My favorite Things Under $30!!

I've been reading a bunch of blogs lately where the writers have been listing some of their favorite things under thirty dollars.

Not that I'm a girl who jumps on the bandwagon or does the TRENDY things at the appropriate times, but I thought that this would definitely be a fun thing to do!

Follow along for a list of 10 of my FAVES/Gotta Have/Can't live without products! These are great items that I'll guarantee (or I'll owe you a glass of wine) will be a hit to any of your girlfriends for Christmas!

#1 Barefoot Wine

My favorite variety is MOSCATO

This is really good, and really inexpensive. Usually the 750ml bottle is about $7...the bigger bottle, which can be found in my fridge at all times is about $14!!

#2) Lolita Wine Glasses

These are the cutest glasses EVER!!

There are tons of different designs for every occasion and event!

Glasses are usually between $20-$30 depending on what store you buy them from

There are pilsner glasses for you non-wine drinkers, Martini glasses, candles, ornaments, and the line always seems to be growing!

This is one of my current favorites called GIRL POWER

(source)

How cute are these for gifts??
Some of my current OMG names are:
"Trophy Husband"
"Always a Bridesmaid"
"Tie one On"

And,"Better than a Sweater"

#3) Hot Buttered Rum Candle

From Bath and Body Works

3 wick $19.50

They are currently on sale and there are coupons available via email/with purchase in the store to get these for an amazing price.

This smell is incredible!! My entire house smelled like baking and butterscotch after burning for only 1/2 hour.  I need to stock up on these since they are a seasonable product!

#4) Starbucks Caramel Brulée Frappuccino

A little sweet..a little salty...a little caffeine...a little coffee..a little piece of heaven!!

JUST TRY IT!!

#5) Ballet Flats

I hate shoes. I would much rather wear flip flops or go barefoot 365 then have to try on shoes. It bothers me that affordable stylish shoes are either uncomfortable, or cheaply made, or fit one day and not the next, or smell if you wear them everyday for a month because they match everything and you have such anxiety about going to the store to buy more shoes and try them on and get frustrated because they don't have your size, or are not on sale that you just end up wearing stinky shoes until you can't stand them anymore and are forced to buy a new pair <------ shoe rant

ANYWAY,  I love BALLET FLATS!!

I buy them in every color when I find a style and price that I like.

And Target never disappoints me!

These are in my current Rotation, and were all under $30

I wear these flat with skirts, dress pants, jeans, to work, church, craft shoes, etc. They are very versatile and comfy! WIN!

#6) Clinique Moisture Surge Tinted Moisturizer SPF15

I am one of those girls that loves the way that make-up looks when it doesn't look like you are wearing make-up.

I have "parched" fair skin with hints of natural blushing, well that's what the Clinique lady said! My skin is a little dry, because I don't drink nearly enough, yes mom, I know 8 glasses of water a day! 

So I was looking for a foundation to even out my skin tones, yet give me a little bit of color, and this product is AMAZING!! It's $24.50/bottle, but well worth it!

#7) Pampered Chef Mini Serving Spatula

$5.50

I use this for brownies, meatloaf, pie, cakes, it's a great piece- if you don't have one, you really should!

#8) Cinnamon Sugar Butter

THREE WORDS IN THE NAME say it all!!

Land O Lakes

YUMMMMMMMMMMMMMM

#9) Maybelline BABY Lips

"No more Basic Lip Balm"

Makes my lips feel "kissable" and sooo soft!!!

It's available in lots of tints/flavors.

I currently use QUENCHED.

#10) Favorite Scoopneck T 

From The GAP

$14.95

I wear these t shirts all year! Even to bed because they are sooo incredibly comfy!

That concludes my list of my 10 Favorite things under $30!

I hope you take my advice and check out a few of them!!

Don't forget to leave a comment on my GIVEAWAY for a handmade piece of jewelry from Jess' Handmade Jewelry

Ang

Linking to http://www.thenester.com/2011/11/favorite-thiiiiiinnnnnnngs-and-a-linky.html

Bella Bella Bella

There is a store, about thirty minutes from my house that I have been wanting to visit for over six months.

It just has never been convenient, since they are closed when I  get home from work, and the weekends have been crazy with the holidays, and events. So this weekend, was a perfect time to visit.

The store is called Belle Patri, which translates to "Beautiful home" They sell new, antique, refurbished, and consignment furniture and accessories. They also sell home furnishings that were used in model homes and staged condos.

I love this store, and it is one of my new "must visit WEEKLY once a month" places.

They have the most adorable "gift items" for hostesses, and girlfriends, and neighbors, and I loved all of the home decor accessories. I was talking with the ladies that work at Belle Patri, and they said that they are very particular about the consigned pieces that they accept, and that a lot of the large furniture pieces are treasures that the owner has collected, refinished, and finds on her own.

