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Chicken Soup for the Soul: Military Families

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I’ve shared, many times, that the main reason I began this blog was to have a creative outlet and a place to hone my writing skills — little did I know that I’d be here, just over four years later! This blog allowed me to carve out a writing career, so that I could be at home with my son in his early years. My little guy is poised to start Kindergarten in the fall, and I’m poised to increase the hours I work, transitioning back to full time.

I’ve known for years that I have a book in me, and I spent quite a bit of time tossing around three possibilities. The more I began writing and publishing personal pieces, the clearer my path became, and I’ve been slowly working towards a book since 2015. While I don’t have a single chapter written, I’ve spent the last two years earning a living writing, amassing bylines and continuing to make slow, sloth-like moves towards a book. I settled on a 5-year plan, which has become clearer and more achievable over time.

I should back up and say that my book idea became crystal clear at the beginning of 2015, when I was fortunate enough to stumble upon a call for submissions from Chicken Soup for the Soul. I wrote my heart out, submitted, and waited. And then I waited some more. Just when it seemed they’d never end up publishing the book, I received an email that rewarded 1 1/2 years of patience and planning — my essay, “Like a Dandelion”, was selected for publication in the upcoming Chicken Soup for the Soul: Military Families (available in bookstores May 9)!

What I didn’t know was that the book went into a holding pattern, shortly after the call for submissions. Amy Newmark, Chicken Soup for the Soul editor and publisher, had decided to partner with the USO for this publishing project, and they spent a year fine-tuning both the submissions and the publishing details.

The pieces began falling into place when I received my email acceptance, as my 2017 goal card had listed “get published in 2 military magazines”. Having my essay, about growing up as an Air Force brat, published in Chicken Soup for the Soul far surpassed my 2017 goal! As soon as I heard, I knew that I needed to get the ball rolling, beginning the slow process of building a platform for the book I’ve been planning and plotting since 2015. I contacted a military brat website, who has graciously agreed to published the essays I submit to them, so I’ll have a direct connection with “my people”. You see, the book that makes the most sense for me to write right now, the book that I’m incredibly passionate about, centers around Third Culture Kids, using my experiences to give a voice to an overlooked American subculture some 15 million strong: military dependents.

 

I won’t go too much more in depth, except to say that I am unbelievably honored and proud to have my story published in Chicken Soup for the Soul: Military Families! This is but the first of many essays and stories from me, hoping to shed light upon a silent population that most Americans don’t understand. Our experiences are as unique as the countries in which we’ve lived, and our stories are as rich as the cultures in which we’ve been immersed.

Want to hear a little more about my story? Amy Newmark discusses “Like a Dandelion” in the podcast linked above.

Chicken Soup for the Soul: Military Families is available in bookstores and online TODAY! The USO receives $.60 of each book purchased, so grab a copy, support the USO, and read the rich collection of stories written by active duty military members, sp0uses, children and USO volunteers!

This post contains an affiliate link to Amazon, in which I receive a small portion for each book sold (at no additional cost to you).

Maximizing Marketplace Savings with Groupon and eBay

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The last time I worked with Groupon, I was at the end of our cloth diaper days, but still thinking with cloth savings in mind. I like to get crafty and creative in my savings (without feeling like I’m skimping), so I shared how people could pair Groupon deals with unexpected cloth diaper retailers, to generate cost savings beyond going reusable with diapering. When Groupon reached out to me recently, I decided to go way back in my consumer history.

I’ve been using Groupon for over 10 years, and I was a much more frequent user when I lived in Baltimore (and had no children). In my pre-child days, I used Groupon to take a chance on new restaurants, try a new spa, or take advantage of wine tastings and beer flights. While I still use Groupon for an occasional restaurant, spa or salon outing, Groupon Coupons are more tailored to my everyday online shopping needs (almost all of my shopping is done online these days).

