January 2008 Archives

Not that there is a piece of chocolate that *wouldn't* make me smile, but the tasty treats sold at Intentional Choclate are even more pleasant to nibble because 10% of proceeds go to charity. Plus each piece is blessed by a Buddhist monk. The company claims its chocoate increases your energy because the cooking process "captures the focused good intentions of experienced meditators" and infuses them into the pieces.

Um, that's cool and all, but you had me at chocoate. A 21-piece box of their Love Trufflesis $59. A 9-piece box is $29. Plenty of time to arrive before Valentine's day.

Reader Sid writes that he recently came across the Gibson USA factory outlet store in Commerce near the Citadel Outlets. He says "this is a HUGE company that supplies most of the dinnerware to Wal-Mart, Target and many other retailers. Not only do they have tons of dinnerware in both open stock and sets at great prices, they've got flatware, glasses, fine china and some great chatckes for your pad!" Sid saw a 16-piece stoneware set for $15 that retails around $30 and says shopping there is like going to Big Lots because you never know what you're going to find.

Unfortunately, the outlet is closed on weekends. Visit them at 2410 Yates Ave. in Commerce. Hours are Mon to Fri 9 to 4:30. (323) 832-8900 x1144. Thanks, Sid!

Today only! Walgreens has a printable coupon for $5 off $20 good in stores only. Find a store near you.

Caveats: excludes alcohol, prescriptions, tobacco, and gift cards.

The Sports Chalet Outlet in Montclair is closing by March and has some great deals, reports BargainsLA. "All merchandise that is already discounted is now drastically reduced even more!" Look for sales on sleeping bags, tents, sportswear and gear of all kinds. The store carries irregular items, factory overruns, and discontinued stuff.

It's not a bad idea to stock up on gear for summer adventures. Visit them at 5057 S. Plaza Lane in Montclair. (909) 624-1372. Hours are Mon to Fri 10 to 7, Sat 9 to 6 and Sun from 10 to 6.

Get $10 off a purchase of $20 or get $20 off a purchase of $75 with this printable coupon for the Express. Expires Sunday, Feb 3, 2008. Also good at the men's store. Find a store near you.

Caveats: excludes jewelry, accessories, gift cards, and redlined merch.

Guess what happens when a famous musician in plainclothes performs during rush hour in a D.C. subway stop? In a beautifully written story about violin virtuoso Joshua Bell, Gene Weingarten of the Washington Post waxes on about this question:

What is this life if, full of care,

We have no time to stand and stare.

-- from "Leisure," by W.H. Davies

Weingarten writes: "Do you hurry past with a blend of guilt and irritation, aware of your cupidity but annoyed by the unbidden demand on your time and your wallet? Do you throw in a buck, just to be polite? Does your decision change if he's really bad? What if he's really good? Do you have time for beauty? Shouldn't you? What's the moral mathematics of the moment......No one knew it, but the fiddler...

Thanks to all the readers who have left a comment on the Bargain Hunter blog. A lot of folks are still emailing me directly, which I enjoy, but that means other readers cannot benefit from your insight! Please consider sharing your two cents on any blog post by clicking on the tiny "Comments" link that appears underneath the black line at the bottom of each post.

It is totally anonymous because you don't have to leave your email address or Web site, just a name. If you want to email me directly, I'm at julia.scott@dailynews.com.

I'm already craving pizza in preparation for the Superbowl this Sunday, Feb 3. Here's a rundown of pizza deals at local restaurants and major chains. Stay tuned for beer deals!

Domino's has an $11 BFD (Big Fantastic Deal) pizza that includes unlimited toppings on a large pie. You can order online now for Sunday. Menu here. Pizza Hut has 1-topping medium pizzas for $5 each when you order at least 3 pies. They also have online ordering. Menu here.

In Woodland Hills Zanos Pizza, which used to have one of my favorite Lincoln Lunches (it's now $6), has a large 16" cheese pizza for $9. Don't forget to order garlic knots. They are killer. Menu here.

The $14 large Meat Pizza at Papa Johns has bacon, pepporoni, ham, and sausage. Online ordering, check. Menu here. Pies at California Pizza Kitchen...

