Santa Cruz Boardwalk - $10.95 Unlimited Rides DEAL

My mom took us (kids& myself) to the Santa Cruz Boardwalk a couple weeks ago.  We had so much fun and I would do this again and again!  My mom actually got on the roller coaster with my son and I went on the water boat ride with him.  When I was online looking at what there was to do at the boardwalk of course I clicked on Coupons and Discounts and WOW I found a DEAL!  The regular day pass for unlimited rides is $39 so when I saw the $10.95 price I was thrilled.  All we had to do was go AFTER 5pm (Wed/Thurs) and bring in a Pepsi can (used or not).  How awesome is that?  


We went early in the day to play games (grandma/grandpa gave each kid $25) and look around plus sit on the beach for a bit. Hint- BRING BEACH STUFF because the beach was amazing but we didn't have a blanket or any beach toys.  Yes, there are plenty of stores that sell that stuff but I wasn't going to buy it there, LOL!  We enjoyed corn dogs for lunch- yummy!  Then we headed back to hotel for some afternoon swimming and came back after 5pm.

We were there about 3 hours and I'm sure the kids could have went a bit more but it was my mom's birthday and we wanted to take her out to eat.  I was prepared to take her out on the pier at one of those fancy restaurants but she wanted to go to the favorite cafe we found in Santa Cruz - http://www.santacruzdiner.com/.

It was a WONDERFUL DAY!

From the website~

Weeknight After 5pm Specials

June 18-August 30, 2012

Enjoy old-time prices on Mondays and Tuesdays after 5pm.

Rides, Pepsi, hot dogs, and cotton candy are just $1.00 each!

Purchase individual ride tickets at any Boardwalk ticket booth. Purchase Pepsi, hot dogs, and cotton candy at food concessions throughout the park.

Get a great deal on Wednesdays and Thursdays after 5pm.

Unlimited Rides wristbands are just $10.95 + tax each when you bring along a Pepsi can!

Bring your empty Pepsi can or bottle to redemption tables located near every Boardwalk Ticket Booth to receive your discount coupon. Use coupon at any ticket booth to purchase your Unlimited Ride wristband for $10.95 + tax. Any Pepsi beverage container will be accepted (Pepsi, Diet Pepsi, Mt. Dew, Sierra Mist, Mug Root Beer, etc.)

FREEBIE~ RetailMeNot Coupon iPhone App

The RetailMeNot Coupons app helps you find the best coupons to your favorite places to shop so you can save online or in the store directly from your phone. It's never been easier to save when you want, where you want!

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I'm going to be getting my iPhone next month and this is one of the first app's I will be downloading.  I love the features and if I can save money at my FAVORITE stores right from my phone- WHY NOT! 

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By posting this post I'm eligible for a drawing through One2One Network and that all opinions are my own.

The Couch Is My New Bed

What the HECK is going on??? I can't sleep at night because I'm HOT.  I have the window open in the bedroom but I can't get comfortable so I toss and turn all night.  When I get tired of tossing then I head into the living room that has a ceiling fan and I let that put me asleep.  I don't sleep soundly on the couch but it comfy. 

I'm not sweating~ just HOT!  WTH?  Is the summer weather bothering me (hasn't before) or am I approaching the Menopausal stage of my life.  Whatever it is I'm not liking it and it needs to GO AWAY.  My hubby is not liking it either. 

I need my sleep.

Free Blogger Opportunity~ Dyson DC24 Giveaway

The Dyson DC24 Cleaner Home Giveaway Event hosted by Mom Powered Media: Iowa-Mom, Powered by Mom and Real Mom Reviews is now open to bloggers!

Cost is $5 or free with announcement post. See bloggers wanted post for more details.

Prize: Dyson DC24 All Floors Vacuum (retail value $399)

Open to: Worldwide (note – if a winner is selected outside of the US, they will be responsible for shipping costs and fees added by their country).

The event dates: August 3 – 24
Link options are: Email, RSS, Facebook, Twitter, StumbleUpon and Pinterest.

What is required to join?

• Fill out this form with your information please tell them PINKMAMA'S PLACE sent you.

On or around August 1st you will receive an email with the html code for publishing the giveaway. Note it is required that you publish the giveaway html in full to be included in this event. 


Referral prize: The two bloggers who refer the most bloggers and businesses to join will receive $20 via paypal or amazon e-code.

Free Blogger Opportunity~ XBOX 360 Kinect Bundle

Good Night Mommy Boutique is currently taking blogger sign ups for a Xbox Kinect Giveaway. 

This event is free if you post about it on your blog or you may choose to pay the small fee of $5 via paypal to goodnightmommyboutique@gmail.com.  The first link is free, additional links for $3.00, and send payment to goodnightmommyboutique@gmail.com

Prize: Xbox 360 Kinect Bundle giveaway ($299.99 value).The giveaway is open WW, however if the winner is outside of the US they will be responsible for shipping costs.

When:The giveaway will run July 8 -22.

How: Sign up HERE tell them PinkMama's Place sent you, please :)

This will be a great opportunity to increase your fan base.

Love Pinterest for Recipes! What I Made This Week.

This week I used 2 recipes from pins I have on my FOOD BOARD.

I made this YUMMY Cheesy Broccoli Chicken Foil Packs (minus the broccoli lol) and the family LOVED it!  It was so easy to put together.  The kids ate everything and it filled us up.  We will doing this recipe again soon! I told my hubby next time I will put the broccoli in.  

