Now That's What I'm Talkin' About!

There's really not much more I need to say about this new book on Amazon!

Must See TV Thursday!!

Have I told you yet how much I love Thursdays?  Thursday nights have always been a great night on TV (remember Friends?  Yeah, that was on Thursdays!!)

In my house, Thursday's TV show lineup goes as follows:

8pm:  Vampire Diaries  -  oh Damon!!!!!!!!!!!  I know, I know -  it's a teenage vampire drama...but baby, Damon is NOT a teenager in real life.  Could he be any sexier?  Yum!

9pm:  Greys Anatomy - I've watched it from the beginning.  Every.single.episode has me glued to the screen.  This is my fav show on TV!

10pm: Now, here's where my DVR comes in handy.  Private Practice is on ABC, and Real Housewives of NYC is on Bravo (aka my favorite TV station!!).  I usually DVR Private Practice so I can watch RHONY in real time.


Last night's epi's did not disappoint!  Vampire Diaries was totally awesome.  Each weeks seems to add new characters  that are super hot.  I bet the casting call info reads something like this:

"Wanted, super hot, melt-in-your-mouth, manly men who are willing to bite necks or howl life werewolves"

Yes, please!

Greys was great, as usual!

Onto RHONY:  so flippin' fantastic!  Did anyone see it?  Kelly did sand angels!!  She is a total hoot and reminds me a little of my 7 year old when I am asking her to do chores.  She tunes me out.

Ramona is off her rocker this season.  Last year, it seemed like Bethenny was the villain -  causing so much drama everywhere she went, but now that she's off on her own show, Ramona is definitely the drama queen.  I love her, but she's a complete whack job!

I could go on for days about this show.  I am in awe of their lifestyle!  Do any of them have jobs outside of being on TV?  Sonja has a driver, the new housewife has 2 nannies,  houses in the Hamptons and more, oh boy!  So jealous!

I could only dream of living that life.  Well, you'll  have to excuse me now as I have to go scrub the toilet and scrape up dried bubble gum off the rug.   Happy Friday! 

Giveaway Day! Enter to Win a Family 4 Pack to the Odyssey Boston Mother's Day Cruise!

After years of cooking for you, it’s time to return the favor by spoiling Mom to an elegant Mother’s Day Brunch on Odyssey Boston, filled with her favorite things, perfect for the whole family. Mom  will enjoy a flower upon arrival, live entertainment and dancing, outstanding service and the best views of Boston available. The brunch cruise is perfect for the whole family with activities for kids including a balloon artist, ice cream sundae bar and more.

Executive Chef Michael Almond has prepared a feast fit for a Queen featuring traditional breakfast options including; Scrambled Eggs, Applewood Smoked Bacon, Strawberries and Cream French Toast and House-griddled Belgian Waffles, among others. In addition to breakfast options, there will be a full offering of specialty entrees including; Maple-Glazed Chipotle Chicken, Penne Rigatta Primavera and a Smoked Salon Station served with fresh Bagels, assorted Cheese, Capers and Red Onion.  Finish of a fabulous meal with Odyssey Boston’s signature Chocolate Fountain, fresh fruits and pastries for dessert. 

Hungry yet? Me, too!  

So guess what?  I have something for you...

1 Lucky Winner will receive a Family 4 Pack to the Mother's Day Cruise, thanks to Odyssey Boston and Daily Deals for Boston Moms

Odyssey Boston will offer two Mother’s Day Brunch cruises on May 8^th. Early Brunch will board at 9:30 AM and cruise from 10 AM – 12 PM. The afternoon Brunch cruise will board at 1:30 PM and cruise from 2 PM – 4PM.

I have a bunch of ways for you to gain entry.  Check em out:

1 ENTRY EACH

• Head on over to Facebook and "like" Daily Deals for Boston Moms   
• Follow @Boston Mom Deals on Twitter 
• Follow @EntertainCruise on Twitter 

2 ENTRIES EACH - For those who already follow and like Daily Deals for Moms:

• Refer 5 friends to the Daily Deals for Boston Moms Facebook page. When the "like" the page, have them indicate your name
• Pick a daily deal between now and the giveaway end date and post the deal details on your Facebook wall.  Be sure to tag Daily Deals for Boston Moms in the post so we can see it. 

3 ENTRIES EACH 

• Write a blog post about Daily Deals for Moms.  (I can give you info, if necessary).

Be sure to add a comment below for each thing you do to gain entry.  The giveaway will close around 3pm on May 5, 2011.  Winner will be announced around 9pm on May 5, 2011.

Extreme Couponer I Am Not...

But oh boy do I envy those who are!  TLC's Extreme Couponer is getting a ton of exposure in the blogosphere.  Most bloggers are going crazy over some of the antics (aka hoarding) on the show.  I'd, on the other hand, am completely in awe over the skillls of these moms! 

Last night's episode was off the charts exciting for me.  Now, before I get bashed, I want everyone to know that I realize some of the things they do (like buying cat food when they don't even have a cat) is a little ridiculous.  But, how can one not be super jealous over a 95% savings at the grocery store?

