And the winner is…
Thanks to everyone who entered…I really wish I could give you all a SmartShopper. I can tell you that I have a few more giveaways for the month of February! The winner of the SmartShopper is lucky number 11 (Claire Braam). I will send you an email to get your address. Congratulations!
I don’t have much of a post for you today….I have been immersed in this. Have you read it?
Old Navy is having a HUGE clearance sale until February 2nd. Use the code HALFOFF to get an extra 50% off of the clearance items. Many items are below $5.
Big Sale at Ann Taylor Loft!
Ann Taylor Loft has lots on clearance right now. You can actually get pants for $10. If you enter the code TEACHER20 you will also get 20% off and free shipping…I’m not sure if it is on one item or your entire order – if anyone figures it out let us know. Of course sizes are very limited. Here is a little preview…
What are you waiting for??? Go shop!
Freebies
- The first 2 million people to sign up at http://www.freedietdrpepper.com/ from 1/26 to 3/31 will get a coupon by mail fora Dr. Pepper drink.
- Stop by your local Panera today for a free coffee and samples of their new offerings.
- Get 6 Free Photo Valentine’s Cards from Stories by Everyone when you enter Code Valentine! Shipping is free too!
- Use coupon code AVA910 to get $10 off of a $10 purchase at Oriental Trading Company – they have lots of valentines things…
- Make money while surfing the web. Swag Bucks is a great way to earn giftcards for doing what you already do…
- This one is from my friend Lange…Fill out this form to get a rebate for 6 lunches.
- Here is a great deal that Serena sent to me…Donate your jeans to Aeropostale and get 25% off of a new pair! I love when you can help someone else and help yourself…win-win for everyone.
Tried it…SmartShopper…win it for yourself…
The SmartShopper Grocery List Organizer…mom’s best friend! This nifty little contraption might be the only thing in your house that listens to you all of the time. When mine arrived, I stuck it to my refrigerator (with the great magnets that are on the back of it) and began creating my list. Simply press record and say the name of the product that you want to enter on your shopping list. The magic happens when you go to print the list out. The best part is that you just push the print button and your list prints out like a receipt – no cumbersome downloading…which I am not good at. The printed list is divided into categories – from errands & produce to condiments and frozen food. There is a place for everything. You can even “flag” certain items with a little coupon icon so you remember that you have a coupon for a particular product. My family and I even tried to stump the SmartShopper by putting in really weird items and seeing if it was one of the 2,500 preloaded items in it’s database. Yes, pigs feet is in the database 
This is so handy for me! My husband will often call out from the kitchen telling me what we need more of…now he can talk to the SmartShopper instead (and she won’t even nag him).
SmartShopper gave me a unit to giveaway to one of my readers! Because of their generosity I would love for you to pay them a visit and checkout the SmartShopper on their site. To enter the contest simly leave me a comment on this post. I would love to hear your thoughts on this product. I will use a random number generator to choose a winner on Thursday at 5 pm and announce the winner on Friday. Good luck & tell your friends to enter too!
Tried it Tuesday…coming soon…
SORRY! Tried it Tuesday will be up later today…but the good news is that I will be having a giveaway with it. Now one of you can “try it Tuesday too”. Check back…I promise to have it up by 1:00 (probably will be before then, but just to make sure lets just say 1:00). Here is a sneak peak…you might win it…
Where in the {blog} world is KatyShops?
I have a few places that I visit almost daily on the internet. Kinda like checking in on good friends. Of course my mom’s blog is usually the first place I visit (after FaceBook of course!), and then off to see what my sister’s are up to. The next few stops are usually for inspiration – let me share them with you…
Cooking Sites:
- My First Kitchen – Great recipes, great directions and beautiful pictures.
- Pioneer Woman Cooks – Do not visit this site on an empty stomach!! This is not diet food – but it is good food. I have used many of her recipes and have never been let down. She also has wonderful directions with pictures for every step.
- Bakerella – I don’t like to bake and I really don’t have much of a sweet tooth…but for some reason I just love this “baking” blog. It is entertaining and makes me wish I had a giant sweet tooth!
- FayeFood – I love reading about Faye’s journey with food. It is deep in her heart and soul – you can just tell. It makes you long for the same passion in your own life.
Decorating –
- A Soft Place to Land – Great ideas that everyone can use. You wish she was your next door neighbor.
- Nesting Place – Another great spot for genius ideas…she will make you feel like a “decorator” . And you will wish that she was your other neighbor too
- Kari & Kijsa – These two sisters are amazing…they can do anything (and do it well). They have really great ideas…and I just love how close they are – they are so lucky to have each other.
