DIY Herb Garden Ideas

Mrs. Fields Secrets Herb Garden Ideas
Looking for a weekend project? Now is the perfect time to start your own herb garden for spring and summer enjoyment. If you’re new to gardening, herb gardens are a great place to start getting your thumb green. These simple gardens can thrive indoors or outdoors, in small or open spaces, and save you a lot of money all season long with delicious fresh herbs to enhance your favorite dishes. Check out these fun ideas with links to DIY instructions:

1. A cloth shoe rack turns into a lovely vertical, hanging garden.
2. Window box gardens give a great view from indoors and out. Perfect outside a kitchen window!
3. Keep your herbs identified by writing on small garden pebbles.
4. A hanging tiered fruit basket is great for small spaces, indoor or out.
5. Turn a discarded wood pallet into a contained garden, ideal for a porch or balcony space.
6. Large hanging mason jars look amazing hanging on the wall in the kitchen.

Plus, check out these helpful tips about growing and maintaining your herbs.

Mother’s Day Catalog Preview + Early Bird Discount

Mrs. Fields Mother's Day Catalog
Mother’s day is coming up quick and just in time, our catalog is hitting mailboxes now to get your inspired and ready to treat mom right. As usual, I’ve got my favorite picks to share with you, as well as an early bird discount. Did you know that you can place your order early and have it delivered right before Mother’s Day? That’s right, shop now and there’s no last-minute rushing around.

And now for my favorites…

Blooming Mini Ribbon Box

Our Blooming Mini Ribbon Box is simply perfect for Mom, Grandma, aunts, and sisters with delicious bite-sized cookies and luscious frosted cookies.

Floral Mother's Day Box

An abundance of bite-sized cookies and brownies (a favorite among moms) are paired with our buttery frosted cookies in our Floral Mother’s Day Box.

Spring Bites Box

When it comes to our Spring Bites Box, the box itself is too cute for words, but the treats inside are the real inspiration!

Mom's Memory Box

Perhaps my favorite pick this year, Mom’s Memory Box, is an incredible gift—delicious gourmet cookies and brownies inside a beautiful box that can collect mom’s favorite memories over the years.

As promised, please enjoy a 15% early bird discount on your entire purchase before 4/29/13 by using code 13HED at checkout. If you don’t already receive our catalog, order your free copy now. And one more thing—don’t forget to tell mom you love her!

Homemade Bird Feeder

Mrs. Fields Secrets Homemade Bird FeederAre you ready for a super simple springtime activity? Grab the kids, a couple of empty toilet paper rolls, peanut butter, and some loose bird feed. Spread a generous layer of peanut butter over the toilet paper rolls, then roll them in bird feed, packing it firmly. Slip the roll over a tree branch and watch for fluttering friends to arrive.

HINT: Place your bird feeders near windows, so you can see the action from inside your house.

15 Tax Deductions You Don’t Want To Miss

Tax Day is only two weeks away. While you’re preparing your taxes, make sure you don’t miss some of these often-overlooked deductions. Little savings can add up big time!

  1. Eyeglasses, breast pumps, weight-loss programs, and other medically-related supplies. Get a copy of the IRS’s Publication 502 for a full list of items.
  2. Fees associated with job hunting in 2012, including food, lodging, employment agency fees, and 55.5 cents per mile if you had to do a lot of driving.
  3. The cost of moving for your first job if it was over 50 miles away. Plus parking, tolls, and even 23 cents per mile if you drove your own car to move there.
  4. Financial advising costs, including the cost of subscriptions to financial publications, and even the cost to travel to meet with your financial advisor.
  5. Supplies you may have sent to help Hurricane Sandy victims.
  6. Credits for energy-saving home improvements made in 2012, like hot water heaters and geo-thermal heat pumps.
  7. Sales tax on your new car or boat, depending on the state you live in. Use this guide to find out if you’d qualify.
  8. Care for your parent, depending on their income level and how much financial support you give them.
  9. Student loan interest, even for voluntary extra payments.
  10. Student loans interest paid for by mom and dad. A child who’s not claimed as a dependent can qualify to deduct up to $2,500 of student-loan interest paid by Mom and Dad (and you don’t have to itemize to get this one).
  11. Refinancing points paid on your mortgage.
  12. Pay for jury duty collected by your employer.
  13. High-speed internet, phones, new computers, and other minor and major costs associated with a home office for the self-employed.
  14. Smaller charitable giving costs, including out-of-pocket costs like stamps for mailing out a fundraising ad or even the ingredients for the brownies you made for the bake sale.
  15. State taxes paid last spring for your 2011 taxes can be deducted from your 2012 return.