Newhall Hardware is going out of business and liquidators are clearing out the store, according to a front page story in today's Daily News. The super sale started yesterday, so don't wait too long if you are in need of tools. They are at 24322 Main St in Newhall. Hours are 10 to 6 weekdays, 10 to 5 Sat, and 10 to 3 Sun. Unclear how long the sale will last.

Owner Victor Feany said the store wasn't profitable anymore. He bought it 33 years ago from the original owner, Don Guglielmino. Feany always wanted to run a hardware store. "My dream came true," Feany said. "I had a good 30 years here. I can't complain." Keep reading the story.

Kristin Nelson's kids consignment sale is eight weeks away, but registration to sell your stuff is open, and spots always fill up. If you are thinking of selling your stuff start by reading her consignor guidelines. There are 275 consignors spots. Consignors keep 65 to 70% of their sales depending on whether they volunteer for three hours or not.

The sale is three days, March 28 to 30, 2008. I wrote about her last sale for the Daily News and it was massive, highly organized, and full of great deals. There will over 20,000 items on sale, including clothes, toys, baby equipment, outdoor/sports equipment, furniture, books, videos/DVDs, games, shoes, socks, strollers and maternity clothes, Nelson writes.

The sale is Fri and Sat, March 28 and 29 from 9 to 5 and Sun, March 30 from 9 to 2, when most items are 50% off. The sale is at Seville Hall, 7963 Van Nuys Blvd. in Van Nuys, CA 91402. Entrance is free. Cash only.

To get on an email list with updates about the sale email Nelson at lakidsconsignment@earthlink.net and say “add me to the email list.”

Burbank photographer Harvey Branman is taking free artistic portraits of couples that have been together for 40 or more years. He plans to turn the shots into a book with the couple's philosophies of why they’ve stayed married while so many others have not.

If you have been married 40 plus years, Harvey is offering a free portrait session (normally $100) and one 8 x 10 print (normally $75 to $100). If you want more prints you have to pay for them. Prints run from $35 for four wallet size photos to $1,850 for a mounted 40" x 50" portrait. By participating you agree to sign a release that your photo can be used in the book.

Harvey may be able to squeeze you in before V-day, though I don't know if the print will be ready for the holiday. Call to make sure. Check out his other family portraits.

Visit Photography As An Art at 1307 N. San Fernando Blvd. in Burbank. (818) 954-9294. Harvey offers some free tips on improving the outcome of your photos.

There is a massive sale going on at Steve and Barry's in Burbank, a reader writes. The store carries sporty clothes, polos, dresses, the Bitten line by Sex and the City star Sarah Jessica Parker, plus lines by Amanda Bynes and Venus Williams.

Everything is $8.98, apparently! Michelle, who spotted the sale and was awesome enough to let me know about it, emailed that when they mean everything is $8.98 "that means everything, nothing excluded." The sale will end unannounced. There's also a Steve and Barry's at Beverly Hills, but no word on whether they have the same sale. Find a store near you.

Thanks, Michelle!

The furniture chain Levitz is going out of business and prices are really marked down. This is a good thing for Californians because 32 of the chain's 76 stores are in the Golden State.

At the Northridge store prices were up to 80% off, according to reader Christine, who called from the store! She saw dinnerware, dish butlers, armoires, silk pillows, chairs, and down comforters on super sale. A queen sized Pacific Coast down comforter was $66 (orig $219). An "alternative down" comforter was $24 (orig $80). Power strips were $7 (orig ~$20). Online, I spotted the four-piece San Paolo bedroom set, made of dark cherry, above, for $1,500. Wonder how much it would be in the store?

Everything is final sale, no returns. Find a Levitz near you. The Northridge store is at 9301 Tampa Ave. (818) 993-1310. Hours are Mon to Sat 10 to 9 and Sun from 11 to 7. Thanks, Christine!

Get 25% off select bras at Victoria Secret thru Jan 31 with code 25OFF. Not sure if it's case sensitive. Bras in the Body by Victoria, Very Sexy, and Angels line are on sale. A black lace Angels bra is $34 (orig $45). An even sexier bra made of tan lace is also $34 (orig $45). D and DD sizes are a few bucks more.

Free shipping on tabs of $100 or more with code VSHIP100. Browse all the sale bras. Unclear if the sale is also happening in stores. I'm guessing it is. Find a store near you.

A friend in the newsroom mentioned she is trying to plan her wedding on a tight budget, which got me thinking. Who's not on a budget these days? Especially when it comes to parties that can quickly get out of hand, pricewise.

