I have memories of when I was little and going to the drive-in with my family. We parked the car in the front row and my sister and I would run around chasing lightening bugs in the green grass in front of us. We often would fall asleep in the back of the old school station wagon or cuddle up on the blanket that was on the ground before the movie was over. Matt and I and some very good friends (two 16 year old girls who keep us young!) went to the Drive-In last night and had a great time.

We saw Cars II and the Green Lantern for $5.00 a person! So much cheaper than when we went to a matinee earlier in the week and saw only one movie for $7.50 a person. On our way home we thought about how drive-ins are so nostalgic and why there arent more of them around. I guess clean (maybe?) open air, lawn chairs, and kids running around can't compete with comfy reclining chairs, surround sound and air conditioning. Or can it? I guess it just depends on your mood.

It was fun looking up at the stars, eating lots of junk food and painting our nails in between the movies under the car lights. We hit the 24 hour drive-thru at McDonalds on our way home and didnt realize how late it until they said they couldnt fill an order of chicken nuggets becuase they were now serving breakfast!

Well, our staycation is over but we had a great time. We visited with family, tried 2 new places to eat, played video games, watched a parade and fireworks, had ice cream cones, went to a matinee and a drive-in, cooled off in a little pool in our backyard, cleaned out the garage and sealed a leak, power washed the house, grilled out, slept in, read, did laundry, went garage saleing, and over all re-charged our batteries. Although I could probably go another week of recharging I am thankful to have a job to go back to! Have a great week everyone!

A few years ago I decided to turn our spare bedroom into my own personal Chic Den. The hubby has the other spare bedroom as his "Man Cave" so I needed a space for my crafting, scrapbooking and just a place to call my own. I started out first by creating Inspiration Boards.

I cut things out of magazines and catalogs that I loved, found colors that soothed me and created a collage of inspiration!

I really loved the idea of using shelving on the wall to create a desk area and I loved the sky blue and green apple colors with pops of pink.

BEFORE
This is the disaster area I had to work with!  Notice the closet, the window frame on the wall and the old table (covered in junk!) You'll see them again in the "After" pics.

AFTER
We took the doors off the closet, painted the walls inside a wonderful green and installed shelving.  My Inspiration Boards are on the window frame to the right that I use as a bulletin board.

This pile of crap...BEFORE

This pile of crap ...AFTER (granted I did purge some things!)

We got 3 furniture pieces from Ikea (LOVE IKEA!) Baskets & boxes from JoAnn Fabrics (using 40% and 50% off coupons of course) and the wall transfer is from Target. We painted the walls a calming sky blue.

And this becomes...

I am still dreaming of getting the craft table from Pottery Barn that I have been wanting forever to replace this old table I got at a garage sale (and paid way too much for!) At least I dont have to worry about getting anything on it!

This is the third piece we got from Ikea...love it...it stores so much and keeps it hidden all away!

Ace always joins me when I am in the Chic Den. He's the only male allowed in. As to not bore you too much, I will post what I did to the bed (Hint: Shabby Chic) some other time.

I just had to share some great deals I got at Meijer today. I need to thank Gretchen over at www.liveonadimeorless.com for pointing out some of these. Follow her blog, as well as www.hip2save.com for deals. They do all the work and you save all the money! I also love Meijer because they double coupons up to .99 cents! I know the food below is not that healthy but I have to admit it is stuff my husband and I eat!

8 pack Oscar Meyer hotdogs on sale for .99 cents each. I bought 4 packs totaling $3.96 minus 2 coupons, each for $1.00 off 2 packages = .49 cents a package... woohoo! They do great stocked up in the freezer!

Chex Mix on sale for $1.00 each. I bought 3 packages totaling $3.00 minus one coupon for .50 cents off (then doubled another .50 cents) and another coupon for .75 cents off 2 packages(then doubled another .75 cents)= about .17 cents a package!...Wippee!

Chi-Chi's Salsa on sale for .99 cents. I bought one minus a .50 cents off coupon (then doubled another .50 cents)=FREE! WOW!

Dove Deoderant on sale for $3.39 minus $2.00 coupon=$1.39...great price for hubby's favorite deoderant. Colgate toothpaste on sale 2 for $4.00. I bought 2 minus one coupon for $1.00 off and minus another coupon for .75 cents off (then doubled another .75 cents) =.75 cents a piece (and you gotta love it when you also get the packages with 20% more free!)

Well, I'll definetly need the toothpaste above for all the junk food I bought but look here...Skittles (with 20% more free!) large bag on sale for $2.00 minus $1.00 off coupon =$1.00.  3 Musketeers on sale for .59 each. I bought 2 totaling $1.18 minus a coupon for .50 cents off 2 (then doubled another .50 cents) =.09cents each!!!

And finally, my favorite crackers to munch on while sitting at my desk at work...Wheat Thins on sale for $1.99 each. I bought 4 boxes for a total of $7.96 minus 2 coupons, each for $1.00 of 2 packages=$1.49 a box. Dont forget to visit www.liveonadimeorless.com and www.hip2save.com for great deals. They share the sales and even link you to the coupons! Just pick the deals and steals that you like!