Since I am nothing if not a creature of habit, today I went to Walmart. Then I went to Steinmart and Ross.
Excuse me. Clearly I meant to say Walmarts, Steinmarts and Rosses.
And oh, they did not disappoint.
I had to work for a little while this morning (I don’t know if you remember, but I develop long-range nuclear missiles for rogue government agencies as a quick and easy way to supplement our income), and before I picked up Alex from Mother’s Day Out I decided to do a little shopping. Oddly enough, shopping is far easier without a three year old companion who points at strangers and asks, “WHO’S THAT, MAMA?” as we make our way through the store.
At Walmart I found these adorable fleece pajama bottoms:
Now perhaps I am unusual in my deep and abiding affection for the pajama bottom. Certainly I am unusual in that I have photographed a pair of pajama bottoms for my blog. But I for one believe that a winter evening is not complete without a comfy pair of pajama bottoms, a long sleeve t-shirt, some thick white socks and my favorite bedroom shoes (y’all may know them as “slippers,” but here in the South they’re either “bedroom shoes” or “scuffs”).
Said adorable pajama bottoms were only $7.87. Say it with me, slowly: SEVEN DOLLARS AND EIGHTY SEVEN CENTS. I bought a couple of pairs, and I think they’ll make a great Christmas “happies” for some of my favorite people.
Ross was a hit because I found exactly what Mama mentioned to me that she wanted (no danger of spoiling the surprise since she cannot – and I quote – “turn on the email,” much less read my blog), and then I happened upon a veritable treasure trove of books for Alex. D and I like to keep his Christmas pretty simple – usually there’s one “big” toy (last year it was a train set; this year it’ll be Criss Cross Crash), and then we do practical stuff: socks, underwear, clothes. But the one area where we can be pretty indulgent is with books; the English major in me is always tickled to death when he asks for them.
So today at Ross, when I discovered book after book marked “reduced” – well, I nearly started tap dancing over in the toy department. I got this pile-o-books for about $15.
I KNOW! THEY HAVE WORDS AND EVERYTHING!
I found a couple of gifts at Steinmart, and right before I checked out I decided that I’d try to find a cute jacket for my mother-in-law. Martha LOVES her a cropped jacket, preferably one with beading and embroidery and all manner of embellishment. And if she finds a jacket at Steinmart that she likes but the store doesn’t have it in a petite size 2 (yeah. you read that correctly. I could fit her in my hip pocket.), she will call all the other Steinmarts in the southeast and describe the jacket in such detail that Faulkner himself would turn green with envy. If he were still alive and all.
So I happened across this particular jacket, which practically has M-A-R-T-H-A written all over it:
And did I mention that it was on the 75% off rack? And that it was originally $39.99? And that I paid a whopping $8.48?
[picture me skipping through the parking lot]
Because we’d already gotten Martha a DVD player (WELCOME TO THE 21ST CENTURY), the jacket is the perfect way to top-off her Christmas gifts from us. Also: remind me to transcribe every single word of D giving his mother instructions about how to operate the DVD player. Much hilarity will ensue. You will wet your pants. Twice.
So after I gathered my offspring from MDO and got back to the house, I realized that Santa must have arrived early. Because here is what I saw:
The warranty company totally came through for us.
And I say, WELCOME, brand-spankin’-new-five-ton-electric heat pump, to our humble abode.
You’ll be part of the family in no time at all.
Hooray for bargains! I personally like to shop online for them. But after seeing your finds – at 75% off – I just might have to take a trip to the mall.
I do miss shopping at Ross since I moved “up-north.” But TJ Maxx usually comes through for me.
Looking forward to Friday’s Tour…
WOO HOO!
Yes, all those stores are plural.
And I wear bedroom shoes.
With my “housecoat.” :>)
You had me giggling when you said you could fit your MIL in your pocket. :) You really found some great deals and I love flannel pajama bottoms. My mom usually gets me a new pair every Christmas!
It looks like Christmas came early for you.
I usually try to avoid Walmarts like the plague because ours is just a little bit on the seemy side, but for those pajama pants, I might have to venture in.
Oh, there is just NOTHING better. . .NOTHING. . .than finding wonderful bargains on really good stuff that either you or people you like a lot will really enjoy. And I need some new pajama bottoms my own self. The year I was pregnant with my first baby, I was in my 5 months of illness during the winter months–my pajama bottoms were my best friends–loose and WARM. Everyone got a pair for Christmas that year!
Skipping along side ‘ya!
Ross is one of my fave stores.
My mother went to Kohls that had a 75% sale going on, plus her 10% senior’s discount and then 10% extra off for using their store card . . . she said “Soon they will have to pay me to take the stuff home.”
I love a good bargain! Good for you. And that’s a great selection of books you found.
I love this Gift Tour you’ve been giving the last couple of days. And I have only heard one other person on this earth call little somethin-somethin gifts as “happies” (my precious Grandmother, Wanzie -yes, Wanzie.) I love those pajama bottoms! I’m going to a party tomorrow night that is called “Christmas Comfort” and the dress code is PAJAMAS! Seriously! My friend Kristi decided that we needed to stop the madness that these next two weeks will bring, and gather for some comfort food (on the menu: a bowl of cookie dough AND Big Mama’s Turtle Cake!) Those pj bottoms would be perfect! Maybe I’ll head over to Walmarts before the party!!
