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Frugal Novice

Why should I buy my contact lenses online?

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I love online shopping – we buy many gifts online, but also things we need. There are many reasons why it makes sense to go direct to the supplier on the internet to buy your contact lenses. One of the major reasons is the difference in price. You will tend to find that online distributors sell pretty much everything much cheaper than you would be able to find it anywhere else. The reasons for this are simple. Supermarkets, chemists and other chains buy only what they know they will be able to sell in a week or a month. This small amount means that they are paying more per unit to the supplier. On top of this they usually put a small percentage which they call “profit”.

If you buy directly from a distributor then you will tend to find that you can buy the products you are looking for much cheaper. This is because they buy in bulk, often ordering hundreds of times more than a high street chain could keep in stock. Because they buy it at a lower price, they can supply it to the customers at a much lower price. It also means that no matter how busy they get or how much they sell it is highly unlikely that they are going to sell out. So you can always be sure that you will be able to get hold of what you are looking for.

It is also much more convenient to go to the source rather than going to the shop. And now it’s even easier since you can do it all online. There’s really no need to struggle through the chemist and decide what it is that you’re looking for when you can just look at the complete range available online and decide from the comfort of your home. You can Buy Contact Lenses Online at stores such as getlenses.co.uk.

Shell Fuel Rewards Network {Giveaway}

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I love saving money, and with how much gas we use, saving money on gasoline is especially appealing to us! I don’t want to have to open up a credit card in order to get savings, and thankfully now you don’t have to – there’s a great Fuel Rewards program available at Shell that lets you easily save money on each gallon of gas you purchase. The program is available at participating Shell stations in more than 100 markets throughout the U.S. and will be available in nearly 200 by the end of the year.

The Fuel Rewards Network program offers multiple ways to earn rewards through everyday purchases of things like food, clothing and household goods which can be redeemed for fuel savings at participating Shell stations. There are multiple ways for local consumers to save with the Fuel Rewards Network program! Not all options are available for all markets, so be sure and check out what’s available in your area. The multiple ways to save for you to save include:

  • Online Mall – Access nearly 700 brand name online merchants offering 5 cents per gallon for every $50 spent. Some online merchants may offer 2x, 5x, 10x rewards or more – so consumers can multiply their savings!
  • Dining – Earn 10 cents per gallon for every $50 spent when dining at more than 10,000 participating restaurant locations nationwide.
  • eCoupons – Digital coupons available for select retailers in select markets provide additional cents per gallon savings when the digital coupon is selected at fuelrewards.com and the item is subsequently purchased at a participating retailer.
  • Grocery and Other Programs – Consumers can buy the everyday things they need and earn Fuel Rewards savings from participating Jewel-Osco stores and retailers. Consumers just link their participating grocer or other retailer loyalty card to their FRN Account to combine their rewards for even more savings at the pump at Shell in select markets.
  • Shell Fuel Rewards – Purchase specially marked products inside the convenience store as well as car washes and auto services at participating Shell stations and earn Fuel Rewards savings.

It’s really easy to sign up (and free!) – just go to fuelrewards.com and register for a card, or pick a card up at your local Shell station to register. Here’s what the online dashboard looks like – it’s really user-friendly:

Did you notice my rewards are $1.50 per gallon? With this program you can stack rewards to earn a lot off each gallon… but guess what? I get to give away four cards that are each loaded with the same $1.50 per gallon savings. That will really add up on a full tank of gas!

FOUR winners will each get a Shell card pre-loaded with $1.50 per gallon savings! This contest is open to all U.S. residents aged 18+. Entries will be accepted until the end of the day (midnight Central) Monday, October 1. By entering this giveaway you agree to the Official Rules.

 

Note: We received a Fuel Rewards card pre-loaded with a discount to facilitate our review. I was not compensated monetarily for this post. All opinions are honest and are my own.

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Gilt.com Debuts “Little Gilt” September 17

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I’m sure many of you have heard of Gilt before – it’s a site that provides access to today’s top designer labels at up to 60% off retail. They offer deals for women, men, kids and home as well as exclusive local services and experiences, and one-of-a-kind travel packages.

