Laurin and Kelly Talk

Top Five Money Saving Tips

Hi Laurin - These are truly "tough economic times".  We hear about it constantly in the media and we feel it here at home.  Maybe you and I could share some ideas about trying to become a little more frugal these days--I know I could use a few more. 

Here are my top five money saving tips:

1.  Two pees to a flush! A classic from when I was growing up thanks to Mom.  a.k.a. "If it's yellow, let it mellow.  If it's brown, flush it down."  It's easy to do, but not necessarily accepted in public restrooms.

2.  Turn the lights off!  Look around your house right now--how many lights are on that don't need to be?

3.  Challenge yourself before you go to the grocery store to make a meal out of something you currently have left in the pantry,  i.e. why not have tuna sandwiches and soup for dinner tonight?  Trying to use up those cans and other odds and ends forces me to de-clutter and save money at the same time.

4.  Take advantage of Movies on Demand if your cable company offers it.  You can rent a movie for $3.99 just a few months after its release.  You don't even have to get off the couch!

5.  Have a clothing swap party with your friends! You know, my super stylish friend Erica is planning on having one soon, complete with accessories including purses!  You think that is tempting...?  She'll serve dessert at the same time.  I love this idea and I bet you will too!  Clothes and cake are a nice combination.

Finally, I was so inspired by the woman recently featured on Oprah.  She saved a ton of money on her electric bill just by unplugging most everything in her home!  I have been trying to do the same, so I'll let you know if there is a difference. 

Give me some of your ideas!

Pecking Order - Mah Top 5 Novelty Lolsites

Kelly, please don't send an assassin to my house when you read this, but I can spend me some time on the Internet. There are a few sites that I click when I just have to stop working for a bit or I need some laughs.

I needed these sites a lot the last couple of days as I have been too sick to do much else than giggle at funny cats pics and wonder why I haven't yet pimped out our cat Earl. He's funny y'all. "Mah nailz r blu dawgs."

Thank you to everyone who turned me on to these gems, although I have no idea who you are. It's all a bit fuzzy.

Ai brings u mah lizt:

1. I Can Has Cheezburger - Why are funny cat pictures so, so funny? Speaking of lolcat pictures, check out this recent post by Mrs. Fussypants. My Dad and I split a gill looking at this.

2. Cake Wrecks - Actual cakes people paid money for. I hope no truly tragic occasion inspired this cake.

3. The "Blog" of "Unnecessary" Quotation Marks - My husband should be on their payroll. I wonder if they have payroll? He will randomly call me up and say "I just saw a sign with "____" in quotation marks."

                  Not really a church.

4. Crummy Church Signs - Finally, validation for all the church secretaries out there wondering if their message is getting out. Personally, I am a fanatic about reading church signs while driving because some are incredibly clever. 

5. Fail Blog - Funny stuff here. OMG. As Tim Gunn would say, "People, you need to use an editing eye. Carry on!"

Technorati Tags: "funny cat pictures","unnecessary quotation marks","cake wrecks","church signs"

Pecking Order - Kelly's Top 5 Baby Products

Baby Kitten just turned 7 months old!  Here's a few of my current favorite baby products that make my life a little easier and greener. 

1.  Seventh Generation Chlorine Free Diapers - I love that they don't have that toxic smell that other diapers have and I like the natural color, too.  They are surprisingly absorbent and stay on very well.  A little pricier than the others, but definitely worth it for the environment.  (I've tried cloth diapers and flushables, but just can't commit.)  Seventh Generation

2.  The First Years Take and Toss Bowls with Lids - These bowls are great for snacks that  C'Dog  takes to camp and for feeding Baby Kitten.  I use them over and over because they are dishwasher safe.  Best of all they are BPA-free (Bisphenol -A is freaky chemical in plastic)! Babies R Us

3.  So Easy Baby Food Maker - I just made Baby Kitten some organic sweet potatoes, peas apples and pears.  The trays that are included in the kit are great because they have a cover on them to keep out odors and spills.  The book has so much useful information--I'm always flipping through it.   But you have to check out the web site Fresh Baby

4.  Burt's Bees Baby products- I'm currently using the Shampoo & Wash, the Buttermilk Lotion and the Diaper Ointment on both kids.  Love the smell and no parabens! Burts Bees

5. Halo Sleepsack wearable blanket--This is the perfect solution for not having loose blankets in the crib while Baby Kitten is sleeping.  I use the organic cotton one.  I feel confident knowing she is warm AND safe. We call it her "sleeping bag".  Babies R Us

Finally, PROPS to Babies R Us for carrying more green products.  They even have a section for BPA-free sippy cups and bottles.  Babies R Us

Technorati Tags: baby products,diapers,baby food,bpa-free

The Pioneer Woman is a Kirtsy Editor

Morning. So you know sk*rt changed to kirtsy, right?  I checked in this morning and my blogger crush, Ree, The Pioneer Woman, is a guest editor!

Interesting that they picked her right after I posted her lasagna recipe and it went popular last week.  I was so shocked that it had never been posted before.  Clearly, this is all my doing and I shall now await my gift basket from the ranch.  A pair of well-worn chaps for my husband to wear would be nice.

This really is the best lasagna ever made. Many, many people agree with me, including my Dad.  It's even better after you eat half of the humongous pan, freeze the rest, defrost a couple of days later because you need some more, then slowly eat the rest over the next three days.  Trust.

I have been systematically making all her recipes.  They are amazing, every one.  I just substitute organic wherever I can, but never, ever, under any circumstances, substitute low or no-fat ingredients because that would just be wrong.  I need organic crescent rolls, stat.  Pillsbury, get on that.