VINTAGE CHIP/DIP BOWL

Posted by Lori~

Over the weekend I went to little-bit smaller city, ND to do some major thrifting with my girlfriends.  It was awesome! We went to an antique store and I found this vintage chip/dip bowl.  I LOVED IT!

The price tag was $38.00 and I debated.  But then, the antique store owner announced the deal of day.  Spend $25.00 and get 50% off the total.  That...I could not pass up!

I LOVE IT!  IT IS AMAZING!

I also picked up this cute little kitty ring holder for $2.00 (50% off $4.00).

Have you hit any good thrift stores lately?  It is officially spring-like weather in ND, which means garage sale season.  I may have to start hitting the sales this weekend.

NEW SHOES--READY FOR SPRING!

Posted by Lori~

We've been adding some new shoes to our household.  First up, Mur-Man received new shoe wings from NYC.  I actually picked up a set for Mur-Man and his best bud Gus.  I was able to attach them to clearance Baby Gap shoes (no longer available online).  He loves them (and I do too)!

While in Fargo over the weekend, I came across an amazing shoe sale at Target.  Shoes were on sale for BOGO (50% off).  I couldn't resist.  Total cost--around $30.00 for two adorable pairs.  I do not know about you, but I am ready for spring!  ND WINTER--GO AWAY!

Click here for shoe details.

Click here for shoe details.

AFTER-CHRISTMAS CLEARANCE!

Posted by Lori~

Black Friday--WHO CARES?!?  Day after Christmas sale--MY FAVORITE!  You can get Christmas items, gift sets, decorations, and so much more for over 50% off!

Mom (Crafty G-Ma) and I always have a tradition to hit the sales super early the day after Christmas (like 7:00 a.m.).

This year, we were in Florida the day after Christmas, but I did get some good shopping in a few days later (and the best part is that the clearance was knocked down even further--up to 75% off)!

I like to pick-up some little craft projects for Mur-Man to complete.  Here's a quick run-down of my finds:

Sticker ginger-bread house for Mur-Man.  ONLY 25 cents.

Ornament kit for Mur-Man.  Original price:  $3.00.  Sale price:  .75 cents!

I was hoping to save these projects until next year, but Mur-Man could not wait!

And...I bought an assortment of other items.  Perfect for crafting, decorating, and so much more!

WAL-MART CHRISTMAS DECOR COULD BE SO MUCH MORE!

Posted by Lori~

Recently, I was at Wal-Mart, and I could not believe that they were already selling Christmas decorations!  What about Halloween and Thanksgiving?!?

I came across a ton of Christmas Ornament clips--to attach to the tree.  However, most of them did not say just "Christmas" and they could be used for room decoration, on gift packaging, and maybe even hair flair!

 

They ranged in prices from $1.48 to 97 cents.  NOT TOO BAD!  I apologize for the poor photo quality--they were taken on my phone.  

And even better, pick these up after Christmas for 50% off!

Wouldn't these butterflies look adorable in a girl's room!

I did not actually purchase any FLAIR, but I may just have to do that.  WOMS:  Let us know if you pick-up some decor and how you use it!

I Love My Land's End - Kids Sale Thru Tomorow FYI!

Posted by Ethne~

Well, Friends, Land’s End has been killing it once again!  I think I say this every fall (when I have to buy new stuff for the kids and am usually on the lookout for a piece or two for myself) but they cannot be beaten!  Land’s End quality is outstanding, their style is trending and flattering (unlike the Forever 21 harem pants I saw when I was hunting for skinnies the other day) – and their prices are always great.

I am not being paid for this, I just wanted to tell y’all what I found.

1 – Dresses – I’m looking for a few winter-appropriate dresses.  Maybe for work, maybe for events.  I found two, on sale.  I tried them on and they look great – a $90 dress for $20!!  When I wear them, I’ll put up pictures for you to see.

