Cool "Books" Table & Chairs Set: Check This Out! #Wayfair

Yesterday, as I was browsing online searching for something, I noticed a Wayfair ad featuring an interesting set of furniture, a table and two chairs designed to look like stacks of antiquarian books. Books were my first passion, so I tend to notice bookish things. I thought it was an interesting design concept. What do you think? I could see this working well in a home library or sitting room, depending upon personal tastes and color scheme, of course.

Bookish Furniture (Wayfair Online Ad)

Get 30% Off + Free Shipping (No Minimum Order) Shop the CVS.com Labor Day Sale! @cvspharmacy

I love it when CVS (or any online store for that matter) offers free shipping on any order! Because I'm an online shopper, almost exclusively, promotions like this help my bottom line (budget) and my schedule (convenience of getting items delivered versus making a trip to the store).

Save 30% Off most items on cvs.com and as an added bonus get Free Shipping (No Minimum Order requirement) when using online promo code: 30FREESHIP [expires 11:59p ET on 01-Sep-18]. This is my kind of Labor Day Sale!

Bought @NostalgiaElctrx @Keurig @Jolly_Rancher: @Kohls #SweepstakesPrize + #Rewards Haul! #GotItFree!

I've been entering a Kohls Twitter Contest* periodically (under a personal account) whenever I happened to be on Twitter and remember to send an entry tweet. The prize is $50.00 KohlsCash (valid for 30 days from activation). Roughly a week ago, my Twitter username was drawn as a potential winner. After I emailed the sweepstakes admin my contact information and confirmed my eligibility, I received my $50.00 KohlsCash code the next day. I also happened to have a $5.00 KohlsCash Reward (valid for 30 days from date earned) from earning the requisite Kohls Yes2You Rewards points to trigger a conversion. As a result, I ended up with a total of $55.00 in rewards money to spend within a limited time frame.

Jolly Rancher Sour Bites 8-oz. Package

Across the board regardless of the rewards program in question, I prefer to use any rewards that I earn to get items for free (as opposed to merely buying something at a discount). This way any rewards that I earn actually make me feel like I've been rewarded, because I got free stuff! For instance, if I have $55.00 in rewards available, I will try to find things that I want or need which cost less than or equal to this amount, so that I can order the item/s for free (or as close to free as possible).

Keurig® Brewer Maintenance Kit

With this in mind, I went shopping online at Kohls.com over the weekend and scored some fun and useful items: a Nostalgia Electrics Diner Style Hot Dog Steamer (MSRP $49.99), a Keurig® Brewer Maintenance Kit (MSRP $29.99) and a Jolly Rancher Sour Bites 8-oz. Package (MSRP $4.99) --- only the Jolly Rancher was purchased at its regular price, the other two items were on sale. The total for all three items came out to $54.97, which I paid for with my $55.00 KohlsCash. (A notice on my e-receipt stated that I'd saved $84.97 total.) Free stuff FTW!

Nostalgia Electrics Diner Style Hot Dog Steamer

I'm hoping the Diner Style Hot Dog Steamer works well. (The product had great reviews on the Kohls site.) I've been searching for a convenient method to cook my veggie dogs to perfection and achieve that real Carnival feel. I own quite a few (at least 15) Nostalgia Electrics appliances and most of them have been well worth the money (that I didn't pay for them, as I netted them all free via rewards programs). I adore Nostalgia Electrics because the company specializes in retro design small appliances. I'm a gadget geek and I love a Carnival/Fair/Circus/Vaudeville motif ---which often plays into this retro vibe.

I'm planning to test cook some veggie dogs this weekend!

---

*In case you've been under a rock lately: Kohls has been conducting a Twitter Contest (running M-F for about four weeks) in celebration of its Back-to-School Sales. To participate, follow Kohls on Twitter, reply to any Kohls contest notice tweet by saying what you would use the $50.00 KohlsCash prize to buy, if you were to win and append the contest hashtag #KohlsCashSweepstakes. Obviously, one can pretty much say whatever he wants. Entries do not carry over, so you must create a new entry tweet each weekday (24 hour period). Contest ends 29/Aug, so there's still a few days to enter. Good Luck!

Kroger #FreeFridayDownload Next Week: A Snack Product

Coming up Next Week!