And after all these savings, I recommend treating yourself to a giant chocolate chip cookie!

These are just suggestions and we are not tax professionals. If you have specific questions, you should contact an accountant or tax professional. (Sources 1, 2)

Repurposing Your Peeps

Are Peeps the fruitcake of Easter—a necessary player, though not necessarily devoured? In our modern age of recycling and repurposing, here are some ideas to put your Peeps to good use:

Where do you stand on the topic of Peeps? Share your thoughts (or creative ideas for repurposing) in the comments section!

25 Spring Cleaning Ideas That Take 10 Minutes Or Less

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Think you’re too busy for spring cleaning? Think again. Spring cleaning can seem overwhelming and time consuming, but most of the neglected tasks are simple jobs that take only a few minutes. Print out this list, tackle it at your own speed, and be amazed at your results!

  1. Use a step ladder and a wet washrag to wipe down door jambs (especially the tops) and door knobs.
  2. Wipe down the top of the fridge.
  3. Clear out dryer vent and vacuum underneath dryer. Clear the outside vent as well.
  4. Pull everything out from beneath beds. Toss junk and put away everything else.
  5. Take everything out from the medicine cabinet. Properly discard of expired and empty medicines. Organize everything else.
  6. Replace burnt out light bulbs throughout the house.
  7. Use a wet washrag to wipe down window sills and frames.
  8. Use a hose and brush attachment to vacuum blinds or shutters (one room at a time).
  9. Use a wet washrag to wipe baseboards (one room at a time).
  10. Sweep front entrance to your home.
  11. Wash front door, including jamb and any glass.
  12. Hose down porch or deck.
  13. Hose down outdoor furniture.
  14. Change batteries in the smoke detectors.
  15. Invest in a feather duster and dust shelves.
  16. Use a hose and brush attachment to vacuum drapes and window treatments.
  17. Use a hose attachment and vacuum underneath couch and chair cushions.
  18. Rotate mattresses for even wear.
  19. Swap heavy blankets on beds for lighter ones.
  20. Reseal grout in bathrooms.
  21. Wrap a damp rag around a broom and attach it with a large rubber band, then wipe ceilings, corners, and crown molding clean.
  22. Clean and refresh garbage disposal.
  23. Use a hose and brush attachment to vacuum lint and dust from heat vents.
  24. Toss expired cosmetics and lotions.
  25. Wash the inside and outside of microwave.

Fun St. Patrick’s Day Pranks

Potato Candy by Munchkin Munchies

In the mood to mix up a little mischief this weekend? Play the part of a tricky leprechaun and arrange some fun and harmless pranks on friends and family for St. Patrick’s Day.

  • Drop some green food coloring into milk, juice, and other liquids in the fridge.
  • Use a green dry erase marker to write silly limericks on mirrors and windows in the house.

  • Make little leprechaun feet on the toilet seat and dye the toilet water green.
  • Deep sleepers in your house? Use a special Kool-Aid-based mix to put green streaks in their hair while they sleep. (Warning: could stain fabrics, and dye will last a few washes!)
  • Overturn chairs in the house, open cupboard doors, and make a trail of tiny, glittering footprints around the house made from cornstarch.
  • Dye sealed containers of Cool Whip, yogurt, or cottage cheese with this sneaky trick.

