Tutorial: Re-covering old throw pillows!

So if you follow me on Facebook you know that I recently recovered some umm not so cute throw pillows! I just want to tell you it was so easy and I love how they turned out! Anyone with basic sewing knowledge can do this!

Supplies

Enough material to cover your pillows. I did two pillows 18 inches by 18 inches. So I used one yard of fabric that was 45 inches wide. The material I used was from the home decor section. 

matching thread.

sewing machine.

Ruler

Scissors. 

Time about one hour.

Hugo The Happy Starfish - The Secret To Happiness

Hugo The Happy Starfish - The Secret To Happiness

 

Written by Suzy Liebermann

Ame & Lulu Cross Body Bag Giveaway!

Welcome to the Ame & Lulu Cross Body Bag Giveaway!

Hosted by: Savory Savings

Sponsored by: Ame & Lulu

Trillium Organics Giveaway

Trillium Organics Giveaway

Hosted by: One Punky Mama Co-Hosted by: Simply Southern Couponers

Coco's Closet Dance socks review.

From: 

Recently I got asked to do a review of Dance Socks from Coco's Closet. What are dance socks you ask? They are a way to make Zumba and dancing around your house/gym even more fun! Dance socks go over your sneakers and slide around on hard surfaces so you can keep your shoes on but your sneakers no longer get stuck on the floor. We have all had that moment when you are looking AWESOME (atleast in your own head right?) and then your shoe get stuck mid turn making that loud screeching noise and everyone looks at you as you are fumbling around. Thats usually me. Well I got to try out the socks at Zumba class and I was so impressed with how well they worked! You can adjust how much they cover your shoes if you want more glide make them cover more of the soles less glide scrunch them up so they cover less. Simple enough right? 
I really enjoyed this product, I used it both at home and at the gym. I thought I would feel silly putting them on at the gym but I didn't and a few ladies even asked me what they were. Thanks coco's closet for keeping me in the loop! They didn't bunch up or move around. I was very pleased with them. At home the only hard surface we had was in the kitchen but I still made it fun ;O) I danced around my kitchen for a while. I made it look so awesome my almost 3 year old asked to join in! Since I got two pairs I put a pair over his sneakers and they fit! They really are one size fits all! We had ourselves a mini dance party and it was a lot of fun.
Over all these socks are great. I can slide around a lot and choose how slippery I want for them to be. 

Here is a little more about DanceSocks:

• Turn Sneakers into Dance Shoes – Now you can dance in any sneaker!
• For smooth surfaces, not recommended for carpet or concrete.
• Easily twist and turn in sneakers for dance and dance fitness
• Pull the Dance Sock over the front of your shoe.

A little bit about Coco's Closet:

 Coco’s Closet is where you’ll discover all the great gifts and fashion finds that CoCo’s been collecting just for you. They want you to feel as though you’ve just stepped into your best friend’s secret gift closet and private dressing room. That is, your friend with a taste for cool finds, clever purchases, luxury and an eye for the latest pieces that make sense. For more information click here.

The Dance Socks can be purchased for $9.99 and are available in pink or black.  They are one size fits all and come with 2 sets in the package.  And they are made in the USA.  Coco’s Closet sells more than just Dance Socks though. You can follow Coco's Closet on Facebook, Twitter,YouTube and Pinterest.

Would I recommend these to a friend? YES!

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

Flex watch review and GIVEAWAY!

Before I tell you how amazing my new watches are I feel like it is more important to tell you how amazing the company making the watches is. Let me start by telling you their story.
"Flex is a team of like-minded individuals on a mission to create change. There are many great organizations dedicated to many great causes, but without support there is only so much they can do. This is why we created Flex Watches. Using our bright, colorful, and interchangeable watches, we can now raise awareness for multiple organizations while helping provide meals and education for children in need. Our watches don't just tell time, they tell stories." Isn't that great? Yeah I think so too. For more information about this amazing company and the charities they work with go HERE.

Recaro Performance Sport- A car seat worth the money!

I am what you call car seat crazy. I hate seeing kids in the wrong seat for them or in their seat incorrectly. I also hate car seats that are the minimum standards and have bad information on their seats. Such as the whole "forward facing from 20lbs and 1 year" It makes parents think they can just turn their kids around when they are one and they will be safe. That is so far from wrong and I hate that its okay for car seat companies to advertise like this. So when it did come time to turn my three year old around forward facing I was nervous. Okay beyond nervous.  I am still nervous but it has been almost a month and I am getting more use to it. Although I am never going to get use to the constant talking and in my business that has started now...

Trillium organics blogger opp

Organized by: One Punky Mama

Prize:  Trillium Organics Body Bundle

Event dates: 6/28 - 07/22

Sign Up Here please mention our5cents sent you!

Storing baby food.

