
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
Thursday, February 5, 2009
Part 2 - CVS Shopping week of Feb. 1
I went to the CVS close to my house to see if they had the L'oreal cleansing wipes. I was going to buy the $30 Bayer monitor w/the $30 Bayer coupon to push me over the $50 mark to use my $10 off $50 CVS coupon, but the register wouldn't take it. It keep saying "coupon exceeds limit", the manager tried to adjust the value and it still wouldn't take it! So I had to take it off if it wouldn't take my coupon. Then....I gave the cashier an extra ECB which put me negative and had to pick something quick and bought gum. After I got home I realized I had a coupon for gum, but whatever, it probably would have make me negative again. FINALLY...I forgot to give the cashier my $1 off Glade CRT which would have made the Glade Lasting Impressions Fan w/2 refill pk free.
If I go back and tell them what happened, they'll give me the $1 back right? I'll be at CVS again before the end of the week anyway, so its not like I'm driving back just for the $1, right? LOL.
Anyway....this is how it should have rolled out...
$17.97/3 Loreal Cleansers
$6.99/1 Glade Lasting impressions Plug In+2 refills
=$24.96 - $5 Loreal Coupons - $4 Glade coupons - $1 Glade CRT= $14.96 -$14.99ECBs=
-$0.03+$0.62 tax = $0.59 OOP
Received $22 ECB ($20 ECB for Loreal (bought 1 cleanser earlier today), $2 ECB for Glade)
Instead...I handed over an extra $2.49 in ECB and forgot to hand over $1 Glade CRT. AND bought a pack of gum for to make the total positive.
GRRR!
CVS Shopping Week of Feb. 1st
I think keeping track of my transactions on my blog will be pretty fun as I've pretty much bored my hubby to death with all the deals I talk about. I am so glad there are other ladies out there that I can share with that get as excited as I do shopping CVS (hubby will appreciate it too, lol). I'm linking my posts with Money Saving Mom and Centsible Sawyer as thats were I get to see everyone's deals posted.
I skipped the Glade deal this week as the 4 for $10 deal isn't going on in my area. At 4 for $12, it's not that great of a deal for me.
Here's what I got during lunch today:
$1.50/1 - Mr. GoodBar Chocolate Bar (for my co-worker who I dragged along)
$5.00/2 - Colgate Toothpaste
$2.00/2 - Softsoap
$4.99/1 - Bounty Basic 8pk
$5.99/1 - L'oreal Wipes (I could only find one)
$15.98/2 - Earinse (FREE after ECB)
$3.98/2 - CVS Beauty Cotton Balls (FREE after coupons and ECB)
$1.99/1 - CVS Chewable Aspirin (FREE after ECB)
$3.99/1 - Bodiheat pads 3pk (FREE after coupon and ECB)
$4.99/1 - Instant Energy 2pk (FREE after ECB)
Total $50.41
Coupons =
-$10 off $50 CVS CRT
-$3.00 (2 - $1.50 Colgate)
-$1.35 ($1.00+$.35 Sofsoap)
-$0.25 (Bounty)
-$2.00 (L'oreal)
-$2.00 (2 - $1.00 CVS Beauty)
-$1.00 (BodiHeat)
= $30.81-$3.00 Fall '08 Spending ECB-$28 ECB = -$0.19 plus $0.49 tax
Grand Total $0.30 OOP!
Received $27.96 ECB
$15.98 for Earinse
$2.00 for CVS Cotton Balls
$1.99 for CVS Chewable Aspirin
$3.00 for BodiHeat
$4.99 for Instant Energy 2pk
Wow! I made all but 4cents of my ECBs back!
Monday, February 2, 2009
$10 off ProActiv at QVC
photo from QVC.comI saved $5.69 by buying through QVC instead of my local mall ProActiv kiosk. Does anyone know if you can buy single products through the ProActiv website? I couldn't seem to find the option to do so.
I paid $17.58 with tax and shipping. I hope they have more deals so I can keep buying in the teens pricing. I dont think I can bare paying $25 for one ounce of cream every few weeks!
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
Candelabra Chandelier Project


Here it is all bare and naked.
I'll post finished pics as soon as I get these candlesticks in. Cross your fingers for me!
Thursday, August 28, 2008
I finally score at Goodwill

