Every studio is different, so be sure to check with your teacher on what might be specific for your dancer.

FOR YOUR DANCER:
Hair pins
Scissors
Clear nail polish
Extra hair ties
Band-aids
Tums
Polish remover
Blanket (nice to sit on vs. dirty carpet or yucky floors)
Double-Stick Body Tape (Fashion/Toupee Tape) (This is my favorite brand. You can certainly find toupee tape cheaper, but since we use this so much for competitions – I get the good stuff!)
Of course, everything you use for hair and make-up. Bring it all with you. As soon as you don’t, you’ll need a touch up!

FOR DOWNTIME:
Depending on the age of your dancer, this can vary. Technology is great during these times. An iPad with a few new games or some episodes of a favorite show can make time pass quickly. You will also want to bring a charger. If you have one lying around, bring an extension cord and a surge protector. That way, several kids can plug in and only take up one outlet.

If you don’t have an electronic device and your child is small, a new coloring book with crayons (no markers) is a great choice. Here’s one that is inexpensive and can be ordered using Amazon Prime: Barbie – I Can Be a Dance Star Coloring Book

FOR THE PARENT (Dancer’s Helper):
If you are the parent that is staying backstage with your dancer, then you – too – will want to have something to pass the time.

A book or an electronic device (if you can pry it from the hands of your child) are good choices.

You also need to make sure you have a watch! Know what time you need to be dressed or backstage and be able to keep track on your own.

If provided, it’s nice to have a copy of the order of performance. Often, programs begin running ahead/behind and it’s nice to check in occasionally to see how the show is progressing. If this isn’t provided to you, you can use a recital program. Don’t forget your pen!

FOR THE PARENT (In the Audience):
If you are the parent that is in the audience, your job is easy – be a great audience member.

These are your responsibilities:

Be a good audience member. Clap for everyone.

Only leave and enter the auditorium between dances, not in the middle of a performance.

Flowers are a great post-recital “gift” for your dancer. A bouquet of any kind will work – roses or any favorite of your child is fine.

If you want to do something a little more or want a more special gift, I recommend a charm bracelet from Glitzy Girl. We have several of the charms and they offer a wide variety of “sayings”. They are affordable and ship quickly.

I hope that this helps in some way as you prepare for recital time. It’s a very fun event and creates memories that lasts forever. So, be sure between the hustle and bustle of the day that you take a few minutes to just soak up the moment!

The post Dance Recital Prep appeared first on Stephanie Click.

Are you following me on Pinterest? I’d love to link up to your boards as well.

I am so in love with these glitter nails. It’s not even funny!

Photo Credit: FashionDivaDesign.com – Clicking pic takes you to the link!

I need somewhere to wear this dress – pronto! It’s $100 … seriously. What a steal!

Photo Credit: WeddingDressBee.net – Clicking the pic takes you to the link

This top … to die for! Who makes this???

Photo Credit: StylingInStyle.com – Clicking on pic takes you to the link

This next link is dead, but can’t you just taste the deliciousness. I’m making these tonight. For myself. Only.

The post Pinterest Finds for This Week appeared first on Stephanie Click.

As an ACE distributor with SABA, my prices are set by the company. I can offer promotions on shipping, etc., but I can not discount the price of product. Most home-business are products are this way, so it’s completely understandable. But where SABA is different is their Preferred Customer program. It allows ANYONE (yes, that’s you) to buy ACE or any SABA product at wholesale price without signing up to be a distributor. (Don’t you wish all companies did this?)

What’s the catch?

There isn’t one. Seriously.

The first month, you will receive what’s called a Starter Kit. It contains (1) 60 count bottle of ACE and (7) 2-packs of ACE. These packs are great to keep in your purse if you forget to take your capsules. If you travel, they are awesome to keep in your overnight bag or suitcase. The cost for the FIRST MONTH is $59 + tax/shipping. (Not all states charge tax.) Shipping is $8.25.