When Dexter was a baby I never made him his own food, I thought it would be to difficult and time consuming. Not to mention I thought I would spend more money and food would always go bad. This time around with Max I knew I wanted to make him his own food after learning about the things they put in baby food and don't tell you. So with Max I began a baby food making journey. It was incredibly easy. Except one thing. I could not find anything to put the food in! I bought a product that came with baby food storage jars but instead of being convenient they were more "cutesy" They were not practical at all and I had a hard time using them.

Wordless Wednesday on Thursday evening..

Horrible mom right here. I have yet to write about the fact that Max is one now. Well he is and he even already had a party. So even though I don't have time to write about his first year I will share some pictures with you from his party!

getting ready for his party.

No longer a messy bag lady.

Picture this: A lady walking down the street, in high heels, cute outfit, two cute kids with her,  but then you notice something is off, she has two bags overflowing with stuff. Neither bag is very cute nor functional. That lady is me. Okay so I am probably not in heels and my kids are probably screaming. But none the less my whole outfit is being ruined by this monstrosities of diaper bags/purses I have to carry and they are not even doing their jobs! Usually I am carrying 2 bags or one purse and one book bag. The dreaded book bag. EWW.

So when PinkLinning sent me a bag to review I was so excited! Although it took me almost an hour to pick out which bag I wanted. All of their bags are so cute! I finally decided on the Yummy Mummy in Navy bows . First let me tell you how cute this bag is! It makes me feel like I am coordinated and cute. I am usually a big mess but with this bag I at least look put together. I love the cup cake on the front but Dexter says "Its not very nice to not really have a cupcake in there, that's not nice". But I think it is a cute touch. Another thing about the cuteness of this bag is the cute lining and that it is actually pink! I love it.

Okay now onto the actual functionality of this bag.

Kiss the cook giveaway

Kiss the Cook Event

Organized by: Mom to Bed by 8

Rachael Ray cookware giveaway!

Prize Package Includes:

Rachael Ray Hard Anodized II 10 piece Set

Create super-nutritious and innovative meals that are never boring with the help of Rachael Ray cookware. Create Rachael's Vegetable Cacciatore by browning vegetables in the saute pan while the accompanying whole wheat penne bubbles away in the stockpot. Or try adding a little spice to a simple lunchtime meal with a chipotle grilled cheese sandwich browned to perfection in one of the skillets. Rachael Ray Hard-Anodized cookware is the perfect combination of durability and style, and this 10-piece set certainly fits the bill. This set has all the essential pieces to make memorable meals every day. Hard-anodized construction provides even heat, helping to reduce "hot spots" that can burn food, and it�۪s coated with a durable nonstick both inside and out for exceptional food release and easy clean up. The tempered glass lids allow you to monitor your food while it cooks, keeping heat and moisture sealed in. Grippy handles feature striking orange padding for a comfortable feel. This cookware is oven safe to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and dishwasher safe for convenient, fast and simple cleanup. Set includes 1-Quart and 2-Quart Covered Saucepans 6-Quart Covered Stockpot 3-Quart Covered Saute 8.5-Inch and 10-Inch Skillets

Rachael Ray Bakeware Set - Orange (5 Pc)

This Rachael Ray 5-Piece Nonstick Bakeware Set is perfect for sweet and savory dishes alike. With five versatile pieces, this set has what you need for baking everything from fresh cookies to decadent cakes and breads, but Rach uses this set for so much more. The cookie sheet is perfect for roasting vegetables or oven fries; the rectangular cake pan is the perfect size and shape for a cheesy lasagna; the loaf pan is the essential pan for homestyle meatloaf; and the round cake pans fit the bill for quiches or a zesty chicken tortilla casserole. Rachael Ray bakeware is made from durable carbon steel that can bake over and over again with the same great results. The grippy handles provide a firm grasp when pulling items from a hot oven. The sturdy construction also resists warping so cakes and pies come out perfectly round every time. This bakeware is oven safe to 500 degrees Fahrenheit for convenience and a portion of the proceeds from this purchase goes to Yum-o!, Rachael�۪s nonprofit organization that helps kids and their parents develop healthy relationships with food and cooking. Set includes 10-Inch x 15-Inch cookie sheet 9-Inch x 13-Inch cake pan 9-Inch x 5-Inch loaf pan Two 9-Inch round cake pans

Rachael Ray Nylon Tool Set - Orange (6 Pc)

These slender spoons are lightweight and easy to hold. Fill your kitchen drawer with these must have tools. The flat head on this ladle mean no more pan-tilting so you get every last drop, just glide and remove. This classic whisk stands alone with it's wide base and easy to grip handle. It gets the job done and keeps your counter clean. The long flexible heads on these Spatulas can flip everything from delicate eggs to juicy steaks. The open design lets grease fall back into the pan instead of landing on your plate. Thank you to each reader who is taking the time to visit, read and entering to win this fabulous prize package. Do take a moment to also visit our lovely co-hosts whom without them great things such as these would not be possible: Making Memories With Your Kids, TOTS-Business Resources for Bloggers and Business Moms, Monica's Rants Raves Reviews, My Vegan Gluten-Free Life, Ultimate Coupon Club, Capri's Coupons, Ramblings of a Coffee Addicted Writer, The Mandatory Mooch, Quick Tattletails and Cloth Diaper Addicts.
a Rafflecopter giveaway

One lucky reader will receive a Rachael Ray Cookware Prize Package!

