Great Shopping Deals

Every morning when I check my email, I am always excited to see what deals of the day can be found from certain online discount services that I subscribe to. I have been wanting to share these with you for awhile. The other day, when I was checking one of my favorite blogs, Pepper Design Blog, I saw that they must have had the same idea! Below are the discount resources that I frequent with the addition of one from Morgan. Also at the end of the post, you will find valuable shopping tips from Pepper Design Blog via The Knot.

Groupon is a great program where local businesses offer a HUGE discount each day for subscribers. You may find yourself saving 90% on spa services, or 50% at a restaurant or favorite clothing store (like Nordstrom Rack!!)

Gilt selects a new group of designers daily with crazy discounts off of clothing, shoes and even vacations.

One Kings Lane offers designer home decor and other gifts at a steal of a price.

Ruelala is similar to Gilt it’s a clothing, shoe & home decor online boutique with big discounts.

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A few additional money-saving tips from The Knot:

Give the Gift of…You Instead of scouring the (sale) rack for something your sister won’t hate, give friends and family members a coupon good for your time or skills. Maybe your sister and her husband get free babysitting, and your mother-in-law gets lunch (which she’ll probably relish a lot more than another scarf). If you’re an accountant, offer to do your parent’s taxes for free this year. You get the idea….

Time Yourself Newsflash: The longer you linger in a store, the more moola you’ll probably spend. To avoid impulse purchases, set a time limit before you hit up the mall to hunt for gifts.

Score Free Shipping Streamline the gift-giving process this year by shopping online. Most retailers will wrap and ship your presents for you, and they often offer free shipping during the holidays (find a list at FreeShipping.org).

Never Pay Retail Before you start your holiday shopping, check RetailMeNot.com or MyBargainBuddy.com (there are so many out there) to find promotions and deals for a wide variety of retailers, ranging from Best Buy and Pottery Barn to Gap. Found the perfect gift but it’s a little out of your price range? Register it at ShoppingNotes.com, and they’ll email you when it goes on sale. (When shopping online, always be sure to Google for a coupon code! Free shipping or 20% off is just a click away.)

Scan a Deal Too busy (or lazy) to comparison shop? Download the ShopSavvy or RedLaser app, and you can scan an item’s bar code to see what it costs at other stores and online. If you find a lower price, just ask the manager at your current locale to match it.

Finally, one of my own favorite secrets: Amazon and Google Shopping generally offer the best deals (or compare stores for you) so don’t forget to search both of those sites with your gift idea before purchasing!

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Thanks Morgan for sharing this with us! I am sure our wallets (and husbands) will thank you!

Teacher’s Gift Guide

It is so hard to decide what to get your kid’s teacher each year. In the past, I have given a personalized mug, a bag, cosmetic case, etc. This year, I would like to try and think out of the box. Here are a few suggestions to help you get started.

1. A photo album (with pictures/drawings from the class)

 

 

2. Vintage silverware herb markers with culinary herb seeds

 

 

 

3. Personalized Notepad

 

 

4. Crayon Vase filled with Flowers

Not digging the flowers, but this was the only image I could find! I think bright colored flowers would be more suitable. {source}

 

 

5. Cookie Dessert Bar for Teachers

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6. Gift Card with Coordinating Treat

Coffee Cup Cozy

(other ideas include pedicure with bottle of nail polish, or tickets to a movie with a box of popcorn)

 

 

7. Tervis Tumbler filled with candy

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8. Books for the Classroom Library

Check this book out…it really is AWESOME!

 

 

9.  Teacher Supplies

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10. Food!! (Along with the recipe)

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Elf on the Shelf

 

Look who finally made it to our house tonight!!

We L-O-V-E  LOVE the Elf on the Shelf at our house. Not only is the elf darling, but the book that comes along with it is pretty cute too! The elf “flies” off to the North Pole every night to report to Santa whether your child has been naughty or nice, The next day he appears in a different spot. Charlie enjoys looking for him each morning to see where he has landed.

The book asks the child to name their elf. Our creative genius Charlie aptly named his “Elf on the Shelf” when he was two. Each year I think that he will get a new name, but it has yet to happen. What are your elf names?

Etsy Find: Christmas Photo Booth Props

I have been a fan of Paper & Cake for awhile and yesterday while having some fun browsing Etsy during lunch, found the cutest holiday photo booth accessories. Photo booths are becoming increasing popular. Not only are they a great way to break the ice at any party, they also add some fun to your party pics! While Etsy offers props that are already assembled, these from Paper & Cake come in a downloadable file, hence giving you more for less (less money that is!) They would be a hit at either a kid’s party or an adult party.

For $9.95, the set includes a Santa hat and beard, Mrs. Claus spectacles, mustaches, lips, reindeer antlers, Rudolph’s nose, and banner. What a deal! Click here to purchase.

Holiday Clutches

The perfect accessory to your holiday dress is a killer holiday clutch. Here are a few options for your parties this season.

Snake-embossed leather clutch, $119.00

Crinkle mirrored wristlet, $155.00

Velvet bow clutch (also available in gray and mustard), $198.00

Jewel Clutch, $29.95

Gray Feather Clutch (my favorite!), $44.82

Girl’s Gift Guide

I think it can be difficult to buy a gift for a good friend, relative, or coworker. Here are a few suggestions all under $50.

1. Layering Bracelets

Stella and Dot, $39

2. Roll Up Ballet Flats

Gap, $39.50

3. Return Address Stamp

Letter girl, $40.00

4. A Cozy Scarf

Anthropologie, $32.00

5. A Classic Book

Penguin Classics, $20.00

6. A Serving Tray

Dani Notes, $34.00

8. Sephora Beauty Kits

Nail Polish, $48.00

9. Statement Necklace

Chain Necklace, $48.00

10. Chic Desk Calendar

Dabney Lee, $25.00

Kids Christmas Pajamas

I love it when my kids wear matching pajamas. I think they just look adorable. Some of these are oldies but goodies, and others are new this season. After Charlie wet the bed one year on Christmas Eve, I have learned to buy two sets…one to actually sleep in, and one to wear the next morning!!! This year my boys will be wearing these:

Gymboree, $14.81

along with…

Old Navy, $8.00

These are also pretty darn cute…

Chasing Fireflies, $48.00 (also available in green)

Hanna Andersson, $38.00

Garnet Hill, $34.00

CWD Kids, $39.00 (with monogram)

Personal Creations.com, $34.99

Gymboree, $14.81