Thursdays picture perfect deal...

The picture...

This is one of the last pictures I took of a flower in our garden this year before the cold set in.  It is a close up of a moon flower early in the morning before it opened for the day.  When it opens it is pristine white, but when it is still closed the bud is lavender around the area that opens like a pinwheel.



The deal...

This is the time of year we think about pumpkins, bats, ghosts, vampires and things that go bump in the night.  Are you ready to dress for Halloween?  If not check out Wholesale Halloween Costumes clearance section for some great deals and ideas.  Use coupon code SALE5 to get 5% off any purchase over $50.00 or coupon code WOW until 10/21 to get 30% off your purchase.  You can get an additional 8% cash back if you remember to shop through Ebats.  Want to save even more?  Check your closets for some fun ideas.  Imagine an old dress as a costume, with a little distressing and some make up you are ready to be a zombie fresh from the cemetery. 

Have a wonderful day!

Michele

Thursday's picture perfect deal...

The picture...

We have a new bear in our yard this year and she has the prettiest white face. I took this picture from our upstairs balcony and when she looked up she had the sweetest eyes.

The deal...

FTD is having their site wide July weekend sale starting today.  Almost every bouquet is $10.00 off, so if you know someone with an anniversary or Birthday now is the time to check out flowers.  This promotion is available online only and cannot be combined with any other offers or discounts.

I hope you are all having a nice Thursday!

C.Q.

Saturday Sojourn...

Portland, Oregon

Today I used my handy dandy book 1,000 Places To See Before You Die: In The US And Canada again to pick a fun place to visit.  My random spot in the book came up as Portland, Oregon, a place I have never been to but it is high on my wish list of places I want to see.

As many of you know, when I travel for longer times I tend to like to find a 3 or 4 star place to stay.  I look at the quality AND the cost because I will be sleeping in the room and if the weather gets bad I want to be able to hole up in a nice place for a bit.  One of my all time favorite hotel chains in Kimpton and they own the Hotel Monaco in Portland.  It is a mid range priced 4 star boutique hotel.  All the Kimpton's come with great service and based on the TripAdvisor comments this one is no exception.  The hotel features morning coffee and an evening wine reception in the lobby, complimentary newspapers, complimentary overnight shoeshine, Concierge service, complimentary bicycle rental to explore the city, an on site spa, 24 hour business center, an on site 24 hour fitness center and 24 hour room service.  The hotel is also pet friendly and has special packages designed just for your furry friend, and when you can't bring Spot or Kitty with you The Hotel Monaco will bring you a complimentary goldfish to keep you company during your stay, you don't need to do anything, the staff will feed it and check in on it for you. (I love this touch at the Kimpton Hotels)  If you are a member of the Kimpton InTouch rewards program you will get free Internet service,  any 2 items up to $10 from the mini bar, $30 off any In-Room Spa services, plus earn complimentary nights.  They have a AAA 4-Diamond rating and if you are a member of AAA you will qualify to get 10% off your rate.

No that you have unpacked lets find some things to see.  Portland came to be known as the 'City of Roses', and one of the first things that caught my eye was the International Rose Test Garden, here you can stroll the grounds and smell the flowers and learn a little of the history of roses.  Garden hours are7:30am-9:00pm and admission is free.  From June 1 through September 21, tours of the rose garden are led by trained volunteers at 1:00 PM seven days a week or you can download a self guided tour and enjoy it at your own pace.

Bad weather? Don't let that slow you down, stop in at the Pittock Mansion.  The Pittock Mansion was home to Portland pioneers Henry and Georgiana Pittock from 1914 to 1919.  A house of historical significance and visual magnificence, the Pittock Mansion today offers us a uniquely personal opportunity to peek into the past, and study our world as it was - from the viewpoint of one Portland family.  Admission is $8.00 for adults, $7.00 for seniors over 65, $5.00 for children 6 - 18 and free for children under age 6, please check the web site for hours because they vary slightly by season.

Looking to keep the kids entertained for a whole day?  Head over to Oaks Amusement Park.  This amusement park opened in 1905 to celebrate the Lewis and Clark world Expo and is still entertaining the masses today.  Be sure to check the schedule for the day you want to visit, hour vary slightly and it will give you the times the roller skating rink and amusement rides are open.  Parking and general admission are free, a Deluxe Bracelet is $14.75 and includes all the midway rides and a roller skating session. Valid from open to close on day of purchase. Go Karts, games and concessions sold separately.  They also offer a more limited $11.75 bracelet that is good for the day or you can purchase ride individually at $2.25 per ticket or 7 for $13.00.  If you don't want to go on many rides you can limit the cost by getting the bracelets for your kids only.  On Tuesdays Community Newspapers present Two For One Tuesdays with Radio Disney- Purchase one thrill ride bracelet, cotton candy, corn dog, or hot dog and get one of the same for FREE! No coupon necessary! At 2 pm enjoy a LIVE show with the Radio Disney Funsters featuring games, prizes, singing, dancing and more. 

There are a million great place to eat in Portland and you should have no problem finding something to fit your budget and your taste, but remember to check out Groupon, Half Price Portland, Half off Deals, Portland on the Cheap, The Daily Deal Portland, Living Social and Restaurant.com for some amazing deals.


