Planning a Special Event??

Planning an event is hectic enough...shopping for your invitations and accessories does not have to be! Be sure to visit my site http://www.mvsimpressions.cceasy.com for a large selection of accessories and stationary from Carlson Craft-a trusted leader in the invitation industry that will set the tone for your special day-and not break the bank! You will be able to choose wedding invitations, birth announcements, save the dates, personalized labels, note cards, kid's birthday invites, and so much more for whatever event you are having. We even have a "green" section-just type in green/recycled in the search box. An automatic (no code needed) 10% discount will be applied to your shopping cart for most items (there are some exclusions...see site for complete details). This offer is on going and as of now-has no expiration date.
Be sure to click on the featured links tab on my site for access into other fine shopping experiences with discounts. Samples are available at a low cost for most products.

Another great site for invites and stationary for all your occasions can be found here at Minted.


5% Off Any Purchase at Minted: Use Code AFF09

Also browse through Cardstore...



For really stylish papers that are sure to please, visit Red Stamp for truly unique stationary and much more. A big plus is the free stationary promotion they are running. Click on the links for more details.


You Deserve Great Paper: Our free stationery gift with every order.

Paper Source is a retailer of fine papers, stationery, invitations, gift wrap, greeting cards, quirky gifts and a custom collection of envelopes and cards.



Invite tips: Give yourself plenty of time to not just order the invites-but throw in some extra time for the "just in cases" that are unfortunately common in the printing industry--many times items are spelled incorrectly-or aren't printed straight etc--you need to budget those types of "what ifs" in your time schedule. Also-I personally try to give my guests 6 weeks to respond-I know all the traditional viewpoints are 4 weeks--but busy people have busy schedules--and who do you know who isn't busy today?? Also-you need time to plan for seating arrangements, envelope stuffing, addressing--you will be surprised as to how many addresses you will realize you don't have when you are putting together your invites, and stamping--ALWAYS bring your completed invitation ensemble to the post office to be weighed--nothing says OOPS like a big red "Postage Due" stamp on your lovely invites!!!


Some people do away with favors because they are an extra expense--but I still find that most guests still enjoy seeing what the favors are. What makes more sense nowadays is to give out something practical that is related to your theme if you have one. Steer clear from dust collectors that end up in the garbage or in my garage sale!! My Wedding Favors has cute ideas for all budgets.
Click on this link for unique and affordable favors and accessories for all occasions-not just weddings- and use one of the codes for extra savings:



Enter coupon code SAVE5 to receive 5% off of your order.
Enter coupon code SAVE10 to receive 10% on orders over $150.
Enter coupon code TAKE25 to receive $25 off orders over $200.

Here's another great site for favors and accessories. See for yourself why Bride's Magazine selected HansonEllis.com as one of the BEST WEDDING WEB SITES.



For those of you who love to include Jordan almonds with your favors, the Superior Nut Company has a good selection of affordable nuts in several colors to suit your theme Premium Jordan Almond Wedding Favors
Save 5% on Gourmet Gifts at SuperiorNutStore.com with coupon: GOLDEN

Having a candy bar at your party is starting to become a trend that guests get excited about. A really "sweet" favor you might want to give to your guests or even just use for cute decorations are M&Ms-everyone's favorite candy that you can now personalize with pictures and text of your choice-along with getting colors to suit your theme.


Buy 3 or more Bags Of Custom Printed MY M&M'S® And Get 1 FREE!
Wedding Day Candies Create MY M&M'S® Candies With Your Own Personal Words & Photos!
Give the Valentine's gift that smiles back: Personalized M&M's® with your words and faces! 14% Off your order

The Knot has become a household name among brides to be--they have a huge selection of unique favors and accessories to make your events super special. Be sure to visit their site and check out their deals.



Want to do something extra special for your event?? Think about extending the celebration to those in need. Global Giving helps you to help others in need.



