Clear the Mantel: It's time for Shutterfly Holiday Cards

(Disclosure: I don't normally write posts in the spirit of advertising, but since this is a product I actually use and love, I'm making an exception. :)

A few years ago, JC made me a card on Shutterfly.com from the pumpkin for father's day. I was so impressed by the quality of it, that I... well, that years later, I remember it was from Shutterfly!

(Actual card featured in a dramatic re-enactment)

Good looking card, good lookin' kid.

Having been a Kodak gallery household in the past, we now only purchase products from Shutterfly because they just look better. Also, the prices are amazing -- the Folded Greeting Cards cost under a buck fifty, and look way better than anything from your local card shop. And everyone at work knows I cherish my annually-updated coffee mugs:

Year three is at the office, waiting to greet me on Monday morning

Really, this place has good quality, good service and good prices. You can't beat it. We've bought ceramic mugs, thermal mugs, cards, magnets and for the past two years, we made our holiday cards there. And as soon as the stork leaves us with baby #2, this year's card is off to Shutterfly as well. Less than 4 weeks left to go!

If you're interested in getting some photo cards or gifts this holiday season, check them out. Need some links? Kabam! Invitations, holiday cards, Desk calendars, Hanukkah cards, Christmas ornaments and more.

One more incentive? JC, my deal-finder-extraordinaire, says that all cards are currently 20%-30% off (as of 11/19/10). Free shipping with $30 purchase, code SHIP30.

Shutterfly Folded card from 2008... has it really been that long?

What's New in New York City - Costco Comes to Manhattan

Whether the news makes you cheer or grimace, Costco is finally opening in Manhattan. The East 116th Street store opens Thursday, November 12th at 8am (this is a special time for opening day). A basic membership is $50 for a year. I think I audibly gulped at the price.

Until the end of the year, there's a special offer if you bring a friend to sign up with you. Maybe the $10 (or $20 if you can convince 2 people to sign up) sweetens the deal a bit. (Click here for the original email that you'll need to take with you)

Costco is the first store to open in the long awaited East River Complex. The New York Times reports that the others (like Target, Best Buy and Marshall's) will open next spring.

Tumbleweed House, Now with Motion Pictures!

A while back, I blogged about the 96 Square Foot Tumbleweed House. Recently, a video has been going around that show off the interior, the designer (and occupant) as well as his reasoning behind a life like this. He and his wife are expecting -- think they can stay? Answer at the end of the video.

What's New in New York City - The Guggenheim Turns 50 (with a free admission day!)

The beautiful (if oddly) shaped structure known as the Guggenheim will turn 50 on Wednesday, October 21st and is celebrating with FREE admission! There are tons of exciting opportunities, including tours, raffles and free cookies (at 3pm)! The hours are from 10am- 5:45 so Pumpkin and I will be headed over to this museum after her nap to take advantage of their story circle events (starting on the hour every hour from 11-3) and maybe get a free cookie.





Now I will finally say I've been in the Guggenheim for something other than to use the restroom. =)

Columbus Day Weekend on the Cheap

4 Years ago today Columbia and I got married. Every year since then we have gone away to celebrate. This year is no different (well, a little different, but that's okay), meaning we'll miss all of the fun and free activities in NYC. Such is the bane of having a (semi)romantic weekend away (with a now 19 month old).

• TONY Kids has posted Free Events for Columbus Day Weekend. This is a great list, divided by day to help with planning.
• Don't forget Open House New York is this weekend. There are still LOTS of amazing tours available. Check out their list here.
• Just incase you need a new dress shirt (ehem, Columbia), shoes or a cute Martha Stewart baking dish, Macy's is having a big sale. You can take an extra 15% off with this to help keep your wallet a little more plump (or that credit card bill a little lower).

Happy long weekend and Happy Anniversary Columbia!