Bargain Biatch

Hazy Hot and Humid, Bikram Yoga Anyone?

Finally checked my email and today’s Groupon deal is 30 days of unlimited Bikram Yoga for only $49.  Wow fantastic since I just checked the temperature and it 93 degrees with the humidity on the rise so what couldn’t be more refreshing than 90 minutes of sweaty hot yoga?  And yes of course I bought the deal since I actually did go to Bikram this morning, and even going once a week for the month, you’ll still save money.  Single Classes are regularly $20 and the monthly unlimited is $175.  The best part is that although you buy now, you have 6 months to use your classes and can go to either of the Brooklyn Park Slope/South Slope studios.  So this winter when it’s sub zero, the hot room might be just the thing to shake off the winter blues…and pounds.

GIve My Regards (but not all my money) to Broadway

This weekend along with the tree killing excess of back to school circulars was in insert for discount Broadway tickets.  Included are long running hits Fela!, American Idiot, and A Little Night Music.  There’s also newer offerings like Lombardi, Mamet’s a Life in the Theatre and the return of Time Stands Still with Laura Linney….a must see. Ticket prices are discounted 35-50 percent and starting as low as $35.  If you don’t subscribe to New York’s hometown paper, no not The Times but the trashy and entertaining Daily News, you can still get the deal.  Visit Season Of Savings to buy your tickets online and watch video clips of the shows. So go out a get ya some culture already!

Movie/Theater Review: Next To Normal

Recently there’s been a bunch of new commercials for Next To Normal. They start with voiceovers about the dubious entertainment value of a musical about a mom and coping with bipolar depression and the toll on her family and end up praising it as the best show EVER! I was skeptical to say the least.  I’d resisted seeing the multiple Tony winning musical but finally broke down after reading rave reviews about the new husband and wife team joining the cast, that plus half price TKTS tickets.  From the opening number the show grabs you and pulls you.  You immediately plug in to the pain and angst of the ups and downs of bipolar mom, overachieving angry neglected daughter, dad in denial and well, there’s the dead son…..good times.  The story unfolds and doesn’t shy away from addressing mental illness and the hit and miss treatment options including talk therapy, psychopharmacology and electric shock.  The raw emotions are palpable and the voices soar making it surprising and incredible production.  No Debbie Downer here and two thumbs up for Next To Normal.  To save over 50% on tickets: 
ONLINE BroadwayOffers.com and use code NNTC819
CALL (212) 947-8844 and use code NNTC819
VISIT Booth Theatre Box Office, 222 West 45th St.          (between Broadway & 8th Ave.)
         Hours: Monday - Saturday 10AM - 8PM; Sunday Noon - 7:30PM
            Bring a printout of this offer.

Travel On The Fly Just Got Easier And More Entertaining

Just discovered ITA Software, a fantastic new websites for searching and comparing the best, cheapest flights.  Its works like Kayak or Sidestep but better because it uses Google’s search engine, i.e., bigger, better, faster, more comprehensive results.  And as a bonus, the site also lists events that are going on during the dates of your visit.  I tried a search NY to Montreal and along with the flight options, 13 activities came up categorized under headings like sports, music, binge drinking, ok not that last one but enough to keep you well entertained during your stay.  After giving ITA a trail run, I had already decided to sidestep my kayak and then I saw they also have a free app.  By downloading On The Fly, you can have the same awesome search capability at your fingertips, so whatever city you happen to be stuck in, you’re not at a loss for fun on the fly, perfect for burned spies, (hear that Michael Weston?) And when visiting boring relatives.

Cheap Eats: Around Town and Online

Eating well just got cheaper thanks to a new website called Black Board Eats.  It’s a site started by food writers and other gluttons foodies who’ve come together to give you the skinny on the best deals around town. The best part is the absence of pretentious about anything other than the food. Their focus isn’t on the newest “something shiny” or that just opened or celebrity hangout. Instead they uncover hidden gems, highlight well-known eateries that are dishing up good food and offering special deals.  When you sign up, you’ll get an email with the daily deal like 30 percent off Murrays Cheese or special prix fixe insider offers and very good restaurants. 

 

If you prefer your fine food delivered, Haute Look, the online fashion sale site has expanded and now offering pop up sales from fancy food retailers.  The most recent sale included tuna…uh no thanks, I’m giving up botchalism for summer. And tamales, not sure but price is right at $32 or 4 dozen of the beef filled variety.  For that price it’s worth to set up your own neighborhood food stand, and hire an unemployed banker to run it for you.

Movie Review: The Kids Are All Right

Finally got around to seeing The Kids Are All Right.  The timely dramedy about a lesbian couple, their kids and the arrival of donor dad.  I’d heard a lot about the movie, mostly rave reviews from the press and from straight friends. This mixed with some negative comments from lesbians who felt a bit betrayed and gay relationships misrepresented due to the affair between DD and one of the moms. Initially I was totally in that camp showing solidarity with my sisters but changed my mind after seeing the movie.  TKAAR is about a family with two mom’s played by Julianne Moore (Jules) and Annette Benning (Nic). Jules is more laid back and struggling to find herself and trying to reinvent herself as a landscaper.  Nic is focused and somewhat controlling physician who’s determined to give the family rules and structure.  Their kids, a 15-year-old son and 18-year-old daughter from the same sperm donor are each similar in personality to their birth mom.  Enter Paul, DD, the cutie Mark Ruffalo. He’s an outwardly successful restaurant owner who’s been completely irresponsible in his personal life.  He jumps at the chance to connect with his kids and then gradually insinuates himself into their family. There are some funny moments but lots of scenes with emotional depth.  Each member is changed by the arrival of baby daddy and has to reevaluate who they are individually and within their family dynamic.  I really liked the movie and found it well acted, honest and definitely worth seeing.

