“It’s fun playing dress up,” said 21-year-old Brielle. “And it’s even more fun to take it off,” she cooed.

Rick’s Cabaret New York Girl Gianna said, “I’m in the Holiday mood, and looking at Brielle I think I know what I want for Christmas.”

“Come see me and the girls at Rick’s Cabaret,” said Brielle, “everyone looks so hot.”

Photos courtesy of Rick’s Cabaret NYC

Post from: EveryJoe

Don’t show up empty handed. A bottle of wine, or a homemade dessert with a colorful bouquet is a must. This is just common courtesy, whether it’s your partner’s family or even just a friend’s. Ask your date what her parent’s would enjoy most.

Check yourself! Guys, your girl may love your scruffy, just-out-of-bed look, but take a little extra time that day to shave, condition, comb – whatever. Just make sure you don’t look like a disgruntled grizzly ready for hibernation. Ladies, no matter how great your legs look in those new Jimmy Choos and mini, leave that sexy look at home. Remember – no cleavage, no tight clothes, nothing see-through. A dark blazer with a colorful top and jeans will make you look mature and respectable.

Flatter the folks. Compliment the food… Or suck it up and at least try the food. So her mom made some broccoli soufflé and you loathe broccoli? Smile and serve a little bit on your plate anyway. Can’t get enough of the roasted potatoes? Make sure to mention how great they are; maybe even ask for the recipe or some cooking tips.

How to chit chat. Do a little research before you go. Ask your guy what topics to steer clear of and what topics to play up. Politics, religion, and race tend to be sensitive subjects, so try and avoid those subjects. But don’t be boring! The weather… really? Her dad loves Hockey? Mention that time you scored the winning goal in your championship game in high school. His mom is a huge Modern Family fan? See who can do the best Gloria accent!

Rug Rats. Are there little kids running around the house? Go play! Kids are super easy to win over, and parents love it when others focus their attention on their children. So be goofy! This is also helpful because it’ll distract the kids for a while, which during a family dinner may feel like an added chore to the parents who are busy preparing everything.

Post from: EveryJoe

1. Sell it: Just sell it. Even if you don’t get “full price” you are still getting cash you didn’t have before — for free.
2. Regift: As long as you don’t get caught, regifting can be a great option. Just be sure to remember who gave you the present, and try to avoid regifting to common acquaintances. This year’s unwanted Christmas gift can save you money when it is time to buy your buddy a birthday present.
3. Return it: Just take it back. If you have a gift receipt, this is easier. But if you don’t, many stores will take it back anyway. The downside is that if you don’t have a gift receipt, you might end up getting back the clearance price, even if the giver paid full price. And you may just get store credit rather than cash.
4. Donate it: Give it to charity. Someone else might be able to use it. And you can take a tax deduction for its value.

Of course, if you are concerned about the effect getting rid of the gift may have on a relationship, keep it. Make sure that the giver sees it for a couple of years, and then you can quietly donate it.

Image source: Kelvin Kay via Wikimedia Commons

Post from: EveryJoe

Now, get out there, make your returns, and maybe buy some discounted ornaments for next year.

Post from: EveryJoe

But online retailers might actually benefit. If you can’t drive to your destination, you can still fire up the computer and do a little shopping. (In fact, my husband and I did most of our shopping online this year, taking advantage of the great deals and, in many cases, free shipping.) Indeed, unless your power or Internet is knocked out, the snowstorm can’t hinder you from getting your shopping done. And, as the implications become apparent, some online retailers are rushing to assure you that you can get your packages in time for Christmas. Just realize that you’re going to have to pay extra if you want overnight shipping.

Image source: U.S. government via Wikipedia

Post from: EveryJoe

Coupons and Promo Codes

The following web sites offer you access to printable coupons that you can take to the retailer in person, as well as coupon and promo codes that you can use when shopping online.

1. Coupon Sherpa: Find coupons for thousands of retailers. Deals and coupons are tested to make sure that they work. Coupon Sherpa even has an iPhone app that you can use, allowing you to present your iPhone to the cashier to scan the barcode. Shipping deadlines for Christmas delivery are also offered, so that you know whether your gift will make it on time.
2. RetailMeNot: This is a full-on community where you can find coupons and promo codes, as well as get money saving tips from other members. Sign up for the coupon email service, and have popular money-savers delivered to your inbox.
3. CouponWinner.com: Compare different deals from up to five retailers with the Coupon Scout. You can find these coupons according to category. Another great coupon site is Coupon Shoebox.
4. Alex’s Coupons: If you want to do a little good while you shop, you can get coupon codes through Alex’s Coupons. This site donates money to fight childhood cancer. Your use of these codes actually provides money for charity.

Getting the Lowest Price

If you are interested in the lowest prices on a variety of items, these web sites can help you find exactly what you’re looking for.

