Red and green

I would enjoy El Talud 2004, a fruity red pressed from tempranillo grapes in the Rioja region of Spain, even if it didn't hail from Europe's first bio-climatic winery.

The facility reduces the significant water used to create wine by 50 percent. But you might be too focused on the notes of strawberry, black cherry and tobacco to think about that. You likely wouldn't look twice at the price tag, about $14.

Another good choice from the region is the 2003 Magister Bibendi Crianza, a blend of 90 percent tempranillo and 10 percent garnacha, that retails for about $19. A lovely ruby red, this wine has subtle woodsy and spicy tones, with a long, toasty finish.

Food friendly and ready to please, the El Talud can go straight to the table without spending time in your cellar, although the Crianza would happily reside below ground for up to seven years before serving. To learn more about wines from the region, take a trip to www.vibrantrioja.com

They're carding everybody

In the not-too-distant future, the crackle of wrapping paper might be only a fond memory.

Nearly nine of 10 -- 88 percent -- of consumers plan to purchase at least two gift cards this year, according to the National Retail Federation, a Washington D.C.-based trade group. They will spend a collective $26.3 billion, up from $24.8 billion in 2006.

Earlier today, I chatted with Marlene Jacobs, a shopper at Cherry Hill Mall who already has bought cards at Toys R Us and Old Navy and plans to pick up more at Target and McDonald's.

Consumers can buy gift cards at merchants ranging from Trader Joe's to Jiffy Lube. Bath & Body Works rewards customers who spend $25 on gift cards with a free gift valued at $11.

"If you're unsure about what someone wants, a gift card is perfect," says Brenda Arrojo of Cherry Hill, who sells lots of gift cards at her job at Aeropostale. "And they'll never have to stand in line to make a return."

Brenda is hoping to find a Cherry Hill Mall gift card under the tree this year, which can be redeemed at most mall stores.

"A mall card gives me more choices," she says.

Such flexibility comes with a premium. While there's typically no charge for a store gift card, shopping centers and credit card companies usually collect a fee. The Pennsylvania Real Estate Trust, which owns malls in Cherry Hill, Moorestown and Voorhees, charges $2 for each card. A promotion in which shoppers who buy three cards can obtain three more at no charge runs through Dec. 16. There's a $6 fee for American Express cards valued at $100.

I suggest you redeem your gift card as soon as the last cup of egg nog is ladled. More than one in four adults who received gift cards during last year's holiday season still hadn't used them by October, according to a survey by Consumer Reports. The previous year, 19 percent had yet to redeem their cards.

Cool -- and green

I love green -- but I'm not crazy about Birkenstock sandals.

I am intrigued by Metropolitan Gifts, which enables shoppers to be green -- and stylishly cool, praise be. Starting with reusable packaging, Metro tucks environmentally friendly products -- many of which we can wolf down and convert to energy -- into boxes folks will keep long after the goodies are gone. (Be sure to tell them the boxes were coveted gifts at the Emmy's, containing such goodies as tea-scented travel candles.)

There's a wide variety of sweeties to tuck inside the boxes, ranging from cheeses to chocolates.

To learn more, go to www.metropolitangiftsnyc.com or give them a jingle at (866) 643-7364.

One-stop shopping at Whole Foods

While you're stocking up on goodies for the holidays at Whole Foods, you also can pick up some great gifts that can help to make the world a better place. You'll save time -- and at a cool place like Whole Foods the odds of buying gifts that actually will delight your friends is much higher than at, say, the convenience store where your options run the gamut from beef jerky to stale doughnut.

Don't think of it as Whole Foods. Think of it as Whole Lotta Choices. Here are a few non-edibles you can add to your cart and benefit mankind while you're at it. My personal favorites are World of Good ornaments you can hang on the tree or display around the house.

They range from a chocolate brown and gold-trimmed Christmas tree priced at $14.95, produced under a Fair Trade agreement in Chile, to a $9.95 maroon elephant ornament made in India.

The Bead Bazaar Hemp kit, which contains 15 yards of hemp, natural beads and invites the recipient to make her own creations, would be a perfect gift for my niece -- or your niece.

You truly can make a difference and give a great gift. Peace on earth, good will to men.

A new twist on Auntie Anne's

I like pretzels, especially big, soft pretzels.

I don't know why they don't sell them everywhere but they don't, so there you have it. It's twisted. Like a pretzel.

