Miss me?

Mini-blogcation this week so posts will be somewhat erratic.


But, here's a book that sounds super interesting and the Kindle edition is under $3.  Worth a shot!

Restaurant deal refresher

So, I hope you already know about this great resource, but I am writing about it just in case! Restaurant.com is one of the best resources available for dining on the cheap.  On this site, you can buy gift certificates for tons of restaurants at deep discounts.  

Typically, you can get a $25 certificate for $10.  You will also have to spend a minimum of $35 to use it, so your total will be $20 (plus tax and tip on the full amount - please!) for $35 of food.  That's a not too shabby 43% discount.  However, if you sign up for their emails, there are very regularly 70% or 80% off codes to use.  Right now, for instance, you can use code TASTY for an 80% discount.  Which means your $25 certificate is now just $2 and you can get your $35 of food for $12 (plus tax and tip) or an overall 66% discount.  


Just pay attention because the rules do sometimes vary.  Look for details about: minimum purchase, alcohol or other exclusions, day of the week restrictions, etc....  The TASTY code is good through 8/31, but certificates do not expire.

Free steak dinner

Go. Now.


Go to Outback's page now and sign up for a free steak dinner!  


I zipped through the sign up so fast that I didn't quite get all of the details, but I think it's a 6 oz steak and a baked potato.  Coupon to be sent by USPS.

This one will definitely have me checking the mail daily. I can't wait!

Review, as promised

Remember when I told you that I would share my experience with a Shellac manicure from Laura Nails Spa?  Here you go!

Spoiler: I would skip buying this one, at least for now.

Details: When I made my appointment online (points there!) I specifically chose Laura instead of the other option.  The nail tech who owned the place would have to be the best, right?  Well, when I arrived, I got the "other" woman.  It was clear from the detailed instructions being given to her (albeit in a language I didn't understand) that she had no idea what she was doing.  I told her that I wanted my nails a little shorter (translated for her) and she proceeded to file them for like 20 minutes.  Seriously.  And, before she had even removed my own polish.  After the endless filing, she then moved me to the pedicure chair.

Pedicure chair.  You know, the kind with the massage function and the tub thing at the bottom?  Yes, only this one the massage thing didn't work and I am about 99% sure that the reason why my feet were in a stainless steel bowl of water (placed in the tub) is because there was no plumbing in this spa (room).  She began the pedicure and my main complaint is that HER nails were so dragonlike that they dug into my toes as she held them.  Ouch.  She was also very stingy on the scrub/lotion products.  Who thinks that the massage is one of the best parts of a pedicure?  I do!  Only this woman never went above my ankle bone.  No leg massage there.  The whole process was making me regret my purchase.  Finally, I said something to Laura who had just finished a manicure and asked if she could take over, which she did.

The rest of the experience was fine.  Pedicure looks nice although I feel like I gained nothing over a basic polish change.  Laura did a great job on my manicure and was very detail oriented to make sure it was just right.  Maybe a benefit of being a complainer?  Anyhow, I was disappointed in the color choices, but finally settled on the french manicure light color which was the closest match to my usual Sugar Daddy.  All of the more opaque colors had a lot of shimmer in them.  I'm just not into shimmer.  Personal preference.  

End result, I left with very  nice looking nails and am happy with the result if not the process.  Now I am excited to see how long this Shellac really lasts.  My guess is that if the full 2 weeks hold true, my nails will have grown enough to make me really happy that I chose a light color and don't have a very obvious gap at the cuticle base.

Still want to buy?  Here's the link for a $15 Shellac manicure.

Favorite daily deals

$30 for Italian cooking class or wine tasting class at Societa Dante Alighieri


$159 for a tandem skydiving session at Miami Skydiving Center


$50 for a private pilates class and 5 reformer classes at Bodies by Pilates Studio


$5 for ticket to Zoo Miami (or a donation if you don't go!)


$27 for 4 AMC movie tickets - with no expiration

Movie tickets under $7

This is a great one to snag because it NEVER expires!


For just $27 you can get 4 AMC movie tickets shipped to you.  Use them anytime at any AMC®, AMC Showplace, Loews®, Cineplex Odeon, Magic Johnson, and Star theatres in the continental US.


I only see about 2 movies a year, but with no expiration this is a great deal even for me.

Going to the zoo

Do you know that Raffi song?


I'm going to the zoo tomorrow, the zoo tomorrow, the zoo tomorrow.  I'm going to the zoo tomorrow where we can play all day!


Those might not be the exact words, but they are close.


And, starting today, for just $5 you can buy a ticket to go play all day at ZooMiami over Labor Day weekend!

Favorite daily deals - big list today

Lots of deals today!!

