Happy Halloween!

Here I am in my costume last year. Can you guess what I was?

Happy National Chocolate Day!

In honor of this very important holiday:

Am I A Cougar?

Since I'm going to be 40 in 119 days (don't worry, still plenty of time to shop for my gift), a thought occurred to me...am I a cougar?

I posed this question to women of all ages and the general consensus is that a cougar is someone over 40. According to Wikipedia, it's a woman over 30. Hmmm, that's quite a difference.

I must tell you that when I hear the word "cougar" it conjures up images of a woman pushing 50, wearing a push-up bra, too tight pants and a leopard print top. She also has a cigarette hanging out the side of her mouth and she's swiggin' beer from a bottle. Aside from the too tight pants (not on purpose, I've just put on weight), I'm not that woman.

Besides, isn't a cougar also a woman who trolls the bars looking for younger men. The last time I trolled a bar was....well, I've never trolled. I'm not a troller. When I go out, it's to have dinner or see a movie with friends. All of my friends are moms. They're just grateful for a night out of the house! I must admit, I think dinner and/or a movie is a perfect night out.

So tell me, what are your thoughts on cougars? Do you know any? Are you one? Am I one?

Wordless Wednesday

Holiday Cards

While we're on the subject of the holidays, let's talk about cards. I used to buy my Christmas cards on December 26. The Hallmark store always had a great 50% off sale and they have some beautiful cards. Then they stopped doing the 50% off sale and did 30% off instead. That's when I moved on. I got an email a couple of years ago from the American Cancer Society. They have a campaign where you can order your (CUSTOM PRINTED) cards for FREE!! That's right, FREE! You don't have to enter a credit card number to order them or anything. You just pick the style and quantity that you'd like and they ship them to you. When you receive your cards there will be an envelope to send a donation. I usually send $1 per card. You can do more or less, it's your choice.

The wording inside the card reads:

"In the spirit of the Holiday Season, a donation in your honor has been made to the American Cancer Society. It carries with it a wish for health, happiness, and peace in the New Year."

You can also add your own custom sentiment and closing line. I've done this for the past few years and the cards are beautiful. I've gotten a very positive response from the people that I send the cards to, as well. For me, it's all about easy at the holidays, and this couldn't be easier.

Click here to order yours.

Now, I promise I won't talk about Christmas again until November!

The Season of Giving

Christmas in exactly 2 months from today. Depressing, I know. Raise your hand if you've started your shopping. {My hand remains by my side} I was fortunate enough to score big at the Target toy clearance over the summer. I'm sure I'll be digging into that for holiday giving.

I also like to give toys to those children less fortunate. I like to give to Toys for Tots, a wonderful organization run by the United State Marine Corps. Who can resist those handsome gentleman at the mall sitting next to that (often empty) box?

When I worked in Boston, I took over the holiday tradition in our office. We worked with an organization called Christmas in the City. I did a little research to find out what it was all about. Once I did, I was hooked. First of all, CITC is a 100% volunteer organization. They do not have one single paid employee. The other thing that I love about them is the party that they have every year. It's held at a downtown location and they have the most amazing things. A turkey dinner, pizza, hot dogs, games for the kids, haircuts, Santa. At the end of the day, all of the children also get a bag with a winter hat, mittens, socks and a book.

The best part about the party is that every child receives a gift just for them. If you get in touch with CITC to request a child's name, they will send you the child's name, age and a wish list of three items. You are only to buy one item and wrap it with the child's name.

If you would like to give to CITC but don't have time to shop, wrap and drop off a gift, fear not, they have a wish list on Amazon.com. You can purchase a toy and they will ship it directly to CITC. How great is that?! Super easy, right?

I know a lot of people also adopt families through their churches and that's wonderful too. It doesn't matter what you do, as long as you take a moment to remember those in need.

I realize that times are tough this year and money is tight for everyone. If you can't give a gift, perhaps think about volunteering. I know that Christmas in the City looks for people to help set up their party every year. They also allow children to help. Why not bring the family and teach the kids about giving back?

Hmm, Let's See..

