Save 40% on entire Walgreen's photo purchase

Smiles are sweeter than kisses this Valentine's Day, according to Walgreen's.

Now through Saturday, you can save 40% on your entire photo order by entering the coupon code SMILE40.

Walgreen's photo products include cards, posters, calendars, books and mugs. You can use the online code up to 5 times on seperate orders.

Save lots with printable Big Lots coupon

Crawfish season is upon us ... well, almost. If you want to refit your patio before the first big boil of the season, check out Big Lots' weekly deals here.
I have found a number of good outdoor finds at the Groves store in recent years. Most for less than $30.

For you Big Lots shoppers out there, this week you can save 20 percent off your entire purchase with this printable coupon.

Target offering personalized coupons online

Attention shoppers:

Target is now offering personalized coupons. You just select the ones you want and print them. It's that easy!

This week's available savings total $116 and include deals on Lean Cuisine meals and Special K.

Happy shopping.

Give a Christmas gift to your least favorite body part

I just wracked up the savings at Macy's One-Day Sale.

Almost everything is 50 percent off or seriously reduced in price. On top of that, I saved $15 off my purchases with Wow Passes I got from several recent Enterprise papers. Grab some of your back issues and get going!

While you're there, don't forget to pick up a little something for yourself. This week, I read a great tip in Melina Gerosa Bellows' "The Fun Book for Christmas." Bellows writes: Give a Christmas gift to your least favorite body part.

Hmmm, that means some slimming jeans for me!

What are you getting yourself?

Bazaar shopping starts today!

Take a break from retail chains this weekend and spend money with your neighbors.

A Very Merry Main Street Market kicks off tonight at the Beaumont Civic Center. The Junior League of Beaumont's annual shopping extravaganza includes jewelry, crafts, holiday decor and more.

Tonight, shop from 4-8 p.m. One lucky shopper will take home a diamond necklace.

On Friday, the market opens from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, visit the market from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and catch a glimpse of Santa.

Also on Saturday, the Junior League will give away a 2010 BMW. Tickets are $100 and can be entered in the drawing by contacting the Junior League at (409) 832-0873.

Admission to the Very Merry Market is $5.

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Other places to get your holiday shopping on this weekend include:

*St. Stephen's Church Holiday Bazaar, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday at 4090 Delaware.

Parishioners will serve gumbo, chili and bread pudding during the free shopping event. Items up for grabs include jewelry, clothing, toys, kitchen items, candles, pottery, baked goods, Christmas decor and more. Call (409) 892-0178 for details.

*The Art Studio Inc. will kick off its Shop-O-Rama at 11 a.m. Saturday. Gift givers can pick up custom art pieces between $20 and $50 during the sale. The Art Studio Inc. is located at 720 Franklin St. For info., call (409) 838-5393.

Holiday deals that leave you merry and bright

You've got 22 shopping days left till Christmas!

Here are two deals I spied in my morning Enterprise:

-You can buy eight 6-packs of soy melts for $20 at Strawberry Fields Candles & Gifts, 1690 N. Major Drive. Hello? Hot stocking stuffers!

-Have a person who is hard to buy for? Yeah, me too. If they also like to eat, check out Carrabba's gift card bargain. If you spend $100 on gift cards, you receive a $20 gift card in return. MMmm! Free dinner! Carrabba's is located at 1550 Interstate 10 S.

Gap offers 25 percent off online purchases

Are you a Gap shopper?

Right now, you can save 25 percent off your total purchase at Gap.com with the coupon code GIFT123 at the checkout.

Happy Shopping!

Wal-Mart one-day sale begins Saturday

Saturday, I will be in the merry ol' land of mead and jousting (the Texas Renaissance Festival).

But you can make your own merriment with Walmart's one-day sale. Featured items include a HP 250 GB laptop for $300, a Sony Blu-Ray disc player for $148 and 42-inch Sharp HDTV for $498.

Deals are for in-store shoppers only. Sale starts at 8 a.m.

Happy shopping!

