Saturday, January 31, 2009

Watch a video. Help a dog.

It's really as easy as the title says. At Pedigree.com, they have 4 really funny "Maybe You Should Get a Dog" videos to watch and for each video watched, they will donate food to shelter dogs. As of right now, over 200,000 videos have been watched, meaning that over 200,000 meals have been donated to shelter dogs, and that's a great thing. Plus, the videos are really, really funny! My favorite is the first one about the guy who owns a bison. So, on this lovely Saturday afternoon, you can give back for free just by sitting there and watching videos on your computer. Come on, you know you were going to get on YouTube at least once today, just do this too!

Thursday, January 29, 2009

NOFO on Liz Blue Plate Specials


Oh, how I love a dinner special. Now, this particular night it wasn't I who ate the special, it was buddy. I went out to dinner with some girlfriends at NOFO on Liz and brought home dinner to my buddy. Well, awesomely, Thursday's Blue Plate Special is Meatloaf w/ gravy, mashed potatoes & green beans for only $8.75. That's quite a lot of food for quite a little amount of money. They have a special Tuesday-Friday and they range in price from the $8.75-$12.95. Plus, and I didn't get to take advantage of this special, early birds who dine from 5:30-6:30 receive an additional $1.50 off. Are you kidding? That's incredible! I'm willing to eat an early dinner for savings like that! Plus, another cool thing about them is that all desserts are only $5! I was too full this time, but knowing this now, I will certainly be leaving room the next time I go. Yum!

Wednesday, January 28, 2009

Free Coffee Day at Panera


I'll be honest, I was really disappointed with free coffee day at Panera. Why, you ask? Well, I didn't get any coffee. 
I went to Panera to pick up a large order for my office at lunch time and I saw the station where the coffee was theoretically to be handed out. There was even a girl standing there to hand out the coffee. There was also a girl there from the Make a Wish foundation, and signs were asking that if you liked the coffee to please make a $1 donation to them. OK, I'm good for a $1 donation. Let's go back to my earlier statement: I didn't get any coffee. The two girls (the one from Panera and the one from Make a Wish Foundation) were too busy talking and weren't handing out any coffee. I'm serious! I was there at probably their busiest time of day, and not one person was walking around with a free cup of coffee. They lost the opportunity, not only to have people sample the new coffee at Panera, but for people to donate to the Make a Wish Foundation, and that's just a shame.
 I do, however, need to mention the shining star of Free Coffee Day at Panera, and that was the guy who was handing out free samples of their new yogurt parfait. He was so on it. The moment that I walked in that door, he had greeted me and I had my sample. And let me tell you, that yogurt parfait was delicious, I absolutely 100% recommend it. Wish I could tell you a little something about the taste of the coffee...

Tuesday, January 27, 2009

Girls Night Out on a Tuesday

So, of course, Charlotte Restaurant Week can mean only one thing: Girls Night Out. I went with some of my ladies tonight to Customshop where we enjoyed a fabulous meal. For their $30 prix fixe menu, you could choose from one of two wines, one of three appetizers, one of three entrees, one of two sides and one of two desserts. That's a ton of food! Here's what I ate/drank: red wine, gnocchi with shrimp, chicken with pancetta and butternut squash, amazingly delicious brussels sprouts, and chocolate pate with shortbread. The only thing that I would change about my fantastic meal is that I would order the bread pudding instead of the chocolate pate, but since my ladies were happy to let me steal a few bites, I couldn't imagine a more delicious and fun night out. I would do many things for more of that gnocchi right now.
But wait, there's more! Two of my ladies and I weren't quite ready for our evening to be over, so we headed down to Loft 1523 and were happy to discover that it was half off bottle of wine night. The vibe in there is awesome and the bartender is amazing, everything that you could want from a bar. I immediately felt like a regular and that's a great feeling. So perfect.
Great food, great drinks, great conversations, great deals. What more could you ask for in a girls night out? I can't think of much!

