Free appetizer, free baby samples, free ice cream, horseback riding!

Coupon for free appetizer from Fox and Hound. Offer requires that you enroll your email address, you'll also receive a free entree on your birthday.

Register with Babytobee.com to receive free samples, coupons and offers for you and your baby. Great for expectant parents.

Free scoop of Baskin Robbins ice cream on your birthday when you sign up with their birthday club.

christianbiblestudies.com has free samples of bible study formats you can download for free on their website. Topics like Movie Discussion Guides, Great Teachers of the Bible, and a booklet that defines discipleship. There are three complete downloads, and 6 downloads that are portions of studies available. Study downloads are available between $5 and $15.

Save 48% and free shipping on a Lexmark Printer. Today only. It's the Wild Deal of the day at Shopathome.com.  There are also 7 different coupons for Lexmark products listed.

$12 for a single Horsemanship group class and ride at Singletree Stables. It's one of today's Groupons, and is a 52% discount! Click here!

coupons, and giveaways

If you like Coffee-Mate Creamer in your coffee, like them on Facebook, and/or follow them on Twitter to get one of 10,000 coupons they will be giving out for a free creamer.  February 4, 2011 is their first ever Free Creamer Friday.  The coupon will be good for one free bottle of creamer on that day only. Sign up quick for a better chance to get one, I'm sure this will be a popular one!

Free samples available for John Frieda hair care products, Poise pads, American Baby magazine, and Prilosec at Kroger.com

Barnes and Noble 25% off. Printable coupon click here.

Old Navy, Local deals, The Children's Place, Toys R' Us, and resturant gift cards

Here some things I found you may want to get your hands on for holiday shopping:

Love2blog2save has a coupon for 30% off one item at Old Navy. It's for in-store use through 12/24 and excludes the hot Techno Hoodies everyone is wanting. Get it here.

Bath and Body Works is running some discounts:  Like buy 3 get 1 free, $5 items, 2 for $20 candles, and 50% off. Check it out here.

If you are already thinking about after holiday sales, Baby Cheapskate has the Target markdown schedule on her page and she has some great clearance shopping tips on her site.

If you like to shop local, Eccentricity is having 30% off accessories, and buy 3 items get 30% off clothing. They have also just put out more scarves, candles, and jewelry. Like them on facebook to see more of what they have.

The Children's Place has a special on egift cards. You can receive a $10 ecard for every $40 you send. Check it out here.

Toys R' Us is now open 24 hours now until Christmas. They are also offering some great deals in those final days. Today is 50% off select items. Check them all here.

Restaurant.com is a great place to buy restaurant gift cards, especially for your loved ones out of town, (there is only one restaurant in Wichita on their site). Right now you can get $25 Gift cards for $10. Enter promo code HOLIDAY and get them for $2.  This is a spectacular savings. If you are traveling over the holidays, what a great gift to yourself to buy these and save money on your eating out bill. Amazing.

Well, I thought I was taking this week off, but there's too many deals to pass up. Stay tuned, I'll be bringing you more I'm sure!!!  Merry Christmas!!

My Gym - play over winter break

My Gym Wichita, has posted their December Mini-camps and Open play schedule for the next two weeks. This is a great time to either try out My Gym for your kids, or have a place to drop the kids off while you finish up those last few errands.  Reservations are required and space is limited, so call in your kids today!!
Go here to see the schedule!

Mint for your money

Mint is fresh, free, and intelligent online money management software. Over 1 million people are using mint's money management and budgeting software to their finances with over 3,000 users adding it everyday.
My husband and I personally use Mint.com to manage our money, and use it to set up monthly budgets, track our spending, and watch our investments, and loans. We both have mint apps on our phones where we can check any transactions and balances on our accounts at any given moment. We have a new found piece of mind knowing that our money is where we can see and track it at a moments notice - at our speed, on our time.
If you haven't signed up for mint you are missing out on the freedom and convenience it brings. Sign up here, and add your bank account to get started. Totally safe, protected and backed by the Intuit name, there are potential savings waiting for you!
Read up what I said about it in a previous post here.

Free sign up and a $10 gift card

Sign up for PureWow and get a $10 gift card to NoMoreRack, and be entered into a drawing for an iPad and a $1000 Neiman Marcus gift card. 
As seen in Us magazine, the Huffington Post, and The Wall Street Journal, PureWow brings you the best most prestigious of fashion, food, health, beauty and travel all to your inbox. Sign up here.
Just for signing up, you will get a gift card to use towards NoMoreRack which gives 8 deals on the web per day with $2 flat shipping per order. Everything from fashion, to music to skin care, makeup and accessories. All at super great discounts. Get in on this offer before it's gone.

Photo canvas - free

Here's a great gift idea for that someone that has everything: Turn a favorite photo into a Canvas art piece. What's even better is that it's FREE!! All you pay is shipping and handling, which on average looks to run about $14.95 per canvas. I believe this is one per household. Limited time offer, so hurry soon! From Canvas People.

Lots and Lots of stuff

My inbox was busting at the seams with some great things today! First let me list the sales, offers and FYI's you may need for finishing up your Christmas shopping.