Happily, it's easy to make your own anywhere with Auntie Anne's At Home Pretzel Kit, which includes the essentials needed to mix, twist and bake fresh pretzels just like the ones sold in Auntie Anne's stores. You supply the vegetable oil, non-stick spray and butter. Each kit makes 10 original or cinnamon sugar pretzels.

I gave a make-your-own kit to a friend who moved to New Mexico, far from a decent pretzel. The suggested retail price is $12.95. You can pick up a kit at participating Auntie Anne's stores or online at http://www.auntieannes.com/.

Click and shop: Cyber Monday is nigh

On Black Friday, shoppers braved crowds and defied their own weary feet.

Tomorrow, on Cyber Monday, the online shopping onslaught begins. Harry & David is hoping to bag the Internet bargain shopper with deals on a bunch of select best sellers of goodies, all priced at 25 percent off.

You'll find a bounty of bargains at www.cybermonday.com, ranging from free shipping ( a popular perk this year) to such deals as 20 percent off at Things Remembered.

As always, shop online with a credit card and NOT a debit card in order to protect you and your bank account from the bad guys. Don't reveal any personal information, such as your Social Security number.

Remember, even though you aren't going to stores, your purchases are real -- and so are the bills. So don't get in over your head, please.

Have fun -- and happy shopping!

Let's pour a cuppa

Who ever heard of Black Saturday?

The day after Black Friday, after the old one-two punch of Thanksgiving followed by a frenzy of shopping, is the time to relax. For centuries, we've done that with tea, which has the unique capacity to both perk us up and soothe us at the same time. How civilized!

Portsmouth Tea Co. pours exceptional sips from around the globe, offering more than 130 fair trade, gourmet and organic teas. It's based in charming Portsmouth, N.H., near the Maine border, my favorite New England city.

Avalanche Rooibus hales from South Africa and is infused with lemongrass, cardamom, peppercorns and bits of ginger. Napoleon's Dynamite is a rich blend of black teas that provides a boost on a long afternoon. Geisha Green combines two green teas with hints of coconut and pineapple.

Expect to pay $7.95 for a small tin that contains 20-25 servings and $14.95 for a large tin with 50-60 pours. To learn more, go to www.portsmouthtea.com

The Retailer That Got It Right

Merchants tried hard on Black Friday, determined to capture customers in this pivotal holiday season.

But as I walked the shopping centers and talked with customers today, one retailer set itself above the pack.

My pick for the Retailer That Got It Right is Charlotte Russe, the fashion-forward purveyor of female apparel.

The store at Cherry Hill Mall was mobbed today, as Charlotte Russe offered 25 percent off on all merchandise throughout business hours while many other retailers pulled the plug on their promotions at noon or 1 p.m. The greeter stationed at the front of the store gave each customer a festive hello -- and a big red shopping tote in which to stow her purchases.

Inventory? No problemo. Charlotte Russe was as bountifully stocked as a Thanksgiving buffet. Customers bought so many goodies a line snaked through the store, as no fewer than six cashiers dutifully and cheerfully rang up purchases.

One shopper, who waited 15 minutes for check out, said the time glided by, mostly because the staff in the store was so gosh darn nice. Hats off to Charlotte Russe for teaching their associates the incomparable value of a smile.

On the way out, the greeter thanked the customers, apologized for the wait and invited them to come back soon.

Now that's the way to do business.

Thankful for sleeping in

On this Thanksgiving day, I am grateful for many things. In addition to a loving family, good health and work I love, I'm thankful I'm not getting up at 3 a.m. in order to storm the Bastille (or Boscov's or JCPenney or Wal-Mart or any other retailer).

What I do look forward to (after I've had my morning coffee) is talking with shoppers, the real people who tell simple scribes what is really going on with the economy. For years, I've asked the important questions: Will you spend more or less? Do you feel confident in the economy? What's on your wish list?

Tomorrow, I'll visit lots of stores, reporting on Black Friday. If it's like other years, I won't buy a thing. I will bag priceless insights. Because if you want to know what consumers are thinking all you have to do is ask.

Happy Thanksgiving to you all. I'm grateful for you! See you in the stores!

Bubbly and ice wine for your holiday table

My favorite way to begin a holiday meal is with Champagne. This season, you can make your guests feel like stars when you pour Laurent-Perrier's Grand Siecle. (After all, it's the official Champagne of the Academy Awards. Packaged in a stunning black box with a single white lily, it also would make an impressive gift.)