Our fridge has a water dispenser, but we have yet to replace the filter because we cannot find it for sale anywhere. So we've been buying the 5 gallon water and lifting the heavy jug whenever we use it. This was only $5! I'm going to spray paint it because the dolphins motif don't fit my style.
I've been wanting one a tiered platter and this was still wrapped in the original box. I paid $5 which I thought was a good deal. Does anyone know how much they sell normally? The plates are glass and its pretty sturdy, I cant wait to display treats on it.
This wood photo frame looks like it was never used. I'm definetely painting it in another color. Cheapo me thought $2 was kinda steep since many of my frames have cost $2 brand new at clearance isles at Home Goods and such. However, the detailing is unique and not just a regular rectangular frame.
My best deal were these 2 sconces - $3 for both! It appears the owners bought a new lamp and put the "old" ones in the new lamp's box. If I didn't know any better, I would have thought these were brand new! They probably came from the side of town were everyone is trying to keep up with the Joneses and changing everything out in their brand new house to something even newer.
I'm planning on spray painting them pink, adding some crystals, and some girly lamp shades for my daughter's room. They'll be used for decorative purposes only. I'm not going to bother with having hubby hook up the electrical stuff, she already has the main room light plus 2 lamps in there.
There were some other things I liked, but I think I could get better prices at Target on clearance for what Goodwill was selling used. Even thrift stores are getting pricey, at least in Southern California.Paint Party

Thursday, August 21, 2008
Southern Accents


Aren't these pink chair skirts cute?

Ooooh and the pink accents in this living room? Great way to sneak in a little pink to hubby, lol.

Love the checkered cushioned chairs and that mirrored side buffet is gorgeous!

Can you tell I like pink?

Well I love what I see on the website, I can't wait until I get to read my first issue.
Craigslist Deals
She was selling them for $10, I don't know if $10 for all three or $10 each. Either way, a great deal. I wasn't surprised when she said they had sold. Too bad, I was planning on using one in DD's room and spray painting it hot pink and adding a seat cushion and the other 2 brown and using those outside.
I love pedestal tables. I'm going to meet the seller this afternoon after DD's soccer practice. It's only $20 and looks like it's in new condition.
I already have one like this (a bit bigger though) in the living room, and it'd be nice to have a pair. I also need a side table for DD's room, so I might even paint this white and use it in there instead. I actually like the stain it is now, so we'll see once I get it.
I would totally reupholster it, or mistreat upholster it, since I'm no expert. There'd be hot glue seams all over that thing, but it would look beautiful in an Amy Butler fabric. Here's the problems with this one...while its only $40, I'd need to borrow DH's truck to go get it, which means I'd have to tell him what I need it for and I'm afraid he'd protest that there's no room for it anywhere and I would just end out putting in in storage. Which is true, I'm afraid. Soooo, I haven't called the seller for it yet.
Now what I should really be looking for is that nightstand I logged on to Craigslist to find. Here are some super cute ones that I wouldn't even have to paint. 

They're a little more than what I wanted to spend, $50, hopefully she's willing to bargain with me for a lower price. I can't decide which one I like best. It's a little out of my area though and traffic is a pain going to where the seller is located, so I'm gonna wait this one out. If its still there over the weekend, i'll make her an offer and make the drive.
This last one deserves an honorable mention. I love the curvy shape of the chair and the cute curly legs. It definetely has potential as a reupholstery project and its only $25.
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
So...you see honey...there was this awesome sale...
Everything averaged out to $11.77 per item, pretty good huh? Considering there's 2 pairs of shoes in there? Now, how to get home before hubby does on the day all this gets delivered....
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
Decoupage Makeover

I love to decoupage! I decoupaged flowers one by one from a roll of gift wrap onto this wood side table we used in her old nursery as part of a tea table set. Unfortunately, the table has since died when I left it outside and forgot about it doing rain season and got badly water damaged :(

