Freebies!

 Living frugally is deeply rewarding in many ways, but from one week to the next it can get kind of drab and monotonous. I shouldn't just hop in the car and head to Nordstrom for a new shiny, sparkly little something when I feel the urge.

But who wouldn't want a brand new lotion delivered to their door?

What pooch wouldn't enjoy a sample bag of yummy treats?

Two months ago I started signing up for freebies right and left because many of the bloggers I follow post about the amazing free loot they receive.

I couldn't resist.

Looking for them is exciting, like a treasure hunt.

Today I want to share with you a few of the items I received this week.

Beneful Baked Delights (both Hugs and Stars) sample bags

Tide PODS sample

Purex Sample (with $.50 off coupon)

Simple Refreshing Facial Wash Gel

1 Stayfree Panty Liner (with $1.00 off coupon)

Eucerin Calming Lotion (with $1.00 off coupon)

Escada Escape perfume sample

The little perfume sample card, though disappointing (I thought it would come in a bottle!) will be great for vacations when I don't want to risk taking a full bottle. Nothing worse than a big bottle of designer perfume marinating on your clothes during an 8-hour flight.

What I have decided is that, though it takes a few minutes each day to sign up for the latest and greatest freebies, it is worth the time.

Try starting your treasure chest of freebies.

The list of blogs below might be a good place to start.
Please share any other resources you find.

The Frugal Find

Free Stuff Finder

Free Stuff Times

Happy freebie hunting!

Freckles and the Super Hero

This is my boyfriend...

okay, maybe 22 years ago.

Don't you want to just pinch his little freckled cheeks?

Don't you want to just help him with his science project?

Little did this young man know, he would one day partner up for life with a superhero...

I bettcha didn't know that all of the super-est of super heroes wear giant white velcro shoes.

Anyway, I share these totally awesome pictures with you because today I took some new pictures of My Love for his business website.

Usually, when asked to be in a photo, he freezes up like he is getting his mug shot taken. His beautiful natural smile turns into something of a grimace...Eeek! 

But today was a magical day (perhaps because a superhero was taking the pictures?).

I just had to share this momentus occasion with all of you.

My Love is a graphic designer.

We wanted to take some pictures of him that would show how sweet and friendly he is.

Which picture would look best on his website?

Awwww....

Which picture should he use?

Happy Friday

This week I have been inspired by Shauna Niequist's book, cold tangerines.

Here are a few quotes, along with some awesome

dog videos (you can learn a lot from your pooch).

Shauna writes:

"...this is what I'm finding, in glimpses and flashes: this is it. This is it, in the best possible way.

That thing I'm waiting for, that adventure, that movie-score-worthy experience unfolding gracefully. This is it. Normal, daily life ticking by on our streets and sidewalks,

in our houses and apartments, in our beds and at our dinner tables,

in our dreams and prayers and fights and secrets--this pedestrian life is

the most precious thing any of us will ever experience."

Dogs in Cars, from Keith Hopkin on Vimeo

"I don't want to wait anymore. I choose to believe that there is nothing more sacred or profound than this day. I choose to believe that there may be a thousand big moments embedded in this day,
waiting to be discovered like tiny shards of gold."

Beautiful Day at the Dog Park from Kelsey Wynns on Vimeo.

Roll in the grass. 

Catch a frisbee.

Frolic in the spring sun.

Have a good weekend.

Frugal Fun: Edmonds Third Thursday Art Walk

Today, it just felt like summer would never come...

It seems like it has been raining for forty days and forty nights.

Each morning I expect a splintery wooden ark to be docked in the ferry terminal.

This evening, My Love and I ran out between the raindrops to visit some shops in downtown Edmonds, part of Edmonds Third Thursday Art Walk.

Hip Hip Hooray for cheese at the Resident Cheesemonger

Each shop featured a local artist and/or musician.
They invited the neighbors to come in and enjoy free treats.

Piper Peterson-Lee's gorgeous handmade chocolate display from Immaculate Confections. Holy Cocoa!

...we drooled over Rick Steve's travel books at his main office.



Afterward, we snuggled up at home for Game #2 of the Ultimate Scrabble Championships...With thai takeout for sustenance we played a grueling game.
I am excited to announce that we are TIED!

He with his powerful triple word scores, me with my 4-syllable words.

Totally tied.

Our third and final game will declare the winner...

Stay tuned...

Limited Time: $15 off of $15 purchase at The Limited through March 15

Who doesn't love free stuff?

Use this coupon now through Thursday for $15 a purchase of $15 or more at The Limited, excluding clearance. Other restrictions apply (see fine print below coupon). $15 is certainly good for a new cami or some other pretty little thing to boost my spring wardrobe. I'm there!

https://embednr.involver.com/cache/imgs/105144721/520x2000.jpg

This pretty pink pair is only $16.90--$1.90 plus tax out of pocket!

A few (frugal) things...

1. Lovely Dishware
When I graduated from college and got my first "grown up" apartment, I purchased matching towels, matching sheets, matching dishware (all mostly from Target) in an attempt to feel mature and oh so sophisticated...heheeee......


The set of 4 dinner plates, salad plates and mugs I originally purchased seemed like more than enough for a single girl on the town and her takeout selection du jour.
Now that I live with my Love, AND we are trying to save money by eating at home more often, we need more dishes. I found these sweet and simple white dishes at Dollar Tree. We purchased 8 sets of dinner plates, salad bowls and mugs. Grand total--$24.00 plus tax.

 
2. Swagbucks

Swagbucks are an online "currency" you earn by doing things you are probably already doing: using a search engine, watching videos, shopping. You can also earn extra points for participating in surveys, taking advantage of online promotions or clipping and using coupons. Once you've earned enough points, you can go shopping through an extensive online store. 

I have been purchasing Amazon.com gift cards (450 swagbucks for a $5 card) to use on Christmas presents this year. WOOHOO!

http://www.swagbucks.com/

3. Goodreads  (Only book nerds need proceed)

Who doesn't love spending a rainy winter afternoon with a good book?

My favorite hobby has been much more fun since my discovery of Goodreads.

On this website, you can keep track the books you have read, loved reading, hated reading, hope to read and aspire to read. You can browse the history of what your friends have read, and search through a database of book reviews and  thousands book lists about every subject you can imagine. 

Raise your hand if you have ever kept a list of the books you read. I kept my running list in an old pea green notebook I snagged at a Goodwill store for $.50.

I'm about to get really nerdy here....

SERIOUSLY nerdy....

Using goodreads, you can actually track the number of books you have read and...ahem...the number of pages too...Ever think about that? 

I read 56 books last year. That's over 20,000 pages!

Oh this website is too much for this biblionerd to take!



Used book haul from recent trip to Powell's Books in Portland, OR