How To Attack Black Friday

Ok kids, say hello to Danielle- a friend of mine who consistently cracks me up with her sarcasm and is an awesome girl that I’ve gotten to know over the last year.  This girl is THE expert on all things Black Friday.  So, being as how it’s officially a week away, here is a game plan that may get even me out to the stores.  Or keep me at home because I’m terrified Danielle will plow me over…  Either/or.

Amy asked me to write a guest blog sharing my Black Friday tips, tricks, and survival strategies. I’m not a blogger (this is actually the first blog I’ve ever written) but I love Amy’s blog and I’m excited to contribute!

Black Friday is my favorite Holiday of the year. As a kick off to the most wonderful time of year, there is no other shopping day like it.  Football fans have the Super Bowl, baseball fans have the World Series, hockey fans have the Stanley cup, Michael Phelps has the Olympics, and shoppers, well, we have Black Friday. You do not have to be “Pro” to participate in this event. However, I firmly believe there should be an application process to shop on this day. Unfortunately there isn’t, so dodging the “minor league” players is all part of the fun!

I have shopped on Black Friday every year since I can remember. I “trained” with my mom until I was old enough to drive and go by myself. Mom taught me that Black Friday requires preparation. Just like a marathon runner would not run a race without a training plan, you must also prepare if you want to be successful. You need a clearly identified goal and plan of execution.  And though mom was my teacher, I do highly suggest going it alone on Black Friday. Friends and family members will only hold you back. All the Christmas decorations will be on display and shiny items only prove distracting for the inexperienced shoppers. Don’t let their lack of commitment to the plan effect your success. On Black Friday…YOU control your destiny.

I assure you, hold true to these tips and you will not be left crying in your car in the Macy’s parking lot at 5:45 a.m. because you missed a sale. You will not be one of the sad souls holding up the line because you can’t find your coupons. You will not be aimlessly wandering each store, randomly grabbing things. You are on a money saving mission. Your patience will be tested. Your desires questioned. Follow my simple rules and YOU WILL be one of the few champions who can proudly claim, “I conquered Black Friday and purchased every single item on my list with minimal stress!” You will be so on your A-game that when a sales person questions your ability to utilize a coupon, you will quickly educate them on exactly what the rules of engagement are and SAVE EVEN MORE MONEY!

Early Research and Budgeting. Every year I research any websites that are able to get any of the ads early (bfads.net is my favorite). This can be more fun than anything else. Remember to keep in mind that fake ads are sometimes released by stores, but the real ads come out in the paper on Thanksgiving Day. This step leads me to my first “official” tradition: Before Thanksgiving day, I make a list of each person I need to buy gifts for and then the amount I have budgeted to spend on them. This helps me not overspend or go into debt for Christmas. Next to their name I write down 5 or 6 gift ideas for each of them that fit into my budget.

Official Ads and Sorting. First thing I do on Thanksgiving morning is to throw on my slippers and run to the closest 7-11 and buy 2 or 3 newspapers and coffee.  I get multiple papers because sometimes not all of the ads get into each paper. As soon as I get home, I grab all the ads and put them into a big pile. I sort through the pile and pick out all the ads I want, throwing out everything else so nothing is mixed up. Once I’ve narrowed down my pile, I sort through it and circle any of the items I want.

Selections and Time of Sale. I take a Post-It and write down all the items I want from a particular store, making certain to write down the hours those items are on sale. I highlight the time because it’s VERY important. The BEST Black Friday sales are only good until a certain time; sometimes before 6:00 or 7:00 A.M, sometimes as late as 1:00 or 2:00.

Order of Attack. Once I’ve figured out the stores I want to go to, I figure out what order to go in. The order is determined by what time the sale ends and how big of a priority the item is (this year I have one major mission; all other items will have to wait until after I get the item…and I WILL get it).  

