And really, who ISN'T a Chick-fil-A fan??

So, here's what you do.... go to your favorite Chick-fil-A, buy a $20 gift card, and get a FREE Chick-fil-A calendar!! And, something new this year.... ALL the coupons this year in the calendar are for FREE items!!
You know you'll be spending twenty bucks there this year anyway, so why not? :)

And don't forget, TODAY IS FREE SHIPPING DAY!! See the post below.

Free shipping day!

Free shipping day!!
Click the above link for all the details.
Based on the success of last year’s inaugural promotion, Free Shipping Day will return this year, on December 17 -- one of the final days for online shoppers to place their orders with guaranteed standard delivery by Christmas Eve. According to Luke Knowles, who organized the event, as many as 700 online merchants are expected to participate -- more than twice the number that took part in 2008. Among the companies on board: Aeropostale, American Eagle Outfitters, Apple Store, Aerie, Amazon, Borders, Kmart, JC Penney, Zappos, Toys R Us, Wolf Camera, Uniden, Under Armour, UGG, Dell, Old Navy, Target, and J. Crew.

Free Christmas tunes!

Head on over to iTunes for a free album of great Christmas music.... You have to have an iTunes account, and click on the icon on the homepage that looks like the image to the left. :) Enjoy!!
The free iTunes Holiday Sampler download includes a variety of artists from wide-ranging genres, such as Toby Keith, Weezer, Glasvegas, Barry Manilow, and comedian Stephen Colbert. The iTunes LP collects the songs from a variety of albums and compilations, with Christmas classics such as "The First Noel," "Silent Night, "Twelve Days of Christmas, and "O Holy Night."

How about a gift card?

Here's a deal that's hard to pass up! Some of your favorite oceanfront resaurants are offering gift cards for half their actual value! Great places like :


Mahi Mah's
Catch 31
Salacia
Pi-zzeria
Rockfish
SkyBar
Tortugas

There's also a great blog out there called The Coupon Consultant that really offers up some great deals, tips, and tricks for saving money right here in Hampton Roads. Here's part of a post from Monday that outlines some restaurants out there offerings extras for buying a gift card.

Outback: for every $100, you get $20 bonus card
Carrabbas: For every $100, you’ll get $20.00 bonus card
Applebee’s: for every $50, you’ll get $10.00 bonus card
Chickfila: Buy $20 gift card get a free calendar
Smokey Bones: Buy $25 card in store, get a $15 bonues card. Buy it online, get $10 bonus card
McCormick & Schmick's: Buy a $50 card, get a $10 card. Buy a $100 card, get a $25.
Kincaid's: For every $50, you get a $10 bonus card. Plus, 5% of all gift card sales will be donated to a local children's hospital.
PF Changs: For every $50 bought, you will get a $10 bonus card in the mail for use in 2010.
Red Robin: For every $25 bought, you will receive $5.00 in bonus bucks.
Cheesecake Factory: For every $25 card bought, you will receive a card good for 1 piece of cheesecake.
Subway: Buy a $10 card, get a FREE cookie.

Veterans ~ We SALUTE you!

Veterans Day 2009 and the day to say THANK YOU and honor all those American Heroes. God bless you all!

There are plenty of deals to be had today for Veterans!

Veterans 50% Off On Selected Dog And ALL Cat /Kitten Adoptions at the VBSPCA! We will honor our veterans – both two-legged and four-legged – with an offer of 50% off adoption fees. Veteran dogs and cats (5 years and over) will be $25 off for ALL adopters. ALL cats and kittens are 50% off for military veterans. All other dogs and puppies will be $25 off for veterans only. This offer is good for one day only on Wednesday, November 11th from 10am until 4pm at 3040 Holland Road in Virginia Beach and at the Landstown and Pembroke PetSmart locations. Please call 427-0070 with any questions.

Restaurants offering free food and great deals are:

Uno Chicago Grill- free entree or individual pizza with the purchase of an entree or pizza of equal or greater value on Nov 11.
Applebee's- Vets and active military eat free on Nov 11.
Golden Corral- Golden Corral's 9th annual Military Appreciation Monday dinner will be held on Monday, November 16, 2009, from 5 to 9 pm in all Golden Corral restaurants nationwide. Free meal for Vet's or active military.
Krispy Kreme - All veterans and active military personnel can get a free doughnut of any variety, including glazed, kreme filled, and chocolate cake
Outback Steakhouse - All veterans and active duty military get a free Bloomin' Onion and beverage.
Mahi Mah's seafood restaurant is offering a 2-for-1 deal for military veterans and active duty personnel.

