shopping Archives - Emily A. Clark

Making Mornings Easier with Big Lots

Aug92018

This blog post is written in partnership with and sponsored by BigLots.

A pretty monumental event is occurring in our house this Fall. For the first time, all five kids will be in school! I feel like I’ve reached the top of Mt. Everest–or something like that. The only thing that concerns me is how I’m going to get all the bodies out the door on time with clean faces, matching shoes and packed lunches. I’ve already started doing some strategic planning, which began last week with a trip to my local Big Lots store.

If you haven’t been to Big Lots lately, you may be surprised when you visit. They’re completely revamping their stores with a new layout and fresh design that feels lighter, brighter and all around easier to navigate. I went armed with a loooooong list of school supplies and morning essentials to make the early a.m. hours run as smoothly as possible.

First things first: I bought a new one-cup coffee dispenser so I’m not having to reheat my coffee pot throughout the morning. Next, I stocked up on lots of grab-and-go snacks, drinks and easy breakfast options. The more self-sufficient I set everyone up to be, the better!

As someone who routinely drives a full cart while carrying a big purse, I appreciate the wider aisles and more spacious layout. ;)

Next up: school supplies. There have been years when I’ve gone to three or four different stores collecting everything on those ever long lists. I was happy and amazed when I was able to pull almost the entire middle school list from one aisle at Big Lots. (And, you can’t beat the prices.) I even picked up new lunch boxes and backpacks (and ice packs and food storage containers and socks and water bottles. . .)

Last stop: checkout–and then home! The fact that I didn’t have to go to another store made me want to do a happy dance in the parking lot.

Back home, I’m already putting everything I bought into action. We’re packing backpacks full of school supplies, making lots of coffee and adding some organization to our drink fridge and pantry. (I also invested in plenty of new storage containers for lunches. We can never have enough!)

Cute glass coffee mugs also found at Big Lots. I feel fancy.

I’m all about a quick breakfast–especially when people won’t get out of the bed. I made sure to stock up on plenty of granola bars and lots of prepackaged snacks to throw in their backpacks.

There’s something I find very gratifying about a well-stocked drink fridge, even if it only lasts for a few minutes. . . Big Lots is the place to fill it up with something for everyone. (My kids were most excited about those root beers in glass bottles.)

Here’s to a great new school year and to all of our back to school mornings being as effortless as they appear to look in photos! Let me know if you visit your local Big Lots. I’d love to hear about your experience and what you think of the newly revamped store.

Thanks to Big Lots for sponsoring this post.

Did You Know? The Lowdown on the Nordstrom Sale

Jul202018

It’s that time of year again, when we’re all sweating bullets chasing after kids that need to go back to school and trying to tame the crazy the humidity is doing to our hair. Then suddenly, images of bloggers in wool coats, suede booties and cowl neck sweaters drinking vanilla lattes start showing up left and right in all of my social media feeds telling me that I absolutely need over-the-knee boots now. That’s right; it’s the Nordstrom Anniversary sale and it’s open to everyone starting today.

Here’s the deal: I do shop the sale. I don’t shop early. I do buy a few basics (tennis shoes, bras, leggings, etc.) I don’t buy $457 coats because they’re marked down from the original price of $725. I usually don’t buy anything for our home. And, most of all, I do try to remember that I have nowhere to actually wear those $300 over-the-knee boots because most people in my daily life only see me behind the steering wheel from the neck up. But, you know, we all have aspirations to look and be better with the start of a new school year/new season/etc., and I’m no different. #thinkpositive

Things I love about the sale: 1.) Free shipping and free, easy returns. So much easier to try on clothes at home. 2.) Best time to buy quality basics at the lowest price of the year–these tried and true leggings, for example. And, I might do one splurge–like this coat–because it’s my birthday. In November. ;) 3.) Great time to pick up a few things for Christmas–if I can focus.

With all of that being said, here’s an assortment of my favorite pieces from the sale. If you find anything else you love, let me know!

PS–If you find something you want that’s out of stock, keep checking back during the sale. They seem to restock and update their site daily.

The Last 10 Things I Ordered on Amazon (An Unedited List)

Jul162018

Really, sometimes I wonder how I functioned before Amazon Prime came into my life. Who would’ve thought when we all first started shopping the site that we would eventually be using it for things like coffee filters and pens and nail polish and tortilla chips and. . . What else could you possibly need delivered the same day??

I recently heard a radio show that was asking everyone to call in and share the very first thing they ever ordered from Amazon back in the day. (Mine was this book. I don’t remember ever reading it but think one of my bosses made us order it when I was in technology sales. Zzzzzzz.) Anyway, since Prime Day starts today (at 3pm EST!) and runs through tomorrow, I thought it would be fun to see how my Amazon shopping has evolved by sharing a list of the last 10 things my household has ordered. This is unedited and random, as are most Amazon Prime purchases. :)

I’m late to the party but decided to give rosehip oil a try. I’ve only been using it for a week so I’ll let you know. I will agree with the reviews that say it’s not greasy. Now I’m just waiting to start looking 10 years younger.

This was actually a pre-order for a game that will be released in September, but I was told it was of utmost importance that we had it in “our” hands the day it came out. (Happy early 14th birthday.) Are your boys obsessed with this, too?

These are a really good buy. A two-pack for $20 and great for my Summer walks. Also, they’re long enough to cover your bottom when paired with leggings. I think I’ll end up layering them with cardigans in the Fall.

I’m not totally sure who this is but I got two bathrooms cleaned out of the deal. While the idea of posters make me cringe a little, I’m trying to remind myself that my own mother endured several New Kids on the Block posters sticky-tacked to my walls in the early 90s.

Because we lose charging cords all. of. the. time. This one is thick and more durable than the ones that come with your phone.

My Summer hair could use a little oomph so I ordered this root spray. Unlike other texturizing sprays I’ve used, this one goes on at the roots when your hair is still damp and then you just blow dry it out.

I’m going to tell you that I got pretty excited when this big Amazon box landed on my doorstep until I realized that it wasn’t for me. And that it was a “fitness box.” We now proudly house this in our garage and it apparently “improves your vertical,” whatever that means. At this point in my life, I feel like my vertical is as good as it’s going to get.

I ordered this little $15 dress (in lime) as a pool coverup. It does the job and washes well.

I ordered this bag on a whim because it was $15 and I thought it might be a miracle Longchamp knockoff. It was a little flimsy for an every day purse, but maybe better as a small carry-on tote for travel.

The ukulele is still going strong in our house. My twelve-year-old saved her money and added this one to her collection. Pretty cute.

What is the most random thing that Amazon has delivered to your doorstep lately?

Are you ordering anything exciting on Prime Day? Check my IG stories and I’ll post the best stuff I come across.

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