The Daily Grind of a Work @ Home Mom...

The one about the yard sale

On Friday night, I decided I needed a project to sink my teeth into over the weekend. Seeing as my house needed a good clean-up and it is yard sale season, I proceeded to get up with the birds on Saturday morning and go through every bit of clothing that may or may not fit anyone in our house, every piece of electronic crap that no longer had a home in any room in our house, and everything that I could live without - just the idea of downsizing made me feel good.

So I worked most of the day until I could no longer resist the 80 degree sunshiney weather and I hit the outdoors. But Sunday morning, we woke up bright and early and proceeded to set-up for what was dubbed the "Storyland Fund Yard Sale." This monicker made two small - otherwise non-morning - people get up and at 'em with the same kind of enthusiasm usually reserved for "Giiirrrllsss, iiiiccceee ccrrreeaamm!!!!"

We hit the pavement and were ready to go by 8am.

Our first customer arrived and after fingering everything we had, bought all our handbags. She bargained me down to about 75% of what I originally asked (one was Coach, y'all!) but I didn't care. I felt lighter already.

People came in and out throughout the day. I saw cars full of people who were looking for real bargains to send home to wherever they were from. I was a sport, considering I was going to donate all leftovers at the end of the day anyhow.

It's interesting to watch people sift through stuff, MY STUFF, most of which I purchased intentionally at some point. Going through my girls' old stuff brought up some sentiments too, all of which were lost on the lady trying to bargain me down from $2 a piece to .50. Dear lord, what am I engaging in, here?

(For the record, I gave in.)

I had a woman purchase my copy of Lucinda Bassett's From Panic to Power, a book that doubled as my bible doing a different, more turbulent time in my life. As she handed me the buck (I know but it's a yard sale!), I remembered I had a whole Lucinda Bassett "system" comprised of a dozen cassettes (cassettes!!!) that helped shed perspective and give me insight at that time. I ran to my basement to unearth them and I gave them to her.

"You're an angel," she told me. I rolled my eyes - an angel I am not - and she left. And I felt pretty good.

But the best part of the day other than meeting some neighbors I never knew I had and putting enough money in my pocket to almost pay for the hotel part of our Storyland trip came late in the day. It went something like this:

Him (picking up a light thing that seemed to materialize on my lawn magically): "What is this?"

Me: "Actually? I'm not really sure. Looks like some sort of light thing that maybe you hang if you're doing a project? But I don't know."

Him: "I'll take it."

And just like that, I was $3 richer.

Stay tuned for my post on our tales from Storyland!

 

Helper #1

Helper #2

 

How social media influences, well, everything

Social media here, social media there, social media everywhere.  Even as a person who loves, adores, and was an early adopter (Twitter since early 2008, yo!), the constant barrage of new sites! New apps! New social tools! even gets to me sometimes.

I don't get excited about every new popular domain name.  I'm not the first to set up an account of the latest and greatest.  I've been burned before (Google+ anyone?) and there just aren't enough hours in the day to devote time to every site Twitter says is cool.  Cuz now it's not 2008 anymore and everyone and their mother is giving opinions on Twitter (not that there's anything wrong with that, as long as you know how to properly manage your own account).   

As I write this post, I just clicked a friend's Pin and took in an inforgraphic that appeared on Mashable titled Pinterest Becomes Top Traffic Driver for Retailers [INFOGRAPHIC]. This article which appeared today, pretty much sums up what I'm about to talk about here, except I was going to apologize to Foursquare for being an early adopter-hater and then tell you how much I love Foursquare for its "Specials Nearby" feature and how I utilized it yesterday and felt soooo good about myself afterwards.

But wait.

In March of 2010. I wrote a post that I called To Foursquare or Not to Foursquare: A Cynic's View.  I was wholly unconvinced.  I even quit the location-based social networking site for a while.  Can't recall what brought me back but it was probably some little voice inside my head whispering, "go back, you've made a mistake. Second chances are for winners."

So I did.  While I don't "check-in" everywhere I go and I don't double-dip by posting my Foursquare check-ins to Facebook (which has its own check-in capes), I do use it sometimes to take advantage of retail deals.

Aaaaah.  There. I said it.  If you are an avid Foursquare'er, you've undoubtedly noticed the little box "Specials Nearby" feature at the top of your "places" page - and if you click over, you'll be privy to some retailers who are taking a chance on an unknown kid as yet unproven tactic for increasing sales.  Yesterday, I "checked-in at a large shopping complex and checked my specials.  I noticed that the kids store across the way was offering 40% off any purchase just for checking in.