But it's not just food, Home Depot and Lowe's will will offer 10-percent discounts to current military and veterans. Home Depot will run it through Veterans Day, while Lowe's discounts will be in effect through Nov. 15.

Maya Couture in Norfolk is joining Brides Across America and giving away free designer wedding gowns to military brides to be! Last year, the boutique gave away 60 bridal gowns. To qualify, brides must be engaged, be on active duty in the military, or have a fiancé on active duty in either Iraq or Afghanistan. All military brides must show ID, copy of deployment papers, orders or other qualifying proof. Brides do not have to reside in the area where the giveaway is taking place. The gowns are pre-selected, and each event has limited amounts of gowns, and size ranges. The event is on a first come first serve basis. For more information regarding the Nov, 11th event please call Maya Couture at 757-461-1690. For more participating stores and states checkout www.bridesacrossamerica.com.

In Chesapeake Natural Elements Spa & Salon will provide FREE services to Military Veterans on Wednesday Novemeber 11th, 2009 for both active duty and retired military from 10 AM – 3 PM. Veterans interested in FREE services of Elemential Facial, Body Bliss Massage, and Hydrofying Hair must call Natural Elements Spa & Salon for their appointment. (757) 436-1141.

Sam's Club is giving away 25,000 Hugo folding canes free of charge to United States Military Veterans in need of mobility assistance. Limited quantities per club, available only while supplies last. Sam's Club Membership is not required but, proof of military service is.

Colonial Williamsburg is offering free admission to Veterans November 6-11 as part of its Veterans Day tribute. The free "Honoring Service to America" pass will also be available to active duty military, National Guard and reservists, retirees and Veteran's dependents. Colonial Williamsburg will hold a military parade and ceremony on Veteran's Day.

U.S. Department of the Interior Honors Veterans with A "Fee Free Day" at National Parks, Refuges, and Other Interior Lands for everyone on Wednesday, November 11.

Free Fruit!

Here's something if you're on Facebook already! Free Edible Arrangement--apparently if you become a fan of them on Facebook, you'll receive a coupon via email for a free Edible Arrangements 6-Piece Dipped Fruit that retails for $15. The coupon is valid through 11/21/09. Choose to pick it up yourself to save the shipping fee!
I "fanned" them yesterday and haven't seen the email yet, but it looks like it's supposed to show up in the next few days :)

Sweet goodies for the kiddies!

Quick! It's only good for tomorrow (Saturday, the 24th) and apparently NOT at the MacArthur Center location, because that's considered a "College Bookstore."
FREE small cookie and Kids-size Hot Chocolate!
Click here for your coupon!

making that Jack-o-Lantern last.....

Some tips from the web about making your carved pumpkin last longer!
To keep a pumpkin from drying out, cover it with a damp towel when it is not on display. To make your pumpkin last longer, wait for half an hour after you finish carving, then rub the cut areas and inside with a dry cloth and apply a protective coating such as petroleum jelly, clear furniture wax, or vegetable oil painted on with a brush. Some expert pumpkin carvers use several coats of lacquer or hair spray, which gives it a nice glossy finish. Others say that sprinkling a light coating of cinnamon inside will help keep it fresh, AND make it smell oh-so-nice when it's lit!

Mmmmmm... PIZZA!!

Domino's Pizza LOVES it's customers and this week only, (thru Oct. 25th I think) you can get a large, one-topping pizza with extra cheese for only $5.99!! Now, it's carryout only... but there's plenty of locations around town ~ call ahead, then just pop in and walk out with a yummy dinner, cheap! Need more than one to feed your hungry family?? NO problem... order as many as you like for that same great $5.99 price.
Click here for all the delicious, cheesy details!

I'm thinking pizza for dinner all week!

Town and Treat!!

