Ebay

Needing some advice from my blogger friends. I'm just not having the luck on Ebay as I usually do. I'm wondering if it is ME or the Economy!?!

I have some smocked dresses-really nice/expensive ones, Gymboree clothing, Lily Pulitzer dress, etc. and I'm afraid to put them on because lately I've been paying seller fees and NOT selling! Quite frustrating.

Here's one of my frustrations--they separate the 6-9 and the 9-12 when you know most clothing is runs 6-12 months. So do you usually do it 6-9 or 9-12 or do you do both and pay additional fees? I know I usually do it closer to how it runs..whether it runs smaller or larger, but it is still really frustrating!

So, do you have any advice? I almost am thinking about putting them out here on blogger world and if you are interested you can pay me through Paypal. Do I have any lookers? Buyers? Is this legal?

Help me out!
Thanks!

And the Winner is...

Vista Print. Thanks so much for your comments! I got 100 cards, envelopes, return address labels and shipping for under $50! I don't think you can beat that! Now I just hope they are good quality like everyone says. I'm so excited to see them! Can't wait. I'm a dork. I can't help it.

You have yours done?
I got my first Christmas card of the season today, Dec. 3rd. I can't believe it!

Bakugan Brawlers!

My son is wanting THESE!!!! Are you familiar? Are you all too familiar? These are the hot item this Christmas. My son wants them...specific ones too. I've tried all over--Target, Wal-Mart, ToysRUs, Amazon, Ebay, etc. & they are sold out. I mean 100% out of stock! I can't believe it! He's been into these for a while and I remember being able to just pick one up at Target, and now they are selling on Ebay for twice the price! If I'd have only known! I could be making a killing off of Bakugans!

Here is THE one....Serpenoid. You seen it? You have it? Want to sell it to me? :)

These are little balls that when placed on their special magnetic baseball-type card, pop out into these beings. There's a game to it, but he doesn't know anything about that. He just likes these little things. (And his sister LOVES putting them right into her mouth!) They are the size of a large gumball. Or you can get the 2 inch ones, but he doesn't want those.

This is Centoipod (or something like that). He wants that one too. So, I'm off to rummage through the stores again. I keep telling myself I'm not going to give in to Ebay and buy it.

I can't believe I'm old enough to

#1. not want that 'hot' item from Santa, and

#2. have a child old enough to want that 'hot' item!

It's crazy! It's on his list to Santa, and Santa can do anything, right?

Give & Get Friends and Family Event

Ok Guys....This is a discount for The Gap, Gap Outlet, Banana Republic, Banana Republic Factory Store, and Old Navy!

I couldn't print it out correctly but if you go to the 'click here' part, you will see. It is a code/coupon for 30% off. You can print it up and use it.

GET 30% OFF FOR 4 DAYS ONLY!!!!

It's a Give and Get Program and I got it via email. ( I have a Gap Card and that is probably why.) It said to share it with friends, so here you are.

We'll donate 5% of the amount you spend to a nonprofit.Having trouble seeing the In-Store Barcode at the bottom of this email? Click here.

We'd like to offer you 30% off¹ during our best-ever friends and family event. We're calling it Give & Get, because for every purchase you make from November 13-16, we give 5% of the amount you spend to your favorite nonprofit. Plus, as one of our best customers, you'll not only enjoy 30% off, you'll also get to share this discount with your friends and family. 5% of the amount they spend goes to your nonprofit too! During our August Give & Get event, we donated $1.3 million. So share the love with as many people as you like. And don't forget to pick your nonprofit.

The code below is for online shopping. The in-store barcode will show if you click on the above link.

PB2TGTZ68Y81

Certain restrictions apply¹. See below or ask a sales associate for details

All the words in green are what I was able to copy & paste from my email. You *might* have to have a GAP or Old Navy card to do this , but I don't know. Just thought I'd give you a head's up.

So go shopping!!! I will be :)

Random Thought

I know it's that time of year when stores are doing the Friends and Family event--where you give someone a coupon that gives you 30% discount (usually) . I'm in DESPERATE need of one from Pottery Barn. Years ago this nice lady who worked there while I happened to be in the store gave me one and I bought a beautiful rug..the Bronwyn, in case you are a serious PB shopper.