While I was astounded when I calculated how long I’ve been using Groupon, I’m even more surprised to see how long I’ve been using eBay. I was an early user, grabbing deals and steals before shipping became expensive, and have been a member of eBay since…2001! In those sixteen years, I’ve done a lot of buying and selling, as my 100% rating with 314 feedback comments attest.

eBay helped me make extra money, while unloading unused items stored in boxes in dark closets — keeping me afloat during a period of unemployment after graduating with my undergraduate degree. eBay saw me through graduate school, where I purchased my texts, in addition to every Hemingway book to be found (I had this crazy notion of becoming a Hemingway scholar). When I was single and decorating my first home, I found fun knick-knacks and collectibles to add some personality and style to my digs. I’ve purchased shoes (I wear a hard-to-find-size), sold items to raise money for my wedding, purchased items from France for my husband, and even went across an ocean to find a replacement stuffed animal for my son. And because my household combined with my husband’s, I can add a pair of Robert Downey Jr.’s shoes, and a bronze mold of Robin Williams face, to the list of unusual items that we’ve found on the global marketplace known as eBay. (Don’t drink and eBay, my friends. Just don’t.)

So, while I’ve known about Groupon and eBay for ages, I had no idea that they could compliment each other so well. Yes, my friends, Groupon offers coupons for eBay. From 20% off, to $10 off, free shipping and valet listing, there is definitely something for everyone. I’ve always been amazed by the deals and steals I find on eBay, and the fact that I can use Groupon Coupons to increase those savings? Unbelievable.

The next time you find yourself about the click the Buy It Now or Place Bid button, remember to check Groupon’s eBay coupons before checking out!

* This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Groupon; all opinions expressed are my own. This post contains affiliate links.

4 Cost-Related Considerations to Make Before Going on a Family Vacation

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Family vacations create a lifetime of memories, laughter and, of course, tons of photos preserving the time spent together. If you don’t want to have your experience hampered with financial burden, or regret from poor planning, you’ll want to keep the following four considerations in mind:

Method of Travel

When we weighed our travel options for our recent trip to Disney, we not only did a cost comparison, but took the time of year and our son’s age (the fact that he’s still in a car seat) into consideration.

Traveling in February, weather was a serious concern, and my husband pushed for us to consider taking the train or driving down ourselves. I’m glad we didn’t fly, as my in-laws’ original flight was canceled due to a storm, and they ended-up arriving a day-and-a-half later than expected.

Trains are the best mode of transportation, if you have the time and the budget, as you don’t have the long advance check-in time, the journey from parking to terminal, the hassle of paying for each bag you take along, and the fuzzy aftereffects of pressurized cabins (and the higher likelihood of catching colds). I also prefer trains because of the ample leg room, the ability to wander in the aisles, adjustable seats, snack carts, and free Wi-Fi, among numerous other perks. I’ve actually chosen to take the train, in lieu of flying, for job interviews because there is far less hassle involved in travel.

That being said, your travel method deserves a significant amount of consideration when planning a trip; if you make a poor choice, it could potentially cause hours worth of headaches, and cause you to pay more than necessary (hello hidden baggage fees – been there, done that).

Accommodation Options

Thanks to websites like Airbnb, you have more choices than ever when considering accommodations! Our son does not do well staying in the same room as us, and we end up sleep deprived as a result, so we typically opt for suites with separate rooms. We’re planning a trip to England in the next year or so, and we’ll likely decide an apartment is better for us because of the cost and flexibility it offers us (not to mention a separate room for our son to sleep).

Trip Length

The length of your trip is another factor that impacts heavily on plans. For example, weekend getaways are easy with school-aged children, as you don’t have to plan around school. However, you may find that it’s not economical to travel too far away from home unless you stay in the destination for at least a week (we did Disney in 6 days – two driving, four in parks – I don’t recommend it!).

As you weigh the pros and cons associated with trips of differing lengths, don’t forget potential extra expenses that might be necessary if you decide on a longer stay; you might need to hire a pet sitter or get someone to water your flowers while you’re gone (unless you only have cacti and air plants, in that case, you’re good).

Your Overall Budget

This is where things can get a little tricky, and I suggest padding your budget for the unexpected. Spend time pondering how much you can afford to spend on the entire trip, and decide if there’s flexibility in that figure or if it’s firm.

If cost is a definite concern, keep in mind that the location you choose as your destination can greatly impact how much you spend. Insurance agents are your greatest allies when it comes to traveling, not only in terms of car rental and costs of living in different areas, but in the event the unplanned happens before or during your vacation — thank goodness my in-laws had purchased travel insurance!

These are only a few of the expense-related things you should consider when planning your family trip. The more you plan in advance, the less likely you’ll encounter unpleasant surprises and hidden costs. Bon voyage and safe travels!

