Coupons & Sales: Week of 8/1/08

Today’s coupons & sales post is a little late - will you guys forgive me? It’s been a hectic week for me so far!

Also, are any of you also in shock that it’s August already?

I’m having trouble believing it - I haven’t done anywhere near enough back-to-school shopping yet, and I also haven’t been to the beach as much as I should. I guess thats how it always is at the end of summer though, right?

Anyway, if you’re still behind on your fall shopping too, check out this week’s online coupon codes and sales to save some money while you stock up on clothes for school. Happy shopping!

• There are some new markdowns at Pink Mascara at prices up to 70% off retail. Shipping is only $6, and you can save on Marc by Marc Jacobs, Joe’s Jeans, and many more brands.
• Macy’s is currently offering dresses, tops, denim, and more for $9.99 each! These are only going to last until they sell out, so buy fast if you’re interested.
• American Eagle’s upscale brand Martin + Osa is offering $20 off jeans from their new line of premium denim. Shipping is also free!
• Take an extra 15% off apparel & accessories during Bluefly’s Pre-Fall Sale. There are lots of great fall items on sale, but the prices only last until August 5th at 6AM (Eastern).
• Victoria’s Secret has a new coupon code good for an extra 25% off select already-reduced apparel. Use the coupon code CLOTHING25 at checkout by August 3rd to get the savings.
• Shoe retailer Piperlime is having a summer shoe sale, with many adorable pairs for under $25! Even though it’s already August, you still have a few good months to wear them.
• Onlineshoes.com is offering 10% off plus free shipping on shoes, handbags, and more. The deal lasts from now until August 4th!
• There’s a new coupon at Karmaloop - get 20% off any purchase when you use the coupon code SE12554.
• Another shoe deal: Shoebuy.com is offering 20% off most items on their website when you use the code EMLSUMBLOWOUT08 when you check out. Some brands are excluded.
• Alloy.com AND dELiA*s both have new coupons good for 15% off any order. Use the code AUG15 to save at Alloy, and BTS15 at dELIA*s. Both expire on August 15th!

See you all on Monday & hope everyone has a great weekend!

Also, don’t forget to post in the comments or send me an email if there are any coupons or sales this week that you think I may have missed.

Refitting a Strain Relief

My dad had a break in the power cord of his hair clipper, right next to the strain relief. That should be ironic, except I already know most strain reliefs are too stiff and just move the site of cable stress rather than relieve it. I guess that makes it ironic but expected.

At any rate, the strain relief was molded onto the cable, so the cord wouldn’t just slip out for repair; and the break was so close he didn’t know quite how to splice it back together; and he asked me to fix it for him.

At first all I could think of was hideous things like replace the strain relief with a grommet and a huge wad of hot glue. But I let it sit for a day, and realized that the much easier solution would also be both cosmetically and functionally superior.

I cut off the power cord flush against the inner and outer ends of the strain relief, then drilled the power cord out of the center of the strain relief with progressively larger bits until the hole was large enough to push the cord through again. Super simple, and it leaves a very finished appearance — you can only tell it was repaired if you look closely.

It’s more obvious if you look inside, of course. The extra loop on the long wire really shouldn’t be there. I had both wires cut to the same length and spliced, and then the original short leg popped loose of the switch’s crimp connection and it seemed more practical to cut off the splice and fit the new end straight into the crimp. By then I didn’t feel like reopening and resoldering the long connection, so I just mushed it in and let it be.

Pamela Anderson Pregnant?

Is there something you’re not telling us Pamela Anderson?

The former Baywatch babe tested the expansion limits of her dress in more than just the usual two places when she arrived at the Late Show With David Letterman sporting a tummy bulge.

Pammi spent time happily signing autographs outside the Ed Sullivan Theater in New York, during which she got tongues wagging about a possible pregnancy.

After all, it can’t be easy for a vegetarian’s stomach to suddenly balloon – unless she’s succumbed to the lure of greasy quarter-pounders and pork pies, that is.