LEAPING FOR BUYS!

So, my sister and I went out shopping this morning to see what kind of deals we could find on leap day.  While we didn't find any once in four years kind of deals I did find some great buys on tops to start my spring wardrobe.  Our first stop was Macy's and my first find was this great Style & Co. red anorak, perfect for spring.  The original price was $79, with half off to $39.50 and then with a $10 off coupon, I paid just $29.50 for it!

Next this Charter Club navy print tunic caught my eye (I love blue), regular price was 21.99, marked down to $16.99 and then with an additional 20% off it came to $13.59.

Next up was this gorgeous Charter Club coral (trendy color for this spring) tunic top with wonderful gold embellishment around the v-neck.  It was originally marked $44, marked down to $15.40 and then with an additional 20% off it cost me just $12.32.

I love ruffles and thankfully they're in style and so there's lots of ruffles to be found.  I bought this INC (International Concepts) red top with elastic waist and 3/4 sleeve for a steal.  Originally priced at $49.50, marked down to $17.32 with an additional 20% off it came to just $13.86. 

Tunics and flowy sleeves are also a big trend that continues this spring.  I love the flowy sleeves and print of this INC tunic.  I can't see paying $59.50 for it but when its marked down to $20.82 and then an additional 20% off brings it to $16.66, well then I'm in!

I'm not usually big on horizontal stripes because, well, I think they usually make me look bigger.  But this looked just so cute under the red anorak and with its cut and neckline I thought those would help to distract from my bigness.  So I broke one of my own rules and bought it.  It was regular priced at $46, then half off that took it to $23 and then an additional 20% off made it my most expensive top at $18.40 (a real splurge for me!).

From Macy's we moved on to the new JCP (JC Penneys if you're not in the know).  I got the coral sweater, St. John's Bay, for $12, their new original price (supposedly 40% lower than retail) was $16.  I have always loved this color and it looks so good with my turquoise jewelry.  Also its versatile because it looks nice with khakis, black, navy, gray, just about anything.

Off of the clearance rack at JCP I found these St. John's Bay lightweight khakis for $5.  They'll be great going into spring and are even light enough in weight to wear in the summer, and believe me, any more, I don't think my legs are anything anyone wants to see too much of!  If you're not in the know about the new JCP, they clearance items on the 1st and 3rd Fridays of the month.  That means that they will offer items marked down for the first time and that those $5 pants may be just $2 or $3 on Friday, but I'm busy Friday and didn't want to take chances on them being gone in my size.  What doesn't sell (at least in Misses and Petities) will eventually go down to $2 to $5 if they haven't sold at their higher price.  Definitely worth checking out!  I heard they clearanced their coats out at $20 a few weeks ago.


I should mention that the additional 20% I talked about at Macy's was from one of their coupons.  I, personally, like coupons!  But I'll take a bargain anyway I can get one!

VARIETY IS THE SPICE OF LIFE

Nothing makes my day more, than finding a new secondhand store to shop!  And the new shop I found last week, Variety on a budget, secondhand clothing & more in Fairview Heights, was a delight!  It's down Lincoln Trail in the plaza next to Bert's Chuckwagon.  Ooooh, Bert's Chuckwagon, now I'm jonesing for some tacos and a cherry coke zero, but I digress.  Variety's address is 10220 Lincoln Trail, Suite A.

Their name accurately describes them.  There's a little of this and a little of that.  All of it, very well organized and clean.  And the staff is very helpful and nice.  They even allow returns!  That's unusual for a secondhand store but they aim to please I tell you.

So what did I find?  ALOT!  But I didn't bring it all home.  Since I'm trying to clean out my own house I'm trying (really I am) to limit myself and keep the "stuff" small.  I brought home 5 sweet little critters!

They're vintage little wooden planters in the shapes of an owl, fish, turtle (2) and a duck!  Each one was only 50 cents.  I don't usually play favorites but I have to say, I'm enamored with the owl.

I'm planning on planting succulents in them but that's a blog for another day.  

