I know I have mentioned before that one of the good things about Tipsy Swistle is that it is very easy to talk her into doing chores. For example, I recently persuaded Tipsy Swistle to sweep and hand-mop the entire floor area under and around the cats’ litter box, just so you understand how very useful Tipsy Swistle can be. Consider hiring her to come to your house for the low low price of several gin-and-tonics, sometime during which you can say “Oh DEAR I seem to have eight loads of laundry to fold!” and then sit back and sip your OWN gin-and-tonic as she goes to work. (I warn you that Tipsy Swistle likes to sing along with the radio while she works.)
ANOTHER useful function of Tipsy Swistle is that she will hit the Buy button on things Sober Swistle has been reluctant to order due to excessive anxiety / unnecessary fretfulness / a frugal upbringing. One such order arrived today, and it was a very happy order to unpack; I wish to show it to you.
A bag of Andes Peppermint Crunch baking chips
(image from Target.com)
and a bar of Ghirardelli semi-sweet baking chocolate
(image from Target.com)
because @devivo says the recipe on the back of the Andes peppermint crunch package is a good cookie, and I do what she says. (When tipsy.)
A bag of Mint M&Ms
(image from Target.com)
and a bag of mint truffle Hershey Kisses
(image from Target.com)
because commenter Chris mentioned white chocolate peppermint Kisses and mint M&M’s on the most recent grocery shopping report, and that reminded me.
Two bags of Popcorners White Cheddar chips, because I have been craving them and my grocery store didn’t have them.
(image from Target.com)
Vanilla chai tea, because I used up a box of caffeinated Constant Comment and it was pretty okay but I wanted something different this time.
(image from Target.com)
This cute Christmas plate, because I don’t do a whole lot of parental holiday activities, but I will buy a wide assortment of plastic Christmas plates and put meals on them. (I am waiting for the annual batch of plastic snowman/tree/Santa/reindeer plates, of which I always buy the snowman, tree, and reindeer, and only very occasionally the Santa.) (I did not grow up with the Santa tradition, and find him only intermittently appealing.)
(image from Target.com)
Tin foil, both regular and heavy-duty, because KC mentioned on the recent grocery shopping post that there was an aluminum shortage and that it would not be a bad idea to have a back-up roll or two just in case.
(image from Target.com)
O’Keeffe’s Exfoliating foot cream, because Nicole recommended it (HI NICOLE) and I do what she says (when tipsy), and because my feet have been sad of late.
(image from Target.com)
Books two and three of the Murderbot series, a series which COUNTLESS of you recommended and YOU WERE RIGHT (though so far I think the Ann Leckie Ancillary trilogy was better, if you’re waffling between the two). I already read book one, and our library system doesn’t have the series, and there was another buy-two-get-one-free deal, so I bought these two for myself along with a Christmas present for someone else. (I will say to those of you considering a purchase that these books are VERY SLIM for the price. Like, if you are thinking, “Wow, a hardcover for $12-15??”—it’s because the books are small and just over 150 pages each. More like novellas.)
(image from Target.com)
A refill of Bona Hardwood floor cleaner: the spritz bottle I bought back in March because this is what our (now former) housecleaners used on our floors and I needed to take over—that bottle is nearly empty now, and for awhile I was in denial and thinking the housecleaners would be coming back SO SOON, but…Tipsy Swistle knew we needed the refill.
(image from Target.com)
Tipsy Rachel commends your choices and shares your Santa apathy!
I love that plate so very much!
And I have added the O’Keefe’s foot lotion to my own Target cart.
Tipsy Swistle sounds very fun and helpful.
I love Santa, but the more old Saint Nicholas the better. Brown, fur-lined cape? Tall, thin and with gray hair? Sign me up.
I have never tried gin and tonic but now I am thinking about it. What kind of gin do you buy?
Yes, please share!
I can’t really tell the difference when it’s mixed with tonic/lime, so I generally get a large bottle of something inexpensive. BUT. Paul bought me a bottle of Hendrick’s Limited Edition Midsummer Solstice gin, and I don’t mix that with tonic, I drink it on its own, and I would recommend it! It leaves an interesting flowery aftertaste.
