Antique Market Find

Occasionally I troll antique markets looking for something I "need" that some old person owns. I realize I'm stereotyping the average antique market seller as old - but have you ever been to an antique market? If not, they are 90% of the time old/retired folks selling items. Now, I have no issues with them, personally I find antique markets entertaining and could care less who is selling their goods. Honestly at least someone out there is willing to keep me entertained by unique, sometimes moldy smelling goods.

Last week during one of my many weekends spent in St. Joe I went to check out Antiques on The Bluff. First, I'm glad it's a dog-friendly market otherwise I would be unable to support it. Lake Orion has a non-dog-friendly farmers market, of which I do not support. Overall, I thought Antiques on The Bluff was impressive. I'm sure it was one it's biggest weekends, being Labor Day Weekend and all. My one lovely purchase was the great fleur de lis pitcher above. I love anything with French ties so of course, I love anything with the French royal symbol of fleur de lis.

As an experienced market shopper I first look through the whole market to make sure there isn't anything more worth my money. After trolling the entire market I realize the only thing I "need" is the pitcher and return back to purchase it. After negotiating the price with the seller he asks why the Boy Scouts pitcher is appealing. I inform him the pitcher isn't a Boy Scouts pitcher, simply fleur de lis are on the pitcher. Yes, the boy scouts use this symbol but I'm pretty sure French royalty were around before Billy and his Boy Scouts. Clearly his knowledge of his goods was lacking. Anywho, the pitcher is clearly now is a better home where it's symbolism is more appreciated.

TJ Maxx Adventures

The older I get the more deal-focused I become. Recently (by recent I mean within the past year) I've become addicted to the clearance sections of Nordstrom's Rack and TJ Maxx. Overall, I enjoy these stores no matter what, and Ryan can attest I'll spend hours trolling the racks looking for deals. Sometimes when I'm bored I'll just troll around looking for deals. Today I went to TJ Maxx searching for a reusable wine tote, similar to the Built totes, to no avail, only lunch pails to be had.

But I wasn't disappointed instead I scored a pencil holder for my desk on clearance for $3 and it's cute. I strongly considered purchasing a Gaiam yoga mat tote bag on clearance for $3, but then realized I already have a tote that can also carry my yoga block thus the mat-only bag is useless. Other products in consideration from the TJ's clearance rack: 2 red doggie dishes with dog prints for $3/piece. My willpower won here as Jillie's current dish works fine and I couldn't tell if they were dog prints or cat prints. Whenever I need party gifts or prize gifts my first stop is the TJ's clearance area, for a recent party I scored a candle, a bath/body set, and a stationary set all for $3-$4/each. Considering they were all cute and/or smelled nice that was a win in my book. My key to gift giving is to always make my money so as far as possible and get the most for my money. How appropriate that the Rue La La Final Sale is today & tomorrow.......

Thank You Gilt Groupe

It's been awhile since I've trolled the wonderful sample site that is Gilt Groupe. Lord knows I don't need to be on there anyways. The only sale I can never pass up if the Cole Haan shoe sale, which was today!

Now, this summer I am in 3 weddings!! (Don't worry I'm not that popular, it just so happens nearly all my girlfriends are getting married this summer.) Now I was hoping I can wear silver shoes for at least 2 out of 3. Hence the need for shoes and these Cole Haan's are perfect! Plus, so comfy because they have the Nike Air technology, great for standing all day!! Double bonus I had a $25 Gilt Groupe credit (Thanks Jess!).

Turbo Tax Adventures

It is looming on the loved/hated tax season. Some people love it because they get large returns, some people hate it because they owe the taxman money. I'm indifferent, but I hope for a big tax return....new shoes, jeans, sweaters or that new parka I've been dreaming of...well a girl can dream. Most likely my tax return would buy my dear dog Jillie for new toys & treats.

Ryan and I are advocates of Turbo Tax and this year we upgraded to Turbo Tax Deluxe (I'm hoping for a bigger return as a result). Retail value of Turbo Tax Deluxe was $59.99, but being the bargain shopper I scored it at $39.99. Thank you Office Depot, for price matching the lowest found price. Saving money is like getting something for free, it's a win-win, win for the company because I bought their stuff, and a win for me because I saved money.