Toys R' Us:  Hours for then next two days (Sunday and Monday) are 6am to midnight, and then switching over to 24 hours (!) Tuesday - Christmas Eve. This might be the secret to beating the crowds...They are also running buy 1 get 1 toys (like Nerf and Lego) and free shipping (should you not want to leave your chair). I'm sure there will be some more great deals as the week progresses to get you back into the store. Check out the web page with all the details here.

Leapfrog:  If you love their educational, engaging toys for your kids, or need a great gift idea for any kid, check out the sales at Leapfrog.com. There is still time to order online, get free shipping and get it by Christmas. 25-75% off sitewide, and save an additional 20% off on your order with promo code WINTER20. Check it all out here.

Barnes and Noble: I love B&N for most of my Christmas list this year as they have something for everyone. They are running buy 2 toys get the 3rd for free. This is great as they have such fabulous educational toys and games. Holiday children's books are buy 1 get 1 50% off as well. Go to barnesandnoble.com to see all the in-store and online sales going on. Make sure you sign up for their email list while you're there to get some exclusive coupons sent only to email subscribers.

Old Navy:  It's hard to beat their deals in store, they are so great this time of year, but if you order online through 12/20 you can still get 20% off your purchase, and get free shipping to receive it by 12/24. Use coupon code ONSAVE20.


New coupons at Coupons.com to help you get all the Christmas goodies and ingredients for your holiday dinner celebrations. Check them out here.


Happy Shopping!!

Free with purchase, free sample, and vote to end hunger

If your child is still having wet nights,  Pampers Underjams are made for older kids to wear at night. You can try it for free at the Pamper's website. Click here to sign up.

Loving Mamapedia! Today's deal is 1/2 price shoes at Shoemall.com. They have Reeboks, Crocs, Steve Madden's and other great brands. Don't miss the Family Fun magazine by Disney subscription for $5 for a year, and some other great gift ideas.

Give the gift of relaxation with a gift card from Beau Monde. Pay $125 and get a card worth $150, pay $140 and get a card worth $175, $150 get $200!!! And receive a FREE camera session and 8X10 portrait from Camera Angles with any $100 purchase. Go in Sunday, December 19th, from 12-4 and also get a free set of Beau Monde Make-up brushes, a $30 value, with any $100 purchase. Complimentary chair massages while you shop. This would be great gifts for that someone special on your list.  This sale is valid only this Sunday and at any of their three locations: New Market, Comotara Center, and Douglas and Oliver.  Wichita City Mom LOVES Beau Monde. (hint hint husband!) wink

Now the biggest news for Wichita right now is we are in the running to receive $1 million dollars from Wal-mart for The Kansas Food Bank. As I write this we are ranked #4. You can vote too, go to this link to vote for our community. Five runners up will receive $100,000. Vote and tell your friends to vote!!

Dropside Crib Alternatives

So all this banning/outlawing got you nervous about what to put your baby in at night? 
There are some other, more unusual options out there,most are guaranteed to make your job as a parent easier, and slightly unnecessary.  You're sure to get a good nights sleep, and be the talk of all your friends with some of these unusual cribs I found on the net today.  No worries about drop-side catastrophes here!

 1. The Suima Crib. Mimicking the gentle, loving arm movements of Mom (or Dad) it rocks side to side every 1.8 seconds. There's even a "baby cry" sensor so you can sleep through the night. No worries about slat entrapment, a safety net keeps junior safely tucked in at night. Sadly, you may have to travel to Japan to pick this one up, and it will set you back $5000.  crunchgear.com

 2. The Infant Eggy Bed.  Found at xoxobook.com It looks more like a travel pod that Mork from Ork might have taken when he was a newborn than baby bed. Cool though, in a modern, minimalist, futuristic sort of way.

3. Slightly creepy, the Itellicot is smart and supposedly safe.  It rocks the baby to sleep, it lifts up and down so you don't break your back getting your baby to bed, and has a built in fan (for air circulation and a/c) and baby monitor.

4.  Maybe you would like your baby to have dreams of sleeping in the wild of the African Savana. (or in the belly of a zebra) This crib from ninetoninedesigns.com is designed to look like a zebra. The head acts as a tray for bottles and baby needs, the tail has shelves for arms reach storage. Classy little wheels make it moveable around the room. Check it out at Intellitots.com

5. This tank crib found on Dwell Studio was made by some parents who wanted something unusual and couldn't find one they liked.  Made of walnut and plastic, it's kind of more aquarium than crib. To each his own.

6. If you still can't find something that feels safer than a typical crib, there's always cardboard.
Complete with wheels and mattress, babygadget.net, all for $308.

Cribs Banned

Just like had been previously predicted, the Government is going forward with banning/outlawing drop-side cribs for infant use. This means manufacturing, selling, and re-selling of drop-side cribs will be considered illegal starting next June. 

Over the past 10 years there has been 30 infant/newborn deaths associated with drop side crib construction. These cribs can malfunction on the sliding side rail allowing a baby to get trapped between the mattress and rail, entraping and/or suffocating them.

The new safety regulation will introduce more rigorous testing for crib safety, and improve warning labels and instructions making sure parents are assembling cribs correctly. 

