Happy Friday friends!
I’m linking up with Narci, Andrea and Erika today and sharing some of my favorite things from the week. This week is kind of all about TIPS! When I started compiling my list, I realized several of the things are actually “tips” about random stuff, so there you go :).
Hope you have fun plans this weekend…see you Monday!
Tip #1, if you’re stressed or need to relax…just color ;).
For Christmas, my grandmother gave all of the girls in our family adult coloring books…and they are so fun and weirdly relaxing. Fast forward to this week and my friends at Erin Condren sent me one of their new coloring books and a set of their colored pencils. Score!
These would make fun gifts too. If you need me today, I’ll be coloring.
Coloring books here.
Colored pencils here.
Wow! On Monday, I offered a $100 Container Store gift card for your best piece of spring cleaning advice and I’ve had over 700 entries! And friends, I’ve read them all and they are all SO GOOD! Some of you ladies are on the same page and have offered the same advice…here’s what I found to be most popular and/or my favorites:
1. Open the windows! So many of you suggested this as motivation for a good old fashioned spring cleaning.
2. Listen to fun, upbeat music OR to a podcast.
3. Use black trash bags for getting rid of your kids’ stuff (so they can’t see through it!).
4. Have plenty of Magic Erasers on hand.
5. Reward yourself when you’re finished (like with a piece of something yummy or buy yourself something small).
6. Clean one room at a time and carry a list with you so that you know you did everything in that room.
7. Wine. Lots of wine. 😉
8. Use a damp cloth instead of a duster so that dust is getting in the air.
9. Use baby oil on stubborn grease spots (like in your microwave).
10. Buy yourself some new cleaning supplies the day before to help motivate you.
To see all of the comments/tips/suggestions and ideas. click here. And if you have more ideas, please feel free to comment and leave them! Loved this so much!!
And…the winner of our $100 Container Store gift card is…
ASHLEY PETTIET!
Congratulations Ashley! I emailed you this morning. Please email me back to claim your prize!
Okay, I don’t want to be overly dramatic here…but this next tip is life changing. #imbeingserious #willchangeyourlife
In November, I decided to try the Walmart grocery pickup. And it’s like the best thing that’s ever happened to me. So…not all Walmarts do this, you need to look online to see if one by you does. Here’s what happens, you go online and place an order (you can order everything from food to scissors to baking dishes…you know…whatever you need from Walmart) and then you schedule a pickup time and pay for your stuff. On the day of your pickup, you drive to Walmart, park in a designated spot and call them from your car…see…
(I removed my Walmart’s phone number…because I’m not sure it needed to be out there.)
…this is me on Monday in my spot. I pull in, I call, they bring my order to my car and load it for me AND IT’S FREE.
Yes. This is free.
(And no, this post is not brought to you by Walmart…I just love it THAT MUCH!)
Now…I am pretty picky about meat, produce, cheese and bread…so, I still run by my gourmet style grocery store once a week to grab those items (but now, the trip is only like 10 minutes instead of an hour!). The rest of my stuff (detergent, paper towels, pull ups, nail polish remover, cereal, canned food, yogurt, boxed food, bottled water, dry pasta, cake mixes, etc) is ordered online and then placed in my car on my pick up day.
Life.
Changing.
Just imagine how lovely this would have been when I had two babies? Goodness! I used to haul my two babies to the grocery store and then try to stack food around them in the shopping cart…this would have been so nice back then!
Here are some random observations that I’ve made over the last six months:
1. I am buying less because there is no impulse buying when you shop online.
2. I always time them and it usually takes 4 to 6 minutes from the time I pull in to the time I pull out. Now, if you go the day before Thanksgiving or on a Sunday afternoon, it will take longer. The longest I’ve ever waited was about 20 minutes and that’s only happened once. It’s almost always under five.
3. They do a great job with substitutions (and always point out what was substituted), but if you’re not happy with your substitution they’ll take it off your bill right there.
4. You can go back and edit/change/add or even delete your order up until about 1:00 AM the day of pickup.
5. I typically start my list at the beginning of the week and then edit it as the week goes on.
6. You can “favorite” items to make shopping so simple. I can pull up my “favorites” list and quickly add things to my shopping list.
7. And it’s free. Yes. There is no charge for this service.
So…there is my Walmart love. I’m going to be honest…I was never a Walmart fan (I’m a Target girl!) until this started. Now, I’m a super fan.
On Wednesday, I linked up with The Pleated Poppy again for What I Wore Wednesday and noticed something about a few of my tops…
…they’re both Nordstrom Essentials? Do you know what that is? Someone had to point it out to me once before. Each month, Nordstrom gathers a list of their essentials for the month and then shows you how to wear them (sometimes together). It’s a fun little way to see what’s in season. So like right now, they have their April Essentials up and my tops are both on that list!
