Deals, Steals and Group Buying Power

Who doesn't like to save a few bucks, and even better yet save mucho bucks. With the plethora of group buying sites cropping up on the web you can save anywhere from 30%-80% on 5-star hotels, luxury brand items, or local eateries and activities. For those of you that may be wondering "what is the catch" so far I have not found one as long as you pay attention to the fine print and the expiration dates. To date I have enjoyed huge discounts on clothing, shoes, trying new places to eat and a white water rafting trip to Maine with friends -- all purchases I was very happy with and got a little extra "happy" from the savings in my wallet!

Check out some of the most popular discount and group buying websites:

Rue La La is a great shopping destination for everything from clothing, luggage, cutlery, shoes, vacations, gifts, and really the list just goes on!

Ideeli if you are looking for designer labels, jewelry, candles, linens, housewarming gifts, deals on Zagat rated eateries you will find it on Ideeli.

Get Sugar offers local deals on services and merchandise from some of the Boston area's best spas, salons, stores and businesses.

SWIRL by DailyCandy offers great deals through the newsletter site Daily Candy. It's a place to buy clothes and accessories at up to 80% off from already known designers and buzz-worthy fashion-world newbies.

Buy With Me uses a "power in numbers" approach with local merchants to get us deals that often seem to good to be true. They offer a new deal everyday and you typically have about a week to make up your mind before the deal runs out.

Tippr is a newer website offering local deals utilizing collective buying. What sets Tippr apart is that they offer additional incentives if the deal of the deal of the day sells over their expectations, you the buyer get a nice little added bonus to the deal. Who doesn't like a little extra?

Living Social offers one fantastic deal every day with discounts of up to 90% at local restaurants, bars, spas, theaters, and more.

Groupon was the first group-buying power site that I came across last year and have been a fan ever since. Groupon offers local deals that allow us to enjoy the great things in our community, such as restaurants, salons and spa, sports, music, local tourist attractions, etc. You just might consider skydiving if you can try it as 80% off....why the heck not!

(If I have left any out, please feel free to leave a comment, share, share and share alike)

Beauty Junkie

I cannot pass a beauty counter without being lured in by all the pretty colors and lovely smells. When it comes to glosses, lotions and potions the term "less is more" does not exist in my world. This is not to say you will find me wearing blue eyeshadow and hot pink lipstick to the grocery store, but I do have an abundance of products to choose from in my beauty arsenal.

As a self-professed beauty junkie, I thought I would share five of my favorite summer picks:

1. I am crazy in love with Moroccan Oil for so many reasons, but I will try and narrow it down to a few. First, none of their products are tested on animals or use animal products. Second, not only do the products make your hair look amazing, but they also help to strengthen and protect the hair. All of their products are alcohol free, smell fantastic, are light enough to use in the summer and ....well you get the idea. I am a big fan.

2. I have been on an epic search for the perfect foundation. Having combination skin makes it difficult to find a foundation that provides decent coverage without making my face look and feel like an oil slick by 3pm, especially during Boston summers where the humidity hangs around 80%. Enter Stila's One Step Makeup! This is my new favorite beauty purchase this month. The fantastic product is a primer, concealer, powder and foundation all in one lovely bottle. The Stila Blog says that "the one step makeup is a must have for anyone looking for perfected skin in seconds! the four in one formula saves times and makes anyone’s skin look fantastic" and I would have to agree with this wholeheartedly. I am totally hooked.

3. Who doesn't love long, curly, flirty eyelashes? I don't know any women that don't want gorgeous long lashes, but we could do without the raccoon eyes in the morning. It seems that no matter how much you scrub (which is not good for your sensitive eye area) you just can't remove all the black from the night before. With Trish McEvoy High Volume Mascara you get all the benefits of mascara without the morning after raccoon eyes. This mascara has silicone tubes that form around each lash without smudging or flaking and each tube easily washes off with no left-over residue. I still get a kick out of seeing those little tubes in the sink....beauty technology. Love it.

4. Summer is not summer without bronzer and this year M.A.C has really outdone themselves with the To The Beach Cream Bronzer. Not only is the compact pretty, the bronzer is absolutely fool proof because it goes on lightly and evenly and you build the color as light or dark as you want. You can use it all over your face for a just left the beach sun-kissed glow, or use it as a blush or a high-lighter. This is a limited edition product and most likely will not be available for much longer. I have been using it for a few weeks and plan on buying another compact to ensure I don't run out, who said we can't be sun-kissed in December.

5. During the winter months I only wash my hair 2-3 times a week, but in the hot summer months I tend to spend a lot more time outdoors -- playing sports, swimming, exploring the city and well...sweating. All of these activities force me to wash my hair almost daily, which is, as The Gloss will attest, damaging to your hair and scalp. I went to my local Sephora and explained my predicament to a hair product specialist and she sent me home with Ojon Ultra Hydrating Conditioner. This is an ultra-rich daily conditioner that is fortified with Ojon oil, shea butter and sweet almond protein. My hair has been healther, happier and smelling delicious ever since adding this fantastic product to my daily routine.

Have a beautiful sun-kissed summer. Enjoy.

Boston on a Budget

We keep reading that the economy is bouncing back, but for some -- the bounce back might be a little slower than we would like.

However, it is summer and who doesn't want to have a little fun in the sun with friends and family. If you want to enjoy your summer but are a little light in the wallet -- don't fret there are lots of fun and FREE things to do in and around the great city of Boston.

Here are 5 of my fun picks:

SOWA Open Market

Somerville Movie Fest

Free Target Thursday at the ICA

Boston Harbor Hotel Summer Series

Shakespeare on the Boston Common

and if you are looking for something fun to do this weekend you can check out Somerville Art Beat on Saturday July 16th and Sunday July 17th.

Enjoy your summer and having a little extra cash in your wallet!

Fried Chicken and Waffles

My husband and I went to Tupelo in Cambridge for brunch with a friend this morning. Although we have had dinner at Tupelo -- this was our first time trying brunch. There were so many yummy sounding items on the menu to choose from that our friend and I decided to share two meals to make the decision a little easier. She ordered the Fried Chicken and Waffles with Burbon Maple Syrup and Spiced Cream and I had the Smoked Sausage and Roasted Veggie Hash with Scrambled Eggs, French Bread and jalapeño aioli.

Normally scrambled eggs are, well, scrambled eggs....but at Tupelo they are the fluffiest, most lovely eggs that I have ever had (yes eggs can be lovely). The Fried Chicken and Waffles were fantastically delicious and as someone who does not enjoy bourbon in spirit form -- I was surprised how much I enjoyed the bourbon maple syrup.

If you are looking for a healthy brunch I would not recommend Tupelo (the only healthy part of my plate was the watermelon slice served on the side.) If you are looking for a place to indulge your taste buds with interesting southern-style food with a twist and incredibly friendly service, you will be well-served at Tupelo