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Library Fill A Bag

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Recently, my family got in the car and headed to the city library. The library was doing fill-a-bag (plastic from the grocery story) with books for $3. It is an annual thing. I had not heard of it before. I checked the internet and it is something a lot of libraries do. Sometimes more than once a year! The prices vary per library, but you should definitely stop by your local library and see if they do this.

Because it is exhilarating.

It is fun.

It is a madhouse.

Perfect for yours truly.

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You are crammed in a small room filled with books and the rustle of plastic bags. The energy is full of nervous excitement. And you just start grabbing and filling.

I saw people I knew there. But I was on a mission. No time to be polite. Or talk. Or nod. Or be human. There are books to be shoved in bags, people! Focus!

I was in a manic frenzy.

It was not pretty.

I am not proud of my actions.

But what happens in the library room stays in the library room.

Shhhhh!

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We ended up filling 4 bags with books. Our total was $12. We scored 60 books (five are not shown in the pictures. They unbeknownst to me fell out of the bags into the car. I just discovered them!). That is .20 cents a book.

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Look at all of our loot! I consider each book I picked up a story. An adventure. Cheap travel for the mind. Now we definitely need to get more bookcases. I will (knock on wood) never stop hoarding books. Each one is a new memory. An old friend.

Have you been to one of these fill-a-bag adventures? Did you check with your local library? Do they do this?

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Free People’s 4 Hour Sale: My Under $100 Recommendations

Update: THIS SALE IS NOW OVER. : (. Sorry!

I normally will never do a sale post, but since this is an annual thing ( who knew?), I decided to share in case you did not know: Free People is having a 4 hour sale tonight from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. EST! Take 20% off orders of $200-499 and 25% off orders of $500 or more with code “STAYGOLD.” Shipping is always free at Free People on orders over $100.

Yippee! Oh, wait. My budget is gone this month. Wah. Wah. I will not be partaking of this lovely sale, but if you have the funds, I have some recommendations.

All of these items are now under $100!:

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My corduroy overalls. I love these. I am embarrassed how often I wear them. They go with everything! I wrote a post with more outfit ideas on these overalls in October.

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This chevron slip (photo from Free People website). I purchased it on sale last month in coral and have not taken a picture of it yet. But I did wear it under a dress yesterday, with the bottom peeking out. Sexy lingerie you can layer? Yes, please.

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The ” With A Light Heart Dress” I just posted about today. This would be a great deal!

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The Miles of Henley Dress. I have this in three colors. It layers very well. It is unbelievably flattering. I think I will wear one tomorrow! I did two posts featuring this dress in the past. This one shows the lilac and the charcoal. This one shows more of the rust.

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The Mix In Crochet Dress. I bought mine in rose in May. I have never posted about it, but I love it! Sorry about the horrible picture. It was taken at 11:00 at night in the summer (the night I met Patrick Rothfuss).

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Free People’s Golden Age Top. This has an open back and is so cute layered over lacy slips. I sense a theme of wearing my underclothes out of the house. This is not the time to exam this closer. More pictures of this top can be seen here.

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The Manina Colorblock Skirt. As of this writing, there were two size larges left! My post about this skirt can be seen here.

Okay. This one is $110. But still a fantastic sale price:

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The Estelle Maxi Dress. I adore mine. This is $110, but still almost half off, it is a great deal. My post about it with more photos is here.

What is on your wishlist? Is there anything you will be splurging on? Are you excited about this surprise sale?

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NOW CLOSED Eight Month Blog Giveaway: Clinique Black Honey Set NOW CLOSED

This giveaway is now closed. Thank you to all who entered!

This month I was scratching my head as to what to give away. You know, my little blog does not make any money (yet). And I pay for things out of pocket. I very much believe in random acts of kindness. I try to do a little something everyday. But it is easy to forget. During the holiday month countdown, I do bigger things. Like leaving a small gift card in a book at the bookstore. Or buying coffee for the person behind me. I just won’t buy flowers for our house that week or skip eating out.

