Stocking Stuffers for Older Teens and Young Adults

The first thing that gets opened up on Christmas morning at our house is stockings. All winter long, as soon as the decorations get put up, the stocking are hung on the mantle. On Christmas morning, the stockings, bursting with a combination of wrapped and unwrapped items are on the floor in front of the roaring fireplace. As the kids get older, the task of stuffing stockings can feel like a daunting task. When they were little it was easy to put candy and small toys inside, but as they've gotten bigger, it can seem more challenging. I've put together a list of 100+ items! This list isn't exhaustive but should get you thinking out of the box a bit.  I've linked our favorites when I could, so make sure you check the underlined items and add those to your cart for easy shopping!

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How to Find the Best Stuff in Any Thrift Store

Thrift stores can be intimidating and overwhelming, especially if you’re shopping at a larger thrift store. However, it doesn’t have to be. You need this guide if you’re tired of not knowing if you’re getting the best deal while thrift shopping! Thrift stores can be a fantastic spot to find all kinds of wonderful treasures, and using this guide; you can learn how to find the best stuff in any thrift store.

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22 Ways That You Can Support My Small Business

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. I earn a small commission from any purchases you make from those links, but your price stays the same. You are supporting my small business.
I've been blogging for a LONG time. I actually started a blog way back in 2005 when I was pregnant with our third child so that we could stay connected to family and friends who weren't nearby. All that to say, blogging is a long game for me. I've been at it for a while. Unlike my oldest son, who could sell a ketchup popsicle to a woman in white gloves, I am not a natural-born salesperson. It's just not at the root of why I started this blog. However, I do continue to write and chug along providing free content for my readers {you!}, and I'm so glad you are here. 
Want to know how you can support me? Bookmark this post. Then, when you shop any of the links in this post, you get good juju and I get a little kickback to help support me and my little blog habit. I'm only sharing sites I shop often myself. The things I'd tell my friends about if they asked. So know that this is the best of the best! Thank you for your support! I appreciate you!

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Holiday Gift Guide for Teens and Young Adults

Shopping for teens and young adults can leave you staring blank-faced at a computer screen as you try to decide what to click on. I know I've seen a few trends that leave me wondering, but with "kids" in my life ranging from 16-23, I have a little bit of experience knowing what teens and young adults are really hoping to find in their stockings or under the tree. Here are some of the best gifts you could get for the teens or young adults in your life.

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Where to Shop for Mother of the Bride or Groom Dresses

My oldest son just got married. I'm no fashion blogger, but the question keeps coming up on where the best place is to shop for a mother of the bride or mother of the groom dress is. I had about a year to find the perfect dress for the occasion, and I'll tell you, I had my eyeballs peeled at a lot of different places from department store, to thrift shop to clothing rental. Finding the perfect dress for such a special day can be tricky, so I'm going to share my experience with you on where to shop for the perfect mother of the bride or groom dress.

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Everything You Need to Know about Shopping at a Food Co-op

When we were shopping at a farmer's market in Italy recently, it struck me that each of the items at the market was listed with the region that the item came from. It hit me that Americans have such a disconnect with their food and where it comes from. I started to become much more aware of how my food is sourced.

I've always been a fan of my local farmer's market, but that's generally a seasonal shopping experience in my area. Just this past weekend, Central Co-op opened up in my neighborhood and I thought I'd give it a look. I've never shopped at a Co-op grocery store before, and maybe you haven't either, so I'm going to try to answer all of your questions about food co-op's, from how to shop at them, if you should join one and the best tips to getting the most out of your shopping experience. 

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8 Items I Always Shop for First at Grocery Outlet

I have partnered with Grocery Outlet to share my best money-saving tips on things you buy every week. All opinions are 100% my own. I wouldn't tell you about something I don't love. Promise!
You know how they say you should only shop the perimeter of the grocery store? That's not true if you are shopping at Grocery Outlet. I love a good bargain, so I make time to visit more than one grocery store weekly to shop loss-leaders and follow the deals. I first wrote about my love of Grocery Outlet more than five years ago when I did the series, Living Well on Less. Some of my tips and shopping habits have changed from that post {all of my kids living in my home are teenagers now!}, but the money-saving advice is the same. I still make frequent trips to my Grocery Outlet and usually shop there first before making a major shopping trip to my other local store. You just never know what you will find, but odds are you will find it at a deep discount. It's worth it for me to shop there first and I promise, if you have a store nearby, it's worth it for you too! I always go to Grocery Outlet to get my BargainBliss!

