Tag: Lifestyle

Birmingham /

Painting and Tips to Reduce Holiday Stress

Tis’ the season to be jolly!  Last weekend, I decided to take a break from the holiday busyness and visit Painting With a Twist art studio.

The purpose behind the class was to celebrate my mom’s birthday.  We had a great time and made plans to register for more events.

Aside from the celebration, one aspect to remember is that painting has therapeutic properties.  Some of the benefits include memory strength, stress relief, and emotional growth.

Painting a one-of-a-kind picture was the perfect bonding activity and awesome way to meet new friends!

I am not the best painter but with guidance I can create a masterpiece!

I also want to share a few additional tips to reduce stress during the holiday season:

  • Make holiday decor during the off-season to eliminate a hectic schedule.
  • Create a food menu and prep/freeze holiday dishes.
  • Visit your local grocery store or warehouse club for prepared dishes (example, Assorted Pinwheel Wraps, Rotisserie Chicken Enchiladas, or Ciabatta Sandwich Party Tray.)
  • Play upbeat holiday music to get everyone in the spirit.
  • Allow enough time to wrap gifts not excluding co-workers and care providers.
  • Include low-impact exercise into your weekly routine.
Amazon /

Amazon.com will Kick Off 12 Days of Deals

Amazon.com has kicked off 12 Days of Deals (www.amazon.com/holidaydeals), offering great prices on holiday gifts for everyone. There will be hundreds of deals December 4 – 15, starting at midnight PT. Each day will feature a specific theme, including:

–          December 4: Gifts for kids

–          December 5: Books and media

–          December 6: Gifts for entertaining/gifts for foodies

–          December 7: Gifts for gamers

–          December 8: Fashion

–          December 9: Tools and DIY

–          December 10: Gifts for travelers

–          December 11: Fitness and activity

–          December 12: Tech and gadgets

–          December 13: Gifts for crafters and hobbyists

–          December 14: Gifts for pets

–          December 15: Stocking Stuffers

 

Mobile-only Deals:

In addition to themed daily deals, Amazon is also offering flash sales December 7 – 20 available on the mobile app only.

Sunday, December 4: Kids

–          $10 off Kindle for Kids Bundle

–          Save up to 50% on select life-sized toys – for a limited time, save on select toys that are the size of a kid, including:

  • Star Wars Episode VII Massive BB-8 Deluxe Feature Action Figure
  • Star Wars Big Figs Rogue One Massive 31″  K-2SO Action Figure
  • Meccano – Meccanoid XL 2.0
  • K’NEX Thrill Rides – Big Ball Factory Building Set
  • K’NEX Sorcerer’s Eclipse Roller Coaster Building Set

–          Save over 25% on select instruments for kids from top brands like Epiphone, Gammon, and more, including:

  • Gammon 5-Piece Junior Starter Drum Kit with Cymbals, Hardware, Sticks, & Throne – Various Colors
  • Epiphone LP Junior Solid-Body Electric Guitar, Vintage Sunburst
  • Music Alley MA34-N Classical Junior Guitar
  • AirJamz App-Enabled Bluetooth Music Toy, Electric Air Guitar and more for your iOS or Android Mobile Phone or Tablet, Black, Powered by Zivix
  • Mahalo Rainbow Series Soprano Ukulele Starter Pack
  • RockJam Electronic Roll Up Drum Kit with Built in Speakers, Pedals, Drumsticks, and Power Supply

–          Save up to 50% on Kids’ Sports Products, including:

  • Skywalker Trampolines 8-Feet Jump N’ Dunk Trampoline with Safety Enclosure and Basketball Hoop
  • Lifetime 90040 Height Adjustable Portable Basketball System, 44 Inch Backboard
  • Lifetime Ace Flyer Airplane Teeter Totter
  • Champion Sports Rhino Skin Dodgeball Set

Monday, December 5: Entertainment/Media

–          $80 off Amazon Tap + Fire tablet Bundle

Thursday, December 8: Fashion

–          Deal on Levi’s Must-Haves including bestsellers like the 501 Original, 511 Slim, and 711 Skinny, which make the perfect gift for any denim lover

–          Save up to 60% on Cold-Weather Accessories

 

Saturday, December 10: Travel

–          Save up to 60% on select luggage from Travelpro

Birmingham /

Great Wine Options For Your Holiday Table

Christmas and New Year’s is just around the corner and it is time to talk about food and wine pairings!