  • A couple of well-placed Fizzy Water Tablets (one yellow, one blue) makes the water in your faucets come out green.
  • Leave sticky notes on your friends’ car windows that say, “Sorry for the dent. Had to run.”

Do you have a great St. Patty’s Day prank? Share your ideas in the comments section!

Spring Forward and Save 20% All Weekend

Yes, you lose an hour of sleep this weekend, but look at what you can save at Mrs. Fields! We’re offering 20% off site-wide all weekend long at Mrs. Fields Gifts. If you’ve got a gifting need in the coming weeks or months, now is the time to buy. You can select your gift now, save 20% off, and schedule to have it delivered whenever you choose!

Spring Treats Tray

We’ve got a fresh collection of spring gifts,

Easter Bites Box

Easter gifts,

St. Patrick's Day Tin

St. Patrick’s Day gifts,

Thank You Mini Box

Thank You gifts,

Scrubs Bear & Cookies

Get Well gifts,

Frosted Flowers in a Box

and Just Because gifts for any occasion.

To take advantage of this amazing sale, use code 13EED at checkout! Offer ends Sunday, March 10 at midnight. Happy shopping and welcome, spring!

Easter Catalog Preview + Early Bird Discount

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One of the earliest signs of spring is our Easter catalog popping up in mailboxes, and friends, that time is here! An early Easter this year (March 31) means you get an even earlier sneak peek at all my favorite offerings.

Easter Bites Box 2013

Our Easter Bites Box 2013 is one of my favorite gifts for families—filled with a great variety of bite-sized cookies and brownies, plus two of our luscious frosted cookies.

Happy Hunting Tote

Hunting for Easter eggs could not be cuter for little ones than with our Happy Hunting Tote, embroidered with darling details and arriving with bite-sized cookies.

Easter Egg Box 2013

I love our Easter Egg Box with it’s jagged cracked lid  and delightful offerings inside. It’s perfect as a special gift and makes a perfect Easter decoration for years to come.

These are only a few of my favorites, but you can browse the Easter catalog online and choose your own. And if you aren’t receiving our catalog already, request your free copy now! Don’t forget to check out our entire collection of Easter and spring gifts for all the loved ones on your list. (Let’s not forget St. Patrick’s Day gifts either!)

Finally, what would a sneak peek be without an early bird discount? Save 15% off your entire order before 3/15/13. Use code 13EEA at checkout and enjoy a beautiful Easter.

How To: Make Log Cabins for President’s Day

Mrs. Fields Secrets Presidents Day Log Cabins
If the kids are out of school for President’s Day and you’re looking for a fun activity, try these homemade log cabins made from milk cartons, peanut butter, pretzels, and crackers. It’s an homage to President Lincoln and his humble beginnings, an activity, and a snack, all in one! These are super simple and very forgiving—make a mistake and just eat it. Even preschoolers can attempt this with a little bit of adult help. Here’s what you’ll need to get started:

President’s Day Log Cabins
adapted from Martha Stewart

half-pint or pint milk cartons, emptied and rinsed
scissors
tape
creamy peanut butter
graham crackers (for doors)
wheat thin crackers (for shingles)
pretzel sticks (for log beams)
pretzel snaps (for windows)
pretzel nuggets (for chimneys)

Directions
1. Trim the top of the carton off so that the roof comes to a point. Tape the opening closed.

2. Decorate one side at a time, smearing peanut butter in an even layer, adding extra to fill in the space at the pitch of the roof.

3. Place doors and windows first, then fill in with pretzel sticks to create the logs. Use the scissors to cut “logs” to the correct size, or snap them with your fingers. (Scissors work easier for the kids.)

4. Once all sides are covered, smear the roof with peanut butter and place two layers of wheat cracker shingles, followed by a pretzel nugget for the chimney.

5. Fasten the tip of a pretzel stick with a dab of peanut butter to create a doorknob.

Display your log cabins or eat them for a hearty snack. Most of all, have fun and enjoy a long weekend!

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