Aula de fonética. Lição de hoje: /õ/, o “o” nasal. Como de costume, a professora pede exemplos de palavras para criar os exercícios que faremos depois. Para as de duas sílabas formadas pelo mesmo fonema (como bonbon) – e com a turma inteira quieta, o que me deixa nervosa e me faz falar – pergunto se “bon ton” serve, porque não sei se é junto ou separado.

A professora faz uma cara de ahn? e, antes mesmo que eu repita, achando que ela não havia entendido minha ótima pronúncia, ela pergunta “mas como tu conhece essa expressão?”

Explico que temos um equivalente em português e logo me dou conta de que devo ter visto isso recentemente (daí a lembrança) no Glossario das palavras e frases da lingua franceza que por descuido, ignorância, ou necessidade se tem introduzido na locução portugueza moderna ; com o juizo critico das que são adoptaveis nella, publicado em 1827.

Tropecei nesse livro de título caprichado há poucos dias, enquanto procurava alguma coisa qualquer no Google. Pois a gente sabe lá da época da escola que, antes de ser invadido por anglicismos e massacrado com o gerundismo, o português era terra de galicismos. Até aí, tudo bem. Mas nunca havia me ocorrido que, também naquela época, a “natural formosura da nossa linguagem” tivesse empenhados defensores.

No Glossario, D. Fr. Francisco de S. Luiz – Bispo Reservatario de Coimbra, Conde de Arganil, do Conselho de Sua Magestade, Presidente da Camara dos Senhores Deputados da Nação Portugueza, e Socio effectivo da Academia Real das Sciencias – reuniu uma série de expressões francesas encontradas nos escritos de autores portugueses da época, selecionando “tudo o que nos pareceo mais notavel e digno de reparo”. Entre elas, página 18, “bom tom”.

BOM TOM: Chamão hoje os afrancezados homem de bom tom o que traja á moda, que se attribue o bom gosto das modas, e cujas maneiras e modos de pensar e obrar são da moda. Parece-nos expressão affectada, de que podemos carecer.

Levando em conta a definição acima, somada à reação da professora de fonética, imagino de não seja mais de bom tom usar bon ton em francês.

O Glossario também traz palavras que, usadas ou não no francês de hoje, parecem ter existido desde sempre no português. Isso é óbvio, eu sei, mas não deixa de ser curioso. Em vez de “imbecil”, por exemplo, Seu Francisco sugere várias palavras portuguesas que dizem a mesma coisa de forma muito mais original – metade delas eu nunca tinha visto.

IMBECIL: IMBECILLE: EMBECIL: De todos estes modos temos achado trasladado o francez imbecille, entendido como substantivo, ao qual em portuguez corrente, e de bom cunho, correspondem as palavras portuguezas fatuo, nescio, sandeu, peco, insensato, parvo, tonto, desasizado &c.

Para mim, para você e para a Luciana Gimenez, #ficadica do bispo:

Update: This has ended. Bon Ton is running a beauty event today through Saturday. Online and in store, with any $55 beauty purchase receive a large shiny tote in cherry red or midnight black, a coordinating wristlet, plus three deluxe samples (specifics of samples aren’t listed). Online they will choose which tote color you will receive. They also have several online only offers available:

• With any Clinique purchase receive free deluxe samples of Full Potential Lips Plump & Shine Gloss and High Impact Mascara; spend $49.50 on Clinique and receive a limited edition silvery tote (online and in store; this is a different silvery tote than the one they are currently offering at Macy’s and Clinique.com)
• With any $35 Estee Lauder purchase receive free deluxe samples of Lash Primer Plus and Pure Color Eyeshadow in Rose Quartz
• With any Lancome purchase receive free deluxe samples of Definicils Mascara and Bi-Facil
• With any Clarins purchase receive free deluxe samples of Extra-Firming Tightening Lift Botanical Serum and HydraQuench Rich Cream
• With any Elizabeth Arden purchase receive a free deluxe sample of Pretty EDP; spend $35 on Elizabeth Arden fragrance and receive a Wrapped in Red signature tote (online and in store; this tote is also available at Boscov’s)
• With any Prescriptives purchase receive a free deluxe sample of Here To Stay Mascara
• With any Origins purchase receive free deluxe samples of Clear Improvement Active Charcoal Mask, Dr. Andrew Weil for Origins Night Health Bedtime Face Cream, and Ginger Rush Intensely Hydrating Body Cream
• With any StriVectin purchase receive a free deluxe sample of StriVectin-SD (1 oz)
• Purchase any Women’s fragrance and get two free women’s fragrance samples
• Purchase any Men’s fragrance and get two free men’s fragrance samples
• You can take advantage of as many of these offers as you like, free gifts will be automatically added to your cart when you meet the purchasing requirements
• Shipping is free when you spend $50

And here are some beauty deals I found at Nordstrom:

• Philosophy Doorbuster Collection, a $60 value for only $19.50, contains Vanilla Wafer shampoo, shower gel, and bubble bath (16 oz) and Powdered Sugar Cookie and Eggnog Latte flavored lip shines (0.5 oz each) in a red Philosophy bag  [Update: This has sold out.]
• The Nordstrom Holiday Blockbuster Palette is now available, it has 144 eyeshadows and 12 blush colors. It is a $300 value available for only $29.50
• With any $125 fragrance purchase receive a free limited edition Nordstrom snow globe
• They have an exclusive Smashbox Pucker Up Lip Kit. A $58 value, originally priced at $29.60, it is now $16.90 and contains Reflection High-Shine Lip Gloss, Lip-Enhancing Gloss in First Kiss (sheer pink), and Limitless Long-Wear Lip Gloss in Endless Kiss (sheer coral) [Update: This has already sold out.]
• Shipping at Nordstrom is $5 with any $50 beauty purchase with code BEAUTY or free with any $100 purchase with code HOLIDAY9

Today’s new coupons:

Bobbi Brown coupon: With any purchase receive free shipping plus two deluxe samples: Mini Rich Color Gloss and mini Perfectly Defined Mascara. Enter code ENJOY88 at checkout. Expires November 29.

Boscia coupon: 25% off any purchase (kits are excluded). Enter code blackfri09 at checkout. Expires November 29.

Chanel coupon: Today only with any $85 purchase receive free shipping, free gift wrap, and boxed deluxe samples of No5 “in its five legendary incarnations.” Enter code 1109N5 at checkout. Valid today only while supplies last.

Clarins coupon: With any $100 purchase you will receive a free Luxury Make-up Case filled with Deluxe-Travel Size Essentials (valued at $204). Enter code THANKS at checkout. Valid November 26-30.

Dr. Brandt offer: With any $80 purchase receive free shipping plus a free gift valued at $70. Gift includes Pores No More Pore Refiner (7.5 gr), Lineless Cream (15 gr), Microdermabrasion Face (5 gr), and Microdermabrasion Body (15 gr), plus a cosmetic bag. No code needed. While supplies last.

Estee Lauder offers: With any purchase choose four deluxe samples (there are over twenty to choose from, including two different sets of three eye brushes). With any $40 purchase also get a free black and white cosmetic bag, enter code CYBERCHIC at checkout. With any $50 purchase also get free shipping. Ends December 1.

H2O Plus coupon: $15 off $50. Enter code blackfriday at checkout. Expires November 30.

Korres coupon: With any $30 purchase receive a free boxed set of three body butters (Guava, Quince, and Fig, 50 ml each, a $25.40 value). Enter code GIVETHANKS at checkout (make sure there is no space at the end or the code won’t work). Expires November 27.

Lorac offer: With any $50 purchase receive free shipping and three deluxe samples: A deluxe Mini Couture Shine Lip Gloss and Multiple Rush Lip/Cheek Stains in two colors. No code needed. While supplies last.

Me Bath coupons: Purchase six or more Bath Ice Creams (normally $8.50 each) for $7.50 each, enter code HALFDOZEN. Purchase twelve or more Bath Ice Creams for $7.00 each, enter code DOZEN. Both codes expires November 29.

Molton Brown coupon: 15% off any purchase over $65, plus you’ll get free shipping and a free gift box. Enter code FRIDAY at checkout. Expires November 27.

Neiman Marcus coupon: Additional 20% off all sale items. (Not a beauty discount but stil a good discount.) Enter code 20SALE at checkout. (Also enter code NMNOV for free shipping, you can use two codes). Expires November 27.

QVC offer: Purchase any of 22 Philosophy 16 oz shower gels and get a free Philosophy holiday shower gel gift bag. No code needed. Ends November 27.

QVC offer: Today only purchase any of 42 Peter Thomas Roth products and receive a free deluxe sample of UnWrinkle Peel Pads (20 pads). No code needed. Ends tonight at 11:59 PM EST.

Saks coupon: Spend $100 on beauty and get free shipping plus a $25 gift card. Enter code BEAUTY9 at checkout. Expires November 27. This is also in-store tomorrow from 8am-noon.

SkinCareRx offer: Purchase any gift card for 30% off the face value. No code needed, just click through the link. End date unknown.

Smashbox coupon: Friends and Family sale. 20% off any purchase. Enter code SBFF9 at checkout. Expires December 1.

Smashbox Let’s Do Lunch offer: Today only make any purchase and checkout between 9AM-2PM PST and you will receive a free full size Eye Shadow in shade Pronto ($16 value). You will also get free shipping. No code needed, cannot be combined with other offers.

Ulta offer: Today only with any $25 purchase get a free full size Cargo Blu-Ray High Definition Lip Gloss Quad ($29.50 value). No code needed just make sure you add it to your cart before you checkout. Valid today only.

Victoria’s Secret coupon: Today only receive free shipping with any purchase. Enter code FREESHIP1 at checkout. Valid today only.

Zoya Nail Polish coupon: Starting at 5 PM EST tonight through 5 PM EST tomorrow, with any $20 purchase you will receive six free green nail polishes (Tangy, Envy, Midori, Irene, Suvi, and Veruschka). Enter code GREENFRIDAY at checkout. Expires 5 PM EST November 27.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

I parigini e le buone maniere

Un altro momento in cui la pseudo-mielosità del popolo parigino tocca il suo culmine è la pretesa del “Bonjour”.
Che c’ è di male a salutare la gente con un cordiale “Buongiorno”? direte Voi.
Il difetto morboso, rispondo io, sta nel pretenderlo questo sacrosanto saluto!!!

