Customer service ....

There's a lot to be said for customer service - I think it truely makes the difference and is something you will remember. 


I was in Newbridge Silverware on Wednesday and would definitely be going back, not only was the museum really interesting and something different to do the attitude of the staff members there on the day were so lovely that they added to the experience of the day. Sometimes when you are in a busy shop with a toddler and a baby in a buggy you can feel in the way but it was an enjoyable stress free experience and one I would like to repeat soon - I am dying to try our their Afternoon Tea.


Their link is www.newbridgesilverware.com


Yesterday I was doing a bit of regular food and baby shopping and noticed there was a baby event on in Boots in Navan shopping centre. We loaded up on the cans of SMA as they are selling them 2 for €16 instead of €10.99 each. Between them, the baby food, baby wipes etc. we had to get 3 baskets which is no easy task - poor hubby's arms were hanging off him. 
Let me just say I don't expect people to roll out the red carpet but it would be nice for them to be civil. I worked in shops and even in this particular company so I would purposely be mindful of not being a pain in the ass. When we approached the counter the senior member of staff rolled her eyes and pressed her bell to get someone to help her serve. The junior member of staff then went ahead with us and God love her had to double bag all our stuff as they only give the crappy paper bags. 
It wasn't too busy in the store at the time so hubby went to get trolley from another shop in the centre to put our bags into. Senior member of staff had a face on her like a slapped arse and I thought she was helping me by passing me the bags - but no, she had left paperwork there at the till and just wanted my bags out of the way. I have shopped in this branch a few times and I've noticed this person is always like this not one bit nice. It doesn't make sense to me when shops are doing so badly why salespeople can't do what they are employed to do and be civil and help customers rather than treat them as an inconvenience.


As you know I have been shopping with USBC now for a while and up to now every order has been straight forward. I order through them, they receive the stuff, invoice me and send it on.
I had an order sent to them from Amazon which was for cremation jewellery. I don't know what made me check but the item was not in fact cremation jewellery at all just an ordinary necklace even though that was what it was classified as on Amazon. I'm so glad I realised in time before it got here so now there is less hassle with returning them but I have two lessons here
1. Always, always, always double check everything - I normally do but would usually trust their category headings and also the subject matter has an emotional tie so maybe I wasn't on my game :(
2. How good Ann and Aidan are at customer service, even though I'm sure for them it was a good bit of hassle with emails going back and forth between us they made it so much easier and less stressful to me by being so nice and good about it. So a big THANK YOU and thumbs up for their service. 


That is all :D 

Another List of Shops

Hi I have put together a list of shops which you may find useful. There are a few big stores and department stores so that should keep you busy for a while 
Here's the link 
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0AqNpe32i649UdEVtR3NjcmdhSVBQdFNPQUN6LUk0a1E&pli=1#gid=0

Let me know if you find any good deals 

Sarah's Birthday - Part Two

Today not only did we have the usual 4 kids here, we had Sarah's 5 friends too ! They had great fun watching DVD's, dancing and posing for photo's of themselves - first one came at 3pm and they all left around 9pm. Only getting a chance to sit down now ! 

I made some cupcakes using my Wilton Icing colours, am so delighted I invested in these they are so cool - even had kids asking could they bring some home. Gonna need a bit more practise on the piping but slowly but surely we're getting there. 

DISNEY ALERT

Just so you all know the Disney store is now offering 25% off using the code HAPPY25 - that includes sale items 

OK Brace Yourselves

OK Folks came across some offers and wanted to share them with you, please feel free to comment and share more if you have them.


Aeropostale - up to 50% off P.S (the kids range) is also on sale

Bath & Body Works - 2 for $10 on their 14oz candles saving $9 also there's a coupon code CABIN20PINK to get an extra 20% off 

OshKosh - have up to 50% off and if you spend over $40 there's a coupon for an extra 20% off  and their sister company Carters have Buy One Get One Free on some items 

Old Navy have a great sale on in their kids clothes and also in their denims, adults from $19

ELF are doing an offer if you spend over $14 you can get shipping for $1.98 with code LOVE198

Levi's are doing 25% off when you spend $100 plus you get free shipping ........

I will add more as I find them 

USBC Auctions

Okay so I'm finally getting the hang of these auctions, they are free (FREE STUFF!!!!) and I'm logging on everyday to get my points and referring new members to build up my points.


So far there's been a good range of things to bid on there was a Kindle Fire, a Kitchenaid mixer (drool!) and assorted clothing etc. 


Just come to the conclusion that for the €35 membership you pay even if you weren't to shop loads - you will be able to bid on these auctions and get your membership fee back in some goodies !


I joined at the time of the €75 membership fee but I have to admit I had gotten back my membership fee with my first order - not that it was huge but it was because it was a Timberland order and if I'd paid the prices over here, it would have been a lot more than €75 in the difference. 


Anyone who is not a member and wants to know more about this US Buyers Club please get in touch and I can give you more info, alternatively go to their website www.usbuyersclub.net  Please post any questions here and we can all share the information.

Presidents Day

It's Presidents Day over in the good old US of A so you know what that means - it's sales time !! Check your favourite shops as there might be some good offers on now

Quick get your bargains !

Just got an email from GAP to let me know there's a sale on with up to 40% off - yippee get your shopping done quick because they tend to run out of stuff soon. Woo Hoo happy shopping 
Haven't had a chance to go on yet - hoping to grab myself a bargain !

Just noticed

I just noticed there that a lot of the sale items on the disney store have been reduced again - I had my eye on a bag that I was gonna order last week, glad I didn't it's gone down to half the original reduced price.