There is an indoor outlet mall near my house, yes it is problematic. Last time I was shopping there at the Off Saks Fifth Ave (yes, as great as it sounds) I signed up for their loyalty card. (Yes, I own many loyalty cards.) In my email last week I received a 25% off entire purchase. Now, I definitely need to hurry back before the coupon expires. I just can't pass up a good sale, never have been able to and never will.

I Love You Godiva

Omg!!! Best.Day.Ever! I just won a box of Godiva chocolates. This past weekend while shopping with my girlfriends we stopped at the new Godiva shop in Block 37. It took all my will power to not buy a chocolate while I was there. Well, it paid off! I entered my card in their fishbowl and won a box of chocolates!!! Amazing! Tomorrow they are delivering them to my cube - hooray!

So close....

Tonight I went pre-shopping for my Dyson <3 This is similar to pre-gaming before a bar night, or big game; except it's only for die-hard shoppers - similar to me. Where does my strong desire for a Dyson vacuum come from? These are questions I do NOT have the answer to. Maybe it's that man on the TV who tells me during the commercials how great my life will be with one. Am I really that much of a sucker for advertisements? The BH Kohl's has TWO Dyson DC25's in stock!!! TWO!!! That's it! The friendly saleswoman tried to put one on hold for me, however that didn't work. She did offer to hide it behind the other vacuums for me though later tonight. Basically she is my hero.

Kohl's opens at 4 AM on Friday. I plan to arrive at 3:45 AM to stand in line and run like a crazy woman to my Dyson. Since my Dad is my vacuum wingman I've offered to buy him breakfast, a sort of bribe to wake up at 3 AM to go to Kohl's. Has anyone ever wanted a vacuum quite like I want my Dyson DC25? Not that I can recall. Determination, focus.....these are key personality traits that will get me my Dyson.

What are some other purchases I'm looking to make during one of my three favorite days of the year...Wal-Mart has heated blankets & throws on sale for $13....done and done. I LOVE heated blankets. These could also be could use at the office, as it's always about 60 degrees. At Best Buy, I will definitely be hitting up the cheap DVD bin - as always. To score some DVD's that will sit on my DVD rack unopened for the next year. Smart purchase.....no....bargain purchase.....yes!

Tomorrow I'm going to the Packers v. Lions game....WOOP WOOP! If you'll be watching for me in the stadium, I'll be rocking my Greg Jennings jersey and Pack wears in addition to my temporary facial tattoos....awesome! Two big days in a row for me....can.not.wait!

My favorite holiday

(http://www.nataliedee.com/112307/black-friday.jpg)

My favorite holiday is coming up....Thanksgiving....now why would Thanksgiving be the favorite holiday of a vegetarian? Well, obviously the day after is actually my favorite holiday. My Dad and I wake up early every Black Friday to shop, now I'm pretty sure he doesn't look forward to this as much as I do, but it's tradition now. This weekend I have devoted several hours in competitive research of leaked sales ads for the items that I'm willing to knock over a soccer mom at 5 AM to obtain. There are always a few stores I focus on....Kohls and Best Buy (points for originality, I know).



My search is focused on a DC25 Dyson....I want one and Ryan just doesn't understand why a Dyson versus any other brand of vacuum. It's just not the same. To prepare for this purchase I saved up my credit card points and cashed in for $150 worth of Kohl's gift cards. Clearly, I was hoping Kohl's would have the best deal on the Dyson. According to the leaked Kohl's ad my Dyson will be on sale for $399 from $549. Clearly this is a bargain. Now I'm just concerned how early I should wake up to wait in line at the local Kohl's. How many other crazy ladies (or men) are in the market for my Dyson? These are questions I need answered. How willingly will the BH Kohl's be to provide sales figures on the Dyson DC25?

The remainder of my shopping is focused on potentially replacing my household desktop computer. I almost feel like a traitor saying this as my current desktop has survived 6-years of use. My first computer purchased before I left for college freshman year. My computer has been a good friend and survived hours of usage, and many a term paper in college. It saw Facebook before Facebook was cool, and many a episode of Grey's Anatomy online. However, the time has come to look for a replacement. The sad part is today I could purchase a much more powerful, faster, etc. desktop for about a 1/3 of the price. Damn you technology.