Portrait Party: update

Ok, I think I'm really going to do this :o) BUT, I need a few more people, so let me know if you're interested! Sorry that the previous link didn't work--please check out her work and see for yourself.

Shanda's new site! You can catch a glimpse of my cute boy (and even a shot of me) in her gallery.

Want great pictures for super cheap? post a comment. let me know.

Portrait Party

So, I found a great photographer through Craig'slist this past week! She's trying to expand her portfolio and get business going, so she offered me a free half hour session and 5 images on CD. I figured I had nothing to lose, but I had no idea I would get such great pictures FOR FREE! I do have an adorable son, but still, these are super professional--and Scotty just threw rocks into Utah Lake for the entire session.

I think her work is so great, and I know many of you are looking to get affordable pictures of your cute kids, so I'm thinking of hosting a portrait party. Here's how it works. I pick a location and invite my friends (and their kids). Every guest gets a free 20 minute shoot, including individuals or groups as needed, without paying any session fees! You can bring any people or props you wish, and photos will be edited and posted to a secure site within a week.

There is no pressure to buy any
of the portraits taken!

CD

Guests can purchase a CD with their images
5 images - $15
10 images - $25
15 images - $35
20 images - $45
all images - $55

Prints

8 wallets - $10
4x6 - $10
5x7 - $10
8x10 - $15
11x14 - $20

I might even make it more of a party and provide food and treats to keep us entertained. Anyone interested? Let me know! I have to have at least four people to schedule...

check out her website as well!

P.S. if you want to see Scotty's pics, let me know and I'll email you a link.

Family Art Day (Provo)

Tuesday, June 10th, BYU's Museum of Art is hosting a Family Art Day!

The event is free from 10am-3pm.

The colorful visual puzzles and mind-bending optical tricks of Walter Wick, author and photographer of the popular “I Spy” and “Can You See What I See?” children’s books, are the inspiration for this year’s Family Art Day celebration.

Family Art Day will feature games and activities based on the images of Wick’s imaginative and playful world presented in the museum’s current exhibition of his work, “Walter Wick: Games, Gizmos, and Toys in the Attic.”

Families with children of all ages are invited to this free event. For more information about Family Art Day, contact the Museum of Art at (801) 422-8287 or visit the museum’s Web site at http://moa.byu.edu.

Freesale Saturday

I've been meaning to post this all week but the time has gotten away from me. Don't forget about the freesale this Saturday!

Saturday, May 30th
10am-12pm
on the lawn at 500 N 100 E

Women's clothes, men's clothes, baby clothes, sweaters, coats, movies, home decor, yard care supplies, etc. Bring anything you have to give away! Anything left will be taken to Deseret Industries. Please invite your friends and I'll see you there!

Provo Fun: Plantarium Shows

Looking for a short break from real life but don't want to spend money? BYU Astronomy is celebrating AstroFest with free planetarium shows in the Eyring Science Center tomorrow, May 16! Every hour, on the hour, from 10-3. Did I mention it was free?

*they turn off the theater lights so it's dark--not recommended for small children.

Freecycle Swap

Provo Freecycle (like Craigslist but all free) is hosting a yard sale swap tomorrow!

Saturday, May 2
10am-12pm
547 E. 600 N. Provo, UT
(if it rains it will be under the covered parking garage)

Everything is free--please bring someone of your own to exchange. Have stuff you were going to take to the DI? Bring it here first! They'll take whatever is left over to the DI for you, assuming it's easily transportable.

Right now there are a few bags of stuff we'll be putting on the front lawn...
stuffed animals
random plates, bowls, kitchen utensils
men's clothes (average size is M)
women's clothes (average size is S/M)
a few baskets, kids toys
coolers
cd/radio
large desk
blinds
double stroller (one of the brakes isn't working I was told)
computer (this will go by free raffle to someone who could really use it-- its a
mac all-in-one that has the capability of hooking up to the internet and works
great to type on for reports, etc.)

plus everything everyone else brings!

A few fun backgrounds

Well it's been awhile, with busy schedules and computer problems, but I've been sprucing up a few other hobbies in the meantime. Like, designing new blog backgrounds. Let me know what you think, and you're welcome to use one if you want. Don't know how to change your background? Scroll to the end of the post for step by step directions :o)

The pictures shown include a few headers I was just messing around with--the code it just for the background.

