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Buy Back My Clothes Experiment & Giveaway

Written by WellHeeled on September 6, 2010 · 15 Comments

Lately, I have gotten into reading minimalist blogs and fashion blogs. The former instills in me an urge to get rid of all my stuff and lead a simpler, less cluttered life and the latter makes me want to buy a whole new wardrobe for a more stylish me. Oops.

Instead, I decided to do something different. I’ve read that if you are having trouble deciding what to keep and what to donate / throw away, try this little experiment:

Pretend that all the clothes you own are on sale.
If you want to keep particular piece of clothing (say, a sweater, a skirt, or a pair of jeans), you must spend $1 to “buy back” the clothes.
If you are not willing to spend even a dollar on something, it’s a fairly good sign that that item isn’t doing much for you.

That is what I will do. Every piece of clothing and every pair of shoes will go through the same treatment: Am I willing to pay $2 to “buy it back?” All the money that I am willing to spend to buy back my clothing will go into my Galapagos Fund.

If you would like to join in on the Great Buy Back My Clothes Experiment:

Leave a comment with the following information: (1) the dollar amount of each piece you are buying back – I chose $2, but it’s all up to you, (2) where the money you spend buying back your clothes will go, (3) what is the one piece of clothing / accessories you’d like to add to your wardrobe.

Submit a picture of your outfit (state how much you “bought it back for”) to me by Wednesday, September 22. I will put up the pictures and let the readers vote on the best outfit. On Wednesday October 6, I will announce the winner, who will receive a $25 gift card to TJ Maxx or Marshalls, thanks to the generous PR folks over there.

Win $60 Gift Card to CSN Stores

Written by WellHeeled on August 18, 2010 · 48 Comments

Because who doesn’t like a free $60? I am happy to announce a giveaway sponsored by CSN Stores, owners of over 200 sites that offer everything from dining room sets to the kitchen sink.

You can enter in the following ways:

(A) up to 3 entries = Follow @WellHeeledBlog and tweet this giveaway once a day with this message: Win $60 Gift Card @WellHeeledBlog http://www.wellheeledblog.com/?p=5047

(B) 2 entries = blog about this giveaway, include in your post these 2 links: http://www.wellheeledblog.com/?p=5047 and http://csn.com

(C) 2 entries = spread the word on Facebook by writing about this giveaway on your wall, include the link: http://www.wellheeledblog.com/?p=5047

(D) 2 entries = write a review of Well-Heeled Blog on Alexa

(E) 2 entries = sign up for WellHeeled Blog’s RSS updates or email updates. If you are already a subscriber, just let me know and you will be counted.

**If you’ve done any of the above, please leave a comment and let me know how you have entered so I can count your entries.

Deadline is September 1st at midnight PST. Good luck. icon smile Win $60 Gift Card to CSN Stores Thank you for entering this contest and thanks to CSN Stores for making this possible!

FREE $10.40 Certificate to McCormick & Schmick’s

Written by WellHeeled on April 12, 2010 · 8 Comments

Does the April 15th tax filing deadline make you stressed? Or hungry?

If so, you’re in luck! McCormick & Schmick’s has generously offered to give one reader of Well Heeled Blog a $10.40 dining certificate and a McCormick & Schmick’s fish-shaped stress ball.

Even if you don’t win, you can still partake in restaurant’s tax day specials. On April 15, McCormick & Schmick’s locations nationwide will be featuring several $10.40 dinner specials in the bar – items like the ½-pound “Inflation” Burger and “Taxing” Fish Tacos. Every guest in the bar will receive a $10.40 gift certificate.

If you are a tax preparation professional, April 16 is your day: Any professional tax preparer who dines at McCormick & Schmick’s that day will receive a complimentary dessert with the purchase of an entrée at lunch or dinner. Professional tax preparers will also receive a $10.40 dining certificate in exchange for their business card.

See more details for the McCormick & Schmick’s Tax Relief Celebration.

How to enter: You can submit up to 3 entries total. Please leave a separate comment for each entry.

