Good news! We are putting the finishing touches on our new product review blog, The Motherloot! I can’t wait to share it with all of you and it will be so nice to have a separate home for our reviews.

Other places you might find us this week:
Frugal Hacks
The Carnival of Family Life & The Carnival of Recipes & Make it From Scratch sharing our make-ahead appetizer ideas for Thanksgiving.
The Festival of Frugality shared our bubbly magnet post and named us an Editor’s Pick!
The Carnival of Personal Finance included our fun & frugal wrapping ideas post.
I was also on WSBT-TV this week, but I haven’t seen the segment posted yet. It also ended up appearing on Wednesday instead of Tuesday due to another interview so unfortunately I don’t have anything to share. I will be sure to post if this goes up!
I also spoke to the Middlebury,IN MOPS group on cleaning- thanks for the opportunity to share with those moms and meet others from the Michiana community!

Now on to my notebook entry for today…There were so many great ideas this week so be sure to visit these!

I love these pictures of additional ideas for things you can do with your pumpkin this year.

How cute are these dressed up magazine holders?

These hats are so cool- I especially love the curlers idea!

I have been saving my coffee canisters for awhile now and I love these pumpkin canisters. I think I might need to make some snowmen ones too!

These flower pot canisters would make a lovely addition to my daughter’s room and would be a great way to organize all of her hair accessories.

I am going to have to make some ghost toast for the kids.

I love these ideas and designs for window films.

This post gave me some great ideas for some creative Halloween & fall decorations.

These witch kitchen jars look like a lot of work, but those are some amazing results!

I like this idea for a kid’s table for our Thanksgiving dinner. Much more fun than a plain old table!

I love this old-fashioned basket for library trips. I will have to keep my eyes peeled at the thrift store.

I think I might make some of these witch hat treats for some of the fun Halloween events we are going to.

I am also going to add this Potato Soup and Pumpkin Crunch Cake to my menu planner for next month! Yummy!

I love these organizing ideas for my desk! There are some very creative and frugal solutions!

Make some spiced pumpkin seeds.

Make autumn leaf sun catchers.

I am going to make this Lego Birthday Cake for my son this year.

Throw the perfect first birthday party.

Make your own fabric buttons.

Find a creative way to store your dish soap.

Sew a simple girly skirt.

Boo your neighbors.

Make some yummy apple bread.

Learn how to store your bulk items.

Make a pretty lunch box.

These before and after photos on these kitchen cabinets are really motivating me. Now I just need to convince my husband to go along with another painting project around here.

Make some homemade vanilla extract.

I think this Pumpkin Biscotti would make a great holiday gift.

Never look at your leftovers the same again with Stephanie’s great advice!

How cute are these Halloween tins?

Learn the rules of frugality!

Stay warm (practically) for free.

Buy some blackboard paint and make some really cute stuff for your house.

Throw the best autumn party ever!

Wrap your gifts elegantly.

I just want to thank you all for your awesome comments this week and for all of your encouragement to our family! I truly feel blessed to have you all and it is such a pleasure to have a format like this to share on.

Here are my picks for top reads this week:

Apartment Therapy shares some great tips for a great bento lunch box experience.

Wise Craft has a cute idea for getting your kids to do what they are supposed to in the morning.

My Byrd House turns an old pair of jeans into a cute apron.

Parent Hacks has some great ideas for what to do with those old baby bottles.

Inside a Black Apple has a yummy recipe for Rosemary & Olive Oil Bread.

Storybook Woods has a great tutorial for making a beautiful autumn project.

Baby Cheapskate shares the scoop on Craigslist.

Blogging Away Debt shows the difference in their electric bill just by switching to CFL light bulbs.

Chronicles of a Curious Cook makes mini quiches that are a roaring success in their house.

Frugal Upstate tells you how to feed your baby inexpensively.

GoodyBlog features some of the cutest cupcakes ever!

My Home Redux shares the best type of paint to use when painting your kitchen cabinets.

Tip Nut shares a great tutorial on making homemade gift baskets.

Stitch a colorful lunch bag.

Turn some pants into skirts.

Make a quilted fabric wallet.

I needed this inspiration for doing my fall decorating.

Learn how to make your own preserves.

I adore these fabric buckets– why can’t I be more crafty?

Aren’t these crocheted cropped cardigans so cute?

I am going to have to try this chocolate chip cookie recipe.

Here are more ideas for a money-free weekend.

Some more tips for the back-to-school season.

I will have to try some of these homemade stain removers.

A cookie troubleshooting guide that I love!

Am I too cheap for a Nintendo Wii? I want one so bad!

Keep your kids cool in the car.

Make toilet roll bracelets with the kids.

Take an artsy photo of your children.

Make a pretty sewing machine cover.

Make a cute sewing kit in a jar.

Try out some unique stitches and make some coasters.

Attempt to make butter with your kiddos.

Not Martha is making me really want a Bakers Edge Pan. Check out her lasagna.

Try this wonderful back-to-school reminder idea.

I am going to make a big batch of these yummy muffins.

Design a kitchen peg board.

Learn how to square bags.

Make your own recipe for energy bars.

Alter a board book for your child.

Recycle those tea cups and make a tea time clock.

Learn how to throw a homemade wedding from dress to tux.

Make yourself some bread and butter pickles.

Create your own spa bathroom retreat on the cheap.

Make a birthday thank you that is inexpensive and memorable.

Stop cleaning your house and just relax!

Sound Off: Now that I have posted my favorites for the week, what is the best post that you did this week? Share your favorite post under the comments link! Looking forward to some fun reading!

The Evil Mad Scientist has a tutorial on how to make your own light tent for taking photos.

Lifehacker shares a great tip for changing your air conditioner’s filter with ease.

Monica, over at The Homespun Heart, shares a yummy recipe for coffee cake muffins. These look delicious!

WiseBread has a great post on things to do with chicken leg quarters. They list lots of great dishes that will be easy on your wallet.

DIY Maven shares some great uses for soap that you probably haven’t thought of.

Nested has a great tutorial for making a fold-up crayon pouch.

The Crafty Daisies have fun with socks and gloves.

Free Money Finance offers some great cleaning tips and advice.

Shannon, over at Rocks in My Dryer, offers a pep talk on sewing (which I really, really needed).

Fish Creek House has some really great cleaning tips.

Zen Habits offers up 75 simple pleasures to enjoy.

Here are my favorite reads for the week:

Here are the best reads this week:

This post from Frugal for Life nearly broke my heart. If you are having financial problems, suicide is not the answer. Please read Dawn’s advice and resources for those of you who are financially struggling!

Jeri’s Organizing & Decluttering News has a great post on sites that can help you with your summer travels, including free packing lists!

Scribbit added a great free summer activity that you can do with your little ones this summer. How about letting them be an archaeologist for a day?

Mommy Secrets shares her grandmother’s homemade chocolate ice cream recipe. Are you hungry yet?

101 Cookbooks has a yummy recipe for a Skinny Omelette.

LifeHacker shares a great way you can organize your frequently used CD’s.

Creative Organizing shares tips for weeding through your children’s toys.

Storybook Woods shares pictures of her beautiful vintage sewing chest. I want, I want, I want!

The Simple Dollar compares the cost of making your own laundry detergent versus the cost of the Costco brand. Is there really a savings?

Simply Thrifty shares tips for fighting stains.