Welcome to PlinkPlink!
Saving and smart spending tips
for money-savvy mamas!
(With a bit of a Seattle slant.)

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Wednesday
25Nov2009

Thanksgiving Week Round-Up of Online Children's Store Sales!

DateWednesday, November 25, 2009 at 12:12PM

Clothing

Janie and Jack: Early Bird Special - 25% off Entire Purchase through Fri. Nov. 27 at 3 p.m.; After Thanksgiving Day Sale - Get 20% off Entire Purchase, Nov. 27-29.
Hanna Andersson: Shop sale items now for savings up to 40% off.  
The Children's Place: 20% off entire site - One Day Only, Nov. 25. Use Code EARLYBIRD9 at checkout.
Tea Collection: Free gift wrap through today, Nov. 25, on orders $50+.
Gymboree: 30% off EVERYTHING! Online prices reflect discount. Offer ends Fri. Nov. 27 at 3 p.m.
Baby Gap: 50% off all Kid's and Baby Cozy Fleece Styles. Offer ends Sun. Nov. 29.
L.L. Bean: Free $10 gift card with purchase of $25 or more, through Dec. 24, while supplies last.

Toys

Veggie Tales: 40% off all DVDs and CDs. Offer good through Nov. 30 while supplies last.
AllAboardToys.com:  Get $10 off purchases of $75 or more. Use Code Thanksgiving09 at checkout. Offer expires midnight, Nov. 26. 
Toys R' Us: Up to 60% off on Cyber Deals (over 100 online-only deals), Thurs., Nov. 26 - Sat., Nov. 28.
Disney Store: 25% off your purchase of $149 or more; 20% off your purchase of $99 or more; 15% off your purchase of $79 or more; 10% off your purchase of $59 or more.  Apply code THANKS at checkout.
Fisher-Price Store: 20% off your entire purchase through Nov. 30.

Furniture, Bedding & Gifts

Restoration Hardware Baby & Child: Gift Certificate - Receive $100 off for every $500 you spend. Use Code RTGH119 at checkout. Offer good through Nov. 30.
Pottery Barn Kids: One Day Only! $20 off Anywhere Chairs - Fri., Nov. 27th. Plus for every $100 you spend, get a $20 coupon redeemable December 26th and January 31st. Offer good Fri., Nov. 27 - Sun., Nov. 29.
Land of Nod: Free shipping on your entire order through Mon., Nov. 30.  Use promo code CELEBRATE at checkout. (Offer excludes furniture.)

AuthorErin | Comment1 Comment |
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Thursday
12Nov2009

Freebie Found! Printable Chore Chart for Kids

DateThursday, November 12, 2009 at 11:53PM

How pretty and practical! This chore chart by Lisa at Mod Eco Kids helps kids keep track of their contributions to the family.  Lisa said, "I like the positive spin on the traditional chore chart." Me too! Wouldn't you agree?  Download it here.

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Tuesday
18Aug2009

The bright future of a simple Ikea chair

DateTuesday, August 18, 2009 at 9:24PM

I spotted this amazing dining room set yesterday in a Design*Sponge sneak peek, which showcased the home of Kelley Moseley of Annabel Interiors in Austin, Texas.

I immediately fell in love with the chairs, especially the green color and the brightly colored floral print cushions. I loved them even more after I read Moseley's story about their simple and inexpensive beginnings:

At IKEA one day I spotted a simple wood chair with clean lines but was otherwise, boring. I pulled out a paint color chip I’d been carrying with me for weeks. Placing it against the chair, I could imagine how the grass green paint and the colorful tea towels I had in a kitchen drawer at home would transform these chairs, so I bought six, inexpensively and proudly finishing off my favorite room in the house.

It just goes to show that with a little work and imagination, you don't have to break the bank to achieve great design in your home. I think I'll be making a little trip to Ikea this weekend.

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Sunday
16Aug2009

Super Savings at the Hanna Andersson Outlet (and a great park) in Woodinville, WA

DateSunday, August 16, 2009 at 2:05AM

Hanna Andersson is one of my absolute favorite children's clothing stores. It's not often you find a place that has nearly irresistible BOYS' clothing. It's just the price tag that sometimes holds me back. So imagine my delight when I discovered that there's a Hanna Andersson OUTLET just outside of Seattle in Woodinville, Wa.

 

Hanna Andersson Outlet Store in Woodinville, Washington (20 minutes outside Seattle)

We took a little trip there last week to check out the "Last Blast for Summer" deals and do some back-to-school shopping. The store is situated in a cute blue barn-like building and the inside is spacious and filled with inventory. In addition to racks and racks of clothing (including a couple racks of women's clothing), tables of shoes, and a wall lined with backpacks, there's also a train table to entertain your children while you shop.

Up to 75% savings!
The goodies I brought home were three long-sleeved shirts from the $8 rack, two of which were originally priced at $27.50 and one at $39.50. Some steals, right?!? So if you're as big a Hanna fan as I am, and you live in the Seattle-area, check it out! (Though there are five other outlet locations nationwide.)

Then go have some free fun at the park . . .
And when you're done with your shopping, head over to the Woodinville Rotary Community Park (just a three-minute drive away) for a little free fun. This is a great park, with a big playground, picnic shelter, skate park, and a great nature trail that is mostly boardwalk (very easygoing if you have a stroller!). 

