Best Stuff for Men » Watches

How to Get Half Off On Perry Ellis Men’s Clothing

ECJ — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 23:48:30 +0000

Getting half off at Perry Ellis online right now is pretty simple. All you have to do is use the code “PESAVE50″ and you’ll get 50% off on anything and everything on their site. Perry Ellis is one of the most popular and innovative men’s clothing brands, known for their stylish, well-made clothes — menswear that will fit your active lifestyle and creative expression. And through December 19, they are offering everything on their site at half off using the coupon code above.

Just click the link below to shop and start saving…

=> Click here to shop at PerryEllis.com and get 50% off everything when you use code PESAVE50 at checkout <=

Click to get this Plaid Scarf from Perry Ellis at 50% off

At left is an example of just one desirable item of clothing that you can find at Perry Ellis now — a Plaid Scarf in warm tones of black and brown. This scarf normally goes for $35, but if you shop today and apply code PESAVE50, you’ll get it for $17.49.

And that goes for EVERYTHING on their site! Apply the code in the shopping cart when you check out and your entire purchase will be discounted 50 percent.

Perry Ellis Men’s Shirts

Perry Ellis is, of course, known for quintessentially-American men’s shirts, both dress shirts and casual shirts. You can get half off now on well-designed shirts for the office — 100% cotton, flatteringly-tailored shirts in solids, plaids, and stripes. Most are priced at $50 – $60, so you’ll be getting them today (through December 15) for $25 – $30. This is a good chance to stock up!

Much More Than Shirts — Suits, Jeans, Shoes, Etc. — A Complete Men’s Clothing Store Online

Of course, Perry Ellis carries a complete line of all types of men’s clothes, so you can shop for coats and sweaters, fashionable blazers, ties, jeans, dress pants, underwear, shoes, slippers, socks, belts, cufflinks, sunglasses, wallets, watches, suits, resort wear, and more. (Check the video below to see examples of what’s new for 2011 from Perry Ellis.)

Like I said: it’s like your favorite men’s clothing store suddenly announced a store-wide half-off sale.

Women’s Clothes, Too (Rafaella)

But what’s more, Perry Ellis does not just sell men’s clothes and accessories on their site. They also offer something for women: bikinis! Now, you may debate the merits of buying a bikini in winter — unless you’re traveling to Mexico or Hawaii for the holidays, in which case it’s important — but I don’t think a guy would ever argue with the wisdom of a woman having plenty of bikinis. So, be assured, those are half-off, too!

And if you’ve got a gal pal (or you are a gal) who wants to shop for additional women’s clothes at good prices, go to the site of Perry Ellis’s sister company, Rafaella Sportswear, where you can get everything at 40% off for a limited time with code RFL40. Tell your fashionista buddies about this sale.

Or, if that 40% site-wide deal at Rafaella has expired, you can get 30% off 2 items (use code SAVE30); 40% off 3 items (code SAVE40); or 50% off 4+ items (code SAVE50) at Rafaella Sportswear.

Anyway, back to men…

Shop between now and December 15, use code PESAVE50, and save on well-made men’s attire and tons of accessories from Perry Ellis. If you don’t need anything personally, are you done with Christmas shopping?

I figure you would regret it if you didn’t take advantage of this sale — after all, you have to wear clothes at some point, right?

Perry Ellis on Vimeo.

Rolex Watch Cyber Monday Deals at Melrose Jewelers — Up to $1,000 Off

ECJ — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 05:11:48 +0000

This is a high-end Cyber Monday deal from Melrose Jewelers, one of the largest online retailers of luxury Rolex watches in the world.

Men's Silver Dial Rolex Datejust Super President Watch

Melrose Jewelers specializes in selling both new and meticulously-restored Rolex wristwatches — pre-owned watches that have been restored to original factory specifications, both the internal works and the case. And on Cyber Monday, they are offering the following excellent deals:

Get $250 off any Rolex Datejust Watch using code CYBERCJ250
Get $500 off any Rolex President Watch using code CYBERCJ500
Get $1,000 off any Rolex Super President Watch using code CYBERCJ1000

==>Click here to shop for Rolex Watches at Melrose Jewelers now and take advantage of their Cyber Monday deal<==

You’ve Always Wanted a Rolex Watch

Admit it — ever since you heard that Rolex accompanied Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay to the top of Mt. Everest in 1953, you have wanted one. The legend of Rolex has only grown in the decades since that first successful climb of Everest, and many now feel that it is the finest wristwatch available.

So why not take advantage of this excellent sale on Rolex watches by Melrose Jewelers, a company that has come to the attention of Business Week, the N.Y. Times, MSNBC, and CNBC for its growing success at selling high-end luxury watch brands online? There’s a good reason almost 170,000 people have “Liked” Melrose Jewelers on Facebook. This is a company that creates loyal customers.

