Friday's Favorites

This week's favorite thing is a sign I ordered from Etsy. It was the first time I had ever ordered anything from the website. At first, I toyed with the idea of creating this myself, but I have no creative abilities and handwriting that should never EVER be allowed to be on display. I knew the general look I wanted. I was lucky to find someone artistic and creative willing to make this for a minimal fee.

So, I ordered a wood sign with our family motto and establishment date. It's the new thing, you know, to have a sign with your family name on it. But of course, I had to be a little different and use our family name/family motto. It turned out perfectly!!

This is now my favorite wall in our home:

I surrounded the family motto sign with a wooden cross (a wedding gift), two wedding photos, and an anchor (we are Coasties, you know!). Hopefully, this collage will continue to expand as we add photos from our life together and the places we live. This will always be a work in progress, but with Team Preston at the center.

Happy Friday!

Friday's Favorites

Another week, another dollar. Oh wait, I like being frugal. I also like being "green." Since being "green" can be so expensive, what is a girl to do? Accept free stuff and bargain hunt!

So, this week, my favorite product is this:

Nature's Gate Lotion. I found this originally at a health food store in Tennessee. It was $10. However, it lasted from April to November - pretty dang good for an 18 ounce bottle! The lotion is thick, so you don't need to use a lot. I love this stuff! I like to cut corners, but I'm so glad I didn't cut corners when it came to choosing this product. I use it daily and my skin feel delicious all day - even in this Florida humidity and wind.

I love it even more now that I found it for $5 at our Commissary. (I may have freaked some other customers out with my enthusiasm on the Health & Beauty aisle.) Sorry, civilians, I doubt you'll find it that cheap where you live. However, it is a great investment because it has none of the icky stuff or harsh chemicals or ingredients you can't pronounce. Everything is plant derived and free of extra additives. Plus, the fragrance is almost undetectable, so that you don't walk around the rest of the day smelling like you walked through a chemical spray.

Happy Friday!

Friday's Favorites: Veterans

Today is Veteran's Day! I've been emotional and weepy all day. This is the first Veteran's Day I haven't been able to call my grandfather and thank him for his sacrifice during WWII. I also can't be with my Coastie. He is away sacrificing his sleep, rest, land hobbies, and time away from family so you and I can continue to sleep easy at night.

So, here's to my two all-time favorite men!

My Dandy:

The sweetest, sometimes crabbiest old fart, I've been privileged to know. He and my grandmother helped my mother raise her two daughters. He taught me how to drive a car, learn plants and trees, how to swim, the best places to hike, how to check the oil and change a tire on my car, how to invest in the stock market, and how to love family, God, and country.

That's me - the one with the perfect form in aerial and aquatic acrobatics.

Dandy was part of the "Black Magic" crew of a B-29 bomber out of Saipan in the south Pacific. He was a navigator, or radar tech.

He didn't talk much about his time in the Army Air Corps. But I know he was honored and humbled. He thought every boy should serve his country - it would make him a man, teach him respect, and give him a better perspective on the government, work, and loyalty.

Thanks to this man, our family is patriotic, loyal, and fiercely devoted to our independence and individuality, all while remaining dedicated and loving towards our family.

And, here's my Coastie:

I could gush about him for pages, but I won't bore you with that. Just know that I am honored to know him and feel blessed beyond measure that he chose me to be his wife. His positive attitude, his relaxed approach to life, and his willingness and passion for serving his country are truly amazing. He has taught me more about sacrifice, compromise, and living for something greater than ourselves. He is truly unselfish in love and in work.

So, thank you to my two brave, wonderful men. Thank you to all the other men and women who have sacrificed their safety, comforts of home and family, and their own agenda to be a part of a greater purpose. Thank you for allowing me to have my rights and freedoms. I do not take them for granted.

This Friday, my favorite thing is the veterans I have been blessed to love and know.

Friday's Favorites: Dunkin Donuts

This Friday's Favorites post has less to do with any great, frugal deal and more to do with what it symbolizes to me these days.

If you know my husband, you know he is OBSESSED with Dunkin Donuts coffee. We even have to brew it at home. "It's still not the same," he often reminds me. However, after I did some quick math of how much he was spending each morning on a large coffee, I convinced him that brewing coffee at home would be best. However, we do treat ourselves to the "real stuff" every so often. It makes him so happy!!!