Kroger Free Friday Download: One FREE Peatos Snack Bag (1 oz., select varieties). Download your digital coupon between 12am-11:59pm on August 31. Redeem by Sunday, September 16. Available in most stores.

Have A Dog? Free 1lbs Dog Treats @PetCo! #palsrewards #Coupon

Petco palsrewards members can get a Free Pound of Dog Treats from the Treat Bar in-store, while supplies last. Can redeem coupon (located near bottom of page) via mobile or print out. Expires 8/31.

Petco Free Dog Treats Coupon

Starbucks #HappyHour BOGO Frappucino: White Chocolate? WTF?

Yesterday, after 3:00p, was Starbucks Happy Hour, a weekly Summertime promotion where a promoted beverage (type) will be featured at half-price or BOGO. One of my sister's went by and ended up bringing me a White Chocolate Frappuccino as yesterdays promotion was BOGO and I'd treated her to a free food reward last week.

Have you been playing the Starbucks Summer Game? I won enough stars (125) so far to earn a bonus Free Drink or Food Reward. Promotion ends 10/Sep and there's an alternate method of entry (AMOE) form.

This was my first time trying the White Chocolate version. (Hers, too.) The Mocha Frapp is my go-to frosted handcrafted drink at Starbucks. I did not like the White Chocolate Frappuccino. Neither did my sister. 

Weak flavor. Bland. Not saved by the whipped cream. Would NOT give the Mocha Frapp a run for my money. Would not buy, again (having been given one). Disappointed.

At least I didn't pay for it... I told my sister that the next time she's feeling adventurous and wants to try something new at Starbucks to please leave me out of it. Bring me a Mocha Frappuccino! Anyone?

Have An Indoor Cat? Free 30lbs Cat Litter @PetCo! #palsrewards #Coupon

Petco palsrewards members can get a Free 30 lb. Bucket of So Phresh Advanced Odor Control Cat Litter in-store, while supplies last. Can redeem coupon (located near bottom of page) via mobile or print out. Expires 8/31.

So Phresh Advanced Odor Control Cat Litter Coupon

Kroger #FreeFridayDownload This Week - Gum

Kroger Free Friday Download: One FREE Mentos Gum Velcro Wallet Pack (12-piece, select varieties). Download your digital coupon between 12am-11:59pm on August 24. Redeem by Sunday, September 9. Available in most stores.

Earn A $2.00 #iTunes Gift Card! #CokeRewards Offer

Coke Rewards put up a new offer yesterday-ish. You have the chance to earn a $2.00 iTunes Gift Card merely by entering four product codes. This offer is NOT available in the Coke app, you must check the Coke Rewards website to discover if you've been given the offer.

The offer details are quoted below:

KICK BACK WITH ICE-COLD MUSIC PERKS
Be one of the first 25,000 to enter any four product codes and you’ll receive a $2 iTunes gift card. You'll also be entered for the chance to win a $500 iTunes gift card and $200 Bluetooth® headphones.

Ends 11/9/18. Limit one offer per person. You must be invited and signed in to view the promotion. See T&Cs for all details.

If 25,000 users enter 4 codes each, the $2 iTunes gift cards will be awarded at the end of the promotion. Keep entering codes and check the progress below. We'll notify you to claim your gift card once unlocked.

Visit Coke Rewards website: us.coca-cola.com/offers.

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NOTICE: This is a re-post from the Small Screen Space, part of the Castle Modern Network (family of brands).

Two Interesting #CokeRewards Promos: #Free #Cinemark Movie Ticket + #Free World of Coca-Cola Ticket

Ever since Coke revamped its rewards program, the pickings have been slim. The "prizes" are mostly awarded via sweepstakes. Occasionally, an actual reward (input X codes, get this...) will popup. I keep an eye out for these. The chance to win a prize can be nice, but it's only a chance versus a guaranteed exchange. I prefer a bird in the hand.

Both of these promotions may require you to download and install the new Coke Rewards app, which is named simply Coca-Cola, if you haven't already. (Some rewards opportunities appear in the app only.) I was a beta-tester for the new Coke Rewards app and never really ventured back to the site. So I haven't visited the Coke web site to check whether these also appear there.

