Ah yes, the "golden hour"

So lately, when I look on Pinterest or Tiny Prints Photo cards, I see all these pretty photos. With that magical lighting, lol. It looks pretty magical to me. So I guess they call it the "Golden Hour". I looked up online what the golden hour was, and how to photograph it. Today was my first attempt at it. I wasn't pleased but I'll try again next time. Practice makes perfect! (Wishful thinking haha) So today, I went to Coronado Beach around 3:45 which is an hour before sunset. I still have to figure out alot of details to get it just right. But here is one of them.

DIY Autumn Themed Goody Bags

So this year, I wanted to opt out of the store bought treat bags and make my own. I searched around Pinterest and finally found one I liked. These one's are pretty small and are perfect for gift cards. These ones I made, we used for his teachers' gifts cards.
My inspiration on the left and my art on the right:

So for this, I used small brown paper bags I bought from Michael's. As well as an autumn theme stamp, some ribbon, and loose leaves from Joann's. All of these items were on sale for about 60-70% off. I also distressed the edges with black paint and a sponge brush. 

I also made bigger goody bags for my son's classmates. We aren't allowed to give food/candy so I needed bags large enough for coloring books and crayons. 

So for this I used the same stamp, plus different ones on top with heavier ink, painted on Halloween themed creatures with a paint brush and a stencil, also distressed the edges, and hole punched the top & tied it with raffia left over from my son's birthday party. 

Yes, I'm a coupon newbie.

Couponing with Aloha!

I've been couponing for a while now, but just started taking this REALLY seriously! I love saving money but I am also a firm believer in common courtesy, couponing is fun and a great way to save money, but let's remember there are rules to follow so that everyone can have a great experience!

Ten things I practice while couponing:
1. Don't steal inserts from unpurchased newpapers.
2. Don't remove ALL the peelies from products, be mindful that other's might want to use them too.
3. Don't empty the shelves. Again, common courtesy.
4. Don't photo copy coupons, it's illegal
5. Read the wording, the picture does not matter.
6. Always read your receipt and keep your eye on the register, I've had a couple incidents where my coupon didn't scan correctly.
7. If there's an issue with my transaction, I head over to customer service, so I'm not holding up the line.
8. Do let people with only a few items cut ahead of you.
9. Do be nice to your cashier. She's only trying to do her job.
10. Do your research, research the store's coupon policy.

If  I'm gonna do this, I want to do this the right way. Couponers have a bad rep- we're not all bad :)

My resources for this post && where I've learned alot of my couponing:
The Krazy Coupon Lady
Couponing 101

Fuiava Wedding

Our close friends got married today- it was amazing to witness! Congrats to the Fuiava's