Thanksgiving Dinner. Since this is a food blog, here is where the food part comes in. I try not to over-indulge so that I’m not in a food coma the next day. I taste everything (I like) and take bigger portions of my one or two favorites. I really try to eat as normal of proportions as possible. I tell myself I’m doing it to be on my A-Game Friday morning, but I’m also trying to make healthy decisions and not gain 10 pounds in one day. My belly does not need to be jiggling more than Santa’s on Christmas morning. It’s much easier to resist the temptation of over-eating when you have a bigger goal in mind. Trust me; nothing sucks more than shopping on Black Friday with a hangover (alcohol or food). By exercising a bit of self control, I have a huge advantage. Only one GPS left for the early bird sale? No problem. I can leap over shopping carts and snatch it before food coma chic even realizes it’s there. Only one last past pair of boots left at Macys for the coupon special? Done. I’m paying for them as hangover dude is trying to figure out if Macy’s sells bottled water.

Master List and Coupons. Thanksgiving evening, as I watch Christmas Vacation (or whatever Christmas movie everyone decides to watch together as a family), I grab a zip lock bag, scissors, and the ads. Once those things have been gathered, this is what I do:

-Make a master check-list of the stores I need to go to and the items needed at each store. I write the list in the order that I’m going to the stores which is based on the times of the sales (this is where the Post-It’s come in handy).

-Clip any coupons necessary and place them in individual baggies segregated for each store. Ensure to READ THE FINE PRINT on each coupon. Most have restrictions and you want to make sure you can use them.

-Put a Sharpie in the gallon-sized Zip-Lock bag along with the master list and baggies containing the coupons. The Sharpie is used to check off items as they are purchased (or to draw a mustache on the sleeping husband passed out in the chair at Macy’s….JK…maybe).

-Carefully pick out my clothes for the next morning. Clothes usually include yoga pants, Reebok easy tones (might as well tone my butt as I shop), a tank top and a zippered hoodie. Stores can get super hot and you don’t want to have to carry around a jacket and all of your bags. Picking out my clothes the evening before saves valuable time in the morning.

-Sort through my purse and remove all the junk. I don’t want to lug around a 20-lb purse along with my shopping bags.  I keep only essentials which includes:  a bottle of water, energy bar and almonds for snacks throughout the morning (bonus tip…If you’re running low on cash, sell your snacks to other people who are waiting in line with you…it’s amazing how much you can get for a bag of fruit snacks at 4 in the morning). Finally, I get out two big reusable shopping bags and then set my alarm and try to get a good night’s sleep (I usually feel like the kid in the Disney commercial).

Day Of. After my alarm goes off, I take a quick shower, add some simple makeup (this is the day you will run into someone you don’t want to see at the store), grab my stuff and GO. In the car I listen to Christmas music (from a carefully selected Christmas shopping playlist) and execute the plan I designed the day before. I go in each store, grab the specific items I need, check them off the list, and get to the next store as quickly (and safely) as possible. I try to stay focused on my goal and ignore all the craziness around me. If I have to wait in a line, I play on my phone or look at my list and plot my next conquest. I try not to impulsively buy anything that is not on the Master List unless it’s an amazing deal I somehow missed while going through the ads.

Success! Once I’m done shopping (usually by noon or 1), I come home, warm up some leftovers and take a nap. Nothing tops sleeping in the sweet satisfaction of shopping success!

Easy, right?

What are your shopping tips for Black Friday???

Bed Time

I’m glad you all enjoy getting a little laugh out of my misfortunes.  So do I. :)

The door thing the other day was a total freak accident and I still can’t nail down specifically what happened.  Had I gotten stuck or actually hit the ground, it may have not been nearly as funny.  Well… to me.

I’ve had a history with glass doors.  We don’t get along.  I may or may not have walked into one at my friend’s wedding (hey Erica- I know you’re laughing right now… ).  Funny thing was, I wasn’t really drinking so much as just not paying attention to the fact the door was closed when it had earlier been propped open.

Did I mention I shattered it?  Yep.

I’m a hazard to myself.  And it’s been discussed with Megan that I should probably consider incorporating bubble wrap into my wardrobe.  She suggested it.  I declined.  I doubt it would be very slimming…

But anyways, let’s talk about something else.  Like how I’m gonna have these basic leftovers for lunch the next couple of days:The salad got the front spot because it’s much prettier.  As delicious as the spaghetti squash is, it’s quite ugly the morning after. But then again, who really looks good the morning after anything? 