Cheap Chic Weddings has lots of tips for how to save on gowns (sew it yourself or check eBay*), flowers (buy from a wholesaler, arrange yourself), and invitations (use postcards to RSVP and save on postage, do them yourself, nix the outer envelope).

Another great way to save is to tap the manpower and talents of your friends and family. Our friend Benedetti learned a few songs from Amelie (one of my favorite movies) and played them on his accordian during our wedding ceremony. My cousin did our wedding invitations as her gift to us (and them some) and another cousin paid for the postage as her gift. My uncle married us while wearing red hi-top...

(not my actual lunch) A reader named Lisa tipped me off to a Lincoln Lunch at Vallarta Supermarket. Through tomorrow a beef or ham quesadilla with rice, beans, rice and chips is $5 (orig $6). I stopped by the Canoga Park store to check it out and was set on the quesadilla combo when the pupusas called out. Eat me! At $2.50 each I couldn't help the bargain. Plus, I looooove pupusas. I got one with pork, beans and cheese. It is thick and about 5-6 inches in diameter, so pretty big. It came with a generous container of the semi-spicy cabbage/carrot mix that is a delicious pupusa topping.

For another $1.29 I got a *real* Coke, the kind from Mexico made with sugar, not corn syrup. Then for 40-cents I got a custard-filled, powder sugar-covered treat from the bakery, which I have not eaten yet. But I am very optimistic. The line was a tad slow owing to lunch hour rush.

Prices in the rest of the store were a toss up. Granny Smith and Fugi apples were 99-cents per pound (very good), but milk was $3.69 a gallon, fresh squeezed OJ was $4.19 for 64-ounces (high). Spaghetti was 89-cents a package (good) and Cup a Noodle's went for 4 for $1. Find a store near you. Thanks, Lisa!

My hip still hurts when I run. Hubby's car is in $hop. Sigh. The only redeeming thing about my day so far is that the cute swimsuits at Target distracted me for a few minutes. Lots of stripes and string ties and bright colors. I can see the summer light at the end of this rainy tunnel!

Two pieces run $15 to $18 per piece, one pieces are $35. An embrodiered red Mossimo top, above, is $18. A white halter top with black dots is also $18. Haven't made up my mind about the mini-skort bottoms, like this one in hot pink for $18. Great if you don't want to fight the bikini-line battle, but would it come off as too girly? Is it possible to dress too girly? Hmmm. Time for a poll.

Browse Target's one pieces, tankini's but skip the monokinis. Even for LA they are too tacky.

Find a store near you.

Get 40% off the list price of one book that is $20 or more at Borders with this printable coupon. Need to be a member, but joining is free. For some reason, you can only join in stores. I joined and it's painless. They send 1 or 2 emails a week at most. Coupon good today and tomorrow only. Also good at Waldenbooks. Find a store near you.

Caveats: excludes previous and online purchases, gift cards, periodicals, comics, non-stock special orders, coupon books, eBooks, digital downloads, Rosetta Stone® software, shipping, and all electronics, including the Sony® Reader and the Zune™

Find Valentine's Day gifts at up to 40% off at Drugstore.com. Here are some gifts under $25, mostly for women but some for men. An edible chocolate set with three flavors and a brush, above, is $30. The Kama Sutra game sounds like fun or - if you don't need as much help - go for the Kama Sutra weekend kit, which includes Love Liquid, Spearmint Pleasure Balm, Mint Tree Bathing Gel, Wild Clove Bathing Gel, and Honey Dust. Spicy! Both are $20.

They have more traditional gift ideas for her, for him, chocolates and gift baskets, and sensual gifts.

One last tidbit from my birthday Friday. Hubby took me out to see trumpeter Jeremy Pelt at the Jazz Bakery Friday night and the music was fantastic. The band - drums, bass, Hammond B3/piano - was young and Pelt was the only one wearing a suit and tie (with jeans, at that!) But they played like they went way back.

My favorite tunes were Pelt's ballads. He has great ideas and knows how to use space to leave you hanging on his notes. Plus he's got a breathy tone that can caress like an interested lover. I hope he records an album of ballads.