$20 for $40 worth of Thai and Japanese Fusion at Siam Oishi


$199 for a half day boat rental (a lot, but you can split a few ways and have a wonderful day!)


$5 for $10 of salads and sandwiches from Salad Creations


$25 for 5 classes or $39 for one month at Skanda Yoga


$19 for a murder mystery show (I love random stuff - this could be super fun!)


$15 for cocktail making class and appetizer at GOL! The Taste of Brazil


$5 for $10 to spend on gourmet or alcohol-spike popsicles at Feverish Ice Cream (beat the heat!)


$40 for a 1 1/2 hour surfing lesson


And, this great one just got extended:


$25 for $50 worth of groceries from www.farmgroceries.com You order online and pick up at the Farm Stores drive thru.  They have almost everything you'd want and it could not be more convenient.

Favorite daily deals

$29 for five classes or $49 for one month at Prana Yoga


$34 for round trip bus from Miami to Key West (great for out of town guests)


$15 for a shellac manicure (I'm going to this place tomorrow... I'll update with a review!)


$85 for hour-long massage, hour-long facial, and mani/pedi


$15 for three open play admissions to indoor playground

It's all Greek to me

You can sign up to receive a coupon for free Oikos Greek Yogurt.  This is really easy, and the coupon is emailed to you super fast.  

A huge fan of Oikos?  Each of your multiple personalities (email addresses) might be able to request their own.


Now, does anyone else think that Oikos should really be some kind of pork product?  Oink, oink!

Free groceries for a year

Totally a long shot, but I think it is worth filling in their form!


Enter here for a chance to win free groceries for a year.


I wonder how they define that.  If it's cash value, that would be free groceries for like a decade for me!

Another great shop

I realized on my way home today that I hadn't done my CVS shop for the week.  Good thing that I didn't just skip it!

I got 3 Hershey bars and 6 packs of Trident Layers gum.

The total for all of that was $2.36.  I used $1.99 of Extra Care Bucks, paid 37 cents, and got $1 back in Extra Care Bucks!


Here's how it worked:


I had a free coupon for a Hershey aerated bar, and then scanned my card to print a free coupon for a Caramello.  (They were out of both, so I was able to substitute for other Hershey bars).  All Hershey bars were buy 2 (free ones count) get 1 free.  That's 3 free chocolate bars!


Trident gum was on sale for 99 cents a pack.  I had two coupons for $2 off of 3.  So, 6 for $1.94.


The difference was tax (I guess Florida doesn't consider that list to be "food").  Dollar back?  Fourth shop on the green bag tag.  

Favorite daily deals

Better late than never.... a lot of the Friday deals go through the weekend so you should be okay with these still.

$10 for two tickets to the Miami Home Design and Remodeling Show


$25 for $50 of drive through groceries from FarmGroceries.com  (Really cool.  Really.  Read what I wrote about it yesterday).


$49 for two-hour introduction to sailing group lesson ($39 for kids)


$15 for a mani/pedi (wow, I wish that this place was further East!!)

Far from a deal

But still worth sharing.


Have you checked out the food trucks? I know that I have posted about them before. 

Anyhow, today I found a great food truck website.  Since it was new to me, I wanted to share!


This unaffiliated Miami Food Trucks page lets you enter your location and the time you want to find a food truck, and it gives you a map.  So, for instance, I know that there is a food truck near me every Friday.  Instead of having to go to all their sites today to figure out which it is, I just put my zip code in this page and searched for trucks "open now".  


Happy food trucking!

This is a don't miss

Grab this deal today and save half off of your grocery shopping in just one step!


Today's DealSaver is $50 worth of groceries from farmgroceries.com for just $25.  Do you know what farmgroceries.com is?  I didn't until I read this deal.  


Farm Stores and Gardner's Market have the same owners, and this is a collaboration of the two.  You shop online for your groceries and then pick up from the convenient Farm Stores drive through.  So convenient.  And, I just checked out their online circular and the prices look good too.


Now... I wonder if they'll let me pair my coupons with this DealSaver.... Or use it at a Publix that lists Gardner's as a competitor....

Proud as a peacock

Let's discuss tonight's Publix run.


Here is what I got:
A big bag of Ore Ida sweet potato fries
2 containers of Philadelphia cooking creme
1 Yoplait yogurt
A box of 8 Jif peanut butter singles
4 boxes (the mid size) of Cinnamon Toast Crunch
1 bottle Pantene 2-in-1 Shampoo and Conditioner
2 boxes of Ronzoni Fettuccine
A $50 gas card


Want to guess how much I paid?  Come on.... take a guess... and don't forget that $50 gas card.  And all those groceries.


Drumroll please....