Melrose Jewelers is especially known for its expertise when it comes to Rolex watches. In fact, both knowledgeable customers and Rolex technicians use the Rolex Education section of their website. On their site, you can find out much more about, for example, the watch pictured above: the Rolex Men’s Silver Dial Beadset Bezel Datejust Super President Watch.

Every Rolex watch they sell has been restored to showroom condition. You can shop with confidence at Melrose Jewelers for several reasons. Each of their watches comes with an independent authentication and appraisal by the Associated International Gemological Laboratory. Melrose Jewelers provides a comprehensive warranty on their Rolex Watches, including a two-year warranty on functionality (if it ever needs repair or replacement, you can overnight it to them at their cost and they will repair or replace the watch for free), a lifetime authenticity guarantee, and a no-risk 3-day return, 10-day exchange policy.

Melrose Jewelers is a BBB-accredited business and has many testimonials by satisfied customers.

Isn’t now a good time to get that Rolex you’ve always wanted? Make note of the coupon codes above and enter them during checkout to get your savings.

Then plan the adventure on which you’ll wear your new watch.

Want to Help the Japanese Economy Recover? Shop at Rakuten

ECJ — Sun, 20 Mar 2011 05:22:28 +0000

You may be wondering how to help the people of Japan cope with the aftermath of the devastating earthquake and tsunami that occurred March 11. You can do it by buying goods from Japanese companies online. This post tells you the best way to shop Japan via the Internet.

One idea for economic recovery that I have not seen mentioned is to shop directly with Japanese businesses online. Americans and others around the world have donated millions of dollars through various relief organizations, such as the Red Cross, and many others have traveled to Japan to volunteer their services. But, while donations of money satisfy the immediate need to get supplies to the people in the towns of the tsunami-ravaged Tohoku region, dollars can be infused into the Japanese economy long-term by shopping via the Internet from anywhere in the world at Rakuten.

Click to explore Rakuten's huge online mall

Many people outside Japan have not heard of Rakuten. It is an online shopping company. It is Japan’s equivalent of Amazon. The Japanese name “Rakuten Ichiba” translates to “Rakuten Shopping Mall,” which is exactly what it is — an aggregation of 33,000 Japanese shops and businesses. This huge online shopping site offers 60 million products. Rakuten is the second most visited site in Japan, with over 50 million registered users. In fact, this Internet shopping giant is the reason Amazon has not been able to make much headway into the Japanese market. It is estimated that one-third of households in Japan shop at Rakuten. And that says something: Japanese consumers, particularly online, are known for being finicky and demanding. Rakuten has met their needs to the point that it is now one of the top ten Internet companies in the world, and has an international presence. In addition to products, it also has its own extensive travel services site, which anyone in the world can use.

Rakuten is now actively expanding its shopping services in other markets throughout the world, including Europe and the United States. Amazon may be the largest online shopping company, but sheer size is no guarantee of quality (Microsoft sells more operating systems than any other company but no one thinks their OS is the best, and General Motors became the largest automaker in the world selling cars inferior to a number of other makes), so I would not be surprised if, in a few years, Rakuten has noticeably eroded Amazon’s market share. You can think of Rakuten as the Honda of online retailing.

What does that mean with respect to helping the Japanese economy weather the aftermath of the earthquake?

We know that the world’s economic fortunes are subject to ripple effects that transcend national boundaries. Mortgage foreclosures in the American mid-west affect the value of the Euro. The price of labor in China impacts how much Walmart pays its US workers. The Russian wheat harvest affects the price of food in Delhi and Des Moines. With respect to the world economy, Japan is a titan, boasting the third largest economy after the US and China. So any financial woes that Japan experiences as a result of the triple whammy of the earthquake, tsunami, and radiation contamination from damaged nuclear power plants will affect not only the Japanese people but people in the United States and around the world. (Already, it is projected that demand for the Prius will not be able to be met, since there are parts suppliers for the car in the affected region. And US beef exports to Japan may be hampered by damaged port facilities.) In other words, the domino effect from an economic slowdown in Japan coupled with the need to re-build infrastructure could affect your personal financial situation. So it behooves you to help your neighbor.

Thus, if you shop for Japanese goods, you can help not only Japanese businesses and consumers as they recover and re-build, but your own economy as well. The easiest (and most enjoyable) way to shop in Japan from outside Japan is Rakuten. Spend a few bucks there, get yourself some interesting, well-made Japanese products, and you’ll be helping float everyone’s boat. After all, just imagine what it would have meant to a local hardware or stationery store in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina if they had had a steady influx of customers… If they had experienced damage or hardship from the hurricane, sure, packets of freeze-dried food and blankets would have met their immediate physical needs, but long-term, it’s customers buying from businesses that sustain an economy, whether in Bay St. Louis, Mississippi or Ofunato, Japan.

