The Domestic Diva » The Domestic Diva

Day 11: Makes You Happy #febphotoaday

The Domestic Diva — Sun, 12 Feb 2012 05:04:22 +0000

What makes you happy? That is the theme for today’s photo challenge. I decided to “think outside of the box” a bit on this one. I didn’t want to do something that would be fairly typical like my kids or my husband those are obvious choices of what makes me happy. Instead, I opted to photograph my purse?

You may be scratching your head just a bit but let me explain the story behind the purse. I’ve been looking for a brown handbag for what seems like a pretty good while now. But every time I came across a brown bag it just wasn’t my taste. I like large handbags with lots of pockets.

I’m a big thrift shopper. I love going to various thrift stores to see what they have almost weekly. One particular trip I was visiting my favorite thrift store and I saw from behind the counter a brown handbag. I asked to look at the bag. I glanced over it and noticed that one of the zipper ties was missing but everything else was BRAND NEW with tags even including the tissue paper inside. I asked the price since there wasn’t one clearly marked. But at that time, the price I was quoted seemed to be a bit too high. So, I passed on the bag.

After going home and searching some more for a brown handbag online. I discovered that the bag that I had just passed on was this one from Target which is no longer in stock. At that moment I decided this was the brown bag that I had been searching for.

By the time I had gotten back to the thrift store, a week had passed. I immediately went to the counter where I originally saw “the” brown handbag fully expecting for someone to have already claimed this fabulous find. But much to my little hearts delight they hadn’t. I asked to see the bag again. This time I inspected the pockets a little more and discovered that the zipper tie that I thought was broken had just merely fallen off which is a very easy fix. I asked the price of the bag again expecting the same answer as before but this time I was quoted “$7″ (which is about half off what I was originally quoted).

You may have guessed that the ending to this story is, that I walked away with an amazing deal on a brand new brown handbag that I’ve been waiting oh-so-patiently for.

So what makes me happy, you ask? Finding an unexpected, amazingly good deal.

This is a post in a series inspired by Fat Mum Slim’s February “Photo A Day” Challenge. If you are interested in participating in the challenge, check out her blog or follow “#febphotoaday” on Twitter.

Day 10: Self Portrait #febphotoaday

The Domestic Diva — Sat, 11 Feb 2012 05:42:49 +0000

I am SO glad it is Friday. FINALLY!
I’m hoping to have a very relaxing and chill weekend. But we shall see.

What about you? Got any plans for the weekend or are you trying to take it easy for a few days too?

This is a post in a series inspired by Fat Mum Slim’s February “Photo A Day” Challenge. If you are interested in participating in the challenge, check out her blog or follow “#febphotoaday” on Twitter.

Deals on Suave Beauty Products

The Domestic Diva — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 13:00:55 +0000

This week my deals came mostly from CVS. With their Extra Care Bucks reward program, I’m learning to LOVE this store.

Trip #1:
Zarbee’s Children’s Cough Syrup $6.00
Get back $6 ECB
Total Paid: $6.00

Trip #2:
Spend $12 on Suave Products Get $4 ECB
-(4) Suave Deodorant $1
-(2) Suave Dry Shampoo 2/$4
-(2) Suave Dry Conditioner 2/$4
Used $6 ECB from Trip #1
Paid: $6
Got: $4 ECB + $1 ECB for using my “green bag tag” 4x’s

Trip #3:
Spend $10 on Revlon get $4 ECB
-(1) Revlon Photoready Airbrush Foundation $13.99
Used: $4 ECB & $1 ECB from Trip #2
Paid: $8.99
Got: $4 ECB to use next week

{Couponer’s Notebook} I’m super excited about the products I got deals on this week, especially the Dry Shampoo and the Revlon Photoready Airbrush foundation. These are two products I’ve been waiting to try out.

Disclosure: this is a weekly wrap-up post of the savings I found at various stores in my area. My shopping experience may differ from your own.

Day 9: Front Door #febphotoaday

The Domestic Diva — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 04:40:41 +0000

I love this heart wreath. I’ve had it for several years, I think my Mom gave it to me. It’s shiny & pink. Perfect for “the week of love” :)

This is a post in a series inspired by Fat Mum Slim’s February “Photo A Day” Challenge. If you are interested in participating in the challenge, check out her blog or follow “#febphotoaday” on Twitter.

Introducing Kraft MilkBites

The Domestic Diva — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 04:19:17 +0000

I was recently contacted by a representative for Kraft that asked if I wanted to try out the Kraft MilkBite bars. I must admit I was a little hesitant considering my distaste for granola bars but agreed to give them a try. I was sent a kit that contained two of the flavors of the Kraft MilkBite bars: strawberry and chocolate. The challenge was to compare them to one of my favorite granola bars. Well since me nor my family really likes granola bars you can probably guess that we skipped this part of the taste test.

Upon arrival we couldn’t wait to try them. I immediately went for the chocolate MilkBite and my kids went for the strawberry. We definitely chose our favorites from the start. What I like about the Kraft MilkBite bars is that they aren’t too small and not too big, they are just the right amount. I also liked that they are chilled since they have to be stored in the refrigerator (since it contains real milk). The fact that they are soft and chewy is a big plus.