The CPSC is not requiring any drop side cribs currently in use to be disposed of, but that parents with drop side cribs go to cpsc.gov/cribs to make sure there are no warnings on the cribs they are currently using.
11 million cribs have been recalled since 2007. The largest back in November when 2.1 million cribs by Storkcraft were recalled.

sources:
freep.com
msnbc.msn.com

Top coupon offers

Here's the latest deals going on over at ShopAtHome. It's getting crazy with lots of things to look at as we are getting to crunch time on holiday shopping and especially with any shipping involved.

Ghirardelli chocolate 20% off through 12/31. Click here.

JCPenney's get 10% of your purchase back and free shipping.

Save 55% on the New Flip MiniHD at Avon.com! 


Get 10% Extra Cash Back at Victoria's Secret!

Gap.com coupons plus 8% back. 

See how ShopAtHome can save you money, and earn you cash back for your purchases. I am an affiliate publisher, all links are connected to my site and help earn me money to keep bringing you more of what you want to read. Thank you.

Amazon Mom

Here's a great perk just for being a Mom - Amazon wants you to use them for your baby products. As a way to earn your business they now have a program specifically for you to get those items, and get them cheap. Join the Amazon Mom program and save up to 30% off select diapers, wipes, formula, and baby food, plus free 2 day shipping with no minimum order. I have also learned that coupons can be used on the Amazon site, and they also have groceries too.  Check out Moneysavingmom.com for more about Amazon for your grocery shopping and saving on baby products.

Also check out the Groupon that is good until tomorrow night- it's $1 for 3 rentals from Redbox. That's like getting 3 free!! (as long as you get them back on time!!! The free only covers the first night)

A thank you from Biolage

In honor of all they do, Matrix is giving you the chance to tell your stylist thank you for their talent and hard work, and donate $1 to the The Conservation Fund's efforts to create a greener, leafier planet.

You just need your salon's email address, or stylists address, and they will send the thank you and the donation, then you will receive a free sample from Biolage from the product line you choose. Not a bad trade.

Click here to get your graciousness rolling.

Saturday's Wild Deal

Today's deal is a hot one, through ShopAtHome, it's only valid through online ordering but apparently it's a popular 
item this holiday.
Save $9.97 and free shipping.
There is also a long list of coupons from this retailer that is a favorite destination for holiday shopping! 
Check it out here.

Homemade Christmas

I love sugar scrubs and have been looking online for sugar scrub recipes. I came across some great holiday gift ideas from C&H Sugar on their website.
There is a recipe for homemade marshmallows. (yum!)
Peanut Butter dog biscuits
and white cane sugar, and brown sugar scrubs.
They even give you some cute printable tags for gift giving and wrapping and gifting ideas to print from home.

photo from alittlebitfunky.blogspot.com

Browse around the site for more holiday recipes like "edible ornament's", and printables like a homemade recipe book you can create and print with their cute holiday templates.
Some great, easy gift ideas and good family fun for Christmas time.

Also go to A Little Bit Funky for her recipe and some cute ideas for jars and gifting. I like some of her ideas as well!  She has a lot of really cute homemade crafting gift ideas that most anyone could do I believe.

Build-a-Bear Savings links

If Build-A-Bear is on your child's wish list this year, check out these coupons before you shop. There are more great savings off purchases, and great deals on select stuffed animals. Click my link for all the savings available.
If you missed my post about the text message deal from Build-A-Bear, check it out here.

BOGO Sweaters

Buy One Get One Free Sweaters still happening over at Old Navy. Good for anyone. Men's, Women's, kids, baby. You will need this coupon/coupon code to get it.
BOGO Sweater for FREE at Old Navy!
Plus, shop through ShopAtHome.com and get 8% cash back!! That's more money to use on more gifts!! 
Hurry because it ends December 12th!

12 days of Wild Deals!!

ShopAtHome.com, the site where you get cash back on your purchases, is having 12 days of Wild deals to bring you some great gifting ideas!!  Now I've been out, so I missed out on day one, but day two is today and is a really exciting deal that is the top wish on my kids Christmas list this year. With an extra 5% cash back making your total cash back reward at 10% on this deal only!! And free shipping!!!
Check it out here!!

Play with your food...

Check out today's Mamapedia deal -
$15 for $30 worth of Yubo, compartment-able, eco-friendly, customizable lunch kit.

So cute with lots of great colors to choose from, you can customize the inside with different sizes of containers eliminating the need for baggies and plastic wrap.

Everything fits neatly inside the Yubo lunch box, and it is dishwasher safe, and kid friendly (durable and cute with customizable face plates that can be changed). Prices are fairly decent and for the $30 credit you can easily buy a starter set with everything you would need to get you going, and just pay for shipping and tax. Check it out here.

Build-a-Bear Savings!!!

Money Saving Mom has a great offer for Build-A-Bear she found on another great saving blog. Text BEAR to 69866 to get $10/$30. You also get entered for a $50 gift card. It's good until Christmas Eve! Note: it will enter you also to start receiving "Bear Bucks" via text message to your phone. Normal text rates apply so make sure you unsubscribe if you are not interested in receiving any more offers.

Free PocketBac, Free Lipgloss, 1/2 price, coupon for crafting

Free Reindeer Pocket Bac in-store or online from Bath and Body Works. Print the coupon or get the coupon code here.

