Save Alex Hamilton...

It's final, I'll be doing ALL of my holiday shopping online. Can think of a zillion better things to do than wait in line after line at a busy store, searching for something perfect to give my favorite peeps, only to find out that they are sold out of what I need. Plus, the Blonde is very picky about her purchases!

So to save time and hard earned bucks, I'll be taking advantage of deals from online shops like Wine.com.

For the next three days, you can save a Hamilton ($10) on your order by using the promo code below:

Save $10 on your order of $150 or more. Enter code OCT2009 in your shopping cart at checkout. Hurry, offer ends 10.31.09.

They carry one of my most favorite Zins... WS rated at a 93, I might add... Seghesio!

"Rich and powerful yet supple, ripe but still balanced. Though jammed with personality, this is focused and complex, approachable now, but better in a few years. Shows aromas of black cherry and licorice, with dense plum, cracked pepper and espresso flavors that finish with ripe tannins. Drink now through 2015."

93 Points

Wine Spectator

A Sweet Deal...

I was SO excited to see that Chocolate.com is offering a 10% discount code for purchases made before October 31st... I am loving some of the amazing artisan chocolates you can find on this site. And, I have to say, Pacari Organic Dark Chocolate from Ecuador is a "must try."

If you haven't heard much about Pacari, they take into consideration the sustainability of the Ecuadorian eco-system and select top-notch organic ingredients. These ingredients are chosen based on minimal impact on the environment and the health benefits of those who enjoy. All those anti-oxidants! They follow fair trade practices and have several programs that benefit the Ecuadorian farmers and their communities.

Click below and use coupon code HALL09 at check out for 10% off:

Save 10% with coupon code HALL09 at Chocolate.com until October 31

Butter Me Up!

This one goes out to all the Blonde's Midwestern gal pals... when you are in the midst of Winter and the mercury dips down past 30 degrees, here is a suggestion for keeping the memory of your last beach vacation close at hand... the Body Shop's Coconut Body Butter! These make awesome stocking stuffers and great "Secret Santa" gifts. And right now, the are on SALE. Grab a few and stash them away for holiday gifts.

It's a luxuriously rich, intensive cream with a lush coconut scent that moisturizes for up to 24 hours and is made with Community Trade pure organic cold-pressed virgin coconut oil. Pass the pina coladas please!

AND, I bet you didn't know that since 1995, The Body Shop has been buying cocoa beans from the Kuapa Kokoo company in Ghana, a fair trade co-operative that consists of over 30,000 small-scale farmers. The money made by the co-operative enables the development of community projects such as schools and village wells in addition to providing the farmers with income to support their families.

Click promo link below to take advantage of The Body Shop's 2 for $30 offer on Body Butter:

All Body Butters are 2 for $30 at The Body Shop. Shop Now>

A Polish with Power

After talking with my mom about OPI's Breathe Life Nail Lacquer (a gorgeous fresh-air, silvery blue), I scoured the web to find someplace that still sold it. Created exclusively to help the Lung Cancer Foundation of America in its efforts to raise funds for early detection, diagnosis, and, most importantly...a cure. Every dollar contributed makes a tremendous impact. Lung cancer has stopped our women from breathing long enough. Let's cure it! What many people don't realize is that lung cancer is the #1 cancer killer of women. It kills more than the 6 next largest cancer killers combined. 60% of new lung cancer victims will be non-smokers. 85% of those diagnosed with lung cancer will die in 5 years or less. Another great gift idea that gives back! I found it on Amazon here:  http://www.amazon.com/OPI-Breathe-Life-Nail-Lacquer/dp/B001W30GZS

8 more days...

until tickets FINALLY go on sale for South Beach Wine and Food Fest 2010 sponsored by the Food Network! But, I'm not counting down or anything... check out the list of events here:  http://sobefest.com/2010/events.php

And if South Beach isn't in your geo range, you can always search around the LocalWineEvents.com site for awesome food and wine gatherings closer to home,  I LOVE this site:  http://www.localwineevents.com/resources/

Eco Wines that Give Back

Check out this new Eco Wine Trio that includes three premium red wines from the Boisset Family Estates – the first available PET wine bottles in the US! What in the heck are PET bottles, you say? Well, they are BPA-free plastic bottles that weigh 90% less and have a 50% lower carbon footprint than glass bottles and feature a unique oxygen-barrier that helps ensure wine quality and taste. All neatly packaged and presented in a gift box produced of 100% recycled packaging. How cool is that? What's even cooler, is that 10% of the retail price will be sent to the EarthEra Renewable Energy Trust, which funds construction of new, renewable energy projects in the U.S.

You can order the Eco Wine Trio or check out wine.com's entire selection of biodynamic, organic and sustainable wines by clicking below:

Shop our best selling "green" wines that use sustainable, organic and/or biodynamic practices in the vineyard and/or winemaking process.

Old Favorite from the Archives... Bits and Pieces

People. People important to you, people unimportant to you cross your life, touch it with love and carelessness and move on. There are people who leave you and breathe a sigh of relief and wonder why you came into contact with them. There are people who leave you and you breathe a sigh of remorse and wonder why they had to go away and leave such a gaping hole. Children leave parents; friends leave friends. Acquaintances move on. People change homes. People grow apart. Enemies move on. Friends love and move on. You think of many who have moved into your hazy memory. You look on those present and wonder.

I believe in God's master plan in lives. He moves people in and out of each other's lives, and each leaves his or her mark on the other. You find you are made up of bits and pieces of all who ever touched your life, and you are more because of it, and you would be less if they had not touched you.

Pray God that you accept the bits and pieces in humility and wonder, and never question, and never forget.

What's the Good Word?

I'm SO over the doomers and gloomers that consume most of our media sources... anyone with me on this???? That's what I thought! In that case, do yourself a favor and keep the positive mojo moving in your direction by bookmarking this site: http://www.happynews.com/

Loving this story in particular... http://www.happynews.com/news/9232009/helping-women-sweat-success.htm

If you are reading this, commit yourself to one random act of kindness today... here are some ideas: pay for the car behind you at the toll booth, send a card to someone you've been thinking about, pay a stranger a fabulous compliment, hug a friend for no good reason, send an a Publix gift card to a family that can use it... anonymously.