Lipstick to Crayons » Blogging/Personal

Memorial Quilt to Honor my Father’s Memory

lipsticktocrayons — Tue, 30 Aug 2011 02:22:11 +0000

My father, Roger L. Melton, Jr., died on April 30, 2011. It was somewhat unexpected and it’s still hard. As I said in my eulogy to him, he was my hero. He retired after 30 years as police officer and had a decorated (and sometimes colorful) career in law enforcement. I learned just days before his death, but unfortunately after he had slipped into unconsciousness, that he single-handedly prevented a Polaris missile from hitting a Navy aircraft. You can read about it here.

Now I have memories, photographs, a few videos and some other items that remind me of my Dad. I have some old police uniform shirts, a few medals he received while in the Army, some of his favorite T-shirts and the Sergeant’s badge from his police hat. I thought about putting these things in a shadow box, but then I remembered what I did with the baby clothes from my three kids. Campus Quilts turned those items into an absolutely amazing quilt that I will cherish forever. Here is a picture:

Campus Quilts makes t-shirt quilts, but they also make beautiful quilts from baby outfits, sweatshirts, socks, hats, and any other memorable fabric. So I figured why couldn’t they make a Memorial Quilt using my Dad’s things. So I contacted them and they said they could do it — Army medals, badges, T-shirts and all. Their sewing expertise is unmatched.

Once again, they’ve sent me the kit that describes exactly how to organize and number your items (you get to choose the order of your squares) and provides colors from which to choose for the sashing (an optional border around all of your quilt squares) and backing (the fabric on the back of your quilt). Or, you can provide your own fabric, which I might do this time. I haven’t decided yet.

I’m getting my items organized and ready to ship back to Campus Quilt. I might even email them a photo or two which they can transfer onto a white T-shirt and turn into a quilt squre. I have images of his letter commendation regarding the missile incident and my favorite photgraph of him in uniform.

I know this quilt will be among my most cherished possessions when it’s finished and is the best way I can imagine to display the things about my Dad that make me proud. As we move through this first year of milestones without him, I know it will provide me with comfort. For that reason, I wanted to share this with my readers. I think a Memorial Quilt would make a great gift for anyone who has lost a loved one. What better way to tell a grieving friend or family member that you acknowledge their loss and want to help them celebrate the memories.

Now stay tuned because you KNOW I’ll be posting pictures of my Dad’s Memorial Quilt as soon as it arrives. (And I’m hoping to have a new quilt ladder upon which to display it and my baby clothes quilt, too).

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Time for New Glasses?

lipsticktocrayons — Thu, 16 Sep 2010 13:28:21 +0000

I’m 43 and I’ve had eyeglasses to see distance a few years, but I seldom wear them.

I got my first pair of prescription glasses when I was in my late 30s. My sister works for an optometrist, and she had a really cute pair of Kenneth Cole frames that I liked, so I went to her office and chose the exact same pair.

Now, however, I find myself squinting to read small print, and even holding things further away like my parents often do. Oh no!! Is it possible that I need bifocals? I keep picturing a journalism professor I had in college, and she always had her glasses perched on the end of her nose, which I thought made her look so old, but now I think she was trying to avoid getting bifocals.

I hate to give up my cute Kenneth Cole frames, even though I only wear them occasionally. But, I think I might be able to get a better price if I try to buy my next pair of glasses online. I’m hoping I can tolerate the “no lines” bifocals, but I’ve heard they are hard to get used to wearing.

Anyone have any thoughts they want to share? Anyone else need a new pair or first pair of glasses? If so, you can use coupon code mommy10 to get 10% off their next purchase at GlassesUSA.com. Simply enter the code when prompted during the checkout process.

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Getting Started Series Part 7 – Target Shopping 101

lipsticktocrayons — Mon, 19 Jul 2010 16:41:22 +0000

The following post is from my cyber friend, Ginger of Attention Target Shoppers and Frugal in Alabama. Pay attention. I’ve learned A LOT from her.