Web site gives sneak peak into Black Friday sales

The beginning of holiday sales started yesterday with the Toys R Us Big Toy Book's Christmas sales section.

All of my married with children friends are already gearing up for Christmas. But, before you go and drop a wad of cash on ZhuZhu Pets, the oddly realistic faux hamsters, check out the Black Friday sales already released here.

Southeast Texas' own Deal Seeker at your service

Jessica Benton - wife, mother and coupon crusader - wants to help you save money.

Benton, the self-dubbed Southeast Texas Deal Seeker, commented on my post: I may never buy soap again, that she lives for coupons and deals.

Check out Jessica's site here. She's got bargains on groceries, domestic goods and everything in between.

I may never buy soap again

You know how some folks brag about how much they spent on a car, an engagement ring, a kid from Cambodia if you are a celeb like Angelina Jolie?

I am the polar opposite. More than once I have looked into my boyfriend's glazed over eyes as I gushed on and on about a bargain I scored in a shop or online.

Well luckily for him, I have you to share the wealth with (literally!)

I recently signed up for a number of freebies and they started rolling in today! WooHoo! I never have to buy soap again.

First up is Procter & Gamble.

I scored samples of Prilosec OTC, Colgate and Snuggle Fabric Softener from P&G. Spend a few minutes surfing around their goodies and sign up for things you really use. It only takes a few minutes and the sampler pack comes with coupons for some of your favorite products.

An advertising banner on Walmart.com led me to free Dove soap samples.

Keep your eyes peeled for freebies and check back here. I will keep you posted as the goodies roll in.

Make something old new again

I wrote Saturday in The Enterprise about my new shopping romance with The Tattered Suitcase, 2590 Calder Ave., where you can take home "well traveled finds."

After gushing about The Tattered Suitcase's impressive collection of antique jewelry — elegant brooches, funky yellow beads and even a princess cut engagement ring - chic handbags and local pieces of art, I received a number of tips from readers about other great places to buy one-of-a-kind finds.

This week, Merle Booker's Yesteryear and Sandra and Tom Arrington invite you to shop their remaining antique inventory (purchased throughout the years in Canton, Texas, Italy, France and England.)

The sale is 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and 8 a.m. until items are gone Saturday at Forest Park Methodist Church, 225 S. Major Drive, Beaumont.

See photos of some items available for purchase here.

Buy designer shoes, save a life

It is better to give than to receive. But this month, you can do both!

QVC and the Fashion Footwear Association of New York (FFANY) will broadcast “FFANY Shoes on Sale,” a charitable shoe sale to benefit breast cancer research and education.

Look for 100,000 pairs of discount, brand name shoes from 7-10 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 13 on QVC.

Nine West Footwear Corporation and the Brown Shoe Company, the event’s benefactors, are donating nearly 20,000 pairs each, bringing shoe shoppers brands like Enzo Angiolini, Bandolino and AK Anne Klein as well as Via Spiga, Etienne Aigner and Carlos by Carlos Santana, according to a news release issued by QVC. Other companies donating shoes include MICHAEL by Michael Kors, Coach Footwear, Cape Clogs, Calvin Klein, UGG Australia, New York Transit, Jessica Simpson, Dr. Martens and Birkenstock.

For the past 15 years, QVC Presents “FFANY Shoes on Sale” has sold more than one million pairs of shoes and has donated more than $30 million to the cause, the release said.

If you can't watch the show, pick up the “Shoe of the Day,” offered each weekday throughout the month of October on QVC from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. A collection of shoes will also be available online, at QVC.com throughout the month.

Dunkin' moms this Sunday

Sunday is Mother's Day. It's time to pick up Hallmark cards, snap photos for picture frames and order up the spring bouquets.

For those of you strapped for cash or just plain forgetful, you can show mom how much you love her Sunday with a whole 'latte' Dunkin' Donuts love.

The breakfast chain announced today that they will give moms a free small latte on Mother's Day. Not to be left out, Dad's will be celebrated June 21 with the same deal.

