My CAP brag

Alright, everyone in my house has been asleep for hours and I really want someone to share all my great baby finds from this morning. Looks like I turn to the web.

So, off and on I talk about the great deals I find at CAP, the community thrift store in town. Today was 50% price day and I found some really nice things.

Most of it will be going to OUAC, but there is a nice pile for baby girl, and a few things for Noah as well.

I wanted to show it off to someone because I'm excited to find such nice things for baby so I took some pictures. Yes, I'm actually going to post pictures. For those who know me well, you probably think it is absurd that I haven't done this before. Yep, the girl with the photography degree and two big fancy cameras doesn't post pictures. The worst part of it is that tonight's pictures are from my cell phone. You'll just have to bare with me, as the pics aren't that great. Everyone was sleeping so I didn't want to go trying to find a chair in the dark and pull my camera off the shelf in the closet.

This is what I found today.
I know the pictures aren't that great, but at least if will give you an idea. You'll have to trust me that things look much cuter in person. Looking at it now the only things that still look good are the little white GAP dress and the Charter's jean and t-shirt outfit.

Everything was $.50 except for the little pink coat which was $1. All in all I spent $11.50 on her today. Most of the items are Charters or Oshkosh. There are maybe 3-4 Gap pieces and then the rest is a mix of other brands. The first picture is newborn, the next two are O-3M, the two after that are 3-6M, and finally the last two are 9M with the pair of Sketcher khaki pants being 12M.

Hopefully this will encourage some of you to head over and check out CAP. Kids clothes are regularly $1, with the Tween size pants $2. All kids coats, snow pants, boots, and shoes are $2. They have adult sizes also, but it is harder to find high quality, good condition clothes in the adult sizes.

They have an advertised 50% off day once a month, but often have sales thought the month on random days. It depends on how much is donated and if the racks are getting too full. It's not uncommon for them to have a $.50 sale where ALL shoes, and clothing (including outerwear) are $.50.

They will also have a book sale once in a while. Put as many books in a bag as you want for only $1. Over the past two years I've found beautiful pop-up books, story books, educational books, coloring books, books that make sounds, and more. Noah has a great love for books, and I think it is because I've been able to get him so many wonderful books of all kinds over the past two years.

Free all day wrist bands for Mall of America rides

Today I figured out how to get free wrist bands for the amusement part at the Mall of America. I'm feeling rather proud of myself so this one, but I am sure there are people all over the Twin Cities who realized how to do this a month ago.

Here's the deal...

From November 27 through December 24, TOMORROW, MOA is giving away two free all day wrist bands to anyone who brings in a total of $250 in receipts spent anyway at the mall. Some of you are probably thinking, "Man I've spent that much and more." well others are thinking, "$250 for a couple of wrist bands, come on Esther, where the deal." Here's the wonderful little catch I learned today to make this a great deal.

On the lower lever of the West end, (Right under Rybicky Cheese and Best Buy) there is a Holiday convenance store. Yep, just like the gas station, but with fake pumps outside instead of real. At the store you can buy giftcards good at all Holiday locations. Simply buy $250 in giftcards, take right next door to the mall custmer service desk and ask for your free passes.

I realize you still need to put out $250, but everyone uses gas. Even we spend over $250 on gas each month with all Jason's driving to school. This is a great way to earn a little extra bonus on something that you usually don't get a discount for.

I haven't rested it with just one reciept for a $250 giftcard. My dad bought 2 $50 giftcards this afternoon to round out his $250 needed for the wristbands and had no problems at all. He recieved a reciept for the wrist bands. It can be redeemed at the park for the bands. The one slight catch is that it expires at the beginning of March so it must be used before then.

If you have a few last minute gifts left, or just want a little extra treat for buying gas head on over to the mall in the morning and grab your giftcards.