Aug
11
For a couple of years, MarkdownMom has wanted to visit Aldi. Some have referred to this grocery store as a thrift store grocery, but like their chain membership counterparts, Aldi provides an opportunity for customers to save money on staples and specialty groceries.
For instance, lump crab claw meat usually sells for around $15.00/lb., MarkdownMom found it for $4.99 8 oz., carne picada great in burritos, tacos, and recipes requiring shredded beef for $ 3.29 /lb., 16 oz. frozen mussels $2.99, frozen huge akia eggrolls $2.49 pkg., vacuum packed sliced genoa salami $2.49/lb., 12 oz.can of frozen limeade 77¢, and fresh fruit such as seedless grapes 77¢ lb., bananas 39¢/lb., Moser Roth chili flavored chocolate bar $1.69, and more.
This might not be huge savings, but when you factor in the quality, the savings mount up little by little; MarkdownMom recommends adding Aldi to your grocery resources to spice up family meals for less!
Posted in Frugal Gastronome, Grocery, Markdown Mom's Twin Cities Tour, Stores Aldi Fresh fruit sales Frozen seafood deals Groceries for less Moser Roth Chocolate Seafood bargains Specialty fooods
Aug
02
Many makeovers and HGTV design shows are filled with great products from Ikea®. Why? Because Ikea style is a perfect fit for almost any home decor and at a reasonable price. Those glass wall sconces for livingroom or bedroom, the wall flower lights in the nursery or children’s bedroom, designer room dividers, and kitchen organizers 
offered by Ikea make their way onto redecorating shows.
Recently MarkdownMom visited the Ikea® store across from Mall of America and found a great dry erase pen noticeboard,Kludd, in a pale seafoam green. Made of glass, it measures 25½” x17¾,” it can be hung horizontally or vertically on the wall and comes with 4 clips. A stylish way to keep track of those important notes and dates! $19.99–perfect for home offices!
Additionally, the new 2011 Ikea catalog will be available this month, sign-up or stop by to get your FREE copy!
Posted in Decorating On A Budget, Do It Yourself, Education, Freebies, Home Improvement, Markdown Mom's Twin Cities Tour Designers Decorating Sources dorm furnishings home offices Ikea 2011 catalog Kludd dry pen noticeboard Laundry Cleaning Products stain glass supplies
Jul
30
Calling all crafters and designers, this weekend the Bead Monkey is having Sidewalk Sales with 50% off artisan beads, supplies, and jewelry. The Bead Monkey located in the Edina area of the Twin Cities off 50th and France Avenue South provides a wonderful assault to your eyes.
Although catering to the professional and amateur jewelry designer, The Bead Monkey also has wonderful beads that can be incorporated into Wearable Art and Fabric Design. Selections include Swarovski Crystals, Czech glass, semi-precious gemstones, hand blown glass, freshwater pearls and all the accoutrements to tantalize and inspire your creative talents!
MarkdownMom and staff filled their tray with such bargains as an agate bracelet for $10, seed beads for $1, and India glass for $2! The sale room is located near the side door, but you must also take a tour of the entire store and enjoy the vintage jewelry, the kits that are on display that feature completed pieces that you can make in their classes, and so much more.
More to come on this crafting emporium, right now, hurry in for their Crazy Days at Minneapolis store only through August 1st!
Click on Slide Show Here→
Posted in Crafts & Hobbies, Crafty Find, Do It Yourself, Fashion for Less, Markdown Mom's Twin Cities Tour, Sidewalk Sales, Uncategorized Bead Sale Beads Crafty Find Crazy Days Sale At The Bead Monkey Hand Blown Beads Indian Glass Beads Jewelry Kits Jewelry Making Markdown Mom's Sidewalk Sales Swarovski Crystals The Bead Monkey Wearable Art
Jul
26
Many restaurants offering Asian fare include szechuan dishes suggesting a tangy, hot pepper experience from the Sichuan Province of China. However, very few are authentic cuisine from this region and not all spices or peppers are created equal. In 2007, Little Szechuan open its’ door offering 200 dishes prepared by chefs from Sichuan.
