Because I don't have enough ornaments

My mom and I did one of my new favorite holiday traditions today: a visit to Hallmark Corporate to take advantage of her employee discount.

Between her 50% discount in the Hallmark Store and 75% discount in the Double Discount store, I typically go a little nuts. But all my spending from previous years has earned me a rather impressive gift wrap and ornament collection, so this year I decided to tone it out and spent less than half of what I usually do.

$45 later, and I'm rather proud of myself.

Pretty Pink Trike: I saw this ornament and thought it was fate, because Audrey is asking (well, writing) Santa for a pink tricycle this year.

Boba Fett: Two years ago, I got Brent the first ornament in the LEGO Star Wars series as a stocking stuffer. Now it's apparently a tradition.

Season's Treatings: I absolutely adore this series. It is so cute and looks adorable on my kitchen tree.

Sweet Treat Penguin: Because I can't not get a penguin ornament.

In addition to the ornaments, we hit up the Double Discount store, and I got these goodies.

I'm so excited about Santa's workshop! I've been wanting to do some sort of mini Christmas village, but everything I've seen is too traditional. This will be perfect.

Fabric is cool

Now that the crib is in and assembled (!!!), I decided it was time to quite dragging my feet about picking my fabrics for the crib skirt and curtain panels.

I ordered 10 different fabric samples, and Brent and I quickly narrowed it down to the 2 winners.

The crib skirt (Dwell Studio Dotscape Jet):

The curtain panels (Waverly Scribble Meadow):

Brent and I both fell in love with this fabric right away, and were extremely happy it was the correct shade of green once the sample arrived.

Me: It's just so great. It's modern yet playful at the same time. I just love it.

Brent: I wouldn't describe it that way, but I love it too.

Me: How would you describe it?

Brent: It's cool.

Right.

I ordered everything yesterday, so now I get to impatiently wait for them to be shipped, delivered and made.

I heart Black Friday

I know a lot of people don't get Black Friday, but I'm not one of those people.

I am obsessed with getting the best bargain possible, so naturally Black Friday and I have a very strong courtship. I've had my tentative Black Friday list since finding out I was pregnant, and I've been saving ever since, because I knew this year we'd be buying a lot of stuff.

Thanksgiving night, Brent and I went to Michaels, because they were offering 30% off your total purchase. I want to paint something above the dresser in the nursery – and I scored my $60 canvas for $20. I also bought all my paints and brushes. Then we bought all the supplies for 4 Christmas presents. (Brent's side has 4 elementary-aged girls who love to craft. So, I bought 4 bead organizer containers (all 75% off), and filled it with tons of crafting goodies – sequins, buttons, stickers, foam shapes, wood cutout outs, thread, etc.). We were in and out in 20 minutes, and saved about $125.

Later that night, my affair with Amazon and their amazing deals started.

My biggest deal/excitement was my camera. I finally acquired a Canon EOS Rebel T3. Amazon matched Sears' deal by packaging it with a telephoto lens for the same price. (But we shipped everything to one of Brent's friends in Missouri, so my deal was tax-free).


Brent's Christmas present this year is another Blu-ray player. He loves the one we got last Black Friday, so we just bought the newer version of this model. The new one will go in the man cave, and the older model will go in the family room.

For the past several years, I've bought the Christmas present that my grandparents give us. This year, we decided to go practical and upgrade our toaster to a 4-slicer. I actually bought this toaster as a wedding present for my cousin this fall and kind of feel in love with it.

I just couldn't say no to this – $70 for all 8 Harry Potter movies on Blu-ray? Ummm...yes, please. I'm excited to make Brent watch them with me. :)
I also acquired a few more DVDs as stocking stuffers and gifts for my brother.

Brent actually braved the crowds alone this year and went to Nebraska Furniture Mart. He's been wanting a new laptop for awhile, and his basically died this week...and the one he's been eying was $200 off.


Yep, it was definitely a successful day. Brent's been making me jealous playing with his new toy. I won't get my camera until Wednesday, so I am on countdown.

Closet preparations

I bought goodies for Audrey's closet...several weeks ago (yes, I know I currently suck at this thing called blogging).


The closet dividers are from Amazon. And the storage stuff is actually from JoAnns. I feel like I hit the jackpot with it. This collection was in the office section and was 50% off. So, I scored 3 large baskets, 1 small basket, 2 "photo" boxes, a stack of 3 circular containers, a white organizer, and a backdoor organizer for $80.

I've got to stop

I've got to stop buying things (mainly clothes) for Audrey. My baby showers aren't until December, and yet she already reaching what could be considered a full closet.

So, last weekend's shopping spree with my mom and god-mother was it. I am on break until after December 18th. It's going to be tough, but I have to do it.

