Fabulous Friday! Computers suck.

I have been writing, saving and thinking up new blog entries.

My computer hates me though. 

It's long overdue for a tune - up.

Fingers crossed that my daughter's super smart boyfriend can attend to this on Sunday.

I'm having trouble loading pictures amongst other aggravating factors.

Tomorrow I am headed to Greensboro where I will scoop up my pal, Becky. 

We're headed to the Queen City - Charlotte, NC.

I've dubbed it the "Becky's Take IKEA Trip."

No boys allowed. 

We plan to shop IKEA and hit a few Thrift Shops in the surrounding area.

 Becky and I always find the best stuff. 

I know you are all jealous of our couture style.

We plan to shop and shop and talk and shop and shop. 

Might eat some foods too.     

Have a super weekend folks!

And if you see us headed your way - 

LOOK OUT!

We are women on a mission!

 See our game faces?

It's on!

  

 

Thrifty Thursday and Fabulous Friday Combo Day

Sometimes

I love shopping.

When one has enough money to provide the essentials it is fun to shop for silly stuff.

I always love bargain shopping!

BillHubby and I keep a running list of things we need and things we want.

I am so glad that we think on similar wavelengths. 

Last week we went out and about on a few missions.

We stopped at a few places in search of the perfect thermos jug so he can take coffee to work. 

The two travel mugs he was using are leaky and 

the second cup was lukewarm by the time he wanted to drink it.

There were stops at Dick's Sporting Goods, Target (Targhet if ya wanna get all fancy) and Orvis.

Can you believe there were no large thermoses at Dick's!? 

I mean it's a Sporting Goods store for heaven's sake! 

C'mon now.

Targhet had good prices.

But I convinced BillHubby to stop at Orvis. 

Orvis has really top of the line quality products. 

The clothes are fantastic.

The gear is reliable.

The prices are OUTRAGEOUS!!!!!

Isn't this bowl the cutest? 

This is the best type of squirrel. 

Adorable and non-trouble making.

This bowl would look so at home on a shelf in our home amidst my Raleigh, 

The City of Oaks, acorns and pics, right?

 

(See how small it is next to my hand?)

Um, yeah, I don't think so. 

(I really can't take him anywhere.)

After we took this picture we were swarmed with attentive sales folk. 

Guess they don't allow playing with the merch.

Stuffed shirts.

The nice lady showed us a Stanley thermos that would meet BillHubby's needs.

It was sturdy.

It was big.

It had a nice cup.

It was $45!

(Yes, that IS my shopping notebook. It's where I keep our running lists)

A few days later.

Targhet.

Picture taken to send to BillHubby so he can choose.

That Stanley, yeah the green one.

Yeah, the exact same one that Orvis was selling for $45.

$25

SOLD

I still think Orvis merchandise rocks. 

20 years ago I worked in a catalog return store. 

We carried L.L. Bean, J Crew, Orvis, Victoria's Secret and other catalog over run and returned merchandise.

I still have a wonderful Orvis Barn Coat and several J Crew Sweaters and Corduroy shirts. 

Those products have held up to the test of time.

Shopping around either in person or online is the only way to compare prices, products and save money.

BillHubby is happy to report that his new Stanley Thermos is exceeding his expectations in the transport and the keeping hot of his coffee!
FABULOUS!!!! 

Next Week: Local thrift shops that support other organizations and causes.

Thrifty Thursday - Bargain Shopping

Throw a rock in our house and it's bound to hit a bargain shopped, 
thrift store purchased, or free item.

Folks who thrift shop do it for all sorts of reasons. 

It could be economic - they're broke,

could be cause they are stingy - and seldom broke,

could be the thrill of the hunt.

I think I inherited a bargain shopping/stingy gene. 

There have certainly been times in my life that bargain shopping was a necessity more than a fun adventure.

But I do love the thrill of the hunt!

(Wait, did I tell you to throw a rock in my house?!?! Don't do it please.)

Recently I determined I NEEDED - not wanted, though I did - a new iron.

 Here's my "old" iron. 

It's a Panasonic. 

When I think of Panasonic I think of electronics. 

You know, radios, TVs, stereo systems.

Not irons.

Nothing really wrong with this one. It works.

But it is so very light weight. 

And when you are trying to iron cotton fabrics the weight of the iron helps smooth those inevitable cotton wrinkles. 

Seriously, it's true.

I looked at the Rowenta irons. 

I read so much about Rowenta being the end all, be all of irons in the crafting/sewing world.

Rowenta irons cost about a bajillion dollars.

I refuse to spend a bajillion dollars on an iron unless it works all by itself and brings me breakfast in bed.

Am I right? 

Last Saturday, our friends, Matt and Shirley, were in town. 

We met up at the North Carolina State University Book Store. 

Matt and their daughter, Jenny, are alums. 

They were shopping for State stuff and looking at the baby gear for the first GrandBaby that's on its way!!! Yippee!

Afterwards, we had a yummy lunch at local institution, since 1951, 
The Players' Retreat.

Then, what shall we do now?

I had already spotted the iron I wanted at Ollie's, 
an East Coast discount warehouse-y store chain.        