Mi spiego meglio: il parigino medio pretende che quando gli indirizziate la parola, per chiedere un’informazione, iniziate la vostra frase salutando con un “Bonjour/Bonsoir”; solo allora potrete formulare la vostra domanda o richiesta.
Se sarete talmente scellerati e la Vostra distrazione vi porterà a omettere la formula di saluto dalla vostra frase, il simpatico parigino non esiterà a farvi notare la vostra maleducata dimenticanza.
Se per esempio chiedete un’ indicazione a un passante dimenticando l’indispensabile incipit di cortesia e di saluto, il gentile sconosciuto al posto di rispondere alla vostra domanda vi risponderà con un …”Bonjour” in modo tale da sottolineare quanto siete stati maleducati a non salutarlo.

Caso paradigmatico di questa pretesa di buone maniere spinta all’eccesso dal popolo parigino è “Madame Bonjour”.
Si tratta di una boulangère/panettiera dove io e Valeria andavamo sistematicamente a comprare la nostra baguette quotidiana quando abitavamo nel quartiere Mouffetard.
L’arzilla Signora sembrava veramente progettata per schiaffare “Bonjour/Bonsoir” in faccia ai clienti, qualunque cosa essi chiedessero; il fatto che avesse una voce particolarmente acuta ha immortalato la sua immagine nella mia memoria.
Così se il cliente esordiva dicendo “Une baguette de tradition, s’il vous plait”, la vecchietta parigina, da dietro il bancone,  rispondeva “Bonjour” e il cliente doveva sistematicamente ripetere la sua richiesta…il tutto per la gioia di chi stava in fila ad attendere e a godersi queste scenette quotidiane.

L'eccesso francese di politesse

Una delle tante cose che i parigini esigono è il (falso) Grazie.
La loro ipocrita “politesse” li porta a sputarsi continuamente in faccia false formule di cortesia e così ogni piccolo gesto della routine quotidiana diventa un continuo ringraziarsi, scusarsi o salutarsi.

Tali atteggiamenti pseudo–educati vengono enfatizzati ulteriormente nei trasporti in comune dove una grande massa di  gente sconosciuta è costretta a fare il tragitto fianco a fianco.
In queste situazioni, la falsa gentilezza dei francesi raggiunge il suo parossismo, si pensi solamente al “Pardon” che scatta automaticamente al minimo sfioramento fisico.
Il parigino esige alcuni atteggiamenti dalle persone che lo circondano e non esita a sottolineare il suo malcontento quando questi vengono a mancare.

Un esempio tra i tanti possibili: quando attraversate i corridoi sotterranei per prendere la corrispondenza della metropolitana, siete portati a spingere diverse porte che si chiudono automaticamente quando le lasciate.
Il galateo dei trasporti in comune (e in particolar modo del pendolare che usa la metropolitana) impone che la persona che sta davanti tenga aperta la porta per lasciare passare la persona che sta dietro che risponderà con l’immancabile “Merci”.
Se vi troverete davanti tre o piú porte da dover spingere (a volte capita) e terrete aperta la porta sempre alla stessa persona quella vi ringrazierà tre o piu’ volte…bombardandovi di gentilezza.
Se, invece, vi troverete nella situazione opposta, cioè se è la persona che vi sta davanti che vi tiene la porta per lasciarvi passare, ricordatevi di sputargli in faccia un vigoroso “Merci Monsieur/Madame” (se occorre anche piú volte), ogni dimenticanza da parte vostra sarà punita da sguardi fulminanti e smorfiette disgustose per ratificare quanto il simpatico parigino non ha gradito la vostra maleducazione.

Attenzione non voglio dare l’impressione di essere un gran maleducato, sono d’accordo sul fatto che bisogna ringraziare ma a tutto c’è un limite (un proverbio siciliano dice “u supecchiu rumpi u cupecchiu” altimenti detto “il troppo stroppia”!).

Nella sua Storia dell’architettura moderna Bruno Zevi da un’accezione di estrema importanza a quello che definisce manierismo moderno, le cui opere esplorano infatti il linguaggio dei maestri, lo applicano in cornici più vaste, ne intrecciano gli etimi con incisività e coraggio. I manieristi indagano tematiche espressive pluralistiche, arricchendo il lessico, i nessi grammaticali e sintattici, le articolazioni linguistiche con originalità e talvolta genialmente, senza mai deragliare dal solco dell’avanguardia. Viene a mente la differenza di comodo che viene fatta in ambito scientifico tra ricerca pura e ricerca applicata, dove mentre la prima ha come obiettivo primario l’avanzamento della conoscenza e la comprensione teorica tra le diverse variabili in gioco in un determinato processo, la seconda è svolta allo scopo di trovare soluzioni pratiche e specifiche, il cui obiettivo primario non è l’avanzamento della conoscenza, bensì lo sfruttamento di questa a fini pratici. È chiaro da ciò come il periodo storico che stiamo vivendo è per l’architettura una fase di maniera. Dietro la brutalità di una parola, si cela quindi una condizione di estremo interesse per il contemporaneo. Ma di quale maestri sono legittime figlie le nostre decadi? E soprattutto, è legittimo parlare di un rapporto diretto ed univoco? Stando a guardare le architetture dei protagonisti di quel tumultuoso ‘80, si direbbe piuttosto che sono proprio i maestri a reinventarsi, e la maniera a rincorrere, capovolgendo i fattori dell’equazione. L’esempio di Zaha Hadid è quanto mai calzante, avendo essa stessa dato vita ad almeno tre schiere di manierismi, che preso nel suo insieme non può che apparire contraddittorio e paradossale: passando per il neo-avanguardismo, passando poi verso una fase post-digitale, ed attualmente impegnata verso ciò che Patrik Schumacher chiama ambiguamente parametrismo, il lavoro dello studio inglese pare essere simile ad un andirivieni concettuale, al quale ogni innovazione apportata, deriva da un saccheggio legittimo di un con testo pratico-teorico affermato, ed una applicazione personale dello stesso.  Tutte e tre le sue fasi si possono difatti collocare facilmente in uno zeigheist chiaro: come gli anni dell’Architectural Association di Londra la hanno portata ad interessarsi ai primi anni ‘20 ed alle avanguardie storiche, così sul finire degli anni ‘90 le influenze della ormai matura transarchitettura si faranno sentire su una consistente quantità di progetti, per arrivare nell’ultimo lustro circa a sperimentare ciò che per gli studenti delle università di tutto il mondo iniziava a diventare legge.

Il progetto per la sede della Corte Civile di Madrid, i cui lavori inizieranno nel 2010, potrebbe benissimo essere uscito dallo studio di un Lars Spuybroek o di un Kas Oosterhuis di sorta, se non dal desktop di uno studente particolarmente abile. Non è certo da abiurare questo tipo di pratica, ed anzi è tipica dell’evoluzione della storia dell’architettura: non è stato per caso Le Corbusier a trarre ispirazione dalla Citté Industrielle di Tony Garnier per gran parte delle sue idee urbanistiche ed architettoniche? Sarebbe quindi Le Corbusier da definire un manierista? Probabilmente sì, proprio per la natura flebile ed aleatoria del manierismo stesso: si rende necessario definire quindi il manierismo in una accezione più elastica, liquida, ed adattabile al contesto di cui si sta parlando. Il termine manierismo sta ad indicare la presenza di un’eredità implicità in un’opera di un maestro, di cui l’opera manierista stessa ne rappresenta la prosecuzione, ed in qualche modo un tributo. Non si intende qui peccare d’impressionismo, e confondere la citazione con la rielaborazione. Vi sono delle lacerazioni storiche difficilmente riassimilabili a tendenze temporali lineari, spesso infeconde, qualche volta esplosive. Paradossalmente, in un epoca come la nostra, che predilige lo scandalo, la trasgressione più insensata, il rifiuto e l’abietto, non si può certo dire che sia facile trovare ina di queste lacerazioni prima accennate. Ma forse, non ce né nemmeno bisogno.

Philosophy and Origins are both having Friends and Family sales with 25% off any purchase:

• Philosophy get 25% off when you enter code enjoy at checkout through November 20; shipping is free if you spend $50
• Origins get 25% off when you enter code novff at checkout through November 19; shipping is free if you spend $75. Unfortunately the discount does not apply to gift sets.

The Estee Lauder Holiday Color Spectacular is now available online at Nordstrom, and they again have an exclusive cream colored cosmetic case (at the other department store you receive a red case). It is $55 with any Estee Lauder fragrance purchase. Also now available at Boscov’s.

The Lancome Beauty Box is now available online at Belk, Nordstrom, Bloomingdale’s, Bon Ton, Boscov’s, and direct from Lancome.

If you haven’t yet shopped at SkinCareRx now might be the time. They are offering a $40 gift certificate (good towards a $100 minimum purchase) just for browsing around the site and letting the president of the company know what you think of their site. I don’t know how long this one will last.

And here’s a Chanel coupon good only today and tomorrow: With any $85 purchase receive a free deluxe sample of Sublimage Eye Essential Regenerating Eye Cream. Enter code 1109SUBLIMAGE at checkout by 11:59 PM EST tomorrow (November 15); you will also receive free shipping and free gift packaging.

Bon Ton is having a Buy More, Save More event on cosmetics and fragrance. Today and tomorrow you can save depending on how much you spend:

• Save $5 when you spend $50
• Save $10 when you spend $75
• Save $15 when you spend $100
• Save $20 when you spend $150
• Save $25 when you spend $175

To receive the discount enter code CMDYCSMBS09 at checkout. They have lots of beautiful holiday gift sets from many of our favorite brands. They also have a special from Origins: Spend $35 and get a free Ginger Essence to Go (9 ml, a $13.50 value) or spend $55 and get free Ginger Essence to Go (9 ml) plus Ginger Souffle (3.4 oz, both a $26.50 value). That is available while supplies last (and that is combinable with the coupon discount). They also still have the Clarins Buy Two, Get Two event right now. Shipping is free if you spend $75. 11/14 Update: They now have the Lancome Beauty Box online, and the discount applies.

I saw another Nars value set that is beautiful, this one is available exclusively at Barney’s. It is the NARS Loves Chicago Set and you can buy it for $75 (the retail value is over $95). This beautifully gift boxed set includes a cosmetic bag plus four products in these exclusive shades: Michigan Avenue Duo Eyeshadow, Wicker Park Eyeshadow, Windy City Blush, and Millennium Nail Polish. Shipping is still free on any Barney’s order.

I saw this yesterday and wanted to mention it, it seems Philosophy has a new shower gel scent for a cause. Its called Remind U.S. and 100% of the net proceeds from the sale benefit the Bob Woodruff Foundation, which provides resources and support to service members, veterans, and their families to successfully reintegrate into their communities. They say the scent is like sugary cinnamon cookies from home. This weekend you can also get free shipping with any purchase at Philosophy with code winterjoy at checkout, that code expires November 15.

