Have you ever used a baby teething necklace?

This is a sponsored guest post (ad) from a parent writer and loyal fan of Baltic amber. I have not tested the product myself, but it sounds interesting.

When I made the jump from one kid to two, I was anxiety ridden. I knew that at the end of it all, though, I would survive. After all, I had two hands and a husband. We could take this on and be okay. When I found out that I was pregnant with our third just seven months after having our youngest, I was not sure that we would survive. In fact, I laughed at the thought that I was anxiety ridden before. That was an understatement to what I was feeling about three.

My husband played it cool but I could tell with each passing day, his fear of what of going from two to three also increased. As with anything in our lives, when change is on the horizon it is best to prepare yourself for all possibilities. However, I was not prepared for my seven month old to start teething during the throws of my first trimester morning sickness. 

Coupons to save money on books and school supplies

This post was written in conjunction with a US Family Guide media effort on behalf of Groupon Coupons. All opinions in this article are 100% mine. 

Kids are expensive; do you use coupons to save money?

The K-12 students in our area have been in school for almost a month now, and I think the rest of the country is finally catching up and getting back to class. While the initial school supply lists are probably completed, you can usually expect to have more on your shopping list within those first few months. We usually end up with additional classroom requests, holiday celebration prep, or fiction and non-fiction books to purchase from a reading list. Our nine-year-old daughter is an avid reader, and Barnes and Noble is one of her favorite places. School and soccer season are busy here, but I always make sure to have her stocked with great books to read. Reading is ideal for resting her body before a big game and giving her down time before bed on a long school day.

Everyone knows Groupon, right? The site/app with 70,000 deals on over 9,000 retailers also has coupons! Groupon Coupons offers a multitude of coupons, both printable and online, for hundreds of your favorite go-to retailers. Save money on books with Barnes and Noble coupons.

Consignment season! Tips for first-time selling

In the Atlanta area, consignment sales are generally a pre-spring affair occurring in late February to late March. I have shopped consignment sales in the past but have just begun to navigate the tips and rules for selling. Andrew has grown out of several newborn and young infant items and I would love to make a few dollars back while passing along a great deal to another mother, father, or grandparent. I have not yet signed up to sell, but here are a few helpful consignment sale tips I've found in my mission to become less intimidated by it all!

Don't wait until the last minute
Sales are starting all over the Atlanta area in the next few weeks and registration is generally open at least a few weeks in advance. Search now for consignment sales in your area then peruse the sale website for registration information. Most want sellers to register online and they will provide all deadlines on the web page. Seller spots are often limited so don't investigate too late. Like I did in a few cases.

Gather your items and know exactly what you have 
I assumed I would just haul a carload of items to the sale location one day and start making some cash. Not so. Again, at least a few weeks in advance, gather all of your items. Find all missing parts and any instruction manuals you may have. You will likely need to enter your items into an inventory system for the consignment sale. Take time prior to this to understand what you have. Use the right terms for the items (is it a jumper, a bouncer, or a bouncy?). If you don't have a box or manual with brand information and item description, get online and find it. Buyers will appreciate correct information.

Unique and thoughtful gifts come from shopping local #WhiteRabbitMarietta

As a working parent, I frequent the "big box" stores and chain drug stores when I need everyday items quickly. I also purchase online when I know what I want, because the convenience is fantastic. But sometimes, I just want to shop.

Sometimes, I want to see beautiful items in person and experience a lovely store with my own senses. I want to take in gorgeous arrangements of products that I have not seen in the box stores. I want personal service and kind hellos. For special people who have touched my life, I want to select truly unique and heartfelt gifts. Something I can place gently in a basket while perusing the tables and shelves, instead of a quick grab-and-toss into a squeaky cart before trudging to a further aisle for some toothpaste.

If you are near Atlanta or visiting soon, take a little trip over to Marietta, GA and look up the White Rabbit Cottage. This store is loaded with sparkle and shine, cute and sweet, and tasty and fragrant. The original building of the White Rabbit Cottage is set in a 1920s farmhouse with charming rooms and original rustic pine floors and has been a popular décor and gift destination with Marietta locals for over ten years. The store expanded into a second building about seven years ago to house more décor and gifts, plus larger pieces like paintings, furniture, and a clearance area (right now, Fall décor is 40% off!).

I recently browsed the holiday cheer within the White Rabbit Cottage with some fellow area bloggers. The look of the store changes with the seasons, but here is a glimpse of the offerings right now at the White Rabbit Cottage:



Holiday reds

Favorite holiday gift lists

Are you on Pinterest? BalancingMama is on Pinterest! Check out my various boards on travel, kid style, cute food, easy family entrees, and Christmas gift ideas.

If you are still searching for some fantastic holiday gift ideas, click over to these from some blogging buddies of mine:

STEM gift ideas for girls - from Really, Are You Serious. I love that she encourages science and engineering for her girls. And she was a science teacher, so she knows what she's talking about!

