Friday Finds: Duck Derby, Friends’ Finds, Deals & Last Chance to Win Kicks!

I am not sure if you have noticed, but I am pretty excitable — especially when I win things or get free stuff! I chuckle to myself every time the Special Olympics Rubber Duck Derby comes around, because the first year I fielded a team (read: bought some rubber ducks in the race), I won a 52 week subscription to the New York Lottery.

This yielded a memorable conversation with the husband that went something like this:

Me: GUESS WHAT?! WE WON A SUBSCRIPTION FOR 52 WEEKS TO THE NY LOTTERY IN THE SPECIAL OLYMPICS RUBBER DUCK RACE!
Husband: You are now racing with the Special Olympics? Is that fair?
Me: No, not me, silly, the rubber duck “won”.
Husband: What duck? Wait, they have subscriptions to the Lottery? How does that work?
Me: Who cares? We WON!!…

And so on and so on. Of course, I was just ecstatic to win and support a good cause — so every year I buy some ducks. It is a good cause and as I always say you have to be in it to win it! In the spirit of full disclosure, I did win 52 weeks of lotto tickets in 2005 – 2 sets of numbers and in 104 tries, we won less than the cost of the ducks (and I have not won anything since). BUT, it is fun and a great cause.

Do you want in?

You have to be “in” it to win it!

Click here to check out the great prizes and get more information One duck is only $5 – all it takes is a duck and a dream! 😉

I have been loving getting links from friends for the blog. Introducing…

Friends’ Finds:
1. I got 2 good ones from Amy S. in Milwaukee, but rats one expired (Free Zone Perfect Simply Natural bar – I got one so I will tell you how it is!) but you can still head to Starbucks near you this Friday, July 13th 12 – 3 PM to try their new Refresher line free – energy drinks made from green coffee beans. More info here.
2. My favorite Realtor/Dailey Method instructor, Marissa, thinks we should check out Birchbox – she says, “Have you heard of Birchbox? Once a month they send you a little box with 3 new sample cosmetic products! I LOVE it and its like getting a present every month only for $10. If you like the product you can order the full size and if you don’t who cares, it was only 10 dollars!” (Also, Marissa is looking for great, non-beach girl’s weekend ideas if anyone has some… How about my favorite – NEW YORK CITY?? Great hotel deal from travelzoo for summer through August 30 here! Just saying!)
3. Stacy sends a friendly health reminder on the value of kissing from Mind Body Green. What are you waiting for? Get to it people!

Send me your finds and I will post them and give credit where credit is due!

OK, Some Deals!
1. Not to put myself out of business, but hey NYC friends, check out the deals feed from New York Magazine. They send a weekly email with the best deals from Lifebooker, Gilt and others. They do the research so you/we don’t have to!
2. Hey Chicago runners, want to run the inaugural Chicago 10K – benefits Livestrong – on August 12th? Save $10 now using coupon code 10FLEETFEET.
3. With all this talk of lotteries and sweepstakes, you must think I am a BIG gambler. I am not (well, not really ;)) and Vegas is one of my least favorite places to visit BUT if you love it and are heading there, Bloomspot has another great deal on the Signature at the MGM Grand with dates until the end of the year. I love this hotel – great, big modern rooms, a nice pool and gym and no casino in the hotel — but connected to MGM Grand – a win-win!

60% off on cute purses and iphone/ipad accessories!

4. Bloomspot also has a great deal $40 for $100 at Lodis (online) for cute purses and iphone/ipad accessories. 60% off!
5. Heading to a major US metro city on a trip this summers or taking a staycation? Check out Strayboots city tours where you can “embark on an urban adventure. Solve fun clues, discover cool spots & learn a thing or two.” Travelzoo has a 50% off deal. For $12, get a pass for 2 people for to a 1.5- to 3-hour interactive “scavenger hunt style” walking tour in a choice of 13 cities across the U.S. (regularly up to $24) The cities include New York, Chicago, Boston, Las Vegas, Washington, D.C., New Orleans, Nashville, San Diego, San Francisco, Portland, Los Angeles, Seattle and Philadelphia. I think I am going to try this! and I know some visitors who would love it.
6. Also, there is still time for Daily Candy’s $5 off any deal with the code GETUPANDGO

There are a lot of cool deals “everywhere” (online and in major cities.)

And one last plug for doing good and my ASICS give away:

In case you missed my post about keeping things in perspective, you can read it here. My friend, George Gallego, is doing a full ironman triathlon and is raising $50,000 for Wheels of Progress and 501C3 organization that helps young people with spinal cord injuries to live independently. Why is George so passionate about this? He is paralyzed from the waist down from a spinal cord injury and he founded this organization. Check out my post – if you donate to George, let me know on this blog and you will be entered to win a pair of Asics Gel-1170 sneakers. I will draw a winner on Sunday, July 15th.

Have a great weekend!