Abby H.

Screen Shot 2019-08-08 at 7.53.52 AM.png I’m at it again! One of the reasons you haven’t seen me lurking around social media and the blog lately is that I’ve been really busy designing and making costumes for Pickwick Players upcoming production of Treasure Island by Ken Ludwig.

Screen Shot 2019-08-08 at 8.07.58 AM.png — Courtesy of Pickwick Players

Based on the book by Robert Louis Stevenson, Treasure Island follows Young Jim Hawkins on a journey far from home to find treasure with a group that includes Captain John Silver, Anne Bonny, and Calico Jack!

Screen Shot 2019-08-08 at 8.05.12 AM — Photo Courtesy of Tyler Hewes

I was really lucky to have a great team to make this show come to life. The set design really transforms the space, and the lighting and music are spot on!

To celebrate the opening weekend, you can score $10 tickets (Only for opening weekend) Go to www.pickwickplayers.net and use the code “scurvy10”. Performances are on Friday, Saturday evenings (7:30pm) and Sunday matinees (2pm) – August 9 to 25.

I am giving away a pair of tickets to the show! To Enter, leave a comment below- Who would you take with you on your pirate adventure? I will choose a winner on 8/14/19.

Cents of Style: 2 for $20 Kimonos!

August 6, 2019August 6, 2019Abby H.

**This post contains affiliate links and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links.

I’m digging these kimonos from Cents of Style. They are the perfect piece for any weather and a MUST HAVE for your summer AND fall wardrobe. There are 25 different styles and one size fits most.

They are totally modern and are the perfect addition to level up your shorts, pencil skirts, or even your best skinny jeans. The flowy silhouette of these kimonos make for a flattering, comfortable fit that you will love adding to a variety of outfits! For date night layer it over a little black dress and some strappy heels, or for a more casual laid back look pair it with a simple white tee, your favorite shorts, and sandals.

You can wear these over your swimsuits for the perfect coverup too! The possibilities are ENDLESS! Use code KIMONO20 and get 2 for $20 and you will also score FREE SHIPPING. This deal is only good through 8/9/19!

Talk Back: I love the flamingo kimono (above) and the cactus one (below). Which is your favorite?

Please see my Disclosure Page for more information about the use of affiliate links.

It’s Time for Some Freebies!

August 6, 2019August 5, 2019Abby H.

8101f95433a1458fa8c2371f3b11b849 I missed my usual Freebie Post on Friday, so let’s see what’s going on in the world of freebies this Tuesday afternoon.

Free Backpacks with School Supplies at Boost Mobile

Free Lancome Monsieur Big Mascara & Foundation Samples at Ulta

Free Box of Palm Oil Free Products

Free Back to School Event at Walmart – No locations in CA

Free Glade PlugIns Scented Oil Warmer at Sam’s Club

Verizon Up Rewards Members – Free $3-$5 Amazon Gift Card

Free Sample of Qunol Turmeric Instant Drink Mix

Free Sample of Garnier Fructis Sleek Shot In-Shower Styler

Lowe’s Build & Grow Clinic – Free Build-a-Saurus

Free Scarecrow Planter at Home Depot

Free Duracell & Energizer Batteries at Office Depot & Office Max

Free Hallmark Greeting Card

Hot Weather Recipe Round Up!

August 6, 2019August 5, 2019Abby H.

I mentioned in the Weekly Meal Plan post yesterday that it’s going to be a hot one this week. Ugh.

That means lots of time swimming and lots of time at the YMCA enjoying their AC and doing fun activities- Big Kid just did the fitness orientation and he is excited to start exercising. Mostly he wants to take boxing classes with me on Saturdays.

All that activity requires good, healthy fuel, and I do not want to fire up the stove or oven when it’s over 90 outside.

Here are a few of my favorite recipes to serve when it’s hot outside!

