Bargain Shopping Paradise

Bargain Brag Wednesday, 3/10/10

2010-03-10T06:00:00.002-05:00

March 10, 2010

Every Wednesday is now "Bargain Brag Wednesday" here at BSP—an opportunity for you to share your latest bargain shopping finds, thrift store outfit deals, DIY projects, side-of-the-road pick-ups, consignment shop steals, etc. Use your imagination! Share whatever you've done to save money recently! List it here so that other Bargain Shopping Paradise readers can get inspired. It's a great way to share ideas, and I love seeing how creative everyone gets when it comes to saving money! Please only list family-friendly links. Include your blog name and the name of your "brag" in your link.

This Bargain Brag Wednesday post is brought to you by . . .

If you've never bragged about your bargains before, start now! Simply blog about your most recent bargains and link back here!

Look what I won!

2010-03-09T10:12:00.000-05:00

Ain't it purdy? This is the Lisa Leonard Designs necklace I won from the Living Locurto giveaway that I entered a while ago. I just had to share it! I'm really enjoying it. I was sooooo excited when it finally came. Here's the actual "From Up Here" necklace on Lisa's Web site.

I hope this serves as inspiration for visiting other blogs and entering giveaways. Remember, be a winner by being a follower! :o)

Latest Baby Bargains, 3/6/10

2010-03-06T10:40:00.000-05:00

I got up bright and early this morning to hit a local children's consignment sale, hosted at a local church. They have them about every six months, and I was there by around 8:15 AM. It's usually a two-day deal on a Friday and Saturday, with Saturday having special 1/2-off-everything-with-a-dot deals. So, I usually go on Saturday and only buy 1/2-off deals. They have everything you could possibly imagine for your infants, crawlers, toddlers, and on up.

The last time I went, I got some phenomenal deals, and this visit wasn't any different. Although, I had some things on my list that I really wanted to get, but they were all gone when I got there. :o( All their training potties and travel high chair boosters were gone. And I didn't see any baby carrier hiking backpacks. Boo! However, the deals I did get were pretty sweet:

2T jeans............................................$1.50
18 mo. Old Navy swimsuit...............$1.50
Learn-to-swim suit............................$2.00
WTP, Elmo, Blues Clues books.......$2.50
Tennis shoes.....................................$1.00
Old Navy sneakers...........................$1.00
Stride Rite shoes...............................$1.50
Baby Gap sneakers...........................$1.50
Sidewalk chalk.................................$1.00
Baby washcloths...............................$1.00
Tupperware snack bowls..................$3.50
Blue's Clues/Spot videos..................$0.50
TOTAL...........................................$19.61

Fabulous Photo Giveaway winner!

2010-03-05T17:09:00.000-05:00

And the winner is . . . comment #16, Deb! Congratulations!

Thanks for entering, everyone! It was great to see all your wonderful comments, and to know that I've got some really great followers. Feel free to stop by, share your ideas, link-up, or enter future giveaways. I love connecting with you all over our love of bargains! Have a wonderful weekend.

Fabulous Photo Giveaway!

2010-03-05T10:49:00.002-05:00

GOOD NEWS . . . I'm hosting a giveaway!

Some of you may or may not know, but one of my other passions is nature photography, and I blog about that over at Grace Made Evident. I recently hosted a giveaway over there, so I thought, why not host one here, too?!

I'm giving away one (1) matted print of your choice from my pictures posted on Grace Made Evident—a $25 value! This does include pictures that are posted between now and the end of the giveaway, but excludes pictures of my family (I'm sure you understand). The print will be a 5x7, but the mat will fit an 8x10 frame. I'll also include a brief write-up about the picture and the story behind it on the back of the mat. Enter before 5:00 PM (Eastern) on Friday, March 5—that means you have a week. The winner will be randomly drawn that evening, and announced right away!

Here's what you need to do to enter (you MUST do this to enter): Become a public Google follower of BSP, or if you're a private one it's time to come out of the closet! :o) Then come back here and post a comment telling me that you're a public follower. Extra ways to enter are listed below, but you have to do this one, first.

Extra ways to enter (leave an extra comment for each one you choose do):

Hop on over to Grace Made Evident, look around, then come back here and post an EXTRA comment telling me which photograph you'd like to win.
Subscribe to Bargain Shopping Paradise via e-mail, and leave an EXTRA comment here telling me that you've signed up, or are already signed up.

Enter your email address:

Delivered by FeedBurner
Grab the BSP button and put it on your site. Leave an EXTRA comment letting me know that you've grabbed it.
Commenting in other posts during the week will give you ONE EXTRA comment PER EACH comment that you make. Simply post an EXTRA comment on this post telling me the title of the post where you wrote your comment.
Share this giveaway on Facebook, and leave an EXTRA comment here letting me know that you did.
Blog about this giveaway, and leave an EXTRA comment here letting me know that you did.

