$39 for Five Dance Classes of Your Choice ($90 Value) - Global Music Academy

$39 for Five Dance Classes of Your Choice ($90 Value) - Global Music Academy

Just signed up me and the girlies for a Bollywood class using this voucher!!!  So excited!  If you are local - come join us!!  New Bollywood class forming on Wednesdays 7pm - all ages.

Father Running Pittsburgh Marathon Blindfolded

My new hero!  This dedicated father is running to race money for his daughter who was born blind.  Not only that, but he is running the entire Pittsburgh Marathon blindfolded!  Read his story here.

Boston Marathon 2013

For all of those who trained so hard for Boston...for those who waited hours for a glimpse of their loved ones crossing the finish...for those tireless volunteers working the race our hearts and prayers go out to all of you. As runners, we are all in this together.  Our passion for running binds us together, drives us to go that extra mile, and makes us grateful for every breath of fresh air.  We all feel the sadness and confusion with you.

Eating Gluten-Free? Try Taste Guru -- Extra Month FREE With Coupon Code

If you're eating gluten-free and have been on the lookout for more more food options, check out the Taste Guru Gluten-Free Box of the Month Club. They deliver only the best-tasting gluten-free food on the market -- guaranteed!

Sign-up and get ready for new goodies every month. Your shipment is delivered right to your door--always with free shipping.

Choose a three, six, or 12-month subscription--plus for a limited time, you'll get a bonus month FREE with coupon code: 1Free making this an even better deal.

If you have food sensitivities, are trying a gluten-free diet for a child with autism, or just want to give gluten-free eating a try, this is a great way to discover some new foods. 

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FREE Online Account & Bill Organizer

• One login for all of your bills and online accounts
• Reminders about when bills are due
• Unlimited storage for your bills and statements

I pay almost all of my bills online, book travel online, and sign up for new services online whenever possible. That makes for a lot of passwords, payments, and due dates to keep track of!

Luckily, there's a FREE service to help you keep all of your online accounts organized. Manilla is a free web-based service that helps you better manage all of your household accounts, including financial accounts, utilities, subscriptions, travel rewards programs, and more in one secure place. With just one password, Manilla provides you with an automated, organized view of all of your account information, text and/or email reminders to pay bills and unlimited storage of account documents.

Most people have more than 20 different household accounts, including three or four credit cards, several travel and hotel rewards accounts, magazine and newspaper subscriptions, plus cable, phone, and other assorted utility bills. How do you keep up with all this? You get paper mail, you have to remember all kinds of online usernames, passwords, and websites.

Manilla will retrieve all your account information – current balances, previous payments, upcoming bills due – and store it for you in one secure place. Best of all, you only need  one password to view, manage, and organize it all--and of course, it's FREE!

Oh, and if you're still unsure -- Manilla's been recommended by The Wall Street Journal, CNNMoney, Forbes, Time, and too many more places to mention. Check it out for yourself!

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Click to see more FREE budgeting tools from MomsWhoSave. 

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For deals and coupons, check out my main deals page at MomsWhoSave.com 

You can also find me on Facebook and join me on Twitter, along with more than 113,000 other bargain hunters for daily deal updates!

The F Word

That is the headline that caught my eye on MyYogaOnline today.  The F Word.

FUN!  It made me stop and realize that the F word is what I've been missing in my workouts!!

I remember when running was FUN.

Bootcamp drills were FUN.

Core work was FUN.

Yoga was FUN.

Cycling was FUN.

Walking the beast - I mean, dog - was FUN.

What happened?  Have I been too exhausted from having a newborn / baby?  Do I save the FUN for rollerblading with the kids, chasing them on bikes, and crafting?  

This is how I have decided to re-motivate myself to enjoy running again!  Put the FUN back in my RUN.  I am desperately longing to get back out there and start logging more miles.  I am trying to squeeze it in between baby nap times, homeschooling, and kids' activities.  If I could simply get excited to get out there and do it!!!!!  So FUN here I come!  

No more dragging my feet out the door when the temperature is optimal that day.  No more saving it for the weekends.  No more choosing my route based on the fewest uphill climbs and the turn-around points to shorten it if I feel like it!!!!!

FUN!  Sprints, speedwork, hill repeats, maybe even competing with random people through Map My Run.  I have downloaded Broadway tunes from SMASH my absolute favorite show on TV, and other broadway musicals.

