Shop-O-Matic: We find. You buy. | Sun-Sentinel Blogs

Black Friday is a week early

2009-11-20T21:30:36Z

The biggest shopping day of the year hasn't been Black Friday, the day after Thanksgiving, for many years.

This Friday, a full week before Black Friday, may have as many deals as next week. "Early bird" deals continue through Saturday at Kohls, Macy's, and many other South Florida retailers.

The deals may only get better next week and as we march toward Christmas, but there's more selection now than there will likely be closer to the holidays.

I spotted this pearl necklace for only $23, marked down from $90, on Kohls.com, which has a sale until midnight tonight and then again from 6 a.m. to 1 p.m. in stores and 12 a.m to 4 p.m. online on Saturday. Use the coupon code "SHOPEARLY," to get another 20% off, according to BlackFriday.gottadeal.com. -- Marcia "Bargain Hunter" Pounds

Coupons in Advance: Preview the coupon inserts in Sunday's Sun Sentinel 11/22/09

2009-11-19T20:06:12Z

Last week was the week to buy 8 papers, the savings potential was amazing. This week with the holiday looming, as usual during holiday week, the coupons are lighter, but there are still good ones.

Don't recycle the paper before you pull out the single sheet from SteinMart with two coupons, one for 20% off two regular or sale priced items, and one for 25% off Red Dot & Clearance items. We can never get enough SteinMart coupons!

There's also a Smart Source insert with some generous coupons inside: $1 off Science Diet dog food, $1 Florida's Natural Juice, $1 off Chinet plates, and more. Click here to see the list.

JetBlue one day sale from South Florida - flights from $29 each way

2009-11-19T16:21:28Z

This morning JetBlue launched a one-day sale with fares from Fort Lauderdale and West Palm Beach starting at $29 each way. As you can see by the comments below, there may be some added taxes and fees, so approach this with care, as you always should with these 'sale' announcements.

The announced sale is good for Monday-Thursday flights, Dec. 2-16 and Jan. 6-28. All tickets must be booked by tonight at 11:59PM MST.

Sample fares (each way):
- Fort Lauderdale-Nassau ... $29
- Fort Lauderdale-Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic ... $29
- Fort Lauderdale-Richmond ... $49
- West Palm Beach-New York ... $59
- Fort Lauderdale-Washington, D.C. ... $59
- Fort Lauderdale-Long Beach ... $89

To book directly through JetBlue, click here.

And a good time was had by all!!

2009-11-19T05:14:21Z

The first Shop-O-Matic tweet-up hosted by Chima and FG Salon & Spa was held on Wednesday evening. We so enjoyed meeting those of you who were there, thanks for coming out. If you didn't make it, you missed a fun night. Our hosts treated guests to a fabulous party and lots of free treats.

Get the flash player here: http://www.adobe.com/flashplayer

Thanks to the folks at FG Salon for staying late to make sure each guest got their treatments. We were getting hot parafin treatments, make-up demos and chair massages until the wee hours. The mini massages were in the courtyard under the stars. It was every woman's dream girls night out and more.

Vintage Show and Sale this weekend!

2009-11-18T19:16:41Z

If you're an old soul and love all things vintage from the 1930's through 1970's, don't miss out on the Vintage Show and Sale this weekend.

There will be jewelry, clothes, handbags, furniture and more from those eras. And there will be exhibits, fashion shows, lectures and book signings.

Those authors include Anne Gilbert, "Antiques Detective": Designs & Memorabilia 40s & 50s and Designs; Memorabilia 60s & 70s; Carole Tanenbaum, Fabulous Fakes: A Passion for Vintage -100 years of Costume Jewelry and Judith Gura, Sourcebook of Scandinavian Furniture: Designs for the 21st Century and New York Interior Design, 1935-1985.

It's happening Saturday and Sunday, Nov. 21-22, at the Palm Beach Convention Center, 650 Okeechobee Blvd., in West Palm Beach.

For more information about the show and lectures call 561-483-4047 or visit the website.

$20 off Alfred Angelo bridesmaid dresses; $100 off bridal gowns

2009-11-18T19:11:17Z

March and June are the most popular months for weddings and right about now-- yes, now!-- is the time to place orders on bridesmaid dresses for these special occasions. I should know-- my sister's wedding is at the end of March.

I've done my research and opted to go with Alfred Angelo gowns. They've got dozens of fabulous styles in dozens of beautiful colors.

And imagine my ear to ear smile when we coincidentally found a coupon for $20 off any bridesmaid dress. There's also one for $100 off bridal gowns.

The sale will take place Saturday, Nov. 21 through Sunday, Nov. 29th to promote the company's 2010 collections.

Now, if you've got a wedding over the summer or later in 2010, you may want to check out www.houseofbrides.com. The website offers dresses from various designers that are available at rock-bottom prices. The only drawback is that it takes even longer than the already lengthy wait time on ordering these special dresses.

It may be too late for me, but if you've got time, give it a whirl.

Here's to happily ever after for all!

-Erika "Frugal Fashionista" Pesantes

Mini pumpkin Thanksgiving centerpieces from Martha Stewart

2009-11-18T18:31:15Z

Martha Stewart had a great suggestion for an inexpensive centerpiece for your Thanksgiving table.

"Anchor candles inside mini pumpkins to make centerpieces. Cut a hole inside each pumpkin with a utility knife, and then carve out space for candles with a melon baller. If desired, stack 2 and secure from inside hole with straight pins. With adhesive putty, affix candles inside gourds and pumpkins to leaves that cover overturned pie plates."

If you like the look, a few mini pumpkins are much cheaper than flowers. Click here for more directions at MarthaStewart.com/

Horchow Friends & Family sale Nov 19-20 - 30% off entire site

2009-11-18T04:38:53Z

The folks at Horchow are making an offer we can't refuse....a Friends and Family sale, 30% off the entire site November 19 and 20th only.