SCORE.  Foursquare's stock just skyrocketed in my book.  If you have to outfit children, you know that it's a constant drain on the bank account and if you have two budding fashionistas like I do, hand-me-downs are not going to cut it.  So, Justice - nice job.  I hope others catch on to your genius.  Because yesterday, for the cost of 40% of a size 4 skirt and a size 8 dress, you got a mention on Twitter that may or may not have reached any of my 3400+ followers.  Worth it?  I can't say how it was for them but I felt like I needed a smoke after heading out the door.

Same seems to be true of Pinterest.  I only recently signed-up for the newish online pinboard.  The idea is to "pin" things that appeal to you in visual format to your board.  Of course, you have followers who see your pins and they may or may not be swayed by your influence.  Each pin, btw, automatically links back to its origins (etsy shop, online retailer, etc).  For me, I love to look at the pretty pictures and of course, one more spot to share my ideas - yay!  But in seriousness, I'm considering actually making a purchase from a pin I saw on the site.

So.  Where does this leave us.  We're moving beyond bloggers to real people.  And based on what I've seen coming out of the blogosphere lately, we're all the better for it.

One more thought - anyone have any ideas on how Pinterest might affect the B to B world?  (Not that anyone at work has tasked me to find out...)

Alex Casey Baby is officially an Etsy store and FREE SHIPPING!

As many of you know, I've decided to close down my webstore, Alex Casey Baby.  After four+ years, you all seem to love our personalized items so rest assured you will still be able to buy our beautiful customized towels and blankets at my brand-new Etsy store: http://www.etsy.com/shop/AlexCaseyBabyOnline.

For a limited time, get free shipping on all orders placed in my new Etsy shop using promo code Freeship2012.  So tell all your friends, since this offer won't last long.  Thanks for your continued support!

 

Clickit!togiftit! offers egifts for friends and something special for you

I'm something of a shopaholic.  Forget time of year, I am one of those who derives serious pleasure from spending money all year round, not just at holiday time.  And I love shopping for other people which is weird, I know.  But what makes buying stuff for other people even better, is when I get something out of the deal too (I'm not that selfless).

Clickit!togiftit! is an egifting site that offers digital gift cards to dozens of great places.  Stores like Banana Republic, The Children's Place and Gap, and restaurants including Cheesecake Factory, Chili's, and Not Your Average Joe's are all represented too. What makes this site different is that they offer revolving promotions, so when you buy an egift for a friend, you get something too.

For example, right now, if you buy a $100 gift card to Maggiano's, you (the purchaser) will get a $20 gift card and a one-year subscription to Food & Wine Magazine.  If you live in Boston, Finale is offering a $5 rewards card with every $25 egift (and they have the best molten chocolate cake EVER).

Other promos going on now include:

• Gift a $25 Uno’s eGift card and get $5 to use yourself
• Receive a $10 egift card at The Children’s Place for every $40 you send 
• Give a specially designed Williams-Sonoma egift and they will give $5 to will make a $5 donation to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital®  

If you are in a hurry, at a loss, or just plain lazy, check out Clickit!togiftit! and I assure you you'll find something over there that will be appreciated by the people on your list.

Clickit!togiftit! is a client, all opinions are my own.

Alex Casey Baby Closing Sale - 50% of Everything!

After almost four years, Alex Casey Baby is closing.  As a result, we are blowing out all remaining inventory, almost all of which is 50% off.  This is a great time to stock up on holiday gifts, birthday presents, or just spoil your own special kids.

Stock includes:

Minky Blankets

Bib & Burp Sets

Animal Print Hooded Towels

Organic Sets

Hats & Shoes

Trucker Caps

TUTUS!!

Accessories

Peg Boards

Crayon Caddies

Thank you for shopping at Alex Casey Baby.

Fine print: subject to availability, all sales are final (no exchanges), all shipping prices apply.

 

My Haul from Nordstrom Rack

I am a person who loves to shop.  I enjoy the whole process, except the havoc a good shopping haul wreaks on my bank account.  But a recent visit to Nordstrom Rack proved that I, and my whole family, can look great without breaking the bank.

I only learned about Nordstrom’s amazing discount stores recently, when I saw one pop up in Natick, Ma.  Just last week, another store opened in Burlington, Ma., and not only was the store immaculate and easy to maneuver, but the pickin’s were FAB!

Shopping at The Rack, you would never know that you were in a discount store.  The copious amount of designer racks will throw off even the most supercilious shopper.  What they will notice are the unbelievable prices!

The Rack has everything from jeans to dresses to shoes and accessories and outer wear.  You’ll also be able to dress your man and your children from head to toe (literally – including underwear, socks, and shoes).  Their designer shoe area was not lost on me – and somehow a pair even ended up in my bag.  Oops!

