Intermix: Extra 25% Off Sale Items!

I'm not one to cut off my nose to spite my face.  While the customer service at Intermix most definitely needs improving (ahem, ahem), I'm not about to ignore their "Extra 25% Off Sale Items" promotion that is occurring both on-line (with code "25SALE") and in-store through 6/30/10 (wed).

Perhaps I'll go back to see if that silk romper I was liking is still there....  Or not.  Since I'm liking this Geren Ford Silk Drawstring Dress in both grey (with cream squiggle print) and black on Intermix's website: (Only $119.25 after extra 25% discount!!)

[Images Courtesy of Intermix]

Bare Escentuals: 20% Off Sale!!

I love to buy make-up, but I rarely use it.  So I have drawers filled with new or used-only-once lipsticks, powders, blushes, eyeshadows, etc...  However, one thing that I do regularly use (besides mascara) is Bare Escentuals' bareMinerals Mineral Veil!

My face is unnaturally shiny (I'm not exaggerating...it really is very shiny).  I don't need coverage (thankfully...well, actually, thank you Tazorac), but I do need a shine-killer.  And yes, I've tried most anti-shine products.  I'm not a fan of anti-shine gels and primers...they make my face feel weird/tight-ish.  So I like to do a quick and light swipe of Mineral Veil.  It does help that this translucent powder is basically error-proof.  I just don't have the patience to carefully and slowly put on a "face" every day.  And then I'm all about oil blotting paper for the rest of the day.  During the summer, I don't leave home without oil blotting paper.

But Bare Escentuals rarely goes on sale (in any store), which is why I'm very happy to report that Bare Escentuals is currently have a 20% Off Sale thru 6/20/10 (sun) both on-line and in-store!

• For on-line purchases at www.BareEscentuals.com, use code "SHARE".
• For in-store purchases at Bare Escentuals retail stores, print and bring this coupon:

Mason: Asymmetrical Tank Dress

I'm all for asymmetrical dresses and tops but sometimes they come out a bit too asymmetrical for my taste.  I know that I can't carry those off...I'd just leave people scratching their heads and wondering what the heck I was thinking. KWIM?

But this asymmetrical tank dress in grey from Mason is simply lovely and very wearable:

[Image Courtesy of TwentyThirtyForty.net]

And it's on sale at TwentyThirtyForty.net for $218!!  This one-shoulder dress is not like all the other one-shoulder dresses out there (and I know because I'll admit that I've posted plenty of nice but similar ones).  The thick strap/thin strap design works really well (aka not weird or trying too hard) - it's different in a very stylish way.  And how could you not love the pockets???  I also like that waist is defined.  I have too many a-line dresses that hide the waist.  This is comfy chic at its best: dress down with gladiator sandals and dress up with strappy heels!!

UMIL: Kangaroo-ing At Target

I'm petite, vertically challenged, barely 5'3"...you get the idea. I'm short. Usually, it's not a problem when I shop at Target. Until now:

The other day, I went frozen food shopping (aka tv dinner shopping). I've been eating way too much lately and needed a reality check on my portion intake. I don't like to "diet" nor do I like to eat diet food. I prefer to eat whatever I want and exercise portion control. In theory, it's great but practically, it doesn't always work out. I tend to forget about portion control when it comes to desserts!

I particularly like SmartOnes from Weight Watchers. Since they were on sale at Target, I decided to stock up. My favorite entree is Creamy Rigatoni with Broccoli and Chicken. But I do cheat a little - I'll usually add some shredded cheddar cheese. It makes it tastier and slightly more substantial (thickens the creamy sauce). However, I'm always up for trying new entrees and here's where I ran into trouble.

The newer entrees were on the top shelf of the freezer and only a few were left. And the few left were in the back of the top shelf. What did this mean for me? I couldn't see them! I had to jump up and down like a kangaroo to read the names of the entrees.

I don't mind my shortness but I did not appreciate the 6'3" guy across the aisle watching me in amusement. He was confused at first as to my jumping (which admittedly looked like weird vigorous hopping) and when I explained my dilemma, he started laughing. In his favor, he did offer to grab a few of the unreachable entrees for me. UMIL.

WinkNYC.com: Rebecca Minkoff MAB-Mini in White

If you're like me, you avoid buying white bags like you avoid smelly-subway-trains-with-no-air-conditioning-in-August.  However, WinkNYC.com is having a 15%-Off-All-Bags promo w/code "H2S9X" (expires 6/19) and that means after the 15% discount, this Rebecca Minkoff MAB-Mini in white is only $233.75 (it's on sale for $275):

[Image Courtesy of WinkNYC]

It's a great price and white really is a great color for summer.  Makes you think twice about the no-white-bag policy, right?

Bloomingdale's: "Buy More, Save More" Sale!

Dear Bloomie's:  When you have a sale, you do it right!!