You can find just about any kind of product at Rakuten, from books to ice cream to motorcycle parts. But why not get something interesting or unusual? How about:

Sake
Momotaro Jeans (maybe the best jeans in the world)
Japanese Sandals
Tea Sets
Samurai Clothes and Accessories
Edible Seaweed from Ofunato (the northeast region)

You can also try using the search field on the Rakuten homepage to search for city names in the northeast region, such as Sendai, Kamaishi, Miyako, and Kuji, in order to find stores in those cities from which to buy. Keep in mind that operations at those stores might be curtailed or slowed for awhile — but they will still appreciate the business!

Rakuten currently ships to over 50 countries (and the list is expanding) and their site has pages optimized for a number of countries, including the USA, Canada, China, France, and the UK. If you’re outside Japan, when you place an order you’ll usually be put in touch via email with the shop that sells the item to arrange a shipping method and cost. (Note that some shops offer special free international shipping promotions, or $1 international shipping.) There is a weight restriction on items shipped to the US via certain carriers, but many shops can arrange a shipping method to the US that gets around this limit.

When you first explore the site, you may wonder where to go and how to approach it, but anyone familiar with online shopping can quickly figure it out. Explore. In addition, they have a handy instructional page here.

Think of it as an adventure, man. As well as a good deed.

Here’s a testimonial from a customer in the US posted on the Rakuten site:

“I recently found Rakuten via Facebook, and boy I couldn’t be happier. As a person interested in Japanese culture, this website is great. I’ve found many things I had been looking for as well as new items that have caught my eye. The website is well laid out and very intuitive to navigate. And the search feature is one of the better ones I’ve encountered for a merchant website. And this is all from a website that isn’t set up for business in the USA. If the USA website is half as good, then it’ll be better than most merchants that I’ve purchased from. by Nick M – NJ, USA”

Hey, if Nick can do it, you can, too. And remember, you’ll be helping the cause. It all adds up.

If you have found something interesting or useful here on Best Stuff for Men, please consider making a donation, so others can benefit, too. Thanks!

Special Deal from ChronoShark on a Superb Maurice Lacroix Swiss Watch — 72 Hours Only

ECJ — Wed, 11 Aug 2010 21:25:06 +0000

ChronoShark is offering one of the finest wristwatches you can own — the Maurice Lacroix Masterpiece Jours Retrogrades Collection MP6358-SS001-31E Men’s Watch — for the unheard-of price of $1,695 for 72 hours. After that, it’s gone. This watch usually retails for $8,100. The next cheapest source has it for $2,199.

If you want an excellent Swiss watch, a mechanical-movement work of art, don’t hesitate to take advantage of this rare deal. Click the image below to see details about the watch, including a video describing its features, and to purchase from ChronoShark – $1,695 for 72 hours only. (When you buy the watch you’ll also get free overnight shipping. And — because I know since you’re reading this that you’re cool – you can get an extra $10 off by entering coupon code SHARKBIGBOY at checkout.)

The Masterpiece Jours Retrogrades Collection watch from Maurice Lacroix features a precise Swiss-made Caliber ML102 Customized ETA 2892A2 self-winding 22-jewel automatic movement that features a skeleton rotor that beats at 28,800 accelerations per hour. The 925 Sterling Silver dial has luminous silvertone hour and minute hands, silvertone second and subdial hands, silvertone hour markers, silvertone Roman numerals and a silvertone-framed large date display window (with two independently rotating discs) located at the 12:00 hour position. In addition, an open retrograde subdial is located at the 6:00 hour position which displays day-of-the-week, boasting a subdial hand that flips back at the end of the week. This subdial also features a retrograde mechanism specially developed for the Masterpiece Collection viewable through an open skeleton window, enclosed by a metalized Sapphire crystal within the dial. Water resistant to 50 meters. Includes 2-year manufacturer’s warranty.

Father’s Day: Get Something Good for Your Dad (or Yourself)

ECJ — Tue, 15 Jun 2010 05:39:22 +0000

Here’s a wide variety of Father’s Day gift ideas. As you go through them, consider nabbing something for yourself.

Wait a minute… Get a gift for yourself for Father’s Day? Sure. When it comes to Father s Day gifts, if you get something for yourself, you know you’ll get what you want. Besides, why not celebrate your own fatherhood? You can do that even if you don’t have kids. After all, every mature man is a sort of “father”: an originator of ideas, shepherd of projects, creator of art, instigator of adventures. And if you do have kids, if you get a cool gift for yourself, you’ll be able to enjoy it along with your kids’ heartfelt (hopefully), competent (or not) gifts — their attempts to express their appreciation for your love, guidance, and encouragement.

