To the Victor Go the Shopping Spoils

I don't suppose that there are any real "victors" when it comes to Black Friday Shopping, unless you count the people who stood in line outside Toys 'R Us all night just to get the first glimpse of a Zhu Zhu pet (this season's hottest toy, according to Melanie at Big Mama). But most of us who braved the crowds last Friday did come home with the spoils of conquest.

source: readystudy-goproject.net

If you read my Guest Post over at Centsational Girl, you know I'm an avid Black Friday shopper. Not many people love crowds or lines, but I do love a nice break to do some shopping without kids!

I didn't get everything on my Black Friday List, but I came away with some great buys!

T's Aunt Marie drove myself and her daughter-in-law, Kimberley, to another town to do some shopping and we had a blast!

This was my riding companion in the back seat.

This is the crowded parking lot we were greeted by when we arrived at Target around 10 am (we went out late).

Rather than cruise the parking lot 15 times, we opted for a spot in the back of the lot and headed into the store armed with our Starbucks Peppermint Mochas.

Target was crowded, but not so awful that I wanted to curl up in a ball in the seldom- traveled automotive aisle and cry. I found an adorable baby doll for Michaela Byrd, one that does not look like it cost 24 cents to make. She even has little purple clogs. Found a few more bargains that can't be mentioned because they are Christmas gifts and the recipients read this blog (try and guess!).

Here's a peek at my cart when we were done with Target:

I really, really restrained myself. This year I've had the least amount of money ever to spend, but I had just as much fun as I have had during the years I could buy whatever I wanted. For me, it was more about window shopping and enjoying some grown-up girl time.

Kimberley had a cartful of fabulous bargains (as did Aunt Marie). She was especially proud of the DVDs she scored for $3 and some change. (P.S. Isn't her Christmas shirt too cute?)

After Target, we hit TJ Maxx. I'm sure many shoppers would be ready for a big glass of wine after Black Friday...maybe in one of these?

Purple really is all the rage this year. I saw a lot of it in TJ Maxx, Pier One, and other stores.

Aunt Marie treated Kimberley and I to lunch at our favorite spot, Panera Bread.

I almost had a heart attack from sheer joy when Marie pulled into the Hobby Lobby parking lot. I only get to visit HL when we're in Texas, so this was a special event.

We oohed and aahed over everything in the store. I found some cute square paper plates for 50% off to use for our family Christmas Eve dessert/appetizer buffet. I also saw these adorable tissues, but put them back because I didn't want to buy anything else for myself.Somehow they made it into Marie's shopping cart and she surprised me with them later. I think they're too cute to let the girls blow their noses on!

We also shopped Stein Mart, Marshalls, and Toys 'R Us (good lordy, that was madness!).

By the time we got back to Marie's house, the kids were worn out from a day with the dads and ready for a snack and a movie.
Marie found A Charlie Brown Christmas on sale at Target, and the girls and their cousin (Kimberley's daughter, Olivia) settled in for a treat.
Oddly enough, Natalie's only comment was that the children shouldn't have taken all of Snoopy's decorations down to put on Charlie Brown's tree. I think we have a budding conservative on our hands....

{Did you find any fabulous deals on Black Friday?}