Attention Online Shoppers

If you have a busy schedule (or like me, have young children), getting to the mall is not always easy. Lately, I do most of my shopping online.

There are two great web sites that I use often when shopping online: www.ebates.com and www.couponwinner.com

Ebates.com is a site that gives you up to 25% cash back purchases you make online. Joining Ebates is free - you'll never pay for anything. And four times a year or more, Ebates will mail you a Big Fat Check, or transfer the money to your PayPal account. Ebates can even send the money to your favorite charity.

CouponWinner.com is an online shopping website that works with over 2,000 merchants and provides thousands of free coupons and promotional codes from top brand-names. The primary goal of CouponWinner.com is to help you save money, simply and easily, everyday.
Happy Shopping!

What happened to "Sunday best"?

Growing up, my father would never let us wear blue jeans to church. Occasionally, he would allow us to wear pants but usually insisted that my sister and I put on a dress for service. He called it our "Sunday best."

Yesterday, as I sat down in church for the Ash Wednesday service, I was amazed at how some women dressed for mass.

A lady in front of me actually wore her gym attire to church. She looked like she was ready to run a 5k.

Now I know I should be thinking, "Hey, at least she went to mass," or "Who am I to judge her choice of clothing?", but instead I am thinking "What ever happened to Sunday best?".

As I looked around, I noticed two other women who were ready for yoga class.

Maybe I am old school, but I believe that some etiquitte--fashion etiquitte--should be up held in a place of worship.

Here are a few suggestions:
1. If you do wear jeans, please make sure there are no holes or frayed hems.
2. Don't wear your tennis skirt or gym pants to service. You can take five minutes to change from your church clothes to your workout clothes once you arrive at the gym.
3. Men, please remove your baseball cap the minute you walk into a place of worship.
4. Don't wear your beach flip flops. (This goes for all of us, young and old.)
5. Moms, please don't let your teenage daughters wear short skirts and dresses to church. Watch the length.

Dad, you were right. Yet again!

5 tee shirt winners are...

I ran the numbers through Random.org and below are the five winners!

Congrats gals!
8: Dena

14: Tammy
21: Amy B
23: Lindsey
1: Amy C

AND a special bonus prize will be sent to: 12: Impulsive Addict

Tee Shirt Giveaway - Last Chance

Just a few more hours to enter to win one of FIVE Cocoa Puff Ringer Tees. Check it out here: http://anotheronlinemom.blogspot.com/2009/02/tee-shirt-giveaway-to-five-lucky.html

The Good & The Bad (Oscars Fashion)

THE GOOD: I loved the dresses last night at the Oscars! I especially love the nude colored dresses worn by Anne Hathaway and Marisa Tomei. Even Jessica Biel got in on the trend.

I also loved Heidi Klum's red dress, which she wore in honor of in honor of the Diet Coke Heart Healthy campaign. Did you notice it was a one-shoulder dress? Same as Kate Winslet.

THE BAD: I did not care for Penelope Cruz and Sarah Jessica Parker's ruffled dresses. I wonder how they sat down in all the ruffles!? (However, I will admit I liked the ruffles on Miley Cyrus, perhaps because she is younger than the other two; it just wored for the teenage star.)

I also did not care for the dark color worn by Angelina Jolie as it seemed to drain the color from her beautiful skin.

Review: Boost Kids Essentials

A few weeks back I told you gals about the coupon to try BOOST® Kid Essentials Nutritionally Complete Drink for free. My coupon came and I was so excited. However, I had to go to 5 or 6 stores before I could finally find the drinks. (And then when I did find them at Albertson's, I had to argue with the check out clerk that the coupon was real...and she called the manager over for approval). Anyhow, Princess Mimi loves the taste BUT no wonder, the first two ingredients are Water and Sugar. NO LIE, read the lable. What a huge disappointment! Personally, I'd rather spend $12 on vitamins than a six pack of the Boost drinks. Have you tried them yet?

Tee shirt Giveaway to FIVE lucky winners

I am giving away FIVE General Mills kids’ Cocoa Puffs vintage ringer tee shirts. (Okay, so they are supposed to be a youth large, but I think they look pretty darn cute on me!)

TO ENTER: Leave a comment and tell me your favorite General Mills Big G kid cereals (Kix, Lucky Charms, Cocoa Puffs, Trix, Cinnamon Toast Crunch, or Golden Grahams). One entry/comment per person please. I will ship to US and Canada. I will randomy pick five winners on Wednesday morning, 10:00 am Eastern time! Thanks!