Tweet this give away (please be sure to include @wellheeledblog in the tweet so I can count it)
Write about this on Facebook or your blog, and include the link in the comment
Leave a comment in this post and tell us what’s the most frustrating thing about taxes

The deadline is Thursday, April 15 at 12 noon PST. The winner will be announced on Thursday, April 15 by 10 pm PST, and must contact me within 48 hours of winning to claim his or her prize. Thanks for entering, and good luck!

Win Free Book: God Sleeps In Rwanda

Written by WellHeeled on March 5, 2010 · 26 Comments

God Sleeps In Rwanda: A Journey of Transformation is written by Joseph Sebarenzi, a survivor of the Rwandan genocide in the 1990s and a former speaker of the Rwandan parliament. The title of the book, God Sleeps In Rwanda, comes from an ancient Rwandan saying that means “God spends the day elsewhere, but he sleeps in Rwanda.” This saying can be a double entendre that refers both to Rwanda’s natural beauty and its history of violence.

Sebarenzi, a Tutsi, lost his parents, family members, and friends to the 1994 genocide, when hundreds of thousands of people, mainly Tutsi, were killed by a Hutu-dominated government. Sebarenzi has suffered what one can call unforgivable losses, but in God Sleeps in Rwanda, he tries to find forgiveness in his heart, come to peace with what had happened, and move forward to bring peace to his country.

This book reminded me a bit of Elie Wiesel‘s Night (about the Holocaust) and Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn‘s Gulag Archipelago (about the Soviet forced labor camps) in that it’s the narrative of a man who has survived one of the worst violations of human life and dignity in history, and is now in the process of coming to terms with why ordinary men can commit extraordinary horrors.

This is a good book to read. This is a hard book to read. All I can say is – bring out the tissue boxes when you are reading God Sleeps In Rwanda. I tried to read this book in the airport on a trip but got too embarrassed to continue, because I was on the verge of crying my eyes out.

Book is hardcover and in excellent condition (I read it once).

For a chance to win this book, please do the following for up to 5 entries per person:

1 entry = tweet this giveaway with @WellHeeledBlog and a link to this post
1 entry = become a fan on Facebook
1 entry = sign up for RSS updates
1 entry = blog about this giveaway
1 entry = comment on this post about a book you recommend

**If you’ve done any of the above, please leave a comment and let me know so I can count your entries. Deadline is March 19 at midnight PST.

image source: coverbrowser.com

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$100 Amazon Gift Card Contest – Thanks to Mr. Rebates!

Written by WellHeeled on February 15, 2010 · 72 Comments

Have you heard of Mr. Rebates? Well, after this post, you will! You will also have the chance to enter in a contest to win a $100 Amazon Gift Card. Given the plethora of goods available on Amazon, I’d say that it’s almost as good as $100 in cash.

Mr. Rebates is a cash-back shopping website that offers deals at over 2,000 stores plus money-saving online coupons that you can stack with the every day cash-back savings. Some of the top name brand stores include favorites like Macy’s, Sears, Travelocity, and more.

Each purchase you make at a Mr. Rebates’ store will earn you up to 30% cash-back on every dollar you spend. Once you’ve earned enough rebates, you can simply cash out for a check or Paypal payment. That sounds pretty good to me! Plus, you get a $5 registration bonus just by signing up.

For a chance to win the $100 Amazon Gift Card, please do the following for up to 20 entries per person:

(A) 7 entries = sign up for Mr. Rebates. It’s a great website and you get a $5 sign-up bonus. What are you waiting for?

(B) up to 6 entries = Follow @WellHeeledBlog and tweet this giveaway up to 6 times with this message: I want to win $100 Amazon gift card @WellHeeledBlog http://tinyurl.com/100amazon RT to enter!

(C) 2 entries = blog about this giveaway, include in your post these 2 links: http://www.wellheeledblog.com/2010/02/15/win-100-amazon-gift-card-mr-rebates/ and http://mrrebates.com

(D) 2 entries = spread the word on Facebook by writing about this giveaway on your wall, include these 2 links: http://www.wellheeledblog.com/2010/02/15/win-100-amazon-gift-card-mr-rebates/ and http://mrrebates.com

(E) 2 entries = write a review of Well-Heeled Blog on Alexa – it will help me make this site better, so I really thank you in advance for taking the time to review.