SATURDAY OCTOBER 31ST
Noon-4:00 P.M.
3rd Annual "Town & Treat" Celebration
Location: Fountain Plaza
Bring the whole family out for a safe, ghoulish good time! Storefront trick-or-treating, a puppet show, stiltwalkers, costumed characters, magicians, face-painters and games are all part of the fun. New this year - a pet costume contest!

We did this with the kids last year and had a BLAST!!! Can't wait to go again.... Although I hope Carly this year will at least keep from flashing her panties.

Restaurant.com is at it again....

Just go to the delicious website and use the promo code CHEF when checking out and you'll snag those $25 gift certificates for only $2! That's a savings of 80% !!!
I'm thinking.... Bier Garden, Cobalt Grille, Sonoma, maybe the Painted Lady.... yum!!

Feed them kiddos for nothing!

2 Kids Eat Free at Boston Market!!

Hurry, offer ends October 31st

Click here for all the details and enjoy! yuuuuum!

09-09-09!! This one can't be beat....

Check out restaurant.com, and enter NINETY to save 90% on gift certificates to some of you favorite places to eat! That's a $25 gift certificate for just $1 !!

We use these all the time and they're great! Just read the exclusions carefully... some places don't include alcohol, or they don't accept 'em on weekends, but they make it pretty clear in the directions. Offer ends on Sunday the 13th!

It's Restaurant.com time again!!

With 80% off, now's an even better time! You can get $25 gift certificates for $2! Just use the code TASTE at checkout and go eat for cheap! I've used these at Bier Garden, Three Amigos, Sonoma, and many more!!

Free learnin', a coupon, and movies!

National Museum Day is Sept. 26th. Get 2 free admissions to a Smithsonian-partnered museum! Here's more info....

Click here for a list of venues in Virginia!

And hey, here's coupon for $5 off $25 at Walgreens (through the weekend)

Got Dish Network? Here's a free pay-per-view movie offer!

Who's with me?

Hey! It's the last Wednesday to take advantage of this great deal! Buy a drink and get a free Beef 'n Cheddar sandwich! Even I'M thinking Arby's now! :)

Do the CHICKEN WAVE!!

Be of one the first 250,00 to sign up here, and it's a free Chick-fil-a sandwich for you!! And everybody loves that, no?

A reminder....

Remember this post? This is the last weekend :)

A lotta fun for ONLY $3....

$3?? Oh yes! It's the Sandler Center's Film series this month. For only $3 you can enjoy a great movie in their state-of-the-art theater in Virginia Beach's Town Center!
Tickets available at the Sandler Center Box Office or at 385-ARTS. Here's the schedule of movies:
Pirates of the Caribbean ~ Sunday, August 16th at 2pm
Chocolat ~ Sunday, August 16th at 5pm
Sweeny Todd ~ Monday, August 17th at 7pm
Surf Documentary "Step Into Liquid" ~ Sunday, August 23rd at 7pm
Chicago ~ Monday, August 24th at 7pm

Not really saving time OR money...

BUT maybe your personal business??

Can you tell when you are in a hotel room, restroom, motel etc. with a mirror whether it is in fact a mirror or 2-way glass?

Here's how: I thought it was quite interesting! And I know in about 30 seconds you're going do what I did and find the nearest mirror... Do you know how to determine if a mirror is 2-way or not? This is not to scare you, but to make you aware.

A policewoman who travels all over the U.S. and gives seminars and techniques for businesswomen passed this on. When we visit toilets, bathrooms, hotel rooms, changing rooms, etc., how many of you know for sure that the seemingly ordinary mirror hanging on the wall is a real mirror, or actually a 2-way mirror (i.e., they can see you, but you can't see them)? There have been many cases of people installing 2-way mirrors in female changing rooms. It is very difficult to positively identify the surface by just looking at it.

So, how do we determine with any amount of certainty what type of mirror we are looking at? Just conduct this simple Test: Place the tip of your fingernail against the reflective surface and if there is a GAP between your fingernail and the image of the nail, then it is a GENUINE mirror.
However, if your fingernail DIRECTLY TOUCHES the image of your nail, then BEWARE, FOR IT IS A 2-WAY MIRROR!

"No Space, Leave the Place" So remember, every time you see a Mirror, do the "fingernail test." It doesn't cost you anything.

Ladies: Share this with your girlfriends, sisters, daughters, etc.

