REVIEW: Tweetup Preview of the North American International Auto Show

Tonight, I experienced my first tweetup at the North American International Auto Show. Starting at 7pm, eighteen bloggers, photographers, and tweeters were allowed to preview the cars and displays up close and personal for one hour. It was a fast moving and exciting time where I learned that one cannot successfully tweet, take photos, and take notes for a blog all at the same time - but it was fun to try.

This is an exciting time for Detroit and the auto industry and I was proud to be a part of it tonight.

Let me show and tell you about some of the great things that I saw tonight...

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We started our tour at the Mercedes exhibit. What really needs to be said about Mercedes other than to say that the cars are slick and fabulous. Here is a few photos of the SL 550...


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I have heard a lot about Maybach (but mostly on the Real Housewives of Atlanta). So I had to get a few shots of a car that has a price tag of $500,000! Does it come with a driver and a vacation home? You will see a lot of security around this car when you come to the Auto Show...


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We all know that Ford won two awards for the Car of the Year and the Truck of the Year. Both awards are fashionably on display in their exhibit.

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So the rapper Nelly was in Detroit yesterday at the Auto Show to show off his Mustang 5.0 that he designed for Ford....

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And here is a shot of the most anticipated Ford Fiesta in a very cute green color...


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The all black and white Lincoln exhibit was slamming. They were playing the music from their TV commercial "Under the Milky Way Tonight.." Very classy...


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The most interesting part of the night was on "Electric Avenue". I don't know about you, but this C-Zone vehicle looks more like a golf cart with windows than a car...



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The strangest car of the evening on "Electric Avenue" was The Tango. It seats two people: one driving and one in the back seat. And it is only 2 1/2 - 3 feet wide.
Interesting...

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This Mini Cooper got the most buzz of the evening. Everyone wanted to sit in this thing and we all wanted to get one. It is so cute...


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Everyone wanted to photograph this Dodge Viper. So cool....


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This Morgan was the hit of the crowd. Doesn't it look like something that James Bond would drive? And the inside is fabulous with the softest leather you have ever felt. Like a baby's bottom...


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I have lots of other pictures, but I don't want to spoil it for you all so I will stop here. The North American International Auto Show starts this Saturday morning. Hope to see your there...

GIVE BACK: Volunteer on MLK Day 1/18 @ Osborn High School 12:30-4:30pm

Volunteer and Make a Difference on MLK Day (1/18) – A Day On, Not A Day Off

American Express, United Way for Southeastern Michigan and City Year Detroit are bringing together the community to celebrate diversity on Martin Luther King Day at Osborn High School on Detroit’s eastside.

From 12:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m., students from Osborn and City Year will put together welcome kits for Freedom House Detroit, a temporary home for survivors of persecution from around the world seeking legal shelter in the United States and, in turn, will learn about immigrants in the their area through an informative presentation.

Additionally, community members are invited to participate in a beautification effort at Osborn that began in the fall. Volunteers will work on a variety of revitalization projects including painting classrooms and travel-related murals and creating a study area for Osborn students.

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Register for this service project and others at http://www.liveunitedsem.org/ under the Martin Luther King Day heading in the News section or by calling Volunteer Coordinator Doris Hendricks at (313) 226-9280.

SPA REVIEW: The "Elemental Nature Facial" at the Douglas J. Aveda Institute in Royal Oak

FREEISMYLIFE reader Julia Wendzinski is my guest blogger for this review.

Julia kindly agreed to write about her FREE Facial treatment at the Douglas J. Aveda Institute in Royal Oak.

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When I saw @freeismylife’s tweet about the free Douglas J. Aveda service I knew it was an offer I had to take up. I’m a student at Michigan State and there is a Douglas J. Aveda Institute near campus that I frequent for haircuts and other spa services, so I’m no stranger to Douglas J. The Aveda Institute always has excellent service and their prices are very college-student-wallet friendly – they even have a strict no tipping policy!

I chose to get the 90 minute Elemental Nature Facial. After introducing herself my assigned student took my coat and led me upstairs to our private room in the spa area. I changed into a towel and robe and then filled out a form with questions about my skin and expectations for my experience while the student massaged my feet in a warm footbath. Based on my answers to the questionnaire the student selected the specific products she was going to use for my treatment. In my case I was concerned with uneven skin tone and redness so she tailored my facial specifically around those concerns.

