One reason I think twice about shopping online at stores that I can just go to around the corner is because of the shipping cost.  But as a mom and a career woman, do I possibly ever have the time to go shopping for me or the kids or a gift...I'm lucky I make it to the grocery store once a month!  Shopping online is convenient, and affordable now with Freeshipping.org.

With these free shipping coupons, you can now shop for gifts to ship out of town or just for those items you are too busy to pick up, without spending the extra cash.  Babies R Us, Baby Center, and Children's Place all with Free Shipping links and coupons (perfect for me as my whole paycheck goes to the kids) and over 800 more stores on Freeshipping.org. 

Christmas is just around the corner, or will be before you know it, so shop away with no worries on over priced shipping charges!  Another thought, from the FreeShipping.org blog, "Save the Environment By Shopping Online", use less gas...save even more money!

September is a huge birthday month for me.  I have at least 12 family or friends to celebrate with next month, including my own.  Needless to say, September is an expensive month.  12+ gifts and cards to buy and send, as many are out of state.  The gift part I can handle, but I despise  buying greeting cards over and over again, it can get very pricey on top of the price of a gift.  I have a solution, family stationery. 

I recently purchased a very affordable set of personalized family stationery from Paperluxe Studio that I plan on using to replace buying a million cards throughout the year, especially in September.  These are the perfect little note cards, with "The Blake Family" at the top and all our names at the bottom, I can just write a quick little note and be done!  With color coordinated envelopes, these are much more tasteful than your ordinary, boring store bought cards. 

What fabulous gifts these make too!  Paperluxe Studio offers women's and children's stationery, along with invitations and deluxe shower favors; all custom designed and personalized.  I'm stocking up for gifts to give in the month of September; and I'm thinking ahead to Christmas presents!

Do you have to make a list in order for anything to get done around your house or at work?  I sure do!!  I love making lists...even if I never follow through with said list...I still feel like I'm accomplishing something just by writing it all down!

I stumbled upon ListPlanIt.com the other day and was in awe!  It was planning heaven!  Over 300 lists, with new ones added all the time!  How can there be that many lists you say?  There's lists you would never even think of but once you see them you'll use them.  From basic To-Do lists, chore lists for the kids and for hubby, business organizational tools, budget, travel, and meal planning, and on and on!  Some out of the ordinary ones that I can not wait to use:  birthday party planning, website favorites {keep track of all those passwords}, home inventory, potty training, a fire safety plan, etc...

Organize your home, organize your family, organize your business.  ListPlanIt even has printable labels to tag storage boxes, lists to keep track of home repairs and Spring cleaning, I could go on and on.  Become a member and start planning...the holidays will be here before you know it, start your shopping list now {keep track of the best prices and deals}, plan those holidays dinners, you will never forget to send Aunt Bettie a holiday card again!

So, I have decided to FINALLY replace my Victoria Secret mist with the broken sprayer that I have had for, oh, about 4 years now.  Can you believe the only "scent" I've experienced the past few years has been soap and occasionally some lotion?  How sad is that?  The reasoning behind my lack of wanting to smell feminine came from my oldest sons sneezing fits and sensitive skin when he was a baby.  He's 6 now so it's about time to move on with life and become womanly again! 

Coming across Klean Bath & Body has been so pleasant!  I've been out of the loop, there's so many nifty body products to pick from!  Have you heard of or tried the Solid Perfume, how perfect for your purse or to keep in the car or at your desk...

What I love best about Klean, their products are affordable, I don't need a $50 2oz bottle of perfume, does anyone?   Even with the moisturizer, spritzer, body wash, and perfume I want from Klean, I'm still not breaking the bank!  I'll use the extra money to go buy some new shoes!

Anyone else love browsing through the Etsy shops?  There is so much talent out there, many crafty individuals making some fabulous products! 
I'm a purse and bag junkie so most of my time is spent scanning the globe for the best looking yet practical accessory! 
As I have a ton of weddings coming up, my search to find a stylish clutch is on!  And this one has made it to the top of my list!  Jessica Leman's Etsy shop let's you "design your own" clutch.  Pick the fabric that suits you or match it to your special outfit.  Black dresses for me most of the time {seems to hide everything as I get older} so this black and white floral clutch is perfect!  How classy and feminine you'll look carrying this to your next event!
Jessica's shop, Peas & Carrots, has plenty of chic fabrics to pick from, also check out her handbags!