Anyways, here's the frugal deal:

He bought a refillable mug and can now get essentially a large coffee (plus cream and sugar) for just $1.05.  That is steal here in Florida. Everything is expensive, but thank goodness the lower sales tax takes some of the pain away.

My week at work had been more than stressful, so I thought I'd treat myself on my long commute this morning. I took the husband's cup and made my way to the Dunkin Donuts. Best $1.05 I had spent all week! It was delicious.

The best part of the whole venture was using his cup. I'm a big ol' mushy mess these days, so using something of his was a delight and a comfort. I got to enjoy feeling "closer" to him the whole tasty cup of coffee. If you haven't tried Dunkin Donuts coffee, you are missing out! Go grab yourself a refillable mug, and be kind to Mother Earth, yourself, and your wallet. 

Think of my Coastie, too, while you enjoy the coffee... and all the men and women who serve their country away from the comforts of home.

Friday's Favorites

This week's favorite product is one I include in most of the green cleaning projects. Can you guess? Oh yes... baking soda!

This week during my grocery store visit, I stopped on the baking aisle and began price comparing the brands of baking soda. I mean, it's all the same stuff, but I like to ask to research how can I get it for the least amount of money. I didn't earn the name "Penny Pincher" for nothing!

Okay, so back to the baking soda. I noticed this ad on the corner of the Arm & Hammer box. I usually ignore ads or "buy 2 get 1 free" gimmicks (after doing the math plus figuring in "Will I actually use all of this?" it usually isn't worth it). However, this particular box struck my fancy, made my skirt fly up, put the syrup on my pancakes, and caused my frugal radar to beep.

Arm & Hammer paired up with Better Homes and Garden magazine to offer a one year subscription to the magazine if you purchase two boxes of baking soda. I immediately picked up two boxes!

By quickly doing the math ($1.34 for 2 boxes at $.67/box) and prioritizing my love of cooking and making a home, I knew I had struck home-making-on-a-budget gold.

I filled out the mail-in form and included the receipt. It was that simple! I've already used some of the baking soda, so the deal is already working to my advantage.

I'm so excited to be getting my $1.34/year magazine. If you have this deal in your area, take advantage of it!

Friday's Favorites

Yes, I like lame catchy titles. Forgive me.

Actually, I wanted to spotlight products, people, or ideas that inspire me. Since I didn't make any of these products, people, or ideas, I couldn't really blog about how to make them, could I? So, in effect, welcome to Friday's Favorites! Each Friday (that I remember), I write a quick blurb about why I like the product. I do NOT get paid for this (I wish I did!). Seriously, I just love a good deal and love to share it with people.

Funny story: I went to visit my mom in Orlando last week. A friend of hers at the conference complimented me on my necklace. I said "Thanks" and told her it had been $2 at Forever 21. She looked at me like I was an alien freak (you know... with her head cocked at a 30 degree angle to the right, eyes full of pity, and pursed lips) and said, "You didn't need to tell me that." Like, somehow I offended her with my thrifty-ness! Calm down, lady! I just wanted to share the money-saving tip about cheap jewelry at Forever 21. It wasn't meant to offend. But hey, if you're offended by a good deal... maybe you should find another blog right now about all the expensive stuff at Tiffany's.

If you can't afford Tiffany's, and you're still reading my ramblings, thank you!

Let's get on with it... here's the first product featured on Friday's Favorites:

I love this soap! I use it in the shower, for laundry detergent, and in liquid form to make other green cleaning solutions. My husband even uses this now. At first, it was weird that it had no smell. How did you know you were clean??? Do you feel clean? Did all the dirt get washed off? Do you stink like an old gym sock? No? Then I guess the Castile soap worked. Seriously, I'm now addicted to this stuff. Plus, it suds up on a loofah just like a body wash full of chemicals. It's smooth and creamy, and it keeps my skin from drying out in the Florida air. One bar has lasted me almost 5 months. Can you say that about your expensive body wash? This is only about $1.00 each (usually sold in packs of 3). Try it and fall in love!