Buying wine for dinner can be a challenge but I have compiled a few delicious options to choose from:

Fernando Pighin & Figli: Pinot Grigio Friuli Grave 2015v (SRP: $17.99)

  • This wine is a great option to start off the evening and drink through dinner. The Old World Italian wine pairs perfectly with seafood, soft cheeses, vegetarian dishes and of course turkey. This medium-bodied Pinot Grigio has aromas of white fruit and minerality from the Friuli Grave terroir. It is produced without oak or malolactic to keep the grape’s freshness and bright acidity. This wine is light and refreshing, leaving room to taste the many dishes served during the holiday.

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Sequoia Grove Winery: Chardonnay 2014v (SRP: $27.99)

  • If guests love a delicious Chardonnay from Napa Valley, Sequoia Grove would be the perfect choice. This 100% food-friendly Chardonnay will pair well with most dishes, from appetizers to soups to main courses. It has aromas of pear, lychee, citrus zest, lightly toasted almonds, and fresh bread. The aroma and palate characteristics are derived from 10 months of oak aging in French oak barrels. Sequoia Grove’s well-integrated oak Chardonnay will refresh the palate and won’t overpower the delicious spices in the Thanksgiving dishes.

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Maison Louis Jadot Bourgogne Pinot Noir 2013v  (SRP: $19.99)

  • Louis Jadot’s affordable red Burgundy is a classic holiday wine pairing. It is a versatile wine that complements many meats and soft cheeses like Camembert and Brie. The 2013 vintage produced mature wines with intense aromas of red cherries, black blackberries, blackcurrants. Its well-integrated tannins are supported by a vibrant freshness in the finish.

 

Craggy Range Winery Te Muna Road Pinot Noir 2013v  (SRP: $44.99)

  • Craggy Range Winery produces beautiful deep brick red colored, single-vineyard Pinot Noirs from the Martinborough wine region of New Zealand. This New World wine has vibrant aromatics of red and black cherries, rose petal, sandalwood and wet earth. It is fruit forward with fine, dry tannins that provides a soft yet complex finish. This is another delicious wine option to serve throughout your holiday meal.

 

Thanksgiving Dinner Wine Pairing –

This year, I hosted Thanksgiving dinner and served a bottle of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir.  To make our pairing more festive, I created a cheese platter to enhance the wine flavorings.

Salty – Assortment of Crackers

Protein – Prosciutto & Nuts

Flavor Enhancement – Sharp Cheddar Cheese

next time, I will add a variety of cheese, fruit, and olives 

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The in-home tasting was a fun opportunity for enthusiast to try new flavors and expand their palate!

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Event /

Exclusive Beer Pairing Dinner at Fleet Street Kitchen

The guided dinner, created exclusively by Fleet Street Kitchen Chef Michael Correll, highlights a variety of beers and ciders from the MillerCoors portfolio.

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Beyond enjoying a delicious menu, a MillerCoors beer expert was on hand (for the event) to share little-known facts from the brewers’ storied history and portfolio of products throughout the night.

 

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1st Course

Venison Terrine with Apple Butter

Blue Moon Cinnamon Horchata

2nd Course

Nantucket Bay Scallop Crudo with Cranberry Ponzu, Poached Cranberry, Sunchoke and Uni

Leinenkugel’s Cranberry Ginger Shandy

3rd Course

Farro risotto with Matsutake mushroom, smoked bacon, green apple and spruce or Grilled baby octopus with local honey, smoked paprika, confit potato, fennel puree and citrus

Blue Moon White IPA

4th Course

Pan Seared Halibut with Kumquat-truffle Jam, Cauliflower Puree, Frisee and Roasted Tri-colored Cauliflower

Blue Moon Belgian White

5th Course

Roasted Magret Duck Breast with Charred Onion Soubise, Chanterelle Mushrooms, Arbequina Olive, Artichoke and Nasturtium

Leinenkugel’s Bavarian Dunkel

6th Course

Praline Kit Kat with Crunchy Praline Feuilletine, Chocolate Financier, Malted Whipped Cream, Coffee Sorbet

Blue Moon Cappucino Stout

 

Birmingham /

Birthday Staycation – Ross Bridge Golf and Spa Resort

I celebrated my birthday at the Renaissance Ross Bridge Golf and Spa Resort. This beautiful hillside hotel is located (here) in Birmingham, Alabama.