Kitchen Must-Haves - from Redhead Baby Mama. This working mom of a little boy, a bulldog, and a cat shares her experience with some of the most useful kitchen gadgets for her busy life.

Ideas for Techie Parents - from The Mommy Insider. Parents love gadgets too! I definitely want some of the goodies on this list.

If you still need some assistance with your shopping endeavors in the form of deals and coupons? Check out the new Personal Shopper partnership with my friend, Mamalicious Maria:
Get Reward Points + Coupons for @LandsEnd and more


Happy gift hunting!

It's all mine: An exercise in putting yourself first #moms

Here is an experiment for the moms out there. Take a moment to answer this question:

If you were given $1,000 to spend in one day, what would you buy?

Once you have answered the question for yourself, think about your answers. How many of you first thought to buy something for someone else? For your kids, perhaps? Maybe something for the husband or friends? Or maybe you thought of a fun way for the family to enjoy something together. I really wonder how many of you thought of at least one someone who isn't you. 

Must-haves for a perfect kids' playroom; IKEA inspiration (August #GIVEAWAY)

By no means am I a home décor guru. In fact, I am quite intimidated by grown-up spaces. But kid rooms? Now, that is another story. I am still not a pro, but I do have a lot of fun with it.

I feel like kid spaces are so much more forgiving. You can pop all kinds of color and whimsy into a design, and mismatch only adds to the fun factor. I love the way Amelia's Cinderella bedroom and Andrew's Mickey Mouse head bedroom both turned out. Both show off that Disney charm but neither goes over the top with cartoon characters.

If you want to design a perfectly fun and functional playroom, here are a few things you should not forget. I was inspired by my recent visit to IKEA for their 2015 catalog reveal. Yes! The 2015 catalog is out now! 300+ pages of ideas, beauty, and smart solutions.

(1) Toy storage - Toys + kids + playtime? That equals a big mess in my house. Toy storage that is too difficult for a small child won't be used. Find toy storage that is simple to use, like open bins and cubbies. I believe that IKEA is one of the best sources of smart storage solutions. I'm often checking the IKEA website to find the next solution for whatever clutter I may be tackling at the time.

Enjoy The City #coupon books - holiday sale!

Enjoy the City is getting ready for the holidays! Everyone is making a list and checking it twice - so don't be naughty, you had better be nice!

Enjoy the City coupon books are a great holiday gift! We have enjoyed the North Atlanta books for a few years. The books are full of coupons for restaurants, attractions, entertainment, rental cars, and more! Enjoy the City coupon books feature thousands of dollars in savings at many of the area's most popular places.

How to insert a smile into those blah pregnant days

Let's face it: pregnancy does not always bring out the gorgeous glow and happy feelings.

Especially when it is not the first child; the excitement and wonder of the new miracle-to-be just is not there, and instead it is replaced with a busy schedule and the often incessant demands of another human being.

Pregnancy can be downright miserable - from aches and pains to poor sleep to ill-fitting clothes. I have been pretty worn down this time around, which means I immediately eye the gray comfy sweatpants each and every morning. I feel like a frumpy blob, so I usually want to dress like one.

But sometimes, having a good day means allowing myself a little bit of pretty. A couple minutes of makeup and decent clothes often make me feel better. I feel more awake, less like a monster who crawled out from under the bed after tossing and turning in discomfort all night.

If you can muster up a tiny bit of effort, it is possible to insert a bit of smile into your pregnant days:

A new school year starts here! #KmartBackToSchool

This is a sponsored post. I am a Kmart blogger, though all opinions are my own.
- - - 

It is no secret that my family stepped into the world of "big kid" school just a few weeks ago. It has been a whirlwind! And for the record, I am not a fan of the extremely early start time (7:50 am!). It makes for a very long day for all of us.

I know that each year is going to bring even more activities and new adventures. Amelia begins soccer tonight, even before we are used to our 5-day-a-week school schedule. Now we add Wednesday practices and Saturday games to the calendar!

Second back-to-school #giveaway: $30 Frecklebox e-gift card!

On Monday, I brought you a link to the Zipz shoes giveaway to add a little fun to Mom's style (or you can share with your teen... if you must). Today is giveaway #2 to celebrate back-to-school, and the prize is for the smaller loves in our lives: a $30 e-gift card for Frecklebox, personalized gifts for kids. Super cute stuff!

Sponsored by Frecklebox

Hosted  by NYSavingSpecials

Co-Hosted by:

Charlotte Raynor Writes, Barbara's Beat and Simply Sherryl 

One lucky winner will win a

$30 Electronic Gift Card

Details:

Dates  August 15  to September 5

Back-to-school #giveaway: Zipz shoes for mom or teen!

Back-to-school time is in full swing at my house! Amelia is off for her first full week of Kindergarten, and already I see a long week ahead. She was exhausted after her 3-day experience last week! I am officially a real public school mom, including 6 a.m. wake up times and rushed mornings.