How to Save on Disney Souvenirs and Keepsakes

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Disney souvenirs can derail even the most carefully planned budgets, especially when parks and attractions are offering spinning light up wands and other ilk that, to a 4 year old, seem to be the “best ever” keepsake, but will be cast aside within a day or two (or when the battery dies). One of the most obvious souvenirs from a Disney trip is character plush, but these can run a pretty penny, even if you purchase them outside of the parks.

Disney souvenirs can derail even the most carefully planned budgets. But, if you plan ahead and you'll be able to grab keepsakes at a fraction of the cost.

Souvenirs & Keepsakes

Again, almost everything I read says to plan ahead in the souvenir department, especially if you have young children. I happen to think this is a brilliant idea, but I’m not ruling out any souvenir purchases while in the park — my son always does pressed pennies when we travel, which is a great, inexpensive souvenir option. With that in mind, I was able to grab a few Disney plush in advance of our Disney trip (thus saving a considerable amount of money on stuffed animals likely to be cast aside within a year). We plan to dole one out each day of the trip, with the Monster Mickey perfectly themed for our Hollywood Studios day (hello Pixar!).

Again, Swap.com came to my rescue, and I was able to grab an 18″ Mickey Mouse, Goofy & Pluto, and a Monster Mickey for $16. Yes, $16.

I can’t believe how lucky I was to grab these, as they were all in new condition, and arrived to us bagged! If my kiddo decides he’s not a Disney plush kind of kiddo, we’re only out $16, as opposed to $50.

Autograph book

Not knowing what my son would prefer, I grabbed both an autograph book and pins for trading. Instead of a traditional Disney autograph book, I went with the recommendation of many — the Junior Encyclopedia of Animated Characters. Not only will my little guy have an autographed book full of Disney characters, but I plan on pulling it out to entertain him while waiting in attraction lines at the park. I added a pack of retractable Sharpie markers to bring with us, for a total of $20.49.

Pin trading

I made my own little starter set for Disney pin trading, should my son prefer that to autographs (who knows with a 4 year-old?). I purchased a Mickey lanyard and a lot of 25 pins to get started, spending $17.09.

 

Disney souvenirs can derail even the most carefully planned budgets. But, if you plan ahead and you'll be able to grab keepsakes at a fraction of the cost.

Keepsake coin purse

Since I know my kiddo is going to go nuts for pressed pennies from the parks, I got him this fun, inexpensive Mickey coin purse to hold onto his souvenir pennies. I know how easy they get misplaced (he likes to pull them out from his treasure box from time to time, spreading them out all over the floor), so the coin purse is a fun way to keep all those pennies safe. I got the Mickey plush coin purse on Amazon for $3.99, including taxes and shipping (we have Prime).

If you’re keeping track, the total spent is $57.57, which leaves $42.43 of my kiddo’s $100 in Christmas money left to spend (or not) in the parks. As for the pressed pennies, my little guy has an oversized piggy bank that has been accruing change and dollar bills since he was born — we’ll fish out plenty of quarters and pennies for him to bring along to the parks.

Disney pros — what are your favorite picks for Disney souvenirs?

*This post contains affiliate links.

More Ways to Save Money On Your Disney Park Experience

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After my initial panic about planning a[n unbudgeted] Walt Disney World trip in a month, and reading everything I could get my hands on about Disney (thanks for sharing your Pinterest board, Amy, and your packing list, Jen), I figured out how to do Disney on a dime. But, what about all of the little, additional things that tend to add up? Well, my friends, that’s where I’m currently at with my Disney planning.

Don't panic if you unexpectedly find out you're going to Disney; you can plan a wonderful trip AND save money doing it (without sacrificing).

Almost everything you read about Disney World warns against tackling the parks without a plan. With just a month until we leave, the planning part was causing me the most stress. Not only did I need to figure out how to do this trip without breaking the bank, I need to plan for our time in the parks and for, well, the unplannable.

Let’s tackle some of the easiest things first.

Photos

Now, you can spend the money to purchase the Disney Memory Maker — $169 or $149 if purchased in advance — or you can save that money for a nice meal while at the parks by taking your own photos. I absolutely love photography, and especially hate posed photos, so this is a no-brainer for me. I have a decent camera — a Nikon D3100 — so there’s no reason for me not to take our own photos throughout the trip.

