I was among a lucky group of women who got invited to a special opening of the store and I left the place with a LOAD of great bargains. Here’s a list of my delightful finds, all for $134.19:

• a name-brand (can’t say the brand) dress for me to wear to my Godson’s first communion
• a boutique-quality  sundress for my teen
• two pairs of shoes (also name brand) for my 4-year-old
• a name-brand summer top for me
• a “sliders” burger basket for my grill
• a “Live Laugh Love” wall decal for my family room
• an 18×24 wooden framed mirror for my kitchen

As promised, I found the same brand names carried in department and specialty stores priced at 20 percent to 60 percent less at Ross. In fact, the above-mentioned dress would have cost me nearly “$130 at my favorite department store, and I got everything on that list for $134.

Ross Dress for Less stores — more than 1,000 nationwide — have been in business for 30 years and carry apparel, shoes and accessories for the whole family, as well as home fashions. It’s literally a treasure hunt shopping experience.

The Ross “strategy” is “no frills, big thrills.” And that holds true in the store — no  fancy displays or staging of the merchandise but thrilling merchandise just the same. Despite the “no frills,” the store was super organized and easy to navigate,  and the racks aren’t overstuffed like you find in some discount stores. Plus, the associates were helpful, efficient and informed, even on the first day the store was opened for business. I think that bodes well for the customer service going forward.

But don’t take it from me — try it out for yourself. I was told (and I believe) that the best way to find those treasures at Ross is to visit often and snatch them up when you find them. Enter the contest below for a $25 Ross Dress for Less giftcard  to get you started.

Giveaway Guidelines:

To enter the contest, you MUST subscribe to Lipstick to Crayons (subscribe button in upper right corner) and then comment below that you did so (or leave a comment telling me you’re already a subscriber). After completing this mandatory first entry method, you can gain additional entries by doing any or all of the following (but be sure to leave a separate comment for each thing you do):

1. Blog about this contest.
2. Tweet this giveaway on Twitter (You can tweet daily, but leave a comment for each time you do so).
3. Add Lipstick to Crayons to your blogroll or my button to your sidebar
4. Become a fan of Lipstick to Crayons on Facebook.
5. Post a link to this contest on your Facebook page.

This giveaway closes at 11:59 p.m. Central time March 20, 2012. Be sure to include a valid email address with each of your entries. The winner will be randomly chosen via random.org and will be notified via email and announced on this post.

If the winner does not claim the prize by March 23, 2012, she will forfeit the prize to an alternate winner who will be drawn at random.

THIS CONTEST IS CLOSED. CONGRATULATIONS TO CAROLSUE, COMMENT #39.

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Dr. Diane Sanford, Ph.D. , is hosting a free event at the Lodge of Des Peres that involves eating chocolate and talking about the strategies to cope with the mental, emotional and physical challenges of motherhood. I personally owe Diane an enormous debt of gratitude because  I heard her speak when I was four months pregnant with my second child. I had suffered from postpartum depression after the birth of my first child and was very worried about it happening again. Thanks to Diane, I prepared during my 2nd pregnancy and was able to ENJOY the weeks and months following the birth of my second.

Postpartum depression affects one in eight new mothers and the stress of parenting a toddler, depression and anxiety are common occurrences. They are very real, but very treatable. Start by treating yourself to an evening of chocolate-tasting indulgence.

This event (and the yummy chocolate) is free, although reservations are required. Space is limited to 100 attendees, so call today to RSVP.

Details:

Tuesday, February 21, 7-9 p.m.

The Lodge Des Peres

1050 Des Peres Road (south of Manchester Rd.) St. Louis, MO 63131

RSVP to 314-812-9366

Invite your friends, but please leave your baby/toddler behind. This is for Moms only.

About Diane:

Psychologist Dr. Diane Sanford has been passionate about helping women improve their health and lead happier lives since counseling her first postpartum mom 25 years ago. She is among the most called-upon women’s health experts and has been interviewed for TV (Good Morning America), newspapers (New York Times, Washington Post), and all major women’s magazines.

