Sales Abound!! Happy 4th

Quick, Go Shopping! Sales Are Everywhere
Jennifer Waters
Wednesday, June 29, 2011


Get ready to shop.

Retailers from department-store giants to discounters to home-and-garden stores are unloading excess inventory in droves in the coming days and weeks as they make room for the all-important back-to-school season.

Retailers saddled with merchandise that didn't move as consumers reined in spending on discretionary goods, particularly apparel, amid high prices at the gas pump and an overall sluggish economy -- not to mention uncooperative spring weather -- are price cutting in a big way.

"Clearance inventory continues to be building across the mall with a number of retailers promoting additional offerings on already reduced merchandise, according to Adrienne Tennant, a retail analyst at Janney Capital Markets.

"Full-price racks continue to go largely unnoticed with the majority of mall traffic huddled in the back of stores scavenging for the yet-again-unavoidable clearance offerings," she said.

That's leading to sales reminiscent of the 2008 holiday season when merchandise was marked down 50% to 80%.

Kohl's, for example, is even taking a holiday-season promotions path to clear its shelves with early-bird and night-owl sales Friday and Saturday and in-store sales with 60% to 70% across most categories and as much as 80% on final clearance.

Nordstrom is taking 30% to as much as 60% off some summer apparel like 55% off a Kate Spade dress originally priced at $445.

Abercrombie & Fitch, which didn't even enter the sales fray until last year, has a 40% off already-reduced summer wear that prices women's tank shirts as low as $5.94 and men's hoodies, once carrying price tags of $100 now at $29.94, both online and in store. And that's before the weekend begins.

American Eagle Outfitters is slashing prices as much as 60% to help get rid of things like men's graphic T's at $11.99 and some women's dresses as low as $19.99.

Express is shaving as much as 70% off summer shirts and shorts for men and women with an extra 20% off already-reduced apparel. At that rate, a short skirt is available at a bargain-basement price of $7.99.

It seems few consumers bought anything full price at the Gap, which is part of why its summer sale price cuts are up to 60% with an additional 40% off some sale items.

Watch too for flash sales, those that only last a few hours or days. Most are online sales such as the Midday Dash events at Neiman Marcus that offered up to 65% off selected items.

Online you can find up to 55% off regular prices even on designer merchandise. A Michael Kors shift dress, for example, was advertised at $1,202, nearly $600 off the original price.

Sears is taking 30% to 60% off everything from swimsuits to patio furniture. Ditto at Crate and Barrel -- for furniture, not swimsuits. It's pushing 60% off on selected summer merchandise and promoting "major markdowns" on furniture floor samples and one-of-a-kind items.

Home Depot is hacking 25% off select appliances as well as price cuts on patio furniture, outdoor play sets and gardening gear.

Borders has a coupon you can get online and print out for 20% off the entire purchase on books you buy in the stores for a limited time.

At Barnes and Noble's stores you'll find some books as much as 75% off with prices as low as $1.99.

Even the MLB.com has deep discounts, such as flash sales of 25% off.

Celebrity Wednesday--What Does Over 60 Deborah Harry Have to Say About Staying Young?

Not a beauty treatment I would recommend but this is how Deborah Harry stays young according to one interview.



Blondie star Deborah Harry has admitted having injections of cells taken from black sheep embryos in an attempt to maintain her looks.

The 62-year-old singer says she had the jabs, known as fresh cell replacement, three decades ago and also underwent controversial human growth hormone (HGH) treatment.

Ms Harry told how she opted for the cell therapy after reading a magazine article about a clinic in Montreux, Switzerland, that carried out the procedure.

Video: Debbie Harry reveals her beauty secrets

She said: "I think I was maybe 32. I thought, 'Wow, this is so logical.' You have fresh cells. They made injections from the embryos of black sheep.

"They would take from different organs from the liver, from the glands, from the bone and they would make up these injections. There were 11 injections, and I thought it was marvellous."

Ms Harry became famous for the bottle-blonde hair that gave her band their name.

They were one of the iconic groups of the punk era in the late Seventies with hits including Atomic, Heart Of Glass and Rapture.

She turned to human growth hormone therapy after one cycle of fresh cell replacement treatment.

The singer, who admits she has also had plastic surgery, said: "I found a doctor who was doing HGH for people with Alzheimer's. It is a little different than the fresh cells but the same kind of thinking.

"I thought, 'I've got to follow through on this,' and so I experimented."

Ms Harry said the surgery she had undergone on her face had been "essential", adding: "It makes you feel better and look better. I will probably continue to do that."

Her revelations come in an interview with top US journalist Daphne Barak, to be screened on CBS television in America next week. She tells Ms Barak that she still injects herself with small HGH shots when she is under stress.

Anti-ageing expert Dr Daniel Sister warned that both fresh cell replacement and HGH treatment had not been clinically proven.

"Lots of people swear by the treatments, but the whole classical medical community is against it," he said.

Fears of Mad Cow Disease had stopped the use of cell therapy, while HGH treatment was "very dangerous" and might speed the growth of cancer, the doctor warned.
From http://ffr.activeboard.com

Change Your Look, Not Your Sole

A friend of mine has the cutest flipflops. And they change depending on mood or outfit. So, I went searching and found that there are not only flipflop switchables, but sandals and shoes. Check it out:

http://www.lindsay-phillips.co.uk

Or enter your zip code and find a location near you

Add 20 Years to Your Life

Here’s some ways to do it.


