A Fun, Family Christmas in Florida: Snow or No Snow

We have moved to a new home! Come visit us at Capturing Inspirations at capturinginspirations.com!

So, I'm pretty excited. December is upon us and so begins the countdown to Christmas. I'm sure I'm not the only one who glanced at the calendar and felt like we were sent on a sling shot out of November and into Christmas time. We can thank a later Thanksgiving for that sudden realization. I hate it when I try to plan ahead on fun family projects and then find myself scrambling to get things together last minute. Where did November go?

My goal is to make it feeeeeel like Christmas around these parts. Florida certainly isn't the most picturesque place that comes to mind when you think of Christmas. I typically recall Home Alone 2 when Kevin is lost in New York and his family is in Florida. Remember that part? It's pouring rain and his family is having a lousy time in their hotel. Meanwhile, Kevin has hunted down the most beautiful Christmas tree and it's snowing ever so perfectly.

My Christmas

Well, I must admit, I still wish for snow every year. But I'm not going to let the weather dictate my happy Christmas. Or especially with my kiddos. Christmas is going to be perfect because we are together and making new traditions and memories.

Christmas is definitely way more fun with kids. They get you into the magic of it all again.
The kids and I typically watch PBS cartoons in the morning during breakfast and, lately, have been seeing "commercials" for the Cat in the Hat Christmas episode since Halloween. Well, I'm not sure who was more excited that it was on the day before Thanksgiving, me…or the kids. I just remember getting the kids into the show by pointing out the animated Christmas tree and talking about the snow and decorations. I may have jumped up and down. I don't think it had so much to do with the Cat and the Hat as it did with Christmas arriving again. This year is going to be awesome. Snow or no snow.

What's on Your Thanksgiving List? Not Too Late To Save: Latest Printable Coupons

If you will be stopping by the store today or tomorrow to pick up those last minute pies or ingredients before most stores are close (gasp!) for Thanksgiving, then I would recommend scanning the available coupons to print to see if anything matches what's on your list.

Here are the latest ones:

  

New Coupons

• $2.00 off one (1) Marineland 1 Liter Food
• $1.00 off one Quilted Northern 12 Double Roll
• $2.00 off one PULL-UPS Training Pants
• $1.50 off on any ONE (1) GEVALIA Coffee product

But once you click on any of these it'll take you to the printable site I get many of my coupons from. You can sort by food or baby - or just check out the whole darn list and clip ones you can use (I always scan the whole list in case I missed any really good ones that may have popped up!).

I wish everyone safe travels over the next few days. Enjoy and relax this Thanksgiving - God bless!

Great Deal on Parents Magazine!

I received Parents Magazine as a baby shower gift when I was pregnant with my first baby. I must say, it was one of my favorites. They have a great deal going right now, 2 years for 7.99! So $4 bucks a year is one inexpensive gift, but one with a lot of value! With the holidays around the corner, this makes a great gift for any great mom or dad you know (or just for yourself)!

To read more on this offer visit the website here.

Tips for Having A Merry Christmas (And Not Going Broke) Part II

If you missed Part I on Tips for Having a Merry Christmas (And Not Going Broke) see my previous post giving you 5 great tips to get you started off this holiday season in the frugal zone. 

Frugality doesn't have to mean "cheap" and it doesn't have to mean "not fun." All it means is you are savvy with your money and time. You are creative. Organized. That you are thoughtful about where you put your resources. The fact that you are reading this and taking the time to figure how to make this work for you and your family should be enough to give yourself a pat on the back. 

October in Maine: A Perfect Week of Autumn Bliss

My family and I just spent an incredible week in the gorgeous state of Maine. If I was craving any sort of autumn in my life, it definitely got fulfilled by all of Maine's beauty and seasonable weather. It was very cold and felt good to drink hot mulled cider and not sweat and eat lobster to my heart's content.

I was excited to go apple picking with my family. We also picked beautiful colored leaves from the trees that we pressed in books (the board book, "Goodnight Maine" actually) and plan to press them between glass in a frame for some autumn decor around our home. Pictures to come.

How To Begin Eating Healthy While Using Coupons

Just flipping through a Sunday coupon insert shouldn't come to our surprise that the notion of eating healthy and couponing just can't be mixed. Many people associate coupons with junk food and the sad truth is, it's because their is a lot of it out there. A LOT. But the part that is really sad is many people who are looking to save money don't even entertain the idea of couponing because they want to eat healthy, so they keep paying full price for things when their is definitely a better way. So whether you are looking to eat healthier but don't think it's in the budget, or you already eat healthy but feel like you'll need to compromise too much to coupon, this post is for you. It's no accident you are here. We can all better ourselves in one way or another.

I am telling you the two can be done, eating healthy and saving money with coupons. Give yourself permission to not be perfect, because it will take some learning and practice. This is not always an easy task. Being wealthy is a lot like being physically fit and eating healthy in regards to the challenge they each possess. If it were easy, everyone would be skinny and rich. It's tough for many different personal reasons. But with one day at a time we can make improvements for the better. Again I will remind you to give yourselves permission to mess up. That's how we learn to get it right.

Here are a few key points to improve your health AND your wallet.

If You Need A Good Laugh

When we roll into September I feel like it's the calm before the storm of birthdays, holidays, celebrations and definitely a lot of good times.

I personally have been using a lot of online cards and invitations. They don't get lost in the mail (or on your kitchen counter). They are easy to pull up on the internet from anywhere and get the details you need for that event or share that funny card.

Speaking of...

Bringing Fall to Florida

This blog has moved to a new home!! Come visit us at Capturing Inspirations at capturinginspirations.com!


It's that time of year. The time where I get incredibly homesick for where I grew up. Maine. September is such a beauty up north (and June, July, and August), and I always find myself beaten down by the heat and humidity of the Florida tropics.
Don't get me wrong, I absolutely love living here. But there is something about the fall that hits me with nostalgia and memories of high school football games, leaves raining from the trees, cozying up in sweatshirt blankets next to camp fires on the beach, and apple picking on bright sunny days.

I have decided that instead of moping about living in a tropical climate, that I would bring a little "fall" to Florida. So if you live in the south, or just need some inspiration on ideas to fully embrace the autumn season, much of my September blogs will be dedicated to getting cozy this fall wherever you live.
I like to think of it as "project autumn" where I will be pulling ideas for fun fall crafts and activities with the kids, new & old recipes (pumpkin anyone?), and décor that properly welcomes the season.

I will be kicking off September 1st with a few simple ideas to get the Autumn season stirring in your home. If you're on instagram, I will be hashtag"ing" these photos #bringingfalltoflorida - so if you feel inspired, please join me.
See you in September!

I couldn't resist getting a jump start on "Project Autumn"

How I Became a Stay-at-Home-Mom

We have moved to a new home! Come visit us at Capturing Inspirations at capturinginspirations.com! 

Baby #1 on the way

Being a stay-at-home mom nowadays is rather tricky business. Our society is definitely set up to serve dual-income families. Things are just so gosh darn expensive (I'm getting good at "gosh darns" with little kids around!). Even if the economy was booming it would still be hard to just wave bye-bye to half your income and blow a kiss to your previous career to stay at home with the babies.

I can't believe we were able to do it.

Here's my story. It is a very honest one and I hope if you desire to be a stay-at-home-mom and you're thinking it's impossible, that this gives you the hope you need to see that it can be possible for you. I understand everyone's circumstances are different, but if it moves you closer to your goal than I'm glad you found my little blog to help you take those steps forward.