Scroll down a bit below the coupons to see my previous post from this morning, the Phyto Friends and Family Sale started today.

Today’s new coupons:

Biotherm coupon: Purchase any new Skin Vivo product and get a free Biosource Facial Cleansing Mousse (1.7 oz). Enter code BIOFACE at checkout. While supplies last. 

Bliss Spa coupon: Free shipping when you purchase any FitFlops. Enter code 119904 at checkout. Expires November 16.

Burt’s Bees offer: Spend $25 get one free lip shimmer; spend $50 get two free lip shimmers; spend $75 get three free lip shimmers; spend $100 and get three free lip shimmers plus a black clutch. No code needed. Ends November 30.

Crabtree & Evelyn offer: 20% off any purchase. Prices on site reflect the discount, so no code is needed. Ends November 17 at 10 AM EST.

Dermadoctor offer: For a limited time get six free samples with every purchase (normally you get three). No code needed. Ends at 11:00 AM CST on November 18. They also have a GWP spend $75 on Dermadoctor products and get a free full size Eye Spy eye cream ($41 value).

Drugstore.com offer: $10 off a $60 purchase. No code needed just click on this link to activate the offer in your shopping cart. Ends November 22.

Fruits & Passion offer: 20% off any purchase. No code needed, discount will appear in your shopping cart. Ends November 15. Shipping is free if you spend $50.

Jonathan Product coupon: Spend $25 and get a free full size IB Revitalizer Overnight Oil Treatment Spray ($40 value). Enter code REVITALIZE at checkout. Expires November 16 or while supplies last. They offer free shipping with every purchase; free Redo Freshen-up Wipes ($20 value) when you purchase two full size products; and if you buy a mini IB Infuser you will get the second one free ($10 value).

Juice Beauty coupon: Spend $100 and get 25% off. Enter code PEACE at checkout. Expires November 30.

At Bon Ton when you purchase any two Clarins products you will receive two free deluxe travel size products: Either Gentle Foaming Cleanser for Normal/Combination Skin (75 ml) and Moisture-rich Body Lotion (100 ml) OR Instant Eye Makeup Remover and Hand & Nail Cream (they will choose which sample pair you receive). That is available through November 21.

There are nice Borghese gifts with purchase at both Borghese.com (“Restorative Treats” free gift) and Makeup.com (“Beauty Therapy Set” free gift), free with any $45 Borghese purchase. Borghese has many lovely seasonal holiday gift sets! Both are available while supplies last.

Neiman Marcus is having a huge First Day sale. Today only take up to 40% off regular prices on lots of designer brand names. No beauty products are included, though Noodle & Boo Glowology products are 25% off. (Plus in-store they have the 20% off on beauty products that I mentioned yesterday).

Today’s new coupons:

Elizabeth Arden coupon: Today only with any $25 purchase receive free shipping plus the six piece gift they have right now. Enter code BEST25 at checkout. Valid today only.

Lancome coupon: With any $40 purchase receive free shipping and five deluxe samples, plus a three piece brush set: Absolue Premium Bx Cream, Bi-Facil, Juicy Tubes Smoothie in Sun Bronze, Blush Subtil in shades Aplum and Miel Glace, and Virtuose Mascara. Enter code NOVDELUXE at checkout. Expires November 14 or while supplies last.

Laura Geller coupon: 10% off any purchase. Enter code FAVE at checkout. Expires November 30.

MD Skincare coupon: Spend $100-$175 get 20% off; spend more than $175 and get 20% off plus a free full size Hydra Pure Oil Free Moisture ($78 value). Enter code OILFREE at checkout. Expires December 2.

Origins coupon: Free shipping with any purchase. Enter code P1009 at checkout. Expires January 31, 2010.

Spalook coupon: Today only receive 20% off all products in the Face department. Enter code FACE20 at checkout. Valid today only.

The 2009 Lancome Holiday Beauty Box isn’t available online yet, but here’s a sneak peek. This year it is a $330 value, and you will be able to purchase it for only $52 with any $36 Lancome purchase. I’ve heard that it is available for pre-order at many department store counters already, and Bon Ton says it will also be available online at their site on Saturday November 14. I’ll keep you posted!

The Elizabeth Arden Beauty Made Easy Purchase with Purchase is now available direct from Elizabeth Arden (it has been available for a while at Dillard’s). With any $25 purchase you can buy this collection (valued at $275) for only $36. No code is needed, just click the link in your shopping cart to add the PWP to your cart. You can also enter code BEST25 to receive the free six piece gift they are offering right now. Shipping is free if you spend over $50 or if you are purchasing two gift sets (free shipping plus free gift wrap when you purchase any two Gift items through November 12).

If you buy this product at Dillard’s, they also have an Elizabeth Arden GWP and the Elizabeth Arden Holiday Blockbuster available right now. (As of 11/10 The GWP is no longer available.)

At Neiman Marcus, online and in store, with any $85 Lancome purchase you will receive a free Lancome Makeup Artists Secrets Set (original retail price was $55, its a $113 retail value) that includes a Blush Palette with four Blush Subtil shades (Cedar Rose, Shimmer Mocha Havana, Cappucine, and Hollywood Shimmer), a mini All Over Face Brush #20, a travel-size La Base Pro, and a signature black pouch. This is available in store through November 15 and online through November 16 or while supplies last. Shipping is free with code NMNOV through November 10.

It is Fragrance Week at Macy’s. They have many, many fragrance GWPs (the usual totes plus some other more interesting gifts) plus with any $75 fragrance purchase you will receive a free small jewelry box plus five packette samples (though samples may vary); you will also receive free shipping with code SCENTS at checkout through November 15.

Today’s new coupons:

Aveda coupon: With any $30 purchase receive free shipping plus a sample duo of your choice. To receive three haircare samples enter code WINTERHAIR; to receive three skincare samples enter code WINTERSKIN. Both codes expire November 10.

Bloomingdale’s coupon: Friends and Family sale. 20% off almost all regular- and sale-price purchases for Women, Men, Kids, and Home, 10% off Small Electrics and Mens Electronics (beauty products plus many name brands are excluded). Enter code HOLIDAY at checkout. Expires November 15. New this year: Spend $500 or more during the event and you will receive a gift card good for $100 off a future $250 purchase.

The Body Shop offer: They are selling Beauty of Giving Grab Bags. For only $15 you can buy a grab bag worth at least $50 (some are worth over $75) that includes at minimum: A full size Body Butter (1.7 oz this morning the web site said 1.7 oz now it says 6.7 oz), one Spa Wisdom Product, one Mini Gift, one Accessory, one Makeup Item, and some of the bags will contain additional surprise items. Limit two per customer, while supplies last. Enter code COUPONCABIN at checkout to get 10% off your purchase, plus shipping is free if you spend $50 (with no coupon) or $55.60 (with the coupon).

The Body Shop at Amazon.com offer: Most Holiday Collection items are 25% off. No code needed, the discount will appear in your shopping cart. Expiration unknown. Shipping is free if you spend $25.

Bliss Spa coupon: Purchase any 3lab product and receive a free 3lab Perfect Mask ($20 value). Enter code 119921 at checkout.  Expiration unknown.

Bliss Spa coupon: Purchase any pair of FitFlops and get a free Snow Wonder High Intensity Hand Cream (1 oz). Enter code 119906 at checkout. Expires November 16.

Caudalie coupon: With any $100 purchase receive free shipping, a sample pack of your choice, and a free 30 ml Fresh Complexion Tinted Moisturizer. For fair-medium complexion enter code FAIR; for medium-dark complexion enter code GOLDEN. Both codes expire November 19 or while supplies last.

Clinique coupon: With any $35 purchase receive free shipping plus a mini High Impact Mascara (0.14 oz). Enter code HIMASCARA at checkout. Expires November 30.

Crabtree and Evelyn coupon: 30% off any purchase plus free shipping if you spend $55. Enter code CAD55 at checkout. Expires November 12.

Elizabeth Arden offer: Purchase any two Gift items and receive free shipping plus free gift wrap. No code needed. Ends November 12.

Kiehl’s coupon: With any $30 purchase receive free shipping and a free Pear Scented Lip Balm #1. Enter code KIEHLSDAY at checkout. Expires November 15.

Korres coupon: With any $35 purchase receive free shipping plus a free plum cherry oil lip gloss ($16 value). Enter code PLUM at checkout. Expires November 10.

MD Skincare coupon: Spend $100-$200 get 15% off; spend more than $200 get 15% off plus a free full size Hydra Pure Radiance Renewal Serum($95 value). Enter code RADIANCE at checkout. Expires November 24.

Perricone MD offer: With any $125 purchase receive a free full size Firming Neck Therapy ($95 value). No code needed. Ends November 11.

Philosophy offer: With any purchase receive a free 1 oz Gingerbread Man bath gel. No code needed just be logged into your account and select the Ginberbread Man as one of your sample choices at checkout (you can choose two samples at checkout). Ends November 12. (And you can use code 4nj198367 for 10% off any purchase.)

Ulta offer: With any $35 purchase get ten free samples (in addition to the three that you choose at checkout). No code needed, just add them to your basket before you check out. Ends November 14 or while supplies last.

YSL Beauty coupon: With any $85 Parisienne order receive a signature YSL pouch plus a Parisienne EDP mini. Enter code PARIS at checkout. Expires November 15.