<br /><style type="text/css"><br />body {<br /> background-image: url("http://i342.photobucket.com/albums/o440/MegMagic/Sassy%20Spring/tealsunflowerswide-1.jpg");<br /> background-position: center;<br /> background-repeat: no-repeat;<br /> background-attachment: fixed;<br />}<br /></style><br />

<br /><style type="text/css"><br />body {<br /> background-image: url("http://i342.photobucket.com/albums/o440/MegMagic/Sassy%20Spring/sassyspringbackgroundsendingspri-2.jpg");<br /> background-position: center;<br /> background-repeat: no-repeat;<br /> background-attachment: fixed;<br />}<br /></style><br />

<br /><style type="text/css"><br />body {<br /> background-image: url("http://i342.photobucket.com/albums/o440/MegMagic/Sassy%20Spring/sassyspringseedpacket-1.jpg");<br /> background-position: center;<br /> background-repeat: no-repeat;<br /> background-attachment: fixed;<br />}<br /></style><br />

Don't Worry--you won't lose any gadgets, widgets, photos, or posts!

*First you must remove the layout you already have if you have a previous one applied
*To apply all backgrounds you must change your template to minima.
*Go to your dashboard.

To change your Blog Template:

1. Click the Layout link from your dashboard below the blog you would like to customize.
2. From the Pick new Template sub-tab choose the minima layout.
3. Click save to apply your new template.

To then apply your new Blog Background:

1. Click the Layout link from your dashboard below the blog you would like to customize.
2. From the Page Elements sub-tab, click Add a Gadget to add a new one.
3. To add a new gadget after you've clicked Add a Gadget, simply click the plus sign next to HTML/JavaScript gadget.
4. Paste the provided code from the background you wish to apply.
5. Click save and you should now have your new Blog Background.

Looking for free but informative?

Check out your local public library! Many libraries are currently handing out passes good for free admission to local zoos and museums free of charge.

Many also offer regular story time programs for kids, summer reading programs with rewards and activities, and adult seminars.

At the Provo library:
Gardening basics: getting started on a vegetable garden
April 21, 7 pm, Bullock Room #309
no registration required

Coming up:
Becoming credit wise (May 19)
Safely preserving foods (June 16)

Provo library also hosts free Monday night programs from 7:30-8pm, including stories and puppet shows, in the ballroom.

Home with a kid during the day? Check out their amazing story time programs! there are multiple age ranges.

Book Babies (0-12 months)
Friday at 10 am

Mother Goose (13-24 months)
Friday at 11 and 11:30am

Toddler Time (2-3 years)
Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday at 10:10 and 11:10am

Story Time (3-5 years, check-in at the children's desk)
Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday at 10 and 11 am sharp
*Children are signed in and attend story time without their parents, doors close promptly on the hour

Spanish story time (all ages, all in Spanish)
Monday 7pm, Friday 10:30am

Freebies: Pantene, Quaker, Jergens

Want more free products and samples?

Quaker snacks: try their new chocolate drizzle or cheddar cheese snacks

Pantene: Pro-V Nature Fusion sample

Jergens: "Glow" light tanning facial moisturizer sample


Want to find more freebies? Sign up for Sweet Free Stuff's daily email of freebies!

Free Haircuts in Provo

If you're in Provo, The Paul Mitchell Academy is sponsoring free haircuts on BYU's campus in Brigham Square (just outside the WSC) Tuesday and Wednesday from 1-4 pm. Think it's time for a change but want to save money? Give it a shot! There will probably be a line but it's worth it--plus, there are lots of grassy spots for kids to run around in while you wait.

Can't make it but are desperate for a cheap fix? Let me know, and if you trust me, I'd be happy to cut it for you. Or teach you some magic tricks with bobby pins!

Free Cottonelle Sample

Walmart is offering a free mini-roll of Cottonelle toilet paper. It's something we all have to buy anyway--why not get some for free?

Walmart is also offering free samples of Gain detergent, poise pads, Parent's Choice baby formula, and Crest whitestrips!

Freebies! Redbox and General Mills

Thanks, Linds, for passing this on!

First off, if you ever rent movies, you need to sign up for Redbox because as nice as it is to get a movie for $1, it's even better to get it free! You get a free rental code when you sign up that can be used anytime.

Also, check out Inside Red Box for a free rental code every Monday!

Looking for more free samples? Sign up for General Mill's new promotion: Pssst. Signing up involves a short survey about products you buy. The site will then pass along promotions, coupons, free samples, and product tests.

I also have an easy giveaway running on 5 Things Cooking right now, so submit your recipes!

Free Samples

The free samples I've requested over the past few months have been rolling in. Not only do I get to try some great products for free, it's nice to get something in the mail that isn't a bill!

I've gotten a curling mousse sample from Pantene, a coupon for a free Suave product, Orville Redenbacher's garlic butter popcorn, Crest advantage whitening strips, and more!

Some new goodies:

Tide Total Care

A bath test kit for mold, bacteria, hard water, etc. If you live in an apartment or an old house, this might be good to check!

Also, Old Navy is currently giving away Valentine's including a coupon for $5 any purchase on 2/14/09. You must pick up the coupon sheet before Saturday! Ask a cashier if you don't see them out.

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

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?

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.