Tuesday, December 31, 2013

FREEISMYLIFE January 2014 Calendar - Happy New Year!!!

FREEISMYLIFE January 2014 Calendar - All the January FREE in 1 List...

Keep reading to see all the great January FREE and low cost events, deals, contests and more in Detroit and beyond...

GOING ON ALL MONTH

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ALL THE JANUARY BABIES - COME GET YOUR BIRTHDAY FREEBIES!!!


Late Night Happy Hour at Bahama Breeze features 1/2 Priced Appetizers & Drink Specials every Sunday through Thursday from 9pm to close


COUPON: Save 15% off Health & Fitness, Fisher Price and Mattel Toys and 10% off Headphones & Portable Speakers (excludes Beats, Bose and Sony) at Best Buy - ENDS JANUARY 18th!


$5 ANY Regular FOOTLONG™ promotion at @Subway returns for the month of January


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1/04 - FREE Junior Chef Classes at Williams-Sonoma on Saturdays in January - 1/4 1/11 1/18 1/25 - RSVP












1/11 - FREE Junior Chef Classes at Williams-Sonoma on Saturdays in January - 1/4 1/11 1/18 1/25 - RSVP















1/18 - FREE Junior Chef Classes at Williams-Sonoma on Saturdays in January - 1/4 1/11 1/18 1/25 - RSVP








1/25 - FREE Junior Chef Classes at Williams-Sonoma on Saturdays in January - 1/4 1/11 1/18 1/25 - RSVP









1/31 - LAST DAY $5 ANY Regular FOOTLONG™ promotion at @Subway returns for the month of January


Enjoy!

Monday, December 30, 2013

FREE Cooking Classes at Williams-Sonoma on Sundays in January 2014 - 1/5 1/12 1/19 1/26 - RSVP

Williams-Sonoma Complimentary Technique Classes

Become a better cook with Williams-Sonoma Technique Classes and be inspired! Learn fresh menu ideas, healthy recipes for family dinners, and both classic and new cooking techniques. Their complimentary Technique Classes are each dedicated to a specific culinary topic, such as cookware, tools or the best way to work with seasonal produce.

- Hour-long technique classes are FREE and include tastings of prepared dishes.
- Participants enjoy 10% savings on select same-day store purchases.
- Available at all stores; class times vary by store location.
- Class size is limited – call your local store to register

JANUARY 2014 TECHNIQUE CLASSES -

After the hustle and bustle of the holidays—and all the rich food—January is the time for lighter fare. Our January Technique Classes will help you start the New Year off right, with recipes and inspiration for eating well.

Our Technique Classes are complimentary and held at your local Williams-Sonoma store. Class sizes are limited, reserving your spot is recommended. For specific times and more details, please see an associate.

HEALTHY EATING: VITAMIX - January 5
Begin the New Year in a healthy way with the help of a Vitamix. The chefs' choice for blenders, this powerful tool is perfect for preparing everything from fruit smoothies to warming vegetable soups. Join us and learn how.

HEALTHY EATING: STEAMING & POACHING - January 12
If you've resolved to eat well in the New Year, this class is for you. We'll share tips and recipes for steaming fresh vegetables and poaching fruits—they're nutritious and delicious.

HEALTHY EATING: JUICING- January 19
Packed with vitamins and nutrients, a glass of freshly made juice is a healthy way to start the day and makes a wholesome afternoon pick-me-up. We'll show you how easy it is to create fruit and vegetable juices at home.

SUPER BOWL: TOUCHDOWN TASTES!- January 26
Fans will cheer when you serve a spread of delicious game-day fare. Learn how to prepare healthier fried foods with our new air fryer, along with make-ahead appetizers that will satisfy a hungry crowd.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFO ON FREE WILLIAMS-SONOMA TECHNIQUE CLASSES

Williams-Sonoma locations in Michigan include -

SOMERSET COLLECTION
2801 West Big Beaver Road
Troy , MI 48084
(248) 637-0672

TWELVE OAKS MALL
27710B Novi Rd
Novi , MI 48377
(248) 596-1036

VILLAGE OF ROCHESTER HILLS
352 North Adams Road
Rochester Hills , MI 48309
(248) 375-5891


Enjoy!