The facial included a cleansing, exfoliating and three different masks. A massage was included with each mask; a scalp massage with essential oil, a hand and arm massage, and a foot massage. Before the mask treatments my student examined my skin and gave an overall report on what she saw, including general smoothness and any acne or dryness. An instructor then came in to give her the go-ahead to begin and asked if I had any questions.

Each element was incredibly relaxing and I enjoyed the fact that they included the massages with each mask instead of just having me lay there like I have done with other facials. When my hour and a half was up my student helped me up and led me downstairs after I got dressed. She showed me the different products that she used throughout the facial in case I was interested in purchasing them. When I was checking out I have to admit I was half expecting that they would not accept my free voucher for some reason but they took it from me and told me I was all set! I left feeling fresh and relaxed.

From my experience, you have to set aside a significant amount of time when you go to the Aveda Institute, regardless of what service you are getting. The students have specific things that they have to go through with each client and are being monitored by instructors. You can’t expect to go in for a seamless production – my student couldn’t figure out how to turn on the heating pad that I was supposed to lay on and forgot to wrap me in towels until the instructor pointed it out.

If you do get a facial and have the essential oil scalp massage, make sure you either have a ponytail holder or aren’t planning on going anywhere after, it definitely messes with your hair and leaves you looking a little greasy. These minor mistakes will never keep me from the professional nature of the Institute or the easy-on-the-pocket prices.

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Julia Wendzinski is a native of Troy, Mich., currently in her junior year at Michigan State University studying advertising and public relations. When she isn’t busy with class, working in the PR office at the MSU College of Music or planning something for the student organization the Public Relations Student Society of America, she’s enjoys bargain hunting for shopping deals, many of which are found on Twitter! She’s also a Food Network addict that enjoys cooking and trying new restaurants with her boyfriend. Check her out on Twitter: @jwendz.

I Love Shopping at JCPenney (don't tell)

Don't tell anyone, but I shop at JCPenney.
Then again, if you tell any of my friends they probably would not believe you anyway. I love fashion and have since I graduated from college. I love designer brands and well made quality clothes and I have have bought a lot of designer clothes over the years.

But as the years have passed, I have become very frugal with my shopping. You cannot buy as many designer brands when you have a kid because kids are expensive. But still, I would not have been caught dead shopping at JCP a few years ago. I grew up loving J.L. Hudsons and the whole ambiance that goes with a high scale department store.

But the economy has also changed department stores. J.L. Hudsons was bought out by Marshall Fields, who was in turn bought out by Macys. Lord & Taylor closed and shopping choices are now more limited. Ambiance? Please! High quality department store shopping bags have been downscaled into cheap plastic sacks (yuck!). Macys had downscaled to the point where I sometimes think I am in Sears. Stores are selling less designer clothes and opting for "private brands" so they can keep more of the profit.

So when a friend gave me a JCP gift card two years ago, I went in just to use it for my son. Coming out of the store, I had to go through the women's department. That is when I saw a beautiful matching twin set. Hmmm... Since I need petite size tops, I just knew the twin set was not in my size. Then I noticed that JCP has a petite department and the twin set came in my size. And it was on sale. And I had a 15% off coupon. Hmmm....

I bought it. I loved it. I still love it.

So I became a closet JCP fashionista. On every JCP receipt is special number that can be used to do an internet survey to get a 15% off coupon. So I started sneaking in on my lunch hour to see what was on sale in the petite department so I could use my coupon. That is when I noticed that JCP has lots of new designer brands. My favorite is Ralph Lauren which is branded at JCP as "American Living". This is a great brand that has dresses, tops, pants, jeans, handbags, and socks (soup to nuts) for women, men and children. I also love the brand 'I “Heart” Ronson' by Charlotte Ronson which does some great dresses. Do I buy all my clothes at JCP? Heck no! But I do buy all my wardrobe basics there and mix them with my existing high end clothing and shoes.

JCP has a Reward program where you can earn $10 gift certificates. You register your credit card and the program tracks for you when you reach enough points for your gift certificate. They also give you $10 gift certificates from time to time just for being a reward user. I usually get about three "just because" $10 gift certificates per year outside of my normal rewards based on points.