(F) 1 entry = sign up for this blog’s RSS updates

**If you’ve done any of the above, please leave a comment and let me know how you have entered so I can count your entries. Deadline is Wednesday March 3 at midnight PST. Good luck! Thank you for entering this contest and thanks to Mr. Rebates for making this possible.

Free Copy of The Constant Princess by Philippa Gregory

Written by WellHeeled on January 4, 2010 · 28 Comments

I love reading, and I (gulp) love buying books. As I’m in the process of decluttering for the New Year, I’m planning to give away a handful of books every once in a while – books that I’ve read, but that now it’s time to pass them on to someone else to enjoy. After all, books are meant to be read, loved and shared, no?

Please note, these books aren’t new (I’ve read them!), but they are all in excellent condition.

Here is the first book to be given away, because why not ring in the New Year with a lush Tudor historical fiction?

The Constant Princess by Philippa Gregory

A fictionalized story featuring the younger years of Katherine (Catalina), Infanta of Spain, Princess of Wales, and Queen of England. The book follows Katherine as she is shipped to England as a young girl of 15, to marry the Arthur, the Prince of Wales, and her years in England after his untimely death.

Throughout it all, she is sustained by her determination to fulfill her destiny, God’s will, and her mother’s wish: to become the Queen of England. Katherine is unwavering in her certitude: that there is nothing that men can do to take away what God has meant for her. Hardcover.

For a chance to win this book, please do the following for up to 5 entries per person:

1 entry = tweet this giveaway with @WellHeeledBlog and a link to this post
1 entry = become a fan on Facebook (trying to get to 25 fans so I can get a vanity URL. )
1 entry = sign up for RSS updates
1 entry = blog about this giveaway
1 entry = comment on this post about a book you recommend

**If you’ve done any of the above, please leave a comment and let me know so I can count your entries. Deadline is January 8 at midnight PST.

image source: coverbrowser.com

What’s In My Bag: Little Miss Moneybags

Written by WellHeeled on October 19, 2009 · 7 Comments

My purple bag is a street vendor find! I got it from a guy with a table on 32nd Street for $10 a few months ago.

littlemissmoneybags bag 768x1024 Whats In My Bag: Little Miss Moneybags

Inside is:
Amazon Kindle and case (free; beta testing for school)
Book, A Fortunate Age (free; advance reader’s edition)
Staples notebook (Staples, 3 for $8)
Ikea tupperware (no clue how much it cost, it was my boyfriend’s before we moved in together)
Work ID and metrocard in holder (holder was free from work, metrocard was $89)
Sandisk thumb drive, BestBuy $9.95
Chapstick, Duane Reade, 3 for $4.99
Revlon Colorstay lipstick, $1.99 at Cosmetics Warehouse on 39th Street
Hair clip, Duane Reade, 6 for $3.99
Generic cheap sunglasses, street vendor on St Marks Place, $5 (and they’re awful, but I always break or lose sunglasses)
Covergirl compact, $2.50 at Cosmetics Warehouse
Wallet, $9.99 at TJ Maxx (I’ve had it for like six years and love it!)
iPhone ($199, AT&T) and case (generic, $7 from street vendor)

As you can see, I do a lot of shopping at street vendors!

It’s weird, isn’t it, that I carry a Kindle AND a regular book? I’m reading Gone with the Wind as well as my school books on the Kindle, and I’m starting to transfer work stuff to it, but I got really taken in by A Fortunate Age and I just couldn’t leave it at home. I like to have lots of reading options, in case, I don’t know, I wind up with hours and hours of free time and finish Gone with the Wind.

I also still carry a paper notebook despite having an iPhone to make notes and to do lists on. There’s a pen in the Kindle case.

What I’d buy at TJ Maxx or Marshalls if I win:
New sunglasses
A fun clutch
Body lotion gift sets–I love those!

Voting guidelines

If you want to vote for an entry, leave 1 comment in the comments section. You may vote for yourself and you may vote for more than 1 entry (you can even vote for everyone if you want, although that will just cancel out your vote).

Voting will be open until Tuesday, October 27 at 12 noon PST.