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Inside of Ross Bridge Golf and Spa Resort is intricate artwork along with Mediterranean inspired decor. 

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The Spa at Ross Bridge

I booked an appointment at the spa and received a manicure and pedicure.  When I have free time, I prefer spa nail services because they use all natural products. In addition, it’s an intimate environment and provide delicious refreshments.

Sitting in a bathrobe and inhaling essentials oils was very relaxing.  The Spa at Ross Bridge has several additional services including a quiet and steam room, boutique, and chlorine-free pools.

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Additional Resort Photos:

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My visit to Ross Bridge Golf and Spa Resort was the perfect staycation.  I can’t wait to stop by again for an afternoon of golf or deep tissue massage!

Accessories /

Amazon.com Cyber Monday Deals

 

Amazon.com today unveiled its plans for Cyber Monday and, with more than 75,000 deals during the week of Cyber Monday, there is sure to be something for everyone! Customers will continue to find new deals as often as every five minutes on toys, electronics, fashion items, and more at www.amazon.com/cybermonday.

Last year on Cyber Monday, Amazon customers ordered more than 54 million items worldwide – a record-breaking 629 items per second – and it’s expected that this year will be even bigger! On Cyber Monday 2015, Amazon customers purchased more than 33 electronics per second on mobile devices alone.

As new deals are constantly being added, customers are using Watch A Deal to ensure they don’t miss out. The most-watched deal so far this holiday season is a Mermaid Tail Blanket. Download the free Amazon shopping app to easily track deals using Watch A Deal alerts, which notify customers via a mobile alert when a deal is about to start.

The deals below – and more – will be available on Cyber Monday, November 28 at www.amazon.com/cybermonday. Customers can also shop the same deals and selection while giving back to their favorite charity – just start with a smile at smile.amazon.com.

Amazon Devices

  • Dash Buttons, .99 cents to buy and $4.99 credit back after your first purchase
  • Save $40 on Amazon Echo, only $139.99
  • Save $10 on Echo Dot, only $39.99
  • Save $40 on Amazon Tap, only $89.99
  • Fire tablet, only $33.33
  • Save $25 on Fire Kids Edition tablet, only $74.99
  • Save $30 on Fire HD 8, only $59.99
  • Save $30 on Kindle, only $49.99
  • Save $30 on Kindle for Kids Bundle, only $69.99
  • Save $20 on Kindle Paperwhite, only $99.99
  • Save $30 on Kindle Voyage, only $169.99
  • Save $15 on Amazon Fire TV, only $74.99
  • Save $10 on Fire TV Stick with Alexa Voice Remote, only $29.99

 

Electronics

  • 50” 1080p LED TV, $145
  • 50” 4K Ultra HD Smart TV, $249.99
  • Rif6 Mobile Projector + SoundCube, $245
  • Sony Extra Bass Bluetooth Headphones, $88
  • Sonos PLAY:1 Compact Wireless Smart Speaker, $149
  • Save up to 30% on select HP laptops
  • HP Envy Wireless All-in-One Photo Printer, $49.99
  • Arlo 5-Camera Security System, $469
  • Nest Cam Indoor Security Camera, $163.98

 

Toys

  • Save up to 50% on select toys from Nerf, Play-Doh, Playskool, and more
  • LINCOLN LOGS Centennial Edition Tin, $32.49
  • Save 48% on Shopkins Shoppies Juice Truck
  • Save 40% on K’NEX Looping Light-Up Roller Coaster Building Set
  • Free accessory set with purchase of Melissa & Doug kitchen

 

Fashion

  • Save 30% on select clothing, shoes, jewelry, and watches for women, men, kids, and baby

