Shop-O-Matic

Trader Joe's opens first Florida store in Naples

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 12:45:02 -0500

Naples residents waited in a line this morning just to get a first glimpse of the new Trader Joe’s grocery store which opened it’s first Florida location in Collier County today.

The popular grocery brand is known for it’s smaller, boutique-styled stores and upscale products that rival other organic or smaller brand grocers like The Fresh Market or Whole Foods.

Grocery stores are expanding in South Florida. Whole Foods plans to open a new Pembroke Pines store in the coming months, and The Fresh Market opened it's first east Broward store in Fort Lauderdale on Feb. 1.

Trader Joe’s has no plans of expanding into Broward, Miami-Dade or Palm Beach counties as of yet. But local Palm Beach officials are petitioning to bring the popular grocer to the East Coast side of South Florida.

West Palm Beach's Downtown Development Authority has begun production on a marketing film called “What would I trade for Trader Joe’s,” where city officials will give up precious items in return for a grocery store opening in downtown Palm Beach.

The Monrovia, Calif., chain has 365 stores in 31 states, the Naples store being the first in Florida.

Want to request a South Florida Trader Joe’s location?Click here to send a store request.

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Buy one, get one free Lenox, Fiesta, Noritake placesettings at Macy's

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 09:23:56 -0500

Buy one, get one free casual dinnerware placesettings from nearly 100 famous makers in a blowout sale at Macy's.

Buy one four-piece set and get another for free in hot patterns by Fiesta Dinnerware, Lenox, Noritake, Martha Stewart, Mikasa, Dansk, Villeroy & Bosh and more. You'll also get 10 percent off your order, too.

Pick up a service for eight for less than $29.

Click here for the deal. Use code LOVE at checkout to save 10 percent.

Three ways to keep up with the latest deals: "Like" our Sentinel Deals page on Facebook; follow Doreen Christensen on Twitter@PrettyGoodIdeas and sign up for Deals text alerts.

Free online dating at Chemistry.com through Sunday

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 09:01:04 -0500

If you're looking for a sweetheart for Valentine's Day, check out the online dating service Chemistry.com's free communication weekend offered through Sunday, Feb. 12.

Take the free Chemistry Personality Test and then starting looking for your perfect match -- for free.

Click here for the deal. Since it's free, you've got nothing to lose!

Three ways to keep up with the latest deals: "Like" our Sentinel Deals page on Facebook; follow Doreen Christensen on Twitter@PrettyGoodIdeas and sign up for Deals text alerts.

Free Valentine's Day gifts at Bath & Body Works party on Saturday

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 07:21:04 -0500

Get a free gift with purchase at Bath & Body Works Valentine's Day party on Saturday, Feb. 11. Also we have coupons for freebies!

Put on some pink for the party from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in stores and get a free gift valued at $11 with any $10 Signature Collection purchase.

Also, send your BFF a BBW Valentine through Facebook along with a coupon good for a free travel size Signature Collection item valued at $5. Share on your wall to get the coupon, too.

If you miss the party on Saturday, we also have a coupon good on Sunday for a free $14 Fine Fragrance Mist with any $10 purchase; it's good Sunday thorugh Feb. 29.

Click here for the deal.

Three ways to keep up with the latest deals: "Like" our Sentinel Deals page on Facebook; follow Doreen Christensen on Twitter@PrettyGoodIdeas and sign up for Deals text alerts.

It's Freebie Friday! You'll ♥ our sweet list of free stuff and coupons

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 06:51:00 -0500

It's Freebie Friday! That means it's time for another edition of our fabulous freebie free-for-all! With Valentine's Day coming up on Tuesday, we've got some sweet deals on our sweetheart of a list of free product samples and coupons for shopping savings at stores and restaurants.

Three ways to keep up with the latest deals: "Like" our Sentinel Deals page on Facebook; follow Doreen Christensen on Twitter@PrettyGoodIdeas and sign up for Deals text alerts.