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10 Items to Stock Up on at After Christmas Sales

I love a good sale. After holiday sales are sometimes my most favorite sales all year long. I can get a head start on saving for the coming year. I honestly think that by shopping sales AFTER Christmas, it usually prepares me better for the next Christmas season. It makes my to-do list a little shorter and I save some money doing it too. I usually stock up the day after a holiday {and in the weeks after as the markdowns keep coming!} and wanted to make sure you didn't miss out on a few of my favorite things that I stock up on. Here's a list of the 10 items that you should stock up on at those after Christmas sales.

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6 Essential Black Friday Shopping Tips

This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Flipp for IZEA Worldwide. All opinions are 100% mine.
Black Friday shopping has evolved and changed in the past few decades since I've been taking part. Store hours are creeping backward and instead of a one-day event, it's more of a weeklong anticipation with previews and special prices and sales leading up to the main event. We still get a paper delivered and I used to love the Thanksgiving delivery because I'd sit on the floor in front of the fire and spread all the circular ads out in front of me. I'd thumb through each ad circling the items that caught my eye and then I'd develop a plan of action. I've found an easier way to do it and I love it just as much! We live in a world where there is an app for that. Isn't it a great time to be alive? I'm going to share my 6 essential Black Friday shopping tips and how you can streamline the process to find the best deals and make the most of your limited time.

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5 Reasons Why Online Shopping is Better

This post was brought to you by Fred Meyer Direct. All opinions are 100% my own. I wouldn't tell you about something I didn't love. Promise.
I like shopping. I really do, but sometimes it's a major time suck. And as a working mom with three kids, time isn't something I have a lot of to spare. It's one of the reasons why I love online shopping. In the past decade online shopping has changed the way we buy things and I actually prefer to purchase items online rather than to go into a store. I've got 5 reasons why online shopping is better. I'd love to know if they are the same reasons you love it too!

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Third Time is a Charm: My 100% Honest Stitch Fix Review

See that tag line up there? It says, real people, real projects and real life. Earlier this week I had a real discussion on one of my social accounts. I'm not quite sure what it is, but some people get behind a computer screen and forget that there is a person there. The response I got when I told them to be kind was "I'm surprised you responded." Of course I did. I don't for a second take for granted that there is a face behind the number. I read every comment I get and do my best to respond to every single word that you write to me. I'm real. 
Which is why when I review a product or tell you I would totally buy or donate to something, I mean it. I wouldn't tell you about something that I didn't love. This time last year, I gave Stitch Fix a try. I wrote a 100% honest review. Heck, it was more than a review, it was a novella. I just went back and read it and was impressed at how thorough I was. Seriously, it's got everything in there from tips from my Stitch Fix obsessed friend to how the whole Stitch Fix process works. I'm not going to rehash it, so go read it. 

Last month I got an e-mail that was offering a chance to try Stitch Fix without paying the $20 styling fee. {Don't think I'm special, you can get the same deal with no styling fee too.} I really had nothing to lose so I thought I would give it a try. 
You see, after that first time I thought maybe I'd try it again. My feedback was certain to help guide my stylist in the proper direction right? Nope. I struck out again and decided I was done giving Stitch Fix a try. BUT, I love a good deal, and I could try Stitch Fix one last time without any strings attached, so I did. And I was pleasantly surprised. I even had some of you help me vote to decide what to keep. Why not see what I got and see what I decided to keep in what I'm calling my "third times a charm" Stitch Fix.

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Cyber Monday Deals for Everyone on Your List

The biggest Cyber Monday fans I know are those that will avoid the stores at all costs this holiday season in an attempt to effortlessly shop from the comfort of their own home. Usually completing their whole shopping list while in pajamas. Correct me if I am wrong. I'm here to help you easily get everything you need with the click of a few buttons. Are you ready?

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Sneak Peek: Hearth & Hand with Magnolia (for Target): What's Catching My Eye.

I think pretty much every single person I know was excited to hear that Chip and Joanna Gaines were partnering with Target to bring their collection Hearth & Hand™ to the masses. I've been fortunate to visit Magnolia Market more than a handful of times and there is something magical about the grounds in Waco that will be hard to replicate in the aisles of Target, but after seeing a preview of the items, I can't wait to do some shopping! The items in the Hearth & Hand collection are more in my reach {if you are curious this is my list of things I buy (and one I won't!) when I shop at Magnolia Market} and while my husband may not like seeing the bill, these are the items from the Gaines new line at Target that are catching my eye.

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20 Places you Should Visit in Waco, Texas {thinking beyond Magnolia Market}

This post is in collaboration with Mazda and Driveshop. All opinions are 100% my own.
Hey friends! I just returned from Waco, Texas and if you are a fan of HGTV's Fixer Upper {you can find the first two seasons on Netflix}, the first question I always get is, did you visit The Silos. Of course I did! Chip and Joanna Gaines have put Waco, Texas on the map as a destination to visit.