11/10 Update: This is no longer available online at Belk. I’ll post again when it is available elsewhere! The Estee Lauder Holiday 2009 Blockbuster has arrived online, first (but with more stores to follow I’m sure) at Belk. While supplies last, with any Estee Lauder fragrance purchase you can buy this amazing collection (valued at over $340) for only $55:

• Deluxe Eyeshadow Compact with 15 coordinating shades: Pure Color EyeShadow in shades Sugar Cube, Ivory Box, Honey Drop, Lavender, Chocolate, Tea Biscuit, Copper Penny, Petal, Mulberry, Pale Moon, Cinnamon, Apricot, and Mocha Cup, plus Estee Lauder Signature Eyeshadow in Sage Duo
• Deluxe Face Compact: Estee Lauder Signature Silky Powder Blush in Rosewood and Nude Rose, and Bronze Goddess Soft Matte Bronzer
• 4 Pure Color Long Lasting Lipsticks (full-size): Candy, Rose Tea, Fig, and Tiger Eye
• 3 Artist’s Eye Pencils: SoftSmudge Black, SoftSmudge Brown, and Slate Writer
• Projectionist High Definition Volume Mascara (10-day supply, in Black)
• Lash Primer Plus (10-day supply)
• Gentle Eye Makeup Remover (full-size 3.4 oz)
• 4 Deluxe Makeup Brushes (Powder, Blush, Lip,and Eye)
• Look Book with tips on creating four fabulous looks
• Golden Stand-Up Mirror
• Cosmetic Traveler Case
• Companion Makeup Case

Now available at Dillard’s, the Elizabeth Arden Wrapped in Beauty Holiday Color Collection is yours for $42.50 with any $24.50 Elizabeth Arden purchase. This beautiful 30 piece collection is a $325 value and includes these products:

• A deluxe compact filled with two quick-change color palette inserts, each filled with six eyeshadow shades and one cheekcolor, and a three-piece makeup brush set insert
• Brush Pouch
• Lip Gloss Pot with pop-out brush
• Exceptional Lipstick
• Ceramide Plump Perfect Lipstick
• Color Intrigue Effects Lipstick
• Two Lip Pencils
• Two Eye Pencils
• Shimmer Powder Compact
• Ceramide Plump Perfect Lash Extending Treatment Mascara
• Pretty Elizabeth Arden Eau de Parfum Replica
• Red bag with faux croco trim

11/10 Update: The GWP is no longer available. But the best part is, the Elizabeth Arden GWP is also currently running at Dillard’s! Add it to your cart from the link above and you will receive this seven piece gift along with your blockbuster purchase.

Update: This has already sold out. And new today there is a very generous Lancome purchase with purchase at Bon Ton. While supplies last, with any Lancome purchase you can buy this collection (valued at $145) for only $29.50:

• Absolue Premium Bx Absolute Replenishing Cream SPF 15 Sunscreen
• Le Crayon Khol Eye Pencil
• Bi-Facil
• Definicils Mascara
• Color Design Sensational Effects Lipcolor in Groupie
• Juicy Tubes Ultra Shiny Lip Gloss in Spring Fling
• Limited Edition Tote

Today’s new coupons:

Aveda offer: Purchase one of their new travel sets and pay only $3 for shipping plus get three samples: Smooth Infusion Shampoo, Conditioner, and Glossing Straightener (10 ml each). No code needed so can be combined with another code. Ends November 7.

Aveda coupon: With any $20 purchase receive free shipping plus two samples. Enter code AVEDA9 at checkout. Expiration unknown.

Beauty.com coupon: Pay with Paypal and get free shipping with any purchase. No code needed just click on the link to activate the offer in your shopping cart. Ends November 9. Sorry cannot be combined with the 20% off Friends and Family sale which ends tonight.

Bliss Spa coupon: 20% off any purchase. Enter code 119902 at checkout. Expires November 15. 

Clinique coupon: With any $30 purchase receive free shipping plus a free deluxe sample of Turnaround Instant Facial (0.5 oz). Enter code COMFORT at checkout. Expires November 9.

Elizabeth Arden coupon: With any $25 purchase receive a free six piece gift that includes a green and black fold-over clutch, Ceramide Gold Ultra Restorative Capsules Intensive Treatment for Face and Throat (7 capsules), Eight Hour Cream Intensive Moisturizing Hand Treatment (0.5 oz), Intervene Radiance Boosting Moisture Lotion SPF 15 (0.5 oz), Ceramide Plump Perfect Lipstick in Perfect Pink (0.12 oz), and Prevage Anti-aging Treatment (0.17 oz). Enter code BEST25 at checkout. Shipping is free if you spend $50.

Lab Series coupon: Today only with any $50 purchase receive free shipping and two travel sized products: Root Power Treatment Shampoo (1.7 oz) and Multi-Action Face Wash (1.7 oz). Enter code NOVOFFER at checkout. Valid today only. Holiday gift sets now available.

Lancome offer: With any purchase receive free shipping plus a deluxe sample of Juicy Tubes in Coral Rush. No code needed so can be combined with another code. Ends November 8.

Lancome coupon: Today only with any $40 purchase receive free shipping plus six deluxe samples: Bi-Facil, Absolue Premium Bx Cream, Absolue Premium Bx Eye Cream, eye shadow quad in shades Daylight, Icy, Snap, and Statuesque, Virtuose Mascara, and Color Fever Shine Lipcolor in Provocative. Enter code ONEDAY2 at checkout. Expires at 11:59 PM EST tonight.

Lancome coupon: With any $50 purchase receive free shipping plus six deluxe samples: L’Absolu Rouge Lipcolor in Rouge Velour, Definicils Mascara, eye shadow quad in shades Creme Lustre, Visionary, Luxe Grey, and Statuesque, Genifique, Tonique Douceur, and Bi-Facil. Enter code PERKS at checkout. While supplies last.

Philosophy coupon: 10% off any purchase. Enter code 4nj198367 at checkout. Expires December 31.

Prescriptives coupon: Free shipping with any purchase. Enter code WKND at checkout. Expires November 8.

So Sha’ul and I are having our usual morning conversation about Central Americans doing pirouettes, music and which one of my butchers is the bigger douche bag, when in comes this short, old, Mikhail Gorbachev looking Cuban.

He apparently forgot to take his Adderall and Ritalin cocktail before leaving the house, because he was HYPE! He just walked up to the counter and proceeded to go on an unsolicited rant about women and how crazy they are (soooo true, btw), and how he lost his wife x amount of years ago and that he will never remarry.

Riiiiiiiiiiiight…..just thinking out loud here, but I dont think you have a choice about the whole getting married thing. Short, old men who look like a former Communist Leader and smell like a bag of BonTon corn chips normally do not have women lining up to go on dates with them.

So he’s going on and on about how he “dumped” this one particular lady cause she was really crazy. I guess she must have been if she was with him.
All the while, Im trying to get into position to catch some of this on camera without him noticing it. I was able to catch the tail end of the story. Its in Spanish…..I promise to either re-enact or transcribe it later tonight.

Update: This has sold out or they have taken it off the site, I’ll let you know when its available again here or elsewhere. The first holiday blockbuster has arrived online. It is the Elizabeth Arden Wrapped in Beauty Holiday Color Collection, and you can purchase it first at Bon Ton for $42.50 with any $24.50 Elizabeth Arden purchase. This beautiful 30 piece collection is a $325 value and includes these products:

• A deluxe compact filled with two quick-change color palette inserts, each filled with six eyeshadow shades and one cheekcolor, and a three-piece makeup brush set insert
• Brush Pouch
• Lip Gloss Pot with pop-out brush
• Exceptional Lipstick
• Ceramide Plump Perfect Lipstick
• Color Intrigue Effects Lipstick
• Two Lip Pencils
• Two Eye Pencils
• Shimmer Powder Compact
• Ceramide Plump Perfect Lash Extending Treatment Mascara
• Pretty Elizabeth Arden Eau de Parfum Replica
• Red bag with faux croco trim

Update: This has sold out. There is a new Estee Lauder Purchase with Purchase at Macy’s. With any Estee Lauder purchase you can buy the Estee Lauder Essentials collection for only $29.50:

• 8-Eyeshadow Compact: Pure Color EyeShadow in Sugar Cube, Ivory Box, Pale Moon, Slate, Sand Box, Cinnamon, Smokey, and Onyx
• Signature Hydra Lustre Lipstick in Black Cherry
• Artist’s Eye Pencil in SoftSmudge Black
• More Than Mascara in Black
• High Gloss in Jewel
• Golden Eyelash Curler
• Black Tote with Crocodile Pattern Trim
• Black Crocodile-pattern Cosmetic Bag

Today’s new coupons:

Chanel coupon: Today only with any purchase receive free shipping and a free sample of Demaquillant Yeux Intense Gentle Biphase Eye Makeup Remover. Enter code 1009BIPHASE at checkout. Expires tonight at 11:59 PM EST or while supplies last.

Caudalie coupon: Friends and Family sale. 20% off any purchase. Enter code FALLHARVEST at checkout. You will also receive free shipping. Expires October 26.

Clinique coupon: With any $30 purchase receive free shipping plus a free deluxe sample of All About Eyes Rich (0.21 oz). Enter code BETTER at checkout. Expires October 24.

Estee Lauder coupon: With any $50 purchase receive free shipping plus an exclusive Pure Color Lip Palette with ten lip colors and two lip brushes. Enter code 10LIPCOLORS at checkout. Expires October 24.

Juice Beauty coupon: Spend $50 or more and get a free deluxe sample of Green Apple Peel Sensitive (0.25 oz). Enter code 1FGAPS at checkout. Expires October 31.

Perricone MD offer: Purchase Skin Clear Cleanser, Skin Clear Toner, and Skin Clear Hydrator and get a free 30 day supply of Skin Clear Supplements ($80 value). No code needed. Expires October 24.

Smashbox Let’s Do Lunch offer: Today only make any purchase and checkout between 9AM-2PM PST and you will receive a free mini Cream Eyeliner Palette (four shades with brush, an $11 value). You will also get free shipping. No code needed, cannot be combined with other offers.

Mit den Kauf eines Bon Ton Knochens ist meine Vorbereitung abgeschlossen. Ich weiß nicht wie es Euch geht, aber für mich ist die Vorbereitung das A und O. Wenn ich die ganzen Sachen erst später kaufen würde vergesse ich nur die Hälfte. ^_^’

Für alle, die nicht wissen was das ist:
BonTon ist ein Hygiene Kit mit Tüten im Inneren. Diese sind dafür gedacht den Kot des Hundes aufzuheben und die Tüte letztendlich zu entsorgen. In einigen Städten sind solche Kotbeutel sogar Pflicht. Gut wie ich finde. Ich kann mich noch genau daran erinnern, dass man vor 10 Jahren richtig aufpassen musste nicht auf den Fußweg in einen Haufen zu treten.

Es hat sich insgesamt gebessert.
Da ich sogar meine Kippenstummel in den Mülleimer schmeisse ist das Aufsammeln selbstverständlich für mich.

Nun heißt es warten. In vier Tage weiß ich mehr darüber ob ich einen Welpen abbekomme oder bis zum nächsten Wurf warten muss.