If you use Swiffer products, or want to, take advantage of this chance to get a free cookbook from Reader's Digest called Quick Food: Gourmet Recipes In Just 30 Minutes.  Go to the Reader's Digest website to enter the UPC code and get your copy.

Free Lipgloss with any purchase from Victoria's Secret. Print the coupon here.

Heads up men, today's Groupon is perfect for you to find that last minute gift for the lovely lady in your life. Red Envelope has $30 for $15 on today's Groupon. Love love love Red Envelope for the unique, classy and witty gifts. Thoughtful and classic. You'll find something for the someone who has a bit of everything. Some items are a bit on the pricier side, but $30 should make a nice dent in the prices to still get you a great buy on something very nice this Christmas.
Check out the website here.

Really liking the unique and useful selection of great buys from Mamapedia lately.  Today you can get some great reusable grocery and produce bags from Flip Flop. I like the way these look simply because they look like the regular plastic shopping bags but out of a nylon like material. Easy to tote around, and easy to load up your groceries and get them home. Check them out here. Remember, select your school to donate 5% of your purchase.

Great coupon from Michael's today. One is good only today and tomorrow, and there are some great sales going on this weekend as well. Click here for coupon.

Stake an unwrap attack...

Fellow Blogger Mom, Twitter acquaintance Naomi from Superdumb, Supervillian is having a $100 ebay gift card giveaway. Tweet her over at Twitter (a mystery site for most of you, I know), and get entered to win. She was selected as an official Unwrap Attack Elf by Ebay and Samantha Bee. She gets to launch an unwrap attack on a friend, and give one away to someone to launch their own unwrap attack. Check our her blog here to get the scoop on entering. Thanks Naomi for letting me share this with my readers!

Work At Home Mom of the Month - December

Shalonda Kull had a secure job in an unsecure job market. Rubbing elbows with CEO's and presidents, sometimes it was glamorous and sometimes running the rat race was enough to make her crave a simpler existence. With two young children growing up quickly in front of her eyes, her world of living from one day to the next was less than she had desired it to be. Though she loves being an Air Force wife to her supportive husband Ryan, the chance of deployment is always a possibility, and it was during those times that being home and being physically, mentally, and emotionally available to her kids was even more important.

The presence of faith and spiritual support called her heart to believe that home was where she needed to be. Peace for her family would be the big payoff.

But even peace is a hard thing to achieve even when you are a stay at home Mom.  Every Mom experiences the "crazy Mom cycle" and desires to get some sort of break from it all. With lots of creative energy and now extra time to explore it, she started making bows and tutu's for her infant daughter Emma. Friends and family loved them and encouraged her to sell them. Hence Kull Kreations was born.  Quickly she then discovered though, that photography is where her passion lies.

Shalonda speaks of her photography as something she is "choosing" to do because she loves it.  The enjoyment is the payment, and the money she makes is a bonus. Having a part in creating memories for someone helps her to walk away with a happy heart, knowing that it is something that will always be enjoyed. She understands the importance in capturing that precious moment in time and turning it into a treasure that will be kept for a lifetime. She strives to capture a timeless look, bringing out the full personality of the subject.

Getting busier and busier she is looking forward to growing her business by taking some classes specifically aimed at learning her camera and classes on editing tools and techniques to bring her into a more professional level. Her past experience at her Supply Chain Management position provided her the ability to organize her time, and deal with all sorts of different personalities, as well as getting a lot of time in behind a computer. She credits her friend Megan as huge source of support and inspiration. Megan has always been a positive supporter of her work and encourages her when she's down. She is a friend that will drop everything to help her with whatever. (We all adore friends like that!)

In addition to Megan, she has a huge support group of friends and family. Her Mother-in-Law is always there providing necessary tools and encouragement. Her church book group "GTalksquared",  and her Aunt Lindy have been her source of spiritual support and encouragement. "I wouldn't even be taking pictures if the Lord hadn't put it in my path," Shalonda says, "and they are always there to help me do my best to stay on his path. I'm so thankful for God's spiritual gifts that he has provided for me." Shalonda does portrait shots, families, maternity and engagement photos. She can work on location at your home or place of your choosing, or she has a variety of places to shoot where she loves to capture that timeless moment! Shalonda and her family, ready for the holiday season! Check out Shalonda on Facebook here. Book a session with her between now and January 1st, to receive a free 8X10 as thanks from Shalonda.  Mention CITYMOM to get the free picture! One reader will receive a free session with Shalonda. Here is how you enter:  "like" Shalonda's page on Facebook.  Then, if you do not follow me on facebook or twitter, please do one or both, OR Follow me with google connect or sign up to get my RSS feeds.  Include that you liked Shalonda and  your method of following Wichita City Mom, and give your user or @name (if applicable) in the comment section below. Drawing will be made December 27th from those that comment. Winner will be announced on the 30th. Session will be good for one year from that date. Good luck and thanks for reading!!

Barnes & Noble has some coupons out that will take 30% off Select Christmas themed items, and New releases.  Click here to print.

Groupon is geared up for gift giving, check out the great deals in our city, and don't forget to check out other cities for Groupon's that can be used online. There are some great buys that would make great gifts this season that you can only see by clicking my affiliate link. Check them out here.

