Don't clip another coupon....unless you want to of course!

Have you checked out Savings Star?

You can add your coupons directly to your grocery store rewards card, instead of going through all the newspapers and circulars and clipping them individually.

Just click and add them to your card.....easy as pie...and this way when you forget your coupons, you won't miss out on savings!

Here are the Savings Star coupons you can add this week:

SavingStar Grocery eCoupons

Buy 1 April issue of ESSENCE Magazine, Save $1.00. Expires 4/6/2012.

Ahorra 50¢ en el ejemplar de abril de Español / Save 50¢ on 1 April issue of People en Español . Expires 4/6/2012.

Buy any 1 Aleve Product 20 ct or higher, Save $1.00. Expires 4/4/2012.

Buy 1 Diamond Crystal Salt Sense, Save 35¢. Expires 3/31/2012.

Buy 1 Diamond Crystal Kosher Salt, Save 40¢. Expires 3/31/2012.

Buy 1 Diamond Crystal Sea Salt, Save 40¢. Expires 3/31/2012.

Save 75¢ when you buy ONE (1) Fisher® Baking item of any variety, 10 oz. or larger. Expires 3/31/2012. (Only at Jewel - Osco)

Buy 1 GUM® Canker-X®, Save $1.00. Expires 3/28/2012. (Only at CVS)

Buy 1 GUM® Canker-X®, Save $1.00. Expires 3/28/2012. (Only at Rite Aid)

Buy any 1 Price Chopper® Grocery Product (does not include Dairy or Frozen), Earn 50¢. Expires 3/28/2012. (Only at Price Chopper)

Buy (1) McCain Purely Potatoes®, Save $1.00. Expires 3/28/2012.

Buy (1) McCain® Sweet Potato Fries, Save $1.00. Expires 3/28/2012.

Buy 1 GUM® Crayola Kids® Toothbrush, Save 75¢. Expires 3/28/2012.

Buy 1 GUM® Go-Betweens®, Save 75¢. Expires 3/28/2012.

Buy 1 GUM® Eez-Thru Flosser®, Save 75¢. Expires 3/28/2012.

Buy 1 GUM® PerioBalance®, Save $5.00. Expires 3/28/2012. (Only at CVS)

Buy 1 GUM® PerioBalance®, Save $5.00. Expires 3/28/2012. (Only at Rite Aid)

Buy 1 GUM® PerioShield®, Save $3.00. Expires 3/28/2012. (Only at CVS)

Save 70¢ on any ONE (1) Kellogg's Krave(TM) Cereal (11 oz. or Larger, Any Flavor) . Expires 3/28/2012.

Buy 2 Musselman's® Apple Sauce (46-48 oz. size), Save 50¢. Expires 4/8/2012.

Buy 2 cans of Lucky Leaf® Pie Filling, Save 75¢. Expires 4/8/2012.

Buy 1 RapidLash, Save $10.00. Expires 3/21/2012. (Only at CVS)

Stay on track with Kellogg's® Special K®. Get $5.00 back when you purchase $20.00 of any Kellogg's Special K® products by March 21, 2012.. Expires 3/21/2012.

Buy 1 Truvia® Natural Sweetener (40 ct or larger), Save 75¢. Expires 3/15/2012.

Buy 1 issue of People® Magazine, Save $1.00. Expires 3/19/2012.

Save $1.00 when you purchase any 2 Windex® products. Expires 3/14/2012. Sold Out.

Save $1.00 when you purchase any 2 Shout® products (Excludes Trial/Travel Size). Expires 3/14/2012. Sold Out.

Save $1.25 when you purchase any 2 Pledge® furniture care products . Expires 3/14/2012.

Save $1.00 when you purchase any 2 Scrubbing Bubbles® products. Expires 3/14/2012.

Buy 1 Chock full o'Nuts product, Save 75¢. Expires 3/31/2012.

Planning a Road Trip - family style!

Since I recently started a family, it's important that I plan my trips a little more carefully. I can't just get in a car and drive, road-trip-style and spend the night wherever I land since safety and cleanliness is even more of a necessity with a child.

Before, I plan a trip. I spend hours online, going from website to website, often times, researching an area and options for restaurants, hotels, attractions, etc. for my destination city. I think I'm a bit OCD in that respect, having to find all the reviews that are out there, both good and bad for each potential location.

