Fall Wardrobe for Bob

I went out shopping to freshen up Bob's work wardrobe today. Found some cool stuff at good prices. Think next week I need to hit the mall for a few things for myself.

Progress...

Found lamps for Olivia's desk and dresser (I know it's really a chest, but I call it a dresser...LOL). The lamp for the dresser is too cute!!

More Shopping

Olivia needs a new mattress & a local furniture store is having a "get what you spend back to spend in the store" sale. The prices were competitive with what you would pay in the area. I thought there would be a huge mark up because of the sale, but there is not. She got a new mattress & boxspring, Bob got a "free" 32 inch LCD TV" (which we planned on getting at some point anyway), and I got an awesome lamp. I would have never, ever bought this lamp without this deal. It was pricey!! :eek:

Believe it or not it was really hard to spend what was left over after the TV. I walked around that place for two hours trying to decided what to get. There wasn't a TV stand I liked that would fit in the space where we will us it. There was a full length mirror Olivia liked, but it didn't take up the whole amount & I couldn't find enough stuff to use the remaining $$ up. I didn't want to leave any "money" on the table, but when I saw this lamp I knew I must have it. It was over what was left, but only by 39.99.

When I was checking out for the "redemption" portion of my purchase, I said something to the lady about how hard it was to spend that money. She said there are people who spend $10,000 and spend a whole day walking around the store to spend the other $10,000. Can you even imagine?

Last Day of "Summer"

Did a little shopping with Olivia to celebrate the last day of summer vacation. We found a great little set of mirrors that will go in her room after the makeover. Reg $24.99 Paid $12.48! This set of mirrors is similar to one we saw while furniture shopping last week. She LOVED that set, and we were planning to get it for her. I asked her which she like better, and the answer was this one we bought! Girl is smart the set we saw last week was $134.99! :) Can we say we saved $122.51? LOL!!

I <3 Target!!

More Shopping

Olivia & I hit a couple furniture stores today! We are looking to update her furniture. We didn't really see anything a the two stores today that wow us that will go with the look she wants for her room. We did find one in a style we like, but it's not available in the finish we are hoping to find. Some online searching turned up something she will probably like, but she is at work so I can't show it to her now. Fingers crossed I have found the bed, tall dresser, desk, and chair she will love!!

School Shopping

I took Olivia school shopping today, and aside from lunch, it didn't cost us one cent! Boy, it's nice to have a teen with a job! ;)

Time to Shop

I'll be logging off in a few minutes to go buy Bob's Anniversary (11 years tomorrow) present. It's so romantic...

Now That's Service!

Yesterday a little after 9AM, I ordered some supplies I need for view camera class. I had an email with tracking information by about 4PM, and had the products in my hands before 2 this afternoon. I will definitely be ordering from Calumet Photographic again!!

Searching

Our family room furniture has seen better days.

We would like to replace it eventually, but would like to hold off for a while. That means the search begins to find slipcovers that will get us through maybe a year or so with this furniture.

I don't want to have to completely redecorate the entire room so that means finding one in our current color scheme in that area of the house. Blue, green, yellow. I'm pretty sure I won't find a shade of green or yellow that would work, but I have seen a blue out there that will. The challenge is going to be finding it in the right fit/style for our pieces.

Wish me luck!!

Dress Hunting Season

It's that time of year once again -- yes, time to find a dress for the Winter Gala. This year's gala is not black tie as it has been the past three years. It is cocktail instead. That doesn't mean much difference for me, but it means no tux for Bob.

I went out today & found one in about an hour. I tried on at least 30 and ended up with the second one I tried on! :D Can't really explain why I tried on so many. I even tried styles I wouldn't normally choose. I guess I was in the mood for torture...lol!!

It's made of matte jersey so not nearly as dressy as previous gala dresses.

Beading detail on straps at neckline.

UGH - photography class certainly has not improved the quality of my dress images...lol!!

She's at it Again

A little over a year ago I introduced you to Shelbi -- jewelry maker extraordinaire! She is at it again at ShopMarigold.etsy.com. I didn't think it was possible, but her pieces are even more stunning this time around.

I've ordered two pieces from her in the last week or so:

• birthday gift arrived and is PERFECT for the person I had in mind.
• Christmas gift I just ordered last night so it hasn't arrived yet, but I know with Shelbi's talent it will be PERFECT for that person as well.
  

If you are looking for a unique gift for someone on your list, you cannot go wrong with a piece from ShopMarigold!

Christmas Comin' Here Early

We're ordering a new computer tonight! A laptop - woohoo!!

C...Hopefully, the mouse doesn't arrive too far ahead of the computer & taunt me with his squeaking...LOL!! Yes, we're ordering your recommendation! :D

One Down...

