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By Robin McMacken
| Monday, January 30, 2012, 03:25 PM
Our incredibly mild winter this year has put a screech on the sales of many cold-temperature products — from snowblowers and shovels to winter wear, including boots.
“Mild weather was tough on cold weather (true snow boot) sales, but we had a really strong August and September for boots,” says Amanda DeGrave, divisional merchandise manager for Von Maur stores.
“Right now, there are some good deals,” says Chris Roderer, manager of Roderer Shoe Center in Kettering.
Winter 2012 is decidedly Uggs R Us, say both DeGrave and Roderer, adding the all-weather Bogs boots, too, have enjoyed success.
“Most footwear is timeless; it is just a matter of how you wear it with different clothing,” says DeGrave. “You can never go wrong with a good tall leather riding boot. … It can be dressy or casual, worn in the fall or the spring. It is very versatile.”
And I am definitely stealing this idea from DeGrave: In the spring, switch from thick tights to a lighter weight hosiery item in order to still wear those winter boots
.
Short boots have been a big winter trend, too, “that can be worn into spring with ditsy floral dresses or skirts in a flowy material.”
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By Robin McMacken
| Thursday, January 26, 2012, 12:05 PM
If you’re thinking romance on a budget as Valentine’s Day approaches, then check out the 2011 Georges Duboeuf Beaujolais Nouveau now on sale at Arrow Wine & Spirits.
It has been discounted to $7.99, and this French wine would make a lovely libation with dinner.
A votre sante!
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By Robin McMacken
| Monday, January 23, 2012, 12:54 PM
Super Bowl XLVI is less than two weeks away in Indianapolis, yet there is ample time to prepare the home for gatherings large and small.
Retailers are making noise about markdowns on at least two of the requisite items for game day: HDTVs and recliners.
Sports fans can expect to find deals on HDTVs, according to the folks at www.DealNews.com.
Some of the sweetest discounts can be seen on the humble 42-inch LCD HDTV, according to Deal News, because it is increasingly being supplanted by the larger models. Keep your eyes peeled for models at $349.
This is also the time of year when the nesting instinct kicks in, and furniture sales abound.
Rob Klaben, vice president of marketing and advertising for Morris Home Furnishings, says consumers are ready to invest in their homes as temperatures drop.
“We are just kicking off our Ultimate Home Sale, and we have a promotion offering 50 percent off furniture (home-theater systems excluded) and mattresses that ends Feb. 7.”
The store, with locations in Dayton, Centerville and Cincinnati, also features stylish recliners from such manufacturers as La-Z-Boy and Lane.
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By Robin McMacken
| Friday, January 13, 2012, 01:11 PM
My Facebook friend posted a link to a truly terrific online sale at www.bathandbodyworks.com.
The merchant is offering up to 75 percent off select body-care products. What I find remarkable: exclusive body creams and lotions, as well as fragrance mists and shower gels, which normally retail for $9.50, are now $3.
Don’t delay, however, as my favorite scent, Dark Kiss is already sold out.
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By Robin McMacken
| Wednesday, January 11, 2012, 06:39 PM
Retailers are cashing in on New Year’s resolutions to get fit and making huge price cuts on fitness equipment this month.
“Now is a great time to create the at-home gym and adhere to any fitness resolutions,” says John Parson, director of sales for G&G Fitness, which is the parent company of the Fitness Stores in Ohio, Pennsylvania and New York.
“Time is a precious commodity,” he adds, and fashioning a home gym allows us to work out according to our schedules. “And arguably it can take you as long to get to and from the gym as it does to do your workout at home.”
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By Robin McMacken
| Tuesday, January 10, 2012, 04:37 PM
Fashionistas will love to know that many shops — from upscale boutiques to junior apparel chains — are clearing out their winter merchandise this month to make room for the new spring collections.
Retailers have given us the perfect opportunity to fluff our winter wardrobes with such go-to items as down jackets, wool coats or hats and scarves.
Although after-Christmas sales focused on winter apparel discounts, many retailers are offering even stronger sales this month, according to www.DealNews.com.
Deal News also advises us to keep watch for impressive discounts from French Connection, Express (which last year progressively offered deeper discounts throughout the month), Levi’s, J.Crew, Aeropostale, Banana Republic and Barneys New York.
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By Robin McMacken
| Tuesday, January 3, 2012, 12:45 PM
The dreariness of January has set in and the Christmas decorations have been lovingly put away. So now is the time to start planning a minivacation.
CheapOAir.com is a fabulous website to search for getaway packages, as the budget travel company is always offering some kind of incentive.
It also provides tips on how to save money while traveling, cool spots to visit once you arrive at your destination, as well as safety pointers, in the ongoing blog series.
To find out what steals and deals CheapOAir currently offers, visit www.cheapoair.com/vacations and then click on “Vacation Packages” and enter your desired travel dates and destination.
Remember: Rates are based on availability; taxes and service fees are not included.
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By Robin McMacken
| Tuesday, January 3, 2012, 12:39 PM
To step up your fitness goals for 2012 and overcome that feeling of post-holiday inertia, start walking.
It’s arguably the most affordable form of exercise (you just need a pair of good shoes and comfy clothes), and the world is your oyster as far as places to walk.
Here are my suggestions for getting started:
Invest in good shoes. Turn to the experts at a shoe or sporting-goods shop to fit you with sneakers that offer comfort and support.
Set realistic goals. If your goal is to walk two hours a day, 365 days a year, you might be setting yourself up for failure. Aim for a more realistic goal, such as 30 minutes five days a week.
Track your progress. Mayo Clinic also recommends keeping a record of how many steps you take, the distance you walk and how long it takes to help you see where you started from and serve as a source of inspiration.
Implement the buddy system to stay motivated. Nothing keeps us on our toes as much as making a commitment with a spouse, partner, friend or neighbor to work out.
Make safety No. 1. If you walk in the evening, then be sure to wear reflective gear. If you walk alone, then be sure to tell someone the route you’re taking.
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By Robin McMacken
| Thursday, December 29, 2011, 05:00 PM
Urban Active at The Greene Town Center in Beavercreek is helping members and nonmembers alike kick-start their fitness goals for 2012.
On Sunday, the fitness center will offer a complimentary 75-minute Zumba class at 2:15 p.m.
The Latin-inspired dance workout combines red-hot music with addictive dance moves. It also features interval training sessions where fast and slow rhythms are combined to tone and sculpt the body while burning fat, at about 500 to 800 calories per hour.
Urban Active is located at 4494 Walnut St., Beavercreek. For more information, call (937) 427-0700.
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By Robin McMacken
| Thursday, December 29, 2011, 04:55 PM
With paper, ink and a printer, you can create a 2012 calendar to reflect your personal flair and help you slide into the New Year with a sense of organization.
Check out www.freeprint.com, for instance, where you can choose from a wide variety of calendar templates to download.
Or let the pros at such websites as www.vistaprint.com do all the printing. For a limited time, you can design your own 2012 wall, wallet, poster or desk calendar for free at the website. (You will pay for shipping and processing costs.)
The process is quite snazzy, and you can customize the templates provided.
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