Arrested Development Season 4!

Are you loving season 4 of Arrested Development? I have two episodes left to go, and then several re-viewings, but overall I love it. Maybe not exactly what I expected, but I just love so much that fans wanted this show back and everyone who needed to make it happen did just that. I always felt guilty that I had no idea this show existed until it was over, so I'm feeling a lot better that I was part of the push that resulted in a comeback!

So did you host a #bluthparty? Andrew and I (Mr. Manager) had our friends Scott (Buster), Amalia (Lucille), and Gaby (claimed to be Maeby) over and we had catering by ICE and frozen bananas, which are actually pretty amazing. I made a banner, put a dead dove (bag) in the freezer, led a Bluth drinking game, and we had many laughs. It was such a joyous day!

Have you download the new A Beautiful Mess app? Solid use of $0.99!!

My banner - pre-strung or hung. 

So good, and very fun/easy to make. The above was double dipped - GOB style. We have leftovers, too! Don't mind if I do.

I'd LOVE to hear about your party!

Currently

Since I have let myself go without blogging for so long, I need a prompt. Currently...

Watching
Game of Thrones season 3 has two episodes left. I read ahead and finished the corresponding book. I've been stressing about how they will fit everything into this season, when I found out they are not covering the whole book this season. Who will die?!?!?
Also, Arrested Development season 4 is happening this Sunday. I am so excited! We are also having a couple fun things like frozen bananas and catering by ICE. Are you doing anything for the big day?

Listening to
Not enough. NPR, Kate Nash's newest album, and random stuff on Spotify. Music suggestions? Send them my way!

Planning
Our trip to Turkey and Greece in late summer. We bought the plane tickets a while ago and haven't done much else. Now it's time to start booking a boat, a villa, etc. It's getting kind of expensive, but otherwise I'm excited!

Thinking about
Lots of things. I just started a new job, got some good news from the doctor, and had a fun trip to San Francisco and Napa. But I'm a worrier as well, so I always have something on my mind. I'm so happy that it's finally warm outside and that my allergies are finally letting up!
Oh, and I'm thinking about those in Oklahoma. That's scary stuff.

Looking forward to
My first paycheck from my first "real job."
Also, this weekend! We are celebrating Memorial Day with friends and also watching Arrested Development. If it's warm enough, I think we'll head to the beach as well.

Reading
Well, I finally finished the third Game of Thrones book, and then I whipped right through Lean In, which I highly recommend. Now I'm working on re-reading our book club book (my pick!), The Lords of Discipline, and a couple other books like Change by Design and Quiet.

Making me happy
Watching my cat Stevie sleep right now. He's all sprawled out on his back like this:

Goodnight!

As of Late: Instagram

I haven't posted much at all lately! Besides being busy, which I really have been, can you believe all the flooding we've been having and on top of that it's not even been warm - it snowed three mornings ago! The forecast finally looks like winter might be behind us though, so I'm eager for sun and inspiration. In the meantime, here's what I've been up to.

The sun's been coming up earlier and the birds are singing songs again. Stevie is enthralled by them and often tweets back.

Andrew and I finally tried out Two Beards Deli in downtown Grand Rapids. It was hard to choose what to get because they have several vegan and vegetarian choices! We'll be back again.

I made puppy chow! There have to be unhealthier ways to eat chocolate and peanut butter, I'd imagine.

Just another Stevie shot. He is such a sweetie.

Grand Rapids has a place called Marge's Donut Den. It is totally authentic and wonderful, and I realized I don't even live too far away from it! Marge was nice enough to donate her treats to a press conference I was a part of.

The press conference was for the 2013 Festival of the Arts poster unveiling! I am a volunteer on the PR team. Above is artist Abbey Bradley with her design. I also found out that she is going to TEDx, as am I! Cannot wait for that.

And here is my baby girl Ellie, who is not such a baby anymore. She has been a little cranky this weekend, but last night she looooved playing with her feather. ^.^

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Best Shopping Apps for Saving Money

I grew up in a household with a mother who was constantly bargain hunting. She'd only get certain things if they were on sale and she had a coupon. She would take advantage of double coupons, price matching, and using a manufacturer and store coupon at the same time. Some people may think this is a waste of time, but it's basically free money, at least to me! I caught on to the thrill of the hunt, and my boyfriend thinks it's silly that I look at the online ad, gather up my list and my coupons, and then go to the store. But I think it's smart. We can spend our money on other things if we save it where we can. Some of my friends have also noticed all the great deals I get, so I thought I'd write a post about a few tips and also a couple apps that I use to stretch my dollars further.

shopkick is a free app that turns shopping into a game. When you enter certain stores (Target, Best Buy, and Macy's to name a few), you open up the app and a bubble comes up that you pop to get your "kicks." When you've reached a certain number of kicks, you can exchange them for a reward, like a gift card. There are also coupons within the app, lookbooks to browse, and you can earn even more kicks by looking for specific items in the store and scanning them. Yes, it takes a little extra time, but don't most of us go to Target knowing that we won't quite stick to our list anyway? I haven't redeemed my kicks yet, but after using the app for a few months mainly just when I go to Target, I have enough for the $5 gift card rewards.

Endorse is a really cool app, that I'm able to take advantage of maybe once a month or so. Endorse gives you about 15 or so offers each week - like 10% off fast food or 20% off Nature Valley Granola Bars. If you buy those items, you upload a photo of your receipt to Endorse. Then they give you some money back. It's that simple. They also have a component where you get points that equal money for charity. Just now as I was reading the site, I realized that you get charity points for every receipt you upload, even if no offers are involved. I wish I would have realized that sooner! Some examples of offers I've gotten - 50% off champagne or beer (around New Year's) and 10% off any brand of pet food. You should definitely download the app. Once you hit $25 you can get a check, otherwise you can have your earnings put in your PayPal account. Very cool and super easy way to save money!
Disclaimer - the link above is a referral link - please use it : )

I was going to talk about Meijer's app, but I know that's sort of a midwest thing. If you do shop at Meijer though, make sure you sign up for their mPerks program.


So what apps do you use or tricks do you have to save money? I'd also love to know which stores are worth getting a credit card at or signing up for their email list. I may do another post about that and also one about getting the most free stuff around your birthday! Happy Saturday! I cannot believe there is snow on the ground here...

Do Me a Favor?

Hello everyone! I entered my mom in this World Market mother's day contest, and I was really hoping you'd take a moment and go to this link to vote for her! I'm way far behind, but it's still somewhat realistic that she could win, so pretty please?! If she does win, I'll make sure I reward you all with a great giveaway!

Vote Here!

April Floods Bring What Exactly?

Rain, rain go away

Come again some other

Photo from mLive

Photo from WOODTV8

Photo from WOODTV8

day.

Ode to Oberon

Dear Oberon,

You taste much nicer than you did last year, and with this winter dragging along so late, you are a welcome sign that summer is near. As I wade through day 3 of five 100%-chance-of-rain-y days, I am happy to call you my friend. I pity those who have not tasted you and cannot buy you in their stores. Michigan isn't good for many things (more than you think though), but you are one of them. Thank you for being you. 

Love,

Angela