Quite a few more to go! I began Christmas shopping today. I hope to be done shortly after Thanksgiving this year. We'll see if that actually happens...

My Fall/Winter Fashion

Olivia & I went shopping this afternoon. She had money from her paycheck burning a hole in her pocket (This is what's leftover, as she calls it, after the 50% we require her put into her savings account.) She bought herself some goodies and never once hinted that I should buy it for her. She thought about her purchases a lot longer than she would have had Mommy been paying. She's starting to think of how many hours it takes her to make a certain amount, and realizing it's "real" value.

I also made a few purchases to freshen up my seriously boring fall wardrobe. I picked up this sweater in perfect plum at TJ Maxx for $19.99, this sweater in dark brown (not on website), and this top for under it. A couple more of the fun fall sweaters that are out there, and I will be all set!

Results: This Week's Game

Pick 'n Save
Shelf: $144.75
Paid: $34.32
Saved: $110.43 or 76.2 %

Woodman's
Shelf: $71.84*
Paid: $68.34
Saved: $3.50* or 4.8%

*The Woodman's shelf & saved amounts are not as high as they should be. The amount I listed as saved and included in the shelf price is only what I had in coupons. Because of the way their sale items ring I cannot tell what was on sale and what was not. I didn't write down regular prices so I could figure out my savings, and I am not going to start...LOL! I know I saved, and that I saved even more than when I did needs shopping at Pick 'n Save. On average, I would say regular prices are 10-15% lower at Woodman's than at Pick 'n Save on the items I normally purchase.

If you would like to play "the game", first timers can sign up for a $1 four week trail at thegrocerygame.com. Tell 'em penny-penn at sbcglobal dot net sent ya! :D

I still have to make a trip to Walgreen's or CVS. I haven't decided which one I am going to hit this week, but I think it will be CVS since I have a couple larger ExtraCare Bucks that should be waiting to print.

Back to the List

I don't recall if I mentioned it here or not, but shortly after the only grocery store that had a list available in my area closed I canceled my membership to the Grocery Game. I had more than enough stuff from CVS & Walgreens. I still used the principals of The Game to keep up my stockpile. The two years of requesting a list for my favorite grocery store has finally paid off. This week a list for that store became available! I have rejoined The Game.

I couldn't wait to use my list for the first time in nearly a year. The second I signed up I went though the list, marked the items I wanted to purchase, printed only those, pulled my coupons, and went off to the store. I couldn't find a single thing from that list. The whole time I was in the store I was thinking I am going to have to cancel if my stores sales are completely different the store the list maker uses. I was getting kind of bummed.

Later that evening, I decided I better read the game rules for my store. Apparently, I should have done that before I went to the store because I was a day EARLY! *snicker* On the bright side, my list is ready to go. I won't shop that list until the last day of the sale because it is double coupon day.

Guess I shouldn't have been so excited about getting back to the list & read the rules before running to the store! OOPS -- hehehe!

Shoe Shopping

It's been a long time since I went shoe shopping when I wasn't looking for something for a specific occasion. But yesterday that kind of changed. I did need new everyday shoes. The only time I wear tennis shoes is when I work out. They just aren't me, but I do like comfortable shoes for everyday wear. The ones I have been wearing recently just weren't comfortable any more and the leather was beginning to crack. So I bit the bullet headed into Shoe Carnival and found the perfect pair. Of course with the buy one get one 50% off, I had to find a second pair. So that was my just for fun pair. I love them and this trip has rekindled my love for life size shoes. :) I think I am going back to Shoe Carnival today.

Oh, this could get ugly...LOL!!

My New Baby

My Razr has seen better days and it was time for my upgrade so I ordered this baby today. She should arrive sometime Tuesday!

The Dress

Here is the best shot I could get of the dress. The true color is so hard to capture which must be why I cannot find it online.

The shot on the left is pretty close to capturing the true color that the black overlay gives to the overall dress color. On the right is the color of the satin. Pretty close to one of those hot 80s colors, isn't it?

My Oh My

Where has this week gone? I can't believe Thursday is about over already. It was a busy week with a lot of running. Not the kind of running (on the treadmill) I should be doing, but running none the less.

Next Saturday is our annual black tie gala. I was out shopping for a dress yesterday and am happy to say I found one relatively quickly. As usual, I can't find a picture of it online, but will take one to share. Because of the coloring it is really hard to photograph and get it to look like real life. I took a picture earlier & I looks like it is just a blueish green or greenish blue satin dress. When in reality, it is turquoise satin with sheer black over it which makes it look awesome. The color underneath I would never wear alone. It is so 1980s...LOL! I will try to get a better picture for you all to see.