Free It's a 10 Miracle Leave-In Conditioner at GBS Beauty on Friday, Feb. 10
Save $10 each on gas and Amex Gift Cards at Publix through Wednesday
Propose on Valentine's Day with Pizza Hut $10 Dinner box
Coupon: Buy one, get one free Hallmark Valentine's cards, gift wrap and supplies at Publix
Free Krispy Kreme doughnuts for your sweethearts when you buy a dozen
Send free, animated Pillsbury Doughboy Valentine's e-greetings
Coupon: Free makeup bag with $25 purchase at Victoria's Secret; expires Feb. 14
Free href="http://blogs.trb.com/features/consumer/shopping/blog/2012/02/free_redbox_movie_rental_on_va.html"target="new">Redbox movie rental on Valentine's Day
Free gas, free ticekts to Monster Jam in Miami Gardens on Friday
Coupon: Free dessert on Valentine's Day at Boston Market
Coupon: Free cookie on Valentie's Day at Quiznos
Free 1-pound box of Fannie May Chocolates with purchase ($24.99 value)
Free Mr. Food's "Treats for Sweetheart: 14 Valentine's Day Desserts eCookbook"
Join JC Penney Rewards to earn $10 gift certificate
Free samples of Breath Right Nasal Strips
Free beauty gifts on your birthday
Free meals and treats on your birthday
Free tax filing from H.R. Block
Coupon: $10 off $50 purchase at Old Navy; expires Feb. 22
Free printable "99 Diet Foods Shopping List" from Dr. Oz
Save $10 at Cheesecake Factory with American Express card
Walmart unveils new healthy food icon on products
Coupon: Buy two get one free at Yankee Candle; expires Feb. 20
Free Thai Basil Chicken entree at Pei Wei Asian Diner; expires Feb. 17
Free Beechnut Next Steps kit
Coupon: $3.50 off $10 at Ulta Beauty; expires Feb. 11
Jason Wu clothing line now available at Target
Coupon: $15 off $75 purchase at Old Navy; through Facebook; expires Feb. 16
PayPal debuts cardless checkout devices in The Home Depot
Meal deal: $5 for all footlongs at Subway in February
Appliance rebates: Broward, Miami-Dade counties offer $500,000 to residents through March
Sign up and save with mobile coupons from Jo-Ann Fabric, Kohl's, Macy's, Target and more
Free Maroon 5 tunes for Android from Google Music
Free federal taxes preparation from Jackson Hewitt at Walmart stores
Coupon: 15 percent off $100 at Banana Repupublic Factory Store; expires Feb. 29

Free It's a 10 Miracle Leave-In Conditioner at GBS Beauty on Friday, Feb. 10

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 05:45:36 -0500

Note to readers: GBS The Beauty Store is giving away the It's a 10 freebie on FRIDAY, Feb. 10, not Tuesday, as originally published.

This freebie is a perfect 10!

Get a free bottle of It's a 10 Miracle Leave-In Conditioner valued at $10 at South Florida GBS The Beauty stores on FRIDAY, Feb. 10. There is no purchase necessary

Visit a store from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday and flash your GBS Customer Benefit card to get the goods. If you don't have one, it's free to sign up for the card in the store.

Deerfield Beach-based It's a 10 Hair Care is giving away 10,000 bottles of this multi-tasking miracleworker as a thank to to South Florida customers who helped make it an international super seller.

Miracle Leave-In Conditioner does 10 hair chores with a few sprays: Repairs dry, damaged hair; adds shine; smooths and controls frizz; seals and protects hair color; detangles; prevents split ends; stops hair breakage; creates silkiness; enhances natural body and gives flat iron thermal protection.

Also, GBS is running a special now: Purchase It's a 10 Miracle Shampoo With Keratin and Miracle Conditioner With Keratin and get a free $24.95 bottle of Miracle Oil With Keratin.

Click here for the deal. Limit one bottle per customer, while supplies last.

GBS The Beauty Stores are located in Fort Lauderdale, Boca Raton, Aventura, Coral Gables and Pinecrest.

Free gas and meet Monster Jam Grave Digger in Miami Gardens on Friday

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 18:01:23 -0500

Get free gasoline and free tickets to Saturday's Monster Jam from 8 to 8:30 a.m. Friday in Miami Gardens to celebrate Grave Digger's 30th anniversary. Check out out all the mondo trucks and meet the drivers, too.

Stop by the Race Trac filling station at 20696 NW 27 Avenue in Miami Gardens, across from Sun Life Stadium, and get $10 in free gas per car along with a pair of tickets to Saturday's show.