Men: Share this with your wives, daughters, daughters-in-law, mothers, girlfriends and friends

This is one of my favs....

If you don't take advantage of this one....I just can't help you. Head over to restaurant.com, pick one of your favorite eateries, then enter the promo code PORTION to save an additional 80% off their awesome prices. That means, my dear WaveSaver, that you get a $25 gift certificate for only $2!!! Now go eat; be happy.

Shopping..... Tax Free!!

This Friday through Sunday is the Virginia Back-to-School Tax Free Shopping Weekend!

During this three-day period, purchases of certain school supplies, clothing and footwear will be exempt from the Virginia sales tax. Each eligible school supply item must be priced at $20 or less, and each eligible article of clothing and footwear must be priced at $100 or less. Click here for more details!

AND on top of that... how about even more discounts at Kohl's?

Click here for the "friends and family" coupon!

Free Outdoor Movie!!

AT&T Flicks at the Fountain Town Family Point Movie Series

Waterside Landing, Next to Waterside Festival Marketplace
Date: August 5
Time: 7:30 pm for Dinner; Movie begins at 8:30
Free family outdoor movies are New for 2009! There's something magical about lying back on a picnic blanket and watching your favorite movie under the stars! We invite you to grab the family or bring a date, pack up the lawn chairs and picnic blankets and come downtown for a free magical evening under the stars every Wednesday in August. Each Fountain Flick evening will feature a dinner menu themed after the evening's feature flick, prepared by the Waterside Landing Fountain Café.

I'll be on VACATION.... but here's something fun!

Chalk the Walk ARTsplosion & 17th Street Art Festival

Jul 25 2009 at 17th Street Park
On the beach between 16th and 18th Streets

Two fantastic art events will unfold along the beautiful Virginia Beach Oceanfront as the Chalk the Walk ARTsplosion and 17th Street Art Festival take center stage from 10:00am-7:00pm on Saturday, July 25, 2009. Both events take place in the park and along the boardwalk at 17th Street.

At the Chalk the Walk, participants draw four by four foot chalk drawings right on the boardwalk!
This year’s theme is “Under the Sea.” All Chalk the Walk participants are encouraged to incorporate the theme in their work!
200 competitors will complete chalk drawings to be evaluated by a panel of judges. Judges will score the drawings according to criteria such as composition, use of color, adherence to theme, and creativity. There will be three competitive divisions: Amateur, Professional, and Youth. The Youth division will be for ages 12-16. Children 11 and under will be invited to draw for fun in a separate area. Trophies and cash prizes will be awarded for each division. Winners will be announced at 4:30pm at the registration tent. The hours for the Chalk the Walk are 10:00am-5:00pm. All participants must register by 1:00pm to qualify for the competition. All drawings must be completed by 3:30pm to be eligible for prizes.
Advance registration for Chalk the Walk is not required. There is no fee to participate, but it is recommended that artists bring their own chalk.

Once a year deals....

Well, if you're on Facebook (and really, come on; why shouldn't you be by now??) you can find and friend "Free Food Events" like I did and it'll give you all kinds of ideas about coupons/freebies/specials at all kinds of restuarants.
My favorite tip is the website linked here. It's a whole list of eateries that offer free deals on your birthday...some are great, some are merely a "free song"... WHAT? That so doesn't count. Anyway, we take advantage of the Coldstone Creamery, Red Robin, and others in MY family...

So happy birthday and go eat and be merry...

Pirate Party on the Beach TONIGHT!

Date: July 17 2009
Location: On the beach at 20th Street
Ahoy Mateys! The Virginia Beach Oceanfront will be taken over by pirates on Friday, July 17th for the first-ever Pirate Party on the Beach. This unique family event combines a treasure hunt, pirate re-enactors, and movie into one swashbuckling evening guaranteed to “shiver your timbers!” The Pirate Party on the Beach takes place right on the beach at 20th Street from 6:30pm-8:30pm.
It all begins with the Treasure Trek at 6:30pm. Families and groups may participate in a hunt for “buried treasure” that will lead them to various landmarks around the oceanfront looking for clues. The first group to dig up “Cap’n Pete’s” treasure chest receives all the loot and bragging rights as “First Buccaneers of the Beach!” The chest will be overflowing with doubloons, medals, and a trophy to proudly display for all their friends!
Participants should be prepared to walk a lot and must begin the Trek by 7:30pm to qualify for prizes.
A trophy will also be awarded to the Best Dressed Pirate, so put on your pirate "finery" and strut your stuff to win the grand prize!

