Confessions of a Shopaholic...Now You Done Gone and Pissed Her Off

I’m normally a happy, easy going person.
I laugh all the time
I smile at everyone
I’ll start a conversation almost anywhere
I usually end up talking to creepers the most random people
and end up in the most akward of conversations
(maybe I’ll should write about those)

But lately
I’ve noticed a change

Maybe it’s frustration
Maybe it’s anger
Maybe it’s the stores ripping me off
and the second you question the cashier,
they look at you like you just grew a 2nd head.

Seriously?!

I do NOT understand why when I ask the cashier to double check a price
I get the sigh
I get the eye roll
I get the complete attitude

Hey, I’ve been in their position before…
I’ve worked in the Customer Service field in some way or another most of my working life
I understand people have bad days, but c’mon people.
What’s with the all of the attitude?

This past Sunday I was uber-excited
because the Halloween costumes were on sale for $12 at Target.
I sent Teen 2 with The Boy to search the aisles
as I picked up other items on our shopping list.
As I approach the Halloween aisle,

Teen 2 holds up the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle costume that The Boy chose.
I check the price on the rack and the tag shows a $12 sale price over the regular price
We throw everything in the cart and stroll up to the register
I place the costume up on the register belt first
Then I begin to unload the rest of my items
The cashier scans the barcode, and sure enough $20 appears on the screen.
She scans another item.
How much was the costume, I ask?
She squints into her computer screen, $20.
The display shows that it’s on sale for $12, I explain
No, it’s $20, she says.
Sigh* here we go… This aint my first price war lady!
Can you please check because they’re on sale for $12, I ask.

The cashier in lane 7 chimes in-
$12 for the costume, she chuckles as she picks up the weekly ad
Look B*tch, I want to say, but I compose myself.
My cashier flips the switch on her #8 light pole for some help.
over walks her supervisor
She says it’s on sale for $12, the cashier explains to her supervisor
The supervisor swipes the barcode
She turns the computer screen to face me.
It’s $20, see, it says here in the computer.
She points- this right here- says that if you didn’t have a receipt and returned it, you’d get $20
That means it’s never been on sale.

At this point, my blood is boiling and the line behind me is building up.
Ok, I say, with a twitch, I could feel a little crazy comin' on
Now they done gone and pissed me off…

Unfortunately I wasn’t wearing the most comfortable shoes
so I didn’t have the strength to walk to the all the way to back of the store again
and it was apparent her lazy supervisor wasn’t going to entertain the customer standing before her.

I go home with determination to confirm the price is only $12
That’s $8 they’ve just taken from me, I’m thinking.
How many people are there today buying costumes and not double checking their receipt?
How much extra profit are they making without the consumer realizing it.

I look over the ad, yep $12.
I go online, sure enough $12.
I take off my cowboy boots, throw on some slippers, gather my Target bag, and receipt
And put on my boxing gloves
(Well not really, but wouldn’t that have been funny?!)

Ahem, I digress

I stomp into Target
Walk all the way to the back of the store
find the exact Teenage Mutant Ninja Costume
It’s right there, The Boy says as he points to the ground.
it fell off when I took the costume off Mom.
He certainly is my kid, he knew exactly what I was looking for
I pick it up.
The Sale Sticker showing $12 clearly states
“Rafael, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle”
The Boy and I march back up to the register.

I take my costume and receipt out of the bag.
I was overcharged, I tell the cashier, I want to get my money back.
I show him the sale tag.
He re-works the transaction and gives my $8 back.

I ask him if the lady with the glasses on is the manger
She’s the supervisor, he replies.
Tell her to believe the customer next time, I instruct him.
I will, he quivers.
I’ll show her this he says as he holds up the sales tag.

I take my Boy, his costume, and my $8 and vow to never shop at Target again.

I know that won’t really happen, but damn they pissed me off!!


http://www.daysoffivelives.blogspot.com/

Confessions of a Shopaholic...You Betta Check Yo'self...