I ate a cupcake at the new Magnolia bakery {Cup o' Jo in case you were wondering} and shopped the Magnolia Market.  I tried to answer the question that I often get, is it worth a trip to Waco, Texas just to visit Magnolia Market, and wanted to follow up with a list of stores and food stops that are just as worthy of a visit if you find yourself in Waco.  

In fact, I wish I had had this list in my hands when I was visiting. I had a few hours to kill one afternoon and having already visited Magnolia Market {5 things to know before you visit}, I was looking for somewhere else to shop or something else to do in the Waco area. I hope you will find this list helpful if you are visiting Waco, Texas.

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Magnolia Market- Is it Worth a Special Visit? 5 Things You Should Consider

I just returned from Waco, Texas and if you are a Fixer Upper fan, you know all about a little store called Magnolia Market. It's actually not all that little, it's really more of a compound. Most locals know The Silos quite well. It's hard to miss them. They are this huge structure smack in the middle of the city.  In the past year, they have been breathed new life into them by Chip and Joanna Gaines and as a fan, we all know that everything that this couple touches turns to gold. The Magnolia Market and now adjoining Magnolia bakery {still super confused on what the name of this bakery is...could be Silos Baking Co. could be Magnolia Flour, not really sure.} both located on the Silos property are no exception. But if you aren't going to Waco to visit your Baylor student like I am, is it worth making a special visit to the Silos? You might be surprised by my answer.

Last year, a contest was started called #milestomagnolia. Magnolia recognized that there were people making special plans to visit Waco just because of Magnolia Market and Silos and it's become a must-see travel destination for Fixer Upper's biggest fans. 

You can even stand underneath the metal #milestomagnolia sign on the grounds and snap your picture. In the most genius marketing move ever, you can add your hashtag and picture to your social media account along with all the countless others.  In case you were wondering, it's 2,140 #milestomagnolia for me, but I have a different reason for visiting. My son is currently a freshman at Baylor University and I must say that while we were aware of the university prior to him applying there as a senior in high school, the show did help educate me a bit and opened my eyes up to the school so that I started researching it a bit more and found that it would be a great fit for my son. My first visit to Magnolia Market and the Silos was in January of this year. I wrote 5 things you should know before you visit and I did allude to the fact that if you find yourself in Waco, Texas {perhaps on a college tour like we were originally}, then you should stop. However, is it worth a special trip to visit Waco, Texas just to shop at Magnolia Market? 

 I've had a few people ask, and I'm happy to give you my opinion.

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5 things to know before you visit Magnolia Market

Until last month, I had never been to the great state of Texas. My oldest son has applied for college in five different states, Texas being one of them. The draw of being thousands of miles away from home with a warmer climate while the rest of us are dripping with rain seems appealing to him, so with applications sent, and an acceptance letter in hand, we set off to Texas to tour three universities. 

One of those colleges is Baylor University in Waco, Texas. What I have known in the past of Waco is David Koresh. Of course now, with HGTV's hit show Fixer Upper, Chip and Joanna Gaines are leading the way to making Waco known for much more than the town with a crazy religious sect.

Our main objective while we were in Waco wasn't to tour Magnolia Market, though I was dying to step onto the grounds of those silos, it was to get a good feel of Baylor and see if it could be my son's next home away from home. In the meantime, I had to keep reminding myself that we were here for a college tour and if we had time, we would pop in before the market closed.

Glory of glories we had time! Plenty of fabulous time, so I was able to come to you with 5 things you should know before you visit Magnolia Market. You know, in case you find yourself in Waco touring colleges, or if you are a die hard fan making a trip with the soul purpose of visiting the market.

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Did you know you can buy glasses on line?

Four eyes. Spectator. Specacsaurus. Sir Specs-A-Lot. Goolysses S. Grant. Clark Kent. Lady Ga-goggles.  Call us what you will, three of the five of us in our family wear glasses.  My oldest son and I prefer to wear contacts the majority of the time, but even contact wearers need back up pairs of glasses.

I wear my glasses every night after I take out my contacts.  I also give my eyes a break on occasion and wear my glasses during the day.  And sometimes there are just days when you have eye issues and you can't wear contacts.  It's sort of inconvenient if you can't see, so it's nice to have glasses to fall back on.  

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Craft store shopping on-line. You can thank me later.

I am busy this year!

Like busier than I have ever been-busy.

For the first time in 16 years, I have started working outside of the house as a substitute teacher,

I am trying to keep up with my blog, my family and my household, and wow, it's a lot!

Instead of getting rid of activities in my life, I seem to just be adding them, 

so something has to give.

I'm finding less and less time to run to the store, 

so shopping on-line has become really convenient for me.

I am preparing for two upcoming craft bazaars and it seems like there is always some item I'm missing from my stash at home.

