For Pete Seeger, one of Dr. E's Twitter Followers

Dr. E's Doll Museum Blog: See below; Dr. E's Doll Museum remembers one of ou...: See below; Dr. E's Doll Museum remembers one of our Twitter Followers: Pete Seeger, who died yesterday, at ninety-four, lived into ...

New Years Bargains

I love a bargain, especially after Xmas. I found the article below on Yahoo. It makes sense. I also look for office supplies, craft supplies, and even collectible dolls and toys. I have had good luck with clothes, too, sometimes finding White Stag or Bobbi Brooks. Be careful only if you want only new clothes; sometimes, Dollar Tree has sold used sweaters. I also love the décor like African masks and statues: Watch the video of ‘Definitely Buy These 15 Things at a Dollar Store’ on MoneyTalksNews.com. 1. Greeting cards There is no reason to spend $4 to $5 or more on a greeting card when dollar stores typically have a wide selection available for a buck or less. You might not get textured paper or fancy extras like ribbon, but the heartfelt message you write will be the same regardless of how expensive the card looks. 2. Party supplies By some estimates, you can save up to 70 percent by using party supplies from a dollar store. Get plastic tablecloths, paper plates and cups, streamers and favors from the dollar store and save a bundle. Don’t forget to look for Mylar/foil balloons too. These are an absolute bargain and can easily sell for five times as much elsewhere. 3. Gift bags, boxes and wrapping paper While you’re getting your party supplies, look for gift bags and wrapping paper too. You could end up paying two or three times more for gift bags and boxes at other stores. In addition, wrapping paper can be a steal. You might not get the same thickness of expensive paper, but for something that’s going to end up in the trash, why pay more? 4. Seasonal décor From extra ornaments for your Christmas tree to a scarecrow to stake in your front yard for the fall, dollar stores can have a surprisingly robust selection of seasonal décor. Pick up some bargain-priced items to decorate your house for less. But stay away from holiday lights, which have a poor track record of safety at discount stores. 5. Reading glasses As we age, we often lose elasticity in our eyes and that makes it more difficult to focus on close objects. In many cases, a simple pair of reading glasses is all you need, and the reading glasses at dollar stores are as good as those found in other stores. However, if you have trouble seeing at a distance, it may be time to schedule an eye exam and see about getting a prescription pair. 6. Hair accessories From elastic bands to bobby pins to headbands, you can find hair accessories at a fraction of the price at dollar stores. Combs and brushes can be a bargain too. 7. Pregnancy tests Grocery store pregnancy tests will set you back $10 to $15, but you can find them at some dollar stores for only a buck. You might be wondering whether a $1 pregnancy test is going to be accurate. That’s a good question and, according to this news report, the answer is yes. 8. Vases and decorative bowls Don’t bother with other stores for vases and decorative bowls. The dollar store probably carries a number of styles at a price that can’t be beat. You can use vases to skip the florist and make your own, much cheaper arrangements. Or spruce up decorative glass bowls to make inexpensive gifts for family or friends. 9. Mugs and glasses Like vases and bowls, mugs and glasses are also a good buy at dollar stores. The quality is comparable to what you might get at Walmart or other mass merchandisers. As a bonus, you can typically buy only the items you need rather than being forced to purchase a set. 10. Dishware Dollar stores also often have a nice selection of open stock dishware. This isn’t going to be top-of-the-line quality, but they’re perfectly serviceable pieces. For those with little kids, dollar store dishes can be just what you need to get you through that phase of life when something seems to get broken in the kitchen on a weekly basis. 11. Storage containers Plastic storage containers also get a thumbs up when it comes to great dollar store buys. In the grocery store, you can easily pay up to $5 for disposable containers. Get them for a buck at the dollar store instead. You can also find some great deals on storage bags, but be wary of off-brands that may not seal correctly. 12. Picture frames If you’re crafty, dollar store picture frames are an excellent buy. With a little paint or other decoration, bargain frames can look as nice on your walls as their more expensive counterparts. However, quality can vary widely. Check the joints to make sure they are secure and look for stray glue that may be difficult to remove. 13. Bagged or boxed candy Checkout lane candy will likely be just as cheap, if not cheaper, at the grocery store, but movie theater-style boxed candy and bagged candy can be a bargain at the dollar store. Next Halloween, head there for your treats rather than paying supermarket prices. 14. Socks Much of the clothing you find at dollar stores is of an inferior quality and not worth the money. One exception may be socks. Dollar store socks can be as good as department store varieties if you buy the right type. Look for ones made with acrylic or spandex for a comfy fit. 15. Washcloths and dish towels Finally, the price of washcloths and dish towels at the dollar store can’t be beat. You need to be careful with some towels that won’t be absorbent enough to dry dishes. However, even those work great as cleaning rags. This article was originally published on MoneyTalksNews.com as 'Definitely Buy These 15 Things at a Dollar Store'

2013 Photos

Dr. E's Doll Museum Blog: Tin Lizzie Reviewed in Antique Doll Collector Jan....

