Another year older...

There are SO many places out there that give away "freebies" or discounts on your actual birthday or for your entire "birthday month"!  


Here are just a few of the Birthday Bonuses that I know of (most of which I try to cash in on each year--I mean, why not, right??!)

SHOPPING (clothing):  

Hot Mama -sign up (in store) to receive emails (along with earning points towards rewards) and receive an email good for $25 off a $100 or more purchase one time during the month of your birthday

BCBG -make sure your info is in their computer system & receive a postcard good for 20% off your purchases all month long, as many times as you want to shop!

Anthropologie -again, sign up & receive 15% off a purchase (online or in store) during the month of your birthday

Victoria's Secret -sign up for emails, receive $10 off one purchase anytime during your birthday month

GAP -if you have a GapCard (Gap Visa)-receive an email that gives you 25% off on your birthday or within 30 days of your birthday (one time use)

Old Navy -sign up for emails & receive "birthday treat"

Piperlime -sign up for emails & receive an email for $15 off a purchase of $60 or more

Ann Taylor & Ann Taylor LOFT -sign up for emails, receive email for $15 off one purchase during the month of your birthday

DSW -make sure you are a part of their rewards program, $10 coupon to use the month of your birthday

Often times, finding a company's Facebook page is a great way to learn about deals & coupons & even find out about new merchandise before it hits the stores!

COFFEE:

Caribou Coffee -sign up for emails & receive a free drink ON your birthday

Starbucks -get a "rewards card" & you'll receive a free drink or food ON your birthday




FOOD:

Noodles & Co. -sign up for the noodle emails (noodlegrams) & receive one free noodle bowl any day during the month of your birthday

Benihana -sign up & receive a free $30 gift certificate to use during the month of your birthday

*Many restaurants often offer a free dessert for birthdays-all you have to do is just ask!!!




TO DO:
Just about any VFW or location that offers BINGO will allow you to play FREE on your birthday! All you have to do is ask!  =)

$14 or $20 off BINGO at Mystic Lake Casino.

Brunswick Bowling = free game of bowling.



Here are two other blogs/sites with even longer lists of Birthday Freebies to check out: 
site 1, site 2!

....and here's the Star Tribune's list of Free Food on Your Birthday from 2009.

CHEERS to you whenever you turn another year older! 

....here's to hoping it's your best year yet!!!

Let it Go!

Speaking of Looking GOOD for LESS....Gap is partnering with Goodwill and offering 30% off your purchase in exchange for clothing donations to Goodwill....how much better can that get??



If you haven't yet, SPRING is the best time to CLEAN OUT that CLOSET!!! Sift through those items you "thought" you might wear again, but still haven't. Remember those jean capris or shorts that you bought because they were on sale and never wore.....take them to Gap and get something you WILL wear, for 30% off!!!

This promotion is running NOW through MAY 29th, and if you have a Gap, Old Navy, or Banana Republic card you get 35% off!! FABULOUS!!!

I am loving the white cropped kick flare jeans (pictured right), which are priced at $59.95, but with this promotion and using my Gap card, they'd only be $38.97!!! Paired with the draped sleeveless top or the flutter sleeve tee and a pair of wedges, they are perfect for that upcoming BBQ!! (The cropped boyfriend jeans in white are another great pair at only $69.95.)

There are also several fabulous dresses (& skirts), perhaps for your upcoming date nite or baby/wedding shower!! OR my favorite, which I happen to be wearing today...the slim crop pants (in black)....SO comfortable and chic & easy to dress up or down--LOVE that!!

Whatever you may "need" or have been lusting after... take a few minutes to clear space in that closet and bring those goods in for a fabulous discount on something new!!

Have fun Spring Cleaning & Looking GOOD for Less!!

Why we LOVE...

CARDIGANS!!!

In a fall post, an Ode to Cardigans, we talked about our love of cardigans, and the numerous styles and colors we admittedly own! Now that we are looking to warmer weather, that doesn't mean you have to put your cardis away for 6 months, or can't wear one until the season changes again.

Often SPRING is the time that you need something extra over that pocket tee or lace tank! Yet you don't want your bulky wool or knit cardigan that you wore with your leggings and boots last fall. You need a lighter-weight & versatile style that you can throw over anything!!

Here are a few of my favorites that I've seen so far this Spring:

I LOVE the Splendid cardi that is available @ Nordstrom. I own last year's style in black, with 3/4 sleeves that button, but am loving this long sleeve style just the same! It is such a comfortable cotton, doesn't wrinkle easy, and is great to bring anywhere. I've worn mine many times to travel, and it's been perfect: comfortable, stylish, and easy to pack in a small bag!! I just picked up this year's style in white, but I'm also loving this khaki color too! (pictured above)


Another great spring cardi is the Gap grandpa cardigan. (pictured left) It's available in several colors, is a light weight rayon/nylon mix, and of course, is machine washable--a must for spring/summer clothes! It's only $54.95 BUT with the GLAMOUR40 deal happening until the end of April, you could get this fabulous cardigan for only $32.97!! What a fantastic deal for a piece that you will wear constantly. It can be buttoned or left open, and it's longer, so you can wear it with a variety of shorts, capris, or even with a skirt or dress! Go get yourself one before the deal is over & the colors/sizes are gone!



