Finds and Activities

HotFlashFinds:  It's officially the weekend.  Below are some finds and some activities.  Wishing everyone a nice weekend.  Happy Earth Day on Sunday.

Olive Garden has two freebie offers running right now. Get a free appetizer or dessert when you buy two dinner entrees, or get a free kid's meal when you buy an adult entrée on Take Our Daughters And Sons To Work Day, April 26. Get the coupons here.

Walgreens has a photo deal.  Buy 25 prints, get another 25 free with coupon code B25G25PIC through April 21.

Free nail polish when you purchase any nail polish at Zoya.com and enter promo code "lucky2" when you check out. You'll get a free bottle of polish in a pretty lavender-grey color called Megan. Offer valid through June 4 or while supplies last.

Create a reusable grocery tote bag  in time for Earth Day that includes your own images and text. The bag is free with coupon code FREEBAG, all you'll pay is $4.99 shipping.

The Space Shuttle Discovery and Family Weekend on April 21 and April 22  at the National Air and Space Museum's Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly. Special exhibits, programs and activities will be going on to celebrate the arrival of Space Shuttle Discovery for permanent display. Museum admission is free. Parking is $15, but here's a tip - parking is always free after 4 p.m.

Lantern-Making  Family Day April 21 at The Yards Park as part of the National Cherry Blossom Festival. There will be free lantern-making workshops, a moon bounce, and performances. Food vendors will be there too. The event is free and runs from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Smithsonian Craft Show 4/19- 4/22.  National Building Museum, Washington , DC. Produced by the Smitsonian Women's Committee to support education, outreach and research at the Smithsonian Institution. www.smithsoniancraftshow.org.

Nicholas Sparks' Fans:  "The Lucky One," stars Zac Efron &Taylor Schilling out in theaters now.

Wegman's Shoppers bring plastic bags from home to your local Wegman's for recycling from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. April 21 and you'll get a coupon for a free reusable bag. Wegman's is also holding an Organic Festival in stores April 20, April 22 and April 28 where you'll be able to sample products and pick up $6 in organic coupons.

Crabtree & Evelyn Stores are offering on  April 21 or April 22 a free beauty treatment for your hands. It's called the "Ultimate Pampering Event.

Barnes&Noble is offering an extra 15% off one item in-stores or online (NOOK devices&NOOK books excluded).  Ends 4/22/12. ONLINE Enter coupon code JUG6GWS25N1QX at checkout. In-store print coupon www.barnes&noble.com.

L.L.Bean is offering a free $10 gift card with your purchase of $50 or more through 4/22/12. With dozens of new spring arrivals and free shipping, it's a great reason to shop now.  Online or in stores.  www.llbean.com

Pottery Barn Last Chance! Save 15% on your entire order. SHOP NOW.  Offer expires 4/20/12.  www.potterybarn.com.

 Loft / Ann Taylor is offering 40% off your entire purchase in-store and online for their Friends and Family sale.  Ends 4/22/12.  www.Loft.com. www.anntaylor.com.

Some information obtained from WTOP  and The Washington Post newspaper.

LOVE, MARRIAGE & IKEA ?

HotFlashFinds:  The other day I was listening to WTOP, a local news radio station.   I heard the sweetest love story about a couple who went to IKEA for some Sweedish meatballs and 2 years later got married and the ceremony and reception were held at IKEA.   IKEA is one of  my HotFlashFinds favorite places to shop for furniture,  plants,  home decor items, kitchen items, puppets for work, delicious chocolate and so much more.  Who'd have thought that now you can even get married there?

Married with meatballs: An IKEA love story

Wednesday - 4/18/2012, 6:21am ET

Julie Rodgers and Willie Pittman just after being pronounced husband and wife inside IKEA in College Park. (WTOP/Michelle Basch)

• Gallery: (5 images)

  

Michelle Basch, wtop.com

COLLEGE PARK, Md. - A first-of-its-kind wedding in the area left some onlookers wondering what the heck was going on.

It was a Tuesday night ceremony, held inside the IKEA store in College Park.

In 2010, 30 years after they last saw each other in grade school, Julie Rodgers and Willie Pittman reconnected through a social website and went on a date at the College Park store.