Be sure to check out David's Bridal for a huge selection of gowns for all members of your wedding or special event. From bridal gowns to flower girl dresses--they have it all!! Their website is easy to use and you can actually plug in different colors to many different bridesmaids dresses to see how they all look in different shades. I actually got my Matron of Honor dress for my niece's wedding there--and I LOVE IT!! Be sure to click the text link for the sweepstakes!!!




Win your gown or up to 5 bridesmaid dresses at DavidsBridal.com


Looking for a bridal gown, bridesmaid dress, prom gown, or formal attire?? TJ Formal.com is one of the first internet’s premier sites for prom and wedding dresses. They provide their customers with the best service and merchandise from the finest gown designers and also have free ground shipping. Browse through for a vast selection of designer gowns at affordable prices.


10% Off all Jewelry & Accessories @ TJ Formal! Use coupon code TJ10JAN at checkout. Exp 1/31
Get rid of your extra inches for the summer! Check out all TJ Formal's body image products and get free shipping!

Here's another comprehensive site that has so many high quality items at reasonable prices. They have beautiful dresses for all your festive needs as well as lots of fine accessories. Browse through and enjoy free shipping with your order! Also take advantage of extra coupon savings by using the text link below through 06/10/09.


Save an Additional 25% Off Immediate Delivery Wedding Dresses, Enter Code IDW25 - Expires 6/10/09

Milanoo offers even more selection and free shipping-definitely worth a look!
Milanoo-Designer Wedding Gowns Bargain Price Plus Free Shipping
Bridesmaid Dress Designer Quality Bargain Price Plus Free Shipping!
Milanoo-Designer Quality Prom Dresses Starts $70 Plus Global Free Shipping


Although the focus is generally on the gowns etc....today's fashionable man likes to stand out as well. Here is a great site where you may find a wide selection of men's suits/tuxedos/formal attire. Click on the link for extra savings.






For those of you who are planning some event that is less formal--here are some great links for you to visit.

For all your at home party supply needs-be sure to click on the Party Works link where they have lots of theme related items on sale.


Another great shop at home site for your in-house party needs is Celebrate Express-they even have specific pages dedicated to your child's 1st Birthday-called 1st Wishes and also a costume express tab that has great costumes.





Remember-to get these savings-you must shop directly from my site!
Be sure to let me know any of your interesting theme ideas for your special events!!

Frugal Shopper

Shopping and saving money is something I am a really big fan of. Ever since I was about 3 years old-I enjoyed playing with coupons...it's no wonder that as an adult my relationship with coupons has grown!

Someone actually beat me to the title of "Coupon Queen," but royalty or not-saving money while shopping is something that is an absolute must for me. Only in an emergency will I buy something that is not on sale or without a coupon. (Running out of chocolate chip cookies does qualify as an emergency!) When I go to the grocery store-they already know to get a manager ready with the "key" because of all my coupons. Just a tip-as a courtesy to the cashier and to shoppers waiting their turn on your line-if you have "free" coupons-put those products on the belt first. Then when you hand the coupons to the cashier-take those "free" ones and explain to him/her that you have a bunch of free coupons and that you placed those items first to be scanned. This will help them tremendously at the end of the order, because with most free coupons, the cashier needs to physically hand write the item's price directly on the coupon. Having those items listed at the top of the receipt will make everyone's life a lot easier. There is nothing worse than a cashier and a manager scrolling up and down a receipt trying to find an item's price while the line gets longer and stares get sharper. I once turned to an irate customer and asked her if she'd rather pay my shopping bill-no? well then I need to use them...On a more positive note; however, most people are genuinely interested to see how much I save on my shopping orders. Following is a great site that has lots of coupons-nowadays most stores accept internet coupons-but I do advise you to check that your store of choice does in fact accept them-as some still do not.



Where do you get free grocery coupons from? I get a large bulk of my coupons from the inserts in the weekend local newspapers-but I also find that subscribing to free newsletters of the companies that manufacturer your favorite products also helps with getting high dollar coupons and even free offers.

