Foodie Friday: Juice for All

I’m a juice-aholic. By now, this is a well-known fact among my friends, and I receive requests for juice cleanse recommendations on the regular – I’d say about once per month.

Even if it doesn’t feel like it, Spring has sprung, and Summer is JUST around the corner! I noticed today that there are a ton of juice cleanse sales on all of our favorite daily deal sites, so I thought I’d do all you healthy-minded New Yorkers a favor and put the top ones all in one place:

Cleanses I’ve Tried

1. Cleanse:Jus By Julie

The deets:

•          $99 ($200 value) for a 3-day juice cleanse + meal plan
•          $175 ($350 value) for a 3-day juice cleanse for you and a friend + meal plans

Where to buy: Get it on LivingSocial

Thoughts: This is my favorite juice cleanse. I had a customer service snafu once, but they reached out and compensated with a free 1-day cleanse. The juices are so tasty, and they have puree in them, so you’re still getting some fiber and protein, and you don’t feel as hungry (or in some cases hungry at all) while cleansing.

2. Cleanse: Liquiteria

The deets:

•          “Juice, Eat, Repeat” $79 ($99 value): Four cold-pressed juices per day for three days (12 juices total)
•          Level One Cleanse: “Explore & Nourish” $118 ($147 value): Six cold-pressed juices per day for three days (18 juices total)
•          Level Two Cleanse: “Restore & Energize” $118 ($147 value): Six cold-pressed juices per day for three days (18 juices total) – same deal as level one, but different juices
•          Level Three Cleanse: “Deep Dive & Heal” $160 ($200 value): Seven cold-pressed juices per day for three days (21 juices total); One coconut water per day (three total)
•          All cleanses come with One-on-one coaching session with an expert cleanse coach. They basically walk you through the cleanse and answer any questions when you pick up your juices

Where to buy: Get it on Gilt City

Thoughts: The “Juice, Eat, Repeat” is awesome for juicing rookies! Juice all day and have a nice raw dinner – it leaves you feeling so refreshed! I really like Liquiteria, but you have to pick this cleanse up in person, so it takes a little extra prepping. They have three locations: Liquiteria Chelsea, Liquiteria East Village, or Union Square

Other Available Cleanses

1. Cleanse: The Squeeze

The deets:

•          $119 for a three-day juice cleanse ($177 value)
•          $235 for a six-day juice cleanse ($354 value)

Where to buy: Get it on GroupOn

Thoughts: I haven’t tried The Squeeze yet, but maybe I will!  This is another ‘pick-up only’ cleanse. There are three locations: Battery Park City, Hell’s Kitchen, and Union Square

2. Cleanse: beQu Juice

The deets:

•          $45 for a one-day juice cleanse (a $76 value)
•          $75 for a two-day juice cleanse (a $152 value)
•          $115 for a three-day juice cleanse (a $229.99 value)

Where to buy: Get it on GroupOn

Thoughts: I haven’t tried beQu yet either, but here are some additional details from GroupOn: Recipients receive a supply of six bottles for each day of their cleanse, which includes three lemonade and three sweet greens juices that can be alternated throughout the day. Shipping is not included in this deal; beQu Juice will confirm delivery dates by email. Based on this, I would look up cost of shipping before buying!

NYC Gifts from Fab.com – Make the City Your Valentine

Valentine’s Day is tomorrow, and for the procrastinators like myself, the dreary weather forecast is not boding well for our last-minute gifting. Though I’m sure that stores will be open in the city that never sleeps. City schools are open today, which pretty much dictates that NYC will be business as usual.

But, in a city of convenience it is all the more tempting to stay warm and cozy as the snow inches pile up. It’s looking very possible that cards will be homemade, and IOUs might be issued (in the form of printed online shopping confirmations, of course).

Fab.com has your back though. With fast shipping options, maybe your gift will make it to your Valentine by the end of the weekend (or sooner?). And with their adorable selection of NYC-centric gifts (swoon), I’m considering making myself my second Valentine. I’m super forgiving for late presents, especially of the NYC persuasion.

Here are some great gift ideas for your NYC lovers:

Cityscape Umbrella

New York City Steel Cut Map by Cut Maps

I Love NY More Than Ever Print by Milton Glaser

New York Magazine by Milton Glaser

New York Coaster Set by Common Rebels

New York JFK Tee by Pilot & Captain

I’m personally loving the umbrella and the steel cut map, for all of my Valentines out there. Stay warm and happy shopping!

