Top Ten Reasons I Love Fresh N Easy!

I love, love, love Fresh N Easy Markets. That's why I was so ecstatic when I was invited to the BzzAgent campaign for Fresh N Easy! (please leave me a comment with your email address if you would like an invite to BzzAgent)

I was provided a beautiful reusable bag and a coupon for a prepared meal. 

Here are the top ten reasons I love Fresh N Easy Neighborhood Markets:

1. Fresh N Easy supports local schools! Through their Shop for Schools program, participating schools can earn $1 for every $20 on receipts collected (Sept 12 - Dec 31). Their website shows the top performing schools making over $10,000! Our school made about $500 and that was awesome! I should also note that they donate to food banks and other non profits as well.

2. Friends Rewards - For every dollar you spend you earn 1 point with 100 points equally a dollar. I know it doesn't sound like much but there are always bonus points which makes it add up fast. I have already earned $25. I don't have to worry about printing them out or bringing my loyalty card because if I understand correctly, I can redeem them by scanning my smartphone.

3.  Preferred Parking - They have special parking for adults with children and also for hybrid cars. I love having somewhere close by to park my soccer mom van.

4. Food to Go - Their prepared meals are delicious. I recently tried the Mango Chicken with rice. It was good, lots of flavor. They have a microwave in store in case you really are on the run!

5. Delicious Baked Goods -  I have a confession to make: I am addicted to their 99c French Bread. It's the best fresh baked bread in town, everyone always asks where I got it. I guess my secret is out. Don't miss the Lemon Loaf and 'Everything' bagels.

6. Frozen foods - I try to stay away from frozen foods but if you are like me and have a hard time making the perfect white rice - grab their frozen Jasmine rice. A great value, only 3 minutes in the microwave and it comes out perfect every time. My son loves their frozen "Mama" beans (translation: Edamame).

7. Clearance food - This is a big one. If you are ever at a store when it's first opening in the morning, you might see a small crowd of people that makes a beeline to the back of the store when the doors open. Fresh N Easy clearances their prepared foods on their expiration date, 30% - 60%! This is where we often get our lemon loaf 8 slices for less than the price of 1 at Starbucks. You don't have to be their in the morning to snag a great deal though.

8. Store Coupons - Okay so they don't accept manufacturers coupons but if you are like me, you're mostly buying Fresh N Easy brand here anyway. They have a coupon for a couple bucks off in their weekly mailer and if you are Friends Rewards member, you will receive coupons by mail every week. They differ but I often get $10 off $40 or $8 off $40. 

9. They're Green - They make an effort to have a green fleet of delivery trucks, encourage reusable bags and having several recycling bins in their stores.

10. Other Goodies - I highly recommend their Sunflower Seeds. I have to do a side by side comparison to the Planters seeds one of these days. For less than $2/bag, you will not be disappointed - delicious. Other notables include their Mango Salsa, Salt and Pepper Kettle Chips and don't forget bananas for less than a quarter!... 

Oh I'm hungry just thinking about it!  

Currently open in select cities in California, Nevada and Arizona

Find your closest store here!

Disclaimer: As a BzzAgent with the website http://www.bzzagent.com, I am asked to try, review, and spread the 'bzz' about certain products. These products are sent to me for free and this review is my honest, personal opinion. Cross posted on NewMomSanDiego.blogspot.com 

Quotable Photobook by PaperCoterie.com Review and Giveaway (US, 9/2)

Stacey writes: 

Michelle introduced me to a great company called, Paper Coterie. She previously reviewed their Personalized Photo Journal– Classic Stripes and Abouta Boy: A to Z photo book in a September, 8, 2011 blog post.

Paper Coterie is now introducing the new Quoatable book. Now until September 2^nd you can enter the coupon code “QUOTABLE” at checkout to receive your own book for $12.00. Retail price is $26.00 – that is $14.00 off!

I had the opportunity to create a book of my own. I found the software to be very easy to use. All I had to do was upload my pictures to their website and then drag the images where I wanted them to appear in the photo book.  Their program placed and sized my images to fit on the page. It is recommended that you use between 16-19 images for your book. 

