Each year about this time Santa Claus brings presents a little early for women: The cosmetic counter holiday specials

If you buy right, you might not have to buy makeup all year long. I'm still using the eye shadow from a holiday Estee Lauder special from a year ago.

This holiday season Lancome seems to have the best deal. For a $36 purchase, you can buy a Lancome case full of cosmetics for only $49.50, supposedly a $339 value. While a few items are decidedly small, the Lancome case has full-size lipsticks and a variety of some of its best products.

I spotted this deal at Nordstrom's. It's the holidays and time to put on a happy face, or at least a nicely made up one. -- Marcia "Bargain Hunter" Pounds

> Discuss this entry

I love these events where you can go out with the girls, shop and have a heck of a good time.

Mark your calendar from Nov. 19 and Nov. 20 for Shecky's Girls Night Out at the Catalina Hotel in South Beach. The Sheckys' folks tell us they will have designer fashions up to 75 percent off (including cocktail dresses -- If only I had a place to wear one, sigh), complimentary spa services, cocktails and munchies.

Each room of the hotel's main building will reflect the style and personality of each of the designers. You can purchase tickets to win a Goodie Bag, which will be stuffed with more than $100 of must-have products -- such as Aquafresh White Trays, Aveeno, Chambord, Dove, Good Earth Premium Coffee and Redken.

Hours are from 6 to11 p.m. You must be 21 or older to attend. The hotel is located at 1732 Collins Ave. (305-674-1160). Admission is $10. Or pay $25 for two Goodie Bag tickets including admission. See sheckys.com for more info.

XOXO -- Shopper Girl

> Discuss this entry

A trunk show Thursday from 4pm-7pm...have a look at the unique hair accessories in the Evita Peroni line. Jeweled holiday pieces, leather headbands, gorgeous clips and barrettes...

Joann, the national trainer for Evita Peroni, will be at the trunk show to demonstrate simple techniques that transform our look from OK to fabulous.

Evita Peroni

In the Harbor Shops at 17th Street Causeway in Ft Lauderdale.

> Discuss this entry

Last week I promised to let you know about the Miami mall a cute hip young fashion writer recommended. We thought we'd check it out first. It's an easy drive if you follow the Homestead signs driving south on the Turnpike. We didn't...don't ask.

Hardly an undiscovered gem, the huge parking lot was full, full, full. But, wow, well worth the drive. It's huge....and doesn't seem as picked over as local Sawgrass Mills.

It has some of the same big flagship stores as Sawgrass: Neiman Marcus Last Call, Off Fifth Saks Outlet, Burlington Coat Factory, T J Maxx, Marshalls, Bed Bath and Beyond. In total there are over 240 stores and restaurants.

Fellow blogger Marcia and I only had a few hours...we could have spent the whole day! Heck, you could spend a week there! We happened to walk in the entrance that took us to For Love 21, the Forever 21 accessory store. Huge selection, amazing prices. I bought a beaded necklace with a cheap charm on it, intending to replace their charm with an old locket I've had. Marked $4.95...scanned in at $1. Like a treasure hunt!

We ran out of time after Neiman Marcus Last Call...walking out for a previous engagement was sheer torture. The store signs were like the mythical sirens summoning us: Michael Kors, Coach, Calvin Klein, DKNY, DSW, Ann Taylor.....

But we'll certainly go back. And soon!

Dolphin Mall

> Discuss this entry

OK, I've got my appointment along with my bf "E."

But you gotta run to the phone (can't make an appointment online) and sign up for the Spa Week $50 specials at Elizabeth Arden Red Door Salon & Spa.

You have the choice of a facial, body melt (shea butter wrap and then a massage) or a manicure/pedicure special for only $50.

These treatments, at the luxurious Red Door, are usually $100 plus! Facials were already sold out at the Red Door location at the Bonaventure resort in Weston, but still available at The Galleria in Fort Lauderdale as of Saturday.

We chose the Bonaventure because after pampering, you can hang out for the day at the hotel's beautiful waterfall pool.

Spa week special is only for Oct. 13 to 17. Get your bf, like I did, and go for it. Life is short. -- Marcia "Bargain Hunter" Pounds

> Discuss this entry

I apologize if you saw my CVS coupon offer Friday morning. Apparently, the link was to my personal coupon, and not a generic one. I contacted CVS for a generic replacement, so I could post that one instead, but CVS doesn't have a generic coupon offer at the time.

Joanne at CVS corporate offices said, "The best way to spread the word about a deal or a coupon is to encourage your readers to register their own email addresses as part of their ExtraCare membership. That way, they will get their own unique deals. Here is the link for people to sign up or add their e-mail to their account."

CVS Extra Care

I know we are all reluctant to share our email addresses, the spam can be soooo annoying, but the CVS Extra Care program is a money saver. I know, I know....who can keep track of all the 'dad-blasted' little membership cards??? A royal pain, but well worth it, if you are into saving $$$.

For example, this week Cover Girl foundation is $5.49. I bought the foundation, got $5.49 back in Extra Bucks. And I used the manufacturer's coupon from Sunday's paper, for $1 off, so I actually made $1 profit on the item. Now, that's my kind of shopping!

> Discuss this entry

I've used Oil of Olay. products most of my adult life. In recent years, the product line has been expanded and I've been wanting to experiment with some of the new products.