JCP also has great clearance sales where they give an extra percent off the already marked down price. They usually start out at an extra 15% off and tops out at an extra 50% off - and you can use your 15% off survey coupon AND $10 rewards certificate on top of all these discounts! I have bought clothing for up to 97% off.

So I think you now see why I love shopping at JCP. Designer brands, sales, coupons, and free gift certificates. All the elements a bargainista loves...

SPA REVIEW: The "Stress Relieving Treatment" at the Douglas J. Aveda Institute in Royal Oak

Yesterday, I totally took a "Mommy Break" to get my spa on at the Douglas J. Aveda Institute in Royal Oak. Thanks to FREEISMYLIFE reader and twitter pal @kayleehawkins, I had a pass to get a FREE spa service of my choice - yes, I said FREE!

I had never been to the Douglas J. Aveda Institute before so this was a real adventure. It is located on South Center street in Royal Oak. The building is beautiful! I have never seen a beauty school that looked so professional. The building actually looks like something that belongs in Beverly Hills, California!


At the reception desk, I filled out an information form and they took my coat and offered me coffee, tea, or water to drink - pampering already with minutes of entering! I was informed that only graduate students work on clients and that none of the students are allowed to take tips from the customers, so this pampering was going to be totally FREE. The spa service that I choose was the "Stress Relieving Treatment" which is 1 1/2 hours long.

I was led to the upstairs spa area by my assigned student to a private room. I was given a towel with velcro and a robe to change into. I was asked about my health and any expectations that I had from the treatment. I told her that I just wanted to be pampered and she said that was no problem. She brought out a warm basin of water and massaged and exfoliated my feet while I drank my water in my nice warm robe. I was in total heaven.

I was given a choice of three aromas for my massage oil and I choose the vanilla. I hopped up on the table on my back on top of a heating pad and I was covered in towels. It was like being in a fragrant, warm cocoon. The treatment started with a mini facial and then a neck and head massage with oil and it felt WONDERFUL! Next my feet and lower legs were massaged and by the time my second leg was finished, I had fallen asleep. Next, each hand and arm were massaged and covered in warm towels.

The treatment finishes with a back and neck massage and by then, the 1 1/2 hours are over. Unlike when I usually get a massage and I am rushed off the table for the next customer, this time I was allowed to get up and dress at my own pace. When I went back down to the reception desk, I gave them my free pass and they gave me my coat and told me I was all set. I was so relaxed that I hated to have to leave, but all good things must come to an end.

I loved my experience, but if you are the type of person that is extremely picky about how a spa treatment is performed, a beauty school might not be for you. My student did not get the lighting right the first time she tried and she forgot to bring in all her spa items when she first entered the room. Also, one of the school's instructors popped in and out of the room to make sure that my student was performing up to par, and from time to time I could hear some noise from the area where customers were getting their hair done. But none of these things bothered me and I am a very picky person.

I will definitely be back to the Douglas J. Aveda Institute for more spa services. The regular cost for the "Stress Relieving Treatment" is only $35 and that price fits into my frugal budget. They also give customers on their email list 1/2 price coupons from time to time. When you go, you should budget about 2 1/4 hours from start to finish in your schedule. I don't know of anywhere else that I can be pampered to this degree for such a low price. By the time I picked up my son from school, I was in a totally right frame of mind and wonderfully relaxed.

For more information on the Douglas J. Aveda Institute, click here for a list of all the spa and hair services and click here for their hours. The free pass that is available on FREEISMYLIFE is good until the end of the month. You should be picking up the phone and calling for your appointment NOW!

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COMING SOON!
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One of my FREEISMYLIFE readers will be writing a guest review on her FREE Facial Spa Service at the Douglas J. Aveda Institute. Watch for it!

Movie Review: The Spy Next Door

This morning, my son and I went to see an advance screening of the new family movie "The Spy Next Door". I received the tickets courtesy of Sittercity and Liongate films.

The movie is about a secret agent, played by Jackie Chan, who wants to retire from the agency and marry his next door neighbor. The only problems with his plans to have a normal life are that his girlfriend's three kids hate him and some Russian spies are trying to kill him to get back a top secret formula that his girlfriend's son has downloaded without knowing it.