Today I will also be sending an email out to the folks who signed up for the swap.  They will have a couple weeks to send their goodies out and on the 18th I will post what they got from their swap buddies.  The 25th is the next swap so I hope to have more folks join in next time.

Have a great weekend everyone!

C.Q.

Thursdays picture perfect deal...

The picture...

Last week my hubby went for a walk through Gooseberry Falls State Park and got this great shot of the old pier covered in ice.  The park is a wonderful place for picture taking all year long.

The deal...

FTD is offering a few different deals for Valentines day.  The first deal is $10.00 off of select floral arrangements specifically designed for Valentines day.  The other deals are coupons you can use at check out; code RETMENOT20 will get you 20% off site wide, this can not be combined with other sales on the site so I have a direct link to FTD and the discount will show up if you go in through here.  If you want to send a nice mixed bouquet of roses with a little box of chocolates these are on sale for $29.99 marked down from $39.99.

Have a fantastic day everyone!

C.Q.

Wearin' and savin' O' the Green

Beannachtam na feile padraig! or Happy St. Patrick's day! Being part Irish myself St. Patrick's day means a lot to me, I remember the stories of Irish history my dad used to tell me, people living through a famine on nothing but potatoes and some of them immigrating to the U.S. where they were considered less than second class citizens but still managed to work their way up. Maybe its that fierce tenacity that has helped me through the years when things have been difficult. Whether your Irish or not, St. Patrick's day give us all a reason to celebrate. Test your knowledge on Irish trivia and see how well you know the Emerald Isle and its history.

In honor of the day, Jelly Belly is offering a 10% discount on all their green products if you use the coupon code GREEN and Sees Candy has several St. Patrick's gifts under $10.00, although its over the $10 mark, the Irish potato candies are one of the most clever things I have ever seen!

Making a traditional Irish dinner to celebrate? Since St. Patrick's falls in the middle of the week this year and a lot of folks have to work, here is a recipe for the slow cooker version of Corned beef and cabbage. Irish stew is also a traditional favorite, whichever you decide on don't forget the Irish soda bread to mop up your gravy. If your feeling gourmet then give this recipe for Baileys Irish Cream mousse pie, or if you want something a little easier there are the pale green St. Patrick's day cupcakes or the yummy Guinness and Bailey's Irish cupcakes. What ever you decide to make remember to check for coupons at Red Plumb, Smart Source, Coupons.com and Cool Savings.

If your looking for a St. Patrick's Day gift Teleflora has green floral bouquets and is offering $10 off your order through 12/31/2010 using coupon code PSGG10D. The symbols of the Emerald Isle are the Claddagh, shamrock, Celtic knot and harp, all of these can be found in the jewelry section of Irishop.com. They are currently offering a free dolphin trinity knot pendant with any order over $90.00, just click on the banner at the top of the page to add it to your cart.

Looking to decorate your computer a little? You can find free Irish screen savers and wallpaper at A Bit of Blarney. They also have free e-cards to send to the Irish folks on your list. You can find more free e-cards at 123Greetings.

"May you have warm words on a cold evening, a full moon on a dark night, and a smooth road all the way to your door."

Have a great weekend!

C.Q.

You can't put a price on love...

Well depending on your situation, this weekend will either be Valentines day or Singles Awareness day. Either way its a chance to either pamper the one you love or give yourself a gift of self indigence. Even if you are in a relationship your best bet may be to take the self indulgent route, a statistical fact I found while writing this was that in the United States, 64% of men do not make plans in advance for a romantic Valentine's Day with their sweethearts. If you are looking for some ideas or are one of the 64% mentioned above then this is for you.

Another fact is that 110 million roses, mostly red, will be sold and delivered within a three-day time period. If you want to stand out from the crowd and spend a little less on a bouquet of flowers then check out the meaning of flowers and put together your own grouping. Don't forget to send along the meaning, kind of like a romantic road map. I would encourage using a local florist so you can see what your getting, but if you must use an on-line florist you can find coupons to multiple places at Coupon Craze. While you are at the florist be sure to ask if they have any roses that have wilted and can't be sold, they will usually give these to you for free or next to nothing. No, I have not lost my mind, these usual toss aways at the flower shops can turn into a romantic evening of rose petals for the bath tub, dinner table or bedroom. Big effect for just a little work.

If you have the time and the know how you can plan a romantic meal at home with candle light and music, but if you are considering going out to dinner be sure to check for restaurants in your area at Restaurant.com to see if they have any great places in your area, you can get a $25 dining certificate for $10.00, that's a great deal!

So your all ready to run out to the local grocery store or Target and pick up a box of chocolates? Why not re-think that and spend about the same amount for something that's going to mean a lot more? Be creative and make a box of cup cakes for your sweetie.

Traditionally jewelry is also given on Valentines day, and whether its a gift for your sweetheart or a gift for you there is no sense in paying full price. Gorden Jewelers has a bunch of coupons currently available.

The tried and true poem is a romantic stand-by that has been around for hundreds of years. Try your hand at a verse expressing your love, if your having a hard time you can find a little help and inspiration (and quite a few giggles) with a poem generator.

Most importantly, remember to have fun and make it memorable, a dear friend of mine and her sweetie spent Valentines last year with table linens and china they brought from home at a McDonald's, it is something they will always be able to look back on, remember and smile. That's what its all about, creating memories that will stand out, not spending a lot of cash.

Have a fantastic weekend everyone.

C.Q.