Wednesday, July 27, 2011

Time Is Money

I have been running in the mornings with a friend who is MUCH faster than I am. I would like to claim, it has made me faster, I cannot, but it has made me GET UP. One of the things we talk about is the juggle...two kids, running a business, not sleeping and shopping.

It got me thinking about how many times I have heard my father say time is money. As a working mom I must say that is true. When I started this I promised I would be honest...and sometimes the juggle, well it is NOT pretty.

I cannot claim to have found some magic wand that allows you to add hours to your day, but I have found some tricks that help save time and actually bring in a little money. My theory is found money is treat money.

Some of these might be new to you and I bet a lot of you are more organized than me and much better ideas. PLEASE feel free to leave a comment and share them, because all of us could use a little more time at the spa!

I should say I am not a coupon clipper so these are my ways of getting more for my dollars that I would spend anyway.

Kids
Zulily
If you aren't a member sign up HERE RIGHT NOW!
This is always on my check daily list. You can find smocking by Vive leFete (same brand carried by Neimans and Ragsland) for at least 50% off and then you can use Mr. Rebates to save even more! It is also a great resource to stock up on kids gifts and stocking stuffers.

Totsy
This is like Zulily, but the brands I would say are less classic, more trendy and I don't think the discounts are as deep. Right now they have a great sale on customized children's books with your favorite sports teams and schools.
You can sign up HERE.

Cash Back Sites
There are 2 I use for different stores. Both only ask for your name and address (to mail you your money!) so no worries about having to enter in your credit cards.

Ebates
This is probably the most well known, and I use it, but it has lost some stores recently.
Are you a Wal-Mart( 2% cash back) or Home Depot (3% cash back) regular? You can purchase all of your items online and select the pick up at store option. No impulse buying and cash back.

Nordstroms (3% cash back) and Horchow (3% cash back) are 2 other regulars. Monogrammed white Ralph Lauren towels for $9.99...in bulk!

Tory Burch, you can pretend those Revas are on sale with 3.5% cash back!

Photos sites: Snapfish will get you 16% cash back and Shutterfly will get you 8% cash back...even if you pick up your prints at Walgreens or Target!

And Boden and miniBoden...yep 3% cash back.

Diapers.com and Soap.com are on there too!

You can sign up HERE.

Mr. Rebates
I have only been using this one for a short time and opened it up because some of the sites I shop from most switched over to it.

You can sign up HERE.

Tory Burch will you 5% cash back on Mr. Rebates

Zulily will get you 5% cash back.

Boden will get you 4% cash back

Kate Spade 3% cash back

Hanna Anderson 3% cash back

General Gift
Heartsy
Heartsy is one of my new finds. It is a flashsale site with a twist. The sales last for days not hours and it combines discount prices with etsy or etsy like products.

You can see today's deals HERE.

Currently, they have a great deal or the boys and girls on your gift list.

For the girls: Piggy Paint, the all natural nail polish and remover. I stocked up so I have them on hand for last minute gifts or to add to a gift basket.

For the boys: Crayon Rocks, crayons that look like rocks and come in an adorable muslin sack. Add them to some superhero or Mickey Mouse coloring books and tie with a bow or purchase now in case Santa needs to "borrow" a few stocking stuffers!

They also have a great deal running on one of my MUST HAVE toddler/baby items, the Pura bottle or sippy cup. This is one of those products I wish would have been around when Mini K was a baby, but Baby C is enjoying it...daily!

Plum District
This is like a Groupon type site, but you are purchasing gift certificates or actual items. You can select a specific city, nationwide or any combo. I get the deals for the places we go the most: nationwide, Dallas, Washington, D.C. and NYC.
You can sign up HERE.

Saturday, July 23, 2011

The Bees Knees





It is one of my favorite Lilly Pulitzer prints and it is also the name of my friend's new company. What does a protocol expert do after she has twin boys and her life of formal events, international visitors and champagne has been replaced with rumble, Jon Jons and the sound of breaking objects? Well like any smart girl she surrounds herself with beauty and in this case makes it herself.
After seeing her designs I had to share the Bees Knees with you!

Kara has designed a stunning line of handstamped sterling jewelry that both Mini K and I adore. I love that she even has pieces that benefit Autism research. Her etsy store is stocked of unique designs that she will customize to fit.

I am always a sucker for packaging and fell in love with her natural giftboxes and what else but BEE ribbon. She sent us, I say us because Mini K thinks it is for HER, a necklace with a K, a pearl and tiny key. LOVE it! The necklace would be perfect for any girls on your list that rush Kappa this fall, for a new home or just because.
And in case you wanted to pick up a little something for yourself, or start your holiday shopping early, Kara is offering 10% off your first purchase with code:BeesGG

Here are some of my favorites:
Perfect for a Gammy or Nanna to wear at the beach and keep all of her grandbabies close
I love the silk cord for the little Minnies in my life

Thursday, July 21, 2011

Heat Wave Sale!