DIY Ramen Potluck!
Easy Home Made Ice Cream Recipe!
Family Recipe: Chicken Divan (in the crockpot)
Healthy, Frozen Fruit Pops!
Marinated Salad
Bachelor Mousse
Easy One Pot Meal: Salsa Chicken
Crockpot Recipe: Moosie’s Pot Roast!
Quinoa Tri-Color Pepper Salad
Protein Shake Recipes! Big Kid has really taken to protein shakes in the morning, since he’s a vegetarian and doesn’t really do eggs either (It’s a texture thing). The trainer that did the orientation really drove home that he needs to fuel his body with protein on mornings when he works out- which I really appreciated because for some reason, he’ll listen when someone else tells him the EXACT THING his dad and I have been telling him. C’MON KID!!

As you can tell there are a lot of dessert recipes. Because, really, who doesn’t like dessert?

Talk Back: What do you cook when it’s hot?

8/5/19 Meal Plan Monday

August 5, 2019August 5, 2019Abby H.

stemarie_1650skitchen

The past week has been crazy! Running around, having adventures, trying to beat the heat. This week I’m trying to finish up a couple pieces, get some new content researched, and get the house ready for out of town guests who arrive early next week. If you’ve got kids, you feel me on the “It takes a week to get your house ready” vibe.

For those of you that are new to meal planning, I’ve got an easy 101 style post here with super easy tips and steps. After you get that down, here is info about batch or freezer cooking.

I’ve gotten a pretty good inventory of the pantry, freezer, and fridge done, so I’m able to plan meals and use up what we’ve got with little waste. If you are looking for kitchen inventory printable, I like the kitchen inventories here. They are great printables.

You may notice a lot of plant-based meals- We are not vegetarian, but I am trying to get more veggies into our diet. I do a lot of cooking from scratch- I find it easier to get veggies and fruit into recipes that I can have 100% control over.

I only post our dinner plans for the week, because our other meals are usually the same each day:

Breakfast: Coffee with heavy cream for me, and pancakes or something along those lines for the kids (they love the Kodiak Cakes Mix). I also keep sandwich Ziploc bags of other frozen fruit on hand to make the kids smoothies when they request them (a few times per week). Berries, peaches, and mangos are pretty popular.

Lunches are leftovers, salads, or soups for me. The kids will be enjoying free lunches all over the county with free activities and playtime before or after lunch.

For dinner, when we’ve got busy days (like Mondays), I’ll try and put something in the crockpot (I am picking up my new crockpot this week) in the morning, or pull something I’ve already prepped out that can be quickly cooked.

Monday: I won’t lie.. We went to Costco and had pizza and churros.
Tuesday: Leftover Night- There is leftover Spanish Rice, Beans, chicken breasts and salad lurking in the fridge.
Wednesday: Grilled cheese and Quinoa Tri-color pepper salad
Thursday: Something cool- it’s supposed to be really hot Thursday. I’m thinking about sandwiches and fruit salad.
Friday: Date Night! I’ve got a Gift card to Smash Burger to use!
Saturday: Homemade Pizza Night
Sunday: Crockpot Enchilada- It’s a new recipe. If it turns out well I’ll share it.

Talk Back: What are you planning to cook this week?

National Night Out- Tomorrow!

August 5, 2019August 5, 2019Abby H.

Screen Shot 2019-08-05 at 10.43.32 AM.png Tomorrow, the first Tuesday in August is National Night Out.

Most communities in the US and Canada hold this event. It started in 1984 as a way to increase community awareness about police, safety, and anti-crime programs in communities.

Some communities use this night as a chance to have a festival, carnival, cook-out, or block party.

My local community is having one! Santee and Lakeside are co-hosting an event at Santee Trolley square. If you are looking for your local National Night Out event, check the National Night Out website here.

I’ll be taking the kids- They love events like this. Our local first responders have their vehicles open and the kids can explore the fire trucks, ambulances, and police vehicles. The last event we went to like this, The Big Kid got to check out the SWAT Vehicle and try on SWAT gear. I find that this kind of accessibility is great for little kids like Bitty, so she isn’t scared to approach a first responder if she is in need. It’s very useful for the Big Kid because some kids with ASD take things they are told literally. He would refuse to talk to a stranger if he needed help or was in danger because it’s drilled into kids heads at a young age. Meeting first responders and receiving reinforcement that they are NOT strangers, they are HELPERS gives him the reinsurance he needs that it’s ok to seek help in an emergency, especially if I am not around, or if I am the one who needs help.

