My Favorite Things Right Now: beauty, TV, clothing accessories and electronics

Here's some of my favorite things at the moment:

J.R. Watkins Hand Soap
My WHOLE family adores this hand soap!  At first I didn't want to spend the extra $ but you can totally tell the difference from the cheap-ies...soap is not just soap!  Now we're totally addicted!  The 5 yr old asked if we can put another bottle in the upstairs bathroom, too.

Cover Girl Olay Simply Ageless Serum Primer
I've been eye-balling primers but they can be pretty pricey so when I came across this one day for around $15, I had to pick it up! Promoted as a "3 minute face lift", it helps with elasticity and fills in the lines/wrinkles to help your foundation go on smoother -making you look younger.  The best part is, you can use without foundation so it is an instant pick me up!

Downton Abbey

LOVE this show!!!!  From PBS it's now only available for purchase and to rent.  It's SO, SO good! Reminds me of Upstairs, Downstairs

Eternity Scarves

Having a little love affair with these right now.  With all my running around, I hate when I lean over and my scarf goes into my food, etc the perfect solution is a scarf that is a complete circle.  Pics shown here are with jewelry pins which I wouldn't wear but ...

Below-The-Knee-Flat-Boots

Normally I am a "pointy-toe-shoe-gal" wanna-be (that's a story for another day) but I bought a pair of grey flat boots similiar to these at Target and they have been MY.FAVORITE. I don't even take them off when I get home.  And the best part is...when I'm out, my heels don't get stuck in the sidewalk!

Hubby's Camera

Since my camera "broke" (Canon S3IS) this technically is Hubby's camera but I've loved using it!  It's a Nikon D40X. Ours has this HUGE lens (18/135 millimeter).  Right now I'm a little frustrated though because my flash keeps getting stuck in the down position but I -seriously- think it's worn out from overuse!....I'm not taking the blame for breaking another camera though...

T Mobile My Touch 4G

MY NEW PHONE!  I am TOTALLY loyal to T-Mobile so will be with them forever. I got my first smart phone two years ago but cancelled the internet to save money. But when my daughter needed a new phone and the special was buy one, get one FREE...I had to go for it! I'm absolutely in love with my apps! I have no need for an actual Kindle (the app is free and the touch screen is nice), I don't have to worry about forgetting my big navigator, and if the kids forget their DS, I can click on the Angry Birds game! I also like "My Days" App to keep track of your womanly cycle, when you take your pill (I use it for remembering my allergy shot) and you can keep track of when you're fertile which we are SO not interested in!  My 5yr old son's favorite app is my flashlight which actually has three brightness levels, and Hubby's is Disneyland Wait Times app which shows you -in real time- the line wait for the rides at Disneyland (so cool).

Shopping- First experience with coupons! Target

I have a friend who's been known to walk out of a store with practically not paying a dime!  I've always been impressed with this but when we've asked her for this knowledge, she said it was too complicated to teach which leads me to believe it's either really hard.....or she thinks I'm kind of an idiot.  Considering my first experience, I think the latter is the case LOL.  I'm not talking- oh, here's a coupon for something I want...I'll hand it to the cashier!  I want to take it to the next level to save some major cash!!!!

A few weeks back, my friends Dawn and Buffy attended a FREE Coupon Class hosted by Heather at Queen Bee Coupons www.queenbeecoupons.com (also on Facebook). If you have the chance to go to one of her classes- GO.  She covered lots of things from doubling, rebates, to organizing...my virgin brain was a little overwhelmed! She got me on the right track and I started clipping my first coupons.

Along the way, I came across another blog at www.thecouponchallenge.com (also on Facebook) which had a few coupon matchings for Target that I needed.  I decided to start small instead of hitting the grocery store so we went there on a Friday evening.  One of the coupons she had was a "match-up" where you use one coupon from the store, and another from the manufacturer and you will get Kraft Dressing for about .04 a bottle.  Maybe it's where you live but mine came up to .54 but who cares- great deal!!!!

With my little stack of coupons (which felt HUGE handing over to the cashier!), I ended up paying $42.78 but SAVED $20.99!!!  Then I saw my photo of what I bought....looks so tiny!  Not sure if I got "the best deals" compared to other stores but I just needed a few things, and I wasn't going to run all over town!