I also finished Chelsea Chelsea Bang Bang yesterday.  It was fantastic the whole way through.  I even laughed out loud on more than one occasion when reading it alone in a public space (be careful of this if you embarrass easily).  I’ve now read her two latest and the library has her first book on hold for me.  I feel sorry for whoever’s book I read after finishing all of Chelsea’s.  There are high standards, people.  High standards…

One thing that bothered me is how I slept past my alarm again yesterday morning.  This is great for logging hours of sleep (most likely I could use it), but not so great for my workout schedule.  There’s not much to be done about this other than (1) go to bed earlier so this stops happening or (2) suck it up and do my whole workout when I get home from work late.

I sucked it up.  And went after work.  And because I had no time to wait around for the treadmill to open up, I did the elliptical (and will not complain!) for 25 minutes, did some ab work on the exercise ball, and then jumped on the stairmill for another 15 minutes.  Done and done and done.  Still made it home in time for Modern Family.  How’s that for efficient? 

I even tried something new last night:A different kind of sleepytime tea.  Because I’m ridiculous in Trader Joe’s.  And it’s cheaper than the Celestial teas I’ve seemed to form an obsession of.

Verdict?  Just as good as the other stuff.  Score!  I like drinking it because my body knows that I’ve entered my routine and will be in bed shortly. Oh the mental tricks you can play on yourself…

What’s your bed time?  I say 10:00, but am usually lucky (as in 99% of the time) if I am in bed before 10:30.  I should really start shooting for earlier…

Things Worth Celebrating

Since yesterday was a rest day, I had quite a bit of free time on my hands.  This rarely happens, but I took it as a sign as maybe I should cook again.  Because even little things such as rest days should be celebrated, right?

If you remember, I did a review of  Uncle Sam’s cereal a few weeks ago.  I had considered doing some sort of honey glaze, but went a different route with the breaded parmesan.  This was amazing, but then Tracey left me drooling over what she came up with. 

Last night I remembered this and said ”YES, that’s what I’ll make”.

Then I immediately said, “CRAP, I don’t have soy sauce”. 

What respectable cook doesn’t have soy sauce on hand?  (don’t answer- that’s an issue we can address at a later time)

So I tried something a little different. Enter balsamic vinegar and honey.Trader Joe’s really wanted to make sure I had enough balsamic, huh?

So I mixed it with a little honey and to dip the chicken into:Then I did a little shaky shaky with the cereal in a ziploc bag…Throw some sliced almonds on each piece, and then bake for 20 minutes (or um… until it’s done in the middle- duh) at 350 degrees.  Then, pair it with some sauteed veggies.Voila!  Perfect meal.  Granted, I wish I had the soy sauce like Tracey did…  would have given it more of a kick.  But hey- it was still a win in my book.

In other news, this Saturday is Boss’s Day.  How they let Boss’s Day fall on a Saturday, I do not know.  But either way- do you do anything for your boss on this day?  Or if you’re the boss, do people usually plan stuff for you?

Jaime and I celebrate for our two bosses.  Just… in a different way…Clearly I’ve edited the photo for privacy reasons, but you get the point.  Last year, we filled our supervisor’s cubicle with balloons.Our main boss seemed a little disappointed to not be in on the fun, so this year we took the “post-it everything in his office” approach.  It worked out really well that he’s out for a couple days.

I really have no idea how boring our office would be if we weren’t around to keep it interesting… And it’s always in good fun- that’s important to remember. 

Do you ever pull office pranks?  I’m sure Jaime and I wouldn’t mind some new ideas! 

Happy Friday everyone!!!

The Only Thing You’ve Ever Given Me

I have no idea how this week came about- I’m usually never this busy.  I seriously did get three meals out of the Gibson’s leftovers.  I froze the steak to use at a later time, though- because I couldn’t find time to fit it in this week.  The salmon and potato made a tasty lunch.  The broccoli and spinach got mixed into a veggie scramble (ok, that required a pan and an egg- big whoop).  I went out to eat with my friend tonight.  Leftovers for lunch tomorrow.  Out to eat tomorrow night.  Lunch club Saturday.  Sushi with my lovely Annie Saturday night.  Whew…  This is not normal.  Nor ideal- I’m much better about watching what goes in when I make it myself.  But I’m doing pretty well with the portioning…