August: New Month, New Coupons!

August 1, 2019Abby H.

Here is your monthly reminder! A new month means new printable and electronic coupons!

Check out the following sites:

Coupons.com (printable an e-coupons),
Redplum (printable),
SmartSource (Printable),
SavingStar (E-Coupons)

One of my favorite websites is the Sunday Coupon Review. It helps me plot out scenarios in advance and I can email friends to ask for coupons in advance. Remember if clipping coupons isn’t your thing, but saving money is, check out my list of Smartphone apps that can save you the big bucks! New offers are added on the Smartphone Savings Apps all the time!

Here are a few of my favorite new coupons:

7/31/19- National Avocado Day Freebies!

July 30, 2019July 30, 2019Abby H.

Living in California, every day is avocado day! Everyone knows someone- a friend, neighbor, relative who has an avocado tree (or 4).

For everyone else, REJOICE!! Tomorrow, July 31st is National Avocado Day and here are a couple freebies and deals for you.

Head to Rubio’s tomorrow with this coupon, and score a free Guacamole and Chips with any order. We’ll be hitting up Rubio’s tomorrow. The kids received free kid’s meal coupons in their Summer Reading prize packs from the county library.

If you don’t have a Rubio’s nearby, grab your phone and pull up the Chipotle app! Tomorrow you can score free guacamole on any order placed via website or mobile app.

I’ll be donning my sweet ‘Cado socks and chowing down!

Talk Back: Are you looking forward to National Avocado Day?

Back to School Deals!

July 29, 2019July 29, 2019Abby H.

Ok, so as much as I’ve been posting about summer fun and adventures, Back To School is lurking around the corner.

Here are some awesome deals and freebies:

Office Depot has a great selection of $10 backpacks, some of them (like the two above) come with pencil cases, lunch bags, and water bottles too!

Most office supply stores have great deals on markers, crayons, and markers right now too. Deals are changing weekly. If you don’t have time to chase deals, I’ve found a couple decent deals. Prices on Amazon change quickly, so I haven’t listed them, but you can click on each link and check them out.

AmazonBasics Pre-sharpened Wood Cased #2 HB Pencils, 150 Pack
Elmer’s All Purpose School Glue Sticks, Washable, 7 Gram, 30 Count
Crayola Crayons Bulk, 24 Box Classpack, 24 Assorted Colors

If you are a teacher/educator, check out these three freebies:

If your kids are like mine, they lose stuff all the time, so I’ve invested in The back to school pack of label set from Mabel’s Labels.

If you need some help obtaining school supplies for your kiddos, there is help out there for you.

Free Backpacks with School Supplies at Boost Mobile

If you are an East County Area Resident (San Diego County), check out this awesome offer from the Santee Mobilehome Owners Association, INC (SMOAC) is handing out backpacks full of supplies for kids Kindergarten and up. Each backpack has age/grade-appropriate supplies. This event takes place at the Santee Library from 10 AM until they run out. In addition, there will be free haircuts for girls and boys and many other surprises that day.

Talk Back: If you know of any free school supplies or deal, please share!

Hewes Family Fun

Frugal Fun, Family Adventures, & Living Well on Less in San Diego, CA

Author: Abby H.

8/9/19- Friday Freebies and Deals!

Enter to Win 2 Tickets to Pickwick Players Production of Treasure Island!

Cents of Style: 2 for $20 Kimonos!

It’s Time for Some Freebies!

Hot Weather Recipe Round Up!

8/5/19 Meal Plan Monday

National Night Out- Tomorrow!

August: New Month, New Coupons!

7/31/19- National Avocado Day Freebies!

Back to School Deals!

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