I've never been happier...

I've never been happier than I am right now...that I am a coupon clipper.

That's right girls...I am no longer ashamed to admit it.

I.use.coupons.

Right now you may be asking yourself why this makes me so happy...

So let me tell you...

It involves my friend Anita...you know...Iowa Junk Gypsies...yes, that Anita. We both sell at the same show in the summer months, and I just love her and her 'junking partner' Judy. Afterall, they are Iowa girls, and anyone that knows an Iowa girl knows they are good people.

I was over the moon to hear Anita is hosting a trip to take a group of girls here...in April...

But a second later...when I realized I would actually have to pay for this trip...I was sad.

I was telling my husband about it...about how much I would like to see Paris again...and the fact that I would be traveling with Anita...and this is what he says..."so, go." Simple as that. No questions asked...no hesitation. God I love this man. Never in my life has he thought one of my crazy ideas was a bad one. He should have a time or two, trust me on that one.

Then it dawned on me. I have been clipping coupons like a crazy woman this year! I gave myself the challenge in December of 2008 to see how much money I could save in 2009 with using coupons. I was just curious. I just had a couple of rules...I never bought anything just because I had a coupon - it had to be something we actually used and would have bought anyway...and I had to keep a log of how much I saved as I went.

So I did it...restaurants...grocery store...Target...even my plumber had a coupon in the phone book! If you put fourth a little effort, there is a coupon out there for everything, I swear.

So here is it...the grand total...to this minute...what I have saved this year...

$1,756.75.

Seriously.

Paris...here I come!

oven luvin

Sunday was a "girls day". I love those days.

 Shopping, eating, laughing...and it was a gorgeous sunny fall day, too.

We decided to go to an art show in Galena, IL...a charming historic town full of shops about an hour from here. We hit the Galena Country Fair while we were there. It is an art/craft fair that is usually quite fabulous.

 Usually this show has a couple hundred artisans and I buy way more than I should. But this time was different. The vendors were different than they have been in the past. We went through a few isles, and I have to admit...we were feeling a little disappointed.

Just too many country crafts for our liking.

Please don't be offended if you like a cozy for your tissue box or a goose in crazy clothes outside your front door. Thats just not quite what we were looking for.

Anyway, what I am getting at is the fact that I am a "tough critic".

I see so many fabulous things on Etsy and from all you talented girls in blogland...that it takes a lot to impress me these days.

So let me tell you how thrilled I was when I saw this cute polka-dot tent!

Oven Luvin...what a great name...The 2 lovely ladies in the back are Jessica & Liz.

Their mom, Peggy is in the striped sweater.

They sell handmade aprons for mothers, daughters and their dolls...casserole covers...oven mitts
...among other goodies!

Now, let me tell you...normally casserole covers don't get me this excited. In fact, I can't remember the last time I used one...but thanks to these ladies...I am on a mission to bring something to a Holiday dinner this year wrapped up on one of these babies! Who knew I could make my contribution to Thankgiving dinner delicious...and unbelievably cute??

I love, love, love their aprons...I now know who is going to make me a couple of new aprons for my show season next year...the quality is fabulous...yes, thats right...I am a girl that checks out the seams. One of those people. For me, its all in the details.

And did I mention that on top of their talent...girls were just so darn cute?!

I am so buying myself a pair of boots like this.

Fabulous.

Check out their website...so many pretty things...Christmas is coming, girls!

Jessica and Liz..you two were so great to talk to! You are both just the best! Thank you for giving us something to be excited about at the show! Who knew an apron could make my day??