Groopdealz.

Have you guys heard of Groopdealz? I've been subscribing to them for about 6 months now, and I just purchased my first item--the turquoise earrings.  Not only are they fun, they were super cheap, $4.99 + shipping.  Basically, you sign up to recieve daily emails (yeah, that can be annoying) and they feature different items each day at a discounted price.  They have lots of party supplies, jewelry, or other gifts.

-m

Just another reason I love Target.

Any other Target-loving, deal-loving, designer-loving, materialistic-economy-boosting fashionista excited about this announcement??! Ok, I know its ridiculous, but I can only imagine the awesomeness that is to come with Target pairing up with Nieman Marcus. Specifically looking forward to seeing what Marc Jacobs, Lela Rose, Diane Von Furstenburg and Brian Atwood have to add to the collection! You betcha I'll be counting down 'til December 1st.

Find out more here: http://abullseyeview.com/target-neiman-marcus-holiday-collection-2012/

-m

Thoughts on a Saturday.

I happened upon this article about uncomplicating your life and I've probably read it 10 times in the past 3 days-- it's that good.  The whole blog has some great stuff. 

I'm thinking a good book, maybe the pool and some grilling are good ideas for filling my today.

Have a good weekend!

-m

Vacation: My family and DEB.

My first family vacation with my husband, my parents flew us down to Florida for some relaxing days at the beach.  Although it wasn't quite a week full of beach, sun and sand, it was definitely unforgettable.

 Being from Kansas, we're good at tornados.  We know what to do, how they sound, all the hoopla on TV and what-not.  Hurricanes on the other hand, not so much.  The day we arrived in Florida, Hurricane Debby did as well.  It was very very very very very (very?) rainy, windy, oh and some tornados (on and off land!) added in the mix.  There was one night that I got up just to make sure the windows weren't broken, and seriously considered taking my pillow into the shower for some safety!

Biking through the floods! 

Dolphins swimming in the bay.

Homemade soft-serve vanilla-pineapple ice cream!

Awe.

Luckily, we made the best of it.  We were able to visit my Great Aunt and Uncle who live in Florida (Hi guys!!) and it's alwasy so great to see them.   They made us some yummy BBQ and we sat on their beautiful screened in porch looking at deer in the rain.  Another day we saw Madagascar 3 and had pizza.  We were able to grill outside at our rental house a couple of nights and my brother made some mean inside-out burgers.  J and I rented bikes that we rode around the island as best we could in flooded streets and wind!  One day we ventured to Orlando for a day at Universal Stuidos.  I'm no Harry Potter fan, but that theme park was awesome!  Best of all, we had seven full days of time with my family.  We shared tons of laughs, I fought with my brother for ol' times sake, I ran on the beach with my mama, had we good food and good fun. 

The high tides washed away a lot of the sand, leaving painful, yet beautiful seashells!

Fresh Fish Tacos.  My fav.

Our backyard!

Now a sunny day in Florida just sounds boring.  Wouldn't trade that week for nothin!
-m

I'm a sucker for the sale.

It happens once a year.

If you live near KC, you may have heard of a store called Nell Hills.  It's packed full of the most beautiful furniture, pictures, home accessories, rugs, etc. In the store, prices are not friendly with my budget, but this one day a year they mark 'em down and people go crazy.  People like me, and my mom, and even my dad.  :)

drooling...

We got in line at 6am and waited for the curtain to the sale tent to open at 9am.  There were about 20 people in front of us, and believe it or not, it was FREEZING! Maybe if I had posted this closer to when the sale happens (first weekend in June), that wouldn't sound so shocking.  About an hour before the sale opens, they open the curtain and people get to browse from afar.  This might be the best part! They open the door, and people literally run down the aisles (some with laundry baskets!) filling up on the deals.  Here are a few things I couldn't walk away from.

Spotted this baby and ran for it first thing! $40

The mirrored chest was another great score! $50.  In the bookshelf you can see a blue bird, black and white mugs and the woven glass jugs, all which I scored at last year's sale! The clock was handmade by Justin's Grandpa, and was given to me for my Bday this year.  Love it.

Drink bucket $8.

Silver birds, $3 ea. Cookie Scoop, $1.

Most things are marked down because of slight damage, but nothing I couldnt' live with.  The chest has a small crack on the very bottom, the lamp required a run to the hardware store to secure the shade, the bucket had a small dent, and the bird has a chipped tail.

Not only did I score some cool stuff, but I had SO. MUCH. FUN.  I love that my parents enjoyed it, too, because really, it's about spending some time with them, getting up too early, waiting for three hours in the cold, and trying your best Tetris skills to get the stuff to fit in the car.  (and sometimes it doesn't.... hi AB!)

Can't wait until next year!
-m