LOVE the Christmas Comfort party–was a great idea. . .
I love a good shopping day like that! Makes a girl proud!
But I’m still working on the meaning of that word, Verbose…;) It has a good sound, and I want to start using it- I just want to make sure I know the meaning, first, before I start verbosing right and left…heehee
Congrats on that new heat pump, too!
I’m not a big Walmart(s) fan but last week I found a really cute down (though I’m sure it’s not REAL down) vest with a fur collar in many cute colors for only $14.98 so I got one for myself. Then I went back the next day to get one for my sister’s birthday. You may be interested in that.
Merritt Leigh – I saw the vest today. It’s adorable. I was trying not to shop for myself, but I was OH-so-tempted. Sister and I are thinking of doing a Walmart fashion show series of posts…how you can totally outfit yourself for a season for $100.
But I think we probably should call it a “down” vest. Just to be safe.
Finding bargains like that makes me giddy with excitement too!
Your post has given me the energy and stamina I need to tackle some Christmas shopping tomorrow … albeit with two girlies and a double stroller. Yikes! And thanks for the tips on the pajama bottoms … DH needs some desperately and I’m hoping they have the same great buy in the men’s dept. as the womens!
Great buys! I love those pajama pants…I agree about the night time attire….I’m wearing it all right now!
Kim
Now that I’ve read Merritt’s comment about the “down” vest, I am totally going to be a Walmart shopper tomorrow.
The phrase “many cute colors” reeled me in hook, line and sinker.
Woohoo!!! Bargains o’galore!
Sounds like someone had a particulary FAB-U-LOSO day today :)
Everything you write makes me wish we lived closer:)
I really wish that I could go shopping with you. You actually make it sound fun!
Oh, how I miss Ross’. They don’t have one of those out here by me. Whenever I travel back to CA to visit I balways hit up the Ross’ there. Lucky you to have one by you!
I SO want to do a Walmarts fashion blog show. Merritt and Big Mama, I’m wearing a darling Holiday Ensemble from there to a party tomorrow night. :)
xo,
I love, love, love reading your blawg! :)
I’m from AL too & also very southern. I just have one question for you. Everytime I read your post I sort of hear this “Paula Deen” type accent, only younger…do you happen to sound like Paula Deen??? haha! :)
Where, oh, where did my comment go?
Okay…I love, love, love reading your blawg! :) I am from AL too & also very southern…born & raised! I just have one question for you. Everytime I read something from you I hear this “Paula Deen” sort of accent & enthusiasm, only YOUNGER… Do you happen to sound anything like Paula Deen??? ha! :)
Lacey – I make Paula Deen sound like a Yankee. No kidding. My accent is waaaaaay strong.
And Sister – you know that you can WORK IT OUT in some White Stag. Once the “spring line” comes out, you’ll have to come down here one weekend and we’ll put on a fashion show. Maybe Merritt and Big Mama would come over and be in it. I’ll produce if y’all will model.
Excellent deals! I, too, love Ross for books–sometimes the bargains are unbelievable!
I am a Texan, and somehow we missed that bedroom shoe or scuff thing. I think that they are just houseshoes. When a Carolina friend of mine mentioned bedroom shoes, I had no idea. . . !
I have to say there is NO better high then an unbelievable GREAT clearance/ bargain!
I once Said i should have a sign thats says CLEARANCE …to wake up to that would put a smile on my face:)
thanks for sharing! Happy thursday
I think houseshoes is a Southern thing too. That’s what my whole Mississippi family says.
You are a bargain-finding girl after my own heart. And I ran right out yesterday to the Dollar Trees for some of those fun fabric wine bags. Thanks for making me laugh out loud. Love your blog.
Wow, quite the bargain shopper today, huh? So proud of the great deals you found!
I’m a new reader of your blog, and I’m lovin’ it! You have a wonderful sense of humor.
I am with you completely on the pajama bottoms thing. I’m usually in mine by about 7pm. Of course, that’s taking a risk that we’ll receive drop in guests once I’ve changed, and a few times I’ve had to scramble when it’s been the pastor at the door!
I am in my pajama bottoms right now! I totally agree with you! :)
Whew – it sounds like it was your lucky shopping day.
I haven’t started yet. How bad (bad, bad, bad) is that??
I absolutely love to shop- My absolute favorite store is Target! I love all your gift ideas- Those are great-
I love your house too- We are inthe process of building a new house- I love the robin’s egg blue on your walls- at least that is what it looks like in the pics-
Well, let me just tell you that my friend HOlly and I were at Dillards the other day and she saw this angel that would be perfect for her staff person she had to buy a gift for, but it was $50. So, I told her I had seen the same angel at Steinmart for $30. After we waited the 30 or so min it took for the saleslady to super bubble wrap the fabulous salad bowls we picked up on clearance for $10 (which I couldn’t get unwrapped to show T when we got home they were so tightly done with tape) we headed to said Steinmart. They only had one left and the metal wings were broken off. I suggested a jeweler could sodder(sp?) them back on for cheap if they would give her a deal on it. She got that lovely angel (orig $50 at Dillards mind you) for $7.50!!!
We celebrated with a Starbucks. I’m convinced God rewards a frugal nature…=)
Um, was this too long?