While browsing and meandering through the store, I found the absolutely most fun beach towel. It’s just so colorful yet simple and not in your face Mickey.  I like that sometimes.  It retails for $18.95.  I checked Disney Shopping online to see if it might be there, but it wasn’t. I guessing it’s only available on property.

With my pool I use beach towels all the time.  I think this one just might be a fine addition to my collection.

Also… I stopped at the cast discount store on my way home just to see what they had in stock. I go there maybe once a year just to check it out.  It’s a store where they sell out-dated merchandise or overstocked merchandise to the cast members at a discount price.  It’s not a big secret or hush-hush. Cast members can bring family or friends every once in awhile to shop there, too. Today I got the greatest deal ever on something I’ll probably never use  or need. But once you see it, you’ll understand why I had to have it.

Isn’t that great! It’s a New Year’s Eve Mickey ears  hat from last year.  And the best part is – it was under $1.00 AND because it’s my birthday month I got an additional percentage off that price. So, I practically got it for free. How fun!

So, today was that shopping day.  I hit DSW Shoes, Off Broadway Shoes, Stein Mart, Ikea, Petco, and Marshalls. 

The coolest thing I got and probably the most fiscally responsible (read cheapest) was this napkin holder. I know! A napkin holder! But just look at how cool it is. It’s from Ikea. The napkins (also from Ikea)  lay on top of a black plate and there’s a weighted arm that holds them in place. I love it!  (P.S. Hey, did you  notice the awesome photo in the background?)

The biggest purchase of the day was my 4 new pairs of shoes.  Yes – 4 pairs! For you shoe-nistas I am so going to disappoint you. I buy frugally and purchase based on 1) comfort 2) usability 3) need  and lastly 4) fashion.   Don’t come here expecting to see me in Jimmy Choos – it ain’t gonna happen.

But I am excited about these pretty shoes:

The photo doesn’t do them justice.  They’re really dark black suede pumps and look amazing on my feet.  I got some really fun shoes today between DSW and Off Broadway. 

Back to cool stuff – I also got a pretty new duvet  from Ikea.  It’s really lovely in person. 

One last note, nothing to do with shopping.  The other exciting thing that happened this weekend was Mikita jumping into the pool all by herself, no pushing by me or Mike.  Last year she learned to swim.. this year she’s learning to jump in alone.  Yea for Mikita!

About two weeks ago I started the search in the stores.  And lo and behold, I found “exactly” what I wanted at badcock Furniture, the first store I went to.  The sales lady told me I was “in luck” because the 5-piece set was on sale for $659 marked down from $800.  Eeeek.. it was a little more than I had expected but it was so exactly what I wanted.  What to do?  Thankfully, the smart economical side of me took over and I walked out knowing I needed to check out more stores for other deals.  But – it was just what I was looking for!

Over the next few days I hit more stores like Pier 1, Rooms To Go, American Signature and even tried Bed Bath and Beyond.  None of them had anything close to the perfect set I saw at Badcock.  Ugh -  I so didn’t want to spend that much money. 

On a whim, I stopped at one more store to see if there was anything else that would work.  I visited Kanes Furniture.  The salesman, Guido, led me around the store showing me all their dinette sets. They also had one that was really pretty but too big for the nook area. As we went upstairs to see the final sets he said, “I’ve only got one more to show you.” And wouldn’t you know – it was the identical set that was selling at Badcock.  Same manufacturer, same name. Only $160 cheaper for all 5 pieces!  How about that!! I found my perfect set at another store at a much better price. 

Ok, it actually doesn’t “pay” but it definitely saved me some dollars to shop around.

As I’m walking in the store I remember I needed to grab some eggs. No problem, eggs and half & half.  Then as I pass the breakfast meats I see my favorite brand of Canadian bacon is on sale – $1.00 off the regular price. So I pick up bacon, too.  Then I look down the next aisle and remember we nearly finished the lime juice yesterday (it was tequila Friday) so I grab a new bottle of lime juice.  That made me remember I was on the last bottle of Diet Dr. Pepper so I’d better get a bottle while I’m here.  The dog food aisle was next and of course the babies were on their last bag of treats so that got added to the basket.  It so it went on and on as I continued to remember things like – we needed food for lunch today, snacks tonight, and Excedrin to help get through the tequila headache. 

And as I was leaving the parking lot with my 4 bags of groceries totalling $33.96, it dawned on me I needed to fill up the gas tank before we head to my moms house tonight on the other side of town.  Add another $30.50 to the tally.

That folks, is how a $1.50 carton of half & half ended up costing $64.46.