A HELLO and a winner!

Ragnar has come and gone BUT I'm still in California soaking up the...wind...it isn't very sunny here but it's better than Idaho by a LONG SHOT so I'll take it! 

When I have all the pictures figured out and I have my laptop {hubby is bringing it today!} I will blog more about my adventures.

BUT until then I will leave you will a WINNER from the CAIT CREATE GIVEAWAY!! 

and the WINNER is...

according to RANDOM.ORG

TIFFANY!!!

{email me for details}

I am SO excited for HALLOWEEN...only a few days away!

Hope you have FUN plans.

XOXO

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PEACE OUT BLOGGING WORLD!!!

I'm OFF to CALIFORNIA for 2 weeks to stay with my sisters 

AND 

run the RAGNAR RELAY in VEGAS!

{I will blog next week...just not anymore this week cause I'll be sleepin' and runnin'!!}

BUT before I leave...let me share with you all a little video!

Jeff and I are wanting to become professional rappers...did ya' know!?!

Ok that is a lie BUT this video JUST might make us famous someday...

OK that's a lie too.

TRY to listen to the words and look past our serious lack of ghettoness...

oh and don't mind that Jeff can't stay on beat...

or that I'm acting like Nicki Minaj...
uhh...just watch it for the love!

SURPRISE!!

XOXO

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winner and AWESOME NEW GIVEAWAY!!

Before we open up a NEW giveaway let's announce a winner for the great DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AWARENESS necklace!

so...according to RANDOM.ORG

Victoria @ One Crafty Momma said...

i follow you on twitter

October 10, 2011 1:01 PM 

I HAVE SOMETHING REALLY EXCITED FOR YOU ALL!

The beautiful Caitlin from...

contacted me and wanted to spread the love of her shop through the goodness of {simply sadie jane}

 SO...she sent me this beautiful, great and oh so shabby wall hanging...

don't you LOVE!!

She has SO MANY fun, great options!

Her store is adorable and AFFORDABLE! 

 I NEED this board for my little girls bathroom!

OK OK now for the GREAT NEWS!! 

Caitlin is giving away... 

 15 DOLLAR GIFT CARD to one of my fabulous readers!!

Here's how you ENTER:

{leave a separate comment for each item you complete}

1. Grab my button and slab it up on the right side of your blog for the world to see! Then come back and tell me ya' did!

Grab the code on the left side of my blog!

2. Check out CAITLIN'S ETSY SHOP {CAIT CREATE} and come back and tell me what your favorite item is!

3. Check out CAITLIN'S BLOG and become a follower while you're there!!

4. "LIKE" Caitlin's FACEBOOK PAGE!

5. GRAB HER BUTTON TOO!

6. Follow MY blog {simply sadie jane} and leave a comment saying so.

{make sure you check and see if you are!}

7. Follow {simply sadie jane} on twitter, facebook or RSS feed! {up to 3 entries}

{you can follow all 3 of these on the top right of my blog}

8. Blog, Facebook and/or Tweet about this giveaway and then leave a link for it here. {up to 3 entries}

GIVEAWAY closes on OCT 25th at midnight!

WINNER will be announced OCT 26th, 2011

XOXO

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winner PLUS Harvest Wreath Tutorial!

Let's get down to some business...

the WINNER of the PIDGAPEG COTTAGE STUFFED PUMPKINS is...

according to random.org

Rebecca said...

I shared on FB!
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Southern-Charm/224675254230619

October 8, 2011 9:22 PM 

 CONGRATS...email me for details!

*****

LET'S TALK FALL PEOPLE!!

Instead of doing a fun Halloween wreath I decided to make one that would last a little longer!!

I saw a picture on pinterest that inspired me to make THIS one for myself!

SO...let's learn how to make THIS WREATH!

 FYI...I got ALL of my materials at the DOLLAR STORE!

YOU'LL NEED:

One wreath: any type of base and any size

3 MOSS rolls

4 REINDEER moss packs

glue gun and sticks

GOLD small pumpkin {purchased at MICHAEL'S} 

Burlap

 First start with your moss roll

 ...and roll it around the wreath with hot glue!

