gifts

Holiday Resources For Those in Need

Abby H.

thanksgivingturkey.jpgIt’s getting to be the season of giving, and for some families there isn’t the means to give this year. For some families there isn’t the means for a sit down family meal either.

Thanksgiving and Christmas are more than food and gifts, but no one should go hungry any time of year!

Here are some resources for those in San Diego County who might need some help.

Here is my post with a list of food banks/pantries in San Diego. Meet the Need at Faith Chapel has a lot of great events coming up to help you get through the holidays:

  • 11/19/: Faith Chapel is giving out Food Boxes and Turkeys starting at 10:30am.
  • 12/3: Meet the Need’s first Sunday event will be featuring a limited number of free Christmas trees in addition to the usual free lunch and bag of groceries.
  • 12/17: Faith Chapel will be distributing toys to children in need after the 10:30am service.

Feeding the Flock and several other ministries are sponsoring a Thanksgiving food box (turkey included). More information and sign ups can be found here.

You can also find local food banks/pantries from AmpleHarvest or by calling 211 in your area.

Toys 4 Tots is a well know toy charity, however their deadline to request toys is early November. If you missed the cut off, there are a few San Diego based toy charities that can help out.

Screen Shot 2017-11-13 at 1.53.34 PM.pngToys 4 Joy has 4 San Diego area events on December 9th. Toys for Joy is open to all children and families and no registration is required. One free toy will be given to all children attending the event ages 0 – 11. Free lunch will be provided in addition to free entertainment, kids activities and giveaways. All four locations have free groceries and one location has free gently used clothing available.

We Care Toy Drive provides 750 toys to local San Diego area kids. You can learn more by visiting their website.

Screen Shot 2017-06-01 at 8.09.41 AMThe Closet on 54th has a great free clothing closet you can shop at once a month, they also have a free food pantry that is open three days a week. You can find more info on their Facebook page here.

 

 

Incredible Deal on Mastercard Gift Cards at Staples (and an Amazon GC Giveaway!)! #StaplesEZr

Abby H.

file3331271364663.jpgYou know I love a good Gift Card Deal! Right now through April 29, 2017 when you purchase $300 or more in Mastercard gift cards at Staples you will receive a $20 Staples gift card by rebate. See store for more details, find your local Staples here. What is great about this deal is you can choose different denominations of Mastercard Gift card to reach the $300.

There are so many great ways to work this deal!

  • Use your points or cash back credit card to purchase the gift cards for a double dip! Our American Express Card gives us 5% cash back when we shop at office supply stores.
  • Pick up gift cards in smaller amounts ($25) and give to your child’s teacher to help with supplies a few times before the school year ends. Did you know that teacher appreciation week is coming up??
  • Great for sending to college students or for graduation gifts!
  • Use the gift cards to stay on budget for gifts and online shopping! Because you can shop in store or online with gift cards, it’s a great way to triple dip (use a cashback online shopping website like ebates or Topcashback to redeem your gift cards. You will earn even more cash back!).

Right now, you can enter to win a $50 Amazon Gift Card! Stock up on essentials for upcoming spring break, or buy yourself something nice! Click here to enter (the Rafflecopter may not be mobile friendly).

a Rafflecopter giveaway

This is a sponsored post, thanks to Tatu Digital Media for including me on this awesome offer and giveaway! All opinions are my own!

Illness and My Birthday…

Abby H.

file0001442071545 The worst part of being sick as a mom to small kids is that there is seldom time to rest, which means the illness lingers. Additionally, the likelihood that you got the illness from one of those small people is pretty great.

I’ve been battling a plague for over a week. That means, yes, I spent my birthday coughing and blowing my nose…sexy, no?

Overall, it was a great day. Lil’ Man drew me a book. He was going to make me a card, but he wanted to make me something I’d keep forever, so he made a book with pictures of reptiles. He drew most of them himself, and only used stickers from his reptile sticker book a few times. It’s very sweet.  Hubs got me a new FitBit!

