Chipotle Mexican Grill opens tomorrow in Huntington Station (Schwab Road near Walt Whitman Mall), but you can get a taste of what's to come from 3 to 9 p.m. today at a pre-opening fundraiser. You'll get a complete meal for only $5; 631-423-0127.
July 23-27: Shecky's Beauty Week offers up to 75 percent off treatments at participating spas and salons in Manhattan and Long Island. Log on to Sheckys.com for locations and to book an appointment.
(Newsday photo/Alejandra Villa)
Martha Stewart has teamed up with Wal-Mart to offer crafters yet another line of tools, kits and embellishments for their projects. And here's the good news: It's all oh-so-affordable.
The line, which is available only in Wal-Mart retail stores (some items sold at walmart.com), includes two arms:
Create: High-quality basics such as craft punches ($8.97) and glitter markers($9.97) as well as a few innovations-- such as a circle cutter ($14.97). All-in-one scrapbook kits ($24.97) are a big value-- each includes the album plus 650-750 coordinated papers, embellishments and pieces centered around a theme such as "Elegant," "Heirloom" or "Classic." A clever just-for-kids "Gumdrop" scrapbook kit ($14.97) includes a 3-ring binder, pre-punched paper and other goodies.
Celebrate: Brides-to-be can browse through ensembles of stationary, favor boxes, cake toppers ($8.96-$21.96) and such by theme-- from classic "Eyelet" and "Wedding Bells" to cheery "Daisy" and vintage-chic "Dove." Wedding shower planners can shop for printable invitations, ribbon streamers and favor bags ($2.97-$13.96) in themes of "Polka Dot" or the chocolate and pink "Hearts." Getting high marks for creativity: A "Shower Bow Bouquet" ($3.97) with wire loops to attach all those gift bows and ribbons and "Hearts Mini Candy Bar Wrappers" ($3.47), which help you personalize any miniature chocolate candy bars with print-it-yourself wrappers (dates, names or fun messages) powered by free online templates.
Handbag designer Monica Botkier is the latest to get on the Target bandwagon, with a limited-edition collection of handbags to be sold through Sept. 14. Look for satchels, hobos and clutches in black, white, fuchsia and assorted metallics priced from $19.99 to $49.99.
Several weeks ago, I finally purchased something I've had my eye on for months! And now that I have it in my possession, I can't imagine why I didn't buy it sooner.
It's a beautiful picture made by Emily Martin, owner of TheBlackApple, and I simply love it. I'd hug and snuggle it, but I don't want to destroy all the hard work that went into making this amazing piece of art.
What propelled my purchase? Well, I stumbled upon this darling print on Etsy.com and bookmarked it as a favorite months ago. Then I discovered that Emily Martin would be featured on the Martha Stewart Show. I was so worried that my little girl would be sold to someone else, so I snapped her up the night before the show aired!
Luckily, she was still there waiting for me. Hurray!
The Black Apple offers hand-sewn dollies with sweet faces, prints of little girls holding animals and dangling from trees, and postcards, too.
Check out the shop online: theblackapple.etsy.com
Do you buy handmade? Tell me about your latest handmade purchase! Pop me an e-mail describing your latest find and you may see it here on the blog!
Click here to read more from the "Buying Handmade" series.
Photo credit: Emily Martin
A Cheap Thrills reader just e-mailed me about an offer of free tickets to see the Mets for people who donate blood this weekend at the Walt Whitman Mall. Here's more details:
Donate blood at the Walt Whitman Mall blood drive this Saturday, July 19th. Every donor gets TWO free Mets tickets. The drive hours are from 11 a.m. to 4:30pm. Donate blood, save lives, and get free Mets tickets. If you can't make it on Saturday, there are two other blood drives running this summer offering free Mets tickets to donors:
* Friday, August 8th at the Walmart in Commack
* Saturday, August 16th at Lighthouse Harley Davidson in Huntington Station
Note: You can only donate blood every 56 days, so you can only donate once at one of these drives.
For more information, call Long Island Blood Services at 1-800-933-BLOOD (800-933-2566) or visit online: www.nybloodcenter.org
Photo of "Mr. Met" by Mike Stobe/Getty Images
AdornIt by Carolee's Creations offers papercrafting products for scrapbooking and has been a player in the craft industry for around 20 years, according to their Web site. They are currently offering a free idea book to help you get a jump on your scrapbooking projects.
Visit online to sign up for the free offer: www.adornit.com/ideabook/
And while you're at it, check out some of the scrapbooking clubs that meet in the area:
The Sisterhood of the Scrapbook Club meets for weekly workshops in Freeport.
The Bellmore Scrapbooking Meetup has planned a for a full day of scrapbooking where you'll have lots of space to work on your projects.
In New York City, there's the NY Scrapbooking & Rubber Stamping of Upper Manhattan where you enjoy a variety of classes alongside some talented crafters.
Above: A handmade card using a copper foiling technique. Photo by Heidi Davenport
July 19: Shop til you drop Saturday at Shecky's Girls Day Out, from 1 to 6 p.m. at the Southampton Historical Museum. Planners promise fashions from up-and-coming designers, free spa services, tons of samples and plenty of cocktails. It's free but you need to register at girlsnightout.sheckys.com; for $30, you get the goodie bag with products from the likes of Dove and
July 17: Sephora Soho celebrates it’s 10th anniversary with free skincare consultations, makeovers, and spray tans, noon–7 p.m. at 555 Broadway, Manhattan; (212) 625-1309.
Blogger Mark LaMonica is giving away free copies of the book "How the Other Half Hamptons" by Jasmin Rosemberg over at the Hanging in the Hamptons blog. Check them out and learn how you can score a copy. Tell 'em Cheap Thrills sent ya!
Photo credit: Hachette Books