So I mentioned eating out tonight.  A guy friend and I got into a huge debate one night and have continued it on various occasions- Jason’s Deli vs. Subway.  I think this debate is absolutely ludicrous.  Jason’s is the clear winner.  The sandwiches are stuffed to the max.  The ingredients are WAY better (uh hello- did I mention the one time I had something crunchy in my chicken there?  Yeah- sick).  And the selection is amazing- way better than the generic subs Subway has to offer.  Now, I eat Subway (obviously).  And will continue to eat it every once in awhile- except probably not the chicken again…  But he had never had Jason’s and tried to convince me.  So I took him there to prove him wrong.  And what did he say?

“That’s a damn good sandwich, Amy.”

I know.  It took a lot for me to save the half of the Chicken Santa Fe that I did.  But it’ll soooo be worth it.  And yes, I think I recruited another fan.  Jason’s Deli should really send me a few coupons for free subs with as much promotional work I do for them.  Just sayin…

Mon and I went to see Youth in Revolt last night.  It was pretty funny- I simply adore Michael Cera.  We were cracking up through the entire thing.  Before it, as well.  We sat behind an arguing couple.  I kid you not, the argument ended with the girl stating this fact:

“The only thing you’ve ever actually given me is the herp.”

We looked at each other and cringed.  And trying not to make a sound while laughing your ass off is hard…  Herpes is not funny.  But arguing about it in public can be.  And if what she said is true, it’s fucking hilarious.  And tragic.  After he passed it on, he should have at least sent flowers.  But maybe that’s just my opinion…

Moving on…

I had a serious weight-lifting session tonight.  Didn’t have time to do the full yoga workout I do on Exercise TV, so I worked on the arms.  With my sleeping pattern recently, I’ll have time to do it in the morning.  Blah…

Yeah… that’s all I’ve got.  Goodnight!

I Think I’d Be Sophia…

I texted my friend Ashlee the other day when “Teenage Dirtbag” by Wheatus came on the radio. After it was done playing, the dj made a comment that really hit me hard. That song is 10 years old. Wait… what?!?! I distinctly remember rocking out to that song with Ashlee- when it first came out.

I told her this horrible realization and how old it made me feel. She was right there with me. We wondered if it was too early to start discussing nursing home locations?

She and my friend Sarah are married or in the process of, but that’s not going to stop our long term plan- we’re going to be the Golden Girls. Yes, there’s only three of us. But we’re cutting out the Dorothy. We decided we would prefer not to have a voice of reason in the house.  It’s more fun that way.

Obviously, I would be Sophia. I like to think in my old age, I’ll be just as “kicky” and sassy as she is.  Besides… as slow as this injury is healing, it’ll only take a few more running injuries to require a walker… Plus, she acts a little senile from time to time and no one questions it.  I NEED to be Sophia.  Ashlee claimed the role of Rose. That leaves Sarah to be Blanche. Unfortunately, she was not included in the decision-making process. The conversation is going to be a little awkward. “Sarah, we decided once Chad is no longer around, you can move in with us. But you’ll have to become a raging whore first. That’s the rule.  Please go buy more heels and red lipstick.”

Florida is our top pick.  With good reason- that’s where they filmed Golden Girls.  I can’t wait.  I need to start acquiring clothing with shoulder pads…

Trip to Mid-MO Round 2

Here I am again at my parent’s house…  Good to be home again.  And the drive sucked…. again.  I left work a little after 5:30.  After all the snow had been coming down for a couple hours.  During rush hour.  It could have been worse.  But the first hour was pretty slow moving to get out of the city.  Once I made it to I-55, aka road through hell, the driving picked up.  The snow turned into rain.  And more rain.  And then harder rain.  And then light rain.  And then not raining, but puddles all over the road.  You get the point.

About an hour or two into it, my windshield wiper started to crap out.  The part on the actual blade thingie (my technical term for it) started to fly behind the rest of the wiper.  Basically causing the bottom two or three inches of my windshield wiper to be completely useless.  I became concerned about what would happen if the whole wiper thingie flew off.  That and it made the worst, most annoying noise ever.  Every time it went across the windshield.  I drove for six hours like that.  It was late- I doubt Jiffy Lube would have been open.  And I sure as hell don’t know how to change it myself.  Maybe it’s not that hard, but again, I really wouldn’t know.