Basically, you are getting 74 capsules for $67.25 (if you are in a tax free state). That’s just $3.25 more than if you ordered direct from me and you are getting an additional weeks supply. It’s a great deal!

*Looking at some past invoices, it appears that tax ranges from 59-cents to $4 depending upon your state! 

Now, from there, you will set up your monthly autoship. This can be cancelled anytime. No fees. No contracts. No questions. Anytime. It really is that easy.

There are 2 options for autoship:

a. $40 + tax/shipping = 1 bottle of ACE/month.

b. $50 + tax/shipping = 1 bottle of ACE + (7) 2 pks/month.

The best part is that the company ships straight to your door on a day that you choose. (You can change the day at will — no problem!) No middle man in the shipping process, but you still have a distributor (the one you signed with) that is available to answer your questions!

You can become a Preferred Customer today! Use the “Order Now” section of my site.

If you aren’t interested in becoming a preferred customer just yet, you can still order product in a 30 quantity or a full bottle on this site – just go to the “About Me” section!

Want to learn more about ACE? Here’s my full story!

The post How to Order ACE at Wholesale Prices appeared first on Stephanie Click.

1. A programmable thermostat is a great investment. Set the temperature in your home a few degrees higher when you are gone during the day. Here’s a great list of highly-rated programmable thermostat.

2. Change the filters in your air vents. Since these are sold at grocery and big box stores – they do go on sale from time to time. Keep the sizes written in your wallet, so you know what to buy and how many. If you need a YouTube tutorial on how to change the filters, here’s a good one!

3. If you live in a state where utilities are de-regulated (such as Texas), spring is a good time to check and see what you are paying. Negotiate a new rate with your current company (you can negotiate rates, you know!) or change companies if you find a great deal.

4. A great tip from Joey Weatherproof your doors and windows. If you can see or feel the outside air, you are in trouble! Here’s a few tips from the DIY network.

* This post is part of a weekly segment on KSBJ Christian Radio. For more on segments featuring Stephanie Click, the Texas Money Mom, click here.

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The answer is definitely “yes”.

When you are at a Farmer’s Market or dealing directly with the vendor/grower, you have a bargaining power that doesn’t exist at the grocery store. Never would I approach the service desk at Kroger and haggle over the price of a quart of strawberries! However, growers at the market are ready to wheel and deal. Take advantage of that … especially if you are buying big quantities of an item. The more you buy, the more power you have to negotiate.

Also take note when you arrive of how many vendors are offering the same fruits/vegetables. The more competition there is, the more options you have, too!

… remember, there’s no cents in paying full price!

* This post is part of a weekly segment on KSBJ Christian Radio. For more on segments featuring Stephanie Click, the Texas Money Mom, click here.

The post Buy Fresh or Not? appeared first on Stephanie Click.

Kitchen items such as toasters, blenders, cookware and the like will begin price cuts in May. Look for accompanying coupons from vendors like Kohl’s and Bed, Bath and Beyond. You can save – usually – up to 20% more at selected times.

Refrigerators will also see a cost drop. The ticket price on a fridge is eye opening these days. I looked in Sears at a pretty average model this weekend and it was approaching $3,000. Yikes! Take every opportunity to save when you can in this area. Don’t forget to bargin with the sales rep – you have an easier time doing this if you pay with cash! (Most businesses lose 2-3% when they have to pay the debit/credit card fee.)

And, if you are in the market for a camera – look in May! New models of cameras are coming, so  you can get a deal on last year’s best seller. (I just need a camera that takes a clear picture – who cares what year it is!) If, by chance, you are up on photography and need a 2013 model – wait until Black Friday!

… remember, there’s no cents in paying full price!

* This post is part of a weekly segment on KSBJ Christian Radio. For more on segments featuring Stephanie Click, the Texas Money Mom, click here.

The post Best Deals for May appeared first on Stephanie Click.

I put in my zip code into Box Tops site and 18 options came up for where I could send my points! It’s a fabulous way to help schools earn money for books, technology, and basics in a time when funding is being cut in a drastic way. Box Tops also has a tap at the top where you can print coupons for items that offer points! You can’t go wrong there.

