Stories for fellow bargain lovers

Recently I got a bee in my bonnet to acquire some new flatware, and I chose the Sheraton pattern by Oneida since it reminded me so much of the vintage pattern on a fork I found in England. Imagine my delight, then, when I visited the Dillard's in Anniston over the weekend and found the pattern's Hostess Set on the clearance table! Yes, I did indeed need the serving spoon, sauce ladle and sugar spoon, thank you very much.

So, was it marked down to $40.20? Noooooo.

Was it marked down to $30? Nooooooo.

Was it the price on this final pink sticker, $21? Noooooo. It was *half* of that, a mere $10.50 for this $60 set. I was one happy camper!

And while not a clearance item, this $3.99 set of six egg cups from T.J. Maxx made me happy as well, for I've been wanting some of these for several years now.

My niece Cari turns 13 in April, and she has requested a tea for the occasion, warming my heart with the news that she doesn't think she'll ever be too old to want a tea party. I think it will be her and five friends, so I plan to make these chicken salads in the egg cups, which will be decorated with ribbons.

And I'll close not with teawares or serving pieces but a clothing bargain courtesy of my mom. I know some of you think I'm good at bargain hunting, but I am a rank amateur next to my mother, who found me possibly one of the most gorgeous garments I've ever owned. It's a bubblegum pink trench coat, completely reversible to a delicious light pink floral print. It's from Liz Claiborne, still new with the $89 tag on it. And what do you think she paid for this lovely coat at her favorite thrift store?

Just 99 cents. When people say I'm like my mother, I can only pray it is so!