I give many tips between the two posts, so read both and watch. :)

******CVS THROUGH TUESDAY ECB DEALS******

Neutrogena Cosmetics--on sale Buy One, Get One Free (prices start at $7.99) (Look for these coupons)
$1.00 off Neutrogena Eye/Lip Cosmetics (exp 9/6/09) 7/26/09 RP
$2.00 off Neutrogena Face Cosmetics (exp 9/6/09) 7/26/09 RP
$3.00 off any Neutrogena Cosmetics product - All You magazine (Aug ed)
$4 off $20 facial skin care readyfill coupon booklet
$5 off $15 Skin Care CRT (CRT are additional coupons printed at the end of your receipt)
$0.98 each after coupons

Buy 1 Aussie Shampoo, Conditioner, or Styler at $2.99, Get $2 ECBs
$1.00 off Aussie (request by mail) http://www.aussie.com/ (this coupon would've made it free but it won't come in time. Go to special offers and they will send you a sample pack as well. :)
$.99 after ECB

Buy 1 Coppertone NutraShield Sun Care at $6.99
Print $5 off coupon from Coppertone here
$1.99 after coupon (or less if you find the $3/$15)
$1.50 off Any Coppertone product CVS Peelie attached to the NutraShield Coppertone bottles --
My side bar has a $2.00 off Coppertone NutraShield printable (right now)
$3/$15 sunscreen CRT --
$5.00 off $15 Skin Care CRT
$.49 or $1.99 after coupons

******WEEKLY ECB DEALS******

Buy 1 Lifelock DVD Starter Kit at $2.99, Get $2.99 ECBs
Free after ECBs

$4 ECB wyb Schick Slim Triple ST3 disposable razors for delicate skin 8ct. $6.99 (Limit 1)
$3.00 off Schick Disposable Razor 8/16/09 SS
$1.00 off Schick Disposable Razor 8/23/09 SS
$1.00 off Schick Disposable Razor All You magazine (Aug ed) --
Free after ECBs

Buy 1 Scope Outlast (750ml) or Crest with Scope Outlast Toothpaste at $3.49, Get $2.50 ECBs (Limit 2)
Use $1/1 Crest coupon from the 8/30 P&G insert (some areas only got $0.50/1 or $0.75/1 coupons)
Free after ECBs ($0.25)

Buy $10 worth of Dove Chocolate Silky Smooth Bags, Get $5 ECBs (Limit 1)
*Deal Idea*

Buy 3 bags at $3.50 each
Use 3 $1/1 coupons from the 8/16 RedPlum insert
$0.83 per bag after coupons and ECBs

Buy 1 Revlon, Nailine or Fing’rs Artificial Nails (excludes glue) at $3.89, Get $3 ECBs (Limit 1)
$0.89 after ECBs

Buy 1 CoverGirl Clean Liquid Foundation or Pressed Powder at $4.99, Get $2 ECBs (Limit 1)
Buy 2 and use B1G1 coupon from the 8/30 P&G insert
Plus, use a $1/1 coupon from the 8/30 P&G insert
$0.98 each after coupons and ECBs

Buy $15 worth of Clean & Clear Products, Get $5 ECBs (Limit 1)
*Deal Idea*
Buy 3 Clean & Clear Products at $4.99 each
Use 3 $2/1 printable
Spend $8.97 plus tax out of pocket, Get $5 ECBs
$1.49 each after coupons and ECBs

Thanks Money Saving Mom for some of your deal ideas

Blogging tips...enable your email feature

One of the things that I love most about blogging is the community that can be developed through reading blogs, but mainly through the personal comments that are left at the bottom of the posts.

I used to reply to every single comment, promising to never become "too big" to reply.
My heart still desires this, but the reality of balancing computer time with actually being a responsible mom has come to the forefront.
So let me give you a blogging tip/request. It is possible for you to enable your email in the comments section.
Do you know that every single day I respond to a bunch of commenters, shoot out the email, only to find out you all never received my response? It's always such a bummer since you may think I ignored you.

When I learned this tip, it was a complete blogging highlight for me. So take a minute right now, and it will make a difference. If you are on Blogger, go to your dashboard and then click "edit user profile."
Once there, you will see many options, one being "show my email address." Check that little box.
If you're nervous about making your email public, just quickly set up a new one through gmail or yahoo. Easy peasey. :)

Guess what? Now, when you leave me a comment, I can immediately reply right back to you if you ask me a question, and I will...answer questions, that is.
(Now, if you just leave a comment like "nice outfit," I'll probably wait until you actually ask "what thrift store did you get that at?" :)

If that option isn't enabled and you ask me a question, then there is a very real possibility I may not respond because it's a little odd to go to your site, and leave an answer on a random post.

Also, check to see if you have "word verification" enabled. That is when commentors will have to punch in a bunch of crazy letters. Sometimes I will leave a comment and then have to try a few times, or I just give up. If you've never checked...do that now and turn it off. It scares people away from leaving comments.
Don't worry, in my year of blogging, I have only had one spam comment with it turned off.

Does that make any sense? I hope it does because I want to answer all the questions that come my way.
From talking with other bloggers, this makes the difference between how many people we can respond to each day.

I am no technology guru by any means, but when I first understood I could do this, it made a big difference.
I love hearing from you all, and just love sharing life with you. Thanks for the privilege.

You can always feel free to email me directly if you have something more personal you want to ask. Every once in awhile, things will go in my spam box, so if you don't hear back from me within two days, please resend it. :)

Celebrate Grandparent's Day - tradition ideas

Celebrating Grandparents –

A holiday that often gets overlooked is National Grandparents Day. Celebrated on the first Sunday after Labor Day (which this year is Sept. 13), the holiday was created to remind grandchildren to tap into the wisdom and heritage their grandparents provide.

There are many fun activities and traditions that your children can do with their grandparents to celebrate the holiday. One is to complete a grandparent interview with a variety of questions. What were your parents like? Describe your childhood? What were your goals and aspirations? What advice do you want to pass onto your children and grandchildren? This will give your children a chance to see how the world has changed since their grandparents were young, plus give your parents an opportunity to share stories. Capture this on video and you will have a priceless family keepsake that will be enjoyed for generations to come. We have had some wonderful opportunities to do this over the last few years. I outlined a special time in my "Do you know your family story?" post.

Favorite Things to Do – Start a new tradition for Grandparent’s Day by taking photos of the grandchildren doing something Grandpa and/or Grandma love to do (gardening, playing cards, golfing, baking pies, dancing, etc.). Take that same photo every year, and keep them in chronological order in a Grandparent’s Day photo album. This will become a favorite tradition everyone looks forward to and a wonderful way to build a legacy of love.

Promises to Grandma and Grandpa – Find a glass or plastic jar and have your children decorate it with construction paper and stickers, or a strip of fabric/leather. Then, have each child write on pieces of construction paper some things they could help their grandparent’s do in the upcoming weeks: “I will help you rake the leaves” or “I will help you clean up the garage.” Give the rewards jar to them as a gift on Grandparent’s Day. This teaches children the virtue of helping others, which is sometimes the most valuable gift of all.

Many grandparents live far away. Take the opportunity to let them know you're thinking of them by filling a large manilla envelope with some special "Just because" notes. They'll cherish it forever. :)

Do you ever celebrate Grandparents Day? I haven't, but I sure am starting this year.

One never knows how much time we have left to cherish these multigenerational times together.