I need a break
Desperately

After the stress of buying a home,
Deciding to, then actually going through with surgery,
Dealing with 2 teenage daughters that are pushing us to the limits

I need a break
Desperately
Even if just for one day

That’s it, I decide, I’m booking an overnight trip
Just me and The Hubby

A L O N E time
We’re outta here

I check out a few different online websites for current deals in our area
I decide he we could drive an hour or two-
just to get away
After all we are in SoCal,
there are so many local places that people spend their life savings to visit

There’s just one problem- I’m cheap, very cheap
I want things,
but the thought of actually spending my hard earned dollar bills makes me nauseous
I’ve got credit cards to pay off
The kids will surely need things
The cars could require maintenance
And then good ol’ Mr. Murphy could come enforce law at the most impromptu time

It’s just one night,
I need a break
Desperately,
I remind myself

I decide to try William Shatners Pricebreaker deals,
I mean with karate chops and kicks like that,
the big ol’ bodyguard of his standing by,
He must have the best deals

Click, click, click
Nothing good enough, nothing cheap enough

Click, click, click
“Name your own price”, well that’s intriguing

Heck, I’ll give it a shot

I check what the 3 star hotels in Santa Barbara are going for $150-200+

The latest “name your own price” winner bagged their deal for $134.

I’m gonna go out on a limb and bid…

$80

William Shatner appears on the next screen with his awesome karate moves

He’s chopping,

He’s negotiating

He’s dead…no deal for me

Ughhh…

By the next day, I was bummed

I was frustrated

I wanted to get the heck outta Dodge

That’s it, I’m gonna offer even more today

I’m willing to spend an extra $10 this time!

Hold her back ladies and gents, we got a big time spender here!

I pull up my failed deal with the enticing “Give it another shot” lingo

And decide to increase my offer to $90.

Submit

*Please change your criteria before submitting* appears on the screen

I did, I delete it, and retype $90.00

*Please change your criteria before submitting*again

Oh, now you’re pissing me off Captain Kirk

I start clicking this and that

Un-clicking this and that

I’m making changes can’t you see Mr. Shatner, I plea

Submit

Oh yeah, here we go

He’s chopping away at my deal again

“Please wait while we are negotiating your price”

*butterflies in my belly*

Congratulations, you won the deal!!

Whoo fricken hooo!! I won the deal!!

Then the next screen appears

You’re staying at a 3star hotel in... Santa Maria

Huh?
Santa Maria?
Where is Santa Maria?

I clearly clicked on Santa Barbara….didn’t i?

My inner voice says,
yeah, you did,
but you also clicked Santa Maria during your clicking fit.

Maquest quickly
Where
Is
Santa
Maria?

Only 3 hours and 30 mins- One way!!

You betta check yo'self
before you wreck yo' quick overnight vacation!



http://www.daysoffivelives.blogspot.com/

Confessions of a shopaholic…Quit leading me on

With Halloween impending
I begin my search for this year’s Halloween costume.
I love homemade costumes
And although I don’t quite get around to making a costume every year
This is one that I definitely want to try
The problem is she keeps leading me on
I came across the idea of a “Dia de Los Muertos” costume

I think it’s just gorgeous.
The way their faces are painted
The flowers in the hair
The beautiful costumes
Gorgeous and a bit scary all at the same time
There are varying looks
But I’m in love with the glamorous looks

Of course thinking of doing make up likes this leads me to video tutorials
I mean after all, how else would I know how to put this make up on?

This leads me to more image searching for Dia De Los Muertos
I stumbled upon these beautiful paintings by Syliva Ji
I want one of each, but where would I hang them. Do you think it would be creepy to have one hanging over your bed?
Maybe I could talk The Girls into decorating their room like this Could you imagine the things that could lead me to?!
They'd probably wake up with nightmares!

Now these picture lead me to desire for a pin up tattoo
I’ve been longing for one for years now…
Too bad I can’t make up my mind on exactly what I want
Plus I probably wouldn’t allow myself to shell out that kind of dough!
**hmmmph**
One of these days…

That sadness of course makes me want to uplift my spirit
And what better way to lift your spirit than to have a party?!
You see, she keeps leading me on…

A party would be absolutely beautiful
Just to think of all the colors I would use.
I could hang these colorful flags everywhere Top my cupcakes with these cute little things
We could drink margaritas
and dance into the wee hours of the morning

(maybe I'd leave one of those notices on my neighbors door that we keep getting,

courtesy notice for after hours noise permit! really, did you make that up?!)

