Claire's is killing me

Marty,

Any mother of a preteen girl knows that within 5 minutes of being in the store Claire's, you can blow through $50 in the blink of an eye. Subsequently, that place makes me want to throw myself in front of some moving traffic. So, I was overjoyed when my older daughter discovered a wall of bracelets at Walmart for only a buck. That's right, $1! Wooden bead bracelets, jelly and friendship bracelets in every color, and other fun string bracelets. "Sure, get one for your BFF, get 5 or 6 for yourself, go for it.", I said. I even got a handful of the wooden beads for myself! Even though my darling 8 year old looked at me like I was crazy, she gleefully obliged. And we both walked out happy...and not broke.

:) Wally

PS-Marty, the wooden bead ones look great mixed with my big, wood bangle from Anthropologie. And you know that one was not a buck!

Shorty shorts

Marty,

I just got the sweetest shorts for my youngest daughter at Walmart. She picked out the purple and white gingham ones but they also had green and white, and blue and white gingham. Faded Glory 100% cotton shorts for $8. They have an adjustable waist band which is a must for my petite princess and come in sizes 4-10 (children's sizes of course but I wish they had then in adult sizes). And really the best part is the precious rope belt, very Tory Burch for the younger set!

:)Wally

Thanks a latte!

Wally, I love the jeans, scarves and jelly watches - I will be at Walmart tomorrow to check them out - thanks so much!! Here are the thank you notes I got - 10 notes for less than $3 and they look like a latte "to go" cup. Too cute for words and great to thank people the old fashioned way. I am way overdue writing my parents and my in-laws to thank them for my birthday presents. Don't you just love getting snail mail? :) Marty

Sensational Scarves

Marty,

I can't flip open one of my favorite celebrity gossip magazines and not see a Hollywood "it" girl rockin' a summer scarf. So, in trying to keep up with Jessica Alba, I couldn't resist the adorable summer scarves at Walmart for only 5 bucks. They had them in blue/white gingham, red/white gingham, red paisley, and a solid hot pink. So cute and lightweight, a summer scarf is the perfect accessory for the standard uniform of a tee shirt and jeans. And it immediately draws the attention UP, which is always a good thing. So, that's a wrap...or a scarf!

:) Wally

A Jelly Watch Jubilee

Marty,

What's a gal to do when she doesn't want to wear her nice watch to the pool or the beach? The answer is to get an adorable jelly watch at Walmart. They come in an array of summer colors: white (my personal favorite because it's very Oprah and Sandra Bullock in "The Blindside", don't you think?), hot pink, turquoise, blue, purple, red, orange and of course black. For only $7, you can get a different color for every bikini (haha, I wish, more like tankini in this mom's case). And they are water resistant so when I am forced against my will to swim with my children, my watch will keep on ticking. Poolside or lounging on the beach, we can still look fashionable in our jelly watches. Cue that song again in my head.....

:)Wally

Summertime is finally here...

Marty,

You know with temperatures rising, my favorite Kenny Chesney song, "Summertime", is playing in my head. Nothing says summer like a great pair of white jeans. So, imagine my excitement, when I found the perfect pair at Walmart: Glory Bootcut White Jeans for only $12 (regularly priced at $19 but I got them on sale...win, win!). They come in petite sizes as well. You know that I have been coveting the $150 ones at Nordstrom's so I thought that there was no way these would fit as good. Well, let me tell you, they fit great and look even better. I bought several pairs and shall be wearing them all summer long. And really the best part is if I spill some red wine on them , I don't have to worry that I have ruined my "fancy" jeans. Happy Summer!

:) Wally

Briannas Home Style

This is a fabulous poppy seed dressing! The bottle says "delicious on fresh peaches" but I use it in one of my favorite summer salads. Toss it with your favortie chopped lettuce, dried cherries, granny smith apple chunks, goat cheese crumbles & toasted walnuts. Make it a meal by topping with grilled chicken. The price is Walmart friendly at $2.82 per bottle. Try it tonight! :) Marty

Happy Hour :)

My new favorite crackers are at Walmart! I have been looking high and low for these and can only find them in specialty food stores or a random grocery store here and there. Crunchy and fresh. YUM :) Marty

Pomp & Circumstance

Hey, Wally! As you know, I am swamped with graduations to attend next weekend. I found the best cards at Walmart! They have the Hallmark music ones for $4.99. I also got a pack of 8 graduation cards for only $5. So glad I saw these after work. :) Marty