Target Trip (free and cheap items)

It was an eventful day at my Target shopping center. A man being treated for psychiatric care escaped from the nearby hospital and made his way to the rooftop of the Target, Michael's, Marshall's and Pet Smart shopping center and threatened to jump. The stores were closed for the majority of the morning while police officer's negotiated with the mentally ill man. Over eight hours later in 90 degree heat, the man finally climbed down a latter to safety.

I waited until all was clear to make my regular Monday shopping trip. It turned out to be much more successful than I planned. I came home with several free or really cheap items and saved over $30 with coupons.

I used a total of 19 coupons! I'm certain this is the most I've ever used in a trip. Here's a list of a few of the deals.

Pantene Shampoo and Conditioner $3.34 each

Coupons Used:

$3/2 Pantene Product Target Mobile Coupon

$3/2 Pantene Product MQ P&G 7/29

=.68 for both

Tampex Pearl $4.19 each

Coupons Used:

$2.50/2 Tampex Pearl Target Catalina Coupon

$2/1 MQ Tampex Pearl P&G 7/29

$2/1 MQ Tampex Pearl P&G 7/29

=$1.88 for both

Cover Girl Eye Shadow

$2.42 clearance

$3.14 regular price

Coupons Used:

$3/2 MQ Cover Girl Product P&G 7/29

$2/2 TQ from Beauty Bag

=.56 for both

BIC Pens .99 each

$1/2 MQ SmartSource insert 7/29

$1/2 TQ from Back to School Mailer

=Free

PaperMate Pens - .94

$1/1 PaperMate Product Target web coupon

=Free

Total Cost - $3.12 (less than the cost of one full price Pantene bottle)

-Amanda

Target 70% Toy Clearance July 2012

The pickens were slim for the annual summer toy clearance at Target. I didn't bring home a haul anything close to last year, but I was still able to find a few things on my list for Christmas.

My favorite item is the vtech talking puzzle marked down from $17.99 to $5.21. I also picked up a vtech ABC Text & Go game system for $4.18, two Belle Squinkies bracelet sets for $1.48, and a $44.38 Mega Bloks play table for $13.31. I noticed many Little People sets, My Little Pony, Barbie's and large play sets marked down to 70% off throughout the aisles.

On facebook this morning I read through several posts from Target shoppers who were waiting around for the mark downs to happen - you don't need to do that. I cruise the aisles for items I want and pile them in my cart. If they haven't been marked down, I take them to a scanning machine. Let's say I have a Princess doll marked as 30% off but it scans 70% off, I can then wait and ask an employee for a red tag sticker, or I can just take it to the register where it will ring up 70% off. If the item doesn't scan any lower, then you'll need to ask an employee to check it for you.

Hope you find some good deals today!

More Toy Clearance posts HERE.

-Amanda

Mellow Yellow: Thrift Store Cabinet Makeover

Our patio cover is finished! Hooray for shade. Especially in this ridiculous heat. We decided to go all the way and add stucco to match the rest of the house which led to the addition of three ceiling fans and two built-in speakers. The new sound system needed a home so I searched high and low for a little cabinet but was unsuccessful. Until I stubbled upon a beat up blue disaster at the thrift store for $6. 

Mr. G thought I had seriously lost it but I saw potential. 

The cabinet is the perfect size for the patio, it just needed some love. And love often comes in a spray paint bottle. 

Here's what to do.

1. Sand the varnish off. I didn't do much, just scuffed it up.

2. Wipe off with a damp cloth and add a coat or two of spray paint. 

3. Allow the paint to completely dry and distress the piece with sand paper. Wipe clean again.

4. Paint on the wood finish and wipe off with a clean rag. 

5. Add new hardware if necessary.

Tip: Don't let the stain sit for too long. I work quickly during this process. It takes less than a minute.