Of course, you want to get a good gift for your own dad for Father’s Day, something that expresses your gratitude for his presence and influence in your life. I say “hopefully,” because Father’s Day can often be kind of an afterthought when it comes to parents’ days. Mother’s Day gets most of the headlines. Father’s Day seems to come in second in the popularity polls. The cliché of dad always getting a necktie for Father’s Day is a cliché because it’s true. But your dad deserves some consideration when it comes to gifts, doesn’t he? To jump-start some ideas, following are suggestions for gifts that don’t suck — things he will actually enjoy and use.

Let’s start with a classic gift idea that can’t miss: a wristwatch, and for a good price (he’ll appreciate your sensibleness). Watches are useful, stylish and, when you think about it, cool pieces of technology. (There’s a reason they’re given on important occasions such as graduation and retirement.) Every day, ChronoShark offers a new watch at the absolutely lowest price anywhere. You only get 24 hours to nab it.

I have a dedicated page to ChronoShark here). And if today’s watch deal doesn’t do it for you, there’s a good chance that tomorrow’s will — they select from the best when it comes to performance versus price. You could also try an excellent online retailer of watches: Discount Watch Store. They have thousands of watches for men, good customer service, guarantee the lowest prices on the Internet, and offer free shipping on all orders.

Polar FT7

Along the same lines as a watch, but a little more specialized and beneficial — how about a heart-rate monitor? Here’s a heart-rate monitor that’s well-reviewed: the Polar FT7. Outside magazine, among others, recommends it (“intuitive and powerful”). It has everything you need and nothing you don’t, and the price is right. Plus it’s cool-looking. Encourage your dad to achieve his fitness goals. Find the Polar FT7 at REI or Moosejaw. And if you want something more top-of-the-line, check out the Garmin Forerunner 110, which adds GPS capability to workout monitoring.

Everybody likes 007. Whether your dad is trying to get fitter or not, guys appreciate action (even if it’s vicarious), and quintessential manly action has always been carried out by James Bond. Get your dad a complete set of James Bond movies. Here’s Volume 1:

You can also find the complete collection of Bond movies on both DVD and Blu-ray at CD Universe, one of the best online sources for music and movies at good prices.

Or would he rather have a TV series? See my post on the best television series for men availale on DVD and blu-ray (for example: The Wire and Fawlty Towers).

With regard to relating to women (your mom or whoever), a good cologne is always appropriate (unless she’s got MCS, in which case there’s a whole ‘nother set of things to worry about besides smelling good). I have found only a few that seem to be universally appreciated by the opposite sex and here’s one of them: Marc Jacobs for Men. In my own informal polling, I’ve always had positive responses (I try it on at the store and ask random women if they like it). It’s also endorsed by the PUA community, and they should know, right? You can get it for an excellent discount from FragranceX.

Every guy should have at least one multitool. They’re handy and confidence-inducing. Here’s one that the editors of Outside endorsed as a practical, everyday choice: the Leatherman Squirt PS4 (can’t go wrong with anything from Leatherman). It’s got 9 tools (including pliers and scissors) in a compact form that isn’t annoying to carry around (just 2¼ inches closed). And it’s only about $40 (or less). Get it from REI. Or from Massey’s Professional Outfitters.

The sword of William Wallace

Here is something that is not a multitool. It’s a single-purpose tool: William Wallace’s sword from the movie Braveheart. Of course, this is not an actual battle sword ( for that you need to go to Swords.com or Budk), but it is an impressive 61-inch replica in high-carbon steel — the most accurate prop replica ever made of this sword. It comes with a display plaque. Inspire your dad with the formidable weapon that helped establish freedom!

Guys need a top-drawer pair of knockaround pair of shoes, whether for late-night ramblings along urban streets or stalking across frosty stubble pursuing a great telephoto shot of a wild turkey. Fortunately, Timberland has a classic pair of chukka boots that fit the bill — the Eastern Standard Chukka (that’s them above) – a vintage style based on shoes that first appeared decades ago, made with premium Horween leather, hand-finished for a rustic look, with coarse waxed cotton laces and a Vibram outsole. Intended to protect a man’s feet during diverse activities, while simultaneously making him look good. Get them from Timberland. Made in the USA.

And if you don’t think these boots are exactly your dad’s cup of tea (or you don’t know his shoe-size), then get him a gift certificate to Zappos and let him choose his preferred footwear. That goes for all the companies linked to on this page – if you’re not sure about a specific item, get a gift certificate: it always fits and is totally in style.