If you love Dave Ramsey's philosophies and teaching on money and debt, and want to share it with family and friends you need to check out books, CDs, DVD, and software all on sale for $10 on his website. There are some huge markdowns on essential tools for a "Total Money Makeover". My husband and I have taken the class and love what it has done for how we view and spend our money. This is definitely a gift that keeps giving.

Get a free sample of Elizabeth Arden's new perfume Pretty while supplies last, so hurry!

Matrix is giving away free samples of volumatherapie Shampoo and Conditioner by Biolage. Click here to try it out!

If you follow me on Facebook you may have seen my link to Mamapedia. They have sweet deals for your city or online e-tailers and retailers around the country. Not only is it a great place to get some super sweets presents for your super sweet sweeties, but you can also raise money for your kids school. (Say it with me now, Sa-weeet!) Check your state and city to see if your school is included, add it to your profile on the webpage and start shopping and earning.  Sweetness.

Deals and coupons

Land's End is having some sales through December 11th. Get free shipping, special savings on specific articles of clothing, discounts per total purchase, and more. Get your coupon codes here!!

The Children's Place 15% off coupon for your purchase, in store or online through January 2, 2011. Click here.

Target Coupons for Cyber Monday, free shipping from online store, and coupon codes, click here: 

Get in on some Cyber Monday specials and cash back opportunities here. It's coming, Monday, November 29th!

25% off at Banana Republic in store or online with a coupon code. Click this link to get your code.

Boys lounge pants are 50% off at Kohl's right now, making them $10 each! Great gift idea! Great price.

Need some great grocery coupons? I have recently discovered ShopAtHome for my coupons both at fine retail stores and for my grocery shopping. I have also just become a ShopAtHome affiliate publisher, which means they send me the great deals, I pass them on to you, you help support my page by checking them out! It's a double win! I check out all sources to make sure they are good before I share them, and this one checks out to be pretty good so far. So don't be surprised to see me talking about ShopAtHome more and more. They have a great variety of things you'll love and use! (note: You will have to download the "smart source" coupon printer to access any printable coupons.)  Grocery Coupon Link

Aveda will give you a free sample of their Foot Relief Cream, travel sized, with this printable coupon. Just take it to an Aveda store or retailer and they will give it to you complimentary.

If you have never signed up for Bath & Body Works email, now is a good time. Sign up on their website and get a travel size of a Signature Collection item with any purchase. (A $5 value) Would be a nice stocking stuffer.

Get access to more free samples like those at ShopAtHome.com

Groupon Thanksgiving Weekend Specials

Jump start your holiday season with Groupon. There is a great  selection of gift options available only through affiliate publishers like myself. Chocolate, nuts, and coffee just to name a few. Something for everyone, and a great gift idea for the recipient that has everything. Take a look here.

More Blk Friday (V.S., local businesses, Oshkosh and Carter's)

Victoria's Secret: Buy one bra get one 1/2 off, $25 Pink Sweatshirt or sweat pant normally $49, free supermodel tote bag with a $60 purchase. and more on their website and in store. See the ad from my inbox here, and visit the website here for Thanksgiving day specials.

Local businesses Hannah Banana and Christiane's Closet are getting in on the Black Friday madness, Hb is offering discounts on merchandise from 10-25% off and 1/2 price gift certificates, buy one for $10 worth $20 in merchandise.  Christiane's Closet will be offering 40% off one item from 10-2 and 30% off one item from 2-5, then 20% off additional purchases all day.  Hannah Banana is located on Douglas 2 blocks west of Hillside, and Christiane's Closet is on Central 1 block west of Hillside.  Say hi to the girls and tell them I sent ya'! ;)

Speaking of clothing, Oshkosh is running 60% off their entire site, and $10 jeans and sweaters, $9 sleepwear, and 20% off in store for purchases over $50.
Carters.com is having $5 Melissa & Doug puzzles, and $7 Fleece zip mocks, and $8 PJ's.

Black Friday eve...

Black Friday has almost begun, here's some sales that may help your planning:

Leapfrog Educational learning toys and games is having an online black friday sale. Catch 25% off Disney, free shipping on orders over $50, and great toys your kids love starting at less than $7.99. Click here to see Leapfrog.

Restaurant.com, the home of discount restaurant gift certificates, is having a Feed it Forward Event, 40 gifts a day for 40 days. They have 40 million restaurant gift certificates to give free, yes free, to your friends and family, up to 40 per day, every day now until the end of December. Connect through your email account, or facebook login. You can send gifts to friends on your facebook list, posting a link to their free gift certificate on their wall. This is a great way to send a little something to friends that live out of town, or friends in town. I know the only place in Wichita that has certificates on Restaurant.com is Shorty Small's! But hey, free is free. And if you don't use all your allotted 40 certificates you can give them back to the Restaurant.com community to be used elsewhere. Just create a log-on on the site and start gifting.

Famous Footwear is running Buy One Get One 1/2 off and 20% off your entire purchase with coupon or Promo code. Get it here.

