fun

Fun (and some free) Stuff to do this weekend around Comic Con!

Abby H.
Screen Shot 2015-07-07 at 7.03.15 PM
Yup, this is Hubs as Louise Belcher from Bob’s Burgers last year at SDCC. Yup, I made the dress and the hat.

Didn’t get tickets to Comic Con? Don’t feel bad, a lot of people didn’t. BUT- that doesn’t mean you have to miss out on the fun and festivities going on downtown.  There are lots of free activities going on in the Gaslamp and surrounding areas.

Here are links to a few resources. Not everything is free, and not everything is kid friendly or kid appropriate. I suggest you vet all of the activities first either with a phone call or a quick google search. Comics aren’t just for kids anymore.

2015 Comic Con off-site event Index

How to Enjoy Comic Con without a Badge

Top 10 Things to Do Outside Comic Con (FYI The walking Dead thing has been cancelled for this year 😦 )

If you decide the venture down there: Be safe, have fun, and take lots of photos!!

Exciting Science fun: Little Passports Coral Reef Kit

Abby H.

**The links in this post are affiliate links and I will receive a small commission if you make a purchase after clicking on my link.

I am super excited to share this deal. Lil’ Man and I are up to tons of sciencw-y fun this summer, and I JUMPED on this cool kit when I saw it!

Are you looking for a fun science project for your kids to do? What about one that can spark conversations regarding different ecosystems around the world? Sound like something for your Little Explorer? Little Passports has you covered!

With simple step-by-step instructions, this easy science activity for kids demonstrates how crystals form and encourages an understanding of underwater ecosystems.

Set up your trays with the paper coral forms, add the terraforming solution, and enjoy your child’s amazement as you both watch the transformation!

The Companion Guide features new adventures in Australia with Sam & Sofia as they explore the world’s largest coral reef system, the Great Barrier Reef.

The kit includes:

  • Three coral forms, trays and terraforming solution
  • Instruction booklet with easy to follow step-by-step instructions
  • Companion Guide, featuring more Australia adventures with Sam and Sofia

    The Coral Reef Kit is recommended for ages 6+

    This fun science project is only $12.95 + shipping! Click here to purchase your very own Little Passports Coral Reef Kit .

 

 

Weekend Fun On the cheap!!

Abby H.

file4361308158952If you are looking for some fun on a budget, we have compiled a list of national retailers with hands-on workshops, classes and free in-store events for this weekend and many more that are coming soon.

Share this fun,money-saving list with your friends and family. And, if you know of any others to include, please let us know! It is always best to call ahead and make sure that your local store or retailer is participating to avoid disappointment.

 

 

 

bank of america museums on usFree Museum Entrance for Bank of America customers: Saturday, July 4th and Sunday, July 5th  Bank of America’s Museums on Us is offering free admission to more than 150 museums nationwide for Bank of America or Merrill Lynch credit or debit card holders along with a photo ID. For more information about Museums on Us, visit: http://museums.bankofamerica.com.

Barnes & Noble  in store events: July 1st – July 31st  In store events include Throwback Thursdays, Time Travel Weekend, DC Comic Days (July 8-12), Minions Fun (July 17th), Star Wars Saturday (July 18th), Dr. Seuss Spectacular (July 28th & 31st) and more. Find the times and participating Barnes and Noble stores here.

Home Depot Kid’s Workshops: Saturday, July 4th from 9 AM – noon (Our local HD offers them each week, yours may too, call ahead to verify) Kids make and take a Minions Scooter plus get a free orange apron. Get more information and register online here.

Bowling for Kids all Summer: Kids Bowl for Free all summer at select bowling centers. Get two free games for each child, every day, all summer long. She rental is not included. Check to see what nearby bowling alleys are participating here.

Family Movies for $1:  During the Summer Participating Regal Cinemas, United Artists, & Edwards Theaters offer 9 weeks of family movies, rated G or PG, for just $1 on Tuesday or Wednesday mornings at 10 AM. You can see the schedule, starting dates and movies here on the Regal website.

And Coming Soon…

Free National Park Entrance: August 25th – National Park Service Birthday Find out the list of participating parks (over 405 of them) There is only 1 in San Diego. 

Lego Stores Free Model Build. Usually held monthly in stores, kids ages 6 to 14 can build from a small, easy to assemble kit. Contact your closest LEGO® Store here for details.

