Kroger Deals 6/7

I found some pretty decent Korger deals that I thought I should share with all of you! You could go in and buy these 3 items and spend less than $0.73! It can all be purchased in one transaction as well!


Suave Shampoo (or Body Wash) - Cost: $1.67
Use $0.50/1 Suave Body Wash from RP 5/22 (expires 6/19)
AND Use B1G1 Free Suave Body Wash or Lotion from RP 5/15 (expires 6/19)
Final Price: $0.67 for 2 when you use both of the coupons above


Frank's Red Hot Sauce - Cost: $0.99 (not adverstised, but is an ongoing deal)
Use $1.00/1 Frank's Red Hot Sauce from SS 5/15 (expires 7/31)
Final Price: FREE

Suave Deodorant - Cost: $1.06 (not advertised, but is an ongoing deal)
Use $0.50/1 Suave Deodorant Product from RP 5/22 (expires 6/19)
AND load the $0.50/1 Suave Deodorant Product Kroger eCoupon to your card
Final Price: $0.06

So stop look through your coupons and see if you have any of these so you can get these awesome deals today! Check out your local Kroger to see if they are in stock. Prices may vary per Kroger store.

Types of coupons and where to get started!

So many of you are asking "What do I do first?" when it comes to coupon shopping. First, you all need to get your sunday newspapers and start saving ALL the coupons you can get your hands on. Print them off the websites like the following ones:

Redplum.com
SmartSource.com
Coupons.com
Target.com

Save them up for approximately 2-3 weeks to have a good amount of coupons to start being able to show some major savings in your purchases! Once you have enough, then you'll look through the ads and start comparison shopping. Some stores might have items on sale however the others have them on a better sale! I have listed the different types of coupons below for all of you to realize that there are NUMEROUS opportunities to find amazing deals with coupons! After these, in a day or two I'll post more resources and information on coupon shopping to better answer everyone's questions.


9 types of Coupons

1. Manufacturing Coupons
These are typically found in your weekly newspapers in the coupon inserts in the middle, however many can be found via mailers and flyers.

2. Catalinas
These are named after the company that made the box they print out of (right next to the receipt printer). It's the coupons that the cashier gives you with your receipt, typically done at Krogers. These also count as the Register Rewards at Walgreens and the Extra Care Bucks at CVS.

3. Store Coupons
These could be in the ad for the store as well as sometimes they put out their own savings books and coupons will be in there as well.

4. eCoupons
These coupons are digital coupons that can be automatically loaded to your store cards (ex: Kroger and CVS cards).

5. Internet Printable Coupons
These coupons are typically found EVERYWHERE on the internet and can be printed right then and there. Most of them are manufacturing coupons however some are specific to certain stores. You can print these from redplum.com, coupons.com, smartsource.com, target.com, etc. They typically limit you to only bein able to print 2 of each within a month, then it resets the first of the next month so you can print more.

6. Tearpads
These are exactly what they sound, they are on a tearpad right infront of the product, you can tear and use them immediately on your purchase. Sometimes they can also be found at the front of the store, on displays and etc.

7. Peelies
These are little coupon stickers found directly on the products, you can just peel them off and use them immediately on your purchase.

8. Blinkies
These were more common years ago, however they are still around. They are found down the isles in little boxes with red like blinking (hence the name "blinkies") that you can pull one out and then a new coupon automatically takes its place. These are mostly manufacturing coupons.

9. Hangtags
These are typically found on anything with a neck such as drinks, syrups, detergents, dish soaps, etc. They are a hanging tag with a coupon on it that you can use immediately with your purchase.


Once you start to get the look and feel of ALL the coupons around you, you will notice there are tons of opportunities for you to be able to save a lot on your next Coupon Shopping trip! The next blog I'll post will be more along the lines of store coupon policies, stacking coupons and how to maximize your use of coupons to save the most while following the coupon policies for the stores!

Walgreens + Coupons = Love

So, I recently started coupon shopping and I am loving every minute of it. Yes, it takes a little time to plan it all out and use your brain a little to make it precise to obtain better savings... but if you can get through the planning stage, you can EASILY achieve amazing savings just like me!

I started adding the pictures to my personally facebook page to show people that coupon shopping has its perks and that ANYONE can do it! Below I will post some of the pictures I've previously posted on my facebook with the amount I've spent and my savings for the items in the pictures. You will say "WOW! There is no way that could be done!" However, I beg to differ! It is a weekly occurance and YOU can do it too! So check it out!


Walgreens Coupon Trip #1 (May 28th)
COST: $0.97 for all that is pictured below
SAVINGS: $47.20
Also received a $4.00 off coupon for my next purchase.


Walgreens Coupon Trip #2 (May 29th)
COST: $5.63 for all that is pictured below
SAVINGS: $42.47
Also purchased a 45 load SUN Laundry Detergent that is not pictured.