Labels for Education, aside from schools, also includes local YMCAs and youth assistance programs! Although Labels for Education doesn’t offer coupons, they do have bonus opportunities to help earn more points.

These are great programs for products that you are most likely already buying. Why not save a little and give a lot!

… and remember, there’s no cents in paying full price — so couple a Box Tops or Labels for Education product with a coupon to treat your self to savings and a school/organization with cash!

* This post is part of a weekly segment on KSBJ Christian Radio. For more on segments featuring Stephanie Click, the Texas Money Mom, click here.

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My answer is “know your store”. Although I do frequent the same grocery store each week without fail, and a few others as sales dictate – I met and introduced myself to the manager at my “main store”. We actually met by accident the first time I ever asked for a raincheck at the customer service counter.

I happened to have a cart full of ground beef in my buggy that day. We talked about the ins and outs of freezing, buying in bulk, and the like. I found out through him that meat that hasn’t sold and has 1-2 days of life left is marked down on Friday evening. He also told me that bread, cakes, pastries, etc., are marked down to clear out on Saturday mornings. (From what I understand, it’s at the discretion of the store manager what day these things occur.)

A new store just opened in my neighborhood called Sprouts. I’m so excited because they offer “double ad Wednesday”. In plain English, that means that every Wednesday – they will honor their ad from the previous week as well as the ad that debuts that day. So, for me, that is hands down the best day to shop!

So, learn your individual stores. I wish there was a great and easy answer, but I don’t think that there is! Look for specials like “double ad Wednesday” or promotions that are specific to the store and etch those in your brain and your binder!

 … and remember, there’s no cents in paying full price!

The post Best Day to Shop? appeared first on Stephanie Click.

I had to try it!

I put 2 dozen eggs in muffin tins and popped them in a 350* oven for 30 minutes. Oops, the post said 325* — I misread that part!

When they came out, I was a little concerned. They didn’t look perfect like the post.

I’m not quite sure what is all over the eggs. Nothing was on the ceiling of my oven … Hmmm??? At any rate, when I put them in water to cool, it washed right off and the eggs looked perfect!

And, yes, they were totally done in the middle! I tested one

The post Baking Easter Eggs appeared first on Stephanie Click.

1. If calories didn’t count, I would eat… nothing but skittles, garlic bread with lots of butter, and bacon. I would wash it all down with Dr. Pepper.

2. On my Prom night… I didn’t have a date. I had a very long and drawn out “ugly duckling” stage. I’m sure in looking at this picture, it is clear to see why no one would be my date

1991 Prom. Faces of the innocent are blocked.

3. When I go to the store, I always buy… bananas. If you came into my house on a weekly basis, you would know that I’m an expert at watching them rot.

4. Family functions typically… are a nightmare. I think this is the same for everyone – all families are nuts.

5. I think my blog readers… the best! Hands down.

6. I’d much rather be… asleep. No matter what I’m doing, I’m usually thinking about what I have to do before I can go back to sleep.

7. I have an obsession with… technology. I’m a complete junky. I will probably end up in some kind of Amish rehab. Someplace with no electricity so that I can’t plug in and charge. Every device just goes dead. Gasp.

8. My work friends… are the funniest people I know. I absolutely love working with them and look forward to laughing with them every day.

If you leave your laptop in the Creative Suite, you might want to log out of Facebook. If not, we will log in as you and change your profile and cover photos.

9. When I created my Facebook account… I had no idea that I would end up (basically) doing social media as a career.

10. My least favorite word is… retard. Can’t stand it.

11. I really don’t remember… visiting Disney World for the first time. No, I wasn’t a child – I was 29. But, I had given birth to a baby, taught 2 weeks of band camp, and driven to Florida all in an 8 week time period. Life was a bit of a blur.

12. Justin Bieber… needs to get a better media coach/handler. That little dude is getting blasted. They need to keep his cute tail on the tour bus and outta the club scene.

How’s that for a little inside dirt on my life?

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