The key to working with coupons is to organize them-if you just go to the store with a fistful of crumpled up coupons in your pocket-you'll never use them as often as you should because they will prove to be a hassle. Find yourself a good coupon organizer that helps you to separate your coupons by category i.e. snacks (of course I list that one first), baby products, cleaners, and so on. Once this is done-you at least know that the next time you need something from those categories-you might use some coupons to get extra savings off. Another way to use coupons effectively before your shopping trips is to organize them by aisle if you can. For example-if you go to the same grocery store often-you likely know the general layout of the store. If aisle 1 has cereal/breakfast foods-then put those particular coupons first, Beverages the second aisle-then organize coffee coupons etc next, and so on. This helps you to drive through your aisles quicker by getting the items you need fast without having to fumble through a pile of coupons.

It also helps a lot to have a customer loyalty card to the grocery store you are shopping at because if you also have a manufacturers coupon for product that is reduced through use of a loyalty card-now you may get that product at an even lower discount. The key is to look at the store's weekly circulars to see what is on sale-find a coupon for that product-and start saving. Many circulars are even online-so you may use the web if you don't have access to a paper circular.

Still think coupons aren't worth it? With little effort-I save at least $25.00-$50.00 on each shopping trip. I shop at least once per week. That amounts to $1300-$2600 a year. There are times when I save even more than that. Trust me-it is worth it.


Talk about deals...this site is dedicated to providing their customers with huge discounts on an array of merchandise. It's so popular that USA Today has ranked it one of the top ten sites for true savings online. Check them out here and see for yourself.


Any college student will tell you that aside from tuition, required textbooks can be beyond expensive. There actually is a site that allows students to rent textbooks and even sell old textbooks back to them. Another plus is that for every book rented-they will plant a tree-so you are saving money and helping the environment as well. As someone who writes, I do see that there is room for argument with this type of site from an author's perspective; however, in some situations the expense of books causes many students to go to class without the proper materials resulting in poor grades and worse yet-- adds to some students eventually dropping out of college, because they simply cannot afford to buy them. In these cases-a site like this is truly beneficial--and in the ideal scenario--once these students graduate-they will hopefully retain their love for learning, earn more money in their careers, and will purchase books for their own libraries giving authors' their rightful due. As a college instructor-I've heard rave reviews from actual students who love this site.


Save 10% on all Textbook Rentals! (For a limited time)

I absolute LOVE this site! Not only does Kodak help me to be a frugal shopper-but it also helps me to save time-and these days-who really has any??? It's funny-I actually have accumulated so many points on Pampers.com Rewards to grow program-(a site where you enter in codes from diapers/wipes etc. so that you may redeem them for a list of rewards) that I could have actually gotten my Holiday Photo Cards for free on another site. When I tried to use it-I didn't like the layout possibilities or the ways in which I could edit my project-so I decided to get back to Kodak-because even if I have to pay for them-the time it saved me to upload my pictures in lightning fast mode, the different layouts, and the editing they have--is worth it.
You can order prints of all sizes at reasonable prices-get photo gifts, photo books, cards, and more-click on the gallery and also use the coupon codes:
Current Promotions at KODAK Gallery



You or someone you know expecting a baby? Click on this site to get info on how you can score some really useful freebies on the internet. When I was pregnant, I signed in and got all kinds of stuff from formula, diaper samples, free magazine subscriptions, and lots more.



People often ask me if there are any ways to make some quick and easy money on the internet-of course there are a lot of get rich quick schemes out there-so you really have to utilize common sense when looking for such opportunities--but one way you can make some extra pocket money and also get a lot of free products is by joining online survey groups that pay you to take surveys and to test products from brand named companies. There are literally thousands of survey companies out there so it's hard to determine which are truly worth your effort or not. I always steer clear of any survey groups that need me to complete an offer in order to get a free product or to earn cash. Also, I never join any company that requires me to pay a fee to join.

