Coupon Complaints

Today's topic has to do with coupons.

I go through phases with them.

Sometimes, I feel like screwing around with them but other days I don't have the time and patience.

Well, recently I've had more patience for couponing.

I think it has something to do with us adding to our family - time to save money.

Good idea.

Right?

So, here's my complaint/rant for today.

Why, in the world we live in today, do we need to actually have printed coupons to be able to use them at a retailer??

Why not be like Michaels and create an application for smart phones where people can download and have coupons scanned at checkout?

The best idea ever.

Michael's application even uses WIFI technology to determine what store location you are in so you can bring up coupons for that particular store?

I'm complaining because of what we have been through in the past few weeks shopping at Babies R US and Bed, Bath and Beyond.

They both require printed coupons and it blows my freaking mind!

At one point over the weekend, the staff at Babies R Us even let us walk out the door, leaving a basket full of stuff in it, with a promise to come back later with a coupon for a 15% discount.

Yes, it's cheapo of us, but it was 15% off the entire order.

What kind of business model is that?

Let customers walk out of your store because of a coupon, knowing that they could walk down the street to your competitor?

Anyone else peeved by this?

Why aren't more and more retailers following Michael's lead?

Weekend of 'TCB' and Festive Treats

We got A LOT done this weekend when it comes to getting things ready for Shelby.

It started early with 4-hours of shopping and running errands on Saturday, or as Brad likes to call it 'Taking Care of Business'.

I was so worn out from all the walking that I had to come home and nap before our scheduled dinner party at Robyn and Jeff's house(Brad's brother and SIL).

I was in charge of bringing some sort of dessert or sweet treat so I opted for these rice krispie treats I found on this blog.

The kids and the adults both seemed to love them.

It was great to see them and the kids.

Miss Paige is getting so big.

She's a big soccer star scoring 6-goals in her game today!

 Terrible picture of me, but in my defense, I was tired!!!

Today we worked more on the nursery and on stuff around the house and took time to rest as well.

 Only a few more touches to the nursery then I will be able to show it to you all.

That's it for today.

Stay tuned!!

34-weeks

We are really starting to countdown the weeks, and now days, until Shelby gets here.

At my checkup this week they told me that she is still breached and that if she stays that way at 36-weeks then they will schedule a c-section for November 29th or 30th which will have me at 39-weeks.

I'm not freaking out about it because it is what it is.

Time will tell but I've decided I'm only concerned with a safe delivery.

One thing is for sure. 

Baby girl is moving around like crazy! It's so surreal to feel!

Other than feeling tired and uncomfortable, things are good. I've gained 22-pounds overall and I've been blessed with little or no swelling. I even still have my wedding rings on believe it or not!

I guess the only thing I really have to watch is how much I eat at night. Getting too full is a recipe for disaster. I can't breathe and feel sick uncomfortable.

This weekend we are going to continue to put the finishing touches on the nursery, buy items we still need, and spend time relaxing and visiting with family.

TGIF!

Shower for Shelby

This past Sunday one of my very close friends, who happens to be a work colleague, hosted the most lovely baby shower for me.

It was truly the icing on the cake now that I'm in the home stretch of this pregnancy.

 She stuck with the pink and green theme since those are the colors in Shelby's nursery.

She even went as far to have someone to bake a cake that matches the fabric in her nursery!

 How unbelievable is this?

I'm still in love.

It was delicious too.
Debbie, from Debs Sweet Cakes here in Charlotte made it.

I wore the same dress as I wore to my last shower because frankly, I couldn't find anything I liked better in the colors that I wanted.

And, I'm sorta over spending money on maternity clothes.

As I mentioned, my close friend was gracious enough to host this shower and it included 13 of some of the greatest women I work with at my current job.

Karen and I have known each other for nearly 8-years now and Brad and I just adore her and her husband Mike.

The shower was held mid-afternoon and she had all sorts of delicious munchies for everyone.

And, of course cocktails too.

Alcoholic and non-alcoholic. 

That green bottle at the end is a Dryck Bubbel Paron sparkling pear drink from Ikea of all places.

I am on a mission to get some for the holidays!

It is AWESOME, especially if you can't have the real thing -- meaning wine.

One of my other favorites that she served were pear slices topped with pimento cheese.

Who would have thought?

She got the suggestion from a friend who had this at a recent wine tasting.

A MUST try!

Absolutely everything was wonderful and I was lucky enough to have my Mom at this shower too.

I'm secretly happy that her business has slowed down a bit allowing her to be around during my pregnancy.

Other shower guests included Sheila, who I worked at Fox Charlotte with.

She now does the same thing I do for work, just at the competition down the street.

Great minds think alike.

Co-workers Emberly (in town from Boston), and Von.

Kim and Tiffany.

And, my manager and friend Cindy.

Cindy has been there for me through all the ups and downs!!

I appreciate her friendship a ton!

Shelby racked up in the gift department.

