We had a cupcake decorating playdate last week in which the kids could decorate their own cupcakes.  Boy did they have fun.  

I let the kids use these small Pampered Chef icing decorators and they were perfect  for their little hands plus the icing only comes out of the decorating tip.  With an icing bag, one end is open (you twist it or fold it as you ice) and icing would be everywhere with these little munchkins.  

We put all kinds of sprinkles and candies out for the kids.  I love this divided glass platter.  Each section is a separate dish that lifts out.  My husband actually found this at a thrift store and it is one of my favorite things.  

Costco is offering a free sample of their Kirkland Supreme diapers. You do not need to be a member of this warehouse club to be able to request this sample.

Thanks Common Sense with Money for sharing.

Rue La La, the destination that delivers everything for a life of style - at private sale prices. Members discover new offerings daily - each available only for a short time.  Use this invitation only link to discover for yourself.  Rue La La is offering a $10 credit for new members (it's free) over the next few days.  Use the link to sign up and your credit will show up in your account within 48 hours.  

Here is a new pampers gifts to grow code worth 10 points.
SEP3PGW7NRKYWXK
Thanks Coupon Geek for sharing!

This is a few days late in posting, but I wanted to share anyway.  My son needed a Valentine card box for a birthday party with his picture on it.  I gave my husband an empty tissue box and asked him if he could come up with something.  He created this great rocket ship Valentine Card Box.  Great job Honey!  We didn't spend a cent - we recycled materials we already had and our son had a cute Valentine card box.  In fact, I think it's so cute, I couldn't throw it away.  I stored it away for later.  If I ever decide to pitch the box, I will keep the picture rocket ship for scrap-booking.  

Here are the best deals at CVS for 2/20-2/26. Thanks to the Thrifty Mama for her help putting these deals together.





Not sure how to make the most of your shopping at CVS? Make sure to read the Common Sense with Money  CVS Shopping Guide to learn how to get stuff for free or very cheap

Cadbury Single Egg or Cadbury Mini Eggs 1.5oz $0.75 Earn .75 ECBs Limit 1
FREE after ECBs!

iCraig Tower Stereo System $59.99

Easter M&Ms 9.9-14oz 2/$4

Extra Care Buck (ECB) DealsAussie or Herbal Essences Shampoo 2/$5.97 Earn 2 ECB Limit 1
Use $1/2 Aussie or Herbal Essences Product 1/30/2011 PG Insert (exp 2/28/2011)
Pay $2.97 for two after coupon and ECBs

Clairol Nice & Esay Foam Hair Color $7.99 Earn 1 ECB Limit 2
Use $2/1 Clairol Nice n Easy Hair Color 1/23/2011 SS Insert (exp 2/28/2011)
Pay $4.99 after coupon and ECB

Colgate MaxWhite, MaxFresh, Total Advanced or Enamel Strength $2.77 Earn 2 ECBs Limit 2
Use $0.75/1 Colgate Toothpaste 1/30/2011 SS Insert (exp 2/19/2011) or
Use $1/1 Colgate Toothpaste 1/30/2011 SS Insert (exp 2/19/2011)
As low as FREE after coupon

Covergirl Products Spend $10 Earn 3 ECBs Limit 1
Use $1/1 CoverGirl Product 1/30/2011 PG Insert (exp 2/28/2011)
Use $2/1 CoverGirl Lip Perfection 1/30/2011 P&G Insert (exp 2/28/2011)
Use $1/1 Covergirl Product 1/16/2011 P&G Insert (exp 2/28/2011)
Use in-ad CVS coupon for 10% off beauty products and Earn $5 ECBs with every $50 beauty purchase

Gold Emblem Jelly Beans 9oz $0.99 Earn .99 ECBs Limit 1
Free after ECBs

Listerine Mouthwash $3.99 Earn 1 ECB Limit 2
Use $1/1 Listerine Antiseptic Mouthwash or
Use $1/1 Listerine Whitening or
Use $1/1 Listerine Whitening Rinse or
Use $1/1 Listerine Mouthwash or
Use $1/1 Listerine Smart Rinse Anticavity Mouthwash or Listerine Agent Cool Blue Tinting Rinse 500mL or Reach Kids Toothbrush 1/9/2011 SS Insert (exp 12/31/2011)
Pay $1.99 after coupon and ECB

Mars Assorted Candy 3/$3 Earn 1 ECB Limit 1
Pay $2 for three after coupon and ECBs

Mars or Wrigley’s Singles 4/$2 Earn 1 ECBs Limit 2
Pay $1 for four after ECBs

Opti-Free Replenish, Express Twin pk $14.99 Earn 5 ECBs Limit 1
Use $4/1 Opti-Free Replenish Twin Pack 1/16/2011 SS Insert (exp 3/31/2011)
Pay $6.99 after coupon and ECBs

Pampers Diapers Jumbo Packs $8.99 Earn 2 ECBs Limit 1
Use $3/1 Pampers Diapers or Pants AND Wipes 1/30/2011 PG Insert (exp 2/28/2011) or
Use $2/1 Pampers Diapers or Pants AND Wipes 1/30/2011 PG Insert (exp 2/28/2011) or
Use $1.50/1 Pampers Easy Ups Trainers or UnderJams 1/30/2011 PG Insert (exp 2/28/2011)
Pay $5.49 after $1.50 coupon and ECBs

Revlon Buy 2 Foundation Powder, Blush or Concealer Earn 8 ECBs Limit 1
Use $2/1 Revlon Face Product 1/16/2011 SS Insert (exp 2/20/2011)
Use $1/1 Revlon Cosmetic Product 2/13/2011 SS Insert (exp 3/20/2011)
Use in-ad CVS coupon for 10% off beauty products and Earn $5 ECBs with every $50 beauty purchase

Non ECB DealsDial NutriSkin Lotion $3.99 21oz
Use $2/1 Dial Nutriskin Lotion 2/20/2011 RP Insert (exp 3/12/2011)
Pay $1.99 after coupon!