Kansas City Steak Company

You get hungry after a day of stomping around in your boots, swinging your sword, and when a man gets hungry, the food of choice is meat (unless he’s a vegetarian — in which case, well, get him a carrot). Anyway, if you want to treat your dad to a premium steak or other great hunk o’ beef, you can’t go wrong with the Kansas City Steak Company — one of the best online companies for steak and other meats. And of course they’re offering some good deals now — for example, get 8 Classic Steakburgers FREE with a $100 order (use code ABRG84 at checkout). And get $4.95 shipping on all orders. This makes a mouthwatering gift…

Savile Row, London

You want your dad to look good and, believe it or not, he wants to look good, so how about getting him a shirt or two from one of the most renowned shirt makers in the world: Savile Row. They offer exquisite tailoring, use the finest cottons, and carry a variety of styles (all posh). Right now, if you buy 2 shirts you can get a third for half price (through June 21st only). They also carry men’s suits, casual wear, and accessories. Which means you can get him — yes! — a tie. But Savile Row ties are pretty cool. They have a 3-month satisfaction guarantee. Shipping to the US is only $21 and is free on orders over $175. And, for the quality, their prices are quite reasonable. Click the banner below.

A laser-engraved flask makes a personalized gift

We’ve handled your dad’s steak needs but what about when he gets thirsty? I’m not talking about when he needs a bit of agua after running a 10K. No, I’m talking about when he needs a drop of something a little more flavorful. For that, he doesn’t want to carry a Camelbak. He’ll need something a bit more sophisticated: a flask. And why not get him one that’s laser-engraved with art or a message of your choosing? This will be a gift that keeps on giving. See more flasks than you can shake a stick at at the FlaskShop, including photo flasks, stainless steel, novelty flasks, leather designs, monogrammed, and martini shaker sets (which he can use while unwinding with a Bond movie).

TaylorMade R9 Driver at InTheHole Golf

Your father must have a few hobbies. Is one of them golf? If so, my commiseration. No, just kidding… My 81-year-old dad plays golf and loves it. I know he always enjoys upgrading his equipment. So why not get your dad a new club or something else from InTheHole Golf, one of the best online destinations for everything you need to play the Game of Gentlemen. Check out the TaylorMade R9 driver — an advanced, adjustable design that is getting rave reviews. Or maybe he just needs a new golf bag (consider the Ogio Nexos Stand Bag). Or simply get him a gift certificate. You can’t go wrong at InTheHole Golf. Their helpful, informative website will help you choose a great gift.

And, from now until June 20, get 10% off for Father’s Day at IntheHoleGolf — just enter code DAD at checkout.

This is not your dad.

Of course, maybe your dad’s inclination is toward a sport that’s a little more mano-a-mano (as opposed to mano-a-course-o). How about tennis? Does he need a new tennis racket? Then the place to get it for a good price, with a wide selection, is Tennis Boom. Of course, if your budget is limited you could always just go with a can of balls.

The Daiwa Saltiga Surf Spinning Reel is one of the best

Or maybe your dad prefers the contest between man and fish. A new rod or surf reel could be in order. Find a huge selection of fishing equipment, from fly-fishing to deep-sea trolling, at Cabelas, the premier outdoor recreation/adventure outfitter, all offered with excellent customer service.

Utrecht Master's Studio Easel - on sale for over $100 off

Is your dad a visual artist? Remember how I mentioned that a man can be the ”father” of art? Well, if your dad fits that category, you can get art supplies and equipment for him at Utrecht. They’ve been supplying equipment and materials for artists since 1949.

They are currently offering their Master’s Studio Easel for an excellent discount.

Click for exclusive designs at Sunglass Hut

Now that we’re coming into summer, every guy, including your dad, needs some cool shades to wear with shorts and Hawaiian shirts. You can’t get cooler (or higher quality) than Ray-Ban (and Maui Jim). See an excellent selection of Ray-Ban models, including one-of-a-kind designer styles such as those done by graphic designer and muralist Matt Moore above, at Sunglass Hut. A pair of Ray-Bans, whether wayfarers or aviators, is a can’t-miss gift.

Click to see the Droids at Wirefly

A new phone — something he can use to call you or just surf the web. The new iPhone is about to come out and the Google Nexus One is getting rave reviews. Those aren’t the only excellent phones out there — the various Droid phones are also top-of-the-line. Is it about time for your dad to have a cool communication/Web/photo/GPS machine that won’t break the bank? Find many good selections at Wirefly (such as the Droid Incredible pictured at left, or the featured model in the banner below).

Maybe your dad isn’t much of a gamer. But he could be, especially when he finds out about the cool sports games you can play on the Nintendo Wii. Or he is a gamer but he hasn’t gotten around to getting the Wii yet. Or he’s gotten a Wii but he doesn’t have Tiger Woods PGA Tour 11 yet. In any event, get him one or all of these things and he’ll have fun. Include Resident Evil 4, too (also find it here). And don’t forget Super Mario Galaxy 2 (about which CNET wrote: “…the new standard against which every 3D platformer must now be judged”). You can also find the Nintendo Wii in black at Buy.com, plus a bunch of accessories.