I never liked gin UNTIL I had a Hendrick’s at a friend’s house and now I cannot ever have anything else with tonic. It ruined me forever.
I like Citadelle, a French gin that’s a little more juniper-y than Hendricks but with some nice citrus flavors. I can get it at Total Wine for about the same price as Hendricks. G&T lovers unite!
I love Hendrick’s but am also a total fan of juniper- definitely going to check this one out!
I LOVE your shopping posts! What a yummy haul! And what a cute Christmas plate.
I have two Target triumphs to share: first, when they were doing their version of Amazon Prime day, I got a set of the Casaluna hemp sheets at 50% off and I had a $10 off coupon and they are sooo great; second, the other day they had 20% off men’s clothing so I got a workout shirt I had been eyeing for hubs, and there was a $20 if you spend $50 on bedding so I got two of those unreasonably expensive Opalhouse velvet shams for a slightly more reasonable price. It’s fun to see a large amount come off the total at checkout. I know they are playing games with us but I don’t mind too much.
Yes! AND yesterday when I was there I bought three new fluffy throw blankets (ours are all old and random or literally 20 years old) and the coupon didn’t come off the total, but they adjusted it anyways! I was curious about the velvet duvet covers, but I thought they might be too warm. Has anyone tried one?
Thank you for these posts, Swistle – this one was particularly fun and the mention of Constant Comment takes me back.
HI SWISTLE
You will NOT regret the foot cream, I promise.
Tipsy Swistle is so fun, I love mint chocolate and I would eat the hell out of those Andes things.
It was probably me mentioning the aluminum, because there has been a can shortage. In theory the can shortage is *mostly* because people have been drinking things almost entirely out of cans instead of on tap (both soda and beer) so the can makers can’t keep up, but also recycling functionality has taken a hit with international supply chain/transport problems. Apparently aluminum prices are projected to settle out over time eventually, but in the short term it is maybe nice to have foil, especially ahead of holiday baking and given it’s one of those things that doesn’t have a shelf life. This is not very intelligible, but: https://www.industryweek.com/the-economy/article/21940452/analysts-aluminum-market-will-see-shortage-by-end-of-year
YES, it was you!! I’ve updated the post!
I love everything about this post.
I have just spent a considerable amount of time trying to see if I can have those plates in the UK and alas, it seems I cannot (sad face). Love Tipsy Swistle!
I have a feeling Tipsy Swistle and Tipsy Gigi would get along VERY well!
Yay, books! I read the Ancillary trilogy and LOVED them! Thanks for the tip. Another commenter recommended the Goblin Emperor and I loved that one so much I immediately started re- reading it. AND I have the Murder it book one on deck.
I am admiring and envious of Tipsy Swistle’s industriousness. Tipsy Allison just wants to watch One Day at a Time and eat Cheetos. Maybe I should make a Target order and send it to Angus to bring back across the border for Christmas, because I WANT THOSE ANDES BAKING CHIPS. Also, a million thanks for the Janet Hill recommendation – I am smitten, and loading up my cart with Christmas gifts and new art for our currently-being-painted walls.
Tipsy Bailey hasn’t been seen ‘round these parts for nigh on 10 years (personal reasons, nothing moral or nefarious), but none of the other Post-Indulgence Gang are any good at chores. Fajita Bailey is definitely not pulling her weight.
I like that tea with a teensy bit of Sweet Cream coffee creamer!
That was me! Let me know which prints you pick! You too, Swistle, if you got/get any!
I picked up The Christmas Camel, The Christmas LLama, and Goodie Bear this year, and 3 white frames from Ikea. They’re going up any day now…
I thought melamine was not dishwasher safe. But the info on the Target page about that plate says otherwise. This changes everything! I’ll be keeping an eye out for fun Christmas plates, too.
I went to my big grocery store Thursday morning. It seems that not only was it Taco Tuesday this week, but also Enchilada Tuesday, Fajita Tuesday and Burrito Tuesday. The Mexican food aisle was very picked over. I was not pleased since the plan for dinner tonight is enchiladas. I will have to venture out to my smaller closer grocery store today and get a reasonable sized can of enchilada sauce.