On March 5, I'll use the random number generator at Random.org to select the winner. The winner should expect their print to arrive within 2-4 weeks after the winning announcement. It will be the winner's responsibility to contact me with their shipping information. Remember, the deadline is 5:00 PM (Eastern) on Friday, March 5. Good luck!

Click here to see the entire Blog Hop List....

FREEBIE: Alice in Wonderland audiobook (available through March 16)

2010-03-05T09:00:00.002-05:00

I love audiobooks! I'm a tad bit addicted. I think what I love most is that I can be doing something else, and "reading" a book at the same time. I'm currently reading Secret Life of Bees on audiobook.

So, you can understand my excitement when The Freebie Blogger posted a link to AudioFile's free audiobook download of Lewis Carroll's Alice in Wonderland (click on the link)! Oh, I jumped on that like flies on poop.

This offer is available through March 16.

FREEBIE: Digital subscription to Garden Design magazine

2010-03-05T08:47:00.000-05:00

Gardeners and wanna-bes are going to be interested in this one. ValueMags.com is offering a free digital subscription to Garden Design magazine (10 digital issues). Click here to get this freebie! Don't you just LOVE free stuff?

Thank you to The Freebie Blogger for posting this one!

DEAL ALERT: Shutterfly photo savings

2010-03-04T15:29:00.000-05:00

Shutterfly is turning 10 this month, and to celebrate, they're offering a boatload of savings!

Use promo code March10 to get $10 off your order (ends March 11). Thanks, Jessica!
Use promo code SHIP30 to get free shipping on orders of $30 or more.
Prints of any size are 33% off.
Photo books are 10% off.
Save 20% on cards.
Save 33% on collage prints.
. . . and there are a ton more savings! (Most offers end March 17)

And don't forget—join (for free) or visit Ebates first. You'll earn an additional 10% cash back on your Shutterfly purchase! These are some exciting savings!

Vote for my sweet girl!

2010-03-04T15:05:00.000-05:00

I entered my DD in a cute hat contest, and now voting is open! Visit "Jessica loves to Save money" and vote for #33 in the pole on the right-hand side of the page. Hope we win!

While you're there, stop and say hello! Jessica has a really fun, creative, and helpful blog. She's a woman after my own heart, because I (like Jessica) love to save money!

New button! Go ahead . . . grab it!

2010-03-04T07:30:00.000-05:00

You know you want it . . .

I've been working on a new button for the site, and I think I finally came up with one that I'm happy with. Hope you'll grab it and start spreading the money-saving word!

REMINDER: only 2 days left before the photo giveaway ends!

2010-03-03T14:56:00.001-05:00

Don't wait too long to enter my Fabulous Photo Giveaway! There are only 2 days left! The winner will be announced after 5:00 PM (Eastern) on Friday, March 5.

Bargain Brag Wednesday, 3/3/10

2010-03-03T06:00:00.003-05:00

March 3, 2010

I'm starting a new feature! Every Wednesday is now "Bargain Brag Wednesday" here at BSP—an opportunity for you to share your latest bargain shopping finds, DIY projects, side-of-the-road pick-ups, thrift store steals, etc. Share whatever you've done to save money recently! List it here so that other Bargain Shopping Paradise readers can easily find it. It's a great way to share ideas, and I love seeing how creative everyone gets when it comes to saving money! Please only list family-friendly links. Include your blog name and the name of your "brag" in your link.

This Bargain Brag Wednesday post is brought to you by . . .

Latest thrift store find

2010-03-02T17:30:00.000-05:00

I love thrift stores! This should be no surprise to you. If I go too long between visits, I get a bit antsy, and start planning out my next visit. I wouldn't call it an obsession . . .

I went to Goodwill last weekend. I was looking for pants, but I struck out in that department. I was also looking for fleece scraps to use for cloth baby wipes—found a great piece for less than $1. Score! I was also looking for a teapot—struck out. And, while I wasn't really looking for them, I found a super cute pair of Andre Assous slides for our upcoming beach trip. I paid under $5 for them!

For my next trip, I'll be shopping for a few things:

fabric scraps for a DIY art project
pants
brown shoes
any home decorating steals

Entered another giveaway . . . cross your fingers!

2010-03-02T16:37:00.000-05:00

Well, I've entered another giveaway—this time for a new blog makeover! Oh, I hope, hope, hope I win! I've needed design help with this blog for a long time. If you're curious, or want to enter too (or not—leave me more chances to win), check it out here. Cross your fingers . . .

Last days for the newest promotion from Sierra Trading Post

2010-03-01T10:40:00.000-05:00

I think those of us who are obsessed with Sierra Trading Post should have a name. You know, like Star Trek lovers are called "trekkies." Should we be called "posters" or "stp-ers" or "traders"? Dunno!