…non si lasciano deiezioni canine sul marciapiedi

…non ci si accende la sigaretta mentre si è ancora nella stazione metro, andando verso l’uscita

…non si dà l’ultima tirata alla sigaretta sputando poi il fumo dentro all’autobus, magari in faccia a qualcuno

…ci si scansa almeno in parte, per non urtare i passanti

…non si pretende d’aver ragione perchè si è più anziani

…non si pretende di potere tutto perchè si è più giovani

…non si chiede al Paese che ti ospita di tollerare usi e costumi considerati maleducati o illegali

…non si chiede ad uno straniero di perdere la sua identità, di sentirsi di default di serie B, di accettare la maleducazione

…non si dice ‘eh ma con tutti i problemi che ci sono questa cosuccia qui che differenza fa’, perchè la fa

…non si lasciano i rubinetti aperti nei bar mentre si servono 100.000 clienti

…si fa la raccolta differenziata, perchè il ‘ah ma tanto poi la buttano tutta insieme’ voglio vedere chi l’ha verificata, da 5 anni a ’sta parte

…se si ha il macchinone, non ci si comporta come se si viaggiasse su 2 ruote zigzagando, che se il 2 ruote poi lo becchi col suv, tu non ti fai niente. Lui, lo ammazzi.

…si ha rispetto per gli animali, si ha coscienza dell’impegno che comporta tenerli, si ha cuore nell’accudirli come esseri viventi e non imbecillità nell’abbandonarli come fossero pupazzi

…i patrioti non sono solo quelli di destra

…gli intellettuali non sono solo quelli di sinistra

…non si parla di ‘calo demografico’ se nel frattempo: 1) non ci sono asili nido per tutti 2) una madre dovrebbe toericamente lasciare il bambino a mesi-tre per decadenza termini astensione maternità 3) non si prevedono indennizzi degni di questo nome per i più bisognosi, aiuti ai datori di lavoro per gli asili aziendali, rassicurazioni concrete per le donne lavoratrici che si vedono ghettizzate perchè madri

…i preti pedofili vanno al gabbio e non in un’altra parrocchia

…non si deve conoscere DIO per fare un’analisi clinica in tempi che siano conformi all’umana decenza

…gli europarlamentari hanno un’altra formazione oltre alla dicitura ‘mangiafuoco’ e ‘partecipante reality show’

…ci si ricorda del passato, dei conflitti mondiali, dei perseguitati

…non si costringono i ‘cervelli’ ad emigrare

…i politici non prendono quel fottìo di soldi e non hanno tutti quei privilegi

…se i di cui sopra sono assenteisti e fanno passare leggi del cavolo, sono buttati fuori dal loro partito

…esiste la meritocrazia

…i call center non ti chiamano alle 21,00 per venderti servizi da 36 con scene di caccia

…si dice Buongiorno e Buonasera

…non ci sono le cose ’scritte in piccolo’ nei contratti

…gli incentivi per la rottamazione delle macchine sono veri e sono ad hoc, mentre qui non ci ricordiamo più di quando non esistevano

…si sfruttano le energie alternative

…si assaggia prima di dire ‘non mi piace’

…la figura del Notaio non esiste

…si proteggono le peculiarità e le eccellenza locali

…si è altrettanto grati di trovare un Mc Donald ovunque, che se non ti piace per niente il cibo dell’altro paese almeno c’è una cosa che ha lo stesso sapore ovunque

…il cappuccino ha una sua ode appositamente composta :->

…si canticchia senza esser presi per scemi

…le bambine a 8 anni non vogliono fare le veline e non si atteggiano come 14enni

…le donne mantengono con fierezza alcune caratteristiche da noi occidentali considerate come femminili senza tema e gli uomini altrettanto

…un maschio di età media di anni 30 sa farsi da mangiare, sa cosa sia una lavatrice, non aspetta che sia la mamma (o la moglie) a stirargli le camicie

…le liste nei blog non possono superare un tot di unità, perchè sennò che palle.

E che palle!

Non ci credete è?! Come è possibile che delle regole sulla buona educazione così demodè, possano essere applicate ai comportamenti d’oggi?! Possibilissimo! Datato (il primo risale al al 1550) e dimenticato, fatto sta che rimane tra i testi italiani più tradotti nel mondo, il Galateo è una reliquia di un tempo in cui il canone delle buone maniere si sapeva a memoria (come l’Ave Maria) e i libri che le insegnavano fungevano anche da ”ferri del mestiere”  da portare in testa, per camminare belli dritti e sottobraccio, per non allargare i gomiti sulla tavola. In quegli anni (anni d’oro) in cui il savoir-faire, il saper vivere, saper fare e stare al mondo fu coltivato dalle sacerdotesse del buon gusto, bon ton e bello stile. Tutte mascherate, nel regno di forma, finzione e convenzione, sotto falso nome. 
Chi non le rilegge (e non sa cosa si perde) per riscoprire la delizia delle calosce indossate sotto la pioggia o della riverenza impeccabile di una debuttante, se la cavi come può. Cercando di riconoscere, tra ricordi di scuola e insegnamenti della mamma, memorie di letture e raccomandazioni della nonna, educazione civica, codice civile, codice stradale, etologia, antropologia culturale, il minimo (indispensabile) grado di distinzione del comportamento raffinato, o bene educato, o civilizzato.

E perchè no, dando una sbirciatina qui, ove ho cercato di riassumere alcune regole da sapere e che tutt’oggi possono essere utilizzate al fine di distinguerci da questo mondo così volgare, disattento e frenetico che ci circonda, ricordando che un po’ di sano savoir faire non ha mai fatto male a nessuno, anzi…

Città
In auto. La strada è il luogo dove si è chiamati più esplicitamente che altrove al rispetto: di segnaletiche, precedenze, limiti di velocità, distanze di sicurezza. Il traffico “urbano” è il contesto dove esplodono violenza selvaggia e aggressività. Circolano – in carreggiata e sottopelle – impazienza, smania, insofferenza. Gli automobilisti si danno – ma senza affetto – del tu. Sbottano in male parole, si sbracciano dai finestrini. Per la guida rispettosa, sobria, elegante, non è ancora stata rilasciata la patente, che pure meriterebbe punti. Spiace rilevare che le meno inclini a rallentare o fermarsi per far passare i pedoni sono le signore. Innata signorilità di gran dame cui si deve comunque cedere il passo?
A piedi. Camminando svelti nelle metropoli, o nei corridoi affollati della metro si tiene la destra. Ma al di là delle convenzioni, tra la folla tornano vive e tornano buone regole più elementari. Come l’istinto animale: non ci si fa “troppo sotto”, non si tallona quello davanti, non lo si mette in ansia violando – direbbe un etologo – il suo “spazio di fuga”. O non si fissa un estraneo. Puntargli gli occhi addosso sarebbe imbarazzante, inquietante, allarmante.
Al guinzaglio. Non si incoraggia Fido a srotolarne trenta metri su tutta la lunghezza del marciapiede, tendendo infide trappole ai passanti disarmati.
Bambini e barboncini. Non sono la stessa cosa. Ma potrebbero scambiarsi il ruolo da cartine di tornasole dell’educazione di padrone e genitori. I piccoli non vanno trattati in pubblico come bestiole ammaestrate. Non si parla di loro in terza persona come se non ci fossero. Non si mettono in piazza – umiliandoli – le loro prodezze o disubbidienze. Né si rimedia all’offesa con le effusioni cui ci si abbandona pateticamente coi cuccioli.
Società
La conversazione. È femmina. Anche il migliore tra gli uomini ne ignora la regola elementare: non si deve mai farla cadere, e non importa quel che si dice per tenerla su: “La conversazione”, scriveva Katherine Mansfield, “è come un bimbetto in fasce che si porta in salotto per fargli fare il giro degli ospiti. Bisogna cullarlo, vezzeggiarlo, tenerlo in movimento se si vuole che continui a sorridere. Nulla di più semplice, no?”.
La comunicazione. Valgono comunque sia anche per i maschi etichette e netiquette (cioè il bon ton per internet) di ogni scambio verbale. I principi sacrosanti sono: pertinenza, qualità, cooperazione, economia. Come dire: siate sensati, interessanti, collaborativi, mai polemici e, soprattutto, sintetici. Abbiate la buona creanza di rispondere sempre: alle domande, agli inviti, agli sms e alle e-mail.
Le espressioni da evitare. Non si dice “Buon appetito” a tavola, “Salute” a uno starnuto, “Salve” a conoscenti o sconosciuti, “Piacere” alla presentazione ma solo il nome e il cognome. La domanda “Come sta?” è convenzionale: non si risponde mai sinceramente, precisamente, diffusamente, con dovizia di dettagli clinici e personali. Si mente sempre un “Benissimo!”.
I silenzi. “Siate brillanti nei silenzi, le pause, le sospensioni”, ricordava Irene Brin. Specie là dove il mutismo è diretto da una regia rigorosa quanto la partitura: in sala da concerto. Si tace mentre suona l’orchestra, si evitano colpi di tosse, scricchioli e caramelle scartocciate. Non si applaude a scena aperta, né tra un brano e l’altro. Dopo il finale, non si salta subito su, saccentissimi, a battere le mani: si lascia trascorrere un attimo di attesa assorta e incantata.
Gesti, look e posture
Le mani. Si muovono con grazia, si tolgono di tasca, si mostrano nude con disinvoltura, si offrono alla stretta con fiducia. Il gesto di saluto è intenso e caloroso: si prende tutta la mano dell’altro nella propria, con i palmi che coincidono. La mano molle tradisce indifferenza, la mano morta timidezza, la stretta in punta diffidenza, la stretta a tenaglia egocentrica sicurezza.
Le posate. Ammesso e non concesso che si sappia impugnarle – la forchetta nella destra ha le punte all’insù, nella sinistra all’ingiù; il coltello si tiene nella destra con l’indice che non arriva mai a toccare la lama – si ricordi che la prima “taglia” uova, patate e verdure, sempre intatte da lama; il secondo raccoglie il formaggio, mai trafitto da forca.
Il guardaroba proibito. A lui: calzoni corti o bermuda in città, camicie a mezze maniche sotto la giacca, canottiere in vista sotto la camicia, sandali con le calze. Un maestro della calza sbagliata fu Federico Fellini: Aldo Buzzi gli insegnò negli anni Quaranta a sostituire i calzini corti fantasia con calze lunghe e nere: “Da allora non ha più avuto problemi (in questo campo)”, rivela lo scrittore all’epoca aiuto-regista.
A lei: le griffe ostentate, le calze smagliate, tutine e fuseux fuori dalla palestra, strass e paillette prima del tramonto. Una signora non indossa gioielli vistosi prima delle cinque del pomeriggio o del cinquantesimo compleanno: “fanno cafona”, predicava una che faceva Colazione da Tiffany.