An ideal accompaniment to dishes with mushrooms or truffles, this elegant sparkler has notes of honey, in keeping with its beautiful color, as well as toasted almonds and fresh bread. A blend of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir grapes, it's a well-rounded strong finisher. Expect to pay about $100 a bottle, worth the splurge for those who appreciate a superior bubbly.

The end of the meal is just as important as the start. This Thanksgiving, I'm baking a rustic apple tart for dessert. I'll serve it with Domaine Pinnacle apple ice wine, a mellow, velvety and golden treat with an intense, fresh apple taste. Not surprising, as it takes 80 apples, plucked after the first frost, to produce a single 350 ml bottle. The price tag: about $25.

I first learned to appreciate ice wine this fall during a visit to Quebec City, one of North America's premier dining destinations. Although I think ice wine is the perfect ending to a meal with an apple dessert, it's also super served with rich cheeses, such as Stilton.

Like a charming dinner partner, pairing your wines with the right foods will make everything taste better.

Have Mercy! A great way to give

This Thanksgiving, give someone you have never met a reason to be grateful.

Mercy Corps, a humanitarian group headquartered in Oregon, has come up with Mercy Kits, neatly packaged ways to give according to the donor's special interests. This year, the organization is encouraging people to give charitable donations in honor of loved ones as holiday gifts.

"Many people seek ways to express their values in the kinds of gifts they give," said Joy Portella, Mercy spokeswoman.

For $35, you can buy the Family Garden Kit, which helps families to plant gardens and grow food in impoverished villages around the world. Already, Cecilia Lamunu and her children are learning to farm once more in northern Uganda. Twenty years ago, her husband was cut down by troops in a civil war that left the fields of their tiny farm red with blood. Lamunu and her surviving family fled to a displacement camp, where they spent seven long years away from their land.

The latest addition to the lineup is the Climate Change Kit. At $60, the effort funds youth training programs in climate-friendly, environmentally sustainable practices that help to preserve fields, forests and water.

I'm attracted to the Women's Small Business Kit. At $40, the package benefits entrepreneurs in developing countries in Central Asia. One success story is Nevenka Milhalovic, who started her own sewing business in Serbia after state-run factories closed down.
With a small grant, she bought two sewing machines -- one for herself and another for her husband, a laid-off factory worker.

A year later, she is selling directly to stores. Milhalovic recently received an order for 2,000 pairs of boys' trousers and is hiring several workers. To learn more about ways to help, visit http://www.mercycorps.org/

What I learned from a plastic bag

I'm one of those tree huggers who carries canvas totes to stores to cut down on plastic and paper use.

I also forget a lot, which is how I wound up with a stash of plastic shopping bags I've vowed to repurpose.

The nice folks at Target have given me and a gazillion other shoppers great ideas on how to make good use of those red-and-white plastic sacks. For example, they make great trash can liners. Ditto for the cat's litter box. Smaller bags are dandy for packing lunches and mid-sized ones are ideal for carrying home sweaty togs from the gym.

So don't toss that bag. Use it again!

Levi's and a rebate in your pocket

JCPenney wants to be your Levis destinations. So the department store is making it easier for you to buy them. Buy any two pairs of mens or young mens Levi jeans and you'll receive a JCPenney gift card you can redeem for $10.

It's nice getting 10 smackeroos back on a purchase. But you'll have to jump through a few hoops, mailing in a spot of paperwork before Dec. 23. Check out the details at a JCPenney near you or www.JCPenney.com

Unwrapping gift cards

Personally, I prefer diving into a huge pile of presents under the tree on Christmas morning.

As a gal who relishes ripping into wrapping ( saving the nice paper, crumpling the cheap stuff), I've never understood the appeal of gift cards. I mean, can you make a funny hat out of bows when your prezzie comes in a little envelope?

Merchants, however, adore gift cards, likely because so many consumers don't redeem them. Gift cards are even more enticing this year, thanks to some bells and whistles. Here are a few:

At macys.com, shoppers can upload photo portraits onto a gift card and include a personalized greeting. The extra touch adds $5 to the price. Best Buy offers a similar deal for $4.50 and Starbucks charges a $4 custom fee.

Home Depot has rolled out a gift card that does doubles as a how-to DVD. You can buy what you need for a project -- and then learn how to do it.

From the Alps, a sip of elderflower

When the weather turns chilly, liqueurs provide us with a nip of something warm. This year, St. Germain, the world's first elderflower liqueur, has popped up on this side of the pond.