I also scored a little vintage watercolor painting (for the bedroom at the cabin) for $1.75.And last but not least, a bag of silverware for $3, some of which is old silverplate.  I'm going to research some of them to see if they have any value but I mostly bought them for these cute little forks I saw in the mix.

Leafing through a magazine (maybe Country Living) I came across a photo in which they were using forks to hold markers for plants in a vegetable or herb garden and so that's what I plan to do with those.  I'll try to remember to take a picture of them in my herb garden to share with you later.


So spice up your life, stop and take a look for yourself.  You can check their hours and get any other information you might need by calling them at 618-204-3170 or email them at vb82211@gmail.com.  Happy shopping!

MY HAPPY PLACE

We all need a getaway.  Whether its a "Calgon take me away" bubble bath, relaxing on your backyard deck with your favorite beverage, rocking on your front porch or a long weekend to a favorite destination.  For me, its Southern Illinois, to our cabin in the woods.  Once there, my favorite spot, or happy place is lounging on the beds in our sunroom.  Covered in comfy handmade quilts and stacked two to three deep with an array of pillows, it is my refuge.  I watch nature out the window, bask in the afternoon sun, watch the ripples of the lake, read, sleep, sip hot tea or wine and just let the hours slip away.

I've accumulated both the quilts and pillows from a variety of sources.  The red and white checked quilt was in John's family and a wonderful hand-me down that I cherish.  But then, I really cherish all my quilts.  I wonder at the work put into them and what the women who made them lives might have been like.  I picked up the yellow one for $15 at a yard sale.  The folded up multi-colored one I got over at a Wednesday yard sale in South County for $20.  The peach and green one folded on the other bed I scored at a church rummage sale for $20 and the white one with the blue embroidery I bought for just $10 at another rummage sale.  The green chenille bedspread I got for $5 at a flea market.

The pillows I have accumulated over time.  Some were purchased new, the red and blue striped ones in the back corner are from TJ Maxx, they're bolsters, and they were on clearance for just $7.99 each.  The blue striped and green striped square pillows are "outdoor" pillows I picked up at the garden center at Wal-Mart for under $10 each.  Some I bought at flea markets and are "new" pillows made out of recycled fabrics such as kitchen linens, quilt tops, chenille bedspreads and barkcloth.  I paid as little as a $1 for some, which allowed me to splurge on a few others, the most expensive one costing $18 (the long, larger muted floral and fruit one made from a kitchen tea towel or tablecloth sitting in the center of the beds).

The braided rag rug on the floor is also vintage handmade.  I purchased it at the Brimfield, Massachusetts Antique Fair for $15.  There are a couple floral paintings on the short little side wall that I picked up for under $5 each at second hand stores in South County.  The large floral on the back wall was a gift and the painting of the Herons (I think?) was purchased at an Estate Sale in Belleville for $20.  The chandelier hanging in the corner was a find from years ago that use to hang in my bedroom back home but I don't even remember what I paid for it, knowing me, probably not more than $20.  John rewired it for me and instead of the usual prisms that hang from chandeliers, I strung small seashells and crystals on wire and dangled them from the fixture.

Well, I've now made myself sufficiently homesick for the cabin.  Ahhh, till we meet again, my happy place.  I would love it if you would share with me and my readers where or what your "happy place" is.

DILLARD'S FEBRUARY FINDS

For those of you familiar with my blog's facebook page ("Debbie's Bargain Basement", look for it and "like" it!) you may have seen my post about Dillard's end of month clearance sale (it started today), taking an additional 40% off the marked down price.  I said I'd post my finds if I bought anything.  I didn't buy anything spectacular (like the Cole Haan purse I scored last fall but I thought I'd go ahead and share what I did buy.  I bought a couple tops for my mom for her birthday, one of them is the Ruby Road brand.  I got the Ruby top for $8.70 and the other one for $5.88.

I bought me a green top (planning on wearing it for St. Pat's Day) for $7.20.  Then I picked up a pair of furry, faux suede slipper boots (taking them too the cabin, they just look like they belong there) for $6.30.

