Archive for December, 2012

Each year, tons of products are touted and tested by experts in every category — but not all of them have maximum impact.  Here are just a few of the products that held our collective attention in 2012 and helped make life a little bit easier. Some are affordably priced and even the more expensive of the bunch (except the iPad mini) have been spotted on sale or with incentives throughout the year.

Clinique Bottom Lash Mascara, $10: A product designed to capture, lengthen and thicken those teeny bottom lashes.

Cuisinart CPT – 420 Toaster, $80: Stainless-steel with a motorized lift, LCD panel, enhanced bagel toasting and three year limited warranty. Enough said.

Instagram, free: Love it or hate it — and many people are hating it right now — this free app is credited with driving interest in phone photography by making it easy to apply creative touches and post them to social networks such as Facebook and Twitter.

iPad mini, $329 : The highly anticipated small tablet proved …

Continue reading 12 of the most popular products of 2012 »

Meliã Hotel Atlanta has two holiday packages going on now:

Now through Dec. 26: Get Meliã’s “Winter Holiday Package” which includes two tickets to the Nutcracker Ballet at the Fabulous FOX Theater, overnight accommodations in one of Meliã’s king or double rooms, a continental breakfast for two and valet for one vehicle for $209 — a savings of $100 a night.  To add an extra person pay $35 for a ticket and breakfast.

Now through Jan. 5 (though not valid on Dec. 31): The “Atlanta Botanical Gardens Package” includes two tickets for entry to “Garden Lights, Holiday Nights,” a spacious king or double room with city views at Meliã, a continental breakfast buffet for two and valet for one vehicle for just $199 a night — a $259.00 value.  Add ons are $20.00 per person for an extra ticket and breakfast.

To book either package, call 1-888-741-8931. For more information, visit the hotel’s Facebook page.

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– Nedra Rhone, for the Atlanta …

Continue reading Holiday packages at Melia Hotel Atlanta »

If you’re looking for an outing next week, the High Museum of Art is offering free admission on Monday, Dec. 24.

Individuals and families can spend Christmas Eve enjoying exhibitions,  fun activities and unique shopping experiences in the High Museum Shop.

The museum is open from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. on Monday. Visit the website for more information on current exhibitions and reservations.

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– Nedra Rhone, for the Atlanta Bargain Hunter blog

Continue reading Free entry to High Museum Dec. 24 »

Consumer expert Clark Howard’s column appears here each Thursday in conjunction with Deal Spotter, a weekly print section in The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

Listen to Clark's live radio show 8-10 p.m. weekdays on AM750 and 95.5FM News/Talk WSB.

There are big changes going on if you drink soda that could represent a real money-saving opportunity for you.

Technological breakthroughs are making it easier and cheaper for you to drink soft drinks that you make at home. The first mover in this market has been Soda Stream and the company is booming. The New York Post reports it sells 10,000 machines a day.

Having a Soda Stream is like having your own soft drink bottling plant at home for a street price of $80 to $120. Instead of lugging soda home from the store, you put water into your home unit and add the syrup to make the flavor you want. The carbonation comes courtesy of these canisters made of lightweight aluminum.

I’ve tasted a variety of the Soda Stream flavors. Some …

Continue reading Clark Howard: Machine helps cut costs for soda »

Macy’s is helping last minute holiday shoppers by staying open for 48 hours straight this year.

Beginning Friday, Dec. 21 at 7 a.m. through Sunday, Dec. 23 at 7 a.m., you can shop Macy’s stores around-the-clock for deals on last minute gifts.

The shopping marathon started in 2006 when Macy’s Queens Center in New York stayed open for 24 hours. In the last six years, the program added an additional 24 hours and expanded to stores nationwide including all metro-area Macy’s stores — except the furniture galleries.

The sale represents the last Macy’s One Day Sale of the year with gifts options as low as $25. The One Day Sale offers end at 7 a.m. on Sunday though stores will remain open through the evening and will be open again on Christmas Eve until 6 p.m. 