$31.09

Favorite daily deals

$25 for Wine-Tasting Package for Two ($50.90 Value) at Schnelby Redland's Winery - Homestead

One-Month Gymboree Play & Music Membership with Waived Initiation Fee - Multiple Locations

$27.50 for a $55 Miami City and Boat Tour Combination

Sweet spot

I love all things cinnamon.


Cinnamon burst cheerios? check.  
Cinnamon raisin bagel? check.
Cinnamon sugar butter? CHECK!

How have I never heard of this before?  Anyhow, I wanted to share mostly the exciting news of such a product's existence, but I do have a coupon to sweeten the deal even more.  Sort by "foods" and you'll find it in that section.  75 cents off of Land O Lakes Cinnamon Sugar Butter Spread.

Favorite daily deals

Hope you're hungry today - it's all about food!

$20 for $40 to spend on food and drink at Tabu Bistro


$7 for $14 worth of gelato, beverages, and more at Gelato Nostro


$15 for $30 to spend on food and drink at Kone Express


And, no they don't serve panda sushi at Kone (that I know of) but I thought the picture was fun anyhow!

Shiny happy people

$30 for $60 to spend at Peace Love World Boutique in Coral Gables.

I do like their logo!

End of an era

I know that I tend to focus this blog on South Florida, but here's a freebie that made me sad...


2 free chicken soft tacos - and birthday treats too - from Del Taco.

Perfect timing, I'm headed back to visit St. Louis soon.  Only, I went to sign up, using my college zip, I learned the very sad news that there are no longer any Del Tacos in St. Louis.  So disappointing!  I guess I will have to travel to Orlando to get my big fat chicken taco and macho diet coke fix.


In the meantime, I hope that someone reading this can take advantage!

Plans for Sundays

Do you know what you're doing yet this weekend?


I have a suggestion!  Fairchild Tropical Gardens is having free admission Sundays throughout August.  More information here.

Did you notice?  There's also food trucks and free yoga!

Sales tax holiday

August 12-14, 2011 is the Sales Tax Holiday in Florida

This "holiday" applies to clothes, accessories, and shoes priced under $75 and school supplies for less than $15. As an added bonus, many stores will be running great sales to take advantage of this event.  So, if you're in the market, you might want to get out to the stores this weekend. Or, travel to Massachusetts or another state where clothes are always sales tax free.


Formal info from the state can be found here.

Free reading

There's a new way to read Kindle books for free!


Amazon announced today that they are rolling out free browser enabled reading.  So, if you have Chrome or Safari, you can now read right on your computer.  Other browsers are coming soon.  Read more about it here.


Also, the Kindle apps for phones still exist.  They are also free and I love mine!

FB only deal post

I don't do this often, but this deal will go quickly, so check it out on my FB page:  http://www.facebook.com/pages/All-My-Favorite-Deals/124534117623125


Give us a like while you're there.

Favorite daily deals

Here's my favorite of today: $22 for 3 hours of Tandem Kayak, Stand Up Paddle Board, Canoe, or Cockpit Kayak (Value $44)  This is at Oleta State Park which is a real local gem.


$10 for $20 to spend on food and drinks at The Grove Spot

Full size freebie

All you have to do is like CVS's Minute Clinic on Facebook and you will be emailed a coupon for a free full size moisturizing body wash.


I hope they smell good - that's always my body wash criteria!


Oh, and don't forget to use your green bag tag, and you'll actually make a (35 cent) profit on this freebie.

Hold off on your shopping

That's right - discounted gas cards are coming back to Publix again starting on Thursday!


For every $25 you spend on groceries, you can get $10 off of a $50 gas card.  That's a hefty 20% discount on gas.  Amazing.


And, don't forget, it's $25 BEFORE coupons!  If that wasn't enough reason to coupon, let me tell you about my purchase yesterday.  I handed the cashier three coupons and two dimes and walked out with two jars of skippy peanut butter.  Really. Skippy is on BOGO for $2.95.  I had two manufacturer coupons for $1 off  and one competitor coupon (Target) for 75 cents off.  Total, 20 cents.  

Favorite daily deals

$25 for a Cotton Candy (or snow cone or popcorn) machine rental.  Would  make for such a fun party!


$5 for $10 to spend at Smoothie King.  Pay attention to the locations.


$15 for $35 at Mario the Baker.  Again, pay attention to the locations.


$15 for $30 at BLU by Best Friends

Good fortune

Fortune: Food bought with deal tastes better. In bed.


$10 for $20 at Confucio Express


This is the new place in my neighborhood that I'm excited to try.  How convenient for them to be on today's Groupon!!


Oh, and your lottery numbers are: 3 - 22 - 36 - 8 - 17

Favorite daily deals

$49 for one month of unlimited yoga at Green Monkey (2 locations)  SOOOOO sad this is just for new customers.

