Happy Hour Deals at Chevys and Bra Shopping

Now that I have your attention, Ladies!

Ok, I must confess. I didn't drink a margarita and then SHOP for bras. I found some FABULOUS bargains this weekend - check out my latest FINDS!

Who doesn't love a good happy hour special? Chevys Fresh Mex offers a great happy deal Monday-Friday from 3pm to 7 pm. Margaritas are $3 each (and it's not a wimpy margarita either). They have a limited menu of appetizers which also run for $3 each. I had a huge Nachos Grande and a yummy Watermelon margarita for only $6 - what a bargain! The nachos were huge so I had to take my leftovers home (I had a vegetarian nachos with black bean so for vegetarians out there, you can skip the meat). The trick - make sure you order BEFORE 7 pm! They do cut you off exactly at 7 pm so don't be late!

I hit the outlets and stumbled upon the Hanes/Bali store and found a great deal for minimizer Bali bras (I even got re-measured for free!) Bali had a great deal - 3 bras of equal or lesser value for $15.99 each. Their outlet price: $22.99 and the original Bali retail price: $34 each. I saved a LOT! 3 great-fitting bras for a little over $50 (including tax).

I also got a cool discount Rewards Member card that I can mark off each time I shop at their store. For every $10 purchase, I get my card stamped. After I collect all 15 stamps, I receive a 20% discount off my total purchase! I already have 5 stamps - just 10 more to go! Another great bargain!

It was a great weekend for shopping and I treated myself to a Merlino's Freeze this weekend - for those who live in Sacramento, Calif. you can't go wrong with an Orange Merlino's Freeze to beat the heat - yum!

Happy Bargain Hunting, my Bargain Basement Babes!

How to Shop at Your Local Farmer's Market

I know what you're thinking. Farmer's Markets are expensive. Not always. You can make your dollar stretch at Farmer's Markets. If you think about the QUALITY you're getting compared to mushy, pesticide-sprayed fruits and tasteless produce at supermarkets, you will find winners at the Farmer's Markets.

Not only are you shopping locally but you are also supporting organic farmers in your town/city. I love Farmer's Markets. Every time I visit a new city, I always have to scope out the local Farmer's Markets. I recently went to a fabulous Farmer's Market in San Diego. Amazing stuff (and the food vendors were fantastic!)


Here are some tips on how to shop at your local Farmer's Market:

• Scope out all the vendors first and see who has the lowest prices (and the freshest, most appealing produce!) The vendors are usually competitive with their pricing but sometimes some are a bit more expensive
• Look for "eat now, must sell today" produce - the prices are usually marked down (but you need to throw them in your salad that day because the produce is very ripe!)
• Shop for the week - think about your menu for the week and buy based on your household
• Look for bulk deals - it's usually less expensive to buy a flat of strawberries compared to one basket
• Fresh flower bouquets - Fresh-cut flower bouquets make great gifts and centerpieces, especially if you are attending a summer party or event. The variety of flowers available at Farmer's Markets are far better than the supermarkets (and they look fresher!)
• Taste test and sample - many farmers allow you to sample their wares (check out the vendors and sample which vendor has the sweetest nectarines, etc.)

Also, if you ever run into bad produce at a Farmer's Market, bring the produce back the following week and let the farmer know. They will either give you a freebie or give you your money back (I've done both and they've been more than helpful).

Before you hit the Farmer's Market, set a budget and remember to bring cash. You won't be disappointed! I found I spent less money at my local Farmer's Market on produce than I did in the grocery store (and the Farmer's Markets' produce ALWAYS tastes better!)