But for now, here's what I bought at Crazy 8:

Penguin Bodysuit:

Penguin Sweater Hat:

Poodle Fleece Sleeper:

I would like to say this is all I purchased, but I also acquired a pink penguin hat at Macys. Let's not worry though, all 3 of the penguin hats I now have for Audrey are in different sizes.

And my order from Totsy's blowout sale last month may have come in.

And my mom may have bought some things as well (a sleeper and fleece coat). And...maybe a penguin pillow pet that I'll be receiving at Christmas.

Yep, I'm officially on break.

What I Bought...

I just couldn't help myself. I'm powerless toward penguins.

At first I was going to buy the entire set of the 3 winter sport penguins, but the ice skating penguin looked way too one-legged in person.

I also decided to take a huge step and buy my first Thanksgiving/Fall decoration ever. This is a huge step for me. Luckily, it was only $3.95, so it was easy to take the plunge.

In pregnancy news, I have my 1-hour glucose screening today. And tomorrow I start my 3rd trimester. I can't believe how quickly time is flying by.

The latest purchase

It finally happened. Brent got a new car.


The game plan changed several times, but we eventually settled on a 2012 Altima. While the original plan was to go used, with all the amazing deals going on currently with new cars, it didn't make financial sense not going new.

One of the musts on Brent's wish list was heated leather seats. We saved lots of money by purchasing a grade down from the "pimped out" line, and just having the dealership switch out the fabric seats with leather ones.

Fabric:

To leather:

They did an amazing job and this task took less than a day. Even the door fabric was switched out to leather. As for the price of a task like this, we were originally quote $1,900, but Brent was able to talk them down to $1,100. Not bad at all for a toasty butt in the winter. :)

In other news: I may or may not have downloaded the song from the Weber Grill commercials. And I might be rocking out to it right now.

Ummm...I like penguins

In case you couldn't tell by my penguin tree...

or my dogs' toys...

I may like penguins a little.

So, is it really a surprise that the only baby items I've bought so far are penguin-related? Yeah, I didn't think so.

Over the winter, I snatched these up from Baby Gap:

And my mom got me this adorable penguin backpack from Gymboree last week:

But considering I bought the penguin hat and booties before I was pregnant (yes, I judge me too), this hits the shocking reality that I've bought nothing for the baby since I've been pregnant. I know this will change once we find out the gender (September 12!), but until then I really just don't know what to buy.

Garage sale goodies

When the people down the street had a garage sale, and I saw these:


I knew it was a must. Sure, they're pink now – but they'll be fabulous once painted. The lady said she got them in the 60s or 70s from a retail store that was closing. I can totally picture them once in an old school toy store. And better yet, I got them for $10 each.

These guys will have a home in R.O.C. 2 (room of crap).

The previous homeowners used this 9x8' room as an office. We're currently using it as our catch-all room. And it's definitely gotten worse since R.O.C. 1 became a second guest bedroom. So the extra shelving will come in handy.

I have one bookcase painted and ready to go, but as luck would have it – I ran out of paint, so the second shelf will just have to wait.

Summer fixes

Well, it's not an exciting photo, but with the money we just dropped on a new a/c, there's no way it wasn't going to get photographed.

Another issue we have each summer is Chip's allergies. Westies are itchy dogs by nature, but this year his itching and fur biting hit a new level that the Benadryl wouldn't cure. Once we discovered a huge amount of scabbing around his lower back/tail – we knew it was time for a new game plan. After a trip to the vet, that game plan included an embarrassing hair cut. Chip doesn't seem to mind his butt being on display though.

A Tale of 5 Sofas

The 6-week journey of 5 sofas for the man cave is now over.

It was a long, brutal process, but it's over now. The issue was the landing going down into the basement – nothing would fit in the space.

Our sectional arrived the day of the wine-party (nothing like cutting it close), and it took 45 minutes (and one hole in the wall) to make it fit. The hole was Brent's doing. The delivery guys said it wouldn't fit, but Brent was determined and pushed the sofa into the wall. My houndstooth wall.


Sigh. Looks like somebody gets to learn how to patch walls in the near future. But it was totally worth it, because the futon is gone!

Before:

After:

Yep, the man cave has definitely come a long way in the past year:

The only issue now is the wall color. I've never been a fan of it, but Brent's loved it. Thankfully, that love is quickly fading with the brown sectional. I think a celery color would be rather amazing and lighten things up.

New pillows!

I had my favorite seamstress make me new pillows for the family room, and I am loving the black and white! (Confession, I've had them for about a month but I've been busy with Netflix's instant streaming – watching 30 Rock, Parks & Rec and Lost. Totally worth it).


Once I'm employed, replacing the shag rug is the first thing on my list. Dogs and shag do not go together. Just a heads up.

In other news: I got my first interview today! Sure it may not lead to anything, but it's a step in the right direction.

What I bought

Eek!

