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These days, many budget-conscious shoppers are counting every penny. The good new is, your personal sense of style doesn’t have to suffer just because a slow economy has forced you to downsize your clothing budget. With online sample sale sites, you can get a lot of bang for your fashion buck. Check out these favorites for top labels at bargain-basement prices.
Ideeli.com: This members-only site offers limited-edition samples from many of the most prestigious décor and design brands for up to 80% off. A free membership is required to access the site.
Editorscloset.com: There is a definite air of mystery surrounding this exclusive site. Enter your email for a membership and find out whether you’re invited to their next 70%-off blowout sale.
Hautelook.com: One of the most universally beloved sample-sale sites, Haute Look offers top designers’ castoffs at 50% to 75% off retail.
Gilt.com: When it comes to the secretive world of online sample sales, it doesn’t get any better than the Gilt Group. This site’s drastically reduced designer duds and home décor items have won it a fanatically loyal following.
Although the offerings on sample-sale sites can be hit or miss, checking them out can be a fun way to wile away an afternoon on the Internet. Happy shopping!
Looking for a present that offers the recipient some freedom and flexibility, but conveys a little more thought and premeditation than an envelope stuffed with cash? If so, a gift certificate or a gift card may be just the thing. Here are a few ideas for those seeking gift-card inspiration.
Her favorite spa. Whether your recipient is a high-maintenance girly-girl or an outdoorsy type who hates makeup, she’ll love a spa gift certificate that will allow her to choose from an array of beauty treatments or relaxation-boosting massages.
His favorite music. What do you get for the guy who has everything? You can’t go wrong with an iTunes gift card. Apple’s flagship mp3 store offers full episodes of your favorite TV shows, blockbuster movies, top 40 pop hits, so-obscure-it-hurts indie bands, and absolutely everything in between.
Everyone loves to eat. Do a little detective work and find out where your recipient loves to go out to eat. Even the smallest local establishments are usually happy to arrange for the purchase of a gift certificate.
If all else fails, go to Amazon.com. This modern-day version of the bazaar offers everything under the sun and then some. The emailable version of the Amazon gift certificate is an excellent last-minute gift idea, as well.
Golf season is well under way, and though there are definitely some great local places to play, there are a handful of top-notch courses that all golfers should add to their list. Here’s a look at a few of the top golf destinations around the country that are truly a hole in one.
Pebble Beach Resort; Pebble Beach, CA. The site of the 2010 U.S. Open, this course is legendary—and if it’s good enough for the pros, it must be worth a round. Check the website for more information about the gorgeous Pebble Beach resort and a once-in-a-lifetime golf experience.
Whistling Straits; Haven, WI. The PGA Championship is returning to the Straits Course for 2010, so you know this place must be a golfer’s heaven. Both the Straits course and the Irish course at Whistlng Straits are ranked among the best in the United States, and may remind golfers of courses found in Ireland. Click here for more information.
Bandon Dunes; Bandon, OR. Inspired by Scottish tradition, the Bandon Dunes course sits atop a bluff overlooking the Pacific Ocean, and is surrounded by breathtaking beauty and nature. Not only is it a superb place to play, it is part of a secluded southern Oregon resort that includes three more challenging courses to try. Click here to find out more!
Pinehurst Resort and Country Club; Pinehurst, NC. This beautiful North Carolina golf destination features eight amazing and unique courses, as well as several luxury hotels, a spa, and a variety of dining options. Click here to check out the website and start planning your golfing getaway!
For more great places to play, click here to check out Golf Digest’s "100 Greatest Golf Courses in America."
Whether you’re a book lover, a movie buff, or a little bit of both, it’s always interesting to watch films that are based on novels, short stories, or kids’ books. If you’re looking for entertainment experiences that bring the best of the written word to the silver screen, here are a few of the critics’ favorite contenders.
The Harry Potter series. Although purists and super-fans may have a few quibbles with the movie versions of J.K. Rowling’s young-adult fantasy series, the films do a remarkably impressive job of bringing her imagined world of witches and wizards to life on the big screen.
The Shining. An A-list Hollywood pedigree—including director Stanley Kubrick and leading man Jack Nicholson—helped translate this horror classic from Stephen King to the silver screen.
Pride and Prejudice. The original chick-lit novel from British author Jane Austen has been made into several different film versions; most critics prefer the 1996 A&E miniseries starring Colin Firth as Mr. Darcy.