Target Shopping 101

Shopping at Target is like a sporting event for me. You need to know how to play by Target’s rules and have the tools at your fingertips to be successful. I have taken many of my original blog posts and put together a running list of tools, links and need to know info to help make your shopping trip much easier on your budget. Here goes…
There are many ways to save at Target and it begins at the front door.
- Use an ad. If you don’t get the Sunday paper you can access it according to zip code at the Target web site.
- If you are lucky enough to have a Super Target, you can access the coupons for the grocery section from the site.
**Remember you can use one Target coupon and one manufacturers coupon per item and stack the savings.
- Next, you should become familiar with “Perimeter Shopping”. This means going around the outer most aisles and cruising all of the endcaps with clearance merchandise while peeking down the interior aisles for clearance tags.
There is nothing more satisfying than finding an item in the grocery or HBA section marked down and having a store and a manufacturer’s coupon for that item. You feel like you have SCORED!

Your homework is to set up some bookmarks, find out how to access and use the ad on the site if you don’t get a Sunday paper and get a notebook to take some notes. There is a lot more info to come.

Markdowns
Below are some of the basic tips to maximize your shopping trips to Target.
1. Stick to the outside walls of the store (perimeter) and always check the endcaps (ends of the aisle shelving). This is where all the markdown merchandise is usually relocated after the price is reduced. However, as you go around the outer aisles, peek down the aisles and look for clearance there too. This will save some time and steps.
2. Markdowns are typically done Monday thru Friday. It makes sense to hit Target on Tuesday since Monday’s are used to deal with the weekend returns and have time to work the markdowns for the week.
Monday – Electronics, Kids Clothing and Stationary (Cards, GiftWrap, etc.)
Tuesday – Domestics, Women’s Clothing, Pets and Market (food items)
Wednesday – Men’s Clothing, Toys, Lawn & Garden, Health and Beauty items
Thursday – House Wares, Lingerie, Sporting Goods, Shoes, Music / Movies, Books, Decor and Luggage
Friday – Auto, Cosmetics, Hardware, and Jewelry
3. Markdowns take place every 2 weeks. Target will continue to mark down unsold clearance merchandise every two weeks until sold. After that you can bet the clearance merchandise will end up at your local Goodwill Store.
4. If an item is damaged and you can repair it or don’t mind the blemish, then be sure to ask the cashier for a discount. Cashiers are authorized to give you a 10% discount.
5. Check near the dressing rooms for carts of opened or unused items from nearby departments, etc. Every store will have its own little spots for great deals of shopworn merchandise.
6. Know how to read markdown stickers. These are the little orange stickers like in the picture with this post. The original price at the top right corner plus a code: 15A, 30A, etc. This is markdown percentage.
Holiday Deals – Target always slashes prices on seasonal merchandise.
Clothing prices drop like a rock during their after-holiday clearance. Look for seasonal t-shirts and sweatshirts and get huge discounts.
Their holiday markdown schedule is usually as follows:
(Note: Christmas markdowns tend to be larger to start)
50% off the day after holiday for three days
75% off the fourth day after holiday for three days
90% off the seventh day after holiday for 1-2 days.
Cautionary notes about Target shopping:
If you find an item at 75% off, and you want it, don’t let it get away!
Target rarely marks non-holiday items down past 75%
If it the price ends in the number 4, it is probably your last chance to buy.

Clearance
You have a craving for a Target clearance. You don’t have the foggiest clue as to what you may find marked down. You WANT to know. Well, now you can from the comfort of your own home before you ever leave your computer. Visit these two sites:
http://tinyurl.com/2y8lau http://tinyurl.com/2oyfxw
Still want to know if the local store has what you want in stock? Okay, now you can.
Target Search Store Inventory by local zip code: http://tinyurl.com/2few6h
The 9 digit numbers next to the items are the DPCI numbers. The DPCI can help you check the price/availability in the store. You can check w/ the in-store price scanners. Some stores have scanners that allow you to type in the DPCI numbers. You can also check if an item is in-stock or what the price is by taking that DPCI number to the Guest Services. They can also check if other stores in your area have it in-stock.
**Note- If the DPCI number is not available on the clearance list sites, try locating the item on Target.com to get the DPCI number and then plug into the Search Store Inventory link.

