Why I Use Ebates

You might have heard this before, but if you shop online, you should have an Ebates account. Since being a member, I've gotten over sixty dollars in cash back. Ebates is an online rebates account that gives you a percentage of your purchase back from online retailers. Online retailers include Expedia (that's right cash back on flights), Walmart.com, Barnes and Noble, Groupon, Old Navy, The Limited, Express and more. When you shop for Christmas, book flights for the holidays and more be sure to use Ebates and get cash back on your purchases.

$1 Tie

Tiecoon is an online retailer of ties. I got ties for my wedding from them and then a spring tie for my husband. They're inexpensive and have a variety of styles. Tiecoon just sent out an email announcing that you can get a pink and grey tie for a $1. That doesn't include shipping and handling, but what a deal! Check it out here.

Best French Fries

So my husband and I sometimes like to debate which restaurant has the best fries. Here are some the restaurants that we like to include in our runnings:

1. McDonalds
2. Burger King
3. Applebees
4. Red Robin
5. Wendy's
6. Chilis
7. Chick Fil-A
8. Five Guys

My top vote is Red Robin and their fries. What's your vote?

Christmas Wreath

I made my own Christmas Wreath. To make your own wreath, you will need the following:

• plain wreath
• decorative trimmings
• ribbon
• hot glue gun

To begin building your wreath, place the ribbon around the wreath and tie the ends in a bow. After you add the ribbon glue your trimmings to the wreath.

I got most of my supplies from after Christmas supplies.

Modest Clothing

There are several retailers that have modest clothing. Even some of the ones that claim to have modest clothing might not be the modest. Here are a few that I've stumbled across:

• Cleo Madison: Cleo Madison offers cute modest clothing ranging from skirts, tops, dresses and more. They also offer FREE shipping on U.S. orders to customers. To check them out, click here. 
• Roolee: Roolee is an online boutique offering modest clothing. Their site offers cute options for tops, shirts, dresses and pants. To check them out, click here.
• Downeast Basics: My favorite is their wonder tee, a cap sleeve shirt that's thin and go underneath a sweater or lower cut shirt to make it more modest. Some of their more normal tops also have a funky, fun style to them.
• Shabby Apple: Shabby apple is on the pricey side, but they tend to have modest dresses and skirts. Be sure to read the reviews on a dress before you buy it (sometimes the sizing and cut is off).
• Business Wear: Higher end retailers that offer business type clothing tend to have modest skirts, dresses and shirts: Ann Taylor, The Limited, Lands End, Eddie Bauer and Talbots.
• Junie Blake: I haven't tried them yet, but their website offers some cute dresses.
• Latter Day Bride: I haven't tried Latter Day Bride, but they offer everyday modest dresses, skirts and tops.
• Eshakti: I haven't tried them, but have heard good things about them. Eshakti will customize a dress to fit your body and they offer options to customize the neckline and sleeve.
• William Riera: I also haven't tried this site, but they offer cute dresses that are modest.
• Another one is also Mika Rose. I have had one unpleasant experience with them regarding a return and another positive one (except I didn't have a return). Mikarose has some really cute modest clothing options.
  
• Hanna Andersson: Hanna Andersson can be pricey, but their clothes last a long time. My grandmother got a pair of pajamas for my brothers that withstood their running around, roughness and they never lost their color. They have women, men and children clothing. A majority of their clothing is modest and classic looking. Hanna Andersson also has matching clothes for family portraits.
• Winsome Jones: Winsome Jones offers trendy and cute options for modest clothing. Click here to check them out.
• Sweet Salt: Sweet Salt can be found online here and at Seagull Bookstores. I have a couple of Sweet Salt items - skirts and tops. They are affordable, great quality and have a variety of styles. I would highly recommend checking them out.
• My Sister's Closet: My Sister's Closet offers a variety of modest clothing options.  Some of their clothing options also include plus size.
• SexyModest Boutique: SexyModest offers trendy and modest styles. To find out more, click here.

What stores have you heard of?

Please note that this posting was updated with additional modest resources on 11/22/2016.

