The One I Like to Call: The $30 -Coke- Slurpee

To begin, let me share this piece of Slurpee Bliss with you.

The Slurpee Facts.

You will see the last fact is that the average Slurpee drinker is age 29.
That fits in perfectly with the story I am about to tell you,
as I teeter on the edge and will be 28 soon.

See, back in November of 2008, after reading some articles on the effects of caffeine, I gave it up COMPLETELY.
Cold. Turkey.
I had a few days of headaches, but that was it.

Then...well then I discovered I was expecting a baby, and the ONLY thing that I wanted was a
Coke Slurpee.
So, after much debate and much excuse making, I decided an occasional 20 oz. Coke Slurpee would be okay.
It is mostly water and air anyway right?

Well, for the last six months or so, I have been getting 1-3 Coke Slurpees a week, that is until mid April, when, in my opinion all hell broke loose on the Slurpee front.

Apparently our credit card through our bank was compromised sometime in early spring, along with a bunch of other members' cards, so they turned off our card...and they were SUPPOSE to send us new cards...(which they still haven't...)

...so began the money transfer from our joint checking into MY photography checking.
That way, we would still have a Visa card to use at the store, the gas pump, and well, you know 7-11
for my Slurpee runs.

The cost of a 20 oz. Coke Slurpee in Utah right now is $1.38.
SUPER cheap right?
And let's not forget SUPER DELICIOSO!
Well, one would think, until I get a text from Hubbs one dreary afternoon stating:
"DON'T USE YOUR VISA CARD ANYMORE! THERE ARE TWO CHARGES OF $25 EACH!"

Wha?! WHAT!? Furious I text him back..."HOW DID THAT HAPPEN?!"
Apparently he transferred all of the money out of my account without telling me...and guess what wasn't covered?
My Coke Slurpee.

Commence tears.

Did I really just spend $26.38 on a 20 oz. Coke Slurpee?
Tears.

Needless to say, Hubbs claims it was a ploy to get me to stop drinking them.
And I haven't since.
I am too mad at him, and too mad at the fact I could have had a new shirt instead of a freaking Slurpee.
He is forbidden from taking money from my checking account ever again.

Oh man, how I wish I had a Slurpee right now...TEARS.

Although, I must admit this flavor has caught my eye...although I have never seen one here.

What flavor would you spend $30 on?

Inquiring minds...