When I went back to storage I couldn't find 3 of the letters in her name, so I had to order the missing letters on ebay. I knew I would find them when I didn't need them anymore. We found them last weekend.
Anyway, I had some left over scrapbook paper from another project and was inspired by this room on Rate My Space. I traced the backs of the paper, carefully cut them out and pasted over the letters. I wasn't worried about the original paint job, over time the white paint started yellowing. I finished them off with a top layer and voila! They turned out quite nicely. There's some smidges here and there because my daughter insisted on helping...and you moms know how that goes. You cant tell unless you're really checking.
Here's the whole wall:
BTW, I got the pink and green polka dot wall stickers at the Dollar Tree. I got two sleeves and they're suprisingly very durable. Considering they're from the dollar store and my daughter keeps rearranging them and they're still sticking to the wall! The ribbon came from Wal-Mart and I hot glued them and tacked them to the wall.
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
Blank no more
So....this wall in our bedroom has been bugging me:
There is obviously nothing on the wall. I had some black ledges up in daughter's closet that I wanted to use, but wasn't sure what to put on them. I was reading up on my new favorite home decor blogs when I saw Mrs.B's post on a monogrammed frame she made and put on her wall ledges. All the grouped photos looked beautiful on the ledges and it looked so simple! I was thinking too hard!So here's what I did Sunday:
Excuse the unfinished paint job on the trim. DH recently painted the room and I am still waiting on when he will finish the touch ups.
The best thing about it is, I already had everything and didn't spend a dime! I did spray paint the large black frame, it was ugly plastic gold before. (note to self: wipe away fingerprints from frames). I think I put the bottom shelf too close to the closet. I was afraid to put it too close to DH's dresser chest where he would bang his head on the ledge every morning. Oh well...
Monday, July 14, 2008
If I only had a place to put it...

Thursday, July 10, 2008
Summer Dresses Sales
Monday, June 16, 2008
I'm back and fat

Anyway, since I've been so busy, many times I had no time to cook or pack lunch so I've been eating out like crazy and it hasn't been good to my waistline. So today, I start my summer classes after a brief two week hiatus from the spring semester. I'm taking it easy and only signed up for one academic course and a fun class to kick my butt into shape. I'm taking Cardio Cross Training with my Future Sister in Law. She's taken the class before and says she's never been in better shape when she took it. Plus she took it during a normal semester twice a week, since this is a summer course we will be working out every day of the week. I cant wait to sport my new bikini after the class is over, just in time for Labor Day weekend and my birthday!!
Wednesday, April 2, 2008
Fishnets & Monday's Outfit
I love it when I find reputable brands at the 99 cents store. I grabbed 2 pairs of Solutions by Hanes fishnet tights. I would have taken more but they were the only 2 packages that were not opened yet and being fishnets, I didn't want to risk taking a previously opened package with holes in it. They also had a floral pattern but I'm not quite ready to try those out just yet. Speaking of feeling a bit riskay with my new dark 'do, I wore my 1st pair of fishnet tights to work. The dress code is business casual, which in my company means jeans and t-shirts and anything in between. I'm one of the few people that dress up so I always get weird looks so I wasn't sure if I was getting the usual look or the "OMG she's wearing fishnets" look.

***Sorry for the mess in the backround, I am in "Spring Cleaning" mode and purging our drawers and closets of unwanted items. I will make a follow up post on my progress in the near future.
Details: Silk pink ruffle tie blouse; Forever21, Black Pencil Skirt; Express, Black Belt; Mashalls, Black Patent Peep toe Mary Janes; Steve Madden.
Good Girl Gone Bad
I feel a lot more riskay with my dark red locks. I know most people go light for the spring and summer and dark for the fall and winter, but I had light hair all last year and was itching to go dark. I hear solid dark hair is easier to maintain than lighter highlighted hair, but isn't red hair high-maintance as well due to the fading factor? I've never had red hair before, so I'm unsure how to care for it and what type of salon maintance it will need.

Follow Up Post on Kohl's Purchases
I had also purchased these skirts from the juniors department which I like much more because:



Tuesday, April 1, 2008
Monday, March 31, 2008
Public Service Announcement

TOMMY HILFIGER Medium Icon Tote, $69.00 at Macys.com.
It's a really cute bag, I picture it with an airy sundress, oversized sunglasses, paired with a straw hat - but please don't pay that much. I saw the same identical bag at the TH Outlet (dont know for how much, but probably less) and at Ross for $22.99. If it's at Ross, it's probably at Marshalls and TJ Maxx as well.
Four for the Price of One


Thursday, March 27, 2008
Got Brown Sun Spots?
I found Black Opal Essential Complex at a nearby Rite Aid store (only a selected few carry the brand). I paid $8.99 for a 0.5 oz tube.