When arriving at the Pirate Party on the Beach, beware of those scurvy scallywags, The Moody Crewe. These pirate re-enactors will be posing for photographs, singing sea shanties, and demonstrating swordplay! Don’t worry, though! The Moody Crewe loves landlubbers, and this merry band of pirates will entertain as well as educate!
Bring your beach chair or blanket and settle down for a special viewing of the movie “Hook” at 8:30pm. Directed by Steven Spielberg, this family favorite stars Robin Williams, Dustin Hoffman, and Julia Roberts. A variation on the original, with Robin Williams playing a modern-day dad forced to confront his priorities, the story is still the same. When Capt. Hook kidnaps his children, an adult Peter Pan must return to Neverland and reclaim his youthful spirit in order to challenge his old enemy.
“Hook” will be shown on the beach on a giant inflatable screen.
Pirate Party on the Beach is a FREE event.

The Crab is King at this one-of-a-kind event that’s fun for the whole family! The Mid-Atlantic Hermit Crab Challenge will be held at the Virginia Beach Oceanfront on the beach at 30th Street from 10:00am-2:00pm on Saturday, July 11, 2009.
Registration begins at 9:30am and all participants must be registered by Noon in order to race.
Preliminary hermit crab races lead to the Crustacean 500, where the winner is awarded the “Order of the Mercury Claw” trophy. Crabs race on a specially-designed circular track, where all the “crabtestants” are placed in the center. At the sound of the starting horn, crabs scurry to the outer ring of the track. Whichever claw crosses the line first wins.

It’s the survival of the “crabbiest!”
Along with the Crustacean 500 race, participants may enter the Miss Curvaceous Crustacean Beauty Pageant. At the pageant, hermit crabs are presented in uniquely-decorated displays and judged on beauty and creativity. Hermit crab owners are encouraged to build a unique display for their crab. Past winners have included themed entries like “Spider Crab,” “Hermit the Hulk,” “Beauty and the Crab,” and “Pirates of the Crabibbean!” Aside from 1st, 2nd, And 3rd Place winners, special trophies are also awarded for the Friendliest Crab, Biggest Crab, Shyest Crab, Most Unique Crab Display, Prettiest Crab Shell, Most Athletic Crab, and Most Traveled Crab.
Approximately 300 hermit crabs participate in the Mid-Atlantic Hermit Crab Challenge each year. Many of these come from out of state just to be with us!ALL participants will receive a medal for being a part of the Mid-Atlantic Hermit Crab Challenge.

There are no fees for entering the Mid-Atlantic Hermit Crab Challenge; the event is free for both participants and spectators.
All participants are encouraged to arrive by 10:00am to begin the registration process.

Is it just me....

....or does THIS sound like a dream come true?? Detergent, softener, AND anti-static stuff all in the same handy sheet?? No more spills, bulky bottles, etc. If anybody out there's tried it, let me know what you think!

Movies under the stars!

The first family movie of the season, under the stars in the park at Mount Trashmore in Virginia Beach. Special free pre-movie family activities and movie snacks for sale. Movie starts at dusk. Free admission & on-site parking.
Bring a lawn chair or blanket, relax, and enjoy this animated film about Barry B. Benson (voice by Jerry Seinfeld) as a graduate bee fresh out of college who is disillusioned at his lone career choice: making honey. On a rare trip outside the bee hive, Barry’s life is saved by Vanessa (voice by Renee Zellweger), a florist in New York City. As their relationship blossoms, he discovers humans are mass consumers of honey and subsequently decides to file a class action lawsuit against the entire human race for stealing bees’ honey.

I'm giving you an early 'heads up'!

Slip on the flip flops and head to any one of the 36 Tropical Smoothie cafes in Hampton Roads for a FREE treat!

Each year on June 19th, National Flip Flop Day, stop by any Tropical Smoothie Café wearing flip flops and we'll help you kick off summer with a FREE 24 oz. Jetty Punch Smoothie! (limited to first 500 customers)