Check out America's most famous monster trucks. At the top of the list is Grave Digger with driver Dennis Anderson and Son-uva Digger's Ryan Anderson, Madusa and El Toro Loco's Lupe Souza; bring your wide-angle camera.

The Monster Jam is at 7 p.m. Saturday at Sun Life Stadium.

Three ways to keep up with the latest deals: "Like" our Sentinel Deals page on Facebook; follow Doreen Christensen on Twitter@PrettyGoodIdeas and sign up for Deals text alerts.

Video: PayPal debuts cardless checkout devices in The Home Depot

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 10:06:07 -0500

Ever wish you could pay for items in a store without having to remember your wallet? PayPal is letting customers do just that.

PayPal, the online money transfer service used most often on Ebay, has developed it’s own brand of point of sale devices. The Home Depot was one of the first retailers to try out the new technology, which is available in 51 stores across the country.

Instead of having to swipe a credit or debit card, customers with PayPal accounts can just type in their mobile phone number and PayPal PIN code on the keyboard at the register to make purchases. A receipt is electronically sent to a customer’s email or cell phone.

PayPal also issues member their own cards, which can be swiped at pay stations like debit and credit cards.

The Home Depot stores in Atlanta, Omaha and the San Francisco bay area are using PayPal devices. Office Depot stores are also testing the pilot program.There are no plans to bring the PayPal point of sale devices to South Florida stores just yet.

“The expanded pilot is an important step forward in delivering on PayPal’s vision for the future of commerce, anytime, anywhere, any way,” said Don Kingsborough, Vice President of Retail and Prepaid Products for PayPal.

Customers can register to use the new PayPal technology by clicking here.

PayPal is developing more ways for customers to easily keep track of their “digital wallet.” Technology is in the works that will allow shoppers to store all gift cards and loyalty points electronically and automatically apply stored money and savings right at a point of sale device.

“Imagine purchasing an oversized item from the aisle and having it shipped directly to your house in a matter of clicks,” said Carey Kolaja, Senior Director of Emerging Opportunities for PayPal.

The company opened a pop up store in New York City to showcase some of it’s new technologies and devices in October.

Three ways to keep up with the latest deals: "Like" our Sentinel Deals page on Facebook; follow Justine Griffin on Twitter@SunBizGriffin and sign up for Deals text alerts.

Save $10 at Cheesecake Factory with American Express card

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 06:58:16 -0500

Get $10 back on $50 purchase at The Cheesecake Factory through American Express' Link, Like, Love program on Facebook.

To get the free money, securely link your eligible Amex card through the Facebook application on American Express' fan page and select the "add to card" button to load the paperless coupon. Then, pay your check with your synced Amex card and you'll get a $10 statement credit.

You must sync your account BEFORE you dine to get the credit. You also can link your card and check in using Foursquare, too.

Click here for the deal. The offer expires on March 31.

Three ways to keep up with the latest deals: "Like" our Sentinel Deals page on Facebook; follow Doreen Christensen on Twitter@PrettyGoodIdeas and sign up for Deals text alerts.

Save $10 each on gas and Amex Gift Cards at Publix through Wednesday

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 06:15:56 -0500

Publix again is offering $10 off a $50 gas card with any $25 grocery purchase beginning Thursday. The coupon is on Page 12 of this week's circular. Grab one as you enter the store.

There also is a $10 off a $100 American Express gift card coupon and another for buy one, get one free Hallmark Valentine's Day greeting cards, party supplies and gift wrap where you can save up to $9.99.

You can ony buy Shell and BP cards now that Hess has dropped out of the Publix gas card program. Are you still planning on buying the cards? Publix has said it is working to add more gas partners to the program.

If you do buy them, don't forget use a $5-off Publix or competitor coupons on your purchase and you'll save up to 40 percent because the gas card combined with your $25 purchase equals $75 so you can use those $5 off coupons.

The gas coupon is valid only in Miami-Dade, Broward Palm Beach, Martin, St. Lucie, Indian River, Okeechobee and Monroe counties starting Thursday through Feb. 15.

Three ways to keep up with the latest deals: "Like" our Sentinel Deals page on Facebook; follow Doreen Christensen on Twitter@PrettyGoodIdeas and sign up for Deals text alerts.

Video: Walmart unveils new healthy food icon on products

Wed, 08 Feb 2012 10:45:28 -0500

Walmart wants to make it easier for busy South Florida moms to create more healthful meals choices as they shop for bargains.

