my shopping brag bag [3]

days go by so fast when the weather gets warm. march felt like spring & summer this year. and as a result, winter clearance items came early as well.

these were my clearance finds:

@ Target

*girl's ankle boots - $6.88 [70% off]

*women's sweater tights - $0.60 each [after $3/1 tpc] (orig price $12)

@ Kohl's

got this gift card in the mail

*girl's sundress - $2.99 [after $10 gift card] (orig price $26)

i also received a $10 *printable coupon in my email

*girl's leggings, denim pants & cargo pants - $1.00 [after $10 pc*] (orig price $55)

@ Macy's

*junior girl's faux fur sleeveless vest - $2.98 (orig price $34.99)

*junior girl's knit sweater - $7.99 [orig price $29.99]

*junior girl's knit tights - $3.99 [orig price $19.50]

*2 women's tights - $4.99 each [orig price $20]

*women's ankle boots - $12.15 [orig price $49]

*girl's sweater - $2.98 [orig price $19.99]

*girl's ear muffs - $2.99 [orig price $14.98]

*girl's winter hat - $3.48 [orig price $16.98]

and my grocery savings:

@ Walmart

*3 huggies slip on diapers - $7.97 each [after $1.50/1 mic]

*4 glade air freshener - free [after $2/2 mic]

*1 pampers soft care wipes 72 ct - $1.22 [after $0.75/1 mic]

*1 reynolds wrap 85 sq ft (heavy duty aluminum foil) = $1.98 [after $1.50/1 mic]

@ Target

*3 huggies pull-ups = $7.49 [after $2/1 tpc]

*1 huggies pull-ups (night time) = $7.49 [after $2/1 target catalina]

*3 pamper's soft care wipes 72 ct = $1.22 each [after $0.75/1 mic]

*4 up & up facial tissue 100 ct = $0.49 each [after $.50/1 tpc]

*2 reynolds wrap 50 sq ft (100 recycled aluminum foil) = $1.49 each [after $1.50/1 mic]

> mic - manufacturer's internet coupon (coupons.com)

> tpc - target printable coupon

checkout my brags from previous months

|january| |february|

my homemade applesauce

all the healthy pancakes & muffins i cooked & baked always included applesauce. and i'm proud to say, i make my own applesauce. it's very easy to prepare and i'll show you how....

ingredients:

6 lbs gala apples (16 medium sized), cubed & washed

1/4 cup water

1/4 tsp nutmeg

1/2 tsp cinnamon

1/2 tsp vanilla

1 tbsp lemon juice

put all ingredients in a crockpot & cook on high for 2-4 hours. stir occasionally. [that's it!]

after the applesauce cools down, place it in quart size freezer bags [each contains 2 cups]. store in the freezer.

DIY - upcycled wipes container (yarn dispenser)

QUESTION:

what's the solution for a ball of yarn that was strewn all over the place by a two year old?

ANSWER:

an empty wipes container, a pair of scissors & self-adhesive paper (or any paper)

and there you have it.

my quick, easy, eco-friendly solution

yarn dispenser

french toast

french toast was the very first breakfast that hubby cooked for me. he prefers it over pancakes because it's easier & faster to prepare. but this doesn't mean i cook it everyday though. this is our favorite brunch treat on a lazy weekend.

serve hot, top with fruits & drizzle with warm maple syrup. and of course, the beloved bacon on the side. no wonder hubby loves french toast.

DIY - gift wrapping in a minute

crumpled brown paper + green crepe paper + white ribbon = gift wrapping in a minute [or less] =)

chocolate chip cookies

wowee! i finally bought a kitchenaid mixer! all that baking i did last christmas "triggered" my need for a better mixer. i'm so excited to use it. and per hubby's request, i made him his favorite - chocolate chip cookies (kitchenaid recipe).

ingredients:

1 c granulated sugar

1 c brown sugar

1 c (2 sticks) butter - softened

2 eggs

1 1/2 tsps vanilla

1 tsp baking soda

1 tsp salt

3 c all-purpose flour

12 oz semi-sweet chocolate chips

directions:

1. place sugars, butter, eggs & vanilla in mixer bowl. mix for about one minute & scrape the sides of the bowl.

