Mom Tip: Christmas Budget Hack

                 MOM TIP: Christmas Budget Hack

                            I am so doing this!!! 

~ I'll start in SEPTEMBER (2025) so I'll have a year's worth of gift cards to shop before the holiday season next year (2026)! (or you could do JAN-NOV like the suggestion) 

~I'll do a check in every few months to keep me on track with this!

~ Let's set our savings goal and pick up a gift card each month! 

{motivational monday}

coffee + devotions

Checked a few more items off my Spring Clean Challenge!

- wash shower curtain 

- clean shower/tub

- bought a new rain shower head

- bath paint color 

Bedroom Refresh - wash pillows/bedding

New sheets are on my wish list and since I haven't bought any in quite awhile I asked for suggestions on where to buy and what kind in my stories today! 

Here's the options I got:

Supima Classic Hemstitch Sheet Set from Target  ($89.99)

Target got a few votes with some great recommendations on their sheets!

[QVC]  Northern Nights (Bamboo) Sheet Set (on clearance for $54) 

Had a couple of votes for sheets from QVC too.

 I would have gotten these on clearance but no queen size. 

I still might end up with a different NN style, as they always get good reviews!

Boll and Branch Luxury Organic Cotton Sheet Set - $200

....these are wayyyy out of my price range, but I know they've gotta be good - 

they were also featured by @cottonstem last week on her Instagram feed.

{Amazon} HC Collection Hotel & Luxury Bed Sheets - $19.94 

 

These come in a dozen colors and are only 20 bucks??? WOW! 

These just might be the ones! 

I'll follow up with a review once I decide and  make my purchase. :O)

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D I N N E R 

🥓 Bacon makes everything better! 

————————
[Clams Casino] 

• open clams 

• loosen clam and leave on half shell 

• top each with:

a dash of hot sauce

cocktail sauce

minced onion (opt.)

cheddar cheese

bacon
• broil until bacon is crisp

#clams #clamscasino #clamsonthehalfshell#seafood #local #ti #esva #freshseafood#foodie #foodpics #foodblogger #fresh#f52grams #dinner #bacon #cheddar#onion #hotsauce #cocktailsauce #yum

wool dryer balls + essential oils

H A P P Y   M A I L

Shipment #2 from Grove Collaborative arrived today!

In this shipment I chose the 

 * wool dryer balls + essential oils (goodbye dryer sheets) 

* GC Bubble Up Soap Dispenser & Dish Brush Set 

* GC Rosemary & Lavender Bath Soap (free) 

* Mrs. Meyers Honeysuckle Room Freshener (free) 

I spent $24.15 (free shipping) plus I earned a free product on my next order. I really do see a difference in the quality of these products compared to what I had been using. Also, I love that they are more economical and environmentally friendly. If you haven’t used @grovecollaborative - give it a try and get free products with your first order of $20+ with my code 

https://www.grove.co/referrer/39600358/

#myfavoritethingsmonday

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#thriftandtell

~Vintage Jars~

Perfect storage for the wool dryer balls + oils! 

Monday's Mom Tip

I always use what's left of my jar candles in my warmer.

The wax pops right out of the jar with a knife and they smell just as good 

as the melts you buy (plus no waste!). :O) 

Monday's Mom Tip: Shaker Lids

Did you know that the lids from Parmesan cheese fit mason jars perfectly? 

I use them for several things, including baking powder and soda. 

Monday's Mom Tip [5/52]

[5/52] painting tips

Place a rubber band around your open can of paint to wipe your brush on.

No more drips down the side of the can. (this one's for me!!)

Line your paint tray with foil or a plastic bag for easy clean-up.

and I love this handy trick!

Monday Mom Tip [4/52]

[4/52] Those pesky cords!! 

I recently discovered a way to hide them and keep them under control......

Command Cord Bundlers and Cord Clips...they are on my to-buy list!!!

source: Instagram

source: Walmart

source: command.com

How did I not know about these things????

And speaking of cords and small appliances.....I finally let my dinosaur blender go!! It would not die, 34 years later and it was still going strong. BUT, I have a Nutribullet that serves the same blending purpose and I never use it anymore, so while cleaning out kitchen cabinets last week, I finally tossed it! 

A prime example of "they don't make things like they used too"!! :O)

Monday Mom's Tip [3/52]

[3/52] One of my favorite kitchen tips:

Cut off the top portion of a water bottle (with lid). To seal opened bags of chocolate chips, coconut, etc. thread bag though bottom, fold over, and seal with lid. Keeps food fresh, and a good reuse for water bottles.

Monday's Mom Tip [2/52]

[2/52] I'm in the process of organizing wrapping supplies (Christmas included)
that I will now store in my big guest room closet. :O) My goal for this year's organization is to get every like thing together in one place. This has been a problem for me in the past, keeping things like wrapping supplies in more than one location. I can never find what I'm looking for or even know what I already have and buying doubles (or even worse, thinking I have it and don't!).

A place for everything, and everything in it's place makes for a much more organized home!

Here are a few tips for wrapping storage that I plan to use:


what a great idea!



use a small trash can to hold rolls of wrap


tiered drawers or containers to separate and label supplies for easy access







or larger flat bins with dividers organized according to holiday



ribbon organization





more ways to tame those rolls of wrap


a piece of wired shelving does the trick!


what a cool idea!

use cheap magazine dividers (or even empty cereal boxes)
inside baskets to separate supplies



more bins and holders





I'm super excited to use these tips to help get my wrapping supplies organized! I'll share pictures soon!

monday's mom tip [1/52]

I am starting a few new topics on the blog this year, one of them is Monday's Mom Tip, where I'll post a helpful hint for Moms every week.

[1/52] To help with Christmas shopping next year, starting in January through November, purchase a gift card every paycheck or at least once a month, to be spent in December on Christmas gifts. This is one tip I am definitely doing this year. I will probably do Visa gift cards, or from a store, like Target, where I know I will be shopping.