2 – Work Pants – I like to wear pants to work in the winter.  I live in Minnesota.  It’s a no-brainer.  I’ve read about their Ponte-Knit work pants for ages, but never purchased them as they’re usually in the $50-60 range and so I put them on the ‘next time’ list.  Well, I found a pair on sale for $30 and I was in need of a pair of pants.  Let me tell you that these feel like I’m wearing sweats to work!!  Note: the reviews said they shrink easily, so I called LE Customer Service and they said to wash cold and hang dry and that should avoid this problem.

3 – Necklace – I don’t normally consider Land’s End a jewelry place, though they’ve always had nice accessory jewelry available.  I found a necklace I just had to try, though, so I did, with my birthday money.  I haven’t gotten it yet.

4 – Kid Clothes – Their kids’ clothes aren’t the cheapest, not the most expensive, but I buy a lot of clothes locally and for the girls’ school pictures, I wanted their outfits to be from someplace else besides one of the standard stores I shop at (Target, Children’s Place, Gap Kids, Old Navy) – for ease as much as anything.  I got the girls dresses and since it was the same dress, just different pattern, I was able to take advantage of their buy-2-(or more)-and-get-$3-off-each-dress sale.

These are Land's End dresses and socks the girls wore for their 5th b-days last year; new patterns this year.

5 – Kids’ Outerwear – Land’s End kids outerwear can’t be beaten by a mile.  Dad and Mom Connie got the girls LE Squall Parkas last year and they’ll wear them again this year because the sleeve length extends (genius).  We got the girls their snow boots from LE last year and they were great, waterproof and easy on-off.  They outgrew them, so I had to order new pairs – same style since I know what works!  I also ordered another set of their fleece mittens and hats since I know it’s good quality, not chintzy stuff.  Why am I stocking up on this, you say?

Because through September 17^th at midnight Central time, kids outwear is 25% off with this code and pin # (PLAYFUL; 3120)!!  Those are from my catalog – I don’t know if you can find it online anymore since their website seems to have moved on to another sale.  You’re welcome.

In general, if you spend over $50, you can find a code for free shipping and their customer service is SECOND TO NONE.  (Well, maybe tied with Nordstrom, and Nordstrom does have free shipping all the time, but they also cost a lot more, so I’m giving Land’s End the win on the free shipping.)

Have fun shopping!  I’m always happy to share tips where I find them since it seems like the internet is a snake pit for the unwitting shopper what with restocking fees and return deadlines.  Yowza.

Get a Free Shutterfly Photo Book from Coke Points*!

Posted by Ethne~

Oh boy, do I love my Diet Coke more than ever, my Friends!

I discovered yesterday that if you enter 5 Coke Rewards points (you have to have a Coke Rewards membership which, like any of these things simply involves enrolling via your email address and creating a password – free) and receive a free 8x8 Shutterfly Hardcover Photo Book – but only thru the end of the month of August!

Hurry, that offer expires soon!

*Note: this is not a paid endorsement (I wish!) – I just had to tell you about this great deal I found!

My Monopoly Photo Book is Here!

Posted by Ethne~

I was waiting for my Shutterfly Photo Book to arrive to do this post – I hoped it would be in time for a Friday post, but nope, you get a Saturday post instead.

Remember a few days ago when you got a random Photo Book album from me (here)?  Well, you probably guessed it was done by me since it was all pictures of KD and Easy Mac.  Anyway, I was able to do that directly from Shutterfly (the blog posting) when I ordered that Photo Book.  I just told them what my blog URL is and they posted it just like that – okee-dokey.  (Blogger-hosted blogs only.)

Well, I wanted to wait till the Photo Book came to tell about it.  It was ANOTHER FREE 8x8 Shutterfly album!  Shaun got this one from McDonald’s Monopoly, y’all!  That makes my 4^th free Photo Book using Target catalina coupons, Coke Rewards points and other freebies!

The Photo Books are super easy to make.  You can load pictures from Facebook, Instagram and your computer.