Sull’uscio o appena fuori
Portoni proteste e potature. Principi Primi di chi vive Porta a Porta. La pulizia degli spazi comuni è affidata al portiere e alla civiltà dei condomini. La precedenza all’ingresso è sempre di chi esce dal portone. La potatura di pitosfori e magnolie tiene conto dell’estetica di tutto il palazzo, non delle manie di pochi fanatici o dell’invidia per l’erba del vicino. Il quale, se dà noia coi suoi fiori o con rumori notturni, sarà redarguito con garbo la mattina dopo, non a suon di pugni picchiati sul muro.
Intrusioni in casa d’altri. Non si telefona mai prima delle nove del mattino, mai dopo le dieci la sera. Non si annuncia l’arrivo di un bimbo prima del terzo mese di gravidanza. Non ci si siede a tavola prima che l’abbia fatto la padrona di casa.
Recapitare regali e regalie. Si fanno sempre regali a una puerpera, mai a un superiore, solo dopo la chiusura dell’anno scolastico alla maestra. Non si regalano oggetti costosi a un ricco, fiori a un uomo, fazzoletti, foulard, spille o oggetti appuntiti a chiunque, borsellini o portafogli senza previa introduzione di una moneta. La mancia è obbligatoria al custode per Natale, facoltativa al cameriere per arrotondare il conto, al tassista per risparmiargli il resto. Vietata alle infermiere e alle suore in ospedale (riceveranno regalini), consigliabile agli addetti alle pulizie.

Sempre e ovunque
Lune storte, musi lunghi, capricci e malumori. Ce li si chiude alle spalle dietro la porta di casa. In pubblico si è sempre amabili, allegri, sereni, sorridenti. “Bad humour è un’imperdonabile forma di cattiva educazione”, predicava Gregor von Rezzori, grande scrittore che razzolò da grand seigneur.
Sprezzatura. Altrimenti detta nonchalance, noncuranza: sorvegliatissima naturalezza o soave falsità. È la regola numero uno dell’eleganza, la virtù principale e principesca da contrapporre ai vezzi degli sprezzanti e degli snob. Sorridete, fate finta di niente, dissimulate, fate buon viso: ignorate le goffaggini dei gaffeur.

Update: These are no longer available. Those of you who have been patiently waiting for a new Estee Lauder gift with purchase have a decision to make: There are two new Estee Lauder bonuses today, at Bon Ton and at Belk. At Bon Ton, online and in store through October 26 or while supplies last, with any $29.50 Estee Lauder purchase you will receive a gift that includes:

• New Advanced Night Repair (10 day supply)
• Take It Away Total Makeup Remover (deluxe travel size)
• Pure Color Long Lasting Lipstick in Autumn or Candy
• Pure Color Eyeshadow Duo in Honey Drop and Cinnamon or Pale Moon and Smokey
• Artist’s Eye Pencil in Soft Smudge Brown or Soft Smudge Black
• Projectionist High Definition Volume Mascara in Black
• Round Navy Stand Up Mirror
• Dark Purple Patent Cosmetic Bag
• Upgrade your gift! Spend $55 on Estee Lauder products and also receive a coordinating tote plus free shipping
• When you order this bonus online Bon Ton will randomly choose which lip and eye shades you will receive

At Belk with any $29.50 Estee Lauder purchase choose a Warm or Cool gift that includes:

• More Than Mascara (10 day supply)
• Resilience Lift Extreme Ultra Firming Creme SPF 15 (7 day supply)
• Sensuous Satin Body Lotion (deluxe travel size)
• Travel bag with coordinating cosmetic bag
• Warm gift includes Pure Color Long Lasting Lipstick in shade Sugar Honey and an eye shadow duo in Mocha
• Cool gift includes Pure Color Long Lasting Lipstick in shade Rose Tea and an eye shadow duo in Pink Dusk
• Your local store may offer a different gift than the gift offered online

Update: These have sold out. The newest Nordstrom seasonal gift with purchase is now available. Online and in store, with any $100 beauty purchase you will receive 13 deluxe samples in a gold cosmetic bag:

• D&G 6 L’Amoureux EDT (0.5 oz)
• Donna Karan Cashmere Mist Body Lotion (2.5 oz)
• Enormous Lash Eyelash Enhancing Serum (30 day supply)
• Fekkai Technician Color Care Shampoo and Conditioner packettes (0.3 oz each)
• Kate Somerville Deep Tissue Repair with Peptide K8 (0.16 oz)
• L’Occitane Shea Hand Cream (0.3 oz)
• Laura Mercier Lip Glace in Bare Beige (0.1 oz)
• Marc Jacobs Lola EDP (0.4 oz)
• Mario Badescu Glycolic Acid Toner (2 oz)
• Narciso Rodriguez Essence EDP (0.03 oz)
• Philosophy Purity Made Simple (1 oz)
• Smashbox Lash DNA Mascara (0.2 oz)
• Trish McEvoy mini Lip Liner in Deep Nude
• For a limited time spend an additional $25 ($125 total on beauty) and also get a free 17 shade eyeshadow palette (available while supplies last)
• Shipping is only $5 with code BEAUTY through October 12

**Check out their gifts with purchase page to see if you can score any extra freebies, they have a nice Men’s Grooming gift and still have the Dior and Shiseido gifts, plus several others.

Belk is now running the Clinique 3-Step promotion. Buy one full size Clinique 3-Step product and get deluxe samples of the other two steps. Because of the way they have it set up in their shopping cart, though, you can choose one of six “sets” of the trial size minis. So if you don’t use the Facial Soap, for example, you can buy DDML and get a mini DDML plus Clarifying Lotion.

The Laura Mercier Fall GWP is now also available at Laura Mercier at Amazon.com (free gift valued at $55 with any $110 Laura Mercier purchase, plus free shipping).

Today’s new coupons:

Benefit Cosmetics offer: With any $35 purchase receive a free full size Miss Popularity highlighter ($24 value). No code needed, will ship automatically with your order. While supplies last.

Benefit Cosmetics coupon: Purchase the BADgal Mascara duo (full size BADgal mascaras in black and plum, a $38 value for only $29) and get free shipping. Enter code MASCARAS at checkout. Expires October 13.

Bliss Spa offer: This week only you can purchase the Youth As We Know It Collection (five full size products) for only $197.40 (normally its $282). No code needed. Ends October 12.

Elizabeth Arden offer: Purchase any Prevage product and get a free Prevage starter kit valued at $66. Enter code REGIMENKIT at checkout. Expires October 31.

Estee Lauder coupon: With any $50 purchase receive free shipping and two freebies: A 10 day supply of New Advanced Night Repair and a 7 day supply of Advanced Night Repair Eye. Enter code ANRSTARS at checkout. Expires October 8.

Lancome coupon: With any $35 purchase receive deluxe samples of High Resolution Eye Collaser-5X and Renergie Cream. Enter code INTROSETS at checkout. While supplies last.

Murad coupon: With any purchase receive a free sample of Cleansing Shave. Enter code SHAVE928 at checkout. Expires October 12.

Prescriptives coupon: With any $25 purchase receive free shipping plus a free 14 day travel size of Super Line Preventor Xtreme. Enter code BCA9 at checkout. Expires October 10.

Sephora offer: They are running a Cash for Beauty Clunkers promotion. Bring any five unwanted beauty items to your local Sephora store along with this certificate and they will give you $10 off a $50 purchase. Ends October 12.

Shu Uemura offer: Purchase any new Supreme Shine lip product and get free shipping. No code needed. Ends October 8.

Skinstore coupon: 20% off (almost) any purchase (some brand exclusions, including the Freeze 24/7 promotion below, apply). Enter code FAB20 at checkout. Expiration unknown. This week shop storewide and Skinstore is donating the proceeds to Breast Cancer Research.

Skinstore offer: 30% off all Freeze 24/7 products. No code needed. Ends October 8.

Smashbox Let’s Do Lunch offer: Today only make any purchase and checkout between 9AM-2PM PST and you will receive a free full size Blush/Soft Lights Duo in shade Split/Second ($30 value). You will also get free shipping. No code needed, cannot be combined with other offers.

Urban Decay coupon: $12 off Heavy Metal Glitter Eyeliner in shade Mullet (green glitter, just in time for Halloween). (Normally its $18 with the coupon its $6.) Enter code NLDG at checkout. Expiration unknown.

Urban Decay offer: For a limited time spend $35 and get a free deluxe sample of Gash lipstick. No code needed. While supplies last.

The Goodwill sale at Bon-Ton has only been going on for a week and we already have 16,924 pounds in donations. We’re well on pace to beat last year’s mark of 20,685!

Thanks to everyone who has already donated, the response has been amazing!

If you haven’t donated yet … what are you waiting for? For every donated clothing item you bring to any Rochester area Bon-Ton store you’ll receive a coupon good for 20% your purchases at Bon-Ton. But you have to hurry, the event ends on September 29th!!

Yesterday we kicked off the semi-annual Goodwill sale at Bon-Ton with two “Stuff the Truck” events at Marketplace Mall and Eastview Mall. We had a great time hanging out with our friends Terese Taylor from WARM 101.3 and Terry Clifford from WBEE 92.5 and collecting clothing donations to benefit ABVI-Goodwill.

We collected over 1,800 pounds of clothing donations in just a few hours. What a great way to get things started! Thanks to everyone who came out to support us yesterday!

Don’t forget that you can make donations now through September 29th at any Rochester area Bon-Ton store and receive a 20% off coupon for each item you donate.

Update: This offer is now valid with any skincare purchase, not just a moisturizer purchase. Right now when you purchase any Origins moisturizer you will get a free Skincare Starter Set that includes travel sizes of a cleanser and Modern Friction, plus a deluxe sample of a serum:

• Age Fighters Starter Set (includes A Perfect World cleanser and serum) valued at $19.25, use code Fighters
• Skin Repair Starter Set (includes Plantitode cleanser and serum) valued at $22.25, use code Repair
• Skin Firmers Starter Set (includes Checks and Balances cleanser and Youthtopia serum) valued at $21.50, use code Firmers
• Skin Brighteners Starter Set (includes Never A Dull Moment cleanser and Brighter By Nature serum) valued at $19.75, use code Brighteners

Origins sells fourteen different moisturizers and you can pick any of the Starter Sets with any moisturizer, plus you can choose an additional sample at checkout. All sets are available through October 3 or while supplies last, plus through September 20 you will also get free shipping with any purchase.

Bon Ton’s Goodwill Event starts today. Through September 29 bring your gently-used apparel and home textiles to your local store and they will give you a coupon good for 20% off almost anything in the store (and its also good for 15% off on beauty products, which are almost never discounted). This is the only time they offer a coupon that actually works on beauty products (and they are running a Lancome GWP right now).

