Thrifty Finds–October and November

I haven’t posted much of my thrifting finds lately, because most of it has been Christmas presents for other people that read this blog! :) Chris and I decided that with Olivia coming right after the holidays, we were cutting back on Christmas this year.  We’ve opted out of some gift exchanges and for others we are openly doing thrift-store finds or homemade gifts.  It’s actually been a lot of fun – I like having an excuse to go thrifting!  lol

Anyway, here are some of the things I’ve been picking up lately for myself:

Assorted frames {$4.50 for all 4} for Livi’s nursery – her room is going to be neutral-girly…

My friend Sara found the flower one for me (clearly the print will be going) but honestly I’m not sure if I want to save it for Livi’s room or keep it for myself and make into a memo board for the kitchen!  lol  I’ll have to see… ;)

 

Here’s the pretty girly detail on the two left frames:

 

I popped into T.J. Maxx a month or two ago and found this little “O” {$.79} and pretty thank-you notes for after she is born {$2.50} in the clearance aisle. 

 

Oh how I love those red stickers!  The more the better!  Does anyone else peel to the bottom to see how much they saved off the original price?  Or is that just me?  lol

 

Found these today at the Salvation Army 1/2 price sale {along with the big white frame above}.  Old-school Tupperware cups were 29 cents each, the mini whisk was 25 cents, and the vintage orange cup was a quarter, too.  We had those Tupperware cups for years when I was a kid – anyone else?  They’ve seen better days but if they don’t clean up well I’ll just give them to Luke for his bath.  lol

 

Last night I went to Goodwill and was SOOOO excited to find this old-school Coca-Cola basket!  It’s not wood (that would be amazing) – it’s the thick plastic kind that would have held cups to go through a big dishwasher in a restaurant.  Maybe this one’s former life was at a hotdog stand?  It has about a million layers of dirt on it but that’s nothing a good scrub can’t fix.  It was only $1.99 and I’m so excited to put it in Luke’s room!

 

Nothing too exciting, but Luke will be thrilled with these – 99 cents for all three sheets. 

 

Last but not least, we had a family photo shoot for Christmas cards on Sunday and I used these items as props – the tree was $7 and change on sale at JoAnn’s and the “Merry” cutout is currently $1.50 at Michaels.  Cute, right?! Excited to use these this year in the house. 

 

If only I could get paid to shop at thrift stores and bargain hunt!  A girl can dream! :)

What I’m Loving Wednesday

{1} Electricity! 

In my last post, I mentioned that we were in the midst of Hurricane Sandy here in CT.  Well, about 2 hours after typing that, we did lose power - from Monday to Friday.  The first few days weren’t so horrible, but then the temperatures dropped and I started to get really scared.  We were helped by so many generous friends with generators and made it through the dark week!  As I type this post, “Storm Athena” is swirling around outside but I’m not as scared of it {although honestly I still think we’ll lose power again}. Currently, though, my house is warm and cozy and lit and I am SO thankful for it while it lasts!

So today I’m baking and making sure all our laundry is caught up.  Last year my mom traded me this bread machine for a big basket I was selling at my yard sale.  This thing is literally about 20 years old {we used it when I was a kid} but it still works great!  Today I’m trying a new recipe – Cinnamon Raisin Bread – and I can’t wait to eat it!  Hoping I have power tomorrow so I can have cinnamon raisin toast for breakfast!  Yum. 

 

{2} Deals and Steals

Does anyone else get super excited about Target holiday clearances?  I LOVE them.  Stuff gets to 90% off just because it was branded for the holiday and you can get great deals on stuff if you look beyond the packaging!  I’ve been shopping these sales for years and don’t plan on stopping soon. ;)

For instance, these Butterfinger pumpkins {one of Chris’s faves} were only 10 cents a package, as were the M&M packs – which will be perfect for making pretzel kisses over the holidays.

I also found these items at a different Target for 30 cents each – cute little brown bags, adorable baker’s twine {for holiday wrapping!} and cute apple tissue paper to use for Luke’s teacher gifts.  Love!