I'm having a hard time reading my receipt.  First of all, not all the coupons went through so the gal had to double check about seven (ugh) so those are just grouped on the bottom.  Also, I guess I'm confused if sometimes coupons cannot be used during a sale?  It's not clear looking at the receipt because on one item it was off the sale price, but on others (ex: the PF Chang's) , it took the coupon off the ORIGINAL price.  Huh.
 
Also, I wasn't going for the whole idea of walking out the door spending the least amount possible.  For example, I could have purchased the smaller Q-Tips, used my Target AND MFR coupon (was on box) and saved another $1 to impress you but, per tip, it was cheaper to buy the larger box.  Make sense?  It's not a good contest to win if you end up spending MORE for things!!

The PF Chang's was a splurge (but I got it for about 1/2 price!) that I had wanted to try since we were just there for Happy Hour.  Also, my hubby got testy over the Hershey Kisses but I had a $1 coupon off and I wanted them for myself- I mean- as giveaways to school staff, etc.  Also, the bread was a good deal- ending up at just .49!  I used the "match-up" method on the PF Chang's, Dressing, Granola Bars and then the rest were regular coupons.

When I asked my family what they thought about this whole coupon experience, my 16 yr old said "It's embarrassing!  NObody should have to use coupons"  (well, in a perfect world sweetie!), and my hubby who went along with me, said it wasn't that bad but he wasn't the one that had to clip coupons for days!  As for myself, I am going to try this for awhile.  Think I'd rather have a sore hand from the scissors than have to go to "work"  ;)  Thanks for all your help gals!

Shopping- A Picket Fence Sumner, WA

1006 Main Street Sumner, WA 98390
Look for them on FB and www.picketfence.com


I just adore this shop.  I wish I would have taken more pics- missed showing any of their fabulous jewelry and all their watches!

First of all, they sell coffee (which is always nice- every store should do it just for my convenience!) and they sell bulk style candy so will be walking out that door with at least a treat!

Lots of items for gift giving- the cards at the front door were hilarious!

Large line of Vera Bradley handbags and accessories 

There are many holiday items already on display

OF COURSE- I adore any apron!  Wish I would have purchased this one :)

Sure there's a story behind this guy hanging out in the back LOL

TONS of purses!  No matter what your style, I'm sure you'll find something to your taste.

At first glance, I wasn't sure if I liked their website (needs more pics and first page doesn't grab your attention) but the "about us" tab is cute and their "specials" tab is clever (like the question part!) so make sure to check it out.  There is so much to look at- perfect place for unique Fall decorations and you can get a jump on your Christmas shopping!

Eatin' Out 'N' About at The Iron Grill Mongolian BBQ ~ Covington, WA

To celebrate our friend Heather's 40th Birthday, she wanted to go shopping at Kohl's and since Iron Grill was within walking distance, a few of us went there for dinner beforehand.  Having never been here before, we weren't sure what to expect but the employees were all nice, the place was clean, and the prices were good (what more could you ask for in casual dining???).

So- pick a bowl, decide on a meat (Dani paid extra for the shrimp- wasn't worth it!) and then tell them your drink (they even had beer!).

With bowl in hand, go through the buffet and pick out veggies, noodles, and then make your own sauce... AHHH- the pressure!

Note:  there IS an extra charge for over-loading the bowl! Whoops- didn't know that haha. The food is cooked in full view (though not in front of you like at Benihana). 

When they give you the finished plate (can get to-go), they give you a free side of steamed rice.  The whole thing was SOOOO good!!!  

Heather opening all her presents!!!  Always the best part of the evening. Can't wait to see what you do with what's in that little black envelope.....

Love.  This.  Photo.  The joy on your face is adorable :)

WHAT I BOUGHT!  Well, only the purse is from Kohl's (so Dani- IS it shallow to want it because the Vera Wang label is showing?  LOLOLOL).  I love how the strap doubles to make it shorter.  I also bought collapsible black cotton storage containers that Dawn decided to not get (Only $2 a piece on clearance....how do you pass that up?).   Thanks girls for letting me stop by Payless for their sale (nothing like a disposable shoe!)- I adore these denim ones though I generally don't buy denim for accessories. Since it was BOGO, of course I had to get two things!  I'm liking the silver flats...though a little less since after having them hurt my feet the next day...  Anywho- HAPPY BIRTHDAY HEATHER!  thanks for letting us spend the evening with you.

BTW- that's my new floor we're putting in!

