It's Coming Up Red, White and Blue This Memorial Day with Stop & Shop and #cbias

Memorial Day is this weekend and you know what that means, right?   The official start to summer and grilling season!  It also means my birthday is right around the corner.      

My family has always combined celebrating the Memorial Day holiday with my birthday.  

Just like most Americans we have a BBQ at one of our houses.   I like it that way.  

Some people go camping for the weekend. I'm not really the outdoorsy kind.   

Some people go to the beach for the day.  It hasn't been warm enough here in Connecticut to even think about the beach yet.   

I think it's the perfect time for a staycation at home with the family!  Having a get-together at my house means I get to pick the "theme" for the party.   Since I'd rather forget I'm turning another year older, I'm going to go with the red, white and blue.   And just so you know, I love me a theme.  That means anything and everything I can buy, make or craft in those colors... I will!   

Stop and Shop is my go-to grocery store.   Seriously, I'm in there two, sometimes three times a week.  

One time the lady who works at the People's bank inside told me I should just get an account there since I'm in the store all the time.   Yeah, I'm there that much!  

When I saw this week's flyer with all the great sales and extra gas rewards points, it was a no-brainer.  

I'm a list maker and coupon cutter.  Well, most of the time.  I really hate to just go to the store all "willy-nilly"  It's never good for my diet or wallet.     

I know it sounds dorky, but I always take a quick stroll through the florist department.  All the pretty flowers, arrangements and balloons make me happy.   And yes, I'll "do cake".... anytime, anywhere.  

 Is there anything better then fresh corn on the cob?  Do you remember the days of rolling the corn on a stick of butter?  I love spray butter!  Best invention!

 Shhhh.... I don't tell anyone in my family that the hot dogs I buy are lean.  They NEVER can tell the difference anyway.

Everything I need and want is on sale... and I have coupons!  Go me!

Since it was a really hot day, I decided to cook the steak and a package of hot dogs outside on the grill for dinner that night.  While standing outside grilling, it was the perfect time to hang up the bunting and put out the other Americana decorations I bought at Stop and Shop.

 Okay, so I might have had a beer while standing out there too.     I couldn't resist, it matched everything else!

We also "had" to try out the s'mores.   They are mine and Thomas' favorite summer dessert!  I mean, really, who wouldn't love graham crackers and chocolate with red, white and blue star marshmallows?

If this is making you hungry or making you think about grilling this weekend you have to see everything else I found at Stop and Shop by checking out my Google + album. 

What do you do for the Memorial Day weekend?   Do you stay home or go away?    

P.S.  If you have any good red, white and blue themed ideas you want to share with me just leave me a comment with idea or a link.  I would love it.  

Happy Memorial Day!  Happy Start to the 2013 Summer/Grilling Season!   

The Blog Workshop... It's My Kinda Conference #TBWC13

I'm pretty sure that if you ask anyone who really knows me, they would say that I'm outgoing. (and by outgoing, I mean BIG MOUTHED)  But actually I'm probably more shy and insecure inside then I seem from the outside.  That's why I think I was immediately drawn to The Blog Workshop.

A couple months ago I was doing a Google search for blogging conferences in 2013.  I had come across The Blog Workshop Online Conference.  How great is that?  A conference that you can do from your home or anywhere for matter.  Don't have to worry about travel costs, hotel rooms or what to wear.   I like the idea that I can focus solely on the sessions and what the speakers have to say.  

The conference runs for 3 days from May 17th - 19th and get this, it's only $175.  Believe or not they are also offering a payment plan when you register.  What a deal for a 3 day line up of 15 speakers from IZEA, Blog-Trends, Attorney Jeneba Ghatt, Blogads, Sverve CEO Rohit Vashisht, Tap Influence CEO Holly Hamann just to name a few. With a jam packed agenda that will really help you whether you are just staring out or have been blogging for a while, it's going to be a great weekend.
But you have to act fast, the ticket are on sale only until May 10th and it will fill up quickly now that it's getting closer.  