So, the mint truffle Hershey Kisses… do they have egg as an ingredient? York peppermint patties do, but After Eights don’t, so there’s no universal rule for mint-filled things, and my son loves chocolate mint but is allergic to eggs.
No egg listed in the ingredients, and under Allergy Information it only mentions that it’s manufactured on equipment that is also used for tree nuts.
Sweet! Thanks!
I am so impressed at Tipsy Swistle’s motivation! Tipsy Carrie does enjoy cooking/baking but she always leaves the dishes in the sink for Sober Carrie to do in the morning. Not cool.
All of your candy purchases got me thinking about what I need to order for stockings and basically started me down the path of “planning for Christmas”. We have lots of Christmas Day traditions but I am struggling to plan Christmas Eve. We live overseas and on years when we don’t come to America (like this year) and visit family, Christmas Eve always feels a little anti-climactic. Typically we just do a spread of appetizers for dinner and watch a Christmas movie before bed. My kids are older now so the excitement and magic of Santa isn’t the same as before, we don’t go to church and neighborhood Christmas lights is not a thing in the country where we live. I want to kick things up a notch this year and make some new Christmas Eve traditions. Do you have Christmas Eve traditions for big kids? I would love to know what other people do.
Carrie, I have two teens, and we live far from family, so are often solo on Christmas Eve. We don’t have a standing tradition, but I think this year we may do one of the Deadbolt Mystery Society boxes. We’ve done a couple others throughout Covid and they’re fun and engaging for all of us. I also think I’m just going to do a huge charcuterie board for Christmas Eve dinner. Give yourself about three hours for the mystery box to be safe. I’d love to hear any other ideas!
I wrote a very long response, but realized it boiled down to “normally we bake cookies on the afternoon of Christmas Eve and all open our new pyjamas to wear to bed that night”. Since we’ll be home Christmas Eve this year I believe we’ll expand that to cracking open the new pjs early in the evening, nibbling finger foods and treats, drinking hot chocolate, and either playing a game or watching a Christmas movie.
I have been very focused on a plan for Christmas Day, so I appreciate the fact that your post gave me the chance to think about Christmas Eve, which won’t be spent eating dinner at my Dad’s as usual.
dude, tipsy Amy apparently says things like “dude” and also is just going to copy your whole cart. Also maybe more than tipsy if the number of mistakes she has had to correct in this comment is any indication. (No G&T here, although this is a thing I would like to learn to like. Just hard cider and wine.)
Update! The plate and the Reynold’s wrap cannot be shipped to my zip code! This seemed like it might be of interest to the Swistle community. I can pick both of these things up at my local Target. Seem strange that they cannot be shipped!
I have encountered odd “can’t be shipped to your zip code” gaps, too. Sometimes they CHANGE: something that couldn’t be shipped now CAN be shipped; something I was getting shipped now CAN’T be.
So, I’m not really that big on Vanilla Chai tea; however, I found a recipe last year for Vanilla Chai Shortbread cookies that was absolutely delicious! It’s on sugarandsoul.co – I have no affiliation to this website, but these cookies were VERY popular last year when I made them. Plus, they’re super easy to make…I use the Bigelow tea and it’s just the right amount of spice.
Not Tipsy Me really liked that Christmas plate, ordered a BUNCH of cute Christmas plates late one night, added some Not-like-me Christmas pillows for cheer purposes. They couldn’t be shipped, so I selected “pick up in store” but DH decided to accompany me and that led to wandering around crowded Target spending more money, defeating the purpose of online shopping entirely, particularly when I waltzed past the aforementioned Christmas plates. AND THEN when I got home, I found that one of the (very cute) pillows had a flaw in the fabric, the type that will drive me crazy every time I look at it because I paid full price. SO. Now I am not a fan of the “pickup” option. And I have to make a return. But, still, the plates, they are cute. PS There was NO toilet paper. And no Diet Coke.
FYI, I use those mint M&Ms in place of mint chocolate chips (because my store never has mint chocolate chips) in your Brownie Mint Cookies recipe, and they are delicious AND add festive holiday color to the cookies. They have become a holiday staple in this house and I am forever indebted do you for that recipe.