Sunday, January 25, 2009

Free reading of 'Living Out' and a free cup of coffee

I had a fantastic free afternoon in uptown Charlotte today! Since, it's Sunday and I was lucky enough to find a street-parking spot, even my parking was free! 
I started out by heading to Starbucks for a free cup of coffee. They are giving a free tall coffee (I love the Pike Place Roast) to anyone who pledges to volunteer 5 hours of their time in conjunction with the inauguration and Obama's call to service. All I had to do was fill out my pledge card and the barista gave me my delicious cup of coffee. 
From there I headed over to the Levine Museum to meet my friend, Erin. Not only is the Levine Museum free every Sunday, today they were doing a free reading of the first act of the play 'Living Out,' which will be performed at the Great Aunt Stella Center starting February 19th. The best part is that Sheri Lynch from 107.9's Bob & Sheri show was taking part in the reading and the discussion afterwards. Living Out is a comic look at the relationships that exist between mom's and their nannies. There was then a discussion afterwards about this relationship, especially pertaining to Latin American nannies, and the historical aspect of this. The museum has a fascinating exhibit right now up about domestic service in the gilded age south, and the tie in was enlightening. The discussion was great and the play was hilarious, I hope to be able to go see the play in its entirety next month!

Saturday, January 24, 2009

Free Obama Sticker

Are you as excited about the hope and change that comes along with our new president? How about the fact that he is just a cool guy? Well, why not make it known to the world? Moveon.org is giving away free Obama stickers, even the shipping is free! It's designed by Shepard Fairey, the artist who created the iconic HOPE poster. You know the really cool red and blue one? Be a part if history! Get your Obama sticker today!

Wednesday, January 21, 2009

Get up to 40 free prints from Shutterfly!

Now through 2/2/09, Shutterfly is giving you the opportunity to earn up to 40 free prints! All you have to do is create a Share Site and/ or add photos to an existing Share Site. A Share Site is basically a place where you can upload photos and tell about yourself and what you are doing and then tell your family and friends to just check back periodically to see how and what you are doing. It's a little like Facebook, but the great thing is, for example, my parents don't have Facebook, so they never get to see photos that I upload on there. This is a way for them to stay connected. If you create a new Share Site, you get 30 free 4X6 prints and if you add photos to an existing Share Site, you get 10 free 4x6 prints. I did both, so I'm psyched to pick out which photos I want to print instead of just leaving in the computer.

Tuesday, January 20, 2009

E-Rewards

So, another quirk about me, is that I love filling out forms and surveys. Please, please, just ask me for my opinion or for demographic information. Weird, I know... You know how you have to fill out so many forms at the doctor, well, I don't mind it. Lucky for me, I have found a way to get a little something in return for filling out surveys, E-Rewards. It's a consumer research website and basically I filled out a profile and then they email me when there is a survey for me to take that matches my info and then I earn points for taking the surveys. Plus, unlike so many of these sites, it's free to join. I've been a member for about a year now, and in that time I have earned 2 $25 gift certificates to American Eagle, 12 free movie rentals from Blockbuster, and a subscription to Prevention magazine. Not too bad for doing something I actually like to do.

Monday, January 19, 2009

A very special THANK YOU to the Humane Society of Charlotte's Spay/ Neuter Clinic


Many of you all know my baby puppy Ella's story. She was found on the side of the road in October and needed a home. Well, puppies found on the side of the road don't usually come to you with all of their medical needs taken care of. We were lucky that our dog daycare, All Wags, had been taking care of her and that they had started her shots, but the big thing that Miss Ella Bo Bella needed was to be spayed. Our vet, who I absolutely adore, quoted us at a little over $400, and that amount seemed so staggering after the vet bills from Maddie that we almost weren't able to give Ella a home. That was until I found the Humane Society's Spay/ Neuter Clinic. You have to go on a waiting list, but they will do the spay surgery for only $50, a miracle. Ella's surgery was today and they took amazing care of her. She's doing fabulously and I just can't say thank you enough. The Humane Society is performing a wonderful service to our community by having this clinic. Thank you, thank you, thank you! If you are in need of a spay or neuter surgery or would like to give them a donation, please visit the Humane Society of Charlotte's web page.

Get Outside!