I have officially signed up for 2 FUN races:

The Glo Run - Washington, DC - April 2013

Run or Dye - Washington, DC - June 2013

The Glo Run is a nighttime 5K. You run wearing glow-in-the-dark gear through lasers and strobes, DJs pump the tunes, etc.

Run or Dye is an untimed 5K with 3 different routes.  You are sprayed with washable dyes at the end of each course.

What's your idea of FUN on a RUN?

Style Challenge - Week 10 - Red Nail Polish

How hard can this challenge be?  Paint your nails RED for no reason!  No special event.  No special person.  

Whip out that bottle of red you bought for special occasions (nail polish, not wine -- or nail polish AND wine) and paint something....toes...fingernails...kids' toes...dogs' nails.  Unfortunately, my most recent purchase of nail polish was TEAL (thanks Amity).  So I might have to cheat a bit this week and do teal.  Do I dare paint my actual fingernails for the first time since high school?????  Actually, I got a french manicure for my wedding.  But that doesn't count as painting my own nails some BIG color.  Or do I stick to my toes?  Hmmmm...

Week 9 Style Challenge: BRAID

Another super duper easy peasy Style Challenge this week!  BRAID!  Even if you simply braid your bangs or quickly add one tiny braid somewhere in your hair - that counts!!

Here is some inspiration.  Good luck and Happy Braiding!!!!

Kids RollerSkate FREE

You can sign up each of your children for 2 FREE skate passes every week for 2013!!
They have a list of participating rinks.  What a cool way to spend a snowy, rainy or super hot day!
My kids love to roller skate and rollerblade.  Here is the link!

Week 8 Style Challenge: Necklace Stack

Thank goodness last week's challenge is O-V-E-R.  Dresses + Homeschool Mom + 5 month old = NO NEED TO WEAR A FREAKING DRESS.  I tried, I really did.  I searched for an occasion to wear a dress.  Then the cold crept in and I got even MORE lazy about working a dress into my wardrobe.  Had it been a SWEATS challenge - I would have nailed it!

On to this week....
Tra la la la la....

I'm a crafter.  I have necklaces.  Lots of necklaces.  Half of which I have crafted myself.  Or my crafty queen  friend AMY has crafted for me.  Or my jewelry design extraordinaire VAL has gifted me.  

So this week's challenge is NECKLACE STACKING.  Not just one petite little pearl on a strand kind of necklace.  Oh no!  Grab a few...blindfolded if you dare...and wear them around your neck.

This I can do.  I have a few outings planned this week.  I THINK I CAN.  NO....I WILL SUCCEED.

Dirty Ovens

I think I will post this sign on my front door...kind of like a "enter at your own risk AND don't judge me" warning.

Watch this video about love, life, hope, and courage. Amazing!

I just came across this lovely web site. It brought tears to my eyes and love swelled in my heart.

Pray For Ian: our story: we met in college in 2005. we started dating then, too. love came quickly and how fun it was. in september of 2006, on his way...

Week 7: Style Challenge: Dress

Alrighty then.  How are we doing on our Style Challenges??  Anyone??
This week you need to try to wear a DRESS each day for 7 days.  So your assignment this evening is to dig around in your closet and pull out a few dresses you haven't worn in forever.  Dust them off, don't blink, pull out some tights or leggings to wear beneath them.  And make a pinkie promise with yourself (or your child if they are in the closet with you this very moment putting on mommy's shoes) to wear a dress a day this week.  Feel free to repeat a dress and switch up the accessories. 

Now, be gone with you.  Go play dress up!

Here is a bit of inspiration...

Style Challenge - Week 6 - BOOTS

It seems a BOOTS style dare might be a bit more fun in the summer time.  But we'll go with it.  Winter = Boots.  This should be a truly simple challenge week.  Tall boots, short boots, brown boots, black boots, cowboy boots, snow boots, dress boots, furry boots....you get the idea.

To add a little spice this week - try a boot and dress combo you've never tried.  Or boots that don't match your outfit.  

Whatever your style, boots are for every-booty.

Week 5 Style Challenge: Brooch

Does the word BROOCH invoke visions of antique jewelry and black & white photos?  Well, it shouldn't!  Brooches can be very NOW.  If you happen to have a brooch tucked away that is a family heirloom - get it out, dust it off, and wear it this week.  Otherwise, you can easily create a brooch from a fancy earring, a silk flower, even tiny artwork from your kids and some ribbon.