Best of all, while I was waiting for my McDonald’s free album to come in the mail this week, I got a catalina coupon at Target checkout for ANOTHER FREE 8x8 Shutterfly album.  What luck!  I did contact customer service at Shutterfly and asked – they will extend my coupon expiration date since I just made a Photo Book last week.  I might not do that, though, and just make a summer album.

Photo Book + new coupon!

PS – a lot of these coupons say “for first-time Shutterfly account-holders only” or something similar – but try the codes anyway.  I betcha they’ll still work.

WTF (WAY TOO FUN): STORYBOOK LAND!

Posted by Lori~

I am just coming off a week-long vacay and I NEED TO GET CAUGHT UP!  But first, I must show you some photos from our get-away (before our week long get-away) to Aberdeen, SD (the home of STORYBOOK LAND!). WHAT AN AWESOME PLACE!!  

Mur-Man had a BLAST!  He especially LOVED being dressed like Captain America riding a "Captain America" horse on the merry-go-round.  

And the best part--it was MOSTLY FREE!  

IMAGINATION LIBRARY

Posted by Lori~

It arrived!  Mur-Man's first Imagination Library book, and he loves it!

The program recently came to my little city, ND town and we are thrilled.

Dolly Parton's Imagination Library provides free books to children up to age five.  Typically it is run through your local United Way program.  The best part is it is FREE!

I would encourage you to see if this program is offered in your county.  If not, encourage your local United Way to partner with Imagination Library. 

MINI: MCDONALD'S LATTE BETTER THAN A GAS STATION!

Posted by Lori~

Did you know that McDonald's has lattes?  I couldn't believe it, and assumed they would be one-step up from a gas station coffee.  However, they are not!  They are delicious and of course, affordable!  I couldn't believe it!

POOL NOODLE TOOL (STORE-BOUGHT VERSION)

Posted by Lori~

Remember here, where I showed you how to make sturdy boot inserts using pool noodles?  My cost was FREE.  However, you can purchase a pool noodle for $1.00 at your local dollar store.

 

Recently, I was at TJ Maxx and found literally the same thing (I suppose with a cute fabric exterior).  I couldn't believe it!?!

The price-tag was a little more ($7.50 on sale).  WOMS:  you can buy it, or you can make your own!  Maybe it wasn't an invention after-all.  However, my version is MUCH CHEAPER!

 

BIG K CLOSING=SAD (BUT HUGE SAVINGS)!

Posted by Lori~

What if I told you that my girlfriend and WOM-MOM follower Shelley went to Big K (aka K-Mart) in my little city, ND town and spent 34 cents on this:

NOT KIDDING!  K-Mart in my little city, ND town is closing and today was the last day it was open.  This morning it was at 90% off everything and I was there (and I spent just over $20.00 with huge savings).  But by later in the day, it was at 99.9% off.  Shelley's bill was supposed to be over $250.00!  Her total savings were $251.34 and here's the receipt to prove it!

Not good news for the people that lost jobs, but the savings WERE CRAZY!!!!  Better than a garage sale and even better--the items were brand new!
 

PLACEMATS AS FRIDGE LINERS

Posted by Lori~

I am really on a kitchen organization kick.  You can check-out my drawer liner update here, my spice cupboard update here, my kitchen overview here, my new fridge here, and now I am updating the fridge even more with fridge liners.

You can buy fridge liners (AKA fridge coasters) to keep your fridge shelving and drawers clean, however there price tag is pretty high.  Here is an example.  Fridge liners work great because if you have a spill or mess, you pull out the fridge liner and clean it.  Plus it adds a pop of color to your fridge!

However, I have a thriftier option, plastic place mats. Mur-Man and I found these placements for $1.00 each at Dollar Tree.    

I am not a huge fan of the sunflower pattern, however I thought it blended well with my kitchen colors and for $1.00 each--WHY NOT!   Plus, it is mostly covered with food.

Before--kind of a mess and unorganized.

I simply took measurements of the space and cut to fit.

It took 9 placements to complete this project (I purchased 10, so I have one extra).  $9.00--NOT BAD for a simple thrifty project that will keep my fridge clean.

Pretty and organized.