It was perfect. Now it has one Kool-Aid stain, lots of dog hair, a few random dirt spots and is very, very worn. I want to buy a new rug, though I don't want (OK, just can't) buy one for 'regular' price. So if any of you know someone who might have that wonderful little piece of paper, or you have one lying around waiting to be used, I'd love to have it!!!

Or if you know of some online code or whatever for a deal, I'd love to know about it.

Anyone? Help!

And if it helps, my birthday is the 30th and that would be a great birthday present!

Ikea Options

Thanks for your responses. They were so helpful! Here's the thing: I am looking at rugs. I should've been more specific. So, if you know anything about the quality of their rugs, I would love to know.

Here's the other thing: this pink on is available ONLINE ONLY:

This one is available only IN-STORE:

I think I like the blue one better because my little girl already has a lot of pink (crib bumper, blankets, crib mattress and dust ruffle). So, what do you think? I've not checked shipping yet. I do love these rugs......I just wonder about the quality. I know it will be in a child's room and the thing is only $24.99, so how bad can it be?

Whaddya think? And who of you are going to buy this for me and then ship it to me? HA!

Retail Therapy....

So excited to get out of the *dadgum (*southern term used instead of cussing for the 329445728th time)house. Hubby finally got home and I had to go and run errands. (Read: had to get the *F * out) I needed to buy a waterproof mattress pad for our bed.

Big Brother has been camped out in our room since he got sick and when I was arguing with him to try to go potty at 3am so that he didn't have an accident in our bed, I decided that yes, it is time to get a waterproof one.

We've got another kid in the house now (Miss Bug) and it's not like someone won't pee or spill something on our bed sometime in the future! Hell, it could even be me or Hubby that spills!

My intentions when shopping were to also look for new sheets for the guest bed. I didn't find any for the bed that needs them, but I did find some surfboard sheets and a blue and white seersucker comforter for Big Brother's bed! He loves them! I thought it would help to get him back in his bed because this is his last night in mine.

I swear, this Amoxicillin had best get its butt in gear and heal my baby boy because I want my life back!

I'll wash the sheets and comforter and put them on the bed and take a pic. It's going to be so cute and I'm glad he liked it! :) I swear, sometimes a girl's just got to have some retail therapy. It makes everything all better. Can I get a *woot-woot* for that one?

PS. I'm trying not to think about the fact that right now several of my good friends who I've not seen in ages are partying and celebrating and drinking themselves into a nice buzz (if not worse). And I'm supposed to be there. But, nooooooo. I'm blogging about freaking waterproof mattress pads. Humph!

Help!

The plan is still on for us to go to Orlando tomorrow. I have doctor appt. for Big Brother today to see what is up with this fever. I hope we find whatever it is rather than it just being viral. I just get worried.

Here's the situation: I'm wearing a sleeveless ruched wrap top--so cute. I already got a little bit of deoderant on it somehow when I tried it on. HOW DO YOU GET IT OFF SAFELY? I don't want to wash it before we go. My deoderant--Secret Invisible Solid--says it is invisible, but it's not. I need some that is, and with a quickness.

So--
#1. How to get deoderant off black shirt safely?

#2. What deoderant is really invisible? (And I don't like that drippy stuff, but if it is what really works, then I'll do it.)

New Pants + New Shoes = Happy Girl

Went to TJ Maxx over the weekend and found some cute shoes. Love it when you are just browsing, see a pair of shoes, toss them on the floor to slip your foot into them and WALLAHHH...they fit perfectly and make your foot look teensy and cute. Yes, purchased thankyouverymuch. (but looking at this picture makes me look like I have 'troll' feet?! WTH?)

Then went to the Outlets today while Big Brother was at school--it's the only decent place to shop sometimes around here sadly enough to say. I do love a Gap Outlet because I can usually find something for myself even if it is just a stretch T and if not, they always have something for the kids. I found some cute cropped seersucker trousers. So stinkin' cute. They fit perfectly, so yes, they are now part of my wardrobe. Not sure what shirt to wear, but will find something I'm sure, even if it is just a nice white T-shirt.