The kids and I spent each day after school last week collecting birthday freebies, you can see my list of the goods here and here. We sprinkled it in with trips to the park (where I sat on a bench and coughed) or other errands. Lil’ Man’s overall favorite is the mini bundt from Nothing Bundt Cake. My fav is free lunch at Rubio’s.

Other than than, I’ve been going to bed early and napping during the day while Bitty sleeps, which is the reason there haven’t been any posts in a week. Now that I’m about 75% better, there should be more posts coming, including some fun DIY posts coming up about making infused oils (it’s never too early to start thinking about holiday gifts!).

If you follow me on Instagram, you may have seen that I posted a photo of some floral print fabric the other day. I am the costume designer for a local theatre’s production of the stage adaptation of To Kill A Mockingbird. That’s right, before I blogged about frugal living and clipping coupons, I designed and made costumes for theatres, movies, renaissance faires, LARP’s, and historical recreationists.

So now you know what I’ve been up to.. What’s going on with you?

Kasandrinos International: Olive Oil and Gifts for the Family!

Abby H.

Looking for a gift for a foodie or a skin care junkie? Check out this awesome offer!

Kasandrinos International proudly offers a single source organic extra virgin olive oil and other high quality food and skin care products. Kasandrinos International only offers this year’s harvest of olive oil.

Visit  Kasandrinos – high quality organic extra virgin olive oil. Use code holidayguide2016 at checkout to save20% off!!

I’ll be getting a bottle of Olive oil to try, and I’ll be sharing my thoughts and a recipe featuring  Kasandrinos Olive Oil! Maybe I’ll make my Marinated Salad!

@usfg

Give the Gift of love each month with GrandBox!

Abby H.

It’s hard to buy gifts for Grandma and Grandpa. What do you buy for someone who has everything or limited space?  You only need so many sweaters, boxes of candy, or books…. right?

GrandBox is the original monthly subscription box customized and curated specifically for seniors 65 and up. It’s the perfect gift to bring a smile to the older loved ones in your life.

GrandBox, the subscription box for the ones who cared about you. Order yours now for the Holiday Season!

My readers get to save!
GrandBox perfect Holiday Gift for your loved ones! Save on your first purchase! Check out their website and save!

I think this would also be a great gift idea for those other older relatives that you may not be able to visit often due to distance. I know my Great-Grandmother would have loved to receive a box with a small snack or gift each month and photos of my brother and I!

I’ll have some feedback (fingers crossed) from a loved one to share soon. Who will receive it… SHHHH!! It’s a secret!

 

 

 

@usfg

Cool Character lights from 3D Light FX!

Abby H.1 Comment

With holiday shopping already in the mind of most, I am totally excited to share these cool lights from 3D Light FX with you. We saw these at Target a few weeks ago, and Lil’ Man was entranced.

His favorite is the Batman Logo. And really, who can blame him? Check out how cool it is! 3DLIGHTFX 3D Deco Lights are the perfect gift this holiday season.

They have a full range of comic book, super hero, Disney Princess, sports and car lights that look as though they are popping right out of the wall!

They are battery operated and cool to the touch so you can place them any where in the room!

Your kids will loves having these in their rooms and they’re also the perfect editions to a den, family room, man’s cave or office! Find all of these amazing products here.

No matter what you kid (or kid at heart) is into, there is a light for them!

 

Sweet Photo Gift Deals from York Photo!

Abby H.

It’s never too early to start stockpiling photo gifts for Holiday gifts- You know I love to give photo gifts. They are great for relatives, especially those who live far away!
Custom Photo Fleece Blanket – Just $19.99 – Save $38 On Each! Use Code: FLBLANKET. Open to All Customers. S&H Not Included. Order Quantity Limit 3. Ordered Online.

101 Free 4×6 Prints– This is a great deal, and would be great for at least two gifts! 101 free 4×6 prints (use coupon code FREE101).  All you need to turn these prints into a gift is a cute photo album (keep your eyes open at Michael’s- they frequently have good sales on albums, or use a 40% off coupon from their website).

