Save big for kids!

I had a great response from my last post, so I thought I would take it a step further and show you the huge deal I got on kids items this week.
Some of you know I work with a local children's consignment sale that happens twice a year. I shopped this week for my daughter and man, did I rack up!
I got 12 tops, 9 pants, 5 dresses, 3 pairs of PJs, 4 hairbows, 1 pair of shoes, a big wagon, a DVD and a small toy castle. The last 3 items will be put away for Christmas. Many of the items were name brand like Gymboree or Children's Place and one of the dresses was a smocked dress (translation: for Southern girls, these are must have for church and special occasions and can be very pricey!)
How much do you think I paid for all that????
$250?
$200?
$180?
$150?
Nope, nope and nope! I Paid $140 for all 37 items!!!

Outfits for less than $20

If you've visited here before, you probably know I like to save a few bucks. This is a particularly helpful habit since I am now unemployed and living off an allowance from the hubby, but that's a whole 'nother post.
It kills me everytime I see on the Today show or in a magazine, "Get the Look for Less!" and the outfit still cost $250!
"Wow, Brandi, you got that dress for $150?," asks goofy Ann Curry. "My goodness! And those shoes are an absolute steal at $160!"
I don't think so... I realize that is a markdown from the original price tag of $9999, but come one peeps! Who really shops like that? (don't answer that if your answer is "me")
I thought I would show you a few deals from some of my past shopping trips. They may not be the height of fashion or the latest trend, but who wants to look like the Kardashian sisters, anyway?
Necklace- $6 - from Cato's (cheaper women's store, usually next to a Wal-Mart)
Polo shirt- $1 - from a thrift store
New York & Co. capris - $3 from Goodwill
Shoes - $8 - clearance from Belk (Southern department store)
Total- $18

Top - $9 - from Cato's
Old Navy linen skirt - $1 - from thrift store
wooden bangle - $1 - from thrift store
shoes - free- I helped with a yard sale and got to keep these
Total - $11

dress- $7 - clearance at Kmart
Gap monogrammed bag - $1.50 from thrift store
shoes (made in Italy) - $1.50 from thrift store
total - $10

Gap top- $2.25 - from Goodwill
Talbot shorts- $2.25 - from Goodwill
beaded necklace - $1 - from yard sale
Born shoes - $3 - from thrift store
total - $8.50

And the best for last...
top - $2 - clearance from Belk
tank - free - promotional giveaway
Ann Taylor Loft capris - $3 - from Goodwill
shoes - $1 - from Goodwill
purse - $.25 - clearance from Shoe Carnival
total - $6. 25

And these are just complete outfits. I have lots of other tops, bags, shoes, etc. Now, who wants to go shopping?!

This post was brought to you by Writer's Workshop.

Ode to a Cupcake

Ode to a Cupcake

by Shannon

How do I love thee, cupcake? Let me count the ways
You are sweet and delicious, I could eat you everyday

Not too little, not too much, a single-serving size

helps prevent the little dears from collecting on my thighs

I love the sugary goodness, it's taste is like a dream

pile them high with sprinkles, non perils or butter cream

Chocolate, vanilla, red velvet or peanut butter

lemon, white chocolate raspberry and many, many others

375 degrees, they bake up in a snap

just don't think of icing them with that fluffy, whipped topping crap

Mamas like to boogie, too

OK, that was fun so here I am again playing along with Mama Kat's writers workshop. The prompts I chose are "make a list of things you no longer have in common with your single/childless friends" AND "make a list of things you no longer have in common with your married/child bearing friends" and why you love them all anyway.
These both appeal to me because I fit in both categories at times. I was never one of those people whose life revolved around having children, although I have been married since I was fairly young (22) so I can't really identify with the single life.


things I no longer have in common with my single/childless friends...
1. I can't run off to the beach this weekend to see the Cowboy Mouth show because I gotta take care of the kid. I can't do anything spur of the moment or without pre-arranged childcare.
2. Staying home on a Friday and Saturday night is perfectly acceptable.

3. Sure I like to have stylish, attractive clothes, but if I can't find it on sale at Kohl's or in a thrift store, I probably ain't buying it.
So when we DO get a chance together, we always have fun and I enjoy the lack of diaper/nap time/pre-school talk.


things I no longer have in common with my married/child bearing friends...
1. I still enjoy busting a move at the bars/dance clubs. Have you ever seen the movie "The Sweetest Thing" with Cameron Diaz? Those bars scenes are the stuff of my dreams (and a teensy bit my life 15 years ago).
2. Your kid is cute, but once he/she starts to wail and/or has a category 5 in their diaper, I'm out. You can have them back. Right now.
3. Seeing little newborns does not turn me into mush and automatically make me want 3 more.
But I know that you understand where I'm coming from when I say motherhood is hard and you don't judge me (right?).

Happy birthday!

My blue-eyed blonde turns 5 today! Happy Birthday, Savannah!
P.S. While exhausting, the party was a success!