An artisan blend from France, this sweet and slightly scented potable is made from elderflowers, plucked by hand at the base of the Alps. It's the creation of Robert Cooper, a third generation distiller and the former owner of Chambord liqueur.

Like Chambord, St. Germain is presented in a stunning bottle, this time tall and fluted like a classic column. Expect to pay about $30 for 750 ml. Its light, slightly citrus flavors and gorgeous presentation would make it a welcome gift for someone who enjoys a sweet sip late in the evening and who also would appreciate a lovely bottle to showcase on the bar.

The maker also suggests mixing St. Germain in cocktails. Here's a festive suggestion: In a tall, ice-filled Tom Collins glass, combine 1 1/2 shots St. Germain with two shots sparkling wine, prosecco or Sauvignon Blanc and two shots sparkling water or club soda. Cheers all around.

Waking up to Dunkin' Donuts

Sometimes wonderful holiday gifts are hiding in plain sight.

I'm thinking of Dunkin' Donuts ground roast coffee and beans, as you can take some of this jubliant java home and bestow it on others. So why not tuck a bag of joe in the stocking of your favorite caffeine fiend?

Available in both whole bean and ground roast, you can choose from five flavors: Original, Hazelnut, French Vanilla, Cinnamon Spice and Decaf for those who want to avoid the jitters. You don't even have to stop at a Dunkin' Donuts to buy it. The coffee is available at supermarkets and warehouse shopping clubs.

Expect to pay about $7.99 for 12-ounce bad and $15.99 for 40 ounces. For details, go to http://www.dunkindonuts.com/ or stop at your local donut joint.

Pretty package, unique flavors

'Tis the season for indulging my sweet tooth.

In spring and summer, I resist temptation for months, turning down peach cobblers and shoo fly pies in favor of the occasional fat strawberry -- or the sweet, fresh wave of watermelon. Stand back and spit seeds!

Enter Jin Patisserie, a very cool California outfit headed by the comely Kristy Choo, the architect of such fabu flavor combos as mango basil, passion fruit, lavender, cinnamon, black roasted sesame, lemon grass, grand jasmine, Earl Grey feuilletine, sea salt caramel. Wowie zowie. They go together like peanutbutter and chocolate. It's so right.

A nine-piece mini tasting box of chocolate is priced at $20.50. There also are such treats as darling loaves of fruit breads and other goodies. So when you're looking for something special to send to your sweeties, wherever they might be, check out Choo's awesome array. Go to http://www.jinpatisserie.com/ and indulge.

Holidays at Whole Foods

I appreciate Whole Foods for its scrumptious foods -- and sumptuous customer service.

Shoppers can make certain food tastes as good as it looks at "Your Holiday Best," a taste-a-thon featuring fave December treats, including items sure to top Christmas and Hanukkah menus.

WHEN: Saturday, Dec. 1, noon-4 p.m.

WHERE: Whole Foods Market, 940 Rt. 73 N, Marlton, (856) 797- 1115, or a Whole Foods near you.

Explore holiday goodies (a super chance to nibble before you serve) and such take-home gourmet touches as this blueberry sauce. Yum-yum --and anti-oxidants. too.

Of course, there's more. Consider food you can bestow on loved ones as gifts. Ponder pantry enhancers to keep on hand to delight company. And perhaps something for you to nosh quite on your own, after a long day of making life great for your loved ones.

You deserve it, you sweetie you.

Put a bow on it

My very first job was as a gift wrap girl at Kessler's Department Store in Riverside.

I've always enjoyed pretty presents, going so far as to craft my own wrapping paper. (I sliced a potato in two, stamps of a Christmas tree, pressed them in green paint and applied to -- what else? -- newsprint.)

Over the years, I've glued miniature pine cones to ribbons and tucked sprigs of pine and holly into bows of twine.

For those who also love to wrap, gift stylists at The Container Store at Cherry Hill Mall will teach techniques on creating crisply turned corners and sumptuous nows at free demonstrations to be held at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. each Saturday and Sunday through Dec. 23.

In addition to learning how to produce perfect packages, participants at each session will have the chance to win a $25 gift card. For details, call (856) 317-7134.

Shopping as a patriotic duty

My mother is tops at coming up with reasons why we should all get out there and shop our socks off. She refers to retail relaxation as "stimulating the economy," a pursuit that should make both Republicans (Mom's party of choice) and Democrats (I'm in their camp) as happy as folks who don't care about politics.