 

{3} Apples

I normally like eating apples, but this pregnancy I just can’t get enough of them!  We have a local orchard about 10 minutes from the house and today I stopped into their store to pick up some so we’d have fruit to eat during the storm.  These were some of the last of the Macs they had for the season {my faves!}.  I love them plain or dipped in a little natural peanut butter.  Delish.  There is SUCH a difference in local, fresh fruit as compared to fruit from the supermarket!

 

{4} Paint decision- done!

I finally decided on a paint color for Livi’s room!  The color is called “London Fog” by Benjamin Moore.  It’s the one on the left in that super creepy photo below.  lol  It’s hard to describe – it’s a little beige, a little gray, with almost a faint hint of sparkle and purple mixed in (I sound crazy, I know). 

    

I was inspired to use it after seeing it used on the blog Dear Lillie.  I think it will be perfect for my girl’s neutral room – Chris is going to paint the weekend before Thanksgiving and I can’t wait to get in there and get decorating!! :)

There’s my scatterbrained list for this week!  Even though I’m not loving what happened last night – I really believed that Governor Romney would have been the perfect person to turn our country around fiscally – I’m loving that I serve a great God who is above all!

Have a wonderful rest of your week, everyone!

Linking up with Jamie today!

Thrifted {and Other} Finds

Last weekend, since my sister was home (yay!), the two of us and our mom went shopping on Saturday morning.  We hit up a maternity consignment store (no luck), a Goodwill, and the outlets. 

Since we moved in last year to a smaller house than our PA house, I really try to be careful about what I bring in.  We simply don’t have a ton of storage space and since I don’t want to have my friends anonymously calling TLC to get me on Hoarders, I really try to be careful.  I’ve had 3 yard sales in a little over 14 months and somehow I still find things to get rid of…which is a good thing. :)

Anyway, I don’t yard sale or go thrifting as much because it gets soooo tempting.  But I was super happy with what I found on Saturday!

 

Love this J.Crew belt for wearing this winter around a cardigan and reigning in the belly! lol It was $2.99.

 

This J. Crew sweater-shirt {$3.99} obviously isn’t maternity but it is loose enough that I can totally wear it now and in early fall – it’s a size bigger than I normally buy and it works great.  Love the button detail on the sleeve. 

 

Ironically, I didn’t find a single nice piece at the maternity consignment store but at Goodwill I managed to find a brand-new Liz Lange brown long-sleeved tee for $4.99!  :)

 

I think my heart stopped beating for a second when I saw these mugs.  My friend Becca has them and every time we go to their house for small group I stare at them jealously lovingly.  $3.96 for all four!  They make me so happy! :)

 

I hit the OshGosh outlet about two times a year to scout out stuff for Luke.  With a sale and coupon their clothes are reasonably priced, plus they are such good quality!  I had a coupon this time for 25% off a $40 purchase or more.  I didn’t buy a lot, though, because I am heading to a big kids’ consignment sale in RI at the end of September and I can’t beat those great prices!  So I just bought a few things.  I really try to get most of Luke’s clothes from thrift stores, yard sales, or consignment shops.  But if I ever do buy from a retail store, my goal is no more than $5 for a shirt and $10 for pants.  I met my goal! :)

 

Everything below was $38 after tax (dang CT clothes tax we have now!):

I love, love, love their long-sleeved t-shirts and their athletic pants for boys.  The button-up shirt was on clearance for $6 (plus another 25% off), and right now it’s a contender for the first day of school outfit. :)

You better believe my boy is going to be rockin’ that “I heart Mom” shirt for Valentine’s Day at school. ;)

 

I had a fun day of shopping that didn’t break the bank! And it was fun to spend time with my sissy while she’s here visiting.  Have a great weekend, everyone!

Linked to:

Thrifty Treasures @ Southern Hospitality

Why You Should Sign up for Recyclebank

Have you heard of Recyclebank yet?  It’s a new (to me) site where you enter points and then redeem the points for dozens and dozens of different items.  You can earn the points a variety of ways – sometimes there will be short movies or quizzes you can do on the site, or you can enter codes from products you buy. 

