Today's DC Groupon...

It's today only - so hurry!

Go to the groupon site to buy and read the fine print.

Happy Printing
xo Sam

Image from Groupon.com

Mummy Bargains...

So in the US it's not really on sale unless the discount is great than 50%... any less than that and you can probably do better!

I thought I'd put together a bit of a bargain list... so there's Bargains for Mommys all over the place, more often than not these sites sell babies and kids things, however there are coupon crazy bloggers out there too...

Remember this list is just a few that I've found... add your favorites in the comments if you like!
...Here goes!

The Daily Deal Stores

Babysteals.com and Kidsteals.com (and even www.scrapbooksteals.com if you like to scrapbook) all have a deal-a-day... beware popular items sell out fast!

Mamabargains.com - how does it work? Well the short story for this one is that it is or can be more than one deal per day day, at between 40% and 80% off retail,. The catch?! There are no specific sale start/end times, or any clues as to what is coming up...  Essentially if you're there and you want that item then lucky you! Right now they have diaper bags... but by the time you read this who knows?!  They advertise the "new" sales on their Facebook Fan page as well as the website...


The Mommy Bargain Blogs...
These Mommy's spend their time showing us where the deals are... Thrifty North West Mom, Original Steals and Deals - and these I pulled from the Top Mommy Blogs Site: Deal Wise Mommy, Crazy Coupon Mommy, Savvy Coupon Clippers, Gimme Freebies and there's a ton more...


The "invite only" stores... 
These all work in much the same way - they have multiple sales running over multiple days but a relatively limited stock of each item. You have to be referred or 'invited' by someone, or request an invitation from the store. It's not exclusive, just an extra step in my opinion! On the upside, like diapers.com when you refer someone you get a store credit if someone you refer buys something.  
Here are some of the ones I know about and look at from time to time, as well as invitation links for those that allow invites that way (others you have to enter an email address to send the invite - which I can do if you want me to just email me at weeklyolive@gmail.com) ...

bTrendie... right now they have Carseats and strollers... lots of them.

Totsy.com... right now they have rebelle bags, and bposh clothing with FourPeas, Sage Creek, The Deglingos, Our Childrens Gorilla, Funkoos and Zoobie products coming up (to name just a few). 

Zulily.com... right now they have Kidkraft (last day), Mini Muffin, Oomfy, Pedoodles

The Mini Social... right now they have nursery works bedding and furniture, frenchy baby organics clothes as well as a few other sales...
 
Happy Shopping - and remember, its not really a bargain unless you NEED and or WILL USE IT!!

xo S
Images/logos from The Mini Social, Zulily, Totsy, bTrendie, TopMommyBlogs, MamaBargains, BabySteals

Country Road - online store...

Well it's almost three years too late for me but Country Road are finally selling their goods online.

On the upside, I might be able to make purchases if I'm too busy to get out when we move home in just a few short months!

Happy Shopping!

xo S

Lark 2 day sale...

I love Lark. I love Kath Kidston. I love a sale.
I needn't say anymore. Except hurry, it's only on for 2 Days.

Image from www.larkmade.com.au

Entertainment - for all!

Ok, I've got a secret... I know where you can get cheap tickets to things. Goldstar.com

You'll have to create an account, but they will send you deals to things like Dream Girls at the National Theater for 45% off.

That's: $31.50 - $54.50 (instead of Full Price: $56.50 - $96.50)... Lovely right?

Right now they also have - Disney's Mary Poppins: Hit Broadway Musical at the Kennedy Center $51.00 - $54.00 and Daytime or Twilight Harbor Cruise Featuring the D.C. Cityscape and Historical Landmarks FREE - $15.00 (50% off) 

Check out the site for other deals on shows, museums and activities. They also have a mailing list...

Not your style? 

How about the 930 Club... You're bound to have found something you like here.  Right now they're advertising a variety of shows at a number of DC (or local) venues... to name a few The Black Keys, Rufus Wainwright, Belle & Sebastian, Public Enemy, Matisyahu, Jack Johnson, Lady Antebellum, Barenaked Ladies, O.A.R. and festivals/fairs -  

HFStival 2010 (Featuring: Third Eye Blind • Billy Idol • Everclear • Ed Kowalczyk from Live • Presidents of the United States of America • Fuel • Lit • Marcy Playground) and 

Lilith Fair (Featuring: Sarah McLachlan • Indigo Girls • Court Yard Hounds • Cat Power • Sara Bareilles, with Missy Higgins, Beth Orton, Chairlift, Nneka, Lissie, Jesca Hoop) 

You can also check the Washington City Paper's Arts and Music section for whats on... 

Or check ticketing sites like Tickets.com or Ticketmaster.com. Or if you have a favorite venue then be sure to look at their website as they will (almost) always have a listing and a link to tickets...

Hope this helps!

xo S 

Images from: http://www.nationaltheatre.org/ and 930club.com 

Toy storage & play mats...

Little O has this great toy from the UK's Early Learning Centre - which is available in Australia too, it just happens to be British.  It's called "Happyland" I've pictured the next piece I desire - the fun fair (right)!  Though honestly, we probably have enough of the set now.  Any more and I'll have to buy more storage!

