realtalknic

Been pondering all day why people are so mean. Why given the choice between saying nothing and making a snide comment....snide wins. In fact some folks like pages of folks they don't like.....only to trash them. Sigh. Watching the interview between Oprah and Beyonce ( two of my favorites) last night started this train of thought for me. The venom from some was alarming. Overexposed, idolized, don't give enough( really?) give to the wrong groups, overrated, the list goes on and on. The really sad thing is that this type of "hating" is not reserved for the rich and famous. It is becoming common and it is scary. It is almost  as if you can improve your own self if you wildly succeed at putting someone else down.  Wow. Well, one reason may be that social media allows us to edit the image of ourselves to some degree. My bestie and I are quick to say, take another pic....want it to look good for FB....true story. And ummm.....we are NOT in high school.....heehee. Anyh...

SO...... a little snow and a whole lotta cold here in Jersey on this Saturday morning....why go out? My coffee was hot and my fleece blanket even hotter but.....a deal was calling my name! The printed Pamper boxes were on hold for me at my favorie Riteaid for 50% off.....plus the were part of a promotion where you get $5 back when you buy a box......plus...of course I had a coupon for them as well...so I tossed on my scarf and ran out to grab them. Total paid....$3 and.......$18 back to spend next week. Woop woop! Now.....here is the funny part....I don't have any babies that wear these so why go out? Well......they are an incredible gift to give (and easy to wrap...lol) and a great donation item....and....these two boxes would have been $62 at regular price! Nothing like a steal to pick you up and put a little pep in your step. Now when I get the 50 Shades of Grey baby shower invite....I will wrap these and add them to my Shower Haul! Love it........................back to my b...

Ahhhhh it's time for Valentine's! Not just your pop out the box and tear on the fold,  but something fun.....something with some POP! Now would be a good time to mention that my youngest child is 15 and has NO desire for Mom to make any Valentines.......POP or not! But..............my God Daughter is 7 and she is game for it and has the enthusiasm to get me cutting and ribbon curling on a Saturday!! We decided on pencils because her class has the "write" stuff.......of course! and wanted to give some candy too............I mean, pencils are great but 7 year olds want SUGAR!! (this is sooo up my alley!) Added a DIVA pic and a personal note on each and they were looking HOT HOT HOT! (is it right to say that a classroom Valentine project is HOT? hmmmmmmmmm......I think it's ok) Now.....these are looking good and ready to go but how does a little Diva get them all the way to class with no mishaps? Hmmmm.............and at no additional cost? And without run...

This should be subtitled....Saving is Sexy! heehee! Lots of folks ask why I bother to induge in my coupon hobby. Isn't it time consuming, confusing, they wonder? I can't be bothered.....no not me! I wouldn't know what to do, they say. And....for the most part...I get it. I put the B in Busy. Great job, wonderful team, long commute....I mean...LONG commute, family, MIL....oh yeah....MIL....ha! Very busy! But the truth is a few years ago my husband found himself out of work with the housing crash. Thankfully we really didn't skip a beat. Lil' bending but no breaks. But the one thing that was missing is something I love to do............GIVE! Kinda hard to give when there isn't much wiggle room....so I stumbled into this crazy hobby of mine. And even though that crisis is over in my life (and I hope not to revisit it) couponing has become part of my weekly routine. Last year I saved over $13,000. I was able to give loads away to friends, $3500 to charity and use ...

Let me just say that I am obsessed with Tagxedo! tagxedo.com  I was 1st introduced to this site at work as a teambuilder......super fun! Then.....well....obsessed is the right word because next I personalized framed pieces for all of my friends as part of their Christmas bounty! On my desk are the words for a girls's group iron on project I am doing before March but...........this weekend's project was some art for the office! I added everyone in the family plus some nic names and our street........used the tree shape and because bigger is better.....(esp if the wall is empty!!) I had it blown up to 3ft by 4ft at Staples for $7.50!! SCORE!! Used the remainder insulation board from last weekend's project.............seen here.... And I have the feel of a professionally done wrapped piece. Total for both was $29! Woop woop......picture me doing the running man. LOVE IT! Try it! You will love it too!

Here she is... Betty the buffet! Why Betty? Cause she's beautiful! Too cute for FB alone.....love her soo much thought I'd start a blog and share.......how I turned an old buffet on the side of the road to a cherished family member. lol And all the things in between. The mistakes, the triumphs, doing it on the CHEAP, and keeping it real. REAL TALK!! A lil on savings, a lil on decor, and a lot on everyday musings from a working mom of 3 trying to keep it together, keep it right, and ALWAYS.......keep it real! Hope to "see" you here! More on how Betty became so beautiful later...............for now.....happy dance! My 1st post is complete!