The reason I am LOVING it is that the points are high-value, and the rewards are low value.  I’ve been entering my points at Pampers ever since Luke was born, and a big package of diapers might only get you 60 points….and a magazine subscription can need upwards of 1200 points.   (Not knocking the Gifts to Grow program…I’ve gotten a lot of Starbucks gift cards that way!  I’m just saying that it takes a lot longer.)

But on Recyclebank?  So many of the rewards are super low in point requirements.  For instance, just this week I got a magazine subscription to Better Homes and Gardens (115 points), and with just a few more points I can earn one for Martha Stewart Living (230 points)!  Magazines are such a splurge for me – I love to read and I love getting something happy in the mail, don’t you?  I currently get 4 magazines in the mail that I didn’t have to pay for, thanks to deal sites, and now I’ll be getting two more!  Hooray!

I’ve tried different survey sites before, and I can’t stand when you take 10 minutes to do a survey, only to find out you’re “not qualified” for the “real” one.  Ahhhh!! Drives me bonkers.  Recyclebank is easy.  There’s no qualification or long, lengthy surveys.  The videos might be 2-3 minutes long, at most, and several give you 25 points.  A survey is likely to be one question long, and give you 5 points or more. 

The way I’ve been getting lots of points is by redeeming the 50-point codes on the inside of my Kashi organic cereal boxes.  (So are you doing the math?  That’s less than 3 boxes of cereal to get a free year-long subscription – and that’s if I ONLY entered cereal box codes and did nothing else.) 

Seriously guys, it’s so easy!  Give it a try! :)  I’d love it if you could would sign up via my my personal referral link.  I get 10 points for every person that signs up under me.  Then you can share it with your friends and start getting points yourself! 

 

Now go get those free magazines! :)

 

P.S. Do you subscribe to Money Saving Mom?  She often lists on her site when new videos are available to watch on Recyclebank so you don’t have to constantly check the site. 

Deals at CVS & Big Y {Week of 11/6/11}–for Thanksgiving and Operation Christmas Child boxes!

Hey guys!  Just wanted to pop on here and share a few deals I found this week that might interest some of you.  With Thanksgiving coming up (and at my house this year!!), plus, the deadline for Operation Christmas Child boxes arriving soon, I am on above-average deal alert over here! 

{I realize that Big Y won’t apply to some of you, but I wanted to post it here for the sake of my fellow New England girls.}

- Ivory 3-packs of soap (plain or aloe) are 99 cents this week at Big Y, as are 2-packs of Irish Springs at CVS.  These are great to put in your shoeboxes!  Just be sure to place inside a plastic sandwich baggie (per box instructions).  It’s also a kind gesture to include a fluffy washcloth, since it would be really sad if the child receiving your soap didn’t have a washcloth to go with it!

 

- You know from my Fridge and Freezer Vlog that I usually buy the Francesco Rinaldi “To Be” brand of spaghetti sauce.  It is on sale this week, 2/$3 at Big Y.  There was a 35 cents off coupon in this Sunday’s paper, plus you can print out two additional 35 cent coupons by following this link, courtesy of For the Mommas.  The coupons will all double, making the sauce only 80 cents a jar  - an AWESOME stock-up price! 

- Canned veggies this week are 2/$1 at CVS, and Ocean Spray cranberry sauce is $1!  This is great for making things like green bean casserole at Thanksgiving (yes, clean eating goes out the window when you’re hosting traditional Thanksgiving for your family! lol)

 

- Also at CVS this week is a GREAT deal on Hallmark cards: Buy any 3 cards (excluding boxed sets), get $3 Extra Care Bucks back.  The great thing?  This deal works on 99 cent cards!  So you can spend $2.97 on cards and then get $3 back to spend in-store!  I have lots of nieces and nephews, plus plenty of other relatives to buy birthday cards for…I always stock up on cards throughout the year!