While I can shoot in auto mode and still grab great pics, I really want to up my photography game to get the most out of my camera and the best shots I can to preserve memories of this trip. I’ll fully admit that I’ve had this camera for 6 years or so, and have not taken the time to really learn about all of the features and functions. With a few weeks to prepare, I’m using the book many Disney guides recommend — Understanding Exposure by Bryan Peterson. And while I can easily buy this book from Amazon for $15, I’m looking to save on potentially unnecessary expenditures. I was pleased to find that my library system had a copy, and I’m currently working my way through it — for free. I’ll come back to the public library momentarily.

Photography gear

My camera case is bulky, and definitely not something I’d want to bring into the parks, but I still want some protection for the camera I spent I pretty penny for years ago (it was around $800 when I purchased it). A brief look at camera cases, slings and backpacks on Amazon — and how expensive they are — made me look for another option.

camera-coat

Photo via Camera Coats on Etsy

I came across Camera Coats on Etsy, the perfect solution for my camera-protection dilemma. For $35 you can get a padded camera coat, which slips over the housing to protect when not in use; you can also add a matching padded strap and lens case, in one of their many fun patterns. In an effort to cut costs, I just purchased the housing cover, or “coat”, and will get an inexpensive padded cover for my strap. So, for $35, you have a stylish, protective cover for your camera, and the ability to use it over and over (I don’t know about you, but I likely wouldn’t have used one of those expensive camera slings after the park because I already have a camera bag). Oh, and because of my Ebates extension, I was able to receive 1% back on my purchase in the form of an electronic rebate – score!

Travel guides

So much can be found online these days, and I didn’t even venture into Disney travel guides until I’d already spent hours perusing different Disney travel sites. I will, however, say that the Birnbaum’s Official Disney Guide that I got from the library (another $20 saved), concisely summarizes everything that I spent hours surfing the Internet to learn. It’s handy, and I definitely recommend grabbing a copy, or getting one through your library, to help cut your Disney planning time down drastically.

I will say that I’m still contemplating purchasing one of the two hidden Mickey guides available on the market — Hidden Mickeys: A Field Guide to Walt Disney World’s Best Kept Secrets or The Hidden Mickeys of Walt Disney World — as a way to occupy my little guy while waiting in long attraction lines.

Don't panic if you unexpectedly find out you're going to Disney; you can plan a wonderful trip AND save money doing it (without sacrificing).

Park clothing

So, here’s the thing. We’ve not indoctrinated our son with all things Disney (we’re more of a Disney-Pixar family), and I rarely, if ever, buy graphic or character clothing for my son. That being said, I thought it would be fun for the kiddo to have an all-Disney wardrobe for our vacation in the parks. Granted, this is a completely unnecessary expense — I know that kids will have tons of fun no matter what they’re wearing — but I have a little secret to share: Swap.com

I’ve consigned through Swap.com — was able to sell all of my maternity clothing and a box of my son’s outgrown clothing — and I’ve been purchasing from the site for almost two years now. I love consignment sales, and I love the fact that I don’t have to wait for twice-yearly sales to purchase clothing and other items for my son (he recently went through a pant size in two months – Swap saved me a lot of $$!).

I’m almost embarrassed to admit this, but I was able to purchase the clothing you see above — 3 short-sleeve tees, 2 long-sleeve tees, a Mickey windbreaker and a Toy Story sweatshirt — all like-new and brand-new licensed Disney clothing — for the grand total of $31.70. Yep.

Don't panic if you unexpectedly find out you're going to Disney; you can plan a wonderful trip AND save money doing it (without sacrificing).

Because of the time of year we’re going, weather can be warm or chilly, and even both in the same day, so I’m packing a variety of different clothing for the trip. I have my own Swap.com order of clothing arriving any day now — I purchased a Gap denim jacket, two pairs of nice capris, a Tinkerbell tee, a Mickey Mouse hoodie and a Mickey Mouse tee for my husband — for $48. So, that’s Disney clothing for the entire family, for under $100 – not bad, eh?

You can save 20% off of your first Swap.com order & get FREE shipping when you shop with my referral link

Well, what about souvenirs and keepsakes, you ask? That’s a topic for another post, but I rest assured, I have some amazing money-saving tips there, too!

This post contains affiliate links.

Disney On a Dime? It’s Possible!

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I started planning our trip to Disney about a week ago, and worried that our rushed trip would seriously affect being able to do Disney on the cheap. After reading every Disney blog I could, and doing hours of research, I’ve been able to plan to do Disney on a dime — it is possible!