 Make sure to coat ALL of the moss with glue!

 Then get out the reindeer moss and piece it apart!

 Start the glue and stick process...this will take a while!

 Keep doing this all the way around...

make sure to go back and do some touch ups!

then place the pumpkin on the bottom of the wreath with some glue...and tie a ribbon on top with some burlap AND you're DONE! 

Place on your door and watch how it transforms your home to a FALL OASIS! 

 I just LOVE that golden touch!

Have I told you yet that fall is my favorite season?...

well now I LOVE it even more!!

XOXO

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GUEST POST

Introducing Mike: owner of sensa-weight-loss.com

He's here today to inform us mom's about a GREAT way to get healthy and fit ALL from the comfort of your own home!

Take it away Mike!

Everything You Need To Know About FitOrbit

When wanting to lose weight, most people get confused by all of the many different weight loss programs out there to choose from.  This information overload is something that gets many people depressed about even wanting to start a weight loss program.  In order to beat this information overload, it is important to note that when having a trainer at your side, you most likely will be able to start making sense of how diet and exercise can work together for your good.  A program called FitOrbit has harnessed this technique and has made it easy for their customers to gain access to personal trainers in order to meet their weight loss and dieting goals.

So what exactly is FitOrbit, and how does it work?  FitOrbit was founded by Jake Steinfield, from "Body by Jake".  He created this program to help people lose weight amongst their busy schedules.  Since most people don't have several hours a day to visit the gym and hire a personal trainer, Jake created FitOrbit to allow people to connect with personal trainers through the Internet.  FitOrbit gives its members access to real personal trainers that correspond with you over  the Internet to help you be more accountable and to reach your goals successfully.

Now that we know what FitOrbit is, how exactly does it work?  FitOrbit starts by using a personal trainer to help you come up with a meal selection plan to help you lose weight.  This is a unique feature about FitOrbit as the personal trainer will be able to recommend foods based on your likes, preferences, and your body type to help you get maximum results.  Unlike other programs out there, FitOrbit touts that they allow you to pick the foods that you like to eat through the help of a personal trainer to be able to start losing weight.  Not only will the trainer help you to come up with a meal plan, but they will follow up with you to make sure that you are consuming proper portions, correct foods, and that you are not over-eating.  By having someone monitor what you are eating, the FitOrbit program believes that members will be more accountable and be able to start controlling their appetites effectively.

Not only does FitOrbit help you come up with a realistic food plan, but they will also help you create a fitness program that will enable you to lose weight.   These fitness programs are created by the personal trainer that corresponds with you to help you create an exercise program designed around the equipment that you already have.  This is also unique as most people don't have a gym membership, or high-tech exercise equipment.  This type of approach allows people to exercise with the equipment that they have so that they can save money by not having to buy a gym membership or a fancy new treadmill.  The personal trainers will also exploit activities that you like, such as basketball, football, or any other sport.  They do this so that they can keep your interest in the exercise routine in order to keep you motivated and excited about losing weight.

Another feature that FitOrbit provides is a unique updating system.  Since you are talking to your personal trainer via the Internet, the FitOrbit program and website utilizes e-mail and your mobile phone to remind you of your diet and training program.  This means that during  the day, you will be receiving correspondence from your personal trainer to remind you to eat right, go on that planned run, or to make a change in your exercise program.  By being constantly reminded, FitOrbit believes that people can be held more accountable for their success and thus will be able to see much better results.  These reminders help customers pick back up where they left of, or to continue going strong as they know they have someone on their side interested in their success.

The creators of FitOrbit have also integrated a motivational mechanism into their program.  This motivation mechanism is created through intense stat tracking tools.  The program makes it quite easy to be able to see the results that you are getting by monitoring calorie reduction, exercise amounts, as well as an overall weight loss chart.  These types of tracking tools can help a person to stay more motivated in order to get the results that they are looking for.