Woodinville Rotary Community Park - You won't miss it from the sign on the road!

Great playground for all ages!

Stroller-friendly nature trails

Great Skate/BMX Park for older kids and young adults

AuthorErin | Comment1 Comment |
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Thursday
30Jul2009

Free Seattle Weekend Fun: See the Blue Angels Air Show

DateThursday, July 30, 2009 at 7:48PM

Hey, Seattleites! What's your plan for the weekend? We'll be checking out the Blue Angels Air Show. We watched them practice this morning and they are AMAZING!

Blue Angels practice above Mercer Island's Park on the Lid

If you're wondering about where the best place is to see the Blue Angels' performance, the Seafair website stated: "The best seats in the house will be at Genesee Park and along Lake Washington Blvd at the Chevrolet Cup & KeyBank Air Show." But I thought we had a great view from Mercer Island's Park on the Lid, where there's also a great playground (shown in the picture).

The 2009 Chevrolet Cup & KeyBank Air Show schedule here.

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Wednesday
29Jul2009

Cool, cheap shirt for a hot summer day

DateWednesday, July 29, 2009 at 6:58PM

It's a scorcher today in Seattle! This afternoon temperatures hit an all-time record-breaking 102 degrees, and it might get even hotter than that. I am SO happy we have air-conditioning. Not very common in the usually temperate Northwest. Since we're stuck indoors for the day, I did a little perusing of Boden's summer sale.  Isn't this top cute?

Scoop Neck Pleat Top - $19.00 $38.00

Also, Boden's fall catalog just arrived in the mail. Lots to love there too, and if you buy early, you save!  Get 11% off your order before August 15th (plus get FREE shipping).  Additionally, you'll be entered in a drawing for a chance to win one of 10 FREE ORDERS every day! Same goes for orders of mini Boden clothing. Now isn't that good motivation to get your school clothing shopping done early?

AuthorErin | Comment1 Comment |
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Thursday
16Jul2009

Freebie Found! Downloadable Coloring Book from Fawn & Forest

DateThursday, July 16, 2009 at 2:44PM

A perfect activity for your little nature lover. Download this coloring book for FREE from Fawn & Forest, one of my favorite online children's stores. (And they're also having a sale on select products from DWELLSTUDIO.)

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Tuesday
30Jun2009

Update

DateTuesday, June 30, 2009 at 7:23PM

So sorry there hasn't been a plink to be heard on here in quite awhile. Last weekend, we welcomed a beautiful new baby boy to the world. Be back soon!

 

AuthorErin | Comment1 Comment |
Thursday
18Jun2009

Online Magazines – Free and Fantastic!

DateThursday, June 18, 2009 at 10:37PM

Are online magazines the wave of the future? Will your favorite glossies go digital too? Well, these two online magazines for hip parents of stylin' kids have been wildly popular. Each has fantastic content – totally free for your dowloading and perusing pleasure. Take a look!

LMNOP, a Free Quarterly PDF Magazine for Hip, Stylish Parents and their Children
Download it here.

Small Magazine – Summer Issue Just Out!
Download it here.

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Wednesday
17Jun2009

Simple Savings Tip #2

DateWednesday, June 17, 2009 at 1:04PM

When my mom took the kids shopping, she always instructed us to "keep our hands in our pockets." I think she was concerned that we might drop or knock something over and break it, but it turns out these instructions also have savings value.

A study by the University of Wisconsin-Madison found that a person is 39% more likely to purchase an item that they have touched rather than one that remains on the shelf or rack.* So next time you browse past that coveted item, remember "keep your hands in your pockets." You'll be more likely to save your cash.

Of course, it only makes sense to instruct your kids as my mom did. They'll be less likely to ask you to buy all those toys. And haven't you noticed that so much toy packaging actually encourages kids to at least put a finger on the encased toy with gimmicks like, "Push the button and hear me roar!"? That's good marketing for you!

*Via Real Simple's July 2009 issue

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Wednesday
10Jun2009

Freebie Found! Printable Gift Tags

DateWednesday, June 10, 2009 at 9:15PM

Oh, I just love these! What a nice assortment for any gift recipient.  Download them for FREE from Whisker Graphics!

(via Stephmodo)

AuthorErin | Comment2 Comments |
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Wednesday
10Jun2009

Be a "Stay-at-Home Career Mom"

DateWednesday, June 10, 2009 at 12:29AM

There's a great new career book for moms out – one that advocates that choosing to work or stay at home after you have kids shouldn't be an "either-or" decision. Instead, it encourages moms to stay at home at least part-time, but to find creative ways to remain in the workforce, such as by telecommuting, freelancing, or starting a home-based business.

The book, All Moms Work: Short-Term Career Strategies for Long-Range Success by Sharon Reed Abboud, is definitely worth perusing by any new or expecting mother who is grappling with how they're going to balance work and motherhood. There's a great interview with the author on Alpha Consumer, a USNews.com blog by Kimberly Palmer (great resource!). I like that Abboud offers really specific advice about how to keep your career on track while staying at home, such as by staying active with professional associations, going to conferences, and publishing articles, and that she gives suggestions for career fields for moms who want to try something new that's also perhaps more family friendly.

On a related note, check out this video by U.S. News & World Report on "the new mommy track:"

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