In her new book, Life Will Never Be the Same: The Real Mom’s Postpartum Survival Guide, she offers practical advice on how to thrive during pregnancy, postpartum and motherhood. To preview the book, visit her website. To schedule a consultation, please call Women’s Healthcare Partnership at 314-961-5666.

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Some stores only give 30-days leeway, which means recipients can’t return purchases after Christmas. Happily, some merchants are changing these deadlines for the holidays but, because there are websites who truly believe “fineprint” means “itsy bitsy print in a very pale pastel,” FreeShipping.org compiled a list of major e-retailers and their return policies for 2011.

Ann Taylor
You’ve got 60 days to return Ann Taylor purchases but, if you don’t have the receipt, only a store credit is issued. Gifts returned online will result in an e-gift certificate, so be sure to include your e-mail address on the return receipt. An in-store gift return yields a hardcopy gift certificate in the amount paid by the sender.

Bath & Body Works
Because Bath and Body Works believes “no sale is ever final,” they don’t need to extend their holiday deadline. You don’t need a sales receipt or shipping invoice for gifts, but they can only be returned to brick-and-mortar Bath and Body Works stores.

Cabela’s
You’ve got 90 days to return a Cabela’s purchase, which makes everything nice and easy, until you learn you only receive a store credit or gift card when you don’t have a receipt. If you need to return a gift, print a return form and send it to Cabela’s customer service address or bring it in to any of their retail stores.

Coldwater Creek
There’s no deadline for Coldwater Creek returns by mail or to a retail outlet. If you’re sending it back and don’t have a receipt or packing slip, make sure you include your name and address on a note enclosed with the package.

Best Buy
Enjoy Best Buy free shipping now through Dec. 27, and return gift purchases — with no exclusions — from Nov. 13 through Jan. 4. The electronics behemoth is spreading the holiday cheer even further by removing restocking fees for all products, including special orders, within this timeframe.

Costco
Costco’s standard return policy is a liberal 365 days, so there’s no need to extend their deadline for the holidays. In addition, Costco refunds membership fees if a customer isn’t satisfied. Refunds for Internet purchases include shipping and handling charges.

endless.com
The online-only shoe merchant provides a generous 365 days for returns with guaranteed free shipping. Use the Endlessonline returns center for proper processing.

JCPenney
The best part of JCPenney’s online returns is they pay for shipping and handling, no matter what your reason for returning the product. You have up to 90 days and, with a gift receipt, will receive a JCPenney gift card in the amount of purchase.

Kmart
You’ll need an original receipt or email confirmation dated within 90 days of the original date of purchase. No exceptions, apparently.

Kohl’s
Return any item, anytime, for any reason. Have your receipt? You’ll get a full refund or even exchange. No receipt? No problem. Kohl’s will give you a refund, an exchange or store credit.

Lands’ End
Now through Nov. 15, enjoy Lands’ End free shipping plus take 25% off your purchase. For returns without an exchange, use the return label for a flat shipping fee of $6.95. You also can return your order to any Sears or Lands’ End store and entirely avoid shipping costs.

L.L.Bean
The sky’s the limit with L.L. Bean, which has no return deadline and doesn’t require authorization before you ship your gift back to them. Just download and fill out an online form or use the form printed on the packing slip.

Macy’s
The return deadline for Macy’s is a generous 180 days and you don’t need a receipt because they have a program that identifies products in their system. Too cool! Gifts will receive a store credit or exchange. Please note the deadline for jewelry purchases is only 30 days.

Mainline Menswear
Basically, you can return any Christmas gifts ordered from Nov. 1 to Dec. 24 up to 14 days after Christmas, which only gives you until Jan. 7.

Sears
Return the gift in its original packaging, with the original receipt or email confirmation, within 90 days of purchase for a refund or exchange. Alternately, you can return a purchase from Sears.com to one of their stores.

Shoebacca.com
As with Endless, Shoebacca provides totally free shipping both ways and a 365-day window in which to return or exchange unwanted gifts.

Sierra Trading Post
Sierra Trading Post makes it easy. You have up to six months and will receive instant credit plus $2.95 shipping on your next order. If you prefer, STP will give you a refund.

