Oh Christmas Card, Oh Christmas Card!

One of my favorite things to do every year is send Christmas Cards. More importantly, photo cards. I think it's a great way to remember where you were during the year. Typically, I just pick one of my favorite photos from the year and send them out. This year, my sister in law is going to do a photo shoot for us tomorrow, Riley Sue included, and we are going to then decide. I can't tell you how excited I am. I've got an outfit all picked out. Hopefully, we'll look like a happy family out of a J. Crew catalog.

One of my favorite sites, Shutterfly, has amazing Christmas Cards and I'm really excited by their selection. This year, I picked a few of my favorites so far to pick. But there are over 500 options. They have a great selection of Photo Christmas Cards so they are truly personalized for your family.  Here are 2 of my favorites.

Another fantastic gift are calendars. I make Jeff a calendar for work each year with our favorite photos of the previous year. It's a great way to reflect on the previous year and my co-workers seem to always ask how I got a really cool calendar. 

If you're looking for something different and personalized, you really should check out Shutterfly. It's great, affordable and at the end of the it's an extension of who you are. Show how great and creative you are!

If you're a blogger too, you can learn about how you can get 50 free holiday cards from Shutterfly: http://bit.ly/sfly2010 

Hot Groupon - Nordstrom Rack $50 for $25!!!

Okay Ladies and Gentlemen, listen up! St. Louis recently got a Nordstrom Rack in Brentwood and it's AMAZING! I went the weekend it opened, so I'm sure it's not as crazy anymore. I got a MaxStudio Dress that was originally $150 for $40! Awesome!

Well, this weekend they've got a great deal on Groupon. Get $50 for $25 - Holy Cow - You need to pick up on one!

The Rack isn't in all cities and it is in store only - so if you're outside of St. Louis, be sure to double check. I'm  so excited and then I'm getting my Christmas dress for my annual party!

Nordstrom Rack Groupon!!

Okay Ladies, listen up! St. Louis recently got a Nordstrom Rack in Brentwood and it's AMAZING! I went the weekend it opened, so I'm sure it's not as crazy anymore. I got a MaxStudio Dress that was originally $150 for $40! Awesome!

Well, this weekend they've got a great deal on Groupon. Get $50 for $25 - Holy Cow - You need to pick up on one!

The Rack isn't in all cities and it is in store only - so if you're outside of St. Louis, be sure to double check. I'm  so excited and then I'm getting my Christmas dress for my annual party!

Call Me Slacker Jen!

Man, this week has been super busy! Lots of stuff going on at work, including being on the planning committee for our division holiday party. For the record, it is going to be LEGENDARY! I've got so much to blog about in the next couple of days. Look for:

• Nora Jones Album Review
• My Ode to Stick People Stickers on Cars
• The Lack of Christmas Spirit I have ( I think it's the weather)
• Shutterfly & Christmas Card Help - Photos to come!
• AND MY SUPER EXCITING NEWS - I was selected as 1 out of 100 bloggers for take the 4 week challenge to win a Spa Trip to Arizona. Awesome! 

As for things coming up this the rest of this week:

• After 3 years, finally meeting Jeff's Co-Workers tonight at dinner at Annie Gunn's. 
• St. Jude's 5k with Alyssa and Aimee
• 31 Purse Party at Angie's!
• Family Photo Shoot on Sunday with Riley Sue - I need a good family photo!
• FINALLY catching up on Tivo - Especially Real Housewives of Atlanta
• Friendsgiving!

Okay, now I have 45 minutes to get goregous for dinner. Only have 1 chance to make a first impression! Maybe they'll think I'm fabulous and promote hubs...haha. 

What a Weekend!

Ahh, Sunday evening. This week was pretty crazy! We had a lot going on. Friday night, we hung out with Melissa and Ryan to break in their new landscaping and fire pit. It was a gorgeous night, and just chilly enough to want to stay outside.  I tried the jumbo campfire marshmallows. They are like the equivalent of 5 regular mallows.

Saturday, I did a little retail therapy at the Meadows. I got a cute top at Loft and had a few returns. Then I came home to tidy up the house for company to come over. Bryan and Crystal came over and then Ryan and Melissa showed up later.  I wanted to use a lot of my co-op produce, and I made homemade sweet potato fries. Everyone really liked them, so they'll be on the list again. We ended up eating 4 cucumbers out of the veggie tray and almost all of the super yummy chips from the co-op. The guys hung out and enjoyed the Yuengling that Jeff has brought back from Florida since they don't sell it here. We played Trivial Pursuit the '90's edition.

Then Sunday, I got up and caught up on my Real Housewives of Beverly Hills and Atlanta. Then watched Valentine's Day - it's kinda cheezy cute. Then I met up with Melissa again to go to Coach to use our coupons. I ended up getting this one. It's super cute, tiny and versatile, which is what I was looking for.  Now we're watching an old Law & Order from 2004, and enjoying the last few minutes of the weekend.

Busy week this week - let's hope we get through it quickly!

Giveaway Betty Crocker Potato Buds Prize Pack!

I like to think that potatoes are a food group all on their own. They are so versatile and you probably eat some type of potato product daily. If they are fries, tater tots, mashed potatoes - I'm in heaven. What's even better are potatoes are so quick and easy to make. I had the opportunity to try out the Betty Crocker Potato Buds - which I was already a fan of. These potato flakes make instant mashed potatoes. They are even fun as a coating for fish -an alternative to bread crumbs or panko. 

Want to get your dinner on the table faster during the week? Why not try Potato Buds! In 5 minutes you can have great mashed potatoes and you can use as a side dish or add to a meal to jazz it up. We're big fans of "doctored" mashed potatoes - our version of the Cowan Loaded Mashed Potato - it's fantastic!  Just add bacon bits, chives, cheese and sour cream. They are to die for!

Want to try Potato Buds yourself? We've got a $.55 off coupon to try your own make your own quick week night meals with Potato Buds!

Cash Cowan and Betty Crocker has teamed up to offer a prize pack which includes you a prize pack that includes a box of Betty Crocker Potato Buds, a serving bowl, a trivet and a serving spoon.

Want to win? Here's How:

1st entry (Mandatory) -  What is your week-night go to meal?
2nd entry -Follow me on Twitter 

3rd entry -become a Fan on Facebook and Betty Crocker
4th entry -Subscribe to Cash Cowan via email or RSS Feed (and leave a comment)
5th entry- Adding my Button to your page and leaving me a comment with the link

You can enter up to 5 times with each entry. Be sure to leave seperate comments for each and contact information for me to get ahold of you.

If you have already completed any of these - leave a comment for each one you've completed to win!

Contest Ends 11/28th with the winner being announced 11/29

Pillsbury provided me with the information and prize packs through MyBlogSpark. I was given a prize pack, however, this did not alter my personal views on Betty Crocker.