Sunday, October 31, 2010

Heating Assistance!

Howdy y'all.

Just a reminder (in case you missed it earlier today in R.S.)

HEATING ASSISTANCE STARTS NOVEMBER 1ST!!!

Trust me. If you don't know what this is, you'll want to.

Call or come by my house if you need more info.
It's too much to write and I want to go to sleep.

Good night!





Friday, October 29, 2010

TRADER JOE'S

GRAND OPENING NOVEMBER 5TH!!

Mills Civic Parkway West Des Moines (shopping complex that TJ Maxx is in)

I am a fan of Trader Joes and have been to a few of them across the USA. I have been so excited for them to come to West Des Moines ever since they announced it a year ago. I know a lot of you have never been there and don't know what all the fuss is about in getting one. So I thought I would explain a little. If you want to go to their direct website click here. They have such fun foods that you can't get anywhere else. They are also super CHEAP!!!! I wasn't sure if they took EBT but I have heard they do, so there is no reason to not check it out. I recently did a poll on facebook to ask my friends what their favorite items are that they sell. Here are some of the items people suggested;

*Savory crackers

* white cheddar puffs

*honey wheat pretzel sticks

*sweet potato soup

*pomegranite or blueberry sorbet

*mandarin chicken jasmine rice
*lemon pepper pappardalle pasta
*cilantro salad dressing
and I can't leave my faves out,
the creamy garlic ranch dressing and the balsamic vinegarette.
They also have gorgeous fresh flowers that are very cheap and cheap greeting cards. I hope you guys all go and check it out! You will probably see me there ;)

Tuesday, October 19, 2010

Halloween Out the Wazoo

Ready or not, here comes Halloween.
And if there's one place in the world that knows how to do Halloween... well, you live in it.

Here's what's going on:

-Living History Farms
October 21-24 and 28-31 from 5:30 – 8:30pm
Horse-drawn wagon rides, marshmallow roast, storytellers, scarecrow and jack-o-lantern displays delight all during this non-scary family event. Children aged 12 and under trick or treat through town, and free pop and popcorn for all. Prices: $5/person, $4.50 LHF members and pre-sold groups of 10 or more.


-Night Eyes (formerly known as "Boo at the Zoo")
October 21 - 24 & 28 - 31, 2010
Thursdays & Fridays from 5:30 pm to 8 pm

Saturdays & Sundays from 1 pm to 8 pm

Presale tickets may be purchased at Dahl's locations, metro area Hy-Vee locations or click here. Tickets at the door will be $5 and $4 for Zoo Members. Children under one are free.

Trick-or-treaters should keep an eye out for some special entertainment, including Curious George and Clifford! Also attending Night Eyes will be jugglers, clowns, some princesses, Star Wars characters and even a few surprise guests! Be sure to check out the Fun Zone (ZooPlex) full of inflatables, play equipment from Rainbow Play Systems, a hay maze and pumpkin bowling!


If you really want a treat, check out:

-Mickey's Magic Show
at the Well's Fargo Arena on October 23rd at 3 pm and 6 pm. (Tickets range in price from $18 to $72 - but you can always try Craigslist!!)


-Pump It Up Halloween Fest

October 22nd and 29th from 7:45 - 9:15 pm.

$11 at the door, $10 if pre-purchased.
Inflatables, fun, costumes, and a treat bag and the end of the night.


-West Des Moines Library Halloween Party
Oct. 26-28 at 10:30, Oct. 28th at 6:45.
Put on your favorite costume and join us for not-too-spooky stories and Halloween fun at the library. For ages 2-6 plus an adult.
Free; registration required.


-Waukee Library Spook-tacular Movie & Costume Party
Oct. 21 at 6:30 p.m.
Come dressed in your Halloween Costume!
Have Halloween treats (popcorn, cupcakes, and candy corn!) and enjoy the movie "Monsters Inc."


-Kids Eat Free At Chili's
Oct. 30th & 31st
Bring the kids dressed in their costumes, and they eat free!
(With purchase of adult meal.)


-Haunting in the Heights
(This is JUST for adults!!
Unless you hate your children.)
$10 with food donation.
This is sooo not my thing, but if it's yours - well... enjoy yourself.


-DMU Halloween Carnival

If your husband is anything like mine, he will not tell you about this.
But it is definitely one to not miss!
Does anyone know when it is?
I'm thinking it's Friday the 29th - is that right?


-Winterset Merchant's Night
Again, not sure when this is - does anyone know?!
We went last year and it was a blast!!

-Trick or Treat at Valley West Mall

Tuesday, October 26th from 5:30 to 8pm!

Beggars Night and Family Night at Valley West Mall are Tuesday, October 26th! Bring the kids in costume and trick or treat from store to store from 5;30-8pm. Enjoy inflatable rides, crafts, balloons, temporary tattoos. All activities are located on the lower level and are free to Valley West Mall customers.

WOW!!

So much to do - let me know if there's any other exciting Halloween activities you know about!



Sunday, October 10, 2010

Some Stuff You Should Know.

First:
Valley West Mall does Family Night on the last Tuesday of every month.
They have free inflatables, contests, crafts, balloons, and all kinds of fun.
And in October, they even have Trick-or-Treating from store to store.
You know this is going to be good.
Tuesday, October 26th
Trick-or-Treating from 6-8; Inflatables, etc. from 5:30-8.

Second:
Thrift stores.
Welcome to Medical School. Welcome to thrift stores.
Love them or hate them - they are everywhere out here.
Some thrift stores are sick.
Some are pretty awesome.
Here are some you might want to check out.

-Once Upon A Child
located (sort of) at the corner of University and 100th (Valley West Dr.)

-Kiddin' Around
right next to Kohl's shopping center on University.

-Not New Shop
1140 Pennsylvania Ave.
Des Moines, IA 50316
(515)266-7610

-The Bargain Basket
522 E. Grand Ave.
Des Moines, IA 50309
(515)246-8545

-Plato's Closet
in the Target shopping center on Mills Civic Pkwy.

-Fashion Junction
click here.

-Repeat Boutique
3913 Ingersoll Ave.
Des Moines, IA 50312
(515)225-9000

-Worn
click here.
They accept ONLY designer (like real designer) brands and are pretty reasonable.


Third:
If you are looking for kid's school/learning supply stores, try here:

The Learning Post
2761 - 100th Street
Urbandale, IA 50322
United States
515.331.8008

This place is amazing.
Oh, and right next door is another quaint little kid's thrift store, that I totally can't remember the name of, but is so worth going into.

Last:
If you like interior design/decorating/vintage/eclectic/antiques/or just really unique finds, try these:

-West End Architectural Salvage
Such a cool store, but go with a friend. And without kids. Some really cool stuff, but when I was there alone I felt like I was on the set of a horror movie.

-Found Things
Amazing finds. But you have to dig...
And that is what makes shopping fun, right?!


Also, Design Sponge did THIS article on all the great stores/shops/restaurants/etc. around Des Moines.
Definitely worth checking out....


Any cool/unique/interesting stores you love?
PLEASE post them!!


Happy Thrifting.