it's my girls' world

Another round of Show & Tell Tuesday with Andrea. One of my faves. This one is focused on saves and splurges so you can bet I'll be checking out some other posts.

Here's how our family saves money when we can:

+ I almost never buy clothing full priced for my kids, D or myself. Nordstrom, Loft, Gap, Old Navy, Zara and BR are a few of my faves. I rarely if ever buy things full priced from them. I mean when a store offers 40-50% off purchases from time to time-- I ain't buying at full price. I sign up for emails that notify me and go from there. 

+ Most of my shopping is done online so less time for browsing and impulse buying. Return policies are so easy nowadays.

+ I don't buy everything at my regular grocery store or market where I buy my organic produce. The packaged items or basic items that I can get for less in the discount grocery store(between) the kids' schools)-- I'll do it. I also sign up for the grocery loyalty programs. The PC plus program is huge here in Canada. In the past two years I've gotten $360 cash back from it!

+ I don't buy if I can help it from a pharmacy or convenience store. Their markup is WAY too high most days. 

+ Cheap kids' socks because my kids lose socks like it's their job!

+ I buy in bulk when I can at Costco-- oh and when stuff in Costco goes on sale-- like Bounty- watch out!! 

+ I stock up on kiddie gifts at Michael's/Amazon when they have a huge sale or even Anthro or Nordstrom for adult friend/teacher gifts. Birthdays are easier because of it! 

+ We don't eat huge amount of meats and we love beans so that saves some money for sure.

+ Dollar store for the win for gift wrap, ribbon, kid crafts, shower caps and hair ties! 

+ I rarely ever do laundry or run my dishwasher during peak hours. The savings are real and huge!!

 

But we splurge on things too ...

Food

+We buy organic dairy, fruit and veggies with edible skin and meats when we can. If we eat out, we relax the rules but other than that, we try to do what we can at home. Oh and we eat out once or twice for the week.

Foot-wear

+Even in my twenties, my feet would hurt and blister and then I get cranky-- so I pay a premium for well fitting, comfy footwear. Good boots and shoes around here! I'm doing the same for my kids as well especially my somewhat flat footed four year old! 

Furniture

+We use furniture everyday so we tend to pay a bit more for our  bigger ticket items. We've had some pieces that have held up through ten years of marriage and two kids... some I'd like to replace now but they're still going strong!

Face-care

In my thirties, with duller and breakout prone, I've been paying for skin care especially the stuff that stays on my face! Here's my routine for a couple years now.

Can't wait to hear about the other saves/splurges. Hopefully, it will help me find other items/tips and tricks to save and not more items to splurge on :-s

So some stellar plans were in the works for this weekend. We were heading to Toronto to a fabulous dinner with friends, spending the night at their home and spending a lazy morning with them and their girls before slowly making our way back home.

But instead, on Saturday morning, I woke up with a very quesy and uneasy feeling in my stomach. And man did I get a stomach bug to end all bugs. Information overload I admit,  but I threw up until there was nothing else to throw up and then my body was still trying to throw up. So much weakness, aches and pains. I literally needed help to get off the bed sometimes. So not fun and so yeah... plans got cancelled.

But you know what, time to make some lemonade out of that BIG lemon. First off, thank the Lord D was here to help with the girls since I couldn't help myself much less two somewhat needy individuals... Secondly, it's always good to be close to your own bathroom (and not someone else's) when you're leaning on your TB.  Everyone in my family is safe and (somewhat) healthy. And I got to spend my birthday with my three favourite people on Sunday!

They made me breakfast in bed. Rye toast and tea as that was all I could handle lol.

My C made that painting of the flowers in the corner of the tray. I love it!!

I opened presents and cards and the grown ups watched Life in Pieces and The Mindy Project until we ventured out to lunch.

Some more sitcoms, naps and takeout wanton soup before cake and my four year old counted out how old I was!

So though not the birthday that was planned, it was certainly still a very special one thanks to my very special D (who isn't feeling 100% too)  and my sweet peas.

Linking up with beautiful Biana today.

 Every year around my birthday, my favourite thing to do is a currently post. Since my day is this weekend, here's an early post

Currently....

thanking | God for a healthy, happy year.

This birthday, we are meeting some awesome foodie friends, the same one we spent Christmas with, in Toronto for a lovely dinner out. Then we spend some time with the kiddos and enjoy a relaxing Sunday! Oh and a Dufflet's chocolate truffle cake is on mind, big time! (see the'wanting' above and why it's not happening)

Cheers.

We just came back last week from our trip from my homeland, Trinidad and Tobago. It was wonderful seeing family and friends, having lazy days, eating all our old favourites and enjoying the sometimes sweltering heat. Here are just a few too many pictures.

I managed to meet up with a few high school friends at my friend Natika's house. It was wonderful seeing all these lovely ladies after so long.

 My kids swam in her pool and kiddie pool like it was their job.

My kids had LOADS of cousin time. They also met a teeny tiny new cousin who they adored.

 Feasting on mangoes and playing with the husky next door ;-s

 These swings were a total favourite.

Fresh coconut water

We managed to make it out one night to POS with friends for some Mediterranean  tapas and wine.
pictured in the forefront is an egg with portobello mushroom. Truly delicious.

Followed by a drink at Siam, a POS nightclub.
(Pretending that it wasn't way past my bedtime)

My parents were there for a week of our visit as well.

Swinging on ropes!

Such beautiful memories!