Our Neighborhood Radio Shack Store is Packed with Options to Bring Our DIY Tech Projects to Life #LetsDIT #shop #cbias

I am a member of the Collective Bias® Social Fabric® Community. This shop has been compensated as part of a #LetsDIT - Do It Together social shopper amplification for #CollectiveBias and its advertiser Radio Shack.

It's no secret how much every member of our family embraces technology.  With my husband working in IT, we are pretty well-versed in where to shop for our various tech needs.  Those needs can range anywhere from shopping for a new mobile phone to building a custom charging station to accommodate multiple devices per person for five people.  This DIY tech project was just one of the reasons we headed to Radio Shack last week.  We also wanted to checkout the Boogie Board eWriters we recently heard about (to replace those old magnetic doodling boards we finally had to get rid of) and to find out what options there were for robotics components and kits for our 10 year old son.  The latter is not something I think a big box store would carry, but I knew that Radio Shack, who caters to DIYers and hobbyists, would.

Our local Radio Shack store is not a big one, but it is conveniently located in the largest mall in New England.  You will be amazed when you walk in the store to see how organized the store looks, while still being packed full of product.  After the courteous associate showed us where the Boogie Boards were located and we made our color choices, we noticed that there were robotics kits for children on the shelves right above them.  Then we looked to our right and saw the colored SOL Republic headphone bands our son had been hinting about.  I can't think of any other store where I can see three things I would be interested purchasing without wandering through aisle after aisle.

A small store definitely does not mean a small selection at Radio Shack.  I think their secret is that they display only a small handful of each item and replenish them as they sell out, rather than giving each sku multiple spots.  As a customer, this is fine with me.  I never need to purchase 20 of the same thing . . . just one or two.  I also appreciate being able to see everything available without needing to conduct an extensive search.

Ultimately, we purchased two Boogie Boards and an HDTV antenna.  My husband has missed watching some games on TV since we switched to strictly streaming video.  We did look at components for building a custom charging station, but decided we weren't ready to move forward with it just yet.  We still need to figure out a few other aspects of the charging station to make it look organized and user-friendly.  The associate suggested we look for more ideas on RadioShack.com since their site offers free shipping to our local Radio Shack store or to our home on orders over $25.  We also checked out the robotics components where our son could build robots from scratch, but we decided against it for now since I'm not ready to trust our 10 year old with a soldering iron.  The great thing is that we can stop back for any of the items we didn't purchase that day the next time we're in the mall!

I remember shopping at Radio Shack with my dad when I was younger than my children are now.  It's almost like going to the corner hardware store . . . you can find everything you need for your latest project and get personalized and friendly service.

It is on my to-do list to return to Radio Shack to pick an associate's brain about getting our son started on DIY robotics projects before summer arrives.  I also need to check the trade-in values of all our old mobile phones, tablets, headphones, cameras, video games, and more online, so we can come back to take advantage of Radio Shack's Trade & Save Program (not available at franchise locations).  What better way to reduce our clutter and to pay for new gadgets on our family's wishlist?

Building a Home Library For Young Avid Readers

When I was a young child, I remember going to our local free public library about once a week with my family. My parents thought reading was important and that was their way of encouraging my sister and I to read.  Also, it didn't hurt that it didn't cost them anything but their time.

Since our lives are so busy and hectic, we actually rarely have time to go to the library, except during summer vacation.  I find it easier to just order books for my children through their school to support their classrooms and to shop for books online.  I buy the most books for our oldest son, who is currently 9.  Even at an early age, he was an avid reader.  I actually do not mind buying books for him because he loves them so much and these books will get passed down to his two younger siblings.

It seemed like overnight that our son went from reading his first book with chapters to reading books written for 7th and 8th graders.  I quickly realized that I should not bother buying him books that were under 150 pages, otherwise he would finish the book in one sitting.  Now most of the books I buy for him are 300+ pages long.  Another thing I started to realize is that longer books also cost more, even in paperback.  That's when I transitioned from buying new books to shopping for bargain books and like-new used books whenever possible.  This was a big step for me because I rarely feel comfortable with buying anything used, aside from cars and wood furniture.  I have to admit that it has worked out well for us.  My son still enjoys the books just as much as if I had not paid a fraction of the price for them.