The Beauty Gift Card event starts today at Bergdorf Goodman. Through September 20 you can earn a gift card towards a future purchase when you buy beauty products: Spend $100, get a $25 card; spend $500, get a $50 card; spend $750, get a $75 card; spend $1000, get a $100 gift card. To get your card enter code BGBEAUTY at checkout. There is an in-store event also going on but I can’t find any details on that. Readers?

Today’s new coupons:

Borghese coupon: 20% off when you spend $100, plus free shipping. Enter code 20SEPT09 at checkout. Expires October 12.

Boscia coupon: With any purchase receive a free deluxe sample of Clear Complexion Treatment. Enter code antiacne at checkout. Not valid with purchase of kits. Expires September 27.

Estee Lauder coupon: Purchase any mascara and receive a free mini Lash Primer Plus. Enter code FREEPRIMER at checkout. Expires September 18.

Kiehl’s coupon: Free shipping with any $35 purchase. Enter code POW at checkout. Expires September 17.

MAC Cosmetics coupon: Free shipping with any purchase. Enter code TREND at checkout. Expires September 20.

Murad coupon: With any $65 purchase get free shipping plus three deluxe samples: AHA/BHA Exfoliating Cleanser (1 oz), Acne Spot Treatment (0.25 oz), and Oil-Control Mattifier SPF 15 (10 ml), plus choose three samples at checkout. Enter code 3SIZES at checkout. Expires September 21.

Perricone MD offer: For one week only you can purchase new Cold Plasma for only $125 (next week the price goes up to $150). No code needed. Ends September 22.

Peter Thomas Roth coupon: 20% off all acne products. Enter code acne20sept at checkout. Expires September 22.

Sephora coupon: With any purchase choose one of three sample packs from Nude Skincare (3 samples), Lancome (5 samples), or Shiseido (3 samples). See this page for sample details. Enter code 123SKIN at checkout. While supplies last. 

Spalook coupon: 20% off all Bath and Body products (over 150 products eligible). Enter code MYSPA at checkout. Expiration unknown.

The semi-annual Bon-Ton Goodwill sale is back! Simply make a donation of gently used clothing at any Rochester area Bon-Ton store between September 16th and  September 29th and receive a coupon for 20% off apparel, shoes and accessories and 15% off cosmetics, fragrances and home store merchandise at Bon-Ton for each item you donate!

The sale kicks off with two “Stuff the Truck” events on Wednesday, September 16th:

• 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM: Marketplace Mall w/ WARM 101.3
• 1:30 PM – 3:30 PM: Eastview Mall w/ Terry Clifford of 92.5 WBEE

Your local Bon-Ton stores are also inviting you to become “One in a Million” thorugh their Million Acts of Goodwill promotion. When  you register at www.millionactsofgoodwill.com you’ll receive an additional coupon for 25% off your purchases and have a chance to win a $100 Bon-Ton shopping spree! You’ll also be entered to win a 3 day, 2 night trip for two to Los Angeles and a tour of Universal Studios!

There are two new Lancome gifts with purchase today, at Nordstrom and Bon Ton. The Nordstrom gift (valued at $120) is available online and in store, while supplies last, with any $39.50 Lancome purchase:

• Renergie Microlift RARE Superior Lifting Cream SPF 15 Sunscreen (0.5 oz)
• Genifique Youth Activating Concentrate (0.5 oz)
• Definicils High Definition Mascara in Black (0.09 oz)
• Bi-Facil Double-Action Eye Makeup Remover (1.7 oz)
• Color Design Lipcolor in Ooh La La! (0.14 oz)
• Color Design Sensational Effects Eyeshadow Quad in Creme Lustre, Visionary, Luxe Grey, and Statuesque
• Cosmetic bag
• Spend $50 on beauty products at Nordstrom and pay only $5 for shipping with code BEAUTY through October 12
• With any online beauty purchase you will also receive an additional sample pack with these five samples, while supplies last: L’Occitane Ultra Rich Body Cream (0.28 oz), Ahava Mineral Botanic Body Wash (0.5 oz), Clarins Multi-Active Day Early Wrinkle Correction Cream (0.06 oz), Cartier Delices EDP (0.05 oz), and Cartier Roadster EDT (0.05 oz)

And at Bon Ton, through October 4 or while supplies last, with any $29.50 Lancome purchase you will receive this gift valued at $80:

• All gifts include Renergie Microlift RARE Superior Lifting Cream SPF 15 Sunscreen, Creme Radiance Clarifying Cream-to-Foam Cleanser, and Cosmetic Bag with Coordinating Case
• Online Bon Ton will choose for you either the Beautiful Browns or the Precious Plums option:
• Beautiful Browns includes Definicils High Definition Mascara in Black, Color Design Sensational Effects Lipcolour in Trendy Mauve, and Color Design Sensational Effects Eyeshadow in Latte, Burnt Sand, Chic, and Couture
• Precious Plums includes Virtuose Black Carat Divine Lasting Curves, Length & Volume Mascara in Black, Le Rouge Absolu Reshaping & Replenishing Lipcolour SPF 15 in Mars, and Color Design Sensational Effects Eyeshadow in Daylight, Optic, Spontaneous, and The New Black
• Spend $65 on Lancome and also receive free shipping plus five mini Juicy Tubes in shades Hallucination, Spring Fling, Raspberry Ice, Miracle and Beach Plum (while supplies last)

Prescriptives is now offering the Five For Free gift with purchase, yours free with any $32.50 moisturizer or foundation purchase. Enter code WARMSET or COOLSET at checkout through September 25 to get your free gift which includes a full size Colorscope Lip Gloss in Sporty (warm) or Sassy (cool), SLPX (0.5 oz), False Eyelashes Plush Mascara in Plush Black (0.09 oz), Instant Gratification Skin Renewal Peel (0.5 oz), and a cosmetic bag. You also get free shipping!

Makeup.com is having their “Really Big Sale” in the Boutique section of their website. With coupon code BIGSALE50 you can save 50% on almost everything in the Boutique section, which includes over 1400 products. The coupon is valid through September 22.

Skinstore is celebrating their 12th anniversary, and with any $100 purchase you will receive a $30 reward certificate to use on a future purchase. You can earn your certificate through September 23. See this page for all the details.

Today’s new coupons:

Benefit Cosmetics coupon: Purchase new BADGal Brown mascara and get free shipping. Enter code MILEHIGH at checkout. Expires September 22.

Bliss Spa coupon: Purchase a full size The Youth As We Know It and receive a free travel size version (10 ml, a $24 value). Enter code FAIRY109 at checkout. Expiration unknown.

Bobbi Brown coupon: Free shipping with any purchase. Enter code TOP at checkout. Expires September 19.

Clinique coupon: With any $30 purchase receive free shipping and a free mini Fresh Bloom Allover Colour in shade Peony. Enter code TEETH at checkout. Expires September 17.

Estee Lauder coupon: Purchase any of these five products (Time Zone, Bronze Goddess Soft Duo Bronzer, Pleasures EDP, New Advanced Night Repair, or Sensuous EDP) and receive two freebies: a 10 day supply of New Advanced Night Repair and a deluxe mini of Sensuous EDP. Enter code 2WINNERS at checkout. Expires September 17.

Fresh coupon: Spend $75 and get free shipping and a free travel size Brown Sugar Body Cream (30 ml). Enter code SUGAR09 at checkout. Expires September 18 or while supplies last.

Jo Malone coupon: With any purchase receive free shipping, two free fragrance samples, and a deluxe sample of Orange Blossom Body Creme (15 ml). Enter code JMFALL at checkout. Expires September 20.

Juara Skincare coupon: 10% off any purchase. Enter code SEPT09 at checkout. Expires September 30.

Laura Mercier offer: With any $60 purchase receive a free Plum Berry Long Wear Lip Pencil ($19 value). No code needed. Ends September 17.

Philosophy coupon: Spend $75 and get free shipping plus a free gift that includes the microdelivery wash (2 oz), when hope is not enough moisturizer with spf 20 (0.4 oz), and sample packettes of the microdelivery peel, purity made simple, and hope in a jar. Enter code beautiful at checkout. Expires September 17.

Shu Uemura offer: Purchase new Amino Massage Oil Foam and get free shipping. No code needed. Ends September 17.

Smashbox Let’s Do Lunch offer: Today only make any purchase and checkout between 9AM-2PM PST and you will receive a free Lipstick in shade A-List ($16 value). You will also get free shipping. No code needed, cannot be combined with other offers.

Lancome is running a great promotion this week, Five Days of Smart French Beauty, with special offers every day. Every day through Friday registered members who spend $35 can choose four deluxe samples, and every day has a “theme”:

• Monday: French Beginnings, choose four cleansing samples
• Tuesday: French Treatment, choose four skincare samples
• Wednesday: French Kisses, choose four lipcolor samples
• Thursday: French Eye-Openers, choose four eye-impact samples
• Friday: French Beauty Marks, choose four perfecting samples

Today’s sample selections include: Bi-Facil, Effacil, Creme Mousse Confort Foaming Cleanser, Creme Radiance Cream-to-Foam Cleanser, Absolue Premium Bx Night, Secret de Vie Eye, Genifique, and Pure Focus T-Zone Matifier (sample selection may change as selections sell out). Shipping is free if you spend over $50 and no code is needed for this promotion, so you can add a code at checkout to score extra freebies, see the Coupon Page for available codes.

Update: This has ended. If you haven’t picked up your Clinique Bonus at Bon Ton yet, you may be interested to know that they have changed the available gift with purchase. Bonus Time runs through September 7 and they must have run out of the first gift online, so now they are offering this gift with any $21.50 Clinique purchase:

• Liquid Facial Soap Mild
• Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion
• Different Lipstick in Tenderheart
• Mini Dual-Ended Full Potential Lips Plum and Shine in Cherry Bomb & Play-full Plump
• Mirror
• Cosmetic Bag
• Spend $35 on Clinique and get free shipping

Its once again beauty sample week at QVC. Receive a free sample with select purchase from several brands including Smashbox, Peter Thomas Roth, Aquolina, Philosophy, Prescriptives, Juice Beauty, Lorac, and many others. Most of these are nice deluxe samples this time, not just little packettes. Ends Sunday August 30.

Today’s new coupons:

Bliss Spa offer: For a limited time purchase one Problem Salved and get one free ($18 value). No code needed, add product from link to cart. Ends August 29.

Bobbi Brown coupon: Purchase any two Long Wear products and get free shipping. Enter code METALLIC9 at checkout. Expires August 28.