What’s In My Bag: Carmen

Written by WellHeeled on October 19, 2009 · 19 Comments

carmen bag Whats In My Bag: Carmen

My purse is a big slouchy bag I found at TJMaxx ($14.99!), which goes with virtually everything–a major plus because I never seem to have time to switch purses. Now I don’t have to! My wallet was a Christmas gift (free via my mom) that has room for all my credit cards, receipts and business cards. (My mom even picked out one for herself–in mustard yellow. Good taste, huh?)

I love to take this CD with me everywhere–it’s my husband’s EP “Still I Believe” by Michael Sechrist ($4 via iTunes or Amazon). (Yes, I’m proud to say I landed a ‘sweet and sensitive’ type who serenades me at home for free! Check him out: www.myspace.com/michaelsechrist.)

My favorite lip gloss is Burts Bee in “Fig” ($4 via Target) and my cuticles are always in need of some TLC so I keep this cuticle stick ($3 on sale at Bath & Body Works) on hand. I also keep a tiny bottle of GermX ($1 via WalMart) to keep my hands squeaky clean!

Now that the weather’s starting to turn cold, I like to keep a soft scarf tucked in ($9.99 via eBay) so that I can wrap and warm up at a moment’s notice. To keep my eco wear-and-tear low, I carry a steel water bottle with a beautiful damask print ($14.99 via Barnes & Noble, surprisingly enough) and a reusable shopping bag (free via Marshalls).

I’m always brainstorming ideas, so I keep a tiny notebook (free, a perk from my last job) and pen ($1 via The Dollar Tree) with me to jot down to-do lists or shopping needs. And of course I carry the staples that get me from here to there: my cell phone, my GPS (lovingly known as “Cynthia”; $150ish via Staples), and my keys (which bear a hand-me-down leather strawberry keychain that belonged to my grandmother).

Voting guidelines

Voting will be open until Tuesday, October 27 at 12 noon PST.

What’s In My Bag: Clare

Written by WellHeeled on October 19, 2009 · 5 Comments

Let’s start with the bag… Carmel colored, faux croc satchel (Elle brand at Kohls, $28) which I’ve carried pretty much every day since I bought it. It’s big enough to hold a file or two if I have to take work home, but is considerably more fashionable than my previous “take work home” bags. Did I mention the carmel color…love it.

The current contents include:

Two books for reading on lunch hours, while waiting in line, or *gasp* while waiting at stoplights. Both books are on loan from the library (free) where I’ve become a very regular customer.
Bright blue coupon/gift card file (Meijer, $4). If these aren’t already in my handbag, I’ll never remember to take them with me.
Knock-off designer clutch, fabric. (Christmas gift, cost is unknown). Perfect grab & go size. It fits ID, cards, phone & even some lip gloss when demanded.
Bright blue umbrella (Target, $25). Best feature is the automatic opening/closing — great for all those times when only have one hand (which is often for me). Plus the color perks up even the dreariest of days.
Pink notebook (Rite Aid, $3). For all those momentary thoughts…
iphone 3GS in black (Apple store, $199 with AT&T contract which we already had). Huge splurge (seriously, who needs a $200 device to make phone calls), but its more mini-computer than phone.

What’s missing: Lip gloss mentioned above — Estee Lauder (Macy’s, $25) in a berry shade. Love it, but haven’t been able to find it since my wedding day.

Voting guidelines

Voting will be open until Tuesday, October 27 at 12 noon PST.

What’s In My Bag: Serendipity

Written by WellHeeled on October 19, 2009 · 17 Comments

So what exactly is / what’s in my bag?

serenity bag 1024x768 Whats In My Bag: Serendipity

My bag is a beautiful Kathy Van Zealand which was purchased at a steal price of $39.99! T.J Maxx, but of course. I also picked up my Betseyville wallet there for $9.99 and my Oscar De La Renta glasses for $8.99. A girl has gotta love her some T.J Maxx.

I also have a bag I picked up at Target for $1.00, in which I keep a few little essentials. My hand lotion, Glove Me Tender ($14.00) and hand sanitizer, Coconut Lime, both came from Bath & Body Works. I also have some Excedrin ($3.99) and some Burts Bees ($2.99) purchased at Target that I keep on hand, not to mention my inhaler which came from the pharmacy ($19.99).