I also bought a bright blue short sleeve sweater. Trying to branch out from the black and white t-shirt collection that fills my closet. I just love a black shirt. It is perfect. Matches everything - especially my overabundance of JCrew flip-flops. This sweater will look good with one of my 14 pairs of khaki capri pants.

Once again, a happy girl is a shopping girl..

BUT I do have one gripe. What the hell is up with all these shirts being so freaking tight and long/narrow? Maybe I'm needing to admit that I'm getting older and need to do some department store buying, is that it? Seriously? I'm only thirty freaking five. But I swear, I'm always having to buy a XL many times and I'm not a big person. Yes, like I said, I do have somewhat of a large chest 34DD (I know TMI) but that doesn't mean that my body is an XL! Doesn't the media even advertise that the average size of a woman is a 12? Well, if that is the case, then she'd probably wear a freaking size XL too!!!! And if she is the average, then shouldn't she be a size M or L in a shirt just to put her in the 'middle' of the sizing chart? It really is pissing me off. And no, I don't wear really tight shirts because I think that it is trashy and it shows my back-fat. But I won't get started on that one.

And the 'built in shelf bra' my ass....

I never in my life thought that buying pants would be easier than buying a shirt. And I'm 5 foot 2 1/2 inches, so it's not like I fit into the 'regular' size. I usually get the 's' for SHORT.......and I'm okay with that. Maybe they need to start coming out with Tshirts that say your size and then 'B' for Boobs.........hhhhmmmmmmmmm. Or maybe I just need to get the breast reduction I continue to think about. It's only a matter of time before I break down. But I digress.

Possibly House Shopping?

It's been a while since I've been able to post. Husband has been out of town and I've had NO time to myself. I am NEEDING it. Big Brother scraped his knees on the concrete which I'm sure was painful but damn, he was a drama queen. On and on and on. I'm sure what he was thinking the whole time was, "It's a 4 year old thing, Mom, you wouldn't understand." I had to cut off the part of the band-aid that was flapping in the wind and he kept telling Daddy that I cut his boo-boo. I told him I didn't cut the boo-boo, but the band-aid, and he said, "Mommy, you aren't listening." Who does this kid think he is anyway?

Anyway, our realtor called to see if we could show our house on Wednesday morning this past week. OF COURSE she calls when Hubby is gone so I can do all the cleaning all by myself. With 2 small children behind me un-making the bed (I mean peeing in it), dropping food on the floor and making a mess in general. I asked her if she and my husband talk and make a plan to show the house while he's gone. She said yes. And that's why I like her. Because she is funny. And with the way the market is right now, you have to have a sense of humor. I'm just glad we are getting some looks right now.

With that being said, I have some questions for you Altanta area ladies. What are the good areas to live in between I-75 and I-85 north of Atlanta? Husband has us looking at Canton and Cumming mostly, but I also want to know what areas you guys like. Like what is near great schools and great shopping. That is my list. HA. Only two things. No, but really, schools are very important to us. And we do want to get the most bang for our buck as far as houses are concerned. So if you even know of neighborhoods that have nice homes and a great community feel (playgrounds, pool, etc), then I'd love to hear the names of them so I don't go in blindly.

So, help me out. Talk to me. Lemme hear your advice on the best schools, Target shopping centers , etc...and if you want to email me rather than comment b/c you are afraid of the freaks that stalk blogs, then my email is hikinco at bellsouth dot net.
Thanks!

Update on Crayon in Dryer and then some...

So my concoction of Tide laundry detergent, 43950943 sprays of Shout, 1/2 bottle of Oxyclean liquid and Goof Off--found it on my husband's workbench (smells like lighter fluid) worked! Pretty much everything came out. I did have to wash it on Hot, which I never do, so we'll see if the pants fit. And if they don't, then you can bet your sweet ass I'm going to call up and get another pair sent to me.

