birthday $$ + texas tax free weekend = new clothes

(the following was written 2 weeks ago when i was having photo issues)

hello again!

as i mentioned before i have been doing some shopping.

my birthday just passed (august 5th... im 26 now! when did that happen??) and i had saved all money and gift cards. last weekend was Texas Tax Free Weekend for back to school shopping. almost all items for back to school are tax free including clothes. so you know me... anytime something is on sale in any way i like to strike. and i had saved all my birthday dubloons knowing the shopping holiday was around the corner.

i started promptly at midnight (yes, i called walmart and asked if the tax free started at midnight lol) i was suprised that there wasn't many people in walmart at the time (its usually packed around the clock here). here is what i got that trip:

 

i snagged up these cute blue jeans for $11. he fitting rooms were closed (and i always have to try on bottoms) but i grabbed my best guess and figured i could exchange if i needed to

so i wore them the next morning and was IN LOVE! best fit ever

i had been eyeballing this shirt for a few weeks. i told myself if they had my size for tax free weekend it's mine and if not... well then im just too old for silly tshirts now and have to grow up. so glad they had it =P only $5

i also grabbed some school supplies and plain black and white tank tops (you can never have too many)

 

then on saturday afternoon i ended up at the mall and at another walmart.

 

the other walmart had these pants that i have been wanting so badly!  grey leopard print with red roses! how cute right. $20

i saw these red jeans while i was in line for the fitting rooms and decided they needed to come home with me too $18 and a great fit

another shirt i had been eyeing. on clearance for $7

i love the halter "necklace"

 i grabbed this cute cami tank in black and white $4 each

i love the touch of lace

 i was lucky enough to find more of those blue jeans i had grabbed on my midnight run the night before. they only had 1 pair and it was my size... meant to be! when i find an article of clothing that fits that good i always try to buy 2 or 3.

 

so at the mall i couldnt resist seeing what forever 21 had in store. i tried to hurry since the whole family (my nephews and the whole crew) was at the mall and i was the only one who wanted to go to forever 21. but i did spot this cute top for $5

 

sunday i made sure to go to target

i always find soemthing i love there

 

i found 3 adorable cardigans all on clearance for $11

one in yellow starbust

pink starburst

and this purple pattern which i wasn't sure i was going to like until i put it on, then i loved it

this straw cowgirl hat for $5

this cute straw hat for $5

 

the week after tax free weekend i ended up at the mall again

(starting christmas chopping early so it hits the wallet less at once)

i got all 8 of these items for $7.50... Jewelry Box of course

 

spider ring

bluebird ring

superstar ring

2 large hair flowers

3 pairs of a medium and small flower





and these next 3 items i didnt purchase but wanetd to share

they were given to me in the same time frame

this adorable hat

this awesome day of the dead marilyn shirt

and this super awesome zombie bettie wallet

i am super happy with everything and after gift cards and birthday $$ i spent less than $80
i am so ready for the fall

i know i cried and cried for summer but i am so over this desert heat and ready for some cooler temps

i bought fabric to make a mermaid skirt for my halloween costume and should start that within the next week

 

until next time

xoxoxox

Lily Bean

Shopping finds brings inspiration to craft

hey! i scored some good deals and fun items while shopping around.

dont you hate when you are "just going to the store for 2 things... ONLY 2 THINGS!" and come back with bags of other stuff... i hate it too. but i can never pass up a great deal. and i happened to run into a few this week. for the first time ever (that i have seen at least) walmart had all red tag clearance items store wide for an additional 50% off!

so here i share with you my bounty:

I have been wanting to make the perfect doggie treat jar for some time now but have never found a jar that "feels right" for the job. all the ones i have seen were too small, too expensive, or didnt seal well. and whats the point of getting a food storage jar if it doesnt seal well. especially since the texan summer brings out buggies in full force!