Gilt is now excited to announce the launch of their own collection for its Baby & Kids division: Little Gilt. The collection launches tomorrow, September 17, and will feature apparel and bedding for babies and kids. The first sale will feature 17 styles of baby apparel, ranging from onesies and footies to two-piece gift sets and bedding. Youth styles will launch later this year.

The Little Gilt launch sale will last for three days and will then move into GiltKids.com’s Baby Boutique, which gives members daily access to high-quality essentials for little ones.

We got a chance to preview some onesies from the new line – Ilovethe classic styling, saturated but not-too-bright colors, and quality craftsmanship. These are sized 6-9 months so it’ll be perfect timing for E to wear them this coming spring. Aren’t they great?

Don’t forget – to shop the exclusive launch of Little Gilt visit gilt.com/littlegilt tomorrow at noon ET!

Also, September 19 will be Gilt’s bi-annual Stroll in Style event. This features deals on great brands in strollers and gear – from Bugaboo and Maclaren to Phil and Teds and Baby Bjorn. To visit the Stroll in Style event on September 19th visit www.gilt.com/strollinstyle.

Note: I received onesies to facilitate my review. I was not compensated for this post. All opinions are honest and are my own.

The best personalized gifts for different occasions

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With holidays coming up, everyone starts thinking about what to get for friends and family that will really make an impact. Personalized gifts can be humorous, fun, cute, witty, thoughtful, and romantic. On www.gettingpersonal.co.uk you can choose from a massive range of gifts for that unique and personal touch. For the sports fan, there is a range of personalized sports books on offer right now (£10 off on all sports, limited time only). The personalized sports books you can choose from are Football, Formula one, Boxing, Cricket, Rugby, Tennis, and Rugby world cup. Prices start at £39.99 and can be delivered free.

In the personalized football book you can choose the favorite team of the recipient and they will receive the history of the team. The highs, lows, and everything in between will be captured in this unique book. With the book, you can choose to emboss the recipient’s name on the front cover in gold, making this gift feel official and sophisticated. It contains all of the important news stories throughout the history of their favorite team. The hardback book is tabloid-size, presenting the news stories beautifully and in their original size. The newspapers have been reproduced from scans of the original papers, and they date back over the last 100 years. They are printed onto a high quality paper that is thick, making it last longer. Each individual newspaper reproduction has been cut and bound in a leatherette hard back book of the highest quality.

When you give this amazing gift to the recipient, they will know that their book has been hand crafted by four craftsmen/women for over an hour, making this a much more special gift than something that has simply been picked up from a store. There is a certificate label on the front page of the book, and you can have a name and message printed here, as well as the person’s name embossed on the cover. So if you are looking for gifts for her or gifts for him, there are many personalized items to choose from that will match any recipient.

Wordless Wednesday: New Addition

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Wonder why I haven’t been posting as much this past week?

We’ve been a little busy…. introducing baby E, born September 5! :)

Baby Registries Have Never Been So Simple! {Wayfair Review}

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If you’re like me – and many other people I know – your friends and family are scattered around the country. Technology makes it easier to keep in touch (thanks, email and Facebook) and now thanks to online retailers like Wayfair, you can easily have a gift registry for your baby-to-be or your engagement. This allows people to go online, place an order, and have it shipped right to your doorstep. Another perk of using Wayfair is that they’ve got pretty much everything on their site, giving you a wider range of things to include.

Check out a few of the baby registry options from their look book:

And of course don’t forget all the many ideas for things to add to your wedding registry too:

We got a chance to review a piece of nursery furniture from Wayfair – this white swivel vanity:

It was easy to assemble – the directions were very clear-cut and pieces were labeled with little stickers. Our only issue was that the screw for one of the pegs broke, so we’re just using 3 of the 4 pegs on the side, but we will remedy that down the road. As you can see in the photos above, this unit provides a lot of storage space. And we’re not even using the two little cubbies at the bottom right now – they’ll be perfect for shoes! It’s great right now to prep with items for a newborn (and I love having little dresses hung on the sides) but I can see how this piece can really grow with a child – and it’s even got a full-length mirror on the back (not glass, for safety):

As I mentioned, the whole unit swivels, making it easy to switch between the storage side and the mirror. In our case we decided to put a lamp on top, so we’re not using the swivel feature now but I know we will in the future!