I highly recommend this recipe and please visit Best Life 4 Moms to get the RECIPE!






The other recipe I made this week was Crockpot Cube Steak and Gravy -another HIT!  It might not look the best but it sure was yummy.  Cube Steak can be a chewy meat but when it was cooked in the crockpot, oh my what a difference.  I made rice/ side salad to go with this dish.  I love using crockpot recipes because I can put it all together in the morning and then enjoy the rest of the day.  Some days are so busy that I don't event think about dinner until 5pm and at the point I say "Eating out tonight?".  So crockpots recipes ROCK and save me money!


I also recommend this recipe so please visit The Post-It Place to get the RECIPE.

What is your FAVORITE RECIPE from Pinterest?

Naughty Makeovers for Nice Girls Book Review

Naughty Makeovers for Nice Girls is loaded with makeup and fashion advice to empower a Nice Girl to transform herself into a spicy but classy woman in every situation. So, go ahead and channel your inner naughty. Instead of fading into the background, become a star in your own life!

When I signed up for this Book Review I didn't quite know what I got myself into being 43 and not sure if this would fit into my life.  But it does.  It can fit into just about anyone's lifestyle that is for sure.  I loved seeing the 3 different looks on each style (Nice Girl, Trashy Girl, and Naughty Girl).  The Naughty Girl looks were awesome and I could see myself dressing like that for sure.  I'm more the Nice Girl now- only because I'm in Mom Mode 24/7.  

I love the list it gives for Naughty Girls to have in their closets- time to spend some money on Mommy kids! Are you looking for a Naughty Make Over?

Naughty is the new Nice..

That’s the mantra and message of the new “tell-all” how-to paperback, physical book from beauty maestro Dimitri James. In Naughty Makeovers for Nice Girls, James creates a new kind of finishing school–one for nice girls who always finish anywhere but first.

Also check out his Skinn Cosmetics website that the author owns. There are some wonderful products and information on the site.  

I didn't grow up on makeup or what was in is what I needed to have so beauty was not part of my growing up but I sure do love clothes.  The book goes through what makeup to apply and even let me know what colors are great to wear with my eye color.  Learned a few colors that I don't tend to wear so I will give it a try.  Also I now have a list of colors I can wear with my red hair- big plus there! I know I could use a makeover and this book is going to help me do it!

The chapters are:

• Naughty at Work
• Naughty on First Date
• Naughty Online
• Naughty Cougars
• Naughty in the Hood
• Naughty at Home
• Naughty Traveler
• Naughty at Church

They give us so many tips and looks that you want to be NAUGHTY!  I know I will do a second look at myself in the mirror everyday- Am I Naughty today!  

LOVE THIS!

In the near future I will be hosting a GIVEAWAY for a copy of this book. Who wants a NAUGHTY MAKEOVER???

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

Magic Mike~ Who is Going To See This Movie?

I AM!!!!!

Not sure how, when or where but I'm going to see this movie. 

I love me some Matthew McConaughey!!  Oh my do I.  My hubby and kids know if he ever came knocking on my door asking for me I'd be gone in heartbeat.  LOL!  Everyone also knows this would NEVER happen but just in case. 

Shopcade - Shop, Share, Get Rewarded

Shopcade is a social shopping application on Facebook that connects people to shop and recommend products together and get rewarded for it. You can shop trending products recommended by your friends and people you trust, as well as become a trendsetter by recommending products you love. Whenever you buy via others Shopcades, or others buy via yours, you both get rewarded (O, with real cash!).

Sign up HERE!

10 Minute Family Clean-Up Helped!

Yesterday, I had a semi meltdown.  I feel like in the past couple months I haven't had a break.  Oh wait I do when I go to work on Sat/Sun.  LOL!  I homeschooled the kids for a 1 1/2 then summer hit so basically I have been with the kids pretty much 24/7!  Everything the kids need to do I'm the one who does it with them or takes them to or we have other kids are over here. 

The kids and I went on a vacation with my mom and had a blast but not much "me" time and now we are back its housework in the morning then swimming in the afternoon then dinner.  I'm feeling a bit overwhelmed and crowded. 

So yesterday I went out on the porch screaming "GIVE ME SPACE" because between the fighting, tattling, and the 20 questions I had just about enough.  I love my kids but sometimes I need to breathe!  Dad gets a lot of "him" time so it sure would be nice if he said "Baby, go do something by yourself and leave the kids at home"  I haven't ever heard that- now when he goes to his mom's house every couple months I get a break for the weekend and that sure is a blessing. 

Wow... did that turn into a VENT- anyways last night I made the announcement after dinner that everyone was going to do a 10 minute pick up.  I got some ohhs and awws but I shrugged it off and followed through on my threat.  I took the kitchen, kids had their rooms/living room, and hubby had our room.  Everyone jumped in and put things away so after 10 minutes my house looked like it does in the morning when I do my morning clean-up.  I loved going to bed with a clean house.  I loved it better getting up and knowing I didn't have to spend 40 minutes cleaning. 

I actually woke up and went outside to clean front yard.  That felt good.  If everyone chips in then maybe I won't feel like I'm doing everything (and stop bitching about it) and I might not feel so overwhelmed! 

We are so doing 10 minute CLEAN UP every night!!!!