I was really expecting this film to be a little dumb and silly since it is being marketed to kids, but the film turned out to be a really good and entertaining movie. Jackie Chan's usual film stunts play very well in this movie, especially when they involve the three children. The story is also a valid one since it shows that kids have very deep feelings around fitting in at home and at school and these feelings are something that adults should pay close attention to. And the movie is really funny and action packed. My son loved every wonderfully choreographed fight scene in this movie. And at the end, everyone in the audience stayed to see the fight scene out-takes that were shown during the movie credits.

"The Spy Next Door" is a good family movie that both parents and kids will enjoy. My son loved it and so did I. The movie is rated PG due to the fight scenes, but if your kids love to play video games with pretend violence or watch 'The 3 Stooges", the rating should be no problem.

"The Spy Next Door" opens Friday, January 15, 2010.

FREE Workout CD: The Biggest Loser Workout Mix

Free SUBWAY Biggest Loser Workout Mix Download

The Biggest Loser and SUBWAY® Workout Mix can now be downloaded for FREE for a limited time...

* Limited Time Offer. No purchase neccessary. Offer only good while supplies last. Valid for one free download of "The Biggest Loser and SUBWAY Workout Mix". Limit one per person.

The Biggest Loser and SUBWAY Workout Mix
Runtime: 60 Minutes
Style: Top 40 Hits
BPM: 128

Songs:
1 Bleeding Love- Leona Lewis
2 American- Boy Estelle
3 Umbrella -Rihanna
4 Stronger -Kanye West
5 4 Minutes -Madonna
6 Love Story -Taylor Swift
7 No Surprise -Daughtry
8 Sugar Flo Rida
9 Paparazzi -Lady GaGa
10 When I Grow Up -The Pussycat Dolls
11 Second Chance -Shinedown
12 Damaged -Danity Kane

http://www.podworkoutmusic.com/SUBWAY/

(Thanks to FREEISMYLIFE Reader Sharon for this freebie)

FREE Disney Ticket for Volunteering your Service

Disney wants to inspire one million people to volunteer a day of service to a participating organization in their communities. So they are celebrating these volunteers' good works by giving each of them a 1-day, 1-theme park ticket to the Disneyland® Resort or Walt Disney World® Resort, free. There's no better time to make a dream come true for others and let Disney make a few come true for you.

You must pre-register and sign up through the Disney site to volunteer and complete your service at an eligible volunteer opportunity in the fifty United States, District of Columbia, Puerto Rico or Canada to receive a ticket after verification of such service. Ticket quantities for this program are limited.

You must be at least 18 to sign up. You may only sign up a maximum of 8 members of your household. Children must be at least 6 to participate in the program. One ticket per person, regardless of the number of times you volunteer.

Program begins January 1, 2010 and continues until tickets are distributed or until December 15, 2010, whichever occurs first. Your voucher for a free ticket must be redeemed by December 15, 2010, and used on the same day of redemption. Other terms and conditions apply.

See complete Program Terms & Conditions and FAQs.

Give Yourself the Gift of Music: Detroit Symphony Orchestra's "Classical Roots" Concert 1/30 8:30pm (CONTEST CLOSED)

DSO'S "CLASSICAL ROOTS" CONCERTS PRESENT DETROIT NATIVE REGINA CARTER IN WORLD PREMIERE OF BILLY CHILDS' VIOLIN CONCERTO

Detroit native and world-renowned jazz violinist Regina Carter will be part of the World Premiere of a violin concerto along with two other compositions by contemporary African-American composers at the Detroit Symphony Orchestra's 2010 "Classical Roots" concerts, which take place on Fri., Jan. 29 at 8 p.m. and Sat., Jan. 30 at 8:30 p.m. in Orchestra Hall at the Max M. Fisher Music Center.

Conducted by DSO Music Director Leonard Slatkin, the program will also include Lumina by celebrated composer Olly Wilson, and Beyond Rivers of Vision by James Lee III, a 34-year-old native of St. Joseph, Michigan. Additionally, the Brazeal Dennard Chorale, directed by Augustus Hill, will sing a set of a-cappella selections.