Bad news: Approximately 75% of kids today don’t get the recommended levels of calcium and vitamin D – two key nutrients for bone health. YIKES!

Good news: General Mills Big G is the only leading line of kid cereals that provides a good source of both calcium and vitamin D in every serving.

Review: Pillsbury Savorings

A couple of weeks back, I won a Pillsbury prize pack from Toni's blog, It Is Nap Time. In the gift bag was a coupon for a box of the new Pillsbury Savoring Pastry Bites. So tonight, hubby and I tried the Buffalo Style Chicken flavor. What a fun, and yummy, new appetizer! Very flaky and full of flavor, too. I recommend you grab a box next time you are the grocery store.

Tips for shopping for the perfect pair of jeans

The other day I heard Stacy London (Host of TLC’s What Not Wear) on the Today Show tell women if they find a pair of blue jeans they really like, to buy in multiple lengths. She also stated that on average women own eight pairs of blue jeans.

Since then, I have been thinking about blue jeans.

Personally, I have five pairs. My favorite jeans are a pair of bootcut that I picked up at Kohl’s recently. While looking on the rack, I liked the color and the classic waistband (not too low, not too high). Once in the dressing room, I loved the fact that there was built in tummy control. How perfect for my not-so-toned-after-two-kids belly.

What should you look for when buying blue jeans? Here are a few tips:

• Darker washes are the most flattering color.
• Smaller pockets on back will make your butt look larger.
• Always sit down while trying on jeans to make sure the waistband feels comfortable and that you don’t get muffin top.
• Shorter women should avoid bootcut jeans; instead opt for skinny jeans.
• If you are debating between two sizes, go with the smaller size as most denim will stretch after wear.

Quick & Tasty Dinner

My mom is in town visiting us this week, and just made the tastiest, easiest dish: Meatballs in Brown Gravy.

INGREDIENTS:

• Frozen meatballs (small bag)
• A packet of Lipton onion soup mix
• Can of beef broth
• Can of Cream of Mushroom

Put in crock pot on low for four hours. Serve over rice or potatoes.

I was so surprised at how yummy these turned out! Thanks Mom!

Photo Tag

On Wednesday, I received a photo y first tag from Wacie's Way - woo hoo!

Now, here's what you do:
1. Go to your pics, choose the 6th folder and the 6th picture
2. Tell who and what
3. Pick 6 people to do the same.
Boring photo - sorry! This is one of the many outfits I have selling on Ebay today! (My auctions end on Saturday morning and I hope to make about $50!)

TAG FRIENDS, You are "it"...

1. Live.Love.Eat
2. Living the Life - Mo on the Go
3. Loving Our Simple Life
4. LSU Melanie
5. Maybe Slightly Girly
6. Mommy Doesn't Live Here Anymore
   

Sunglass Winner Is...

Thank you to all who entered the Sundog Performance Eyewear giveaway.

The random drawing winner is Mommy-Momo, number 8.

Scooby Snacks!

My kids recently discovered "Scooby Doo"! It started with my hubby finding old cartoons on Cartoon Networks Free Demand. Now they are obsessed (thank God--I was over Dora!) So Mimi was thrilled when we found Scooby fruit treats and Scooby Ro-Gurt at the store last week. Who knew these guys were still so popular, uh!?

PS Don't forget my Sundog performace eyewear giveaway ends at 2:00pm today (see below for details if you have not yet entered!)

Reminder: Sunglass Giveaway

One more day to register to win my sunglass giveaway:

http://anotheronlinemom.blogspot.com/2009/02/sundog-eyewear-sunglass-giveaway.html

Win a pair of $80 Sundog Performance Eyewear - Paula Creamer Collection

Do you want some extra cash too!?

On Sunday I should be getting my Ebates check from 4Q08 in the amount of $47.18! Sasha told me about it last year and I love it!!! So what is Ebates?

Ebates is a shopping site that gives you up to 26% Cash Back every time you shop online. You can shop at over 1000 stores including Barnes & Noble.com, Gap, Target, Buy.com and Expedia. Plus you get additional savings with exclusive coupons, free shipping offers, and limited-time sales!