Were do you shop for books?

9 Money-Saving Tips for Parents

Parents are often faced with many obstacles when it comes to raising their kids, and saving money might be one of the biggest ones. That’s why today, we’re going to present 9 helpful tips that will help you to save money, but still be able to provide.

The desire to provide only the best for your kids is something all parents have, but as many can tell you, this is also an easy way to go for broke. Luckily, there are plenty of ways you can shop for the must-haves and the luxuries, while still maintaining a stable budget.

So what can you do? Here are a few tips:

1. Thrift Shops: Because sometimes the key to saving money is learning how to “pop some tags.” Thrift shops are great places where you can find items for both yourself and your kids, whether it’s clothing, toys and games, or furniture, and best of all, it’s available to you at a fraction of what you’d find elsewhere.

2. Consignment: From clothing to home décor and even more, consignment shops are great places to find high quality goods for less. On the flipside of that, if you have no more use for some of your items, you can put them up for sale for others to enjoy, while also making a little cash for yourself.

3. Make A List: It’s one of the oldest tricks in the book, and it’s still around because it still works. Before you go shopping, create a list of everything you need. This can help eliminate the temptation to impulse shop.

4. Rewards Programs: You may be loyal to a certain brand or store, so why not get rewarded for it? See if your favorite place has a rewards program set into place. Doing so makes you eligible for future discounts, exclusive promotional items, and can even sends you notifications on upcoming sales events and more.

5. Hand-Me-Downs: Have any friends or family around you with kids of varying ages? If this is the case, consider creating a system where every so often, you swap clothes. This can help you save money on having to buy new clothes once your child outgrows their old ones. Plus, if it’s still in good condition, you don’t have to feel bad about having to throw it out or discarding it.

6. Shop Out Of Season: This might sound odd, but sometimes the best times to shop for certain essentials is to buy it at the end of the season. For example, stories tend to put summer apparel and accessories on clearance to make room for their fall inventory. Likewise, fall must-haves will be discounted once winter begins, and so on…

7. Join The Club: From memberships to places like Costco or even exclusive online clubs, this is a great way to grab what you need for less. Yes, this might include a membership fee, but if you’re a frequent shopper, you will get more than your money’s worth.

8. Don’t Spend Money You Don’t Have: This might seem like a common sense tip, but you’d be amazed at how many people fall into this trap. Unless you have the money, and it’s something that tends to be more of a want or a luxury than a necessity, it’s probably best to put off buying it. Plus, eventually everything goes on sale…

9. Coupons!: Convenient, accessible, fail-safe and most of the time, they’re free! Coupons are one of the best ways that you can still shop for some of the brand name goods that you know and love while avoiding paying full retail for them.

And of course, DefinitiveDeals is your place to get all of the savings you want. Thousands of coupons are at your disposal from some of your favorite stores. Now you can save a few dollars while shopping for all of the essentials. Best of all, it doesn’t cost you anything to use them, because as we like to say, “life is meant to be enjoyed.”

To learn more, check out our official website here.

Trendy Tiffany Blue Gender-Neutral Baby Shower Gift Basket Idea!

This post has been written as part of an affiliate campaign for Zulily.  All opinions expressed are my own.

Shopping for a baby shower gift is not the easiest thing if you want to give the perfect gift.  Should you stick to the parents-to-be's baby registry?  Should you go with something practical?  Should you buy luxe baby items that the couple would not necessarily splurge on with their own money?  The answer to all the questions above is "yes"!  You can use the gift registry as a guide and easily give the parents upgrades on the items on the list.  As long as you stick with their theme and colors, you should be good.

Most soon-to-be parents will include some basic baby essentials on their registry, such as baby blankets, receiving blankets, crib sheets, basic infant bodysuits for layering, and some extra clothing.  Whether they realize it or not, these items may need to be changed multiple times per day, so they can never have too many of them.  Then add one item that can be a keepsake for the parents.  Rather than the standard sterling silver spoon, opt for something that can be useful and be a cherished keepsake once the little prince or princess has outgrown it, such as the sterling silver teething ring/rattle we found on Zulily.  If you are not sure of the baby's gender and the parent's, then choose neutral colors, such as Tiffany blue, grey, and yellow, which are much trendier than the everyday pinks, blues, and greens.

