trbarginhunter

I like directtextbook.com. Be sure and match ISBN. If you need a "code" for online access, etc the publishers often sell those separately from the books, although they maybe "bundled" at the bookstore. Just search the publisher website, be sure and check under ancillary materials.

Lots of Thomas at the store at the District in Tustin. Quite a few Monster High sets, Winxx (?), Barbie cruise ship, lotd of trucks, cars, and several of the play trunks with dress up clothes.

Toys here were still at 30-50%. Not much I'm interested in, seems like there are a lot fewer toys this year.

Just an FYI: Our Target had an Alice and Olivia bike, which D LOVED...but they wouldn't sell it to us (it was red tagged--slight tear in the seat and a couple of other minor issues). We ordered it online with DH's red card--free shipping and 5% off. I was worried, online it says it's a 19 " bike. Too small for D (she's a college freshman). It arrived today, and it the 28" bike. DD and DH are assembling it now, it will go back to college with her this weekend. It's a great bike for $150. I ordered a Kryptonite lock for it.....

Toys all moved to two aisles. Not much that really caught my eye. If I can, I'll go tomorrow and see what is 50% off. I don't buy a lot of toys (my D is 18), but need some for gifts.

At the Target in Tustin, the blue Rachel Ray are marked down to $24.99. I don't really like them, and they look hard to store. But if someone is looking for them there are a couple of sets.

We bought a TV for the den at Habitat for Humanity store, it was $15 or so and has a remote. It's not fancy or the latest technology, but it works well, has a clear picture and it was easy to hook the Wii for D and friends.

Tustin, CA is at 70%, including the Neiman Marcus. I bought the black lace for D, she doesn't like it so I will return it...FYI it has a return deadline of Jan 5th, so if you are buying Neiman Marcus, be sure and watch the return dates.

I picked up some more double sided tape today and a power strip ($2.50). Nordicware whisk, spoon and spatulas are half off...those were in the kitchen/baking area not with the holiday items. A few toys were 50%, but nothing too exciting...

If you are heading out, don't forget to check for Scotch Tape. I picked up a couple of the three packs, some single (crystal clear) and some double sided tape. All half off.

Snowball fight with cottonballs have proved widely popular every time (doesn't snow here).

Love our Kodak. Easy to use, supplies easy to pick up or have delivered from any Office Supply store (ie Staples, Office Depot). I think I bought them at Staples.

A friend of D's had one, they dug out the ground below and installed it at ground level with a net. It couldn't blow away, it was "in ground". I do know the insurance was incredible...you might want to check that out!

Play wonder doll houses for 50% at the Target at Tustin Marketplace (on the aisle with the Playhut Princess tents). K and Company paper items: calendar kit, stickers, Christmas punches, paper all 70% off. The calendars make nice gifts for pre-teen/teen girls (there are no dates, so they can be stashed for teh future). Paper goods are by the office supplies on an endcap.

The store at Grand and 17th in Santa Ana, CA has about 6 of the kids digital camera/video cameras on the very last toy asile at the back fo the store for $20 (originally about $70). They look VERY durable, and would be a great gift. Also K'nex rocket/coaster thing (look on the bottom shelf in the back). Tustin Marketplace had a lot of Squinkies and Zoobles, some Thomas, and those fairy tree house things (sorry my D is 17--I am just not current on toy names). I picked up a Cars racing set, some Squinkies, a Thomas Take 'n Play, a Cars monopoly set, a Pictureka card game, and a few other odds 'n ends. Done holiday shopping for next year, with some extras for donations.