I should credit our British friends here for this find. It was only after watching their lovely little girl play with Happyland that we desperately wanted to buy it!
One of the best things about it is that you can buy (yes, a nice upsell really) a play mat, that zips up into a box.  So the whole thing packs up into itself.  It is fantastic.

The other great thing about Happyland is that you can buy as much or as little of it as you like.  It's not the cheapest toy-land on the market but it's well built, the sound effects aren't overly annoying and it's not massive. It's perfect for little hands say 18 months to 4 years! It's an investment I'm happy we made. 

I'm happy to report that Australia's Early Learning Centre is having a sale until July 4.  And some pieces for Happyland are on sale! Hooray!



I digress though; my point for this post, was that I've found another fold up play mat storage item!  I found it on the Alex Toys website. And it's cool - it becomes a storage box/bag with an open top. I like. I may buy one. We'll see. Pictured right.

Of course there are more... Such as the range from ZipBin®. There's the Lego City Bag ($17.95) (left)... and there's a neat castle box too...  I must admit, I don't think the maps are as cool as the Alex Toy one above. But it has a lid, so I guess it just depends on your needs.  They're available for sale at Glamma Toys, and are really reasonably priced.  Member pricing is slightly better also.

I also love this idea, but I think it's one of those things I'd have to see before I buy.  A ZipBin® Backpack! The one left is the doll house pack ($19.95).

I do quite like this one - the ZipBin Lego head toy box, right.  Little O has just discovered Lego and I fear it's going to get out of control in no time... Daddy likes Lego too!

Toys R Us have an Animal Planet Toy Mat/Storage bag at $15 it's priced about right, but honestly doesn't make me want it like the others I've found.

If you're into a DIY project I found a tutorial for a (limited) storage mat here on craft gossip.com

Whilst cruising around the Alex Toys site I found the Learn to dress Monkey (left) and the learn to dress kitty.  The Hopscotch Rug - great for those days like today where going outside is not an option!

So Alex Toys, I think you might be my new favourite!

Happy Shopping

xo S


Images from: Alextoys.com, zipbin.com and Kidscentral.com.au

Sites, Stuff & Finds - June

Hi there,

A short one this time because I'm busy studying, studying, studying...

Last time I mentioned Mothers Day, this time it's Fathers Day in the US (not in Australia) so you should either celebrate now, or buy a card and keep it to send home to Oz in September!
If you're celebrating now & not later... try the Spoon Sisters for ideas including this "Sportula" (left) or maybe the Golfbag Umbrella is more his style? They have a Father's Day list of suggestions to make it really easy too.  The Spoon Sisters have plenty of gift ideas for everyone... Mums, babies and kids included!

This isn't new but it's an incredibly cool... and well, make me want a pie just looking at it.  I found it on the Museum of Happiness blog but it was food flags designed for the the Sydney International Food festival in 2009.  You can see more of the pictures on the Daily Telegraph website here, some are just incredible. Not only are they food, but they're also the food of the country the flag represents.

The Container Store are having a travel gear sale ( I'm not sure when it ends... but it looks good!)

6pm.com have some amazing sale stock and a new deal everyday... over the memorial Day weekend they had adult's converse sneakers for $28 and kids for $13... they also have Marc Jacobs... like this Marc Jacobs weekender bag for $208 (left) - please tell the husband I want it/need it. They have everything from high end brands like Missoni & Chloe to more accessible brands like Converse and Steve Madden. Fun shopping for all (men, women & kids).

More luxe, for less more your thing? Try - The Outnet. 200+ of the best high end designers and oh my gosh are they serious prices.  Like the Emilio Pucci silk blend kaftan (right)... normally $1500 on the outnet it's 65% off only $558.25 not your everyday shopping site, but fun. Yes very fun.  I'd like to say yes please to this one too, but I know a $500 kaftan is not in my future.  It just wouldn't look good with a Vegemite hand print. Or that's what I'll tell myself.

Wish me luck! 

Sam

Liberty of London for Target

A quick update... it's back in stock!

Also exciting is the 1600 one of a kind bags they're planning to make from the billboards hanging in New York's Times Square. Pre-order now for delivery in September. Example pictured below.

Explore the range here...

Looks like much of it is online only, so hurry!

Exciting!

Images from: Target

Shoes for little feet...

Well it's summer so it's time to buy new shoes for us all...

This could help - a 20% off coupon for the store Shoes for Little Feet. Enter code SPRING20 at the checkout. Expires 23 May, 2010.

Even better - orders over $25 ship free. 

And exciting for me - they stock Umi a great kids shoe brand.

The coupon and the image came from the ParentsConnect website which has a deals and coupons section...

Happy Shopping

xo S

Easter Sales...

So there are a few sales that landed in my inbox today here are three of them...

Firstly free shipping at Bambini Pronto for Easter orders... I've linked to the email there so you can read all the details and small print.
and
BabyGap are having a sale on sleepwear - 2 for $35. They might be just a little bit cute!
and one more for the Aussies,
Paperartzi have 10% off storewide (applies to VIPs only so sign up! Coupon Code is VIP SALE)

Happy shopping ;)

S
PS.  I didn't need to go to Gap for the Stella McCartney stuff... husband walked past window and HE couldn't resist! Hurry up summer I have one cute little girl with very cute outfits to wear!