OK, I know that it is cold, but cabin fever will drive you crazy! Plus, as a native Ohioan, trust me, this really is nothing. My dog-loving friends and I decided to take advantage of the public dog parks and the day off of work in honor of Martin Luther King, Jr., and took the dogs to the dog park at Frazier Park for a fun, outdoor play date. The dogs, of course, had a blast and it was good for all of us to get out of the house and breathe in some of that crisp winter air. We only lasted outside for about 45 minutes, but everyone was glad that we had ventured out in the cold.

Wednesday, January 14, 2009

A very, very easy way to help a very, very good cause

Share Our Strength has launched a brand new campaign to raise funds to help end childhood hunger. "Operation No Kid Hungry" responds to President-elect Obama's call to action to end childhood hunger by 2015. Seriously, how awesome would that be?!

Share Our Strength has partnered with AT&T to offer two great ways that you can support and participate in "Operation No Kid Hungry":

1.Donate by text: Text "SHARE" to 20222 on your mobile device to donate $5. AT&T will match all text donations up to $100,000. Help us meet this challenge grant! Find out more here. I know times are tight for most everyone right now, but your $5 will actually become $10 and that can help a lot of people. You'd be surprised how much food banks can do with the money that they get.
2.Hold a food drive: Beginning January 19th, a national day of community service, help feed those in need by holding your own community food drive. Visit http://strength.org/ to find a food bank and a list of the most needed nutritious foods.

For more information about "Operation No Kid Hungry" and how you can help end childhood hunger, visit Share Our Strength's website: http://strength.org/.

Tuesday, January 13, 2009

$5 Lunch Special at Fuel Pizza

I have been seeing the sign about the $5 lunch special at the Fuel in the Park Road Shopping Plaza repeatedly and it had definitely peaked my curiosity. So, today, since I wasn't really feeling the Lean Pocket (insert your own Jim Gaffigan impression here) that I had brought for lunch, it was finally time to check-out what this special was all about.
Now, I'm of the school of thought that pizza isn't really all that bad for you, 1 slice of thin-crust (as they serve it at Fuel) isn't going to kill anyone's diet, Pan Pizza, though delicious, is really a different story all together. So, my hope was that I could get a slice and a side salad and that would make me a really happy girl. Even better! For the $5 lunch, there are actually 3 different combo choices and choice "C" was Slice of pizza, side salad and a Garlic Knot. Fantastic! Now, I looked this up and priced it out without the special pricing and this normally would have cost me $6.15. So, I'm pretty happy to have saved my $1.15. The other 2 options were a great deal also, but unfortunately, I didn't write them down and they aren't listed on the website. So, you'll have to just go in like I did. Trust me, you won't be disappointed, though. This is going to become one of my regular lunch options since it's a hop, skip, and a jump away from my office.

Saturday, January 10, 2009

Great Friday Night Vibes at the Comet Grill


I've been to the Comet Grill a bunch to eat (FABULOUS food!), but never really to hang out at night. Well, that will be changing from now on. Ed's, your parking lot neighbor may steal me from you a bit, not always just sometimes. I went tonight with some friends and we had a fantastic time. The beers are cheap, which you know I love, Yuneglings and Miller Lites are $2 every day. They also have a food special every day, you know just in case you get hungry. The Lenny Federal Band was playing tonight and they were so good, a truly great vibe. Plus, if you are ever in there and they are playing, check out the paintings above the stairs, you just may notice some similarities between two of them and the lead two guys in the band. Very cool.

Wednesday, January 7, 2009

Totally great deals at McCormick and Schmick's

So, my friend Kim really knows how to get me out of the office for lunch (I tend to hibernate at my desk if I don't have to leave), with free gift certificates to McCormick & Schmick's. She is in their fabulous preferred guest club. It costs $25 to join, and you only pay that once, but you then get $25 in gift certificates in the mail when you get your membership kit, so the membership truly does pay for itself. In addition to that, you earn points when you eat and can earn things like free gift certificates, cookbooks, on up to fabulous trips to wine country. You also get a gift certificate for a free meal during your birthday month. The great thing Kim does too, is that she tends to take clients so fantastically, she's not even the one paying when she is earning her points. That's really making the membership work for you. If you go, definitely get the Maryland Crab Soup, it's amazing.

Tuesday, January 6, 2009

Donate to your local food bank just for losing weight!

