Closet Overflow…

New posts coming soon, but in the meantime, I have updated the FOR SALE section….

It’s 4 AM and I’m annoyed.

As I wrote on Facebook:  It is 4am and I can’t sleep. I’ve been awake for hours and Emma keeps getting up. The last thing I want to do is have a discussion with my daughter about why Jesus had to die, but she insists. Can we please leave that for after I’ve had coffee and it’s a half decent hour?!

I woke up around 1am with the realization that I fell asleep mid prayer.  Yes, mid prayer.  I can clearly remember what I began to pray about, but cannot for the life of me remember closing.  I wonder if I woke up from a nudge “up there” reminding me that it’s rude to leave someone mid conversation?!

To add to my lack of sleep, Emma decided to get up every 30 minutes from 2 AM on, complaining about being scared of the monsters.  I pretended to sap all of the monsters away and then told her what I always tell her: “You have teddy and barbie to protect you, I’ve sapped all of the monsters away and you also have Jesus watching over you.  He’ll never let you get hurt – and why is that?”  

Emma: “Because Jesus loves me”. 

Usually works fine, except, this time, Emma added on questions about WHY Jesus is in heaven, how did he die and why did he have to die.  Not a good 4am conversation if you ask me.  I answered the questions as best I could and finally she’s sleeping. 

I’m not.

Coffee…..

Ah Well, Today is Another Day!

So my New Year plans didn’t go so well!  I had in my head that I would do 30 days straight of exercise.  No excuses.  Instead, mid-afternoon yesterday, I was in the pantry sneaking Mike and Ike’s into my mouth.  I haven’t been to the gym in like 2 months.  I’ve done some Jillian Michael’s DVD (30 day shred) in that time, but nothing hardcore.  It’s embarrassing.

New plan.  Get myself to the gym ONCE.  Then think about going again.  We all know how it goes….getting ourselves there is the hardest part.  Once you get the bug, you’re all good.  In fact, I remember once I had the bug so bad, I went to the gym 6 times a week, often twice a day.  Man, I miss those days.

I’ll be in a bikini in 8 days (I’m off to St Pete Beach, FL) – crap, what can I do to tone up in that time?  Better get some crunches on.  Better get to the gym.  At least ONCE.

Come on Cloggsy, you can do it…

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Wow, it’s been a while!  What can I say, life just got in the way.  Wait, no, Facebook got in the way!  Facebook makes it so freaking easy to upload pics, add likes, write status updates etc, that I simply neglected my blog due to laziness.  No more!

To kick off a great 2012, lets look at my 2011 highs:

• Lost 45lbs – went from a size 12 to a size 2-4
  
• Ran my 1st 10K
• Re-found my faith
• Found an amazing church family
• Purchased a new car, a new Canon Rebel, a new iPhone and my first big flat screen TV
• Was interviewed on NBC 12 News about my business
• Reaped the benefits of returning customers from 2010′s Groupon deal
  
• Celebrated 5 years of marriage to my wonderful husband
• Became MOPS Hospitality and found wonderful women to spend my day with
  
• Joined the church Praise Team

What am amazing year.  I cannot wait for 2012 to really begin…once I’ve drank my coffee!   I’m off to church (I’m singing), then I’ll clip come Sunday paper coupons, hit the gym to begin my 10K training and then pick up some groceries and clean the house.  Not the most exciting way to spend Jan 1st, but I’m all for it!

Happy New Year,

My Newest Creation: Fleece Wreath!

I just spent 3 hours making one of these for my best friend.  Even though my fingers hurt from cutting fleece and pushing pins, I can’t wait to make one for myself in ivory for the living room.  Eek, so fun!

A Very Enjoyable Evening

Well, my husband I went out pretty early, so I switched out the sparkly cardi for a fitted denim jacket.  Once we were ready for P.F Changs, I changed back into the cardi. I chose really neutral makeup, because I just can’t load it on like I used to  (my almost 30-year-old skin isn’t doing so well!) and I helped my natural waves out by wrapping a 1 inch curling iron around some pieces at the end – which for some reason, looked like crap at the beginning of the evening (first picture), but great once we got home (last picture) – why, I don’t know!

It was a really enjoyable evening – we walked around Tiffany & Co. and discussed with a store assistant about having my ring resized (it fits on my thumb now, having lost 45lbs since my wedding day!), picked up some ooh la la lingerie (sorry, had to share because it is so super gorgeous) and then ate dinner.  Hubby picked me flowers for my hair (he knows I’m a boho at heart!) and stopped for key lime pie on the way home, which we enjoyed in front of the TV, watching Vampire Diaries.  Yes, for me, it was the perfect evening!

