Internet Shop Girl

I’ve always been a big fan of supporting work at home moms.  One of my favorite places to shop is Etsy.com.  Normally, I purchase unique gifts there for friends and family members.  They have wonderful purses, artwork, jewelry and accessories that are always well-made, unique and adorable.

In light of all of the recent recalls, I am going to be purchasing some of my kids’ toys on Etsy this year. 

If you are looking for some safe toys and gifts for your kids this Holiday season, consider supporting some of my favorite crafters on Etsy.

Here’s a preview of a few of the wonderful things you can find there for kids…

Custom Superhero Cape

Baby Tag Blankie

Childrens’ Color Book

Nightmare Snatcher Monster Journal

Handcrafted Wooden Spinning Top

Coloring Book and Crayon Caddy

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Technorati Tags: toxic toys , non-toxic toys , handcrafted toys , american toys , etsy , toy recalls , china , chinese toys , lead-free toys , holiday toys , unique gifts , christmas gift ideas , safe toys

Is there anything cuter than a classic pair of red long johns or a baby "ruffle bottom?" 

I just bought the long johns for my baby nephew Ben from Personal Creations.com.  I had them personalized by simply writing his name, "Benjamin"  on the flap.  My sister went crazy.  She just called me tonight and thanked me over and over again for giving them such a great gift.   Ahhh shucks.

I actually found the site because someone posted a fantastic deal on a message board I participate in. Now through December 31st Personalized Creations is offering 20% off all online orders.  Along with these fantastic baby gifts, the site offers personalized frames, photo albums, t-shirts, home decor items, ornaments and more.

To get 20% off on all of your online purchases at personal simply use the code 5426ENT.

This code expires on December 31st. 

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I was visiting a friend one afternoon when she received a sudden knock on the door.   "Oh good, our groceries are here".  She proceeded to unload three large crates full of the staples - milk, eggs, bread, butter..etc.  

I was insanely jealous.  As the mother of two preschoolers, traditional grocery shopping is a nightmare.  I would give anything to simply check off my grocery list from the comfort of my jammies (and without two whiney children in tow). 

She used a service called Peapod.com where she simply ordered her groceries online and they were delivered to her door within 48 hours.

Unfortunately, I live in a relatively rural community where the major online grocery delivery companies do not offer service. 

Needless to say, I was thrilled when I recently learned that one of my favorite online retailers (Amazon.com) started offering grocery delivery.  While the product line is somewhat limited, you can order certain staples (like coffee, snacks, mac-n-cheese) etc…in larger quantities and at reasonable prices.

If you are interested in giving the service a try, there couldn’t be a better time.  They are currently offering a $25.00 discount when you spend $59.00 or more!  Check out the coupon details below. 

Save $25 today–plus get FREE Super Saver Shipping–when you spend $59 or more on any combination of select Planters, Kool-Aid, Jell-O, and more popular brands. Use the following promotional code when you check out: KRFT2559. This offer applies only to products offered by Amazon.com and for purchases made between October 15 and November 30, 2007. (This offer cannot be combined with Subscribe & Save or other code-based offers; a full list of restrictions is listed at the bottom of this page.)

Have you tried this service yet?  I would love to hear your feedback.  Post your review in the comments section.

More Shopping Tips & Sites:

Get 20% Cash Back on Your Entire Order (account credit up to $50) when you pay with PayPal!

Toys R Us just announced that they will be offering 20% Cash Back for PayPal users up to $50.00. 

This is in addition to all of the in-store sales going on such as free shipping for purchases (of certain items) over $50.00.

It looks like a little patience has paid off for PayPal users!  

Happy shopping & don’t forget to share your finds with us in the comments section!

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First of all, I hope you all had a wonderful…and relaxing Thanksgiving Day.

Now, it’s time to get busy!  Like many of you, I spent most of the day perusing the pile of Black Friday ads.  I have to admit, I *almost* decided to camp out a Best Buy to grab the $200 computer that everyone else is standing in line for as we speak

It was tempting - until I stepped outside to bid farewell to my sister (who is heading to Kohls at 4am…yikes!)  