She got cute outfits, blankets, a stroller, activity mats.

Fun bath time toys and necessities.

A baby briefcase.

This was one of the more clever gifts, click here to buy one as your next shower gift.

Perfect for Type A's like me, it's an organizer for all the baby paperwork you get before and after the baby is born.

It allows you to keep everything from the birth certificate to the doctor's bills in one place.

I couldn't be happier!!

There were also books, diapers and a ton of other great items given.

I feel so LUCKY to have such great friends and work colleagues!!

Thanks again to my friend Karen for hosting and all of my friends for attending!

It was an intimate setting that can be described as nothing less than perfect!

Brad's Last Hoorah and Fun Game Day Gear!

While I was off getting my fix of Fall in the mountains over the weekend Brad was enjoying what I like to call, his last big 'hoorah' before Shelby arrives.

For months he and his friends have been planning a bus trip down to South Carolina to see the Virginia Tech Hokies play Clemson.

Among the group were several people who traveled in from Northern Virginia and Blacksburg but there were also others that live here in Charlotte.

I knew EARLY on, I wouldn't be going and that it would be Brad's last 'blowout' party weekend before baby.

Well, it was.....

After what I will call a 'late' night on Friday with the crew, his alarm went off at 5:45am Saturday morning to ensure he was on the bus that was set to leave Uptown Charlotte at 6:30am.

Needless to say, it was a long day but one full of lots of fun but in the end a loss for the Hokies.

Brad's not an over the top Hokie fan like many, but he did manage to sport a new piece of game day gear in Clemson that sparked quite a bit of interest.

A new Olly Oxen visor.

I discovered this NC preppy company while at the SEC kickoff party last month and instantly fell in love!

Brad said he even had a bartender at one of the Clemson bars that recognized the Olly Oxen brand.

Created by Raleigh designer Charlotte Guice in 2009, her approach to game day gear is simple and elegant.

No logos.

Instead simple in order to move from the football game to the formal occasion.

Olly Oxen carries a variety of products including game day flasks, that would make a perfect groomsmen gift for weddings.

To fun, preppy game day scarves for the ladies.

Of course, I'm digging the purple and gold Louisiana scarf to wear as I cheer on my Tigers.

But aside from their State Pride collection, they carry an entire Collegiate collection including the Mountaineer scarf for any of you App State fans.

And, then there is their bowtie collection.

Perfect for game day or any other day!

Of course, I'm only chipping away at the iceberg.

Go and check out Olly Oxen's entire line by visiting them via web, Facebook, or on Twitter.

I think they make perfect gifts for that football fan in your family this Christmas or just for fun.

I know Brad really likes his!

Getting My Fall Fix!!

One of the big reasons I chose to move to Charlotte is because of its vicinity to the Blue Ridge Mountains.

And, there's nothing better than the Fall in those mountains!

I generally plan a hiking trip for this time of year, but obviously, being 8-months pregnant, that's really not happening right now.

But that didn't keep me from wanting to see all the pretty foliage, so I talked my Mom into making the trek West with me over the weekend.

After watching the local news Saturday morning and hearing their prediction for peak colors, we chose to head to Lake Lure, just a 90-mile drive from Charlotte.

My Mom has a convertible so we took the top down, put our hats and scarves on and made a day trip of it!

 The higher we got, the brighter the leaves.

 Our first stop was for lunch on the lake.

 On a whim, we chose Larkin's on the Lake.

 A cute little spot accessible by boat or car.

 The food and atmosphere?

Excellent!

The weather could not have been more beautiful.

Sunny and 70!

Perfect..Perfect..Perfect Day!

 After lunch we headed over to the Lake Lure Inn and Spa where the movie Dirty Dancing was filmed.

 They were getting set up for a wedding a few hours later.

But, in walking distance there was a street fair taking place where there were tons and tons of vendors.

 Being a hat lover these newsboy hats caught my eye immeditaly.

No worries, I purchased a few other things too.

Then we got back on the road and in search of more beautiful Fall foliage.

 As we headed up the mountain we ran into Hickory Nut Gap Farm.

A wonderful place to visit with children.

They had a maze set up, petting zoo, picnic area and more.

I can't wait until we can bring Shelby to fun places like this.

Here's a better picture of my baby bump.

You can see from the side, just how large it has gotten!

 There were a variety of apples to choose from on the farm.

 Not to mention, pumpkins.

 This place was a mecca of Fall fun!

It was so great to get my 'Fall Fix' complete with a caramel apple.

 I seriously don't think I had eaten one since I was a kid but it was just as delicious as I remember!

 We even came home with a few apples for baking.

I had one of the pretties for breakfast this morning.

All in all, I could not have asked for a better Fall weekend!

Good company, weather, food, spectacular color and scenic views.

I know from here on out life will be totally different so I was glad to spend some one on one time with my Mom before the change takes place.

Do you crave a Fall fix or is it just me?

What is your way of getting it??