Yes, it's rainy and hot and you can hardly breathe.

But cheer up, Starbucks $2 iced drink special is back this summer: Buy a morning coffee, keep your receipt and get an afternoon delight after 2 p.m. for only $2.

I also have Starbucks' discount card so I get my morning coffee for under $2. Even Starbucks is more of a bargain these days. -- Marcia "Bargain Hunter" Pounds

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Afraid to buy new furniture because you may lose your job?

The folks at Thomasville, like Hyundai, are making it easier to buy that new entertainment center or sofa. If you lose your job, the "Thomasville Promise" pledges to make payments up to six months. One caveat: You must use a Thomasville credit card.

Here are the terms:

1. Purchase Thomasville furniture or accessories of at least $2,500 with your Thomasville Credit Card (subject to normal credit approval and terms below) between 4/30/09 and 6/15/09 at participating Thomasville stores, and take advantage of our special no-interest financing if paid in full by January 2011 offer.
2. Should you lose your job, simply complete and submit the Enrollment Claim Form.
3. Thomasville will pay the monthly payment due on your Thomasville Credit Card account based on monthly receipt of required documentation for up to six months.
4. At the end of the six-month term or when your employment status changes, you will be responsible for resuming monthly payments for the balance on your account.

Kudos to businesses like Thomasville that are attempting to make it easier for us during these difficult times.

XOXO -- Shopper Girl

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If you know your way around the car repair shop, you can find a car for as little as $200 March 7 at the Salvation Army Adult Rehabilitation Center in Fort Lauderdale. This month's inventory includes 38 vehicles. The auction also features boats.

The average price for a car is $900 with many going for as low as $200. You can view the merchandise as early as 8 a.m. and the auction begins at 9 a.m.

One caveat: All merchandise is "as is" and there are no refunds.

A cash deposit of $200 is required for each vehicle and must be paid by cash, credit or debit day of the auction No checks, American Express or Discover cards will be accepted.

The Salvation Army is at 1901 W. Broward Blvd., Ft. Lauderdale. Call 954 463-3725.

XOXO -- Shopper Girl

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OK, I know this is a pricey item that few of us could afford, but it is a hoot, isn't it?

Betcha that some folks would like to do more than throw darts at Bernie Madoff, the alleged king of the ponzi scheme who caused everyone from west Broward retirees to Palm Beachers to lose their fortunes.

Palm Beach artist Bruce Helander created this satirical "dart board" as a limited edition fine art print. He calls it Bars & Stripes Forever!

The hand-embellished collage print, which includes a private jet, a fleet of yachts and limos, is
done in a limited edition of 100 and sells for $900. It will be unveiled at 7 p.m. Feb. 13 at the Paul Fisher Gallery, 433 Flamingo Drive in West Palm Beach. They are also available at DTR Gallery, 345 Worth Ave., Palm Beach and at the artist's studio in CityPlace in West Palm Beach.

I wonder if any of his victims can spare $900 for the dart board. What do you think?

XOXO -- Shopper Girl

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Sometimes we can't resist telling you about something that rates 10 on the cute meter.

Even if you are a grown-up, you gotta love these Wett Giggles. They tickle the inner child in all of us. The natural glycerin handmade soaps are made one at a time with essential oils and shea butter. Ho hum. What's new? The twist is the manicure brushes that come in eight different animal styles. Aren't they adorable?

Check out Beatrice the cow with blackberry scent and Romeo the dog with orange scent. The soap and brush combos sell for $10. For a limited time, you can save 20 percent on all orders and pay a $4.99 flat shipping fee. Click here for Wett Giggles

I think I'll buy one for me and one for my best friend's child. What do you think?

XOXO -- Shopper Girl

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I'm putting together a personal Sun-Sentinel Facebook page so I can post it on the blog. We are also learning to Twitter. And then there's StumbleUpon....Digg....who can keep up?