I could buy some jewelry for my party

what if I wore this gorgeous necklace?

After all, it's only $20!
One thing always leads to another…

www.daysoffivelives.blogspot.com

Confessions of a shopaholic...Like Totally

As I’m surfing the web
I come across an article about
Inexplicable fads from our childhood

Who doesn’t love a little nostalgia?
A trip down memory lane
A look back at the things that used to bring you such joy as a child

Or maybe I’m just that way cause my Dad is Mr. Nostalgia himself.
(that’s a whole ‘nother story!)

I click on the article
Probably because I was hoping the jelly shoes were on their way back in style

I see the scrunchies in every color (how about genie clips?!)
or banana clips

The slap bracelets, I could never get those to work!

The hyper-color shirts,
When you touched them or got hot in certain areas, they would change colors.
Remember, Body Glove?
Those damn 5th grade boys would smack the girls as we stood in line.
Or they would come around and say they were “FBI”
Female Body Inspectors
You clever little 5th grade boys.

Awww…I think back and can remember where and when I wore each one of these things
But nothing takes me back like the
Charm necklace does
Or bracelet in my case.

OMG!

I haven’t seen one of these things in ages!

I remember these little plastic wonders.
Did you have a love for skating? They had a charm for it.
Were pink flamingos your favorite? Well, there was a charm for that
Want to display your love for harmonicas? Guess what, there was a charm!

I remember playing hopscotch in elementary school and using my charms
Or broken pieces of the bracelet as place markers…

This, of course, instantly put me in shopaholic mode!

And where would one go shopping for such things?

Like totally - Ebay, duh?!

There's so many to choose from?!This auction is starting at $9.95. They've got tennis rackets, googly eye bears, and diary.

Or this auction has 68, count em up, charms at a whopping $124.72. Seriously these things cost quarters back in the day!

I want one so bad!

Do you love plastic Thermos'? Do you want some charms? Check out this auction!

Am I really gonna spend my hard earned adult dollars on one of these kiddy things?!

I think so.

Maybe next time you run into me I'll be rockin my charms!
http://www.daysoffivelives.blogspot.com/

Confessions of a shopaholic...Hook, Line, Sucker

Teen 2’s school is no longer having Jr. High promotion ceremonies.
Instead they chose to have a dance for all 8th grade students to celebrate the end of the year.

Teen 2 said it was going to be a formal dress, but seriously, in Jr. High, it was so not!

She surprised me by telling me she was going to wear a summer dress that she had scrunched up at the bottom of her hamper hanging in her closet.
Great, I thought, no dress shopping for me.

This girl is impossible to shop with. She doesn’t care for anything I show her.
Always finds the most expensive items on the rack and of course it’s always “the only thing I like here!”
We could walk the mall for hours and walk out with NOTHING.

Now I do this by myself for leisure, but because I enjoy it.
When I’m actually trying to find something for her and it’s not happening, it’s extremely frustrating!

So in true teenage girl fashion, a few nights before the dance-
She NEEDS a cardigan to go over her dress so she doesn’t get kicked out for not following proper dress code.
AND
She NEEDS a pair of sandals to wear, because even though I just bought her a pair of flats the weekend prior, they did not go with the dress.

On Sunday night we head to the local mall and I have the girls run inside to a shoe store that she was SURE had shoes for her.
2 minutes later, Teen 1 calls, Mom, the store isn’t here.
The girls get back in the car and we drive to the other side of the mall(the boy was asleep and I didn’t bring a stroller in case you’re wondering why my lazy ass didn’t walk!)
They run inside, that store is gone!
What the heck is going on here?! I wonder.
So I wake up The Boy and we spend an hour walking up and down the mall going in and out of every shoe store, to no avail. There is NOTHING there that she likes.
“I’m just gonna wear some shoes I already have” she says.

Ok, fine, great. I’m thinking.

