Design Star

Has anyone else been watching this season of Design Star on HGTV? I know that they have been having their challenges in Nashville doing rooms in country music stars' homes but here's my question: where are they shopping? I noticed last night that they went to what looked to be a really cool place that at first I thought might have been The Factory in Franklin but I don't think it was. Does anyone have any clue as to where they are shopping?

Chattanooga

I really want to plan a family vacation this year and I'm thinking of a fall trip to Chattanooga, does anyone have any recommendations about what to do or where to stay? I was thinking of taking the girls to the kids museum, aquarium, and choo choo. Are these good choices or not worth our time?

Grocery Budget

Out of curiosity, what do you budget weekly for groceries? If you want you can comment under "Anonymous" but I would like to know 4 things....how much you budget, how many are in your family, is it just food or food and toiletries, and where do you primarily shop. The reason for the question is that I've recently read of a family that has a $40 per week budget~ours is closer to $100~so are we spending too much?

CVS trip #2

Yesterday I went for my second try at this CVS thing and to be honest I was quite pleased. If I can continue to get these kind of deals this is something I'm going to stick with. Here is the rundown of what I got (in 2 separate transactions):

#1:
4 Nivea shaving gels~2.99 each
1 Fusion Razor~9.99
total~21.95
minus $3 off $15
minus $11 coupons (2-$4/2 Nivea and $3 razor)-should have been $4 for razor but I'll take 3!
minus $3 ECB from trip #1
final total~5.43 with $9 in ECB

#2:
2-Dove deodorants~2/$5
2-Dove bar soap 2pk~2/$5
Dove shampoo & conditioner B1G1~4.99
2-Sea Breeze B1G1~4.99
Oral B toothbrushes 2pk~6.99
Atkins bar~1.00
Crest toothpaste~1.99
ALS donation~1.00
total~30.96
minus $4 off $20
minus $8.85 coupons
minus $9 ECB from transaction #1
final total~$10.67 with 9.99 in ECB

What I learned is that you have to go in with a plan. I spent some time going through the weekly and monthly sales ad with my coupons to see what the best deals were. I was very pleased that I was able to get everything I went in for. The best part is that between the 2 transactions I was able to save $57!!

on a sidenote...after the fact I realized that I could have done another deal or 2 that I wanted to share. If you purchase the Oral B toothbrushes for 6.99 you get 6.99 back in ECBs, so if you do all separate transactions you can then take the 6.99 ECB to purchase them "free" only paying tax~ I think there is a limit of 5. For those of you who have been doing this longer, is this right?!

Anyone else get any great deals this week?

4 Weeks already

It's almost hard to believe but Harrison turned 4 weeks old yesterday. Here are some random pictures from the last couple of weeks.....

Summer fun

Yesterday I blew up the girls pool to officially start our summer season! Here are a few pictures from the day....

CVS trip #!

I decided to go ahead and try the "CVS thing" this week since it's the beginning of the month and also because there were a couple of things we needed. I didn't take a picture of what I bought but here's the run down:
1 Dove deodorant
1 2pk Dove soap
1 Dove shower gel
2 Chex mix

Total before coupons: 13.27
coupons: 4.75
Total:9.72
ECB earned $3

I started small just to make sure I understand what I'm doing and so far I'm pleased. Both of the Chex Mix were free b/c I had (2) $1/1 coupons and I plan on doing the Pampers deal with the ECB I earned, some coupons, and the ECB I should earn once I register my card online.

Anyone else giving it a try for the first time?

Summer goals

It's the first part of June so now seems like a good time to start some resolutions, right?!?! Actually I had intended on beginning in March (January and February were too crazy for me) but life happened and I just didn't do it. I've thought alot lately about what I'd like to accomplish this summer but really there are only 2 things I REALLY want to do:
**lose 20 pounds (honestly I'd like to lose 30 but I know my body and the other 10 won't come off until I'm done nursing)
**completely read 1 book

I think this is do-able but I am asking that you hold me to it, especially the reading. I'll periodically do updates but if I forget~remind me!