MEZZI WOODLine Aluminum Briefcase

When you combine style, a cool gadget, and uniqueness, you’ve got an unbeatable combination for a gift. And that’s what you get with the MEZZI WOODLine Aluminum Briefcase — a well-made aluminum briefcase with a wood finish and a chrome handle from Mezzi.com. The WOODLine Aluminum Briefcase was featured on Mission Impossible 3. (Mezzi has supplied cases for a number of TV shows and films, including all those nifty silver cases on Deal or No Deal.) This briefcase is made of high-quality aluminum and has chromed corners. The black interior has 4 compartments, 3 pen/pencil holders, customizable foam, and will securely hold a laptop of up to 17 inches. It’ll keep your dad’s stuff safe with a dual keypad combination lock. And he will own the most distinctive briefcase of anyone he knows. MEZZI makes stylish, durable briefcases at sensible prices. Check the customer reviews for this case on their site. You can also read an independent review of another MEZZI case — the LuxSlim Aluminum Laptop case in black — at Gear Diary, if you want additional input about their products. But really, all you need to know is that, in addition to Mission Impossible 3, the WOODLine Aluminum Briefcase was featured on NBC’s Chuck (one of my favorite shows).

Top 30 Bestselling Signed Books at Abebooks

Does your father like to read? All readers enjoy having a book signed by the author. And you can find a whole bunch of signed editions at Abebooks. Here’s a link to the latest, most popular signed editions at Abebooks. If you don’t see an author that you know your dad likes on that page, use the Abebooks search function here to search for signed editions by authors you know he’s a fan of. It makes for a cool, one-of-a-kind gift. And here’s something especially for Father’s Day: books by father and son writing teams.

Subscribe for under $12 for a year

Then again, maybe your dad is a reader but he doesn’t like books. He likes his reading short, practical, entertaining, and with plenty of pictures. In that case, get him a subscription to a car magazine. Every guy likes car magazines. Me, I like Car & Driver best. But hey, some people swear by Road & Track and AutoWeek. Also check other titles at University Subscription Service, which is one of my favorite online discount magazine subscription services (along with Blue Dolphin). You can’t beat the prices and the service is good. And a magazine subscription is a gift that keeps on giving every month. And don’t you want to let your father how much your care about him every month?

Happy Father’s Day!

Sure, Your Mom Would Appreciate Flowers for Mother’s Day — But What About Something Sorta Different?

ECJ — Wed, 05 May 2010 02:25:09 +0000

Don’t get me wrong — flowers are good and you know she’d love them. But why not go outside the conventional bounds and give her something rather different and memorable? Here’re some ideas…

Okay, if you’re committed to flowers, let’s get that out of the way first. You can still order in time for delivery for Mother’s Day (you do know it’s on May 9, right?). You can get them from Fleurop, the most extensive flower delivery service in the world (I said “extensive” not “expensive”). If you live in Poland you can order on Fleurop’s website and have them delivered to someone in Argentina. Or Nigeria. Or Iceland. And of course the United States. And vice versa. I’ve written previously about Fleurop’s history and scope in my post on humans and flowers. To order, click the text link above or the banner below. And if you are in the UK (or you mom is), you can order from Fleurop.co.uk. Get 10% off an order for a spring bouquet using code SPRING11 at checkout (through 4/30/11).

Now for some different suggestions… How about some customized Chuck Taylor shoes from Converse? I’ll bet you didn’t know you could design a pair. Or she can. Women are into Chuck Taylor’s now. The easiest thing would be to go the Converse site and get your mom a gift card (everybody likes gift cards) and she can design her own pair (on the site, click “Buy” and you’ll see Gift Cards under “Clothes and More”). Or she can choose something else cool out of their selection of apparel. You can have the card mailed. Or send it as an e-card, so it’ll be sure to be on time. Or you can order something like the Jack Purcell garment-dyed sneaker. Lots of options, and she’ll like any one of them.

Of course, when it comes to women (and moms are women, remember) clothes are always in order. But rather than get something ordinary from the local discount department store, how about something from Fossil? Not what you’d ordinarily think about for Mother’s Day, but that’s the idea. They have cool items and they’re offering free overnight shipping on orders over $100 (through 5/5). Use coupon code MOM100 during checkout. Need a specific suggestion? How about a Stella Bright watch, a ceramic watch, or jewelry? And there’s always gift cards.

