THE EXCHANGE

The Exchange, a home consignment shop in South County is celebrating their first anniversary in their new, larger location with a great deal. Sign up to receive their e-newsletter and then mention that you saw the "deal" in the newsletter and you'll receive $10 off a purchase of $30 or more. They also sell a wide variety of jewelry. Check out their website for details. They're located on Gravois in South County. You can also follow them on Facebook. I've bought some great things there!

WHEN THE KID'S AWAY, THE PARENTS WILL PLAY

John and I are planning a trip to Orlando, FL this year. John's never been and I haven't been since I was in high school. So I'm looking to readers to help guide us. Let me know your favorite places to see, best nearest beach, places to shop and what great restaurants to eat at. And most of all, let us know how best to stretch a dollar. If you know of special deals, discounts and coupons whether on the internet or in a coupon book please share them with me. We want to spend a couple days at the beach, maybe a couple days at amusement parks and a little time just relaxing and of course, shopping. We love exploring off the beaten track, like eating at local restaurants and not chains or visiting an art museum or taking a quiet hike. Oh, and are there any wineries in Florida?

HE SHOPS, HE SCORES

So, I took my husband John over to Dillard's Friday night. He needed "hiking" shoes and we thought we'd see what they had on clearance. He got a pair of Ecco hikers that were regularly priced at $135, marked down to $59 and with the additional 40% off they came to just $36, that's almost $100 off!!! The sale's over now, so you won't be able to capitalize this time around but heed the word the next time they run the sale (oh, cause they will again) and run straight there to get in on those great buys!

SHE SHOPS, SHE SCORES!

Went over to South County this morning for my retail therapy. At Macy's I got a pair of Style and Co. boot cut jeans for $18.00, they were 60% off regular price. I also bought a Charter Club traditional V-neck cardigan in red for $3 and something and a Cha Cha Vente (don't you just love that name brand, I had to buy it for that alone) tank with crocheted neck for $4 something. Then I got an additional 20% off that with a coupon card I had in my wallet so all three pieces came to just about $20. But wait, that wasn't even my best buy at Macy's. I went downstairs to the home store and found DVD players on clearance. A Haier (I'm not saying the best brand but it'll work for the price) DVD player that was orig. $49.99 was marked down to $29.99 and then there was an additional 40% off the marked down price so I got it for just $17.99! They wouldn't let me use my coupon for an additional 15% off because it was an electronics. Watcha gonna do. Just the right price for putting it down at our weekend cabin we are purchasing (yeah, I'll tell you more about that after we close next week and its really ours). Ok, back to shopping. Then I headed to Dillard's and got a pair of sterling silver and stone (the blue one can't remember the name of it) earrings for $4. Then a friend called to meet me for lunch so I didn't get to finish shopping there (maybe I'll go back tonight but the hubby wants to go to Rural King and see the bunnies and chicks but that's another story too). After lunch I made a quick trip over to JC Penney because I had a coupon for $10 off a purchase of $10 or more. Found the cutest Navy with white polka dots short sleeve blouse for spring (and it'll look great under that red cardigan from Macy's) for $14.99 minus the $10 coupon and it cost me all of $5. I told you I scored!!!

RETAIL THERAPY

My mother-in-law has moved to town and has been having some health problems so I've been taking her to a lot of doctor's appointments and dialysis treatments lately. Plus, my dad's health has not improved. So I'm in need of a little retail therapy. I'm headed shopping tomorrow. Dillard's is taking an additional 40% off the marked down price and I think it continues tomorrow, or at least I hope so. And Macy's has a sale that's starting tomorrow. I wish West County had a Dillard's. I can't decide if I should do Dillard's at South County and Macy's there and at West County or whether I should just head to Galleria where I'll find both. Either way, I'll let you know what kind of deals I find. I signed up for Macy's "Giving" program at the holidays and just got my "rebate/kick back" in the mail and its burning a whole in my pocket. Its a great deal for those of you that aren't aware of it. You make a contribution of I think $20 which is donated to charities (you're told which ones but I can't remember right now) and you get 10% off all of your purchases through the end of December (I signed up for it around Thanksgiving) and then you get a gift card for 10% of your total purchases during that time. My total kick back was around $100 so it was well worth my $20 investment and now I have money to spend on new spring clothes . . . or shoes . . . or handbag - decisions, decisions! See you when I get back from shopping : )