Love to JBF Columbia,Mo!

I have never been so compelled to report a shopping experience as I am right this moment! I have grown to LOVE kids consignment sales. I sell and browse and when I find top quality items I BUY BUY BUY,of course! The last consignment sale I went to had a few things but not near as much as I've found the last two days at JBF (Just Between Friends) Columbia,MO. I consigned with this sale and when I went to drop my items off I was literally welcomed with open arms! I was treated like a family member and given a detailed explanation of how setup works and was also given assistance along the way when I had any questions. As I hung my items to be inspected I marveled at the organization of everything and how easy it was to find where things needed to be placed! I eagerly placed my items on the sale floor and tucked my presale pass into my back pocket for safe keeping, waiting ever so impatiently to come shop. I showed up to the presale and lucky for me the setup made it so that even though others were shopping as well, there was plenty of space for everyone to shop and move about the racks without feeling crowded. I saw so many nice things but decided to go for the items that would remain full price throughout the sale and come back in hopes of snatching the items that would go half price! All of the clothing items I scored for my little missy were name brands; Gymboree, baby Gap and First Impressions (Macy's). Here is the breakdown of my clothing score from both days....

Gymboree Tropical Bloom dress, bloomers and matching sandals $11 (my most expensive purchase) I had gotten the matching swimsuit for this line at Children's Orchard $5 fill-a-bag sale, so had to have these to wear with it to the pool!

Gymboree Ice Cream Sweetie outfit $3 (half price item)...

Gymboree Palm Beach Paradise outfit $6...

Gymboree Surf Shack shorts $2! These just so happened to be from the same line as a top that was a random grab from the same Children's Orchard's $5 fill-a-bag sale last fall (luck follows me shopping sometimes I just can't explain, haha)!

Baby Gap super adorable floral swimsuit $3... And last but not least...

First Impressions embroidered dress/top $2.50 (half price item)!

I am super excited to have completed my  daughters summer wardrobe for just a little over $25! I have recently become a Gymboree addict and noticed many of their lines at the sale! I also managed to snag the Step II kitchen set below, with a tub of food/dishes at the 50% off presale for $20!!!!!! 

And let's not forget the adorable wooden rocking chair and Wizard of Oz (Little People-style) 75th edition play set for my missy moo as well! I am so pleased with everything about the JBF Columbia sale, my consigning experience, the organization,the selection, the prices, just everything! Spread the word mid-MO mommies this sale is the place to be! If you are lucky enough and are reading this,tomorrow, May 19th, will be the last day for this sale. They are open from 8am-1pm. It is 50% off day, meaning all items without a star on the tag are half price! If by some chance you miss this sale, don't fret, they'll be back in August.......and I'll be ready!

50% off lunch meat + "day old bread" from Jimmy Johns = awesome budget sandwich!

What do you pack when you have a picnic? There's the fruit, the deli meat, the chips, the drinks, dessert maybe? Well here are some secrets I've stumbled on to jazz up your picnic, yet keep you on a budget! 

I stumbled across this first tip by accident a few years back when grocery shopping later than usual. The deli at our local Walmart was about to close and all I needed was some turkey lunch meat for my little guys lunch. The guy at the counter told me that within the last hour before close all pre-sliced meats are 50% off! They can't very well sell those slices in the morning so if there are any pre-sliced meats(and by that I mean their more regular meats that they have cut to pack readily throughout the day to save time cutting per order) snatch em up! 

What you're going to do next on the way home is swing by Jimmy Johns and buy a baguette or two of "day old bread" which will run you anywhere from .15-.50 cents a baguette depending on which one you go to. I can't guarantee that they will always be available, but I've never had a problem getting a few anytime I've needed!

Both of these tips would be great to use for picnics or to surprise someone with a packed lunch upgrade (the bread totally MAKES the sandwich at Jimmy Johns). I  have even thought of doing this for one of my kids birthday party food ideas! I have so far always gone for pizza, but next party I will definitely try making subs from day old bread!

Also, I have used "day old bread" to make garlic bread and it can be used in other variations as well (I saw somewhere where someone made cinnamon toast with it ,yum). So go get your 50% off deli meat, your "day old bread", and sit there eating your grub with a smile on your face knowing all of your sandwich supplies ( to make 3 or 4 baguettes worth of sandwiches) cost the same as a slim 4!