$5 Three Pair Set of Darling Wood Earrings from Iva Lillie

Yoga

So, I was surprised to see MBee Yoga Studio on THREE daily deal sites today.  I'm pretty sure they all make you sign contracts about not doing that.  Interesting...


Here's the cool part about this yoga studio.  It's in an "ancient spanish monestary".  Which, I put in quotes because we don't really have so much ancient stuff in Miami.  But, it sure looks cool!


Anyhow, here are those three links:


$25 for 5 classes on Groupon
$25 for 5 classes on iCoupon
$25 for 5 classes on DealOn


But, before you buy this, I happen to have heard from a reliable source that my favorite yoga studio, Green Monkey, will be featured on Living Social tomorrow.  If I were you, I'd hold out.  Oh, and if you've never been to Green Monkey before and want to try three classes free, let me know... I can make that happen.

A must read!

No, not this post, but if you read this post then you can buy the real MUST READ for less!


Kane and Abel by Jeffrey Archer is one of my favorite books and it is available on Kindle for just $2.99 right now.  Get it.  Now.  Really.

Love me a crepe

$5 for $10 to Spend on Food and Drink at BannaStrow's Crêpes & Coffee

 

Pampers gifts to grow code

Here is a new code:

BABYISDUEANYDAY (5 points)

Log in here.  No idea what I'm talking about?  Read more here.

One day left

For the great Subway deal.  $1 gets you a $5 gift card.  That's an awfully cheap footlong sub!

Figured this may have gotten lost in a general deal post, so now it gets its very own.

Great Groupons

Banner day for Groupon, all of my faves for the day can be found there:

$25 for $50 Worth of Fashion Apparel and Accessories at Mango (Ft. Lauderdale)

$119 for One-Night Stay for Two with Breakfast and Valet Parking at Moonrise Hotel in St. Louis (Getaways) This is a great hotel, right near Wash U

$25 for Sunset Cruise or Eco Tour and Reef Snorkel for Two or Four in Tavernier

Sugar and Spice

Miami Spice is everything nice!


During August and September, Miami’s top restaurants offer three-course meals (Lunch $22, Dinner $35) featuring signature dishes created by world-renowned chefs.


To check out the restaurant list and their menus, click here.  So many yummy options.

Doing good - for free!

Do you know about Kiva?  You should!  

It's microlending that makes a difference.  I am all about philanthropy and actual donations, but this is a little different.  You select the individual or group who will receive your loan (any amount) and then when they repay the loan, you get your money back.  Hopefully, you will feel so rewarded that you will reinvest it in another microloan.


I just signed up using this free trial and loaned $25 of Kiva's money (they get it back, not me) to a woman who sews for a living in her small town and needs a sewing machine.  I sew as a small business too, so this felt personally meaningful to me.  


Anyhow, here is the invitation link.  Pick someone whose life you can impact and feel great about yourself for making a difference.  


From their website:

What better way to tell people about Kiva than to allow them to try it for free? From August 1, 2011 at 9:00 am PST to August 13, 2011 at 11:59 PST, Kiva will provide free trial loans to the first 4,000 new users who make a loan through an invitation or team recruit from an existing Kiva user.

These free trials will be financed by Kiva, allowing the new lender to make one $25 loan free of charge. These free trial loans are dispersed to borrowers in the same way other loans are dispersed on Kiva. However, since Kiva is funding the free trial loan, any repayment funds from the free trial loan will go back to Kiva, not to the free trial lender. New lenders invited during the promotion dates may choose to use their own funds to make a loan, in which case repayments will go back to the lender.

Supplies of free trials are limited to one (1) per new user, and will be made available on a “first invited, first claimed” basis. The sending of an invitation does not guarantee that those invited will be able to claim or use a free trial to make a loan on Kiva. We, therefore, recommend that existing users encourage invitees to accept invitations as soon as possible to maximize their chances of being able to use a free trial.

Favorite daily deals

$1 for $5 Worth of Food and Drink at ANY Subway in America (that will totally get you a footlong!)

$7 for $14 of ice cream creations, frozen yogurt, shakes and smoothies at Cold Stone Creamery (good for 4 months, at 3 locations)


$10 for $25 for a Yogurt Social at Fresh Dash on Sunset Drive (super short expiration date, and see note below on MyCotorra)


$29 for 5 Yoga Classes at Skanda Yoga Studio



* One of the things that I really like about MyCotorra is that they donate $1 from each deal purchased to a charity.  Each month, the donations go to a new cause.  I have not yet gotten a response to my requests that they select Everybody Wins! South Florida for a month, so feel free to shoot them an email (yourfriend {at} mycotorra.com) with that recommendation if you want!