2. gradually add baking soda, salt & flour to the mixture & stir for 2 minutes. scrape bowl & add chocolate chips. stir for another 15 seconds.

3. drop rounded teaspoonfuls onto greased baking sheets, about 2 inches apart. in a preheated oven, bake at 375F for 10-12 minutes. remove from baking sheet immediately & cool on wire racks.

note to self: next time, make the cookies smaller. other than this minor glitch, the cookies were perfect & approved by hubby.

******update march 26, 2012******

i made another batch today & my cookies were impeccable! see for yourself....

and the taste & texture? hubby can't hide his excitement & kept saying: "this is it! this is it!" he likes it thin & a little chewy in the middle.

my additional tips:

-> butter should be in room temperature (between 60-70F) for about 12 hours or more

-> scoop a teaspoon of dough, anything more will make the cookies puffy

-> don't overcrowd the dough since there won't be enough room for each cookie to spread

-> watch your oven closely as temperatures vary [this batch was done in 6 minutes only]

chocolate banana muffins

pinterest has become my new google. i've found a lot of amazing ideas that i wouldn't have found with a plain search engine.

for instance, this recipe.

i'm all about healthy & tasty food. so i knew i had to try this out.

directions:

1. in a bowl, combine applesauce, egg & sugar. then stir in mashed bananas.

2. add flour, cocoa powder, salt, baking powder, baking soda, wheat germ, vanilla, nutmeg & cinnamon to the mixture. lightly mix the batter with a spatula. [don't over mix]

3. place batter in muffin containers & add chocolate chips on top.

4. bake for about 15-20 minutes in a preheated oven at 375F.

first attempt = perfect! i should say, uber delish. the sweetness was just right for me. they were done in only 15 minutes. [our oven is pretty old so i've learned to watch what i bake very closely.] this is a definite recipe keeper for sure.

my dearest little girl (27 mos)

 

it has been a very interesting month for you. everyday you learn a lot of new words, phrases & sentences. this time, you're starting to sing your nursery rhymes as well. [B-I-N-G-O; head, shoulders, knees & toes; twinkle, twinkle little star; i have two hands] and it's amazing to hear you sing the potty dance song even though you haven't seen it for long time.

also, you're following more instructions. returning your toys in the box; throwing garbage; mopping the floor; placing laundry in the hamper, closing the door.

you love mickey mouse clubhouse & barney. now, handy manny is your new favorite.

the tantrums? not so good. if you don't get what you want, then the crying & screaming starts. but mom & dad have come to learn the art of ignoring your bawling. i think it's paying off because after awhile, you just calm down & stop crying. this only happens at home though & never in public.

cuddles with dad after nap time

smiling & showing off those "toofers"

and finally, you started to go yesterday. mom & dad are so happy & proud of you.

berry pineapple smoothie

i'm a smoothie kind of gal. i would take it [any day] over pop or juice. it's a healthy & easy breakfast or snack beverage that fills me up right away. and it's quick to prepare. i use frozen fruits, milk, yogurt & my very reliable single serve blender.

ingredients for one serving:

1/8 cup blueberries

2 pieces strawberries

1/2 cup pineapples

1 tsp lemon juice

3 tbsp non-fat vanilla yogurt

3/4 cup skim milk

dash of ground ginger (optional)

1. place fruits, lemon & ginger in the cup. add yogurt & milk. [reduce milk to half a cup for a thicker smoothie.]

2. blend for about 30 seconds or until smooth. [my trick for an icy smoothie, chill in the freezer for about 30 minutes.]

refreshing! i know it's still winter but nothing can stop me from enjoying this treat everyday.