The tickets were not cheap - $30 buck a pop - but because of the rain we got to stay for the second set free. The real deal, however, was the drinks. Microbrew bottles were $3 and $4 each. Each! Even if you are not interested in seeing a show, it's not a bad spot for a happy hour if you brings friends (everyone else is there for the music). The lobby has a few counter stools and parking is free. The club is in the Helms Bakery complex between National and La Cienega on Washington.

If you stay for a show (I'd recommend Brazilian singer Luciana Souza Feb 2) remember that the Jazz Bakery does not have table service - the room seats 150 theater style - but you can bring in as many drinks as you like. No drink minimum, which is unusual for jazz clubs. One note, the room itself it not very polished so don't except the ambience of Yoshi's in Oakland, a top notch jazz club.

BONUS: Students can get half price rush tickets.

Loehmann's, the department store known for its designer discounts, is opening it's first ever men's store on March 4. The 18,000 square foot store is going to be across the street from Loehmann's original Beverly Hills store in the Beverly Connection complex. It will have one very different feature from the women's stores - private changing rooms (normally it's one big mirrored room). I guess Loehmann's thinks men are more self conscious than women. Ha!

Now if only I could get Hubby to go shopping for new clothes! Visit them at at 100 North La Cienega Blvd (2nd floor, Building C). Store hours will be Mon to Sat, 10 to 9, and Sun 11 to 7.

Get a 20% off printable coupon at Big Lots. If you can't see the coupon on the above link, sign up for to be a buzz club member (it's free). Coupon expires Feb 3, 2008. Find a store near you.

Caveats: does not apply to fireplaces or giftcards. Okay then! If you're not familiar with Big Lots, they sell overstock and random stuff, from toys to shampoo to tools. It's always hit or miss.

The deal of the day at Circuit City is a 47-inch Olevia flatscreen HDTV for $1100 (orig $1,600). SImilar TVs but with *different* brand names sell for $1,900 to $2,300 at Circuit City. Since they call it a deal of the day, I'm guessing it's not going to last for more than a few hours.

See what's for sale in the Fashion Bug clearance. A baby doll swing jacket with short sleeves is $15 (orig $37). A lace-trimmed V-neck top is $19 (orig $25). Belted twill pants in black and brown are $11 (orig $37). A satin black and white dress, below with a high waist and spaghetti straps is $18 (orig $50).

Browse all sale items.

Don't forget that Restaurant Week starts today. I still haven't made any reservations but I'd like to eat at Daily Grill, Minx, or Pinot Bistro. My wallet can't handle all three! For those who need a recap on the deal: during Restaurant Week you get a three-course lunch for $15 to $22, depending on whether the restaurant is considered "deluxe" or "premier." Three-course dinners are $25 and $34, respectively. Prices exclude beverages, tax and gratuity.

Participating San Fernando Valley restaurants include: AMARANTA COCINA MEXICANA, BUON GUSTO RISTORANTE, CAROUSEL RESTAURANT, DAILY GRILL - STUDIO CITY, MAX RESTAURANT, MINX, PINOT BISTRO, ROY’S RESTAURANT WOODLAND HILLS. In the San Gabriel Valley participating restaurants include: 750ML, BARN BURNER BBQ, EL CHOLO CAFE PASADENA, NEOMEZE, SUSHI ROKU PASADENA, and TWIN PALMS. You can also search for restaurants alphabetically.

Click on the restaurant you are interested in to make a reservation. The deal runs from Jan 27 to Feb 1, and then from Feb 3 to Feb 8 (so, skipping Saturday). Call 877.dineLA1 (877.346.3521) for more details.

A Web site by the National Motorist Association lists speed traps across the country. You can search by state and then by city. In Woodland Hills there is one late night trap just before Topanga Canyon, according to the site. Check if there are any speed traps on your common routes. Thanks, Jen!

Get a buy one get one free buffet meal at Home Town Buffet or one of four restaurants in the chain (Country Buffet, Fire Mountain, Ryan's, Old Country Buffet, ) when you sign up for their email list. Requires you to give your full name, email address, dob, wedding anniversary, and zip code. I'm told they later email you a coupon. Thanks, C!

Women's, kid's and men's shoes are on sale at Payless Shoesource thru Feb 11, 2008. I like this American Eagle hidden wedge heel with a peep toe in brown, teal for $16 (orig $23). A black peep toe heel with floral perforations is $20 (orig $23).

Browse all the women's sale pairs, and what's on sale in men's, girl's and boy's. Find a store near you.