I'm thinking of getting a few bits for birthdays etc.


Kohl's also have good offers on the kids clothes and there's an extra 20% off sale prices (the code is on their website) not bad if you are shopping in the sales and clearance !

Dean Martin - When You're Smiling

A favour please ....

Sorry I haven't been online updating my blog on Friday morning the world lost a very beautiful person both inside and out, my cousin Mandy. She showed great strength and determination in living with her illness despite all the setbacks thrown at her and in turn taught us all some lessons about life. Now she is to take her place in heaven with the ones who loved her so much. 

I ask you all to please remember Mandy's family who are heartbroken with their loss and say a prayer for them tomorrow as we get ready to say our earthly goodbye to her. She will be sorely missed from our lives but we know she will no longer suffer and is free, taking her place with the rest of the angels. This is dedicated to Mandy, one of her favourite singers and I think it expressed her feelings.

Is it worth it ?

A lot of people were wondering is it actually worth it buying online ? Well this morning I received a parcel. It contained clothes and skincare. At the risk of revealing the secret to why I look so good LOL I'm going to tell you it was very worth it. 

I've priced online a department store in Ireland (will PM you with name if you want, don't want to give them free advertising!) and compared with what I paid.

They were all Elizabeth Arden products

8 Hour Cream 50g                                                                €32                    

Ceramide Plumping Lip Cream                                                €32

Intervene Skin tone perfecting capsules                                  €46

Intervene Stress Recovery Night Cream                                   €59

So in total had I went to store here I would have paid €169 instead I paid $102 which worked out at approx €76.85 - Yes WOW !!!!! I am one happy bunny !

Birthday Cake

Right as promised here's the birthday cake , please bear in mind I was on strong painkillers at the time of icing lol nothing that a bit of practise won't sort out !

USBC Members

For those of you who are nabbing bargains from the US using the US Buyers Club, I have another tip ! 

There are some websites that can 'detect' you are from Ireland and therefore won't show you the US website or the prices in dollars, they will only show you the price in euro - very sneaky ! I know Guess is one of them I've tried and they will only give me the rip-off euro price 

There is a way around this - go to Google, type "Free proxy server" into the search and I usually pick the first one that comes up on the list. Basically they are no unable to tell where you are shopping from so it goes to the US website - evil genius 

Quick tip for Valentines Day

With us all being poverty stricken at the moment I thought I could share an idea about Valentines Day. It's a bit sneaky but in a good way. I know for one that I'm not into these commercially created days where Hallmark is the winner and I don't like being under pressure to be buying because 'you are supposed to'


Well I had a breakthrough the other day, was in Aldi and ladies you need to do this. Pick up a copy of the special offers magazine they have it on the window ledge after the tills. Bring it home to other half and flick through it, you will come across two whole pages of gorgeous flowers for Valentines Day and they are very reasonable throw in the " aren't they very good value ?" and then continue to say that's not what I wanted to show you, it was the car bulb replacement set for only €6.99


Do you see what I'm doing ? Just planting the idea, innocently coming across those flowers while pointing out a great bargain for him and his car LOL 


Please comment with your own ideas .........

Wrecked.com

This is my first time to sit down today got loads done, made Sarah's birthday cake, went food shopping and the usual balh blah blah of housework :) 


I will post up some pictures tomorrow. 


Us Buyers Club is in full swing and there are great bargains to be had. Some of the best advice I can give you
- Shop the sales and clearance 
- Sign up to each stores email alerts, you will get laods of emails everyday but  also sometimes special offers and extra discounts. They also tell you when their sales are on.
- Learn the American Holidays - often there are sales on around these times 
- Measure everyone in your house - I'm not kidding, chest sizes, waist, legs, bust etc. as just like here for example you may be a size 10 in one shop but not in others. This is overcome by going into the size guide on each site and making sure you are ordering the correct sizes 
- If you are searching for a particular brand remember to check dept stores and other stores that may also stock the item sometimes you can see a big difference in the prices 
- Get onto the coupon sites like www.couponcabin.com, www.retailmenot.com, www.savings.com, www.bradscoupons.com these can save you a bit extra even at sale time. When are you buying anything no matter where always see if you can save yourself more !
- If in doubt always ask, either another member you know or email Ann & Aidan as they are great with advice 


For those of you who haven't heard about this before please contact me if you would like more info.


Ok here's a link to my list that I've whipped up tonight so far, tired brain so there will be more added tomorrow
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0AqNpe32i649UdGNybzQ1UXlhSHF0OGlnUDdwNjVkcWc&hl=en_US#gid=0

Let me know if there's any problems seeing the link

Here we go !!!!

OK my first post ! Since my success with the Mickey cake for Robyn's birthday I've been bitten by the baking bug. It's Sarah's birthday today/tomorrow and I'm going to bake her cake myself. I got the Wilton Icing Colouring set sent over from the US and can't wait to try out all the different colours for icing.


Only thing is why oh why do I do this to myself - it was 4am when I was icing the Mickey Mouse cake the morning of the party and now I'm sitting here at half two in the morning and I have no idea of what I'm making Sarah ! She's quite picky so no fancy flavours just vanilla I think with a buttercream and jam filling. I'm going to cover it with some fondant icing but I am trying to think of a design and colours. Suppose I'm going to wing it ! I find that sometimes I work best under pressure maybe living in a house with a 9 month old, preschooler, primary schooler and secondary schooler is teaching me something ! 


Right so, I'm off to my leaba and maybe I will dream up some inspiration - watch this space and hopefully I can create a masterpiece to show you tomorrow.