 And last of all I got a beautiful blue "echo" scarf that must be from last summer/spring because it is not a winter weight.  The regular price on the scarf was $32, marked down to $11.20 and I paid just $6.72!  One of the tops I got for my mom and the scarf were already 65% off of regular price and then I got the additional 40% off of that!  The catch with those items is that anything that is 65% off or more you have to return within 3 days.

 So, watch out for that if you're shopping there.  They print it on your receipt for you so just pay attention to your receipt.  The sale continues tomorrow and I think it least through Saturday.  The sooner you can go, the better, they do become picked over.  I didn't find any shoes for myself this time and I didn't even look at the purses (a personal weakness) because I REALLY don't need another one.  BUT, the shoes and purses I think are some of the best buys to get at this sale!  Happy Saling!

CABIN FEVER!

Where our weekend begins!

That title could be called a double entendre.  Even though the winter has been mild I am still experiencing a little cabin fever.  I'm ready to head back outside! Sip a beverage on the deck or porch, take a walk (and not be cold), plant my herbs, spring things! I also have the "fever" to spend more time at our cabin, just south of Carbondale, IL.

We love our time there, its a real getaway, a million miles from Monday, like Illinois says. So, in recognition of my cabin "fever" I'm going to share some photos of the cabin and some of my finds I've furnished it with (and where I unearthed them and what I paid for them if I can remember) over the next few postings. I hope you will find your own inspiration from my sharing - whether that's decorating ideas, dream following (that's what the cabin was for us) or the initiative to start your own bargain-hunting adventures! Enjoy your blessings!

Sunset on the lake

SALE INTO SPRING

Spring is on the way!  And sales are abundant.  Here's some sales I've gotten wind of!

The Exchange, a home decor consignment shop at South County is holding a Presidents Day Event through Monday, February 20th.  Pick a sucker and receive savings of 10 to 30% off your entire purchase.  Regularly priced merchandise, not to be combined with other offers.  The store is located at 11437 Gravois Road and they can be reached at 314-842-7300.

A new store is opening next door to The Exchange in two weeks.  Modern Vintage Decor is now accepting vintage furniture and home accessories on consignment.  You can contact then at 314-842-5555 or modernvintagedecor@gmail.com for more information.  You can also check out their website at www.modernvintagedecor.com or follow them on facebook.

The Lagoona Magoo Toys at St. Louis Mills is going out of business the end of February.  They hope to reopen at a new location in the future and their two Illinois locations will continue to operate.  They don't want to pack everything up and move it so they are holding a clearance sale and will also be selling some of their fixtures.  Starting with the Presidents' Day Sale (Feb. 17th through 20th) at the St. Louis Mills, Lagoona Magoo will be sporting some hefty discounts.  The sale pricing is good only at the Mills location and all sales are final.  Once an item is gone, its gone.  As soon as they have news of where and when their new Missouri store will open they will post it on their facebook page, blab about it on their blog and tweet it from the rooftops!

I was in JC Penneys, or should I say JCP, yesterday and checked out their new format.  Its very clean and organized looking.  Prices are everyday discounted and then clearanced out.  They had some $5 racks in petites and misses that had some nice items on them, some winter and even some spring/summer items.  You just might find a real bargain.

Macy's had some clearance racks with a mix of items and of course their coupons to add to the discount.  I ran out of shopping time though and didn't buy anything.  Kohl's also is having a big sale this weekend.  I got my husband some unmentionables (alright I'll mention them, briefs, not boxers, he'll be none to happy with me if he reads this, but then, he rarely does read this) and me some Zumba clothes.  They were 40 to 50% off and then I had received a 30% coupon through the mail that I used so I feel I got a great deal on them.  John's unders were on clearance for 65% off and then I got the extra 30% off so they were like free (not really but very good buy).

So between end of winter and Presidents Day, there are great sales out there everywhere, so get out there and SHOP!!!  Let me know if you've heard of any great sales or have found any great buys!