What do you think of  non-stop shopping at Macy’s? Will you take advantage of the 48 hour opening?

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– Nedra Rhone, for the Atlanta Bargain Hunter blog

Continue reading Macy’s marathon for last minute holiday shoppers »

What a fun trip down memory lane!

So many memories are tied to fragrances, no? I had forgotten about some of those oldies but goodies: Jovan Musk, Chantilly, and of course, Designer Imposter’s Primo — the low budget Giorgio!!!

Two of you are on your way to creating memories with a new fragrance:

@Angela you are the winner of the Jimmy Choo scent.

And @Gnomeboy you’ve won the Nautica Aqua Rush gift set.

Congratulations!

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– Nedra Rhone, for the Atlanta Bargain Hunter blog

Continue reading Giveaway #3 winner! »

Charming Charlie: The popular accessories boutique has the latest trends in jewelry, handbags, apparel and gifts. Spend $50 and get $15 off your next $50 purchase, spend $75 and get $25 off your next $75 purchase, and spend $100 and receive $40 off your next $100 purchase. This offer expires Dec. 24.

Great American Days: Give a unique gift this year with an “experience gift” such as hot air ballooning, skydiving or a spa day. Spend $150 and get a free makeover and photo shoot worth $85 (delivered as an e-certificate). Visit the website and use code JessicaShops at checkout.

Walmart: Walmart always has some of the best tech deals exclusively online and many include free shipping. For example, find an iPod touch bundle starting at $189 (the bonus is the accessory kit), a 32-inch Sceptre HDTV for $179.98 (save $70) and a “Dark Knight” limited-edition gift set on Blu-ray for $52.99 (save $25). Discounts are updated daily, so make sure to check back for the latest deals. …

Continue reading Jessica Shops: Charming Charlie, photo makeover, tech deals »

As you know, gift cards have become a very popular gift to give and receive. Naturally, retailers have added incentives to make to purchasing a gift card even more enticing.

Some of these gift card givebacks may have restrictions so be sure to read the fine print carefully before investing.

Here is a sample of some of the local gift with gift card purchase deals:

Ocean Prime: With every $100 gift card purchase, receive an additional $25 bonus reward card for yourself. For more information about purchasing gift cards, please call 404.846.0505 or visit the website.

FatWallet’s annual Holiday Cash Back Sale: About 200 retailers are offering cash back rewards for purchase and/or redemption of gift cards, e-gift cards and gift certificates through December 31, 2012.

For example, if you purchase a four-pack of $25 iTunes gift cards from Sam’s Club (by linking from FatWallet) you get an instant savings of $10 (for a price of $84.64) as well as 1.5 percent cash back from …

Continue reading Gifts with gift card purchase »

Get a free cup of coffee this week at metro area RaceTrac locations.

Available anytime. No purchase necessary.

You can also get a coupon for a free Breakfast sandwich on the RaceTrac Facebook page.

Good through 12/23.

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– Nedra Rhone, for the Atlanta Bargain Hunter blog

Continue reading Free coffee week at RaceTrac »

Sooooo — my final giveaway of 2012 has arrived.

For this one, I’ll choose two winners at random.

One will receive a Nautica Aqua Rush gift set for men containing eau de toilette, after shave balm, shower gel and body spray. This fragrance contains notes of coriander, clary sage and amberwood and is perfect for the “adventurous” man.

The second winner will receive the latest fragrance from Jimmy Choo — a limited-edition parfum that is a bolder take on the signature eau de parfum. It has notes of tiger orchid, candied orange, sandalwood and patchouli.

To enter, leave a comment telling me your favorite “drug-store” fragrance.

Back in the 70’s, it seemed like everyone’s mom, aunt or grandmother wore Jean Nate (including mine.) At some point we would all drown ourselves in it thinking we’d smell sophisticated. Apparently Revlon changed the formula and reviews say it no longer smells the same, but thinking about it brings back lots of memories!

Contest ends at 5 p.m. today! Winner …

Continue reading Giveaway #3 – Jimmy Choo and Nautica »