So how much does FitOrbit cost?  FitOrbit costs $40 dollars a month for membership.  One of the sales techniques that FitOrbit uses in order to justify this membership price is by contrasting what you would normally spend on another type of program.   For example, a personal trainer at a gym usually costs about $720 dollars a month to retain.  Most people that use a personal trainer at a gym also pair their services with a nutritionist, which can cost $300 dollars a month.  This typical and conventional method can cost an upwards of $1,020 dollars a month to maintain.  With the economy being the way that it is, FitOrbit believes that the old traditional model is just not practical any longer.  With the $40 dollar a month fee, each member receives all of the services that FitOrbit offers, which includes access to online tools, a personal trainer, as well as meal plan ideas and more.  The other unique thing about FitOrbit

As you can see, FitOrbit offers some unique services that many people find very useful when losing weight.  With the $40 dollar price tag, it may be worth it for you to check out if you are interested in utilizing the help of a personal trainer.  For those that want to try the program, FitOrbit is currently giving away a free trial period to new sign-ups.
When looking into diet programs, making sure that they work for you is a must.  Learn about sensa-weight-loss.com  Diet Programs that will work with your needs.

Thanks Mike for letting us know that we have other options out there!

Whether you stay at home or you find the time to make it to the gym or just go for a run...fitness is a must!

REMEMBER: even with a family...you still need to make time for YOURSELF!

XOXO

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Pumpkin patches and thuggish ruggish rollin'!

Remember my FALL CHECK OFF list!?!...

well one of those little things was a pumpkin patch...and I had the pleasure of taking a little jaunt through one this last weekend!

Of course...it was the day after all the 4 inches of snow melted!...I'm not lying we had snow last week!

I think pumpkins are my favorite 'looking' vegetable! 

I think it's all the funky shapes, colors and beautiful stems.

 My sister surpirsed everyone and came into town last weekend too!...

Her little daughter Hazel {could you die at the name...amazing!} had so much fun with Reagan!

 I am making my way to the warm state of California next week to stay with them for 2 weeks.

Oh I can already feel the 90 degree weather.

IN OTHER NEWS...
Jeff and I were getting ready to leave the other day and decided to let Reagan try on her winter coat for this year...I got it at BABY GAP last year on 75% of rack!
I LOVE the coat...BUT...I think it's still a little too big.
She just kept falling over...it was hilarious!

OH and she totally looks like a thug!

"I'm gonna take yo lunch money fo!"

{She's totally thinking that}

Oh I'm glad I have people around me to make me laugh...I figure if I'm not laughing at least 5 times a day...I'm not living.

Stay tuned for an amazing bruschetta and corn salsa recipe!

XOXO

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HOMEMADE TRAIL MIX!

Jeff and I are always looking for ways to be healthier! 

Although we don't ALWAYS eat the best...we strive to!

ONE problem we find is healthy food can tend to be more expensive...

unless you use bulk foods!!

WINCO is the BEST for affordable, healthy food!

 You can choose whatever kind of dried fruit and nuts you want!!

BUT...here's a few tips to getting the HEALTHIEST trial mix out there!

{golden raisins}

 When deciding what dried fruit to get...make sure you check the ingredient card on top of the bulk food bin!

{Dried apples} 

 Unfortunately some of the dried fruit is coated in sugar!

DANG IT...just choose wisely!

The only fruit that I put into this mix with sugar in it was the banana chips!

{Jeff LOVES them...so I add them} 

 I got about 2 cups of EACH!

SUNFLOWER SEEDS...always UNSALTED!

 Dried Apricots! 

 Dried Mangos...these actually might have sugar...

 Whole plain almonds

 Dried Cranberries

 Dried Raisins

 Mixed NUTS {UNSALTED} 

Throw it all together...

and there you have it!

It makes a BUNCH!!

Jeff will take a bag of this to work and snack on it...instead of whatever else they snack on!

With how much it makes it is DEFINITELY cheaper than buying it prepared!

I haven't checked with Sam's Club or Costco but it terms of WINCO pricing...it's for sure cheaper!

SO GET OUT THERE...get your bulk goodness and start your healthy snacking!

XOXO

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DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AWARENESS MONTH!

The sweet ATHENA from GODDESS OF GIFTS contacted me about a week ago about something that was dear to my heart!

Here's Athena's story!