 

-  And if you are still in the diaper stage like we are, you can roll those $3 ECB from the cards into a good deal on diapers this week, as well.  Boxes of Pampers diapers are $19.99 and are giving back $4 ECB.  There was also a $2/1 box of Pampers diapers coupon in last week’s paper, if you still have that.  So combine your $3 ECB from the card deal, plus your $2 coupon, and you’re spending $14.99 for a box of diapers, plus you have $4 left to spend in the store!  (Also, CVS has a promotion now where if you buy 6 packages of diapers, the 7th is free – and the boxes count as TWO packages.  That free coupon really helped me out a few weeks ago when we didn’t have any more money in our grocery budget and we were out of diapers!  Good timing, CVS. :)

-  Oh, and lastly I wanted to share that the “One Pie” brand of pumpkin is on sale for 2/$3 at Big Y.  (Libby’s is supposed to be on sale at CVS for the same price but my store didn’t have any pumpkin in stock at all).  This is a great price on pumpkin – I’m stocking up so that we can enjoy pumpkin waffles and pancakes all year. 

Anyone else found some awesome deals for upcoming events?  I’m all ears!

Deals and Steals this Weekend!

Hey guys, I thought I would alert my fellow deal-lovers to some good ones I found this weekend:

Gap Outlet:

Currently offering 30% off all clearance items – I was there the other day and got some GREAT deals; I’m actually considering going back this weekend to stock up on clothes for Luke for the summer!  For instance, I got this precious lunchbox for Luke for $.69!  SIXTY-NINE CENTS, PEOPLE!

    

I got some super-cute sweaters, and a long-sleeve tee that came out to $2.99.  That’s a definite stock-up price for me!

J.Crew Outlet:

J.Crew outlet is also offering an additional 30% off clearance items.  J. Crew is obviously pricy, but I have found some fabulous deals over the years by shopping the clearance section at the outlet stores.  Their clothes, like Gap items, are timeless and classic and so well-made that they last me for years.

This adorable elephant necklace was only $9.97 (plus 30% off!!) in the store the other day, and I’ve been thinking about it all week.  Elephants are my favorite animal (is it okay to be in my twenties and still say that?!  lol) and I think I’m gonna have to go back and get it. ;)

Old Navy {regular stores}:

My mom got an e-mail from them stating that currently all clearance items are an additional 40% over the weekend  – I’m thinking about heading out tonight to check out the deals but it’s cold out so we’ll see what part of me wins out in the end. ;)

Gap {regular stores}:

Here is a 40% off printable coupon (good through tomorrow only) off your entire in-store purchase.  I usually don’t stop at the regular Gap b/c it’s too pricy, but something might catch your eye! 

Target:

Currently 75% off a ton of toys in my local store.  I picked up a clearance V-tech toy for a friend’s son (February birthday), and some of those interlocking floor mat squares for Luke for only $3.75 (I couldn’t find a picture online, but they’re the soft kind you see in a playroom). 

You could totally stock up on Christmas for next year!  Unfortunately, my nieces and nephews pretty much already had every toy that I saw.  lol

 

Hopefully this will help some of you out!  Happy shopping! 

Thrifty Shopping - Just for Me :)

Normally, when I have money to burn (ha! yeah right!), I spend it on stuff for my house. I know what I like, it’s easy, it’s cheap, and I don’t have to try it on. (I swear, there is NO brand of clothing out there made for my body type. Ugh! Moving on….)

Anyway, I have been able to purchase a few fun items lately just for me, not for my house, and I thought I’d share them with you!

Lovely by Sarah Jessica Parker, from my friend Kathy’s yard sale - $1. I am so glad she didn’t like the scent, because I think it smells awesome!

I actually purchased this a year or two ago but it was before I had a blog. An Ann Taylor leather bag in beautiful condition for $2!

I used to use this as my school bag when I was a teacher, but I decided that I’m going to use it as my diaper bag this fall. My current diaper bag is verrrry large (you’re probably laughing right now if you know me in person!), and while it was great for carting around bottles and cans of formula, that’s not necessary anymore. The thin “belt” dates it a little, but I’m going to use it again this fall and probably one more season after that.