Put all your items together in a container that will be useful, such as a diaper bag, a canvas storage bin, or a Moses basket.  After all, a nursery can never have too much storage!

What you need to make this trendy gender-neutral baby shower gift basket . . . 

1.  Lolly Gags Tiffany Blue Minky Fitted Crib Sheet - $31.99 (Originally $50)

2.  SpaSilk White Bodysuit Set - $11.99 (Originally $18)

3.  Kathy Ireland Gray 'Big Hoot' Owl Bodysuit Set - $12.99 (Originally $26)

4.  Lolly Gags Tiffany Blue & Silver Zigzag Minky Stroller Blanket - $29.99 (Originally $50)

5.  Little Giraffe Silver Muslin Swaddle Blanket Set - $27.99 (Originally $47)

6.  Empire Silver Sterling Silver & White Teething Ring/Rattle - $34.99 (Originally $57)

7.  Tadpoles White Twisted Fur Moses Basket Set - $49.99 (Originally $100)

What other items would you include in a baby shower gift basket such as this?

Go Back-to-School in Style with Ed Hardy, Lipstik, and More from Sophia's Style

Thank you to Sophia's Style for providing a gift code for us to shop for back-to-school clothes and for providing an additional gift code for our contest prize.  All opinions expressed are my own.

Just like with my Holiday shopping, I do a large percentage of my back-to-school shopping online.  I recently added another affordable children's clothing website to my list of go-to sites . . . Sophia's Style.  This site offers everything from stylish school-friendly clothing to Halloween costumes from brand names, such as Ed Hardy, Lipstik, Rothschild, Capezio, Baby Togs, and more.

Although Sophia's Style does offer fashions for boys, the majority of the site is devoted to not just girls, but fashion-forward, loving-life, full-of-personality, confident girls.  Because I had a coupon code in June, I was able to order two complete outfits plus an adorable handbag for my daughter for just $51.16 shipped!

Since the temperatures here sometimes remain in the 70s through October, I chose items that could carry over from the warmer weather into fall.  The first outfit consists of the Ed Hardy Turquoise Blue Love Eternal Designer T-Shirt and the Lipstik Girls Denim Print Rhinestone Studded Mini Skirt.  Both pieces are decorated on the front and the back, so our daughter can make a statement coming and going.  During the hot and humid weather, she wore this outfit with a pair of Lycra shorts underneath.  For the fall, she can layer a pair of leggings underneath instead and finish off the outfit with a pair of stylish boots and a hoodie or a denim, twill, or faux leather jacket.

The second outfit pairs the RMLA Pink White Pattern Sequin Butterfly 2pc Leggings Outfit with the Poochie & Co. Girls Cute Fuzzy Sequin Duckling Zipper Purse.  This outfit is stylish, comfortable, and playground-friendly.  For the fall, we could replace the white capri leggings with a pair of jeggings and add a cropped cardigan with a pair of ballet flats or canvas shoes.

My daughter loves the rhinestone and sequins trend.  Both tops and both bottoms are embellished, as is the plush handbag.  Our daughter is just crazy about ducks, so I knew she would love this crossbody bag with or without the sequins.  The extra sparkle is just an extra perk!  The strap was slightly long for her, so I knotted it to make it shorter.  This Poochie & Co. bag also comes in 9 other style choices, including a panda bear, a unicorn, and an elephant with large sequined ears.

Right in time for back-to-school, Sophia's Style is offering Free Domestic Shipping on orders of $75 or more.  Flat rate shipping within the U.S. is just $7.99.  Also, if you sign up for the Sophia's Style Newsletter, you can save 20% off right away on all regularly priced items in your order with a promo code.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Good luck in the drawing!

This giveaway is open to U.S. entries only. You do not need to be a blogger to enter, but you must have a valid email address and be age 18 years or older. A random number drawing will be held shortly after the contest closing. The winner will be announced here and will be contacted via email. If the winner does not respond within 48 hours, a new number will be drawn.