Looking to do Disney on a dime? Check out how I'm saving on everything from hotels to park tickets, despite planning our trip only weeks out.

Ebates

If I’ve said it once, I’ve said it a million times — you need to shop with Ebates. It’s free to open an account, and you can get electronic rebates (money back) on most of your online purchases. I’m racking up tons of rebates shopping for this trip, so go open your account now!

I highly recommend the Chrome/browser extension, as I was delighted to get $26 back from booking our hotel (I hadn’t checked Ebates because I assumed there wouldn’t be a rebate offered). Thanks to my browser extension, a pop-up let me know that I could save 4.5% on our hotel — cha-ching!

Travel

We opted to drive down because trying to figure out a car seat situation was a hassle (especially since our hotel does not offer airport shuttle service). By driving, we have no limitations on what we pack (well, you know what I mean), which means I can do grocery shopping at home, where I know prices, and get all of the things we need for snacks and meals on the go. Realistically, I know my husband will probably want to stop somewhere for a meal or two on the way down, but we aren’t tied to fast food in our travels.

I used a trip cost calculator — Gas Buddy — which estimates that our fuel cost for this trip will be $126. I’m not sure how much I trust that, but we’ll go with that figure for now!

Hotel

I’m fortunate enough to get a friends and family discount for a large hotel chain, which really helped cut our lodging expense. As I said in my previous blog, booking a Disney trip four weeks out means that most of the Disney resorts are booked. If we wanted to stay on property, we’d be looking at a nightly rate starting at $600+, which would be a budget-crusher.

You can use your Ebates account to receive up to 10% back on travel and lodging (flights and hotel), if you book through a site such as Expedia or Travelocity, but at this point in the game it was slim pickins. We actually got a much better hotel rate — avg $145 per night — through F&F, and were more than happy to pay an additional $10 per night (it would have been around $137/night) to get a two-bedroom suite. Our little guy typically stays awake if we share the same hotel room, and even a suite with a pull out couch, so it’s better for all of us to have two separate bedrooms for our stay.

Thanks to my handy Ebates Chrome extension, we receive 4.5% cash back for our hotel stay. This was a nice surprise, since I would never have thought to check Ebates for a rebate, but the extension let me know that there was cash back available – score!

Park Tickets

For all of my research, park tickets were going to be our largest expense, and discounts are scarce, at best. We’ve only planned 3 days in the parks, but when I went to order our tickets, I made sure to explore all of our ticketing options. Imagine my surprise to find that purchasing 4-day tickets was cheaper than purchasing tickets for 3 days!

To save on costs, we opted not to choose the Park Hopper option, as we’d probably not use it with a 4 year old. The ticket cost, for two adults and one child, would be $852 — that’s one park per day, for three days. However, Disney is currently offering a 4-Park Magic deal; for two adults and one child, one park per day, for four days, comes to $817! Yep, it’s cheaper. While we likely won’t use that additional day, it’s nice to know that we can pop into a park when we arrive, should we feel up to it.

Oh, but that’s not all. When I went to pay, a pop-up appeared with an offer of a $200 statement credit if I opened a Disney credit card. Huh?

Upon further exploration, Disney Visa cardholders receive Character Experiences at each of the parks, in private locations just for cardmembers. In addition, cardholders receive 10% off of dining at the parks, and 10% off of merchandise purchases of $50 or more (at the parks). Yep, I got the card, it really wouldn’t make sense not to. Thus, our 4-park tickets, after taxes and fees, ends up being $670!

**WARNING** If you suspect you will be unable to pay your Disney card balance upon your return, or within a month or so, do not open an account. The interest rate is high, and you will not end up with any savings if you don’t pay your balance quickly.

 

Hotel: $655

Fuel: $126

Park Tickets: $670

TOTAL:  $1,451

I’m happy to say that I’m no longer in panic mode (like I was a week ago), and I’m pretty pleased with the savings I’ve amassed planning this trip [on the fly]. You definitely can do Disney on a dime AND you can even do it with last minute planning!

Check out even More Ways to Save On Your Disney Park Experience

Disney On the Fly? Oh, My!

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This time last year, my father-in-law found out that the nagging case of pneumonia and bronchitis, from which he’d been suffering for a couple of months, was something far, far worse; he was diagnosed with stage four lung cancer.