Dr. E's Doll Museum Blog: Tin Lizzie Reviewed in Antique Doll Collector Jan....: Ou4 thanks to Donna and the staff of Antique Doll Collector for the wonderful review for With Love from Tin Lizzie... You may read the revie...

Frozen Charlottes and Charlies, All

Happy 2014, Dear Readers. Will continue with the 49 tips revisit, soon. I am thankfully inside watching PetTV on cats, with my two curled up on my feet. Mr. Tuxedo at 7 mos. old is as big as my do Smokey was, and he is puppy like and playful. Ms. Bangles is much smaller, and adorable. She stole our Santa from the 3' tree I put up, and one of the ornaments. All non-breakable, of course. To paraphrase Anne Rice, January is the time spirits walk, in the dark, bitter cold. It is a time for new beginnings, but I find it is a time when many give up. The last six weeks I've noted many memorials, left several condolences online,, and attended many funerals. I lost my mother in January six years ago, suddenly on one of the coldest days of the year. Many years before, I lost my grandfather on the same day, and another year, I was downsized. It isn't a good time or date. We try to honor the 12 days of Christmas, and note that in Russia, it will be Christmas Eve tomorrow. Here, I see the dying trees dumped on the curb and become even more depressed. I lobby for live, potted trees, where possible, and for changing decorations for the seasons where there is room. There is a famous bed and breakfast out east that does this. Now is the time to take stock and restock our energy. The Olympics will be here, soon, and for those who love bargains, the 90% off sale is ongoing at Target. I loved the days when Xmas sales were after Xmas, not before, then gone by the time Dec. 26th rolls around. The Amaryllis and Christmas Cacti should be blooming. My plants soldier on, and will love it better in the fluorescent light of my school office. Now is the time to recycle pretty cards for crafts, and wrapping paper and ribbon. Red, green, and pastel, can be used for other holidays, too. Save a drawer for tiny things to be used for miniatures and for making gifts and ornaments next year. Take advantage of sales; I did a lot of shopping for next year already. Consider a valentine tree to boost spirits, and send valentines to those you didn't get to on your Xmas list. If I had my way, I would travel and take a tour of beaches and museums. I would have fresh fruit and sushi everyday. There would be no ice and snow for me to fall in, as I've done like three times this week. My stomach wouldn't hurt, and I would be able to sleep. That's my grown up Xmas wish. So, hum The Twelve Days of Xmas and attend your Medieval Banquets. Read Twelfth Night and be festive. Celebrate the Day of the Kings and belated Etrennes where you can. Above, all, bee safe. Here is a poem for everyone who has had to deal with cranky in-laws, and take care. In Laws and Outlaws; Apologia to my Sister in Law An apology is begging To issue from my lips, It seems that in some circles, You’ve seen me as remiss. So with heartfelt effusion, Accept these humbled lines, Dear Sister, Please Remember, Only Bards can be sublime: Chorus: I’m sorry you married my brother. I’m sorry your boobs aren’t real. I’m sorry your mother’s psychotic. I’m sorry y our dad is a Heel. I’m sorry you ran out of Zima. I’m sorry you look like a witch. I’m gladder, though now, More than ever, That I managed to call you ---- Well, really, it actually rhymes well with Itch.

Mystery Author Deb Baker (aka Hannah Reed): Coming February 4th

From our friend, Deb Baker!

Mystery Author Deb Baker (aka Hannah Reed): Coming February 4th: *Pre-order from Barnes and Noble /  Pre-order from Amazon Beekeeper Story Fischer has stocked the shelves of her market, The Wild ...

Doll Museum: Happy 2014 and some Photos

Doll Museum: Happy 2014 and some Photos: I am typing with a kitten curled up against me; occasionally, she likes to type a word. Her name is Ms. Bangles, and she sends a picture to...