So the word is that Gap is marking the entire store 1/2 off from midnight until 10a.m. in select stores for Black Friday. I have no confirmation on whether this is in Wichita or not. If anyone hears, comment and let me know! This would be a great way to get gifts for all! See the Facebook invite here.

Black Friday here we come...

A couple of things in my inbox this morning for Black Friday sales, coupons and giveaways:

Gap has released an email with a few of their deals such as $10, $20, and $30 items. View the ad here.

30% off coupon available from Barnes & Noble, they are having "Black Friday Week" with deals everyday. Sign up for their emails to get them daily in your inbox.


Bath & Body Works (my favorite holiday go to) is having a special on a VIP bag worth $115. With any $40 purchase you can buy it for $20.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Win free Laser Hair Removal from an American Laser Center in your area. There is a long list of states that have this center, and Kansas is on there. Grand Prize is $3000 in laser hair removal, and second prize is $1500 in laser hair removal. Fill out their form with contact information. They do ask for your phone number, but Official rules state you must provide an email address in order to enter. One entry per person, you have until November 30th to enter. Click here to enter.

Get a free copy of a new guide from the What to Expect series, entitled What to Expect Guide to a Healthy Home. This guide is to help get your family through cold and flu season healthier. Should be a great go-to as all the other books in this series I believe are a must for all parents.

Free sample of formula from Enfamil. Print and take the certificate to your baby's doctor to receive it. I think I will get mine and then donate it to The Treehouse to help Moms and babies in need. Check The Treehouse website to see how your donations of diapers, formula, clothing and baby necessities can help Mom's and children in the Wichita area. Get your donations in before the end of the year to use as a tax-deduction on your 2010 taxes. It's a win-win.

Get a free sample of Clorox Green Works natural cleaning product here.

Make sure you print off your coupons if you have any last minute Thanksgiving grocery shopping to do today. There are over 150 new coupons today on Coupons.com.

This freebie will probably go fast so act quickly, free sample of Starbucks Natural Fusions flavored coffee from Wal-mart, this is the bean or ground you brew at home stuff! See it here.

Get a coupon for 10% off Best Buy through December 15th. This link is a PDF copy of the coupon from a website. From what I hear it works, but no guarantees on this one, and read the fine print.

There's also a 20% off coupon for JCPenney's should you use your Penney's card there, or 15% off with any other form of payment. The great thing is that it is valid on sale and clearance items. It can only be used on December 3rd & 4th, which is next weekend. Get it here.

I'm sure there will be lots more deals to post over the next 4 days, watch my blog and Facebook and Twitter for anything new I can find!!

Hope, Help and Healing for Blended Families

*the following is not a paid post. All opinions and experiences are truly mine. 

Statistics scare me. Scary because of what they find. Scary because I don't want to be one of  them.  I happen to think that there are exceptions to every rule though. Some of you may disagree, but not everything is in black and white. Sometimes there are other colors that can seep their way in and change the way it looks. Sometimes it's just how you look at it.

Marriage is tough. Divorce is tougher. Marriage after divorce can be downright disaster. Throw in a couple of kids, maybe mine, maybe his, maybe both, and you have quite a challenge on your hands.

Statistics say 48% of first marriages will end in divorce, (which has gone down from 50%), and an average of 84% of men and women will remarry again within 5 years. 68% of those remarriages involve children, and 70% of those remarriages will end in divorce within 5 1/2 years.  Within the next few years the blended/step-family will be the most common form of family in America.

God does not want your marriage or remarriage to end in Divorce. There is a ripple effect of damage and pain that comes out of a divorce. More and more families are struggling through the challenges of our society and not making it due to the added pain and damage.  There is help though and it comes through God's word.  God is a God of second chances. Only He can take all things and make them into good. As a Christian, I turned to my faith when my second marriage began to fail. I did not want to go through the pain of divorce again, and take my children through more battles in a broken system.

So, I began to do research for Christian help for step-families and saw that there were few to turn to, but I did get lucky enough to find thebondedfamily.com. A couple, in Kansas City, holding conferences and workshops showing families how they could go from broken to bonded and using Christ and the bible as their guides. Dan and Rebecca Snell have first hand experience remarried after divorces with 5 children between the two of them. Adding an "ours" baby down the road, gave them 6 all together.

Dan and Rebecca serve as a testimony to how trusting God and placing Him as the center of your family and marriage can take your family out of the realm of falling into a statistic. My husband, Jason and I,  attended a "Bonded Family" conference just this past weekend. It was tough to get there, and given the trials we faced the week prior, felt like the devil himself was trying to keep us from going. By the grace of God we made it, and through it began to feel that there was a purpose to our marriage, and that God does have a plan for our family. Trusting in Him and praying for his guidance and blessings was key.

We heard other stories from other speakers and who had their own history of pain and heartbreak. They shared how they were able to turn things around keeping hope for the family they care so much about.
We learned how our own personal baggage can weigh down and slow the success of a blended family. Seeing how to apply scripture to your family was eyeopening and encouraging. Topics like dealing with your ex, staying away from the road of "isolation" and keeping on the path of "oneness" in your marriage and Biblical Principles of handling finances were covered as well as Step-parenting fears, and ways to Encourage the spiritual and emotional health of children.  Grandparents are even included as this workshop gets real and gets serious for the benefit of your family.

