Nix9to5

Low-Fat Whole Wheat Waffles: YUM!

// August 14th, 2010 // 8 Comments » // Cooking, Life in General

Bear frequently eats a waffle or a pancake for breakfast. Because they are so easy to fix and I can get them to the high chair quickly, I’ve been buying the frozen ones. However, I’m not convinced that this is the healthiest thing ever, and I’ve been wanting to make them myself. Of course, making them every morning would not be very conducive to either quick or easy, so I decided to make my own frozen waffles and pancakes. Today, I got out the waffle iron and made up a batch of low fat, whole wheat waffles. Right now I have them flash freezing on cookie sheets in the freezer, but we did eat a few when they were hot and fresh. All I have to say is YUM (or, to quote Bear, “Wummy!”). Hot Husband said, “Oh, man. I think these are the best waffles I’ve ever had.”

I haven’t seen how they do after being frozen, but here is the recipe I used: (more…)

More Bzz: L’Oreal Paris Collagen Micro-Pulse Eye

// August 14th, 2010 // 1 Comment » // Life in General

As a BzzAgent I got to try a full-size sample of L’Oreal Paris Collagen Micro-Pulse eye treatment. This eye treatment is different than anything I’ve tried before. It is a two-part process: first, you apply the lotion, cream, or whatever you want to call it; next, you dab a vibrating metal “micro-pulse” thingie underneath your eye. I was not sure what I’d think of L’Oreal’s Collagen Micro-Pulse, because it just seemed odd. And tickly.

However, I do think that Collagen Micro-Pulse did instantly reduce the puffiness under my eyes–which is good, since as a WAHM who works through naptime and after bedtime every day, my eyes look a little tired and puffy.

As for the long-term treatment of fine lines and wrinkles . . . well, I can’t tell you that yet for two reasons:

I had a little irritation under my eye just before receiving my sample, and when it didn’t clear up immediately, I thought it might be a good idea to keep it free of lotions and make-up for a while. It seems to be better now, so I’ll try again.
I’m terribly inconsistent at any kind of skin regime. If I’m supposed to do something nightly, I’m lucky if I manage to do it twice a week. Now that my skin is not as young as it used to be, I’m going to have to be more vigilant about this.

Have you tried L’Oreal Paris Collagen Micro-Pulse Eye? What do you think of it? If you haven’t tried it, does it sound like something you’d want?

Great deal on Web Hosting!

// August 13th, 2010 // No Comments » // Money Matters, Work at Home

I’m currently working on getting my professional copywriting website up and running so I can continue to generate new clients. As I registered my new domain with SiteGround, the host of Nix9to5, I came across this fabulous hosting deal for friends only. This deal is not publicly available, and it is a much better deal than you can get going to their website to order hosting. Plus, its a better deal than I’ve found anywhere else. For only $9.95, you can get a year of hosting, which includes domain registration and domain transfer. If you need a website, check out this web hosting deal at SiteGround!

Coupon Swap Events in OKC and Tulsa

// August 10th, 2010 // 2 Comments » // Couponing, Money Matters

If you’re like me, you often end up with a ton of coupons for things you don’t need, like antacids, laxatives, and dog food, and don’t have enough for the things you really use. Money Saving Queen has your solution if you live in Oklahoma City or Tulsa. She will be hosting a coupon swap on Saturday, August 4, 2010. Help someone out by getting rid of the coupons you don’t want, and get a little love in return with some coupons you can use. For more information or to sign up for Money Saving Queen’s coupon swaps in Oklahoma City and Tulsa, click here.

Another Great Groupon: $8 at Flatire Burgers

// August 10th, 2010 // No Comments » // Couponing, Money Matters

I’ve said before that I think Groupon might be stalking me, and now I think I have proof. Just two days ago, I thought, “You know, I haven’t tried Flatire Burgers in Edmond, and I’ve heard it’s really good. We ought to try it.” Now, Groupon has posted a deal for it–$8 for $20 worth of food–60% off! Here’s what Groupon has to say:

The majority of monolingual Americans are often bitterly disappointed when they find that René Magritte’s Ceci n’est pas une cheeseburger is not a cheeseburger. For $8, today’s deal gets you $20 worth of burgers and drinks at Flatire Burgers on East Ayers Street in Edmond. This Groupon is valid at the East Ayers Street location only.

Flatire’s burgers accommodate a range of tastes and diets, with most burgers available with beef, chicken, tilapia (add $1), or veggie burger patties. An extensive list of 19 burgers begins with a classic hamburger ($5.99) and extends to the exotic yellow-fin tuna burger ($10.99) with pineapple-jalapeño relish and wasabi ranch. The two-wheel travelers and hubcaps decorating the eatery’s entrance attest to the Flatire Blowout Burger’s ($7.99) bun-hugged potency; the sandwich piles on lettuce, tomato, pickle, onion, hickory bacon, a fried egg, American cheese, and burger sauce. State-inspired Coneys include the Texas, which tops a quarter pound of beef with barbecue sauce, coleslaw, and sliced dill pickles ($5.99), whereas queso and guacamole top a Coney honoring the thirteenth state, Nacho ($5.99).