As soon as I got my very skeletal Facebook page up, I heard from a college roommate, someone I had not seen in I-don't-care-to-admit-how-many years. Within two days I had gotten lots of friendly postings from my nieces and nephews, my children's friends, and my friends' children.

Several of the messages included a list called '25 random things about me.' I loved reading these musings and rambling thoughts, wondering how long it took to come up with 25 worth sharing, secretly jealous that there would never be that kind of spare time in my immedate future.

With the Internet Age, nothing takes long to catch on....tonight I see this story in the Washington Post, entitled 25. We Never Do Random Things. Until We Do.

And the New York Times Ah, yes, More about Me? 25 random things

Even Time Magazine: 25 Things I didn't want to know about you

I may never get my Facebook page done and posted here, but it's a beehive of activity already.

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I'll admit I used to be more of a Shopoholic when I was single.

When I had had nothing to do, I went shopping. When work became a hassle, I went shopping. When I had a fight with my boyfriend, I went shopping.

Shopping gave me a thrill. I'll admit it. It's more in perspective now. I may be in recovery, but I can't wait to see Confessions of a Shopoholic. Rebecca Bloomwood seems like my kind of gal in her Zac Posen dress, Todd Oldham vintage belt and Gucci bag. I can't afford these things in this economy, but I can dream. It's on my list and I'm marking my calendar for the Feb. 14 opening. My husband and I are going out to dinner Valentine's Day, but Feb. 15 is open. See you there!

XOXO -- Shopper Girl

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Could you go 21 days without shopping? Wow, why would I?

A Hartford Courant reporter, and fellow shopaholic, was given the assignment to go 21 days without shopping, and then write about the experience.

Hartford Courant unshopping story

I'm not sure I could do it...nor would I want to. I admit I'm a shopaholic, but not a big spender. For me it's a sport...called bargain hunting. No harm done...just the thrill of the hunt. Some folks read books, play video games, go to the gym. I do outlet malls, consignment stores, flea markets, garage sales. It's fun to find $90 pants for $15, no?

On occasion, I even make money with my uncontrollable habit. I once bought a beautiful old art book for $1 at an estate sale, and turned around and sold it at auction on eBay, thrilled to see the final bid go up to $111.

I couldn't resist a new Waterford crystal mantle clock, still in the box, for $5 at a community garage sale. But I had a change of heart when I got it home. A large mantle clock? I don't even have a fireplace! Someone in Wisconsin was thrilled to buy that from me for $40. Still a deal, and they probably DO have a fireplace.

I won't say my habit is harmless, because I live in a small condo, and I have waaaayyyy too much stuff. My New Years resolution is to get control of the piles, which should involve curtailing the shopping, but can I do it?

Could you?

I have a friend who would rather pay double than dig through picked over sale racks. She gets creeped out at flea markets. We went to Renningers Flea Market in central Florida, acres of stands and goods displayed on blankets on the ground. She turned sheet white and I could read her mind, "What am I doing here? This is my worst nightmare."

Tell us about your shopping habits. Are you a retailer or a bargain hunter? Could you go 21 days without shopping?

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J.C. Penney has put up its after-Christmas doorbusters online. The department store's doors open at 5:30 a.m. Friday, Dec. 26th. Doorbusters include this guy's fleece hoodie for $17.99.

Two coupons, $10 off a $50 purchase and $15 off a $75 purchase, are available:

J.C. Penney coupons

The store is advertising online 75 percent off its holiday trim and decor as well as 60 percent off many other items. -- Marcia "Bargain Hunter" Pounds

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Salvation Army, which usually is in the business of collecting money for its good causes, is marking down its acquired furniture and other items at all its Broward County stores on Dec. 24.

Everything will be 50 percent off for this one day only at the six Salvation Army Family Super Stores, open from 9 am to 4:30 pm. The stores have clothing, furniture, household goods, sporting equipment, books, electronics and more.

