Save When Shopping At Home

In a previous blog, I talked about my disgust for tacky holiday decorations such as plastic wreaths, or for that matter anything plastic. It is my personal belief that the holidays shouldn't include plastic trees, fake snow, or any other tacky items. I've said it once, and I'll say it again: the holiday season is amateur hour in terms of decorating. The holidays to me are less about any religious beliefs, and more about the celebration of friends, family, and Winter. Having grown up in Boston, I have always had a love/hate relationship with Winter, and after years of dreading the cold months that followed Fall, I have finally accepted (and even look forward to) this peaceful season. Something about the crisp cold air, and the silence that comes in the night is very relaxing. While the Mercury doesn't drop below 45 in San Francisco, the ocean air will chill even the toughest East Coaster, making a heavy winter coat a necessity. Despite what some may think about California, it's not all palm trees and blonde babes running down a beach. San Francisco has a Winter that resembles any other city (minus the snow), and one can see trees lose their leaves and smell fireplaces roaring.

In celebration of this most hated season, I find myself drawn to home decor that pays homage to the essence of Winter, and the quiet hibernation that it brings. This Manzanita Candelabra is sculpted from a real Manzanita branch and features nickel plated aluminum. The bare branches adorned with candles is a festive yet elegant sight, and truly envokes the spirit of the season. While most retailers would
sell a piece like this for upwards of 0, West Elm is selling it for just . If a candelabra isn't on your list, West Elm's collection of home decor, furniture, and everything in between will have you covered. The home decor section is enough to make the worst scrooge throw the best and most chic holiday party. If shopping for inexpensive home goods wasn't reason enough to pay a visit, enjoy 3% cash back and free shipping on a vast selection of products. It's West Elm's way of saying Happy Holidays!

They say that good things happen to those who wait, and I suppose in many cases that statement is true. Take for example, my choice to wait to update my denim wardrobe. I have been in dire need of a new pair of jeans. I have my three go-to pairs that lately are starting to feel stretched out, worn in, and a little too loved. This can be a great thing for a pair of jeans; when they become almost molded to your body and look nearly as good as they feel. But these jeans, the loved and worn in ones, pass the threshold and move into a pile I fondly call �??weekend jeans.�?? I now have a closet full of those.

I was elated to find that Tobi is currently having a 30% off sale on everything site-wide. Usually, during promotions, coveted denim lines become an exclusion written into the fine print. Not today! Everything, except sale items and a couple of other lines (Commes des Garcones, A.P.C., etc.) is included. Shop the best of Women�??s contemporary fashion lines and also Men�??s as well. Enter code 30FORYOU at checkout and note that savings last today and Thursday, everything ships for free, and you get 5% cash back.

I am going to reward myself with a practical shopping choice: a new pair of J Brand Jeans - regularly 5 and now 5.50 with 5% cash back. I like the wash of these - it�??s the perfect balance between light (for fall and winter months) and dark. I also like the slits at the leg opening, the add something different to the style but remain basic enough to wear every day.

I have always been a creature of comfort. While some women wear sky-high heels and confining attire, I prefer low heeled shoes like cowboy boots, or moccasins. I have never been one to suffer for fashion so to say, and my love for all things comfortable often has me dressing in mannish clothing. Designer mannish, mind you, but mannish all the same. My wardrobe is like one perpetual Sunday, with casual flannel shirts, ripped denim, and rugged leather boots. I live in t-shirts such as this one by Kain Label.
Any dresses I own hang depressed and alone toward the back of my closet. With Winter being upon us their chance of seeing daylight doesn't seem any more likely, as I hate wearing stockings. Talk about uncomfortable.

It's not that I don't enjoy the thrills and frills of getting all gussied up, it's just that the effort seems overwhelming. Heels, belts, and bobby pins all make me want to run screaming for dear life. Perhaps that is a little over dramatic, but you get the point. It's as if there are two separate personalities fighting for a different look. There's Allie the laid back, no fuss chick. Then there's Allison, the well put together "Lady". The cure for this dual personality would be to hire a very expensive stylist who's job it was to tell me what to wear and how to wear it. Being that this form of mental help isn't covered by my insurance, I have had to take the do-it-yourself approach. At least in this case if one side wins, the other pays for a shopping trip, in which case both sides come out looking victorious. Confused? Keep reading.