Camp out on Flatire’s large patio to share a spooky story, a small s’more ($7.99, serves two to three people), a side of beans ($1.59), and a sing-a-long with a collection of your favorite librarians. Chill out with soft-serve sundaes ($4.99 per human consumer, minimum of two people) be-oreoed with sandwich cookies, M&M’s, Reese’s Pieces, marshmallows, Snickers, and more.

This Groupon is valid for dine-in and carryout.

Yesterday’s great Groupon for a $30 facial at Aqua Nails ($75 value) is still available, too. Just look at Groupon’s recent deals.

To get today’s Groupon or sign up for Groupon in your area, just click here.

Fall Consignment Sales

// August 7th, 2010 // No Comments » // Children and Babies, Money Matters

Last spring, I posted a list of upcoming kids consignment sales in the Oklahoma City area. Now that Fall/Winter consignment season is rapidly approaching, I’d like to do that again, if my local readers are interested.

Today I got a brochure in the mail about Pass It On Kids Consignment sale in Edmond. Their Fall/Winter consignment sale will once again be at Church of the Harvest in Edmond, and it will be held September 10-11. Saturday, Sept. 11 will be their half-price sale.

I went to their Spring/Summer consignment event, and I found some nice things for the Bear. If your kids need clothes, shoes, toys, bedding, or baby gear, check out Pass It On Kids consignment.

To save even more money, consider selling baby and kid items that you no longer need. You keep 70% of your sales. Plus, if you volunteer to work at the sale, you can take advantage of special worker pre-sales. For more information, check out PassItOnKids.com.

In the meantime, if you hear of other upcoming Fall/Winter kids consignment sales, let me know in the comments below, through my Contact page, or on the Nix9to5 Facebook fan page. I’ll start keeping a list posted for your reference.

Tax Free Weekend in Oklahoma

// August 6th, 2010 // No Comments » // Children and Babies, Money Matters

Don’t forget: This weekend is Oklahoma’s Sales Tax Holiday. There is no sales tax on clothing or shoes priced at $100 or less through Sunday, August 8. Stack the tax break with back to school sales for some great deals: Kohl’s has toddler shorts for $3.60–I think I’m going to stock up for next summer. I’m sure there are other fabulous deals, but I didn’t shop for anything besides toddler clothes.

Visit the Oklahoma Tax Commission’s website more information on Oklahoma’s Tax Free Weekend.

Meet mark: More Bzz.

// August 6th, 2010 // No Comments » // Life in General, Money Matters

Several years ago, I used to be an Avon lady. If you’re interested in that kind of thing, Avon is a pretty good deal. Startup costs are low, and they have some good products. Did you know you can even buy shoes and clothing from Avon?! I didn’t make any money working for Avon, because I spent more than I earned. Still, if I had been more diligent and less spendy, it would have been a good business.

Avon also has a sister company called mark. This company seems to be geared toward a younger crowd than one generally thinks of when thinking of Avon. Now mark has launched a new line: body care that cares.* As a BzzAgent, I have received a special discount code to share with you to introduce you to mark’s body care that cares. But first, here’s what BzzAgent has to say about the new product line: (more…)

Random fun

// August 4th, 2010 // No Comments » // Children and Babies, Life in General

Just because it is summer and I haven’t put up a recent picture of myself with the Bear, here is a picture taken at a birthday party on August 1. Bear is wearing his party favor “cackies” (Bear-speak for “glasses”):

Bzz Campaign: Lifelock

// August 4th, 2010 // 2 Comments » // Life in General, Money Matters, Opportunities

A few months ago, I became a BzzAgent. BzzAgent is a word-of-mouth marketing network, which means companies rely on BzzAgents to try their products and tell people about them. BzzAgents are expected to tell the truth about the products and services they try–even if they don’t like the product.

As a BzzAgent, I’ve been able to try full size samples of Cover Girl products, and I have received samples and coupons for got2b hair products. My most recent BzzCampain is for Lifelock. Lifelock is an identity theft protection service. You may have seen their commercials, where the president of the company stands in front of a semi-truck driving around with his social security number painted on the trailer. Anyway, as a BzzAgent, I get a Lifelock trial in return for telling you what I think of the service.

I just signed up for my trial yesterday, and so far, no one has stolen my identity. Of course, no one stole my identity prior to my enrollment with Lifelock, either, so I don’t really know yet how well it works. One cool thing about Lifelock, though, is that it immediately removed my name from mailing lists for pre-approved credit card offers. I’m pretty excited about that. I hate junk mail, and I particularly hate junk mail that includes my personal information!

While its too early for me to decide whether Lifelock is worth the fee to renew when my trial is up, they do seem to be off to a good start.

Stay tuned for my BzzAgent review of L’Oreal Paris Collagen Micro-Pulse eye treatment! If you’re interested in becoming a BzzAgent yourself, click here to join.