There's stuff you don't need:
There's stuff you do need:
There's stuff that reminds you of other people:
And there's even stuff that was actually on your "to find when it's on clearance" list:
MUCH more to come, so bookmark this post and come back!
Showing posts with label shopping. Show all posts
Showing posts with label shopping. Show all posts
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
Off-Season Scores ~ Birds & Baubles
Wow, I had no idea I'd get so caught up in the after-Christmas clearance craze. There's so much to share, but I'll just start with a couple of teasing tastes. Come back later for the full rundown!
Off-Season Scores ~ 1st Linky Party!
Attention, all 15 of my followers: KatrinkaJane is starting a "linky party" for Off-Season Scores!
Time to link up! If you don't have any pics handy, you now have an official excuse to go shopping in order to get more linky party fodder. ;) Each party is good for a CALENDAR MONTH (until the next holiday's clearance), so spread the word!
Off-Season Scores for January 2010:
"Self?" you wonder, "Why don't I remember seeing Off-Season Scores on this blog before?!" No, no — don't chastise your subconscious mind. I just invented it. When I saw some darling little ceramic bird ornaments in Target for 25 cents after Christmas, I immediately thought of Beckie and Sarah. Then I realized that, inevitably, we all find treasures at post-holiday sales that others might like to hurry and snatch up as well! If we share our squeal-worthy finds right away, we can tip off our readers (Hi, mom!) as to which stores' Chaos Bins™ are worth digging through.
When you have a successful shopping trip hitting the after-Christmas/Easter/Valentine's/Independence Day/Thanksgiving/etc. sales, post about it on your blog and link up here. Whether it's just a single item or a whole trunkful, show us what's out there! It'd be great if you also shared some tips in your blog post for where to look and what discount you found, as well as any creative ideas you have for using your seasonal/holiday finds in non-seasonal/holiday crafts (see my "Birds & Baubles" in linky spot #1, for examples).
All I ask is that you put KatrinkaJane's Off-Season Scores button in your post or on your sidebar, linking back to this blog. (Please don't just start your own OS linky party.) Thanks! The code for this button is below, and also available on my sidebar.
P.S. If you have a brilliant "linky party" idea and want to make a custom button, I recommend the tutorial at Oikology 101.
Off-Season Scores for January 2010:
Saturday, November 21, 2009
Secondhand Scores ~ Leather & Links
After making a bunch of post-"Customer Appreciation Open House" deliveries, I stopped in to the Salvation Army Thrift Store to see if they still had the large clock I saw the last time I was there. It was big and wooden and ripe for "rescue," but we didn't need a clock — much less a big one. Two days after spotting that clock the first time, Caspian stepped on our living room clock and smashed the glass (he was fine). Anyway, the clock wasn't there, but this was:
A 3-piece canister set shaped like a rustic fairy tale castle! Even the turrets lift off separately. $5.99, people. DH's response when I texted him this cell phone picture? "Cool. Too bad we don't need canisters..." Sigh. God gave me a voice of reason for a reason, I guess.
Before I left, I scooted over to the cloth napkin section to see if the bag o' napkins we tried to buy last time had been labeled with a price sticker, and therefore rendered buyable. No such luck...but on the way to the cloth napkin section, I passed the handbag section! Woo-hoo! I actually found a good-sized tote (not too big), in a color I like (red), with the pockets I need (lots, plus dividers), out of a sturdy material (leather)! It even has little metal feet on the bottom to keep it out of the ick. It's missing one strap, but the way the strap attaches allows it to be used as a one-strap shoulder bag (and it passed the one-handed-shoulder-lift test). The three interior cell phone-type pockets have all had their bottoms busted out, but that's an easy fix (I assume) — other than that, no stains, no rips, no marks. It still has the detachable coin purse, too. Technically, it's a Samsonite laptop tote, so one of the divided sections is padded. I'm planning to put a pin or a flower or something on the extraneous buckle.
Wait, OMGosh, seriously?!? I just looked it up online and this is it! MSRP $129.99, retail $99.99, KatrinkaJane special...$2.99!!! SCORE!