Just some cautionary advice, bring a little extra cash in case mom wants a bear claw to accompany her free beverage.

Get your fiesta on!

It's Cinco de Mayo y'all!
I already got my fiesta on with a fajita taco lunch at Elena's on College. If you're looking for dinner and drink plans tonight, check out these cheap finds BE reporter Matthew Danelo uncovered:

Casa Ole, Nine locations in Southeast Texas, www.casaole.com
At all locations, you can get four Cornitos for $5.99. Drink specials vary at each location.

Elena's, 6290 Phelan Blvd, Beaumont, (409) 861-2800 and 1865 College St, Beaumont, (409) 832-1203
Tecate beer is $1, margaritas are $1.95 and both nachos and quesadillas are $4.95.


Crazy Jose's, Three locations in Southeast Texas, www.crazyjoses.com
Top shelf margaritas for $4.99 and live music on the patio at the Beaumont location only.


Cafà del Rio, 2830 I-10 East, (409) 347-1644
Specially priced margaritas and Mexican folk singers all evening.


La Hacienda, 7700 9th Ave, Port Arthur, (409) 724-1477
Happy hour all day long. Small margaritas are $2.50, flavored margaritas are $2.75, draft beer is $1.25 and domestic beer is $1.95. Live music in the evening.


Pancho Villa's Restaurant, 230 Crockett St., Beaumont, (409) 833-3700
Half-priced margaritas, $1 Tecate beers and fajita's for two for $17.95 from 4 p.m. to close.

Summer essentials for less than 15 bucks!

Can you hear it?
The beach is calling!
It’s time to get geared up for a beach playdate or summer barbecue with friends.
Here are my favorite seasonal picks (the best part is they are all under $15!):


Border Print Scarf — $12.50 at Old Navy
Dress up your bathing suit tunic for dinner at the Tikki Bar and Grill on Crystal Beach with this fun, flirty accessory.

Enamel Rings — 99 cents at Aeropostale
Wear them single or stack them high for a little beach bling.


Xhilaration Hobo Beach Bag — 11.99 at Target
Make a “grape” impression with this purple Hobo tote, which is great for carrying anything from bottles of water to magazines.


Printed String Bikini — $15 for each piece at Old Navy
Make a splash in this sexy two-piece. No one will guess you got it at a near steal.




Plaid Printed Shooter Flip Flops — $7.99 at Aeropostale
Cross preppy with sporty and these flip-flops make a great summer style for guys.


Coppertone Sunblock — $7.44 at Target
Everyone knows the best summer accessory is smooth, healthy skin. Skip the lobster look and slather on lots of sunscreen this summer. You’ll thank yourself in 20 years.


Knit Tube Dress — $15 at Old Navy
Cover up! This hot pink tunic is a girl’s best friend before and after hitting the beach. You can pull it on when you feel like you’ve had too much sun or you can sport around in the dress while shopping along Galveston’s Strand. For those of you with problem areas, the dress’s free flowing form helps cover up all the places you want to hide and accent those you don’t!


Men’s Board Shorts — $15 at Old Navy
Guys, spice up your summer suit with a bold print and scorching colors. As an added bonus, bright colors make tans seem deeper.

Floppy Beach Hat — $12.99 at Target
Look sassy and sexy in this fun summer hat while keeping harmful rays off your face.


Xhilaration Sunglasses for Women — $12.99 at Target
Let your fun personality shine through with these colorful sunglasses.

Merona Sunglasses for Men — $14.99 at Target
Protect your eyes and channel your inner aviator with these cool specs.

Photos by Enterprise photographer Dave Ryan

Hey, get a Gander at these deals

Word on the street is Gander Mountain in Beaumont is having a HUGE blowout sale.

A co-worker who is getting geared up for a hiking adventure said the mega store has discounted a lot of "really nice hunting gear."

So, if you are planning a staycation this year or quick jaunt to the lake, head on down to Gander Mountain and pick up a few good camping supplies. Better yet, stock up for next year's hunting season.