There are several survey groups that are actually quite good that I personally use myself. One of my top groups is Synovate. How it works is you sign up-and then e-mail invites are sent to you to take surveys. Once you complete a survey-you earn points that accumulate in your account-which they track for you. Once you reach at least 5,000 points (which is easy as most surveys are worth 500 points and up) you can cash out for a $5.00 check-the more points you earn-the more cash you are eligible to receive. Even if you don't qualify for a survey-you will get 50 points just for trying. That doesn't sound like a whole lot of money--and it certainly isn't-but surveys generally take about 10-15 minutes to complete-and this site moves fast! What's even better is that after you complete a survey-you will be entered into a drawing for cash prizes that range from $10.00--$1,000--and people really do win-I've only been a winner of $10.00 a few times--but hey-it's extra cash!!

What is really the best part of Synovate is their product testing. From being on the panel-I've gotten premium bottles of shampoo, conditioner, paper towels, huge bags of dog food, cologne, household cleaners, hair color, make-up, cheese (yes-they delivered it in fridge packaging), and so much more-all from high-end, name-branded manufacturers...I can't tell you the names-but you will see for yourself once you sign in. All you need to do is respond to a follow-up survey or two after you've had time to test the product-which again takes only a matter of minutes-and you get to earn extra points towards your cash account-plus you get to keep the products. Only on a rare occasion does the manufacturer want the unfinished product back. If that happens-all shipping charges are paid for in advance by the manufacturer. There is never any cost to be on their panel-and honestly-when you add up all the free products you get plus the several checks you will get-it really becomes worth the little bit of time it takes to complete very easy surveys. Get started today-you'll love it!!



Another survey group that I have been a member of for over 10 years is the My Survey group. They offer a decent rewards program for completing surveys that are easily redeemed for cash. It takes only 1,000 points to get $10.00 sent to you. Many of the surveys come with product testing opportunities where you get to keep high quality, name-branded products in exchange for completing a brief survey about the product. They also have sweepstakes opportunities-I've never won anything-but I have cashed out a whole bunch of checks and have gotten lots of great free products. This is a reliable site-and I highly recommend joining in!

Earn rewards for taking surveys & influence new products. Entry to win $10,000 just for registering at MySurvey.com. Learn more https://www.mysurvey.com/index.cfm?action=Main.join&r=6851381

Remember-to get these savings-you must shop directly from my site!

Organic and "Green" shopping

Going Green is more than just a passing fad-for many-it's becoming a way of life. The shades of green among us may vary-but I have a feeling this healthy and responsible movement is here to stay. While with anything-there are skeptics who say that there really is little benefit to green practices-do your own research and you will see that even just the smallest changes in what we choose to consume and use can in fact make a lasting difference to our own personal health and the environment around us. Really-would you open a bottle of pesticides and add it to your fruit salad? Probably not. Would you stockpile garbage in your yard (compost aside LOL)? Not likely.

Unfortunately-I think many people think it's all green or nothing-and it really doesn't have to be that way. If we incorporate even a little of the green ideas out there-we are doing ourselves and the world a good service. Just the smallest steps can make a huge difference-especially when combined with your neighbor's small step, your friend's small steps, and so on. From my own personal experience, I certainly see the difference in how much better I feel after going from a diet loaded with processed foods to a more organic and natural based diet-in moderation of course-I'm not giving up cookies-no way-no how! I also do feel a sense of purpose when I choose to recycle or support something towards a cleaner and safer environment.

The biggest issue I hear from those who do want to use organic and green products/services is the cost. Now while it may be argued that paying more money for organic food will actually save you money on future medical expenses in the long run or that buying green products will help keep communities stronger-they're still not strong enough arguments in these tough economic times to make many switch from the regular buying choices they are used to. What I've set out to do was try to find organic and green products that are both easily accessible and affordable at the same time.