Filippo Berio Olive Oil $3.99
Use $1/1 Filippo Berio Olive Oil AND
Use $1/1 Filippo Berio Olive Oil Upromise eCoupons 
Pay $1.99 after both coupon and Upromise deposit

Finish Gelpacs or Powerball Tabs $2.99
Use $2.25/1 Finish Quantum Dishwasher Detergent 1/2/2011 SS Insert (exp 2/21/2011) (EXPIRES MONDAY)
Pay $0.74 cents each after coupon!

Kellogg’s Cereal $1.99 Limit 4
Use See all available Kellogg’s Coupons
Pay as little as $0.99 per box after $1 coupon!

Palmolive $0.97 Limit 5
Use $0.35/1 Palmolive Antibacterial Dish Liquid 
Pay $0.62 after coupon

Purex Complete 3-in-1 $3.99 
Use $3/1 Purex Complete or Laundry Sheets 2/20/2011 RP Insert (exp 3/19/2011)
Pay $0.99 after coupon

Purex Laundry Detergent $1.99
Use $1/1 Purex Liquid Laundry Detergent 2/20/2011 RP Insert (exp 4/16/2011)
Pay $0.99 after coupon

Renuzit Adjustables $0.99
Use $0.55/3 Renuzit Adjustables 
Pay $2.42 for three or $0.80 each

Happy Savings!

This is from a post by Common Sense with Money

¾ cup butter, softened 
¾ cup sugar
1 egg
½ tsp. almond extract
2 cups all-purpose flour
¼ tsp. baking powder
1/8 tsp. salt
red and green gel food coloring
1/3 cup raisins
1 tsp. sesame seeds



1.     In a large mixing bowl, cream butter and sugar.  Beat in egg and extract.  Combine the flour, baking powder and salt; gradually add to creamed mixture.  (I used my electric mixer to make dough.)  Set aside 1 cup of dough.  

2.     Tint remaining dough red;  shape into a 3 ½ in. log.  Wrap in plastic wrap.  Tint 1/3 cup of the reserved dough green; wrap in plastic wrap.  Wrap remaining plain dough.  Refrigerate for 2 hours or until firm. 

3.     On a lightly floured surface, roll plain dough into an 8 ½ in. X 3 ½ in. Rectangle.  Place red dough log on the end of a short side of the rectangle; roll up.  Roll green dough into a 10 in. X 3 ½ in. rectangle.  (Don’t worry about exact measurements, just roll until it looks like it will cover the dough log.)  Place red and white log on the end of a short side on green dough; roll up.  Wrap in plastic wrap; refrigerate for a few hours or overnight.  

4.     Unwrap and cut into 3/16-in. slices (just less than ¼ in.).  Place 2 in. apart on ungreased baking sheets.  Cut raisins into small pieces.  Lightly press raisin bits and sesame seeds into red dough to resemble watermelon seeds.  (I omitted the sesame seeds.)

5.  Bake at 350 degrees for 9 -11 minutes or until firm.  Immediately cut cookies in half.  Remove to wire racks to cool.  Yield 3 doz.  (I double the recipe)


This recipe came from a Taste of Home Summer Grilling cookbook - one of my favorites!  They have a wonderful delicate almond flavor.  I left the sesame seeds out when I made these so they are an optional ingredient.

I am entering this recipe in the My Wooden Spoon Food Challenge for February.  http://mywoodenspoon.com/february-food-challenge/

Here is a new pampers gifts to grow code.NC3XPM9YRD49EMT (10 points, expires 2/26)
Hurry - this one expires 2/26/11.
It is worth 10 points.

Thanks Freebies4Mom for sharing!

Clinique is giving away 100,000 free samples of their High Impact Mascaras.  Now, this is working a little different than normal.  You can sign up for a chance to win this mascara from now through 2/25.  After that, 100,000 will be chosen among all entries to get the free sample.  So it is a sweepstakes but I think chances are pretty good since they are giving away so many.

Thanks Common Sense with Money for sharing!

Udder Covers™ Reusable Nursing Pads will protect your skin from irritation by absorbing all moisture. You will LOVE them!

Product Benefits:
Leaking milk and moisture is drawn away from skin by 5 layers of absorbent cotton fabric 
Machine-washable and reusable 
Soft layers conform to breast shape for a natural look under clothing 

Product Features:
100% Cotton 
5 Ply 


This giveaway is for a package of 4 nursing pads (2 pair).  These are good nursing pads.  I have used this brand and liked the quality of the pads and the convenience and economy of being able to machine wash them and reuse them.  

Here’s How To Enter:
NOTE: Beneath this posting is the word “Comments.” This is where you’ll put your entries. Only entries on this posting will be counted.

1) To enter the giveaway, leave me a comment letting me know that you want to win these nursing pads.  

After you have commented, here are some other ways to enter: (Please, make sure that you submit extra comments if you do these.)

2)  For three extra entries, subscribe to my email newsletter or RSS Feed and leave separate comments letting me know that you have done this. Leave a separate comment for each entry (3 comments).  If you are already subscribed, thank you and make sure you leave comments letting me know.  You will need to activate your subscription by clicking on the link in the email that feedburner sends you.

3) Blog, Tweet or Share on Facebook about this giveaway . Make sure you come back and leave a separate comment letting me know that you’ve done this.

Entry is open to US residents only through 11:59PM CST on Monday, March 14, 2011. Winner will be chosen using random.org and contacted by email. If you’re the winner, you’ll have only 48 hours to respond or an alternate will be chosen.
 Good luck to all of you who enter!