Hello my name is Jessica, and I have coupon envy! 

Last September, I saved my first circular from the Sunday paper.  It took some time for me to build up the coupons, but at one point in November, I actually saved about $70 on an order.  That order, though, totaled $220.  I spent way more than I typically do, just to save $70. 

I totally get the coupon match up/pair with sales concept, and I definitely have a "math brain", but this phenomenon blows my mind.  I am sure I'm not the only one who feels this way. 

Always one to enjoy a challenge, I have a renewed desire to get into couponing again -  hard core - but with baby steps (a little contradictory, but that's me in a nutshell!)

Here are a few of my lofty goals:

• Spend $100 per week on groceries and household goods (I spend closer to $200, if not more, right now.)
• Snag free toiletries left and right
• Get paid to take home items from the store
• Use overages to pay for meats and other things that I don't have coupons for

Not too crazy, huh?  Based on what I've seen online and on TV, I know this can be done.  The competitive side in me has come out.

I will win at the coupon game.  Come hell or high water, I will win.


As with most things, I'd like to get by with a little help from my friends...Is there anyone out there who can help a girl out?  You don't need to be an extreme couponer, just another mom who does a great job using coupons to save a bunch each week and wants to share her strategy. 

April Vacation Week!

Someone take note, please!  Remind me at least a week before the next vacation to not attempt to start something new!  What was I thinking:  starting a blog in mid-April? 

This vacation week particularly threw me for a loop thanks to 2/3rds of my kiddies coming down with something -  1 has a wicked cold and has sneezed about 25 times already this morning.  The other has had a temp with no other symptoms for about a week.  She even slept for 14 hours on Tuesday night. 

So, my apologies for the lack of attention to my newest baby:  Chicken Nuggets & Dirty Dishes!!

Well That Didn't Go the Way I Planned

I mentioned last week that I was going to be featured in the Boston Herald.  Excited was not an accurate enough word to describe how I felt.  Well, the article was in yesterday's Herald and as great as it was, a few negative (and I mean negative) comments completely ruined the experience for me. 

My article was about Moms Saving Money.  Awesome.  I figured there would be comments about the article related to the whole Extreme Couponing debacle.  I also figured there would be comments about my choice to be a stay at home mom (work at home mom, technically).  I never, ever thought there would be comments about my appearance.  

I took the day yesterday to digest the harsh, mean, cruel comments.  My family and friends rallied.  A few moms on Twitter even attempted to comment on the article, but their comments weren't posted (hmmmm?). 

Last night I took some time to really think about the whole thing.  You know what I decided? I decided to say Screw Off to those people.  I will rise above the negativity.  After all, celebrities deal with this kind of stuff all of the time.  I'm happy to be in the company of celebs  :)


Have you ever run into a situation where people were super mean?  How did you handle it?  I'd love to  hear your take on this whole thing. 

I made my own button!

It's amazing what you can find on Google!  I found a ton of info re: how to make your own blog button.

I did it!  See--------------------------------------------------->

Please let me know if you try to grab the button and it doesn't work.  That would be a total bummer.  

Phew, that was close!

In a shocking announcement, one that made national news,  ABC has decided to stop airing 2 of its beloved soap operas.  Wanna know my reaction to all of this?

THANK GOD IT WASN'T GENERAL HOSPITAL!!!

I don't know about you, but I am a diehard GH fan!  I watch it almost everyday and on the days I miss it, that show is top priority on my DVR.  I've found myself thinking about Jason and Sam, wondering if Robin will finally expose Lisa's devious ways, and hoping Sonny and Brenda stay together.

My love for GH is borderline unhealthy.  I am not ashamed to admit I "like" General Hospital on Facebook and even, on occasion, check out the various fan sites, hoping for spoilers. 

To me, watching GH is my coping method for getting through the post-school, pre-bedtime "fun" that most refer to as the witching hours. 

So, what do you think about today's announcement? Are any of you super bummed that One Life To Live and All My Children got the ax?  Is anyone counting their blessings that their favorite soap went unscathed today?

I Heart Bethenny...

You knew her from RHONY, you loved her from Bethenny Getting Married and now you really love her on Bethenny Ever After.  Yes, you know who I am talking about; Bethenny Frankel.

How can you not like this woman?  She's super smart and wicked funny!  She developed her own liquor!  A bit of a wise guy, she tells everyone how it's going to be.  I heart her.

She just came out with a new book:  A Place of Yes: 10 Rules for Getting Everything You Want Out of Life.  In honor of this book, I vowed today to come from a place of Yes more often, too.  Here's the recap:


1. My daughter asked to stay home today; she was sick.  I said "YES, but you will clean your room, vacuum the living room and fold towels with me".

2. My husband asked if I was cooking dinner tonight or should he just plan to eat cereal.  I said "YES, I'm cooking dinner, but if you complain 1 bit about the food, I'm never cooking again, so maybe cereal is a good choice for you tonight".