Walmart stores unveiled the “Great For You” icon at an event in Washington D.C. this week as a part of the company’s healthier food initiative, according to a news release. “Great For You” labels will appear on select Walmart Great Value and Marketside items and on fresh and packaged fruits and vegetables at Walmart stores nationwide by this spring.

The point of the icon, the news release said, is to help Walmart customers make smarter snack choices and build healthier diets.

Walmart plans to open up to 300 stores to help break down the amount of “food deserts,” areas without viable grocery options, in the U.S. by 2016. First Lady Michelle Obama has spoken out about the food deserts, which affect 23 million Americans, through her Let’s Move campaign. Since July, Walmart opened 23 stores in areas serving food deserts.

Three ways to keep up with the latest deals: "Like" our Sentinel Deals page on Facebook; follow Justine Griffin on Twitter@SunBizGriffin and sign up for Deals text alerts.

Free Thai Basil Chicken entree at Pei Wei Asian Diner

Wed, 08 Feb 2012 06:36:07 -0500

Get a free Thai Basil Chicken entree with purchase of another entree at Pei Wei Asian Diner.

Create a passport (or sign in to an existing account) and follow the directions. You'll take a video culinary tour of Thailand and get your passport stamped to get a coupon e-mailed in about 24 hours.

Click here for the deal. The offer ends on Feb. 17.

Three ways to keep up with the latest deals: "Like" our Sentinel Deals page on Facebook; follow Doreen Christensen on Twitter@PrettyGoodIdeas and sign up for Deals text alerts.

Free Starbucks beverage with purchase of Blonde Roast

Tue, 07 Feb 2012 06:22:47 -0500

Get a free Starbucks beverage of your choice with purchase a bag of new Blonde Roast, the coffee house's new, lighter roast.

Purchase a 16-ounce bag o' beans or a 12-pack of Starbucks VIA Veranda Blend and get any size beverage of your choosing.

Starbucks introduced the new, mellow roast in January.

Click here for the deal. The offer expires on Wednesday, Feb. 8.

Three ways to keep up with the latest deals: "Like" our Sentinel Deals page on Facebook; follow Doreen Christensen on Twitter@PrettyGoodIdeas and sign up for Deals text alerts.

Coupon: $10 off $20 purchase at Bealls

Mon, 06 Feb 2012 12:24:00 -0500

Save $10 on a $20 purchase at Bealls with a coupon through Facebook.

The department store is offering the coupon to celebrate its "Super Fans."

The offer is good on regular, sale and clearance priced in-stock merchandise. Print the coupon or redeem it by phone at 800-569-9038 or online at BeallsFlorida.com using code SOCIAL10.

Click here for the deal. The coupon expires on Thursday, Feb. 9.

Three ways to keep up with the latest deals: "Like" our Sentinel Deals page on Facebook; follow Doreen Christensen on Twitter@PrettyGoodIdeas and sign up for Deals text alerts.

Jason Wu clothing line now available at Target

Mon, 06 Feb 2012 10:34:54 -0500

Did you love Michelle Obama’s dress from the Inaugural Ball? Well here’s a chance to own a dress by it’s coveted designer, Jason Wu.

Target is partnering with Jason Wu, a celebrated women’s attire and accessories designer to offer an affordable, limited edition, collection of women’s tops, dresses, handbags and scarves. Wu’s “American girl in Paris” themed line is available for purchase in Target stores across the country and online now through March 6.

“By working with Target I was able to create an accessible collection that reflects my sophisticated design aesthetic” Wu said in the news release. “As with my main collection, special attention has been considered into every detail and I can’t wait to see girls wearing and enjoying the collection.”

Clothing options will range in price from $19.99 to $59.99, and from $19.99 to $49.99 for handbags and other accessories, according to a Target news release.

"Jason’s collection for Target offers our guests a beautiful assortment of sophisticated apparel and stylish accessories that embody his signature aesthetic, with each priced under $60,” said Trish Adams, senior vice president of apparel and accessories for Target.

There are 53 unique pieces in the Target collection, including day and night apparel.

Photos courtesy of Target.com

Three ways to keep up with the latest deals: "Like" our Sentinel Deals page on Facebook; follow Justine Griffin on Twitter@SunBizGriffin and sign up for Deals text alerts.