I am currently visiting my family in Minnesota where it is 17 degrees outside.. Frankly, a cheap computer isn’t worth risking freezer bitten toes and fingers.

Since I can’t stand missing out on the shopping frenzy, I have been sitting on the couch with my laptop frantically searching for a few more online steals and deals. 

I just found an online Black Friday forum where online shoppers are sharing (and bragging about) all of their online shopping conquests. 

Check it out.  It is a lot of fun and shoppers are offering "up to the minute" sale alerts.  (Don’t forget to click "refresh" on a regular basis!)

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My husband and I are trying to teach my children generosity and gratitude during the holidays by choosing a needy family and donating gifts to them.  As my children grow older, I will expect them to use some of their allowance money to help purchase the presents. 

Since they are still a bit little (3 & 4) we ask them to go through their rooms and pick several toys that they can donate to our local Rescue Mission.  For every toy they get, we expect them to give one away.

We all have unique ways that we share our good fortune with others during the holiday season.  I was especially excited to find this website (Changing the Present.org) that allows users a simple way donate unique gifts to charities and individuals year round via the internet. 

Here are a few examples….

• For $15.00 you can share 5 new books with needy children.
• For $10.00 provide a disadvantaged woman with their first Dress for Success experience, which includes an interview suit, a one-on-one session with a personal shopper and access to a Career Center.
• For $25.00 you can provide emergency assistance (housing, job training, medical assistance and more) for Americas’ Veterans and their families.
• For $75 you can help students clean up local beaches.

These are just a few of the hundreds of ways that you can quickly and easily donate to an online charity.  Simply choose an issue - youth and families, homelessness, military, the environment, animal welfare, AIDS, and more and decide the amount you wish to donate to the cause.

Learn more by visiting the site…

Alright, I’ll admit…even though I am absolutely anti-Black Friday the store ads are starting to get tempting.  I am constantly reminding myself…"be patient…Monday is coming soon".

Have you heard of Cyber Monday yet?  It is the online equivalent of Black Friday minus the cold parking lots, long lines and crowds. 

Many online retailers suggest that there is a spike in online purchases the Monday following Black Friday.  This is often attributed to people shopping online at work after the Holiday weekend…(shhh…don’t tell the boss!)  Thus, the marketing term, "Cyber Monday" was born.

While Cyber Monday may not be the busiest online shopping day of the year, online retailers are certainly trying to take advantage of the term’s growing popularity.   Online-only retailers like E-Toys.com, Amazon.com and Overstock.com are offering special discounts and free shipping on Cyber Monday. 

Other stores such as Target, Sears and Wal-Mart will have similar sales and specials.  Many of these offers are available at CyberMonday.com.

If you are extra patient (or just procrastinate like me) you will also be able to catch some great online deals the week of December 5th.  For many online retailers this is the last week that for buyers to have items shipped before the holidays so they announce numerous "last chance" offers.  

What do you think?  Does the early bird get the worm?  Or are you willing to wait a while for some last minute steals and deals?

As I mentioned in my introduction, I am anti-Black Friday.  While I love a good deal, moonlight "door-buster" sales sound about as appealing to me as an bikini wax.

I will be spending Black Friday in my recliner with a hot cup of coffee and my credit cards by my side. 

Thankfully, online retailers (like Amazon.com) are allowing people like me to enjoy the excitement of Black Friday without being forced to stand in a cold parking lot at dawn.

Last year, I made 90% of my online purchases on Black Friday.  I got free shipping on many items, additional discounts…and yes, even a few "door-buster" deals. 

If you want to avoid Black Friday crowds and enjoy the "holiday" in the comfort of your jammies, make sure you out Amazon.com’s Black Friday page.   There will be hourly deals from 6am-6pm (Pacific Time) along with thousands of products on sale for a limited time. 

They are also offering gift wrapping for $.99 per item.  This is a tremendous deal for those of us who ship most of our gifts.  Imagine simply buying a gift and having it wrapped and shipped without dealing with long post office or retail store lines. 

