Sunday Randomness

I'm linking up with Michelle from Fabulous in First for her Sunday Smorgasbord! I love sharing random tidbits, so this is up my alley.

I hope you've had a wonderful Fourth of July!  I was fortunate to enjoy some friends and baseball followed by some amazing bbq and music at one of my favorite local Chicago restaurants Bub City.  I thought this picture was perfect for the Fourth!  I'm so lucky to live in the heart of downtown and to be so close to amazing places like this!

It's offically July and that means just over a month until it's time to go back.  It's become a ritual that the weekend after the 4th I start shopping for school supplies. One of my favorite places to go for great deals is Staples.  They always have the best deals, including their weekly penny deals.  This week I was able to pick up some eraser caps and index cards for just a penny each. This makes my heart just jump and squeal with delight!

If you go there, be sure to pick up your Back to School Savings Pass. It's $10 and you get  15% off each purchase (one a day)  until it expires in September. 

I also got some other school shopping done at Target and Hobby Lobby. Have you seen those cute green leaves from Eberhart's Explorer's room?   Yes, I got my own for my room next year at IKEA. I can't wait to get into my room to decorate! 

Look what I found when I walked into the dollar store... Time to stock up in whatever your color!

I'll leave you with one more picture of my weekend.... Millenimum Park free concerts.  Have I told you how much I love living in Chicago!

I hope your weekend was great and hope you enjoyed my Sunday Randomness! Thank you Michelle for hosting. 

Sad Staples Day

I was majorly bummed to find out about the new "teacher amount" policy at Staples today. I'm so used to the 25 limit... and today I found out it's what's posted in the advertisement. If you want to get a class amount, you have to pay for it upfront and then you'll get refunded in Staples Rewards at the end of the quarter.

Majorly Bummed.

Very.

Sad day.

I love Staples.... Their 25 amount allowed me to save on gas when it's $4 a gallon because I didn't have to run to 5 different stores across the city and suburbs.

Now I have to, oh and drag my family members in there too. Lucky them.


I talked to the nicest manager though.... he was telling me how all the managers are upset by this and corporate didn't listen. He gave me numbers to call to relay my frustration. He was so nice! If you want the numbers, let me know!

I did walk out the door today with  $12 of loot.  I just have to go back about 5 more times to get all of those 50 cent slider pencil cases for my birthday packs.  I was hoping to buy and make them all tonight (I love getting something crossed off my GIANT list of something to do)!  Oh well.


I'm thinking tomorrow morning will be a major shopping day. I'm trying to decide on what theme... Wild About Learning (using zebra/leopard print) and using Melanie's designs as inspiration, or just sticking to primary colors... any suggestions/ideas/tips are wanted.

How have your shopping trips been?

School Supplies Sale

Does anyone else get excited for the Back to School ads? I.get.so.excited. I'm about to run to Staples (can you tell I LOVE that store?).... Penny Sales have started!! Penny Rose-Art crayons, Staples glue, and packs of Bic-Pens. Once again you need to have a $5 purchase, but there's a bunch of  25 and 50 cent, and $1 items, so it's no big deal. If you spend $30, there's a $5 off coupon. I have a feeling I'll spend $30...it's like Target, I can't leave without spending tons of money. The slider pencil cases are 50 cents this week... I usually get them for my "birthday boxes" that I give to students each year. I'm debating if I want to go buy them now or wait and hope they get cheaper....

Have you gotten your Back-to-school savings pass yet? I bought mine last week, and I can use it on the items I already mentioned!

This was just from my first trip to Staples... last week I had a coupon for 15% off anything I could fit in this bag (plus the bag was free!).

Office Max has some great deals too! 10 free folders after you spend $5!! They have primary and intermediate writing journals this week for 50 cents! A ream of paper is only a penny after their rebate and card discount (do you have your teacher card?). Plenty of $1 items like binders (no insert for a picture cover), index cards, generic post-it notes, sharpies, and generic dry erase markers.

Office Depot has some items, but they're buy 2 get 1 free (not bad but certainly NOT a penny!!).  They're not on my list right now!

Target has 50 cent poly folders (love them for the take-home folders!) and 99 cent Crayola items like markers and crayons. They have a much better sharpie marker deal - 2 for $1!! Target's own couponshave $3 off a clothing item - because I'll need some new clothes to teach in come August!

JoAnn Fabrics has a 50% off one item, and a good sale today. If you are hoping to make a pennant banner for your classroom like I am, it's a good time to go buy the wickie stick (use the 50% off coupon) if the fabric is alreayd on sale. Use your teacher discount card there for an additional 15% off.  $1 off ready to decorate letters too! I'm thinking of a Monday Made It project on my hands.


Happy Shopping!!! Did you find any other great deals? Tell me about them!


Disclaimer... this is all from the Chicago Ads. I know the sales vary by region. Actually, that's sometimes the best, I'll go in and show another region's ad, and they'll honor it... or it's vacation time - drive to find the deals - in another state!

Sale Alert

I love shopping, but even more, I love me a good sale! I'm sure I'm like many teachers who spend countless dollars on their classroom (anyone else stop adding it up each year?!). So, when I find a good sale, I feel I must share.

Anyone else use the 9 x 12 envelopes? Staples has them on sale this week for $3 (regularly $7.99).  I use them for all sorts of things from storing assessments, centers, and even for my Monday Folders. They're sturdy and they fit all sorts of goodies inside.

Run, drive, walk, train, cab, whatever to your nearest staples!

And if you get in the store... there's a coupon for 15% off your purchase of $40 or more! Have fun!