Matt and Shirley live in eastern NC miles from big stores.

 We went to Ollie's. 

I think Shirley bought everything she'll need for months! :)

I grabbed this iron. 

For $23.

It retails from $59 on Amazon to $24 on the Wal-Mart website. 
Plus you'd have to pay shipping costs.

I am happy. 

  Then the guys wanted to ramble around Best Buy. 
Yuck. 
Nothing against Best Buy but all the boys do is look at electronics and gab about electronics while they are there. 

Shirley and I went to Big Lots. 
Another big discount store.

There was my new iron. 
The iron I had just happily purchased for $23.

Big Lots price - $19.

I was not happy.

$4 is $4.
$4 is 4 small Frostys at Wendy's 
$4 is 4 loaves of bread.
$4 is 4 boxes of BillHubby's fave candy - Sweet Tarts.

I bought the iron - again.

    
Ollie's was on the way home. 
The nice lady at the Return Desk remembered me. 
(I hadn't been gone but an hour.)

She asked why I was returning it. 
I told her. She said she would have done the same. 

Black and Decker makes solid products. 
This iron is heavy.
The soleplate is smooth as silk.
The cotton wrinkles disappear with one slide over the fabric.
It heats up in a jiffy and has that wonderful automatic turn-off switch if you leave it sitting for a few minutes.

Comparison shopping pays off.

I am happy.

Why and where do you bargain shop? 

Happy Friday!

What's up? 

Happy Friday! 

Long time no type! I mean, see! 

Lots goin on 'round here. 

Not exactly exciting in the grand scheme of things but some new stuff happenin and whirling in my head.

Please permit me a moment of whining and 

then I'll move on.

I have decided to give up Craft Shows. 

(Did I tell y'all this already?) Anyways, the last one was last 4th of July. I sold NOTHING. Zero, zip, zilch. 

On top of the disappointment it poured rain several times that day - along with thunder and lightening. 

We only had the shelter of our pop-top canvas roof. 

 I was scared to pieces. North Carolina is #2 in the nation behind Florida in deaths by lightening.

All my merch was soaked - good thing it's all 100% cotton, right?

BillHubby and I broke down early cause all was wet - no way to sell that - and took turns toking stuff 2 1/2 city blocks to our truck. arrgghh.

My inventory was gifted, sold to neighbors and some of it is in a cute shop in Wake Forest, NC -  

Nereidas Nifty Threads  

Nereida is gathering all sorts of cool craft creations for her shop, which is adorable!

Then came the Fall and my brilliant idea to teach folks how to sew.

Ha! 

I put out flyers all over the place. 

No one called. 

So I'm taking a new approach. 

I've been sewing, stitching and knitting for my family and myself. I'm gonna be selfish for a while.

I'm planning some bloggie fun too. 

 Try It Tuesdays with recipes I tried over the weekend.

What's On Your Needles Wednesdays? to share 

(show off) what I'm knitting or stitching.

Thrifty Thursdays for recent Thrifting finds.

Fabulous Friday featuring free vintage embroidery patterns and other fabulous stuff.

Folks - keep me honest on this. If I miss a week of blogging please holler at me!

Stay tuned.   

Stay tuned. 

 

 

 

Thrifty Thursday - August Edition

Where have I been?

Lottsa changes going on 'round here folks.

Bill's new position at North Carolina State University has prompted us to make some tough but wonderful changes.

We are selling the house and moving to Raleigh!

This will be the third state Capital city in which I have lived! I love living in historical surroundings. 

Buh-bye to the 45 minute one way commute.

So long to over $250 a month for gasoline.

See ya later being stuck at home cause 

we just have one car.

Hello Big City of The Oaks!

Greetings 20 minute drive to work.

Welcome sidewalks, walkable neighborhood and 

I can walk there shopping centers. 

And city buses. 

I like buses.

Whew!

The PODS unit is in the yard. 

It's nice to be able to fill it at my own (slow) speed. 

We are planning a big indoor/outdoor yard sale for the last weekend in August.

I am going through every thing with a 

critical set of eyes. 

I am trying to be ruthless. 

If I haven't looked at it/forgot I even had it/what was I thinking, then it's outta here.

Lots of crafty books.

I would love to share them with you.

I have created another page here with the list  

and instructions.

If you see something you NEED ;)

All I ask is for you to message me - 

beckysews [at]hotmail[dot]com

and I'll tell you how much the postage will be. 

That's it - pay the postage and you have new crafty books for your enjoyment.

The list will change as books are shared and as I go through another room.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

As promised on facebook - here are the before and after pics of my Clemson University roommate, 

Dr. Cindy, and me! 

She came down to visit from 

Academia in Virginia.

We had a blast talking, eating (twice at Virlie's!), talking, shopping and talking!

Here we are when living in Columbia, SC

30 years ago

Toasting our friends with a tall cold glass of be- I mean, apple juice, yeah, apple juice!

 And here we are just a few weeks ago.

In Pittsboro, NC

Toasting our friends with little glasses of wi- errrm, 

Water!

Haven't changed a bit have we?

 Off to pack boxes and find more treasure to sell.

 Wish me luck!

XOXOX

Becky