"As you may or may not now I am a survivor of Domestic Violence. Although I have been out of the relationship for nearly 10 years, it is still difficult to talk about and as a result I have been unsuccessful in starting any new relationships. For the month of October I am going to dedicate my blog to making others aware of domestic violence.  I plan to talk about my past and perhaps even retype some of my journal entries.  I hope to also have other survivors come forward and share some of their experiences.  I do this not to make others feel pity but to encourage others.  My hope is to also give others the resources that are needed if they are victims or know of victims."

For the month of October she has designed a jewelry collection that she is naming Messenger of Peace.  Each item will carry the color purple and a silver dove. 

This collection includes beautiful earrings, necklaces and bracelets that symbolize hope for domestic violence victims!

AND

A portion of all proceeds will be donated to assist victims of domestic violence.  She has listed some items in her etsy store and will continue to create more throughout the month.

When I was a Labor and Delivery nurse I had more than a few situations where my patients were victims of domestic violence!

As nurses we are required to ask EVERYONE if they are in an abusive relationship...along with other related questions.

But unfortunately some of the time...I JUST KNEW...they were lying!

The bruises on their arms or the way they acted with their significant other around made me almost certain that something was wrong!

It broke my heart as I tried to be supportive and helped them as they brought a child into the world.

Sometimes it was just too much for me to handle...thinking about those new precious babies AND their mothers going to an unsafe home!

I wanted to wrap my arms around them and tell them they didn't have to live the life they were living!

I wanted to save them, to take them into my home!

I will never forget those precious babies and mothers...

I hope...someday they can stumble upon this blog or maybe even Athena's...and see...they aren't alone!

My childhood was anything but normal...

divorce

moving

blended family

and more

BUT I never had to deal with any kind of domestic violence! 

AND somehow I got blessed to have a loving, wonderful husband who has never even raised his voice! 

He REALLY is my saving grace!

WHAT am getting at is...EVERY WOMEN deserves that...

those suffering from domestic violence need to know that there is something BETTER out there for them!

THAT is why I am wearing this beautiful DOVE necklace that ATHENA designed herself!

"The silver dove carries the color purple symbolizing as a messenger of domestic violence awareness and bringing peace to those who have been affected."  

ATHENA and I decided that we wanted to get the word out there!!
SO we are doing a giveaway for ALL my readers!

Athena is giving away a beautiful dove necklace JUST LIKE MINE!

Here's how you ENTER:

{leave a separate comment for each item you complete}

1. Grab my button and slab it up on the right side of your blog for the world to see! Then come back and tell me ya' did!

Grab the code on the left side of my blog!

2. Check out ATHENA'S ETSY SHOP {Goddess of Gifts} and come back and tell me what your favorite item is!

3. Check out ATHENA'S AWESOME BLOG and become a follower while you're there!!

4. Follow MY blog {simply sadie jane} and leave a comment saying so.

{make sure you check and see if you are!}

5. Follow {simply sadie jane} on twitter, facebook or RSS feed! {up to 3 entries}

{you can follow all 3 of these on the top right of my blog}

6. Blog, Facebook and/or Tweet about this giveaway and then leave a link for it here. {up to 3 entries}

GIVEAWAY closes on OCT 17th at midnight!

WINNER will be announced OCT 18th, 2011

XOXO

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ONE MORE FALL GIVEAWAY!

BUT FIRST...

the WINNER of the custom made TRICK OR TREAT BUCKET!

according to random.org

Anne Nack said...

tweeted, http://twitter.com/#!/CA4muse

October 5, 2011 10:53 AM

CONGRATS...EMAIL ME FOR DETAILS

*********

NOW...onto the NEXT FALL GIVEAWAY!!

 The very talented ANDI from PidgApeg COTTAGE 

CUSTOM made these OH-SO-CUTE stuffed pumpkins for my FALL decor! 

OH and just a little side note!!...She has 3 Etsy shops!! 

Can you believe that?

Talk about busy!

So when you check out her blog make sure to check out ALL her fun shops too!

AND she is doing a giveaway for my readers with the EXACT SAME STUFFED PUMPKINS!