5. PriceGrabber.com: This popular web site allows you to compare prices from several merchants at once. You can also sign up for email alerts on deals related to preferred products and brands. Read reviews as well.
6. Dealio.com: Use downloadable tools to help you locate low online prices, as well as visit the web site to compare prices on different projects. You can also get coupon codes for products that you are looking for.
7. Google Product Search: This used to be Froogle, but people didn’t really get it. Now, it is a little easier to make the connection. While you won’t see things like a shopping guide on the Google Product Search, you will find straightforward information and reviews. And you can even use an option to help you find products at local stores.

Deals

Instead of just looking for lower prices, you can visit sites that offer you the inside scoop on the hot deals happening right now. Visit these deal sites to scoop up something amazing today — something that might not be there tomorrow.

8. CheapToday.com: See the latest deals for today, and when they expire. You can also get an idea of how big a discount you are getting. The focus, though, is mainly on apparel and accessories.
9. dealnews.com: Hordes of deal hunters watch for the hottest deals on the hottest products. Like CheapToday, the deals are hand picked and updated throughout the day. You can sign up for alerts, and feel confident knowing that dealnews bans stores with poor customer service.
10. DealsofAmerica: If you are into electronics, this is the place to go. Find the latest discounts on technology and gadgets, get coupon codes and get email alerts.
11. Gift Card Granny: This site aggregates discounted gift cards. Gift cards go for less than their remaining balance as retailers and private parties alike try to get rid of them. Makes a great gift — or a great way for you to get more for less.
12. FreeShipping.org: Save money on shipping by heading to this site for discount codes on free shipping at nearly 1,900 retailers.

Image source: Crunchbase

Post from: EveryJoe

While there may be some truth to that stereotype, from what I’ve seen, the gaming community is filled with charitable types who are more than willing to put down their controllers to help out when help is needed.

The Child’s Play charity is a perfect example of how gamers help out.

Child’s Play has been around since 2003 and they’re still going strong. Over 100,000 gamers have come together and helped make the time that sick kids spend in the hospital not as boring and scary with game and game system donations.

The way it works is you can either donate directly via PayPal or you can click on one of the participating hospital’s links on the world map and  purchase a game, system or book from the hospital’s “wish list”. The purchase or donation is tax deductible if you’re worried about that kind of thing and the end result is that a kid [or kids] will have something to think about other than when they’re going to get their next shot or surgery.

Right now, Child’s Play has collected over $600k for these kids and any help that you can give would be amazing.

Gotta do what you can to combat that pesky stereotype.

Image|Child’s Play

Post from: EveryJoe

The way Amazon does Cyber Monday is they release deals throughout the day and there are only so many of the discounted items offered. You can see what I’m talking about below:

Tekken 6 Limited Edition Fight Stick Bundle for the PS3 is still around for 60% off [!!!] and at the time of me taking that screenshot, you have four hours to grab your bundle.

If you scroll through the deals, you’ll see stuff that hasn’t been revealed yet along with how long you have until you can see what Amazon is teasing you with.

The thing that’s so brilliant about the way Amazon structures its deals is that it’s almost like an auction. You don’t want to miss the great deals that are available to you right now but you also feel compelled to keep checking back to see what else they’re going to reveal.

Well played, Amazon, well played.

If you’re still trying to get some great deals on the games that are on your Christmas lists, Amazon might be just the place to check out today.

Happy hunting.

Images|Screengrabs

Post from: EveryJoe

According to G4 and Playstation’s blog, Santa is coming to PlayStation Home starting December 10th.

Actually, a whole host of Christmas goodies are coming to PlayStation Home in the form of Winter Wonderland – complete with elves and presents!

While Christmas isn’t my favorite time of the year [Halloween, please.] free stuff and mini-games are right up my alley. I killed PlayStation Home on my PS3 but now that I can visit Santa and his busy, busy elves, maybe now I’ll reinstall Home and tell Santa what I want for Christmas.

Then again, he never did get me that pony…not that I’m holding a grudge or anything.

Image|PlayStation.Blog.Europe

Post from: EveryJoe

AND, apparently I’m the only person who hasn’t played this game since as of the 18th of this month, Modern Warfare 2 had taken in an astounding $550 million dollars worldwide in the first five days.

Five. Days. $550 million dollars. Wow.

What’s even more impressive [and I know you're thinking, "What could be more impressive than $550 freakin' million dollars?!"] is that “Modern Warfare 2′s launch beat all previous first-and five-day entertainment industry box office, book and video game sell-through records”.

Yeah.

Beat Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince, Dark Knight, Deathly Hallows and Grand Theft Auto IV.

Considering how New Moon set midnight showing records, it will be interesting to see if Modern Warfare 2 can hold onto this pretty cool distinction.

Image|Activision

Post from: EveryJoe