Veterans Day is another chance to cheer for the red, white and blue (and green). At Macy's, you'll find such incentives to spend as this pendant, a 14k gold loop pendant with the added sparkle of a tenth of a carat of diamonds. Regularly priced at $200 and marked down to $99.99 for the sale, it's now discounted to an (almost) irresistable $84.15.

As Mom says, what's not to like?

Folks who are off from work on Monday -- and that means more than half the work force -- will hopefully head to shopping centers and spend, spend, spend.

It's the American way, right?

We're already thinking about returns

Weeks before Black Friday, retailers are anticipating returns -- and ripoffs.

Nearly 9 percent of all returns this season will be faked in some way, industry experts says. Nearly all (92 percent) of merchants say they have had shoppers attempt to return stolen merchandise; and 83.1 percent said customers who bought goods with stolen tender try to cash in returns; about half used counterfeit receipts.

Wardrobing, in which someone buys apparel, dons it and then returns it to the store for a refund is growing by leaps and bounds. According to the National Retail Federation study, 66.1 percent of stores have experienced that problem, compared to 56 percent in 2006.

Desperate retailers plan to look the other way; 35 percent said they will be more lenient in accepting holiday returns this year.

Museum quality gifts

Museum shops are one of the more underappreciated places to shop.

I think online museum shops might be even further under the retail radar.

One of my faves is the Smithsonian in Washington, D.C., both in person and via the Web.

Today through Veterans Day there's a big sale as the legendary museum deaccessions some items in order to stock up for the holidays.
For exmple, this star, embroidered in the Zardozi technique developed in India, has been reduced in price fro $25 to $9,99. (If you're a member you can knock off another buck.) It's equipped with a coil base that makes it easy to place on top of the tree.

An 8.5-inch tall replica of King Tut's throne can be had for a mere $29.99 or $26.99 for members. Gift wrap will run you an additional $4.95. For details, head to http://www.smithsonianstore.com/

Closer to home, check out the goodies at Wheaton Village in Millville. This iridized glass ornament is much like a much larger ball I received as a gift from a good friend years ago and have displayed in a place of honor on the tree ever since.

Blown into an optic mold to create ribs, the glass is then fumed to give it a lustrous iridescent quality. You'll pay $20 for a box of four balls, each 2.5 inches in diameter. These homemade glass bonbons also can be hung as an artistic statement after the holidays.

Wheaton is a unique and interesting place, a charming look at South Jersey's once thriving glass industry.

Head to the glass museum and village in Cumberland County to see for yourself or start shopping at www.wheatonvillage.org

Crate & Barrel's cup of tea

This morning, hundreds of shoppers proved Crate & Barrel was their cup of tea, lining up before the store opened.

The latest entry in Cherry Hill Mall's improving line of retailers, CB has been around since 1962. Today the store sells a hip blend of tabletop, kitchen wares, furniture and accessories.

And, teapots, of course. Here's the classic white porcelain Azberg tea pot and warmer ($89.99) sold at the very first CB in Chicago and stocked ever after. It's a personal favorite of store founder Gordon Segal.

"It's a Bauhaus design, a classic," he says. "And tea is always better when you make it in a round pot."

A tisket, a brisket in your basket

Here's an odd thing about this time of year.

We tend to eat more -- but have less time to cook as we get ready for holidays.

Usually, I simply flog myself around the kitchen, chopping, stirring and cooking until I have to take a nap on the floor in front of the stove.

But this year, I'll let C.B. Stubblefield do some of the heavy lifting. Known as Stubb, he's a Texan who's long on barbecue skills. The son of a Baptist preacher, he's a former Army mess sergeant and the man behind Austin-based Stubb's, which turns out the most delectable beef brisket I've ever locked lips on.

You don't even have to leave the house to indulge in Stubb's line of ribs, brisket, sauces and sides. Visit http://www.stubbsbbq.com/ or dial 1-800-BAR-B-CUE. Our brisket, a whopping three pounds of well-trimmed Black Angus beef, arrived promptly and impeccably packaged in spot-on condition. It's moist and flavorful, which you might expect from beef that has been rubbed with spices and smoked over oak and hickory for 12 hours.

For $55, the slab (either whole or pre-sliced) serves eight famished diners. Leftovers are fabu served on a roll with Stubb's barbecue sauce.