I say it's my BIRTHday! It's my birthday too YEAH!! I turn 30 today. Getting older is not easy, despite the distractions of gifts and hugs and well wishes. Changing two digits is definitely harder than a quick switchero of one. Who even notices the difference between 28 and 29?

Going into my birthday I fortified myself by pointing out that I've never been in such great shape (tho I'm still not wise enough to figure out how I got hooked on running. It's literally just going in circles). But physical benchmarcks - my ass is still tighter than so and so's, I have fewer gray hairs than you know who - don't get you anywhere. Because there is always going to be someone who is just as old as you and has an even flatter stomach or fewer wrinkles. Plus, basing your sense of self on how you look isn't very healthy, yada yada yada.

Instead of hedging my bets on physiognomy, I think back to what my mother said when I asked her at 7 or 8 why were were all here. What's the point of it all? She paused for a second. "To make happiness." You can interpret that a lot of ways, like helping the needy, loving God, or getting toasted. I prefer some combination of all three. And certainly every day I live I learn more about how to be happy. Not just pursue it. That's a pretty cool perk of aging.

BDAY BONUS: I got carded at lunch today! No joke. I squealed to the waiter than it was my birthday and gave him a high five. The cosmo was one of the best I ever drank.

Get half price tickets to Wicked when you buy orchestra seats ($57 to $175) for a weeknight in Jan or Feb. Use code 7WINTER. I'm told code 5WINTER will also work but I did not test that one. Unfortunately, the discount does not apply to all the fees Ticketmaster tacks on. Not sure if the code works over the phone (213-365-3500).

Caveats: discount not good on Feb 14. Thanks, Tina!

UPDATE: A reader wrote with Wicked news: "I tried to buy Wicked tickets with the bargain code ---- on line they only allow you to enter a promo code for tickets costing $95 or less. I tried calling in & they had the $175 seats available but couldn't sell them with the discount code. The code only worked for cheap seats in the rear orchestra." Thanks for the details!

Golden Scissors Family Salon (Tijeras De Oro) in Reseda is offering new clients 25% off all their services, including cuts, color and highlights, hair straightening services, and spa services like nails and facials. To get the discount mention the anniversary special (it's their third year in business) when making a reservation. Expires Feb 29, 2008.

Caveats: Gotta be a new customer. Discount not valid on gift certificates. Note, I have not been to this salon so I can't vouch for it's services. But you can get a feel for the salon by checking out their Web site or by dropping in. They are open Mon to Fri 10 to 8, Sat 9 to 7 and Sun 10 to 3. Visit them at 7325 Reseda Blvd. in Reseda. (818) 609-9999. Thanks, Mark!

Get $25 off your purchase of $100 of winter wear at American Apparel with code WINTER08. Browse all the items in the sale. A long cut sheer T-shirt with 3/4 sleeve and a steep V-neck is $34. Gray winter leggings are $38 and a fine jersey scarf, above, with gray and white stripes is $18. Online only. Expires Feb 6, 2008.

Get 20% off select items, at Leapfrog.com plus free shipping with code WT8VFS. Get 70% off permanently reduced LeapPad, My Little LeapPad and Little Touch LeapPad books. "A gift from big sister" Dora the Explorer book is $4 (orig $13). A Fridge Phonics magnetic set is $16 (orig $20). Sale ends Feb 14, 2008.

Caffinated bargain hunters rejoice. Word on the street is that Starbucks is trying to brighten lackluster sales by selling a cuppa Joe for $1. Of course, it is a smaller cup. But they are countering that with free refills on brewed drinks. If I save my cup from yesterday and bring it in today can I swing a free drink?

But don't rush out to Starbucks just yet. The coffee giant is testing out the new pricing at select stores in its hometown of Seattle. Cross your fingers it comes to LA soon! Or at least before my Christmas gift card runs out.

The entire Jenni Kayne line is 60% off until Feb 8, 2008. The West Hollywood boutique is making room for its spring line and needs to clear the space. Her no fuss collection is full of simple pieces with really long or really short cuts. Note: the vintage and new jewelry sold at the store is NOT on sale. Open Mon to Sat 11 to 7.

Visit them at 614 N. Almont Dr., between Santa Monica Blvd. and Melrose Ave. in West Hollywood. (310-860-0123).