If you are in a Blended family, I really encourage you to find a Bonded Family Workshop near or in your city and go to it. Also check out their website www.thebondedfamily.com, and follow Dan and Rebecca Snell on each of their blogs, as well as on Facebook (@Dan Snell) and Twitter (@blendedfamilies) to give you encouraging tips and advice on how to strengthen your marriage and each other. You can also hear their podcast at The Bonded Family Ministry Podcast at the PodOmatic website. They will help to take your family from "Broken, to Blended to Bonded."



Statistical findings are quoted from The Bonded Family Stepfamily Workshop material. More information can be found at their website.

Burt's Bees, coffee mate, and test your wrinkles for free!

"Like" Burt's Bees on Facebook and get a free sample of body lotion. Fill out the quiz for "what your body has to say" and then submit your information.  I tried this and all I got was a coupon. But you have to fill out your info and agree to get their newsletter. Hopefully it comes in an email!

If you love to sweeten up your coffee, get a coupon for a $1 off Coffee-mate holiday flavored creamers on their facebook page as well.  One of my favorite things about the holiday season for sure!

(note the preceeding offers do required installation of a coupon printer from coupons.com on your computer in order for the coupons to print off! I feel it is totally safe to install and have not personally had any issues with this software!)

Garnier.com has the 2 week Ultra-lift Wrinkle challenge on it's website where you can sign up and get a "wrinkle test strip",  and a coupon for $2.50 off the product. Click here to get started testing those wrinkles!

WAHM

There is a Work at Home Mommy Revolution going on right now. I talk to lots of Moms' who start businesses out of their homes to supplement their income. Since the lull in the economy there has definitely been an increase of Mom's who need to earn an extra income but can't and don't want to find something in the job market. The cost of childcare alone is enough to turn most people off on the idea of going back to work. Even if you do work outside the home, and maybe you bring your work home with you, you probably understand that there is an art and skill to working, at home, with kids.
After the birth of my daughter 10 years ago, I tried to return to work, on a part-time basis, and I enjoyed my brief time out. Being a first time Mom, though, it felt more important not to miss out on a single moment of everything in her little existence. A move out of state a short time later, with time on my hands, too much shopping, and creative energy, led me to start a business of my own. My inspiration was knock offs of pricier boutique baby items that seemed simple enough to make. I mustered up my best confidence, I got out there, found out what was desired and what was not, and got the ball rolling. I have been selling my items at a friends' local boutique for about 7 years now. Just finally am I burnt out enough that I have been phasing it out. As you can see, I just took on more to occupy my time.
It's so hard to find time for yourself as a Mom let alone being President, marketing director, Manufacturing and sales associate for your very own business. I hear Mom's gasping all the time that they are "just so busy". But yet they still have that passion, that pull, that desire to make an impact on something out there. Maybe it's not the world, but at least a corner of it.
We all have special gifts and talents, and if there's even a slight chance we could make a million, or a even a couple hundred, some of us will give it our all, in addition to being the best Mom's, wives, daughter's, and all the other hats we wear. Owning a business, inventing something that makes it to QVC - it's the American dream. Or maybe there is other reasons more simple on why we do it. Reasons that are closer to the heart.  I appreciate all the Mom's out there that take on doing more than the already crazy multi-tasking we do to manage our homes and kids. This has inspired me to talk to other "Mompreneurs" who are taking that crazy leap of faith to find out what can happen when you put your heart, and your talents to work.  I hope it inspires you, if you have your own passion, or idea, to go for it and give it your best shot. Cause we Mom's, we got your back!
Watch for interviews with some women in the Wichita area that are doing it, and doing it well! Those with a story to tell,  a source for their strength, and rivers of inspiration to guide them.
My first conversation is with a former "career girl" who gave it up, to be the Mom she wanted to be. Watch for her story coming this week.
I want to hear your stories too! If you have a great success story or inspirational story of your own, or know someone I should talk to about theirs, leave me some info on my comments, or email me at Wichitacitymom@gmail.com.

Freebies and deals for Friday, November 19

Looks like Kirkland's is having a Black Friday sale now with special discounts and savings on select items for your home.  See the ad here, and also get a coupon for $10 off $50 or more.

Check out the new Kirklands over in Eastgate Plaza on E.Kellogg.

Print a coupon for $3 off two Glade candle products at the Right@Home website. They have some great holiday scents right now.  Wait for a sale and this will be a great savings!

A Full Cup website has all your Black Friday deals in one place for you to easily shop and compare before you shop. They also have printable coupons and a forum where you can chat and share with others what and where you're saving!

Juicy Juice Coupon here for $1 off their products.

Free sample of Aleve from Sam's club, no member number required. 

Don't forget to check out Groupon today, as the American Apparel Groupon will be good through the weekend. It can be used online or in stores, and I know of at least one American Apparel in KC on the Plaza. Great gift for some great clothing.
Find Today's Daily Deal on the Best in Wichita!

FREE STARBUCKS!!!