All markdowns are ideally done at the same time in all stores. But anyone that has ever gotten the above info and gone into a store will eventually see that this isn’t a perfect world for clearance either. So, how about trying to make nice with an employee in one or two departments and see if you can get inside info on how your local store does markdowns and if they are strict or lax on the markdown schedule.

When Target pulls their clearance merchandise from the sales floor, it is donated to Goodwill Industries. They have done this for years. I’ll be honest, in some cases I know that the lowest Target price is less than what Goodwill sells it for. Not always, but sometimes it is. So it is important to know your prices and be aware this can happen.

Using Coupons Effectively @ Target

Step 1 – Know Target Coupon Policy – Print to take with you.
Dear Target Guest,
Thanks for asking again about using coupons at Target. Coupons are a great way to save even more when shopping at Target, andwe make it easy to use them at our stores. But because of the variety of coupons available to our guests, we do have some guidelines for how coupons can be redeemed at Target:
-We accept two kinds of coupons: Target-issued coupons and manufacturer-issued coupons.
-We’ll accept one Target coupon and one manufacturer coupon for the same item, unless either coupon prohibits it.
-We can’t give cash back if the face value of a coupon is greater than the purchase value of the item; in that case, we’ll adjust the value of the coupon to equal the price of the item.
-We can’t accept coupons from other retailers, or coupons for products not carried in our stores.-All valid coupons should be presented to the cashier at the time of sale.
In addition, Target empowers the store to limit the number of items a guest buys with coupons. We reserve the right to limit purchases to reasonable family-size quantities. Have questions or want more information about using coupons at Target? Check with a Guest Services Team Leader at your local store. You can also give us a call at (800) 440-0680, or visit us on Target.com. Either way, we’re here to help!
Thanks for shopping with us. We’ll see you again soon at Target.
Sincerely,
Larry
Target Guest Relations
www.target.com

Step 2 – Using Store and Manufacturer Coupons
After reading 100’s of posts on various message boards it seems you should be aware of these things:
1- Print a copy of the corporate coupon policy and take with you in case you are treated poorly. You will have exactly what corporate says is allowable as well as corporate’s phone number (add to cell phone!)
2- Any store manager has the right to refuse quantities. Don’t abuse the coupon savings by buying hoards of items and you should get what you want just fine.
3- It has been mentioned that you can “spoon feed” your coupons to the cashier if you’d like as the items go through the scanner. I see this as something you’d do if you have a really tough store to deal with.
4- I have also seen it mentioned that you should avoid unfriendly cashiers with a chip on their shoulder. Try to find a friendly one. If you like the cashier, you might try asking what days they work so you can visit their line again. You know as well as I do that some cashiers think the coupon savings comes directly out of their paycheck. Engage in chit chat early, get them smiling and talking. Any cashier will treat you better if you do. I know, some are just hags or man-hags. LOL
5- If your purchase comes out free, don’t set off any bells and whistles. Just purchase something you need to go with it. DO NOT END UP WITH A NEGATIVE BALANCE!!!!!!!!!
6- The goal is to get a reasonable amount of items on sale with a coupon, not have a negative balance, keep the cashier happy (while finding one that isn’t a coupon Nazi). Don’t get the manager involved because they are known to be jerks.
7- Target.com coupons at one time said “Super Target Coupons”. Now they simply say Target Web Coupons and if a non-super size store has the item, they should accept the coupon.
8- If hassled whether your coupons are printed or copied, lick your finger and smear it on a spot to show them it was printed.
9- if you are shopping in a store that is paranoid that all of your Target Coupons are fraudulent, just print them and do NOT cut them out. Just present the entire sheet of coupons with the Target Coupon page URL still intact on the bottom of the sheet. It is a bit more expensive to print in this manner but if you have problems, it may just solve the problem.
10- If you have complaints go to these and be heard.
Where to complain or compliment:
http://www.planetfeedback.com/
Target Corporate phone number : 1-800-440-0680
11- You’ll find Target coupons on Target.com, in magazines of all sorts, on company web sites that have large promotions going with Target, in mailers, the Sunday newspaper, on the coupon generators on Coupons.com or RedPlum.com, on product peel off coupons (peelies) or hanging on the neck of some products (hang tags). During the 4^th quarter, they release toy coupons in a small toy catalog.
Also, you can now sign up to receive mobile coupons via your cell phone. Once you have your account set up, you can access those coupons on your cell phone by launching the Internet browser on your phone and typing in/bookmarking http://target.com/save
Target Coupons – Print them from Target.com
Target Coupon Policy – Rules for using any coupons at Target
Target Return Policy – In store purchase
Target Return Policy – Returning a Target.com purchase to the store
Target.com Price Matching Policy
Target Store Low Price Promise (in-store price matching/adjustment)