Walgreens Coupon Trip #3 (June 6th)
COST: $16.08 for all that is pictured below
SAVINGS: $103.48
Also received a $5.00 off coupon (not pictured) for my next purchase.


Since I have been posting my amazing finds on my facebook page many people have been asking me how I do it, or how they can do it. I am happy to share my tricks and secrets to everyone, as I would love to see others saving money and getting some great deals as well! Since many people have asked, someone brought up the fact that I should have a "class" to show people, I thought that was a great idea!

The class WILL be free and will last at least an hour! The class will be ONLINE via webcam group chat on a free website (ustreamtv.com), you wont have to download anything to view, and you can log in with your facebook to chat and ask questions!

I will be explaining coupon policies, how to find great deals, what to look for, what all the crazy coupon abbreviations mean, the great deals going on for 6/12-6/19 (the week following the chat), answering everyone's questions from the chat and MUCH MORE!



Sunday, June 12th @ 3pm Central Time!

Want to be in the chat? Go here and click "REMIND" under the big picture on the left. It'll send you an email reminder before the chat so you won't miss it!

http://www.ustream.tv/channel/crafty-savings-by-melany


Other than that I will leave you all on a good note, with Melany's Deal of the Day, happy shopping!

MELANY'S DEAL OF THE DAY:
Since it's a Walgreens post, I decided to let you in on one of my Walgreens finds (pictured in the last picture above)!

Gillette Fusion ProGlide Razor System $9.89
Buy 1, Receive $5.00 Register Reward, Limit 1

Use a $4.00/1 coupon for Gillette Fusion ProGlide Razor from PG 6/5
(this means you're going to use 1 coupon for $4.00 off from the Sunday (6/5) newspaper in the P&G coupon insert)

Pay $5.89, then you'll receive $5.00 Register Reward
The register reward can be used on your next purchase, of ANYTHING totalling $5.00 or more except dairy and alcohol. So it's like you go the Gillette Fusion for only $0.89!!! Almost free, and typically $10-$15 who wouldn't want this deal?

If you are not able to comment this blog, feel free to message the information to my facebook OR email it to me at: MelanysBoutique@yahoo.com (It seems we're having commenting issues!)

Completely slacking....

Okay okay, I know I have been completely slacking by posting crafts and ideas for you guys! I need to start doing that more often, especially since college is out for the summer! It's EXTREMELY hot in Texas so being hectic with this heat completely drains me. However, it's no excuse for me to slack!

I also decided since I started coupon shopping and EVERYONE is excited about it always asking me how I got such great deals that I'll start posting some tips and tricks to help others out! I do not mind helping everyone get the amazing deals I find because I think EVERYONE should share the goodies! :)


So keep your eyes peeled for tons of coupons, store deals, crafts, projects and ideas coming soon! I won't let you guys down any more... promise!!

Lots of displays.... countdown for my FIRST craft show begins!

Sooo, busy week! Stressful! But at least there is a snow storm, it is like my purpose to get some displays and things done these past 2 days while we have been snowed in! Check out the pictures below and let me know what you think of my display ideas! I think they are pretty cute, and sassy, which is just what I was going for. I decided upon hot pink and zebra (so cliche) but it's sassy and boutique-like.. so that is what I'll be decorating my Craft Show booths with from now on, until I get bored with it and will be changing it up.

 

YES! The board above is the one I made in the tutorial from my previous blog!

 

Flower Pot Headband Display

 

2 Smaller Hair Bow Boards for the pigtail bows

Homemade Headband Displays

What is your favorite display of mine above? What do you think I could do to them to make them even cuter? I need input, as this is all for my customers and to reel people into checking out my booth while walking by.

The countdown for my FIRST craft show begins..... 10 days and counting! I am so excited! I hope to see many of my customers and NEW customers there! After this, I already have an open house lined up in March and a Craft Show at Guyer H.S. lined up in April. I am going to make 2011 my year, the year for MELANY'S BOUTIQUE! Watch out everyone! lol

Also, I got the CUTEST business card holder for my craft show booths, it's super adorable! Was only $14 from Amanda @ FlowersKissing (http://www.facebook.com/flowerskissingscreations). You guys should definitely check her out, I told her my theme and what I wanted and she definitely made it happen! I added the pink jeweled bow on the top, just to give it a more boutique look. But it's PRECIOUS! Check out below!

 

More stuff to upload soon, as well as a tutorial! I am excited for this craft show, and in a time crunch with only 10 days left. So I may not be posting as much as I'd like before then, but check back often for tutorials and new creations by Melany!

Snow Day!