Giveaway ends June 24th at 11:59pm, open to US and Canada residents, ages 18+. To enter please use the Rafflecopter form below. Good luck.

Disclosure: I received no compensation for this publication. My opinions are my own and may differ from those of your own. Our5cents is not responsible for sponsor prize shipment. Please contact teri@mompoweredmedia.com with questions or to see your business or blog featured on the next big event!

$75 gift certificate giveaway!

Hosted by: Everything Mommyhood

Sponsored by: Baby's Own Room

Special Thanks to Our AWESOME Co-hosts

My Four Littles, Boys Oh Boys, Four Littles Media, The Coupon Crazy Mom, Simply Southern Couponers, Fun With Four, and The Born Unique Baby Guide.

This giveaway is part of the Bloom Into Baby Event.

Baby's Own Room sells bedding and room decor for Babies, Toddlers, Kids, and Teens. They sell a variety of different brands, including, but not limited to: Sweet Jojo Designs, One Grace Place and Whistle & Wink. Baby's Own Room has low prices and offers FREE shipping on every order, no minimums! Twin, Full/Queen sets are always 10% OFF no coupon code required. 

Canon Rebel T3i giveaway!

Welcome to Greentoe's Canon Rebel T3i DSLR Camera Giveaway

Wee Will Romp You!

Car seat Pee Pee pad tutorial!

I hope I am not alone on this one... but my son (almost 3) pee's in his car seat almost once a week. I swear I take him potty before we go but almost always 5 minutes into driving I hear "MOMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM I GOTTA PEEEEEEEEEEE NOW!!!" and he means now. Usually I can stop fast enough but sometimes we just don't make it. Then I have to take apart his MASSIVE car seat for three hours, hand wash all the foam and line dry the cover. Meaning we can't leave the house the rest of the day. Or I can drive around with my car smelling like pee. Eww.  So I decided I needed a pee pad, or cover, or something. I read the manual with the car seat and since its not safe to change the cover, pad it was!
I looked online and found some, for $20- $30. That was to much for me. So I decided I could do it myself! I did, and let me tell you it was EASY. A beginner sewer can do this. I have created a tutorial for you and I hope you find it easy, if you need any help leave a question and I will get back to you!

Car Seat pee pad.

Once a month almost cooking.

So last month I signed up for this website to help me do my once a month cooking. After two days in the kitchen, spending $500 at the grocery store (we normally spend about $300-$400 for our family of four when I do this my way) and having hardly any meals to show for it I realized I don't do once a month cooking.
Normally it takes me about 6-8 hours one day a month and I have 20-25 meals to show for it. So needless to say I will not be doing that website again. What a waste of time and money! Not to mention the website kept flipping back and fourth between measurements. I sat in the meat isle converting things back and fourth for way to long!
So I decided to share with Y'all what I normally do.

How to prep 20 freezer meals in a few hours!

First I will tell you I have no recipies for you here, just some advice on how to make your life easier :O).

Step 1. Make a list of all the meat and vegetables you will be using.

Step 2. Get out all your 1 gallon bags, quart bags,  and whatever else you want to put meals in. 

Step 3. Place all meat that does not need to be pre-cooked in labeled bags/containers . So say you have 10 meals that call for chicken, chicken does not need to be pre-cooked so go ahead and put it in the container. If you have ground beef I always cook that before.

Step 4. Cook all meat that needs to be pre-cooked. So you have 4 recipes that call for ground beef? If it is all cooked the same way just go ahead and cook it all at once! I usually end up cooking 4/5 lbs of ground beef a month, so much easier if its all in one pan, and then I separate it out.

Step 5. put all meat in the fridge.

Step 6. Chop vegetables. If you do it all at once its so much easier!

Step 7. Get all the meat out and put your veggies in the containers with the meat.

Step 8. add whatever else the recipes call for. 

Step 9. put it in the freezer!

Then as the month goes by take one meal out a day and you will have it ready for the next day! Its super easy and saves you so much time and money!

I usually have two stacks like this for smoothies for the month.

My kids squeeze pouches for the month! I usually make around 45 they love these!!

I hope that was helpful. I will be making a recipe and FULL how-to post with step by step instructions soon! Let me know if there is anything else you would like to see!