To celebrate (or sympathize) with everyone else in the back-to-school mode this month, I joined in two great giveaways so YOU can have a chance to win! Today's giveaway is for a pair of Zipz interchangeable shoes for mom. Funky and fun! (Stay tuned for the next giveaway on Thursday!)

Sponsored by Zipz Shoes

Hosted by NYSavingSpecials

Co-Hosted by:

Barbara's Beat, Life's Cheap Thrills, Libby's Library, The Parenting Patch, Living Frugal in Georgia, Stay a Stay at Home Mom, Simple Sherryl, Sober Rants & Raves and Kaisy Daisy's Corner

Tax-free weekend in GA & TX #backtoschool

Several states had a tax-free weekend last week, with savings on back-to-school necessities. This weekend, August 9-10, Georgia and Texas will follow suit. It is a perfect time to grab the new things your kids need while saving some money in the process!

The Texas weekend was originally scheduled one week later, but it has been moved to this coming weekend. Clothing, backpacks, and school supplies are on the list of tax-exempt items. The Texas exemption runs an extra day, through Sunday, August 11.

In Georgia, parents can save on clothing, including outerwear, dresses, sleepwear, and casual attire. Some athletic gear as well. Clothing and athletic items must be under $100 each to qualify. In addition, computers, printers, and related equipment are tax-free as long as each item is priced under $1,000.

School supplies have savings too! Any school supply item under $20 is exempt from state sales tax also. Now is a great time to stock up on all those things we need while saving some money.

For more details on the Georgia exemptions, click through to the Fact Sheet.

What will you look for on tax-free weekend?

Hot back-to-school shoe trends via @FamousFootwear

Back-to-school is almost here! For those of us in the South where Summer began in late May, we have only a few days left. Amelia begins kindergarten on August 7th - next Wednesday!

We completed her back-to-school shopping this past weekend with a few new outfits and some sassy, sparkly Twinkle Toes! Her last pair of Twinkle Toes made a huge splash in preschool. By day two, I had several moms ask me where we got them! Famous Footwear has the hot styles kids love (yep, even light-up!) at reduced prices. And right now? Enjoy BOGO - Buy One, Get One 1/2 Off through September 14th! Even on backpacks.

My must-have baby product

My sister is shopping for baby gear! It is a very exiting time, and I recall it can be a bit overwhelming as well. I recommend browsing online baby stores to understand the various products and decide what items you may need in each major category. Then think about how or where you may use each of the large items.

For example, we used a pack-n-play next to our bed for the first 5-6 weeks, before moving sweet baby Amelia into her own room. Where will a newborn sleep? How much space do you have? Might you also need a travel bed for the next year or two?

It's OK to slow down

 
"Nature is never in a hurry, yet everything gets accomplished." -Lao Tzu

I seriously cannot believe it is not yet December. It seems like we have had holiday to-dos and events for weeks already! Tis the season for purchases, events, school plays, parties.... never ending "do this" and "don't forget that". Throw in a surgery for my little girl next week, and I am a frazzled mess!

In my purse...

I have always been a small purse kind of girl. The inner depths of my handbags have never been very exciting, nor have they ever had much of a story to tell. Wallet, phone, keys... good to go.

I still prefer a smaller bag size, but I have noticed a change in the items tagging along with me at any given moment. Motherhood has changed me as a person, and now it has changed the contents of my purse!

Mommy & Me: Hats!

We had some time to spare between an early dinner and the Super Why Live show on Friday night, so we stopped in a new Golfsmith Xtreme store. We found a perfectly-sized pink putter and let Amelia try her hand at some golf. On our way out, she spotted a four-year-old fashionista's dream: a rack of big floppy hats.

Of course we tried them on!

Linking up to Mommy & Me Monday - get in front of the camera with your kiddos (or pets!) and come over and join us.

 Hosted by Krystyn at Really, Are You Serious?

I can't coupon

My other sister-in-law, the middle child of Steve's family, is a coupon diva. She is a shopper to the core, and couponing came into her life as a job from the heavens. She stays at home raising three children - one about to turn 16, the other 12, and one age 8. She discovered couponing about one year ago, and she has mastered it.

Couponing, real couponing, takes a lot of time and effort. It requires extra patience on the side - and a lot of printer ink. I watched my sister-in-law while she was with us this week - she found sale items, opened her trusty coupon binder, and swiftly matched up deal after deal. We scoured the grocery aisles for the low-cost treasures, did a whole lot of math in our heads, and proceeded to the check out counter.

Serious dancin' shoes!

Amelia's usual sparkle shoes are wearing out. The toes are scuffed and the little bows are black with dirt.

"Mommy, can I get light-up shoes? I really NEED light-up shoes!"

Without thinking, I told her sure. We could look for light-up shoes.

Three shoe stores later, we finally found some. The brightest, gaudiest shoes on the planet. And expensive! I had no idea light-up shoes had such a shocking price tag ($45 for little kid shoes?!?)

But I had promised. We had a little discussion about money and that these were very expensive. She thanked me with her sweet blue eyes aglow with happiness.

She was extremely excited to wear these to school today!