Canada’s McMaster University showed that 30 minutes of aerobic activity a day such as walking or biking prevents premature aging. Exercise increases blood circulation sending more oxygen to your cells which prevents mutation and disease. (10 to 20 years)


Dodge stress –Chronic stress will leave damages to your body vulnerable to disease. Dodge it by reminding yourself of the value you bring to your job and keep photos of loved ones around to keep mind boosting hormones elevated. If you really want to live longer, then you can start with your attitude. Your way of thinking can not only impact the quality of your life, but also how long you actually live. In 2002, researchers at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn., found that optimistic people decreased their risk of early death by 50 percent compared with those who leaned more towards pessimism. (2 years-stress, 7 to 8 years sunny outlook) Smile even when you don’t feel like it and you add 7 years by releasing a happy brain chemical.

Thwart heart disease with a cocktail. Not only wine, but women who drank one serving or less a day of an alcoholic beverage were 25% less likely to get heart disease. That’s because components in alcohol lower your LDL cholesterol and raise the HDL. Olive oil contains an ingredient that keeps LDL from clumping. (5 to 7 years)

Eat corn, garlic, dark chocolate and raw veggies. Corn or other whole grains daily contain fiber which helps deter disease and infection and lowers cholesterol, blood sugar and a protein causing inflammation. Garlic contains allicin that raises your immunity. Dark chocolate is rich in antioxidants and reduces inflammation and lowers blood pressure (1 year)
Raw veggies add 2 years to your life by increasing antioxidents. (15 to 20 years)



Now go out there and follow your dreams

The Short and the Long of It

Many of us are self conscious about wearing shorts--but there are several that are problems solvers.

First of all, to make your legs look longer, firmer and slimmer, don a pair of wedgies in a neutral color--matching your skin tone.

Many shorts actually have slimming features built right in.

Try Lee shorts and save 50% at Lee.com
This classic fit has an inner Invisible Flex Comfort Waistband that is hidden - Only you will know the benefit you are receiving from this great feature.



How about these longer Bermuda shorts. They are naturally slimming and can be dressed up or down. Also from Lee.com and 50% off.



These traditional shorts are one of my favorites with front pleats. These have an extra comfort feature with elastic insets on the sides. They are on sale at Lee.com as well

Don't like your pasty white legs, try some of the new self-tanning products.
Try some of the high tech fabrics. Stretch nylon is tough and soft and wicks moisture away from your body. Some of the lightweight fabrics can double as swimsuits. Or how about UPF 50 fabrics that will block UV rays. And for errands, there is always the skort. Combine the flattery of a skirt with the comfort of shorts.

Fun Friday--Travel Anyone?

Well, the economy still isn't recovering and expenses keep going up, but summer is traditionally vacation time, so what are we to do?

Well, first of all a bit of sage advice. My mom and dad always loved to travel. My dad would spend hours, recounting adventures they would have while on their excursions. Always an amusing incident or a highlight of their latest visit. My dad passed away last year, and traveled up until a month before his death--a trooper til the end. I'll always value all of his stories, but what stands out as well is my mom's advice of "do it while you can."

And on that note, here's some ideas to save money while building memories.





Try camping--some of my best memories come from camping errors. It's fun, inexpensive and a great way to exercise and meet great people along the way. The most important feature I find in a tent is enough room to stand up. The other feature is that it is easy for you to put up. No one likes to pull into a campsite after dark and have a tent that is a struggle to set up.

Visit a state park Many state parks have hotels within their boundaries that are less expensive that outside. Check to see if they have a summer special. Illinois Beach State Park offers one night free when you book a night between Sunday and Thursday.

Library Passes Check out what passes your library has to offer. They often include free admission to parks and museums or substantial discounts.

Free stuff from Big Companies Many companies give free perks just for being their customer. Bank of America has a Museums on Us program giving free admission on specific days nationwide. Target has an Arts and Culture program which gives free or discounted tickets. (Target.com--Company Info)


Be Flexible with Travel Dates Weekend travel is often more expensive, try Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday

Try Geocaching A techno scavenger hunt--with lots of exercise.

Mommy blogger--what? Even if you're past taking little ones on vacation with you, mommy bloggers are all about teaching one how to save money. They know the best values for restaurants in their area as well as entertainment bargans.

Check out smartertravel.com They have lots of great ideas and deals.

Bon Voyage!!

Contest and Giveaway Thursday

Well, thought I'd try something new. It's always fun to enter contests online, doesn't even cost a stamp. If you plan on doing this regularly, set up a separate email address so you don't clog yours with spam. And.... you never know!!

Makethatsandwich.com--known for a summer sandwich recipe--enter to win a trip to the Napa valley and $25,000 in cash

Womansworld.comteamed up with Pinesol to give away a $400 Amazon gift certificate. Supposedly,a spic and span clean home replete with pleasing scent is a stimulating environment for kids--therefore the contest "Scents for Success."

Womansword.com has teamed up with Krups as well. Win the Krups XP5240 to brew just the right beverage with easy clean up.

4allByJofit is giving away chances to win $400 gift cards for active wear--Enjoy!!