The bright side of this abysmal economy (how long have I been unemployed again?!) is the amazing deals retailers are willing to give us to win over our dollars. Creative deals, sales, and clearance events abound. Take Target for example. Today only they are having a black Friday sale. "But Tiffany, isn't black Friday in November?" you ask. Why yes, you are correct. However times must be tough at the Red retail giant because this year black Friday is in July. Click here for awesome online deals, today only!

Happy shopping!

You would think that since I run a blog I'd know just how dangerous the blogosphere is...but I am only just now discovering it. I mean, I've blog surfed before, but this time, I can't stop. It started with my looking for ideas for Genevieve's first birthday party (that's right...the one that's 4 1/2 months away). Well I basically am falling down the rabbit hole. falling...falling...falling. Every blog links me to a new blog. And that one links me to a new blog. And that one links me to a new blog PLUS a cool etsy site PLUS an online boutique. And that links me to the next blog. You get my point. I can't say that I mind. Besides feeling a bit, I don't know...addicted?! I'm discovering all sorts of cool design, decoration, and party planning ideas. On a deeper level, I've also read several very painful (as in you better be wearing water proof mascara) stories. I mean stories of horrendous loss. These stories make me grateful for my own story...and inspired by those who get back up when they've been knocked down. once. or twice. or three times (Read the what's in a name part 1 through 7 post of Joy's Hope Handmade). I'm also being inspired to make this blog the best it can be. I owe that to you (and to me). But anyway, I'm totally digressing.

So I can't share every cool post, tip, idea, or story with you. But I wanted to share this one because it's something I read about myself on cnn.com (or some news site) but couldn't quite articulate how I felt about it. Well Kristin did it much better than I could. Here's an excerpt of her post.

Mark and I had a much-anticipated date night tonight, to celebrate our 14th wedding anniversary. We went dinner at our favorite Cuban spot, and then we decided to get crazy and spontaneous, so we went to Target to buy a new rice cooker.


HOT DATE. I know.




Then we scanned the rest of the aisle. We found Mermaid Story Barbie. White version, full price. Black version, CLEARANCE....

Inspired by Lucky's Luxe for Less issue, I decided to put a few links up of affordable online shopping sites. I'm sure many of you have heard of some of these sites, but it's easy to get 'stuck' visiting the same sites and purchasing from the same store over and over...and when that happens you end up showing up in church dressed exactly like someone else (oh wait, is that just Megan and me?!).  Lucky issue reminded me of a few sites I hadn't visited in a long time and clued me in on a few new ones. Now that I have a kid, shopping online has become even more convenient so I'm all for expanding my choices.  Because there were so many, I decided to include a handful today and I'll post another segment later (I know better than to promise "tomorrow").  So stay tuned for that one.  In the meantime, feast your fingertips on these great sites!

Take an additional 20% off Shopbop's sale items.  Use code EXTRA20.  Ends today.  Perhaps you want to try the denim legging trend (or jeggings as they are so cleverly called) but don't want to spend a fortune.  Now's your chance to check out this cool William Rast pair...