shopping at the end of the season and a little good will

yesterday i hit the megaload at lands end in sears and gymboree. lands end was having an unbeatable sale. 70% off kids clearance plus an additional 25% off of the 70%. they were giving stuff away. i was able to pick up a few essential pieces for school uniforms next year but while i was parusing the racks i noticed they had tons of a particular size that a friend's little girl wears. i called her up and bought all the cuteness that i could find. i did not pay over $6 dollars for the most expensive item. most of the items were between $3-4. that is better than consignment. i want to encourage you to do this for you friends. it was save them tons of money and who knows, maybe the favor will someday be returned. my sweet friend has already helped me out in the saving money adventure. she always includes me in her discount at a local department store.

gymboree is having there fill a bag sale, except you really don't have to fill the bag. everything is 30% off. plus if you are a member of gymboree rewards you should have a 20% off coupon you can combine with the 30% off. i bought white uniform shirts for the kids yesterday for $2.99. CAN'T BEAT THAT! there are all kinds of end of the season sales right now. if you can get out and buy a few things for next season you will be so glad you did. always buy on the bigger side. they will eventually grow into it:)

UPDATE: both of the above deals are available online. great savings if you shop the clearance section!!! the in-store deals are obviously a little cheaper because they mark things down quicker, but there are still some awesome deals online and more selection.

~type to you soon~

findings on love

lately i have been thinking that i might not be expressing love to me children as often as i should. of course they are hugged, snuggled, affirmed, and doted on but i go through each day shuffling them to this place and that and i often find that we are just surviving. i have to make loving my children intentional. loving them in such a way that they know and feel loved. of course all children respond to love and require love in different forms, but my goal for the next few weeks is to share with them some of the unique attributes that make them such lovely creatures. here are their love notes from today. if you want to read more on this topic THIS is a wonderful book. i would highly recommend it.

DON'T FORGET TO ENTER THE TERVIS TUMBLER GIVEAWAY...

THIS IS NO ORDINARY CUP

~type to you soon~

peppermint mini cakes

made these for some friends last weekend

they were a hit...and i can't take any credit...

totally from a box...but all natural so we're calling it healthy:)

these came from world market...remember that christmas savings trip i took last month...

we will be enjoying that trip for several months to come with all the goodies that we scored

~type to you soon~

st. nicks wheel

found this little bugger today under the christmas tree after all the ornaments were put away in boxes, put into the plastic tubs, and stacked ready for storage. needless to say i was not going to pull all of the ornaments back out to see who was missing this. i could tell it was from the hallmark series of ornaments mr. dc buys for me each year so i labeled it as best as i could with directions for next year and put it in the christmas bin that was easiest to get to.

i do this a lot when i need to remember to do something with a "spare part". plastic baggies are a great organizational tool. not so green, but they do the trick when i need to remember something long term and i need to keep something small to go with the memory. hope this helps all of you who can't remember things from year to year. shucks...i can't remember things hour to hour:)

~type to you soon~

kitchen light

we have had these pendant lights for over a year and finally wrapped our brains around the right application for them (after a trip to our local pottery barn) ...the dilemma has always been that one of the lights was going to need to drop right out of the middle of the skylight, which was really not an option.
the ladder (that was free) is a perfect solution for function and a little touch of detail. have a wonderful day.

~type to you soon~

some good finds

photo credit: guerrillahealthwatch

so the more that i venture into this financially aware, environmentally friendly, health conscience way of life, the more information that i learn and wish that i knew earlier.

today after talking with one of my neighbor friends i learned of two new resources and one old one that went to try today. the first is a local cheese and butter distributor that ships to your house and offers incredible products at very reasonable prices. here is the web address. i have heard the butter is absolutely FAB-U-LOUS. i ordered from simply cheese (the above company) today. i am going to try the salted butter, the cracker sampler, and the pepper cheese. i will let you know soon.

this sweet neighbor that told me about simply cheese also shared with me about a local farm that she is going to be a drop point for. on weds. afternoons the farm will deliver fresh eggs, milk, meat products, some seasonal vegetables and fruits might also be available. you can receive a weekly email that will tell you what you can get each week if you are interested. all of this will be delivered to her house and you can pick up right there. if you are interested shoot me and email and i will give you more information. the beef is organic grass fed beef and very reasonable. they will also have lunch meat and hot dogs very soon.

lastly i went to a produce co-op that i have been intending to visit for over a year. i got a large cardboard box full of produce that was really fresh for $16.50. I would have spent well over $50 if i had bought this at the store sale price. i will be happy to email you info on this too if you are local and interested.

here is what i am learning. there are resources, places to eat organic and healthy for cheap. as cheap as i can feed my family using conventional foods from the grocery. the grocery and drug stores are still excellent resources for stockpiling shelf items and household goods but if i can support local organic farmers and feed my family the best stuff available...why not. let me know if you would like these resources or need help finding some local ones where you are.

~type to you soon~

$18

i have big plans for this little number, i'll show you later

here are the deals of the day

~type to you soon~

a raincoat, purse, and sandals

$4.97 j c penny's (girls department) size 5. it will fit if you wear a 7 or 7.5...trust me

aren't they darling

original price $36.00

$4.97 j c penny's

original price $29
$9.99 land end shop (sears in lexington)
suede hobo bag that is still retailing online for $69.50

$9.99 lands end shop

still retailing online $79.99
original price $119.00

unbelievable

the above items totaled $30.00 plus tax...and they are all new...

no thrifting today...no need at these prices

~type to you soon~

todays finds

these were $1.50 each...a steal considering they were $5 a piece at the estate sale i was at earlier today. i don't know if you can tell but the one on the right has a purplish tone to it. it is really pretty.

always love these for extra storage bins.

this little beauty will be on ebay to pay for the purchases at the yard sale. it is southern living and i paid $3 for the hanging basket and the door hanger.

these are all yard sale finds. hit a random one today after leaving an estate sale. found nothing at the estate sale, found lots at the yard sale. did you find anything today?

~type to you soon~