Many thanks to Michelle for asking me to guest post today. I love her blog and info she brings to us. I hope you will drop by one or both of my blogs to find some deal info to help you stretch your budget. I blog at both AttentionTargetShoppers.com and FrugalInAlabama.com

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Appropriate Reading Material?

lipsticktocrayons — Thu, 15 Jul 2010 03:04:35 +0000

I haven’t gotten around to sharing my recent success (AMEN!) in potty training my toddler, but I will. There are a few funny stories to go along with it. But suffice it to say that we’re still very focused on the topic. I wasn’t paying attention and today my toddler brought her favorite book into a restaurant with her. The waiter said, “Great dinner time reading, eh?”

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Twitter Party Time!

lipsticktocrayons — Wed, 07 Jul 2010 12:06:09 +0000

Join the Double Duty Divas (a network to which I belong and love) as they get ready to hit the Big Apple for BlogHer 2010 for a Twitter party on Tuesday, July 13th at 9:00 p.m. EST. With prizes exclusively for mom such as Verso’s Cellulite Removal Massage System and Moody Mama’s Capsule Collection for fashionable moms-to-be, it will be a fun-filled hour of chatting about BlogHer primping and parties and consolation for all those not able to attend. Just use hashtag #DDDivas and follow @DoubleDutyDivas, @coolbabykid, @BridgetteLA, @marybeauty @MoodyMamas and join us on July 13th. Feel free to check out the Double Duty Diva and sponsor sites Verso (Facebook Page) and Moody Mamas (Facebook Page) to get acquainted beforehand.

Twitter parties are fun and free. I suggest you use Tweetchat or Tweetgrid to participate because it makes it much easier to follow the conversations.

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Meet the Divas and Enter to Win a $20 Amazon Gift Card

lipsticktocrayons — Fri, 04 Jun 2010 03:04:14 +0000

I’ve mentioned before that I am a part of a few blog networks, and one of those networks is the Double Duty Divas. This week, several of us within that network are “cross promoting” each other because we know that members of DDD are awesome and we want our readers to know that, too. So, you can enter to win a $20 Amazon gift card by “Meeting the Divas.” Visit and subscribe to a Diva site (below) and comment back here telling us what you think of the site. Leave a separate comment for each site. Twenty-six (26) maximum entries per person. Each of the blogs listed below will be hosting the contest so visit them all and enter to increase your chances of winning! On June 22nd, the entries will be pooled across all participating blogs and one winner will be randomly selected.U.S. Residents Only. Expires 6/22/10.

Cool Baby Kid

Experimental Mommy

Just a mom’s take on things…

The B Keeps Us Honest

Simply Living On a Budget

Mama’s Money Savers

Out of the Notebook and Into the Blog

“Deal”icious Mom

Hyperactive Lu

Sweet Posh Baby

Keeper of the Cheerios

Champagne Living

Before the Baby Wakes

Little People Wealth

The 24/7 Mom

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Power of Digital Video JVC Blogher Contest

lipsticktocrayons — Fri, 04 Jun 2010 02:29:32 +0000

JVC recently launched the JVC HD Everio “Power Your Passion” BlogHer ‘10 Sweepstakes, which gives bloggers a chance to win an expenses paid trip to the BlogHer ’10 Conference in New York City on August 6 – 7, 2010.

For the second consecutive year, JVC will provide four winners with roundtrip airfare, hotel accommodations and a full registration to this popular event, along with a JVC HD Everio camera to power their blog with rich high-definition content. From now until June 20, 2010, women bloggers can enter the JVC HD Everio “Power Your Passion” BlogHer ‘10 Sweepstakes by visiting thesweepstakes home page and explaining how digital video could power their passion for blogging.