After a year of cancer-related illnesses and complications, rounds of chemotherapy, radiation, and a couple of experimental therapies and clinical trials thrown in for good measure, my father-in-law received news that a.) the cancer was finally responding to treatment, and b.) he was cleared for travel by his doctor.

Is it possible to plan a trip to Disney World in three weeks? I'll be the guinea pig!

A huge Disney fan, my father-in-law expressed the desire to make one last Disney trip — sooner rather than later — and wanted us to come along so that he could experience it through the eyes of our four-year-old son. For two days, it seemed that we would be able to share a timeshare that was being gifted to him by friend, which meant the financial burden of the trip would [simply] be travel, park tickets and meals. Then the timeshare fell through, with dates being snatched-up in a matter of hours.

To be honest, Disney’s never really been on my radar — I’m more of a Universal Studios kind of gal — but my husband has always maintained that it is a childhood rite of passage (somehow I survived without that trip, but…). While my husband and I had talked about taking our kiddo on a trip to Disney…someday, we had not planned to do so this soon — I now know why people plan so far in advance. I. Am. Overwhelmed.

I have spent the better part of this week, trying to find ways to cut costs on this trip, as we’d not budgeted for it, as well as educate myself on all things Disney. Seriously folks, three weeks to plan? And try to cut costs? Someone please hold me.

mickey-mouse-1776697_640

A quick glance at Disney resorts proved two things: 1.) there’s a reason why people plan far in advance – rooms are pretty booked-up three weeks out, and 2.) unless we want to pay, at minimum, upwards of $600+ a night for hotels, we have to find something off-property.

This, my friends, is where you come in — I need your help! We’ve booked our hotel (staying a mile off-property at a hotel where I get a friends and family discount — it has two bedrooms, so we scored — check!), we’ve not yet purchased our park tickets (my head is spinning just from the choices), and [I think] we’ve decided to drive (save me now!), because trying to figure out how to travel with a car seat (plane, shuttle, taxi, Uber, etc.) is just something I can’t figure out [and would rather focus my mental energies elsewhere]. But honestly, I really don’t want to spend 15 hours in the car (save me now!)!

So, friends, how the heck to I make this trip magical, while staying off-property and trying not to break the bank (if that’s even a possibility)? Here are my questions, for those of you experienced Walt Disney World travelers:

What do I pack? To wear? For days in the parks?

How to survive the car ride? Do I make up a travel pack with activities for the ride? What do I put into it?

What to take into the park? We’ll pack lunches to save some money, but how does that work, exactly? What gear is absolutely essential to pack in a bag for a day in the park? What kind of bag works best? Gah!

mickey-311577_1280

 

6 Reasons to Switch to Glass Storage

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Maybe you’ve been contemplating it for a while, or maybe it just never crossed your mind; whatever the case may be, it’s definitely time to switch to glass storage containers [if you’ve not already done so]!

The benefits of using glass in your daily life are numerous, and I'm sharing 6 reasons you should switch to glass today...

It began with a party

My slow conversion to glass began when I registered for wedding gifts. I’d long used Rubbermaid plastic containers, but without a dishwasher, plastic food containers were difficult to clean well (and tended to stain too easily). I registered for two sets of Pyrex and have never looked back! (My husband teases me about my Pyrex, but when he’s looking for something in the fridge, everything is stacked nicely and organized!)

And then Mason jar salads became a ‘thing’

When the Mason jar salad craze took effect, I bought a case of the glass jars and loved how easy it was for me to grab a salad when hunger struck. I got into a routine of buying, washing, prepping and packing my salads on Sundays, which allowed me to easily grab a salad throughout the week. The Mason jar containers also made it easy to use little dressing (I’m a viniagrette kinda gal), making mixing a breeze in the self-contained…container. But, as with most things, once I get out of a routine, it’s difficult for me to get back into it.

Mason jar salads

For about a year, I had a case of Mason jars stored in a cupboard collecting dust, until we bought our new home and installed a chest freezer. Having the additional freezer space has been a dream, and my cooking life has never been easier. I try to make one soup every week or two, and make them in large batches so that I can freeze portions for another meal.