Gift Cards

  • $5 off three Christmas greeting cards with ready-to-load Anytime Gift Cards

 

Kitchen & Home

  • Blendtec Total Blender, $239.99
  • Save 31% on BISSELL PowerLifter PowerBrush Upright Deep Cleaner
  • Save 44% on select Black+Decker 18V Lithium Cordless 2-N-1 Stick and Hand Vacuum
  • Save $99 on iRobot Roomba 960 Robotic Vacuum Cleaner
  • Save $99 on iRobot Roomba 980 Robotic Vacuum Cleaner
  • Vornado AVH10 Vortex Heater with Automatic Climate Control, $79.86
  • Save 15% on select SINGER Heavy Duty Sewing Machines
  • Save 43% on Precious Moments, “Just Married” Bisque Porcelain Ornament
  • $10 off $50 orders of select BLACK+DECKER, TEKTON, and STANLEY tools

 

Pets

  • Select GREENIES Dental Dog Treats, $12.99
  • Save 55% on select KONG Fire Hose Ballistic Square Dog Toys
  • Save 55% on Outward Hound Invincibles Snake Stuffingless Durable Tough Plush Dog Squeaky Toy
  • Save up to 36% on select Old Mother Hubbard Classic Crunchy Natural Dog Treats
  • Select Pet Zone Fly by Spinner Toys, $7.99

 

Sports & Outdoor

  • Save 40% on Segway One S1
  • Save up to 50% on select Callaway Golf Sets
  • Save up to 63% on select NordicTrack Cardio Equipment

 

Books

  • Save up to 85% on select Kindle books, including best-sellers like Game of Thrones by George R. R. Martin, Truly Madly Guilty by Liane Moriarty, and The Boys in the Boat by Daniel James Brown
  • Save up to 25% on Hamilton: The Revolution
  • Save up to 33% on Secret Garden: An Inky Treasure Hunt and Coloring Book
  • Save up to 36% on Guinness World Records 2017
  • Save up to 20% on Batman: The Killing Joke | Deluxe Edition
  • Save up to 20% on Deep Run Roots: Stories and Recipes from My Corner of the South
  • Save up to 22% on Adulthood is a Myth: A Sarah’s Scribbles Collection

 

Video Games

  • Save $50 on PlayStation 4 Slim 500GB Console – Uncharted 4 Bundle
  • Save 33% on BioShock: The Collection
  • Save 33% on Mafia III
  • Save 33% on XCom 2
  • Save 33% on WWE 2K1
  • Save 50% on Fallout 4
  • Save 50% on The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim – Special Edition

All prices available at select times and while supplies last.

Cyber Monday in an Hour with Prime Now: Customers can also shop more than a hundred Cyber Monday Deals and get them to their door in an hour or less through Prime Now in more than 30 cities in the U.S.

  • Prime members making their first Prime Now purchase will save $15 off their order, plus get $5 off their next order afterDecember 2
  • Existing Prime Now customers will save $5 off their order, plus get $5 off their next order after December 2

Save 40% on calendars with Prime Photos: For a limited time, calendars are 40% off. Design a high-quality, custom calendar to stay connected with loved ones all year long. Calendars can be personalized with photos of family and friends, colorful backgrounds, text, and embellishments for a unique and easy to create gift, with free delivery with Prime. Go tohttps://www.amazonprinting.com/photo-gift/cards to learn more.

Alexa Voice Shopping Deals: This holiday, hundreds of Amazon’s best deals are available to Prime members with Alexa, including $50 off an August Smart Lock – with compatible Alexa skill and $40 off an Amazon Echo. Simply ask Alexa each day, “Alexa, what are your deals?” when using the Amazon Echo, Echo Dot, Amazon Tap, Amazon Fire TV, or Fire tablet or go to www.alexa.amazon.com/alexadeals to learn more. Customers who voice order a deal with a price of $20 or greater between Black Friday and Cyber Monday will earn a bonus $10 Amazon gift card. Prime members can use their voice to order tens of millions of products every day of the year.

More to Watch on Amazon Video: Customers will find unbelievable deals on some of today’s top-rated TV series and popular blockbuster films to rent or purchase and instantly stream on Amazon Video.

