While I was in Columbia on assignment this week, I popped into a trio of shops located downtown on South Main Street: Fashion Attic and Evalina's Antiques both carry gently used consignment garments and accessories for women. Fashion Attic specializes in current clothing while Evalina's has more vintage garments, such as aprons, hats and jewelry.

The newly opened Patina Pony is in a small selection of stores just to the north off Main Street at Gundlach. The retailer specializes in western and southwestern furniture, home accessories, tooled cowboy boots, rugs and more. Saw some beautiful turquoise and coral silver jewelry, but a bit pricy at $85.50 for a pair of earrings.

I have never written about an estate sale before, but I'm mentioning this one because a reader sent me a very complete list of items offered for sale at a public location and it seems quite extraordinary. The sale is from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. today (Saturday) and Sunday. It takes place at Woodgate Club House, 1134 Woodgate Drive, O'Fallon. It's cash only.

You can expect to find a large variety of Christmas items, from ornaments and plates to tree skirts and stockings. As well, you'll find designer handbags, decorative pillows, hand-embroidered vintage linens, new chair covers and linens, yards of fabric (especially for quilters) and a collection of vintage and designer pin cushions.

At Petsmart in west Belleville, you can tame your pet's fur on furniture, carpet, car upholstery and clothing with the Sticky Buddy ($9.99). The bright yellow picker-upper is a super-sticky lint roller with rubbery little fingers to also reach deep into carpets and other fabric to pick up crumbs, cat litter, bird seed and lint, according to the package. It's reusable, too. Clean with soap and water, dry and it gets sticky all over again.

It doesn't have to be Halloween to dress up and have fun. Try a trio of plastic dinosaur hats, complete with long snarly snouts, beady eyes, fake jagged teeth and a chin strap. (They don't cover the face.) Each is a buck at the Dollar Tree store in Belleville Crossing off Illinois 15 in Belleville.

And while you're at any Dollar Tree store, pick out some $1 school supplies at the checkout counter. They'll be added to your total and donated by the retailer to local needy students.

Spent too much time in the sun this summer? Your reward may be skin decolorations on your face that leave dark splotches that just won't go away. You can cover them with a concealer, but Smashbox has a better idea. The cosmetic company had created Photo Finish More Than Primer Dark Spot Corrector, $42 at Ulta Beauty in Fairview Heights. According to the company, it is supposed to fade dark spots, with 84 percent of women seeing significant improvement in four weeks. Plus, it's doing double duty. As a primer, it helps give your skin a smoother surface over which to apply makeup.

Dorm-bound in the near future? JC Penney has micro-fiber, extra-long twin sheet sets for $15.

Mark your calendar

Teen Vogue is celebrating back-to-school shopping Aug. 11 with Back-to-School Saturday . Partnering with more than 30 fashion and beauty retailers nationwide, teens and avid shoppers will receive exclusive discounts, giveaways, makeovers and more that day only. Download the Teen Vogue Insider app for iPhone and iPod touch to check in at participating stores, earn points to win exclusive Teen Vogue prizes (such as a trip to New York and a $1,000 shopping spree) and map nearby sponsors' locations. Read More at teenvogue.com/style/back-to-school-saturday/deals#ixzz229AotAGQ.

Some of the deals you'll get include 30 percent off at Aeropostale, plus a free pair of sunglasses; 30 percent off any in-store or online purchase at The Gap; 20 percent off any in-store or online Kohl's purchase; $15 off $30 at Express (with offer on the Insider App; present at in-store checkout or use promotional code 9375 online). Visit any Auntie Anne's and get a free pretzel. (Show app offer at checkout.)

Kick off the back-to-school shopping season when Scooby Doo drops by Center Court at St. Clair Square from 3 to 5 p.m. Aug. 11. In addition to a visit with Shaggy's best bud, kids will enjoy free crafts and activities. Bring your camera.