Cyber Monday Free Lunch

Another post about Christmas shopping? According to the stockings and candy canes in the dollar bins at Target, it's right around the corner! I never really understood the hype about "Cyber Monday" since by my understanding the whole point of buying gifts online is that you can do it whenever you want. But Shop.org is trying to get consumers typing away with a free lunch at the Hard Rock Cafe, complete with laptops set up for shopping while you eat and raffles for giftcards. You'll probably have to fight your way through a few visiting packs of school kids, but a free lunch is a free lunch. And if you win anything you may have one less gift to buy, online or otherwise.

We Love DC: Free Lunch on Cyber Monday

Fotoweek DC!!!

If you are an avid lover of photography (like me) than this week of all weeks is definitely a great week to call yourself a resident of DC (or surrounding area). People, people, Fotoweek has arrived. It officially began over the weekend, but that doesn't mean that you have missed out on the gobs and gobs of photography events going on in this city. There are gallery openings, lectures...the works. And many of them are free.

Check out the events here.

Shopper Social - THIS THURSDAY

As mentioned in our calendar (see righthand side column - SUBSCRIBE, SUBSCRIBE!!), this Thursday, being the third Thursday of the month, is U-Street's Shopper Social. This means, that a number of the U-Street boutiques, Nana, Moojoo Ken, Mulah, etc. will offer specials on a number of their products between 5pm and 7pm (or the respective closing time). And if boutique sales aren't enticing enough, sometime you'll get cookies or a glass of champagne out of the deal.

Craft Mutiny Holiday Booty Market

Everyone's got someone for whom they have to be pretty conservative in the gift giving department. I have gotten my dad a book for every gift-giving holiday since Clinton was president, and I'm no hurry to break from the pattern any time soon. But if there's someone on your list who'll appreciate a little more creativity, this event with products from 20 artists in the area could be worth a look. There'll be snacks and gift bags for the first 100 customers.

Craft Mutiny Holiday Trunk Show
Saturday, December 13, 2008 -- 10am-5pm
Design Within Reach - Georgetown
3307 Cady's Alley N.W.
Washington, DC 20007

Don't go it alone

In these troubled economic times, free movies and cheap beer alone will not bring you financial stability (although it may make it temporarily easier to forget about). There's a ton of advice flurrying around out there, but if you don't have plans to buy a house any time soon and you're decades from retirement a lot of it isn't terribly relevant. Ramit Sethi's Save $1000 in 30 Days Challenge on the other hand is geared towards trimming everyday expenses but does "not include [outdated term for learning disabled] suggestions like 'Start a garden' or 'Buy day-old food from bakeries.'" So far he's only gotten through 5 tips but I think number 4 is one of the most helpful for young people: "Involve Your Friends in Your Savings Challenge." It's easy enough to say you'll save money on going out, but if you're the only one you know trying to do so you'll be pretty lonely. On the other hand, trying to get your friends on board will make it a lot easier to socialize without drinking away your budget, and you might even get people to rethink the dreaded group birthday dinner.

Free Makeup Consultations

Friday, November 7, and Saturday, November 8: Tim Quinn, a well-known celebrity makeup artist with Giorgio Armani, will be holding free group technique classes and personal makeup consultations by appointment only at the Chevy Chase Saks Fifth Avenue. The group classes will be lightly catered with Champagne, fruit, and cheese. For appointments, call 240-497-5206.

(from the Washingtonian)

Rob Riggle at Sixth & I

If you can't get enough of Rob Riggle's muscular idiocy on the Daily Show, mark your calendars- he'll be at the Sixth & I Historic Synagogue on February 19. Tickets here.

Election Night (Part 2)

If you have a pulse and a TV, chances are you're either sick to death of hearing about the election for the past two years, or so nervous about the results that if you can't distract yourself, you may get an ulcer. For those who want to get through Tuesday night without seeing a single red and blue map, here's a few non-election related activities. We can't guarantee, however, that you won't overhear someone whispering about the numbers from Ohio while furiously tapping on their iPhone.

Adams Morgan First Tuesdays: Restaurants and retailers in AdMo offer discounts on the first Tuesday of every month. Hit up Bourbon, Grill from Ipanema, or one of many other participants (scroll down a ways) with someone who promises not to address you as "my friend", and the two of you could eat and drink for just $25.

Tonic: It is both Wine Night- get a free bottle of wine with the purchase of two entrees and an appetizer- and Taco Night- 50 Cent Tacos and $ 4.00 Sam Adams Seasonal Draft. Sounds like a pretty great night either way.

Free Starbucks for voters

Bring proof that you voted-does the sticker count?-to Starbucks on Tuesday and you'll get a free tall coffee. Also, check out the heated debate in the comments section of the post linked below about whether the offer constitutes an illegal incentive to vote under California law. Nice to see that discussions like that happen outside D.C.

Starbucks Gossip: Vote on Tuesday and get a free tall brewed coffee from Starbucks

Leftover Turkey class

Target is already carrying Christmas decorations, which means that Thanksgiving is just around the corner! Make the most of the leftovers you scavenge from your parents' house with this class at the Tenley Whole Foods:

Wednesday, November 12th

7:00-8:15 p.m. |

• Turkey Stuffed Potato Cutlets - potato cutlets stuffed with leftover turkey and spices and cooked on a griddle
• Turkey Dhansak - a Persian dish that contains lentil soup with turkey pieces along with spices
• Turkey Keema - ground turkey with spices and green peas
• Spiced Rice Pilaf - an accompaniment to the Turkey dishes, this spiced rice pilaf is made with basmati white rice and whole spices.