When I decorated my wonderful old house in Rio Vista I purchased a few unique items from the Horchow catalog. In those days we shopped from catalogs only. Imagine?!

You might want to have a look at their travel accessories for the road warrior in your life. Pictured is the Trendquest File N Go Organizer, $40 before discounts are applied. The faux-leather organizer with handle has 21 pockets to hold 8.5" x 11" documents. Or....are you thinking what I'm thinking?

Click here for more info. Use code word FRIENDS.

Coupon Chaos: Enter to win free coupons from Shop-O-Matic

2009-11-17T19:57:03Z

It was a great week for sales last week, I'll bet I made 15 runs through Walgreens with the $5 off $25 coupon! Can you believe they had them readily accessible at the door? Thanks Walgreens!

Please come to our Meet Up Wednesday night. We are sooo looking forward to meeting some of our readers. It's just for fun, don't worry about bringing shopping tips, just bring yourself.

Chimas Brazilian Steakhouse will be serving appetizers and half price drinks, and FG Salon will have Sangria and lots of goodies, chair massages and make-up demonstrations. Click here to read about it, and to register.

Dont forget about the $10 Honeybaked Ham coupon, good until the end of the year. Click here to register.

Where are you saving this week? Leave your shopping/saving tips in the comments below. --Super Saver Kathy

Some good deals at Publix this week ending 11/18

2009-11-17T17:01:42Z

Only a few days left to take advantage of this week's BOGOs at Publix: Glade candles, Progresso soup, Cheerios, and more. KCK sent in some good deal ideas but couldn't get them to post, so I'm cutting and pasting her email here. (Sorry you had trouble KCK.)

"These are all basically free at Publix this week, but you can never post these links.

Chinet napkins BOGO
$1 off any, IE link click here

Progresso soup BOGO
$1.10/1 Progresso High Fiber, IE link click here
(Hope you got one, I think this campaign ran out of coupons.)

Zantac OTC, purchase the 8 count size.
Use the $2.00 coupon, fill out info.
http://www.zantacotc.com/
Use the $3.00 Publix coupon from the green Adv. flyer

Kelloggs Rice Krispies or Krispix BOGO
$1.00 coupon 11/8 Red Plum
$1/1 Target coupon"

Get 4-for-2 Yankee candles

2009-11-16T21:01:56Z

Buy two large Yankee candles, $24.95 apiece, and get two more for free with this coupon:

Yankee Candle Coupon

Or, buy one large candle and get a second 50 percent off at Yankee Candles

This Balsam Cedar candle can bring the smell of Christmas trees into your home, if you'd rather do without the real thing.

Don't want to bake? Buy a Christmas Cookie candle. Of course, the kids or grandkids will be disappointed so you better have at least store-bought on hand! -- Marcia "Bargain Hunter" Pounds

Free appetizers and drink specials at Tweet-Up Wednesday

2009-11-16T17:10:57Z

Do you have a holiday shopping strategy? Let's trade ideas at the Sun Sentinel's shopping blog Tweet-up on Wednesday, Nov. 18, at Chima Brazilian Steak House, 2400 E. Las Olas Boulevard, Fort Lauderdale.

The event starts at 5:30 p.m. at Chima's Meet Market and then continues into the evening at FG Lifestyle Salon next door for complimentary chair massages and mini-makeovers. Enjoy light appetizers with special 1/2 price well drinks and $4 select martinis and wine specials.

I will be there along with my shopping blogger colleagues, Kathy "Super Saver" Haines and Erika "Frugal Fashionista" Pesantes.

We all deserve a little pampering before the holiday shopping season. At FG Lifestyle Salon, owner Francesca Guerrera will show you how to get the look you want for this years’ holiday parties. Boca Leche clothing boutique will be displaying seasonal fashions, and offering special pricing to our guests.

Each guest will go home with special gift bags with treats from Chima, Boca Leche and FG Lifestyle Salon. And don’t miss the free raffle for hair, pedicure, manicure, facial, spinning, yoga and Pilates classes!

So stop shopping for just a minute, and reserve your spot at the exclusive event at Shop-O-Matic Tweet-up

See you there! -- Marcia "Bargain Hunter" Pounds

Free Bloomin' Onion from Outback for AAA members

2009-11-15T10:23:26Z

Outback Steakhouse and AAA have a marketing deal that can put a few pounds on AAA members. Get a free Bloomin' Onion with purchase when you show your AAA card.

Thanks Janis for sharing. Click here to print coupon.

Printable coupon: $1 off Pillsbury Grands

2009-11-13T14:58:53Z

We get lots of Pillsbury coupons, but not usually in big increments, so this one is exciting. Get $1 off one Pillsbury Grands! biscuits. I rarely bake, so its the only way my family is getting fresh from the oven warm bread.

Click here for coupon. Use your back button to print two. Then wait for a sale, you can probably get them for free or nearly so! --Super Saver Kathy

Printable coupon: $2 off Huggies diapers

2009-11-13T05:22:18Z

Here's a printable coupon for $2 off one pack of Huggies diapers. Click here for Firefox and here for Internet Explorer. The coupons.com Huggies $2 coupon has reset and you can print 2 more from there as well.

Huggies are on sale at Walgreens through Saturday, so combined with the $5 off $25 coupon on the front of their weekly sale brochure, it's a good time to stock up on a few jumbo packs.

To use the $5 coupon, buy three packs of diapers on sale at $8.99 each (from $11.99), then give the cashier the $5 off $25 coupon first, next hand over three $2 off coupons. Your total must be over $25 (not including tax) when he/she rings the $5 coupon. The diapers will be $5.32 per jumbo pack.

--Super Saver Kathy