Latest deal finds

Alright guys so we have moved and are getting settled in...and of course I had to scout out the local deal finds:

Dirt Cheap - I heard about this store from a friend on instagram and I was so excited to check it out.  I didn't have one nearby until we moved here, score!

So Dirt Cheap is a discount store that has castoffs from places like Target and other stores.  The sticker price is pretty much the same as in store but then they have signs around that have a certain number that correlates with the number on the sticker and that tells you how much the discount is.  These discounts range from 40% to 90% and fluctuate.  I have been in this store probably 3 times in the past 2 weeks and their discounts change so much.

It is a junky store you just have to get past that and know beforehand that you are going to have to search around a lot.

Here are the finds:

This awesome lamp was in the 90% off area so we got it for $6!  Now I'll be honest the lamp shade was junk so we had to get another one and some of the wood pieces were dented or scratched (we just put those in the back).  Just keep that in mind that these are things that are salvage pieces from Target, etc. so they may be missing pieces, broken, whatever.  Also things are not returnable, so just keep that in mind when you are deciding on your items.   

All these items were 90% off as well...I am in love with the wiener dog tape dispenser!  I mean how adorable and he was less than $2!  I also picked up the floral inspirational notes for $1 and the knob set for less than $2.  They don't allow returns so just make sure you check the packages and items so you know what you are getting before you get home.

......................................................

Nest stop Michaels:

They were having a 70% off their spring item.  Guys always always always check out their seasonal clearance.  You may think you don't need any seasonal items but they usually have little decor, etc items that are mixed in there and happen to be seasonal.  

Like these caster wheels...seriously spring?  I picked up three sets of these guys (2 in a pack) for less than $3!  That is such an awesome deal and great to save for future projects! 

This guy was such an exciting find and how adorable is that little chalkboard?  We needed somewhere to hang our keys and this little guy was perfect.  Again in the "spring" clearance for around $6, can't beat it!

.............................................

We live so close to a Target now that it could be dangerous...seriously I have never lived within 15 minutes to a Target...

I told you we needed a lamp shade for the lamp base we found at Dirt Cheap, well step in Target with a cute cork shade on clearance.  Perfect fit and I love the cork.  

..................................................

I also popped into Charlotte Russe with my sisters when they were visiting and saw this amazing clearance.  They had a whole basket of Smith's Rosebud Salve (and other flavors) on clearance for $1.99!  These things go for $6 and up at Sephora, etc.  I have never seen them on clearance!  So I stocked up on a couple.

....................................................

We also live close to a Kirklands now, I LOVE Kirklands!  First off they smell so good, and their home decor is so beautiful!  

They were having a clearance sale of extra 40% off green tagged items.  I found this adorable bull chevron print picture for around $3.  I already have it hanging in our kitchen and I love it!  

What deals have you guys discovered lately?

September Favorites

As you all know I have been slack-a-lacking on my weekly favorites (or just blogging in general)....I have had quite a few things going on.  One thing is really exciting and I hope it will come together soon!  

Anyways here are my September Favorites:

-Kendra Scott Hazel Earrings in Gold Iridescent: My sweet husband picked these out for me for our one year anniversary.  He picked them up from the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale so they were a lot cheaper.  These are so classy.  I wear them all the time!  

-I Was Made for Loving You by Tori Kelly and Ed Sheeran:  This song is absolutely adorable!!  The vibe is so sweet and relaxing and I am just in love with the verses!   

-Free Breakfast!!  So September was the month of free breakfasts!  Seriously McDonalds gave out free coffee for teachers every Monday.  The Chick-Fil-A in our neighborhood gave out a free breakfast item every Wednesday.  Then this past Tuesday Dunkin Donuts celebrated National Coffee day by giving away free Dark Roast Coffee.  I had the most delicious coffee ever!  Usually I'm not a huge fan of Dunkin Donuts coffee but oh man this has changed my mind.  I got the Dark Roast iced with mocha.  Seriously this stuff was good to the end.    

