The Basement of the Bargains

Tax rebate checks are winging their ways across the country. On average, single Americans will be receiving $600.00 in order to stimulate the economy. President Bush has said that saving that money won’t help, nor will paying down debts. Therefore, I’m here to help us all do our patriotic duty to find a good way to spend this windfall. Of course, I believe firmly that just because we’re stimulating the economy doesn’t mean we can’t do so through finding good deals.

So how do you spend $600.00 and still save? I thought you’d never ask.

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I’m usually not that crazy about hyper-specialized cookware for things that can be easily produced another, simpler way. After all, when I want a humble cup of hot chocolate, it’s easy enough to simply whip out a decent saucepan, heat the sugar, cocoa powder and spices (I like to add cinnamon, cloves, and a dash of vanilla extract to deepen and intensify the flavor) with a dollop of water, then add some milk and pour it into a waiting mug as soon as it’s properly heated. Who needs a fancy special pot for making something that simple?

Looking at this handsome Mauviel hot chocolate pot, I think I just might.

It’s made of heat-responsive copper with an elegantly-turned ash handle so it’s well-nigh impossible to burn yourself. You can choose whether you prefer the natural copper color or the version with chrome plating (as shown).

And while my little saucepan will probably continue to be my ‘hot chocolate pot’ of choice when it’s just for me, the 25 oz. capacity of this beauty as well as its attractiveness makes it perfect for when the gang’s all there wanting cocoa. This pot would make that an event.

Best of all, since it’s not really hot chocolate season right now, the pot is on a killer sale at Williams-Sonoma. The copper version was originally priced at $170.00 and the chrome-plated one at $199.95. But you don’t need to pay that much. Right now you can get your choice as an internet special for just $79.99.

And remember, that dash of clove makes all the difference.

If you’re heading to the beach or a picnic or a garden party or an outdoor wedding, one thing you will absolutely need is a superfantastic hat to keep the sun out of your eyes and protect your skin from harmful UV rays. Oh, and to look spectacular, of course.

This Missoni wavy striped sunhat should fill the bill nicely for lounging by the pool or frolicking on the beach with equal aplomb. The cool shades of aqua and green are perfect for waterside fun, but if you don’t care for those colors, it’s also available in pink and chocolate.

Best of all, it’s available at a bargain price from NET-A-PORTER.COM. Originally priced at $420.00, it’s now marked down to just $210.00. Half off a Missoni original? That’s what I call a bargain!

In the normal course of events, I leave all questions of footwear to The Manolo’s superior talents. He is the expert, the master, and the tastemaker. I am but his loyal minion.

Today, however, comes a sale that I cannot pass up and cannot fail to inform you of, and that sale happens to be a gigantic one-day shoe sale at Bluefly.com. Both men’s and women’s shoes are available at a fraction of the original price, and even of Bluefly’s usual discount prices. Shoes like these superfantastic Stuart Weitzman bejeweled Cuando evening sandals.

The combination of elegant black peau de soie with rhinestones and amber-colored beads is timeless with a twist. Delicate yet bold, and just a tiny touch sassy, these sandals would be superfantastic at any formal event.

Best of all, they’re on sale, remember? The retail price on these beauties is $375.00. Bluefly usually sells them for $225.00, which is a great deal. Just for today, however, they are marked down to $112.99! That’s 70% off the retail price and more than $100.00 off the Bluefly bargain price!

Not in the market for evening sandals? Not to worry. There are literally hundreds of fabulous flats, pretty pumps, bitchin’ boots, wonderful wedges, and superfantastic slides available at bargain basement prices from all your favorite shoe designers. Sizes and stock are limited on some of these, so I’d recommend moving fast.

Murano glass has a magic all its own. The rich colors, the elegant swirling patterns, the exuberance…there’s nothing quite like a piece of Murano glass.

This handsome hand blown heart pendant features a glorious swirl of copper on a classic black background. The eighteen inch cord is comprised of ten strands of tiny black glass beads and secures with a lobster claw clasp. It would make a versatile and attractive addition to any jewelry wardrobe.

Best of all, it’s an amazing deal! The suggested retail price for this beauty is $325.00, but you don’t have to pay anywhere near that much. That’s because Overstock.com has it for just $67.49! That’s 79% off the original price!

Sometimes a purse needs more than anything else to be fun. Take this charming clutch by Kate Spade.

Made of wicker trimmed with bright yellow leather and 14k gold hardware, this purse makes me smile when I look at it.

Of course, a purse does need to carry something, and this one is guaranteed to hold at least a cell phone, a small wallet and a lipstick. And hey, what more does a girl need most of the time? Oh, that’s right: that smile we were talking about.

Originally priced at $225.00, Nordstrom has marked it down to just $149.90…and that’s another great reason to smile.

It’s fun to look around YOOX.com. They have lots of designer clothes and accessories for remarkably low prices. Then every now and again, they slash their already low prices on something superfantastic!

This fun bag by CAFe NOIR is perfect for those days when you don’t need to carry a lot, but do need a way to carry it all. The compact size makes it convenient, and the adjustable, optional shoulder strap makes it a cinch to carry even when your hands are otherwise full. The velveteen bag with its bright floral pattern is trend-perfect for the season, while the faux crocodile embossing on the flap adds a touch of timelessness.

Originally, YOOX carried this for the low, low bargain price of $194.00, but they’ve slashed the price tag even more. Now it’s just $78.00. Not bad at all.

Sometimes you just need a bit of sparkle on your finger. Sometimes you need the sparkle on more than one finger. And sometimes you need a whole lot of sparkle on one finger.

Whichever the case, you can solve the problem with this colorful set of five gemstone rings. You get one oval purple amethyst, one oval opal, one round blue topaz, one square peridot, and one round garnet all set in sterling silver.

In all, that’s five ways to dress up your hands.

The retail price on this set would be $100.00, but if you head over to Smart Bargains, you can get all five for just $49.99. That’s half off, and what’s more, they can guarantee delivery by Mother’s Day.

When I wake up in the morning for my daily dose of caffeine, I like a bit of whimsey with it. So imagine my delight when I ran across these delightful cup and saucer sets whilst browsing the Gevalia website.

Have your coffee or tea in high style from the Mona Lisa or the work of Claude Monet. The VanGough, alas! appears to be gone forever. And I have a particular fondness for those irises.

A set of two cups and saucers in your choice of design was originally $42.95. Now, however, you can toast the art world from a great work of art for just $22.95. Or, if you want just one, it’s now $14.95, marked down from $21.47.

At last I think I’ve found a replacement for my greatly mourned American Gothic coffee mug that sadly met its demise a few months ago. Oh, Mona? Want to come have coffee with me?

Everyone knows that Bluefly.com carries designer clothes, jewelry, handbags, and so on, but some of you might not be aware that they also carry a wide variety of great deals on household items as well. I decided to take a spin through their housewares section this morning and lo and behold, lookie what I found!

These lucious leather nesting trays with white wooden frames by Vera Wang will look fabulous for serving drinks or just gracing your kitchen. Not wild about the green? That’s okay. They also come in a delicious shade of blue.

The retail value on these trays is $140.00 for the set of two. Of course, since you know where to shop, you can get a much better deal. How does $84.00 a set grab you? 40% off always sounds like a great deal to me!