Compelling reasons to switch to glass storage

Because I abhor plastic, I began looking into alternate containers for freezing, coming across stainless steel and glass. Amidst my research, I came across compelling reasons to use glass, for both refrigeration and freezing, from the Glass Packaging Institute:

  • Glass is nonporous and impermeable. This means no staining and more importantly, no stink.
  • Glass has almost a zero rate of chemical interactions, which means your food and/ or spices stay as fresh as the day you packed them.
  • No worries about BPA or other chemicals leaching into your food.
  • Glass is 100% recyclable. One. Hundred. Percent. Recyclable. It’s a sustainable packaging product with an indefinite life.
  • 80% of glass that is recovered is made into new glass products.
  • A glass container can go from your recycling bin to the store shelf in as little as 30 days.

Armed with this information, my eureka moment hit — I remembered my case of unused Mason jars — I didn’t have to invest money into new containers! Not only do I now freeze soups in the containers, but I use the containers for easy refrigerated food storage. While our refrigerator looks big on the outside, the two-door model really doesn’t hold much in the refrigerator portion. Instead of awkward containers in varying sizes, I now save space by using Pyrex and Mason jars for leftovers — if you have OCD when it comes to fridge organization, you’ll love using Mason jars for easy, orderly food storage (and be happy to have ditched the cling wrap)!

My love of glass is now spilling over into other areas, as I continue to decorate and organize our home. I’ve always loved seeing bathrooms with clean lines and apothecary jars for storage. My master bathroom, while small, has been my longest ‘project’ to-date, and the only room we’ve painted so far. And while our color scheme is not light and breezy —  it’s goldenrod and grey — I’m happy with the way it’s coming along. The only thing I’ve yet to sort out is storage. Anyone out there a storage expert?

World Market stackable square glass jars

World Market stackable square glass jars

Under the sink storage has ALWAYS been difficult for me to master, and I’m getting tired of rummaging for cotton balls, acetone, face wash and the like. So, I’ve added a small utility cart to my already small bathroom, and have been purchasing glass jars for storing items. I geeked-out when I discovered the glass jars above from World Market — they’re perfect for what I’m planning to use them for, easily organized because of their shape, come in an array of sizes and totally affordable! Even better, World Market gave me a referral link, so you can save $10 off of your purchase of $50!

ikea-vardagen-jars

Another great option are the Vardagen jars from IKEA. I picked up a few of the smallest jars for $1.99, and one of the large jars for $5.99 (currently housing all of my nail polishes). These will also be perfect for organization in my larger bathroom.

If all goes well with our little master bathroom (or my little master experiment), and I’m happy with the result, I plan to expand glass storage to our large bathroom, which features a walk-in linen closet. At the moment, I have pretty fabric bins holding everything from cold medicine to band-aids, which means I have to take the containers down from the shelves and rummage through to find what I’m looking for. My plan is to have glass containers lining the shelves, making it easy to see what’s-what.

Everything’s better in glass

No, really, everything’s better in glass. I remember when beverage manufacturers began using plastic bottles for individual soda servings (sometime when I was in high school); the switch from glass bottles to plastic ended any enjoyment I got from an occasional soda. These days, I drink seltzer water by the liter, and it’s always a special treat to buy Perrier or Voss in glass bottles. And of course, there’s nothing like enjoying a nice cold beverage in a beautiful glass (I like leaded crystal the best).

So tell me, my fellow fans of glass, how do you use glass containers around your home?

 

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I’m Thankful for You Giveaway!

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Happy Thanksgiving! Depending on your time zone, you’re either dozy from tryptophan or just sitting down to dinner. Or, if you’re an early bird, you’re already out holiday shopping. Whatever the case, Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours!

Each year, I like to thank you for hanging in there with me, especially since I post so infrequently anymore. I’m pretty sure I share more about the pieces I’m writing for others than the pieces I write for my own blog! At any rate, I appreciate you, and I want to give away this year’s HOT toy to one lucky winner!

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I wasn’t lucky enough to find a Hatchimal in the store (despite stopping in 5 stores in one day to find one), so I, like many this year, had to pay [way] over retail to get one. I know this toy is going to make someone’s kiddo happy, I just wish I was able to give one to all of you who have the almost impossible task of finding one for your kiddo’s Christmas list.

So, here’s the thing. Entering is SUPER simple — you just have to be one of my followers on Facebook, by liking my lo-wren page. Easy peasy, as most of you already follow me! Here’s the link to the Facebook post:

I’m Thankful for YOU Giveaway!

