Misson II: Mother's Day - Gifts that keep on giving

Ahhhh Mothers... the true gift that keeps on giving... even on Mother's Day (right moms?)! Not that kid art or a nice necklace with some charm doo deess aren't great; but if you are like me - - every day should be mother's day! LOL! This concept spurs my thoughts to today's Mission II: my favor"it"e gifts that keep on giving.


- Fantastic Delicious Coffee (even delivered to your door!)

Alterra Coffee is based in Milwaukee, WI and is truly the BEST BEST coffee I have ever had. It was started by a small group who targeted fair trade and organic coffee beans around the world and roasted them themselves. Delectable! They have groovy cafe's, their own bakery and they are the exclusive coffee of Midwest Express (also based out of Milwaukee). I am such a junkie, I have tried repeatedly to ask the owners if and when they might franchise...no time soon (another reason to love 'em). Yeah the buzz words: Delicious, Fair Trade, Organic, still locally owned and the brand/ designs and aesthetics, fantabulous! The real deal (aside from being THE real deal) is the fresh pouch that arrives each or every other month to your door. Even my mailman comments on the aroma! This is true treat to your palette and also money you feel good about spending on a quality business. So start your day off, or drive to school, or drive to work (or both and more) with fresh strong coffee delivered to your door! Grind or brew your own for a cost savings, but better quality!

Coffee of the Month Club: 6 or 12 month Subscription: $85/$165 www.alterracoffee.com/store/

Another coffee deal: Costco or Sam's club sometimes sell a package of starbucks gift cards! So if your thing is to grab a coffee in the morning, get a treat at a discount of 20% off!

- WINE On the subject of liquid -- You need a coffee in the morning, but how about a glass of wine (each!) night? I am partial to Italian Wine and these guys are the best: Italian Wine Merchants in NYC - yes Mario Batali has a hand in this too, along with Lidia's son.. but really Sergio is their leading expert. Check it out www.iwmstore.com

Treat yourself to a wine of the month club, a basket, design your own from a region.. all shipped to your door and the top top producers of all price ranges.

Not an Italian Fan: Wine.com www.wine.com - is a great start to your research California's, Rhone Valley, Africa etc.. and a reliable site!

- Spa! Yeah we all love a lil spa in our life. Spa = everything from hair cut to microdebrastion to Ayurveda to teeth whitening! These days spas are offering promotions i.e. book a massage, get a mani free etc. That is a deal - - however the real deal is yet another costco, sam's lead: Spafinder gift certificates. You can get them online or in store at costco: 2 $50.00 certificates for $79.99! 20% off! Not excluding other promotions! These are the same certificates you get online! There are thousands of participants www.spafinder.com and you can find some in your area across the world!

- Movie Night (or a Date Night/ Girls Night or just some peace at quiet by yourself night). While you are getting a spafinder gift certificate at costcos pick up some AMC/ Loews packs: 2 movie passes (and free large fountain drink) for $16.99! No restrictions! I don't go to the movies any other way. Cheaper than a matinee on the east coast!

- Reebok Easy Tone shoes! Mom's running abound - why not get an extra lift, burn some extra calories? These shoes will do it! They are similar to the MBTs (you know balance shoes) but these are for 1/2 or 3/4 the price!. I have never bought a reebok shoe in my entire life but went to Lady Foot Locker to try them on! These are light, cute and they actually work (well I can feel the difference already). Real Deal: It happened to be friends and family sale - - so I got another 2 pair for my mother in law and mom! Search the internet for friends and family or ask if they have a promotion while you are there. Check them out at Reebok www.reebok.com/US/#/search?t=easytone you can also go to Lady Foot Locker near you. These are selling like hotcakes so if not mother's day, keep an eye out at the mall or online in the future!

- Earrings: A nice pair of earrings can make any outfit and also a good excuse to wear a ponytail or bun.. yet again ( a popular mom style right?).

I am a fan of banana republic jewelry, mainly earrings ON SALE: www.bananarepublic.gap.com/browse/category.do. At the a store you will find even more styles at deeper discounts pending the store. I have been to alot of Banana Republic's and they are usually in plastic bags by the jewelery or counter. Just ask for a box for a gift!