Random –
- Clemsongirl and the Coach – I liked her in blogland before I even knew her. I like her even more live in person. She is witty and entertaining to read…but will always be there for her FIRL (that’s fancy blog talk for friends in real life). Get a cup of coffee and start reading…just be careful not to spit it out when you start laughing hysterically!
- Fitness for Mommies – Fitness tips and ideas. Keeps me motivated to workout and be healthy.
- Sasha Says – Sasha will set you straight on everything…from makeup and fashion to working out and junk food. I think we would probably be great FIRL (do you remember what that means?). We are both product junkies, runners, and mommies (plus we both drink beer).
Of course I have many, many more places that I visit…this is just a preview. Where do you like to visit daily? What is your “fix”?
What to do…think ahead!
I have lots of things going on right now that are bringing my down…friends in the hospital, cold weather, and lots to get done. I’m doing everything I can to stay positive – working out daily and cooking for those who can’t right now (and sitting down with a beer and friends every now & then). January is always a tough month…but this one is really getting to me!
So, I have started thinking ahead…way ahead…to a cruise we will be taking this Summer! It is so nice to have something exciting to look forward to. I found this amazing company called Tom Bihn. They make all kinds of great bags. From travel to laptop bags they have it all. All of the bags were designed in Seattle by Tom Bihn himself…and he seems like a pretty cool dude. In fact, he is so cool that his dog is named Riley (you know, like my daughter). Riley accompanies him to the factory just about everyday. So I wanted to be cool like Tom Bihn and carry my very own Tom Bihn bag. The first giant dilemma is which bag to pick…they have a ton to choose from. Messenger bags, knitting bags, backpacks, briefcases and much more. I picked out the Medium Cafe Shoulder Bag. I picked this one for many reasons – but mainly because it is small enough to use for an everyday purse but will be very handy when travelling. Isn’t it cute?
My bag arrived yesterday and I love it! The fabric is super sturdy, there is a big pocket on the back, the colors look awesome, and the “Tom Bihn label” with the vintage airplane on it is great. The best part is the innards…after you open the secure buckle on the front your mouth will fall open with the features that you will find inside. A front zippered pocket that will make finding wallet, tickets, passport, etc. a snap. A key strap (that clips on & off) that holds onto your keys to make certain that they never sink to the bottom of the bag. And then you will see the organizing pockets…4 of them. Two for pens and two more for cell phones or ipods. I am in love with my Tom Bihn Cafe Bag I might even have a secret crush on Tom Bihn too (I’m a sucker for men with dogs). Go visit Tom and find the perfect bag for you…they are made in the USA, very low-priced, and have a slew of bags & color combos to pick from. Be cool like Tom!
Free goodies…
Sent by a viewer (thanks Kristi):
Pledge 5 hours of volunteer work and get a free Tall Coffee from Starbucks!
Print out this coupon to get a free Signature Collection item (up to a $12 value) with any purchase. Offer valid through 1/25. Our store has a ton of products 90% off…for $1 you could buy something and get a free Signature item.
Print out this coupon for a free popcorn wyb a drink at AMC theaters (it is valid until June…so print out a few extras)
Free Magazines:
Sign up for a coupon for a free pack of Hansen’s Junior Water, Cream of Wheat sample, Rachael Ray dog food sample.
Georgia only: Free first aid kit
Have a great Wednesday
Tried it Tuesday – Blo & Go
I have always thought that I could make my hair look like my hairdresser does if I had an extra hand. The Blo & Go gives you that extra hand. It is a metal “arm” that cradles your blow dryer while suctioned to a flat surface. When I pulled it out of the box I was amazed at how heavy it was! I wondered if it would even stay on my wall. I read through the directions and it said not to use it on painted surfaces…okay, like my wall?? I didn’t want to attach it to my mirror – I have heard horror stories about peoples bathroom mirrors coming off of the wall. I thought about putting it right on the counter top…but that made it to short (and I am really short!). I decided to suction it to my bathroom window. Great idea if it wasn’t 22 degrees outside…it didn’t stick. Being the rebel that I am, I stuck it right on my wall. Attaching my blow dryer was simple. Now the fun part…blow drying my hair with 2 free hands! It was kinda weird not holding the blow dryer but after a few minutes I was cruising…and getting the hang of it. This would be great for someone with really long hair – especially if they want to blow it straight. It worked really good…and stayed on the wall. It really came in handy when I was doing the back of my hair. For only $29.99 I give it a “thumbs up”…a great idea! Oh, and the paint stayed on my wall