What did I do this weekend? Good question. The weekends just seem to fly by and sometimes I can't even tell you what I did. I did some shopping, of course. I scored some fleece vests for $5 at Old Navy. I also picked up a couple of other things on clearance (plus an additional 50% off) for next summer. I hopped on over to Talbot's Outlet to scope out some deals. I found a bathing suit for 75% off the markdown price. The suit was originally $79. I paid $8.77 for it. Before you ask, yes, it IS an old lady bathing suit. It's a one-piece with a skirt. Don't judge me!

Sunday was the christening of my BFF's baby. She looked so beautiful in her christening gown. Here's a shot of the two of us.

Our friend Nicole is the baby's Godmother. I'm kicking myself because I didn't get a picture of the two of them together. Shoot!

Speaking of Nicole, she has "the sickness" like I do. She LOVES to shop. She is fortunate enough to have two cute little girls. She loves shopping for them. Take a look at what they had on their feet today:

OH. MY. GOD. Toddler Uggs! They were the cutest little things. She paired them with matching Baby Boden dresses from Nordstrom. Now that's a girl who knows how to shop!

I hope you a great weekend as well.

Stella & Dot

My dear friend, (and "employer") Alissa, invited me to her home the other night for a Stella & Dot party. She became a Stella & Dot stylist not too long ago and wanted to show off some of their amazing products.

So pretty!

It's so pretty and so girlie!

Sometimes I wish that I didn't work with children. Then I could wear big girl clothes and fun jewelry.

They even have a line for little girls. How cute is this?!

I bought the pink ring in the picture above. I think it's fun and whimsical.

If you'd like to take a closer look, or host a party in your home, click here to see Alissa's page.

To be fair, I have two other friends that are S&D stylists. One is near Waltham, MA and another in Maryland. Here are the links to their pages:

Alicia (Waltham, MA)

Julie (Maryland)

Everything that I've read and heard about Stella & Dot has been positive. They seem like a great company to work for. Come on ladies, it's time to get our pretty on!

What's In A Name?

This is my sister. Her name is Ethel. Seriously. She's always been known as Essie in our family. You see, my mom and my grandmother were both named Ethel as well. I am SO glad that I wasn't born first in my family!

Today is her birthday. She's considerably older than I am. I won't tell you how old she is but I will tell you that I used to steal her clothes when she went to school. We were never in the same school together. She had to leave the house earlier than I did. That would give me a chance to rummage through her room to look for something cool to wear. I think my favorite things to borrow were her silk-like (polyester) blouses. I always felt so mature when I wore them. It was the 80's, what can I say.

Happy Birthday Esther!

Wordless Wednesday

The Crazy Couponer

My sister, Kelly, has been "couponing" for about a year now. She follows quite a few blogs to help her get the best deals. This is not one of them.

Most people sit down to make a list for the grocery store. She sits down to write out scenarios. There is a pencil (in order to erase) a calculator, coupons, catalinas and the weekly flyers from the different stores. If you want to know what a catalina is, click here.

Yesterday, she sent me to the store while she was at work. She left me a detailed "scenario" of exactly what and how much to buy. She included coupons and catalinas along with cash and the list.

Here's what I came home with:

3 boxes of cereal

3 bags of frozen veggies

6 boxes of fruit snacks

1 can of corn

1 package of desserts

2 boxes of muffin mix

1 package of mini loaf pans

2 packages of Go Gurts

1 package of spoons

1 bag of flour

The total (after my Shaw's card) was $60.21. After coupons and previous catalinas, it came to $11.17. Plus, she received $23 in catalinas to use on a future shopping trip.

Saving over $49 at the grocery store is pretty darn good, but that's just math I can't do.

20,000 A MONTH?!

Recently I was invited (and subsequently uninvited) to an event for bloggers and members of the press. I was so excited. This was the first event that I'd been invited to as a blogger. I sent in my enthusiastic "yes" response, only to be sent an email in return saying that I had to have at least 20,000 readers per month to be eligible. 20,000! Are you kidding me? I have 2 readers a month (you know who you are). I was thinking...maybe if my two readers each got a few thousand friends to join Being Loopy, I could be re-invited.