They ate Swedish meatballs, explored the store's "long natural path" and played on furniture.

"As we're leaving, we get yogurt cones and we're on the way to the parking lot when it hits me," Rodgers remembers. "I turned to him and said, 'This is one of the best dates I've ever had,' to which he said, 'This is a date?'"

Exactly two years later, they returned to IKEA to exchange vows and become husband and wife.

Each has been married before, and Rodgers has four children.

Initially, all Rodgers wanted to do was share some of the store's meatballs and take photos with the man she calls "Bear."

But when she contacted IKEA and told them her love-over-meatballs story, the company offered to give them the space to hold their wedding for no charge.

The store also provided chairs and linens for the event, and, of course, meatballs and other food for the reception.

IKEA's Sharon Black says it's the first wedding ever held inside the College Park store, and she understands the publicity may spark more requests.

"We'll entertain them all, but we'll see where it goes from here. We're not really in the wedding business," Black says with a laugh.

Customers who spotted the wedding party in the upstairs restaurant had mixed reactions.

"This is the craziest thing I've ever seen. Who wants to get married in IKEA?" one woman wondered.

"It's something they're going to remember for a while. It's like, 'Hey, we got married at IKEA,' so it's kind of cool," another man said.

One thing has changed for the couple in the last two years: Both have become vegetarians. Rodgers says that won't stop them from celebrating their special day in the future.

"We're going to have an anniversary meatball. It may only be one or two, but it will be a commemorative meatball," she says.

                                                                    
    

TAX RELIEF

HotFlashFinds:  Happy Weekend.  I thought that I'd share some tax relief finds for you all to enjoy.  Remember, taxes are due April 17.

Panda Express: Get a free order of Panda Express' new Shanghai Angus Steak on Tuesday, April 17 with this coupon. No purchase necessary while supplies last.

Maggie Moo's  has new yogurt flavors and hopes you'll stop by for a free scoop at participating locations between 4 and 7 p.m. on Tax Day, April 17. They're calling it a "Yo-bate Giveaway." New flavors include lemon creme, birthday cake and forest berry. www.maggiemoos.com.

Cinnabon: Stop by a participating Cinnabon locations between 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. on April 17 to get two free Bites (bite-sized cinnamon rolls) while supplies last. Offer not valid at airports or travel plazas.

P.F. Chang's:  15% off on April 17 for Tax Relief on all dine-in and take out orders.  Happy Hour and P. F. Chang's for Two are excluded .  www.pfchangs.com.

Dale&Thomas Popcorn:  15% Sitewide through 4/15 with promo code: TAX15.  Now is an opportunity to try some of their delicious gourmet popcorn. www.daleandthomas.com.

Seattle's Best Coffee:  Visit one of their stores on 4/17 for a free small brewed coffee. Please go to their website for specific details: www.seattle'sbestcoffee.com.

Hydro Massage:  A HydroMassage is a very special water bed that uses jets to move the water around to give you a full-body massage with your clothes on. Because it's tax time, you can try a HydroMassage free at participating locations April 16 to April 20. Visit the HydroMassage website for location information.

Banana Republic: 10%-40% off full-priced items (excludes new arrivals) 4/13-4/17 in stores & online.  Free shipping on any order over $50 all the time. www.bananarepublic.com.

I will continue to add any tax relief finds that I come across to the above list.  Please check back.

some items found from wtop.com.

Man's Best Friend

The purpose of a dog!     
(from a 6-year-old).

Being a veterinarian, I had been called to examine a ten-year-old Irish Wolfhound named Belker. The dog's owners, Ron, his wife Lisa, and their little boy Shane, were all very attached to Belker, and they were hoping for a miracle.

I examined Belker and found he was dying of cancer. I told the family we couldn't do anything for Belker, and offered to perform the euthanasia procedure for the old dog in their home.

As we made arrangements, Ron and Lisa told me they thought it would be good for six-year-old Shane to observe the procedure. They felt as though Shane might learn something from the experience.

The next day, I felt the familiar catch in my throat as Belker 's family surrounded him. Shane seemed so calm, petting the old dog for the last time, that I wondered if he understood what was going on. Within a few minutes, Belker slipped peacefully away.

