Boutique Shopping

Has anyone been to the new boutique in Columbia at Vida Verde Spa and Salon?  I haven't been able to make it in there yet.  But I did see that they are taking 30% off everything in the shop through March 5th (that's the boutique not the salon).  They are located at 127 N. Main and their phone number is 281.6767.

DINING DEAL

Here's a dining deal for you, with no coupon or certificate necessary.  Trattoria Marcella in St. Louis is putting their own spin on these hard economic times.  Their ad states that "this is our economic stimulus plan to stimulate your appetite."  On Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday nights they are offering 7 entrees for $10 each.  Their hours these nights are 5 p.m to 10 p.m. 

They are located at 3600 Watson Road and can be reached at 314.352.7706.  Check out their website at http://www.trattoriamarcella.com.

GET OUT

It's a good thing.  See for yourself Friday, Feb. 27th at 3 p.m. when Martha Stewart makes an appearance at the West County Macy's to sign copies of her new cookbook, "Martha Stewart's Cooking School".  For more info call 314-966-0017 ext. 3402.

The Lenten Season fish fries heat up this Friday evening.  Friends of ours have invited us to attend the Columbia Turner Hall Fish Fry.  John loves these but me, not so much.  I've never liked fried fish and I think the alternative is fried shrimp, which I don't like either.  About all I'll eat is the french fries and maybe drink a beer.  We'll see if we go.

Saturday night we are going to the YMCA trivia night.  We usually hit one or two of these the winter.  We didn't make any last year and this is the first for this year.  Cost is $15 per person with tables of 8.  Soft drinks will be sold or you can bring your own, snacks can also be brought.  Think I'll make this great artichoke feta dip I just discovered.  I believe there's also a silent auction.

Don't forget the Scrapbook Crop and Photorganization day on Sat., 3/7 at Columbia Middle School from 10 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.  Cost is $12 a person.  Call Doug Rose at 281-5001 or Anne Simek at 401-6189 to reserve your spot.  All proceeds benefit after prom.

SALE ALERT

My sister called me at 7:50 a.m. this morning:  "Dillard's is taking an additional 40% off the marked down price on just about everything (if not everything) in the store!"  The sale started today and I believe runs at least through Saturday or Sunday.  I made a quick run over to South County this morning to check it out!  In just over an hour I walked out with 3 pair of shoes for under $40 total, 2 belts for under $15 total (both leather, one a Fossil brand that was orig. $48) and 3 tops for about $30 total (one Ralph Lauren, one Nygard and one store brand).  I called a friend in O'Fallon about the sale, she ran to St. Clair Mall and came out with 3 pair of shoes for her husband (Cole Haan and Johnston & Murphey) and 6 pairs for herself (a fair and equitable share, it was her time afterall :)  NOW GO SHOP!!!

A PURPLE COW

A friend of mine took some of her daughter's clothes she had outgrown to The Purple Cow Kids Resale shop on Gravois to see if they would take them.  They do not consign there, they offer you two choices when they accept your clothes.  You can be paid cash on the spot, she was offered $150 cash for a fairly good stack, maybe a laundry basketful, or $180 credit that could be used in their store or in the sister store, Women's Closet Exchange, with no expiration date on that credit.  The catch is they do only take clothes that they are confident they can sell.  That means popular brands like Limited too, Abercrombie, ect. and they really have to be in like new condition, clean and pressed with no spots, rips, holes, etc.  Its also a great place to shop for kids clothes through size 12-14 (there's a larger selection among the smaller sizes) and maternity clothes.