5 Must-Have Items for Summer 2013 from 'The Hot List'

Thank you to J.Jill for providing The Hot List graphic below and for sending me a gift card as a thank you for taking the time to participate in this campaign.  The image above was created by me on Polyvore.  All opinions expressed are my own.

Whether you're building a brand new summer wardrobe from scratch or would just like to round out your existing one, there are a few items that are a must.  This year we are seeing a lot of washable linen separates in tropical solids and prints.  My favorite of the bunch are coral, turquoise, and watermelon pink.

9 of the 10 item's on this summer's The Hot List from J.Jill are featured in the graphic below.  From their list of 10, I think the following 5 are absolutely essential . . .

1.  Comfortable Tanks - If you are to survive the heat and humidity where I live, comfortable tank tops are essential, no matter your size or shape.  Pick up some in neutral colors, such as black, linen, or white, and then a few more in your favorite tropical brights.

2.  Shorts in Neutral Colors - Several pairs of Bermuda or walking shorts in easy-to-match colors will make summer dressing that much easier.  They can be paired with a casual tank top or a dressier peasant top.

3.  Lightweight Cardigans or Sweaters - One or two summer-weight cardigans would be perfect to throw on during the milder summer nights or when you find yourself in an air-conditioned restaurant or theater.  Choose one that would work with denim capris, linen shorts, or your favorite summer dress.

4.  Basic Summer Dress - Owning at least one basic summer dress will likely get you through most non-formal occasions during the summer months.  I prefer tank dresses because they are cool, comfortable, and can be dressed up or down with the right accessories, such as wrap and strappy heeled sandals.

5.  Easy Slip-on Shoes - Just as I like to slip on my laceless fur-lined boots in the winter, during the summer I want something that looks great, is versatile, and easy to slip on and off.  A simple pair of slip-on sandals is what I would recommend because they would go with most casual outfits from shorts to dresses to capris.

6.  Medium-Sized Summer Tote - (I know I only said 5, but this one is important!)  Now that you do not need to carry all your extra winter gear, you can downsize to a medium sized tote that is  just large enough for your essentials, plus a magazine or a tablet.  If you like to wear neutral tones for clothing, then try choosing a bright tropical tote for a pop of color.  If your outfits are usually bright and colorful, then choose something neutral, like linen, black, or one of your favorite metallics.


Have I left anything out?  Tell me which summer wardrobe pieces you just cannot live without.  Be sure to visit JJill.com for more wardrobe inspiring ideas.

"Win Your Way" . . . a ShopYourWay Rewards Sweepstakes Destination for Sears & Kmart Shoppers (#WinYourWay)

I am someone who loves to shop!  Since I give away so many cool products on 3G2S, I also think it's pretty fantastic when I occasionally win something myself.  Well, I have been exploring the Win Your Way Sweepstakes portal that is available to ShopYourWay Rewards Bonus Members.  These sweepstakes ask you to complete a task to be entered into a drawing to win products, including but not limited to trips, jewelry, appliances, apparel, tools, and gadgets,  or ShopYourWay Rewards Points, which seem to range from 5,000 to 25,000 points.  You can then redeem your points for qualifying products at Sears, Kmart, Lands' End, and mygofer.com.

I have to say that I was extremely surprised at the number of active sweepstakes that were available in the Win Your Way portal.  Many of the sweepstakes ask you to shop around and mark a certain number of items with "Like" or "Want", or to share these items with your ShopYourWay followers.  The "Just Kid Around" sweepstakes below asked me to mark 5 items that my children would love to "play around in."  I found this entry to be super-easy and lots of fun since I enjoy browsing for children's fashions anyway.  The "Location, Location, Location" sweepstakes only asked me to follow my favorite Sears or Kmart store location for my entry to win 5,000 points.  I highly recommend that particular sweepstake if you are looking for one with a quick and easy entry.

(Click any image to enlarge)

Once you have entered a contest, it will show up in the "My Sweepstakes" tab, which you can visit to see all your complete or incomplete entries.  Both this tab and the main sweepstakes page also shows you how many entrants there are in each contest.