So, I have to keep my giveaways small. But I love doing them! It is my act of kindness to anyone who reads this blog. You are so kind to me when you stop in or comment. I sometimes can get into a funk. This blog has kept my head above water and just made me happy for eight months. Thank you!

During the recent Sephora sale, I picked up an item I wanted to do for a giveaway. There is a slight problem of it not having shipped to me yet. If for some reason, it does not ship, I will have to substitute the package for a $20 gift card instead. Please be aware that this might happen when entering. I will update this as soon as I know more. I am hoping it ships, because. (Update 11/11: It shipped!) it was such a steal for the items in it:

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It is the Clinique Black Honey package. It was a great deal and with the discount became even more so. The package comes with:

– 0.14 oz A Different Enamel in Black Honey
– 0.21 oz Superbalm Moisturizing Gloss in Black Honey
– 0.14 oz High Impact Mascara in Black Honey
– 0.06 oz Almost Lipstick in Black Honey

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Black honey is sometimes referred to as the “sisterhood” lipstick, because it looks good on everyone. Every skin tone. Every smile. It just works. And I love that! Plus, it has the word “honey” in it and this beekeeper’s daughter loved that, too.

To enter simply leave a comment telling me what made you smile this week. Sometimes it’s hard to concentrate on the good. So, let’s do that together.

I’ll share: my smile this week was coming home and finding that my husband had gone to the grocery store and picked me up all of the ingredients to cook chicken chili for myself and the kids before he had left for work. I didn’t have to go out. The kicker is, my husband doesn’t even like chicken chili. He was just being nice. Gosh, I love him.

You can also earn a second entry by following this blog. You can do so any old way on the right hand side of the page. Just make sure to leave a second comment stating you are following.

Limit two entries per person.

This giveaway runs from 12:00 a.m. PST on Sunday, November 10, 2013 to 9:00 p.m. PST Thursday, November 14, 2014.

I will use random.org to pick one winner. That winner will be contacted by the email address they entered with on November 15, 2014. Please use a valid email address when entering. The winner’s name will be posted on this blog on November 16, 2014. I will ship out package as soon as possible to the winner.

Okay. I think that is it for technicalities.

Thank you all so much! I appreciate your readership and your kindness! I hope your week makes you smile!

* This giveaway is not sponsored or affiliated with Sephora or Clinique.

* I will attempt to contact the winner three times. If I receive no response within two weeks, the winner will have forfeit the prize. A new winner will be drawn.

* Past winners are welcome to enter. : )

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It’s The Little Things: Sephora’s VIB 20% Off Event

I am just a tad bit more excited today than usual. It is finally here! Sephora’s yearly sale for their VIB members. Really quick, VIB stands for “Very Important Beauty Insider.” You have to spend $350 a year at Sephora to qualify (welcome to the world of having a teenage daughter). Right now, they are giving VIB’s 20% off everything from November 7-11th with a special offer code. Hooray! I waited all year to stock up on my make up and all of my daughter’s necessities.

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Of course, my cart held a Chubby Stick…or two. I am also going to try the Chubby Stick Eyeshadows.

It is also such a great time for gift buying as well. I know I purchased some great gifts for family members today. ; )

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I also stocked up on my nightly facial wipes that I use from Ole Henriksen.

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I have been experimenting with fake eyelashes, so I bought some more.

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And I picked up some tubes of Benefit’s They’re Real Mascara. This may seem hypocritical after my other purchase above, but a girl’s gotta have options. And fun. Lots of fun!

If you are not a VIB, there is still a chance you can save 20%. The invitation says the VIB can bring a friend with them to the store. So, if you have a friend who is a VIB, maybe you could ask to go shopping with them.

Also, going through ebates online will save an additional 4% back after discounts are applied.

If you are not a VIB with Sephora or maybe now is just not the time to buy make up, my giveaway this month is for something fun from Sephora. I do not know when I will receive it in the mail, but stay tuned for more information on November 10th!

It’s The Little Things: A company appreciating their clientelle! Thank you Sephora!

Are you participating in this event? What is at the top of your wishlist? Please share!