MarkdownMom enjoyed one of the restaurant’s popular dishes Kung Pao Chicken and to 
entice the sweeter palate an appetizer of honey shrimp. Delicious! Get enough friends so that you can try at least 3 dishes with a heaping bowl of rice and tea–you won’t be disappointed! Moderately priced and served by a friendly staff.
An Authentice Chinese Dining Experience In The Twin Cities!
Posted in Cool Places, Frugal Gastronome, Markdown Mom's Twin Cities Tour Authentic Chinese Eating Experience in Twin Cities Authentic Sezchuan Sichuan Authentyic Sichuan Food Review Little Szechuan Restaurants in Twin Cities Szechuan
Mar
22
Book lovers, pet lovers, and those interested in learning more about American Indian arts, culture, language, and history will love Birchbark Books located near Lake of the Isles and Calhoun Lake in Minneapolis.
Owned by the famous American Indian novelist, Louis Erdrich (Turtle Mountain Band of Ojibwe), customers travel from all over the country to visit her bookstore. She is the author of several fiction novels, poetry, and children’s books and was named a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize in Fiction for her 2009 novel, The Plague of Doves. Her artistry takes on features of William Faulkner with present-day Native-American fiction. This unique mixture is presented in the many characters that are repeated throughout her works and narrated in their voice, moving back and forth through time.
In store you can browse diverse topics ranging from Minnesota plants, geology, and history; American Indian culture, language, and history (with special focus on Objibwe and Dakota people); children’s books; young adult and adult fiction novels. Many of the books and book signing events feature upcoming local artists and writers. You can also find signed books for purchase by several authors, including Louis Erdrich. Also in store you’ll find jewelry, toiletries, and other pieces made by local American Indian artists and healing herbs and botanicals such as bitter root, sweet grass, sage, and bearberry.
Birchbark Books is the only independent bookstore owned and operated by American Indians in Minnesota. It is unique in that great care was taken to use salvage and non-toxic materials to build the store. The doors are from the ReUse Center in Minneapolis, the globe lights from an old school house, and inside the wooden floor is the original flooring that belonged to a meat market which was the site’s previous occupant. Birchbark Books takes a community-centric approach to doing business, supporting local artists and writers; having employees such as Manager Susan White greet customers with a warm and friendly smile and plenty of stories to tell; and each employee owns a dog which they proudly bring to work with them to greet regulars and newcomers. Drop in and when you do, tell them MarkdownMom sent you!
Click Here To View Slideshow→
BIRCHBARK BOOKS
Manager: Susan White
2115 West 21st Street
Minneapolis, MN 55405
Phone: 612-374-4023
Website: http://birchbarkbooks.com/
Posted in Fashion for Less, MDM's Book Club, Markdown Mom's Twin Cities Tour, MarkdownChic Picks, Reviews & Profiles American Indian Arts Store American Indian Books American Indian Jewelry Birchbark Books Louis Erdrich Minneapolis American Indian Arts & Culture Store The Plague of Doves
Mar
17
The Java Train Cafe in St. Paul, Minnesota’s Como Park offers delicious traditional family meals and on St. Patrick’s Day that means from noon to 9PM Corn Beef & Cabbage, Shepard’s Pie (sells out early), and Irish Soda Bread. Order by half servings at $5.00 or full servings $7.00. 
Plus have your kids (5-10) learn to make Irish Soda Bread for $10. Online coupons, list of daily specials such as Build Your Own Pasta.
Put April 3rd and April 4th on your calendars for their upcoming Easter Events!
Posted in Coupon Clips, Promo Picks, and Free Ships, Entertainment, Frugal Gastronome, Infants & Children, Markdown Mom's Twin Cities Tour, MarkdownChic Picks, Uncategorized family meals in Twin Cities Good Eats kid meals kids cooking classes Restaurant Fare in Minneapolis St. Patrick's Day Meals Traditional Holiday Meals
Jan
18
Even the most frugal of us likes a sweet goodie or two, and if you have the time to try your hand at pastry, here’s how to make homemade and save big bucks!