One more FABULOUS spring cardi is the Ann Taylor LOFT open front cardigan. (pictured right) I am loving this "deep clay" color, but also liking the "wrought iron" -a more neutral choice. Again, this cardigan is light-weight and machine washable, but I love that it doesn't have buttons. It's meant to be worn open. The detailing along the seams is an added unique touch as well! Perfect for spring!! ...And at $49.50 you can't go wrong!!!


These three cardis are just a couple of the fabulous options out there...depending on your budget, you can find one that fits your needs. Here are just a few more possibilities, and all of them are under $125!

These are SO many options out there for spring/summer cardigans! Where will you find your "perfect cardigan"?? (...or for us, cardiganS!!! -as we both own many!!!) Enjoy the hunt!

Spring Fashion: Save $$ at GAP

Unfortunately, today in MN it is not looking or feeling at all like Spring...a bit more like November (especially since I had to dig out my boots & hat that I had so neatly tucked away!) ...So perhaps it's a great day to head to the MALL, because inside, the stores and merchandise DO remind us that it IS SPRING!!!

With spring, comes fresh floral prints, ballet flats & sandals of all styles, capris, and shorts. With GAP's Spring Collection, you don't need to have their GAP card or a "friends & family" coupon to get 40% off one regular priced item from the new collection!

All you need to do is mention GLAMOUR40 at the checkout, and it's money saved!!

This "deal" is on NOW and runs until April 30th. So it's even running long enough that you can go back multiple times and SAVE!!! Click HERE to read the "fine print." *It only applies IN STORE (not online or at any outlets or Factory stores). I just went in and purchased the legging jeans in grey. I own them in both black and the dark denim wash and LOVE THEM!! They are originally $69.50, but with the 40% discount, they were only $41.70--that's a great deal for jeans that I know I will wear a ton!!!

I want to go back to check out their slim crop pants in black (pictured right), as they look fabulous, and give that more dressy feel....perfect for early spring if you can't wear jeans to the office! And at only $49.50 regular price, they are a STEAL with the 40% off making them only $29.70!!! OR maybe it's time to try out the 70s feel of things and purchase a pair of the wide leg jeans...I'm loving the all white pair, or maybe the pair we wrote about last month??!! Whatever it may be, and perhaps more than one item--as it doesn't limit you to how many visits you make, or whether you visit multiple stores.....enjoy the discount!! HAPPY SPRING!!!

Recycle Your Blues is Back!!

We are SO EXCITED that Gap is bringing back their AMAZING campaign from last year!!

From this Wednesday, October 6th thru Wednesday, October 20th, you can donate your old denim (any brand) and get 30% off a new pair of 1969 denim!! Your old denim will be recycled by being converted into UltraTouch natural cotton fiber insulation and donated to communities in need.

What's better than that?? Well, since you asked...Facebook Fans will get an ADDITIONAL 10% off their new jeans - so 40% off new denim!! This campaign is perfectly in time for Fall and also a great time to try their new Flare Jeans, which are very figure flattering.

Check out their fun video here about the campaign & be sure to become a fan of their facebook page.

PAID to SHOP??!!

Believe it or not, this is true...well, ALMOST.

MANY stores have their own credit cards, which isn't something new, BUT the bonuses and rewards are. Often times people avoid these cards because of the high APR (annual percentage rates), but most of the cards can be paid off the day you use them. You can literally put a purchase on the card to earn your points, and then the next minute, pay it off. It really isn't that much more work and you EARN $$/points towards $$certificates to spend on your next purchases, how much better can that get??!!

I think it's SO worth it, and I have earned myself so much $$ using mine. We've highlighted a few of the cards that we have that are worth adding to your wallet!

NORDSTROM
Nordstrom offers 2 cards: a basic Nordstrom store card AND a Nordstrom VISA card.


Every Nordstrom cardholder earns TWO rewards points with every purchase on their Nordstrom card. Nordstrom Visa cardholders also earn ONE rewards point for purchases made outside of Nordstrom, anywhere Visa credit cards are accepted. Accumulate 2,000 rewards points and receive a $20 Nordstrom Note, redeemable for any merchandise or services in Nordstrom stores and through catalogs.

So spending $1000 at Nordstrom earns you $20, BUT if you shop during sales and special days, you can earn those points faster as there are MANY periods of time when Nordstrom has double and even triple rewards points days....meaning you could earn 4 or 6 points per dollar spent!!

It may not seem like the best deal, but the APR is fairly low on the Visa card, and I couldn't be happier with the bonuses I've received with mine! SO worth it! Also, the more you put on your card per year, earns you more advantages such as free shipping and complimentary tailoring. Check out the website for more info!

*Upcoming SALE = half-yearly sale for Women & Kids = NOVEMBER 3-6 = DOUBLE rewards point days AND a FABULOUS time to find some of the BEST DEALS this store offers, but shop early before sizes are gone!!!