Ok, so I did pretty well on my mini shopping spree.  Here’s what I got:

• Franco Sarto booties for $59.90 (originally $139)
• Lucky Brand top for $19.97 (originally $49.50)
• Joe’s Jeans for $79.97 (originally $158)
• Love on a Hanger tank top for $7.97

Needless to say, I left the store feeling VERY satisfied.  I could have bought EVERYTHING but alas, my budget was done for the night.  No doubt that I’ll hit Nordstrom Rack again. Soon.

“I attended a pre-opening day event at Nordstrom Rack and received a gift card to facilitate this review.  All opinions are my own.”

NEW Cozy Minky Personalized Blankets at Alex Casey Baby!

NEW Cozy Minky Personalized Blankets to match our famous Personalized Towels!

 

And new towel styles too!

  
  

Save 10% on any order through August 1^st, use promo code “Summer10” at checkout.

Free shipping on orders over $150

Looking for a Butterscotch Blankees Discount Code?

Look no further! Order your Butterscotch Blankees at AlexCaseyBaby.com and get 10% off using code BB10 at checkout. If you don't see the style or color combination you want, just email us at info at alexcaseybaby dot com and we can make it happen. Happy shopping!

Spring it up at Marshalls

I love a deal.  I mean, I know - who doesn't?  But I really, really love deals.  I have been known to use only coupons from daily deals sites for many consecutive outings, and scour the Internet for the best price on everything.  I'm a discount junkie but at the same time, I never compromise quality for price.  I want it all.

And so it stands to reason that I love shopping at stores that offer discounted clothes, especially when it comes to shopping for my kids.  Like yours, my kids ruin pretty much everything I buy them in no time flat.  The days of handing things down from one kid to the next are long gone.  T-shirts come home paint stained, leggings with dirt from the park (who knew dirt stained?).  So I don't spend big bucks dressing my kids, but I still like buying them cute stuff.  And to throw one more thing into the mix - they LOVE dresses.

TJ Maxx and Marshalls have a fantastic assortment of dresses, which is really perfect at this time of year - with easter and passover around the corner, not to mention the nicer weather (fingers crossed!).  So I was challenged to take my girls on a mini shopping spree to see what we could round up with $50.

We hit Marshall's in Newton, Ma., having asked the brand folks which local store had the best stuff.  While I personally like the selection of designer clothing in The Runway section across the street at TJ Maxx, the kids department at this Marshalls is fantastic and big.  Not only were we able to find dresses galore, we also grabbed a Hello Kitty t-shirt and still we barely hit $40.  Try doing that at a regular department store!

    Our loot!

Not only do I highly recommend hitting up TJ Maxx and Marshall's for your kids clothes this season, consider sprucing up your own wardrobe as well.  The racks are a secret garden of great finds, and you don't need to bring your deep pockets to do some damage.

"I received a gift card, courtesy of TJ Maxx/Marshalls, to facilitate our mini shopping spree.  All opinions are my own."

My "Never Again" Moment

I was inspired to write a "never again" post by one of my all-time favorite people, Sharon, who is on day 29 of a 31 day letter writing campaign to her grandkids, as part of a 365 Days of Literacy for Kids project.  But I'm writing this post for my readers, my grown-up readers, because what I'm about to show you is not something I want my kids to see.

Ever.

You see, while Sharon's "never again" moment came in the form of a haircut, mine came in the form of style.  Dresses to be exact.  Short dresses.  Very short dresses.  Dresses that were not necessarily appropriate for me (or anyone for that matter).    With no further ado:

This was just one of the lovely dresses that graced my 16-year-old body in 1991.  The style was short, tight, and cheap.  And by cheap I mean in dollars and cents.  This beauty was on sale at an otherwise lovely boutique on Montreal's Laurier Street for under $30 (can't imagine why!), which was part of the appeal.  I remember the day like it was yesterday.  My shopping companion, still a BFF even today (and many horrible dresses later), begged me not to buy it.  But I wasn't having it.  I had hit the jackpot!  It was perfect and it was inexpensive enough so that I didn't have to ask anyone.  I thought I looked hot.  (and yes, those are braces peeking out from under the gobs of red lipstick.)

I got home and modeled my new acquisition for my family.  My highly entertained family.  My family, who within minutes, dubbed this number the "garbage bag dress."  Appropriately, might I add.

Ne'er to be forgotten, the "garbage bag dress" (which was probably made of a combination of mylar, plastic, and pleather) still comes up in "best of" conversations.  And those long black satin gloves that I sported as the accessory were the icing on the cake, weren't they.

So there it is.  My "never again" moment, forever marked on this blog, my legacy to my family and to posterity.

Although there were those pleather pants I wore until they literally gave out one late night on the scene in Montreal, circa 1994.  A story for another day... maybe.