The performances will open with "Lift Ev'ry Voice and Sing," by John Rosamond Johnson and James Weldon Johnson. "Lift Ev'ry Voice and Sing" has opened every Classical Roots concert since the concert's inception in 1978.

Tickets for the DSO’s Classical Roots Concert include a $85 Classical Roots Family Four Pack which gives balcony seating for 4 to the concert and a post-concert meet and greet reception with Leonard Slatkin and Regina Carter. A FREE "ConcerTalks" begins 1 hour prior to the performance.

Tickets may be purchased at the Max M. Fisher Music Center box office (3711 Woodward Avenue, Detroit) by phone at (313) 576-5111; or online at http://www.detroitsymphony.com/.

GIVEAWAY

For more than 30 years, "Classical Roots" has been an annual event at the DSO, and this year, the DSO is graciously giving FREEISMYLIFE readers a change to win 1 of 4 pairs of tickets to the Saturday, January 30th 8:30pm performance of the "Classical Roots" Concert.

TO ENTER

-Fill out the information in the form below.

-One entry per person please.

- The contest ends on January 14, 2010 at 11:59pm EST.

-The 4 winners will be selected by random number generation.

-Winners will be contacted by email on January 15, 2010. If a winner does not respond with 24 hours of the email being sent, another winner will be chosen.

-2 Tickets will be held for each winner at the DSO Will Call.

-Tickets are for the Saturday, January 30th 8:30pm performance only.

- You can get 1 extra contest entry for following the DSO on Facebook.

- You can get 1 extra contest entry for following the DSO on Twitter.

Good Luck!

To be in the know about future giveaways, subscribe to get FREE IS MY LIFE email alerts


-ENTRY FORM HAS BEEN REMOVED. CONTEST IS CLOSED.

-WINNERS HAVE BEEN NOTIFIED BY EMAIL.

-WINNERS FIRST NAMES & CITIES WILL BE LISTED AFTER ALL HAVE RESPONDED

-Congratulations to our winners:
- Shannon of Royal Oak
- Karen of Detroit
- Ebony of Detroit
- Valerie of Southfield

Tech Review: "Lola's Flag Adventure" for iPod

I love technology. Since I have an IT degree, it kind of goes with the territory and my son has also inherited my techno love. So when I was asked last week to review a new game for kids and adults called "Lola's Flag Adventure", I was like "YES!".

Lola's Flag Adventure is billed as a game where you and your children can have fun and learn the world flags together with little Lola panda in two challenging flag games: Memory (4-9 years) and Trivia (+6 years).

The game introduces the flags of the world biggest countries with high quality voice guidance and colorful graphics that make the gaming experience exciting and rewarding for all children around the world. Lola is suppose to show you and your children how fun learning can be! The game is available for $1.99 on Apple’s App Store. Currently it has two language versions – English and simplified Chinese, but more will be added in the future. I was provided a code to download the game for free for review.

It all sounded great. The only problem was the game is for iPhone and iPod Touch. All my electronics are running on Microsoft operating systems. Darn!

Enter my iPod friend Eric and his 8 year old daughter Miranda, who graciously agreed to give "Lola's Flag Adventure" a try. Eric downloaded the game from the iTunes store to Miranda's iPod - yes, the lucky kid had her own iPod.

Miranda loved the game. She actually knew several of the flags… which highly impressed her father! Of course, he already knows that she is a genius.

Miranda found the game very fun to play. She thought the slider control to select answers to Trivia was okay. Eric also played the game and thought it was fun, but he thought it would be even better if there was an option to also get country information.

When Eric asked Miranda if she would want to play the game in the future, Miranda said "Yes, definitely!" Miranda started playing the game on Saturday, January 2nd and she is still playing it today. According to Eric "Miranda couldn't wait to play the game again. She really seems to enjoy it. I don’t think she realizes it’s actually teaching her something. Sometimes “educational” is a dirty word for her! "

So "Lola's Flag Adventure" gets two thumbs up from Miranda and Eric. There is nothing more pleasing to a parent than a child who is learning and is happy about it...

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(Photo above is of my guest reviewer, Miranda. Cute PJ's girl!)

FREEISMYLIFE Valentine Day Gift Guide

It's coming - the most romantic day of the year - Valentine's Day. And in these rough economic times, few of us have the money to buy our significant other the costly gifts that they are most worthy of.