If you're unfamiliar with Coke Rewards, basically most Coke products have codes or icons on them. You save the codes and input them to enter sweepstakes or sometimes to get select rewards directly. (Sip & Scan icons work on the same premise and mainly function as an alternative to code entry.)

If you like movies or museums/attractions, then you may like these currently available rewards.

Reward 1: Scan or input 15 product codes and you'll unlock a General Admission Adult Ticket to the World of Coca-Cola. This promotion expires 09-Oct-18. The e-ticket itself expires 31-Dec-2018. You can complete this offer once.

Reward 2: Scan or input one code (or icon) and receive a Free Cinemark Movie Club One-Month Trial Membership, a movie watching subscription service (similar to MoviePass or AMC Stubs A-List). The trial includes One Free Movie Ticket, concessions discounts and more. A Credit Card is required to sign-up for this Cinemark Movie Club trial. The membership will automatically renew, if not canceled. This promotion expires 24-Sep-2018. Limit one per account.

What are you waiting for, get thee to the app store!

Hot! $5.00 eBay #Coupon (Any Purchase) --- Go Quickly!

I was doing an online crossword puzzle earlier and happened to notice an ad at the top of the screen. (Most of the time I am oblivious to web ads.) This one caught my attention because it was for eBay. I like to use eBay to find things for my hobbies; it's like going thrifting or to a yard sale without the "going out" part. For me that's a win.

So I actually paused my crossword to jot the coupon code down. The ad said to click for details, but I didn't bother figuring the code would either work or wouldn't. After finishing the crossword, I surfed over to eBay to test the coupon and it worked. (I tried it on food and toys so it seems to be valid on any purchase.) When I added the coupon a popup on my shopping cart read, "Make certain to use your coupon before it expires on the 24th."

I bought a $5.00 toy for my ModDoll Fun! project. 

So what are you going to buy?

eBay Coupon: MYFUNFIVE

Expires 24-Aug-2018

DISCLAIMER: Promotions of this sort never last long and may not work for everyone. The expiration date may change per user. YMMV. 

Hot! Print A #Coupon: Try Any #VeggieGos Product #Free Get New #WildMadeSnacks

Free Veggie-Gos Product Offer (Print Coupon)

Just got an email newsletter from Veggie-Gos brand introducing its new WildMade Snacks and at the bottom was an offer to try a Free Product when you visit the new site and click for a printable coupon (at the bottom of any site page). Requires email address, but you get a  Free Veggie-Gos Product Coupon good for 30 days!

Well go get one: wildmadesnacks.com. (It goes without saying that this is a limited-time offer.)

#New #Lipton #IcedTea Tropical Flavor #ProductReview: #Juice #Stevia #NationalIcedTeaDay

Back on National Iced Tea Day, Lipton ran a promotion giving away coupons for a Free 20oz Lipton Iced Tea (single serve). I visited the giveaway site, filled out the form and several weeks later received said coupon in the mail. My sister redeemed the coupon on my behalf as she was heading to the store. (It's nice to have siblings who actually LIKE going out shopping in Brick & Mortar retail stores --- since I don't --- and who live relatively close by.) I'd asked her to grab whatever looked interesting and she delivered a New Lipton Iced Tea Tropical Flavor with Other Natural Flavors with a Splash of Juice.

Product: Lipton Iced Tea Tropical Flavor, with Other Natural Flavors, with a Splash of Juice, 20oz bottle.

You'd think with this mouthful of a label name that it would taste amazing, but you'd be wrong. It was merely OK. Like most things sweetened with stevia it had a noticeable aftertaste.

"I can eat stevia plant leaves just fine. In fact, my first taste of stevia was actually fresh picked out of a friend's garden. But sadly, no-one has figured out how to process stevia commercially without the resulting product having a bitter aftertaste. And yes, I've tried the products that say "no stevia aftertaste." It's still there, perhaps fainter than in other products, but noticeable to my taste-buds."

Anywho, back to the product trial: For all the flavors and splash of juice, it was a rather weak tea. I could taste the flavor of the tea itself distinctively, as if it was fresh brewed, so that's a point in its favor. As Lipton is well regarded tea brand, I'd expect no less. I wouldn't seek to purchase this again --- not my cup bottle of tea! I'm a Southerner and a Sweet Tea enthusiast (this means real sugar, hon). I don't expect this particular product to go over well in the deep South, but we cotton to Lipton well enough, as a brand.