A sale at CVS helps make that possible. CVS is having a beauty products sale and that includes the Oil of Olay line. You can get the pre-moistened facial wipes two for one. Those make the night-time makeup removal routine a cinch.

Most recently, I've tried the 14-day Regenerist Skin Intervention and Regenerist Micro Sculpting Cream. Love them both. Now I'm on to the Definity line of moisterizers.

What do you think of the Oil of Olay products? Do they compare with department store creams? I think they do, and cost much less. -- Marcia "Bargain Hunter" Pounds

> Discuss this entry

It's hard to keep 10 nice long unsplit nails, all at the same time, isn't it? And who has time to keep up with acrylics? Those fussy days are but a memory. Lately, I keep my nails short and for special occasions I love a nice clean fresh looking French manicure (I am lucky when it lasts 3-4 days.)

I can't get used to a French pedicure. For some reason, it looks to me like my feet are 'wannabe' hands. I like them okay on other people, but not on me! Anyone else feel that way? I don't mind if the hands and feet don't match...I love to play with fun colors on my toes. The hot new colors for fall are dark, dark, dark. Do you all follow the season trends living in south Florida?

A friend, Noreen, had a bright frosted hot pink pedicure the other day. I have no shame, I HAD to know the color. Essie Jam N Jelly. She said she had to order it from her salon in NJ and have it mailed down, because she's new to the area, and her local salon didn't sell products.

I didn't waste one minute shopping for it, I jumped online and ordered a bottle for myself. Had it in 2 days, no gas or time wasted. Since then, I've heard the Essie brand is sold in lots of beauty supply stores locally, Angela's Beauty Stuff in the South Harbor Shops off 17th Street Causeway for one.


Give it try and let us know how you like it.

> Discuss this entry

Everybody’s clipping coupons these days. Why not? With the cost of groceries, every little bit helps.

The Sunday paper is, of course, the mother-lode of coupons. I found a $3 coupon for a L’Oreal cleansers and moisturizers, $1 off Pledge cleaning wipes and $2 off Revlon cosmetics – all products I already use.

That’s the trick. You don’t want to buy items just because you have a coupon.

The Internet is another source of coupons. Coupons is the main source. You can type in your zip code and fi nd coupons in your area. For our Delray Beach office address, I found these coupons: I found $1 off Perdue chicken breast strips, $1 coupon for Tylenol and $1 off Boston contact lens solution – darn! I just bought that!

You can also google a name brand and see if there’s a coupon available. All of this takes preparation for a shopping trip. But if done routinely, it could start to pay off.

Did you find a good coupon recently? Tell me where or post the link here. -- Marcia "Bargain Hunter" Pounds

> Discuss this entry

It's only a savings if you are going to buy it anyway, right? If you have paid $9.50-10.50 for B&BW Signature Collection scents, then you need to get yourself over there before June 15th, while they are $4, or 6 for $20.

I'm not a big fan of their fragrances, I prefer a lighter scent, but my daughter loves them, so I'll stock up now for her upcoming birthday.

You can shop online, but there's a shipping fee. I surfed around for a free shipping coupon code, sorry, couldn't find one. Let me know, I'll add the information if anyone finds a free shipping coupon. Otherwise you can avoid the shipping charge by stopping at one of the many stores in the area. Check out:

Bath & Body Works

> Discuss this entry

If you love perfume bottles, here' s a keeper: Badgley and Mischka's new scent, Fluers de Nuit (Flowers of the Night) comes in a gorgeous bottle etched with a brocade pattern.

Full disclosure: I have not smelled the scent, but it's described as "white floral with notes of magnolia and night-blooming jasmine." Apparently the design duo was inspired while on a trip in India, where they were in a moon garden which had night-blooming flowers that are pollinated by night butterflies.

The whole idea sounds lovely. But seriously, the bottle puts it over the top.

Fleurs de Nuit will be available in October for a limitied time. It comes in one size, a 3.4-oz. eau de parfum spray, for $90. Get it at Neiman Marcus, Saks Fifth Avenue, Bergdorf Goodman, Nordstrom and Bloomingdale's.

-- K.V.W.

> Discuss this entry

Pompano Beach-based skincare company Simply Organic is already a bonafide hit. Ben Stiller and Keanu Reeves reportedly use the line because it's free of harsh chemical ingredients.

Wait until they find out about the $22 Rejuventaing Sealer - Parker Posey and Rachel Dratch are already fans - which uses olive-leaf extract to calm the frizzies and boost the shine. There are oils to help with tangles and honey as a natural moisturizer.

Oh, and the olive-leaf extract also is an anti-bacterial agent and strengthens the hair with proteins, vitamins and minerals. Visit SimplyOrganicBeauty.com for retail locations.

--R.S.H

> Discuss this entry

Looking for that perfect afterglow in South Florida leaves glamazons with two choices: you can either get it naturally with healthy exercise outdoors or you can buy it.

Smashbox has a new blush, O-GLOW, that comes out of the tube custom-made. You squeeze out clear goo that once on your skin turns into the best hue for you on your cheeks.

The secret is Goji Berry-C Complex, a natural extract that mimics micro-circulation (the rush of blood to the head). The chamelon cosmetic is $26 at smashbox.com and Sephora stores until May 15th and then will be at Nordstroms.

--R.S.H

> Discuss this entry