Last year, my roommate and I drove through a straight-up blizzard.  This year wasn’t so bad.  Fatigue didn’t really set in until St. Louis.  Gas station coffee is my savior.  As sick as it may be.  I pretend that what I had was freshly roasted… at 11:30 at night when I’m the only person in the store.  I made it home all cracked out on coffee by 2:00- if I didn’t have to swing by Laura’s for the dress I forgot from staying at her house last weekend, it would have been a record time!  My mom was surprisingly chatty that early in the AM, so we talked for awhile before I looked at her and said, “I need to go to bed right now.”

After I got up this morning, I spent more time in the kitchen with my mom.  I’m pretty sure I assisted her in making her fourth batch of sugar cookies for December.   I told her about my No Sweets Week.  She looked at me with a critical eye.  Even she knows what I’m putting myself through.

I also finally cleaned out my car a little.  This is what it looked like:

My passenger seat is a trash can and shoe closet all in one.  This also does not include the few water bottles that made their way to the back.  And the coffee cups because I don’t ever drink it all, and I didn’t want them to spill if I just threw them down in my car (even though it looks like this, so would it really matter?).  I can’t believe how much quality time I’ve spent in it recently… I don’t even know why I’m paying rent to live anywhere else.  I’m realizing that might not be efficient anymore if I keep this up.

I’m off to help cook a super late brunch.  Really it’s just lunch with breakfast food- let’s not kid ourselves.  And I need to intervene because my mom is insisting on making me a stack of pancakes to go along with my already larger than life omelette if I don’t stop her.  aaaahhhhh! 

I also am going to attempt to make use of my mom’s kettleball and free weights.  Abs and arms, abs and arms….

The Challenge and an Ugly Sweater

 I said I’d do it. I’m not backing down! The Sugar Challenge. But I think I am going to alter the name- The No Sweets Week! My friend Laura said she might join in on the fun. I’m encouraging it. I could use some positive reinforcement… err- person to bitch to and ask, “why are we doing this?!?! AAAAHHHH I need some chocolate!” Yeah- I need that.

Although I know how rough it’s going to be- I’m looking forward to it. It’ll be a test for sure… maybe more for the people around me than for me personally.  We shall see.

Rocked out my ugly Christmas sweater at work today.  We started an office competition last year, and the response has been pretty favorable.  This is my mom’s:

This was our conversation:

“Mom, can I raid your closet for something to wear next week?”

“For ugly sweater day?  Amy, I have a Christmas sweater or two you can borrow.  But I don’t own any ugly ones…”

“Well… can I borrow one?”

“Yes, I even have a nice one from CJ Banks with a snowman.”

“I think we found a winner….”

“There’s a matching Christmas pin I have to go with it, would you like that as well?”

Yeah buddy….

Of course,  mine was not the ugliest of the ugly.  My mom totally still wears it.  But I stand by the statement that no 24-year-old should be wearing oversized CJ Banks.

The Secret Stash

I figured I’d show you what I’ve been talking about…   Here are the stashed cookies… See how tempting they are?!?!   Yummmm…..

Now here’s a not-so-close view. 

This is why I always feel so shameful and guilty… Because right next to the stash drawer are two things.  My super sexy crutches (which I successfully used in the snow today that wasn’t even supposed to stick but did) that keep me from working off said cookies.  And the scale our office has had around for the last year.  They started a weight-loss program at some point last year, but it pretty much died out.  So it sits here as a constant reminder instead.  I jump on it occasionally because I don’t have a scale at home.  But it’s right there- to make you feel horribly guilty for opening the stash drawer…

I only had three.  What???  They’re small!!!! 

TGIF.  Where’s my vodka?