However the next day the mommy guilt sinks in.
I think back to my 8th grade graduation ceremony. Mom’s favorite shopping spot was the alleys in L.A. You could get great deals, but not always the best of quality and not always age appropriate article of clothing for pre-teens.
I ended up with a skin tight spandex type green dress with shoulder cut outs and all (it was the early 90’s people)
To top it off, my body was banging, I must admit!
Yes, I do remind my kids I was voted Best Body back in the day!
I already had a womanly shape and a J Lo booty in the making.
When I got to school that day, I realized just how inappropriate my dress was.
All the other girls were dressed in their spring colored frilly dresses
With stockings and their flat dress shoes.
I on the other hand looked like a hooker in my spandex dress and black pumps.
Wow, I think I’m still traumatized!
Ahem, I must digress.

I wanted Teen 2 to have the outfit she longed for and would remember for the rest of her life(in a good way))

The next day I tell her to get ready because we’re going to the mall after I get off of work.

We walk into the mall and I tell her,
If you don’t like that dress or want something else, tell me now.
Her eyes light up and we walk into a store that they just opened up.

She finds a romper and 3 different dresses to try on.
She comes out of the dressing room each time and doesn’t like anything
Except the Green Romper.
It’s linen and it’s shorts.
Not exactly what I’d call formal.
I know all the other girls will be wearing dresses.
I ask and warn her, Are you sure? You won’t feel uncomfortable?
I won’t, I want it, she pleads!

Problem is, this item is strapless so we still need a cardigan.

We search the store aisle by aisle, row by row.
NOTHING
No cardigan that will match or look right.

I tell her if we don’t find a cardigan, I’m not buying it.
We can’t return at this store and if nothing looks right, you’re stuck with it.
She doesn’t see the problem.
But I know she’ll find something else that she’ll like better.

So we walk out of that store.
By this time The Boy is whining, running up and down the aisles,
slumping over in the dressing room, tugging on my leg, and reminding me that he’s starving.

The Boy and I go to the food court and I order us some dinner
Teen 2 on the other hand is going into every store in the mall
She calls, I’m at Charolette Russe,
I’m at Forever 21,
I’m at Foreign Exchange,
I’m going to Bloom.

We meet up 2 hours later,
Yes 2 hours later.

NOTHING!

I break down,
TELL ME WHAT YOU WANT!
Don’t be scared ( I remember I can be beastly)
Just ask!
(for the love of all things holy, I just want to leave this place!)

She looks at me with some intimidation.
I want the romper, she mumbles.

Ugghhh…I broke down.
Ok, let’s go get the romper.

We walk back to the original store that we started at 2 hours ago.
We find the romper, a necklace to glam it up,
And could you believe it, a fricken cardigan to match!
I swipe my credit card and we head home.

As usual when we get home, I tell her to try it all on with some shoes so we can see the whole look.

I give her a few minutes and I walk back in her room.
I take a look at her
We look at each other.
It’s too casual we say in unison.

I think I’m gonna wear the dress, she says.
I can wear this on the last day of school Mom, because there’s a bonfire after school.

And then I realize it.

SUCKER!!
http://www.daysoffivelives.blogspot.com/

Confessions of a shopaholic...Bitter melon makes me bitter

I’m half Filipino
half Caucasian (to be politically correct)

When you see me,
you think I’m Mexican.
I suppose that’s what the mix produced in my case.

Which means when I walk into a Filipino grocery store,
they look at me and wonder what I’m doing there.

I usually get the quick glance as I walk in,
that simply says,
Does she know which kind of market she just wandered into?

When I have a planned recipe in my head,
I know exactly what to go for.

However yesterday, I was on a mission for one thing.
One thing only.
A bitter melon.

I walk into the store,
They look at me and look confused.
I look at them, smile,
look at the vegetables,
then look back at them confused.

What in the world does a bitter melon look like? I wonder.

I ask politely, Do you have bitter melon?
Yes, it’s in there.
He points to a fridge full of vegetables,
Long green beans,
Squash,
Eggplant,
Okra,
Cabbage,
And a few other green items.

I look again, trying to figure it out by a process of elimination.
I know what this is,
I know what that is.
And I try to think back about when I’ve made the mistake of biting into a bitter melon.
I just can’t figure it out.

Ummmm…which one is it? My obvious not Filipino enough self asks with shame.

This one.
He points to something that looks like a shriveled up, unripe, green, hardened squash.

Oh yeah, ok. Got it.

