Confessions from Householdsix » shopping

20% off Entire Purchase at Ulta

Amanda — Sat, 24 Jul 2010 13:39:55 +0000

Need to stock up on Bare Essentials make up? Want a Chi? Whatever your needs or wants,20% Off Your Entire Purchase* use code 51194 (7/25-7/31)

Wordless Wednesday – Appliances Do Fashion

Amanda — Wed, 21 Jul 2010 02:39:51 +0000

I saw this dress in Target the other day. I didn’t know the Harvest Gold appliances from my childhood now had a clothing line. Target calls it Cruise Gold. I still say it’s Harvest Gold.

The PX and Commissary

Amanda — Tue, 13 Jul 2010 09:00:19 +0000

Tell it to me straight milfamilies, do you REALLY save money at the PX and commissary? Is it because we’re a small post that I see i can go to Amazon.com and other stores and get better deals on video games and electronics than at the PX? Speaking of the PX, does anyone buy clothes there? I’ve seen Target quality clothes at department store prices. Again, better deals to be had elsewhere. Maybe I just get frustrated with ours because it’s so small. For example, I ran in one day to get some nail polish. All they had was nail strengthener, fake nails, and nail polish remover, but no actual nail polish. Wouldn’t you think your PX would at least have some clear nail polish floating around since it can be used for so much more than just fingernails?

Then there’s the commissary. Some people tout the savings. I have yet to see it. If i take my bonus card and coupons (doubled every day) to the grocery store, not only do I save money, but I also earn gas reward points. Sometimes in our Sunday newspaper, the grocery store will offer some special coupon triplers. Don’t get me wrong, the commissary does have items we like and I do shop there. I get our milk at the commissary because it’s fairly local, and is of better quality than other milks we’ve had. I will also often get Halloween candy at the commissary because it’s cheaper. Overall, I really have to watch what I buy. A lot of items are more expensive than grocery stores in town.

Some can argue that we don’t pay tax at the commissary and PX. I’ve still found better deals even with paying tax on certain items in other stores. At the commissary, there is a surcharge for the commissary operating costs. Then, you have to tip the bagger since they only work for tips. In a state with no sales tax on food and stores that double coupons and give gas reward points, yep, cheaper to go to another store.

I’ve seen on the Facebook page for the commissary for example how we should spread the word about all the savings people can get if they shop there. Really? Show us the savings, and maybe we’ll spread the word. Don’t raise prices during pay weeks (yes, I’ve noticed when I stop in for a few things on off weeks it’s cheaper than pay weeks). Make it worth the drive for Guard, Reserve, and retired families that don’t live in the area. If the military wants us to use these “benefits” provided to us, then they’re going to have to work harder at being competitive with their civilian counterparts.

What’s the trend where you live?

Recent Sales and Promotions I’ve Seen

Amanda — Sat, 26 Jun 2010 11:39:42 +0000

-Toys R Us is running a Christmas Savers Club. Between now and October 16, 2010, add as much money as you’d like to your card. On October 16th, a bonus 3% will be added to your card. Start using your card to Christmas shop October 31st. Valid for purchases at Toys R Us and Babies R Us stores.

-I happened to be in one of our local malls and noticed a large sign in the window of New York & Company as I was walking by that said they offer a 15% discount to military, fire, police, and EMS workers. Very cool if you ask me. I don’t shop there, but I may check them out now.

-Our local Bob Evans is offering a 10% military discount on Thursdays.

-Cedar Fair Entertainment Company (King’s Island, Cedar Point, Geauga Lake, Dorney Park, King’s Dominion, and more) is offering free admission to military members past and present and discount admission to their immediate family members July 4th and 5th 2010. Need to present valid ID or DD form 214 showing honorable or medical discharge.

-Many museums are offering free admission to military families through the Blue Star Museums program. Memorial Day through Labor Day.

-Barnes & Noble offers 6% off and free shipping. But only through their Military City store front.

Bob Evans Discounts

Amanda — Mon, 21 Jun 2010 14:06:36 +0000

My oldest son received his coupon for his free kids’ meal for his birthday, so we went to our local Bob Evans for breakfast on the Harrisburg Pike by I-81. I noticed that at this location, kids eat free on Mondays from 4-9pm, and they also offer a military discount of 10% on Thursdays. Check your local location to see if they offer the same.

Bra Shopping Victory

Amanda — Sun, 06 Jun 2010 19:56:54 +0000

I scored a bra shopping victory Saturday. It’s been 3 1/2 years since I had my last child. It’s also been at least that long that I’ve been wearing sports bras because I couldn’t find a real bra that fit right. I had one from Victoria Secret (I don’t remember which model it is and I’m too lazy to go look) that in the dressing room looked great. I even had one of the girls measure me and everything since each child put a full cup size on me. In practical application, the bra sucked. Even thought it was the right size according to my measurements, my right (and slightly larger) boob would start to bulge out of its cup. It wasn’t an attractive look.

