Newport News Mega Clearance

One month down, 11 more to go...

For those of you who are still shopping this year, you're in luck. Newport News is giving an extra 80% off all clearance items. 

Tips:

• Confused about the "11 months to go" bit? Check out this post.
• The Newport News clearance sale is today only.

Homemade Furniture Polish

So I'm not buying any new home furnishings or clothing/shoes/accessories for the whole year. I've made it so far (23 days). However, that doesn't mean I have to accept the condition of the things I have, right? 

I won't be buying new cabinets this year, but with a homemade furniture polish, I can feel like I have brand new cabinets. 

These are my master bathroom cabinet doors...

The recipe for a homemade furniture polish is simple:

2 parts vinegar

1 part olive oil

(in other words, 1 C olive oil + 2 C vinegar)

Ready to polish my cabinets

Part way through...compare the left door (unpolished) to the right door (polished)

Compare the next two pictures.

They are both of the same drawer. The top is before, the bottom is after!

My brand new cabinets!

Tips:

• You may want to start with smaller amounts, say 1 C vinegar and 1/2 C olive oil.
• If your fingernails are dear to you, wear gloves. After I did my entire kitchen without gloves, my fingernails were flimsy and broken. 
• If you have divots in the wood, this homemade furniture polish will not get rid of them, but they will be far less noticeable. 
• If you have a special glaze or colored stain on your cabinets, try a small, inconspicuous spot before polishing them. 

Newport News Clearance

Today I had to show self-control. I got an email announcing an Extra 75% off all clearance at Newport News. Since I won't be buying anything, I could at least share the news with you. In the past I have gotten some great swimsuits from this website for as little as $4. Can't beat that!!!

Tips:

• The sale is today only.
• Check the measurement charts for the perfect fit.

P.S. Two people have already tried to talk me out of my New Year's resolution. On the bright side, I have also inspired another person to follow suit!

Better Take a Seat...

My 2011 resolution was to drive slower...that's it. I have a teenager who will be 16 soon, and I can already hear him calling me on my hypocrisy. I was pretty successful slowing down.

This year, I'm upgrading my efforts. I want to be happier with what I already have. So, I decided to NOT buy anything for my home or my closet for the entire 2012 calendar year. 

My husband was speechless. My daughter is less than supportive (this will decrease her influx of fashion possibilities). I'm confident and determined.

Here's to 2012!

Bargain Cooking Class

This is my blog, so I can promote myself, right? A friend and I just started a cooking class for locals. We have talked to a lot of people who don't cook, because they don't know where to start.

We teach a basic lesson each week for 8 weeks, demonstrate a meal to cook, then eat and socialize. It's a blast!

Check out the pictures from our first class: Cooking 101--Essentials Tools and Ingredients

Tips:

• If you are local and interested (and not a crazy person), give me a holler and I can give you info.
• If not, check craigslist or local newspapers for programs near you.

Bargain Preschool Art Class

This year is my last year with a child at home during the school year.

*sniff, sniff*

I decided not to put my daughter into a regular preschool, because...

• Our Joy School group dissolved.
• Preschool is expensive.
• I will miss her too much!

Instead, our preschool is called "Mommy & Me" preschool. (I have never been good at naming things.)

We have a preschool homework book (Costco for $9).

We go to story time at the library (free).

She has scheduled play dates with a few friends (cost: returning the favor).

She also loves art! I tried to find an affordable art class for preschoolers, but $60 was the best I could find around here. Ugh! Then I discovered a program at the Dallas Museum of Art. It's called, "Arturo's Art and Me." Designed for children 3 to 5 years of age, the class has an art lesson followed by art activities. It lasts 1.5 hours, is offered once a month, and is limited to about 10 children. We went today for the first time. It was awesome!

Today they learned about still life. The children listened to a story about still life painting, then looked at two paintings of still life and discussed them. Then the class worked together to create this still life. Sofie placed the orange papaya that is right in front by the black grapes. (I'm so proud of her!)

In the studio, Sofie got to use food as a stamp. The cut pieces of food were dipped into paint, then stamped onto the paper to create their own still life.

Final product:

"Explosion of Food" (Sofie's words)

The cost is $10 per class. However, I became a member of the museum today for $90. That means I can take her to the class for free every month and visit the museum anytime I want (for a year) with another adult and any kids under 12. That's a bargain in my book!

Tips:

• Reserve your spot early. I had to plead with them to add Sofie, since the class was already full. They kindly obliged. If you sign up for the newsletter, it will inform you when the classes are available to sign up for.
• If you don't live in the DFW area, check with your local museum to see if they have a similar art program.

NEW KIDZ IN TOWN

HI I'm the Bargain Huntress' new apprentice. I have several kinks i need to work out of my system to find better deals. Number one is: I hate finding good deals. Why go through the countless number of extra effort when i have money to get what i want?

Here is a genuine leather $1.99 wallet. Pretty flashy huh? Well across town they're having a HUGE sale, and you can get this fantastic wallet for ONLY $1.97! Well see i have to learn the way of the bargain huntress and force myself to drive across town, spending a dollar on gas in the process and come home to post what a STRIKING deal i got, on my blog.