Tis the season...holiday savings guide

This post first appeared on here.

Celebrating Christmas IS my favorite time of year. I love creating new family memories and carrying out family traditions.

The celebration of the holidays also means SHOPPING!!! I love to shop BUT I REFUSE to get up early or leave after a delicious Thanksgiving meal to go shopping. 

So what is a girl to do when she doesn't want to brave the crowds? Well, I shop online! It is easy, convenient and a lot of times you can get similar if not better deals from online. 

I figured since I am all about saving, I should share with you some of my TOP 5 ONLINE TOOLS this year that's been helping me with savings. 

1. EBATES: Ebates offers you so many awesome coupon deals. THE BEST part is that you get cashback on your purchases. So in addition to savings, you get some money back! Who doesn't like that? I have been using this for YEARS and have gotten money deposited in my account. So I know this is for real. 

2. HONEY: This is a relatively new one that I just discovered and I LOVE it! Basically, you sign up and add this extension to your computer browser. Can be combined with Ebates.

3. AMAZON PRIME: If you shop online, this is a MUST HAVE. I love it because you get free shipping on most items listed on the site AND some offer a 2-day free shipping option. The other great thing is that you can first go to the Ebates site, then select the store, use the honey button to find deals AND then use your Amazon Prime shipping. I mean, its like a triple savings! 

4. WALMART.COM: This can also be combined with Ebates and honey. I know there is a stigma with shopping at Walmart but honestly, I love that their items are affordable AND if you purchase a big ticket item over $50, you can also get free shipping. Another bonus is that you can also do the "site to store" pick up option. Which means that you purchase your item online and pick it up in the store. That way, you don't have to pay for shipping.

5. GIFSTER: This one isn't a deal per se. However, if you have a big family like mine with lots of kids and want to keep track of what everyone is asking for or what has been purchased, this is the site for you. You can sign up and your family members can input what the kids want and then people get to pick and choose. The great thing is that you don't have to be limited to just one store. You can use the site to access other online stores to make your purchases. I love that it also has a secret santa feature for families who do that. 

So there you have it. I hope this has been helpful. If you're looking for unique gifts for your loved ones, please be sure to check out AyoBE Boutique. There are lots of beautiful and unique items that'll add a little more sparkle to your holidays. Below are some great ideas!

Happy Shopping and now more than ever, remember to be kind to strangers!

Photo Dump Wednesday: Sisters and best friends

I am one of six. Specifically, the 2nd child but first of 4 girls. I love my siblings. I especially love the bond I share with my sisters. We haven't always gotten along but as we've all gotten older, we've hit our stride and everyone for the most part knows how to stay in each other's good graces. Don't get me wrong, my family does not sugarcoat things. They call it as they see it and I love that about them. But in-spite of that, we have learnt to appreciate our strengths and help when someone is weak in an area.

My sisters and I are close. Even though we are spread out around the world, we still check in with each other everyday even if it is a quick "have a fabulously blessed day" text or "I need prayers about...".
Having sisters is an awesome blessing and I look forward to growing old with them and chatting about the foolishness we participated in while we were young.Check out this oldie but goodie. I believe this picture is from Christmas of 2009 after I got engaged. Wow! Time flies.

This brings me to JOE & JAE. Being so close to my sisters makes me value just how awesome their bond is even at a young age. 
JOE knows she is the older sister and often keeps an eye out for JAE. JAE is the protector and will give you a mean look if you come at her sister. 
On Monday, JOE had her annual check up. She had to get 2 scheduled vaccinations. While JOE cried (she also had a bit of a cold), JAE turned to the nurse, pointed her little finger at her and started yelling gibberish at the nurse! She was NOT happy that someone was causing her sister pain.

JOE knows that JAE loves to watch planes. We live not too far from the airport. Often when JOE sees a plane, she'll say "look JAE, its a plane!" and this brings JAE so much joy. 

They are stroller buddies and often share their snacks. BUT not their water though. That is often cause for someone screaming so when we go out, we have to bring them their own individual bottle of water.

The love being around each other often. JOE plays the big sister and loves to help JAE out if she is trying something and hasn't been able to complete it.

And they have the most complementary personalities. JOE is playful and loves to help everyone.

JAE is more adventurous and wants to get to know you before she determines if she wants to play with you.

Last week, we have to take JAE in to get blood drawn for allergy tests. JOE wanted to sit with her. But when she discovered she couldn't, she sat with me and squeezed my hands to "help JAE." Not sure how it helped her but it was really nice to see.

They are the best of friends and love to goof around. I love watching them grow and forge a strong relationship. A fellow blogger often says giving your child a sibling is like giving them a built in best friends. I 100% agree with her. 

 

Speaking of, I even did the same braid style on their hair last week. Check out JAE's hair growing in nicely. She loves her braided hair and loves to shake it :-).

And just because...this is their pedigree...Love wins. I'm wearing the Everest head tie and earrings set from AyoBE Boutique.

Have a fabulously blessed week and remember to be kind to strangers.

Photo Dump Wednesday: JOE is 4

Our first baby turned 4 yesterday. FOUR!!!

Since she will likely be going to school next year and likely will be in school for years to come on her birthday, J and I decided to take some time off work to spend the day with JOE while our child care provider kept JAE. 

