Anyone Else in a Snowstorm (but there isn't any snow?)...

I have seen no snow here, but feel like I have been in a snowstorm! My days are so busy, I feel like I have no time to turn around. Well, maybe I did turn around... it's just all such a blur, I can't remember. Does anyone else ever feel like that?
So, to console my tired mind, I found a couple wonderfully creative ladies who have digital scrapbook kits for FREE! It's better than chocolate cake, a pint of ice cream, and ties with an hour long massage. Sorry, but I a tie is the best I can do when I think of the knots in my shoulders and back from my 32 lb toddler saying, "Hold me!" while I am holding my 15+ infant.
I wanted to share these ladies because they are just to great to keep to myself.

1. Shabby Princess- They put of free digital scrapbooking kits that are not just mini kits, but full of lots of gems. You can sign up for their newsletter that will notify you when a new kit is available. Then, head on over to their blog which is full of tips, challenges, tricks, free downloads, photography lessons, interviews, inspiration and much more.

2. Summertime Designs- She is a busy mom of 4 who somehow finds time to design as well. The best thing is that she LOVES to share. Her name is Summer (hence the Summertime name :-p) and if you scroll down on her blog, on the right side you will find: Quick Links to Kits. Her kits are full of papers, alpha & numbers, and elements. I even found beautiful Christmas card templates, too.

Well, my two year old found the baggies of oatmeal choc chip and oatmeal choc chip with raisin cookies and wants one. Now that I'm holding the bags, I can't resist... It just puts a twist and makes it a new saying, "Have your cookies and eat them, too". Check out the digital desserts above, enjoy and then share!

Doesn't This Sound Delicious...

I'm sitting here while I drink my coffee and looking at the ULTA Beauty pullout that always comes in the "junk mail" bundle. I wish it was a scratch and sniff page because I am tempted to eat the paper they look so yummy! These are their names: have a cherry Christmas, candy cane, snow angel, gingerbread man and girl, Frosted Cranberry and more.

Imagine 16 fl oz of sweet cherry shampoo, shower gel and bubble bath all-in-one for only $16!

They have a printable coupon out right now for $3.50 off any purchase of $10 or more (online coupon code: 45800 good till Sat, Dec.4). There are some other coupon codes if you are shopping online: $10 off $50+ ULTA Beauty order- coupon code: HOLIDAY50, $5 off $20+ ULTA Beauty order- coupon code: HOLIDAY20, $15 off $75+ ULTA Beauty order- coupon code: HOLDIAY75 and Free Shipping on $25+ ULTA Beauty order- coupon code: 512213.You can go to their website and find all kinds of special offers, stocking stuffers and even an offer for a luxury robe with any fragrance purchase of $30 or more.

I am pretty sure this could be my new "Mommy time" escape. It's like going to an adult island that was filled with everything yummy smelling and feeling made just for me. Kinda like putting a man in Lowes with no time limit and no children. Shoot, I told Hubby we were expecting our first baby in Lowes because I wanted him to be somewhere familiar and comforting :-). I call it his "man land". Well, ULTA is the perfect "lady land"!

Advent Ornaments...

Pottery Barn's Advent Calendar- $69

I decided that this year since Princess One is old enough, I would start an Advent Calendar with her. I looked all over the internet for ones to buy and then ideas for how to make one since the ones online were so expensive. I saw some really neat crafty ones, but they were still out of my skill level. Luckily, when I was at T.J.Maxx (I walked in and my hubby pronounced that all my treasures now make me a Maxxinista- I'm actually proud- I got A LOT of great deals! :-) ) I found a 5 foot tall already decorated felt tree with adorable holiday decorated pockets and a moveable AND ATTACHED (wahooo!) candy cane that can be moved each day (our doggy already declared the candy cane a fun toy). It looks almost exactly like Pottery Barn's, but half the cost- $35 (with tax). I feel like I won the lottery! I am going to take it to someone and have them embroidery our family name to make it even more special!
The next thing I am going to do is extend the idea and practice of the advent calendar. Advent means "coming" and since my family believes in Christ, we are celebrating the coming of Christ to our earth as a baby. So, we will use this FANTASTIC idea from Erica over at Confessions of a Homeschooler and count down each day with these adorable paper ornaments. One side has a decoration and number and the other side has activities for each day. I love that these activities can be done together as a family and she also has other ideas. I also want to take a second to recommend her blog, especially if you homeschool.   Her site was voted the Best Homeschool Mom Blog 2010. Check out her ABC's and 123's portion that she created. There are TONS of wonderful teaching activities to do with your kiddos. Princess One loves when she gets to use manipulatives to do these activities. I found Erica when my friend, Leslee, forwarded Erica's Abiding Mom vs Super Mom printable. I love perusing her blog. God definitly blessed her with a mind for Him and organization. I have no idea how she homeschools 3, tot school for 1, blogs, creates, etc.