-CoverGirl Outlast All-Day Lipcolor in Blushed Mauve: So I picked this little guy up at Big Lots for $3 Which is a great deal as these are around $8 in other stores.  This lasts all day and I love how it has its own moisturizer stick so you can keep applying that all day.  Mauve has also been a favorite color of mine for my lips, I am not one to wear a lot of color on my lips but mauve has been one I have branched out in.  I feel like it is a color that just works with my skin tone.  

-Fall: Ahhhh it is finally fall!  Fall is my absolute favorite season ever.  I love the colors the change in the weather, the decorations and all the things that go along with it.  I am so excited for the clothes and to wear my tights, boots, scarves, sweaters all day everyday!  

-Boom Chicka Bits in Fruit and Nut: I picked this stuff up at DirtCheap on 90% off and oh man its delicious!  This is pretty much popcorn and sweet stuff on top and some nuts and pomegranate seeds.  The flavor is awesome and how cute is that package??

-Chicken Cantina PowerBowl from Taco Bell: Alright I might ruffle some feathers but being a farmer's daughter I have decided to try and stay away from Chipotle...I know scandalous.  The company has made a stand that is hurting farmers, they aren't supporting them and their ads and media are just offensive.  So with that being said my husband and I have turned to Taco Bell and their cantina power bowls.  Oh my goodness I actually like it better than Chipotle...I mean they give you guacamole for free!   

-Phillip Lim for Target bag: This bag came out at Target on one of those designer collabs around 2 years ago or so and I just couldn't pay the $50 for it.  After that I saw pictures of it all the time on instagram and ahhh I wanted it so bad.  So fast-forward two years and I found it for $20 on poshmark!  I am in love with this bag and it is the absolute perfect fall bag!  

What I read in September

So I only read one book this month....seriously one measly book.  I have been so crazy busy with work and the house and just everything going on I haven't had time to really sit down and read.  

I did want to make sure I finished the Growing Up Duggar by the oldest Duggar sisters.  I am going to the Southern Women's Show in October and Jessa Duggar is speaking there.  I wanted to have read the book so I would have a little more insight and so I can maybe get it signed.  

Ya'll know I am a Duggar fan.  I think they are such a great family and I really admire them for sticking to their beliefs and being a light for God.  This book goes a little deeper into their beliefs and their day to day life.  I thought it provided some really great tips and ideas for parents to use but also just general tips on how we should be following God's word in every aspect of our lives.  They aren't saying that you have to stop watching TV and don floor length skirts and turtle necks.  They are just saying to be aware of your actions and how you treat others, to make sure God's word is in your heart and to live out His plan for you.  

I am really excited to hear Jessa speak, look for a blog post on the experience soon!  

What have you been reading lately?  

Moving tips

1. Start Early: Seriously if you put it off it will be so much worse!  As soon as you know you are moving start going through your closets and build your give away pile.

2. Pack an overnight bag containing your essentials.  Things will be crazy and you don't want to search through a box to find your pajamas or toothbrush.  

3. Pack a box containing all your essentials that you will need for the first couple of days (coffee maker, cleaning supplies, etc.)

4. Use foam plates to protect your dishes.  This saves on bubble wrap and keeps you from wrapping each one.

5. Use garbage bags to cover your clothes and keep them clean, not to mention save you time in packing.  Just put a hole in the bottom of the bag and pull the hangers through, then tie a knot at the bottom.

6. Utilize your space: for example packing your crockpot, fill it with your spices and whatever else can fit. 

7. Use your items wisely.  To save on bubble wrap use your clothes or towels or anything you have to cushion your breakables.  

8. Label your boxes.  This makes things so much easier, especially if you have people helping you.  Make sure you put what room it goes to as well.  Label the sides and the top so you can see what it is even if stacked.  Label the rooms in your house.  This was really helpful since we had people helping us move to know where to put boxes.  

9. Keep sandwich bags handy for holding small parts parts of things you take apart, like curtain rods,etc.  Make sure you label them.  

10. Keep drawers in-tact by using press and seal.  This saves you time on packing and you don't have to unpack when you get to your destination.  

11. Use the right size box.  Books are heavy if you put them all in a big box you won't be able to lift it.  So heavy things in small boxes and light items in big boxes.  

