George Lopez in Montebello at Costco! 4/20

 

George Lopez will be at the Montebello Costco

on

Saturday, April 20 from 2-4pm.

 

He will be signing bottles of delicious AsomBroso Tequila!
Just in time for summer! Sweet!

Spring Cleaning with the Shops at Montebello

It's Spring! The weather has been wonderful and I love seeing my neighbors outside watering their lawns and people driving with the windows down.

Spring also means it's time to clean! For me that means going through the kid's clothes, matching lids to bowls in the Tupperware drawer, dusting every nook and cranny, and lots and lots of organizing.

The Shops at Montebello gave me a $50 Visa gift card and the assignment to get some spring cleaning done! I decided to use the gift card to tackle the toughest room in the house, my husband's bathroom, and give it a much needed makeover.

The room is small, barely 6'x7', which means that organization is the key to keeping the room in order at all times. As you can see from the before photos the shelves need the most attention and lack a decorative flair. You can see my handiwork in the after photos.

BEFORE                                AFTER

 

 I spruced up the room by tossing out empty containers, dusting the shelves, giving everything a once over with a cleaner and paper towel, organizing the reading material, mopping, and stocking two shelves with extra supplies.

 

BEFORE                              AFTER 

 

To give it that extra special touch I made a trip to the Shops at Montebello mall with my Visa Gift Card and found some great things to spruce up the room at JCPenney, Bath & Body Works, & Hallmark.

 

 I purchased  towels, a basket to hold hygiene items, foaming hand soap, body wash, and a personalized photo frame for decoration. 

 

The whole makeover took less than an hour to complete. Total cost $59.43!

 

Here is a detailed list of my purchases:

 

One of a Kind Creations Framed Collage, $19.95. Hallmark.

I love this, it's my absolute favorite! At first glance this looks like nice frame, but it's so much more! It's actually a photo gift! Under the backing is a Shutterfly.com code that allows you to go online, upload photos, and customize the picture you see in the frame with photos of your family! Printing and shipping is included in the price, so there is no additional cost from Shutterfly. Processing and shipping takes about a week, so this is definitely a gift you want to plan ahead for. 
Click here to see more about this product line.
**Friday, April 26 - Sunday, April 28, Hallmark is having an OPEN HOUSE and this Photo Gift will be 20% off**

Pics 'n' Props is another new line from Hallmark & Shutterfly.

It's a kit that includes a frame, code for Shutterfly photo processing, and a prop that you have the kids hold for a homemade photo shoot. This product absolutely blew me away! With this kit anyone can seem like a professional.

 Click here to learn more about the Pics 'n' Props line available at Hallmark.
**Friday, April 26 - Sunday, April 28, Hallmark is having an OPEN HOUSE and this Photo Gift will be 20% off**

If I received this as a gift I would think that my husband went out and made a sign, had the kids hold it, developed the photo, found a frame, and wrapped it all up for me, when in reality it was a kit! I would never know the difference and in my mind I would put him on a higher pedestal! 

 

Another Pics 'n' Props kit available at Hallmark.

This one is for Grandma. It comes with a frame, Shutterfly code, and three signs that say "We", "Love", "Grandma". There were kits for Mother's Day, Father's Day, Birthdays, and a newborn Baby's first year too!
Click here to learn more about the Pics 'n' Props line.
**Friday, April 26 - Sunday, April 28, Hallmark is having an OPEN HOUSE and this Photo Gift will be 20% off**

Striped hand towel,$2.40. Striped wash cloth, $1.60. JCPenney.

I really like these towels, I found them in the clearance section and they have a waffle weave type pattern in the cotton that make it feel luxurious, and reminds me of a 5-star hotel bathroom.
I used a 20% off e-mail coupon for this purchase.



Royal Velvet Bath Towels, 100% Cotton, 30"x54", $11.20 each. JCPenney.

When I unfolded these towels they reached from my chin to the floor!
I used a 20% off e-mail coupon for this purchase.



Bath & Body Works collection for men.

A large portion of the wall is devoted to products for men. They offer hair/body wash, lotion, cologne, deodorant spray, and shaving cream in a range of fragrances.
Currently the men's products are Buy 3, get 2 free or Buy 2, get 1 free. 