Starting 11/18-11/21 go to Starbucks between the hours of 2-5pm and buy one get one free Holiday flavored drinks. All your favorites including Caramel Brulee Latte, Peppermint Mocha, Gingerbread Latte, Eggnog Latte, and more.
Text "12 Days" to 29943 on your phone starting December 1st to get a daily deal sent to you. Just what we needed to warm us up while we're Christmas shopping!
Thank you to my cousin Rachel for sharing this on her fb so I can bring it to you!!! She found it via The Budget Mommy.com. Looks like she has other great deals, so check her out too!

Free cleaner, Sesame Street, Toilet paper holder, b2g2 candles, and $25,000

Mist8 a new all-purpose cleaning spray promising to revolutionize your cleaning and tackling the 8 most grueling cleaning tasks for you.  Get a free sample here.

Parents and caregivers.com is website initiative providing the tools parents and caregivers need to educate their children.  Sesame Street has partnered up to offer a Happy Healthy Ready for School kit with Free DVD, downloadable kids stories, and parent/educator materials and magazines. You must call them to order the DVD or you can view the series online at the site. There is "Math is everywhere" featuring Sesame Street character Abby Cadabby,  "Learning is Everywhere", and "Happy Healthy Ready for School Kit". All are made by Sesame Workshop using learning techniques your kids know and love from the daily program.
Click here to get started.

Request a free Charmin Toilet Paper, roll holder extender. Because their rolls are so full they won't fit your regular holder, so they say. Limited quantities so hurry as they may not be available long. Get it here.

Buy two large Tumbler candles and get two candles for free at Yankee Candle Company. Print the coupon here.


Health.com is having a Dream Come True Sweepstakes, with the top prize of $25,000. Other prizes to be awarded are a Dell Laptop, an Elliptical machine, a wardrobe makeover and a fashion watch. I'd be happy with any of those prizes. Enter as many times as you want. Go here to enter.

Some facts and trivia to get you in the Thanksgiving Spirit

With all the focus on holiday shopping seeming to start earlier this year, I thought it would be fun to find some weird, interesting facts about Thanksgiving to turn our attention back to this day of appreciation.

 

• Indian corn, the dark purple/black corn is for decoration only and should NOT be eaten. Some Indians considered blue and white corn as sacred. 
• History states that only 5 women Pilgrims survived after the first year on the Plymouth Settlement.  They were the ones to prepare the first meal in 1621. It lasted three days.
• Thanksgiving wasn't actually signed as a National Holiday until 1941 when President Roosevelt signed the bill officially. Sarah Hale, editor of a women's magazine called "The Godey's Lady's Book", started pestering Congress when Abe Lincoln was president,  with letters and messages. She wanted a national Holiday in honor of the blessings the country has received based on the work of the Pilgrims. It upset people when he proclaimed it during his term because he did it just to lengthen the holiday shopping season. Thomas Jefferson thought Thanksgiving was the most "ridiculous idea" he had ever heard.
• The Pilgrims, or Puritans brought barrels of beer with them.
• The busiest travel day of the year is the day after Thanksgiving.
• The Mayflower was built to transport wine.
• There was no pumpkin pie on the first Thanksgivings.
• Over 40 million green bean casseroles are served every Thanksgiving.
• Columbus thought the land he had discovered was connected to India, and the wild birds he found to be a breed of peacocks, (they are actually a type of pheasant) So he named them "tuka" which is peacock in the Tamil language of India.  Native Americans called them "Firkee". ("Turkey" sounds like a combo of the two words!)
• Some say the Pilgrims ate deer and not turkey on the first Thanksgiving feast.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Thanksgiving

For each new morning with its light,

For rest and shelter of the night,

For health and food,
For love and friends,
For everything Thy goodness sends.

- Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803-1882)



Sources:  purpleslinky.com;
coolest-holiday-parties.com; guy-sports.com

freebies and giveaways!

Found some freebies and giveaways this morning you may be interested in.

Tom's of Maine all natural toothpaste is now being sold at Wal-mart. Get a free sample of the "Wicked Fresh" flavor in the mail.

There's a new women's fragrance by Gucci called "Guilty". If you go to their facebook page and "like" them they will send you one.

Holidays at Home, a home and gift shop online is giving away free Christmas ornaments with 2010 on them. As far as I can tell they are still available, but there is a disclaimer that they will order more if they run out. Just provide your contact and email info.


For those of you that have children that are still battling bed wetting, get a free sample of GoodNites underwear.  Select gender and size.

Now I think I have seen this one before, so it's not so new, but sign up each of your children on Colgate's Healthy Bedtime Habits program for a free toothbrush and then one free sample of kid's toothpaste (per household). It does take about 10-12 weeks to get, but still nice to have an extra toothbrush for backup. Remember, if you have signed up for this one in the past, I doubt you can get another one!!

Now you know I love locally owned "Mom businesses", and from what I understand, both the ladies that own these boutiques are mothers. Today's Groupon is for half off at "Wild at Heart" boutique. What great timing for gift-giving season. Find Today's Daily Deal on the Best in Wichita!

And finally if you love giveaways, you may want to visit my fellow blogger over at Blankies and Booboos. She is doing a week of giveaways and I heard that a Bradley Fair gift certificate was on the giveaway list coming up. Check out her blog at blankiesandbooboos@wordpress.com
Also "like" her on facebook to keep up to the minute on those giveaways.

Have a great Monday everyone!