Summer Bow Giveaway

While I am gone on my bloggy break I am leaving a bow giveaway for you all to enter. My friend Jenny at Bella Bowz is back from maternity break and ready to make bows.

You Call It Bow! That's the contest. If you win you get any kind of bow you would like. Back to school, Halloween, Christmas or birthday. You name it!

These are the custom bows she made for my little miss for her 2nd birthday.

The contest runs until July 31st! This is a long one so tell your friends and visit her bow blog.

Jenny is having a blow out sale if you can't wait to win. Buy one bow get one 50% off!

Here are some examples:

To enter just leave a comment!

Extra Entries:

Post the contest on your blog

Tweet the contest

Bloggy Break

This week we've got lots to do for our big trip to Vienna, Austria. I will be in and out blogging the next couple weeks.

I've got some really great posts coming when I get back so stay tuned!

If you don't mind will you please say a prayer for me and my family to have a safe trip. I am afraid of flying and an 11 hour flight.... ahhh!

Have you visited Austria before? If so I would love any tips, dining suggestions or comments.

Extreme Makeover Home Edition

What a great afternoon, VIP service at the Extreme Makeover Home Edition shooting! My BFF Adrien was chosen as the staff photographer for the builder Cheldan Homes. Let me tell you this girl is an AMAZING photographer. She has gotten some phenomenal shots for the builder. She has also made lots of friends on the set. Everyone just falls in love with Adriens friendly personality. She's my best friend so of course she is great!

Designer Paul at the unloading of the van.

This is what the shot looks like behind the scenes. This is the moving furniture out of the van into the house. Did you know I was to be in this shot except my over active bladder got in the way :( I had to rush off to the bathroom.

The house looks great. I was lucky to tour it, of course I couldn't take any photos of that. My next favorite part was the food! They have some of the top caters with all you can eat food. I left stuffed and completely happy I got to be on the set.

Wasteless Wednesday-Accent Walls

Remember that FREE PAINT offer a couple weeks ago from Glidden? My chocolate leather brown was delivered UPS right to my door. I was sooo excited!

You know when you get free paint you have to get started immediately! So let me show you what I did.

An accent wall! I've been admiring this on blogs, decorating shows and magazines. I did it I painted my first accent wall. It adds depth to the room. I love it and the best part it was FREE!!!

Would you join me in the journey of my living room..... noticed I changed the black frame to dark cherry stained frame. I think I am over my paint everything black stage.

No drapes and no balance. This room had me so frustrated!

See my old fan, and a hodge podge of decor. In it's yellow glory when we first purchased the house!

Whew, I am almost done. Any ideas what I can put on my chocolate walls?

Tuesdays Tip - Still Painting Door Knobs!

I am slowly painting all the door knobs in the house. Really I wanted to make sure the paint didn't chip before I had a house full of not so great door knobs.

Well the verdict.... it works!! Really I am surprised at how well it has held up. Not even one chip in several months.

Remember this is the shiny gold before.
I decided I wanted to paint the pantry door knobs today. So I took off the knobs and headed to the garage for my paint. Bad news, I am out and so is Lowe's! I am on the hunt for oil rubbed bronze spray paint.

If you try this at home make sure to use a metal grey primer first. I got a great tip from a bloggy friend. She painted her doors but topped it off with a poly clear coat.

Menu Monday and Summer Swim

What is summer without swimming? My little one's love the water. My son asks any kid he meets at .. McDonald's, the gym, out shopping this question... "Come swim at my house we have a great pool I even have a slide!"

The mom usually says "Oh really, thinking her her mind, score! We found a friend with a great pool! " Then I tell them we have a blue blow up pool plus we have the little tykes slide. They usually smile and laugh.

Now let's talk food!

Monday: Grilled Ribs (Tony Roma's in the meat section at Wally World) Grilled Chicken and Baked Potato's

Tuesday: Chicken Cesar Salad

Wednesday: Frozen Mexican Lasagna pre-made a few weeks ago (Here's the recipe)

Thursday: Leftovers

Friday: Pizza Night and a Movie

Last week we got the $10 unlimited movie and game rental at Blockbuster. We went in the morning for Wii games then back in the evening for movies. Seriously we got our money's worth! Check it out!