About 3 or 4 days later, I was picking up my 3 year old from my mom's house and she was going on and on about the results she was seeing already. She kept showing me her hands and asked me to buy a bunch more because a 0.5 oz tube can only last so long (or so little!).
According to Black Opal's website:
"Black Opal is a leading skincare and color cosmetics line specifically designed to address the unique skincare needs of women and men of color."
This product will not just work on women of color, but anyone who wants to lighten dark spots, uneven tones and discoloration.
Disclaimer: Just in case anyone is wondering, I am not being paid to review anything. I just want to share my experience on a product that actually works, since we all know beauty products are much more misses than hits. :)
Did You Know....
Here are some potential outfits I might try. I'll make a few switcheroos like wearing a longer denim skirt, switch the leggins for straight leg jeans and maybe add belt to the flowy white tunic top.
Monday, March 24, 2008
Outlet Shopping
I'd seen some cute ones in the new Victorias Secret catalog, but there was no way I was going to drop $60+ on a pair of Guess? Sunglasses that I may have to return if they didn't fit. Imagine my surprise when I came across the same exact pair of sunglasses at the Guess? Outlet store for 1/3 of Victoria's Secret's cost?
They were having a sale for 2 for $42.99, so I picked up a tortoise frame and a white frame pair to switch off with my outfits. When I got home I checked VS.com to see if they were the same pair and they were, except I paid a total of $82 less! WooHoo! (and they fit too!)

Thursday, March 20, 2008
I'll Take One of Everything!
I hope you are as shocked as I was when you hear they are from Wal-Mart and only $10 for the knot handle totes and $8 for the double handle totes.
Dress Week at Ross
So...."Shoe Week" officially su.cked. I've found a wider selection of cute shoes when it's not "shoe week" at Ross. Then again, maybe all the stay at home moms took all the cute shoes before I got there, but I don't want to think about that.
Howevah...."Dress Week" is awesome. I filled up my cart with dresses to try on but I only left with 5. Which turned out to be a good thing because my husband (and my wallet) would have just about died if I bought all of the dresses.
I was mainly looking for jersey dresses because they are so comfy and so easy to dress up. The best thing of my shopping trip, I got all this for under $69.00!





If you noticed, I bought 2 dresses in different styles but same ivory color. Ivory was the only color the styles came in, so I will be attempting to dye the 1st dress pictured yellow or plum. Thanks to Kasmira's step-by-step and very informative clothes dying instructions, I think I can do it.
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
Cute 'Anthropologiesque' Skirts
Fashionable Yet Frugal awoke me to these fabulous spring skirts on her blog. She hit it right on the nail when she mentioned they were reminicent of Anthropologie's skirt styles but at a much lower price. I couldn't believe they were from Kohl's and under $30! I took an extended lunch to check out the stuff IRL the other day. I must say I was very impressed and walked out with a few skirts (some pictured and others I could not find on the website). I'll make a seperate post with my Kohl's purchases later - once I get pics uploaded from my camera.



Use this 30% off Code: GRAND30. It can be used from March 13 -18, 2008. If you can find a free shipping code it can be stacked for additional savings. You must purchase with a Kohl's card to use the 30% off code. Maybe you can borrow your BFF's card and pay her for the stuff, LOL!
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
My New Vanity

Here's the after pic of the woman's room they did. You can see the vanity in the back.

...and here's a closer look at it...if you notice the price of the vanity is $400.00....

...and it was on sale on JCP.com last year $269.99 and there was a code for 30% off, but procrastinator me was holding off for a better deal. I waited too long and the 30% off code expired and shortly after the price shot back up to $400+tax/shipping.
Its been at least 6 months since then and periodically I'll check to see if its on sale again, but it's never gone on sale....until now. PLUS, there's a 30% off code. I wasn't going to let get away again.
I had it shipped to my local JCP store to save on shipping costs. Out the door with tax and shipping and discounts, it was $225.69. I saved 50%!
Here's a few more pics from JCP.com that are better quality than the magazine scans:


Unfortunately for now, it will sit in storage since the house we're renting is too small and I don't want to risk my three year old or hubby crashing into it and breaking it. I can't wait until we buy a house so I can set it up!
Friday, March 7, 2008
Cute Skirt FREE from La Redoute

I got an offer email from La Redoute. This weekend only with any purchase of $25 or more, you get this full skirt FREE. It's currently on sale the website for $14.99. It doesn't only come in White, you can also choose from Coral, Beige or Black. Here's the SKU in case you can't locate it on the site: Item #: 1623-47972-1136
New Blog Name
My new link is: http://budgetpretty.blogspot.com/
Mary Janes
I've had my eyes on these Steven pair which were on sale on 6pm.com. I waited too long to get them (as I do most of the time), then I heard Zappos.com had bought them out and all of the sudden the shoes dissapear from 6pm.com and re-appear on Zappos.com but at an overpriced "sale" price. 3% off is not a sale, Zappos!
Steven 'Korect':


Some more Mary-Janes I "need"
Guess by Marciano 'Newbury':

I love the rugged fierce look of these mary-janes.
Steven 'Naiyo':