We fell in love with this little desk and chair, and it is now a new fixture in our kitchen!

We paid a fair price, not a Goodwill price, but not an antique price. It was $81 for both pieces.

What do you think?

Here is a sample of some of the current inventory in the store...be prepared to drool!!

Ohh Ahhhh....can't wait to go visit Belle Patri again!

Treasure Hunting

Yay Saturday!! And there were no Birthday parties, holiday celebrations, weddings, sporting events, or appointments. I had absolutely nothing planned for today! Wow! Maybe I should have clean the house...or maybe not!

Sounded like a great day to visit the Goodwill. It's been two weeks since my last visit. and I was Hopeing I didn't miss any treasures!!

My first spotted treasure was this caserole dish with it's lid.

It's not something that I would typically pick up, as I'm not crazy about the off-white color and orange flower combination, but I know that this is called Autumn Leaf. And, I know that the gold that lines the rim of the dish and lid, is real gold. And, I know that it is a highly collectible Antique piece.

I know this because my mother in law spent many many years and many many dollars collecting Autumn leaf.

She would be very proud of my find. (She must have been looking out for me in spirit!)

It is a really great piece, in excellent condition. and, honestly, I think that this was mistakenly put on the regular shelf, as it would have gotton at least $60 in an antique store or if it was inthe auction case.

But, I only paid $6!!

Next, I saw this sewing table. I really liked the lines,and knew that it would/could be a great accent piece, but I didn't buy it, it was marked for $30 and I think that it's too much for Goodwill to charge.

I love globes, and this beauty was sitting on the floor, calling out for me to buy him for $4.50!! It's old, but I don't know how to tell the age of a globe other then by looking to see which countries are missing or called other names.

And, I HAD to buy these kids chairs. They are painted baby blue, but they will be a future project, which will be sanded down and I will custom paint them, and gift them to two very lucky little friends of mine. Not bad for $5 each!

Scott got two vinyl records, for $1 each, and he bought 2 brand new 12 cup muffin

tins for $4 each.

Before we left, I spotted this lamp. (I didn't buy it, but had to take a picture to show my mother) I had this exact lamp in my nursery when I was a baby. The clown should have been holding a bunch of balloons, which were missing but it was identical other then that!! And, it was in great shape.

All in All, it was not a bad day at the Goodwill!!

Coupons are worth Clipping!

Why in the world have I not been using coupons??!!

Go ahead say it, in your best Homer Simpson voice,

DOH!

I mean, I use the free item coupon with purchase from Bath and Body Works, and I use the 20% off coupons for Macy's, and the 15% off coupons for The Children's Place, and I use the $5 off coupons for Bed Bath and Beyond, but why have I not been using coupons for regular Everyday purchases?

I have found sooo many money saving techniques, and rituals out there in Blog land, and I'm going to share a couple of tips with you...

Target and BJ's

Did you know that Target and BJ's issue their own coupons to be used in their stores?

If you have not joined their mailing lists, get on them!! Both stores mail coupon booklets to customers, but Target also has printable coupons on their website. Some of the Printable Target coupons are Target use only, but some are Manufacturer's coupons that you can use anywhere.

Also, both of these stores accept Store issued coupons
in addition to Manufacturer's coupons for the same item.

For example,

Glade room spray $1.99

In the Sunday paper, there may be a coupon for:

$1.00 off of Glade Room Spray

Target's website may have a  Target coupon for  $.75 off the same item

you can use BOTH coupons, making your cost $.24

Also,

For store coupons, many times, there is no size requirement,
so travel size products can be purchased for free.

Last week I printed a coupon from Target for $2.00 off a "Target Brand" cold/headache relief product.

The 24 count Target Brand Ibuprofen was only $1.97....my cost ZERO FREE NADA  

And, I had a coupon for $1.50 off of Target brand mouthwash.
The small bottle was $1.49

Yet, another FREE product!!!

 And, did you know that coupons can be used on CLEARANCE items???

Always check the end caps at Target, you can get expensive products for pennies when using coupons.

(Esp. on make up/skin care/hair care items)

I also didn't understand the whole DOUBLE COUPON thing at the local grocery stores.

Grocery stores will double the amount off on a manufacturer's coupon, usually up to a $1.00 discount

For example, this is the policy for the store that I frequent:

Weis coupon policy as per email from Customer Service 12/09.

• Weis will double 4 like coupons per order.
• Coupons are doubled up to $.50 (amount doubled may vary from store to store depending on local competition)
• Coupons that are $.50 to $.99 will be redeemed for $1.00.
• Coupons over $1.00 are at face value.
• Internet coupons are accepted.
• Free Internet coupons are not accepted.
• Internet Coupons over $5.00 will not be accepted.

Here are a few great sources for coupon offers:

Living Rich with Coupons

Mamas On a Dime

For the Mommas