Medium Wooden Basket, 8"x7"x4.5", $6.50. Bath & Body Works.

They also carry a larger wooden basket, and are available in a bright pink too!

Foaming Hand Soap, Sea Island Cotton fragrance, $5.50.
2-in-1 Hair and Body Wash: Noir fragrance, $11. FREE! Bath & Body Works.

I used a coupon I found at Guest Services in Center Court for a Free Signature Collection Item with a $10 purchase. The hand soap and basket came out to $12, making the body wash free!

 

A special thanks to the Shops at Montebello for sponsoring this Spring Cleaning shopping trip!



Shops at Montebello Visa gift cards are available at Guest Services in Center Court and can be used anywhere Visa is accepted.

 

 

Lemon Festival: Upland, 4/26-4/28

When life gives you lemons, have a lemon festival! In it's 15th year, Upland Lemon Festival promises families a fun weekend including rides, food, crafts, music, and lemons!

Interested parties can audition for the "Lemon Idol Contest", Thursday 4/18, or Saturday, 4/20 or register to enter the "Lemon Dessert Contest", deadline to enter is Friday, 4/19. Contestants can also pucker up and enter the pie eating contest, there is one scheduled for Saturday and Sunday.

Admission to the Festival is free. Ride tickets, food, and lemon-related souvenirs are available for purchase. 50% off pre-sale ride tickets are available for purchase.

Click here for more information.

Guest Appreciation Day at Baskin Robbins! $1, $2, & $3 Treats! 4/23 - 4/25

Take the kids for an afterschool treat at Baskin Robbins during Guest Appreciation Days and enjoy discounted treats!

 

$1 Soft Serve Cones

$2 Double Scoop Cones & Small 31 Below

$3 Small Cappuccino Blasts, Small Milkshakes, & 2-scoop sundaes

 

Tuesday, April 23 - Wednesday, April 24 - Thursday, April 25

 

 

Montebello PAL Basketball League Sign Up Information

Artastic, Free Family Art Event, Norwalk Cultural Arts Center, Friday, 4/19

 

Artastic

Friday, April 19, 6-9pm

Cultural Arts Center

13200 Clarkdale Avenue, Norwalk

Click here for more information.

Free Cinnabon Bites on Tax Day, 4/15!

The Cinnabon location at the Shops at Montebello Mall is participating. I took my daughter two years ago to this event and the Bites were delicious!

Stop by for free Bites on Monday, April 15, from 6-8pm.

 

Free Cinnabon Bites!

 

Chivas USA Meet & Greet + Free Chivas Tickets w/ Purchase @ Shops at Montebello Mall

Spend $100 at any retailer(s) at the Shops at Montebello and receive a four-pack of tickets to see a Chivas USA game! Visit Guest Services at Center Court or call 323-722-8454, ext. 7, for more information.

Living History Day: Pio Pico Park, Whittier, 4/20

Living History Day

Pio Pico Park & Adobe

Saturday, April 20

11:00 - 4:00

CANCELLED : (

Visitors can enjoy games, demonstations, tours, and docents in period costumes.

The park is reguarly open Saturday and Sunday from 9:30 - 4:00pm. The adobe is open from 10:00 - 3:30pm.

For more information visit: http://www.piopico.org/. Note: The website hasn't been updated in a while, but I called today and the docent said it would be updated in a few weeks and it will include information about the Living Histtory Day.

Science Day: Los Angeles Public Library, Downtown, Saturday 3/30

http://www.lapl.org/whats-on/events/science-day-2013

Easter Bunny Sighting: Citadel Outlets, Saturday, 3/30

From Noon-2pm there will also be a performance by the group, Sharp Turn Ahead.

Citadel Outlets, 100 Citadel Drive, Los Angeles

http://www.citadeloutlets.com/events

Azalea Festival: South Gate, 3/21-3/24

South Gate hosts an annual azalea festival featuring a carnival, entertainments, beauty contests, boy scout tournaments, fashion shows, and more. For more information click here.