Organic Style has a nice selection of flowers, gourmet gifts, baby gifts, and other good gift-giving ideas that are all organic. They also have items that when purchased allow a percentage to be donated to various organizations-click on the link below for more info regarding their charity bouquets. Click on the sale tab for discounted items. There are no specific coupon codes to use at present-but browse throughout the site and find many items on sale. Also be sure to look at their gorgeous roses that are available in a variety of lengths--their most unique and most popular item is the 6 foot rose bouquet. Imagine getting one of those!!



Not sure what to get the people on your gift list who have everything?? Skip that boring sweater and get them a tree planted in their honor. A new baby-a marriage-an anniversary--any occasion is a great time to show your loved ones how much you care about them and their environment. Click on the site for details and info on free shipping.



For those of you who are interested in Bonsai plants, here is a great site for you.
Make sure to click on the link for free shipping.



Here is a great site that offers all the Eco-friendly tools you need to get organized Be sure to click on the link and to also use the coupon codes when applicable.
7% OFF $35 or more purchase (Coupon: A9849)
$5 Off $75 Purchase at Organize.com (Coupon: a5129)


While I do have several recycled papers to choose from on my site http://www.mvsimpressions.ccceasy.com, the following site has an even bigger selection of environmentally friendly cards and invites-plus they offer an interesting low cost mailing service.
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Free shipping on orders $75 or more at Paper Culture!

Here are more environmentally responsible papers to choose from...



Have pets? They benefit from organic and green products just as we humans do. I'm anxious myself to put my Sheltie, Coco on an organic diet to help him with his allergies and hip issues. The Only Natural Pet Store offers free shipping on select orders (you need to qualify for their terms-see site for details), has a decent clearance section, which you can access if you scroll to the bottom of the home page, and has a 5% discount offer-use code in the link at checkout.


Free Shipping on Orders Starting at $75 - Only Natural Pet Store

While we are on the subject of pets--I know how hard it is to put your adorable furry companion in an ordinary kennel-or even leave your pet in the care of someone else whenever you need to travel. I've always wished I could just bring Coco with us so I wouldn't feel guilty. Well I've found a really great site that has done some good research into finding hotels/places that accommodate our pets and are pet friendly. Definitely check them out and book them for your next family vacation.



This is a truly fantastic site that has lots of gift options for you-and is becoming one of my favorite ones! You can build your own baskets-or get one of their pre-made ones. They have a large selection of delicious chocolates, gluten-free products, vegan products--and lots more. Check them out at:

Do something good for the environment and plant something! Not only does planting help promote cleaner air and helps promote natural beautification-but it also helps you to reconnect with the Earth and the potential of its beauty. The therapeutic benefits of gardening and growing your own produce can have calming effects on your mind-not to mention that having a garden also helps you to move physically-get fresh air-and stop for a second in this busy, fast-paced world we live in. There is a sense of accomplishment and pride in seeing your plants flourish-your fragrant flowers bloom, and a sense of pride when tasting the way-better-than-the wax-covered fruits and veggies that you have toiled for yourself and your loved ones. In growing your own fruits/veggies/nuts etc-you have the control over what is sprayed on your food or not. You would be able to use natural alternatives to dangerous chemical pesticides and would know that the food you eat goes from stem to plate in a matter of minutes--you can't get fresher than that! When looking for a site that delivers these gardening opportunities for you at low prices-I found Direct Gardening-not only do you get great prices-but there are freebies with every order! Keep in mind though that when delivered-most plants are a lot smaller in size than you might expect-I remember thinking when I ordered some fern and clematis that I had made a shopping blunder-but I was pleased with how fast they grew-and that the perennials actually came back and survived our cold New Jersey winters! Click on the link and enjoy shopping!



