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Browsing Tag

Deals and Steals

BOSTON

Cute Holiday Ornaments from Crate and Barrel

With Christmas quickly approaching, ornaments make excellent stocking stuffers, hostess gifts, or an adornment on the perfectly wrapped present.  Here are a few of my favorite ornaments from Crate and Barrel:

Photo Frame Ornament, $6.95. Develop your own photo for an added touch!

Vintage Glitter Snowflake Ornament, $2.95

Beaded Botanical Ball Ornament, $5.95

Felt Ice Skate Ornament, $3.95

While not all ornaments are available online, the Crate and Barrel on 777 Boylston Street in Boston has an excellent selection of holiday ornaments and present options.  Quite honestly, it’s a great place to go for last-minute present inspiration.  My mother recently got a cute mini fondue set there for a friend for under $20!

FASHION

Lucky Magazine Shares Smokin’ Hot Online Markdowns

Top Shop by Rija 2.0 from Flickr

Deals, steals, and the occasional splurge rock this savvy bostonian’s world.  As I discovered today, the fab staffers at Lucky Magazine agree with me.  In addition to publishing an entertaining daily blog, I found this hidden gem blog entry chock full of shopping discounts.  I tested the Sephora discount code for 20% off and it worked.  Thanks for saving me $13 Lucky Magazine – I’m totally putting it toward something fabulous in your honor!

To see online markdowns from now through December 15 at awesome stores including Sephora, Ann Taylor, The Container Store, and many more, please visit this link:

http://www.luckymag.com/blogs/luckyrightnow/2009/10/online-markdowns-29.html

BOSTON

Do you Groupon?

Yesterday I took the plunge and purchased my first Groupon, a $40 Groupon to Ma Soba, and only paid $20 for it.  To use the Groupon, I must spend $40 dining inside the restaurant before January 31, 2010, and tax and gratuity are not included.  No word on whether it includes drinks AND food, but I’m guessing it does not.  Also, I can also only use one per Ma Soba visit, but could have purchased multiple Groupons.  Sounds easy, right?

Now you might be asking, what exactly is a Groupon?  Groupon is a website – www.groupon.com – and it uses the theory of collective buying power to deliver sweet deals to consumers.  Each Groupon has a minimum limit of how many people must sign up to purchase the Groupon before the deal can be offered.  If there aren’t enough interested buyers, then you are not charged for the Groupon – and you don’t get the deal either.

At present, Groupon only offers one deal per day across many major cities, Boston included.  After purchasing a Groupon, you receive an email the next day with instructions on how to print it.  It honestly couldn’t be easier.  For more frequently asked questions – please take a look at: http://www.groupon.com/faq

While I haven’t cashed in my Groupon yet (I only bought it yesterday!), I plan on testing it out this weekend, and will report back!

RESTAURANTS

Beacon Hill Bistro: Classic Breakfast With Reasonable Prices

Fresh off the Boston Common and onto the uneven brick sidewalks of Charles St., the Beacon Hill Hotel & Bistro is one of the first stops in this charming neighborhood.  Ranked as one of the top brunch spots in Boston, the Beacon Hill Bistro offers a fresh breakfast in a bright, cozy atmosphere.

Beacon Hill Hotel and Bistro by Whiffen V. from Yelp

Decor inside the Beacon Hill Bistro is simple, with tables lining the long and narrow space.  Light fills into the restaurant from large windows, accentuated by white walls, and simple tables.  While tables are almost on top of one another, diners enjoy a relatively private meal, but still have a chance to scope out dishes from surrounding tables.

The bunch menu is french-inspired and features yogurt and house-made muesli, a variety of egg dishes, lunch staples, with something for the entire family.  Recommended dishes include the fresh salads, the massive roasted mushroom omelet with comte cheese, and grilled chicken sandwich with pesto.  For those with a serious sweet tooth, dig into the decadent vanilla pancakes with caramelized bananas, which recieved gasps from the large party next to us because it was the item many wanted to order, but deemed too rich.

Also available are great cappuccinos, and luscious cocktails- try the classic bellini, or blood red cosmo- at $10 they cost as much as most dishes on the brunch menu!

Beacon Hill Bistro, 25 Charles St

http://www.beaconhillhotel.com/bistro.html

NIGHTLIFE

Valentine’s Day and The Single Bostonian

Adult Valentine's Day Heart by Jessica Gioglio

Single and Fabulous Bostonians can take solace in the fact that Valentine’s Day falls on a Wednesday this year- thus not interfering with the coveted “Thirsty Thursday,” or weekend party/dining scene.

In hopes of helping single Bostonians celebrate in style, I have compiled a few fun things the city offers.  I supposed attached Bostonians could also use these tips too…but let it be known that I am really looking out for my fellow singletons!

Celebrate Your Sweet Tooth: Ditch the conventional heart shaped box of chocolates from CVS and splurge on innovative truffles from Beacon Hill Chocolates.  Offering a spicy Cinnamon Heart and relaxing Chai Latte heart shaped truffles, these chocolates look sinfully good.  www.beaconhillchocolates.com

If cupackes are more your thing, head out to Party Favors in Brookline.  Indulge in deliciously adorable cupcakes spoiled Bostonians have been scarfing down for ages.  www.partyfavorsbrookline.com

Spread the Love: For those in search of the perfect Valentine’s Day card, go to Papersource, which has an incredible selection of cards, giftwrap, craft supplies, and other Valentine’s Day inspired gifts.  www.paper-source.com

In search of a cheesy Valentine?  Swing by Target, and grab the Grey’s Anatomy Valentine’s Day cards.  Organized in a box of 8 Valentines with 4 designs (2 of each), my personal favorite is “This Valentine’s Day, Keep the McDream Alive.”  At $5, they are a steal.

Drown Your Sorrows: Obviously there is nothing like immersing yourself in Trader Joe’s 2 Buck Chuck, but for those with classier self-medication tastes, here are a few fun Valentine’s Day drink recipes:

Chocotini:1/2 oz Vanilla Vodka, 1 oz White Creme de Cacao, coat rim of the martini glass with chocolate syrup, shake with ice and strain.

Strawberry Kiss: 1 oz Tequila Rose, 1/2 oz Light Rum, 1 oz Chocolate Liqueur, 1 oz Half & Half

Look for Love in All the Right Places: For those who want to dance the night away, here are a few clubs hosting Valentine’s Day parties:

Mansion Flirt Fest: http://www.bostoneventguide.com/flirtfest.htm

Felt “I Hate My Ex” Party: http://feltclubboston.com

Rumor “Truth of Dare” Party: http://boston.heyletsgo.com/invite-879