The best reason to buy: All proceeds from sales at the Salvation Army Family Super Store go directly to the operation of The Salvation Army Adult Rehabilitation Centers.

Here are the Broward County locations:

1791 W Broward Blvd. 888 N University Dr.
Ft Lauderdale Pembroke Pines
954 463-3725 954-433-2160

310 N State Rd. 7 7707 W. Commercial Blvd
Margate Tamarac, FL
954 979-6999 954-721-0705

2300 SW 56th Ave.
Hollywood
954 961-7523

451 E Copans Rd.
Pompano Beach
954 782-3925

Shopping and doing good -- now that's a great concept. -- Marcia "Bargain Hunter" Pounds

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Are you old enough to remember when it was embarassing to let anyone know you were a good cook? We were trying to get out of the kitchen and into the boardroom in the 70s and 80s. I didn't tell anyone that I took a gourmet cooking class, and when I did cook I wore a red and white checked apron with the message: "For this I spent four years in college!"

Times have changed. Aprons are hot, particulrly these vintage-inspired aprons. The cupid apron, left, was $42 and is on sale for $36.

The Sweetheart apron, right, is out of stock in black and white, but it is available in red, orange, yellow and aqua. It sells for $42.

Check them out at carolynskitchenonline.com.

Hm, I can think of other uses for this outfit. How about you?

XOXO -- Shopper Girl

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Thanks to the folks at Kohl’s we don't have to search Websites for their Black Friday specials.

Better get to bed early Thanksgiving night because Kohl's opens at 4 a.m. The Early Bird specials are from 4 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Thanksgiving shoppers also will get $10 off future purchases for every $50 spent.

Here are some of the 300 specials:

Toys: 50 percent off entire stock including popular brands like Fisher Price, Playskool, Barbie, Tonka, Matchbox and Hot Wheels. This year it also covers Little Tikes, Crayola and Play-Doh.

Designer brands for misses: 40 to 50 percent off entire stock of apparel including:
Simply Vera Vera Wang – $17 to $100.80, originally $34 to $168; Elle Contemporary Collection – $8.99 to $49.99, originally $24 to $84; Daisy Fuentes – $8.99 to $35.00, originally $18 to $89.

Chaps apparel for misses (selected styles): 55 to 60 percent off; $13.50 to $75.80, originally $30 to $189.50.

High-definition video camera value pack including 2GB SD card, tripod, rechargeable batteries, cable and pouch. Records HD video and captures still images up to 12M resolution: $99.99; regularly $199.99.

Kohl's is cool. You can check out the ads now at kohls.com.

XOXO -- Shopper Girl

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Sur La Table, the fab store for cooks that I discovered in Pike Place Market in Seattle when I was a food editor, is set to open in Coconut Creek Nov. 6.

This is the third SoFla store. Others are at Downtown at the Gardens in Palm Beach Gardens and at the Shops at Pembroke Gardens in Pembroke Pines.

What makes Sur La Table stand out from other stores for cooks is the fact that it was inspired by kitchen stores in Paris. It's a chain, but doesn't look or feel corporate. The sales people are trained well and can help you pick out what's best for you or a friend. I just love the place.

Here are a couple of items I especially like:

The La Rossa plates are an exclusive to Sur La Table that is inspired by traditional Italian designs. It's $19 for the salad plate and $20 for the dinner plate.

If your herbs always burn up outside, check out the AeroGarden Space Saver 6 Elite, which features a new advanced growing system. Comes with a Gourmet Herb Kit and two grow bulbs; accommodates up to six pods. Sells for $169.98.

The store is located at The Promenade at Coconut Creek, 4449 Lyons Road, Suite J-102
Coconut Creek, 954-247-2204.

XOXO -- Shopper Girl

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Looking for some good bargains? Check out the great sale at Salvation Army's Broward stores.

