Gearing Up for a New Semester with Campus Book Rentals

I've said it before and I'll say it again:  college books are ridiculously expensive to buy.  I average at least $200 per course I'm taking.  This semester I'm taking 5 courses...I can expect to spend around $1,000 on books (on top of my tuition)!!  Yikes.

At first I thought the idea of renting my books was weird.  But then I thought more about it and DUH, I try to sell my books back (and getting next to nothing for them) to the bookstore after each semester...what is the difference?!  The difference is the money saved!  You can save tons buy renting your books each semester.  Here are some of the perks to using Campus Book Rentals:

-save 40-90% off of bookstore prices
-free shipping both ways
-can highlight in the textbooks
-flexible renting periods
-donates to Operation Smile with each textbook rented

This is a screen shot off my student account for school.  It's one of the books I'll need (in fact I need two for this particular class) this semester.  It tells me how much to expect to pay for the book (new, used, rent etc).

It was super easy to find the book on CampusBookRentals.com by copying and pasting the ISBN.  Here's what came up for the exact same book.  The rental price difference is almost 50% off!!!!

There's also the option to rent books you already own using RentBack. You rent out books to other students and you could make 2-4 times more money than buyback options (like when the campus book store offers me $4 on a book I spent over $100; no really, that's happened.  I always end up keeping them out of principle).

This is a great idea for anyone who's in college, going to college or who has kept their college books, like me.  Yay! For saving money!!!  I already own enough in student loans!

***Disclaimer: This is a sponsored post of an awesome company I really like. If you have more questions regarding this please check out: http://www.lovinglifeandlivingonless.com/p/disclosure-and-policies.html

Baby G's 2nd Birthday at AZ Air Time (Ball/Sports Themed)

AZ Air Time Family Fun for All Ages!

We recently celebrated my youngest child's 2nd birthday.  I lovingly call him Baby G here on this site and I can't believe my "Baby" isn't such a baby anymore.  Birthdays are bitter sweet, but I love planning parties, making memories and celebrating my kiddos.

Baby G had his party at AZ Air Time in Scottsdale (there's a Tucson location coming soon too!), which I found through good old fashion Googling.  I used the virtual tour option and loved what I saw; trampolines everywhere, with foam pit, basketball, dodge ball and more.  Our family has many cousins ranging in ages from 1 to 13 years old and AZ Air Time was perfect to entertain all of them (and the adults too!).   There is a whole section for younger kids and adults or older siblings are allowed in only if they are assisting a child 6 or younger, perfect!  This is where Baby G spent most of his time, on the 2 inflatable bounce housed (complete with slides and basketball hoop) and on the trampolines specifically for toddlers and preschoolers. 

The older kids (and adults) had a BLAST in the foam pit- it was an overall favorite among our group.  I am usually running around at parties, making sure everyone and everything is taken care of but our hostess was wonderful and since she was on top of it all I got the chance to get in on the fun, too!  The basketball area was a work out but such fun.  Baby G's grandma was convinced she'd get a slam dunk; she got close but she'll have to head back to AZ Air Time to keep practicing! My two oldest (Jelly Bean who's 11 and K who's 4) loved racing in the main trampoline area and there was plenty of room for everyone. I'd worried about how busy it might be on a Saturday afternoon with younger kids, but it was great!

Our guest count was at 18 kids and parents who'd RSVPed 'Yes'.  We ended up with 6 kids (don't get me started; 11 of the missing kids were no call/no shows); but the kids that came had the best time.  I loved watching them all exercise, laugh, explore and really make the most of this unique location. 

The party location we picked was the semi-private option, decided upon because of the number of guests we (thought) we'd have.  It was perfect and they'd set up the space in the colors I'd chosen when booking the party and again, the hostess was wonderful at directing guests after checking in and just generally taking good care of us.  This was one of the easiest birthday parties I've ever planned.  I brought cake, favors and a few 'themed' decorations but that was it, they took care of everything from start to finish.  We had the party mid-afternoon so we didn't serve food, but you certainly could!  Simply call up and let them know the week of the party and again, they take care of it all. It was all completely stress free.

 

Jelly Bean immediately asked if we can go back- explaining she'd be "super healthy" if she was able to go to AZ Air Time "everyday!".  With summer temperatures reaching 120 here in Phoenix and Scottsdale; this indoor location is wonderful!  Don't get me wrong; you'll sweat if you participate, but you don't have to, there's free WiFi and seating areas for grownups, too! They offer trampoline workouts and I think I may just have to check it out!

Looking for a fun spot to take the kids for a couple hours?  Want a unique and awesome birthday party experience?  Looking for a new workout regimen?  Whatever it is; I highly recommend AZ Air Time.  The staff was wonderful and Baby G's 2nd birthday party was easy and by far one of the best party experiences we've had (truthfully, AZ Air Time and the fun the kids had helped me forget about the bunch of family members who never bothered to call or show up; well at least for the time we were there! Can you tell I'm upset still?  This is not the first incident and it's usually the same family members each time, but I digress.)

You can find AZ Air Time online, Twitter and Facebook (like them for up to date info and deals- while your there let them know LLandLoL sent you)!  Remember this place for when your kids are bored or when you are planning your next birthday party.  You will not be disappointed.