Monday Motivation: Transitioning Back to Reality

It’s Monday! This is likely one of the most difficult Mondays of the year, as we get over the long Thanksgiving and Black Friday weekend. Our bellies full and our wallets empty, it’s time to get back to work, and back to the daily grind.

Image via Pinterest

I personally have thrown routine out the window lately, and after a long-weekend vacation in Montreal followed by the long holiday weekend, I am ready to reintroduce things like the gym, smoothies, and a normal sleep schedule back into my life.

Here are some links from around the web that are helping motivate me – from jumping back on the treadmill to getting the ball rolling on my holiday shopping:

Image via marthastewart.com

• I had this healthy smoothie for breakfast this morning. Did you know that yogurt plus oatmeal equals a complete protein? Mine was a little too thick, but still oh so good.

• Looking for creative ways to finish up those turkey day leftovers? The Pioneer Woman Ree Drummond has you covered with some inspiring leftover turkey recipes 

• Self magazine always has my back when I’m feeling less than motivated at the gym. I think they read my mind when they pinned these 10 boredom-busting treadmill workouts on Pinterest yesterday

• Cyber Monday shopping? The ladies at Fabulessly Frugal are blogging sales as they come in. Most of the retail sales on my list are here, but visit their Cyber Monday tab for more deals

Image via skinnytaste.com

• And JUST in time for the holidays, Gina Homolka of skinnytaste.com has a recipe for Skinny Cranberry Bliss Bars that I must try. These were my favorite holiday treat back when I worked at Starbucks, many eons ago

In conclusion, this Cyber Monday I am keeping the coffee flowing, and I have my gym bag packed and ready for tonight. I am motivated! How about you?

Kate Spade Saturday is Here

You can finally shop Kate Spade Saturday

Today I was going to air my frustrations with Kate Spade for stringing us along since October, awaiting the launch of their new lifestyle brand Kate Spade Saturday. I woke up today, looked at my iPhone before my eyes were even fully open (tell me you do this too), and to my excitement, the brand has finally launched. I am absolutely loving the half-circle bag in natural and anything in signature zig zag.

What do you think of Kate Spade Saturday? Happy shopping!

Sample Sales: Don’t put your wallet away yet!

Jordanna of The Fassionisette

Hi loves! I am still in San Diego, so Jordanna of The Fashionisette is dropping by to give you an update on some awesome holiday sales. After you get the sale scoop, hop on over to her blog to see what else is going on, or follow her on twitter for daily updates!

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I am thrilled to be guest posting on Christina Does today! If you were shopping this past holiday weekend, I hope you all got everything off of your list. For those that weren’t able to partake or missed out, there are still some pretty fabulous sales going. Don’t you just love the holidays?

Looking for clothes, shoes, or accessories? Check out these sample sales!

Be&D: Up to 70% off handbags, footwear, and belts!

Gucci’s sale is starting today. You can get 50% off women and men’s clothing and accessories. (here is the link to shop: http://private.gucci.com/us/)

Helmut Lang sample sale starts December 2^nd. All sizes tees, knits, dresses, outerwear, blazers, pants, and more will be sold. For more information on this upcoming sale, check out: http://www.clothingline.com/sales/current/

Botkier: enjoy 40%-75% off! Prices start $75 for wallets, $100 for handbags, and $100 for boots. Event ends today (9am-7pm). Location: 525 Broadway (at Spring St), 5th floor, New York, NY 10012.

 ECHO: get an assortment of women’s, men’s, and kids’ accessories and handbags for up to 60 percent off.

The event began yesterday, and runs through December 1.
Event times: Thu-Fri 8am-7pm; Sat 9am-5pm
Location: 75 Oxford Dr.
Moonachie, NJ 07074

Lafayette 148: grab designer pieces starting at 75% off retail. Petite and plus-sizes available.

Event ends today, and is open 9am-6pm.
Location: 148 Lafayette St
(btwn. Howard & Grand)
New York, NY 10013

Looking to decorate your home? Check out these sales!

This is an exclusive Christofle sample sale. Up to 70% off select flatware, hollowware, jewelry, and more.

Event begins: December 6
Event ends: December 9
Times: Thu 8am-7pm; Fr & Sat 10am-8pm; Sun 10am-3pm
Location: 225 5th Ave.
(Btwn 26th & 27th St)
New York, NY 10010

NEST: stock up on luxurious fragrances and personal care items pricing up to 75% below retail.

Event begins: December 4
Event ends: December 6
Times: Tue 9:30am-8pm; Wed 9:30am-7pm; Thu 9:30am-6pm
Location: 601 W.26th St.
(btwn. 11th & 12th Ave.)
(No. 1500)
New York, NY 10001

Happy shopping!

