Favorite Things: Old Navy Ruffle Trim Cord Jacket

Looking for a little something to keep your little missy warm as the temperatures drop? This item meets all of my criteria for a functional coat at a great deal: nice construction, cute details, and a dark color to hide chocolate chip cookie crumbs and playground grime. This adorable jacket is yours for only $20. Also, free shipping with a $50 purchase and 40% off sale on right now. Totally worth a few minutes of your browsing time.

Cheap and Cheerful Cooking: Chocolate Peanut Butter Banana Smoothie

This one is a family favorite. Feel free to add/improvise to this basic recipe.

Ingredients
2 cups of ice
2 cups of milk
One heaping blob of peanut butter
One gigantic squirt of Hershey's syrup
One frozen banana
One cup of vanilla yogurt

Directions
Throw it all into a blender. Hit the start button. Enjoy.
If you like it frostier, add more ice or another half of a frozen banana.

Cheap and Cheerful Chatter: Ideas from our Faithful Readers

* Katrina from Sacramento recommends checking out Swap Mamas, an online forum for trading clothes and gear with other moms. If you've already tried it, please leave a comment with your experiences.

* I did some coupon code googling and found a 15% off code for Costume Express.com. The code is EERIE99. I was not able to find an expiration date but it worked today! Also, the site is offering free shipping now for orders over $75.

* Have you ever tried OldNavyweekly.com? The site goes "live" on Thursday late in the evening or Friday early morning each week and offers printable in-store coupons. You "search" the site for links to coupons in various denominations -- from the grand prizes of $75 or $50 off $100 to smaller amounts that are still great deals. The in-store coupons are good for one week. This tip was passed on to me by Alyssa in Colorado.

* Cheap and Cheerful wants to know: What are your recent deal finding success stories?

Favorite Things: Somersault Snacks

My daughter asked for these at Peet's today and I am so glad I said yes! These tasty morsels are totally worth a try. I have to admit that I was still tempted to get the Iced Lemon Scone but was very satisfied with splitting a sack of the S.S. Sea Salt Somersaults with my little one. Find them. Buy them. Eat them. Plus, you can request a free sample from their website. Totally cheap and totally cheerful.

Deal of the Day: Rock Out for Less

If you are a Led Zepplin fan or know a faithful follower of the group, here is a super deal.
The Definitive Collection boxed set is 50% off today on Amazon. Click here for the details. Santa might need to pick up one of these for "his" sleigh. Never too early to start gathering gifts for the upcoming holidays. Well, maybe we should get past Halloween first ...

Cheap and Cheerful Chatter: What's in your Halloween bowl?

Cheap and Cheerful wants to know -- What do you pass out on Halloween? Do you stick with candy or do other non-edible items? Where have you found the best prices on Halloween treats?

Please post a comment and share with other Cheap and Cheerful faithful readers.

Favorite Things: Three Designing Women Address Stamps

As the holidays approach and the addressing of holidays cards looms closer, I was thinking today about these. I have two of these well made stampers by Three Designing Women and I also love giving them as gifts. Perfect for a house warming present, a newly married couple, or any stationery lover, there are so many unique and appealling designs. There are many online stores listed in this site and you can also "shop local" for one by looking up your zip code on the retailer list. Happy stamping!

Cheap and Cheerful Charity: Halloween Costumes for the Annika Kelly Strain Foundation

My family has been blessed to get to know the Strain family. You can read about them and their Foundation here. In honor of Annika, the Strain family coordinates a Halloween costume closet for young cancer patients at UCSF. Imagine Halloween in the hospital made spectacular with a rack of costumes to choose from and special treats, too.

If you would like to donate a new costume, in any size from infant to teen, mail it to the address below before October 15.

AKS Foundation
130 Funston Avenue
San Francisco, CA 94118

I get about 50 hits on my blog each day. If everyone who reads this donates just one costume, think about the difference we can make for kids who really deserve a fun Halloween. Spread some love. Share your wealth. It will bring a smile to a kid and his or her parents. And that is certainly priceless.