GIVEAWAY WINNER-Cirque du Soleil's TOTEM

Congratulations to Sheri Ward for winning the

4 tickets to see TOTEM here in Pittsburgh!

She had commented how it's her birthday that day..

What a fun way to celebrate! Enjoy mama!

You will be e-mailed your tickets tomorrow.

Thanks to all those who entered..

More fun Giveaways coming your way soon!

Gifting Dinner- Pretty Printables & Packaging

We all know someone who would 
appreciate a little loving...like a yummy home cooked meal delivered right to their doorstep! I know a few mamas like that...all having or just had a baby. 

So I created some printables to use when I bring them dinner!

I thought it would make it extra special and You know I love making things extra pretty. :)


I just printed out the printables I designed..and taped them to my containers!
An easy DIY that added a personalized touch.

Big Sister Activity Kit- Dollar Store
I am alllll to familiar with not being able to sit down and eat because I'll be holding a fussy baby and have a 2 yr old also wanting my attention..
I wanted to give my friend a little bit of help in the entertainment department of her daughter! 
The kit was a hit.. She was thrilled.. and it made me smile. :)

I made The Pioneer Woman's White Chicken Enchiladas. 

It's DELICIOUS. and is a yummy alternative to your typical casserole.
They just have to pop it in the oven for 30 minutes to get it nice and toasty melty.
I also chopped up some fresh lettuce washed and ready to go!
I made the chocolate covered oreos the day I was dropping this dinner off.

It keeps me from wanting to eat the entire batch myself haha.

it's called smart procrastination. ;)

This is a favoriteeee apple crisp recipe that we've
 made forever in our family. recipe posted here.
I like to think it's healthy because there's apples in it..haha.

Those diaper boxes come in handy.. 

in our house they are used as pretend race cars and bath tubs..

and now to carry yummy dinners!

Packaged up and ready to deliver...(I threw in some cute shoes for the new baby. :)

SUPPLIES:

Containers - Dollar Store

Printables - The Pretty Paperie (my shop)
Big Sister Kit Items - Dollar Store

RECIPES:

White Chicken Enchiladas - The Pioneer Woman

Apple Crisp - I posted the recipe here

Chocolate Covered Oreos - I'll be posting tutorial soon.

(chopped lettuce.)

'From the Kitchen' - Gifting Dinner Printables Package 

is now avaible in my shop! Have a customized 
printable to kick up a notch all your gifting! 

You can order them Customized with your recipe/heating directions..
or order them Blank for you to re-use!
Hand write in the details for when you take a different meal to someone!

(a budget friendly gifting detail!)

Giveaway with Cirque du Soleil-Family 4 Pack to TOTEM!

GIVEAWAY HAS ENDED! 

CHECK BACK FOR MORE FUN GIVEAWAYS!

Cirque du Soleil is pleased to announce that it has returned to Pittsburgh with its latest big top touring production, TOTEM. TOTEM is now performing for a limited engagement under the trademark blue-and-yellow Grand Chapiteau (Big Top) in Strip District (20th Street & A.V.R.R.).

One lucky reader will be able to

WIN 4 TICKETS to the June 2nd Showing! 
If you are in or near Pittsburgh be sure to enter!
TOTEM traces the fascinating journey of the human species from its original amphibian state to its ultimate desire to fly. TOTEM illustrates, through a visual and acrobatic language, the evolutionary progress of species. Somewhere between science and

 legend TOTEM explores the ties that bind Man to other species, 

his dreams and his infinite potential.

Fun for the whole family!

A great Date Night or Girls' Night Out! 

(GIVEAWAY HAS ENDED! 

CHECK BACK FOR MORE FUN GIVEAWAYS!)

Leave a Comment

for Each Entry! 

HOW TO ENTER:

You can leave up to 6 comments!!! 
Just mention in each what you did to enter!

(Leave your e-mail for the tickets!)

Connect with The Busy Budgeting Mama by....

1. Following on Twitter

2.  Like on Facebook 

3. Subscribing or Following via Google Connect (right sidebar)

4. Mention the giveaway on your Blog, Twitter or Facebook Page!

(leave link. you can grab up any of these graphics to use!)

The Giveaway ends Tuesday, May 31st.

A winner will be chosen via random.org

and will be e-mailed their tickets.

Ticket Info

 

Featured Followers- Etsy Shop Girls

I love Etsy shops..

Especially when they are owned by followers of my blog! 

So to pass on the blog love..

I'm sharing some of the shops with you! 

Click over and support and encourage these women..

I'm impressed and already "hearted" a bunch of their items.

It's so inspiring seeing all of these shops!

For those of us who are moms..there are so many of us who are wanting to stay at home with the bambinos..but also contribute financially for our family. Etsy.com is a great way to use the skills you have and offer them to the world in an online marketplace!

If you are thinking about starting a shop....Go for it!. 

This is your friendly nudge from a girlfriend saying try it out. ;)

My Little V

shop.

Sumo's Sweet Stuff

shop. blog. facebook.