Steven 'Dreamin':
Perforated Shoes
I included some of the same pairs in different colors that I also cannot decide which color I like the shoe in the best.
These are all my favorites:
Jessica Simpson 'Hasper':


BCBGirls 'Proud':


BCBGirls 'Sandy':



BCBGirls 'Spring':

BCBGirls 'Millar':

Guess by Marciano 'Miracle':

Thursday, March 6, 2008
So many shoes, so little cash
These are all from Aldo: (and.. unfortunately [for me] $100 each.)
Monday, January 14, 2008
Tip of the Day
Did you know that brushing with the opposite hand you write with improves brain signaling, which helps prevent age-related memory loss?
I thought this was interesting, especially since my hubby is now terrified that either of us will suffer memory loss when we're old like in The Notebook and not remember each other. Isn't that cute? He complained the entire time when I made him watch it with me, he hated it, but ended up loving the ending. (He'll kill me if he knows I shared that about him).
It's been a long time!
Wednesday, October 24, 2007
What I Wore Friday

I'm having trouble putting outfits together with this Delia's Vest. If anyone has any outfit suggestions, I would really appreciate it!
Tuesday, October 23, 2007
Shopping for a Cause: Free Tote with Purchase

For more information on how to claim your free market tote visit http://www.givegreener.com/. Hurry, this offer runs while supplies last from October 1st through December 31, 2007!
Fire, Fire Everywhere
Friday, October 19, 2007
What I Wore Yesterday (Thursday)
Thursday, October 18, 2007
What I Wore Yesterday (Wednesday)

GAP Wool 3/4 Sleeve Jacket
Wet Seal Gray Cowl Neck Top (mine has cap sleeves)
GAP Jeans
Marc Fisher Black Suede Loafer Wedges
$1 Turquoise Layered Beads
$1 Barrette
Tommy Hilfiger 'Castle Rock' Satchel in Bordeaux
Preppy Feet
I gotta say they're actually pretty comfortable and keep my usually cold toes warm. My husband hates it when I touch his leg with my freezing foot, so when I showed these to him he said, "Great, now you can wear those every night".
To get your own pair, check your local $1 in case they're carrying them too. I see Sock Dreams has a very impressive selection of lenghts and colors and they offer Free Shipping on all orders.
Here's what else I found during my $1 store trip:
Free Shopping!
Anyway, here's my free loot:
1. Pink rhinestone desk frame. I love pink and have been wanting a girly frame to put on a pic of my daughter on my desk at work.
(Pic coming soon)
Tuesday, October 16, 2007
What I'm Wearing Today

Oh yeah...and since I rushed out I stuffed my earrings in my bag and I lost one of them.
Faux Pearl Drop Earrings
Tommy Hilfiger Silver Pink Watch
Banana Republic Brown Bedford Handbag
Delias Pink Leopard Print Cardigan
Banana Republic Brown 3/4 Sleeve Shirt
GAP Jeans (lighter wash than pictured)
Marc Fisher Black Suede Loafer Wedges
My Dollar Store Loot
1. Amber Earrings
2. Laser Cut Wood Hoop Earrings
3. Hot Pink Ribbon Pearls Bracelet
4. Leopard Print Glass/Metal Ring
5. Turquoise Beaded Necklace 
Monday, October 15, 2007
What I'm Wearing Today

I couldn't find the exact cami I wore, the only difference from my own is that mine is silk and it doesn't have beading on the neckline.
Black and Gray Dot Fabric Headband
Forever 21 Black Lace Top
Kohl's Satin Silk Teal Cami
Old Navy Jeans
Banana Republic Brown Bedford Handbag
Jessica Simpson Black Suede 'Harla' Pump
California Adventures
Favorites: Cocoa Butter Lip Balm
I have a love/hate relationship with my lips. For as long as I can remember my lips have always been chapped. I remember getting in trouble in 2nd grade because I had *make-up* and my mom coming back to school with me and having a *talk* with my teacher about my chapstick. She told my mom I kept taking it out and that it was disruptive, but I had to! I constantly re-apply my lip balm or else I look like I just rose from the dead. Friday, October 12, 2007
Casual Weekend Outfit
This casual outfit idea came to mind while flipping through the appropriately titled Victoria's Secret catalog, time to get casual: holiday 2007.


Cute Outfit Idea from GAP


However, the coat...I have to wait until it goes on sale, $128 is too much for me right now. Plus, I was really lucky stocking up with GAP wool coats last year by calling around stores and had them do a charge-send. Hopefully I'll have the same luck this year. These are so freakin cute!




























