U Otter Stop Inn

I have ALWAYS wanted to check this place out. The mural is just outstanding and inviting and amazing, but I honestly didn't know if this was a real place, a closed place, an object of my imagination, or just wishful thinking.

It is real.

Cheap beer, pull tabs, and Karaoke 7 nights a week. I think I've found my new home.

Cheap beer: $15.00

Restaurant Week

It's Restaurant Week here in Minneapolis, and I wanted to buy dinner for a friend who helped me out during a recent surgery, so perfect timing.

We went to the Red Stag Supper Club in NE and it was a delightful meal. I started with a lemon basil martini, which was refreshing and lovely. Dinner was Prix Fixe, per restaurant week, so I had the seared scallops small plate and a short-rib ragout over some kind of fresh spinach pasta. I'm not a huge pasta fan, but it was really good. I'm a recent fan(atic) of short ribs, though, and this reinforced that devotion. Short ribs are nothing short of delicious. And I am nothing short of ridiculous.

Dessert was a chocolate peppermint ding dong (it looked just like a Hostess ding dong). It was very, very good. Seriously good. I'm still thinking about it good.

Service was slow to start, but once this was noted by staff, first round of drinks were comped and everything was perfect after.

All in: $100

RSSC

Building the Perfect Bed

I looooooooooove bed. I love sleeping. I love napping. I love lounging. Because of bad allergies, my bed has become an uncomfortable place. I'm working (and paying!) to correct that now.

My allergist recommended mattress casings from Mission Allergy and gave me a 15% off coupon for the premium microfiber option. I went with the nicest version because I bought a cheap one once and felt like I was sleeping on a rubber mattress. Like I had a bed wetting problem. Uncomfortable and uninviting.

Originally: $133.90

15% Discount: -$20.09

Subtotal: $113.81

Shipping: $13.95

Total: $127.76

Lunch

Fish tacos (sans tortillas) and diet Sierra Mist at work cafe: $8.31. I need to start bringing my lunch.

LivingSocial, and Obliviously

So, I totally forgot that I purchased a LivingSocial deal yesterday. I got a 75 min facial at an Aveda salon for $32.

Girl Scout Cookies

My cookies have finally arrived! Two boxes on thin mints for me and two for the troops. The Girls Scouts now have an option where you can purchase extra boxes that are distributed as the Girl Scout Troop determines. Mine are going to soldiers overseas. Supporting troops, squared.

Total $14.00

CB2

I have very bad allergies and my former Room and Board upholstered bed did me no favors. I sold the bed on CL in December for $250 and meant to buy a new, non-upholstered bed soon after, but ran into some money trouble (shocking! I know!), so had to delay a bit.

Well, folks, today is the day. I finally get my mattress off the ground and up on this lovely Double Decker platform bed from CB2.

Come to think of it, at long as I'm getting a new bed and new sheets, I should really just get a new mattress. Mine is old and cheap and not made for a platform bed. Wonder if there are any mattress sales (there are always mattress sales).

Also bought a pendant lamp for over my desk.

CB2 Double Decker Bed, Queen Size: $599

Eden Pendant Lamp: $49

Shipping: $8.85

Delivery: $79

Tax: $57.28

Total: $794.08

Trader Joe's

I cannot get enough of Trader Joe's Tom Yam Soup. I eat so much of it that my local TJ's is currently OUT. I got that last two, though, so, ha!, dinner. (That's a lot of commas.) Best with a tablespoon or two of Sun Luck's Thai Chili Garlic Sauce, available locally at Kowalski's, stirred in.

Other groceries, including: blueberries, crackers, dates, yogurt, tamales and ginger ale. Total was $27.93.

Lunch

Turkey chili and diet sierra mist from the cafe at work - $5.47. Not too bad.

Snagged It

Snag it is one of the best pieces of software I've ever used. It does exactly what it's supposed to do, does it well, and then does a whole lot more. I use it constantly at work and decided to day that I needed it at home, too. So I bought it.* It cost $49.95.

via SnagIt

*Actual purchase date 3/02/11

Sheets

I was home sick with the flu today, so didn't have much opportunity to spend money, but I did also learn what my bonus is going to be, so I splurged on some sheets I've had my eye on for a while.

Lilly Pulitzer® Lilly of the Valley Percale Bedding from Garnet Hill, currently on sale for 15% off regular price.

Total cost of queen-sized sheet set and pair of standard pillowcases, plus shipping, was $182.95.

via Garnet Hill