Hiring, or looking to be hired?  Do you promote your products to families, or are you a mom looking for that ideal career?  Look no further!
Jessica from Chief Mom Officer is here!

"Moms are powerful.  Moms are consumers.  Moms have an impact.

I know. I'm stating the obvious.  Most companies that target moms know this but surprisingly they don't tap into the insight, the value, and the professional expertise that educated, experienced Moms can offer.  Many believe that Moms can't have the best of both worlds,  as a Chief Mom Officer myself, I'm here to say that you can.
What can Chief Mom Officers offer companies?

    * Business development
    * Marketing
    * Community Management
    * Public Relations
    * Networking through Social Media
    * Blogging
    * Writing
    * Usability testing
    * Promotion

What can companies offer their Chief Mom Officers?

    * Flexible schedules
    * Ability to telecommute
    * Competitive pay
    * Opportunity for growth as children grow
    * Understanding and respect of their role as Mom
    * Challenging work

In a nutshell, if you are a company offering a product or service to parents, especially Moms, hiring a Chief Mom Officer will give you a company evangelist, a social networker,  and leader."

Just one episode and I was hooked!  I have never been one to watch cooking shows but as a "tester" in the kitchen myself {meaning there have been plenty meals in my house that have looked amazing but tasted horrible} this show is perfect for me...and anyone else in America looking for simple, easy to follow recipes that have been tested and proved to taste exceptional!

"America’s Test Kitchen is a real 2,500 square foot test kitchen located just outside of Boston that is home to more than three dozen full-time cooks and product testers. Our mission is simple: to develop the absolute best recipes for all of your favorite foods. To do this, we test each recipe 30, 40, sometimes as many as 70 times, until we arrive at the combination of ingredients, technique, temperature, cooking time, and equipment that yields the best, most-foolproof recipe."

Beef Stroganoff was tested at our house, and approved by even the 2 year old!  Check out their website and Season 8 on public TV.

Let me first introduce myself and hope you welcome me with open arms!  My name is Dana and I'm the new blogger here at The Winning Pitch.  I'm a mother, a wife, a home maker, a career woman, an internet junkie, and a passionate blogger; I'm looking forward to writing for you here!  {For a quick peek at my previous and current work:  www.babyluxedaily.com; http://blogs.wishpot.com/baby/}

Molly's posts were fabulous and I hope to continue her work bringing you fantastic finds, all sorts of fun information, and tons of must have stylishly modern and trendy products and services.

See you on Monday with the start of a great blogging relationship!  Happy Reading!

This week will be my last at The Winning Pitch. This past year and a half have been wonderful and I've enjoyed blogging for you each and every day.

I'm not sure who will be taking my place, but I have no doubt they will continue you educate you on the daily happenings in life and style.

I hope to guest blog occasionally and check in frequently as I continue to plan my October wedding. Thank you for reading, I've enjoyed writing for you.

Love, happiness and fabulous shoes,

Molly

In preparation for my wedding, I have spent many hours in the gym, but I still hadn't achieved the sculpted arms I was looking for. Then I heard about One Hundred Push Ups.

I was intrigued. One hundred push ups is a LOT of push ups. There was no way I'd ever be able to do it, right?

Wrong.

One Hundred Push Ups is an easy to follow training program that teaches you how to build up to your push up goal.

By following the program, they claim anyone can do 100 push ups in six weeks. So I decided to give it a try.

The program is simple. Start by taking the initial test. How many real push ups can you do? Your results will put you in your training bracket and you're on your way.

Trust me, it's not as daunting as it seems. The program pushes you to your limits, but it feels great.

Yesterday I did 55. Fifty-five push ups! My arms may be sore, but my confidence feels great. Give it a try!