Help, I'm a Hoarder: Restaurant Coupon Giveaway

I looked up my unused gift certificates on restaurant.com tonight, and concluded that I may have a  hoarding problem. I snap up these "certificates" (they are actually discount coupons) whenever they go on sale, and print one off whenever we feel like we can swing a meal out.  The terms vary from restaurant to restaurant, but generally speaking, the voucher gets you a nice discount off a minimum dine-in purchase, exclusive of beverages, taxes and gratuity. It's a nice excuse to spring for dessert, or treat a friend. The site lists a wide range of restaurants across the U.S., and some of our favorite local family and date night spots participate. I've never had any problem redeeming a certificate. Thank you, recession, for making coupons socially acceptable.

Anyway, I've already got more than I'll use in a year, so I'd like to give away five $25 certificates, good across the U.S. I'll email a code to the first five commenters who leave me an email address (use name "in care of" domain if you like). You can always forward an unredeemed code to a friend if you find you can't use it. Please note that neither the certificates, nor this offer, have any cash value, and if you run into any problems, you'll have to take it up with restaurant.com. A certificate for an establishment no longer in business or with the program can be exchanged by emailing info@restaurant.com.

Additionally, let me know if any of you happen to be passing through Portsmouth, NH; Harrisburg, PA; St. Louis, MO; Bar Harbor, ME; Gettysburg, PA; Memphis, TN; or Dallas, TX. I have certificates for specific restaurants in those cities that I picked up "just in case" we could use them while travelling last year.

Bon appetit!

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Let it Snow

The kids are out of school, and in the absence of snowy drifts to toss them into whilst I work, scissors and a stack of fresh white paper was the next best diversion this morning. We used Martha Stewart's method for cutting snowflakes. Bonus benefit: I need a blizzard of them for a holiday party tomorrow night. Hooray for child labor! I'm sure Martha would approve.

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Frugal frivolity: e.l.f. cosmetics

I recently discovered the E.L.F. line of cosmetics: hip, ingenious cosmetics at dollar store prices. Really. A buck for many items, a whopping three if you upgrade to the "studio" line. They also offer frequent discount codes if you register (or you can just search e.l.f on dealnews, a site I check with a regularity I wish I could bring to flossing. I discovered e.l.f. there, when they were offering 75% off the studio line. We've been on a tight budget since our epic vacation, so it was really a treat to get a box full of girly froufrou for under $15. The quality is about par with drugstore brands like Rimmel but the colors and formulations are really department-store worthy. I especially love the liner sealer tip of the liner/primer, a very cool and precise way to turn any eye shadow into liner. The eye transformer, a palette of powders that magically change my grey shadow to opalescent jewel tones, is amazingly versatile as well. It must be said that the sponge applicators and brushes are pretty poor. But I have decent brush sets already. Brushes, foundations, and skin care are where I like to spend a little more, when I can. Those are like the classic pieces of a good wardrobe. Colors are accessories.

I think anything that lets you feel frivolous while being frugal is Noteworthy. Definitely check it out. At these prices you can even try something wild and trendy (a little neon? a little sparkle?). I'm seriously considering going all out diva and springing for the offer that came in my inbox today: the large makeup collection is half off with code EGMCB. That's the small one pictured on my dressing table above, next to my beloved Superhero starburst pendant, for scale.

If you're stuck with what to do when your box of froufrou arrives, you might get some inspiration from Allison Czarnecki's fun and helpful smokey eye tutorial on Design Mom. Have fun and be fabulous!

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No kickback, referral fee, company shares, favors owed, or other vested interest here. I will always tell you when there is, okay?

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