...Get their answers, but only for a limited time! ;) First, let's start with the headbands. It is probably driving some of you mad. They are not children's headbands. Yep, they are for ADULTS. Now, my children have big heads, but not HUGE heads, but it seems that adult headbands just stay on Miss just fine. I have noticed that these faux wrap headbands stay on better than the thinner ones, and she leaves them on, when her hair is done in a clip or pony she has it out in two seconds, these stay on longer, go figure. The key to my finding ANY item is to just "stroll" through whatever section a particular item I am looking for may be. So, if I am wanting headbands, I make sure to stroll through that section of the store, ANY and every store I go to, until I find. If I find and I like I buy. This particular headband came from Gadzooks I believe. I also have the black one from " Corn. Dog." that was purchasd from Claires at the mall. We have a chocolate brown from Target, and a white one from, oh, I think Claires or a store like it. Just LOOK, take the extra three minutes to walk through the headbands and if you like, just get it, you won't regret it, (unless you don't).
Second, the key to Miss' wardrobe? I dress her like I would dress myself. If I wouldn't wear it, I don't buy it (generally). I don't know where I started this, but I think I was just drawn to the bulky sweaters, the "flare" jeans, the grown up looking shoes. I am sure in a few years I will regret her looking so old and will put tutus and pink florals on her, but for now, I love simple. How'd you know? "Simply Me", "Simply You Photography". I know I am a dork. Anyway, if you notice most of her outfits could easily be made for an adult. This particular sweater was purchased from The Old Navy Outlet for $9 almost two years ago. That is the other secret. I have a closet full of clothes on hangers just waiting to be worn. $3 Pajamas from The Children's Place I saw on sale. (I bought 30 once) but I never have to buy them again. It was an investment, but every time I look in the closet I know I won't have to buy them again, it is a good feeling. ;) So, anyway, I get things on the clearance rack that are CUTE and I save them. I will pay a few dollars more for the cute sweater and forgo the 99 cent whatnots, (Unless of course they are cute whatnots, well then, WHY NOT?)
This dress. I am sad to admit I paid full price. I had a vision. I didn't quite fulfill my vision, but it is a very beautiful dress, and I do not regret buying it. It was from Old Navy. I splurge sometimes.
Okay, the beloved Corn. Dog. shoot. Shirt: Target. It came with two shirts in one. SAWEET, I think the shirt was only $7.00, and heck for "two shirts" I was getting one for $3.50, can't get much better than that. The leggings were $3.00 at Wal-mart. WAL-MART.
Shoes. Ashlee wanted to know about shoes, Leslie wanted to know about shoes, here is the ENTIRE scoop on shoes. I treat shoes much like I treat a beautiful cream cable knit sweater with chunky buttons off the clearance rack. BUY THEM, even if they are three sizes too big. If you love them, and they are cheap, why not? Later, we will be glad we did. I am, and have never regretted it yet. These pink delights were from, get ready with a pen and paper, cause you NEED to go there. Smith's Marketplace. There are four locations in our valley that I can think of...These pink (and black) dandy's are indeed Chuck Taylor's. I got them for under $15 at Smith's Marketplace. They have great sales and coupons to boot. (No pun intended, although I am eyeing a pair for Miss for the winter.) I have found more fantastic shoes for my kids at Smith's than anywhere else. Seriously. Don't second guess yourself, if you see something you like, and the size is right (or bigger) buy it. If you don't, you can subject yourself to me and hunt them down, (but be aware you will be disappointed if you don't find them in the end.) I have sent many a ladies on goose chases after seeing a pair on Jay or Memm, and some have failed, but many times others succeed. Another great, overlooked shoe fantasy land? SEARS. YES, SEARS! 60% of my childrens shoes come from Sears. And the best thing? As of yesterday they were having some very NICE shoes (leather) on sale for $5. $5! I bought Mister 4 pairs of leather shoes...all for under $25 with tax! I have done this before, and the best part? Next year when they can wear the new size, everyone will want them and won't be able to get them, it'll drive people wild! Also, if you have some cash to burn, Journeyz Kidz is a fun place for shoes. Sometimes I find goodies at Payless, but that is hard, usually NO sizes for my kids there. If you are up at the factory stores, Stride Rite is a great place, they have a fantastic clearance table. I found Mister LEATHER shoes for under $10 and the sandals he wore ALL summer were leather and cost $11. Can't get that at Payless or even Wal-Mart nowadays. I just guessed his size and luckily I guessed right!
This outfit is pretty straight forward, love the graphic tee from The Children's Place, an early Summer steal for $5. The jeans from Old Navy, and the black chucks from Smith's.
Mister is NOT left out, he just chooses to wear what he wants these days. Boys are fun. I bought these shoes from a clearance rack at Ross (They were Stride Rites). Saved them up for a long time. The pants: Clearance rack at The Chilrens Place $4. No JOKE. The jacket, well another splurge from The Children's Place, none of your business how much it cost! ;) And the shirt underneath was a hand me down! Can't see it but it was CUTE.

Places I frequent:

The Children's Place (generally ONLY the clearance racks)

Old Navy (I stay away because I can get myself into trouble easily, but the Outlet is a good place sometimes to find last season's stuff at a discount)

TARGET, TARGET, TARGET!!! Cheap prices for REALLY cute stuff. Just stroll people, if it doesn't shout at you, don't buy it!

Wal-Mart. EVERY TIME I go, I stroll, sometimes I find great stuff, usually for Mister...nice church clothes too.

Gymboree Clearance (hardly ever, but if I have time I'll stroll)

Ebay "LOTS" if you have time to look and bid (only if I am desperate for a certain something)

Savers (Stroll, it is fun and sometimes you find great things)

And for me? Target, Maurices (where I got that black shirt), and Forever 21, and Susie's Deals (If you have never gone, call me, I'll take you. Everything is $5.99 and less. Lots of it being Forever 21 leftovers or seconds)!

My last piece of advice, and I gave it to Moosh in Indy long ago: But it will hold true for all of you, the truth is I buy 2, TWO, dos, DOIS, really cute, hip, fun, (sometimes a little more than I want to pay for) outfits for my kids for them to wear when I go see "Them" whoever you want "Them" or "They" to be. I just feel like if my kids are clean, washed, look good, then I look good and it takes the pressure off of me. Just a thought, many people have taken this advice and swear by it...try it out and let me know how it works.