Note: We received the vanity from Wayfair to facilitate our review. I was not compensated monetarily for this post. All opinions are honest and are my own.

Make Baby Naming Fun with Belly Ballot!

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As I can tell you from recent experience, it can be a challenge coming up with a name for your baby! You want to pick a name that fits now, and that they’ll grow into, and that fits with your last name. Oh, and of course you also, if you’re like me, have names you want to avoid because of negative association.

Picking a name can be difficult too because you might find something you love, but then other people decide to start giving opinions. I’m not talking about people whose opinions you really value – I mean the grocery store checker or other random people who happen to ask what names you’re considering.

When we were first picking a name for our daughter, we looked at a few names in particular – Evelyn and Hazel were at the top of our list. We like old-fashioned names, but not everyone agrees with us and we definitely had people tell us they didn’t like one or both of those names for one reason or another.

Belly Ballot is a FUN way to let family and friends in on your baby naming. You pick five names and then let them vote on their favorites. For one thing, you only invite who you WANT to invite, so you’re not going to get an unwelcome opinion from your neighbor’s cousin’s girlfriend’s sister. And they’re voting on the names they like best, so you’re only seeing the positives and aren’t getting negative feedback. Plus, since it’s online it’s a way to involve friends and family that might be far away and feel disconnected.

Click here if you want to check it out for yourself or share with expectant friends – or if you’re like me and just have a blast looking through baby names. :)

Winner Announcements!

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Congratulations, everyone!!

Fiber One Prize Pack Winner:

Chuggington Stack Track Winner:

Ergobaby “Bundle of Joy” Set Winner:

Walking & Jogging a Breeze with Kelty Speedster Swivel Deluxe Stroller

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I think it crosses every woman’s mind at some point – how will I lose this baby weight? A favorite way for me to fit in exercise has always been walking and a little bit of jogging, because it’s something I can do for free and enjoy the outdoors at the same time (when it’s not, y’know, 100+ degrees outside)!

The right jogging stroller can make a big difference in your success with this post-baby. For one thing, having a jogging stroller period is important because otherwise you’ve got a built-in excuse to not get out and exercise. But beyond that, you want a good stroller that is easy to use, has good features, and will keep your baby safe.

Kelty is a brand of outdoor products that also happens to produce a great jogging stroller, the Speedster Swivel Deluxe (did you know it was the recipient of Babble.com’s “2011 Best Stroller” award?).

The stroller has a nice sporty feel to it and comes in either a blue or yellow shade. It’s incredibly easy to assemble and to collapse, which we noticed right away! It also has a ton of features parents will love:

Safety Features:

  • Rear wheel brakes
  • Runaway leash

Stroller Features:

  • Swivel front wheel, with lockout option
  • Easy folding design
  • Bell to alert others
  • Independently reclining seats
  • Fully padded seat and frame
  • Adjustable height handle (34-45″)
  • Quick-release wheels
  • Adjustable sun/rain hood
  • Lightweight aluminum frame
  • Reflective accents
  • Seat-back storage pocket with key fob
  • Under-seat storage bin
  • Water bottle holders

But how does it perform in action? Well, I’m 37+ weeks pregnant, so getting out and jogging isn’t exactly appealing right now, but my friend Amanda and her daughter Rea tested the stroller out for me – and Amanda gave rave reviews! I think Rea did too. :) She said the stroller has a smooth ride (thanks to the inflatable tires rather than hard tires so many strollers have) and was easy to maneuver. The storage bin’s size was really impressive, too – if you’re out and about for a long day of activities, it’s easy to bring along whatever you might need. Here are a few photos we snapped of the stroller:

Note: I received a stroller to facilitate my review. I was not compensated monetarily for this post. All opinions are honest and are my own or those of my guest reviewer, Amanda.

