Personworks Web Log

I hope that everyone had a fantastic Thanksgiving with family and friends! Jen and I are enjoying idyllic (some would even say, exotic) Pittsburgh for the weekend and getting our yearly injection of east coast family love... Lots of fun, but we still can't figure out why they all won't pick up and move to the West coast...

Anyway, as much fun as vacation and family are, I couldn't forget my readers on what is surely the biggest shopping day of the year (particularly since several of you emailed me this week with specific requests!) So, in keeping with the holiday [shopping] season, on with the deals!

As always, the best deal comes first... Here's an item that hasn't been on the list since last year's holiday season but people have been asking me where I got mine since then!! The fancy (and amazingly giftable) Houdini corkscrew (think really fantastic lever, corkscrew that normally goes for 50-100 bucks) is on sale for Friday only for under 18 bucks! (That's more than 65% off!!!) These are fantastic in any color, but the blue one, which is on sale, is definitely my favorite...
Houdini Corkscrew


OK, I've got a few more great deals on kitchen items that I can't pass up including in my mail. First, don't kill me folks, but the fantastic Silpat nonstick baking mats that I had in the sale a month ago at $9.99 is on sale Friday only for $7.99 this week! These things are amazing and make baking almost anyhting from pie crusts to cookies and bread unbelievably easy. They normally sell for 30 bucks and any relative that you know that loves to cook will really love you for it... (At $7.99 you should stock up on them!!!
Exopat Baking Mats

OK, take it from a 5-year Seattle-ite, if you love coffee, or know someone who does, there's no comparison between buying grounds in the store and buying the beans and grinding them at home just before you make the coffee. The exact model that I asked for this year for my birthday and I know was 50 bucks then is on sale right now for under $20! It makes great coffee, since its a burr grinder, which is really important for it to be great, and is made by a really well known brand. (And I, along with anyone that's eaten breakfast at my house in the last six months, can personally vouch for this thing...)
DeLonghi Burr Grinder

Final two deals in kitchen: First a lot of people have asked me to let them know as soon as the Microplane Graters go on sale again so that they could snap them up for presents this year (Last time I featured them, they were gone by noon, before most people could get them...) Well, you guys are in luck, as they are back and they are really on sale this time at 8 bucks!!! As everyone who got them last time can attest, these suckers are really the best grater you will *ever* find and they are good for everything from zesting lemons to grating parmesan...
Microplane Graters


Final kitchen deal? You know you want it! Who doesn't love waffleson weekend mornings!?!? There is a fantastic deal right now on a Cuisinart waffle iron. This thing is almost beautiful as it comes in all stainless steel and is almost 70% off... Go on, get fat and happy at the same time!



Cuisinart Waffle Maker

First non-kitchen deal: In case you've been holding out for me to feature a really good deal on a cell phone with an answering machine, I hope this email proves you've waited long enough...This AT&T 2.4 GHz cordless phone, answering machine combo is the highest discounted item on todays list at more than 75% off! This sucker normally sells for 170 bucks but is going for 40 this Friday only!
AT&T Cordless Phone with Answering Machine

Since its totally out of season for BBQing, it looks like items that Amazon is stuck with are your gain... This week I saw a great deal on a fantastic grill by Thermos that normally sells for 250 bucks but is going right now for less than 90! Stock up now for next winter (Hey, look at it this way, if you buy this one, you don't have to clean out the one you have before next spring!)
Thermos Grill-2-Go Gass Grill




Moving right along (since it is now midnight and it is way, way, way too late for me to still be writing this thing: Check out the great gift for your favorite insomniac (Tod, this one is for you baby!). The Itty Bitty Booklight (made famous in the 80's, you know you want it!) Is on huge sale right now for almost 50% off. At under 20 bucks it would be a great gift!
Itty Bitty Booklight

Last few items, since I am now officially in trouble for still doing this this late when Jen is trying to sleep...I had a specific request this week for a fantastic deal on a DV digital video camera for a family that wants it for the holidays. Just in time, I found a deal on a really good one (30% off!), with great ratings from Sony. I hope this is what you were looking for!
SONY DCR-TRV38 MiniDV Digital Camcorder

Final Item? There's a pretty good deal on a Sonicare...(More than 20% off!) If you go to Dr. Sako in Seattle and you are tired of him nagging you to get one of these, now you can finally afford to get one. (Even if you don't go to him they're great - I have one and haven't had a cavity since we got it!) Check it out
Sonicare PS-1 Advance Toothbrush