On Oct. 25, everything in all six stores throughout Broward County will be 50 percent off except for furniture, which will be 25 to 75 percent off. Among items included in the sale are clothing, furniture, household goods, sporting equipment, books and electronics.

All six Broward County stores will have free drawings for prizes and giveaways.

Here are the locations:

888 North University Drive, Pembroke Pines, 10 a.m.-8 p.m., 954-433 2160.
1791 W Broward Blvd., Fort Lauderdale, 10 a.m. -8 p.m, 954 463-3725.
310 N State Rd.7, Margate, 10 a.m.- 7 p.m, 954 979-6999.
2300 SW 56th Ave., Hollywood, 10 a.m.--4:30 p.m, 954 961-7523.
451 E Copans Road., Pompano Beach, 10 a.m. -6 p.m., 954 782-3925.
7707 Commercial Blvd., Tamarac, 10 a.m. -7 p.m., 954 721-0705.

XOXO -- Shopper Girl

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If you love the cottage look, celebrate.

Maine Cottage, which Furniture Today describes as a "specialist in upscale coastal home furnishings," has opened its first Florida store on Clematis Street.

The Grand Opening is today from 4 to 6 p.m., and the first 50 guests will get free Coastal Living beach towels.

The 5,000-square-foot store is also offering a 10 percent discount off all furniture orders until Nov. 1. Maine Cottage specializes in painted furniture like this (at left). Cool, isn't it? They also have rattan pieces that look like they came from grandma's porch. Say hello to Hasty, Beth and Annie, right, when you visit the store.

Maine Cottage is located at 312 Clematis Street West Palm Beach. Call 561-366.0033. See www.mainecottage.com.

XOXO -- Shopper Girl

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You don't want to know how many pitches I get for what promoters insist are really cool, innovative stuff. Only a few of them make the cut because I know you don't have time to sort through the bad stuff. Take the time to check this one out.

If you fly occasionally or often this Zen Class Nirvana Organizer can help remove some of the hassles of getting to your stuff during flight. The patented tote attaches to any plane or train seat back tray table. Inside are multiple mesh and zippered storage compartments to store everything from your laptop to DVD player. It's also works for Moms who want to use it as an organized way to use changing tables in rest rooms.

It is available at www.zenclasstravel.com and at www.ebags.com. The product will be on QVC in November and December. It sells for $39.99 to $90.

XOXO -- Shopper Girl

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I just love almost everything that Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams designs.

And, if you are looking for a new mirror to give some long needed pizazz to your wall, this is it.

The lines are graphic and yet it will go with any style -- from contemporary to traditional. The 28-inch mirror comes in espresso or soft white. Imagine how it would look on a solid color wall over a powder room sink. It sells for $245.

See more at www.mgandbw.com. Or see it it in person at: Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams, 3841 NE 2nd Avenue (Miami Design District) Suite 101, Miami ,305-576-1135.

XOXO -- Shopper Girl

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The weather out there may be raining and the wind may be blowing, but a little tropical storm doesn't stop the folks at Sawgrass Mills.

Management of the mall sent us an email so we could let you know that it's business as usual at the Mall.

Customers can contact the mall at 954-846-2350 for further information.

-- Shopper Girl

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The reality of the new economy is: More and more of us are toting our lunches to work.

Is it just me or are most of the choices for lunch bags butt ugly? Fashionistas no longer need to worry. Even your lunch bag can be cool.

Check out htis insulated lunch tote from Stitch Monogramming & Embroidery in Delray Beach. The attractive 9.5-by-11-inch tote has a dark brown base with choice of four handle colors -- electric blue, lime, red and shocking pink. It features a zipper top, easy clean liner and full insulation.

The bag sells for $34.95, which includes a choice of monograms. See www.stitchatlantic.com.

It could be the new status symbol for the lunch crowd.

XOXO -- Shopper Girl

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None of us can explain it. We put six pairs of socks in the dryer, and when we take them out to sort the clothes, one sock is missing. Where did it go? Only God knows.

