Going Local: Growing Tree Toys - Twitter Giveaways and More

Growing Tree Toys is located in downtown State College, PA. It is a family-owned toy store. I love to shop the Growing Tree Toys!!! It is such a FUN place to visit. My kiddos love it there too. Maybe a little too much! They have an awesome selection of toys ranging from manufacturers such as Melissa & Doug, Creativity for Kids, and Infantino. In need of the perfect birthday gift, go shop Growing Tree Toys.

I like this quote from them "The Growing Tree Toys retail location has helped bring happiness to “Happy Valley” by providing the best toys for children while creating awareness about how essential play is to their healthy physical, emotional, and social well being." I agree - They have brought much happiness to Happy Valley!

For my readers who are not local to State College, PA, you can also go to their website HERE to shop and place an order.

For store location and hours, go HERE.

BUT MOST IMPORTANT-This is a coupon and deals blog, right?!?

• They have a special "Deal of the Day" that starts at 10am daily. Click HERE for details.
• If you're a Twitter follower, they do a giveaway every week. Click HERE for details.
• Join the Birthday Club and receive a special birthday surprise in your email inbox 2 weeks before the big day! Click HERE for details.

(For more "Going Local" posts, click HERE)

Going Local: Growing Tree Toys - Twitter Giveaways and More

Going Local: Fasta & Ravioli Co. and a FREE Gemelli's bread

I've been in the mood for some fresh pasta! Why? I keep hearing about this new local place called Fasta & Ravioli Co. Yesterday afternoon while I was searching for coupons and deals to post on here, I saw a tweet (on twitter and apparently this was on their Facebook Fan page also) from Fasta come through "Mention this post and receive a complimentary loaf of Gemelli's Stirato Bread with any purchase today. While supplies last!" WOW, what timing! It was a sign.

I went in their store having really no clue what to expect. The employees were very helpful. I started talking to one of them and mentioned how I read about their "Organic White Wheat Fettuccini Made with King Arthur Organic Wheat Fettucini."  He said they were sold out of it but he could make it that night and have it ready for me the next day. Now that IS FRESH pasta!!! I told him I'd order it next week. Turns out I was speaking with the owner, Bob Ricketts! I continued to tell him about the Twitter post. He was excited to tell me I was the first person to mention the post! I left there with some ravioli and a FREE loaf of Gemelli's Stirato Bread.

He proceeded to tell me how he plans to do a special promo where Fasta will give away FREE pounds of pasta to customers who visit their store.  He did this for their Grand Opening and by the close of business he ended giving away 229 pounds of pasta!!! Read the great story HERE. There's no set date yet for the free pasta day but be on the lookout for it. It'll be around the time the downtown Farmer's Market opens. I will be sure to let you know as soon as I find out myself.

The 3 Cheese Ravioli from Fasta was sooo delicious. Even though it came from their freezer, after heating it in boiling water for less than 5 minute, it tasted wonderfully FRESH. I can't express enough how good these tasted. And the bread from Gemelli was also yummy. It didn't last a day in our house.

Now, you may be wondering where was the value in all this besides the FREE bread and yummy pasta. Well, let's focus on that second part.  I mentioned before in a recent post (here) and in my About tab that "I save money so I can buy the things I love and save for a rainy day." I told my husband since I save SO much money on groceries and household items, it frees up some money for the more expensive food items we don't want to give up. For example, organic produce and now buying fresh pasta occasionally. PLUS, it frees up money to SUPPORT our LOCAL businesses. Fasta is definitely on my list of a local business to support. Fresh yummy pasta!

(Become a Facebook Fan of Fasta & Ravioli Co. to get the latest news and promotions. And while you're there become a Facebook Fan of Happy Clippings)

(For more "Going Local" posts, click HERE)

Going Local: Fasta & Ravioli Co. and a FREE Gemelli's bread

Going Local: Webster's Bookstore & Cafe - 50% Sale and a Coupon

I plan to do a series of posts called "Going Local." I did one 2 weeks ago about Way Fruit Farm (read it HERE). I'll visit local establishments in the State College, PA area and find a way to tie in savings. I believe in saving money but I also want to support local businesses so I am hoping to find a "happy" medium. Alright, on to my current post...

It was a wonderful sunny day in Happy Valley. I loved seeing the blue sky! I had some time to walk around downtown State College this morning.  Did I visit any shops or dining establishments? Well, I 've heard great things about Webster's Bookstore & Cafe, so I decided to finally check the place out. If you love BOOKS - love to read, collect, or just look through books - this is the place for you! Even better is if you love to drink coffee or tea.

*Webster's Bookstore Café is a general used bookstore. They offer a full line of coffee and espresso drinks, teas, and delicious desserts. They deal with local vendors whenever possible.*

I walked through the whole bookstore. Before leaving, I bought myself a double shot Vanilla Latte using a "Webster's coupon - $1 off any specialty drink."  The coupon is from Happy Valley SuddenValues. See my previous post talking about Happy Valley SuddenValues HERE. Cost of this yummy drink...$2.39! Next time I plan to stay longer and try out some of their food.

I also want you all to know Webster's Bookstore Cafe started its semi-annual Spring Clearance Sale - 50% off all used inventory - now until March 14th. SO, go on and visit Webster's Bookstore & Cafe !!! For more information on Webster's Bookstore & Cafe, click HERE.

Going Local: Webster's Bookstore & Cafe - 50% Sale and a Coupon

Going Local: Adventures at a Fruit Farm and some FREE Pie & Cider

I started out this morning thinking about what my family should do for the day. I knew about Auntie Anne's Free Pretzel Day. I pondered what else?...then recalled my kids asking me several times this past week "When are we going to the fruit farm?...I really want some apples" By "fruit farm" they meant Way Fruit Farm. Hmm, free pretzels or apples. How could I say no to the healthy choice my kids were excited about?! I decided to check my email remembering I got a message yesterday from Way Fruit Farm. I wanted to see what kinds of apples they had available. Also, the email mentioned "if you come check out our new fireplace in the cafe this weekend and bring a copy of this email, you'll receive a free slice of pie and cup of cider to enjoy by the fire." This part of the email was an unexpected bonus!

So, off we went to the "fruit farm."  My kids love this place. It's almost like an adventure for them. Maybe, it's seeing all the apples. One of my daughters really wanted peaches. Of course, peaches are not in season. Not to worry, she got it in the form of some FREE pie.

The email offer stated the limit was 2 per group. But, the people at Way Fruit Farm were so kind and insisted on giving all of us - my 3 kids, my husband, and myself - each a piece of free pie.  So we got 3 apples pies, 1 walnut apple pie, and 1 peach pie. YUM! The kids got cold apple cider and us grown ups got hot cider. WOW, we enjoyed this! The cafe is wonderful and their apple cider is the best!!!

We left there buying loads of apples and also some apple cider. We couldn't resist Way Fruit Farm's own delicious apple cider!

How did I get Way Fruit Farms email? I am a subscriber to their emails. If you are interested in doing the same, you'll need to visit their store and sign up! Go check out Way Fruit Farm...it's worth it!

Going Local: Adventures at a Fruit Farm and some FREE Pie & Cider