November 30, 2015

Tanya's Daily Scoop
NEXT GETAWAY DEPARTS IN: 5 DAYS

Shopping anyone???

HIYA Everyone! 

It may be a Monday but today is the first time that  I could sit and chill out since before we left for Yosemite National Park (a week and a half ago).
Since then, it's just been go go go and work work work. With me living in the kitchen - that was the only place I could be found!

Between all of the Thanksgiving items prepared and  yesterdays menu - everything made from scratch of course, there were 32+ separate and scrumptious things being made!
Thank heavens I love cooking!!

But in order to get all of my cooking accomplished successfully yesterday, I had more than a few hurdles to jump over!!

Our oven decided to poop out on us!
Well, I sure am grateful that this didn't happen on Thanksgiving.
But it did mean that I had to go up to Dave's to do any baking that was needed!

During my visit to Dave's, I got dropped off, and I thought that I had all of the ingredients needed with me...
But low and behold I forgot the vanilla and tried to catch Dave (via phone to go grab it for me), but his phone had died and was having a problem taking a charge...
So I called my mom (who was napping).
UGH - I was stuck at a stand still.
But luckily after a while my mom showed up with the vanilla and I got the show back on the road! 

As you know yesterday was Dominic's birthday and he's even said it himself that he is a foodie just like his mom!

Everyone around got to indulge in all of the foods being served, and when it came time to making the Homemade Tortelloni - well I couldn't find the right sized cutter, and so I made Tortellini instead and as I was busy at work in the kitchen;
Jet and Chaplin walked in and my 4 year old little niece had wanted to help - it was adorable!
So both she and my sister began assisting me.

Next thing you know it was a full on pasta making party - Dave came to help, Mika wanted in, and even the birthday boy himself got in on the action. It was amazing! We were making delicious Tortellini and wonderful memories all in one!

Overall we all had a great day and Dominic thoroughly enjoyed his birthday - which is all that I wanted! ​

Some of the gang went to play laser-tag while I was busy in the kitchen.

Making a wish!

And there was just so much food and fun that even after all of the eating and most of us quite full... Chaplin had asked me "Tanya what are we eating tomorrow?"
Seems to me like another foodie in the making - that's my girl! <3<3<3

But in all actuality I was hoping to take one day off...We shall see what I decide to do!

Can you believe that today is the last day in November? Tomorrow is the first day of the last month in 2015! And there are only 25 more shopping days until Christmas (my favorite holiday)!

On that note if you are into the whole online shopping craze (any type of shopping works for me!)    
I've posted a list to help you get the best deals available for Cyber Monday. But before you go all GUNG-HO and start clicking away...
​
In order to get the BEST BANG FOR YOUR BUCK and the very best deals - be sure to go through your EBATES account first!
​And if you don't have an Ebates account, you can join HERE and save yourself bundles on nearly everything you purchase online - from gifts to airfare to movie tickets and much much more.
I HIGHLY recommend it! 

Top Cyber Monday sitewide sales and more deals
CROCS -40% off sitewide, new doorbusters, no lines. 
Starbucks: $25 off orders over $60 + free shipping
Best Buy: Cyber Monday TV sale from $189
6pm.com: Up to 91% off outerwear + extra 15% off + free shipping
Becky Cameron sheet sets: 84% off + free pillowcases + free shipping for $19.99
Saks Off 5th: Up to 70% off any order + free shipping
Shutterfly: 60% off hardcover photo books
Snapfish: 55% off any order
Pursonic electric toothbrushes: Up to 56% off + free shipping, Prices start at $39.99
Amazon: Up to 55% off select Cyber Monday items
Macy's: Buy one, get one free on select boots
Express: 50% off everything + free shipping
Ann Taylor: 50% off everything + free shipping
Loft: 50% off everything + free shipping. Use code: CYBER50
Reebok: 50% off any purchase sitewide
The Body Shop: 50% off sitewide + free Body Butter on purchases over $60 + free shipping on any purchase
Banana Republic: 40% off everything. Use code: BESTCYBER
Gap: 40% off everything. Use Code: BESTCYBER
Old Navy: 40% off everything. Use code: BESTCYBER
Lands' End: 40% off any order + free shipping
J Crew: 40% off many styles, 30% off everything else + free shipping
Kate Spade: Up to 40% off handbags and wallets from $33 at Dillard's
Target: 15% off sitewide

THE LIST GOES ON AND ON...

But ya know quite honestly if you shop early (like waaay before the holiday season) that is when you will get the best deals.
Around the holidays, the retail prices are actually hiked up even higher than the rest of the year - just so that it seems like you and me (the consumers) are getting such good deals with all the "sales"!

Anyhow that's my 2cents.  

And I'm gonna sign out now. See ya tomorrow!
-T

Elisa's Daily Scoop
NEXT TRIP DEPARTS IN: 18 DAYS

Welcome to a new week and what will be a new month beginning tomorrow!

This holiday season is moving right along! 

Happy to say, I did manage to get some Christmas shopping completed yesterday.  Sick and all, I took advantage of the online sales still in affect from Black Friday.

Lest we forget, today is Cyber Monday, and from my own email inbox, it appears EVERYONE is having a sale or special promotion!

Retail stores, vacation destinations - you name it!

Here are a few great sites to follow up with:

Secret Escapes
Great deals on hotels packages around the world
Up to 70% off

Vacations Made Easy
A great many vacation packages, sightseeing tours and events.

Ebates
Get Cash back from your favorite stores and travel partners including Booking.com, CarRentals.com, Travelocity, Expedia, Amazon, Groupon and hundreds more of your favorite stores!  Sign up by clicking the Ebates link above and start earning at all of your favorite retailers!  Double Cash back today for Cyber Monday

Goldstar
Events, Concerts and Shows make great gifts for yourself or those on your Christmas list!
Perhaps a visit to the Botanical Gardens Holiday Train Show or the Radio City Christmas Spectacular!

Hope you have a successful shopping day!

As for my day, I had to catch up on necessity shopping since I was under the weather the entire weekend.  Even managed to get some much needed light bulbs at The Home Depot!  Now I just need to hop on a chair and change them!

The girls were real disappointed to have missed a day of riding on Saturday with Mommy sick.  I know, Mommies are not supposed to get sick!

Well, God bless Tanya yesterday - back to cooking again!!  Sounds like Dominic had a great 17th birthday celebration!  

I'm actually going to get in a little cyber Monday shopping myself!  I love a sale and I especially love it when I'm buying goodies for others for Christmas!!


See ya back here tomorrow!!

-E
xoxo