The Friday Forum - November 23

Holy moly! It's Friday, and I completely forgot about it. How could I? After all, I can't count the number of times I've heard the day named "Black Friday" over the last few days.

Did you go shopping at midnight? Crack of dawn? Before the regular store openings? I was safely doing normal things, like reading the paper, having a Sunday breakfast out on Friday, napping with Charlie - all my usual luxuries. Now, in just a few minutes, I must leave for my annual physical exam. What fun.

The sun is shining. I'd much rather be taking photos of makeup outdoors. When I get back, if I want photos, I won't have much sun time left in the day. The photos may have to wait until tomorrow.

I'm bummed that UPS is not delivering today. Those hard-working guys (and gals) are getting a much-deserved day off, so I'm glad for them. They will more than make up for the day off over the next month when they work extra hard to deliver all those holiday orders.

Thanksgiving dinner yesterday was nice. Trader Joe's was responsible for most of the cooking, and they did an excellent job. I had to go to sleep very early. The turkey and Cakebread coma got the best of me.

How about you? If you celebrated Thanksgiving, what did you do? Were you out bargain shopping this morning? Let us know what's up in your life.

Let's talk about your week of beauty. It's time for the Friday Forum, our open chat. I love this part of our week. Have you selected your favorite holiday collection - and purchased a few new treasures? What new products did you discover this week? Did you find any deals you couldn't resist? Are you using a fabulous product and want to sing its praises? Did you find a beauty product disappointing? Do you have a question others might be able to answer? Want to talk about skin care? What's new in your life? Just use the comments. Don't be shy. Just make sure to ask any question you might have over the weekend. By early the next week, most (not all) readers will have moved on.

This week's giveaway contest is drawing lots of entries. It's a nice one: Sephora Favorites Super Stars Beauty Essentials. Make sure to put your name in the hat by commenting before midnight tomorrow, Sunday, November 24.

Photo courtesy of Forbes.com

Black Friday and Cyber Monday Deals

It's the time again - the day when the brave venture out to mingle with (I call it get crushed by) other shoppers to find the deals. I get press releases every day and, unfortunately, don't have time to pass along the information. There aren't enough hours in my day. Black Friday is special, though, so I wanted to share just a few of the deals with you - in case you'll be armchair shopping along with me.

Bobbi Brown has a nice online offer. Beginning today, Wednesday, November 21, enjoy a beauty trio of deluxe-sized samples, free shipping, AND a specially sized lip gloss with every purchase through Sunday, November 25.  Then, on Monday, November 26, Bobbi Brown will celebrate Cyber Monday by offering five samples of your choice and free shipping with any order. I've got everything, but that kind of offer inspires me to buy more.

Between Thanksgiving Day and November 26, Votre Vu is offering free shipping with every purchase and a free Eiffel Powder Mascara is purchases of $100 or more. I'd like to have a Vu-On Rouge sheer, moisturizing cream blush.

New London Pharmacy, a great source for fragrance and all things beauty, is offering free shipping on all orders from November 22 to 26. Check out the Web site for other specials.

Like free money? If you shop at Beautyhabit between now and November 25, you will earn $20 in Beauty Bucks for every $50 you spend. I now wish to kick myself for placing two large orders in the last week or so. Your Beauty Bucks will be mailed after your order ships. When you shop at Beautyhabit over the weekend, you'll enjoy free ground shipping if you use the code THANKFUL. Just make sure to order before November 25 ends. If you haven't purchased Chantecaille's holiday collection, you can order it now and earn Beauty Bucks to spend later.

I can't being to sort through all the offers in my inbox. These are great. When I receive more that are noteworthy, I'll append them to this feature.

Just got an e-mail from Chantecaille. Click on the photo to see the deal. I guess I'll have four - not the current three - Les Pétales de Rose.

Update Black Friday: There are so many offers in my inbox, I cannot even begin to list them all here. I hope you are registered at your favorite beauty sites. If not, go browse anyhow. Most of the offers are open to everyone.

Photos courtesy of the brands