Break Room Disaster

Our friend at work who knows the grocery guy brought in more “goodies” today.  When I say “goodies”, I mean three or four packages of fresh baked cookies and brownies, a package of those amazing iced animal crackers (which Christy stashed for later consumption), a large coffee cake with cream cheese icing, three packages of gourmet cinammon roles, two pies, and three bundt cakes.  I couldn’t even make stuff like this up if I wanted to.  And we’ve barely kicked off the holiday season yet!  Wish I would have taken a picture of how it all just took over the entire break room table…

This is getting obnoxious.  I’m wondering if this dude isn’t just being nice, but has underlying motives… Like to get back at everyone in the office by making us all fat.  Or maybe he’s holding resentment against me in particular- because sometimes I wonder if I’m one of the only ones struggling with this.  I may or may not have thrown a couple  of the packages away when no one was around.  I know that’s technically wasteful, but there’s still plenty of sugar and butter to go around.  I was doing it for the greater good.

It was yummy, though.  I sampled part of a cookie and the coffee cake… twice.  I failed in my battle against sugar addiction today.  But in my defense, I threw away half of my Lean Cuisine because it was disgusting.

And I worked out tonight.  Well, not my greatest workout, but it happened.  I figured the leg was better.  Until I started running.  I’ve decided it’s not a muscle anymore… You know that feeling when you just really need to pop a joint really badly?  That’s what it feels like.  Now how to fix the solution…  So I got in almost two and a half miles before I called it a day.  Oh treadmill, I never thought I’d say I miss you…  I did stairs for a bit (for some reason, that doesn’t bother me at all) and some more of that oh-so-fantastic yoga.  I read an article today that discussed in-depth all the benefits.  So even if I don’t really like it, I feel better about doing it that I originally did.  I’m a good sport like that… 

We are in the home stretch- 5k this weekend.  I really hope I (aka left leg that’s being a little bitch) am ready.

Giving Thanks

In the spirit of the upcoming holiday, here are a few things I am thankful for this year.

1. Good Family and Friends.  I love you all dearly.  I’m excited to see the family in December when I go back for my brother’s college graduation and Christmas (the two trips back to Missouri in December are the reason I decided to sit Thanksgiving back home out this year).  I’m also thankful for all of my friends back in Missouri and here.  My mom won’t admit it, but I think she was terrified I would spend Thanksgiving by myself watching the parade with a Lean Cuisine in my lap.  Granted, this would probably help battle putting on holiday pounds, but I had various invitations to join my friends’ Thanksgivings.  Which I greatly appreciate.  I’m going to Jaime’s this year and am excited about trying out her dad’s good eats!  She says he thrives on the holidays, so I’ll be more than ready for it all!

2. My Health.  I’ve been lucky so far to survive the attack of the swine flu in my office building or any other little case of the sniffles.  Another shout out to my love for running should probably be inserted here.

3. My Job.  I may complain about this or that from time to time- but you know what the unemployment percentages are.  Enough said.  And it makes it all the better that I love the majority of the people I work with.  Another reason my move has been so easy and great.

4. My Clarity in Various Aspects of My Life and Confidence in the Future.  The rose-colored glasses are off (as Jaime said once).  I know what I want and refuse to settle for anything less.  It takes a while to actually get yourself to face it, but once you do, it really is a weight off your shoulders.  Everything’s looking beautiful!

5. My Sarcasm.  Because someone’s gotta be grateful for it. 

6. My Apartment.  I love my cozy little nook.  In my lovely little city.  Next to my wonderful big city.

7. My Discovery of Trader Joe’s Wine.  And this also goes along with being thankful for the close proximity of the Trader Joe’s next to my apartment.  This could also be dangerous for my wallet, but we’ll worry about that later.

8.  The Monday night CBS lineup and Grey’s Anatomy.  I heart Sheldon.  And McSteamy…

9. That I No Longer Work Retail.  In college, it was the most stressful time of the year, the schedule always sucked, and people were straight-up mean for no reason.  I cannot stress enough how happy I was to finish working my last holiday season (which in retail world, technically extends through a good majority of January- returns… shoot me now!!!).

10.  The combination of chocolate and peanut butter.  It doesn’t get any better.  Another reason why I’m that much more grateful for my love of running…

So yeah… that’s what I’ll be thinking about alllllll tomorrow.  That’s a lie.  It’ll be the friends, family and food part.  Besides, it’s not Monday and Grey’s Anatomy will probably be a rerun… 

Happy Thanksgiving!!!!