Also an old purchase, but one of my favorites from last year: simple gold Lia Sophia hoops from the flea market – only $1. I love the subtle detailing and the fact that they’re a tarnished/softened gold – not bright yellow.

Cute woven top from Old Navy - $5.99 at the consignment shop

GORGEOUS Bandolino leather and suede flats - $6.40 on sale (also from that shop). I am totally, completely in love with these shoes. I can’t even tell you how many times a day I look at them. I may have a problem.

A Hato Hasi quilted purple purse, on clearance for $2 at a different shop. Anyone else ever heard of this brand? I never have. I just love the plum color (it looks deeper in person than in the picture) and the fact that it’s a change from my two standard black and brown winter purses.

So there you have it! A peek into some of my thrifted fall wardrobe and accessory items: about $20 for two bags, earrings, perfume, shoes, and a shirt. Has anyone else found some great fall clothing items lately?

Linked to:

Today’s Thrifty Treasures @ Southern Hospitality
Thrifty Thursday @ Tales from Bloggeritaville

Thrifty Finds: Target, VOA, and Yard Sales

Just wanted to show you all some of the fun things I’ve found recently!

Target:

You might remember that I’ve been moving all my dishes from black to white, and I’ve been trying to wait patiently for good deals on them.

Well, Target (God bless Target!) had these beautiful, heavy-duty white porcelain dishes for 75% off last week so you better believe I snatched them right up!

I got 7 big plates for $1.25 each and 4 salad plates for $.98 each. I would have gotten 8 big ones but that’s all they had and I only needed 4 small because I already had 4 Crate and Barrel white porcelain salad plates that I got last year on Black Friday at Goodwill for $.40 each! (Wow, that was a run-on.) I will be stalking the clearance aisle to see if one more big plate shows up – if not, I will *gasp* pay retail for it. :)

I love that porcelain doesn’t scratch, like stoneware, and that white goes with every holiday, tablecloth, napkin, you name it!

Volunteers of America:

I still go with Lindsay to the monthly 50% off sale at VOA. Last month I found this cute little greenhouse/dome thingy for $.60. (Tag on the bottom says Jo Ann’s for $19.99.) I put moss in the bottom and added it to my summer mantle (which you will see either this week or next):

I also found a cute reversible Gymboree hat for Luke for $1. I would like to add that the hat is a size 2T-5T. And it’s snug. On my 10 month old. Sometimes I think it really was a good thing that my baby didn’t come the regular way. ;)

I found a cute pair of Gap crops for $3 and this breezy white shirt for $.50 that I picked up to wear to the beach.

Little did I realize when I brought it home that other shirts by this designer, James Perse, sell for $65-135! Score! :)

Thrifted Finds:

A few weeks ago Lindsay and I had a yard sale at my house. My neighbor had a yard sale with her friends, as well, and I purchased this table from one of the women. I originally thought it was just a cool piece of art on a stand, but it’s actually a folding table and the date on the back reads Nov. 29, 1939. It’s unlike anything in my house but for $5 I had to have it!

Our local Christian radio station had a yard sale yesterday morning. I got this tray table (top is removable) for $2 (apparently I have a thing for tray tables?!):

(I’m thinking about spray painting it a fun summery color but I can’t decide yet.)

I also picked up a pair of Steve Madden sunglasses, $.50, and this set of weather-resistant mini Chinese lanterns for $1 that came with lights included. I think they will be perfect for Luke’s party!

And there you have it! :)

Linking to:

Today’s Thrifty Treasures @ Southern Hospitality
Thrifty Thursday @ Tales from Bloggeritaville
Frugalicious Friday @ Finding Fabulous
Garage Salen’ Partay @ Debbie Doo’s

Fun Finds, Sponsor News, and A Look Ahead

How's that for a post title? I wanted to show some fun bargain finds I've found while out and about recently - stay tuned to the end for some big announcements!