I think the key to this week's challenge of wearing a BROOCH each day is finding new ways to wear them.  Brooches don't have to lay sweetly on a lapel.  Pin one to your winter hat.  Use one to define your waist on a dress.  Pin it to your bag, your boot, or attach one to a necklace.  Think outside the brooch box.

Click here for brooch inspiration.

Run This Year: 2,013 Miles

That’s right, run 2,013 miles in 2013.
We’re inviting all of you to join in on the challenge. 2,013 sounds like a lot of miles, because it is. But that’s part of the fun, right? You can break it up like this:

2,013 miles:

• 5.516 miles per day
• 38.72 miles per week
• 167.75 miles per month
• 76.84 marathons per year
• 671 runs to Starbucks (if your Starbucks is 3 miles away)

There are tons of ways to get started at reaching your goal. Tiffany and I will be hosting monthly challenges and chats to help motivate you and encourage you to RUN THIS YEAR.

Let's see I'm already approximately 60 miles behind :(  
How about you???? 

Style Dare - Week 4 - On Your Head

ON YOUR HEAD!  Huh?  Stand on my head?  No....

Wear something on your head!

A cool barrette, a hip hat,  a do rag, a hair band, bunny ears...whatever strikes your fancy.

No rules.  Anything goes.

Style Challenge for this week should be fairly simple.

I will try to post a few of my ON YOUR HEAD days.

And because I love, love, love making barrettes, etc. I will try my motherly best to post a DIY hair clip project this week.

I made these retro hair bands for the girlies in December 2012 using felt for the "leaves" and foldover elastic in beautiful colors found on Etsy.com.

Snowflake Poem

Stumbled across this lovely little poem...

Whenever a snowflake leaves the sky,
It turns and turns to say goodbye.
"Goodbye, dear cloud, cool and grey."
Then lightly travels on its way.

And when a snowflake finds a tree
"Good day," it says, "good day to thee."
Thou art so bare and lonely here
I'll call my friends to settle near."
- anonymous

Disney World Marathon Weekend 2013 - Arrival

This past Wednesday the "fam" and I jumped on a plane and headed to Orlando for Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend (WDW Marathon).  Being Disney newbies my family (me, husband, 8yo, 6yo, and 3-month old) had no prior knowledge about the theme parks and no idea what to expect.  As a matter of fact, I assumed this would be another stressful family vacation of "best vacation ever" expectations withering away with each argument among the children, exhaustion, and indecision about what to do next.  Would this be another crowded amusement park with really bad food?  Would we spend the entire weekend trying to figure out directions to the expo, the race, a decent place to eat?  Boy, was I ever WRONG!

From the time we stepped off the plane Disney treated us like royalty.  Actually, Disney treated EVERY guest like royalty, taking care of each detail and alleviating all of the highest stressors (i.e. luggage, transportation, and most importantly addressing the needs of our children).  They are a well-oiled machine with friendly, knowledgeable employees everywhere.  The most impressive part being the huge percentage of Disney employees who were disabled or above the age of 60. We stepped aboard the Disney's Magical Express (complimentary transportation to all Disney resorts) and were dropped off at the front door to Disney's Yacht Club Resort.  No rental car, no bad directions, no worries.

Because we were there for the WDW Half Marathon runDisney had a complete marathon weekend itinerary waiting in our room, along with a hospitality suite for all runners and their guests to grab snacks, drinks, continental breakfast items, and incidentals throughout the weekend.  The hospitality suite was their way of supporting all runners at each Disney resort -- keeping us hydrated, nourished, and stress-free.

From the moment we arrived I knew that this would truly come to be a "magical" weekend.  Yes, I was already sipping the Disney kool-aid (wink, wink).

We arrived late the first night - grabbed some grub and went to bed.  

Next post:  Blogger 6am run around the boardwalk, race expo at ESPN, Epcot, and more.

Week 3 Style Challenge: Scarves

Do you where scarves?  Do you want to wear scarves but have never tried?  Do have some cool scarves tucked away in a drawer unworn and in need of some love?  I do!  This week's Style Challenge is SCARVES.  

Any kind of scarf will do.  
Wrapped around your head.  
Tied around your neck.  
Worn as a belt.  
Twisted into a necklace.  
Tied onto your purse.  

How will you incorporate scarves into your wardrobe this week?  Will they sparkle?  Will you choose retro patterns?  Do you prefer rectangular scarves or small square scarves?  

I will check in with you with a taste of how I will wear scarves this week. 

Here is some inspiration:  http://pinterest.com/bestbibtucker/scarf-tying/