Toys ‘R’ Us and Babies ‘R’ Us
Online purchases returned by mail within 90 days to their online Returns Center by mail are refunded to the original form of payment, which means the gift giver will know your dirty little secret and you’ll come up empty handed. Instead, make returns to a Toys ‘R’ Us or Babies ‘R’ Us store for a merchandise credit.

Victoria’s Secret
Now through Nov. 16, you can enjoy Victoria’s Secret free shipping, but you’ve got 90 days to return that lacy tidbit for cash. Ater that deadline, Victoria’s Secret will only provide store credit. To return gifts, check the box on the Return/Exchange Form attached to the original invoice indicating you’re returning a gift and provide your shipping information. If you don’t have the original invoice, use their printable return and exchange form.

Walmart
You can return or exchange most store items with a receipt within 90 days of purchase. Visit walmartstores.com to see exceptions for electronic and regulated items. You can return online purchases to any Walmart store.

Zappos
Another great shoe deal: Zappos free shipping is good both for purchases and returns. Whether you’re unhappy with a purchase or simply change your mind, Zappos will provide a full refund or exchange within 365 days of purchase. You’ll need the original packaging, however, to make the return.
###

FreeShipping.org is the largest resource on the Internet linking shoppers to free-shipping deals offered by nearly 4,000 online merchants.

This Roundup of Holiday e-Return Polices is provided by Freeshipping.org.

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• Last week, Walmart, pulled out the big guns by providing free shipping on more than 60,000 online items during the holidays, with no minimum order or subscription registration required. The offer extends through Dec. 20, with a heavy focus on electronics and toys. The move was a clear attempt to wrest market share from e-commerce leader Amazon. The founding father of free shipping deals is widely recognized for its Amazon Prime offer of free two-day delivery for an annual subscription fee of $79.
• Amazon sent a shot over Walmart’s bow Thursday by saying it would meet or beat any free shipping deal out there. The matching offer applies to a limited selection of items.
• Up until recently, Best Buy had trumpeted free shipping on thousands of products. Wednesday, the electronics retailer said its offer is now valid on hundreds of thousands of items, including all CDs, Blue-Ray and DVD movies, gaming software and accessories. Strangely, such in-demand items as laptop computers, Apple iPads, iPods, netbooks and electric vehicles (?) are not included in the offer.
• Noticing Walmart’s big push in their traditional territory, Toys “R” Us Monday began a free shipping offer on purchases of $49 or more for all items except video game consoles/handhelds, software, hardware and accessories.

In 2007, increased desire for similar holiday offers led FreeShipping.org founder Luke Knowles to create Free Shipping Day, a one-day event held this year on Dec. 17, during which an estimated 1,000-plus merchants will offer free shipping with delivery by Christmas Eve.

“The reason merchants are getting behind free shipping deals is no secret. A 2010 Accenture consumer holiday shopping surveyshowed free shipping is the biggest reason consumers continue to prefer shopping online. We created Free Shipping Day three years ago and was overwhelmed with the interest shown from consumers, merchants and national media. Now we know the opportunities are endless for both the public and merchants.”

In an analysis of free shipping entitled “The Free Shipping eBook,” Knowles noted this trend has been building for much longer than three years: “Amazon and Zappos several years ago demonstrated how effective a well-planned and well-executed free shipping campaign could be for increasing sales and market share, as well as creating positive buzz about their brands. Both of these merchants have replaced advertising with free shipping and gone on to dominate the online retail industry. We’ve also seen how small e-merchants have used free shipping to make inroads against large retailers. It’s the only way some small retailers can compete.”

As predicted in Knowles eBook, the big boys aren’t the only ones shooting off their guns this holiday season. According to Shop.org’s eHoliday Survey, four out of five online retailers will offer free shipping at some point during the holiday season, and nearly one-third said they began their 2010 offers earlier than a year ago.