Be sure and check out your local library (San Diego County Library event website) and parks and recreation departments for free programs and events right in your hometown!

 

Thanks to Lori at More with Less

 

A New Month means New Coupons!

Abby H.

file000786402730I saw a reader today at Walgreens (She recognized Lil’ Man) and she asked why I stopped reminding readers that there are new coupons at the beginning of each month.  I told that I shifted my focus away from deals and couponing, but she asked if I could *please* bring back my once a month reminder posts. So Here ya go Liz, just for you!! But, remember, there are no coupons this weekend due to the holiday!

A new month means new printable and electronic coupons!

Check out the following sites:

You can also sign up for Free Printable coupon alerts via email.  You’ll get an email whenever printable coupons meeting your search parameters are available!

One of my favorite website is the Sunday Coupon Review.  It helps me plot out scenarios in advance and I can email friends to ask for coupons in advance.

Free Photo book from Shutterfly!

Abby H.

Screen Shot 2015-06-29 at 7.11.03 PM(**The links in this post are affiliate links and I will receive a small commission if you make a purchase after clicking on my link.)

 

SQUEE! So I’m a little behind on some of the deals going on right now, but here is one I am super excited to share! Now through tomorrow at midnight, you can score a free 20-pg 8×8 hard cover photo book from Shutterfly when you use Coupon Code SUNNYBOOK at checkout.

I’m ordering one tonight!!

Here is the super boring (but important) fine print: Offer expires June 30, 2015 (11:59 P.M. PT). Offer is good for one free 20-standard finish page 8×8 hard photo cover photo book through shutterfly.com, our mobile-friendly site or Shutterfly apps. Offer cannot be redeemed more than once per account and/or billing address. Taxes, shipping, and handling will apply. Customer may add options to their 8×8 book (additional pages, StorytellingTM styles and elements, photo book accessories, other cover types, etc.) at additional cost. Alternatively, customer may apply the current price of a 20-standard finish page 8×8 hard photo cover photo book (after taking into account any current discounts on shutterfly.com) toward the purchase of a larger photo book. Not valid on 5×7, 7×9, or 8×8 soft cover photo books, TripPix, prepaid plans, other products and prior purchases. Cannot be redeemed for cash or combined with other offers or credits. Not valid for resale.

Little Passports: Only 1 day left to save 15%!

Abby H.

**The links in this post are affiliate links and I will receive a small commission if you make a purchase after clicking on my link.

I love Little Passports! It’s a super cute program designed to help kids learn about the world around them.  Henry and I checked it out earlier in the year and it was really fun. They have three programs based on your child’s age.

It makes a great gift: It’s affordable, educational, and it’s not something that clutters your house with one more piece of  plastic schtuff (which right now, I feel is super important- we’ve been purging out all of the plastic, icky, broken, or neglected toys in favor of more educational, creative play toys and crafts).


Your Cool Summer Savings are here! Little Passports is offering 15% off ANY subscription plan. All you need to do is use code:SUMMER15 at check out. But hurry- these cool summer savings end tomorrow June 16th!!

**This promotion is valid online only at www.littlepassports.com. To redeem enter code SUMMER15 at checkout. Offer valid on new subscriptions only and cannot be combined with any other offers and/or applied retroactively to previously placed orders. Offer applies only to the first month on a Monthly Plan. Offer not valid on Personalized Products and Shop items. Offer excludes shipping and taxes. Offer valid from June 10, 2015 at 8:00AM EST to June 16, 2015 at 11:59PM EST.

 

 

Contact Lens Wearers: Score Free Contacts!

Abby H.

http://strk.enlnks.com/aff_ad?campaign_id=116&aff_id=9052&format=iframeI love these deals! Mr. C wears contacts, so I always sign up for these offers.

Get a free trial certificate for a Free† Trial Offer for AIR OPTIX® brand contact lenses with The EyeFile™ System.  This includes the Air Optics Color Studio! Just click on the link above to get started!

Take the coupons found here and here to your local Wal-mart vision center to receive a free 2 oz. RevitaLens OcuTec MPDS starter kit with lens case and a Free Lens Cloth and Cleaner!

Mixing up hydration with Soda Stream!

Abby H.

Recently, a friend asked me for some non-soda uses for her Soda Stream machine. Since I use ours at least 2 times a week to whip up liter bottles of fizzy water, I figured I’d share some of my concoctions!

Screen Shot 2015-05-31 at 6.58.19 AMThis is the Soda Stream Machine we have.

