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June 29, 2007

Camping Gear

What's left of your dusty old camping gear has seen more of the basement this season than it has the great outdoors. Of course, it's never too late to change that scenario. Simply reserve a campsite using ReserveAmerica.com or GoCampingAmerica.com. Then assess what you have to work with, get online and stock up on more essential camping gear from these great retailers:


Shop MooseJaw.com for sporty, camping-friendly clothing and shoes, plus outdoorsy essentials like stoves, compasses, daypacks, tools and more. You'll find trusted brands like Prana, The North Face, Patagonia, Burton, Camelbak, Salomon, Roy and many others. Get free shipping on orders over $29, sign up for and earn MooseJaw rewards — and earn a 4% rebate from ConsumerClub.com while you shop too.


What next? The Summer Bonanza Sale may end today on CampingWorld.com, but your 4% rebate from ConsumerClub.com goes on. That makes this the perfect place to get your RV gear, grills and accessories, sleeping bags, tents and much more.


Next stop REI.com, where the 4th of July Sale & Clearance is in full swing through Wednesday. Discover loads of the very best camping, hiking and cycling gear and clothing on the market at incredible discounts. Find all of the above at great prices all year round at REIoutlet.com, where you can now save 50% on hundreds of hot-weather must-haves. Happy camping.


June 22, 2007

Exquisite Invitations

Getting married this fall? Throwing a big housewarming party next month? Looking to build excitement about the big baby shower you're giving a close friend? It's all in the invitation. Promote your party with some of my favorite designs and retailers:


Make your custom dream invitation a reality at FineStationery.com. Take your time trying out different styles and messages — or choose the "Need it Quick" option to view ideas that you can get on the fly. You'll find everything from moving announcements to wedding invitations to personalized stationery and napkins. You'll even find an entire section of the site dedicated to etiquette advice from expert Letitia Baldridge, who has written more than a dozen books on the subject. Finally, shop FineStationery.com and you'll earn a 3% rebate from ConsumerClub.com.


Looking for exceptionally unique, modern card designs that can double as artwork? ElumDesigns.com offers beautiful, one-of-a-kind letterpress cards, notes, invitations and more. The price may be a bit higher than some other card and invitation resources, but you definitely get what you pay for. The limited edition prints are worthy of framing. And if you're looking to get ahead of the game, there are actually some beautiful winter-inspired cards on sale right now.


Finally, is any card shopping complete without a trip to Hallmark.com? The world's best-known card store just keeps getting better. (And keep in mind that you'll earn a full 5% rebate from ConsumerClub.com while as you shop here.) Browse through cards and invitations for just about every occasion imaginable, even find gifts and flowers for your guests. You can also send e-cards to your tech-savvier friends here.


June 15, 2007

Cool and Dry

There's something special about having a beach towel all to yourself. You don't have to rely on a stack of tattered bathroom towels every time you want to swim a couple of laps at the local pool — or take the family to the beach. You have your own little island in the sand, and yet another good reason to get excited about sun and fun this summer. Here's where to find nice beach towels at great prices:


LandsEnd.com brightens any day with vibrant beach towels featuring wave patterns, polka dots and multi-colored vertical stripes. Flowery types will appreciate the feminine Chantilly, Shadow, Sculpted and Reversible Poppy patterns in delightful color combinations like pink and aquamarine. You might want to pick up towels for friends and family too as you earn a 3% rebate from ConsumerClub.com.


Everybody's favorite discount store, Target.com, doesn't disappoint when it comes to beach towel selections. Patterns range from sharks in the sea and 3D frogs to hibiscus flowers, butterflies and multicolored modern stripes. Pick up some sand toys and a sun hat at ridiculously low prices while you're there. You'll also earn a full 5% rebate from ConsumerClub.com while you shop.


Macys.com is another great place to buy beach towels. Summer Stripes, Floral Reflections and Art Deco are just a few of the fun patterns available, and almost all of the beach towels on this site are currently on sale. Add to that a 3% rebate from ConsumerClub.com and you're looking at a virtual steal. Happy sunning.


June 08, 2007

Diamond Rings

Shopping for an engagement sparkler? Ready to invest in a wedding or anniversary band? There's a surprising array of choices out there. And not all of them require refinancing your house — or forgoing an actual wedding — in order to pay the bill.


Start with BlueNile.com, the largest online retailer of certified diamonds. Start by downloading and printing the Ring Sizer PDF. Simply place a ring that fits your wedding finger on one of the circles to find your size. You can also read tips about selecting an engagement ring. Even Build Your Own Ring by simply choosing a diamond, selecting a setting and letting Blue Nile put it all together for you and ship it your way. Your 3% rebate from ConsumerClub.com will add up fast with diamonds in the shopping cart.


The selections at Dallas-based Ylang23.com mix diamonds and other precious stones in completely unexpected designs. Though most rings on this site aren't intended as engagement or wedding bands, they're all incredible, unique choices. From the Cathy Waterman Laurel Leaf Band in 22 Karat Gold to the delicate Tiny Floral Band made of platinum and diamonds, you'll find all sorts of unexpected rings that break the mold.


Find more unique ideas in the Colored Diamond Collection and the Belle of the Ball Collection on Ice.com. The 1/2 Carat Red and White Diamond 14K White Gold Ring is divine — and it's less than $500. The 1 3/4 Carat 3-Stone Tanzanite and 1/8 Carat Diamond 14K White Gold Ring is breathtaking — and less than $1,000. And these are just two tiny examples of the luxurious jewelry to be found on Ice.com, in addition to a hefty 5% rebate from ConsumerClub.com. The gift boxes are free too. Lucky you.


June 01, 2007

Dad's Big Day

He taught you to ride a bike. He read to you at bedtime. He might have even paid for your college. Only you know the reasons why your Dad deserves a big token of your gratitude this Father's Day. But I can definitely tell you some great places to find gift ideas:


Visit RestorationHardware.com for loads of creative, masculine gifts. The list begins with grilling tools galore — and spans all the way to the "Handyman in Your Pocket" book, radios and flashlights that require no batteries, photo key chains and a whole lot more. On sale you'll find a cashmere travel set and other ideas for the old man.


Add one of the latest life-enhancing innovations to Dad's daily life. Brookstone.com can help. Some of my favorites include the new 5-Day Wireless Weather Forecaster, the Talking Photo Ball and the Special Edition Silver Microbeam flashlight. Add some extra cash to your account, too, as you earn a 5% rebate from ConsumerClub.com.


Does Dad have a serious sweet tooth? ChocolateSource.com has the stuff to sooth it. Try a luxury gift box like the Nirvana liqueur-flavored chocolates, the Cafe Tasse Wooden box dinner crunch or, for the dark chocolate-loving Dad, the Dark Chocolate Lover's Gift Basket. You’ll earn a 7% rebate from ConsumerClub.com shopping here.


For the traveling man, there's Flight001.com. Now through June 16th, enter promotion code "Dad" and get free ground shipping on orders of $50 or more. What will you find here? How about creative passport covers, plush travel pillows (plus blankets and sleep masks), moisturizers, luggage tags, alarm clocks and plenty of other options that will guarantee smooth sailing on all Dad's future travels.


Finally, I definitely recommend the wonderfully unique, artsy gifts on UncommonGoods.com. The Dad-to-Be set includes a manly diaper bag filled with new-father essentials. The King Dad platter will make the whole family smile. The Home Maintenance Organizer will help him keep his plentiful projects in order. There's also an exceptional selection of printed ties and wallets, and loads more keepsakes here, in addition to a handy 5% rebate from ConsumerClub.com.