Have been feeling stuck in my own home. A prisoner holed up with diapers, baby food, nursing pads, Legos, Lincoln Logs, Hot Wheels, crayons (duh) and the random baby shit that fills your living room. As I look around I see the Exersaucer, Baby Einstein Gym, Bumbo, baby swing and a race track with 3945584839304543 Hot Wheels cars (not Matchbox--keep it straight). And do you know those things hurt like a sonofabitch when you step on them in bare feet?

My next home will have a bonus room or a basement or SOME other place to put all my kids' shit that doesn't necessarily fit in their room. Got that Clemsongirl? (By the way--we have Open House on Sunday--pray for serious buyers!)

So, today I took Miss Bug and we went shopping for my hair goods--have to have Aveda. Not only for the smell, either! Also went to outlets near my house and shopped at the Gap Outlet and Tommy Hilfiger outlet. Then Bug decided it was time to go home. Not after I spent some cashola at the Gap. Bug got a CUTE dress--will try to post a pic later, and another outfit. Big Brother got 2 pair of shorts and a white polo. I got 2 pairs of capri pants and a pair of flip flops. Hubby will shit if he sees I got another pair of flip flops. But they were $9.99! I STILL can't find many shirts that fit b/c of my whole chest drama (see previous post). I swear, if you aren't tall and skinny it is hard to find shirts that fit these days. Everything is LONG. Does anyone else have this problem??? Seriously, I'm NOT a fat person! I'll have to post a pic soon so you can see that I'm not some huge person with unrealistic expectations. I just don't want to look like a hoochiemama.

The point of this post is to say that I feel better now that I got me some retail therapy.

Tomorrow is my paper party--I'm having a consultant from Paperly come and show us her stuff. Check out their stuff! I bought wine, cheese and some sweet stuff. Hope it is successful!

Good Night and have a great weekend!

Let's Talk Strollers...

I have a 4 year old and a 6 month old. We have the huge ass Graco stroller that fits the car seat on top for little one. Then we have a Britax stroller (light-weight, compact; can't remember the model) for the 4 year old. So, do I buy a sit and stand stroller for them to be able to ride together? I'm not on the go with both of them a lot by myself. But when I do, the 4 year old wants to be held!!! He's always been this way. He just isn't a big walker. He only weighs about 32 pounds and is more prone to run his mouth than run his legs if you know what I mean.

I saw on another blog where people were really saying great stuff about the Joovy Ultralight Caboose (see above). I have to admit, I'd never even heard of it! I guess I'm out of the loop on strollers ...again. Especially the double kind!

The last time I went single-handedly out for a day with both kids I had the 4 year old riding on my back while the 6 month old sat in the stroller! At one point I even had the 4 year old in the stroller and was carrying the 6 month old! Ridiculous! And what a sight to see, I'm sure...

So, is it worth the money? Will I get a lot of use out of it? Are there other strollers that are better? Help a girl out....

Shopping, Shopping, Shopping...

So excited to show you what I bought at J Crew.
I started out with these--a staple item-city fit chino shorts in stone and a cool blue hue:

Then HAD to have these *plaid*:

And this to match *plaid again, of course*:

This was my little splurge--the hippie coming out in me--but I could just see myself in this in the upcoming months:

(it being on a hanger does it no justice)


And this (was 40% off and my lip goo will fit perfectly):


I was going to get the madras capris or shorts but couldn't go there because I didn't want my butt to look big or hips or whatever the plaid decided to accentuate that day!

Talk about a happy, happy girl. I was. And still am.

One question: Does J Crew make products specifically to sell at their outlets? I know that the Gap does, so just am wondering. The shorts feel a bit different than the ones I bought at the mall, so am curious. I've not washed them yet, so it may just be me.....

Pottery Barn OUTLET

Hey--I know many of you ladies live in and around the Atlanta area and I'm wondering if you have been to the Pottery Barn Outlet that is in Dawsonville, just north of Gainesville (GA)? It is the closest one to me, but still would take several HOURS to get there. Just wondering if it is worth it? I know many of them are a 'hit or miss' type of place, also.

For those of you living near other Pottery Barn Outlets, tell me if you've had any luck there. I LOVE LOVE LOVE Pottery Barn, but am all about some deals.......unless I just HAVE to HAVE it, then it's another story altogether.

THANKS!