#New #Ensure Max Protein Shake Review Less #Sugar

Trial and Error

Product Tried: Ensure Max Protein Shake Single. 11 FL oz. 

This was a Kroger Free Friday Download a couple weeks back. I couldn't drink it. I dislike wasting food but I threw this out. Tasted like watery paste. (I believe I must've eaten non-toxic paste at least once as a small child as I have such a strong and horrible taste association with it.) I feel sorry for any people who need to drink such beverages to help balance their blood sugar and such. It was horrible. Would NEVER buy it for myself. Yikes! Thank goodness it was a freebie item. This product is a prime example of why it's always nice to be able to "Try Before You Buy" (with your own money). This ain't no milkshake.

#AmazonEcho Fun: Avenger's #InfinityWar Trivia Game #AlexaSkills

Marvel Studios: Avengers Tweet (Screenshot)

Do you have an Amazon Alexa-enabled device? Or at least have an Alexa-enabled Amazon app on your smartphone/s? Alexa is so darn ubiquitous, which was rather Amazon's point in order to gain access to more consumer data, that I'm betting you do. I mean, I have an Amazon Echo (1st Gen), an Amazon Fire Tablet (originally called Kindle Fire, 3rd Gen) and various Alexa-enabled apps installed on several smartphones --- and this is all without actually trying --- merely because I've been an Amazon customer for better than a decade and I also happen to be a natural born geek.

So do you use your Alexa-enabled whatever to play games? There are some fun Alexa Skills out there. (There are quite a few useful ones, also.) I noticed a tweet from Marvel Studios this morning about a new Avenger's Infinity War Trivia Game (Alexa Skill). I haven't played it yet, but it might be fun. I like Marvel. I read the comics, watch the movies and play the games (each at varying levels).

ASIDE: Apparently, today is also Thor's (Chris Hemsworth's) birthday as I saw a tweet to this effect while scrolling through my feed this morning. I do enjoy his portrayal of the character in the Marvel movies (MCU). I've always had a soft spot for Thor, as a both a Viking and a Mythology devotee (since childhood). Happy Birthday to him!

Have you found any must-have Alexa Skills? Di mi, cara. Do Tell.

Well, the pup is stomping her paw ready to go out for second walk. Adieu!

#FYI The Next #FreeFridayDownload @Kroger = #ZonePerfect Bar

Free Friday Download: Coming up on August 17th only, you can load a digital coupon for a Free ZonePerfect Bar Single (FPO size, select varieties) at Kroger Family stores. Redeem by Sunday, September 2.

Sierra Mist Is Back, Now With Real #Sugar #Soda #Beverages #PepsiCo @Kroger

A few days ago, I received an email from Kroger announcing that Sierra Mist (a PepsiCo brand Lemon-Lime soda) was making a return to store shelves and that the soda was now made with real sugar. To thank me for being a "Best Customer" the email also included a link to a digital coupon for a Free 2L of the reformulated soda so that I could try it for myself. Looks like I'll be sipping on Sierra Mist this weekend. Thanks, Kroger and PepsiCo!

NEW Sierra Mist with Real Sugar

I've noticed that a lot of beverage companies are (re)introducing "pure cane sugar" or real sugar versions of their sodas in a bid to capitalize on the current consumer market trend of preferring "natural" products (or at least products with more natural ingredients rather than additives or preservatives). Here's a callout from the email:

"Customers asked for it, and now it’s back! Experience Sierra Mist,^® made with real sugar. The light, crisp taste of lemon lime, plus the sweetness from real sugar is a perfect way to invigorate your day. We hope this special offer helps you enjoy the crisp, refreshing taste!"

NOTE: Have you given up soda? It's true that soda is generally unhealthy (compared to some other beverage choices), but so is living. I look at it this way: We are mortal beings and all will die eventually. The "Sweet Spot" is in how you live. I enjoy soda. I drink it. I drink other beverages, too. Moderation is key. I don't "diet" or deny myself any food that I desire. (I don't crave meat, so being vegetarian was a natural progression for me, not specifically an exception. It also synced with my youthful environmental awareness.) I'm a realist. I simply hope to make sound choices (in all things), but being Human don't always succeed. I keep trying.