Well, that just totally made my day just now. Back to shopping, though. On the way home, the kids were both asleep when we passed our local Habitat for Humanity ReStore, which happens to be linked to the local Vendor's Mall. I ♥ flea markets — not the ones that try to resell a bunch of outdated-but-technically-NIP leftover hardware store and novelty dream catchers (you know the ones), but the ones heaped with used goodies. It's like a treasure hunt! STOP. FOCUS. Okay, so the boys were both asleep, so I left DH in the car and stopped in to see if I could find a clock. I was also looking for another big picture frame to hang empty on the wall for posting Caspian's rotating stock of artwork. Shockingly, I got distracted by books, jewelry, and office supplies. Fortunately for me, they are perpetually on my shopping list. heehee Here's what I ended up taking home with some more of my leftover birthday money (not the stuff in the back; this table is also my MK gift-wrapping station):
one of the few Berenstain Bears books not already in our collection: $0.25
set of 3 paper trays, which I desperately needed for my desk: $1.50
old-school Oscar the Grouch puzzle, perfect for Caspian's age: $0.25
chunky 17"x17" carved-wood frame: $1.00
totally on-trend chain necklace: $4.99
TOTAL: $7.99, plus tax
Is it silly that I'm still giddy over my leather bag...?
A 3-piece canister set shaped like a rustic fairy tale castle! Even the turrets lift off separately. $5.99, people. DH's response when I texted him this cell phone picture? "Cool. Too bad we don't need canisters..." Sigh. God gave me a voice of reason for a reason, I guess.
Before I left, I scooted over to the cloth napkin section to see if the bag o' napkins we tried to buy last time had been labeled with a price sticker, and therefore rendered buyable. No such luck...but on the way to the cloth napkin section, I passed the handbag section! Woo-hoo! I actually found a good-sized tote (not too big), in a color I like (red), with the pockets I need (lots, plus dividers), out of a sturdy material (leather)! It even has little metal feet on the bottom to keep it out of the ick. It's missing one strap, but the way the strap attaches allows it to be used as a one-strap shoulder bag (and it passed the one-handed-shoulder-lift test). The three interior cell phone-type pockets have all had their bottoms busted out, but that's an easy fix (I assume) — other than that, no stains, no rips, no marks. It still has the detachable coin purse, too. Technically, it's a Samsonite laptop tote, so one of the divided sections is padded. I'm planning to put a pin or a flower or something on the extraneous buckle.
Wait, OMGosh, seriously?!? I just looked it up online and this is it! MSRP $129.99, retail $99.99, KatrinkaJane special...$2.99!!! SCORE!
Well, that just totally made my day just now. Back to shopping, though. On the way home, the kids were both asleep when we passed our local Habitat for Humanity ReStore, which happens to be linked to the local Vendor's Mall. I ♥ flea markets — not the ones that try to resell a bunch of outdated-but-technically-NIP leftover hardware store and novelty dream catchers (you know the ones), but the ones heaped with used goodies. It's like a treasure hunt! STOP. FOCUS. Okay, so the boys were both asleep, so I left DH in the car and stopped in to see if I could find a clock. I was also looking for another big picture frame to hang empty on the wall for posting Caspian's rotating stock of artwork. Shockingly, I got distracted by books, jewelry, and office supplies. Fortunately for me, they are perpetually on my shopping list. heehee Here's what I ended up taking home with some more of my leftover birthday money (not the stuff in the back; this table is also my MK gift-wrapping station):
one of the few Berenstain Bears books not already in our collection: $0.25
set of 3 paper trays, which I desperately needed for my desk: $1.50
old-school Oscar the Grouch puzzle, perfect for Caspian's age: $0.25
chunky 17"x17" carved-wood frame: $1.00
totally on-trend chain necklace: $4.99
TOTAL: $7.99, plus tax
TODAY'S LESSONS:
1. Keep an eye out for respected brands (Samsonite caught my eye).
2. Watch for high-quality materials (genuine leather will stay usable for years).
3. Check out specialty secondhand stores (like ReStores), which may offer random items at great prices.
1. Keep an eye out for respected brands (Samsonite caught my eye).
2. Watch for high-quality materials (genuine leather will stay usable for years).
3. Check out specialty secondhand stores (like ReStores), which may offer random items at great prices.
Is it silly that I'm still giddy over my leather bag...?
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