The "lightening" and hourly deals won’t be announced on the site until Black Friday but here are a few great deals to help get your feet wet. 

Do you know of some additional Black Friday online deals?  Share them with us in the comments section.

If you love window shopping, or browsing through craft festivals you are going to love Indie Parade.com.  Indie parade is a stunning photoblog of handcrafted products submitted by the site designers and readers. 

It is the ultimate in online shopping simplicity.  Just scroll through the photos…and click to your hearts’ content.

Each photo will open a new window where you can purchase the item directly from the designer.

The site features products that you simply won’t find at your local department store.  If you are looking for a unique gift or just a one-of-a-kind treat for yourself, you will certainly want to visit the Indie Parade!

Plus, as an avid crafter, wannabe artist and stay at home mom, I love having the opportunity to support these talented designers.

Here’s a preview of what you’ll find at the store.

Related Reading: Unique Stocking Stuffers at Fred Flare

I refuse to pay full price for anything.  Some would say I am a cheapskate…but I prefer the term "Frugal".

I just spent nearly an hour trying to get a discount on the very last hotel room available over Thanksgiving break in Bismark, North Dakota. 

I am not sure whether I should refer to it as a vacation, or as punishment for moving so far away from my family (they live in Minnesota and I live in Montana).

Regardless, in a last ditch effort to find a "middle of nowhere" hotel discount. I found Ebates.com.

They are currently running a promotion where they are giving away $10.00 gift cards to anyone that joins.  

I just earned a 3% discount on my hotel room, along with a $5.00 joining bonus…plus a $10.00 Target card. 

So, when I factor in my gift card and bonuses my $60+ hotel room will cost less than $40.00.  Now that certainly takes a bite out of the November so-called "vacation" in North Dakota, doesn’t it?

Related Reading: Frugal Mania Blog

Use the code "TAKE10" to get $10.00 off $50.00 at Old Navy.com and you can get this  entire outfit for less than $110.

Old Navy is also offering hoodies for less than $15.00 and jeans for less than $30.00.  Personally, I am loving the new "Flirt" style right now. 

Don’t forget to check the online clearance rack too.

Old Navy practically gives away off-season and clearance items.  What could be better than grabbing a few half-off items with a bonus coupon?

Old Navy.com also offers $5.00 flat-rate shipping on every order.  With the skyrocketing gas prices you’ll probably spend more than that driving to the store!

This Code Expires on 11/21/2007.

Don’t forget to bookmark this site!  I am constantly on the hunt for new coupon codes and will be adding more daily.

Related Reading: Frugal Gift Ideas

The holidays simply wouldn’t be complete if I didn’t shock, surprise…and possibly even offend my loved ones.   Enjoy these humorous, fun-loving…(and somewhat disturbing) stocking stuffer ideas from Fred Flare.com. 

Bacon Strip Band-Aids

Self Adhesive Mustaches

…and I am sure your favorite eccentric Auntie will love this Crazy Cat Lady action figure.

On a serious note, Fred Flare.com is one of my absolute favorite places to shop online when I am shopping for something silly and unique.

They have a great gift directory that allows you to search by "Top Sellers", "For Her / Him", "Under 50 / 25" and my personal favorite…"Splurges!"  If you decide to go for the spurge…they are also offering free shipping on $100+ purchases.

Related Reading: Fancy Gift Idea

I am pretty excited about my new blogging gig for Internet Shop Girl.com  - just in time for the Holidays!

A little about me….

I refuse to stand in checkout lines. 

I will not take my two preschool aged children shopping with me unless I only need a loaf of bread, a container of milk…and a stick of butter.

I will not get up at 4 am for so-called - "door-buster" sales. 

A discounted Polly Pocket set, lounging Elmo doll or Leap-Frog system is not worth a good night’s sleep….no matter how bad my kids want them.

So…that’s me..your Internet Shop Girl in a nutshell.

Are you ready for some steals, deals & splurges?  I am. 

Post your site suggestions, wish lists and requests in the comments section.

Alrighty…enough about me.  I’ve got some shopping & blogging to do….