Hot Pink Sequined Cowboy Hat - Yeee HAWWW!!!

I'm still mourning the demise of the 98 Cent Super Dollar Store, but I just found the 99 Center Dollar Store and More.

Pink Elephant Watering Can

I've been buying a lot of spring flowers from the Dollar Store lately, and here is how I water them. With the pink plastic elephant watering can I got there too.

Too cute!

Easter Egg Tissues!

I previously lauded the wonderful graphics on Hankeez tissues from the 99 Cent Only Store, and they do not miss a beat, or a holiday.

Check out this box with a great Easter Egg theme.

Now if your seasonal allergies kick in on Easter Sunday, or you decide to watch "The King and I" (it always makes me cry like a baby) you'll be all set.

Flowers for Easter

Over on my Dollar Store Diet blog I have Chick and Bunny cupcakes, Dyed Easter Eggs, and Easter Baskets, but I do enjoy lovely flowers for Easter, and the 99 Cent Only Store had these Chrysathemums in colors of the season. They also had these great stackable containers that create a neat effect.

RIP 98 Cent Dollar Super Store

The website remains, but sadly the 98 Cent Dollar Super Store at Spring Mountain and Durango in Las Vegas is no more. I drove in the parking lot to see that the signage was being taken down and the store was empty, except for a shambles of shelving.

It was big by independent Dollar Store standards, housed in a converted Longs Drug Store. Most of the merchandise was 98 Cents true to its name, but it also veared into an odd assortment of clothing and other things that were over a dollar.

An Easter Bonnet with All the Frills Upon It

There are so many wonderful things about Easter, but getting a new outfit and new hat is as thrilling for me today, as it was when I was four years old. Actually, it is more fun now because I get to pick out my own finery -- or even make it, but in all these years a couple of things hasn't changed -- most likely it will be pretty and pink.

I got the basic pink hat at the 99 Cent Only Store today, and went to town with other items I had bought there (and at other Dollar Stores) in the past. My favorite butterfly tops off the creation, and when I was finished it reminded me of one of Minnie Pearl's hats. In honor of her I added a price tag, adjusted for inflation. The cost of one Easter Bonnet from the Dollar Store - $12.98, the feeling you get when you stroll down the boulevard in the Easter Parade - priceless.

Family Dollar -- Dollar Store or Not?

The Las Vegas Valley is a hotbed of Dollar Stores. A quick search will unveil a map with at least

We have 5 99 Cent Only Stores, 8 Dollar Trees, 7 Family Dollar Stores, and quite a few independents like the 98 Cent Super Dollar Store, Nic's Dollar Store, Dollar Discount, and quite a few small, scary, ethnic looking places tucked into tired Strip Malls in questionable neighborhoods.

I've been to most of them with the exception of Family Dollar. I guess I put it in the category of "not really a Dollar Store" along with Dollar General, which I frequented in Nashville, TN and had fallen into the "once you go buck, you never go back" mindset of a Dollar Store purist.

My fears were confirmed when I asked a co-worker and fellow Dollar Store enthusiast about Family Dollar, and she remarked "Well, there is hardly anything in there for a dollar."

GRILLZ!!!

Bring the bling with jewelry for your mouth from the Family Dollar Store. Grillz are sour lollipops that add brilliance to your bite while you enjoy the mouth puckering candy. My friend refused to let me photograph her wearing/eating this awesome delight -- which is a shame because her eyes are as blue as the dude on the package. She would not even allow me to show her face next to the unopened package, but hey, I'm respectful if nothing else.

I actually balked at sending $1.50 for my own Grillz, but that's 'cuz I'm a cheapskate, and thought because we were in Family DOLLAR, one buck was a more appropriate price.

Anyways, I'll probably indulge on my next trip and fork over the extra cash . . . these are really fun, and a lot more affordable than a trip to Eddie's .

Panda Bra - My favorite Dollar Store Undergarment

How cute is this? Luckily, I thought to buy two, as the first one I've completely worn out. Well, I didn't wear it out! I wore it under . . . oh, you know what I mean.

So I have this one now to wear, but I like it so much, I just want to look at it on the hanger. Silly me.

PowerHouse Cold Water Wool Wash

I do a lot of handwashing, and I stopped using Woolite years ago. This PowerHouse Cold Water Wool Wash from the Dollar Tree, worked great in the sink, or in the washer. In fact, it is pretty much the only detergent I use.

Like the Monet Vegetable Crackers, you can buy this by the case at the Dollar Tree website website, or pick it up in the stores.

Here is their description -

"Take care of your fine washables while preventing shrinking, fading, and stretching! Use to soak, hand wash, or machine wash your delicates and fine washables made of wool, nylon, and other synthetics. Ideal for sweaters, blouses, lingerie, baby clothes, and blankets. Case includes 12 – 32-oz. bottles of Power House® Cold-Water Wool Wash."

It definitely gets the Dollar Store Diva Good Housekeeping Seal of Approval!

P.S. -- I've been throwing the empty bottles away for years, but each time I do I'm tempted to make a soap bottle doll like this .