Ann Taylor LOFT
Ann Taylor LOFT also offers 2 cards: a LOFT card and a LOFT MasterCard.


You earn 5 style points for every dollar put on your card, and with the MasterCard, 1 style point for every dollar spent outside of the LOFT. And your card can be used not only at LOFT, but also at Ann Taylor, LOFT Outlets, and Ann Taylor Factory! Just like Nordstrom, once you reach 2,000 points, you receive a $20 rewards gift certificate to redeem in store or online! With the 5 points per dollar, this means you earn $20 for every $400 spent shopping! Fabulous!! *You also get a $15 bonus certificate for your BIRTHDAY!! LOVE those!! =)

Ann Taylor LOFT is a great place to find essentials and basics for your wardrobe, and they OFTEN have sales, and days where everything in the store is 25%, 30%, 40% etc. off, including the sale merchandise! Also, not only do you earn points on your card, but you also receive extra coupons towards purchases and exclusive "sneak peaks" of merchandise!

Click here to read more details about the card or to apply online!


J.Crew
J.Crew has only one card, and it's not a Visa or MasterCard, but it's got great perks!

For every $500 you spend on your card, you get a $25 rewards card. You also get invitations to private sales, early access to select items, complimentary alterations, and personal shopping. J.Crew is a FABULOUS place to shop, for both the basics necessary in your wardrobe and the fun night-on the town pieces.
Their jewelry is also AMAZING....and so unique! My recommendation is to wait for the pieces to go on sale and then fill up that shopping cart! Sign up for their emails, as there are often times when they send out codes for extra 20% or 30% off sale!! LOVE getting those!

Click here to read more about the J.Crew credit card and start shopping!

Banana Republic
Banana Republic is another store with 2 cards, an in-store only card and a Visa card. With the BR Visa card, you earn 5 points for every dollar spent NOT ONLY at Banana Republic, BUT ALSO at Gap, Athleta, Old Navy, AND Piperlime!! FABULOUS!!


With every 1,000 points you earn, you get $10 in rewards! So for spending $200 at any of these 5 places, you get $10. That couldn't be any easier!! WOW!!!
BR also has birthday offers, free shipping on orders of $100 or more, and deals EVERY TUESDAY!! Also, just for signing up, you get a bonus of 1,500 points--that's one $10 rewards card just to sign up AND you're already half-way to the next one!! I think I might have to go sign-up this weekend!! SO worth it, as I shop in BR for their amazing JEWELRY, love Gap for their jeans and great basics, and Piperlime is a fabulous online site for shoes and accessories! Also, if you're in need of some fabulous "work-out gear" check out Athleta, they have amazing stuff!!

Target
Target also has 2 cards, a Target Card and a Target Red Visa Card.

The Target Visa credit card allows you to earn one point for every dollar spent at Target stores. You earn one point for every two dollars you spend on other purchases. Once you have accumulated 1,000 points, you will be given a certificate that entitles you to a 10% savings for a day's shopping at Target. (certain items are excluded). You can only receive one certificate in a month. Unused points are rolled over.

Who doesn't spend a ton of money at Target?! Especially in the fall, buying new school supplies!! Why not earn a day with 10% off...it can really make a difference, as every bit saved truly counts these days. You can also choose to help out your local school: For every dollar that you spend at Target, 1% will be donated to your designed K-12 school. For every dollar that you spend on non-target purchases, 0.50% will be donated instead.

Click here for more info!

There are more store credit cards out there, for most department stores and even places like Best Buy and Home Depot. Just do a little research into the benefits of the card and decide if the store is a place you shop often enough to make it worthwhile!

Are you a TEACHER or Student??!!
Along with the credit cards, many stores offer DISCOUNTS for TEACHERS & Students!! Take advantage of this!! Even 15% off of your total can add up and make a huge difference in deciding to splurge on that new cardi or not, believe me, it's helped in making that tough decision....to spend or save (why not both)!! Here are some shops around the Twin Cities that offer discounts, all you need is your staff/student ID and you've got INSTANT SAVINGS!! FABULOUS!

J.Crew offers 15% off of ALL regular-priced merchandise ALL the time...just flash that ID when you check out! **You do NOT need to sign up for anything, all they need to see is proof that you are a teacher or a student. You can also get this discount online IF you register with your school email address!

Ann Taylor LOFT offers 15% off every time you shop (in stores only), BUT you do have to SIGN UP! But you also get 20% just for signing up!! =more saving!! You can sign up online or in any of the stores! Next time you're at the mall, get signed up, it's a quick form and worth the savings!!

New York & Company is just like LOFT, they also offer 15% off every time you shop, but again, you need to SIGN UP--and you also get 20% off just for signing up! FABULOUS!!!

Take advantage of these bonuses, rewards, and savings...and next time you're in your favorite store, just ask if they have any rewards programs or discounts for teachers--it NEVER hurts to ask...and you never know, it could mean $$ in your pocket!! Happy SAVING!!