More About Kraft MilkBites

Kraft MilkBites will be available in stores February 13th, 2012. They can be found in the refrigerated dairy section. My local store already has some in and I found them right next to the milk.
What is a MilkBite? A MilkBite bar contains the same amount of calcium as a 8 oz. glass of milk as well as the goodness of whole grain granola as well as fruit or roasted nuts.

Disclosure: this is not a sponsored post, however we were given samples/giftcard in order to perform our own taste test of the Kraft MilkBite product.

Day 8: Sun #febphotoaday

The Domestic Diva — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 04:53:47 +0000

Taken with my iPhone using the app: Camera+

This is a post in a series inspired by Fat Mum Slim’s February “Photo A Day” Challenge. If you are interested in participating in the challenge, check out her blog or follow “#febphotoaday” on Twitter.

Linked to: Wordless Wednesday @ 5 Minutes for Mom

Day 7: Button #febphotoaday

The Domestic Diva — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 04:21:59 +0000

This is a post in a series inspired by Fat Mum Slim’s February “Photo A Day” Challenge. If you are interested in participating in the challenge, check out her blog or follow “#febphotoaday” on Twitter.

2 DIY Valentine Gift Ideas Under $10 (sponsored)

The Domestic Diva — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 01:47:49 +0000

It’s busy at our house around this time of year because in the same week time span we are not only celebrating Valentine’s Day coming up but also our wedding anniversary as well. So the week of Valentine’s is a pretty big deal to us and probably my favorite week out of the entire year. I often joke by calling it the “week of love”. I just LOVE this time of year.

As a Walmart Mom, I was challenged to share a Valentine’s gift idea. Since I love do-it-yourself projects I thought I would put together a couple really simple, really quick gift ideas that one could give to either their significant other, friend, or that special someone this Valentine’s day.

2 Valentine Gifts under $10

Heart Tumbler- $1.00
Valentine’s Day Sugar Cookies- $2.98
Simple Heart Take out Box- $.97
Sweet Thoughts Ribbon Tickler- $1.47
Valentine’s M&M’s- $2.68
Total cost for supplies purchased at Walmart: $9.10

Also Needed
your favorite photo
metal binder clip

Take Me Out Cookie Box

This is really simple and really easy to do. While I was browsing at Walmart looking at the Valentine’s Day products I noticed the “take out boxes” themed with hearts. I thought they were perfect to stash sweet goodies into to give to someone for Valentine’s Day. One could fill them with someone’s favorite candy or pick up (or bake your own) some Valentine’s cookies from the bakery to stash inside. Simple, easy, but thoughtful idea for Valentine’s.

Photo Treat Tumbler

Also in the Valentine section at Walmart I found these tumblers. At only $1 there are a lot of uses one could use these for. I opted to fill mine with my husband’s favorite candy (peanut M&M’s), I added the ribbon tickler in the center. To attach the photo I used a small metal binder clip that fit perfectly around the pole but still held the photo in place.

Are you ready for Valentine’s Day?

What gifts will you be giving for Valentines?

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Disclosure: I am a Walmart Mom. I have been compensated for my time and efforts in creating this post as well as given a giftcard to use toward the purchases of the products mentioned in this post. As always my participation is voluntary and opinions are my own.

Clipped 2 Savings: Last Weeks Recap

The Domestic Diva — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 17:20:13 +0000

I know I’m late on posting this. Last week was a very busy week and I wasn’t able to do as much couponing as I had hoped. But I was able to get up to the store a couple of times and snagged a few deals. Here is a photo of last week’s coupon haul:

I hope this week will be a little better but it doesn’t seem to be starting off right. While I did pick up some papers yesterday for the inserts I’ve yet to “plan out” my shopping trips or clip my coupons for my binder. I’ll let you guys know what deals I find this week, after I get myself organized of course.

Are you a Twilight Fan? Walmart “Breaking Dawn” Midnight Event (sponsored)

The Domestic Diva — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 03:01:25 +0000

I have not seen the latest Twilight movie Breaking Dawn, Pt. 1. I’ve been waiting for the DVD release. And judging by the trailer, it looks to be pretty good…

On February 10th starting at 11p.m. 2,700 select Walmart stores will be having an in-store Twilight party to celebrate the DVD/Blu-Ray release of Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Pt. 1. Twilight fans may delight in the exclusive content that the purchased 2-disc DVD/Blu-ray release brings like: Bella’s Wedding Special Edition featuring the collectible wedding dress packaging, Fabric poster of Bella and Edward’s big day, & Music videos from Bruno Mars and Christina Perri.

While at the Twilight Midnight Event, Walmart shoppers can also catch a glimpse of Rosalie Cullen on the in-store television network while they wait for the DVD release. To sweeten your Twilight viewing party, Walmart will also have Twilight themed cupcakes and cakes in their bakery section.

Before heading to the store, be sure to check online to see if a Walmart store near you will be participating in the Twilight Breaking Dawn Midnight Event.

Are you a Twilight Fan?

Disclosure: I am a Walmart Mom. I have been compensated for my time and efforts in creating this post. As always my participation is voluntary and opinions are my own.