Now the smell of fried fish is dancing in the air.
If you’ve grown up with that smell…
You understand.

It makes you happy inside.
It makes you hungry inside.
It makes you crave a giant plate of fish and rice.
It's comfort food.

I try to redeem myself by acting like I know what I’m doing now,
I decide I’ll make the one dish that I know uses bitter melon.

I turn around and there’s the seasoning packet for Sinigang.
It’s a fish soup.
Now my tastebuds are at full attention.

I walk back to the butcher and ask him to clean and cut up some fish for sinigang.
And while you’re at it, fry me up a Tilapia.
(clearly I know what I’m doing)

I’ve got my bitter melon in one hand.
Sinigang packet in the other
My fish is on order.

Cool.
Confident.

Confused.

Hmmm…where’s that guy again?
Um, excuse me…I’m making sinigang.
What other vegetables do I use beside bitter melon.

He looks at me as if he’s gonna laugh in my face.
Then he does!
This little man looks like my grandpa.
And he’s laughing at me.
You don’t use bittermelon in singang, he says with a little chuckle.
Hmph, My Grandma does, I quickly reply.
(so there)
No, she doesn’t, he comes back.
Noone does.

Ok, so maybe you’re right then.

So what soup do I put bitter melon in?

Pinakbet.

Oh geez, I’ve heard of it.

He takes my sinigang packet out of my hand.
Then he hands me a Tamarind packet.

We bicker some more about which soup I’m supposed to be making.
I pick up a few more vegetables that he suggested.

I take a look at the new seasoning packet, it’s got shrimp on the picture.

But I just had him cut me up fish?

It’s ok, he says as he laughs in my face again.

I’m thinking…you know what Grandpa, I’m beginning not to like you!
The Boy and I load up our cart full of goodies.
And head home.

My house is now full fish, vegetables, and seasoning packets.
I’ve looked up recipes for both soups.
But guess what, I don’t have all the ingredients for either…

That’s it, I’m calling my Mom!

www.daysoffivelives.blogspot.com

Confessions of a Shopaholic…Biker Babe

Hubby drives a Honda CBR
aka Street Bike
aka Crotch Rocket

I must admit, I think it's pretty hot.

And I wanna be a Biker Babe
I wanna be this hot girl
In the tight jeans
And gorgeous boots
With a jacket that fits in all the right places

The girl that pulls off her helmet so sexy
with all her long flowing hair
Shaking and falling

to land just
P E R F E C T…

www.bikerornot.com/eviestreasures

This past Valentines Day,
I asked him to take me on a ride
So I could be that
Hot Biker Babe

However-

The reality of it was
I don’t have a cute jacket
So I had to wear one of his jackets
Uggh…men’s cut
Instead of being tight in all the right places
It’s big and bulky

It’s leather,
Which only means it’s
REALLY HOT (literally)

Then I have to wear his gloves
So now I have man hands to top it off.

I put on my helmet
And I think…
I’m g o n n a pass out….

I am wearing some cute jeans
But the whole time I'm worried
My butt crack was on display

Whenever we would stop at a red light
I would look over and see people looking at us
And all I could think about was
My butt is hanging out!

Oh and before I forget to mention this...

I’ll tell you that my head bumps into hubby’s
everytime we stop or accelerate

CLANK!

This is so not the picture I had in mind.

When I take off my helmet,
I feel like I’ve got helmet hair.

Oh well, at least I've got a cute helmet!

We rode to have breakfast by the marina
Then cruised along the beach

On the way home,
I learned how not to bump heads.

And how to hold on tight and lean with him.

After all the stress and unsexyness- it was fun.

But next time I wanna be the Biker Babe.

Which lead me to my search-

I found Levi’s Skinny Jeans for Curvy girls.
These things are amazing!
If you have a larger derriere
And thicker thighs…
Say built like Beyonce
(wink wink)
These jeans are for you.

And I found my own jacket
No more manly build
This sweet jacket was marked down from $149.99
To only $49.99

At http://www.motorcyclesuperstore.com/

There's no more though,sorry!

Although I would to have one of these sexy things...

This beauty is $239.50,

I just couldn't bring myself to pay that much for something I'd hardly wear.