Clinique offer: Today only with any purchase choose four free deluxe samples (normally you get to choose just one). No code needed, so can be combined with LGLOSS code with $35 purchase for a free mini lip gloss. Shipping is free if you spend $60. ** A helpful reader wrote in to share the coupon code FSCHAT07 which gets you free shipping with any purchase! Four freebies ends tonight at 11:59 PM EST.

Estee Lauder coupon: Spend $50 and get free shipping plus two freebies: Double Wear Zero Smudge Lengthening Mascara (10 day supply) and Pure Color Long Lasting Lipstick in shade Tiger Eye (full size). Enter code LIPSANDLASHES at checkout. While supplies last.

H20 Plus coupon: Free shipping with any $35 purchase. Enter code oasis at checkout. Expires August 26.

L’Occitane Deal of the Week: This week you can purchase Olive Golden Branch Body Lotion for $12 (normally its $24) and/or Cinnamon Orange Incense Sticks for $8.50 (normally $17). Purchase both items and receive free shipping! Ends August 30.

Laura Mercier coupon: With any purchase receive free shipping plus a free deluxe sample of Foundation Primer – Mineral (0.5 oz). Enter code MINERALS at checkout. Expires August 28.

Perricone MD offer: Spend $35 and get a free deluxe sample of No Foundation Foundation (0.25 oz). No code needed. Ends August 29.

Prescriptives coupon: Friends and Family sale! 30% off any purchase. Enter code FRIEND09 at checkout. Expires August 27. Not valid on Custom Blend Lip Gloss, Gift & Value Sets, In Bloom Eye Color Duos, Fall In Love with Prescriptives, Mineral Color Making Faces, and Mineral Color Making Eyes.

Time to Spa (Elemis) at Amazon.com offer: Spend $50 and get free shipping and a free Sun Safe Bundle ($54.99 value). Free gift includes Vital Face Sun Screen SPF 12 (75 ml), Body Glow High Protection (125 ml), After Sun Soothing Milk (200 ml), After Sun Calm Balm (20 ml), and Wrinkle Control Sun Screen (20 ml). No code needed. Add Sun Safe Bundle to your cart and the $54.99 will be credited at checkout. While supplies last.

Ulta coupon: Free shipping with any $25 purchase. Enter code 33681 at checkout. Expires August 29.

YSL Beauty coupon: Purchase Touche Eclat and get free shipping. Enter code ECLAT at checkout. Expires August 30.

And ok, this isn’t a beauty coupon but I got this email today and thought I’d include it: Godiva’s Friends and Family Sale starts today, 20% off any purchase when you enter code ENJOY20 at checkout through August 28.

Updated: This has sold out. Bloomingdale’s has a nice new deluxe sample offer, a Girls Night Out sample pack free with any $50 beauty purchase, online only, while supplies last. This nice selection includes these items:

• Michael Kors Very Hollywood Fragrance Sample
• Kiehl’s Travel Size Soy Milk and Honey Body Polish
• Bliss Travel Size Clog Dissolving Cleansing Milk
• Dior Hydra-Action SPF 20 Face Moisturizer Deluxe Sample
• Couture Couture by Juicy Couture Fragrance Sample
• Lola Marc Jacobs Fragrance Sample
• Sue Devitt Eye Shadow in Midnight Sun
• Sue Devitt E-Z Eye Roller Ball Eye Shadow in Kouri
• (Benefit Cosmetics California Kissin’ is also pictured, plus a mini mascara of some kind, but they are not listed in the web site description)

If you are spending over $75 on any of these brands (Aramis, Bobbi Brown, Clinique, DKNY, Donna Karan, Estee Lauder, Lab Series, Michael Kors, or Prescriptives) you will ALSO receive these additional deluxe samples: Bobbi Brown Mascara, Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair Eye Recovery Complex, Prescriptives Instant Gratification Skin Renewal Peel, Clinique Take The Day Off Makeup Remover, DKNY Be Delicious, and DKNY Be Delicious Men. They do have a few other gifts with purchase available from brands like Bare Escentuals, Nars, Prescriptives, Strivectin, and Clarins (and others) so be sure to check the special offers page to see if you can pick up some extra freebies [but the Estee Lauder Re-Nutriv gwp they have on their special offer page seems to be sold out, sorry!]. Shipping is only $5 on beauty purchases at Bloomingdales.com.

Update: This is no longer available. If you missed the pretty red tote Estee Lauder PWP at Macy’s a few weeks ago, you have another chance to get one, the same PWP is available right now at Bon Ton, with any $29.50 Estee Lauder purchase. This very nice set includes:

• Deluxe Pure Color Eyeshadow Compact (in shades Smokey, Berry Ice, Pale Moon, Cinnamon, Honey Drop, Rose Confetti, and Tea Biscuit)
• Estee Lauder Signature Hydra Lustre Lipstick in Plum Frost (full-size)
• High Gloss in Amethyst
• More Than Mascara in Rich Black (10-day supply)
• Artist’s Eye Pencil in Soft Smudge Black
• Estee Lauder Sensuous Eau de Parfum Purse Spray
• Shiny Patent Tote
• Coordinating Cosmetic Bag

Bon Ton also has a nice Prescriptives gift with purchase. Spend $32.50 on Prescriptives Moisturizer or Foundation and get a free five piece gift that includes a full size Colorscope Lip Gloss plus three deluxe samples and a cosmetic bag. This is available while supplies last.

Spalook is having a semi-annual Spectacular Savings Event. Over 60 items are on sale up to 70% off, plus if you spend over $50 you get free shipping and if you spend over $90 you can get one of the free Ultimate Kits full of deluxe samples valued up to $166.

Today’s new coupons:

Bliss Spa coupon: 20% off all Bliss and Remede products. Enter code EXCLUSIVE at checkout. Expires August 16.

Borghese offer: With any $45 purchase receive a Beauty Therapy gift with purchase. Gift includes Crema Saponetta (1 oz), Tono Body Lotion (1 oz), Mini Labbro Piu Paffuto Lip Plumper, Mini Perfetta Lip Pencil in Miso Currant, Mini B Gloss Lip Gloss in Shimmer Berry, and a satin burgundy cosmetic bag. No code needed. While supplies last.

Clarins coupon: Free shipping with any purchase. Enter code EYE09 at checkout. Expires August 19.

Dr. Brandt offer: Purchase one Microdermabrasion Body in a Jar and get one free ($45 value). No code needed. Expiration unknown.

Estee Lauder coupon: With any $35 purchase receive a free 7 day supply of Time Zone SPF 15 face creme. Enter code TZFACE at checkout. While supplies last.

Fresh coupon: With any $50 purchase receive deluxe samples of Sugar Blossom Hand Cream and Sugar Lip Gloss in Sugar Fairy. Enter code SUGAR08 at checkout. Expires August 14.

Laura Mercier offer: Free shipping with any purchase. No code needed. Ends August 14.

Laura Mercier coupon: Purchase any two Mineral Flawless Face products and get a free deluxe sample of Foundation Primer-Mineral (0.5 oz). Enter code PRIMER0809 at checkout. Expires August 14.

L’Occitane coupon:  With any $95 purchase receive a free three piece Lavendar gift ($27 value). Enter code LAVENDAR at checkout. Expiration unknown.

Sephora coupon: With any purchase receive a free deluxe sample of Calvin Klein Euphoria body lotion (1 oz). Enter code EUPHORIA at checkout. While supplies last.

No new big bonuses today but lots of mini-bonuses. Macy’s is running an online Beauty Event, they have mini bonuses from some of our favorite companies including Lancome, Estee Lauder, Prescriptives, Philosophy, Clarins, and Bliss (along with many others) plus the Laura Mercier bonus is still running. If you spend $60 on beauty you will get free shipping with code EVENT through August 16.

At Bon Ton with any Clinique purchase you will receive deluxe samples of High Impact Mascara and Fresh Bloom Allover Colour in Peony, while supplies last. (And they are still offering a free 10 day supply of New Advanced Night Repair with any Estee Lauder purchase.)

Beauty.com also has some nice new gifts with purchase including multi-item gifts from DDF, Borghese, H20 Plus, Nuxe, and Darphin. And if you like Freeze 24/7, with any $75 Freeze 24/7 purchase they will give you a free full size Freeze and Go ($65 value). Somme fans can get a free A-Bomb (1.5 oz moisturizer, a $70 value) with any $99 Somme Institute purchase.

Lots of new coupons today:

Aveda coupon: With any $40 purchase receive free shipping and a Smooth Infusion Shampoo/Conditioner/Style-Prep Smoother sample trio. Enter code SCHOOL89 at checkout. Expires August 11.

Bliss Spa coupon: Spend $99 on fitness footwear and get a pair of Softening Socks for 50% off (normally they are $48, with this coupon they are $24). Enter code SOCKS at checkout. Expires August 16.

DuWop coupon: Today only get 25% off Reverse Lipliner. Enter code REVERSE at checkout. Expires 11:59 PM EST tonight.

Estee Lauder coupon: Purchase any item on this page and get free shipping. Enter code SEENIN at checkout. Expires August 12.

L’Occitane Deal of the Week: This week you can purchase Honey & Lemon Foaming Jelly for $10 (normally its $20) and/or a Creme Caramel Candle for $14 (normally $28). Purchase both items and receive free shipping! Ends August 16.

Lancome coupon: With any $45 purchase receive four freebies: an eye shadow palette with seven shades (Dirty Pink, Amber Mystique, Click, Model, The New Black, Lezard, and Daylight), Definicils Mascara, Juicy Tubes Smoothie in Sun Bronze, and Le Crayon in Caramel. Shipping is free if you spend $50. Enter code YOURLOOK at checkout. Expires August 14.

Laura Mercier offer: Pre-order any new Creme de Pistache product and get free shipping. No code needed. Ends August 13.

Perricone MD coupon: Spend $135 and get three free travel size products: Nutritive Cleanser (1.25 oz), Serum Prep (1.25 oz), and Face Finishing Moisturizer (0.5 oz) (free gifts worth more than $50). Enter code TRADESECRETS at checkout. Expires August 12.

Sephora coupon: With any purchase receive a free deluxe sample of Korres Evening Primrose Eye Cream (0.17 oz). Enter code PRIMROSE at checkout. While supplies last.

SkinCareRx coupon: 20% off (almost) any purchase (some brand exclusions apply). Enter code BASICS20 at checkout. Expiration unknown.

Urban Decay coupon: Friends and Family sale! 30% off any purchase (even works on clearance items). Enter code FNFF1 at checkout. Expires August 20.

YSL Beauty coupon: Free shipping on all skincare orders. Enter code FSSKIN at checkout. Expiration unknown.