Honestly, most of my “research” ends up being on what restaurants I should check out. I think the last “itinerary” I made for the last trip I took (to New Orleans) consisted of:

Day One – Breakfast at Cafe du Monde........Lunch at Mother's........Dinner at Acme Oyster House

Day Two – Breakfast at Luke.......Lunch at Cochon Butcher.......Dinner at Antoine's Restaurant

Let the activities, fall where they may. I guess I'm a bit of a food junkie, when my whole trip is planned out by meal, huh?!

I love websites, that share personal experiences from people that are similar to me, instead of just a “professional traveler's” opinion. For example, if I'm traveling to Los Angeles to see my family, I want to read los angeles hotel reviews from people who also traveled with a kiddo, and are on the same budget as me. I want restaurant and activity suggestions from other families, not a single male restaurant critic who might suggest that I should check out “so and so's” restaurant because it has fantastic caviar.

Do YOU have any favorite trip planning tips or sites that you like to reference when getting ready to “hit the road” - family style?

If you do, please share them with all of us!

Is store brand formula for me? StoreBrandFormula.com GIVEAWAY

I recently wrote a post called Adventures in Baby Formula, where I highlighted my journey from major brand formulas to generic or store-brand formulas.

For some reason, initially my mind was set that I'd only give my baby "the best" which (to me) meant major brands, which also are much more expensive. Now while, I felt better feeding my baby "fancy" formula, my budget was not so happy.

So, a few months ago, I decided to give the store brands a try, to give my budget a bit of a break.  I did some research and found that the main ingredients in the major brands are comparable to most of the store brands.  However, many moms seem to be stuck with the thought that major brands are better.

In fact, according to a recent study:

· 68% of moms believe a heftier price tag for formula means that it’s a better quality product.

· 49% of new first-time moms believe name brand formulas offer more nutritional value than their significantly less expensive store brand counterparts.

I'd challenge you to compare the ingredients and nutritional value of both sets of formula (store brand and major name brand) and make your own decision.  One place that is a wealth of information online, giving you the ability to compare the results is: StoreBrandFormula.com - check it out!

It should go without saying that I am not a medical professional and I'd encourage you to run any information by your child's pediatrician before making any changes to your feedings.  However, I'm also a big fan of using your own brain and the facts and research out there to make smart decisions and not just follow the "influence" of major brand advertising. 

So until next time.....be smart, research the facts and enjoy YOUR own Adventures in Baby Formula! 

~ GIVEAWAY~

• (4) cans of Parent's Choice Premium formula
• (4) cans of Up & Up Sensitivity®  formula
• (3) $3.00 off coupons for any 23.2oz.+ powder infant formula at Walmart

Enter to Win (closed)

1. In a blog post comment, share YOUR experience with formula, good or bad (leave your email address so we can contact you if you win)
2. Subscribe to our RSS feed (so you don't miss another giveaway)

*  Optional BONUS entries *

3. "Like" McKinney Mommas on Facebook
4. FOLLOW McKinney Mommas on TWITTER

5. FOLLOW McKinney Mommas on Google + 

• Giveaway ends on March 20th, 2012 - winner will be notified by email and have 48 hours to respond before a new winner is chosen.

* * * We have a winner! Congratulations to Elizabeth B * * *

* Note: I was given some cans of formula to facilitate this review. However, all opinions are 100% my own and were not influenced by the complimentary product received.

Organic Baby Gift Boutique Review & Giveaway - ends 3/18/12

Shopping for baby products or gifts online at stores like Babies R Us and other major retailers, is often like trying to find a needle in a haystack.  There are so many products available that it's hard to narrow down your choices to find that perfect gift.

Organic Baby Gift Boutique, is an online boutique, offering eco-friendly and organic baby products for all of your baby and newborn gift shopping needs. They even have a baby registry service available, so soon-to-be moms don't have to fumble around with that awkward registry "gun" up and down the aisles of those unorganized baby retail stores!

When you're in need of that perfect, handpicked baby item, for your own registry or for a gift, Organic Baby Gift Boutique has many categories to choose from; offering organic baby clothes, organic skin care, bedding, diapers, nursing gear and gifts for mothers!

Why choose Organic Baby Gift Boutique?

• Products available are made from eco-friendly, non-toxic and organic materials
• Most items are made in the USA
• They select items made through fair-trade practices when possible
• No products offered are made in sweatshops
• Partnership with MyRegistry.com for an easy to make wishlist for your "bundle to be"

Gift Ideas from Organic Baby Gift Boutique

Picnic Pal Lamby Gift Crate

SwaddleDesigns - Organic Hooded Towel - Kiwi Mod Circles on Ivory

Organic Snap Kimono - Floral

Organic Baby Gift Boutique  gave us the opportunity to review one of the NEW items they are offering from Green Toys™ in their Eco-Friendly and Organic Toys boutique!