 

Good luck!

Unique Gift Ideas for Any Occasion – 12 Gifts Sure to Impress

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Every year, I create a dedicated folder of unique gift ideas I come across throughout the year. Some of the unique gifts I purchase for birthdays and Christmas, others I just use to create this blog with unique gift ideas each year. In fact, the first item I saved for this year’s list was saved December 24th of last year — I like to be prepared!

I have a dedicated email folder where I store unique gift ideas I come across throughout the year. Read on to discover this year's lineup and get inspired!

Unique gift ideas for everyone on your list

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1. Personalized Handwriting Bracelet

You can find a lot of unique items on Etsy, and this bracelet is no exception! Memorialize the writing of someone you love by making it into a statement piece. If you think this jewelry is beautiful, you need to check out the tiny stackable rings Kate Kim makes!

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2. Buffalo Wing Delivery

Yep! If you’ve spent any time in or around Buffalo, NY, you know that authentic buffalo wings are the bomb! What’s even better is that you can have the real thing delivered to you, straight from New York. Surprise your favorite wing eater with Buffalo wings delivered to their door!

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3. “First I Drink the Coffee” Hoodie

If you’ve got a coffee lover in your life, this is the sweatshirt for them — perfect for curling up and getting cozy with a cuppa your favorite brew. Viper Coffee also sells mugs, for those who aren’t so bold.

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4. Ultimate Bacon T-Shirt

It seems bacon is still “in”, and if you have a bacon-lover on your list, Bacon Shirt is the way to go. Each shirt is packaged like a pound of bacon, and you can even get your tee bacon-scented, you know, just to tease your bacon-lover.

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5. Sockscribe Me

Subscription box companies are still on the rise, and Sockscribe Me is one of the three I’ve included in this list. If you have a zany sock-lover on your list, as I do, buy them the sock gift that keeps on giving (and keeping their feet fashionable and warm).

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6. Vinyl Me, Please

This subscription box is for music, and vinyl, lovers everywhere. Each month, members receive an exclusive LP, an album-inspired art print, custom cocktail recipe, and access to many more member benefits. I’ve already finished shopping for my husband, so he’s going to be disappointed to find out that I didn’t get him a Vinyl Me, Please subscription this year (sorry, Babe).

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7. Muse Monthly

Books and tea marry to make Muse Monthly boxes for subscribers each month. I discovered Muse Monthly because I’m in a group with the owner, and absolutely love the idea! Like wine and cheese pairings, subscribers are sent a book and tea pairing, often with additional fun items inside. A lucky friend of mine will be receiving a box this Christmas.

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8. Storm Glass

You definitely don’t need to be into meteorology to enjoy a storm glass. Developed by Admiral Robert FitzRoy, storm glasses indicate or predict upcoming weather with changes inside the glass. For example, if the liquid inside the glass is clear, the weather will be clear; if the liquid is cloudy with small stars (crystals), then a thunderstorm is on the horizon.

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Ferroflow

9. Ferroflow

It’s magic! Not really, it’s just science, but really cool science. Ferroflow has elevated the use of ferrofluid and magnets by creating a fully automated experience. Watch in wonder as shapes appear as the magnets manipulate the fluid. If Ferroflow’s $269 price tag is a little steep for you, you can purchase an inexpensive model that will provide hours of enjoyment for both children and adults.

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10. Family Hand Casting Kit

I’m not overly sentimental, nor am I a big fan of “keepsake” items, but this family hand casting kit is an amazing idea. Instead of a family boardgame night, spend the time casting all of your hands together for a truly unique piece.

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11. Seedling

But what about kids, you ask? I’ve definitely not forgotten the kiddos, and I think that Seedling may have all of your kid-gift needs covered! Seedling knows interactive play like no other toy store, with an unbelievable array of creative gifts for all ages. If you’re not sure where to begin, try shopping with Seedling’s Gift Finder function.

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12. Woobo

Part of the draw of Woobo is that the product has not yet been released (I know, I know, but think in terms of 2017 gifts). The only thing I can say about Woobo is that it’s like a Furby, times 100, with artificial intelligence and much, much smarter. Keep them on your radar, folks! (And Woobo, if you’d like to send me a Woobo to test and share with my readers, my little guy would be all too willing!)

 

Have a writer or a reader on your list? Check out this guide to The Best Gifts for Writers.