Anticipation is the Enemy

Waiting, waiting, WAITING. I am a very patient person on the regular day-to-day things, like dealing with difficult people, slow public transportation, etc. But, when it comes to waiting for something new, I am admittedly the worst. I find that anticipation is most jarring when you know that something is right around the corner, just about to happen. It can be agonizing.

Today that “something” is a UPS truck, and on it is my shiny new Panasonic LUMIX DMC-GX1 Digital Camera.

Image courtesy of B&H

I have been researching compact mirrorless interchangeable lens cameras (MILC), along with DSLRs for a couple of weeks now, and I finally landed on this guy. I’ve wanted to upgrade to something more professional than my iPhone or a point and shoot camera, and MILCs sit right in between point and shoots and DSLRs. Opinions on this vary with each person you talk to, and some pro photographers may scoff if they read this, but the GXL is just what I need. It is compact, and has all of the capabilities of a DSLR, it even takes the same lenses.

I am so excited to have this camera for my upcoming trip to Europe. At first I felt guilty buying myself such an expensive Christmas gift, but now I am just excited that I will be able to share my memories in a higher resolution…if only it would get here!

Did you buy yourself anything for the holidays? Leave me comments, I need  distractions while I wait for the man in brown! 

Ebates: Cash Back for Shopping Online

As shoppers everywhere prepare for battle, a.k.a. Black Friday and Cyber Monday, I feel a public service announcement is in order.

If you shop online, and you do not use Ebates, you are committing an enormous disservice to yourself!

No joke, Ebates is amazing. I know I’ve written about this gem before, but if you’re not familiar, allow me to explain. Ebates is a referrer website, where you can receive cash back for your online shopping.

Here is what you do:

1. Go to the Ebates website
2.  Log in and go to the search box in the top right part of the screen; type in the online retailer you would like to shop. I searched Sephora.
3. Ebates will show you how much cash back you can receive, and will also share any deals and discount codes that are available. Eight percent is pretty high, so it looks like it’s time to shop!
4. Click the orange button that says “Shop Now,” and Ebates will bring you to the retailer’s site, tracking what you buy so that they can award you cash back.

Ebates send you a check every quarter with the cash back you’ve earned. You can also receive the money via Paypal, or you can designate the money to a friend or charity. I have earned $170 cash back since joining Ebates in 2010, and this number would be much higher if I could remember to use Ebates every time I shop online. Cash back is even available for sites like Amazon.com, Ebay and Groupon.

For sitting through my soapbox speech, here is a little reward from Ebates and Smashbox:

 

After you sign up for Ebates, search for Smashbox and use code EBATES2012 to receive six percent cash back and an extra 25 percent off. Happy shopping!

Sale Alert: 20% Off Kate Spade Today and Tomorrow

Target + Neiman Marcus Holiday Collection #Holiday24

Fun news! Target and Neiman Marcus are teaming up to offer more than 50 products by 24 of today’s top designers of the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA), including Tory Burch, Tracy Reese,  rag & bone, Oscar de la Renta and Marc Jacobs – just to name a few, in honor of the CFDA’s 50^th anniversary.

Here are my favorites from the collection, which can be previewed on Target and Neiman Marcus‘ websites.

Images courtesy of Target

At the top of my wish list is the Lela Rose top, and I know we have more than enough barware already, but I would love to get the Altuzarra bar set.

Beginning December 1, there will be three ways to shop the collection: in stores at Target and Neiman Marcus, and online.

And since it is the season to be giving, both Neiman Marcus and Target will make a joint donation of $1 million to the CFDA, in support of the American design community.

Check out the hashtag #Holiday24 on twitter to follow news of the upcoming collection, and be part of the conversation.

What do you think of the collection? Any must haves? 

Happy shopping!

La Mer Watches for Under Fifty Dollars

Happy Election Day! If you haven’t gone out to vote yet – get to it! I’m personally one of the first people of this country to ever vote via email — NJ voters are able to do so due to displacement from the storm. Today marks my tiny footprint on American history.

I know that there are lots of important things to talk about today, what with natural disasters and Americans voting on who will lead the country for the next four years – but a work friend shared some frivolous news that I just cannot keep to myself. La Mer watches are available at Target.

I know, right? They’re just fabulous. While these puppies normally cost between $98-$188, the $39.99-$49.99 price point is a steal, and the quality appears to be a big step up from my lame knock-off that is admittedly falling apart on my wrist as I type.

I now know the first item on my Holiday wish list. Who’s with me? Would you wear this less expensive version of La Mer?