Here's how you ENTER:

{leave a separate comment for each item you complete}

1. Grab my button and slab it up on the right side of your blog for the world to see! Then come back and tell me ya' did!

Grab the code on the left side of my blog!

2. Check out ANDI'S ETSY SHOP {PigdApeg Cottage} come back and tell me what your favorite item is!

3. Check out ANDI'S AWESOME BLOG and become a follower while you're there!!

4. Follow MY blog {simply sadie jane} and leave a comment saying so.

{make sure you check and see if you are!}

5. Follow {simply sadie jane} on twitter, facebook or RSS feed! {up to 3 entries}

{you can follow all 3 of these on the top right of my blog}

6. Blog, Facebook and/or Tweet about this giveaway and then leave a link for it here. {up to 3 entries}

GIVEAWAY closes on OCT 15th at midnight!

WINNER will be announced OCT 16th, 2011

XOXO

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HAPPY HALLOWEEN DECORATIONS!

Let's have a little discussion...

about how I would LOVE to decorate with COPPER PUMPKINS AND BEAUTIFUL GLITTERED WREATHS AND MANTELS FILLED WITH DELICIOUSLY SILHOUETTED WORDS PLACED ON FUN FRAMES AND PLATES...

and about how IF I had a silhouette machine my decorations wouldn't be so make-shift!

OH and how I have only been married for 2 years and this is our first Halloween in a home that I can decorate with...oh my goodness listen to all these excuses!

...actually let's not even talk about it...

WAIT...I forgot one excuse...I'm only 23 FOR THE LOVE...which automatically gives me an extra vote because being young means I haven't had ALL those years to slowly accumulate beautifully discounted items from boutiques and Target!

...OK I'm done!

let's just lay it all out there and say...my decorations are AWESOME in there very own special way!

With THAT being said...I want to introduce you to my slowly growing and changing Halloween decorations!

Brought to you by my mothers storage room, Winco, the dollar store and simply created in my humble home!

Pumpkins are 36 cents a pound at WINCO right now!

AND these beautiful fall leaves came straight from my mothers storage room...I may have slid them up my shirt and made a b-line for the door...I don't think she's noticed there gone yet!

BUT if you LOVE them as much as I do...she got them from the {MINI BAZAAR}!!

 Did you notice we re-stained out door!

Now I gotta get a WELCOME sign back up there...AND I AM currently working on my FALL WREATH as I type...kinda!

 LOVING this candle stick...probably my favorite part of the decorations...and of course it's not even mine...YES...it's my mom's too!!

Oh but this I hid in my pants...uhh...just kidding I got her permission!

Now I really am sounding like I'm 23!

GOODNESS!

RIBBON: MINI BAZAAR {GOSH...also from my mother's storage room}

SMALL PUMPKINS: Michael's!...these I bought...they were on sale for $1 a piece!

OWL: thrift store

 SILVER AND GOLD PUMPKINS: Dollar store...spray painted!

BANNER: Free printable {HERE}

WITCH HAT: thrift store {spray painted, added the ribbon and spider}

JARS: Porters! BEST PURCHASE EVER!! I simply switch out candy every holiday! GREAT BUY!

CANDY: Winco bulk food

TRAY: yes...my mothers...but she actually gave me this about 2 years ago so now it's MINE

 BANNER: a little AMAZING gift from my beautiful sister and {MAUDE MARY} partner Sara

WICKER PUMPKINS: {mini bazaar}  taken from my mother...if you only know what she STILL has in her storage room...seriously...if only I had a bigger trunk...and better hiding skills!

These littler beauties got sent to me from a very sweet reader!

 ANDI is doing a SWEET GIVEAWAY with these for my readers!...

giveaway coming SOON...stayed tuned!

BUT check out her ETSY SHOP to get a sneak peak!

WEB: dollar store

STAR: made last year, scrapbook paper on star! AWESOME!

GOOGLY EYE FRAME: tutorial {HERE}

 AND last but not least...my little skull from the dollar store spray painted and dressed around purple goodness and pumpkin taffy!! MY FAVORITE!

There you have it...

SEE you don't have to spend a dime for fun decorations!! 

You just need a mother close by and a great imagination!

XOXO

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