How about some great food from Spain? That’s right, Spain. This is not Mexican food, this is Spanish food, and the place to get it in the U.S. is La Tienda, a business that imports lots of delicious and one-of-a-kind products from Spain. Their site deserves careful exploration. And their food merits appreciative dining. Maybe you can’t cook for your mom, but you can still give her something really tasty. And unique. They also have cookbooks, cookware, and beautiful ceramics, among many other things.

But let’s get back to customization. How about making her a one-of-a-kind product at Zazzle? You can make her a T-shirt, tote bag, apron, greeting card, mouse pad — they have almost 40 different products to choose from. Use one of your own digital photos. Go to Zazzle’s “Create” page and have at it. You can add your own text, too. Or, if you can’t quite come up with your own design, Zazzle has over a billion products to choose from, plus the Artsprojekt and Labz specialty sites (see the links in the top bar on their site). Use the Zazzle search bar to search on one of your mom’s interests and lots of product options will appear. You can often customize these products, too. Or you could try my Zazzle store (it’s got women’s clothing). You can select expedited shipping to make sure it arrives on time.

When’s the last time your mom had a nice vacation? You can get her a gift card to BedandBreakfast.com and she can select from more than 4,000 B&B’s and other lodgings around the U.S. and Canada. Imagine the fun she’d have choosing a place to go and stay. She could go with your dad, her BFF, or have her own adventure… They’re offering a deal for Mother’s Day, too — 10% off using this code: BBMOM10. See details at the site.

If not a vacation, how about an event? You could treat you mom to a show or concert. Just go to TicketNetwork to select from a huge array of current and upcoming events. How about Wicked? Or Cirque Du Soleil? Or Sting? TicketNetwork has good prices (usually lower than the competition — such as 15% off Broadway ticket orders over $200 with code BWAYSAVE15 through 6/15/10) and good customer service. And if she’s a sports fan (baseball — save 10% using code MLB2010 through 6/15; or tennis, anyone?) they’ve got that covered, too.

And if you send her on a trip or to an event (or even if you don’t), she might want to have some new luggage or a new handbag. Fortunately, eBags, probably the best one-stop shopping spot for getting things to carry stuff in, is letting me offer you a couple of deals in May. Get 10% off plus free shipping on a luggage order over $100 using coupon code COMJGRADS. And get an extra 15% off handbags using coupon code COMJMAYBAG. (These coupons expire on May 31.) Luggage-wise, see the Skyway Sigma Expandable Carry-On – $49.99 (58% Off) + FREE SHIPPING!

Corona Ergonomic Pruner

But maybe your mom wants to stay closer to home… Does she like to garden? How about a nice Corona pruner? (Corona makes some of the best forged tools.) Click the image to the right or here to find them for a discount at BIC Warehouse.

They feature a forged, heat-treated bypass blade. The angled head reduces wrist fatigue.

Does she like to bird-watch? How about a pair of binoculars from Cabelas? These Bushnell 10×42 All-purpose binoculars should fit the bill. And they’re not expensive.

Is she into “green” living? Then you’re sure to be able to find something for her at Real Goods, which carries a ton of environmentally-oriented products and gear.

How about music? Fortunately, I have just the thing: Bach’s Goldberg Variaions, played by Glenn Gould, an absolutely legendary recording. Everybody likes the Goldberg Variations. Or find something else out of a selection of 500,000 works at CD Universe, including movies and television shows.

Maybe your mom is a reader, too. So how about a magazine subscription? It’s the gift that keeps on giving every month… And not just any magazine subscription, but a discounted one. You can get great prices on a big selection of magazines, including many 2-for-1 offers, at University Subscription Service. It’s the only way I subscribe anymore. The prices are consistently the lowest I’ve found and the customer service is good. Just don’t get your mom Popular Mechanics (unless she’s a DIYer). She’d probably enjoy Elle, Smithsonian, Self, The New Yorker, Vanity Fair, or any of a hundred others.

Does she enjoy wine? Then she would appreciate a bottle that you can personalize with a label just for her (and ratings of the wines help you choose). Or choose from over 600 products at Wines.com. There is no mininum order and prices start at $10 a bottle.

Click to see the caviar selection at Mackenzie Ltd.

And to go with that wine, how about caviar, or another gourmet food item, from Mackenzie Ltd., one of the best sources of gourmet food on the web? They import only the best foods from around the globe. They have chocolate, too. And I’m talkin’ good chocolate.

And then, of course, there’s a camera. Mothers like cameras because, for some reason, they always want to take a picture of you. So help her out. An outstanding place to find all things photographic is J&R Computer/Music World, New York’s legendary, block-long electronics store. Great prices and excellent customer service. You can order and get expedited shipping to have it there by this weekend. They have a ton of other Mother’s Day gift suggestions as well.

