Blog Revamps!

A new year (or season!) for me usually means blog revamps. It's like a makeover, only you do it once and it stays done for months. This blog is pretty new so I most likely won't mess with it yet, but I updated my personal blog and got the juices flowing...

SO, if you're looking for a blog makeover, here are some great places to start!

Cute *FREE* backgrounds:

Cutest Blog on the Block not everything here is free, but there are some great options and tips. They'll even teach you step by step how to make your blog into three columns, and then provide backgrounds that fit!

Scrap-e-blog: This girl is amazing and will even custom make a header for you, for free!

My family site just got an update using a background from That Blog Place. They're running a grand opening giveaway for a custom header right now as well.

This site's background is brought to you by Leelou blogs. They also sell pre-made layouts which include a header (just add pictures!) for $10.

What about extras?

Want cute buttons? Leelou blogs has great ones like this:



Or try That Blog Place:

Still haven't found what you're looking for, or have another favorite site to recommend? Let me know in the comments below. If you ask *REALLY* nicely, I might even make a cute header for your blog!

P.S. Get your own custom signature (the fast and free way!) here

Free sample of White Strips!

Walmart.com is offering another great free sample! Click here to request a sample of Crest White Strips Advanced Seal. Takes ~4 weeks for delivery.

Birthday Clubs and Freebies

Reading a friend's blog reminded me about all the freebies you can get on your birthday! Many places offer freebies with no advanced planning, but here are a few of my favorites that require a membership to their birthday club (i.e. an email list or website registration)

Birthday Club Freebies!
Cold Stone Creamery - free ice cream creation
Red Robin - buy one get one free burger (coupon good for 14 days)
Sweet Tomatoes - buy one get one free buffet (this is our favorite place!)
Tucano's - free meal (during the month of your birthday)


Kid's birthday freebies!
California Pizza Kitchen - free meal for kids under 10
Denny's - free meal for kids under 10 (can sign up in store)

also, Wendy's and Burger King both have kid's clubs for a free birthday meal (sign up in store)

Anyone else have favorite birthday freebies?

Macy's and Nordstrom: Free Makeup!

Did you purchase makeup at Macy's, Dillard's, or Nordstrom between May 1994 and July 2003? To settle a class action lawsuit about price fixing in the makeup department, both stores are giving away one free cosmetic or perfume product to every customer. You don't need to bring a proof of purchase, but you will be required to sign a legal document (registry) certifying that you are entitled to a free product.

Read the class action lawsuit here.

Inauguration Freebies

In honor of the Inauguration of Barack Obama today, several places are giving out freebies!

My personal favorite:

Krispy Kreme is giving one free donut (any type) to every customer today!

Other freebies:
Free commemorative Obama edition of New Yorker Magazine
Free Obama "Yes We Did" sticker
Free red and white chips and salsa from TGI Friday's
Free coffee from Starbucks

Check out this site for more info.

Free Bottle of Suave!

To celebrate 70 years of business, Suave has a goal of giving every woman in America a free bottle of Suave! Just fill out a simple form and your coupon for a free bottle of suave (shampoo, conditioner, hair spray, styling aid, lotion, etc. up to $3.00) will arrive in the mail in 2-4 weeks.

Happy Styling!

Scrapbook Giveaways!

So my giveaway luck continues--in addition to the oodles of coupons I've won and made good use of, the baby shoes, the $50 walmart giftcard, the $10 Cafe Rio card i used last week, and the personalized placemat I got just in time for Christmas, I won a pair of designer jeans over the break! They didn't have the right sizing for me, so I passed my luck on to my mom and can't wait for the fashion show :o)

For all of you who have yet to win anything, don't worry! You still can! Check out some great links in the sidebar for where to start looking. Also, for those of you NON-moms looking for something else, check out these scrapbook candy giveaways:

Leslie's Loft
Eisbaerentraeume
Sally's Creative Corner
Joani's Cards Made By Hand
Crafty Makes
Victoria Case Stamps
Ana's Designs
Something Sweet
Cards by Bev

Best of luck!

It's Tax Time.

Well, in my household, tax time started before 2008 even ended.

For those less-enthusiastic about filing taxes, there may be deductions and credits you didn't know about that can actually make paying taxes profitable!

Even better, you can file simple tax returns for free online using TurboTax!

Happy filing.

My Pregnant Friends: a freebie!

I am not pregnant. Just wanted to get that out there because it seems like so many are! Congrats to all of you expecting little bundles of noise, I mean joy, in the next few months.

I got a catalog for Target Baby offering a $20 giftcard to Target just for registering for baby stuff! All you have to do is print out your registry and take it and the coupon to Guest Services and receive a free $20 giftcard. I'm not going to try to fake it--I know if I registered for baby stuff right now it would only make me want one even more...


I only have one voucher (though you might be able to find it online), so hurry if you're interested! Just comment on this post and let me know you want it--especially if you're having your first. Happy pregnancies, everyone!