Shopping- City Perk Home and Garden Enumclaw, WA

1616 Cole St Enumclaw, WA 98022
www.cityperk.biz


The Hungry Housewives were out "shopping" yesterday and were able to pop into one of my favorite little stores.  This is a great little shop near the end of all the busy hub-bub on one of the main drags.

I think of this as a gift shop first (love the bird logo!) and a coffee shop second but apparently, their main focus is coffee judging by their web-site (which I really don't like the layout of).  There are TWO City Perks- one in Enumclaw and another in Maple Valley (that one has a drive-thru stand) which I didn't know about before.

I've had coffee here once but since I can't remember what it is like- it must have been a decent cup.  I love how the front of the store has these cute little bistro tables for customers to enjoy their drinks.  So cute in fact, one of THH with me tries to find a price tag to buy a set.

Oh- I would just love to have any of those clocks ;)

They have darling little baby clothes and items

Adore these!

oooh....those French signs on the left would look great in my house...

These little cupcakes would make good thank-you gifts

So if you are in the area, make sure to pop in also!  Tell them The Hungry Housewives sent you :D

Afternoon in Orting, WA

Though I've lived in this area for almost ten years, I've only been to Orting a couple of times to eat at Los Pino's (YUM).  So when my friend Dawn suggested we hop over there to check out a couple of shops, I was glad to get out of the house for a couple hours to see somewhere new.


The first store we hit was The Wild Rose Quilt Shop and Retreat Center.  Though neither one of us quilt (it's on my to-do....for someday!), we enjoyed looking at the material and ended up buying a couple of apron patterns.  What we were MOST interested in though, was their "Retreat Center".  For $155 per person for three days, you and up to nine friends can rent out the space upstairs.  We didn't check out upstairs since they were doing a "Murder Mystery Quilt Retreat" (how fun!) but they said it's really nice.  Though they prefer quilters (you'll get a discount at the store during your stay), other groups like scrap-bookers can stay there, too, but you could get bumped if you book too far in advance.  You can get more info from their site at www.thewildrosequiltshop.com

The Wild Rose Quilt Shop And Retreat Center 125 Van Scoyoc Avenue East Orting, WA 98360

Dawn had heard from an antique shop in Sumner that they had a sister store in Orting so we asked for directions and decided to go over to the Orting Bakery for coffee beforehand.  It's a cutely decorated place and the yummies behind the display case are ALL tempting!  Dawn chose a Red Velvet Cupcake (which she said was good with the frosting being the best) while I went for the simple- yet overly large- Cinnamon Twist and a cup of large ice coffee.  Please note- they only take debit if your total is over $5.  My doughnut was really soft and my coffee was perfect.  Everything looked SO good and the special of the day was a steal- a large "hamburger" cake for just $12.95.  It was a tad cool inside so we decided to eat out where they have a couple of umbrella covered tables.  It's very close to the street so I don't advise sitting out there if you have kids and the cars going past were LOUD but we didn't mind.  The Bakery doesn't have a web-site but you can find them on Facebook and/or sign up for their email.

Orting Bakery at 212 Washington Ave South Orting, WA 98360

Fresh bread made daily

Loved the walls!

What to get?!

The Burger Cake was their special for $12.95 and the cupcakes in front is what Dawn ordered.

They had two of these flanking the doors

I adore the wall decorations!  

After our treats, we walked the two blocks to the First Love Antiques & Collectibles at 120 Corrin Ave NW.  Note:  they are hidden away -sharing a parking lot with the Outdoors Store.   A cute little dog comes out to greet you, and the shop is way bigger inside than we thought.  It's full of furniture, knick-knacks and all that you'd expect in an antique shop.  Personally, I thought quite a few of the items were over-priced but in the back left side, there is a 50% area.  Here, I found a charming clothes-pin holder which is perfect for The Hungry Housewives, and a few antique model airplanes.  The shop owner said I could have them for $5.00 each but he agreed to $8.00 for two.  Think of antique shops as upscale garage sales and don't be afraid to ask for a deal!  I'm thrilled about the planes (am planning on putting them on the wall) but was worried my husband would be irritated since we just purged pretty much all our possessions!  

Clothes-Pin Holder for The Hungry Housewives to use as decorations for events

My living room is kind of a travel theme so I think I'll like this white plane with my "close-to-cocoa" colored walls

BUT....with so much of my house being brown neutrals, Dawn suggested this one would add a pop of color.  Bummer thing is that it's more fragile than the white one.  BTW- like the Star Wars guy flying it?  My son thought it added a nice touch ;)