If socks gone missing is your theme song, you're gonna love the Sock Cop. The device was actually created by a cop -- Tampa police office Rich O'Connor, who came up with the idea after his wife became frustrated when she kept losing socks. It is made out of a material designed to withstand extremely high temperatures. And there are no sharp edges so it won't damage socks.

"Basically Sock Cop serves as a handcuff for socks," O'Connor says.

It is avialable at the Container Store, some Bed, Bath & Beyond stores and on the Website -- www.sockcop.com. You get three packages (60 clips) for $24.99.

XOXO -- Shopper Girl

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Don't you just hate the economy right now? My demand for shopping is so pent up that I could burst. How about you?

Well, I'll continue my quest to find you cool decor and great clothes at less than you expect to pay.

In this case, it take a little imagination. If your bedroom looks like some of those on the HGTV "before" scenes because you don't have a headboard, I have an inexpensive answer.

Check out this Mid-Century Gothic headboard made out of stenils that were designed by the Savannah College of Art interns. Price? Only $60. See www.whatisblik.com.

XOXO -- Shopper Girl

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We girls just love to shop, don't we? But gas and food are eating into disposable income.

Well, if your budget is tight, get some vicarious shopping through this video.

An aspiring Ford model, Desiree, and her friend shop vintage at Zachary's MIle in Soho.

Even a fashionista can learn something. Did you know that anything before 1980 is considered vintage? News to me.

Enjoy!

-- XOXO Shopper Girl

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No one will let us forget that Earth Day is just around the corner. Anyone else getting 1960s deja vu?

Ikea has announced that as of Oct. 1, the Swedish chain that changed the way a lot of folks decorate will no longer offer plastic bags. The edict results from a poll of Ikea customers that found 92 percent wanted to bag the plastic to help the environment.

The replacement is the iconic blue reusable bag (seen here) that sells for 59 cents, You can still purchase the plastic bags until Oct. 1 for 5 cents. All proceeds go to American Forests, a non-profit citizens organization, to plant trees to help reduce CO2 emissions.

Why wait until the deadline? Let's start bagging the plastic bag now. What do you think?

XOXO -- Shopper Girl

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Those who think they know what we want on the Web keep talking about a "sense of community." Translation? We want to be able to connect with others of like interests and share ideas and problems.

Shopstyleliving.com calls itself "the first social shopping site devoted to home decorating." I love the idea. It's a great place to shop, discover new brands and share ideas with family and friends.

One of my fave features is you can set price alerts. The site will send you an email when your selected items goes on sale. How cool is that? The site brings together all the current deals, promotion codes and free shipping offers in one place.

You can also assemble a Stylebook of your fave looks for a room, occasion or trend that you can share with others. You can upload your own blog or blog with others.

XOXO -- Shopper Girl

P.S. Here's a great daybed cover from Pottery Barn that was $79 and is now on sale for $54.99. Not your thing? There's plenty more. Check it out and let me know what you think.

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Here's the first installment of filmmaker/comedian Mark Malkoff's video diary of actually moving into an Ikea store while his New York apartment was being fumigated. Obviously, he got the OK of the Swedish retail giant -- he has his own page there.

Malkoff is also the same guy who visited and made purchases at 171 Starbucks in Manhattan in one day.

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Last weekend my husband, Carter, decided that he couldn't wait any longer to visit the new Ikea store in Sunrise. He claimed he wanted to look for furniture, but I know deep in my heart that it was really the Swedish meatballs with ligonberries that was his siren call.

We left our home in Delray on Sunday afternoon to make the long trek out 595 only to find that traffic was backed up to the highway with potential Ikea shoppers. It was also backed up in the other direction along NW 136th Avenue.

The only parking available was at the overflow lot at BankAtlantic Center, about 5 minutes from the store. We didn't want to fight the crowds and gave up. We drove to Stork's in Wilton Manors for coffee and dessert instead.