Chuggington “Traintastic Adventures” DVD {Giveaway}

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Our boys love to watch Chuggington episodes and they were thrilled when we received the newest title to review – Traintastic Adventures! Another cool thing about this DVD is that it comes with free collectible cards, a first for Chuggington fans!

There are six fun adventures included on this DVD, AND a bonus “badge quest” episode. Watch as Brewster tests a speedy new invention, Koko’s stunt-training saves the day, Wilson gets stuck on the track lift and everybody competes in a big chug-of-war! These episodes showcase social skills that include accepting responsibility, tackling new challenges, being patient, helping others and the importance of teamwork.

We love how Chuggington makes learning fun and teaches kids things without them even realizing it! Would you like to have this traintastic DVD for your Chuggington fan? You’re in luck, because you might just…

One winner will get a copy of the Chuggington: Traintastic Adventures DVD! This contest is open to all U.S. residents aged 18+. Entries will be accepted until the end of the day (midnight Central) Friday, September 14. By entering this giveaway you agree to the Official Rules.

Note: As Chuggington Conductors, we received a Chuggington DVD to facilitate our review. I was not compensated monetarily for this post. All opinions are honest and are my own.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

mombo Taggies Deluxe Slipcover

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Back in June I reviewed the mombo nursing pillow. If you haven’t read that review, be sure and check it out to see all the features that make this nursing pillow a step above anything else you might have already tried – seriously, it’s impressive! It’s made by Comfort & Harmony, whose products I’m loving – be sure and keep up with them on Facebook!

One of the features I liked about the mombo was the many cover options available – and my absolute favorite is the pink Taggies deluxe slipcover, which I just got the chance to review! Babies just seem drawn to tags, so I’ve always thought Taggies products were so clever and perfect to use with little ones.

As with all of the mombo covers, there are two sides to this cover – one is solid pink, soft, and velvety, with an embroidered owl and two Taggies wings.

The other side is cotton with a fun polka dot and owl print to it.

And around the sides of this pillow are colorful tags babies will love to play with, making tummy time more fun!

I love this cover (they have a blue one too, for you moms of boys!) and can’t wait to use it with our daughter. Taggies makes all sorts of great products from sleepers to blankets to books and toys – all meant especially for little hands to enjoy!

Note: I received a Taggies mombo cover to facilitate my review. I was not compensated monetarily for this post. All opinions are honest and are my own.

Car Seat Safety Tips

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Britax_C

Did you know that seventy-three percent of car seats are not used or installed correctly? I’ll admit, we found out a while back that we had been making some rookie mistakes when it came to car seat safety. Before you hit the road, check your car seat – it’s crucial that our little ones are fully protected when they’re in the car.

BritaxPavilion_Onyx

SafeKids.org has a great checklist you can use to make sure you’re following the right steps for installing and using your car seat. In the meantime, here are a few tips to keep in mind:

  • Select a car seat based on your child’s age and size. Choose a seat that fits in your vehicle and use it every time.
  • Always refer to your specific car seat manufacturer’s instructions; read the vehicle owner’s manual on how to install the car seat using the seat belt or LATCH system; and check height and weight limits.
  • To maximize safety, keep your child in the car seat for as long as possible, as long as the child fits within the manufacturer’s height and weight requirements.
  • Keep your child in the back seat at least through age 12.
  • You may have heard that a child under age 1 should always ride in a rear-facing car seat, but recommendations are now that children up to age two should remain rear-facing. I know we’re planning to keep baby E rear-facing for two years once she is born! It can seem like an inconvenience, but it’s worth the safety it provides.
  • Choose a seat that you can trust. There are a lot of seats on the market, but after a lot of research we decided Britax seats are the best choice for us. They go to great lengths to make sure their seats provide maximum levels of safety, and we feel good knowing our kids are well-protected.