i need a spendervention!!

As you know, economic times are tough and with two mortgage payments I was living under the tight grip of The Budget Nazi, aka: Hubby. Now that we sold the house, the grip has been loosened... just a wee little bit. So where is this lassie headed you ask? Why Marshalls and TJ Maxx of course! I can get the same products sold in expensive department stores for a fraction of the price. What's not to love?

I am embarrassed to say that yes, these are my kitchen towels. Yes, they are ripped, stained and bleached and yes, I was using Christmas towels all year. Consider this the BEFORE picture. Now, feast your eyes on the after!

Aren't they purty?? Instead of paying $20 for high end kitchen towels, I paid a mere $10. Goodbye ratted and nasty kitchen towels.... hello dreamy new ones! Thanks TJ Maxx!!

I have been trying to find something to go in this little nook above the stove. Nothing I had looked right. It was either too small, too big or just not suited for the kitchen. What's a lassie to do? Go to Marshalls of course!

This little plaque works perfectly and incorporates all the colors of the kitchen. This new look only cost Hubby me $15 instead of $35. Sweet!

This was our mantle before I mandated a little 'spendervention'. It is large and definitely lacking color.
Here is the after product. Can you believe I found the same color green that we have in the adjoining kitchen?! I was so excited!

See how easy it is to make just a few easy and inexpensive updates. All you need is a quick spendervention trip to TJ Maxx and Marshalls. So go on, get out there and treat yourself to a little something. You'll be happy you did!

haiku - oh how i love the cube

Looking for a deal?

Well there's a new girl in town

With all the new trends.

Want a great bargain

But still have the coolest looks

With money to spare?

Kelly's the new girl

Who hangs out at the Cube

It's inside Marshalls!

The same hot brand names

But for only half the price

Who hid my wallet??

A unique boutique

That's easy and fun to shop,

Navigate and browse!

But wait... could it be??

Shoes, bags and sunglasses too

It must be heaven!!

Can you believe it!?

Two hundred dollars in clothes

70% off!!

Yes, you heard me right

All that stuff for sixty bucks

This Lassie sure scored!

Two new Roxy shirts

O'Neil cords, Billabong too

And a new black dress.

Oh, and don't forget

My favorite purchase of all

A new Roxy purse!

So grab your wallet

And head over to Marshalls

Kelly is at the Cube!!

are you getting fresh with me??

Ever wonder what it would be like to be a 20 something year old entrepreneur? Yeah me to! Well Dove and Gossip Girl are going to let us live out that fantasy vicariously though four up and coming women. These girls are real and amazing. The new video series introduces four real girls from Manhattan’s Upper East Side who grew up in the same NYC hotbed as characters of Gossip Girl. These real girls have followed their passions to define their own successes in life. They took life by the hands and went after their real dreams.

Their real stories are being shared to encourage all 20-something girls to live life with a fresh perspective and inspire others to pursue their dreams as they juggle common life pressures such as careers, relationships, beauty, finances, family and friends.

And don't forget to check out Doves new line of Go Fresh products. This new line is fragrance-driven with four deliciously flavors! They are available in beauty bars, body wash, deodorants and matching body mists. What are you waiting for?? We can all use a little burst in our beauty routine!

Real Women. True Stories. Fresh Gossip.

tuesday tunage - trebellina review

I am taking a different spin this for this week's edition of Tuesday Tunage. This week it is for the kiddies! Oh ok, and parents too.

I had the opportunity to review Cristofori Baby Company's new DVD, Trebellina. Trebellina is supposed to be a revolutionary music series aimed at teaching little ones, ages 1-4, musical concepts, instrument names and sounds. The DVD is supposed to help young children develop pitch and teach them to read music in a fun and interactive manner. Since Grady loves music and sings all the time, I thought it would be a perfect fit.

I was all excited as Grady and I took our places on the couch. I had watched the video previews but was not sure how my almost four year old would like it. Initially he liked trying to mimic Trebellina singing the notes. Trebellina would say the name of the note and then demonstrate it by singing it. Sounds simple enough. Then they introduce two of the other characters as well a variety of musical instruments. Sadly, after about 10 minutes of the program, my son lost interest and walked out of the room. I tried a few day later to get him to watch it again to no avail.