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FREE Admission to Cranbrook Institute of Science after 5pm 1/3 - Bloomfield Hills

Take your family to Cranbrook for FREE on Friday, January 3rd after 5pm...

Courtesy of the MASCO Corporation Foundation, admission to Cranbrook Institute of Science is FREE after 5pm the first Friday of every month through June, 2014.

Discover the wonder of the natural world and develop a better understanding of the ways in which science impacts our lives each day at Cranbrook Institute of Science.

Interactive exhibits, a world-class collection of objects and artifacts, special events, a planetarium and observatory, lecture and educational programs both changing exhibitions offer something for every member of the family. Stand beneath a T.rex, feel a mastodon’s fur, or touch a meteorite.

Cranbrook Institute of Science
39221 Woodward Avenue
Bloomfield Hills, MI 48303-0801
Friday: 10am-10pm

Phone: 248.645.3200  (always call to ensure these free events have not been cancelled)


Enjoy!


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FREE Home Depot Kids Workshop 1/4 - Make a Fun Desk Calendar

Make a Fun Desk Calendar on Saturday 1/4 at the Home Depot

Build. Learn. Create. Have fun with fun Kids Workshops at the Home Depot designed for children ages 5 - 12. Workshops teach children do-it-yourself skills, tool safety and instill a sense of pride and accomplishment. All kids get to keep their craft and receive a FREE Kids Workshop Apron, commemorative pin and certificate of achievement.

Make a Fun Desk Calendar
Saturday,  January 4, 2014
9am - Noon

Celebrate the New Year by making a Fun Desk Calendar with The Home Depot this weekend! FREE hands-on workshops; designed for children ages 5 - 12.

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER FOR THIS HOME DEPOT KIDS WORKSHOP


Enjoy!


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COUPON: BOGO FREE Entrees at Rojo Mexican Bistro on New Years Day 1/1/2014

FREE Food is great way to start out the New Year...

Rojo Mexican Bistro is celebrating the New Year with a Buy One Entree, Get One Entree FREE Coupon.  What a great way to start out  2014!

Go Here to access the Rojo Mexican Bistro BOGO FREE Entree Voucher (See coupon for restrictions.)


ROJO MEXICAN BISTRO locations in Metro Detroit include - 

Twelve Mile Crossing at Fountain Walk
44375 Twelve Mile Road, Suite G-147
Novi, MI 48377

401 N. Main
Rochester, MI 48307

24026 Jefferson Avenue
St. Clair Shores, MI 48080

The Mall at Partridge Creek
17380 Hall Rd
Suite R102
Clinton Twp., MI 48038

Enjoy!


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Top 5 Things that I Learned about Smartphones thanks to Verizon Savers Voices #VZWVoices #Save

Smartphones have come a long way, baby...

Disclosure: I participated in the Verizon Savers Voices program and was provided with a wireless device and six months of service in exchange for my honest opinions about the product.  My participation officially ended on December 17, 2013.  This is my wrap-up post for the program. 

For the last six months I have been writing a number of posts about my involvement in the Verizon Savers Voices program where I have been doing long term reviews of the Verizon Blackberry Z10 and the Verizon Motorola Droid Ultra smartphones.

I am truly amazed at how far smartphones have come in the last few years.  And in 2013, smartphone manufactures really turned up the "smart" features in smartphones to where these devices are so integrated into our lives that it is now very difficult to live without them.

So let me share with you the top 5 things that I learned about smartphones thanks to the Verizon Savers Voices program…

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Night photo of Chicago taken with the Verizon Blackberry Z10 - awesome!
1. Who needs a point-and-shoot camera and a camcorder when you have a smartphone

For years, I was a camera snob would never have been caught dead using a smartphone as my primary camera.  I used a wonderful Panasonic digital camera that took awesome photos.  But now, my trusted camera is gathering dust in a drawer because the cameras on smartphones are now on par with regular point-and-shoot cameras.

In August, I attended the BlogHer blogging conference in Chicago and I took all my trip trip photos using only the camera on the Verizon Blackberry Z10 smartphone.  The Z10's 8-megapixel camera is so awesome that I knew all the photos would turn out great - and they did.

And if the photos needed a little tweaking, the Verizon Blackberry Z10 has great editing software built in that can give every shot a professional look.


