Below the Norm

Winter Wonderland

2009-12-08T12:45:00.003-06:00

~The online plus-size retailer B & Lu is having a sample sale of overstock items. Sizes 1x to 5x, and 14 to 30.
Edgcumbe Recreation Center, 320 Griggs Ave. S., St. Paul
10 am-2 pm Saturday December 12th

~Ink is closing and clearing out nearly everything in the store. Pens and stationary make great Holiday gifts so head over to get a great deal.
IDS Center 80 S. Eighth St. Suite 4530. Minneapolis, MN
Limited supplies

***Cheap Date Ideas***
Pack a thermos of hot chocolate and watch the Holidazzle Parade on Nicollet Mall, downtown Minneapolis. The parade runs Thursdays through Sundays until December 20th and begins at 6:30 pm. Bring blankets to cuddle!

Holiday Benefits!

2009-11-30T15:42:00.003-06:00

~Minneapolis-based online stationery company RedStamp.com is offering 15 percent off all purchases and $1 shipping. Use Promo Code THX2YOU.
Tuesday, Nov. 24 to Monday, Nov. 30

~Chic costume jewelry sold at Henri Bendel, Neiman Marcus and other fine stores will be 50 to 80 percent off ($400 to $300 originally) during the Sequin and Badgley Mischka jewelry sample sale. Cash only.
International Market Square, 275 Market St., Minneapolis
11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 311 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 410 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 6

~Attend the third annual Busty Beachwear Bash at Nani Nalu Beachwear Boutique. Enjoy drinks and sweets while previewing Spring 2010 beachwear designed for cup sizes D and larger.
3922 W. 50th St., Edina, 952-546-5598
Thursday, Dec. 3 through Saturday, Dec. 5

Girls just wanna....SHOP!

2009-11-08T12:29:00.004-06:00

~Ladies get your bling on at the grand opening of Amore & Fede's second location! Enjoy refreshments, serious discounts, giveaways and other fun activities!
3940 W. 50th St., Edina, 952-929-1388
Friday, Nov. 13 and Saturday, Nov. 14

~Luxury handbags will be as much as 75 percent off during the Designer Handbag Liquidation Event at MODE.
7781 Main St., Maple Grove
Saturday, Nov. 7 to Friday, Nov. 13

***CHEAP DATE IDEA***
Get a glimpse of the fall colors from one of the most interesting views in the Twin Cities; The Guthrie Theater's Endless Bridge. The free standing bridge stretches out over the Mississippi River and provides and enchanting view. While you're there feel free to explore the wonderfully remodeled building. If dinner or a play is out of your budget stop by one of the four restaurants/cafes for a cup of coffee or a romantic night cap.

The Guthrie Theater
818 South 2nd Street
Minneapolis, MN 55415
http://www.guthrietheater.org/

SWOOSH!

2009-11-01T13:11:00.003-06:00

~The NBA season has begun and the Minnesota Timberwolves want to see you at the games! Every Wednesday home game is “College Night”. Show your student ID and you can get a $20 ticket for only $5! Plus if you get there early the first 100 student tickets will be upgraded to the lower level. You can even purchase the tickets in advance online: http://www.nba.com/timberwolves/promotions/college_night_0809.html
Target Center 600 First Avenue N, Minneapolis, MN 55403 612-673-1664

~Celebrate Maiden Minnesota 2009!! Local female owned businesses are hosting the event filled with hot clothing items, yummy treats and much more! Head out for an amazing shopping and charitable event that benefits Free Arts Minnesota which introduces art to abused, neglected, and at-risk children and their families.Tickets are $20 in advance or $30 at the door.
The Graves 601 Hotel, 601 1st Ave. N., Minneapolis, 612-677-1100
5 to 9 p.m. Thursday, November

Art is the only way to run away without leaving home. ~Twyla Tharp

2009-10-18T12:48:00.005-05:00

~Check out the Normandale Bookstore for discounts as high as 50 percent off eTextbooks! Chapters can be purchased for as low as $1.99! That’s a huge deal!
http://www.normandalebookstore.com/

~Love Uptown? Then you’ll enjoy the Uptown Boutique Crawl. You can save 15 percent, get swag bags (while supplies last), have a cocktail and meet designers at the following stores:
Atmosfere, 1426 W. Lake St., Minneapolis, 612-823-4699
Covered, 1201 Lagoon Ave., Minneapolis, 612-825-1610
Drama, 1203 Lagoon Ave., Minneapolis, 612-338-9423
Ivy, 1440 W. Lake St., Minneapolis, 612-827-2764
VState, 3001 Hennepin Ave., Minneapolis, 612-823-4699
Thursday, October 22. 6 to 9pm!

***Cheap Date Idea***
Brrrrr! It’s getting cold out there so go get lost in one of Minneapolis’s prized museums. Hand holding is always permitted :) Here are a two of my personal favorites:

The Minneapolis Institute of Arts (Free daily admission) Minneapolis, MN (888) MIA ARTS (642-2787) (Toll Free)

The Walker Art Center (Free admission on the first Saturday of the month, and Thursday evenings after 5p.m.) Minneapolis, MN 612.375.7600

An Apple a Day...