This sexy curvy thing might need to get a savings started for $157.99

Now if I only I can find some new boots!

http://www.daysoffivelives.blogspot.com/

Confessions of a shopaholic…Boots

Ladies, Need I say more?

I think maybe I should change these segments to Obsessions of a shopaholic
I do become obsessed quite easily.
I find something that I adore.
And will stalk that particular item on the internet.
My mind will race thinking of which stores may carry this particular item.
Then I have to make sure that I'm making the right choice.
If I find an actual name of an item (for instance JLo’s wedge sandal-Janelle)
Then that item has no chance to escape my clenches.

I will search coupon engines for coupons to the websites with the best prices.

And just to ensure that I’m getting the best price,
I will then actually drive from store to store, to store, to store just in case there’s a sale that’s not posted online.

Too bad boots don't have a sweet little bunny to boil.
Unless they're boots with the fur! (as The Boy would sing)
Ahem, excuse me.

Fall is upon us.
Wind is kicking up.
And it’s getting ch ch chilllly!
Which means Mama needs some new boots!

Yes, I do NEED new boots.

I currently have 2 pairs of black boots, however since they are pointy, the points are rubbing off.

I think this is there 3rd fall season, so it’s time they retire.

They’re tired.
And Mama’s tired of wearing them.

I NEED new boots.

So in my quest, I will lay out the requirements.
1. MUST be within my price range. (Which I haven’t quite figured that out yet, but with 3 kids and a motorcycle accessory lovin’ husband, it’s not high.)

2. MUST be stylish. And by stylish I mean detail-stitching, quilting, buckles something.

3. Comfortable would be nice. I’ve learned that I do need to have a sole. Shoes without soles hurt.

4. Height. I like my boots high. The heel that is. I’m short, and I don’t want to look more round. So height is good. My current pairs are knee high boots, but I think I may do away with that this season.
The Dr. says the high heel screws up my sciatica, but hey, a girl’s gotta make sacraficies.

I first begin by window shopping.

Check out these beauties…

I know the peep toe bootie is in this year, but not sure if I really want my toes out all winter. I mean this is the time of year that I get to save on pedicures. But they are gorgeous!!

Velvet Angels Peepshow Peep Toe Bootie $215.04

I did have a pair of Nine West like these sassy things (without the buckles) They are so comfy.

They are have awesome soles. Ass kickin soles. Report Loring Bootie $239.90

I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE these cowboy boots. Jessica Simpson Abilene $197.95

I so want a black pair of cowboy boots, but I haven’t mastered the art of tucking my jeans into the boots, so the details I’m afraid would go to waste.

If you're experiencing sticker shock, remember I said, I BEGIN by window shopping.

These are all outta’ Mama’s price range.

I’m also contemplating a pair of rain boots. Being that we probably live in one of the driest parts of the US, it’s probably not a practical buy, but oh how I do desperately want a pair of these. Are these not the most fabulous rain boots you’ve ever seen?!!

O B S E S S E D

I’ve also found an amazing website http://www.shopstyle.com/
All you have to do is type in whatever your little heart desires,
let’s just say “Black patent boots” and viola, everything on all of the internet pops up.
It searches all the sites for you, so you don’t have to go from store to store like I do. (hmmm…then why do I do that, duh?!!)
You can even filter your search by your size, color, store, price range, etc.
It’s awesome.

I did find some great deals that I’m contemplating.

Well when I saw these I actually heard bells!

They're patent. They are perfect. Guess Kalani2 Ankle Boot $95.99

But then again I second guess every decision.

Because so are these. Spiegel Lace Back Tall Boot $59.00
Oh, and then there's that part where I feel like I want to throw up after I spend money
That makes me a little shy to hit the trigger.

Because I went back to shopstyle and found some other great finds within my ideal price range.

Off to run to the store
(just in case they’re having a better sale)

or to the toilet to puke.

http://www.daysoffivelives.blogspot.com/

Confessions of a Shopaholic...Vacation Preparation

Why is that when you’re preparing for a vacation, you end up going broke

Oh wait.

Hubby, if you’re ready this blog – PLEASE STOP!
That was just a joke,
We’re not going broke!
Not at all!