After lots of debate, I decided to just go for it. Plus, I figured it was fate that the new model was released on the day I was laid off.

Now the resume and hopefully freelance work can begin.

Another duvet

The moment I saw Z Gallerie's Labyrinth bedding in gray, I fell in love. But as reality goes, I always had other things needing my financial attention (the beer-tasting party, dog grooming, Christmas...). By the time I was ready to invest, all the king shams were gone and I admitted defeat. Soon after, the duvet was sold out.

Then last night, I was "innocently" browsing Z Gallerie's bedding and noticed the bedding was available again in king (and my heart fluttered). Even better, the new sale price was $44.89 (double flutter).

The only issue was, once again, the lack of shams. My solution – buy two duvets and have shams created from one. I contacted my sew-crafty contact, and all is a go.

So excited!

My latest deal

I just acquired this duvet for $29.70, and I'm rather excited.


My current task is making my third bedroom less of an embarrassment, and this duvet will definitely help.

The weather outside is frightful

But it's okay, because my dogs now have scarves!


Macintosh is sporting a Kansas scarf, and Chip is modeling a Kansas State one.

I got them from Bow Wow Wow. I first saw this vendor at Strutt With Your Mutt, and I've been hooked ever since. Technically, these are supposed to be one of their Christmas presents, but I've always been bad at that whole waiting thing.

_______________________

Bag Count 2010: 22

Operation Ikea

I knew Ikea was big, but I had no idea how large it actually was. It took Brent and me 2.5 hours to make it through the main floor, and even then I felt we were rushing at times.

For those who have never been to Ikea, say hello to the maze (and yes, Brent made fun of me for taking this picture):
While I spent time marveling over the amazing deals, Brent took fascination with the cart and its amazing spinning capability (which, once I was finally allowed to try, became a fan myself).

I had a fear that going to Ikea over Black Friday weekend would result in many out-of-stock items, but I'm happy to report we managed to get everything on our list, plus some impulse items and Christmas gifts.

Here's the loot we got for ourselves:


1. 4 Stockholm throw pillows for the man cave (for once we actually get big kid furniture down there).

2. I have no idea what I'm planning on doing with the Borrby lantern, but we thought it was fun, and for $7.99, why not.

3. Two Expedit inserts with 2 drawers for the kitchen.

4. I loved the look of this Smarta oven serving dish. It was definitely my favorite impulse buy.

5. One green Mjonas tealight for the family room.

6. Two Henriksdal Chairs for the dining room.

7. And the reason I wanted to go to Ikea in the first place, the Expedit shelf in white. I've been so impressed with how mine in the kitchen is holding up, that I wanted/needed another.

I have a happy husband

When our Blu-ray player arrived in the mail today, I knew what Brent would be doing.

It's amazing how fast he can move when he wants to. He switched out 2 DVD players in an hour, yet it somehow took a week for the living room Christmas tree to make the journey up from the basement.

Was this purchase anywhere near the top of my list? No. But since it's been on the top of Brent's list for awhile now – I decided Black Friday was the time to take advantage. My only requirement was Wi-Fi, because if we're doing Blu-ray, well, I want the entire experience.

When everything was all hooked up, and Brent had he first Blu-ray movie in (and was making the house shake with his choice in speaker volume), I must admit I was impressed with the picture. And this is saying a lot, because I could care less about whether I'm watching something in HD or not.

While I don't see us running out and buying 2 more to replace our other DVD players, I am happy to be catching up with the rest of the movie-watching enthusiasts.

It's 1:15 in the morning...

...and Black Friday shopping is done!

Brent and I just got back from Wal-Mart and took major advantage of the DVD deals.

We got:
- The Hangover
- The Blind Side
- Gran Torino (Blu-ray)
- How I Met Your Mother (season 1)
- How I Met Your Mother (season 2)
- The Big Bang Theory (season 1)
- The Big Bang Theory (season 2)
- The Big Bang Theory (season 3)
- True Blood (season 1)

We also picked up 3 more packs of the Rubbermaid 40-piece Easy Find Lid Storage Tupperware sets. I got some of this tupperware 2 Black Fridays ago, and I'm obsessed with it – so I've decided to share the love with some family members. :)

All of this for $135. Yes, please.

After Wal-Mart, we came back to my in-laws' house and hit up Amazon for a Blu-ray player (because Brent's only been wanting to get one for about 2 years). While, I appreciate the concept of Blu-ray, I will still be buying normal DVDs for myself, because I don't like the idea of being trapped to only one DVD player.

But for now, it's time for bed, because a drive to Dallas (and then soon a trip to Ikea) awaits us. I hope everyone had an amazing Thanksgiving, and happy shoppings!

Flowers gone glam

I'm a snob when it comes to fake flowers, but when I saw these crystal flower stems at Z Gallerie, I quickly warmed up to the concept. They are just too fun to deny.