2009-10-04T11:48:00.006-05:00

~Thymes Warehouse Sale is giving big discounts on beautiful bath, body and home products from the Minneapolis Company. 1546 Fillmore St. NE, Minneapolis

9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 8th and Friday, Oct. 9th 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 10th

~For your shipping or packaging needs head to Greyhound PackageXpress and receive a student discount of 25 percent! Just show them your college ID.
Visit www.shipgreyhound.com for info!

***Cheap Date Idea***
You can feel it in the air! It’s that time of year to head out to your favorite apple orchard or pumpkin patch. There is always plenty to do and eat! And you can sneak away barely spending any money for a full day of activities! Put on some warm clothes and head out. Some of my favorites are:

Minnetonka Orchards-Mound, MN (763) 479-3191

Peter’s Pumpkins and Carmen’s Corn-Shakopee, MN (952) 906-0247

Apple Jack Orchard-Delano, MN (763) 972-6673

October is Amazing!

2009-09-27T13:25:00.035-05:00

Read this:

October is the month in which manufacturers debut their new appliances. That means if you've been putting off getting that new TV or laptop, October is the month to buy it! Stores will offer serious discounts on last year's models!

$$$$$$$$$$$

~Parc Boutique in Minneapolis offers 10 percent off to all students (High school, college and undergraduate). They have great jeans and a premium selection of casual yet cool styles. You can find Parc Boutique at 328 E Hennepin Ave., Minneapolis-(612)353-4966
This offer is only running through Sept. 30!

***Cheap Date Idea***
This is the last weekend for The Renaissance Festival (nearly everything will be on clearance). There are so many fun and interesting things to do there without spending a single cent! There is an admission fee of $19.95. However, you can buy advance tickets online for $16.95. The Renaissance Festival also offers discounted tickets at Walgreen's and Super America, and coupons at Wendy's and Subway.

Seeing RED!

2009-09-20T15:06:00.016-05:00

~This store is a shoppers idea of Heaven! You guessed it, Target. Even though students at Normandale don’t live in dorms we can still take advantage of the left over items that weren’t sold at the beginning of the school year. Target is offering 30% off the original prices on things like lamps, bedding, home décor items, kitchenware and more. Remember the larger and more popular the Target, the more clearance items!

~ The W Hotel inside the Foshay Tower (Downtown) treats guests to a cocktail and a manicure for $15 in the Living Room bar every Monday night. They call it; “Manicures and Martini Mondays”. Call to make reservations for you and your girlfriends by calling 612-597-2413.

~Stop by the Normandale Bookstore this week and check out the womens tops that are on sale ranging from $10.95-17.99.

There is a limited number, so hurry!

***Cheap Date Idea***
This Saturday (September 26th) is the 13th Annual Franconia Arts and Music Festival. Franconia Sculpture Park is home to some amazing (and huge!) pieces of artwork. There will be musical acts and activities throughout the day. Franconia is a little ways out of the Metro area but well worth the trip! Check out the website for more details: www.franconia.org. Oh yea...It's FREE!

Good news! Looks like this gorgeous weather is inspiring some great deals!

2009-09-13T09:35:00.003-05:00

~Punch Neapolitan Pizza (Calhoun Village, Eden Prairie, Highland Park etc.), gives their Twitter followers and Facebook fans coupons and special offers. All you have to do is become a follower or a fan! Some offers have been discounted pizza, free beer and free ice cream!
Check out www.punchpizza.com to find their Twitter and Facebook websites.

~I know summer is over :( but the adorable beachwear boutique Nani Nalu is offering 25 to 75% off most items. They also have $5 mix and match separates!
922 W. 50th St., Edina, 952-546-5598
The sale starts this Tuesday, Sept. 15 and goes through Saturday, Sept. 26

~The Normandale Bookstore is having a sale on their website! They are offering 90% off selected software programs.
Visit www.normandalebookstore.com
This deal is available now through Sept. 30

***Cheap Date Idea***
We only have a limited number of nice days left! One of the most beautiful and entertaining places in the Twin Cities is the Como Zoo and Conservatory. And guess what? It’s free!
Check out www.comozooconservatory.org for more information!

Are you as broke as I am?

2009-09-05T14:59:00.005-05:00

Hey everyone! My name is Colleen Gilbert and I am a new member of the Normandale Community College newspaper called The Lions' Roar. I am very excited to experiment with blogging for the first time! This will be a consumer blog. Now don't worry, I'm not talking about clipping coupons or buying in bulk! Each week I will talk about various great ways to save money. For the ladies I will talk about great deals on clothing, beauty supplies, spa deals etc. And fellas I haven't forgotten about you! I will also highlight where you can find cheap concert/game tickets, sports equipment and electronics on sale. Check-in every week for hot deals, date ideas on a budget, NCC Store specials and penny pinch with pride!