I hit the bullseye at Target

Obviously no matter where you are shopping, clearance racks are always going to be hit or miss. As luck would have it, I just so happened to score a big hit with the Target clearance racks today. We all know whoever said money can't buy you happiness isn't spending it right because money can buy pure bliss - especially when you are able to purchase a lot for a little.

Are you like me? When you have money to spend you can't find anything, but when you really aren't looking for anything in particular (or broke) you find so many things you just can't live without??? Such was the case today and I'm not complaining.

I snagged an entire work outfit (skirt, tank & cardigan) for less than $35 ($34.53 to be exact w/ tax included) thanks to a little scrounging through my local Target clearance racks during my lunch break. Had I paid full price, I would have coughed over about $72.50. It's important to note the outfit is not last season and it's not at all damaged or defunct. In fact, the Target Web site is still charging full price for all 3 pieces.

A tip I can offer about the clearance racks at Target is to make sure you are really digging through ALL of the racks thoroughly. Just because the rack says 30 percent off doesn't mean there aren't items on it marked 50 to even 75 percent off. Today I almost settled for a full-priced skirt before I did a little more rack rummaging. I'm glad I did because I found a skirt in the same style, slightly different material that I actually liked better for 75 percent off. Bless you Target clearance racks, bless you.

I know you're just dying to see what I bought, so I'm going to give you the goods. Unfortunately, Target doesn't let you "right-click" and save images from their site and the Google images are too tiny. You'll have to settle for clicking the pink links below:

Skirt

Priced at $26.99, I paid $6.74

Cardigan

Priced at $21.99, I paid $12.58

Tank

Priced at $17.99, I paid $12.58

Easy Chicken Tortilla Soup

Who doesn’t love an easy, yummy and affordable recipe? If you’re like me, I try to spend as little time in the kitchen as possible and the easier (and cheaper) the recipe, the better. This Chicken Tortilla Soup recipe fits all of my requirements, which is why I’ve made it time and time again. Plus, if you are cooking for one like myself, it is great for leftovers.

My BFF Liz discovered this recipe from allrecipes.com a couple years ago and we’ve tweaked it a bit for a slow cooker. This soup is healthy and so simple, which makes it a keeper for me. Enjoy.

CHICKEN TORTILLA SOUP

Ingredients:

1. 2 skinless, boneless chicken breasts
2. About 30 oz of reduced sodium chicken broth
3. 1 C frozen corn
4. 1 C chopped onion
5. 1 C chunky salsa
6. 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
7. 1/2 tsp minced garlic
8. 1/4 tsp ground cumin
9. 1/2 tsp chili powder
10. 3/4 can of rinsed black beans

Directions:

1. Prep ingredients (chop onion, mince garlic, rinse beans, etc.)

2. Mix all ingredients in the slow cooker.

 

3. Cook on low for approximately 6 to 8 hours.

4. Remove chicken breasts and shred. Put shredded chicken back in slow cooker.

5. Serve with reduced-fat Mexican blend shredded cheese and broken tortilla chips.

[Original recipe via]

Squeeze a Boob, Save a Life

October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month and today at work we were encouraged to wear pink in support of the importance of the early detection of breast cancer.

One of our committees sold these pink ribbons for $1 to raise money for the Breast Cancer Society. Aren't they so cute??

What's more of a bargain than giving yourself regular monthly breast self-exams? It doesn't take long and you could potentially save your life.
To learn more about breast self-exams, visit the Susan G. Komen foundation's Web site by clicking here: Breast Self-Exam

It's Really Fall Y'all

This Bargain Blonde has recently become the Broke Blonde and my bargain adventures have been put on a temporary hiatus ... womp, womp. I obviously need to remember that "just because it's on sale doesn't mean you have to buy it". But do you blame a girl? I just can't resist a good bargain. Although in my defense, I literally work across the street from a shopping center which is a blessing and a curse. Especially now that our weather has changed from the horrible Texas heat to PERFECT 80 degree temps, shopping during my lunch break sounds much more appealing than a dingy break room.

Anyway, this post will be short and sweet, but I wanted to post something since it's been a little while since my last blog. This cooler weather has put me in the mood for all things fall and I wanted to make a fall centerpiece for my dining room table to match my mood.

I put this "masterpiece" together yesterday for only $15. The bulk of the flowers were pre-made from Michael's, but I added the red berry pieces in myself so I could say I "made it". Then, I finished it off with the warm-colored garland around the bottom of the vase (already owned). I know what you're thinking; I am practically the next Martha Stewart. And I really don't blame you.

Flowers + Greenery = $9.99 (regularly $19.99)
Red Berry Accents = .99 cents
Garland = $3.99
Vase = $0 (already owned)
Total = $15