Bloomie's is having a 3-day "Buy More, Save More" Sale from 06/15/10 - 06/17/10 (tues - thurs):

• Take 20% off your $250 - $499.99 purchase; and
• Take 30% off your $500+ purchase.
• Bonus: Take an additional $25 off your $100 purchase!! 
• On-line Promo Code:  SAVE25
• In-store Coupon: Bloomie's $25 Off $100 Coupon

Note:  For exclusions, see coupon above.

Loehmann's: 1st Ever F&F Sale!

Loehmann's is having its 1st ever F&F Sale!  Take 20% off your entire purchase BUT this promotion is NOT combinable with (1) any other coupon (fine...that's fair) and (2) your Insider Club Gold or Diamond Discount (really???).  It is also NOT applicable to Insider Club Gold Membership Fee (which would have been nice treat for F&F...hint, hint...next time, perhaps?).  

In all honesty, this F&F Sale feels like any other promotion.  Particularly because you cannot apply your Insider Club Gold or Diamond Discount.  I'm glad I didn't renew my Insider Club Gold Membership.  I've noticed that the Insider Club Gold Discount is usually not combinable with the better coupons/promotions.

At the very least, Loehmann's 1st F&F Sale should offer a 25%-30% discount...something better than all the weekly coupons/promotions that have been floating around these past few months.  It's the same coupons but just with the "F&F Sale" title.

The F&F Sale will occur during 06/15/10 - 06/20/10 (tues - sun): just in time for Father's Day on Sunday.

Make sure to bring the following coupon to get your 20% Off:  Loehmann's F&F Coupon.

Food Therapy: Caracas Arepas Bar

I've passed Caracas Arepas Bar (93 E 7th St (b/w 1st Ave & Ave A), NY, NY) numerous times but the long wait was off putting.  I finally went with some friends to try it out. I will most definitely be going back!  Not only is the food yummy and the prices excellent, but the drinks are superb!!  This is what we had:

• Cocada:  Coconut Shake (condensed milk, coconut shavings, coconut milk and ice) with a touch of cinnamon - if I had to imagine my perfect coconut shake, this would be it.  I have a feeling that this will be my icy drink for the summer!

• Tinto De Verana:  A light, sparking red-wine that tastes like sangria mixed with Sprite.

• Mimosa De Parchita:  Passion fruit mimosa - if you're a fan of passion fruit, you will love this drink.  (Sorry... no pix for this one!)
• Guacamole with Chips:  The guacamole is ridiculously tasty, as are the chips (which seem to be made from plaintains?).  Unlike many guac-serving restaurants in the city, Caracas actually serves  a nicely seasoned guac.  Sometimes, I feel like restaurants are too lazy to make good guac and just serve plain-ol' semi-mashed avocado as guac.  We couldn't stop eating the guac and the chips.

• Tajadas:  Fried sweet plaintains with aged cheese - this was good but I would have like it better if the plaintains were softer and sweeter.  The aged cheese is crumbly and adds a nice touch of saltiness to the fried plaintains.

• Cachapa:  Corn pancake turnover filled with guayanes cheese and shredded beef.  This is a sweet and savory dish that I am now officially hooked on.  The shredded beef is braised/cooked in a sweet tomato-based sauce (I think).  It's super tender and very flavorful.  The cheese adds a melted gooey goodness to the dish.  It's only a tiny bit salty and rather bland.  I think it adds more texture than taste.

• Arepa Special: arepa (bread made from corn meal; looks kinda like a large english muffin) filled with braised short ribs and guacamole.  This came with a spicy sauce.  It was good but I sooo want to try an arepa filled with melted cheese!!  Next time!

Food Therapy: 3 Discoveries

I found three very interesting food-related discoveries this past weekend.   And not all are good ones...

• Ostrich Eggs:  I found ostrich eggs for sale at Union Square's farmers market.  They are HUGE and I was very tempted to buy two just to see how long it would take to soft-boil one and how large an omelet I can make with the other.  According to the vendor, one ostrich egg equals approximately two dozen eggs.  The dark smaller eggs are emu eggs.

• T.G.I.F.:  T.G.I.F. is coming to Union Square.  This is an unfortunate but true fact.  And based on how popular the other chain restaurants around the city have been, it's probably here to stay.  At least it does scream T.G.I.F., except for the signage.

• Indian Street Vendor With LCD TV/DVD Player:  This is a first one for me...a street vendor with a LCD TV and a DVD player (they're located on the upper-right side of the truck).  Radios and small portable tvs are abundant, but a sweet LCD TV/DVD player hook-up is a new level of comfort.  It does suggest, however, that business is slow...slow enough for them to watch tv.  I don't think you would ever see this happen at the gyro cart on 53rd St & 6th Ave; business is way too good for them to have time to watch tv.