The latest STP promotion ends this Wednesday, March 3. Get 15% off $100 or 20% off $150 use code ALFEB2KX. Valid Feb 4 to March 3 at Sierra Trading Post. Check them out for all of your outdoor, gear, workout, camping, backpacking, winter gear, summer gear needs, and much more!

Don't forget to visit or join Ebates, before visiting the link above! Doing this will put 2.5% cash back in your wallet from your STP purchase. Joining is completely free!

FREEBIE: Free Classical Music Sampler—Chopin 200 Years from Amazon

2010-03-01T09:40:00.000-05:00

"A little dab'll do ya"

2010-02-28T07:30:00.001-05:00

"A little bit goes a long way."

"A little dab'll do ya."

You've heard all those sayings, I'm sure, and there are many others that convey the same idea. I've recently rediscovered the philosophy behind these colloquialisms. Ever since we switched to cloth diapers, for some reason, I've become increasingly aware of how much we waste. We waste so much in every area of our lives—personal care products, food, money, etc. You name it!

This may seem unrelated, but bear with me. I have frizzy hair. My hair was straight, until I started getting perms in 3rd grade. Hey—don't judge. It was the thing to do back then. Then, I stopped getting perms in junior high, cut my hair so the perm would grow out, but I've had naturally curly/wavy (I call it "bent") hair ever since. It's healthy, but frizzy . . . perpetually frizzy. Drives me nuts! Don't get me started on humidity! Ugh! And what drive me even crazier is that once I find a product that works and that I like, they stop making it! Aaarrrggghhh! Anyway . . . when I wash my hair, I tend to use a LOT of conditioner. I mean, A LOT, just to try an keep my hair moisturized and less frizzy, which means I go through it quickly. And, I don't use expensive stuff. It's debatable whether this is a waste or not. . . .

As I was looking through my copy of Super Baby Food, and ran across this little piece of advice about my conditioner. There's an invaluable section in this book, Appendix B, "Homemade Baby Products." It's actually the only section I've read, so far. The author talks about everything from making your own baby wipes, home remedies for diaper rash, money-saving tips for deoderant, and much more. But, there's a teeny little paragraph on hair detanglers. I had to see what she said.

"The commercial spray detanglers and conditioners that you buy for your baby's hair are nothing more than very dilute solutions of hair conditioner. Make your own by adding one or two tablespoons of baby-safe hair conditioner into a pump or spray bottle and fill with water. Shake well before each use. I sometimes use this for my own hair after shampooing and towel drying. But most times, while I'm still in the shower and after shampooing, I take a tiny dollup (about 1/2 teaspoon) of regular hair conditioner, spread it on the palms of my hands, and massage it through my hair. I don't rinse and this 'leave-in conditoner' makes my hair as soft and tangle free as when I use a lot of conditioner and rinse it out." (Taken from Super Baby Food)

Really?!?!? I had to try it. She also mentions that you can make a bottle of conditioner last for years, this way, and you save time and water by not rinsing. Sold! It seemed like an easy way to conserve. So, I've been doing this for a couple of weeks now, and I'm a believer! I think my hair is actually less frizzy than it's ever been!

I don't have the guts to go completely chemical-free, yet, like the Simple Mom, but this is one more easy way to conserve both time and water, but also take a load off your wallet!

DEAL ALERT: 20% off photo books at Shutterfly

2010-02-25T16:53:00.000-05:00

Now, through March 3, get 20% off photo books at Shutterfly. Use promo code "TWENTYOFF" to get your discount. If your order is $30 or more, use coupon code "SHIP30" and your order ships to you for free!

Join or shop through Ebates first, and get an additional 10% cash back on your purchase!

DEAL ALERT: 80% off at Restaurant.com (thru 2/28/10)

2010-02-22T16:14:00.000-05:00

Restaurant.com is offering 80% off their gift certificates. Use code "SAVOR" at checkout to get the discount. That means you can get a $25 gift certificate for only $2! Offer ends 2/28/10.

ALSO . . . visit or join Ebates first, then visit their link to Restaurant.com and get a additional 15% cash back—seriously, that's 15%!

Be a winner by being a follower!

2010-02-19T07:30:00.001-05:00

Lately, I've become a fan of following other Web sites that I enjoy reading. Many of them have fun giveaways, which I have entered. The most fun part of it all is that I recently won in two of these giveaways! I've never won that much in my life, but now I've won twice! The first one was on TheClothDiaperWhisperer's Super Fluff Friday Giveaway 63, where I won a Gro Baby cloth diaper prize pack valued at around $50. They host a giveaway every Friday, and you can enter throughout the week. Woo-hoo! The second one was a jewelry giveaway at Living Locurto for a $50 gift certificate at Lisa Leonard Designs (hand-stamped jewelry), and I was one of two lucky winners! Big-time woo-hoo! I just ordered this necklace with my gift certificate, and CAN'T WAIT to get it!

