I’m not sure how to justify the fact that I do most of my grocery shopping at Costco (household of two, mind you), but I just can’t get enough of that place. Unfortunately, there is a whopping one item there that costs just $1. Fortunately, it’s a great item — the churro. I’m not sure if there is a better way to eat fried dough. It’s about a foot long, and the cinnamon/sugar coating on the crispy exterior is absolute perfection.
Tim was a serious theater-goer before we got married, but if you think we’re going to spend $25 (two tickets) on a regular basis you’re crazy. Plus, going to the actual theater means paying to park the car a mile away, which means walking through snow, which means I’m annoyed about the whole situation before I even get there. Redbox has become the preferred movie-watching method for us. We recently rented Salt, and it was suspenseful and exciting, but also completely unbelievable and a little bit silly. And just FYI, Angelina Jolie is super creepy looking when she’s dressed as a male.
I became a frequent Goodwill shopper while I was wedding planning (eclectic glass bowls, gold picture frames) and again when we moved into our empty apartment (furniture, decor). It’s completely hit or miss — especially when you’re visiting the Goodwill stores in the city as opposed to the suburbs (poor furniture selection in the city). We recently stopped in to the Comm Ave. store and found no treasures, but decided to scan the book section before leaving. Tim found “Cold Mountain,” which he’d been wanting to read. Hardcover books are normally $2, but I asked if I could have it for $1. Worked like a charm.
Valentine’s Day may be over, but that doesn’t mean the candy isn’t still worth buying. I was intrigued by these candy hearts from Market Basket for a couple of reasons. They’re called Dazzled Tarts, and I couldn’t tell by the description on the bag if they would taste more like Sweet Tarts (delicious) or classic Necco conversation hearts (barfy). Also, the sayings on the candies are not typical — phrases like “True Love” and “Let’s Kiss” have apparently been replaced with “Just Dance” and “Text Me” and “Holla.” Now that I’ve tasted them, I can’t decide if I like them. I think I’ll stick with my jelly hearts.
I drive by Party Favors on Beacon Street at least once a day. Although I’m not planning any celebrations currently, it never hurts to have supplies on hand. There’s nothing wrong with buying Christmas plates in February, right? (It’s how you get the clearance deals, obviously.) Party Favors’ prices are a bit steep compared to the bargains you can find online, but they have an incredible selection and lots of items you wouldn’t realize you need until you’re there in the midst of it all. Plus, half the store is a bakery — complete with cakes, tarts, pies, cookies, and chocolates — so you can snack while you shop.
I paint my nails maybe once every six months. I like the idea of painted nails, but I hate the chipped-nail look that inevitably comes within days of painting. With some beauty products I follow the adage “you get what you pay for.” When it comes to nail polish, I’ve never seen much difference between the $10 bottle and the $5 bottle. I’m about to find out what happens when you buy the $1 bottle. I was in the mood for red on this day of love, so I present to you the least expensive nail polish you can buy at CVS — NYC in Big Apple Red.
Instead of Saturday brunch at a sit-down restaurant, how about a $1 donut? I sampled some amazing confections from Kane’s Donuts at a friend’s house a few weeks ago, and they’ve been on my mind ever since. I read Bon Appetit’s Top 10 Best Places for Donuts to gear up for my visit to Kane’s and then I proceeded to dream of donuts all night. The quaint shop is in Saugus, MA, but it’s 100% worth the drive from Boston (or anywhere, for that matter). It’s been around for more than 50 years, and every donut is hand cut! Kane’s is known for its honey dipped donuts, so naturally I got the chocolate honey dipped.
I love pretty much any jelly candy that is coated in sugar — peach rings, watermelon slices, sour gummy worms, etc. And when it’s this close to Valentine’s day, it’s sort of necessary to fill the candy dish. These (artificially) cherry-flavored jelly hearts are from CVS, and they’re a little bit addictive. My hope of all hopes is that they go on sale after the holiday… then maybe I can get two bags for a buck.
Has there always been a $1 basket at The Body Shop? What a great idea! This spiced vanilla soap (a “soap sensation,” says the packaging) smells delightful and will be a great addition to my stash of stocking-stuffer type gifts. (I realize the season for stockings is long gone, but sometimes you just need to give someone a little gift, you know?). I’m not a frequent visitor of The Body Shop, but I have always felt a connection to them for their planet-protecting ways. I think I’ll have to swing by a little more often!
This darling dish wasn’t created specifically for salt, but that is where I’ve put it to use. I like to have my fine-grain salt handy for when a recipe requests just a pinch, and pouring it from the 26-ounce container had become a bit cumbersome. So I picked up this dainty little thing from Pier 1 in Coolidge Corner, and it is making itself at home atop my stove. I was pretty disappointed in Pier 1 otherwise — my last visit to the store may have been a decade ago, and I expected it to be more Pottery Barn-esque. Not so. But I’m loving my baby bowl, so I’ll consider this one a complete success.