So when's the best time to go? An Ikea spokeswoman told me the best time to go is the middle of the week in the middle of the day. Got that? Let me know if it works.

-C.V.S.

P.S. I'll just have to wait to see if I can find these Superfin vases at $2.49 each that I saw on the Website.

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(Screen shot of an e-mail from Home Shopping Network)

A little tacky, don't you think?

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Is it just me or are restaurants getting darker, making it almost impossible to read the menu and see the bill?

I found a cool looking solution while shopping at Office Depot this past weekend. The Pocket Magnifier with LED LIght looks great, stores easily in your purse and cost only $9.99. It slides open to provide the light and a 3X magnification. The manufacturer, Great Point Light claims it will provide 30 hours of light on two replaceable CR1130 lithium batteries (included).

I'ts available in opaques in black, cherry, bubblegum and blueberry and translucents in cherry, bubblegum, blueberry and plum. No more eye strain, especially for Baby Boomers.
C.V.S.

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... even more so when the money goes to a cause. Lean Cuisine, for the second year, is selling lunch totes to support the Susan G. Komen for the Cure fund.
The insulated totes come in three styles and are $9.95, which includes shipping. Half of that goes to Komen.
And if this is anything like last year's sale, they'll sell out in a flash, so hurry!
-- G.G.S.

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A co-worker just got the 2008 Entertainment Book for Broward and Palm Beach counties and was quite underwhelmed by its contents. I flipped through it and was as well.

The area where you really save -- the "fine dining" restaurants -- has been shrinking the past few years, and this year it was barely there. And the entire book has been shrinking over the years.

But one thing that hasn't shrunk is the $35 price. Used to be you could make that back with a couple of dinners out. Now you're lucky to break even and that's not the point of these books.

One other logistical problem: Many of the coupons in the Broward-Palm Beach book are for points far north. We're talking Lake Worth and Jensen Beach. Maybe it's time for a Broward-only book.

-- G.G.S.

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Multiple water bottles? Check.
Giant Kashi frozen meal? Check.
Three servings of fruits and vegetables? Check.
Yogurt? Check.
Utensils? Check.
OK, now how do I schlep it to work?
Eating healthfullly at work can make taking lunch and snacks quite a haul, so I'm always looking for the perfect lunch tote that doesn't make it look like I'm catering a picnic or feeding a little league team. And I want to put everything in one insulated bag. So my find this morning (aside from the Spider-Man Frisbee) will make lunchtime convenient and chic. It's the new Raya line of fully insulated coolers and totes from Thermos and sold at Target. The size I got can either hold 18 cans or my usual haul of beverages and fiber. And it's only $9.99! It either comes in the springtimey stripe at right, a gray/black combo or (the one I got) a very cool blue print accented with brown.
-- G.G.S.

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... OK, it's 6 bucks but if you want a dance pad for next to nothing and don't have a problem with product placement, try this deal from Kraft. For $6 shipping, Kraft will send you a dance game pad that you plug into your USB port (Windows only, sorry Mac dudes). Then you go to the Kraft Active Gaming Web site and download different activity games, including martial arts, soccer and dancing. The offer expires July 31 or until supplies run out.
Great way to burn off the mac & cheese.
-- G.G.S.

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While it will be months before we South Floridians will need to guard against the chill, seven just-released afghans will — eventually — do the job with style. Each afghan features a design inspired by a vintage rock n’ roll poster.

The posters were originally created for shows promoted by impresario Bill Graham, who represented everyone from Bob Dylan and Neil Young to the Grateful Dead and The Rolling Stones.

Consider the Led Zeppelin afghan with its iconic green avocado or the Jimi Hendrix afghan featuring a classic flying eyeball, designed by poster artist Rick Griffin.

The afghans are $79 each and available at wolfgangsvault.com. Search for “retro afghans.”

J.T.

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