After some self-styling therapy in which both sides argued very intensely, I concluded that I could have the best of both worlds by dressing in halves. No, I don't mean walking out of the house half naked, I mean dressing up either half, whether it be the top or the bottom. If, for example, my top half wanted a low key "t-shirt" kind of day, the bottom has to dress up, with say a dainty skirt. This Grace Sun Ruffle Skirt is a perfect example. It's flirty, dainty, and looks great with a t-shirt tucked in. The light silk ruffles of this skirt are a great contrast to my leather boots, making this piece not just pretty looking, but pretty smart as well. Originally priced at 2, this skirt is now only . Add 3% cash back, and not only have I satisfied my two quarreling halves, but I have also satisfied the much smaller "Do Not Shop" part of me. I have no idea who this side is, as I don't hear from her much.

What ideas do you conjure up when asked about hippies? Every generation has their stereotype of what a hippie is or looks like, and if you're around the age of my parents, then you would most likely think back to the Summer of Love, The Grateful Dead, or Janis Joplin. If you're from a younger generation, than anyone with dreads shopping at the organic co-op could be a tree hugging, non-showering hippie. Living in San Francisco can blur the line between what is authentic hippie-ism, and what is not. Over the past few years the fashion world has taken the hippie style and turned it into a mainstream, even trendy phenomenon. Luxe design houses such as Gucci have presented billowy floor length dresses, fringe leather pants, and paisley print tunics. Not only has dressing like a hippie looked so good, but it never cost this much either. The days of handmade, hand-me-down garments are all but gone. In it's place is what can only be described as hippie on a hanger fashion.

While I'm a sucker for vintage stores and finding authentic clothing from that bright, colorful era, I do admit there are some things that just can't be found not matter how much you dig, or how hard you try not to pass out from the stench of forty year old clothing. Just when I thought my luck was over, just when I had given up the chance of finding say, a fur vest, in stepped "Haute Hippie." This relatively new clothing line features oversized ponchos, beaded and embellished dresses, and this Maribou Fur Vest. Looking like it was taken off of Janis Joplin's back, this oversized vest is the essence of that era but with a slightly modern twist. Available in two colors it's warm, cozy, and an upgrade from the standard goose down vest. I found this at Nordstrom's where 6% Cash Back rules the day (or holiday season to be exact). Priced at 5, this is definitely an investment piece, but none the less will be the icing on the cake. If you're looking for a simpler way to channel peace and love, Haute Hippie has everything from basic tanks to black leggings. Check them out at Nordstrom and "make love not war".

As Bill mentioned in his post on Friday, the cash back checks are in the mail. In the spirit of the holidays, I would like to encourage you to take that money you have earned and do the right thing: stimulate the economy. Spoil yourself on a modest extravagance before the holidays go into full swing and you have to put yourself last on the list. That is why I am picking up a pair of these ridiculously cute or, cute and ridiculous fleece-lined sweater slippers from the Gap. They are only .50 with 6% cash back and they are available in an array of colors to match any pajama or lounge wear you may have. Go festive with red or winter white, winter-chic with oatmeal or tap into your teenage side and choose hot pink. Pick up a pair for someone on your list. You can erase the guilt you may suffer about buying for yourself this close to the holidays; and you can use the rest of your cash back towards gifts. It's the perfect compromise, because, really, you earned it.

I personally envision myself in a pair, wrapping Christmas gifts and listening to holiday music. It sounds like an advertisement for the Gap, but really, it's true. Then I will tempted to wear on a quick errand and ending up in an episode of What Not To Wear, as the hosts are shocked and appalled that as a professional woman who writes about fashion, I could commit such an error of judgment. But really, what's fashion sense without a faux pas or two? I promise, I will not let you down, and will wear these only within the comfort of my home. But it will be tempting…..

Everyone who knows Ebates knows that you can earn cash back on practically everything under the sun. From the delightful chaos of AndreasInc, to the blingin' storefront of Zales, we're one of the best ways to get money back from your everyday spending. But what about the more intangible aspects of your digital life? While Bill pointed out the great cash back opportunities to be had in our magazines category, another overlooked top-earner are our various software merchants tucked away in our Computers category!

While what they sell may not always be obvious by their title, buying direct from the software developers is a great way to both save money through Ebates, and make sure that your money goes right to the people that are responsible for making the software you love. Here are a handful of the 10+ software merchants with their sweet, sweet cash back savings!