Below is a screen shot of the first two pages I created for my Quotable book.  You may notice I left the quotation section blank. I can be a little OCD at times and I didn’t want part of the book filled with printed quotes while the rest of the quotes are handwritten by me. If you want to add your own quotes while building your book the process it very easy. You have the ability to choose the text font, color, and size and are able to place them wherever you want in the book.

Along with pictures, there are a ton of cute backgrounds to showcase your quotes. Some pages are full of quote bubbles so there is plenty of room to document the important quotes in your life. The quote bubbles are colorful and fun to look at. I can’t wait to fill them with silly things my daughter says, such as, “Mommy, even I don’t get that excited…” while giving me a weird look as I dance around the living room to a favorite song.

I did have one frustration while building my book. While most images fit onto the pages without issue, there were some images where to top was cropped.  I could not figure out how to adjust the pictures using their program. For example, in the photo above, I would have loved to move the image down so that the top of my daughter’s head was on the page and her legs would be cropped. I couldn't figure out how to accomplish this and left the image as is.

I did notice they have made at least one improvement since Michelle last reviewed Paper Coterie; I now have the ability to delete my photos from the online album I used on their website. I am leaving my photos there for now because I will be using the website again soon to create a photo book for my grandmother.

So, go ahead and check out Paper Coterie’s website. You should also check out the other projects you can create. My favorites, besides the photo books, are the memory boxes and the calendars. I can’t decide what I want to make next!

Now for the fun part: Paper Coterie has agreed to let us give away one Quotable photobook to a lucky reader. The book includes free shipping to the US, can not be combined with any other offer. Please note that the winning code will expire on October 1st, 2012.

Please wait while Rafflecopter loads

a Rafflecopter giveaway


Disclaimer: The above mentioned product was paid for, Paper Coterie has agreed to provide one free for one of our readers. All opinions are honest. **Affliate links present.**

Rubbermaid's New LunchBlox Kits Review

A blog post by Stacey

I was excited to receive the LunchBlox™ Sandwich Kit, as this will be my first review for Sometimes You Win.  When I opened the box, I was impressed by how the containers fit together to create a compact food storage system.  I soon realized that the kit did not come with a lunch bag in which to place the containers.  The lunch bag I already own would not fit the product stacked, as it is intended to be used.

Photo by Rubbermaid.com

Pros:  A compact way to bring your lunch to work or school.  The containers are the perfect size for a sandwich and three sides.  They are not too big, nor too small, and promote healthy portion control.  The Blue Ice™ pack keeps food cool if you are unable to place your lunch in the refrigerator. It is also BPA-free, microwave and dishwasher safe.

Cons:  I would need to buy an additional LunchBlox™ Lunch Bag to properly carry this in a stacked position.  The cost of the two items together is a little steep for my taste. 

I'd like this product even more if both pieces were sold together at a lower price point.

The LunchBlox™ Sandwich Kit retails for $12.99 and the LunchBlox™ Lunch Bag retails for $10.99.  It is available at Rubbermaid.com, Target, Kmart, Amazon.com, and select grocery and Wal-Mart stores.

If you are purchasing on Rubbermaid.com today, you can use the coupon code WOMANSDAY for 40% off LunchBlox.  If you are purchasing in-store, there is a printable coupon for $1.50 off at Rubbermaid.com

Want more info? Connect with Rubbermaid on Facebook and Twitter.


Disclaimer: This product was provided free by Rubbermaid.com in order to faciliate an honest review. Amazon Affliate link present.

I finally won: Albertsons Summer Giveaway!

I finally won something at the Albertsons Sizzlin Summer Giveaway, just 5 more days to play. Well it wasn't the big mil I've been dreaming about.. or even the Kindle Fire. I am the proud instant winner of $2!

See if you won anything on my rare pieces post.

If you have a SC04 or MW04 you're the big winner!

Save those bonus point coupons, I have earned $5 from them.

I also won 3 free doughnuts

Bringing my Albertsons big win total to 

$9.37!

Please tell me you did better!

Comment Below.

Back to School with Kohls

Do you ever go shopping and leave the store thinking "What just happened?!" Well that's the feeling I often get at Kohls. But, it's the good kind of surprise. If you follow the tips below you can save some serious money on back to school shopping too.

