Thrifty Maven

The St. Charles Companies announces the return of The Sunset Concert Series to the St. Charles and Waldorf communities on May 3rd, marking the fifth year for the highly popular free outdoor music festival. The 2013 season will open with the reggae sounds of Peter Humphrey and the Oasis Band. A total of 18 bands will play by the lake … Read the rest

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Recently our two dogs, Atlas and Titan stepped up to the pet bowl for a very special product review from Rachel Ray Nutrish. Rachel Ray worked with a team of pet nutrition experts to develop a line of foods made with simple natural ingredients called Zero Grain and it’s the first grain-free food for dogs that natural easily digestible, and … Read the rest

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The Shake It Up: I Love Dance
CD is perfect for kids, teens and even Mom. It’s hard to find music that is appropriate for the whole family. This CD packed with music designed to make you want to get up and dance without any worry of offensive song lyrics.

Shake It Up: I Love Dance (stylized as Shake It … Read the rest

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I was overjoyed as only a Hershey FAN-a-tic can be when I was invited to hop down the virtual bunny trail with Hershey’s recently. The people at Hershey have allowed me to customize an adorable Easter basket filled with some of our favorite Easter assortment of classic Hershey favorites.

Still trying to decide what to put in your Easter baskets?Make … Read the rest

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Every Saturday Lakeshore Learning Centers offer FREE kids crafts from 11AM -3PM!

Children complete a spring scene by adding their favorite photo.

… Read the rest

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Valentine’s Day came a little early to the Thrifty Home when this beautiful arrangement of gorgeous red roses and elegant lilies arrived from 1800Flowers in a beautiful red vase.

This arrangement was part of the 1-800-Flowers Arrangement of the Month 12 Month Bouquet Club I won last year. I recieve a new beautiful bouquet every month for a year!

Valentine’s … Read the rest

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Amazon.com Widgets

In February 2013, American Girl will introduce “The Care & Keeping of you 2: The body book for older girls,” the follow-up book from “The Care & Keeping of you: The body book for girls,” written by pediatrician Cara Natterson.

This book picks up on where the first one leaves off. It focuses on the physical and emotional … Read the rest

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The weather here has been cloudy and gloomy lately. I don’t know about you but overcast days get me down.

1800FLOWERS.com came to the rescue with my January delivery from my bouquet of the month. This arrangement included lilies, alstroemeria, poms and monte casino, accented with variegated pittosporum, blue delphinium and green fillers. I also love the brilliant blue glass … Read the rest

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I just finished reading the book Celebritize Yourself by Marsha Friedman and I simply have to tell you about it.

When I first received this book to review I had no idea how to market myself. I was familiar with the term personal branding but I just wasn’t certain how to actually use it to my advantage. Marsha provides clear … Read the rest

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On January 1, 2013, girls everywhere will be inspired by Saige Copeland, American Girl’s 2013 Girl of the Year. Saige is a spirited and imaginative young girl who loves painting and horseback riding at her grandma’s ranch in Albuquerque, New Mexico—the hot-air balloon capital of the world. When budget cuts take away art classes at school and a home she … Read the rest

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When Saige learns that her school will be cutting music and art lessons at her school she plans a fundraiser to help keep them. She looks to her grandmother and later a new friend for help.

The nonfiction section in the back of the Saige books features real girls who, like Saige, overcome obstacles and use their talents to make … Read the rest

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If you’re like me you still have a few more parties on your social calendar. You’ll want to look your best from head to toe and that includes a clean and bright pearly white smile. After all your smile is often the first thing people notice.

Because a white smile never goes out of style, I couldn’t wait to put … Read the rest

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Keep the magic of Christmas alive with iCaughtSanta.

iCaughtSanta is the brainchild of Lockhardt and his wife Heather who created the site after a close-call in their home one Christmas eve, when Santa forgot to eat the cookies left for him by the couple’s daughters. That incident was also the inspiration for a hilarious television commercial that helped launch … Read the rest

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Looking for a gift for your BFF? Not certain what to get the teen girl on your holiday gift list? Need a stocking-stuffer a special lady that’s priced less than $15? Want to treat yourself to something stylish to wear to the holiday parties that are on your calendar?