Eat Fresh, Summer Specials And a Bounty of Bargain Food

Organic and sustainable food is what’s hot and every greenmarket is bursting with the season’s bounty. All good, but wow, bargains on this just picked, fresh harvest, sprinkled with fairy dust food are few and far between.  I took a cruise Saturday through the Grand Army Plaza stalls and prices were double what I’d just seen at Rossmans, my favorite produce market in Sunset Park.  I make a weekly trip there and stock up everything from staples like clover honey, and canned goods to all kinds of veggies from basic greens to specialty cucumbers and fava beans in season.  And they have THE BEST tomatoes that actually leave your hands with that delicious earthy fresh tomato smell after you touch them. Then there’s a huge array of fruit including specialty melons all at considerably lower prices than the supermarket, the farmers market and even the Food Coop.  And nope it’s not all organic and nope, I don’t care.   But if you don’t want to buy or make your own farm stand food, take a trip to Rose Water restaurant and take advantage of their summer market menu.  From Monday – Thursday they’re offering 3 courses for $26 prix fixe, and add $15 for a wine pairing and let someone else be sustainable for you.

Sexy Summer Skin and Swimsuits on Sale

Going to shelve my Friday movie review to post about 2 time sensitive 20 percent off deals.

 

The first is from Bath and Body Works.  I always stock up during the semi-annual sales and get tons of hand and body soap.  Just recently I bought another haul and tried out all of the new scents that were green or came in a green bottle to match the green tiles in my newly renovated bathroom….of course.  Now through August 8 you can get an extra 20% off of any $25 purchase.  For in store follow the link and print the coupon and online it’s coupon code TWENTYOFF.  And yes they are having a sale, including anti-bac hand soap 5 for $15, 7 for $20 so with the coupon it’s basically free.

 

Second is Athleta, love the clothes, not so much the prices, but for the last few weeks they’ve been advertising their summer clearance sale.  Now as an extra incentive to move that merchandise, now through August 8, they’re taking an additional 20% off all sales items using coupon coed, HANG20.  So update your sporty clothes and splurge on some new bikinis and cover-ups since and summer isn’t over…but on Sunday, these sales will be.

Happy Hour: Drink Early Drink Often

In addition to constantly checking in with the Best App On The Planet, Cocktail Compass, which gives you up to the minutes info about Happy Hours in your area, I’ve just heard about a few other food and drink deals in my hood. First stop Olea in Fort Greene where you can indulge in some early bird eating and drinking.  The Mediterranean Taverna offers a generous Happy Hour with half price wine, drafts sparklers, bottled beer and Sangria.  And you won’t leave hungry, or sober because there’s a selection of $3-4 tapas and $1.50 oysters.  It’s perfect for a hot lazy day and hard to beat a dozen oysters and some Lambrusco.  Next Stop Cornelius, the Prospect Heights bar and restaurant where they’re offering a similar deal.  From 5:30 to 7:00 it’s blue points for a buck and $4 drafts and even if you order another side or a slider, it’s good deal for some very good food.  Then keep walking up Vanderbilt and cut across to James,  one of my favorite restaurants with fantastic drinks but a bit tough on the wallet. Now through Labor Day take advantage of a $30 three course prix fixe daily from 5:30 -7:00.  So grab your grandma or anyone else who doesn’t care for night owl dining and dig in and drink up.  Or lap yourself and stay out for the second round of Happy Hours that start up at 10pm.

Direct TV: Call and Demand Your Discount

It’s August and time for the midsummer call to try and lower my cable bill.  I’d phoned Direct TV a few months ago after a storm disrupted service and was told my receiver was basically as old a Betty White but not nearly as entertaining.  They offered an upgraded receiver with DVR and installation for free. They throw in a year of DVR service, regularly $7 per month at no extra cost. DEAL!..Unfortunately I had to cancel the appt, and when I tried to reschedule a month later, they NO DEAL! I was transferred to a customer service rep, and then her supervisor, both of whom sounded like they were working at a call center deep in the Ozarks.  No know hillbillies have to eat too, but were there no opening in the crystal meth shack.  Anyway after and unproductive conversation with Ruth Ann and Billy Bob, I was ready to cancel my cable.  Hey, I’ve got Netflix and Roku, the magic black to stream movies instantly, and figured I could find anything else on Hulu. So I asked for the cancellation department and the rep there said of course I could get the deal and said I was eligible for a bundled promotion with a 10 discount or $17 if I upgraded to DVR. So I scheduled and installation appt and will net a $10 a month discount and get a free DVR.  Seems good but coming up in a later post…..Brain Dead Service Tech:  The installation Hell!