Discount & Sale: BR - Extra 20

Banana Republic is currently having a spring sale and is now offering an extra 20% off sale merchandise only. Use EXTRA20 code at checkout - online only from March 30, 2010 at 12:00 AM ET through March 31, 2010 at 11:59 PM ET.

Daily Deals

I was on “vacation” last week and perfectly planned on blogging. Did not happen, once. Our “vacation” was remodeling our kitchen. Honestly, nothing cheap about it, but I’ll post about that later!

Kicking off our Monday…for those who haven’t heard of the daily deal sites that are popping up everywhere, check them out. They all work basically the same way. You receive an email (or visit their site) telling you what the deal-of-the-day is, at up to 90% off the normal value. Caveat – you must buy the deal that day (or within so many hours).

Tippr.com: Deals toward spas, restaurants, and other major activities in 23 markets
Livingsocial.com: Offers deals to local restaurants, bars, theatres and more in 13 major cities
Groupon.com: Covers the most areas - 52 cities including our good friends in Canada. *You only get Groupon’s deal if enough people respond though.

So if the day’s particular offer interests you, it’s a huge win. Deals vary by city and change daily.

Freebies: Starbucks Free Pastry

What's cheaper than free? It's "Free Pastry Day" at Starbucks on March 23, 2010 (with the purchase of a hand-crafted beverage).

Deal & Freebie: Movie Land

Brick and mortar movie stores are becoming a thing of the past. Sad because when you have little ones, they love to run up and down the aisles pulling down all the movies. Wait, I mean they love to run up and down the aisles and pick out their own movie.

My neighborhood Hollywood Video is officially closing its doors, so I just joined Redbox – mainly for the kids. But it’s a pleasant surprise to see $1 rentals instead of $3.50. I’m already a Netflix gal, but we use those rentals for the parents in this house.

So if you’re up for checking out Redbox, you can get a free rental by signing up online. Or become a fan on Facebook and receive a free rental for St. Patrick's day (that's tomorrow). The code can only be used to select a movie at the kiosk (you cannot reserve it online before hand) so if you are hoping for a great flick, go first thing in the morning on the 17th to make sure they don’t run out. For future convenience, use an online account to reserve your movie before you arrive. Find your nearest location here.

Discount: Old Navy, Gap, & BR “Friends & Family” Sale

Aren’t we all friends of these stores? And now it’s my favorite time of year - the Friends and Family sale. Use this coupon for 30% off everything at Old Navy, Gap & Banana Republic (in-store only) from March 18-21.

This adorable frock is on sale for $20 right now at Old Navy ($14 on Thursday w/your discount) and would be perfect for summer.

As an FYI, the Gap Corporation used to do markdowns on Wednesdays, so generally Thursday mornings were a great day to scour the sale racks (which is when this deal starts). In talking to their sales people recently, some of the markdowns seem to be at random. But I still think mid-week is the norm.

If the price ends in $.99, it still has another price drop coming. Lowest price ends in $.97, so if you see that – grab it! Of course, only if you love it and it looks great on you.

Deal: The Low-down on Sheets

Do not buy sheets at Target. I repeat - do not. This post is for a reader who asked about advice on sheets. She just recently purchased 400 thread count doozies from Target and is about to return them. I have found that Target sheets are rough or make you sweat. Either way, no one wins.

Best sheets for the money are from Macy's (or department store that carries Charter Club).

Charter Club Collection "Damask Solid" or "Damask Stripe" 500 Thread Count - 100% Pima cotton.

And of course, they are on sale now for $99 for the queen size. Bring in the old Macy's card and you get 15% off - now you're down to $85. Soft, thick & luxurious!

Discount & Sale: Banana Republic 6 Hour 40% off sale

Today only - from 9am pacific to 3pm pacific, save 40% online at Banana Republic. Use promo code STYLEOUT at checkout.

Deals: Drink it like the French

I buy cheap wine, too often. I'm also a victim of the Trader Joe's end-cap wine selection. Wine for $4?! You get what you pay for in that case. At least I can cook with it.

But I also have a split personality. I'll pay $11 a glass out on the town, or buy an entire case of Walla Walla wine on vacation. Put me in a super market and I become cheap.

At TJ's I always find myself in the "Syrah" or "Dry White" sections (admittedly, this is not the best place to buy wine, but it's where I grocery shop). Last week I noticed "French" along the outside wall. Wait, there's a French section? Where have I been the last 10 years? I felt like I was always slodging through the discarded northern calif wines.

For the money, French wine has its perks. Here are a few bottles from a TJ's in Seattle - both well under $10 that were really good (not perfect), but we finished them both and didn't break our budget.

Deals: And so it begins

I have never bought designer clothes. I might dream about them, but I've never bought them and probably never will. Most people I know don't either. In fact, I'm always on the prowl for a great find - a deal off Craig's list, an enormous Banana Republic sale, a generic version that replaces my name brand and works exactly the same, a cheap hotel rate, a big-hit coupon for something I always buy at the market, a shampoo that doesn't cost more than $10, and the list goes on.

So off we go. You'll never find anything here that costs more than $99 - two figures only please!

I had two purchases this week that did not disappoint.

Cover Girl Simply Ageless Foundation $13

Ellen has been modeling it for months, but believe me - after wearing Bobbi Brown for 10 years, I was hesitant. It delivered. It's matte and comes with an application sponge.

Unfortunately, there were no testers at the store, so I bought the lightest shade and it may be a tad too light. I think the white in there is the "Olay" portion which is what makes the overall color lighter than you think (once it blends).

Give it a try!




Grecian Flat Sandals $17.99 for summer (whenever it arrives). Let me re-phrase.
Grecian Flat Sandals for vacation.

In Gold Metallic (yes I am vacationing in Palm Springs) but these are not for the grannies in Palm Springs. Metallic is back - even jeweled metallic - though personally I couldn't stomach the jewels so I went with these beauties.

For $17.99 at Target.com - you cannot go wrong!

Hope to see you around here often!