Here is a great site that lets you drink your coffee responsibly. Cafe Britt is a premier roaster of gourmet coffee and one of the few companies in the world that produces, roasts & sells coffee right from the country of origin. They ship directly from coffee producing countries for a taste that’s as fresh as it can be! They also offer a wide selection of carefully crafted gourmet chocolates and tropical nuts for a perfect complement to your cup of coffee. Customizable coffee gifts are always available. All of Café Britt’s operations comply with international standards for environmental protection and also follow fair trade practices. They serve the most demanding palates including customers at Marriott Hotels, Four Seasons & Ritz Carlton, among others.



For the tea lovers...
Numi Organic Tea offers organically grown premium tea and a broad assortment of stunning tea gift sets. Numi Organic Tea is made from the purest ingredients on the planet with full organic tea leaves and no added oils or flavorings. Numi’s vision is to inspire well-being of mind, body and spirit through the simple art of tea. Numi elevates the tea experience through innovation, quality, and a commitment to the environment and our global community.


Stunning Tea Gift Sets Under $30 - Shop Numi Organic Tea
Save 25% Off Numi's Popular Bamboo Flowering Tea Gift Set. Buy Now!

My top Healthy Products that I must have!!
CHILDRENS' VITAMINS:
This is a fantastic product that has all the essentials plus more in convenient powder form that can be mixed with yogurt or applesauce. I give it to my son every morning with breakfast and stock up on these so I never run out!



BREAKFAST FOOD:
This is a truly tasty cereal packed with flavor and crunch. My son and I eat this a lot, and we literally go through boxes of this stuff. It's also great to snack on throughout the day.


SNACK FOOD:
These are so yummy and help to ease the pangs of those late afternoon cravings.


My son goes through bags and bags of this stuff!! My sister had some of these at her house-and my son, nephew, and niece polished them all-licking their fingers hoping to get some more. This is a healthy snack with no preservatives or additives. If I'm not mistaken-the entire contents of a bag is only 100 calories making this a tasty and weight conscious snack suitable for all ages.



PERSONAL CARE:
I have to refrain from trying to eat the lip balm--it smells so good!


NATURAL CLEANERS:
I absolutely love this line of cleaning products not only for how well they clean-but mainly for how refreshing the room smells after you use this.The concentrated products remove glue and lots more. If you have a difficult spot to clean-try this stuff. I do still use some traditional cleaners with bleach for disinfecting purposes-but for other occasions, I try to use this whenever possible.


GoldenGadgets.com specializes in LED Lighting, Solar Power, and other energy efficient gadgets. They offer a wide variety of new and exciting gadgets at amazing prices. Check them out...



Looking for plant-based cosmetics and beauty products?? Yves Rocher is an authentic and unique cosmetic brand, recognized as the Creator of Botanical Beauty.
Harvesting, manufacturing and retailing since 1959, Yves Rocher was born of the vision of a man who believed in cosmetics based on plants and in the democratization of beauty.Yves Rocher offers an impressive selection of botanical beauty products: skin care, body care, makeup, fragrances, bath and shower products and more...They have affordable products and often offer free gifts with your order. Choose the discount offer that's right for you.


Get $10 OFF & FREE SHIPPING at Yves Rocher with orders over $45! Use coupon code 10OFF45 at checkout.
Get $5 OFF with orders over $25 at Yves Rocher! Use coupon code 5OFF25 at checkout.
Get $7 OFF at Yves Rocher with orders over $30! Use coupon code 7OFF30 at checkout.
Get $10 OFF for orders over $45 & FREE Shipping !! Use coupon code WOW1045 at checkout.
Get FREE SHIPPING at Yves Rocher with orders over $20! Use coupon code YRFREESHIP at checkout.










As I find more sites with offers-I'll be sure to post them.Remember-to get the sales/deals/coupon codes-you need to shop directly from my site! Fill me in your own thoughts about organic living and especially for those who have made changes and now see positive effects-please share that story here so that we may be inspired!