Dream Like Magic

shop. blog. facebook.

In Honor of Design

shop. blog. facebook.

Eye Candy Event Details

shop.

Peace and Paper

shop.

Green Bubble Gorgeous

shop. facebook.

 Behind the Moon Beadworks

shop. blog.

Just Stuff

shop. blog.

Do you have an etsy shop? 

Are you think about starting one?? 

spill the beans girl!

DIY Upholstered Kid's Bed made from Ikea Bed

This fabulous mama turned an Ikea bed

 into something straight out of a magazine! I love how she took the frame and created something with the look and price she wanted! I want to do this with two beds when my girls are old enough..how cute would that be?

Here is Jen's How-To Post

Gorgeous!

Total Cost:

Frame: $30 -- (Ikea)

Fabric: 3 1/2 yards for $25  --  (fabric.com)

Batting: 3 1/2 yards $19 -- (Hancock Fabrics)

Particle board: $8 -- (Home Depot)

Wood enhancers: $3 -- (Home Depot)

Total for the head board: $85

I LOVE ikea.. we all know that. Before ben and I were married (back in college days) we would go over there and just cruise around. pretend the kitchen was our place. haha. And then when I was pregnant we would go there so I could just walk this baby out of me. (no such luck. both babies were 5 days late) And now with the 2 girls we cruise around there just to have somewhere fun to go when it's cold or rainy! I can always find something I need or want..and a trip isn't complete without a look through the as-is section! anyone else a huge ikea fan?

I'm excited because a reader/fellow blogger I follow, wrote me and she lives near the pittsburgh ikea.

and we already decided the next time she goes for her 3-4 times a year trip..we are going to get together! 

ikea is bringing us bloggy moms together.....haha. love it. ;)

Mini-Makeover: My 1 Week Beauty Boost Items

Feel like you need a boost in your beauty routine?? 

These are the items I use to give 
myself a little mini makeover! 

From one busy budgeting mama to another..
these are my favorites!

1. Crest 3D White Whitestrips Vivid Teeth Whitening System
30 minutes a day...I would put them on when I got out of the shower..and they worked their magic while I did my hair and makeup! Helped me actually remember to use

 them when I had a routine like that!

2. Jergens Natural Glow Express

I'm a very very pale mama..always have been. 

I once was asked by a flight attendant if I worked as Snow White at Disney World.........awesome.

But I want color in a healthy way! I'll of course get some sun being out and about but this product gave me a boost without having to go to a tanning salon or lay out..both not very good for you skin! So it was a healthy alternative. my skin felt amazing! and ben kept joking that i smelled like the beach(not in a bad way!)...made us excited for summer. haha.


3. Put DOWN the tweezers!
They say fuller eyebrows make you look younger.. 

and I could TOTALLY tell a difference in myself when I stop tweezing

 as much and let them fill in a bit. I still kept a shape..

but went through a week of "ah i hate my eyebrows" to get better results.

4. Spearmint Lip Smack - Green Bubble Gorgeous

I have always had chapped lips. But I never found a chapstick that I liked...they always tasted bad or were too sticky. But when my friend Krystal gave me one of her products while we were working on a Baby Shower together...I started using it and immediately saw results! Tastes great..and leaves my lips feeling refreshed and kissable. :)

5. Sally Hansen Mega Shine Nail Treatment

I just don't have the time to go get a mani-pedi. And i don't have the money either.

It's just not practical for me..especially since I chip them immediately anyways!!

So I was thrilledddd when I found a color (here) and top coat that looked just as amazing and I could do myself. They say the first thing people notice about you is your face..and then your hands.. I have no clue who said that...but that's what I was told..haha. 

All I can say is when I have my nails done, I feel more pulled together! 

even if I'm covered in baby goop.

6. FRIZZ-EASE® HAIR SERUM EXTRA‑STRENGTH FORMULA

Two words...miracle. worker. 

I have really dry hair. It used to be curly.. still is a little but with every pregnancy my hair texture has changed! But the dryness has never left me...:) You only need a drop for it to make a difference..so it lasts a long time. this is a musttt if you have dry hair.


And of course the things that we all know we should do...
eat healthy..exercise...and drink lots of water!
I'm horrible about drinking water but am making an effort... and i'm trying to refuel my body with healthy snacks because i'm alwayssss hungry from nursing.
I just started doing the Insanity Workout as well. Not their nutrution plan but just the workouts.
It is kicking my butt. but i'm doing it with my hubby and it's given me a boost of energy!
plus I love it because you don't need any other equipment. I've even learned how to do baby talk to sienna while doing the workout. haha.


I have my hands full with these girls, so quick
and easy beauty boosts are what I need!
My little sweeties/stinkers...they're totally worth the dark under-eye
 circles from not sleeping. haha. ;)
Sienna is teething..and Sophie is 2 1/2. enough said right?
**photos from a family trip to the park**

Here's where I shared
my basic beauty routine!


Anyone else have some beauty boost secrets??