You know what? I don't want to go to their stupid, smelly, no good, dumb party anyway. I'm happy with my 2 readers. As long as they enjoying reading about my boring life, I'm good. That's my story and I'm stickin' to it.

Thank you and goodnight.

Bake Sale, Beauty and Bargains!

Today was a glorious day. Not only weather-wise. It was a day of taking my time and not rushing from one thing to the next.

My first stop today was a bake sale hosted by the lovely Coupon Goddess (aka Melanie). She was holding this bake sale for a friends daughter who is suffering from cancer.

If you missed it, fear not, she's having it again next Sunday. It will take place at Shaw's, 20 Pilgrim Hill Road in Plymouth, 9:00-2:00.

Melanie and her friends made all of the yummy treats offered. I dropped off a few things that my sister and I made. I also dropped off some gorgeous cookies that our friend Sues made. Dang it, I forgot to get a picture of Sue's cookies. Oh wait, here's one of some cookies that she made recently. Don't they look amazing!

My next stop was (my sister) Kelly's. We were picking up a friend of hers and heading to an open house at Tranquil Escape Day Spa in Brockton.

The three of us have been there before but the spa is under new ownership and they wanted to get people in there. With the promise of a gift bag, I was there.

I wish I could hang out there all day. Everything looked so inviting.

The pedicure chairs:

The dining room (this is where you have lunch when you have a day of beauty):

And the massage room:

They even have a room named "The Tranquility Room." With a fireplace and soft lighting, it is tranquil indeed.

Once I got my gift bag, I hightailed it out of there. I had places to be, like Derby Street Shoppes. I was in the mood to find some bargains. And find some bargains, I did.

My first stop was J. Crew. Now, I love the clothes in J. Crew, but I can't afford them. Plain and simple. I always make a bee line for their clearance rack when I go there. Today I was pleasantly surprised. They were rockin' some pretty good markdowns.

This pretty little shirt was on clearance for $19.99 from $79.50. This would be a great "going out" shirt:

I fell in love with this shirt. It's long enough that it would look great with leggings. It's made from the softest cotton imaginable. This one was also $19.99

This cute little tank would be great for layering. It's a nice cotton that hugs in all the right places. It was also priced at $19.99.

This t-shirt was cute too. It's a great little wardrobe staple. It was only $9.99

Next up was Ann Taylor Loft. Are they still using the Ann Taylor name or are they just Loft? I'll have to look into that.

They were having a great sale; 40% off all clearance items.

This adorable shirt was marked down to $19.99. It was an additional 40% off. That's the kind of math I like.

This shirt was marked down to $6.88 plus the additional 40% off.

Now, I'm not really sure what this shirt is all about but it was on sale, so I thought I'd show it to you. It was $9.88 plus 40% off.

And finally this tank top. This would look cute under a sweater. It was also marked down to $9.88.

Well, that was my fun-filled, relaxing Sunday. I hope yours was a good one too!

Here's What I Did Today

My sister, Kelly, and I had every intention of going to the mall today. She had a couple of items return and I was going to look for the "Bargain of the Week." Again, those were our intentions.

Here's what we did instead:

We decided to do some baking for an upcoming bake sale. A fellow blogger is hosting it on Sunday at Shaw's in Plymouth on Pilgrim Hill Road. If you're in the area between 9:00 and 2:00, please come by to support a great cause. To read more about the bake sale, click here.

We had so much fun making fudge,

oatmeal chocolate chip cookies

and magic bars.

I can't wait to see what other goodies will be there. Yum!

The Bag of Bags

Most women have them. Most men don't understand them. It's the bag of bags.

A few years ago a friend and her husband moved from their apartment into a new home. They were packing and she was putting the bag of bags in a cardboard box. Her husband asked her incredulously, "are you seriously bringing that bag of bags with us to our new place?" She said, "of course! Do you know how many years it took me to collect these bags?" In the end, she won the argument and the bag of bags went with them.

I don't understand why men can't understand this.