Lookout For Coke's New Iconic State Flavors #Beverages #Soda

Coke State Flavors

Some time ago, I received an email from the Coca-Cola Company touting its new Coke variations, based upon iconic State flavors. There were like 4 flavors in the first batch which were mentioned in the email, but of course, the only two I recall are Georgia Peach and California Raspberry, my dual home states. I have yet to see any of them in-store, but then again, I seldom go out to shop Brick & Mortar any longer. I'm almost exclusively an online shopper.

A friend recently spotted some of these sodas in the wild -- quaintly, he still shops in physical stores -- and was kind enough to text me a shelfie of Georgia and California side by side. I'm curious to try them. Apparently they contain natural fruit flavors and pure cane sugar like "Mexican" Coke.

What other flavors should Coke include in the line? Have you tried any of the flavors already available? What did you think?

VUDU Sale, Score! #VideoDownloads #BritishHumor #PBS

Come Fly With Me SE01

VUDU is having a MASSIVE sale and folks on a movie forum that I frequent have been discussing the best deals to be had. Someone there mentioned that the full First (and only) Season (6 episodes) of a show called Come Fly With Me was on sale for $3.99 and then said he'd recommend the show to anyone who likes British humor. The person ended by saying the show was done by the same guys who did Little Britain. In response, several others on the forum posted to say that it was quite a good show and getting the entire season at this price was a great deal.

I hadn't heard of Come Fly With Me, but I knew Little Britain because a friend of mine had recommended it years ago. (This friend knows that I grew up watching old British television serials rerun on PBS, so dry British humor is actually my default.) Luckily, VUDU had recently given me a $3.00 gift credit to thank me for being a good customer and I'd also won a "20% Off Your Next Purchase" code in a partner sponsored contest. I decided to purchase the show as a blind buy.

Score! I was able to stack the two discounts and buy the full First Season for ONLY $0.19! I'll probably download Come Fly With Me and check out the show over the next week or so, time permitting. I figure how could I go wrong at 19-cents.... Thanks, VUDU!

Help Spark A Movement #BiteBackHunger #FoodNews #Philanthropy #SmallBatch #MightySparkFood

Mighty Spark Food Co. sticker

Recently Publix featured several ecoupons for at least three free Mighty Spark Food Co. products. This new company began as a "farmers market food booth" specializing in hand-crafted "small batch" meat products. While I don't eat meat, both my dog (a prey-focused hound and natural hunter) and members of my extended family do. Thus, I sometimes purchase meat. I loaded the Mighty Spark Food Co. ecoupons that I saw onto my Publix account and redeemed them for the freebie items. I gave the meat to a carnivorous sibling who it turn brought back to me the company's logo sticker which was included inside the carton. (I like stickers.) By the way, my sister gave the products a good review when I asked what she thought, as did our other sister's husband. (I'd informed our other sister about the freebie ecoupons so that she could load them for her own household.)

I had not heard of Mighty Spark Food Co. prior to this Publix digital coupon promotion. I'd searched for and visited their website after I noticed the ecoupons in order to check their product list. But after receiving the sticker which had a message to "Become a Mighty Spark" printed on its peel-away paper backing, I returned to the website to read about the company's philanthropic efforts working to #bitebackhunger: "For every Mighty Spark item purchased, the company donates a meal to those in need." Mighty Spark also helps sponsor community events that feed those in need --- all causes behind which I can certainly rally! I subscribed to the company's newsletter to find out about potential volunteer opportunities.

I may not personally consume their products, but I actively support organizations that work to better this world. If you're curious to know more and want to become a "Mighty Spark" opt-in at mightysparkfood.com. (Of interest to carnivores... the back of the sticker also mentioned a possibility of receiving freebies in addition to the newsletter.)

Choose to do good. It is a choice.

#Starbucks #DarkRoast #KCups #TastingFlight #FrenchRoast #Sumatra #CafeVerona #Coffee #Beverages

Some time ago, I received a "Tasting Flight" (free sampler) of Starbucks Dark Roast Coffees K-Cups. I enjoyed them at the time, but never wrote a review of the product, so I'm rectifying this now.

If you like Dark Roast Coffee, you will probably like the coffees in this sampler: Cafe Verona, French Roast and Sumatra. I did. I love coffee, period. I will have a cup of almost any coffee, but I go back to the good stuff time and again. This sampler was good, all the varieties included were solid. Dark Roasts are too "strong" for some people, but I prefer a robust cup of coffee. 