Payless has lots of great options like shoes, boots, and accessories. … Read the rest

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Corrupt bankers, a practically valueless dollar, hyper-unemployment and underemployment, home-grown terrorism, the uptick in natural disasters and the overall lack of trust in our most important institutions – these are some of the reasons all Americans should be very, very concerned, according to Peter Dash (www.peterdash.ca), a world-traveled researcher for Harvard University’s Center for International Affairs.

“I predict … Read the rest

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Do your little ones still believe in Santa? What better way to share the start of the holiday season than with a fun, fully-personalized experience from Santa for kids and young-at-heart adults!

For the past five years, Portable North Pole has allowed parents all over the world to create personalized, downloadable video messages from Santa Claus for their children. This … Read the rest

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What does your art reveal about you? The cool questions, colorful quizzes, and quick art projects in Express Yourself!: Use art to explore the emotions inside you!
will help you explore and express your feelings. You’ll learn that how you do something can be more important than how well you do it. This book isn’t about creating “perfect” art–it’s about … Read the rest

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As a member of the Carmex Blog Squad, I had the opportunity to try the latest addition to the Carmex family of products; Carmex Lip Conditioner.

Carmex Lip Conditioner is neither lip balm nor a lotion, it’s a lip conditioner. This uniquely creamy light formula with 13 moisturizing ingredients is unlike anything you’ve tried from Carmex before.

It’s fast acting … Read the rest

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I recently had the opportunity to create special one of a kind Christmas Ornaments from Snapfish as part of our Holiday Gift Recommendations Reviews.

Personalized ornaments make reminiscing fun during annual tree trimmings. They’re a great way to commemorate milestones and favorite moments each year. Best of all they can be passed down for generations.

I may be a little … Read the rest

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I recently received a Febreze Glistening Alpine Candle and a Febreze Glistening Alpine
Air Effects for review from the people at Febreze. I love pine scents this time of year because it reminds me of Christmas.

Holidays at the Thrifty House means time spent with family and friends so I want to make sure my home welcomes them with a … Read the rest

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There is no tapestry that compares to the one that nature weaves in autumn. The splendor of its scarlet, gold, and orange overwhelms my senses. I suppose that’s why I was thrilled with my bouquet from 1800Flowers this month which features Roses, Lilies & Hypericum with touches of dried oak leaves.

This stunning arrangement is a harvest of the warm … Read the rest

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The time had come for the Thrifty family to buy a new printer for our home office and the easy part of the choice was HP the hard part of the decision was which model.

We wanted a printer that would produce professional color but we wanted a printer that delivered those results for less than the laser printer we … Read the rest

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ESPN Home Entertainment, in conjunction with Team Marketing, will release the “SEC Storied Volume 1 Gift Set” on October 23, 2012. From the producers of ESPN Films’ award-winning “30 for 30″ series, this new collection of sports documentaries focuses on the traditions, rivalries and exceptional stories of the Southeastern Conference (SEC). The “SEC Storied Volume 1 Gift Set” will be … Read the rest

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Do you know what I love about flowers? They not only brighten your day but they say so much without a word. Flowers say I love you. I’m thinking of you. I miss you. I’m proud of you.

When I received my Arrangement of the Month from 1800Flowers this month my arrangement said, “You’re A Winner.” How can I feel … Read the rest

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I admit it. I have a very twisted obsession when it comes to Auntie Anne’s pretzels. I’ll find almost any excuse to get one of their soft, warm, tasty pretzels. They are the perfect combination of bready, buttery, and salty tastes all tied up in a knot.

That’s why when the people at Auntie Anne’s gave me the opportunity to … Read the rest

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