12. Put heavier items on the bottom of boxes, lighter items on top.  When loading the truck, pack heavier items first towards the front, for balance.

13. Don't leave empty spaces in boxes.  Fill in gaps with extra clothing, towels, or packing paper.  This way your items are more protected.

14. Wrap important furniture pieces in quilts or blankets so you don't dent or bust anything.  Better safe than sorry!  Plus it saves space packing those blankets.     

What are your moving tips?  

Free coffee for teachers at McDonalds in September!

You know I love coffee and I'm all about free stuff.  Well every Monday in September McDonald's is offering a FREE medium hot or iced coffee for teachers.  All us gotta do is flash your id badge.  

*make sure you check with your McDonald's first.  One McDonald's I visited had no idea what I was talking about...awkward*

I got mine iced because I am obsessed with their iced coffee.  I get the original (no syrup flavor) because the flavored ones (vanilla, caramel, etc) are waaaay to sweet.  This one is the perfect blend of sweet yet still tastes like coffee. 

Thank you McDonald's for providing a reason to actually look forward to Mondays.  

Latest deal finds

So...I went shopping and I found some awesome deals and thought I would share with y'all...

Anyway here is my haul, first stop Dirt Cheap.  Guys this place is my favorite!  I have talked about Dirt Cheap before but it is a discount store that gets castoffs from places like Target and other stores.  They have discount signs all around the store and you match the number to the discount (make sure you check as things in the store get crazy moved around).  

I picked up this adorable crossbody purse for $4!!!!  It is the prettiest minty blue color and I am in love with it!  I have been wearing when I do errands and it is perfect.  

I stopped by Target and saw the exact same bag just in a different color on clearance for $17.48...so I got an awesome deal! 

More Dirt Cheap I picked up these tights for $1 each, I love wearing tights in the fall.  

Guys I have been ignoring the clothing section of Dirt Cheap and oh my goodness have I been missing out.  The way the clothing section works there is each item has a tag with a letter and the letter is assigned to a discount.  All of the clothes I picked up above were brand new from Target and they were $1 each!!!! 

Alright I also went to Target and searched for the clearance: 

I also had to stop for a coffee...because when in Target.  

These adorable marquee lights were on clearance for $2.70  I actually already spray painted them different colors.  

Michaels was having a great sale with an extra 20% off everything even sale items coupon so I picked up a few things:

All of these things were in the front section of little knick-knacks and they were 60% off.  I found an R for our gallery wall (I seriously have an obsession with R's).  I also found a cute little gold passport holder and an adorable spoon rest.  This little area is also good to stock up on gifts.  

Michael's always has the prettiest frames and they do on sale pretty often.  The white one was $8 and the driftwood one was $6.  

We also have a Big Lots near us and I love Big Lots.  They always have neat different things and they have great clearance items.  

I picked up the mini wheat thin boxes for 47 cents and each of these K-cups were on clearance for $4.50! 

You do have to check the expiration dates on clearance items because most of the time that is why they are on clearance, but usually they don't expire for a month or so (plenty of time to use things up)

I also picked up this facial cleanser for $1.50!!  I searched for them online and found them for $12 or more...run to your Big Lots and see if yours has this awesome deal.  I may go stock up on a few more for gifts...

I found these gluten free animal crackers on clearance and they are delicious (I'm not even gluten free but who cares)

I have been wanting to try the caramel version of these since Kim Adams raves about them.  I've tried the vanilla and they are pretty good so can't wait to see about these!  

Last thing I went to the Dollar Tree and I always check the book section there.  Every once in a while they get really nice books and for $1 you can't beat it.  

I picked up this one and have read one other by this author and really liked it so I'm excited to check this one out.  

What deals have you guys found lately? 

Jumping on the bootie bandwagon

Probably the weirdest title ever...but I got my first pair of booties! 

I picked up these cuties at Dirt Cheap for wait for it...$2.50!!!!  Seriously this store is quickly turning into one of my favorite stops!  They were marked at $9 and then assigned the discount of 80% off!!!

I am so excited to style these this fall with some skinnies, my favorite sweater and a big fluffy scarf.