Starbucks says the French Roast is its most robust --- and the coffee is bright & sharp just as I like it! Now, this is a good cup of coffee (prepared with a bit of sugar and a splash of milk, over ice because it's Summer). I could drink this all day. The other two varieties were good also, even if neither left a specific impression beyond "an enjoyable cup of coffee." Because this is sort of the point, right?

I would buy any of them again, though because I'm moving away from purchasing prepackaged K-Cups, I'd likely choose to buy the whole bean or ground version in a bag. I love single-serve K-Cup convenience, but don't like the fact that most prepackaged K-Cups can't be recycled. So, I bought a My K-Cup. Now I can enjoy a single cup whenever I wish without the eco baggage --- this constitutes a Win-Win.

Starbucks tends to make pretty good coffee, this sampler fit the bill.

New #BeyondMeat #BeyondBurger #Review #Meatless #NationalBurgerDay #Vegetarian

A Review from last year (that I've been meaning to publish)

The Product: New Beyond Burger by Beyond Meat, a Plant-Sourced Burger, 2ct pkg (found in the meat aisle or refrigerated section)


The Details: Whole Foods did a one day promotion on the new Beyond Burger by Beyond Meat, which is normally $6.99 for a two patty pack (at my local store) but could be had at 2/$9.00 in honor of National Burger Day 2017. I was willing to risk trying it at $4.50/pkg (or $2.25/burger) since I had a Whole Foods Gift Card to pay for it. Because I eat other Beyond Meat products, I assumed it would be decent, although I was a bit cautious due to all the "can't tell the difference between it and real meat" hype being employed in advertising it.

I gave the second pack to my sister (the one who's vegetarian like I am) so that she could test it out also. We've both been veg for a long time: I've been veg for so long --- nearly 30 years --- that I no longer recall what meat tastes like, and she went veg roughly 6 years after I did. As she's also older than I am, she ate meat for more of her life than I did, but she's still been veg for more than 20 years at this point.

The Results: We were both underwhelmed. After all the online hype pushing this burger to the masses we expected to be wowed! (We each prepared the burgers separately at our own homes and met up several days later to discuss what we thought of the experience.) Each of us thought the plain burger was good, but not amazing. We both agreed it worked very well with "all the fixings." It sautéed well, grilled great and held up on a bun well. It was comparatively thick and juicy ---most commercially prepared veggie burgers are thin patties.

If having a "meaty" option plant-based burger encourages others to go veg or at least make more conscientious dietary choices then I'm all for it. It provides an option. I liked it well enough that I would add it to the rotation of veggies burgers and other prepared veggie entrees that I consume, but it wasn't so unbelievable that it would be the only veggie burger I'd eat on a consistent basis.

It's a nice innovative addition to the marketplace, but don't expect it to topple Morningstar Farms from the top (it's more expensive, takes a bit more preparation and ends up tasting only slightly better).

Try it, if you will. If you're a meat eater then it may be a tasty way to get more veg protein in your diet. Vegetarians can probably take it or leave it. It's a convenient meal option, but I could just as easily make stir fry. However, I like to mix things up, so I will buy it from time to time.

#SweetEarth #Breakfast Sandwiches #Review #Vegan #Meatless #Vegetarian

A Review

The Product: Sweet Earth Harmless Ham, Vegan Chickpea Patty and Sundried Tomato on Flax Bread, 2ct box.

The Details: Purchased with a VIP BOGO Free coupon. $5.69/box at my local Whole Foods.

What did I think? Although this sandwich should have a mix of flavors, the overall taste is VERY mild to the point of being bland. How is this possible?! You mix all these great ingredients together and come up with only a passable sandwich. Personally, I'd rather just eat the raw veggies than ever eat this thing again, but then I'm vegetarian. Might be more acceptable for someone who doesn't normally eat a lot of veggies.

The main benefits here are its convenience ---  microwaves in 1 minute --- and having a nutritional punch condensed into an easily portable form (each individual sandwich comes in sealed wrapper). If you're looking for a quick veg meal option, something like this might fill the bill.

The Results: I tried it, but I didn't much like it. So I personally wouldn't make it a regular purchase.