3. I received a call today from a lawn maintenance company asking if we'd like our annual spring clean up to take place next week.  I said "YES, but I'd like for you to lower the price.  It's quite an expensive service and we're considering cancelling altogether due to the cost."

See, I can play nice, too!  Thanks for the inspiration, Bethenny Frankel!  

My 15 Minutes of Fame...

are finally here!  I'm being interviewed by the Boston Herald for an article they are running about Moms who save money!  They want ME and I can't believe it! 

And guess what?  They want YOU, too! 

Any MA moms out there who work hard every month to save money on groceries, online shopping, utility bills, etc?  You must be willing to be interviewed and do a photoshoot in the new few days. 

Comment here with your email address and I'll be sure to get you in touch with the reporter. 

WAHOOO!! ...Now, where can I get my hair blown out in time for the shoot tomorrow? 

Giveaway! Giveaway! Giveaway!

Oh baby, this is a good one!  The Easy Peasy Blog is hosting a giveaway for a family four pack of tickets to the Easter cruise on the Spirit of Boston!  Yahoo!!

Peeps would normally shell out $54.90 per adult and $19.90 for each child, so this is an amazing opportunity to get on that ship without having to mortgage your house! 

There are a bunch of ways to enter the giveaway so be sure to check out the Easy Peasy Blog for details!! 

Good luck!! 

Sharing the Deal Love!

I'm all about a good deal.  I mean really, who isn't?  If there was a way to save 15, 20 or even 50 percent off something, wouldn't you want to know?  This is where I come in!  I want to be one of the places where you hear about the latest deals!  I look forward to hearing from you when you score, too, because I'm all about sharing the deal love! 

I hinted in my first post about my love of a good deal, but also a little about my job.  I am Head Mom for Daily Deals for Moms.  Daily Deals for Moms was born out of the desire to share great deals with Moms and Families. It offers businesses revolutionary advertising tools that are a win/win for our local economy. It not only serves local business with a no-risk advertising that brings in new customers, but also provides local families with great deals on products and services.  

Another unique aspect of Daily Deals for Moms is that all deals will feature a locally-owned business.  Several studies have shown that when you buy from an independent, locally owned business, rather than a nationally owned business, significantly more of your money is used to make purchases from other local businesses, service providers and farms -- continuing to strengthen the economic base of the community.  Daily Deals for Moms is committed to this.  

Be sure to check out Daily Deals for Boston Moms on Facebook and be sure to sign up for the E-newsletter to keep updated on the daily deals. Upcoming featured businesses include photographers, hair salons, spas, restaurants, and more.  

Not in the Boston area?  That's OK, because DDFM (as I affectionately call it now) is currently featuring local businesses in 17 cities across the US, with a bunch more planned for 2011.  

Since I now wear the blogger hat in addition to my very stylish DDFM hat, occasionally both of those worlds will collide and today is one of those days.  

I must share with you the offering from 3R Cards through Daily Deals for Boston Moms.  Today only, you can snag the "Hands Around the House" family chore card set for 50% off, including shipping!  Check it out!! 

Well, hello there!

Oh boy, the first blog post.  This one has been a long time coming so why all of a sudden have I run out of things to write about?  Performance anxiety?  Yup, that must be it!  Suck it up, sista, and just write.

Phew, the nerves are over now (thank you to my little friend named margarita!)

I can't describe accurately enough how excited I am to be blogging.  I have so many plans for this blog; I truly want it to be on your list of go-to blogs each day.  To get the ball rolling, I created a little list to help you get to know me!

11 Things About this Mom

~ I have 3 girls and a hubby who I love so so much. They are the stars of my show. 

~ I loathe housework and would never ever clean if I didn't get anxious at the sight of a trashed room.  I wish I was a clean freak. 

~ I am useless in the kitchen, unless it's shepherd's pie, bacon or grilled cheese sandwiches. Nice combo...

~ I stress on a daily basis about whether my kids get enough exercise or vegetables. A mother's guilt.

~ I want to be a health nut.  I envy health nuts.  I've tried to be one.  I failed every time.  I wish someone would drag my butt to the gym.

~ Facebook and Twitter are my addiction.  Hey, it could be way worse, believe me.

~ I'm your girl when it comes to finding sales and deals!  I can navigate the web to find coupon codes and unbelievable discounts like nobody's business. I promise to share these findings with you.  

~ I handle the bills for the family and make it my mission to lower the bills as much as possible, but have been unsuccessful in lowering my grocery bill.  I have coupon envy.

~ Trashy reality TV and shows probably meant for teenagers are my thing.  I have a DVR lineup made for a 17 year old.  Rehashing these shows on day 2 are almost as fun as watching them. 

~ I work for a daily deal site and love to talk about my job to anyone who will listen and even to those who don't really care.  Be prepared.

~ I will probably cry each time I get a new follower and/or a new comment on this blog.  You love me, you really really love me? 

So that's a little hint of what's to come.  I do hope you enjoy the ride and will even participate at some point.