Summer Hiatus

Hi all,

I deleted Phoebe's Freebies because I hadn't added anything in SO long and then, like a sign from the heavens, in about a week an a half:

- I attended this in-store event hosted by Vogue magazine and Gap 1969.

- I got a yummy giveaway of Sabra hummus and Stacey's Pita Chips at Union Square

- Fab friend, L, passed me her spot at NYC's first Diner en Blanc and it was magical.

- And generous pal, E, took me to a Nadal match at the US Open with fab seats (see pic taken above) on a gorgeous summer evening.

Given the abundance of freebie fun it seemed criminal not to resuscitate the blog. Apologies for my fair weather blogging!!!

Crowns at Michael C Fina and Allure Breakfast

So many freebies - Summer is really kicking off!

First, the Michael C. Fina "Crowns" event was well-executed, as they always do events at MCF. There were replicas of historic bejeweled crowns sprinkled around the store, as well as prosecco, yummy fancy snacks, and this table of mini Crumbs cupcakes with crowns on them:

The crown exhibit will be in MCF's NYC store for some time, so if you're in the 45th and 5th Street area, check it out. Very cool.

Also, it's National Doughnut Day today! This means free doughnuts at Krispy Kreme stores nationwide, and a free doughnut at Dunkin Donuts when you buy any beverage.

Finally, this Allure Breakfast event is happening in NYC and Scarsdale at Lord and Taylor stores on Saturday, April 11th.

You have to RSVP, but if you can get up early, it looks worth it!

Shopping Freebie

Every now and then, Ann Taylor does this thing I love where they mark a bunch of end-of-season stuff waaaaay cheap. It's a great way to stock up on work basics, especially if you can pack everything away for later seasons.

Yesterday, I scored a lovely basic pair of their Signature Fit pants in a light grey wool (this is the closest photo I could find, but they are actually even lighter):And also an awesome grey long sweater trimmed with grosgrain ribbon. Very much like this, except the ribbon isn't ruffled on mine:Both items cost...wait for it... $19.98 each! They are relatively well-crafted wool pieces in basic colors, all for under $40 total. Yay!

But my freebie joy kicked in when I got home, took my clothes out of the bag, and saw that the salesperson had also given me this reuseable canvas tote:
Fairly cute and inoffensive, no? I will definitely use it to carry spare shoes, groceries, etc...

Thanks for the swag Ann Taylor!

2 for $5 Valentine Smoothies

Though not a freebie, this is a great deal and available all over the nation!
Jamba Juice is offering a 2 for $5 deal on their Sweetheart Smoothie, from 2/7-2/20. Just click here, print out the coupon, and grab a buddy for some smoothie fun!

International Freebie

How cool is this ad?

Italian lingerie line Intimissimi is offering an awesome bra-recycling program. You bring old bras into their stores, and get 3 euro towards a new bra for every bra you recycle.

The material from the old bras will be made into soundproofing panels for buildings.

Bring this freebie stateside, per favore!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

Starbucks Two-for-One This Weekend

While not technically a freebie, this qualifies as a great promotion in my books.

Visit any Starbucks between 2-5pm, Nov 18th-21st and buy one, get one free of any seasonal beverage

(Caramel Brulee latte, Peppermint Mocha, Peppermint White Chocolate Mocha, Peppermint Hot Chocolate, Gingerbread latte (my fave!), Eggnog Latte, Caramel Brulee frappaccino, Peppermint Mocha frappaccino)

So, grab a friend and get thee to a Starbucks!

Free Hummus Party

I won a hummus party the other day.

Yep, a hummus party.

houseparty.com is a site that lets consumers apply to host free parties featuring vendor's products. I think it's halfway between an advertisement and a focus group. All you do is fill out a survey, and if you're the demographic host they're looking for, you get a party pack, invite your friends, and voila! Free party.

After many applications, I finally won a coveted host position! And it was a great product too - Sabra hummus, which I already believe to be the best store-bought hummus on the market.

I got a bunch of free Sabra hummus and Stacy's pita chips. I augmented with fresh veggies and bread.

I used it as an excuse to invite a few college friends over for a hummus party.

Hummus mini-reunion!

Total cost to me: nearly nothing.

Fun of eating hummus with old college pals: priceless.

houseparty.com provided signage:

And houseparty.com also sent prizes: coupons for the guests to buy more hummus, recipe cards, a trivia game about international cuisine, and "prizes" like a stone Sabra trivet, bamboo hummus paddle, and recipe holder stand (all pictured below):

So go to houseparty.com and start applying for your own free parties - They select hosts nationwide!

Almost-Free Opera Seats

I was recently tipped off that the Metropolitan Opera has reorganized its $25 rush seating policy for weekend performances. It's almost too good to be true!

Monday, you enter an online lottery for the coming weekend's performances. Tuesday, the winners are posted online.

There is also a wait list posted, and if the winners fail to claim their tickets, the wait list has a crack at grabbing them on Thursday.

These $25 seats are bona fide Orchestra and Grand Tier seats, not standing room in the rafters!

Enter here next Monday.