My guilty pleasure is MAC Lusterglass in Star Nova which I can’t live without, was $15.99 at the MAC store while my cellphone was $50.00 after a rebate from AT&T. My pen and a Starbucks gift card were free additions and I found some spare change to round out my list.

Voting guidelines

Voting will be open until Tuesday, October 27 at 12 noon PST.

What’s In My Bag: Win Marshalls & TJ Maxx $50 Gift Card

Written by WellHeeled on October 7, 2009 · 9 Comments

Guess what I have in store for you guys? $50 in gift cards ($25 to Marshalls and $25 to TJ Maxx)!

It’s no secret that I love off-price retailers – you can get nice things at good prices and have money left over for other important things in life (like, um, tango lessons). Like this funny video says, it’s just the smart thing to do. Times are tough, but now one lucky winner can go shopping with a free $50. Let it never be said that I don’t appreciate my readers.

To make it more special than just your run-of-the-mill random drawing, I’ve decided to make this contest a bit more fun and creative.

How to enter:

You must submit an email on what’s in your bag and give me the brand, store, and price of each item in your bag (i.e. Loreal lipstick via Target, $8).
Your submission should include pictures of your bag and contents, and some tidbits of information on why you carry what you carry, what you like about it, etc.
A What’s In My Bag submission is worth 10 points.
Every tweet you make about this giveaway is worth 1 point (please link to this post: http://moourl.com/bagcontest so I can be sure to count the tweets).
If your bag or any content in your bag is from Marshalls or TJ Maxx, you will get an extra 5 points.
At my discretion, I can award an additional 5 points for entries that I really really like.

Important dates and information to keep in mind:

Saturday, October 17th, 7 PM Pacific Time:

Send your submission to me via email.
Put in subject line: What’s In My Bag.

Monday, October 19th:

I will post all submissions with at 20 or more points on this blog.
Readers (yes, you!) will get to vote on who should win the $50.

Tuesday, October 20 – Tuesday, October 27: Voting period.

Wednesday, October 28: The winner will be announced! And he or she will greet November with $50 for a nice little shopping spree at one of my favorite off-price retailers!

I’m super excited about getting all the submissions!

Giveaway: Win Pond’s Wet Cleansing Towelettes

Written by WellHeeled on September 14, 2009 · 19 Comments

After a busy day filled with work and a never ending “to-do” list, any woman can appreciate a product that adds some convenience to her life. Pond’s Wet Cleansing Towelettes can at least make having clean, radiant skin easier.

So, I am happy to announce a giveaway for one lady to win a FREE package of Pond’s Wet Cleansing Towelettes. Both US and Canadian readers can enter!

ponds wet cleansing towelettes 300x138 Giveaway: Win Pond’s Wet Cleansing Towelettes

According to http://www.ponds.lifestyle.msn.com, Pond’s Towelettes remove up to 40% more dirt, oil and make up than other leading products and even waterproof mascara. The Pond’s exclusive cleansing system, with oil and dirt trapping fibers, works like a magnet to lift away impurities. Available in three varieties, Pond’s Towelettes are hypoallergenic and dermatologist-tested.

Everyone can enter multiple times. To enter:

1. Tweet this giveaway (please refer to @wellheeledblog and the URL for this post so I can count you). I’ll count each separate tweet.
2. Leave a comment here on why you want to win.

This giveaway will end Monday, September 21 at 7 PM Eastern. Good luck!!

Who wants a FREE copy of TaxCut?

Written by WellHeeled on April 2, 2008 · 10 Comments

‘Cause I’ve got one to give away!

Thanks to the folks at H&R Block, I have the key code for one TaxCut Online Premium + State + efile (a $59.95 value).

All you need to do is to comment on this post and tell me an interesting fact about taxes or your thoughts about taxes. Oh, and pick a number between 1-100. I’ll use a random number generator to pick the winner on Friday, April 4. You must leave your email so I can contact you if you win.

Okay, that’s all. If you’re a late filer… start commenting!

EDIT: The winning number is 30, and so the winner is Penny Pincher with the closet number at 27. Congrats & thanks to everyone who participated! If I ever get any more cool stuff in the future, I’ll let you know.