Not that November and NaNo wasn't real life for me but now I need to actually make sure that all the rest of the pieces of our lives are picked up, too. So, I've begun to notice things around me a bit better.

Like the fact that it's the beginning of the month and the coupons have reset. Did you catch that, too:) Yep, the coupons.com and cellfire coupons are available and there are some great deals. Personally I'm grabbing more pie crusts and the diapers. Once a Month Mom has some great pie and cinnamon roll recipes with the pie crust and the diapers are self-explanatory.

Also, I'm off to Old Navy today to buy Comfort some long-sleeved shirts. Apparently while I was writing 70K words it turned cold here in Virginia and she only has long-sleeved shirts from last year and they are getting a bit tight. I noticed yesterday that Deal Seeking Mom had some great tips for shopping at Old Navy. Don't forget to head on over there and learn what you can.

And to add a bit of fun to your life, head over to Tia's Saving Cents and learn how you can download a copy of the UP soundtrack. Our whole family loved that movie and you can bet that Comfort and Joy are getting that on DVD for Christmas.

Tia's Saving Cents and Frugal in Virginia both posted that Amazon has a new app - Kindle for the PC. [The app for Mac is supposed to be available shortly]. The download is quick and easy and once you're done you can read Amazon Kindle books from your PC. Isn't that a Cool Idea!

I first read this tip on another blog. I think it was a guest post on Frugal Upstate but I can't remember and I didn't copy the link and my toddler summer has kept me from going back to find it. Then Tia's Saving Cents posted and I had another source for a home pedicure solution.

I, too, ditch the socks as soon as the weather gets warm enough. Mostly this is so I don't have to worry about finding a matched pair out of my drawer. I don't know about you but after matching my kids socks the last thing I want to do is match up my own so I generally throw them in the drawer [whites on one side and darks on the other - my concession to organization] and then push it shut. Well, socks do have a function. They keep our feet from getting dried out and rough. Regular pedicures are not only a nice relaxing treat but they keep our feet in good shape.

But pedicures, unless you are a good shopper and able to take advantage of last minute deals at your local spa, can get pricey. So, let's be frugal and make our own homemade pedicure experience.

• 2 cups of warm water
• 2 cups of vinegar
• foot tub [I got mine at the dollar store]
• soak for 15-20 minutes

Once you're done clean and trim your nails, use a file to clean off the dead skin, and use another frugal find from your house to moisturize your skin - Vapor Rub! Slather up with Vapor Rub and put on some socks. Either go on to bed or leave on for half hour and then clean rub off toe nails and apply polish. Using the vapor rub each night with socks will continue to keep your skin nice and soft and at a fraction of the cost of a regular pedicure. Have a Girl's Night and you could even get the massage part! Frugal and Fun - Definitely a Cool Idea!

If you haven't hit the Victoria's Secret Semi-Annual Sale yet you might want to take a peek and see what they have because I think I hit the jackpot. I found 2 bras that fit and were half-price!

So, I probably would have bought them even if they were full price because I had a coupon that I found at Tia's Savings Cents. The bras I'd been wearing were shot long ago and after 4 years of being pregnant and nursing I desperately needed bras that actually fit.

I'd tried to do it myself by trying on bras at Target, Ross, TJMaxx, etc., but I never found anything that fit, stayed that way and kept the 'girls' where they were supposed to be for a full day. So I went back to VS with the last VS bra and showed them the problem - lots of gaping - and was remeasured. I still measured the same so they brought me different styles including several push-up bras.

Now, clearly most of you don't know what I look like but the last thing I need is a push up bra or a Wonderbra or something like this. God has been generous to me so I finally just so the woman the problem and I hear the words 'full coverage' and think 'thank goodness' now we're talking my language.

After over 30 minutes in a sweltering dressing room under hot flourescent lights and standing in front of a floor to ceiling mirror where I had the opportunity to observe all of my body's flaws over and over and over we found the perfect bra and I bought the last 2 in the store that they had in my size. And thanks to the coupon they if were half price. And if they last as long as the last VS bras I bought I figure I'll be wearing them still when I take Comfort to be fitted for her first bra. All I can say is that bras that fit are Definitely a Cool Idea and coupons make it even better!