Last night I got to go out - by myself - shopping for a few hours. (Side note: I am so used to lugging around Luke, his diaper bag, and accessories that last night I sat in my car in the driveway before I left, convinced that I must have left something behind because it was just me and my purse. Ha!)

{It's raining here today and there's no light so these pictures are very dark!}

I stopped into Michael's because I wanted to purchase an item with my 40% off coupon (that will appear in a post later), but I found this frame for $1.50 in the clearance bin:

It was 75% off b/c there's no leaning-thing (what is that called, anyway?) to hold it up, but I don't care - I'll lean it against a wall or a shelf anyway.

The dollar bins were 50% off, so I found this cute little frame (that will be spray-painted black or white):

and a retro-feel menu planner (hopefully having something so cute will kick my butt into gear to menu plan again!)

At T.J. Maxx, I was shopping for my niece's 3rd birthday party on Saturday. Our budget is about $15 for each niece/nephew (that might sound like we're cheapskates, but there's 7 of them and they're all well endowed with toys, anyway!). It always takes a little more time to shop for a gift that fits the budget, but oh-mylanta did I have fun looking through all of the girly clothes there. I could have spent a small fortune last night buying my girly niece all sorts of frilly dresses and tutus, but I restrained myself!

I wish with all my heart that I will get a girly-girl like her someday, but I have this sinking feeling that God will give me a tomboy and I will not have a clue about what to do with her! haha I found her this cute little pajama set (my SIL said she likes to have a new pair of pjs every night) and a bathing suit for this summer (I have witnessed this girl change bathing suits 4 times in one afternoon!).

Two bags of candy brings her gift to $15.50 - good enough for me! :)

The other reason I was at T.J. Maxx was to use a Christmas gift card from my MIL. She had bought me a sweater that didn't fit, and when I returned it I couldn't find a similar one anywhere. I was walking through the shoe section, when there before my very eyes was something I never knew that I always wanted:

.......lepoard-print wellies!

Ahhhhhh! I am in love with them! Chris just rolled his eyes at me and tried not to laugh when I brought them home, but I know that deep down he loves them too (yeah, right!). If only I was 5 years old and could wear them with any outfit and no one would judge me....... ha!

I also have to share my Rite-Aid stop last night: two items of Cover Girl makeup, totally free! No tax, nada, zip! Thanks to For the Mommas, I discovered that Rite Aid will give you two items free if you have a BOGO coupon coupled with a BOGO sale. {Coupon is in the 2/7 P&G insert - "Buy one Cover Girl face product, get one free." (I printed out the Rite Aid coupon policy, just in case there was a problem, but I didn't have to show anyone, thank goodness!).

I was totally sweating bullets when I went in there, but it went off without a hitch! Whoo hoo!

Cover Girl is my new favorite face makeup - their sensitive skin line is awesome! Perfect coverage, not too thick or thin, and their "Medium Light" shade is exactly my skin color - when does that ever happen?!

Well, those are some of my fun finds, now on to two announcements:

1. Amy's Facebook status recently said:

"There are lots of great Tupperware products that are being discontinued and not in the new catalog. This is the last week to order some of your favorites! Get the Heat N Serve to make a quick soda cake, or the spill-proof 16 oz tumblers! Get them now before it's too late!"

Here's a link to her actual Tupperware page in case you want to buy anything!

2. Soon (like hopefully within a week), I'm going to be showcasing another sponsor - my friend Darlene is a scrapbook distributor and she has lots of great stuff! She will be hosting a giveaway where you have a chance to win one of three great prizes - you'll get to pick! Even if you've admitted that you're not a real scrapbooker, like me, you will love the paper kits she's picked out for you (gorgeous designs and colors!). I'm so excited for you guys!

And last but not least.....

I'm in the progress of starting a blog party of my very own - think a place to showcase all sorts of bargain finds...I hope to get the party started in a few weeks so please stay tuned - I hope you'll join me, because it's going to be a blast!

Whew! You made it to the bottom, congratulations! :)

Happy weekend!

This post linked to Super Savings Saturday at Money Saving Mom.