Your turn... tell me what's your favorite meal on your menu this week? I am always looking for great ideas.

Show Us Where You Live- Entry

Kelly at Kelly's Korner is once again hosting "Show Us Where You Live Friday's"

Thanks for visiting and welcome to my home!

This is my entry table. I live in Texas and we love feathers here in the south!

Here is another view. Did you know I spray painted the interior door knobs oil rubbed bronze? They were ugly gold and after 2 months of wear and tear they still look great!

This is my front door. I so wish I had tall ceilings!
This is looking toward the home office from the front door.

This is what it used to look like, blah!

Thanks for visiting!

Frugal Fog???

No coupons, a few coupons, money flying out the door, summer vacations, play dates, swimming, sunburns, naps, and fun. My summer is absolutely flying by! We are having a great time but my blogging is suffering. I hope you all don't mind my not so regular blogging schedule this summer.

Do you feel like your frugal skills are flying out the door during the summer? Mine sure have. Honestly I get to the point where I am tired of spending money.... period. I don't even want to go to the grocery store. With 3 kids at home and eating for 5 the bills add up. My quiet time for coupon cutting has dwindled. All I can do it make a list and hope for a sale.

This photo of little miss explains how I feel

Let me know.... are you my frugal friends suffering from the frugal fog?

Blog Hop

I am participating in a blog hop today. This is my first try so let's see how it goes!

I am posting my favorite photo. This was taken last summer by Brandi at B4 Photography. It truly captures my family and each of our personalities.

Tuesdays Tip- Half Birthdays?

I got an invite for the kids to a half birthday... I thought hummmm, this is new? Then I read more and thought what a great idea.

Instead of celebrating their actual birthday in December they are celebrating in July with a pool party. What a great idea!

Menu Monday

Before my weekly menu I have to show you my family on the 4th! We had a great day with a family swim party followed by the fireworks.

Let me share my menu:

Monday: Grill Burgers and Tator Tot's

Tuesday: Left over Brisket Sandwiches and chips

Wednesday: Spaghetti and Homemade Meatballs - I haven't used this recipe in a while

Thursday: Left over meatballs in an Italian sub (Husbands old college favorite)

Friday: Pizza and a movie night. I think I will pick up $5 Little Caesar's Pizza.

Freebie Friday- Free Chocolate!

My favorite candy is chocolate specifically Peanut M&M's! Get you some free chocolate today from M&M Mars Company.

Thrifty Thursday- DIY Projects

I am back to my regular posting schedule for a couple weeks before our long family vacation.

Look at this great idea from lowescreativeideas.com! Check out the instructions.
Which leads to me....my favorite magazine... and it's free!!

Lowe's Creative Ideas Magazine! It has lots of design and do it yourself projects. This is my favorite magazine.

Sign up at http://www.lowescreativeideas.com/

I'm Back....Vegas Vacation!!

Vegas Baby! I have to start my review with my favorite photo. Me and Josh at dinner. I just love this photo! We stayed at the Bellagio, in my opinion the nicest hotel on the strip. It even smells good in the casino, that says a lot out there.

We had a fab time with our friends Michael and Regina from Colorado! As you can see from the table shot, we had some great drinks.

Yes, I tried my luck but as I suspected no go... I am not lucky when it comes to gambling. I sure gave it a good try.

We had a wonderful 4 days of relaxing and sightseeing. My favorite part is looking at the hotels. Wow, there are some great one's. My 2nd favorite was the Paris resort across the street.

Now are you ready for some Vegas tips???

1. Nothing in Vegas says frugal. It says "Give me more money". Be prepared.
2. Bring some breakfast bars so you can skip the $20 breakfast buffet.
3. Know what you can afford to gamble and stop when you get there.
4. DO NOT BRING YOUR CHILDREN! It is not family friendly. We were shocked at the billboards and little cards.
5. Bring some comfortable shoes or at least break them in before you go. Lot's of walking!
6. Research the hotels online, you get what you pay for. I recommend the Bellagio, Venetian or Paris Hotel's.
   
   We had a wonderful time! My favorite memory is walking around and holding my husband's hand. I suggest a vacation anywhere without the kids. Thank you Josh for an amazing trip! I love you!!!