Log in to your livingwell.ca account on Tuesday, Dec. 13, 2011 to order a free sample of Aveeno Essential Moisture Lip Conditioner SPF 15. There are 10,000 samples to be given away and I’m sure they will go fast!  These offers start at random times during the day, so check back frequently to see if the offer has begun.  A fantastic freebie for these cold and dry winter months!

If you order anything from Forever 21, today or tomorrow, Tuesday, December 13th, 11:59pm PST, receive FREE SHIPPING on any order, no minimum purchase required. Offer valid in standard shipping only.

Simply enter the promo code S2DFREE upon checkout! <– This promo code just sounds wrong.

Click here to start your shopping!

Price Matters free shipping offer ends soon! Thru December 15th spend $25 or more and receive free shipping.  This is a great deal since shipping is a flat rate of $15 normally. 

Click here to check out Price Matters

I’m doing some last minute shopping right now.

When you place an order from today, Monday, December 12th – Wednesday, December 15th, when you order anything from Lancome.ca, receive free EXPRESS shipping.

No promo code, simply select Canada Post – Xpresspost as a shipping method.

It’s crunch time people, now take advantage of it! 😉

$9.99 tees are back!

From now until tomorrow, December 13th, at 11:59pm CT, all tees (with some exclusions*) are only $9.99 – no coupon code required! If you missed your chance, use your LivingSocial Voucher now!

Shopping for Christmas? Order UPS expedited by December 16th and you’ll receive your parcel of tees by December 24th!

Shipping to Canada is reflected based on the number of items in your basket – normally around $9. Otherwise, shipping is only $6 on purchases of $100 or more.

* Sale does not apply to UNICEF, Threadless Labs and DTG, The Muppets, Select, hoodies, accessories, food and bev, books, bags, cases or gift certificates. Cannot be combined with other offers.

Click here to shop at Threadless now

Junior Footwear (BOGO) buy one get one 50% off + free shipping at SportChek.ca! Great brands like Firefly, Sorel, Firefly, Rebook and more!

Free shipping over $99. Use promo code SHIP1211

Sale ends December 31, 2011.

Today there is a one-day deal price of $69.99 for Stargate Atlantis: The Complete Series on Blu-Ray. Click here to see the full product details.

Also, check out other TV & Movie deals.

Michaels is holding two Make-it Take-it events this Sunday afternoon. First off from 1-3 pm they’ll be making a snowman ornament craft. Then at 3-5 pm you can make a snowflake picture frame. Ages 3 and up, while supplies last.

Find a store near you to see if your local location is participating.

This dip recipe is delightfully refreshing, simple, and it’s also incredibly healthy, especially when you’re looking for a respite between all those Christmas cookies. It also requires only three ingredients:

Plain yogurt or thick Greek yogurt (Plain yogurt can usually be found on sale for $2 or less).

Fresh cilantro (regularly $1 per bunch) and sea salt (Aurora Sea Salt is on sale at Sobeys for only $0.88).

In a blender or food processor, puree the cilantro. Add the yogurt and sea salt to the emerald green cilantro puree.

Thoroughly mix and serve alongside those Baked Potato Wedges.

Cilantro-Yogurt Dip

1cup cilantro* puree

2-2½ cups plain yogurt

½ tsp sea salt

Puree the cilantro in a blender or food processor and you could also put in a few tablespoons of your yogurt to the puree if it needs some help in breaking down. Take a cup of the puree and mix with the rest of the yogurt and salt. Enjoy the delicious green goodness!

*Note: The cilantro  can be substituted with other herbs of your preference such as mint, basil or parsley.

If you love online shopping, mark the date Dec. 12, 2011 on your calendar because it’s Free Shipping Day in Canada! What does this mean? Eighty-four (84) online retailers will offer free shipping on December 12th with delivery by Christmas Eve to urban centers and most rural areas in Canada. This excludes the Territories and Nunavut. Some restrictions may apply. All Free Shipping Day Canada offers will be revealed on this website on Monday, December 12, 2011.

Chapters is offering 15% off orders of $75 or more.  This deal runs thru December 11th 2011. Simple enter “indigojoy” at checkout.  Great deal if you had plans to shop anyways.

Click here to shop at Chapters.

Click here for full details and conditions.

*Coupon valid for 50% off the regular retail price of Johnsonville Mild or Hot Italian Sausage Meat (450g) from Dec. 9-15, 2011

I actually love this coupon because whenever I buy regular sausage I end up de-casing them just to get the meat. I brown it and throw in in various dishes such as mac & cheese, omelets, and spaghetti.

Click here to print your coupon.

Ottawa’s Rideau Centre is having 25 days of gifting.  Take a look at the different holiday gift ideas throughout the shopping mall. With stores like Nine West, Swarovski, Sephora and Apple, as well as boutiques such as Magpie Jewellery and Mrs Tiggy Winkles, Rideau Centre is sure to satisfy all your Holiday shopping needs in and around Ottawa.

Keep your eyes peeled for an exclusive Rideau Centre contest coming soon to Smartcanucks!

If you missed Lancome’s Facebook deal of receiving a sample of their latest scent, Trésor Midnight Rose, no need to fret! Until the end of this weekend, Sunday, December 11th, The Bay is giving away samples if you present this printable coupon at their Lancome counter.

The free sample offer did start the 1st of the month, but I just stumbled upon it now! Hopefully there are still some samples left at your local Bay.

When I was sick last year, I really tried to take care of myself by sleeping more, popping Ester-C + Cold-FX, and being more careful about what I ate. So while I was out, I opted for sushi. (As a child, I was told that fried and cold foods were bad for sore throats.) At the end of the meal, as a sort of non-alcoholic digestif, a Cinnamon Tea was served.

The tea *definitely* hit the spot in terms of soothing my throat+warming up my insides, so naturally, I had to make it at home.

After some googling and experimenting, here’s a recipe for Korean Cinnamon Tea or Soojunggwa. And it’s perfect for your slow cooker!

Ingredients:
* 4 whole cinnamon sticks, broken in 3 pieces
* 2-3 pieces of walnut-sized fresh ginger, peeled, and julienned
* 2 dried persimmons, sliced (I used fresh ones ’cause I didn’t have the opportunity to see if the Korean grocery store carried them and I couldn’t find them in a coupla Chinese stores/Bulk Barn.)
* some chunks of rock sugar (optional, available in Asian grocery stores)
* 10-12 cups of water

Traditionally, soojunggwa has pine nuts, but I skimped on ’cause a) I’m not a fan, b) they’re pretty expensive, c) they don’t keep – they go rancid rather quickly, and d) I wasn’t planning on making pesto anytime soon!

Directions:
Place cinnamon sticks and ginger in a slow cooker filled with 10 cups of water. Boil on medium-high setting for approx. 1.5 hours. After this time, I saw that much of the water evaporated, so I topped up the slow cooker with more water. Add persimmons and rock sugar, to taste. Simmer for 30 minutes. Strain and drink.

Simmering over a stovetop is also an option, but I’m not into standing and stirring so hence the slow cooker.

One recipe that I found suggested putting strained tea into a pitcher, refrigerate, and serving it cold. However, I find that if counter space is not an issue, the tea does keep well if you leave it in the slow cooker even for a few days!

(I prefer to drink it warm, so I usually ladle it into a mug and nuke it. No straining required if you do this method ’til you reach the bottom of the pot!)

I dunno about you, but I like the warmth+cinnamon combination. It’s like a warm hug on a cold day!

Keep warm and have a great weekend!