I put off bra shopping again until recently. I had tried a SPANX Bra-llelujah Bra from Cacique (Lane Bryant), and again, it felt OK in the store, but at home in practical application, it kept creeping up my back. I wasn’t happy. Yesterday, the heavens opened up, and the angels sang. Did you hear them? I was in Kohl’s. Vanity Fair has 2 kinds of bras that felt wonderful in the dressing room, and I wore one last night to dinner and one today. They both also hold up in practical application. This of course now means they will be discontinued when I need new ones.

I got one to try on because it said it was the softest bra ever. It was. It’s the Vanity Fair Women’s Body Caress Bra. The other said it provided “age defying lift.” I wasn’t thrilled with buying anything that said, “age defying” at 30, but they didn’t have anything that said, “lifts saggy boobs from breast feeding kids.” It’s the Vanity Fair Women’s Body Sleeks Support Full Coverage Contour Bra. My only real complaint is that bra manufacturers seem to think our boobs need to point out to either side. No wonder men stare at our boobs. They’re like having a lazy eye on our chests. They should be pointing forward but wander away from you.

I know everyone is built differently and everyone has their loyal bra brand when they find it. This is what I found works for me as I mourn the loss of my B’s and C’s, and I’m left with D’s. Thanks kids.

Recent Shopping Deals I’ve Found

Amanda — Tue, 01 Jun 2010 11:53:16 +0000

-If you pre-order games from Amazon.com, you get a $20 game credit when it ships. I’ve currently pre-ordered Call of Duty: Black Ops for my husband, and Lego Star Wars III: The Clone Wars for all the boys for Christmas.

-Video games and electronics tend to go on sale for Father’s Day in June and the sales continue for back to school in July and especially August.

-Storage furniture also goes on sale when the college kids go back to school. It’s a great time to do a home organization project. That’s when I organized the kids’ toys last fall.

I Entered the World Of Grown Up Make Up

Amanda — Wed, 12 May 2010 12:46:14 +0000

Last weekend, I stepped away from the drug store brands and made the move into a more grown up version of make up. I went to the local ULTA Beauty store and sucked it up and asked the girl who looked like she was in high school to help me. She tried samples on me, and showed me how to get a natural every day look that is easy to do. Make up isn’t something my mother ever really showed me how to do. Any techniques I have I’ve learned from friends, magazines, and now the girl from the make up counter at Ulta.

I ended up going with a bareMinerals Face Fashion Fab Fresh foundation and blush. I was told they’ll never go bad, which for how often I wear make up is a good thing. The blush matches what I needed perfectly. I’ve never found such a perfect shade of blush. I also got some input on eyeshadow colors and an eyebrow pencil. I’m comfortable with eyeliner and mascara.

I have to say that with how easy the bareMinerals make up is to put on, I’ve been wearing make up every day this week so far. I love that it’s just enough to even out my skin tone, but I don’t feel anything cakey on my face.

*This experience was my own and fully funded by me. I felt like now that I’m 30 it was time to move to products that better suited my needs and changing skin. I did include affiliate links in this post. Affiliate links are a great way to support bloggers you enjoy reading, but you’re under no obligation to click on them.

Mother’s Day Gifts

Amanda — Mon, 26 Apr 2010 11:56:38 +0000

Still wondering what to get mom for Mother’s Day? Check out this list. Only a couple weeks left to get those gifts to mom.

-If mom likes beauty products, Great Gifts Under $30 at ULTA.com
-MY M&M’S® candy personalized with words, colors, faces, logos – Order Now!
-Show Mom how Much You Care this Mother’s Day with the Personalized 7oz Hershey’s Kisses from The Hershey’s Store!
-If mom likes music, consider a Microsoft Zune Pass or a Zune.
- If mom is a Twilight fan, Pre-order Stephenie Meyer’s latest, The Short Second Life of Bree Tanner: An Eclipse Novella
-Send mom flowers: Mother’s Day Flowers and Gifts starting at just $19.99
-Shop at Kohl’s for mom.

Tax Day Freebies

Amanda — Thu, 15 Apr 2010 09:58:06 +0000

I think here in the US April 15th is as stressful as the impending Christmas holidays for people.Some companies have taken it upon themselves to make today just a little bit brighter for us all.

Starbucks:
They want to encourage people to NOT use disposable cups. Therefore, if you bring in your own mug, free brewed coffee all day today for you.

Maggie Moos:
One free slice of ice cream pizza at participating locations from 3-7pm. It will have red frosting to mimic sauce and white chocolate for the “cheese.” I’m glad they put this out ahead of time for parents with kids like mine who can’t have red dye so you don’t show up and then have meltdown because your kid can’t have the free item.

Cinnabon:
Two free bite sized cupcakes from 6-8pm at participating locations. Their promotion is “Tax Day Bites.”

IHOP:
One free child’s meal with each adult meal purchased from 4-10pm for the entire month of April. (kids 12 and under)

Boston Market:
One free meal with each meal purchased through Sunday with this coupon.

PF Chang’s:
15% off dine in or take out orders Thursday through Sunday. Excludes, alcohol, happy hour food, and beverages.