It's 105 today...which means I have pretty much sealed myself inside with the AC other than my daily trip to Crossfit!

So I thought why not have a sale...

50% off ALL in stock Lilly Pulitzer Merchandise!!!
Just leave a comment on the blog or Facebook with what you are looking for or would like to order and we will send you an invoice. We have most patterns in stock!

Take 50% off the prices below!!

iPad Cover (fits 1st generation) $29.95
iPhone Covers $19.95
Bracelets $9.95
Watch Sets $19.95
Notebooks $9.95-$12.95
Tumblers $19.95
Sticker Books $16.95
Pom Poms $14.95
Enclosure Card Sets $16.95
Highlighters and Pencil Sets $10.95
Pens $19.95


Cool off with a little pink and green! The watch sets and tumblers would be great to buy now and give as birthday or teacher gifts later and doesn't every phone need a new outfit?

So fill up your glass with something cold and make your shopping list!

Wednesday, July 6, 2011

Summer Favorites

A Beach Read

If you haven't read Elin Hildebrand's books, go to Amazon right now! If you cannot get to Nantucket, they are the next best thing. The only downside of her books is the fact that once you start one it is extremely difficult to put it down!

Dresses
I know summer is short season, but I love putting a dress on, some sandals and a pair of earrings and I am good to go for a day of errands, brunch or anything else! Kate Spade has some great ones this year and right now everything on sale is an additional 25% off.

Running Coach
Yes I know it is a watch, but this is my new obsession. I tried on this one and the Garmin and the Garmin just felt too big and I haven't regretted my decision. I now know exactly how far I run and how fast or slow I go depending on the day.

Sunscreen

I am a sunscreen freak...I wear it everyday on any part of my body that the sun can see. I had skin cancer 12 years ago and am determined that I will not have it again. I love Kiehl's lotion with sunscreen for my arms and legs and this summer I have become a fan of Obagi's sun shield.

What are your favorite summer must haves?

Monday, July 4, 2011

Happy 4th!


Let's just say that this year Mini K needed a little prodding to celebrate what used to be her favorite holiday. She announced this morning that if it wasn't for George Washington she would get to live in the same country as Princess Catherine. Can you imagine how that went over with my history buff husband? I will give you a hint...it involved a discussion about the Boston Tea Party. Mini K responded by asking if the tea was Sweet Tea?

A redirect of the conversation and we were off to the annual water balloon & egg toss at the club followed by a diet of snow cones. Mini K and Baby C sported their Kate and Libby swimsuits in red, white and blue of course!

I would post some photos, but that would mean I knew what I did the camera cord...hmmmmmm...cleaning seemed like a good idea at the time!

The kiddos are now fast asleep and I have caught up on email and work and can plan out the week. We are adding a bunch of new products to the Grove this week, our prototypes should arrive and I am testing out some new recipes, which I promise to share and photograph.


Saturday, July 2, 2011

Keeping It Real

Clearly it has been awhile since I have posted. I DON'T have vacation story to share or some big news...it has just been a crazy time and spending time with Baby C and Mini K ranked higher.

I had a moment this week where I realized how fast time is flying! There are only 5 months until Mini K turns 6, which also means 5 months until Christmas! July 1st didn't hit me so much as Mini K putting on a dress yesterday that used to go to the middle of her knees and now looks more like a shirt that is a little too long. Couple that with having to buy her a pair of size 1.5 shoes and the realization that a kids size 2 and women's size 5 are pretty much the same thing and I am left wondering where did my little girl go.

So for the past week I have felt like freezing everything...trying to soak it all in, well everything except the laundry! A friend once told me when life seems a little overwelming to STOP and focus solely on one little thing at a time and you know what it works.

If you follow me on twitter than you know that Baby C has had balance issues due to his ear problems. Well this week, two weeks after his surgery, he took his first steps! Honestly, we think he was more focused on grabbing the oreo chocolate chip cookie out of Mini K's hands and didn't even realize he was walking, because as soon as he grabbed it he sat right down to eat!

I know so many of you blog daily, but there are days, or weeks, that I just don't see how an endless to do list is worth reading. Grove Gal E and I are ALMOST finished on a new product, one we designed and will make and are so excited. This blog isn't so much about the products that we sell, but how the juggle of motherhood, my life and career and my little Grove come together, and sometimes, from the outside looking in, it probably looks like a tornado, but I love it and wouldn't change a thing!

So we are starting the holiday weekend off with Mini K and her tennis racquet pretending she is part of Wimbledon in front of the tv, Mr. G hosing down Baby C's highchair outside and I am off to take Baby C to the farmer's market.

Have a great Saturday and remember to take it all in, because you can only live this day once!

DEAL ALERT: For all of you in the military in the D.C. area I want to share one deal with you: The Purple Goose on Mt. Vernon Avenue in Alexandria is offering 50% all clothing and shoes and 30% off all accessories with a military id.