 

Custom Photo Mug Order your 11 Oz. Custom Mug from York Photo for only $.99. Use Coupon Code CUP. Shipping and handling starts at $5.99 These mugs are perfect for Grandparents!

Order your Custom Shopping Bag from York Photo for $1.00. Use Coupon Code FLTOTE. Shipping and handling starts at $3.99.

 

Oh, and the best part: All new customers get 40 4×6 prints, regardless of  what you purchase!

Rad Gifts for Mom from ModCloth!

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.

ModCloth

Did you know that Mother’s Day is May 8th? I didn’t until I got an email from ModCloth with some cute presents for Mom. So, I thought I’d share!

In addition to the cute items below (which any mom would love to get), ModCloth is currently having a couple really great sales.

 

Screen Shot 2016-04-24 at 10.04.03 PM

This cute deep sea diver tea infuser! Perfect for the tea drinking mama on your list!

Screen Shot 2016-04-24 at 11.19.12 PM

The Star Wars Cookbook Kit-A  cookbook and three awesome cook cutters. Mom will be ready to whip a batch for her Padawan learners in no time.

 

And my last favorite gift for Mother’s Day from ModCloth:

Screen Shot 2016-04-24 at 11.22.35 PMThe Hydrated and Mighty water bottle. I am a sucker for a good water bottle- and who doesn’t like Mandalas!

Anyway, regardless of who you are shopping for this spring- whether it be a mother, sister, aunt, or even yourself, don’t forget to stop at ModCloth and see what kind of awesome deals they have on clothes, gifts, housewares and more!

Black Friday Sale at Costume Express!

Abby H.

Screen Shot 2015-11-25 at 6.50.42 PM*This post contains affiliate links and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links.

Halloween is long over, but if your littles love dress up, this deal is PERFECT for you! Costumes make the holidays brighter, so why not save and shop the Costume Closeout with savings up to 90% off at Costume Express. You’ll also get 20% off for Black Friday!

Offer: Black Friday – 20% off no minimum at Costume Express
Coupon Code: CXFRIDAY
Valid: 11/27/15

 

Shutterfly Deals- Perfect for Holiday Gift Giving!

Abby H.

This post may contain affiliate links, which means if you make a purchase, I may be compensated.
Shutterfly-LogoHere are two limited time deals from Shutterfly:
1. New Shutterfly Customers: Enjoy a choice of one Free set of Address Labels or 50 Free 4×6 Prints using the code YOURCHOICEAFF at checkout.  Offer expires November 25, 2015 (11:59 P.M. PT). Offer is good for one free set of address labels or 50 free 4×6 prints throughshutterfly.com or our mobile-friendly site. Must select one of the two products listed. Valid only for new Shutterfly customers (those who have never purchased from Shutterfly). Offer cannot be redeemed more than once per account and/or billing address. Taxes, shipping and handling will apply. Not valid on other print sizes, other products, prepaid plans, prior purchases, orders placed for in-store pick up and purchases made on the Shutterfly apps. Cannot be redeemed for cash or combined with other offers or credits. Not valid for resale.

2. ALL Shutterfly Customers: Enjoy 30% off qualifying merchandise orders of $1-$48.99; 40% off $49-$148.99 and 50% off $149+ using the code BIGSAVINGS at checkout  Offer expires November 26, 2015 (11:59 P.M. PT). Offer is good for 30% off qualifying merchandise orders of $1-$48.99; 40% off $49-$148.99 and 50% off $149 or more (after any other discounts and before taxes, shipping and handling) through shutterfly.com, our mobile-friendly site or Shutterfly apps. Taxes, shipping and handling will apply. Not valid on TripPix, Make My Book, personalized postage stamps, prepaid plans, gift certificates, Videograms, cards sent using mailing services, prior purchases and orders placed for in-store pick up. Cannot be redeemed for cash or combined with other offers or credits. Not valid for resale.