Azalea Festival
South Gate Park
4900 Southern Avenue, South Gate



 

 

Free Easter Photo & Frame: Walgreens, 3/23

Free Easter Photo and Magnet Frame

Select Walgreens stores

Saturday, March 23

10-2pm

 

This event is offered only at participating locations. I scrolled through the list and found that a Walgreens in Pico Rivera and two in Whittier are participating.

 

Click here to find a participating store.

 

 

 

 

Easter Egg Hunt: Albertsons, Montebello, 3/23

 

I attended this event with my family last year. Albertsons will give you a plastic bag to gather eggs, or you can bring your own basket. The event was lots of fun and well organized.
 

 

Albertsons, 2469 Via Campo, Montebello, 90640

Free Legos! Lego Friends Event: Toys R Us, Saturday, 3/23

Visit any Toys R Us store on Saturday, March 23 from 12-2pm for a Lego Friends event. Usually the Toys R Us Lego events include a mini-model that kids build in the store and take home for free. This event says that kids can build a Lego Friends wishing well. Arrive early, supplies are limited. Events only occur at regular Toys R Us locations, they do not occur at Express or Outlet stores.

*Some Toys R Us locations are better prepared for in-store events, so there may be some delay in set up at certain stores, or lack of knowledge of the products in others.

Really, Really Free Market: Whittier, Saturday 3/23

The Really, Really Free Market is like a community yard sale with food, and it's all free!

 

The Strub Avenue Farm is an urban farm located at 8826 Strub Avenue in Whittier, and is hosting the market day. The Farm is a part of  Whittier Backyard Farms, a community of several small backyard farms growing produce for the community.

To participate gather any used items from your home and/or harvest any excess fruit from your own trees, and bring it to the event.

Look through other people's belonging and take whatever you like. Everything is free. For more information click here or visit Strub Avenue Farm's Facebook page.

Really, Really Free Market

Saturday, March 23

10am - Noon

8826 Strub Avenue, Whittier, 90605

 

Thomas & Friends Event: Toys R Us, Saturday, 3/16

Visit any Toys R Us store on Saturday, March 16 from 11-1pm for a Thomas & Friends event. Usually the Toys R Us events include an activity and a small giveaway for the kids such as a sample toy, poster, or coloring book, and a coupon for parents. Arrive early, supplies are limited. Events only occur at regular Toys R Us locations, they do not occur at Express or Outlet stores.

*Some Toys R Us locations are better prepared for in-store events, so there may be some delay in set up at certain stores, or lack of knowledge of the products in others.

Look how far $50 can go at the Shops at Montebello!

Hey all! The Shops at Montebello Mall gave this blogger an assignment. I was given a $50 Shops at Montebello Visa card and was asked to stretch it as far as possible!  With the combination of coupons for retail stores and trade-in offers I was able to buy over $105 worth of products and gifts for my family for $50! Take a look at what I found:

____________________________________________________________________________

• JCPenney is slowing bringing back coupons. I received this coupon for $10 off any purchase in the mail. This pair of MATRIX shampoo and conditioner liter bottles were on sale for $18. With my coupon I paid $8 for the pair. I usually pay $2 for a 10-15 ounce bottle of shampoo or conditioner. These bottles are 33 ounces each which is well within my stock-up price point, and the Amplify Volume series leaves my hair squeaky clean and soft.

2 Liters of Matrix Shampoo/Conditioner $8 with coupon.

____________________________________________________________________________

 

•  My mother recently cleaned out her garage and she gave me a huge box of books. I kept a few but the remainder I took to the Dollar Book Fair. This book store will give $1 credit for every 5 books given in trade. I turned in so many that I was given $15 in credit. With that I picked up 6 books. Most books at Dollar Book Fair are $2 or less, but I found three of the books in the newer/latest book section and they were slightly more expensive. Dora Search & Find $3, The Daring Book for Girls $4, Heaven is for Real $3. 

6 books, Free with Trade-in!

____________________________________________________________________________

• For Christmas I received my first pair of real sunglasses, which for me means that they cost more than $5. I've been caring for them by storing them in the zippered case that they came with, but as a busy mom I can't always take the time to zip up the case. My husband gave me his $20 Birthday coupon for the Sunglass Hut to buy a slap close case. The coupon states that I have to spend $20 to save $20. The case was $14 and I found a cleaning cloth for $7. I was supposed to end up paying about $2 with tax, but the coupon wasn't scanning properly and the store associate used another coupon for $25 off instead which made both items totally free! Yay me!