MarkdownMom visited the store for Nordicware®, a store located next to its’ factory in Minneapolis. Famous for their bundt cake molds and mixes, you can buy nordicware cookware at 10%-30% off retail, and if you go to the far left wall as you enter the door, you will find their markdown area with 50% off and more. On her visit MarkdownMom picked up a shortcake pan at 50%off and premixed bundt cake mixes for about $3.00.
Plus if you are new to baking or want to hone your skills further, they offer instore classes. There’s nothing better than homemade, and now you can cut your costs even more at this factory store! When you do, tell them MarkdownMom sent you.
Posted in Cost Cutting Corner, Frugal Gastronome, Grocery, Hot New Kitchen Gadgets, Markdown Mom's Twin Cities Tour, Outlet Shopping Baking Deal Kitchen Cookware Sale Markdown Mom Nordic Ware Nordic Ware Factory Store Slideshow Nordicware on clearance Nordicware Recipes Nordicware sale Pastry Deal
Jan
15
The buying power of many outweighs the buying power of few. This is not a new idea, the big retail chains have always been able to get price breaks over the small mom and pop businesses. Small businesses in recent years have joined together to get deals on health care insurance for employees, though I am not sure that “deal” and health care insurance belong in the same sentence. However, I digress. Well, we have seen buyers enter into clubs to get deals on products. Hold that thought or rather extend it with GROUPON.
This online site offers free membership to buyers interested in their special deals of the day and they can be fantastic deals. If a number of buyers are interested in a particular deal on products or services, sort of like a reserve, then the buyer can purchase it at the deal price to be used later. This encourages you to get your friends in on the deal as well, the more the merrier. Diversified selection of deals, anything from Bagels to Gym se
rvices.
Plus it has a business component by offering to small businesses an opportunity to offer a deal of the day and thereby increase their clientele and their sales. Win, win for both consumer and business entity!
Offered at present in major metropolitan areas, MarkdownMom foresees expansion and continued growth for this site.
So, Get Your GROUPON and SAVE!
Posted in Cool Sites, Cost Cutting Corner, Coupon Clips, Promo Picks, and Free Ships, Markdown Mom's Twin Cities Tour, Reviews & Profiles, Uncategorized, Warehouse Sales Bargain Buying Bargain Hunting Buying Clubs Coupons Groupon Product Bargains Restaurant Bargains
Jan
01
Okay, you’re tired of shopping, This malady happens to the best of us bargain shoppers caused by sticker shock, media overkill, and the hoardes of fellow shoppers. Take a break, replenish your desire by a visit to yesteryear. Discover the treasures that you already own. Converse with bargain hunters like yourself.
Where, you ask?
How about at an antique show, specifically an Antique Spectacular being held today through January 3rd at the Warner Coliseum on the Minnesota State Fair Grounds in St. Paul, Minnesota.
Over 200 dealers show their wares which include furniture, collectibles, flea market finds and more. Admission is $6 for adults–but you can get that reduced online by signing up for Minnesota Antique Show newsletter–and is free for children 12 and under.
Don’t Live In Minnesota? Check with your local events publisher for similar events.
Posted in Antiques, Collectibles, Flea Markets & Rummage Sales, Markdown Mom's Twin Cities Tour, Uncategorized, Weekend Review Antique Shows New Year Events St. Paul Minnesota
Oct
02
Good food and good company in an convivial atmosphere, what could be better than that? The Chianti Grill has moved to its’ new digs near the Har Mar Mall in Roseville, off of Snelling in St. Paul. Offering a fantastic wine list, and great Italian food, Markdown Mom recently visited the Chianti Grill at its’ new location and was greeted by the chef.
This is a great date place with moderate prices coupled with a rich wood interior, and great service. Come for lunch and save about 25%. When ordering, spend the extra $1.50 for the balsamic vinegar with gorganzola cheese.Yummy! Markdown Mom loved the shrimp filled cannelloni–oh so good and so many other delectables!
If you see the chef, tell him Markdown Mom sent you and add:
“Tutti a tavola a mangiare!” (everybody to the table to eat!)
Posted in Entertainment, Frugal Gastronome, Markdown Mom's Twin Cities Tour, Uncategorized Chianti Grill date restaurants in Twin Cities Italian Food St Paul Restaurants Twin Cities Restaurants
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