Sign up with Ebates today and we'll each get a $5 bonus when you make your first purchase!
Click here to sign up: http://www.ebates.com/rf.do?referrerid=ihPdomBCzvfNk7l%2FxABVwA%3D%3D

Check it out today...and Happy (online) shopping!

What to wear on Valentine's Day

Valentine’s Day is just a few days away, and many of you want something special to wear. Well I have a few ideas just in time.

If your plans include a dinner out, try to find something that is both sexy and sophisticated. Macy's Studio M Flutter-Sleeve Matte Jersey Wrap Dress ($69.98) would be an ideal purchase. If you still need something less expensive, try Target’s Mossimo® Black Racerback Dress. At $29.99, you can’t beat the price! Great accessories can keep your black dress looking new each time you wear it!

If your plans are outdoors consider pairing Old Navy’s Floral-Cutout Babydoll Top ($19.50) with a cardigan and either a great pair of jeans or khakis.

For those planning a romantic night in, check out Gap’s Lace-trimmed nightie ($19.99 in just blush), or Victoria’s Secrets’ Eyelet-trim nightie ($24.50).

With one of these great choices, are I am sure your someone special will think you look fabulous!

Sundog Eyewear (Sunglass) Giveaway!!

I am giving away a pair of Sundog Paula Creamer sunglasses with a black PC Collection custom handbag! (Retail $80) To enter just leave a comment on why you want this pair of performance eyewear from Sundog! One entry per person please. (Will ship to US and Canada only.) Best of luck!

Update: I will select a winner on Friday 2/13 at 2:00pm (est)

Sundog Eyewear has become synonymous with the finest in golf and performance sport eyewear. Throughout the company's history, the priority has been creating sunglasses with the best lens technology available that provide the best protection possible. And with fashion-conscious genuine performers like Paula Creamer and Hunter Mahan, Sundog Eyewear has also come to mean leading-edge styling and design.

BTW, Check out the pair of Mela-Lens sunglasses that I got myself (retail $66):
(Don't you love my silly faces, ha!)

I'm a winner!

Yea! I opened up my email today to discover that I had won Toni's Pillsbury Giveaway. I am super excited as I use Pillsbury products on a regular basis. We have the cinnamon rolls each Sunday morning before heading to mass (sometimes on Saturday too!), and I love the crescent rolls with dinner. I can't wait to receive my prize. And be sure to check out Toni's great blog, It Is Nap Time.

And the beauty product winner is...

Congratulations...the winner is...

#6....Shannon @ More Wine Please

Toddler Items on Ebay

I listed a few auction items on Ebay today for toddlers (boys and girls):

http://shop.ebay.com/merchant/jennifermsd_W0QQ_nkwZQQ_armrsZ1QQ_fromZQQ_mdoZ

Happy shopping!

Beauty Product Giveaway!

You have until tomorrow (Saturday) to enter my "beauty product giveaway. Click here to enter: http://anotheronlinemom.blogspot.com/2009/02/giveaway-time-beauty-product-giveaway.html

Happy Friday Gals!

Bag Tag

Tammy @ Up Hill at 40 tagged with a Bag Meme. Tammy is a school teacher who is in awesome shape and cracks me up quite often! Please take a minute to read her blog!

I got this Liz Claiborne bag last year between Christmas and New Year's at Macy's. I thinkI got it on sale for $60. I really like the color because I have two pairs of shoes the same color. I usually carry a bigger bag since I carry my stuff and kids stuff (wipes, colors, little toys, etc)...in fact, this bag has two big zipper compartments--one for me and one for the kids.

So here are the rules:

1) Post a picture of whatever bag you are carrying as of late. No, you cannot go up to your closet and pull out that cute little purse you used back before you had kids. I want to know what you carried today or the last time you left the house. No cheating!
2) I want to know how much it cost:) And this is not to judge. This is for entertainment purposes only. So spill it. And if there is a story to go along with how you obtained it, I’d love to hear it.
3) Tag some chicks. And link back to this post so people know why the heck you’re showing everyone your bag.

I am going to do some different today and tag 3 of my real-life friends here in Orlando:
Allyson @ Allyson & Dave
Katy @ Mother's Work is Never Done
Jenna @ The Working Mom's Experience

AND IF YOU HAVEN'T YET DONE SO, enter my "beauty product" giveaway today: http://anotheronlinemom.blogspot.com/2009/02/giveaway-time-beauty-product-giveaway.html. It ends Saturday night.