Of course my basic tee is an essential, right?! I love me a good stripe but it comes in solid colors too! It comes in 23 different colors! TWENTY THREE!
And then my blue top (which I’m totally in love with!) is also on the April Essentials list this month and it comes in 10 colors! Eeks!
Some months, the essentials repeat, so it’s handy if you look at it from time to time, because you can get other ways to wear what you might already own. Like this tee that I bought last fall…
…it’s this basic little top that I bought and wore under all of my fall scarves :). It was an essential then and still is now!
Here are a few other essentials…
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And bonus! My black jeans that I’m wearing all the time (note I’m wearing them in both my fall picture and in my spring picture!) are 30% off right now!
Yes!
Look at how many times I wore them just on What I Wore Wednesday...
Love my black jeans!
To see everything from What I Wore Wednesday, click here.
And my last tip is that you should make this recipe…
I had been saving this recipe until June but after Tuesday’s “A Day in the Life” post, I had so many requests for the recipe, that I bumped it up to today.
This recipe is so simple to make! Your family and friends will love it this weekend!
Okay, those are my favorite things (and tips!) from this week.
Happy Friday friends!
xoxo
Narci says
First, that coloring book is so fun!! Love!! And, second, I am so glad you shared that grocery pickup with me! It has been a lifesaver! Great minds think alike, because I shared about it today too! So convenient!!
Lauren Donoghue says
Ok, so, I'm so curious about the adult coloring books. I almost got my mom one for Christmas (I fill her stocking and thought it would be a fun thing to add). However, when I went to look, all the drawings seemed so hard! Turns out she heard about them and said she would have loved to try so I got her one for Mother's Day – but I don't think I could ever do it! Would love for someone to create ones that have easier pictures haha.
kelly says
I agree! I love to color but need less detail
Rachel -Doug Betts says
I just discovered online grocery shopping at our local store, Harris Teeter. And I agree, it is life changing. Wish I had started using that option years ago! Loved the cleaning tips!
Joe, Ash, G, J, and A says
I've been doing Harris Teeter for a couple of years- just the best!!!!
Erika Slaughter says
I was hoping all your spring cleaning tips might get me motivated to spring clean something but that didn't happen. I'll wait until stuff is falling on my head when I open the closets-that's always motivation. :). And I told you that WalMart pick up was life changing! So convenient!
Mary Tyson Bradshaw says
I really want to buy those black jeans, but I am wondering if you have had any problems with color transfer at all? Some reviews talk about the black transferring on their shirt, shoes, etc. Thanks!
Mix and Match Mama says
Not one bit! And I've washed and worn them a million times and they still look black!
Johannah says
I loved all the spring cleaning tips!!! Our Walmart doesn't do the pickup here, but our local grocery store, Hannaford does and it has been LIFE SAVING!!! I love it!! Have a great weekend, Shay =)
Tara G. says
I used to order my groceries online in Ukraine…always got interesting substitutions (scented strawberry tp)….and then there was language to overcome – I always seemed to get a non-Ukrainian speaker on the phone!
Sheaffer {Pinterest Told Me To} says
Okay, so I'm finally going to have to do the Wal-Mart pick up. I have no idea why I haven't done it yet, but that's changing next week! I know once I do it once I'll be hooked for life! The FAVORITES list is what finally got me. I basically get the same things every single time I go! Going over to check out the cobbler recipe now. It looks amazing!
kimm atwood says
Back in NC harris teeter had online grocery shopping and it was awesome. Have a great weekend
jthmas says
I just started curb side pick up here in Illinois and yes, it is life changing! Sooo wish I had it when my kids were babies too! I do it at Meijer (which is like Walmart) but Kroger offers it as well in some locations. I think all stores will offer it soon!
Loren Lately says
I immediately went to the Walmart website to see if this was an option for my store and it is. I already started my list. Also, a little note- you can go to coupons and see what is on sale, click the checkmark on that coupon and it is added to your cart and deducted from your total. This is MAJOR and thank you for sharing.
Aubrey says
I order many of the basics online at Walmart too. So convenient even though I pretty much think Walmart is the devil. 🙁
MrsCoachJ says
Curious… Do you tip the person who loads the groceries into your car? I think I would, but I wonder how Walmart would feel about tipping employees.
Mix and Match Mama says
I've asked and they say no.
The BierNUTS says
This was my question too! Thanks!
brookerichardson says
I discovered Walmarts awesome service a little while back while all 3 kids were out of school and it rained a week straight!! It was a lifesaver!!!! I'm just counting down the days until they actually deliver to your house. Lol! #thatsworthpayingfor
Regine Karpel says
Happy weekend.
http://www.rsrue.blogspot.com
jackie says
Our local grocery store here offers pick up or delivery. It's FREE if you spend over $100. LIFE.CHANGING! The ladies at our store who do the shopping are so sweet and usually call if they think something is important enough to not be substituted (baby formula). So nice!