1. Sign up for Kohls credit card (Only do this if you can afford to pay for your purchases each month, having a balance will negate your savings). With the Kohls card you will receive % off coupons often. If you can - wait for the 30%, it's the best.

2. Look for other Kohls coupons that stack. They often come in the mail with Kohls ad. I have also found them in the newspaper, as a door hanger at home and even on a dry cleaning bag. Keep your eyes open, they can pop up anywhere.

3. Check out the sales/clearances racks first.

4. Pay attention to Kohls Cash and Bounce Back cash events. During these times, you will receive $10 coupons to use on a return visit (specific dates apply).  Kohls Cash is advertised and you have to spend $50 (pre-tax) to qualify but Bounce Back cash, I haven't quite figured out. It's just randomly there sometimes and I'm not sure if there's a minimum purchase requirement (I will ask next time unless someone here knows and wants to share)

Check out what I bought today! Boys athletic shorts, 2 boys athletic tees, 1 Hanes tee, 1 Super Mario tee and 1 So! shirt for mommy (I love these shirts, I have them in several colors).

Fila Shorts Clearance $7.80

Hawk Performance tee  Sale $4.00

Fila Performance tee   Clearance $7.80

Hanes solid tee  Sale $6.99 or 2@$12

Super Mario tee - 8.99 

So! tee - 5.99 

Factor in my 30% off coupon and another coupon I received in my monthly mailer for $10 off $25 kids appareal and guess how much I spent? Only $23.80 and I received $10 Bounce Back cash so it was more like spending $14 on all this! I can't even find deals like that at thrift stores. I did this by following the steps I mentioned above... and you can too!

Find a Kohls near you.

Please note online prices are often very different than store prices.

Whats the best deal you've gotten lately?

Disclaimer: I didn't receive anything to post this, I just love Kohls and saving money!
(cross posted on New Mom: San Diego)

Introducing Stacey!

I love blogging but I find myself under motivated a lot. I think I finally thought of the perfect solution. I have asked my 'real life' friend, Stacey to blog with me! No matter what were doing, Stacey and I always have so much fun together. But, ever since we stopped working together, we have kinda been on two different tracks always having a hard time trying to keep up with each other's schedules. Blogging together seems like a fun thing to do. I know she'll be a great motivator. 

Stacey and I have been friends for almost 11 years now which is incredible! I have a lot of great Stacey stories but I will save them for another day. I am going to let Stacey introduce herself now:

Hi, My name is Stacey. I am a single mom that works outside the home full-time. As you can imagine, I do not have much free time, but when I do I love to read, cook, and continue to learn about photography. My absolute favorite thing is to spend time with my four year old daughter, Kayla. We both love to be outside, so we are often at the park or the beach. I hope she will pick up my love of traveling so we can visit places near and far.

(Here's a sunset we enjoyed at a nearby beach )

Saving money is important to me and I’m always looking for a bargain. Most of my bargains are found online and through store rewards programs. I’m getting better about combining coupons with weekly specials for extra savings!

Wedding Activity Books By Simply Sherlock

This past June, I was a lucky winner on I Heart Giveaways! I won 15 personalized wedding activity books from Simply Sherlock. I was so excited to provide this for my sister's wedding. A new bride, often a non-parent, might not think of entertaining young wedding guests. Boy was I glad the kids had something to distract them from the candy buffet, I mean to pass the time. 

Laura did a wonderful job! First she asked me some questions about the wedding. Then, she took my responses and created coloring pages, a word search, a crossword puzzle and much more to create a good sized booklet. She also includes 6 crayons with each book. Everything can be customized including the packaging. She also creates personalized books for Baby Showers, Birthdays and more. I love that her customization can accommodate non-traditional families.

She quickly sent me a draft. Everything was better than expected. She shipped via priority mail and I had them in no time.

They were a hit at the wedding!

Some of the adults even took them as souvenirs.

Here are my boys both trying to do the maze at the same time.

Prices start at just $2/book with a 15 book minimum

Order your custom coloring books here.

A big thank you to Laura!

Disclaimer: This is my honest opinion. Non-compensated post. I won this prize.