Funny tee shirts

I was organizing our bedroom drawers the other day and realized that my hubby has three entire drawers of old tee shirts. He has college shirts (FSU), football logo shirts (Miami Dolphins), YMCA shirts, Disney tees, you name it! I tried to get him to throw some out, but he won't. (Such a man, uh!? ha).

As a woman, my closet is filled with white tees (most of which are stained--ha)...However, I do wear tee printed tee shirts during college football season or on holidays, like Halloween or St. Patrick’s Day. But I know many teenagers and college kids wears shirts on an almost daily basis. And I bet they get lots of them from crazy dog tshirts!

I found this web site today and it’s cracking me up. (You can see a few of my favorites in this post.) They offer holiday tees, 80s tees, funy tees, and more. Oh and they even Halloween tee shirts for men, women and DOGS! So check out the site if you get a minute. Maybe you will find a shirt for someone you love.

Oh and bonus TIP: If you order more than three tee shirts, you get free shipping, and there is also a "sale" section.

Movie time!

So it's been, gosh a year if not more, since hubby and I saw a movie. But on Saturday night (for his birthday), we went to see "New in Town". A few random comments:

It was cute (I love chic flicks!), but a little predictible.

I loved Rene's new hairdo. She looks amazing in the movie.

I hate that the theater wanted $17.50 for a 2 cokes and a popcorn...like are you kidding me!? I get a fountain coke and popcorn each Monday at Target for $1.50.

I also hate when people walk in late and then interupt the movie (okay the previews) walking up and down the aisles looking for a spot and/or asking people to move over so they can get a seat.

Do you still go to the movies or just rent DVDs?

Weigh IN Wednesday

I think the last time I weighed in with OSB was, gosh 2 months ago. I mentioned that I had one last pound to lose but wasn't going too worry much about it. Well, I HAVE DONE IT! I reached my goal. I have lost 12.5 pounds and now weigh 125 pounds!! YEA!! (How funny that it took me two months to lose one pound; I guess Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Day didn't help me much--ha!) Want to know more about my weight loss journey? Visit: http://operationskinnybitch.blogspot.com/2008/12/spotlight-on-jennifer-d.html

Did you weigh in this week? Visit: http://operationskinnybitch.blogspot.com/

Social media

Last week I was asked to lead a panel discussion on social media. It had me thinking about all these new sites like Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, and Acobay. These communities are growing so fast. . Personally, I spend lots of time on each these social sites each day. (Just last week I posted tons of old high school and college photos to my Facebook account and had a blast reliving memories with old friends). I have found sorority sisters who I had not spoken to in years, and even have found new business collagues. But my question...I wonder if they will "stick around" or just a fad. What are your thoughts?

Make "Mardi Gras" a National Holiday

Sign the petition here: http://motionformardigras.com/

Mardi Gras King Cake Recipe

I think most of y'all know I am originally from South Louisiana. Even though I now live in Florida, I still love Mardi Gras...especially king cake.

So I found a great recipe for King Cake that I wanted to share with you: http://www.gumbopages.com/food/dessert/king-cake.html

If you prefer to order a premade king cake, you can try Rouse's or Haydel's.

Mardi Gras (aka Fat Tuesday) this year is February 24, 2009. (The date of Mardi Gras fluctuates this year based on the date of Easter.) What many don't realize is that Mardi Gras is a "season" that begins on January 6th (Three Kings Day) and goes through Fat Tuesday. Mardi Gras season ends at 11:59pm on Fat Tueday as the next day is "Ash Wednesday". Pretty interesting uh?

(PS..Don't forget to enter by giveaway by Saturday at 8:00pm)

80s Sitcom Stars Acting in Soaps

Have you noticed that a few 1980 sitcom actors are now showing upon soap operas?

Michael Gross from Family Ties is playing on Y&R.

David Leisure from Empty Nest is now playing "Roger" on Y&R.

Alley Mills from The Wonder Years is on Bold & the Beautiful.

Any others I may be missing!?

Oh, and don't forget to enter my giveway by Saturday at 8:00pm.

Superbowl Time - Pistachio Girl!

I am starting to gather snacks for today and the first thing Mimi grabs is her pistachois. She cracks me up. The girl is a picky eater ...yet loves her almonds and pistachois. I am so glad she likes this healthy snack (full of B-6 and fiber, and no trans-fat or cholesterol!) instead of chips or candy!