weekend news + giveaway!

Hey everyone! How was your weekend?

I have alot of news to share, but first I'll leave you with a few pics from this weekend's shenanigans.

I did a little shopping with my pals James & C at Oldnavy, where I got a striped blue maxi dress on clearance for $19.99 {Wore it to church. Pics to come tomorrow.} It wasn't that great of a bargain (imo), but James and I went in together to spend $50 and get $15 off, so in reality, I got the dress & a pair of earrings for $20.  C got some really cute button up tops & jeans that she looks so cute in! After ON, we went to Barnes & Noble and browsed around. Of course, I made a stop at the starbucks cafe for a strawberries & cream with toffee nut frap! I ended up getting a cheerful looking journal for a friend's upcoming birthday. It's always nice to spend time with good friends.

I'm following the lead of Chelsee, who is like a mentor to me, and mention a couple cool people that I've "met" through some exchange programs. I signed up to be part of the Bigs & Littles Blogging Network created by Chelsee. I am a Big to Kelli, a mom of a toddler, who blogs at She Crab Soup. She is a book lover like me and is living a dream life living near the beach! I've enjoyed getting to know her through our lengthy emails we've exchanged so far!

I also signed up for the Post Exchange put together by JustJacq.





I love meeting new people, making friends and snail mail! I got paired up with Renee. Because of the quick timeline of getting acquainted and life happening, we will a be little late linking up for the Post Exchange post. Hopefully we make it! And guess what?! If you want to join in on the fun, sign-ups start today, August 26th, for the next round!! Check out this post for all of the details of the Post Exchange. Bloggers and non-bloggers are welcome! :)

If you want a chance at winning some ad space, gift cards and earrings, then you should know that I am participating in a great group giveaway on Penniless Socialite's blog! check it and or enter in the rafflecopter below!

  a Rafflecopter giveaway

update & exciting news!!

It's been a week since I last posted. I want to thank you all who have left me sweet comments on feeling better. Our Arizona weather continues to be quite dry. Maybe you've heard about the wildfire burning in Yarnell, Az that sadly took 19 firefighter's lives this past week. So sad. My heart just broke for them and their families when I heard the news a few days ago.

I haven't recieved the results from my chest xray, which I had done friday morning. I am feeling better, but at times throughout the day, I have a bit of trouble. I am still pretty hooked on my breathing treatments/saline..like being hooked on phonics!

Also, there's definitely some way exiting news I gotta share! Well, about 2-3 weeks ago I was contacted by the assistant editor of AllYou Magazine. Have you heard of it? I know that it's sold at Walmart, but I think i read somewhere recently that the magazine is available at other retailers. Anyways, they said that they loved my video that I submitted back at the end of March for their America's Smartest Shopper contest. Although my video was not selected as a finalist, they wanted to have my video featured as their video of the week on the homepage of their website. So, just YESTERDAY, I was emailed to say that my video was up live!! Soo, you can check out my video about a great deal I scored and the coupon strategy I used to do so.

Since friday, I've been a busy bee. I apologize that I have not responded to emails! I really appreciate those of you who have taken the time to correspond with me. I promise I will get back to you!

I'll leave you with some photos from the weekend of me and my fab friends! there's been enjoying jamba juice, spiritual discussions, shopping, church, paradise bakery, playing hello kitty bingo, movies and ice cream!

thanks to allie for our bracelets!

C & me after church. what's going on with my hair?!

Not sure what I'll be doing tomorrow besides rocking the red, white and blue, but wish you & yours a happy & blessed Independence Day!