Another awesome thing about this blogging conference is that 10% of all ticket sales will be donated to two very deserving organizations, Wellspring Living and Atlanta Day Shelter for Women and Children.

*Wellspring Living's mission is to confront the issue of childhood sexual abuse and exploitation through awareness, training, and treatment programs for women and girls.

*Atlanta Day Shelter's mission is to ease the burden of homelessness for women and children and to assist in establishing self-sufficiency by providing comprehensive education and supportive services in a manner that respects human dignity.

Are you sold yet?  If not you can check I've put a video for you to check out with a little something from some of the speakers.  It will really get you excited to sign up right away!  Also a copy of the agenda so you can see for yourself how much information will be covered.
PS.  There are also going to be giveways throughout the whole weekend.  

*Disclosure*  I was given free admission into The Blog Workshop Online Conference for sharing this information, all opinions are my own. 

Menu Plan Monday

Happy Monday!  I am super happy about my menu plan this week.   I have just about everything I need already in the house.   You know what that means.... no big grocery shopping trip for me!  It's the little things, isn't it?  

Do you meal plan?  I'd love to check out what you make for dinner.  I'm always looking for new ideas and easy recipes.  

Wordless Wednesday

It just seemed appropriate!   I'm ordering one right now! 

DarDarsGifts.com

Menu Plan Monday

Here we are at yet another Monday.   Although this week isn't too bad because Thomas is home from school for Spring vacation.   Sleeping-in.... YAY!!
We don't have any plans to go anywhere or do anything special.   I think we are going to try to relax and do a few fun things together.    

 
Do you menu plan?  I would love to check out your post if you do one.   I always like to "steal" dinner ideas!

Hanging Out at "The Corner of Happy and Healthy" with Walgreens, #BalanceRewards #cbias

It's been a long, cold, snowy winter here in Connecticut and that does not make it easy to stay on a healthy eating or exercise plan.   But now the warmer weather is just around the corner and that means shorts,
t-shirts and the dreaded... bathing suits!   The thought of all that  puts a  fire under my butt to get back on track with eating healthy and getting outside to walk.

This year I have a little extra fuel to that fire.  I am planning my 25th High School reunion in October and would really like to look and feel my best for that as well.  

I had just heard about Walgreens new Steps With Balance Program  and how you can earn points on your Balance Rewards card that you can in turn be used to purchase whatever you want at a Walgreens store or online.  It's a win-win in my book!
It's a great way to keep yourself on track and earn a reward at the same time!

It's so easy (and free) to sign up for.   You can even do it right on the Walgreens App like I did.

Here's a quick video from Allison Sweeney, the host of The Biggest Loser explaining the program and the rewards!

As if getting healthy and earning rewards isn't enough, Walgreens is also giving you a chance to win a trip to your choice of one of the four Biggest Loser Resorts.   Wow, that could be a LIFE CHANGER!  

You can log on everyday for your chance at an instant prize.  And let me tell you, the instant prizes are no joke!  They are awesome!  

I don't know about you, but I'm heading to Walgreens right now to find some stuff to help me get going on this plan of mine!  I've only got 70-something days until Summer and about 180-something days until my High School reunion.  YIKES, I better get going! 

To check out what I found at Walgreens you can see pictures from my whole shopping trip on Google+. For other real stories by real people in the Social Fabric Community you have to check out the Fun page on AisleShare. If you want to, you can also "like" Walgreens on Facebook or "follow" them on Twitter to get the latest on everything you need to stay Happy and Healthy!  
I am a member of the Collective Bias® Social Fabric® Community. This shop has been compensated as part of a social shopper insights study for Collective Bias™ and Walgreens. #cbias #SocialFabric #BalanceRewards

Wordless Wednesday - Don't Judge Me

It's my guilty pleasure.   I LOVE this show.  Don't judge me. 

 

Do you have a "Wordless Wednesday" post you'd like to share?  

Head over to  5MinutesForMom.com  and link up, then go check out everyone else's.  

It's always a lot of fun!