The Basement of the Bargains

It’s Leap…day? I’m not certain there’s an agreed-upon name for it, but it’s February 29th, a day that only appears once every four years. That’s great news if you’re looking for extra way to save money, because retailers like to celebrate this day more than anyone who wasn’t born on it.

Let’s take a quick look at some of the extra-special savings available just for today.

Bluefly.com is having a big one-day blowout on literally hundreds - possibly thousands - of designer clothes and accessories. They’re taking as much as 65% off the regular prices and including free shipping.

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Coffee, that sweet nectar of life! Let us celebrate it as it deserves.

This gorgeous set of three canvas prints showcases vintage advertising art of three popular European coffee brands. The attractive lines will grace any wall, and the bright colors will perk you right up, even while you wait for your coffee to brew.

Best of all, if you order them from Smart Bargains, you’ll get them at a great deal. Available elsewhere at $349.00, Smart Bargains has the set for just $219.99 for a savings of 36%!

What’s more, if you place an order for more than $100.00 exclusive of shipping charges and taxes by 2:59AM EST 2/29/08, and you will receive a gift card worth $20.00 off your next purchase.

Folks, that ain’t beans!

Looking for a great new belt to spruce up your wardrobe? This one from Coldwater Creek caught my eye right away.

The soft, neutral color scheme will go with a wide variety of blouses, pants, skirts, sweaters, and dresses. It’s 1 1/2 inches wide and available up to size 22.

Originally priced at $49.00, it’s now marked down to a mere $13.99. That’s thirteen dollars and ninety-nine cents! Where are you going to find a belt this nice for less than fifteen dollars? Where did I put my credit card?

There’s nothing like the feel of a good piece of glassware in the hands. I love a solid glass with an elegant line to it. So imagine my delight when I ran across these lovely La Rochere tumblers at Overstock.com.

Each 12 oz. tumbler features a pressed design of a Napoleonic bee. Sturdy enough to use every day, and dishwasher safe, these glasses are more than handsome enough to fit in at a dinner party, too.

Best of all, the set of six glasses is now available for just $45.99. That’s 29% off the original retail price of $65.00.

Do you travel a lot for work or play? Are you in a close relationship that straddles two or more time zones? Is your heart in Paris while your body is stuck in Lompoc? If any of these situations seems familiar, or if you just like unusual timepieces, this handsome Skagen dual-time watch may be the one for you.

While it’s designed for men, the sleek style would flatter wrists on many women as well. It’s also water resistant to 30 meters/100 feet.

This watch retails for $115.00. But you can get it from Watchzone.com for just $74.52. I think that makes it time for a new watch. Don’t you?

Sometimes beauty and function mesh perfectly, as they do in this spectacular metal mesh evening bag by Whiting & Davis.

The look is elegant, the 6 1/2″ x 7 1/2″ size will take care of your practical needs without extra bulk, and the 18 1/2″ strap can be worn across the body for hands-free ease.

HSN originally carried this perfect accessory for $110.00. Right now, though, they have it on sale for a mere $70.00! That’s right. A Whiting & Davis mesh evening bag for only $70.00. Don’t miss this incredible deal!

One of the prettiest flowers is also one of the most delicate and shortest-lived. The cherry blossom is celebrated in Japan as a sign that spring will soon be here. They don’t last long, though.

But there is one way to keep their beauty with you all year long.

This handsome cherry blossom pin is covered in crystals that will catch the light as you move everywhere you go. What’s more, Nordstrom has dropped the price from $148.00 down to jut $98.00.

If you haven’t started putting together your spring wardrobe, now’s the time. One great place to start for nice basics at a good price is The Gap.

This cute yoked blouse comes in three attractive colors. Sizes range from XS to XXL, and it’s available in petite and tall sizes as well as regular. Its simple lines make it tremendously versatile, too. Whether you wear it under a jacket at the office, or over jeans at the park, you’ll look superfantastic.

Best of all, you’ll do it at a bargain. Originally priced at $39.50, it’s been placed on sale at a thrifty $29.50.

Amazon.com is having a huge sale on HD DVDs right now. Save 50% on great titles like Apollo 13, Shaun of the Dead, or Pride and Prejudice. Or get one of my personal favorites, 12 Monkeys.

Any artist will tell you that good tools are important to getting the effect you’re trying for. This is just as true of makeup as it is of paintings. Good brushes, however, can quickly take a huge bite out of your budget.

Unless, of course, you know where to shop for them.

This gorgeous 10 piece makeup brush set features mahogany handles and genuine badger bristles that are softer than sable, and comes with a handy carrying case. Each handle has a painted label identifying its intended purpose. The included brushes are:

* Powder dome brush
* Flat bronzer brush
* Angle blush brush
* Brow lash groomer brush
* Pro Spoolie brush
* Deluxe oval shadow brush
* Oval foundation brush
* Round tapered crease brush
* Taklon angle liner brush
* Oval taklon lip brush

If you bought this set at full retail price, you’d pay about $96.00. But if you get it now from overstock.com, you’ll pay just $59.95 for this professional quality set. That will leave you an extra $36.00 to spend on the perfect shades of eyeshadow, blush and lipstick.

In fact, you can probably find your makeup at a bargain at overstock.com, too.