Share some ideas for birthday party themes below! 

 

***Disclaimer: Some aspects of our party were commentary.  As always, my opinions are 100% my own.  Just take a look at those kiddos faces if you doubt the amount of fun they all had! :) If you have more questions regarding this please check out: http://www.lovinglifeandlivingonless.com/p/disclosure-and-policies.html

Summer Staycation: Westin Kierland Resort and Spa

We try to take the kids on a vacation each year, we've been lucky enough (and frugal enough on the 'boring' stuff throughout the year) to be able to swing something each year.  California beach, Universal Studios, overnight in Camp Verde to visit Out of Africa and Las Vegas.  This year, rather than pack the kids up for hours in the car we decided to stay-cation!  We opted for The Westin Kierland Resort and Spa in Scottsdale, Arizona and it was one of the best vacations we've ever had! If you follow me on Twitter, Instagram (@llandlol) or Facebook you may already know just how great our time there was.

Staycation means vacationing in the general vicinity of your city and it's perfect for many reasons!

1. No long road trips with potentially whiney kids!

2. This also cuts back on travel costs (gas, pit stops etc).

3. Familiarity with the area.

4. This also includes being able to go home if you forget something!

5.  You can also check in on your home and animals!

6. You don't have to request time off of work!  Hubs met us right after work on Friday!

7. Explore your city! Take a look at your city as though you were a tourist- you'll find lots to do!

28 Day Proskins Challenge!

I'm not going to lie when I heard about Proskins Anti-Cellulite Leggings I got super excited.  I heard there was a 28 Day Challenge; basically, where the leggings for at least 8 hours a day for 28 days (you can even where them overnight!) but I think they are cute so I started wearing them over long tunic type shirts.  I'm sure I'll wear them at night too, since I can't wear leggings everyday and in AZ the temp is reaching the 120s and I will not be layering these (or anything) under pants!

I'm sure a change in eating habits and workout regime will help these leggings do there work in helping me lose inches.  But for the most part I'm planning to keep my regular lifestyle; to really see what these babies can do!  I'm super excited to try these out and share with you my findings along they way.  I'll let you know next week if there is any change in my measurements.

I'm no scientist and I've only heard of a handful of these items but I like what I'm seeing here. This is  what the tag says "How Does it Work?" (of course it went into much greater detail):

Caffeine, Retinol, Ceramides, Vitamin E, Aloe Vera and Fatty Acids.

***Disclaimer: Review products have been given to me for review purposes. My opinions are my own. If you have more questions regarding this please check out: http://www.lovinglifeandlivingonless.com/p/disclosure-and-policies.html

Despicable Me 2

My whole family has be excited for Despicable Me 2 to come out this summer.  The first one is one we enjoy often in our home- it's got a perfect mix for adults and kids to both enjoy.  Plus, Hubs and I think Steve Carell (Gru) is hilarious!

Depicable Me 2 starts where the first left off;  Gru is focusing on being a dad to his girls, Margo, Edith and Agnes.  After some suspicious activity (an entire top secret lab is stolen!) the Anti-Villain League recruits Gru and teams him up with Lucy Wilde (Kristen Wig) to find out who the culprit is. Gru focuses his attention on Eduardo, a restaurant owner that Gru is convinced is actually the presumed dead super villain 'El Macho'.  Side note: Eduardo's son has been flirting with Margo.  It seems Gru's obsession with 'El Macho' (and his son) stems from his desire to protect his eldest daughter so the Anti-Villain League ignores Gru's accusations and claims.

Jelly Bean (my 11 year old daughter) thought Despicable Me 2 was even better than the first!  We certainly had laugh out loud moments and giggled throughout the movie.  I completely related to Gru regarding Margo and her seemingly overnight teenage behavior (I did mention I have an 11 year old girl, right?).  The minions are still has adorable and silly as ever, although they start to disappear (or are they being kidnapped!?) throughout the movie.  I loved seeing more sides to Gru- watching him relate to his daughters and to his new partner Lucy was refreshing and sweet.

This is definitely a movie I recommend for the whole family!  It's perfect for all ages.  My 4 year old is begging me to take him and I think my 2 year old would love it, too.  Definitely, check it out!

***Disclaimer: I was able to take my daughter to a pre-screening of this movie to write this review. If you have more questions regarding this please check out: http://www.lovinglifeandlivingonless.com/p/disclosure-and-policies.html

Claire's Sale

Just grabbed a pair of cute sandals and a hat for $5 each!
Lots of great sales and if you have ShopRunner these ship free!
Super Summer Sale @ Claire's! Save on the hottest summer trends.

***Disclaimer: Post contains affiliate links. By using these links you are helping support LLandLoL, but of course it is never required that you use my links. If you have more questions regarding this please check out: http://www.lovinglifeandlivingonless.com/p/disclosure-and-policies.html

Summer Essentials Giveaway!

Summer Essentials Giveaway Sponsored by DormCo and The Rosy Snail.

 One lucky winner will win a gorgeous Large Sorority Trunk for DormCo stuffed full of fantastic prizes for the best summer ever! Checkout all the prizes below and you can check out the reviews of these items over at The Rosy Snail!

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