The little boy seemed to accept Belker's transition without any difficulty or confusion. We sat together for a while after Belker's Death, wondering aloud about the sad fact that animal lives are shorter than human lives.
Shane, who had been listening quietly, piped up, ''I know why.''

Startled, we all turned to him. What came out of his mouth next stunned me. I'd never heard a more comforting explanation. It has changed the way I try and live.

He said,''People are born so that they can learn how to live a good life -- like loving everybody all the time and being nice, right?'' The Six-year-old continued,
''Well, dogs already know how to do that, so they don't have to stay as long.''

Live simply.

Love generously.

Care deeply.

Speak kindly.

Remember, if a dog was the teacher you would learn things like:

When loved ones come home, always run to greet them.

Never pass up the opportunity to go for a joyride.

Allow the experience of fresh air and the wind in your face to be pure Ecstasy.

Take naps.

Stretch before rising.

Run, romp, and play daily.

Thrive on attention and let people touch you.

Avoid biting when a simple growl will do.

On warm days, stop to lie on your back on the grass.

On hot days, drink lots of water and lie under a shady tree.

When you're happy, dance around and wag your entire body.

Delight in the simple joy of a long walk.

Be loyal.

Never pretend to be something you're not.

If what you want lies buried, dig until you find it.

When someone is having a bad day, be silent, sit close by, and nuzzle them gently.


-- There comes a time in life, when you walk away from all the drama
and people who create it. You surround yourself with people who
make you laugh, forget the bad, and focus on the good. So, love
the people who treat you right. Think good thoughts for the ones
who don't. Life is too short to be anything but happy. Falling down
is part of LIFE...Getting back up is LIVING...


Have a great life.

 

 

HotFlashFinds:  A friend sent me this e-mail a few weeks ago.  I really like the message.  In fact,  it brought tears to my eyes as I read this e-mail.  This message has stayed with me for the past few weeks.  I wanted to share this with all of you.

 

My family lost our special dog last summer.  He really taught me some beautiful life lessons.  These lessons are to be happy, and to love unconditionally.  Thank -you dear Bogie.

 

Bogart enjoying a car ride with our family

 

Removal of the Sticky Part of an Adhesive Label

Removal of the sticky part of an adhesive label from plastic and glass items                 

                

HotFlashFinds: Would you like to remove the sticky adhesive label from a great find bargain item or would you like try and be ecological and reuse a glass or plastic item?

If yes, peel as much of the paper off  as you can, and then use a wet dryer sheet (with fabric softener in it) to rub away the adhesive.  Wash with dish soap.  Works well for those items that you don't want scratched up.

info found in Washington Post hint to Heloise.
                                                                            

INSPIRATIONS

                                     Inspirations of the Week

1. 89 year young gentleman participated in 10 mile Cherry Blossom Race

2. Chrisklemens Inspirations found on Pinterest

HotFlashFinds:  1.  I met this 89 year young gentleman as I nervously waited at the start line for the Cherry Blossom Race to begin in DC.   He immediately quelled my jitters.   And, I could barely keep up with his pace as we started out in the race.

I found this quote by George Eliot and like what it says: " It is never too late to be what you might have been."

2.  The second picture is a quote found on a poster.   Personally, I find that when I try and push myself past my comfort zone, the the payoff is huge.

IKAT Seems To Be Everywhere This Season

Gretchen Jones Fall 2012 Pastel Ikat Prints Lucky Magazine

HotFlashFinds:  Do you know what IKAT is?  Pronounced ee-kat it is a labor intensive dyeing technique that has the pattern tied and dyed in the yarn before the fabric is woven.   True ikat is not a print but a process where every inch of fabric has been created by the hand and eye of the weaver.  Each motif is individually hand-wrappped therefore no two motifs are exactly alike.

The ikat technique started hundreds of years ago in NE Asia then went to India, Malaysia, Indonesia, Africa and then to Central and South America.

Below are some examples of Ikat.  You can find this form of textile decoration in clothes, accessories, pillows, wall hangings, sheets , sofas and chairs.  Materials used include cotton, silk, wool and others.

Ikat Accent Pillow ebay.com

Cotton Ikat Tunic Dress Gretchen Scott

Ikat Sofa West Elm

Information obtained from Wikipedia and CalicoCorners