Black Friday or Holiday Madness

From Free Digital Photos

Is it worth rushing out to the store to take advantage of Black Friday sales? Before the sales and deals, start become annoying and even before all the holiday madness; I like to ask myself a couple of questions:

1. Who do I need to get presents for? Some family members or friends we don't exchange gifts with or don't need anything so I make a mental or write a list of who to give gifts for.

2. What would the person that I am getting a gift for need or want? I try to be thoughtful on my gift giving. Sometimes it can be really hard especially the person who has everything.

3. What would the person I am getting a gift for appreciate? I know from experience that socks for a family member might not be appreciated whereas a favorite move or homemade scarf would be more receptive.

Instead of rushing out the store to buy gifts or buying stuff that is just on sale, think more carefully about the person. The cost of presents or Christmas doesn't seem as important as the meaning behind the gift and I get more excited about gift giving when I've put thought into it.

Grateful Even for Fleas

Courtesy of Free Digital Photos

You might have heard this story before about Corrie Ten Bloom's experience in the holocaust. It's extremely popular and all over the internet, but it's a good one. Corrie and her sister were prisoners in the holocaust. The conditions were extremely bad and they're section of the prison was so flea ridden that the soldiers wouldn't come near them. They read in the bible that they should give thanks in all circumstances and from that they received peace. The fleas allowed them to keep their bible and kept the guards away. When you feel frustrated and upset, remember to look for the little reminders of things to be grateful for. Sometimes the annoyances in life can actually be a blessing and something to be grateful for.

Sources:
http://www.broadcaster.org.uk/section2/transcript/hidingplace.html
http://mormanity.blogspot.com/2011/12/lessons-from-fleas.html

Ways to Have a Better Thanksgiving

Courtesy of Free Digital Photos

I've been stressed a little a bit about traveling around Thanksgiving and I know most others are too. Here are some tips to having a better Thanksgiving:

1. Enjoy the time with your family: Instead of stressing out about how the dinner needs to be perfect or what so and so might say just enjoy the time with them.

2. Be grateful: The day is supposed to be gratitude. Write a list in your journal, blog, or facebook page of what you're grateful for. Things can always be worse.

3. Stay positive: No matter if the Turkey is burnt or not defrosting right, stay positive. Negativity can bring a whole holiday down.

Free Macaroni Grill Entree

Macaroni Grill is also offering a buy one get one free entree for Black Friday Weekend. Get your coupon by clicking here. Now you have to decide which do you like better Macaroni Grill or Red Lobster?

Free Red Lobster Entree on Black Friday

Red Lobster is offering a buy one get one free entree deal for black Friday!!! Check it out here.

Shabby Apple Giveaways

Here's some Shappy Apple Giveaways. Shabby Apple is one of the few clothing lines that offer modest dresses for Women and Girls.

• Santa Barbara Chic
• Happy Hour Projects
• From PDX with Love
• The Blank Pages Blog

Ways to Honor Veterans

Here are a couple of ways to honor veterans:

1. Reflect on the service that they have done.
2. Donate goods to Veteran Services
3. Write a letter or send a care package to active duty members overseas.
4. Visit gravesites with flowers.
5. Volunteer at a Veteran Hospital
6. Record an experience of a family member's service to share with future generations
7. Say Thank You
8. Hoist a flag
9. Attend a parade

Book Suggestions

It's always hard to figure out what books to read. Here's a list of suggestions:

• Starters by Lissa Price: Price describes a dystopian world with only Grandparents and Children.
  
• Bunheads by Sophia Fleck: Fleck describes the challenges with being a part of the Manhattan Ballet and a girl struggling with it.
  
  
• Maze Runner Series by James Dashner: The Maze Runner Series describes a dystopian world and how the characters deal with brainwashing and being able to deal with survival.

Another place to look for books to read is a social site called good reads where you can review books you've read, check out what you're friends have read, and read reviews to find more books to read.

More Freebies for Veteran's

Along with Olive Garden providing Veteran's with a free entree on Veteran's Day. Veteran's can get a free appetizer at Red Lobster. Click here for more details. Also on November 11th and 12th, Veterans and Active Duty Military can receive a free bloomin' onion and soda at Outback Steakhouse. It's really nice of these restaurants to honor veterans.

Free Entree for Veteran's

All veterans or active duty military can receive a free entree at Olive Garden on Veteran's Day this year. See here for more details.