Why I love Buffalo

Last week I schedule my day trip to Buffalo. There is a routine I established to get the most out of it.
1.) Be in the car by 7:15 A.M. and miss the traffic on the Gardiner and around Burlington
2.) approaching the US Border
Have your passport ready, fruits and sandwich ( with cheese) should be eaten. You never know what they are asking.
Be lucky and pick the lane where they don't ask the 10 questions. I tell you I have my experience of
unexpected questions. I just want to shop and don't treat me like a suspect. Roll down your back window and have your car empty. I only take my plastic container with some of my craft stuff. You will be around 9 A.M. at the border. Know your destinations! They are happy to know this mother is only shopping for 4 hours. My GPS is guiding me to my first destination, the old Jo-Ann's  store. The staff is soo... friendly there.   Here is the reason why I go. Last week they had the 50% coupon on everything . You can apply it on non- reduced items. I print out a dozen, as well for Hobby Lobby. I know we should support the canadian economy but with these price differences I can't say NO. The largest size OLAF cutting mat here at Fabricland $90, Jo-Ann regular $55 with coupon I paid $27 ( only 8% taxes),1 Olaf cutting blade Fabricland $11.95, Jo-Ann regular $ 7.95 get the second one free! How lucky is that.
The next stop is the Polo Factory outlet. They have the cleanest restrooms and I have a quick glance in the store. If your blood sugar level drops by that time, there is a Lindt chocolate store and they offer free samples.
Off to the next destination , a 20 minute drive to Barnes and Noble. I love that book store and have a membership card. Friends who have been with me know the routine, solo expresso and Chai Latte and we hang out at the craft section. The selection is enormous, the membership card can be applied at books, in the Starbucks store and for magazines. This what I bought , the 3 pack Moleskin journals. Here in Toronto the price is between $10 -$12. My lucky day (regular $7.95) they were 20% off plus 10% membership it came to $5.50. By noon I start timing myself that I don't drift off between the clothing racks at Target. They have a house designer label Mossimo which I absolutely love. I bought a pair of jeans $ 19.99. The guy in front of me bought the greek yogurt Chobani (so good) for $1.59 and I see it here for up to $3.59. Hunger - no problem across is the restaurant Panera, famous for home made bread and salads. The last stop is again at the giant Jo-Ann located in the next block. The fabric selection is overwhelming. Here I buy Kona fabric natural colour for my art projects. Buy as many yards and apply the 50% on the complete purchase . ( $10 here, US $3.99-5.99 minus 50%) I have learned to control myself, yes my friends, and didn't buy any other fabrics. Threat, metalic with coupon $1.69 here $4.50. Checkout at the cash you see the big bottle of FabricTac $6.99 minus 50%, here up to $13.00, StazOn $9.99 minus 50%, here $13.00, AA batteries ( here $8.99, US $5.99 minus 50%).
Now it's time to hit the road back to Canada by 1:30 P.M. but my GPS will guide me to my last stop
 ( only 10 min away) and you are in for a treat. The Buffalo Stamp and Stuff store, beautiful decorated with vintage and grunge stuff and you will find unusual stamp images and anything a stamper dreams of.
TJ rubber stamp sets are $25 ,print out there monthly coupon and apply 20% and you pay $20! I have to say they only had one left and I didn't buy it ( inner control). There class sample are beautiful and I wish I could take the banner class or the Alice in Wonderland book. Well, I have to come up with one of my own. Welcome back to Canada. The canadian border patrol ( this time not too friendly) asked me what I bought and I showed my receipts of $73 dollars. He starts asking me question " you came all the way from Canada to buy only stuff for $ 73"? Well, Buffalo is only 1 1/2 hour far from Toronto, so what's your point ?
If you think there is time left on the way home stop in Niagara-on-the-Lake at Bee. This store is run by two sister who really hand pick the nicest prints and hand dyed wool.  There is always a fat quarter you want to buy.
Option two for another day is to drive to the Buffalo University area, stop at the fabulous museums the Albright-Knox Art Gallery and see the Charles Burchfield exhibition. As you know from my previous posting my husband was done in 15 minutes ( but he came with me!)  and that leaves you time to go to Elmwood Fabrics. Find a student cafe for your hubby and enjoy her large print of Marimekko fabrics.

Sincerely,
The Art Girl gone shopping