I made this video in just minutes with the Z10 StoryMaker app

The Verizon Blackberry Z10 smartphone takes not only great photos, but also great video.  And the Z10's "Storymaker" feature makes it totally simple to create a custom video because the smartphone does all the editing for me.  All I had to do was choose the photos and video from the Z10 along with the music (which is also included).  The Z10 did all the rest so making videos is super easy.

Check out my video of the Fairlane Towncenter Fall Fashion Show (seen above) that I made in just minutes using the Verizon Blackberry Z10.


Find the lowest price on plane tickets with the Skyscanner app on the Z10
Slickdeals is my go to smartphone app for new deals posted throughout the day...
2. Smartphones are awesome Money Saving Machines!

Forget Black Friday and Cyber Monday, with the great apps available for smartphones, everyday can be a great money saving day.

I found 5 Money Saving Apps on the Blackberry Z10 that can help get the lowest cost on travel, movies, gas, and everyday purchases.  I was even able to build a Black Berry World App for FREEISMYLIFE so my Blackberry Z10 smartphone followers can always be up on the latest deals posted to FREEISMYLIFE.

And I use the eBay, Slickdeals, and Weekly Ads and Sales apps every single day on my Android smartphone to get the lowest price on all my purchases.


Mobile has totally changed the way we all shop!
3. Smartphones have changed how people shop for everything!

Just a year ago, I would only use eBay on my home computer, which meant I only searched for bargains at night after my son went to bed. But now I am able to get a deal at anytime by using the eBay app on my smartphone. Apps have really changed the way that I shop. And it is not just me, but everyone that has been affected by the great apps available now on smartphones.

During the Verizon Savers Voices Program kick off in Chicago, I met Andrea Woroch, a nationally-recognized consumer and money-saving expert who gave a presentation called "Mobile Technology and Consumers: How Mobile Technology Increases Efficiency, and Saves You Time and Money," The presentation highlighted how consumers are becoming better and more informed shoppers thanks to smartphones.

Eighteen months ago, I used maybe a 3-4 shopping related apps on my smartphone and now I have 10-15 shopping apps that I use every week, and some multiple times a day.

Checkout more about how smartphones have changed the way people shop in my post entitled "How Mobile is making us Better Shoppers with Savings Expert Andrea Woroch"


The Verizon Droid Ultra's 5" screen is wonderful!
4. Bigger Smartphone Screens are Awesome!

Does anyone remember years ago when the fad for electronics was for them to be as small as possible?  Well that no longer applies with smartphones.  Screens are getting bigger and bigger and I for one am loving it.

Where the iPhone only has a 4" screen, newer Android smartphones like the Verizon Motorola Droid Ultra have big, bright 5" screens that make viewing email, texts and messages so much more easier.  I love all the extra screen real estate on the 5"+  smartphone screens and I predict that by the end of 2014,  a 5" screen will be standard on even the cheapest smartphone.


Being able to talk to your smartphone save lots of time and energy!
5. Smartphone Alerts Preview and Touchless Controls are the way of the Future!

I am not much for lots of bells and whistles on smartphones like on the Samsung Galaxy S Smartphones.  I usually like for my smartphones to just do the simple things well - that was until I tried out the Touchless Controls and Alerts features on the Verizon Motorola Droid Ultra.

Just being able to preview all my messages from the lock screen without having to unlock the smartphone and navigate to the apps saves tons of time and energy.  And being able to talk to a smartphone and have it answer back is a pretty cool and useful feature.  I especially like that the Motorola Droid Ultra knows when the user is driving and will allow you to answer the phone and respond to a text just by using your voice.

And the really great thing is that a lot of these features will be built into the the newest release of the Android Operating System (Android 4.4 - Kit Kat) so that more Android smartphones will have  similar features in the future like those on the Droid Ultra.

But if you want to have them now, I thought I would share that the Verizon Droid Ultra by Motorola is now available for only $49 with a 2 year contract - which is $150 off the normal price from just a month ago.



So with this post, my involvement with the Verizon Savers Voices Program comes to a close,  but not my involvement with Verizon.  I have been reviewing Verizon smartphones now for over 3 1/5 years and my relationship with them will continue into 2014.

So watch for my new Verizon smartphone review in January of 2014 where I will tell you all about the super awesome Verizon Samsung Note 3 smartphone with it's 5.7" screen and sweet note taking features.


Enjoy!


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