Speaking of suggestions… If none of the preceding ideas has grabbed you and you’re still wondering what to get, try Overstock. They carry millions of products and they have a convenient suggestion page for Mother’s Day gifts (something they provide for every holiday). Of course, their prices are second to none — and their suggestions are okay (not as good as mine, but not bad). And shipping is only $2.95 on your entire order. Give them a try.

If you want still more suggestions and discount deals (for example, Best Buy is offering some special promotions) that I didn’t have the space to include here, go to my GOOD DEALS AND OUTLETS page (for future reference, the link is in the top menu bar). I’m continually updating it with coupons, best-buys, closeouts, interesting products, sales, discounts, and promotions from the best vendors.

Hope this has helped. Just as dads appreciate something besides a steady stream of neckties, moms like variability, too. It shows you put some thought into it. Though, of course, you know she won’t complain about flowers…

And for any moms who’ve happened to run across this post… Happy Mother’s Day! Are your kids sort of clueless? Then share this post on your Facebook page or elsewhere with one of the social bookmarks below, or forward the URL. Who knows — they might just get the hint.

Good Deal on a Tough Watch: Invicta Russian Diver’s Watch

ECJ — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 20:24:40 +0000

Here’s a great deal on a high-quality, stylish watch.

The Invicta Men’s Russian Diver’s Quartz Watch is usually about $250. Today it’s only $96.99 from Overstock. Reviews for this watch are quite favorable, and the Invicta brand generally inspires customer loyalty. It’s both cool-looking and functional, with a large face (52 mm). Plus it’s got features generally found on more expensive watches. Mineral crystal. Swiss quartz movement. Water resistant to 100 meters. And it’s got that unique chain on the screw-down crown cap. Get it today, and pay only $1 shipping. (They also have it with a silver face for the same price.)

Also, you might like to know that Overstock is offering $12 off a purchase of $300 for new customers only.

Good Deal: Overstock Is Having a Sale on Watches, Including Rolex

ECJ — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 11:25:52 +0000

I wanted to give you a heads-up on a current good deal.

Overstock is doing what it does best: offering goods — in this case, watches – for a steep discount. Save up to 50%. They just added pre-owned Rolex watches to this sale. Various other high-end brands are available, including Citizen, Movado, Tag Heuer, and Bulova. Find some of the best watches for up to thousands off. There’s also a good selection for under $100. Can’t beat that! Click the banner below to shop.

Or click on the Rolex images below to check prices and availability — these pre-owned Rolexes (which come with a warranty) tend to sell out quickly. There are many other models besides those listed below.

Pre-owned Rolex Submariner Men's Blue 2-tone Date Watch from Overstock

Rolex Submariner Men’s Blue Date Watch. Two-tone oyster bracelet. Waterproof to 300m/1,000 ft. Self-winding movement. Protective case with guards protects the triplock winding crown. Date aperture at the 3 o’clock hour marker. Sapphire crystal. Quickset feature. Warranty and appraisal.

This is a pre-owned Rolex Datejust Men’s White Gold Bezel Florentine Watch. Rolex stainless steel jubilee bracelet. Waterproof to 100 m/330 ft. Self-winding movement. White gold fluted bezel. Date aperture at the 3 o’clock hour marker. Silver florentine dial. Acrylic crystal. Quickset feature. Warranty and appraisal. Comes with manual booklet.

Rolex GMT Master II Men’s Stainless Steel Watch. Stainless steel oyster bracelet. Waterproof to 100 m/330 ft. Self-winding movement. Bezel rotates to 24 hours independent of twelve hour hand to allow for simultaneous use of two time zones. Protective case with guards protects the triplock winding crown. Black Dial. Sapphire crystal. Quickset feature. Warranty and appraisal.

This is a pre-owned Rolex Quartz Oysterdate Men’s Watch with a black dial. Stainless steel jubilee bracelet. Datejust oyster quartz chronometer. Waterproof to 100 m/330 ft. Rolex quartz movement. Date aperture at the 3 o’clock hour marker. Sapphire crystal. Quickset feature. Warranty and appraisal. Includes manual.

The Rolex Datejust 2-tone Blue Dial Men’s Watch. Two-tone stainless steel and gold jubilee bracelet. Waterproof to 100m/330 ft. Self-winding movment. Gold-fluted bezel. Date marker at 3 o’clock hour. Quickset feature. Warranty and appraisal.

This is a pre-owned Rolex 14K Gold Date Men’s Champagne Dial Watch. 14K solid yellow gold Rolex case. Aftermarket brown leather strap. Waterproof to 100 m/330 ft. Self-winding movement. Gold fluted bezel. Date aperture at the 3 o’clock hour. Champagne dial. Acrylic crystal. Warranty and appraisal. Comes with a manual.