The Shawshank Redemption. This uplifting prison-break drama starring Tim Robbins and Morgan Freeman started out as a Stephen King novella entitled, “Rita Hayworth and Shawshank Redemption.”
The Lord of the Rings trilogy. This critically acclaimed fantasy epic first came into being as a series of World War II-era novels written by British professor J.R.R. Tolkien.
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Even the most dedicated exerciser finds themselves running out of steam from time to time. If you’ve fallen out of love with your current routine, here are a few ways to snap out of your rut and reinvigorate your love affair with exercise.
Get into the groove. If you love to listen to music when you exercise, stoking your motivational fires might be as simple as downloading some new-to-you tunes. Check new releases and exercise recommendations in the iTunes store for anything that strikes your fancy: the less familiar to you, the better!
Dress to impress. Shop around your favorite sports store and buy yourself some new workout gear. You might be surprised how eager you are to get in the gym to show off your new pair of colorful kicks, dri fit shirt, or cute pair of cropped gym pants.
Kick it up a notch. Sometimes, boredom can creep into our workout routines when we slack off and let ourselves get lazy. Try a more challenging DVD or routine and see what happens.
Read all about it. Scoot down to your local library and check out a few books about the “rock stars” at the top of your favorite sport, or seek out an autobiography penned by any athlete who inspires you.
Give it away now. If your workout routine has grown stale because worrying about burning calories seems like such a trivial concern, why not work charitable giving into your routine? Sign up for a 5K race or a relay event that will help you raise money for a cause you care about.
Looking to spice up your next shindig with some heated competition? Check out these party board games for adults.
Scene It and other DVD trivia games. Is half your grey matter devoted to arcane knowledge of 80s-era teen movies and pop songs? Pop in your favorite edition of Scene It or another DVD-based trivia game – chances are, everyone will be shouting out answers in instants.
Unleash your inner word nerd with Taboo. See if you can get your partner to guess a word or phrase without using the five most common descriptive terms listed on the card. A more challenging take on the concept of charades.
Think outside of the box with Cranium. Great for creative types, this truly unique board game requires players to do things like create clay sculptures and performing celebrity impressions.
Take boys vs. girls to the next level with Battle of the Sexes. Find out whether women or men will remain supreme with this board game that pits genders against each other and transforms lovey-dovey couples into brutal competitors.
Breaking out a board game is a great way to enliven a ho-hum party. Have several on hand in case your first choice doesn’t go over well with the crowd.
Has a cute puppy or sassy kitty caught your eye? Are you poised to make the leap into pet ownership? Before you bring your furry friend home for the first time, use this checklist to make sure you have everything you need in place.
Line up a reputable vet. Young dogs and cats need a slew of shots, tests, and vaccinations to get a head-start on a healthy life, and illnesses—sometimes serious—aren’t that uncommon. Before you bring your new pet home, ask around for vet recommendations and set up your pup's or kitten's first appointment.
Baby-proof your home. Just like their human counterparts, young puppies and kittens are insatiably curious. Take a pet’s-eye-view tour of your home and remove any possible hazards.
Lay in supplies. Once your new pet is home, things are likely to be pretty crazy for a while. Be sure you have appropriate food, bedding, toys, and other supplies on hand before their arrival.
Though they can sometimes try your patience, getting to know a new pet can be a wonderful experience. Having everything that you need in place beforehand will allow you to relax and enjoy this special time.
Contrary to what that obnoxious wine snob in your social circle would have you believe, you don’t have to spend an arm and a leg to sample some of the world’s tastiest wines. Indeed, in recent years, many newer entrants into the market have made a splash by offering great-tasting wines that don’t cost a pretty penny.
So if you’re looking for good wine values, you’re in luck. With an open mind and less than $20 in your wallet, you can enliven the conversation at your next dinner party with one of these tasty wines.
Ravenswood Zinfandel, $10. This bold red packs a lot of flavor. Don’t be afraid to pair it with marinated beef dishes, barbecue, or spicy Thai.
Smoking Loon Viognier, $10. This sweet and fruity white wine is perfect as a palate-cleanser or as an accompaniment to a spicy Mexican meal.
Robert Mondavi Private Selection Pinot Noir, $9. This dry but fruity red is a great counterpoint to rich winter casseroles.
King Estate Signature Collection Pinot Gris, $14. Great for your springtime gatherings, this Oregon white is a perfect accompaniment to chicken dishes and other warmer-weather fare.
Cune Rioja Crianza, $14. This Spanish red leaves enticing hints of cherry and plum on the tongue.
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