$20 off of $20 purchase coupon.



Case and Microfiber Cleaning Cloth, Free with coupon.

____________________________________________________________________________

• For family movie night I pre-ordered Wreck-It Ralph at the Disney Store. This movie includes a blu-ray, dvd, and digital copy of the movie and sells for $25. By pre-ordering I can pick up the movie at the Disney Store anytime on or after it's release date and it includes a coupon for $10 off any $10 purchase or $20 off a $40 purchase. When I picked up the movie I also bought a Wreck-It Ralph reusable bag for $3.50 and a set of nine Sugar Rush scented erasers for $7.35, which I will save for birthday party favors.With my $10 coupon I paid less than one dollar for both of them.

Wreck-It Ralph movie pre-order, $25.



Sugar Rush scented erasers & Wreck-It Ralph reusable bag, $0.93 after coupon.

____________________________________________________________________________

• I was drawn into the store, Next Accessories, by signs saying the store was closing. I was surprised to find some really great items for the family. For my husband I found an extendable back scratcher. It looks and feels very manly and has a telescoping handle. For $4, it makes a great kid gift for Father's Day. For my daughters I found sets of hair clips for $2 each. I like these clips because the part that clips in the hair has ridges and are likely to stay put. Unfortunately the Next store is now closed, but other accessory type stores in the Shops of Montebello may have similar items.

Back Scratcher & Hair Clips, $8.

____________________________________________________________________________

• In our house we can never find a notepad when we need it. We end up pulling out a sheet of paper from the printer and wasting a full 8.5 x 11" page for a grocery list. Ruggle's Hallmark store had my answer. Hallmark is so much more than cards! In the back of the store there is a lovely variety of address books, stationary sets, photo albums, and notebooks. I found this great notebook pad on sale for only $5.35. It can be customized by sliding in an initial card, has hundreds of tear away blank sheets, and the bold colors means that it will be easy to spot in the piles of clutter on my desk.

Notebook Pad, $5.35.

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• On Facebook I came across this voucher for a free sample of Lancome's Super Serums line. At Macy's I traded it in for these one time use samples. I was disappointed that the sample wasn't larger, usually the sample is a week worth of product, but it was free and is a great size for travel. Many makeup brands at Macy's host semi-annual free gift with purchase events, to see what freebies are available now, click here.

Lancome Super Serum Sample, Free with voucher.

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• For a limited time See's Candies is offering an Orange Creme lollipop. My kids love Orange Creme Popsicles, so I'm sure this will be a big hit when they find these in their baskets this Easter. Sold for $0.80 each or an 8 pack for $5.75.

See's Orange Creme Lollipops, $2.40.

____________________________________________________________________________

A special thanks to the Shops at Montebello for sponsoring this bargain hunter's shopping trip!

 

 



Cesar Chavez Celebration: East L.A. Library, 3/26

Ross, Dress for Less in North Montebello Opens Friday, 3/8!

A new Ross store is opening at Via Campo & Wilcox, next to Albertsons. I called the store this morning and they said they will not be having any opening day specials and will probably open at 9am.

Ross
2505 Via Campo
Montebello, 90640
323-278-9041
 

Diabetes Expo: L.A. Convention Center, Saturday, 5/4

American Diabetes Association

EXPO

Saturday, May 4, 2013

10:00 - 4:00PM

Los Angeles Convention Center

 

I attended this event three years ago and there is wealth of information available at this Expo. This expo offers free health screenings, lectures, food demonstrations/samples, dietary & medical counseling, and the part my kids love the best was the Family Fun Zone! The Fun Zone is a section just for kids with a rock climbing wall, jumper, and craft activities.

 

The Diabetes Expo is free, register online and avoid waiting in line to enter.

Parking at the Convention Center is $15.

 

www.diabetes.org/laexpo

Free Swim Lesson at the Montebello YMCA: Friday, 3/1