I fell in love with this pot at Ross for only three bucks. It has so much character and the vibrant teal is delicious. I think I found my color palette for the patio decor. To be continued :)

-Amanda

Gardner Grub - Bacon Wrapped Asparagus

{Bacon Wrapped Asparagus}

Nothing is safe from being paired with bacon when I'm in the kitchen. Asparagus is one of my favorite things to wrap in the salty goodness. When Mr. G plans on grilling I usually prepare this side dish for him to throw on along with the steak, chicken, or salmon. It goes with everything. 

1. Blanch the asparagus in bowling water for 30 seconds

2. Soak them in an ice bath until cooled

3. Coat in olive oil and season with salt and pepper

4. Wrap in bundles of 3-4 with one slice of bacon then roll them in the 

olive oil mixture leftover on the plate.

5. Grill for 15 minutes, making quarter turns. Or until the bacon is cooked.

To be honest, I love the asparagus even more wrapped with prosciutto instead of bacon. It's also easier to prepare because you don't need to cook the prosciutto, just crisp it up. Follow the same steps but adjust your cooking time based on how fast the prosciutto is browning. 

-Amanda

Noelle's "Snow White" woodland themed party

Heigh-ho, Heigh ho. It's off to FOUR she goes!

Noelle has had the theme for her fourth birthday planned since she was 2. She insisted on an Ariel party for her third birthday and has been waiting for a Snow White party for a couple of years. All of the Snow White books I read to Noelle (every night) has the woods and animals involved so I decided to use that as inspiration with a yellow, blue and gingham color scheme. 

We took Noelle to Disneyland for her birthday last month so this party was very low-key and inexpensive. We planned it for 6:30pm and served dessert - brownies, cookies, cupcakes, caramel apples with toppings, blueberries and cake.

The bottom crate has a small bowl inside filled with dry ice and hot water. It gave off a spooky effect for the "Poisoned Apples" display.

I always get asked where I get ideas for parties - the answer - I use whatever is cheap and available and make it work. Fabric is inexpensive and makes a huge impact. 

The refinished desk from Noelle's room was used to serve the beverages on. Of course there had to be a mirror involved in the party. 

Drinks included Dew Drops, Magic Potion (lemonade) and Poison Antidote (raspberry sherbet).

 

You may have spied something else on the table. I wrote Noelle her very own Snow White tale as a birthday gift. She loves it and has already memorized every line. I wrote Noah his own children's book for his Red Wagon Party.

The tables were decorated with a simple mason jar filled with sunflowers. The gingham print from the dessert table was carried over to the table cloths and jars.

Three signs led guests to the front door.

I displayed all four of Noelle's party invitations in front of the gazebo. I teared up when I was digging them out of the photo box. My baby is so beautiful and has grown up to be an incredible little girl.

For the kids I set out crayons, stickers and gems for them to decorate either a crown or a sword. There were also wands for the little girls to take home because I wasn't sure how the paper crowns would hold up.

The kids played "Wishing Well." They were each given 4 gold coins and had a chance to toss the coins into the well. Then they were rewarded with a sucker. I'm telling you, I sugared these kids up like no other!

Noelle's nana made another fantastic cake! She stacked three layers of cake to create it.

My sweet girl is growing up! I'm so proud of her and incredibly thankful to have been chosen to be her mommy. Daddy and I love you SO much, sweet Noelle!

-Amanda

That time we woke up and decided to go to Disneyland

My husband is a busy guy. Especially in May when he is wrapping up the school year and finishing the swim season, all the while planning for summer water polo and countless other things. Needless to say, I don't expect anything for Mother's Day. A steak on the grill and a bottle of Riesling has been the tradition.

So this Mother's Day started out like the previous three, waking up and getting ready for church. Then Aaron said, "Let's go to Disneyland today!" Uh, yah right. I plan things. Make lists about making lists. A trip to Disneyland would require several weeks of advanced notice. So asking me to pack up the kids and drive to Southern California that same day was absurd. 

Yet, for some reason I agreed. 

