Flea Markets Aren't Just For old Ladies

Guest post written by Kim Finn

I used to have this impression of flea markets that they were just filled full of old people. That may have been because I once went to one with my grandma, but I guess something like that will probably do it. Now though, I go a lot with my friends. I don't buy things every time I go, but it's fun just to see all of the things that you can find there.
Sometimes I'll use my wireless internet Maui to look up how much I can expect to pay for something elsewhere that I bought at a flea market, just as another way to enjoy the flea market. I've picked up a few vintage pieces that I found similar ones on ebay of for much more than I paid at the flea market.
But I also like to buy some homewares there too. I found a really interesting bench there once that I use as kind of a bookshelf and place to put a whole bunch of random things in my apartment. Stuff like that is so much better when you get it for dirt cheap.

Go Away Irene

Anyone on the east coast knows this week has been crazy.... an earthquake and now a hurricane!!!
The hubs and I live 5 miles north of the "barrier islands" that are being evacuated. We have friends coming up our way to wait for the storm to pass, so hopefully we will stay a little drier on higher ground. NYC plans to shut down all mass transit (like the trains that take hubs from LI to NYC) by noon tomorrow. I really can't ever remember storm preparation like this in NY.




Bracing for Irene!


So this morning I made my way to the grocery store to stock up on milk, water, gatorade, nonperishables, etc... so we have a 5 day supply. The store was basically stripped of all milk and water, but luckily I got some of the last containers. People really do go crazy stock piling, and that makes me crazy... so if everyone could just calm down please:)

One thing I do have to commend New Yorkers on is that everyone is on their best behavior. No one in the stores is being pushy or angry. Everyone is so polite- it really is like the calm before the storm!!!

I'm just really hoping we don't lose power. All of our power lines are above ground so slim chance of that happening. I've got cards and board games ready:) I hope everyone in Irene's path is prepared and stays safe this weekend.

Wherever you are, I hope you have a Fab-U Friday!!!!

Freddy's Fab-U Friday Finds and Baking Extravaganza

Happy Friday! My week was filled with cooking with my grandma. She is a wonderful cook and loves to bake her famous cookies.  I'm a lucky girl to be able to live in my grandma's house and have her here to show me all of our family recipie's!!! This week we made dream bars, almond cookies, jam diagonals, chocolate meringues, and mandelbread. Yesterday I helped bake Teiglach, which is one of the most fun things I've ever done!!! Teigel, literally means "little dough." They are small, knotted pastries boiled in a honey syrup.
They are a traditional Lithuanian Jewish treat for Rosh Hashana (the New Year). This honey treat symbolizes a "sweet" wishes for the new year. Once the Teiglach are made, we freeze them and then take them out right before the holidays... bam, just like new!

The end result! Pick apart with your fingers:)

After days filled with baking cookies, and tasting everything multiple times- too many times, its hard for me to want to make dinner for the hubs and I.  Wondering if anyone out there has any favorite and EASY dinner recipes for me? I mean like 5 ingredient recipes that prep and cook in under an hour!!! That seriously sounds magical, so if you want to share your secrets please comment below- even if it's just a link for a recipe you've been wanting to try:)

I found some great coupons for you to take advantage of this week:
Buy One Get One Quiznos
Firestone Oil Change $22.99- thanks Andrew Firestone (former Bachelor)
20% off and more coupons from Toys R Us
Staples 20% off any item
One Day Only 8/20 GAP 30% off purchase at GAP Outlet!!!
JCPenny $10-15-20 off
15% off Kohls including clearance!!!
PacSun $10 iff $25- think accessories if you don't buy clothes here:)
30% off Old Navy one item

Happy Back to School Shopping!!!!
I hope you have a Fab-U Friday!!!!

Freddy's Fiyahhhhh Island Friday

This weekend marks the 4th annual Fire Island weekend girls trip!!!!! This is one of the best weekends of the year for all of my girls and I to get together and it started 4 years ago at my bachelorette party- its a tradition that we are not giving up! What a great time to lay on the beach with your besties and cook good food and catch up over many drinks! The island is a barrier island south of long island.. did you get that???

We will be east of the letter A.

The only way to get to Fire Island is by Ferry (about 30 minutes). That means no cars!!! An island that is 1/4 mile wide with little beach houses and bars and restaurants and NO CARS! Now that's paradise!
I packed late last night and plan to buy my groceries for the trip now..... procrastination much???!!! We divvy up the groceries and it works out perfectly!

I'm so excited for this trip and can't wait to tell you all about it when I return!!!!

I hope you have a Fab-U Friday!!!

Freddy's Fab-U Friendship Friday

After 10 glorious days of unpacking and getting our cozy LI cottage set up, here's what we've got on our weekend "to-do" list:
-finish unpacking the 3 boxes we have left
-find curtains I like and hang them up
-get the insurance paperwork in to the claims company because the movers shoved the king size matress through our small cottage door and broke the trim off, which in turn got stuck on the matress, which ripped the new-ish latex matress (no bueno!)
-return  "waterproff" digital camera to Best Buy so they can fix whatever water damage it has
-bring unwanted items to my mom's house and while we're there take a dip in the pool and have a family BBQ
-go to the beach, jump in the ocean and layout for a nap:)
-use our brand new Weber Grill that we boguht off of craigslist (after I get a propane tank for it)

I'm pretty satisfied with the unpacking progress of our first week in NY.

I also bought this AMAZING livingsocial deal to Breath N Flow yoga. It cost $25 for one month of unlimited yoga. This week I managed to go everyday M/W/F and TWICE a day on Tues/Thurs. My favorite by far is Yogalates- a mixture of yoga and pilates. Also they do the "pose of the month" and this month is head stand, or Sirsasana. I actually did it once at the yoga studio with a spot. I thoguht I was hot stuff and came home to show the hubs, who was basically in awe that I could actually do this. I held it for a few seconds and then my legs went over and I totally bit it!!! Hysterical!
This weekend I might try the hot yoga, which is kind of scary because I don't love to drip sweat (which is why I was a swimmer!)


My studio,  headstand attempt pic coming soon...

 I'll let you know how that goes....

I've been good on couponing and saving money this week, and in honor of **Friendship Day (on 8/7/11) here are some amazing deals for my friends, YOU:


20% off for H&M Kids
50% off Joann Fabric coupon for those crafty ladies ( and men) out there
30% off or 35% off with card at GAP
$5 off $50 at Kmart
100 free business cards at Staples, deal ends tomorrow

**Friendship Day was originally promoted by Joyce Hall, the founder of Hallmark cards in 1919, and intended on first sunday of august to be a day where people celebrated their friendships by sending cards. The first Sunday in August was chosen as the centre of the largest lull in holiday celebrations. Friendship Day was promoted by the greetings card National Association during the 1920s but met with consumer resistance - given that it was rather too obviously a commercial gimmick to promote greetings cards. By the 1940s the number of Friendship Day cards available in the US had dwindled and the holiday largely died out there. There is no evidence to date for its uptake in Europe, however it has been kept alive and revitalised in Asia where several countries adopted the tradition of dedicating a day to friends. Today, Friendship Day is enthusiastically celebrated in a number of countries across the world.

I hope you have a Fab-U Friday!!!!!!!