I'm sure that like me many of you made a New Year's Resolution to lose weight. Well, what if that New Year's resolution could benefit your local food bank? If you sign up for the Pound for Pound Challenge, for every pound that you lose between now and April 27, 2009, they will donate 10 cents to your local food bank, which is enough to put a pound of groceries on their shelves. Here in Charlotte the local food bank is Second Harvest Food Bank, a very worthy cause. I also learned at the website that in Charlotte the food insecurity rate is 12.9%, with the poverty rate being 15.5%, so they need our help. So, give yourself an extra bit of motivation to shed those pounds other than looking fabulous in a bathing suit.

Monday, January 5, 2009

Free Reusable Shopping Bag from Target

For some reason I look forward to getting the mail every day, like I actually start thinking about it as the work day is coming to a close. And, then , day in and day out, it's the same disappointing mail: junk, bills, mail for people who used to live in my house, etc. Well, in today's mail there was a bright spot, very bright, like the color of Target Red bright. A few months ago, I had sent Target 5 of their plastic bags to recycle with a mailer that I saw in People magazine, and in return they sent me a coupon to get a free reusable shopping bag when I go to the store. I am all about the Green movement, so this is awesome for me. They recycled my plastic bags, plus are promoting not amassing anymore of them. I'm psyched to add to my reusable shopping bag collection!

Sunday, January 4, 2009

Buddy's Birthday Lunch at Noodles & Company


Happy 30th Birthday, Buddy! We decided to try the Noodles & Company as a delicious take-out lunch for Buddy's birthday. And, what a delicious lunch it was. Even better, I had a buy one, get one free coupon. Noodles & Company is a really neat concept. What's better than a noodle, really? And, the noodle is in so many cuisines. They have Asian, Mediterranean, and American Noodle Dishes. For the The Trio meal is pick a small noodles, soup or salad; add chicken, beef, shrimp or tofu; choose a side tossed green salad, caesar salad, chicken noodle soup, or tomato bisque. This meal is only $7.25, which is fantastic for all you get. I was perfectly full, didn't need more food, didn't need less. With the coupon, this deal was even better! I'll definitely make this a regular place for take-out!

Friday, January 2, 2009

Game Night

So, you want to hang out with some friends, but you don't want to go to a bar and since you actually want to talk and hang out, a movie is out. Dinners out are a bit pricey (unless you check out my restaurants specials page, of course). What are you to do? My favorite way to host a cheap and free event at home, of course, Game Night! Buddy and I had a few friends over tonight to just hang out and play games, and may I suggest my new favorite game, Apples to Apples. It's the most fun, even my game-disliking friend, Sarah, has become a fan of Apples to Apples. Plus, it seems to be on sale everywhere I see it. I picked mine up at Target for only $15 after Christmas. Game Nights are super easy to host. Just invite a few friends over (less than 10 seems to be best), pop open a couple bottles of wine (Trader Joe's cheap specials are the best, of course) and sit out a few little snacks and turn Pandora on via the computer. Voila! You have yourself a fantastic night!

Thursday, January 1, 2009

Chick-fil-a's New Years Gift to Me


What's better than Chick-fil-a? Not much. How about if they were giving away a coupon for a free breakfast sandwich on your next visit with any purchase all day today? Well, that's exactly what they are doing today to ring in the New Year. My friend Dana and I got to go and get a fabulous brunch (they didn't open until 10:30 and were then only serving lunch, so let's class the whole thing up and call it brunch) and then sometime later we can redeem our coupons. Happy New Year to us!

Happy New Year!


I hope that everyone had a fantastic New Year's, I know I did! We all went to the greatest bar in Charlotte, of course, Ed's. It was such a fun time and so very fabulously cheap and free! The cover was only $10, but actually a couple of us got there before 8pm and didn't have to pay, even better. The beers were all cheap as were drinks and shots. I spent my night drinking $1.50 Coors Light Drafts, plus an occasional $4 shot. Another sweet thing is that they were still doing the delicious $5.95 Cheeseburger, Chips and a Coors Light special, so a few friends of mine enjoyed that as their New Year's Eve dinner. There was a band, Hunter's Travisty, who was very good, they played lots of super fun covers, exactly what you want on New Year's Eve. Plus, we all got festive party favors to make the whole thing even more awesome!