I personally, was not impressed. As an parent and educator I have seen a lot of different ways to engage children with music. I personally would rather expose my child to a variety of different musics then try and teach them the names and sounds of the specific notes. Sadly, my pre-schooler felt the same way. While I do feel the DVD is very educational and has a lot of great ideas, I just don't feel it was appropriate for a young child. I am sure younger children would like it just from the cartoon and music stand point, but the academics of it was lost on my 3 year old. I will try and revisit the DVD when he is a bit older, but for now Trebellina will be filed away.

thursday thirteen - caress me

I had the glorious opportunity to try out Caress's new Evenly Gorgeous exfoliating body wash. Now, in all honesty, I am an 'in and out' kind of girl when it comes to the shower. Usually because I have little leprechauns running amok, causing chaos or trying to dismember each other. Relaxing showers have indeed become a luxury of the past. But this lassie was willing to give it a try and boy am I glad I did! Want my reasons for now trying to take a daily shower? Read on!

1. Evenly Gorgeous is made with burnt brown sugar and karite butter. It smells divine! Though I have gotten a few concerned glances when I was caught sniffing myself.

2. I now have even toned and radiant skin so I can sport all my sassy and hip skirts!

3. It exfoliates and moisturizes. I love something that does double duty!

4. It got Carson to go into the closet with Kim Kardashian! Wonder how I can get him into mine....

5. Warning - It will make you want to lick your arm.

6. I can flaunt the latest trends and feel confident doing it.

7. Because gorgeous skin is always in style.

8. Hubby likes the smell - not too flowery or sweet. He too has gotten some curious glances as he was trying to sniff me in public. Ooops!

9. I love trying on the latest styles on my very own virtual me.

10. The directions on the bottle specifically say I can "ignore the knocks on the door." Sweet!

11. I am always ready to reveal my daring side.

12. I could win a trip for two to New York's fashion week, stay at a swanky hotel and hang with Carson Kressley. Hell-LO! Who wouldn't want that??

13. You can even try a free sample. Yes, that's right... A FREE SAMPLE!

Not convinced yet? Try it for yourself. Believe me, you will be happy you did!!

arrr, so ye want yerself a pirate eh?

Even though I live in an Irish wonderland and am constantly trampled by wee little leprechauns, Hubby has recently switched gears and turned my leprechauns into scallywags. While he was so bold to anoint himself captain, he was kind enough to make me his first mate. When I tried to put up a scuffle he said there was only room for one Captain on this ship and it wasn't me. Seriously?? Hmmpf. We'll see who gets promoted to captain when his laundry doesn't get done!

So when Captain Billy contacted me about his new book, Cap’N Billy “The Butcher” MacDougall’s Guide to Pirate Parenting, I quickly jumped on board. What better way to handle the pirate uprising in my house then with a little insurgence on the high seas?

If you or your child loves pirates you need to check out this book. Heck, even if you don't like pirates, you need to check out this book! I mean, let's be honest. Your kids already smell like pirates don't they? It would make for an easy transition! Plus it is the number four reason for raising your child as a pirate. One down, nine to go!

Guide To Pirate Parenting gives you ideas for online pirate dating, turning your minivan into a schooner and even helping your teen pirate resist peer pressure (the pirate way of course!) Have a newborn baby pirate? Check out Cap'N Billy's lullabies for landlubbers. My personal favorite is Rock-A-Bye Pirate. Sigh... I bet that would have put my boys to sleep back in the day! He even helps you convince your kids they want to do chores. What kid would pass up a chance to swab the poop deck?

As for this pirate wench? Why ye be able to find me sailing the 'Festering Pillager' from now on with me crew of scurvy dogs. Now go! Be a pirate parent. Yer children will thank ye for it!!

tuesday tunage - yanni voices

Yanni and producer Ric Wake have outdone themselves once again. After two years of hard work, and four of the most new and talented young voices in music today, Yanni is debuting another fantastic album, "Voices". Yanni's new CD features the extraordinary voices of four up and coming young singers; Nathan Pacheco, Chloe, Ender Thomas and Leslie Mills. They sing some of Yanni's classics as well as debuting some of their own new music!

I grew up listening to Yanni and was very excited when he had a new CD coming out. While it is definitely not like his past work, it does have a lot of more upbeat and powerful songs. My favorite vocalist on the album is Leslie Mills, especially her song 'The Keeper'. I fell in love with it the very first time I listened to it. In fact, I hit replay just so I could hear it again! her other song, 'Before the Night Ends' is also truly amazing.

If you are looking for traditional Yanni I suggest listening to 'Our Days', 'Orchid' or 'Moments Without Time'. All are beautifully orchestrated and reminiscent of the Yanni of years gone by.

Don't forget that Yanni Voices is also touring! One2One Network wants to give you an opportunity to experience these phenomenal singers first hand. You can listen to a preview of these amazing singers and find out when Yanni Voices is coming to a city near you! His "Voices" tour starts April 10 so be sure to get your tickets early! .