For a bargain shopper like myself, you can get much better than "you won!" and "free!" These little buzz words bring joy to my heart. Entering these giveaways is usually super easy, and a lot of times (if you meet their entry criteria) you can enter multiple times for the same giveaway, which increases your odds of winning. There were 1199 entries in the cloth diaper giveaway I mentioned, and 10 winners—I was one of them. In the jewelry giveaway, there were 258 entries, and I was one of 2 winners.

So, what am I suggesting? Become a winner by being a follower. Find blogs and Web sites that interest you, and follow them. Pay attention to the ones that normally host giveaways, and enter. It's that easy! You might just win free products, or gift certificates. The sky's the limit! Check out the blogs I follow—there are several of them that give things away on a regular basis. I even hosted a giveaway on my photography blog, and have plans to do it again in the future.

Good luck, and happy winning!

One-Sale Web Sites

2010-02-18T07:30:00.001-05:00

There are several Web sites out there that specialize in selling one item per day, or just one item until it sells-out. I love these Web sites. It makes shopping so simple. You only have one thing at a time to choose from. It's great! Not that I only shop these Web sites, but they're fun to peruse. When I know I'm shopping for something particular, I keep my eyes on sites like these, because I never know when the item I'm looking for will pop up at an unbelievable price. I've purchased a car seat, baby clothing items, a TomTom GPS unit, a blue-tooth headset, and much more from some of these sites. These noteworthy sites are worth your daily browsing:

Babies/Kids/Mommas:

General:

And those are just the ones I'm aware of! If you know of others, post them here.

Home Decorating: Artwork and a Cheap Brass Chandelier Fix

2010-02-17T17:30:00.005-05:00

We're renters—at least for now. When we moved into our apartment, we noticed that the property owners seem to be stuck in the "brass age." You know . . . brass chandelier in the dining room, old-style brass folding fireplace screen, brass hardware, etc. Nice. Now, maybe I'm being a bit judgemental of you brass-lovers out there, but it's just not our style.

We're planning on moving from this apartment in the next few months or so, but I've been itchy for a crafty/creative project. Our little one was born just after we moved in, so we never painted or did anything to really make it our own. Something had to be done.

Step 1 was to add some artwork to our bedroom, above our bed. You can see what I did here. I did this VERY cheaply by using some black frames and cream mattes that we already had, taking my own pictures, and customizing them using Adobe Photoshop (available for WIndows or Mac). The entire project only cost me around $27—the cost of developing the prints (I had several done at the same time).

Step 2 was to tackle our very shiny brass dining room chandelier (right). It's not a great before picture, because I had to crop it out from the background of an older picture. I forgot to take an actual before pic. Oh well. I'm an HGTV-lover, and I've seen them paint chandeliers countless times on Design on a Dime. It's such a cheap fix, so I had to try it. I also wanted to add some lamp shades, to give it a more elegant feel. I found a set of 6 (I only needed 5) in mint condition at one of our local Goodwills for $1.50 . . . for the set! I bought a can of black satin-finish spray paint from Wal-Mart for around $3. All I needed was my husband's help to prep the area. We're not real handy sort of people, so we opted for NOT taking the lamp down, and left it on the ceiling for the actual painting. I know, I know . . . some of you are wincing right now. But, I mean it—we're not handy! So after taping everything off and rigging up a paint screen to keep paint off the ceiling and walls, we went to work. It took a few coats, but after a couple of hours, our work was done and NO MORE BRASS!! So exciting! With my $1.50 lampshades, and my $3 can of paint, here's the end result:

Ain't she a beaut?! It's a thousand times better, now. Have I inspired you? I hope so! For just under $6, we have a brand new lamp that fits our style and is amazingly less obtrusive than that old brass thing.

And for a grand total of under $35, we have really attractive artwork in our bedroom, and a totally new, updated, classy feel in our dining room.

Artwork for bedroom.................$27
Lampshades (set of 6)................$1.50
Spray paint.................................$3

TOTAL......................................$31.50

DEAL ALERT: Free "20 in 10" Sister Hazel album download from Amazon

2010-02-16T09:23:00.000-05:00

Download Sister Hazel's "20 in 10" album FOR FREE from Amazon. I'm not sure when this offer ends.

About Bookmooch.com, and other swapping ideas . . .

2010-02-12T07:14:00.000-05:00

Simple Organic Giveaway!

2010-02-10T15:01:00.001-05:00

Simple Living Media has unveiled a brand new Web site in their family . . . Simple Organic. The goal of Simple Organic is "all about natural, sustainable living for regular people," according to their Web site. In honor of the new site's unveiling, they're sponsoring a wonderful green giveaway, with some really great prizes. Hop on over and check them out. Enter the giveaway while you're there!