Barnes and Noble Shopping Trip and Goodwill Haul! :D

Wowee, just when you think you've seen everything at a thrift store, you have a day like yesterday...

But I'm getting ahead of myself.  I should start with Barnes and Noble. ;)  

As I mentioned earlier, Middle Gal won a writing contest and got a $50 gift card to spend at Barnes and Noble.  Friday afternoon was the first real chance we had for a shopping trip, so I piled the three girls into the truck and headed to the bookstore.  I wasn't sure what to expect when we went, because my girls tend to have a tough time making decisions, especially when it comes to spending money.  I was prepared to be in Barnes and Noble for an hour or two.  Imagine my surprise when Middle Gal had spent her $50 in the space of about 15 minutes!

Here's what she ended up with:

Middle Gal absolutely loved this little unicorn.  Personally, I think she looks like she's had a bit too much caffeine. ;)  I suppose she is cute in her own way, though.

Middle Gal also bought a set of Calico Critter kitten twins.

All three of my girls have a Lego Friends doll, and since Middle Gal loves kitties, this was a fun choice for her. It was a book that came with a little kitten and accessories. :)

Middle Gal definitely takes after her mother.  I always had a weakness for cute stuffed animals, and she's just the same.  This soft little bear came home with us too.

One of the first things she picked up was this Funko Pop Peter Pan.  She'd been wanting him to use as a prince for her Funko Pop Snow White.  And I must admit, Pete and Snow do actually look rather cute together. ;)  To bad the Season Two Finale of "Once Upon a Time" has ruined my outlook on Peter Pan forever... :{  (More on that in a future post, though.)

On our way out the door, we saw this My Little Pony book for $10.  Middle Gal had $4 left on her gift card, and Oldest Gal had $5 at home in her piggy bank, so they put their money together to buy it (Mommy helped with the last little bit). ;)

The book had a story about the Cutie Mark Crusaders...

...but what excited the girls even more was the huge lot of toy ponies that were included. :)

There were four different backdrops made from thick, glossy paper.  Oldest Gal cut them apart and the girls have been using them constantly since then.

The set came with twelve ponies.  In the past, I've avoided these books with figures because they're normally not painted very well.  The ponies were actually pretty good overall, though...as long as you didn't look too closely or look at them head-on. ;)  My only other complaint was that with many of the ponies, their cutie mark was only painted on one side, and their hair was covering their face on that side, which isn't typical and makes them hard to display.  A weird little complaint, I know, but I'm kind of obsessive that way. ;)

Sweetie Belle, Princess Cadance, and Rainbow Dash.

Scootaloo (with really uneven eyes), Twilight Sparkle, and Fluttershy.  One of the things I appreciated about these ponies is that they all had accurate hair, including Fluttershy. ;)

Rarity, Pinkie Pie, and Applejack. 

Applebloom, Princess Celestia, and Spike, who has REALLY big eyes and looks like he's storing food for next winter in his cheeks. ;)

So, as if that wasn't enough excitement for one day, we headed over to Goodwill next.  My mom and Mimi were there and had already found some goodies.  I ended up finding a few more things.  This had to be, without a doubt, one of the best hauls we've ever found at Goodwill since it opened a year ago. :)

Here's what we came home with:

And here's a breakdown of the goodies:

Marina Anchors (missing her shoes and pet), Misty Mysterious' pet rabbit, and Patch Treasure Chest (missing his shoes, eye patch, and pet).  The Lalas were $2.99 each and the rabbit was on the 49 cent table.

Not as thrilling, but these were a couple of fun little extras:  a vintage Littlest Pet Shop pony and a little Hello Kitty key chain with moving Hello Kitty animation inside. 

This was one of our most epic finds:  a Calico Critter house with a bag of critters and furniture.

It was marked at $15.99.

Here's everything that was in the bag.  I looked the house up online and discovered that it's the Luxury Townhome.  The only thing it is missing is one small section of railing on the balcony.

This adorable Panda family was in the bag (with the added bonus of a baby panda).

There was also the cow family (so cute!).

The furniture included was this coat rack, chest, and nightstand (along with a random Christmas ornament)...

...a bunk bed with bedding, a cabinet/chest thing...

...a bed with bedding and matching wardrobe...

...a rocking chair, a rug, a Barbie plate and magazine...

...a set of two chairs, a lamp, a stump coffee table, and other various mini accessories. :)

We love Calico Critters at our house.  What makes Calico Critter stuff even more fun is that it's compatible with our mini Lalaloopsies, too. :)

Don't they look adorable in these chairs?

This shows the missing section of railing.  I'll take it if it means paying $16 instead of $90. ;)

As I was cleaning the house, I noticed this battery space in the back.  I unscrewed it and added some batteries...

...and now the lights in the house work!! :)

The Calico Critter lot alone was at least $150 worth of stuff in like new condition...all for $16.  Wow!

Mom found the Calico Critters and Marina Anchors, Mimi found Patch, but this was my find:  an American Girl Penny!  Mom and Mimi had actually seen her, but she looked so similar to the Paradise Horses sold in Walmart that they passed her up.  My AG radar went up the moment I saw her, though. :}

She was marked at $5.99.

She has a few flaws here and there, but overall she's in great condition.

Middle Gal's Felicity was very happy to be reunited with her friend.  I've never been a fan of American Girl horses myself, because I think their heads are too small, but Middle Gal was thrilled. ;)

Felicity takes a ride (she and Penny were a bit too big for my backdrop, as you can see. ;)

So that was our Friday.  I don't think I've been that excited in a long time! ;)  I was incredibly blessed to have a "sponsor" in my mom.  Since things have been a bit tight for us financially, when something awesome like this comes up that's not quite in the budget, she'll often help pay for it.  Thanks, Mom! :)

I have so much more to share with you, but it will have to wait for now.  Look for more posts in the coming week! :)