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• $5.00 off On Any Evenflo Car Seat
• $0.75 off Hamburger Helper
• $1.50 off Wanchai Ferry™ Frozen Entrée
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• $0.75 off Restaurant Favorites Dinner Kit
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• $0.65 off Cinnamon Toast Crunch cereal
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• $1.00 off Pillsbury Holiday Cookies
• $1.00 off Pillsbury Sweet Moments™
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• $0.50 off Pillsbury Simply…™ Buttermilk Biscuit
• $0.50 off Pillsbury Simply…™ French Bread
• $0.55 off Pillsbury simply…™ Cookie Dough
• $0.50 off Nature Valley Granola Bars
• $0.50 off Nature Valley Granola Thins
• $0.50 off Fiber One Chewy Bars
• $0.50 off Chex Mix
• $0.50 off Bugles snack
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• $0.40 off Betty Crocker Cookie Mix
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• $0.30 off Yoplait Greek Yogurt
• $0.50 off YoPlus Yogurt 4-pack
• $0.75 off Yoplait products
• $0.50 off Yoplait Kids Yogurt
• $0.75 off Muir Glen product
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• $0.50 off Yoplait Delights™ Yogurt
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• $0.50 off Pillsbury Crescent Dinner Rolls
• $0.30 off Pillsbury Grands! Biscuits
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• $0.40 off Pillsbury Grands! Rolls
• $0.50 off Pillsbury Pie Crust
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• $1.00 off on any Reach Floss
• $0.50 off 1 Fleischmann’s Pizza Crust Yeast Strip
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• $1.50 off TWO HUGGIES Baby Wipes

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• Last Chance to Print Some Great Coupons
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For every purchase made using a DealTaker.com coupon or deal during Breast Cancer Awareness Month, October 2010, DealTaker.com will donate 10 cents to the Avon Breast Cancer Crusade, up to $10,000, to support research and advancing access to care, with a focus on the medically underserved.  In addition, DealTaker.com is highlighting merchants and retailers that are supporting Breast Cancer Awareness Month and is also offering pink Breast Cancer Awareness products for sale.

The disease touches DealTaker.com personally as the site was launched when the original founder’s wife was diagnosed and began treatment for breast cancer.  As a way to stay close to home during her recovery, he turned a hobby of sharing coupons and deals with friends and family, into a business enabling him to stay at home.  To this day, DealTaker.com remains dedicated to supporting breast cancer awareness and research efforts through corporate donations and staff participation in various events, such as the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer held annually in nine cities across the US.

DealTaker.com also wants to get the community involved by encouraging users to post personal stories about how they have been affected by breast cancer. This open forum will allow for the audience to share and connect with each other as well as discuss why it is important to give back to this important cause.  A consumer community fund is also available for customers to contribute to the cause.  For more information on DealTaker.com’s partnership with Avon Foundation or to make a donation, go here.

Please keep DealTaker.com in mind for your next purchase on children’s apparel, electronics, or home goods. You shop, you save, and together we can give back!

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• $50 Snapfish Gift Certificate Giveaway/Help Fight Breast Cancer – CLOSED
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Sign up and receive a certificate for a free sample of Enfamil Baby Formula.

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Signup for Right@Home and receive Ziploc coupons and other great offers and recipes in their inbox. Right@Home is the company that sends out those little coupon booklets that everyone loves getting! The signup is free and after you signup for the ZipLoc coupons, you can take advantage of several other offers if you’re interested. This offer is for Females aged 25+ only.

Get a Free Chili’s Appetizer When You Join Chili’s Email Club Today.

Get 3 Boxes of Gevalia coffee for $3 plus a free stainless steel scoop and free shipping. Go here.

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So, if you don’t know, Groupon is a deal-of-the-day Web site that is localized to major markets in the United States. Groupon serves more than 40 markets and you can subscribe to your market so you get daily email notifications of the deal of the day. For example, recently a local children’s resale shop offered a $30 gift certificate for $13. When you decide you want to participate in the Deal of the Day, you make the purchase online, and then you print your certificate, which is usually good for six months to a year, sometimes longer, sometimes less. And you can browse the deals in other markets, as well — sometimes you can get great deals there that will work in your area, too.

So, now that you get it, go subscribe by clicking the button below. It doesn’t cost anything, and I promise you’ll end up finding a deal at some point that is perfect for you!

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Sign up here for Savings Zone emails for coupons, specials/promotions, sweepstakes and more from Dollar General.

Sign up here for Home Depot Improver Club and receive Home Maintenance and Upkeep Projects E-mail Alerts, How-to Video Tutorials and Email Newsletters.

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