I scream, You Scream, We all Scream for (cheap) Ice Cream

I don't know about you, but I could use a pick me up in the middle of this week, and I've found one.

Starting today (April 22 - April 24) Baskin Robbins is hosting Scoopfest! This was the first I've heard of this, which is an annual tradition where all Baskin Robbins stores offer one scoop cones for $1, two scoop cones for $2, and three scoop cones (for the ambitious) for $3.

This is a great way to get a cheap treat with your family, your friends, significant other, or just for you.  Enjoy!

Tax Day Deals

Happy Tax Day!  Whether you filed months ago or are completing your forms last minute today, everyone can benefit from some tax day deals.  For years all types of businesses have used April 15th as an excuse for a marketing promotion, and I say why not?  The more deals the merrier!

Here are a few links to lists of deals from the following sources:

ABC News
DealNews
Forbes
TIME

Some promotions are creative, like Hard Rock Cafe's Sing for Your Supper, where anyone who is willing to publicly sing one of ten songs gets a free entree tonight.

Others require you to download/print a coupon in advance, like Arby's free curly fries - coupon linked here.

High rollers can take advantage of the one day sale on Google Glass for $1500, which still creeps me out no matter how much it costs :)

What deals and promotions did you find today?

Miscellaneous Monday

Work has been pretty all consuming these days.  I started to think about what I should blog about today, and I realized that I could just share the intel about the free stuff I got today :)

1. Victoria's Secret - Ladies, sign up for their mailing list.  With a free card in the mail (that expired today), I scored a pair of free underwear (no purchase necessary!)  and I have another one that starts tomorrow. Also, for anyone who shops at Victoria's Secret regularly, check out the discounts on Retail Me Not.  They almost always have good discount codes to use.

2. CVS - I swear the goal was not just to recycle old posts, but I ran to CVS to pick up a few things for a work event tomorrow, and the very helpful cashier told me at the coupon center I could get a free roll of paper towels with my CVS card.  Major win. 

Happy Monday.  I hope you all have a great week.

Free Slurpee at 7-11

Text DIETCOKE to 711-711 for a free small slurpee at 7-11 in honor of the new Cherry Diet Coke flavored slurpees.  You're welcome.  Happy Monday.

Lancome at Macy's Gift With Purchase

This weekend I scored the Lancome gift with purchase available at Macy's. With only a $35 purchase, you get a wealth of high quality products.  I scored 2oz of Lancome body wash, 2oz of clarifying cleanser, Advanced Genifique concentrate, night lifting and firming cream, mascara, lipstick, and a cosmetic bag, all free.  For my purchase, I went with a basic high quality black eyeliner and a shimmery gold (technically burnt sand) eye shadow.  The splurge on these two products was totally worth it.  They are both staples that will last a long time and are great for every day wear, and are made that much sweeter by the high quality freebies that accompany them.

I have great memories of Lancome, dating back to a childhood trip to New York City to visit my Grandma. My grandma was getting a few products and had them do my makeup and then offered to buy everything they used for me.  Even at that age, I knew that was too generous, but we settled on the lip gloss and I was thrilled.

Visit your local Macy's soon if you're interested.  For the makeup option, they were out of both blushes and one lipstick (good thing I liked the neutral one better anyway!).  Supplies are genuinely limited.

Olive Garden - (More than) two for $25

Sunday we loaded up with groceries for the week, but we felt like something easy and different for dinner.  I suggested Olive Garden and my guy was a good sport and agreed.  I knew there was a 2 for $25 special I had heard advertised, but brought a coupon (not valid with other deals) just in case we didn't see anything we wanted on the special menu.

When we walked in the doors, it was a mad house.  Think crowded bar or club.  Lesson for Olive Garden -put more restaurants in the DC metro area.  The demand is there!  We considered just leaving, but I asked about the wait time just in case.  It was 45 minutes to an hour estimated wait, but we discovered the bar area and surrounding tables were first come and snagged a table there immediately.

After we looked at the menus, I asked my guy if he saw anything he liked on the 2 for $25 menu or if we should order from the regular one, and he said there was no way we could not order from the 2 for $25 based on what a good deal it was.  I'm so proud!

The 2 for $25 menu was really extensive.  Between and soup and breadsticks, we knew we wouldn't need or even want dessert or the small plates, but we opted for the small plates (easier to bring home).

We went with the Chicken Gnocchi and the Zupa Toscana respectively, which were both great.  By the time we had our soups with the breadsticks (what draws me to the Olive Garden in the first place) and a few bites of the crispy risotto balls (I was a fan) and the chicken meatballs (not so much a fan) we were stuffed by the time our entrees came.  We each had a few bites (Parmesan Crusted Chicken for me, Spaghetti with Meat Sauce for him), and then packed up the majority of our entrees as well as the majority of our appetizers.  The bonus?  From past experience, I've learned they will send you home with extra breadsticks with a bag and instructions to reheat them if you ask.  Seriously, the breadsticks are my absolute favorite part so this makes me way too excited.

Anyways, we had a relaxing, tasty, super reasonably priced dinner out (I treated as it was my random craving) AND now have more than enough food for a big dinner tonight.  Thus, 2 for $25 becomes 4 for $25:)