Very cool...

So I might have a reputation for liking to shop, perpetuated by my husband whom I am pretty sure tells people that so that he has something to talk about. I must say it's partially true, only I rarely ever actually buy something. I might talk about it, want it and desire it but in the end I'll probably forget. But the things I do not forget are those I really, really, really want.

Today in my inbox (via SheFinds) I now know about how "How To Win Louboutins For $5 At OohILove In 5 Steps" and I couldn't be happier.

I covet a pair of those decadent, red soled beauties more that you can possibly imagine. Though, I must admit if they're black to hide any vegmite or other food stains and flat so I can chase Olive then they'd be perfect for my current lifestyle. 

But we'll see, if I can get a pair for $5 i can't go wrong right?

The same SheFinds email had the new collection of shoes by Christian Siriano (of Project Runway fame) for Payless... so $75 for a runway style shoe. Not quite what I need in a shoe right now, but cute. Though I must admit the "Walk It Out Laceless Zip Oxford" is right up my alley! It's on sale for $19.95 and Payless have $5.95 shipping. According to the Anthropologie email, Oxfords are the spring trend to follow.

Of course it's almost St Patrick's Day so the fun-stuff-for-kids activities are filling the inbox - you can find some ideas at Parenting.com. The hand print shamrock looks like fun (right) - it's from No Time for Flash Cards. No time for flash cards have a fantastic list of toddler and preschooler crafts.

I think the website might be a new favourite for me when looking for something to quell the boredom of the little miss.

Crayola have a long list of free activities on their website including colouring pages, craft ideas and games if you get stuck!

I also got the Real Simple 6 time-savers email and I think this one is perfect for a rainy day like today - BookSeer.com it is a really simple site, just enter the name of a book you last read (or enjoyed) and it will give you a list of what you should read next.  It pulls the recommendations from Amazon and LibraryThing.

Well, that's it for me today (and this week!)

xo S

Lazy days...

So I have officially been a very lazy blogger. As usual I have an excuse, or several of them.

Snowmageddon forced me to lose my mind and my patience. We have been dying to get outside and then when we could we didn't want to be outside, it's too cold.

When we thought it'd be a nice day to go to the park, this is what we found (right). Yep, a playground full of snow.

The best and most important excuse is little O has dropped a nap, so I'm no longer able to spend anytime on the computer at all. Instead I read books about winter babys and naughty monkeys.  We play with dolls and blocks and the whole Happyland Village.... Oh,  and we paint and draw and life is fun, but busy and computer free!

This time of year at home the sun is shining, its not too hot and not cold yet. Just perfect. So instead of writing, I've said farewell to a good friend, stayed indoors, played games and watched the snow melt. I've also started studying, again.

I've been shopping on www.babysteals.com - a site you have to visit daily for the offer of the day. I've bought shoes at 50% off, and a great chalk mat again at 50% off. The sister sites for this one are www.kidsteals.com and www.scrapbooksteals.com. Same deal, each day an great offer. I've also been looking at Totsy, Zulily and bTrendie - all invite only, final sale sites that offer a number of special deals for a short period at up to 70% off. Everything from clothes, to strollers and bed linen.

Oh, and I've visited the cupcake shop 'Hello Cupcake' way too many times. Loving their seasonal cake for St Patrick's Day, the Baileys Irish Dream. Yum. Yum. Yum.

I also had brunch at Co Co Sala. Also known as the greatest place on earth. I had the most delicious and amazing french toast I have ever eaten. Not to mention the Co Cojito (Mojito with chocolate). Honestly the place is fantastic and I don't say that often about food in America!

Today, I have stumbled upon Ore 'Happy products for good people'. Their Sugarbooger range of products has a fantastic range of kid related gear - cute splat mats that aren't completely hot pink and hideous (loving the vintage alphabet one), as well as very very cute plates, cups, bowls, utensils... As well as having an amazing range of grown up stuff too - laundry hampers, cosmetic cases, and then there's the pet section!  I'll leave it to you to have a look, I have my eye on the little pig shower cap! And this little tip came via one of my favourite blogs Stroller Traffic!

So, I will be back, periodically writing my random ramblings and findings. Oh, and part 3 of my keeping in touch is coming soon!

xo S

Australian Sale Website & Newsletter

Found a new one!

Kids Confidential and a sister site for grown ups.  Subcribe to the weekly email and you'll be 'in-the-know'... with online savings up to 70% off retail prices, It's free and you'll receive email with the coolest kidstuff and hottest maternity sales discounts, special offers and shopping events.  They claim to be a VIP Guide to bargain hunting - so enjoy!

The site for grown ups - is Missy Confidential and tells a similar story for being in the know for sales.

Best of all both sites break it into Sydney Sales, Melbourne Sales, National Sales and Online sales. So there's something there for everyone.

Happy bargain hunting (but remember its not a bargain if you don't need it!)

xo S