Okay, now after reading that title "Snow Day" I'm sure no one believes me, seeing as I do live in Texas, but honestly, we're snowed in! So I finally found a little bit of time to do a lot of things I haven't been able to do the past few weeks (full time job and those 13 hours of college are really keeping me busy). Thank GOD for snow days! Definitely nice to be able to relax for one day and do a lot of things you normally wouldn't have time for!

I am going to posting a few more pictures tonight of displays I have made for my upcoming craft show, as well as POSSIBLY posting a tutorial, depends if I can find where I left my glue gun? haha I am really interested in showing you guys some new ideas I have gotten to make for the craft show booth as well as new things I made to sale in my online boutique. I am just not so sure if I'd like to give away ALL of my secrets just yet, we will see tonight!

I hope everyone stays warm and gets a little creative today! Do some crafts with your kids or find something old you'd like to "make new" again! It's always fun to see what you can do with something you never thought you could use!

Busy week means a productive week!

So, I had many things I had to do this week and most of them were for my first Craft Show coming up in February. I made the hair bow board, as you can see from my previous blogs, as well as some pricing signs. I think they turned out pretty well seeing as I had some cheap frames from wal-mart, I definitely classed them up. But I decided to take a break from Craft Show decor and display and made some super cute and adorable headbands! Check them out below.

Yes, I noticed most of the ones I made were some sort of flower, but Spring is near! So I thought I'd make some beautiful flowers for the children to wear soon! I especially love the ones with the jewels in the center, I just think it's an adorable touch and makes little girls feel more like a Princess! So that was my productive part of my week haha

I also managed to find 7 models for my Boutique!! They range from 7 months to 9 years of age, which is awesome! I love diversity! I hand selected each one of them, for different reasons, but above all they are beautiful girls that would make my products look amazing! I look forward to their shoots and the pictures that come from them. I am also looking forward to my new .com/.net website being built soon, so that I can post the beautiful pictures of the models on there as well!

Life seems to be getting better and better. I CANNOT wait to see what is yet to come for me and my boutique!

Texas Snow....

The title sounded unbelievable right? Well, it's true! We actually got some snow today in Texas! It was a nice, relaxing day at home for me of course. I try my best to hibernate during the Winter, because me and cold weather do not get along! haha I am hoping that it is much warmer by tomorrow, since I have to get out in the weather for work.

So I decided to post that Zebra Hair Bow Holder on craigslist and I have gotten MANY responses. I even posted it for $30! See? Just use my tutorial above, and you'll see you can do amazing things with only $12! I love college budget crafts!

I am going to be doing another craft tomorrow, so stay tuned for it! I think it's an uber cute display for my Craft Show! I'd love to hear all of your opinions about it!

Let's organize those accessories!

Ever look around and realize you have too much stuff all over the place? Need to get it all more organized? Well I have figured out how to do something to help organize your hair bows and accessories while making it look very chic and gorgeous with a Hair Bow Holder! Not your normal holder, because those cost you $25-$70! The one I made cost a total of $12!! Check out below how to make one like this:

NOTE: YOU CAN CLICK ANY OF THE PICS TO ENLARGE THEM, TO SEE BETTER DETAILS!

Of course yours can be a different color/theme, I just went with this color and zebra theme, because this bow holder I'll be using at Craft Shows to display the hair bows I make! Check out your local fabric stores, Hobby Lobby and Wal-Mart and see which has the lowest prices in the fabric you like! (Right now, Hobby Lobby is having a 50% fabric sale, that's where I got mine!)

To start off, you'll need a few things!

Bulletin Board (I bought mine off Craiglist for $5!)
Ribbon (I got 4 yards and nearly used it all)
Thumb Tacks (Dollar Tree -- 300 for $1!)
**not pictured** Scissors (just incase you need to cut down your fabric)

Now on with the instructions!

First, Lay the fabric flat on the ground. (you should see the inside of the fabric, the part you want to show, should be facing down towards the floor) Next, put the bulletin on the fabric, face it upwards so that you can push the thumb tacks in it from this side. SEE PICTURE BELOW.

Now you're ready to get to folding! Fold the longer sides inwards and thumb tack down closest to the edge of the bulletin board. I used gold thumb tacks, because people wont see the back, plus it's a bit easier for you guys to see whenever I explain. SEE PICTURE BELOW.

Now you'll want to do the other side as well. Next, fold the ends in, just like you're wrapping a present and thumb tack down around near the edge of the board. SEE PICTURE BELOW.

Do the same thing to the other end. Now you can thumb tack around the edges of the fabric (for added security of the fabric). SEE PICTURES BELOW.

Now your board should look like this!

Turn it over and you should see this!

Gorgeous! Now we're halfway done! Next get your ribbon and place them wherever you'd like them to be placed then start tacking them down. (I used 3 thumb tacks on each ribbon) SEE PICTURES BELOW.