Quicken (7% cash back) & QuickBooks (3% cash back)
As Benjamin Franklin once famously quipped, "In this world, nothing is certain but death and taxes." As April 2009 looms just a few months down the road, it's time to start getting your finances back into check. If you aren't on top of your expenditures all year long, how can you be sure all your precious money is going where it needs to be? And how will you be sure you're getting the most back from the government when tax time comes around? Quicken and Quickbooks make a great combo for anyone looking to get their finances in order, and will also save tons of money in the long run on expensive tax services. Start organizing today!

Adobe (6% cash back)
Many of us take for granted how much Adobe's software helps us every day. From the ubiquitous Adobe Flash and Shockwave multimedia programs that make websites like YouTube run, to the amazingly powerful Creative Suite that includes necessities like Photoshop, Dreamweaver, and Premier, you simply cannot deny the powerhouse that is Adobe. Considering that nearly every computer in the world runs at least one Adobe program, this is a great way to save on some everyday purchases with 6% cash back.

Nero (5% cash back)
Like burning your favorite CDs, DVDs, and Blu-Rays? Nero can help you do it better! With software dating back to the very first age of snail-paced CD recorders, Nero has been helping you put your files, movies, music, and more on discs for as long as you've been able to. With their newest Move-It and Liquid TV/TiVo software, they've opened up a whole new world of multimedia potential. Few programs out there match up to their eponymous software bundle, which includes practically every utility you'll ever need for creating disk images, copying discs, rewriting RW discs, and much, much more. Whether you're looking to upgrade to the latest software, or simply make your digital life a little easier, Nero will help you and save you 5% cash back!

Parallels (12% cash back)
Have a mac? Need a PC? Parallels is exactly what you're been waiting for. While Apple's included Boot Camp program is a nifty thing to have to see if you want to dual-boot both Mac and Windows, Parallels is the program that really makes it happen. Allowing you to freely switch between both operating systems at a drop of a hat, instead of having to restart to choose different operating systems and partitions, Parallels actually allows your Apple computer to live up to all of its powerful potential. Try it today; you won't be able to go back to Boot Camp ever again!

Transparent Language (10% cash back)
While there might be myriad language-learning software out there on the market, few match up to the simplicity and effectiveness of Transparent Language. With a wide rage of products ranging from KidSpeak, which lets your child play and learn with fun, native-speaking, foreign characters, to Byki Deluxe 4, which lets you perfect your accent with native speaker sound, test yourself, and take lessons with you on your iPod, Transparent Language is a great way for anyone to pick up over 50 languages. And, with 10% cash back, you'll save a phenomenal amount doing so!

Man! All these great software packages make me wish I had more time to play around with computers! I suppose the eight+ hours I spend poking around the internet would be enough for most, but I just can't get enough. If you can't find the product you're looking for on the list here (or tucked away somewhere else in our Electronics Category), try taking a peek at Nothing but Software; a website that does exactly what it implies. Have a wonderful weekend, everyone! Install something new for me!

Parisian culture is something that I have been obsessed with for as long as I can remember. For anyone familiar with Paris, it's not hard to understand why I would be in love with the city in which love began. Where else in the world are there so many iconic scenes? The winding cobblestone streets adorned with romantic cafes, the open markets ripe with the smell of fresh baked baguettes. Yes, if I was meant to be anywhere in the world it is Paris. However, being that I am très broke, I've had to find other ways to satiate my appetite for all things Parisian. Aside from French cuisine (which I indulge in daily via La Boulange), I have always had a fondness for classic French apparel, such as the beret.

I inherited my love for berets from my mother who wore them in her younger days. Nothing is as simple yet as beautiful than this classic headpiece. Beret's are perfect for all face shapes, and can be worn with practically everything. Not only do they add a touch of European sophistication, but they are perfect for hiding bad hair days, of which I have many. Because I wear them constantly, I have developed quite a collection
over the years, and If I ever find myself in need of a new one, I know Urban Outiftters will have me covered (no pun intended).

While many stores sell basic knit hats, Urban Outfitters carries an extensive collection of berets from classic wool to modern slouchy knit. This White Knit Beret is soft, ultra feminine, and comes in 7 colors. At just , it's a cheap way to accessorize. Keeping in mind that it will take cash, and not day dreams, to pay for my first trip to Paris, I'll be using the 2% cash back toward my traveler's fund. If only I could buy my morning croissant through Ebates. The cash back would be enough to book a first class flight, and instead of a cubicle, I would be writing this blog from a cafe on the Champs Elysee. Hey, a girl can dream.