Before our day together, here are some pictures from last Sunday. If you follow me on Instagram, you know I love taking #churchflow pictures on our way to church. Well, here are some.

Car selfies with J.

Check out our duck lips! So I am REALLY REALLY loving the Chiclet African Print earrings from AyoBE Boutique. I keep going down to my office to take one from my stash! They are lightweight, colorful and really compliment your outfit.

3 of 4. JAE was sleeping in the car.

On our way home, we had to stop at Home Depot. J took JOE with him while I got to hang with my mini-me. She didn't want to take a selfie with me. 
And so it begins...

Now to the birthday girl. The morning of her birthday, I was working in her room. She came in and sat on my lap. She doesn't do this often and I just loved hugging my newly minted 4-year old!

We let her open all her presents on the day of her party. However, on her birthday, we gave her the presents J and I got her. 
As is our family custom, she got a bag of candy to sweeten her new year of life and a set of PJ Masks figurines that she really wanted. Then we brought out her very own Doc McStuffinsville Hospital. She was ELATED!!! I should add that EVERYTIME she saw the ad for this hospital on TV, she mentioned how much she really really really wanted it. LOL!

This hospital came with so many parts that Lambie was lost within hours. We can't seem to find her anywhere!

After unvailing presents, I did more work and then took the rest of the day off to spend it with our 4-year old. 
We took her to go see Stork. It was an animated movie. I'm not sure she fully understood it but she laughed quite a bit.

She loves popcorn but since JAE has had reaction to corn products, we don't let her have it at home. Well, for her birthday, she got her very own bag of popcorn!

Afterwards, we went to a local Hibachi grill place for lunch. She loved the whole food prep process and was fascinated by it. 

She attempted to use chopsticks and I helped her out a bit. My baby is growing up so fast!

By the time we got back in the car, she was pooped! She quickly fell asleep. Signs of an awesome day!

It was the best way to celebrate our little girl. Next year, she'll be off to Kindergarten and will be in school on her birthday. We both thoroughly enjoyed spending the day with her. 

Do you take time off work to spend time with your kids or loved ones on their birthda? J and I do it and love it. If you haven't tried it, do so next time. The best gift you can give a loved one is the gift of your love and presence. 

Have an awesome rest of the week. Regardless of who you voted for, it is very important that now more than ever, we endeavor to be kind to strangers!

A PJ Masks Affair...

How is it that I am writing about my daughter's 4th birthday party when I still so vividly remember her actual birth day?

So JOE requested a PJ Masks themed party. She was pretty adamant that that's what she wanted. She also requested to be Catboy because as she puts it, "he is the leader" and that's who she wants to be. 

Me being the DIY mom that I am, I proceeded to make her a skirt with attached underwear covers since her party was going to be at an indoor trampoline facility. 

I then ordered her shirt online through JC Penney while they were on sale.

For the cake, I went looking through Pinterest for options. And found a few options. I showed them all to JOE. She picked out the one below.

To keep with the theme, I found this AWESOME lady - Jackie Chews who custom made these cookies at a very reasonable price. You can order them online and they are delivered the week of your celebration. PLEASE go check out her page to order cookies for your next event. You won't be disappointed. It is hard to impress a DIY mom like me but she totally did with these cookies! AND they taste great! Like short bread cookies. YUM!!! Here is her Instagram page if you need ideas of some of the cookies she's made. 
No, she's not paying me and I don't even know her in real life but I am HIGHLY impressed with her work!

I wanted the gift bags to also include the party themes so I ordered these masks from ChasinStitches on Etsy. She has other characters so if you're looking for something for your little one's party, go check her out as well!

I purchased red, blue and green paper bags and put a few items including the yummy cookies in each bag. Then stapled the masks to the bags. 
I love the way it turned out! The best part? Each kid gets an awesome mask to wear later!

I purchased a Cricut for AyoBE Boutique a while back. Since I was feeling somewhat creative, I decided to make the characters to go on the table weights. Keep scrolling to see how I used them. 
I didn't have any specialty paper at home so I cut up one side of the gift bags and basically used the cricut to cut out all the characters on each paper them taped them together on a white piece of paper. 

Final results.

Family selfie on our way to the party. Looking forward to when JAE is forward facing so we can include her in pictures.
Oh and I spy with my little eye, the Skye African Print Chiclet earrings from AyoBE Boutique! Since it didn't make sense for me to dress up as Catboy for the party, I wore something that complemented it very well :-).

JOE thoroughly enjoying her party. This was the perfect location for her celebration!

The cake. Along with the weights. 

Owlette! Check out my table weight display!

 The party girl herself!

Strike a pose!

Saving the day!

Hey there T-bird! My fellow blogger turned real life friend was there with her family! Talk about when friends become family! Peg is just so awesome! She's met just about every member of my family in real life. She and her family are #AWESOME! 
She comes to our celebrations and makes it much more lively! We love hanging out with her and her family.

Hey there Owlette!

Time to cut the cake!

My beautiful 4-year old daughter. 

She had a blast at her party. She is the most thoughtful, smart and loving 4-year old I know. She reminds us daily of God's goodness. J and I truly feel blessed to be her parents. 

We wish her MANY MANY MANY years of God's blessings and wish above all things that she will fulfill God's will concerning her life. 

Happy 4th Birthday to the girl who made me a mother and taught me what it means to fall in love at first cry!