My one year old has begun to enjoy push/pull toys and filling/emptying containers, so what could be more perfect than Green Toys™ Pink Dump Truck to review?

Green Toys™ offered at Organic Baby Gift Boutique, are made in the USA from 100% recycled plastic milk containers, and are packaged with only recycled materials, printed with soy ink; so I feel like a responsible consumer purchasing from this line of toys.  

 ....MA...why is this toy in a box?......let me at it!.......

....inspecting the craftsmanship......she APPROVES!

 ...and she's off.....first "push" toy she's owned!

...after filling the bed with blocks...it's time to pull and dump the truck....

As you can see above, I doubt if I have to explain that the Green Toys™ Pink Dump Truck from Organic Baby Gift Boutique was a hit in our house!  They offer the toy in a Red/Yellow combo as well, if your little boy isn't "into" the pink/purple design.  

Recommended for ages 1 and up, this is the kind of toy will "grow" with your child as I know toddlers, as well as older children who still love to play with their dump trucks! 

SHOP NOW

and to stay updated on Sales and Specials from Organic Baby Gift Boutique:

• FOLLOW them on TWITTER
• LIKE them on FACEBOOK 

  
~ GIVEAWAY ~ 

• Prize: $25 gift certificate to Organic Baby Gift Boutique
• Click READ MORE > > > and complete Rafflecopter form to enter!
• Ends 3/18/12

* NOTE: Organic Baby Gift Boutique provided me with a complimentary item to facilitate this review, however all opinions are my own and were not influenced by the complimentary item received.

Earth Friendly Toys That We Love

Here's a list that I made on a cool website called Skinny Scoop.  You can list your favorite things on the web. Great place to keep ideas organized! See what you think.

"Green" Earth Friendly Toys that you'll love

Rugs USA Review & 50% off SALE!

We recently moved into a new house.  Finally, a house with some beautiful hardwood floors!  The only trouble about hardwood floors, is that they are "loud", aren't great for acoustics and can get scratched and dinged up easily.

Solution?  .................... 

Rugs USA, has an incredible selection of rugs and area rugs offered at low and discounted prices.  Honestly, there are almost too many to choose from, but they've arranged their website so that you can narrow down your choices by style, color, material, size and price. Which eliminates any headaches that you might have anticipated would go along with rug shopping.

They offer a 30 day return guarantee, just in case your rug doesn't fit your room or decor as well as you hoped it would. Plus, with free shipping on your order, you really can't go wrong!

If you're looking for more than just a rug to complete your new room's look, Rugs USA also has clocks, lighting, art, bedding and more to give your room that finished look.

Some of the Rugs you can find at Rugs USA

For the boy that likes to ROCK! 
Hip Hop Kids Guitar Navy Rug

 35% off!= $57.85

For your little hipster girl
Momeni Lil Mo Hipster
 $64.00

For the classy mama 
Keno Bliss Gray Rug
35% off = $84.00

We were delighted to be able to review one of the fantastic selections at Rugs USA in our own home!

Safavieh Heritage HG343D Charcoal and Gold Rug  (4'6x6 Oval)

Our 100% Wool rug from India arrived by UPS, rolled up and safety secured in heavy duty plastic.  It was simple to lay out, and didn't need much effort to set up.  I was happy to find that it rolled out flat almost instantly and was very clean (only needing a light vacuum to remove any of the fibers that it had "shed" in transit. 

Our front room (office / entry way) has been bare floored since we moved in August, and desperately was in need of some "warmth" both esthetically and practically for our little toes!  So, we rolled out the carpet and are very pleased with the quality and style of this rug. 

Here are some photos of our room's transformation:

Before (boring...)

AFTER!

 

Before (bare.....)

AFTER!

We LOVE our rug from Rugs USA!

Now, GO finish decorating that room you've been procrastinating on now with a rug or two from 

Rugs USA 

Rugs USA is having a fantastic SALE right now

 TONS of rugs 50% off + FREE SHIPPING!

Just use coupon code: EMSAVE50

SHOP NOW!

....and stay in the know about any new SALES by...

• "Liking" Rugs USA on Facebook 

and

• Following Rugs USA on Twitter

* * I was given a rug from Rugs USA to facilitate this review.  As always, my opinions are 100% my own and are not influenced by the complimentary product.