*peeking around corners*

Is the coast clear?

Ok, let’s resume.

Is it just me? Or at least just my family that prepares for vacation in such a way.
I remember being this way since we were little.

Going to the beach to get a tan BEFORE going to Hawaii…guess we were trying to look like the locals.

Do you know how hard it is too find cute shorts and bathing suits at the end of September?
Try spending 7 hours shopping to find summer clothes on a Sunday afternoon.
That’s right 10am-3pm, we hit Forever 21’s on every corner of the hemisphere

Well it wasn’t that bad spending that much time shopping, plus we scored some awesome deals.

Something sorta like this except it's teal, blue, and white with THE cutest rope belt. $10.99

Another dress like this except it's a bright blue blue with a black belt. Also $10.99My only non clearance dress. But worth the $$

(When you buy stuff on clearance, it's no longer online to steal pics apparently)

Plus I got some cute tops and shorts for under $9.99

While at Target yesterday I found the cutest bathing suit top for only $4.98 ea.

I tried it on last night and was so happy that it fit the boobage so perfectly. It surprised me so much that I had to look at the tag again.

Well no wonder, it's a fricken maternity bathingsuit!!! Aaaaahhh....that's totally getting returned!

Next I need to add a little crossbody bag to throw all my things in. I don’t want to be lugging around one of my back-breaking purses while trying to hike diamond head crater.
I got this cute little guy in khaki from Target for only $9.99

Since I had all this new gear, I had to make sure Hubby was looking fly too.
So I spent a couple days buying him shorts, shirts, and flip flops.
Returning shorts, shirts, and flip flops.
And buying more shorts, shirts, and flip flops.

With all that shopping, my feet were a hot mess.
So I just had to get a pedicure yesterday.

But that turned into a mani/pedi...

Which led to the eyebrows...

Which led to the stache...
(yes I know I vowed never to do it again, but I did. I will pray for no rash 'stache)

I certainly couldn't have been walking around with chipped toenails, hangnails, crooked eyebrows, and a moustache! That is so not cute!

With all that done, I think we're finally ready to start packing!!


www.daysoffivelives.blogspot.com

Confessions of a Shopaholic...Seconds Please

My BFF told me this secret…
so kept it on the DL just in case they find out that we know the secret.

Did you know that you can get a refill of Starbucks Iced Coffee or Iced Tea?
For only 50 CENTS!!!

I know, I didn’t believe it either.

No matter what size, she tells me- tall, grande, or venti!
Well then it must be a plain iced coffee, you must be thinking?!

Nope, she says.
Venti Iced Coffee – with half and half, vanilla sweetener, and 3 splendas!!



Now I won’t tell you that she said, it doesn’t even have to be on the same day.
And I won’t tell you she said sometimes she takes her cup home washes it then gets a refill the next day...She did not tell me those things!

Hmmmm??!!

So I tell hubby, he’s willing to be the guinea pig.

Well sure enough, he called me yesterday Super Stoked because
IT WORKED!!!

Ok…remember…shhhhhhh
****************************************************
For another round of seconds, I will proudly raise my hand and say,
Yes, I do shop at thrift stores and will buy used clothes on ebay.

A few of my great finds.

Oscar De La Renta silk scarf - $2.50 (thrift store)

American Eagle Blazer – was marked $4.99 but it was ½ off that particular colored tag that day…so it was another $2.50 gem!
For my beachy vacation, a pair of high waisted Guess shorts - $8.00 on ebay

If you think a thrift store is uncool, check out “Vintage” shops, which really is just a fancy term for thrift store.

Buffalo Exchange is one that comes to mind, and it looks like they have locations all over the US.

I got an awesome pair of almost new Banana Republic trouser jeans there for $9.00

The girls got an arm load of stuff last summer.
I think we walked out with about 10 pieces one day for only $53.

I always find pants for The Boy at Children’s Orchard, a consignment shop (yes another fancy term for thrift store) They also have locations throughout the US.

The Boy tears through his jeans so fast.
You can usually find Old Navy, Gap, and Levis.
Sometimes I find pants with tags still on them still for only $3.

See, asking for seconds is nice on your wallet!

Happy Shopping People.

www.daysoffivelives.blogspot.com