But that does not have to stop you from getting your main squeeze a little something-something to let them know that you care. If you start early, you can get a great gift for a bargain and hide it away until the big day.

The FREEISMYLIFE VALENTINE DAY GIFT GUIDE contains gifts ranging from a cost of nothing to $30. Read on and let the love flow...

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#1. For the TRAVEL Lover -

FREE 1 Year Subscription to SHERMAN'S TRAVEL MAGAZINE

Give your sweetie a complimentary one-year subscription to Sherman's Travel magazine. Let Sherman's Travel Magazine take you both to exotic destinations and allow you to explore new perspectives of the world's most captivating regions.



FREE Custom Luggage Tags

Thanks to KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, you can make your honey FREE custom luggage tags to use on your next lovers weekend. Add a cheesy photo of the two of you and you are all set.

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#2. For the SPA Lover -

FREE SPA Services for YOU AND YOUR SWEETIE!

Did you take advantage of the FREE spa service at Douglas J Aveda Institute in Royal Oak? If so, you are now considered an existing customer. And now you can use the following coupon to get a FREE spa service for yourself AND your sweetie. Spa services include massages, facials, and mani/pedi combos.

If you are not an existing customer, give your Love the FREE spa service coupon for a single service.

Coupons expires on 1/31/09 so you will have to give your gift a little before Valentine Day, but for FREE who cares if you are early!

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#3. For The Girly Girl -

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Heart Compact with Red Case $10

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Does your sweetheart love to check herself out to make sure she is looking her best at all times? How about giving her a heart shaped compact from Things Remembered? It is on sale on their website for only $15 and there is a $5 coupon on FREEISMYLIFE that will bring the cost down to $10. You can also take the compact into a Things Remembered store and use another $5 coupon to get it engraved with a statement of your love and devotion. Come on. Can life get any better than that?

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#4. For The Status Man -

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Photo Cuff Links with FREE Keepsake Box $5

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Does your man love wearing dress shirts that are topped off by beautiful cufflinks? How about a pair from Things Remembered that can hold a photo and that can be engraved? How about if they are currently on sale for only $10? You can use the $5 coupon on FREEISMYLIFE to bring the price down to $5 and then use another $5 coupon when you take them into the Things Remembered store to get them engraved with his initials. This one is definitely on the list for my man!

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# 5. For the Recycler who is still a Fashion Lover -

Marshalls has a signature line of reusable shopping tote bags that are very fashionable. The bags are huge enough to carry all your sweetie's shopping needs and they cost only $1 each. Can't beat it! And with all the money you still have left over, you can fill up the bag with other great bargains from Marshalls!


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#6. For the Detroit Supporter & Art Lover -

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DIA Debossed Red Logo Tote $25

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If your Love loves the Detroit Institute of Arts, why not surprise her, and help the DIA, with a gift from the DIA gift shop. How about this DIA Debossed Red Logo Tote for only $25? Red is the color of love...

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#7. For the Flower Lover - (added 1/4/10)

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FTD Dreamland Pink Bouquet $19.99

The Dreamland Pink Bouquet is a soft display of pink roses and pink Peruvian Lilies. The bouquet is currently on sale for $19.99. You can order it now for delivery in February.

(Update 1/28 - I hope you ordered they flowers when they were only $19.99 because they are no longer on sale. It pays to start early when shopping for a holiday)

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#8. For the Detroit Supporter and Classical Music Lover - (added 1/6/10)

DSO's new CD: Rachmaninov Symphony No. 2 - $8.99

If your significant other loves the Detroit Symphony Orchestra (DSO) and all their wonderful classical music, why not surprise him or her with the brand new CD from the DSO and Music Director Leonard Slatkin. The CD is called Rachmaninov Symphony No. 2 and was recorded during live performances at Orchestra Hall in September 2009.

The CD release date is January 26, 2010 and you can purchase it for only $8.99 at the DSO's gift shop.

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#9. For the Sweet Lover - (added 1/21)

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Panera Bread Valentine's Day Cookies. $1.99 each

Panera Bread has introduced some new products including a heart-shaped Valentine’s Day Cookie (available Jan. 20 – Feb. 16). Doesn't is look yummy?