Video has proven to be a powerful medium for many bloggers, but the addition of high definition content can boost traffic, increase reader engagement and enliven a blog. JVC is asking bloggers how video has enhanced or could enhance their blog to help them communicate with their audience.

Bloggers can enter the sweepstakes in one of four categories: Parenting; Business & Entrepreneurship; Travel & Leisure; and Health & Community. The sweepstakes is open to all female bloggers residing in the U.S. and one winner from each category will be selected at random. Each winner will receive a BlogHer ‘10 Conference registration, roundtrip airfare to New York, hotel accommodations for three nights and a JVC HD Everio GZ-HD620 camera.

Winners will be posted to http://hdeveriosweepstakes.jvc.com on June 23, 2010 and will be notified via email.

JVC is an official sponsor of BlogHer ’10 and will have an exhibit at the New York conference. JVC will also sponsor the first annual Mouthy Housewives Happy Two Hours event during the conference, which will take place at the Forty Eight cocktail lounge on August 6, 2010.

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Dance Recital and Affordable Dance Classes

lipsticktocrayons — Thu, 20 May 2010 19:21:35 +0000

I often sing the praises of my local YMCA. It’s a great place to exercise. The staff members treat you like family and they love on your kids while you workout. It’s affordable. It’s clean. It has all the latest equipment and exercise classes. It has free coffee and free Wifi. And they offer tons of classes and camps for all ages. This year, we took advantage of the Y’s very affordable dance class for my two-year-old. Yes — they have classes for kids as young as two! It was worth every penny (a mere $30 a month for members) to see Ginger and her friend, Kamryn, in the dance recital. (Thank you Miss Tammie, Katy, Kim, Marta, Jodie and all the other volunteers on recital day). You can watch the video and listen to me laugh all the way through it below:

If you’re looking for an affordable place to get your kids started in dance, karate, youth sports, drama, swimming, etc., check your local YMCA!

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Share the Cuteness

lipsticktocrayons — Mon, 19 Apr 2010 02:23:54 +0000

I’ve been too busy writing for my clients to post much on my blog this week. But this video is too cute not to share. My toddler LOVES her haircuts. I took this and posted it with my very easy-to-use Flip Video Camera.

Try a random post.

Don’t Count on the Luck of the Irish on St. Patrick’s Day

lipsticktocrayons — Sat, 13 Mar 2010 17:46:06 +0000

St. Patrick’s Day is right around the corner, and it’s not the luck of the Irish that will keep the roads safe . It’s planning now for a safe and sober way home.

Are you headed out with friends after work this Wednesday to celebrate the holiday? No? Well when you and your family are on the road headed to choir practice, a t-ball game, or coming home from school, you may be sharing the road with those returning from a fun St. Patrick’s Day event. It’s time to spread the word about the dangers of buzzed driving and to remind people that Buzzed Driving IS Drunk Driving, and the best way to stay safe is to plan ahead.

Let’s remind everyone about the importance of remembering to:

Designate a sober driver before you leave for your event.
Be ready to take alternate transportation such as a bus or taxi. Have the phone number of a taxi service stored in your phone before you leave for the party.

Even if you will not be celebrating this St. Patrick’s Day, keep in mind that in 2008, 1,179 people in other vehicles were killed in crashes involving alcohol-impaired drivers. And for those who don’t plan on over-indulging: a buzzed driving crash looks the same as a drunk driving crash.

Global Influence is working with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Ad Council as they continue their efforts with the “Buzzed Driving is Drunk Driving?”PSA campaign. Buzzed drivers drink and drive, but do not consider themselves a hazard on the roadway because they have had “only a few” drinks. The campaign hopes to educate people that consuming even a few drinks can impair driving and that Buzzed Driving is Drunk Driving.

So, help spread the word that buzzed driving IS drunk driving.

To learn more about the impact buzzed driving can have on a life, please watch this important video about the financial and personal repercussions of getting a DUI.

Remember: Buzzed Driving IS Drunk Driving. Plan ahead and ask your loved ones to do the same.

For more information, visit Buzzed Driving Is Drunk Driving on Facebook and Twitter (@Buzzeddriving).