The ShopYourWay's sweepstakes portal is extremely user-friendly.  If you have questions, just click on the "FAQ" tab to bring up the window below.  This window contains frequently asked questions, including how to become a ShopYourWay Rewards Bonus Member for free.  Just click on each question to reveal a concise easy-to-understand answer.  You will receive an email confirmation for each sweepstakes you have successfully entered.  All winners will be notified via email and on the online newsfeed.

For every Win Your Way Sweepstakes entry, there is no purchase necessary. See this page for details.


This is a sponsored post with Brandfluential.com. I am a "Win Your Way" blogger, though all opinions are my own.

It's Christmas in July at One Kings Lane on July 4th!

Have you started your holiday shopping yet?  I have!  I usually start much earlier than July, but money has been extra tight this year.  It does take me that long to find the perfect gift for everyone on my list at an especially good price.  Some people wait until after their back-to-school shopping is done before they start and some need to get through Thanksgiving first.  Not me.  I'm a multi-tasker.  I can shop and do one or more other things without blinking.

Keep your eyes open all month long for Christmas in July sales from various retailers, starting with One Kings Lane, who is having a July Fourth Blowout Sale in their most popular departments.  Home furnishings always make wonderful gifts, especially if you find something of quality that is also unique and being sold at a great price . . .

Decor & More

Table & More

Kitchen & More

Gifts & More

Vintage, Antique & Unique

If you end up shopping at One Kings Lane or somewhere else this July, make sure you come back and tell me what cool gifts you ended up finding.

Online Shoppers-in-Training

I have stated again and again that online shopping is the way to go as far as I am concerned, especially when I am look for something specific.  I can hit several online stores in the time it takes me to go to one store locally.  Do not misunderstand, online shopping does not replace a leisurely trip to the mall filled with window shopping, bargain hunting, and Auntie Anne's Pretzels.  It does, however, take the place of driving from one store to another and waiting in long lines with children who may or may not be cranky that day.

Surprisingly, my children do not mind my shopping online for them.  I usually put everything in my shopping cart that they can choose from and they just tell me which ones are their favorites.  This helps to avoid the awkward "There is no way I am spending that much money for a t-shirt you are going to outgrow in 6 months" talk.  My children also understand that I can find almost anything online, whereas that is not true when shopping in-store.  They have experienced the excitement of going to the toy store for a special toy and then the disappointment when they could not find that exact toy.  In fact, I think that my children prefer knowing that an item has been ordered for them and will be on its way soon than my telling them that we will try to go look for it at the store next weekend.  The item may still be arriving next weekend, but I think they like knowing that the deal is done.

There is one last perk about shopping for clothing online for my children.  Many of the sites I purchase clothes for the children, also have something for me.  When I shop at PS From Aeropostale for them, I can hop over to the next tab to see if there is something from Aeropostale for me.  The same thing goes for 77Kids and American Eagle, as well as Old Navy.  I can checkout all at once and somehow it negates the guilt of shopping for myself because I am also buying clothes that the children need while saving on combined shipping costs.  (Don't you just love the way I rationalize?)  I only wish that sites with multiple divisions and one shopping cart would have universal coupons.  For example, if I find some free Aeropostale coupon codes, they usually do not work on the PS merchandise.

How do you and your children feel about shopping online?

How to Avoid Online Furniture Scams

4 ways not to get taken for a ride when it comes to buying furnishings online . . .

Online shopping has become the norm for folks looking for the best deal or those who prefer its privacy compared to conventional in-store shopping. Gone are the times when you would drive around town looking for the best deal on a bedroom suite. Thanks to technology, you don’t need a vehicle to drive from shop to shop, only a computer or a smartphone with wireless connection to shop till you drop!

Unfortunately, with millions of shoppers choosing to do business online, online furniture scams have become very rampant, especially when it comes to so-called discount sales that lure shopping in with promises of quality items at jaw-dropping prices. Scams occur when online dealers disappear off the face of the earth once you’ve paid, and before your furniture has been delivered.

Don’t be a story of online tragedy. Protect yourself and your hard-earned money by purchasing furniture from a reliable source. Avoid falling victim to online furniture scams by protecting yourself in the following ways:

1. Do your research -  I know online shopping is supposed to be fast and convenient, but not so fast that you (the shopper) don’t do the proper research. Seek out online furniture stores with decent online ratings and favorable reviews from other shoppers. Of course not all online reviews are legit, but you can sniff out a phony store if all the reviews are glowing (there should be a few unhappy customers). And steer clear of online stores with poor ratings and unfavorable user reviews. Learn from the mistakes of others.