Here are a few ways to use your Soda Stream besides adding the Soda Stream syrups.

  1. Fill a fancy pitcher with 2-3 cups of chilled, sliced fruit. I like Apples, oranges, lemons, Kiwi, and berries (not necessarily all together). Pour 1 liter of chilled carbonated water from the Soda Stream. It makes the best fruity fizzy water!
  2. Try Torani Syrups in place of Soda Stream syrup.  It comes in tons of flavors, in both regular and sugar free, including fun fruit flavors!
  3. Instead of adding syrup, why not try ice cubes made of fruit juice?  Fill an ice cube tray with orange juice, pomegranate juice, or whatever you have on hand.  Add ice cubes to your carbonated Soda Stream water and enjoy!
  4. If you are looking for a different taste, try the powdered beverage mixes in your carbonated Soda Stream water.  Mix slowly, and carefully, since some of the powders may cause the water to get a little extra fizzy.  I like Crystal Light sticks, Snapple Sticks, and a few store brands that come in cranberry and cran-pear.
  5. Mio or other concentrated liquid beverage mixes are also great in your your carbonated Soda Stream water, and since you control how little or how much you add, your drink can be different each time!
  6. If you are looking to jazz up your beverages, try an Italian Cream Soda.  It’s a pretty easy recipe:

Italian Cream Soda

Ingredients:

  • Ice,
  • 1 ounce syrup,
  • carbonated Soda Stream water (8-12 oz, depending on your glass size),
  • 1 ounce cream,
  • whipped cream (optional, but everyone loves whipped cream).

Directions:

  1.  Scoop ice into glass
  2. Pour your carbonated Soda Stream water over the ice cubes
  3. Pour 1 ounce syrup over the ice and water.  Stir with a stir stick.
  4. Pour 1 ounce of cream over the top- Do not stir.
  5. Top with whipped cream, if desired.

How do you use your Soda Stream Machine?

There is still time!! Save $75 off summer camps at Digital Media Academy!

Abby H.

If you are still looking for a fun summer camp for your teen this summer, Migital Media Academy is still offering their sweet deal! Founded at Stanford University, Digital Media Academy is ranked as one of the ten best summer camps in the world.

Save $75 off summer camps at Digital Media Academy with code TECHSUMMER at www.DigitalMediaAcademy.org. Sign up for multiple weeks and save big! Campers save $125 for each additional course they register for. Register by June 30th to #CreateTheNext best-selling app this summer!

Kids and teens learn computer programming, app development, 3D modeling, robotics, graphic design, filmmaking, and much more. DMA summer camps are one or multiple week experiences taught by industry experts and tech professionals. Campers get hands-on experience creating projects using the latest hardware and software from Apple, Canon, Adobe, and more.

Digital Media Academy is also proud to introduce Made by Girls, a new program dedicated to empowering girls and closing the gender gap in the tech industry.

Give your teen a pre-collegiate experience or build a child’s confidence through project-based learning. Learn at some of the most prestigous colleges and universities throughout the U.S. and Canada.

 

Save $75 off summer camps at Digital Media Academy with code TECHSUMMER at http://www.DigitalMediaAcademy.org. Sign up for multiple weeks and save big! Campers save $125 for each additional course they register for. Register by June 30th to #CreateTheNext best-selling app this summer!

Questions? Call 1(866)656-3342 to speak with a Guest Service Representative or email info@digitalmediaacademy.org and mention the US Family Guide Special OfferQ

#CreateTheNext this summer at Digital Media Academy!

Sweet Deals on Bathing Suits at ModCloth!

Abby H.

Screen Shot 2015-05-21 at 3.51.20 PM**This post contains affiliate links and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking through my links.

It’s a pool party over at ModCloth, and you’re invited! With so many bikinis and one pieces to pick from, you’re bound to find a standout look that suits your style. And while you’re at it, check out ModCloth’s exploration of so-called “ideal” beach bodies in their new Swim-fographic!

It’s an intriguing look at how arbitrarily beauty standards have changed over time. Of course, ModCloth knows that every body is a beach body — the only requirements are a beach, your bod, and a swimsuit you can’t wait to flaunt!

And in case you were wondering, this is my fav. suit…

Screen Shot 2015-05-21 at 3.54.38 PMAnd if you’ve never shopped with ModCloth, make sure to join their email list to score a $20 off $100+ purchase coupon code!