You may not know this, but in the city in Montana, where I reside, there are no stores that double coupons on a regular basis. I had heard that our Albertson’s sometimes does it, but I have yet to see it.

The best way I have found to save money is to stockpile. I have a little stockpile going on that I used coupons for. It was somewhat of an investment at first, but with the things I have, I no longer need to buy them. for months or even a year.

I have noticed that the coupons in newspapers here are not the same as ones in other [Read more…]

In this time of rushing around the holidays, it is still important to slow down once in a while and have fun with your spouse.

I have put together some fun date ideas that are low cost and some are even free!

1. If you have Netflix, watch an entire season of a favorite tv show. Make popcorn and get some snacks and do your own marathon!

2. Go for a wintery walk to a local cafe and get some hot cocoa. Take pictures of the beautiful scenery.

3. If you have a local brewery or winery, go to a tasting night.

4. Go see a local High School Basketball game.

5. Make a new meal you have never tried together.

6. Pretend to be a tourist in your own town. Do all the free tourist things. We have a carousel here and its cheap to ride. Super fun for adults!

7. Have a fondue night with chocolate or cheese. Feed each other blind-folded

8. It’s winter! Who says sledding is just for kids?

9. Since I recently started couponing, we do coupon date nights. We look for coupons to local restaurants and attractions and use them to do a cheap night of fun. We don’t do anything we don’t have a coupon for!

10. Do indoor ‘smores. Cook over a gas stove or a candle. Read scary stories or watch a scary movie.

11. Do a craft together.

12. Make a scrapbook page of your wedding, first date or another time together. Vow to work on one page a month.

13. Pet the cats and play with the dogs at a local animal shelter.

14. Shut the phones off, and the internet off and make it a snuggle day. This can be so refreshing in our busy times ahead.

15. Organize a section of your home together. It can be fun if you turn up the music and work together. Reward your hard work with a favorite meal out.

I love my new set from Dayspring*. I got some decorative items from the Love Came Down collection including a table runner, set of tea light candle holders, an ornament for my tree and a December tabletop calendar.

While these items are absolutely beautiful and handcrafted with fine details, what they mean and symbolize is the most beautiful of all.

“This is how God showed His love to us: He sent His one and only Son into the world so that we could have life through Him.” 1 John 4:9

Christmas is a time for celebrating the birth of my Savior and I find the older I get, and the closer I draw to him, the less and less the hustle and bustle of the holidays and the gift giving and receiving mean less and less to me. I get overwhelmed when I think about that tiny baby in a manger that was sent to save me from death and give me eternal life. I admit, the love that came down that day was so great and so powerful, I find myself moved to tears.

I remember the moment I felt the forgiveness of Christ. I remember it hit me like a strike of lightening. I was raised a Christian and we celebrated Christmas on both the secular and the spiritual side of things, but as a child and even as a teenager, it was just a nice story, even if I was not really understanding what Christ’s birth really meant at the time.

I was in my early 20’s and my first Christmas as a re-born Christian was one filled with immense gratitude and this feeling that made my stomach do flips. I was less excited about the gifts I would be getting and more excited about the forgiveness. It felt like I wanted to do cartwheels and scream,” I am free!”

Love really did come down when God sent his only son to be the Savior of mankind. I know there is no greater love than HE who is in me.

Make sure you check out the Love Came Down collection from (In)Spired deals and Dayspring.

As many of you know, I have a store that I sell hand-poured, hand-trimmed crayons on. I will be running a Black Friday and Cyber Monday Sale, but there is a new movement called “Small Business Saturday” made to support small businesses this holiday shopping season. I think it is extremely important to support small businesses and crafters this holiday season. You will get hand-crafted gifts and know that they were made especially for you!

Here is a list of other handmade shops to support this Holiday season. I hope you will join me in supporting a hand made holiday!

My shop for Hand-poured crayons: Unbounded Blessings

City Crafts-Floral arrangements and centerpieces

Agony’s Decay-Gothic inspired cameo jewelry

Down With Plumes- Feather Hair Accessories

Mara Mae Knits- Knit Accessories and hats

Off the Hook- Crochet hats, accessories and crafts

Tokyo Blossom- Crochet cowls, earrings and unique gifts

My Sweet Potato 3- Baby and children’s crochet boutique

Sewing Sarah- Unique baby Booties

Stitch to Stitch- Baby, Toddler and Children’s boutique clothing

JUST CLAY and so much more- Hand molded Clay pieces

West Ashley Wall Art- Beautiful custom and handmade frames

Ali C’s Supply Shop- Beads, charms and Findings

If you are looking for nails that look great for the fall, this gold tipped nail tutorial will help you achieve a simple, yet fun look.

As always, start with clean nails. It is very important to have clean nails so your polish stays on well. If you need help applying polish that looks good every time, make sure you check out my tutorial on applying polish.

For this look, I used a “Terra Cotta” shade and Covergirl Outlast Stay Brilliant in shade “Golden Opportunity”.

Start by painting your nails with [Read more…]