2. Only shop with dealers who give contact information -  That means an email address, as well as a phone number, and a physical address. They should also have a customer service number you can call if you’re unsatisfied with the quality of the bedroom furniture that was shipped to you. Call the number provided before you buy, just to see if it’s a real customer service line and that it’s open during regular business hours.

3. Seek recommendations from trusted sources - Do you have a friend or family member who’s purchased furniture online? Well if you hear good things about the store they purchased from, seek out their advice and recommendations. Getting a recommendation from the so-called “horse’s mouth” can save you from getting ripped off and help you make a good buying decision. After all, if your friend had a good experience shopping online, you can feel pretty good your own money will be safeguarded from an unscrupulous online furniture scam if you buy from the same online vendor.

4. Get an idea of what the item's average price is - When buying furniture, a car, or a piece of jewelry online, it’s always wise to do some price comparisons first. If you’re unsure, browse through newspaper fliers and other online stores, and also ask friends for a reasonable price range for that specific item if they’ve purchased something similar. You know what the famous saying is…“if it sounds too good to be true—it probably is”.

About The Author
Gina M Casillo is a staff writer for Serenity Living Stores, your choice place to buy a Noguchi table. She enjoys decorating the bedrooms for her active twin boys and writing about home décor—especially when it comes to the spaces she’s most intimate with.

Choosing A Diamond Engagement Ring That You Will Love Forever

When my husband and I shopped for diamond engagement rings well-over a decade ago, we did not know anything.  We just wandered into a jewelry store at the mall and expected to see a ring that we liked and then we would be done . . . just like that.  After all, that is the way it happens on TV, isn't it?

Thank goodness we had a nice honest jeweler who offered us some guidance.  How do I know that he offered us good advice?  I know because, aside from during my two pregnancies, I have been wearing this ring since the day my husband put it on my finger.

The most helpful piece of advice our jeweler gave us was to look at a variety of certified loose diamonds first.  Once you find a diamond with the color and clarity you like in the carat weight you want (or the one that fits in your budget), then you can think about the setting.  We ended up going with a tapered solitaire platinum setting, similar to the one pictured.

To shop for loose diamonds, ring settings, or even preset engagement rings, visit Brilliance.com.  This site is a good source of information about different types of metals and gemstones, in addition to diamonds.  Be sure to educate yourself so you too can find an engagement ring that you will love forever.  And, although it may be romantic to be surprised, it is far more practical to shop for a ring together.  After all, you are intended to have this ring for the rest of your life.

Letters To Karen: A Happy Feeling

Dear Karen,

I know you have noticed that, from a very early age, your daughter has been a girly girl in spite of all the male influence coming from your two sons and husband.  I know your husband has noticed it too and he refuses to accept facts, such as a girl takes longer in the bathroom to get ready than a boy does.  Don't worry, he will eventually come to terms with the reality that he has a girly girl on his hands and not a tomboy.

I know you are not going out of your way to make your daughter into a pink-loving, pretty-things-adoring, tutu-wearing little girl.  So it was perfectly okay that, when you were last walking through the mall with your family and your daughter pointed and yelled out in delight, "Look!  Shoes!!", that you had a brief moment of that's-my-girl happiness inside.

Great Deals on Women's Fashions & Home Furnishings at Bargain Jill

There has been a huge wave of "deal-a-day" websites that bring you one or even a small handful of brand name products at reduced prices for a very limited length of time.  If you like such websites, but are wondering if it is worth your time to check them all everyday just for the chance that one site may be offering something that is a good fit for you or your family, then you might want to checkout Bargain Jill, the sister site to BargainJack.com and OneDayBuys.com.

BargainJill.com offers a large collection of deals, bargains, coupons, and more all in one place.  The content of this site is especially geared towards women.

I think my favorite deal found on BargainJill.com so far is the $10 off a $10 purchase from Pier 1 Imports!  To keep up to date on all of Bargain Jill's finds, visit Bargain Jill on Facebook and Twitter.