To Bargain or Not to Bargain?

"Fifty great bargains can still put you in the poor house."

~my sister's friend, Erin.

Nordstrom Rack Grand Opening, The End.

Friday, August 21st, 8:30am.

There she is, the new Nordstrom Rack.

I don't normally participate in mob scenes, but this was an exception. They had coffee, pastries, and bagels for those waiting to enter. Unfortunately, I did not win the $2000 shopping spree (sniff) but a much more deserving woman won: Ms. Mary Hams, single mother of three. Way to go, Mary!




Here's the line behind us. I thought perhaps the early morning severe thunderstorm would have deterred others from coming, but apparently not. At one point the check out line wound around the entire store, and out the front!

While inside, I discovered a new (to me) line of jewelry that I love and is inexpensive: Marjorie Baer. This pretty pair of earrings was only $12.

I bought a Calvin Klein cap-sleeved tee for $8...

...and a lucky brand blouse for $25. They gave out free totes, water, and candy. Aren't they so nice?

Tips:

• The Rack's clearance is even better. Pretty soon they will display racks of clothing that are around 50% off the lowest marked price. My favorites are usually shoes.

Heather (my grand opening shopping buddy), do you want to tell us about your fabulous leather jacket??!! And the boots you should go back and get (hee hee)?

Low Cost Teeth Cleaning

From Thriftyfun.com

"Check with your local college or business school to see if they have a dental hygienist program. They usually offer low cost teeth cleaning and other services. It is done by students, but everything is checked by an instructor. So you get a good cleaning, although it may take a little longer. "

By Ginger from Duluth, MN

Nordstrom Rack Grand Opening, Part Deux

Doors open at 9am this Friday. For anyone planning to bust down the door with me that morning, the store is holding a "Race Through the Rack" sweepstakes. If your name is drawn, you will get 90 seconds to run through the store to select up to $2000 worth of merchandise. Doesn't that sound like fun?! Here's the entry form. You have to fill it out and drop it into the box before 8:45am, which is when the winner is announced. See you there with my running shoes on!

Sunflower Farmer's Market

Good news for some of you in the West that don't have access to a Sprouts. While visiting my fam this summer I discovered Sunflower Farmer's Market.

Similar setup, similar products, similar prices. Check it out.

BH Sale Alert: Peaches at Sprouts

Sprouts has peaches for $0.39/pound this week!

Their flyer made me want to be all domestic and stuff...

Today I bought 50 pounds of peaches for $19 and decided to freeze some and dry the others.

Drying/Dehydrating Peaches

Step 1: Blanch peaches (aka, put them in boiling water for 1 minute).

Step 2: Drop them in a cold water bath for a few seconds.

Step 3: Peel the peaches.

Step 4: Cut peaches into uniform slices (1/2 inch).

Step 5: Pretreat by dipping (aka, soak in a solution of 1 T lemon juice to 1 qt water for no more than 10 minutes).

Step 6: Spread on a baking sheet and place in a 130 F oven for several hours, until they are pliable and have no moisture pockets.

Freezing Fresh Peaches

Step 1: Wash peaches in several changes of cold water and peel peaches by hand.

Step 2: Mix 2/3 C sugar with 1/4 t lemon juice (enough for 1-2 qts sliced peaches).

Step 3: Pit and slice peaches; place in a bowl, sprinkling with sugar/lemon juice mixture occasionally.

Step 4: Allow peaches to stand until sugar is dissolved (about 10 min).

Step 5: Place in freezer bags, seal, label, and freeze.

Tips:

• Choose ripe, but firm peaches. If they are too ripe, they are hard to work with. Too firm, and they won't taste good.
• Invite a friend. The work goes faster and is more fun with someone else in the kitchen.
• Freezing is the way to go. If you want simple and fast, skip the drying. The freezing method took me about half the time. The peaches I'm trying to dehydrate are still in the oven as we speak. Apparently, it takes 10-15 hours.
• Interested in canning peaches? Check my friend's blog for a demo.
• Enlist your children to help. My 2-yr-old peeled off the stickers on the peaches. My 4-yr-old washed the peaches. The older three peeled and sliced the peaches. It was great to have any extra help.

Nordstrom Rack Grand Opening

I apologize in advance for excluding anyone who doesn't live around here, but I can't keep the excitement to myself.

Nordstrom Rack is opening 5 minutes from my house!

About a year ago (I can't be sure of the time frame...I have blocked it from my memory) the closest Rack to me closed. Oh the horror!

Imagine my elation when I read a cardboard sign in the window of a newly constructed building that said, "Nordstrom Rack, Grand Opening Aug 21st"! I believe I tried calling everyone on my speed dial to share the news.

Mark your calendars: Nordstrom Rack Grand Opening Party, Southlake, TX, August 21st.

Even if you don't live around here, I'm inviting you, too!

Tips:

• Find the closest Nordstrom Rack to you.
• Come to my party! Email me and I'll find you a good airfare...