Well as i was just killing some time browsing around big lots i found this jar which just SCREAMED doggie jar to me. it seals so good it is actually a bit hard to open. it is (as you can see) a good size. it is thick glass (anchor brand). and best of all:

it only cost $5

i grabbed it up real quick! im even debating of checking back for some more because i like it so much.

as soon as i took it out of the bag the pups inspected it... i sure they knew it was meant for their goodies

walmart had a bunch of ribbons and trims on clearance for $1. i filled my arms with cute ribbons and then realized i still have a TON of ribbon that i haven't used. so i only grabbed these trim and thin black rick rack.

at big lots i found 3 bottles of green and 1 bottle of pink fabric paint as well as 1 green puffy paint all 4oz and all for $1 each. i cant wait to start playing with fabric paint!

 i have been wanting to make a dry erase board from picture frames since i have seen it all over pinterest... but i dont have any good unused picture frames at home and all the ones for sale were too expensive for this project. i came by this one at walmart for $3 and thought id give it a go. i will be going back for 1 more now that i know i love it!

(i want to make one for the kitchen with: "wants, needs, and on sale" to help keep my grocery list updated and organized for my monetary availability.

i saw this courduroy print in colorful elephants and light paisley pattern for $2 a yard at walmart. i could already picture a cute vest! so i grabbed 1.5 yards because i just know i will want to make something else with it

as you may already know, i am a bit button obsessed. walmart had these bags on clearance for $1 each. i snagged up 2 princess themed, some minis, and some pretty colors

and i got these little individual buttons for dirt cheap! they will make adorable rings!

here is my super cute upcycled picture frame dry erase board. it is hanging conveniently over my desk. i hope it helps me keep organized because my work and school life is about to kick into super high gear!

and here are some pics of the 4 individual sides of my doggie treat jar:

front: WHO WANTS A SNACK?

my pups react to the word "snack". i have always used that instead of treat. you should hear them come running from all ends of the house when i say the "S" word

the left side belongs to thea. it has a sun because she has always been my sunshine (i do sing "you are my sunshine" to her often).

the back side says PAWS OFF... im sure i do not need to explain lol

and the right side belongs to penny. she has a bat because she has always been my "fatty batty". when i had barely brought her home she was a roly poly! (just like roly form 101 dalmations) and when her ears go up and fangs come out she looks like a bat lol...

still trying to picture penelope the bat??

here you go

my fatty batty



now to get ready for a new fleamarket adventure tomorrow...

xoxoxoxox

sunkissed lily bean

<3

First weekend @ fair = success

Howdy! I don't think I had previously mentioned that I would be selling my good at the I10 fleamarket and fair. The grand opening was this past weekend and it was a success. Naturally, still some gliches to be worked out but I am sure it will be super awesome in no time.

I had a great time meeting new people and selling things.

I wanted to highlight not only my area but also a few of my neighbors so you can see

here's some pictures from the booth i am at with my uncle. he makes jewelry, fimo clay things, paintings, and also brought out some of his collectibles to sell.

Across from us in an art school. Your kiddos can try it out for a few bucks and if they like can sign up for art classes or art summer camp.

Another neighbor across is selling his line of clothing "Q'bo" (check out their site here). They have some funny shirts and cute workout clothes.

 (I personally love the style of the back of this top)

and our next door neighbor does metal working. these things are so pretty. he does amazing work!

 this is my favorite piece! it is a planter made to look like a swing set. and it does swing =D

 He has angels made to hold your long glass candles. these are so cute! i love the swirly wings

 he can make these tables for any team, any sport, or even custom orders. they have a trash can and a place for your cold beverage of choice

 my household with own one of these by the end of the month. it is designed to hold your jalapenos upright for roasting in the oven or on your grill. perfect for any stuffed jalapeno recipe!

  and check out these versions of the table he makes. this one is a gorgeous mosaic (perfect for mother's day... *cough*cough*)

 and this one with bottle caps (perfect for father's day)

 If you are one of my local readers feel free to come by and support your local artists.

And if you are one of my distant readers: these guys ship =) I will be sure to get contact info for you. Let me know if you are interested.

I will be at the fleamarket on the weekends now (studying between customers). I did not make it to my sewing class on Saturday but i will start sewing my dress this week and continue next Saturday.

Speaking of my sewing: I was wearing one of my aprons around the swap and got 3 special orders from other vendors! pretty neat!

So here i am, in major crunch time! my presentation (I decided to do necrotizing facitis... yummy) for anatomy class is due this Friday. wish me luck! and finals a week from today... wish me more luck.

then 4 weeks of free time!

hooray!

til then,

xoxoxo

Lily Bean

(ps... thats the apron that got me sales. everyone loved how it looks like a skirt and the pockets hold well)