Time to Tailgate

I come from a long line of football fanatics.  I have so many happy memories of spending Sunday afternoons in front of the TV, surrounded by cousins, aunts and uncles watching the games.  And when it was all over we ordered in Chinese food for everyone.  Then there were the freezing cold Sundays spent watching the game from the stadium with my father, uncle and brother.  I couldn't drink enough hot chocolate to keep me warm and would be shivering hours after returning home.

Things are so different now with everyone spread out across the country and having to take my daughters to their various activities and lessons all weekend long and planning for the week ahead.  But there are some traditions I want to pass on.  So this Sunday,  we got tickets for the game, and are going to have a huge tailgate party beforehand.  I ordered the grilling pack from Omaha Steaks so there'll be something for everyone,  steaks, hot dogs and burgers for all.  We got a mini weber grill and charcoal from Target  Plus some other treats from Dean and DeLuca.  MyM&Ms.com has customized M&M's for our team so I bought a bag for everyone.

Of course the kids had to have their own team jerseys to wear to the game (so did my husband).  I'm just going to make sure I'm nice and toasty in my new UGGs and jacket and scarf from Brooks Brothers).

When the game is over and our team victorious,  we're all going out for Chinese Food (Restaurant.com $25 for $8).

More Football Offers
Football Fanatics
Eastbay
Footlocker.com
espnshops.com
Foot Action
Champs
Finish Line
Sports Illustrated Magazine

Deals on Holiday Travel

Why does it seem that the minute summer's over we all start planning for the holidays with barely anytime to enjoy the here and now? I love Fall -- sweater weather -- those first clear, crisp mornings when you begin to notice that the leaves are starting to turn and realize it's time to put away the flip-flops and pull out the boots and sweaters and gloves.

Every Columbus Day Weekend we gather a group of friends and drive up to New England to see the Fall folliage, go apple-picking, antique-hunting and more. I got a great deal for a 3-bedroom Condo from Endless Vacation Rentals by Wyndham Resorts. I also found a deal from Alamo Car Rental -- Save up to 25% Plus get a free rental day. So we're all set.

As I was booking that trip, I started getting offers for Holiday Travel Deals. I know in the past, it was virtually impossible to get any kind of savings or deal for travel during Thanksgiving and Holiday Break. Almost everything was blacked-out. But this year there are all sorts of deals to check out. Royal Caribbean is offering $300 off Holiday Cruises, they have a 7-night Caribbean Cruise out of NYC for as low as $599.

I have to admit that I love Priceline's Name Your Own Price for hotels. I've booked my past few business trips and have been able to save so much money. Now you can even find 5-star hotels in Las Vegas, Miami Beach, NYC and Los Angeles included in the mix. It' a bit of a thrill to see if your bid gets accepted from the hotel you want. One caveat: be sure you'd be happy with any of the choices because once your bid is accepted there's no changing your mind...

See below for more Great New Offers for Holiday Travel

Expedia

Carnival

Mexico Resorts

Azamara Cruise Line

National Car Rental

Marriott

Hot Deals from Priceline

Orlando Hotels

Walt Disney World

A.L.D

For me, the New Year starts on the Tuesday after Labor Day. I equate it with going back to school, seeing old friends and getting back to business. It also provides me with the time to reflect back on the summer that passed and make plans for the future. September is the perfect time to set new goals, take a class or try something new.

This year, September brought about many changes since I sent my oldest daughter off to Kindergarten. We took so many photos(Sony Cybershot T900 --10% off + Free Shipping) of her in her new outfit (Gap Kids Get 2x Points/$) and backpack (eBags). My "baby" doesn't start pre-school for another week, but we have her new outfit (The Children's Place Save an extra 25%) already picked out. I am saving my shopping for the in-store Theory sale -- 30% off! I am a Theory addict. The suits are well-tailored and timeless and a great investment. Especially, if you're like me and need to dress up for work everyday.

Each season my husband eagerly awaits the Charles Tyrwhitt sale -- Shirts & Ties: Buy 1 Get 2 Free + 60% off. He was the ultimate shirt "snob" who would only wear custom-made shirts from Italy, but after his first visit he quickly converted. The quality and selection of fabrics is outstanding and the fit is superb.

There are some other great Fashion Sales going on now to check out, please note some are VIP In-store events and may not be in your area.

Reiss 20% off In-store Event

Nordstrom 33% off shoes and boots

Lord & Taylor 20% Off

Shoes.com Save up to $50

Happy shopping!

This weekend I went to see Julia and Julie and was so inspired by Julie Powell that I decided to try my hand at blogging; I wanted to have a blog to tell readers/followers about some of the best offers every week that run on our Corporate Perks Intranet.

Right now there are something like 2,000 unique offers from such a wide variety of companies that it would be impossible for anyone to find what they were really looking for. If you’re like me, then you always want to make sure you’re getting the most for your money. With the economy the way it is and the way I love to shop, I have to find the best deals.

Speaking of movies, did you know you can get movie tickets for up to 35% off? Movies in New York are $12.50 a ticket and a medium popcorn is $5.75 – so the discount makes a big difference. Don’t tell anyone but I can’t pay the $4 for a bottle of water, so I toss a bottle in my bag and sneak it in. I love movies, in the theater or at home. But I still don’t have a flat screen TV. There’s nothing wrong with my old TV, but my husband and kids are complaining that without HDTV we can’t get all the other features from cable. I can’t decide between the Sony Bravia, Sharp Aquos or Panasonic Viera. Right now there are excellent deals on all three so I’m still doing research. What do you think?

This is a crazy week at work, but Friday night we’re going to a friend’s beach house for the weekend. In exchange for their generous hospitality –the house is right on the beach – I promised to bring the food and wine. I am having the Omaha Steaks shipped right to their door – they have a special deal – 71% off Top Sirloin (only $2.49 a steak) plus I ordered their burgers which are the best I’ve ever had. Saturday night we are going to do a wine-tasting party so I ordered the Mixed-Tasting Pack from MyWinesDirect. All of their wines come from small undiscovered vineyards, and I have yet to get a bottle that wasn’t delicious, so I’m looking forward to this. Sunday afternoon we’re having a lobster clam bake right on the beach and I ordered the whole thing from Legal Sea Food and with 15% off, what could be better? For desserts I got Vosge Haut Chocolates (they have a small store on Madison Avenue in NYC) with a special 15% off and I got 20% off Dancing Deer Brownies. Just thinking about all of this is making me so hungry.

Don’t want to make this too long, but hope you’ll come back next week to find out how the weekend went and I’ll have some new great offers to share. Please comment and let me know what you’re looking for and I’ll see what I can find for you.

Happy Shopping,
April Gray