A Shopping Spree - Nepper Style

If you'll remember I was "gifted" a Value Village shopping spree for my birthday, and I finally got the chance to go a few nights ago. Now I know, most people don't equate a shopping spree with Value Village, but when you get to spend $100, it goes a long way! (and then once I spent $100, I got $50 off of that with my coupon). I'm now fairly outfitted for winter, for a grand total of $70 (I went a little over my $50 limit!).

I went on a Tuesday night, which I've read is the best time to visit thrift shops. Mainly because people generally have the most time to donate items on the weekends, so then you need to give them a few days to sort it and price it and get it out on the racks. I definitely saw the benefit of going on a Tuesday. So many great deals to be had!

Here are some of the items I was able to scoop up...for cheap!

This dress from Reitman's just screams "me" to me, and I love it. Not to mention its super flattering. So I had to buy it, even though in our current temps I likely won't be wearing it for months!
Even better...tags still on. Regular $40 at Reitmans, got it for $15.99 at VV.
Another fab dress. This one also from Reitmans. A lovely black linen dress. Its quite tailored, so I also found this one to be quite flattering. The plan is to wear it to the Hubby's staff party tonight, with my fab green cardi from Reitmans as well (scooped that one up off the 70% off clearance rack for $4!).
Doesn't show the regular price, but I paid $18.99. A little pricey for VV, but I adore the dress!
A cute white sweatery/jackety thing. I love these things. $8.99.
Oh my word, I love this sweater. Seriously, I'm living in it. So soft, so cozy. Another $8.99 steal!
A cute purple wrap-around sweater from Suzy Shier. Not as flattering as I had hoped, but super cozy nonetheless. Might end up being an around the house type sweater. $8.99 ish.
Now this sweater I just had to buy. Never really seen anything like it. I love the giant wooden buttons! It has a fitted waist, which makes it so flattering. From Urban Outfitters, with tags still on! I paid $12.99. I reminds me of my dear friend Sarah, what do you think girl?
I love the detail on the back...
I picked up two pairs of pants. These grey ones are still a touch snug, but for $2.99 I had to buy them. I'll add them to the "post-Christmas" pile!
Finally, I wanted to show this great Bluenotes hoodie. I adore it. The pattern. The colors. Mmm, delish. I think it was $9.99, which is a bit much, but again, couldn't pass it up!
I love the ruched pockets!
So there you have it folks. $120 goes a long way at thirft stores (there's probably another 5-6 items I didn't put pictures of). I'm hoping to get a nice picture of the Hubster and I tonight pre-staff party. If the dress and cardi don't work together, I also picked up a pair of the most comfortable dress pants I've ever owned, so they are on back up.

Rob is finishing up his last week of trade school (like last week, EVER!). Its been a week of tests, tests, and more tests. He wrote his NAIT final last Friday (got 84%), handed in his practical project on Wednesday (a desk), wrote his Provincial final on Thursday, and today he writes his Red Seal. Red Seal meaning that he would be recognized as a journeyman carpenter in any Province in Canada. AKA, a very big deal! So its been a bit of a crazy, stressful week around these parts!

Its hard to believe that its been 4 long years since Rob started his apprenticeship. Every time he is in school that means 8 weeks of EI (Employment Insurance), so tight times. You do come out of school with a raise, but during those 8 long weeks, you really wonder if its all worth it (the ticket). So here we are, at the end of the road. So happy to be done! I'm so proud of Rob for sticking it out, and doing his best! Congratulations, you deserve this Babe!

So tonight his company is having their annual Christmas party at Northlands Agricom. They essentially built the thing, so we have a bit of a "in" around those parts, so every year we return. With a staff base of 300-500 people in the Edmonton area, its no small affair. They have to rent an entire hall at Northlands! The evening is generally the same, cocktails, then a buffet-style dinner, long speeches, and then a DJ for some dancing. We are thinking we will skip out before the dancing starts and get out to a movie. Its been ages since we've been to one, and it seems much more enjoyable rather than watching the higher-ups make fools of themselves as the evening progresses. Sigh, a given at any company Christmas party...

Is anyone else in shock that its Christmas in exactly one week? Wow!