For under $6, you can buy 3: one for you, one for your honey, and one to share. Love can be sweet.

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Click here to find a Panera Bread location near you...

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#10. For the Wrist Watch Lover - (added 1/25)

Kenneth Cole "Unlisted" Watches available at Macy's Stores $29,95

Kenneth Cole has a line of watches called "Unlisted" that retail for $29.95 at Macy's stores. They all look much more expensive than they are, so your love will never know the bargain that you got on this one.

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#11. For the Party Lover - (added 1/28)

The Love Sick Valentine's Day Dance Party at the Museum of Contemporary Art Detroit (MOCAD).

$10 admission for 2 (paid in advance)

I bet some of you did not even know that Detroit has a Museum of Contemporary Art on Woodward Ave! But we do and they are putting on a Valentine's Day Party on Saturday, February 13, 2010 from 8pm to 2am. Tickets are $5 each when purchased in advance.

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#12. For the Caring Soul - (added 2/1)

WWJ Newsradio 950 and The Heat and Warmth Fund (THAW) are launching an online auction to raise donations to help local families keep warm this winter.

All auction proceeds will benefit the 7th Annual Winter Survival Radiothon for THAW and there are dozens of items available that would make the perfect Valentine’s surprise. Samplings of ideas are listed below. All items are available for bid from Feb. 2-11 at by clicking here. And while I cannot guarantee a bargain on these items, you never know and all your money will go toward a great cause!

For the Romantic:
· Learn to cook as a couple with a cooking class for two from J. Baldwin’s Restaurant & Premier Catering.
· Travel to Boyne Highlands Resort to enjoy a ski package including one night’s lodging, a pair of unlimited lift tickets and breakfast for two.
· Take dance lessons with a four-session package from Arthur Murray Dance Studio.
· Check out dozens of additional gift certificates from area restaurants to theaters available for grabs.

For the Single and Ready to Mingle:
· Laugh yourself silly with 10 admissions to Mark Ridley’s Comedy Castle in downtown Royal Oak.
· Gather 10 friends for a walking bar tour of Detroit (tour provided by Inside Detroit).
· Roller skate your worries away with 10 friends, courtesy of Skate World of Troy.
· Enjoy a private wine tasting and tour with 12 friends at Brys Estate Vineyard & Winery in Traverse City.

For Families:
· Have a musical experience with 4 admission tickets to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland, Ohio.
· Cuddle up to a new furry friend with a $300 certificate toward a puppy or $100 toward supplies from Petland in Twelve Oaks Mall.
· Bid to win other great gifts for the whole family including tickets to the Detroit Zoo, Ann Arbor’s Hands On Museum or to see “Elmo’s Green Thumb” live at the Fox Theater.

If you bid and win any of these items, not only will your friends or sweetie be impressed with your gift, but you will feel great knowing that the money was spent helping your community.

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#13. For the Unique Lover (added 2/4)

Pewabic Pottery Invites You to Find the Perfect Valentine’s Day Gift
Shopping Event Features Double Discounts, Door Prizes and Refreshments

A gift from Pewabic Pottery is the perfect way to say “Be Mine” this Valentine’s Day. The historic gem wants to help you find that unique gift for your loved ones at a special Valentine’s Day Shopping Event on Wednesday, Feb. 10 from 6-9 p.m. Bring your sweetheart along and discover great gifts starting at $8 while enjoying refreshments.

Visitors will be eligible for hourly gift certificate drawings and specials and members will be able to double their discount up to 20 percent. Representatives will be on hand to assist you with your shopping. This event is free and open to the public. Visit http://www.pewabic.org/ for more info.

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I will be adding to this list as I find more bargains. But you can help out too! If you have some ideas for Valentine Gifts that you want to share, please leave a comment on this post with a link to the item. Bargains only please!

Ask FREEISMYLIFE...

Where $$$$

What $$$

How $$

Hmmm...

In 2010, I want to use FREEISMYLIFE to further help Detroiters save even more money. So I am starting a new feature called
"Ask FREEISMYLIFE..." where readers can submit questions and some of the best questions will be chosen and the answers posted on FREEISMYLIFE.

Readers can submit questions by email to freeismylife@comcast.net or by using Twitter.

Don't be shy. I look forward to hearing from everyone...