Alice Might Be For You

Posted on August 11th, 2009 by Jean

After hearing about Alice.com on the Clark Howard Show, I wanted to check it out for myself. Alice is a beta site (aka test site) which sells name brand products at a reduced rate. Shipping within the United States is free. Your shopping cart must contain at least 6 items prior to check-out.

I have to admit, it took me about 3 visits to Alice before I had 6 items in my cart. Off the top of my head, I couldn’t think of what I needed. Their little blue ducks taunted prompted me to pick my brand of shampoo, soap, band-aids, etc. It was daunting!

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Tags: alice, discounts, online, sam's, savings, target

Jean Has BARELY Been Shopping

Posted on June 22nd, 2009 by Jean

Times aren’t what they used to be. I remember being on a first name basis with my UPS driver. He’d bring deliveries two, three times a week. Now I’m lucky to get one package… per month.

Lately, few items are worth cracking open my wallet for and pulling out the ol’ American Express card.

Here is my short, sweet list of 2009 non-essential purchases:

Mario Badescu Keratoplast Cream Soap

This is the only cleanser that doesn’t irritate my sensitive skin. Available at www.MarioBadescu.com. 6 oz. – $10.00

Wonder Woman Havaianas

The most comfortable flip-flops ever! Perfect for around town, and have even withstood a full day of walking in Vegas with no blisters! Available at www.Piperlime.gap.com. $35.00.

Food Network Magazine

Mmmm… when this arrives, I am drooling! Full of recipes and cooking gadget info. Available at www.FoodNetwork.com. Prices vary from $15 for 10 issues to $30 for 30.

YSL Touche Eclat

As a 40+ woman, I had a hard time finding an under-eye concealer that wouldn’t define the creases around my eyes. This product goes on so lightly, and works perfectly. Give the pen a few clicks, then brush on under-eye circles. Available at www.Sephora.com. $40.00.

Squeem Rubber Waist Cincher – High Compression

After reading about this, I had to try it. Granted, I can only wear it for about an hour at a time, but it makes my abs so flat, you could bounce a quarter off them! Available at www.ClassicShapewear.com. $51.50.

Eat This, Not That

From the editor of Men’s Health magazine come three versions of Eat This, Not That: Supermarket Survival, For Kids, and The No-Diet Weight Loss Solution. If you’re going to eat these foods (and I am), you may as well buy the healthiest ones. Available at www.Amazon.com. Prices vary. $11.97 avg.

Mouse Rug

This mouse pad has just the right texture, and makes my time spent PhotoShopping a breeze. Available at mouserug.stores.yahoo.net. Prices vary. 2009 styles are $19.95. Retiring styles are $9.95.

In these tough economic times, how have you decided to treat yourself?

Thanks for reading!

Tags: amazon, books, food, shoes

Vampire Lestat Wine

Posted on April 9th, 2009 by Jean

In 1995, author Anne Rice joined forces with Babcock Winery of Lompoc, California to produce a wine worthy of the name Lestat, Rice’s lead vampire. Rice’s husband, Stan, a noted artist and poet, designed the wine labels for Cuvee Lestat Syrah and Chardonnay.

The following year, Babcock Winery and the Rices combined their talents again to produce these red and white wines, as well as a bordeaux, all bearing the Lestat name. Reports vary, estimating between 150 and 200 cases of Syrah were produced, selling for $30-$35 per bottle.

1996 was the last year the Lestat wines were produced.

It was always in the back of my mind, as a huge Anne Rice fan, to obtain a bottle of her wine. In 1995, I was traveling around on a fixed income with little internet access. In 1996, the same was true. The two years Anne’s wine was easily attainable through her website and relatively affordable, I was unable to make the purchase.

Fast forward 14 years. I’m at the McDonalds’ drive-through, and then BK’s, picking up Happy Meals for my daughters. Natalie’s toy prize was a pair of Pink Panther sunglasses, while a Hello Kitty digital watch greeted Pearl at the bottom of her bag. A few minutes later, I’m handed my non-emotional meal at Taco Bell. One of my daughters asked, What’s your prize? What is my prize? The wheels were turning. What would be a prize suitable for an adult?

When we arrived home, I plopped myself in front of the computer, dipping nachos with one hand, surfing with the other. Most prizes are themed around the release of movies.

Movies
Adult movies
Horror movies
Animation…. bingo!

Coraline Nike Dunks. If they were handed to us with our Happy Meal, I doubt they would be selling for $3,432.56 on ebay. Less than 1,000 were produced. Movie goers searched for clues following the credits of Coraline for a chance to win a pair of these unique sneakers.

Moving on.

Girl Flicks… bingo!

Confessions of a Shopaholic make-up palette. More attainable than the Nikes, yet the lipstick may not fare too well pressed against my warm taco… and I mean that in the most non-sexual way. Created by Too Faced Cosmetics, retails for $29.50.

Vampire movies… click! Lightbulb moment! Lestat wine!

Googling led me to two sellers. One had posted an entry at the Amazon.com Vampire Romance Discussion Forum. Who knew that even existed? The seller, MJ, had two bottles, and was open to establishing a price. The other seller has 5 bottles, one of each Lestat wine produced, and was (still is) asking $7,550 firm for the collection. Needless to say, I began communicating with MJ.

22 emails and 7 weeks of negotiations…. free
1995 Cuvee Lestat Syrah plus shipping…. $125.00
Fulfilling a dream…. priceless

Should I drink it?

Thanks for reading!

Tags: Anne Rice, funny, Happy Meal, Humor, Lestat, Shopping, vampire, Wine