Shopping for Me!

My closet has been so sad lately. Clothes stained by toddler tears and sticky-handed hugs, pulled out of shape by a nursing babe and little ones wanting attention. Getting dressed has become a dilemma: dress for battle with the kiddos or dress for the hot mama that I hope still lives inside me?

Earlier this week, I cleared out some items that no longer fit, flatter, or (as Pioneer Woman would say) make my skirt fly up. Then I found out that Gap was having their "Give and Get" sale (formerly known as "Friends and Family") this weekend and I could give my closet the boost it needed for a lot less moola.

I decided to check out the Gilroy outlets (since the Gap coupon works there, too) and took my three babes with me. Though they made difficult work of my closet boosting assignment (it is so hard to think "hot mama" when little ones are wrestling with mannequins), I did get some deals that will make getting dressed a whole lot more fun.

J. Crew Outlet was my first stop and I picked up two pairs of corduroy pants for $39 each. They fit like they were made for me; I couldn't pass them up.

At Gap, they didn't have too much for the kiddos, which made me sad. I really wanted to get them some cute fall clothes. I found a lot for me; their women's section is huge. I limited myself to one knit cardigan ($24.99 before my 30% discount) and my deal of the day: a pair of Long and Lean jeans ($27.99 before my discount). When I pulled on the jeans in the dressing room, I actually said "hello, old friend". They fit me that well.

I hope to check out Gap and Old Navy tomorrow to see if there is anything else I can't live without. I am bummed that this coupon only works in store: I really prefer to shop fromGap and Old Navy online, but I'll take what I can get.

To get your own coupon for the Give and Get event, just google "Gap Give and Get August 2010" and you should be able to print one out. And don't worry if you can't make it out this weekend; if history repeats itself, Gap will do another Give and Get event close to Christmas time.

July 4th Summer Sale at Gilroy Outlets

Did yesterday's post whet your appetite for some outlet shopping? It got me thinking about how long it's been since I've stopped in to check out all the great deals they always seem to have there.

If you're going to be in the South Bay, Gilroy Outlets is celebrating July 4th with their annual summer sale. On top of the discounts I mentioned at Gap and Banana Republic, several other stores will have some pretty great deals, such as:

• BCBG Max Azria: 30% to 50% off
• Book Warehouse: 10% off your entire purchase July 2-5
• Champion: Entire store is 40% through July 11
• Ann Taylor Factory Store: Entire store is 40% off lowest ticketed price through July 6
• Carters': $3.99 clearance sale through July 7
• Coldwater Creek: 40% off Storewide Sale through July 11
• Eddie Bauer: Super Sale with savings of 20% to 70% through July 13
• J. Crew: 40% off all women's footwear and accessories, graphic tees, Jackie cardigans, and denim through July 7, Kids' flip flops $6.99
• Lucky Brand: 25% off lowest price July 1-5, 30% off your purchase July 10-11, and denim is buy 2, get 1 free July 15-18
• OshKosh B'gosh: Clearance sale through July 7

For more July 4th weekend deals, check it out here. While you're at the website, sign up for the VIP Shopper Club. You'll get extra coupons and updates on sales and special events at the outlets.

With over 145 shops, you are definitely sure to find a deal! And I never make a trip to the Gilroy Outlets without picking up a caramel apple at the Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory. In fact, I'm craving an apple pie one right about now.

Outlet shopping this weekend

Does the upcoming holiday weekend make you think "shopping"? Well here's a way to make your money go a little further at Gap Outlet and Banana Republic Factory Stores. July 1-6, Gap Outlet is having a big sale, with up to 70% off original prices. Banana Republic Factory Stores are advertising 40% off everything in the store.

In this past Sunday's USA Weekend, there was a full page ad about the sales, with two coupons attached. One is for 15% off your Gap Outlet purchase of $75 or more and the other is 15% off your Banana Republic Factory Store purchase of $100 or more. This could work out to be a pretty great deal if you need to stock up on some summer clothes for the kids (and maybe something for yourself, too).

Not sure if there's an outlet store nearby? Gap and Banana Republic have Outlet stores in the following Bay Area cities:

• Milpitas (Great Mall of the Bay Area): Gap and Banana Republic
• Gilroy (Gilroy Premium Outlets): Gap and Banana Republic
• San Leandro (Marina Square): Gap only
• Tracy (Tracy Outlets): Gap only
• Napa (Napa Premium Outlets): Gap and Banana Republic
• Vacaville (Vacaville Premium Outlets): Gap and Banana Republic
• Petaluma (Petaluma Village): Gap and Banana Republic
• Folsom (Folsom Premium Outlets): Gap and Banana Republic

Traveling outside the Bay Area for the holiday? Check here for more outlet locations.

Baby, it's cold outside

Even though it's been beautiful during the day (I love living in Northern California!), it has been quite chilly these past few nights. For some reason, it seems my babies are always in need of pajamas, too. Never fear, Target is here!

This week at Target, infants' and toddlers' 2 pack blanket sleepers are $11.99 (Just One Year brand). I already have one set of these and I love them. Not only are they adorable (and adorably priced), but they hold up pretty well. Normally it's $14.99 for the 2 pack, so this is a good time to stock up for Christmas presents.


Also on sale are Just One Year thermal pajamas for infants and toddlers. These packaged sets are 2 for $9.

If you have older kids, Cherokee blanket sleepers are $9.99 each for sizes 4-16. (Whether you really want to get the blanket sleeper in a size 16 is up to you...)

There are a few other great deals at Target this week if you have some grocery shopping to do as well:

• Land O'Lakes Butter (1 lb. sticks) is on sale for $2.25. Combine that with $0.55 printable coupon to get them for $1.70 each.


• Stove Top Stuffing, 6oz.: $0.79 each


• Heinz gravy, 12oz.: $0.79 each


• Betty Crocker potatoes, 4.5 to 7.2oz.: $0.79 each. Combine with $0.40 printable coupon to get them for $0.39 each. (Coupon excludes Potato Buds.)
• Del Monte canned vegetables (Cut or French-style green beans, whole kernel corn, or sweet peas): $0.50 each


• Luvs Family pack diapers (92 count for size 3): $14.99 each (that's 16.3 cents per diaper)

I know these deals are a little late this week. I'm still getting back in the swing of things after my trip! Prices are good through Saturday.