Mandy says
Have you heard of the shelfscouter home organization app? You can order all of those items from Walmart or Amazon and have them shipped to your door- no waiting in the parking lot! You track everything you use in the app from canned goods to heavy bags of dog food. Shipping is free with amazon prime or a $50+ order from WalMart. One of my busy mama friends invented this product. She's amazing!
Chrissy says
We do the Kroger ClickList here, same exact concept. Life changing!!! I'd say I save an hour and a half on grocery shopping now and $100 bi-weekly. No kids and husband tossing random stuff in the cart! After 3 visits they do start charging $3.95 but so worth it. I save way more than that!!
Amanda-Cupcake N Dreams says
How did I not know about the Nordstrom Essentials? I have to check that out right this minute. I also can't wait to make that cobbler, so yummy!
http://www.cupcakendreams.com
Laci Murray says
I wish my Walmart would offer this! It would be life changing for this crazy busy working mom.
Olivia says
I love Walmart pick up. I've been price comparing grocery stores for years and I can't seem to find anything cheaper than Walmart (minus a few sales here and there and a few Costco buys), so I bet you'll save tons as well. I'm like you about meat and some produce too though. Not sure if you've tried Sprouts but the deals (especially this summer) are the best on produce. We get all our meat from Zaycon (straight from the farm) so it's fresher and cheaper…way cheaper. I have a post about it on my blog. Same set up as Walmart pickup…drive to the truck, they load it in your car, and you go.
Carolyn says
I don't have a Walmart close to me so I use our local grocery store, Harris Teeter. They do grocery pick up for a small fee but it is toally worth it with a newborn and 2 year old! We are moving back to Texas in July and I can't wait to try Walmart's version of grocery pick up! #totallyworthit #whydidntidiscoveritearlier
Megan says
I'm gonna need Walmart to do this in my area asap. In fact, I don't think I can possibly consider another baby till they offer it. Ha!!! Kidding. Sorta.
Jess Deisher says
I love grocery shopping at Walmart. I wish my store had the pick up feature. Make sure you get there app and use the Savings Catcher! It's an amazing tool that will search for lower prices in the area and give you the difference! All you have to do is scan your receipt!
Lindsay at Lindsay'sSweetWorld says
Girl, all of our Walmarts need to GET ON BOARD! None of them do that here yet, but I'm sure it's only a matter of time! Especially if everyone keeps giving them raving reviews like you! Have a great weekend. :o)
Megan says
I had my third baby in December and discovers grocery delivery or pick up from my local store! Amazing!! The last thing I wanted to do this past winter was drag a newborn and two very active boys to the store every week. This has been life changing! And like you said I have really saved a lot because of the impulse buys!! That is my new tip to all new moms even if it's just one baby!
Melissa says
I am definitely making the cobbler this weekend, yum. Quick question and I know that you posted this at some point, but what size do you wear in the white JC jeans? Thanks. Have a great weekend!
Mix and Match Mama says
26! Happy Friday!
Melissa says
Thanks so much!
giginpink says
Love it…..I just got through coloring!!! My husband just gave me a coloring book and some pens and I was trying them out. I have always loved to color and had been wanting some one of the new "adult" books for some time. Of course I have a Pinterest board with coloring pages too! It's still fun to color! Wish my Wal Mart had pick up! Have a great weekend!
Kristina @ Ms.Modify says
How did I not know about the Walmart pick up service!? You're right, this will help from impulse buying! Now only if Tragte could create this same service! Have a great weekend! xo, Kristina
Cortny says
Walmart grocery has seriously changed my life! And I have a little one. Could not have been more perfect timing!!
Port Family says
Our local grocery store — HyVee — does delivery and I agree I save money! It also remembers frequently bought items so shopping is so much faster then going with 3 littles! No need to re-apply deodorant before grocery shopping any more! 🙂
Amy Gallardo says
Target in our area has curbside pickup too, but I haven't tried it out yet
Jessica Watson says
It's awesome!!!
Anna H says
How do you like your Apple Watch? Is it worth it? How is the battery life? Also, did you know if you buy $50 or more Walmart ships for free??!! I order detergent, toilet paper, paper towels, mouthwash, etc… And it comes to my door!!
Ann Marie says
Bloggin' while Im lunchin' today! AND Michael and I are pro Walmart pick up! LIFE CHANGING! It our after church stop and has made our life SO wonderful! Score on Walmart.. you have our business now! Sorry Market Street- we'll only be grabbing a few items each week from you!
Jessica Watson says
Some Targets actually do that Walmart thing(it's called curbside) we have it here in Chicago 🙂 (otherwise all stores have pick up in store option).