More Perks for Prime Members: Prime members can shop thousands of Lightning Deals with 30-minute early access and enjoy unlimited fast, free shipping options, including Two-Day Shipping on more than 30 million items, Prime FREE Same-Day Delivery on more than one million items available in 29 cities, and Prime Now where customers can find tens of thousands of products– available for one- and two-hour delivery in more than 30 cities.

About Amazon

Amazon is guided by four principles: customer obsession rather than competitor focus, passion for invention, commitment to operational excellence, and long-term thinking. Customer reviews, 1-Click shopping, personalized recommendations, Prime, Fulfillment by Amazon, AWS, Kindle Direct Publishing, Kindle, Fire tablets, Fire TV, Amazon Echo, and Alexa are some of the products and services pioneered by Amazon. For more information, visit www.amazon.com/about.

 

Amazon /

Amazon Prime Now: The Ultimate Destination for Thanksgiving Prep

As we are gearing up for our Thanksgiving feasts, wanted to call to mind that Amazon’s Prime Now service can deliver all Turkey Day essentials to customers’ doors in just one hour!

We can all relate to being in the kitchen cooking the biggest meal of the year and realizing you forgot the cranberry sauce, pie crusts or the roasting pan. Prime Now can bring customers these items and more in an hour or less so they can skip the trip to the store and continue spending time with friends and loved ones.

Beyond the food, customers can also find hostess gifts or “family fun” items, including the most popular board games that have been delivered in one hour through Prime Now: Pie Face Game, Connect 4, Catan and Taboo.  We also have localized shopping data for all Prime Now cities available upon request.

In Baltimore, Prime Now is available from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., seven days a week, and will be operating on Thanksgiving Day from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. to help account for anyone that’s forgotten the butter, paper towels or other essentials. Two-hour delivery is free and one-hour delivery is available for $7.99. All Prime members can download the Prime Now app, available on iOS and Android devices, and will be notified when the service is available in their zip code.

Fall 2016 /

A Toast to Travel – Holiday Celebration

It’s not too late to join exclusive bespoke trips for Christmas and New Years while visiting Tuscany. While most people are leaving milk for Santa, you’ll be toasting la dolce vita in Florence.

A Toast to Travel’s weeklong boutique experiences are lead by John and Natalie, an American couple who are THE experts in Tuscany. You’ll benefit from their time living in Italy when they discovered the best the region has to offer and cultivated relationships that ensure you will see Italy like a local. From meals at the best neighborhood ristoranti, to tastings at small vineyards with special access, and to special holiday bonuses like:

  • Christmas Eve Mass led by the Cardinal of Florence at the Duomo
  • A visit to Christmas Markets
  • A New Years Eve of the Eve dinner at a 1400’s castle turned winery where Leonardo da Vinci painted the Mona Lisa
  • A special New Years Eve Dinner and Celebration

The holiday trips include all the food, wine, art, history and architecture that are hallmarks of A Toast to Travel experiences.  Guests enjoy:

  • Museum and city tours led by a native Florentina certified guide

  • A unique culinary experience at one of the oldest Florentine restaurants which has one of the last wood fired grills in the city

  • A gelato tasting at one of Florence’s oldest gelateria

  • Exclusive cooking class with the chef at a five-star hotel in Florence

A Toast to Travel groups are always small, ensuring good camaraderie and the ability to keep the schedule flexible to cater to the group’s interests and desires in the moment. All of our travel within the region is done via Mercedes vehicles-never, ever a tour bus!

For detailed information about Christmas in Tuscany please visit:

http://www.atoasttotravel.com/new-d-christmas-in-tuscany

For more information on how to ring in 2017 in Tuscany, visit:

http://www.atoasttotravel.com/new-d-new-years-in-tuscany

 

Fall 2016 /

TURKS & CAICOS RESORT FOR TWO RETREATS

The private, tranquil luxurious beachside Blue Haven Resort offers the perfect backdrop for a life changing transformation during two impactful retreats from Retreats Unlimited.

