New Blog coming soon!

So, during the silence the last 2 weeks, I have been working on a new theme/layout for Naturally Thrifty! It’s going to be a big change for me, but you will probably only notice that the website looks a little different. My brother is a web designer , and has a head full of solutions to every problem that I encounter, so it hasn’t really been too terribly hard to make the changes. I have a few things left to change before I am ready for the big move, but it should be sometime in the next few days! Where am I going? My blog is currently hosted by wordpress(dot)com and I am moving it over to wordpress(dot)org. Why? Simply because there are so many features that I can’t access on the basic platform. If you’re a blogger, you will appreciate that I will have access to all the many “plug-ins” that .org offers. If not, you will (hopefully) appreciate the easier navigation and cleaner look that it will bring. The web address that you type in will be exactly the same, so you don’t have to change your bookmarks or email subscription, etc. Look for the changes to be active by the end of the week, and PLEASE tell me if you have any suggestions for ease of use! I’m sure there will be a few things to tweak after the move, but I am very excited about the new home for Naturally Thrifty and I hope you will be, too!

Starbucks Gift Card Winners!

WINNERS!! Thankyou to everyone who entered my Starbucks gift card giveaway! Random.org has chosen the winners of the 2 gift cards for yummy Starbucks drinks. They are:

The winner of the $20 gift card is Steph! Congrats, Steph! I will be contacting you via email to mail you your gift card. I hope you get to enjoy a Strawberry Frappucino with your gift card. 🙂

The winner of the $15 gift card is Aubrey F. ! Aubrey, I will be in touch shortly and I am hoping that you also get to enjoy your favorite drink! Aubrey says that her favorite is a Skinny Vanilla latte.

It was great to read everyone’s favorite drinks. I’m feeling a suddern urge to drive to Starbucks coming on…. 🙂 Thanks again for participating and see you again soon!

Free Bottle of Excedrin

The offer for a free bottle of Excedrin is available again! It went fast last time, so grab it quickly.  You can request a coupon good for $3.50 off 1 bottle of Excedrin. To get yours, just click HERE, click on the “health care” category at the left and then on “Mail my coupon” under the Excedrin photo. The coupon will get to your house in a few weeks.

Nature’s Paradise Organics 50% off!

There’s a great year-end sale on Nature’s Paradise Organics through 1/4/2011. You can get 50% off all their products, which are USDA certified organic,  when you enter the code “yearend”  at checkout. This is a great way to stock up on safer bath, body, and baby care products and maybe even make a commitment to use fewer chemical cleansers in the new year. You can see the full list of products available from Nature’s Paradise Organics HERE.

Merry Christmas to all of my friends!

I hope everyone has a very Merry Christmas and enjoys the special time with family and friends! I’m taking the day off and enjoying MY family. See you soon!

Free Christmas Music downloads!

I am thinking that playing some Christmas carols would help me get back in the spirit of the holiday after too much gift wrapping and a very late night! There’s something about carols that just make everything a little more sparkly. 🙂

Here is a sampler collection of 5 familiar favorites that you can download for free. Enjoy!

Free $2 mp3 credit at Amazon

Get a free $2.oo credit on mp3 songs at Amazon when you visit THIS PAGE and enter the code GIVEMP3S . You must enter the code and redeem the credit by 12.26.10 for it to be valid. There are lots of songs for $1.oo, so you should be able to find something you like for free!

Retail Coupon round-up for last minute shopping!

Still need a few gifts? That doesn’t mean you have to settle for an expensive price tag! Take advantage of these printable coupons to use in-store and still save some $$! Hurry, these expire in the next day or 2!

The Children’s Place- 20% off entire purchase on 12/23 and 15% off on 12/24

Sears – $5 off a $50 purchase – expires 12/25/10 (thanks MommySavesBig)

American Eagle – 20% off through 12/24/10

Macy’s – $15 off of $50, through 12/23/10(thanks toMommySavesBig)

Gap – 15% off entire purchase -expires 12/24/10

Old Navy – 30% off any 1 item – expires 12/24/10

Bath & Body Works – free lip item with purchase (plus tons of sales in store!)

Bath & Body Works – free item with purchase -expires 12/24/10

Bath & Body Works – free travel size item with purchase -expires 12/29/10

Yankee Candle – 9 coupons to choose from, print the page and use what you like!

Gymboree – 20% off includes sale items

Barnes & Noble– save 25% on any 1 item -expires 12/27/10

Justice for Girls -40% off, expires 12/24/10

Aeropostale – $10 off $50 or more and $25 off $100 or more -expires 12/24/10

Michael’s – 50% off any 1 item (scroll down page for current coupon) -expires 12/24/10

Michael’s– 20% off entire instore purchase -expires 12/24/10

JoAnn’s – 40% off any 1 item -expires 12/24/10

Express – 20% off entire instore purchase

 

That should be enough coupons to help you find a deal. A few of them are really tempting me to go out and buy some more gifts!! Or to stock up for later…good thing I will be busy ,busy ,busy tomorrow! 😉

 

Free Blockbuster Express Rentals

You can get a FREE Blockbuster Express rental on Thursday or Friday of this week with code thanku . The code expires 12/24/10 at midnight. You can find the kiosk nearest you HERE. Movies are due at 9pm the next night.

Last Minute Christmas Crafts Kids Can Make

If you are still looking for a fun little project for the kids to make in time for Christmas, I have a couple suggestions for you!

These Snowman hand-print ornaments are adorable decorations, great keepsakes, and can be given as gifts to family or friends.

These ornaments are easy and fun to make!

You will need:

~a solid colored round ornament (I like blue because it looks like sky,but any color would work)

~white non-toxic paint

~a paint brush

~Sharpie permanent markers in black, orange, and whatever colors you like for scarves

~A kid to say “that tickles” when you paint their hand !

To make the ornament:

~Practice having your child wrap their hand around the bottom of the ornament so they know what to expect. Place the ornament in their palm and wrap each little finger straight up.

~Paint the child’s hand and place on the ornament.

~Let the paint dry

~Use Sharpies to add details as you like

Here’s a view of the bottom so you can see how the hand-print looks.

 

Another idea: Gum Drop Pomanders

These are just as easy to make, and the kiddies will enjoy snitching a few of your crafting supplies for a treat!

Materials needed:

~Styrofoam Ball(s)

~Ribbon or string

~Low Temp glue and glue gun (low temp so the little fingers don’t get burned!)

~Gumdrops

How to make it:

~Poke a hole in the center of the styrofoam ball from top to bottom, all the way through the middle. I used the handle of a paint brush.

~Thread both ends of a piece of ribbon through the hole and knot together at the bottom. This forms the hanger.

~Glue gumdrops on the styrofoam starting at the top and working down and around. Only place enough glue on the ball for 1 gumdrop at a time. This keeps the glue from hardening too soon and little fingers from getting into it.

~Hang up and enjoy!