Do all of your ribbons the same, then turn over and do the other side, so that the ribbon goes across the front of the board and comes back to be thumb tacked down to the back! SEE PICTURE BELOW.

This may not be a pretty sight, but turn it around ;)

FINISHED! Beautiful board for $12! Now you can hang those gorgeous hair bows so they won't get squished! This would also be great for pictures (but you'll have to do ribbons across, then cross other ribbons into it, making X's to stick pictures in). I'm going to be adding some pretty black flowers with jewels on the corners of this board, to give it that extra UMPH! But you can leave it as is, add letters or your name. Whatever you'd like to do to make it your own! Of course you could space them closer and add a 5th ribbon but I ran out of ribbon, so I just did 4! Just base it off the spacing and the size of your board!

P.S. Here is mine with a few bows on, they are 2" pigtail bows I made, so bad example since they are super small, but it's just so you see how it looks with stuff on them!

Feel free to comment with what you created from my instructions, I'd love to see them!

Finally the weekend!

I am glad it's finally the weekend! My niece is spending the night tonight, kids really wear you out! I could easily go right to sleep right now, but too much on my mind to sleep! I actually did pretty well on my Final Exam for my Government class tonight, was pretty proud about that! Hopefully I do pretty well this semester, it's going to be rough with so many hours, plus my job and the boutique stuff! I'm ready for it though, I can take on anything!

I've also been busy all night with craft projects for displays and such for my FIRST Craft Show! I bought this pack of 10 black photo frames for $8 on Black Friday from Wal-Mart so I thought it'd be nice to actually open them up and use them for something. I decided to use them as pricing frames for my items at Craft Shows. MUCH cuter that signs taped everywhere, why not just put them in frames and set them up on the tables? They actually turned out pretty great and it only cost me about $11-$12 for all of them together! ($8 for the frames and $2-3 for the paper) Check them out below, tell me what you think!

 

I had to take it without the flash because it would reflect off the glass, so the colors are a bit more dull than in real life. (The pink is BLINDING!) But I think they turned out pretty well. Much better than what they could have been haha

I'll be busy tomorrow working on a bow holder (for my display at Craft Shows as well) so be sure to stay tuned for that, I'm sure those will turn out pretty interesting as well!

2 hours surely makes for a long day!

So last night was a rough one, I only got 2 hours of sleep! Though it will be a rough day, it was a pretty productive night! I literally was laying in bed from 11pm-2:30am and could not sleep, so I got up and organized my boutique items in my second bedroom. I actually made an awesome progress! All of my tutus are ready for a car ride to the craft show on February 12th, my hair bows were organized into a plastic organizer rolling container and my headbands are organized in another box! I have been procrastinating way too long, so I am somewhat glad I could not sleep, since I got what needed to be done finished! Sadly the lack of sleep means I will be dragging today, so I won't be as productive as I was last night!

I am going to be very busy the next few weeks! I have the craft show coming up on the 12th of February, lots of stock to make for it and making displays/decor for my booth. Not only do I have that but I just started selling on Etsy (http://www.etsy.com/shop/MelanysBoutique), have my own website selling products (http://melanysboutique.weebly.com/) and doing sales from my Facebook page (http://www.facebook.com/pages/Melanys-Boutique/176513495706165). So life is a bit hectic at the moment, but I cannot complain, I brought it all upon myself and I'm loving how busy it's keeping me!! Plus, I work 40 hours a week. My college classes start again in a week, got to love being a Full-Time college student! I really am thankful for everything I am blessed to do, so I cannot complain! I just handle it the best way I know how and keep going on with my life! Nothing can hold me back now, I'm here to make a name for myself!

So after that long speech.. (I felt like I was rambling and decided to cut it short!)... new subject!

I am going to try to post at least ONE craft project a week. For the most part, I will be giving instructions for you to be able to do it yourself! But some will remain as mysteries! (That will be few are far between!) I am very bad at telling all my craft secrets. I'm sure I'll be posting one tomorrow or Saturday, so stay tuned!

First time for everything...

So I noticed everyone these days seemed to have a blog. I felt a bit out of the loop. I knew I'd have to step my game up and get one of these things! So here I am, ready to take on the world one blog post at a time. I may be a boring college kid in a not so big town called Denton but I'm always ready to take whatever life throws at me and make it pretty awesome! I am not sure I will be posting DAILY, as I do take 13 college hours and work 40 hours a week plus have my boutique business on the side. So I am going to do my best to post whenever I can and keep you guys updated and entertained! I will be posting about my business, craft shows in my area, crafts I'm doing and stuff like that. It's pretty much a crafty blog, but I'll throw in random things here and there! I might even throw in some delicious recipes! You know me? Melany of all trades! Keep your eyes peeled for amazing things yet to come!