Right at the time when most people’s New Year’s resolution is out the window, New York ‘s dynamo, “No Excuses” trainer Zack Schares, is ready to kick it back into gear with a 4-day/3-night Bootcamp from Feb. 5-8, 2017, featuring goal setting, a beachside obstacle course and a mini-marathon. But it’s not all work, as there is also a unique focus on food and fashion woven into the retreat.

In April, husband and wife team Drs. Michelle & Mark Sherwood bring their integrated functional medicine approach to health on a retreat designed to teach guests how to identify root causes of health challenges and take charge of their own health. Held April 2-5, 2017, participants will learn how to balance their hormones, build muscle and burn fat, and how to make nutrition and supplements work for their bodies.

One of TripAdvisor’s Top 25 Hotels in the Caribbean, Blue Haven Resort is an exclusive resort with a private beach and some of the newest, most spacious suites on the island. Facilities include a gym, Elevate Day Spa, market, two restaurants and whimsical hammocks swaying amongst palm trees on the beach. The resort is also adjacent to an IGY Marina, providing convenient access to world-class diving, kayaking, SUP and other marine adventures.

Both retreats include:

  • 4 days/3-nights in luxury accommodations at the magnificent Blue Haven
  • Breakfast, lunch, dinner and non- alcoholic beverages included
  • All taxes and tips at the hotel restaurants
  • Retreats Unlimited Swag Bag

Both retreats are priced at $2,983.50 Double Occupancy /$3,369.00 Single Occupancy.  The retreats are curated by Retreats Unlimited. To make a reservation, review the detailed itinerary, or for additional information visit Retreats Unlimited or call 312-961-3280.

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Blue Haven Resort

Voted one of the top 20 resorts in the Caribbean in 2016 by TripAdvisor fans, Blue Haven Resort has earned a reputation for offering fabulous service, and exceptional facilities and value.

Blue Haven Resort’s private beach, and its address adjacent to a five gold anchor IGY Marina, provides visitors with the ultimate combination of a relaxing and adventure filled vacation experience.  Resort facilities include two restaurants, an infinity swimming pool, a gourmet market and café, Elevate Day Spa, a 24-hour gym, and beach service and hammocks at the resort’s private beach.

Spacious air-conditioned rooms and suites offer contemporary décor, free Wi-Fi, flat screen tv’s, and free coffee and tea provisions.  Suites feature state of the art kitchens, washers and dryers, and private terraces or balconies.

For reservations and information, visit http://www.bluehaventci.com.

Retreats Unlimited

Retreats Unlimited is a full-service retreat company offering fitness, self-improvement and wellness vacations. Unlike any other, our retreats and wellness holidays are in destinations that are unique. The resorts are luxurious and each retreat offers unique experiences. http://www.myretreatsunlimited.com/

 

Birmingham /

Local Holiday Season Events and Shopping

It’s time to start pre-planning for the holiday season.  I love to travel with my family but also enjoy partaking in local events. Holiday season planning is a mandatory task because it enables me to have a good time while being present (in the moment) with my kids.

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Photo Credit | Just Destiny.com

Why not take a break from shopping and indulge in a cup of afternoon tea?  The Townhouse Tea Shoppe, located on Olmsted Street was featured in Southern Living Magazine.  Relax with a friend and grab a cup of gourmet coffee or delicious pastry.

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Photo Credit | Yelp.com

Winter Wonderland at Railroad Park will host its annual ice-skating event starting November 26 2016.  Guests can purchase hot cocoa along with their family skate rental.  I’ve always enjoyed skating and this might be on the top of my holiday list.

If you’re obsessed with entertaining supplies and Santa Clause this is the perfect local suggestion. The Summit Birmingham will host its annual holiday kickoff with Swoozies Birmingham, Lights Up.  This event will include a parade, fireworks, and potential mall shopping.

To help us get around with ease and eliminate the question, “where should I park?”  Saks Fifth Avenue has a promotion with Uber allowing new users $20 OFF a ride to their store.  In the Uber app, enter code SAKS2016*  – this promotion alone will encourage my shopping with Saks this holiday season.  Plus, I actively use Uber and wanted to share with everyone here!  Don’t forget to check out their Holiday Gift Guide (click here)

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