I recently found consumercrafts.com

The prices are cheap and they have everything my local craft stores have, except at a discount.

Plus, I can order during my lunch hour and have it come to my door just a few days later.

Last week, I showed you my little vintage bottle brush tree experiment.

In order for you to be able to bleach the trees, they have to be made of sisal.

I found a pack of 4 for .77 at Consumer Crafts.

I ordered a few for my holiday decorating.

Want to know what else I picked up?

I got this Mod Podge photo transfer medium, 

Not only is it a great price, check out that little play button underneath the product.

That my friend, is a video tutorial on how to use the product and several ideas on projects that you can make.

Where has this site been all my life?!

Because I can't keep anything a secret,

{especially something I love,} 

you should probably take your pretty little self on over and check out this amazing site for yourself.

{feel free to shop in your pajamas}

I know you can find something you need.

You can use this link to find the catalog.

You can thank me later! disclaimer: this is a sponsored post but all opinions are 100% my own.  I promise I wouldn't tell you about something I didn't love.

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Fill up your closet for next to nothing!

It's no secret that I love to save a buck!

I like to dress on trend but not break the bank.

I recently discovered a website called Sammy Dress.

I couldn't believe the prices!

Some of our local thrift shops are selling used clothes for more than the price of new fashion forward clothes on Sammy Dress.

Sammy Dress offered me my selection of one item and I must say, 

it was difficult to choose.

I finally settled on this abstract batwing cardigan

The price?

$13.36!

At first I was skeptical.

You get what you pay for right?

I thought it would be cheaply made.

I was shocked!

It looked great right out of the package!

O.k., so if I put it through the washer it will probably fall apart and fade.

Nope.

I actually washed the sweater and it still looks great.

Not a stray piece of yard unraveled!

I'm sold!

Seriously, go visit Sammydress.com right now and see what you can find.

There are even 266 {gorgeous} wedding dresses under $100.

I'm not kidding.

You need to go see for yourself!

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What's in my cart at The Dollar Store

It's been awhile since I did a What's in my cart at The Dollar Store post.

I know you have all been dying to know what I have been buying while I have been shopping there.

Oh, you haven't?  

Well, that's too bad!

My son's Boy Scout troop recently had a cake auction fundraiser.

I bought a plastic platter and was quite pleased with how easy it was to use.

Many scouts cut up foam board or a box as a base for their cakes, 

I spent $1 and none of my time and provided the winning bidder a reusable platter.  

Double win!

I still love my silver plate chalkboard sign I made last year.

I picked up a few so that I could make more.

I have never been a fabric softener user.

Ever.

But there is something about having growing {stinky} children and a dog, that creates a need to eliminate odors.  I've been mixing half water, half liquid fabric softener to create my own febreeze in a squirt bottle.

It works.

Occasionally I add it to the laundry and my daughter gushes over how much she loves the smell.

We don't get out much.

I don't buy a lot of food at the dollar store, but occasionally there are deals to be had.

For instance, these marshmallows.

I used them as a topping on the aforementioned Boy Scout cake auction s'mores bars that my son and I made.  And only because when we first made the recipe and toasted the marshmallows in the broiler, they caught on fire {like blow it out before it burns the house down fire}.  We had to scrape off the burnt marshmallows {that I paid $1.49 for the bag for at Target} and ran to the Dollar Store hoping they would come through.  

Spoiler alert. They did.

I seemed to have misplaced all of my microfiber cleaning towels so when I wandered down the cleaning aisle, I picked up this 2 pack of white towels.

A typical trip for me to the dollar store requires wandering down every.single.aisle, so while I was going down the automotive aisle, I saw these much larger microfiber cleaning towels.

If you think I still got the smaller white kitchen towels, you would be wrong.

I did not.

My teenage son would be shocked to know that the underwear that he is currently wearing came from the dollar store.

I guess it's better than coming used from a garage sale.

I snatched up a few pairs of these Starter brand boxer briefs and the jury is still out 

{I keep forgetting to ask him about his skives}

so I don't know if they are worth the buy or not.

The pickings were slim though.

You had your choice of small or 2XL.

I found myself in need of a bandana

{don't we all every so often?}

and I am glad I held out to see what the dollar store's selection was.

Hobby Lobby had 1 bandana for $1, but the dollar store had 3 for $1.

I needed a nail file.

I bought a 4 pack.

That is all.

And finally, my last purchase was a stock up of Styrofoam balls and cones.

I use these for crafts all the time and they can get quite expensive at a "normal" craft store.

I used the cones last year to make twine wrapped carrots

and I used the balls to make snowmen.

Stock up, it's a great price and worth adding to your stash of craft supplies.

That's what was in my cart

Have you snatched up any winners at the dollar store lately?

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