Looking forward to another 5 years!

Anniversary Outfit Idea

Today is my 5th wedding anniversary and hubby and I are hitting up P.F Changs for dinner and then taking a little stroll around Tiffany & Co. This is what I’m thinking of wearing….

Just pretend that my hair and makeup are done in the second picture! What do y’all think?

Here she goes…AGAIN!

Yeah yeah, if you read my old blog, you’ll remember that pretty much every month, I was changing up my hair color…it’s what happens when you are the daughter of a hair stylist.  Since I haven’t had a hair cut since last October (shocker), nor dyed my hair in forever,  it was time.  This weekend was time.

Bring on my new highlights!  My wonderful husband pulled each and every strand through the home dye cap and while a few are a little patchy, he overall did a fantastic job and I saved myself $70 or so by not going to a salon!

What do you think?

Oh and I won a free haircut last week, so now it’s time to book a much needed snip.

I feel kind of beach chick…Ahh, totally ready for the summer now…

Learning the Coupon Game!

I’ve recently been getting into coupons.  Well, I’ve always used and liked coupons, but only as a way to save a little from the things I was already buying.  I decided to amp it up some and so, I’ve been taking tips from TLC’s Extreme Couponing and using coupons as a way to really save me and my family money.  I’ve been buying the Sunday paper and ALL YOU magazine and I read blogs like Money Saving Mom, Southern Savers and The Krazy Coupon Lady.  I also clip printables from sites like Coupons.com.  I “like” companies on Facebook, just to get a special coupon.  Yeah, sad, I know!  Oh and I can’t forget the biggie: loading e-coupons onto my Kroger grocery card.  I’m doing the whole shebang!

It seems to be working.  Today was a fabulous example of planning, clipping and hunting for deals…just have a look:

Not including the Ban deodorant (needed it and it was on sale for $1.99 down from $3.99!) here are my deals from today:

all Detergents:

• $6.99 each at Walgreens, on offer with BOGO
• Stacked (1) $1.50/1 with (1) $1/1 coupons
• Final price: $4.49 (approx $2.25 each)

Schick Hydro Razors:

• $8.99 each at Walgreens, on offer with BOGO
• Stacked (2) $3/1 coupons
• Final price: $5.99 (approx $3.00 each)

Schick Hydro Shaving Creams:

• $3.79 each at Walgreens, on offer with BOGO
• Stacked (2) $1/1 coupons
• Final price: $1.79 (approx $0.90 each)

Carefree Panty Liners:

• $1.69 at Walgreens,on sale for $0.99
• $0.50 coupon
• Final Price: $0.49

Colgate Toothpaste:

• $2.57 each at CVS, on offer with BOGO
• Stacked (1) $1.50/1 with (1) $1/1
• Final price: $0.07 (less than $0.04 each!)

Airwick Plugin Refills (with bonus warmer):

• $4.99 at Target, on clearance for $2.48
• (1) $1/1 coupon
• Final price: $1.48

Circo Socks:

• $1.00 each at Target, on clearance for $0.70 each
• Stacked (2) $1/1
• Final price: FREE (with a $0.60 profit back.  Target PAID me to take these from the store!)

REDBOX DVD:

• Use your Walgreens rewards card in store and receive a free dvd.

TOTAL RETAIL PRICE: $50.79

TOTAL SAVED IN DEALS AND COUPONS: $36.48

TOTAL SPENT: $14.31 – $0.60 profit from Target = $13.71!

Isn’t that crazy?  I feel like I’ve hit the jackpot!  Now I’m hardly going to become one of those girls on Extreme Couponing that ends up getting $600+ of groceries for $6, but if I can continue to save more than I spend, I’ll be a very happy woman!

Do you guys have any coupon success stories, or tips you’d like to share?  I’d love the hear them!

Off to clip some more…

I Made It!

First off, I’ve posted new items to the FOR SALE tab – you know, in case you wanted to buy some clothes!

So, this week, I reached my weight loss goal.  Yippie!

It’s been a LONG struggle, but I finally made it.  This weekend, I purchased a pair of size 4P pants.  Insane.  I don’t think I’ve worn a 4 since I was about 19.  Now it’s on to toning.  Me want some abs, baby!

I thought it would be fun to take a little look down weight loss lane, starting 3 years ago (well, the pics start 5 years ago, but I didn’t start trying to lose weight until after I had Emma).  Enjoy!

It feels so great to finally be healthy.

Have a great Monday guys!