Earrings still at $40, $30, or $17.99 may not be your thing -- so you know who has really great earrings similar in style (SERIOUSLY) TARGET. I love Target. Anyhow next time take a look. I can't tell you how many Tar'geeet earrings I have passed off! Plus some designer is always freshening up the mix - check out - Erickson Beamon for Target www.target.com. If you like something the rule of thumb at Target - wait - b/c everything will go on clearance! Real Real Deals! ( I will blog about Target exclusively soon - I just love it!).

- A membership to a museum, club or garden. As a mom I like to go places - you know activities. A membership means you can go by yourself, bring the kids, go often without that guilt of "I didn't make it through, I had to leave, I don't have enough time to go" - "what a waste of money" ... I think everyone likes alittle bit of activity and a membership is a Real Deal! If you go more than twice it pays for itself! You get special event privileges, CLASSES for cheap!, invited to benefits to make friends, concerts or wine, even up to 20% off at some gift stores! The best thing is museums and clubs are often networked around the world so when you travel you can attend free!

My favor"it"es are MOMA www.moma.org, Metropolitan Museum of Art (the Met),www.metmuseum.org - - I live in this area and like just about any kind of museum, zoo, botanical garden etc... For those of you who don't... some transferable travel favorites: Discovery World in Milwaukee, www.discoveryworld.org, Chicago Art Institute www.artic.edu, Baltimore Aquarium www.aqua.org

Happy Happy Mother's Day to all who gave us life and to those that give, nurture and celebrate in motherly spirit! (including earth, so pick up a recycled water bottle and britta too).

Mission I: Favor "it" e Engagement and Baby Gifts

The "it" list for real people, at real deals - how ideal?

Do you just "gotta have it" or "love it" but it is too expensive? Saw "it", heard "it" but forgot? Need a gift but they already have "it" (yeah we all know those..) You know that you might find "it" cheaper or something similar somewhere else, or more creative but where? Real-I-Deals is the blog for you! Whatever your "it", I will share my favor"it"es to help. Why? I just love a deal and love to share an ideal product or information.

Today's "It" Mission: Thoughtful Engagement and Baby Gift (yes at the same time).

What is the ideal real deal? Some of my favor"it"es:

- Engraved Silver Plated Family Photo Album from red envelope. Tiffany ish and more than 1/2 the price!

http://gifts.redenvelope.com/gifts/silverplatedalbum-30001561?catid=ProductSearch

- Team sport babygear: It's unisex,legacy - plus 8 out of 10 dad's can coo too!

Pick your pro team or college at a variety of sites. Start with the nba (it is playoff time...) or school bookstore to see inventory (don't forget to browse the clearance). Then compare at a variety of sites for cheaper: (btw - rule of thumb: always check amazon.com).

http://shop.mlb.com/category/index.jsp?categoryId=1452624&cp=1452371

http://store.nba.com/family/index.jsp?categoryId=1401070&cp=2834601.2836124.2710386.1400501&view=all

www.babysport.com check out this Kobe Jersey for cheap and free shipping! http://www.babysport.com/items/nba/los-angeles-lakers/lakers_bryant_toddler_away_jersey-detail.htm

www.ivysport.com (for you ivy leaguers)

school bookstore online: check out this brown bears bear hat for a baby? http://insite.browntextbook.com/MerchList.aspx?ID=10534www.collegesport.com

- Baby and Family Books: Can't go wrong with an art book!

Life Doesn't Frighten Me by Maya Angelou (Author), Jean-Michel Basquiat (Author)
http://www.amazon.com/Life-Doesnt-Frighten-Maya-Angelou/dp/1556702884

Make Van Gogh's Bed http://www.amazon.com/Touch-Art-Make-Van-Goghs/dp/1402735677/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1241454800&sr=1-3

On the Night You Were Born by Nancy Tillman http://www.amazon.com/Night-You-Were-Born/dp/0312346069/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1241454874&sr=1-1

- Weleda Baby: All natural, international, and smells great! www.weledababy.com also sold at whole foods www.wholefoods.com, and target www.target.com The real deal is this stuff is great! For the best bang for your buck, go with the baby kits in sample / trial sizes!

- The FLIP! Splurge! -- doesn't every newlywed parent want to record and share everything? (well for the first year...) www.theflip.com for deals - - also check out costco or sam's if you are a member: www.costco.com and search www.amazon.com for later models.

So that is the deal for today! Come back for my next favor"it"e real deal.
Thanks for your patience while I get this blogging thing down.