I know people who pack for Disneyland as if they are preparing to survive in the wilderness. Canteens, a backpack dedicated to snacks, several changes of cloths, a first-aid kit. I went for the essentials: sunscreen, water, socks and hats. And after a quick trip to Fresh and Easy, we were on our way.

We didn't tell Noelle where we were going until she woke up from her nap, saw the Goofy parking lot signs and said, "This isn't the beach! It's DISNEYLAND!" Aaron and I talked about taking her for her upcoming 4th birthday so this was it.
And she loved every second.

Noah also had a great time. He pointed at everything saying, "dah dah dah" which means "I want to touch that NOW and if I can't I'm going to scream." 

 

Their first ride (ever) was It's a Small World. 

I can remember going to Disneyland as a child and watching Noelle's excitement was like experiencing those memories all over, but better. 

 

The highlight of our 2 days at Disneyland for Noelle was meeting the princesses. She was vibrant and chatty while we waited in line and when it was her turn to shake hands with them and ask for their autographs she shyly twirled her pigtails and answered their questions with short whispered sentences.

Rapunzel was her favorite. It took an hour and 38 minutes in the sun to reach the front of the line but worth it for her prized autograph. 

Our tickets were 2-day park hoppers so we visited California Adventure a couple of times. Not enough to get the layout of the park down, but we found a few places the kids enjoyed - A Bug's Life and The Little Mermaid ride were big hits.

"Ariel's House" as Noelle called it, was where one of my favorite moments happened. I held my sleeping Noah while we swirled around in the clam shells. 

He also napped through Pirates of the Caribbean. 

Day 2 we found an empty area and sat down to watch the parade, not knowing that it was the very end of the parade and the floats/performers would come inches from us.

It was a blast. So much more than I expected from our spontaneous road trip. Sometimes I let my frugality get the best of me which takes away from certain experiences. Let's just say, lesson learned. 

 -Amanda

Honeymoon Bridal Shower - Vintage Travel Theme

One of my dearest friends is getting married in June and I had the honor of throwing her a Honeymoon Shower in my backyard. First things first, the invitation "boarding passes" went out, setting the mood for the party. The invitations instructed guests to "Claim Megan's Baggage" for her honeymoon in St. Lucia and gave a list of gift ideas along with Megan's sizes. 

My vision for the party was soft colors and lace with travel and vintage touches. I searched through several thrift stores for old books and luggage. 

For the flower vases I used salsa and pasta sauce jars that I accumulated over a couple of months. The tea lights were placed in baby food jars and tied with twine.

Megan requested that we didn't play any traditional bridal shower games so I came up with a couple of other things for guests to do at the party, including "Help Megan Pack For The Honeymoon" and a stack of cards for guests to write Megan a note to read on the flight to St. Lucia. She is a very nervous flyer and was excited to have something to look forward to on the plane. 

The meal plan was for heavy appetizers. I decorated the table with vintage books and luggage (from Michael's) and used doilies to create the "Come Fly With Me" banner.

Drink stations are always one of my favorite parts of planning events. I purchased this little bathroom toiletry cart, which resembles an airplane beverage cart, from Target on clearance for $14.00. I set up the Mimosa jar on top of an amazing vintage World Atlas that I found at a thrift store and then added the mini bottles of wine and bottles of water.

The dessert table came together with just 4 glass containers holding cheesecake, cookies, brownies and chocolate-covered strawberries with a simple yard of lace fabric for the backdrop. 

 

I wanted to give Megan a special place to open her gifts. The gazebo in the yard was perfect! Mason jars filled with baby's breath and a chandelier framed the space. I fell in love with the "And They Lived Happily Ever After" pillow purchased at Marshall's.

The guests brought home mason jars with a mini bottle of lotion and trail mix. 

Another fun party that was a joy to put together! If you have any questions, just let me know either in the comments or email me at growingupgardner@yahoo.com.



-Amanda