Am I ready to serve company? The answer is a Texas-size "Yup."

Rachael Ray, Boscov's girl

Rachael Ray has taken more lumps than bad gravy lately, a backlash of bashing from folks who are annoyed by the Queen of Quick's perennially perky personna (say that three times fast).

I hope the people who come to meet Ray at Boscov's at Moorestown Mall on Wednesday are all nice people, kindly citizens who don't begrudge Ray her perfect hair and spectacular success.

Personally, I LIKE RACHAEL RAY. So there. I enjoy watching her dash off 30-Minute Meals on the Food Channel. I find her warm and approachable, as well as a font of food knowledge. Thanks, hon, for the tip about adding salt to grapefruit while cooking a topping for grouper. It elevates the fruit to a new level of sophistication.

Most important, I have a friend who worked as a freelance prep guy on Ray's show. And he says she is truly as nice (and funny) as she appears -- and working with her was a true pleasure. Take that, meanies.

Ray will be signing autographs (for free, praise be) from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. If she has a little time, she also can pick up some bargains. Boscov's is selling sleek lampskin leather jackets for $129. If Ray needs a cocktail dress, she can pick up a special occasion frock at 30 percent off.

After all, busy gals need to multi-task.

Tap the box and toast Revelry

For years, wine lovers have pondered a concept as elusive as a unicorn -- great wine that comes in a box.

The best by far I've sampled to date is Revelry, a trio of varietals from winemaker Jared Burns of Issaquah, Washington, in the Columbia Valley.

Priced at about $20 a pop, each tall, slender cylinder of Revelry Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon or Chardonnay contains the equivalent of two bottles of wine. It's equipped with a handy spigot, as well as technology -- a vacuum sealed, foil-coated plastic bag -- that preserves the taste of the wine for up to a month after tapping.

The boxes, decorated with colorful renderings of urbane celebrants, look cool on the counter or in the fridge. And the freshness sack inside keeps folks who imbibe only on occasion happy. Best of all, the wine tastes as if if came from a bottle -- a really nice one, at that.

I appreciate the flexibility the packaging brings because it enables the sipper to enjoy a single glass -- or serve guests readily, economically and, yes, with a modicum to style.

Sometimes, shopping finds you

Retail is a sport you can play on all sorts of fields. I didn't plan to shop when I went to idllyic Skytop Lodge in the Poconos this weekend.

But shopping found me, smack dap in the middle of a sylvan 5,550-acre resort. (Here's a view from the rooftop observatory.)

My husband and I were headed out on a picnic stroll around Skytop Lake on a blustery Saturday when Dale realized he had forgotten his cap -- and this really was a hat-wearing kind of day. (As your mother probably told you, up to 30 percent of body heat escapes through the scalp.)

Fortunately, the first station of the picnic stroll was near an Orvis store on the resort's grounds. (Yes, Skytop is home to its very own Orvis, one of my favorite outdoor retailers.)

Dale popped into the store. And there among the rods and reels was a great selection of hats and a helpful sales staff. He chose a natty Fedora-style hat trimmed with a band of quail feathers that he plans to wear for a long time. (After all, it's waterproof and crushproof.)

Five minutes later, Dale was back on the picnic stroll, warmed by his hat, a cup of tasty oyster stew and by the compliments of fellow picknickers who asked, "Hey, where did you get that great hat?!"

Skytop also boasts The Tulip Tree, one of the most thoughtfully stocked gift shops I've encountered in my travels. In addition to traditional souvenirs, the shop sells the sort of items that can instantly fill out a hastily packed suitcase -- and at prices that don't take advantage of the guest's dilemma. One mom dashed in to buy mittens for her two little boys. Dale bought a pair of quality swimming trunks for $22. My hat (and Dale's) are off to the folks at Skytop.

The Container Store opens

The long awaited, much anticipated Container Store opened adjacent Cherry Hill Mall today, ready to organize our lives and put a lid on clutter.

I'm excited about the Container Store because I find the notion of leading a tidy, supremely organized life extremely appealing. So you can bet I'll be there next week, checking out closet systems.

The Container Store has a reputation as a wonderful place to work, appearing on Fortune's top list of employers annually. In fact, more than 700 people in a single week applied for 70 positions at the new store. (I wonder if each hire was proclaimed with a puff of smoke, as the college of cardinals do when they elect a new pope.)

I'll expect superlative customer service when I shop at the Container Store, knowing each member of the team is the pick of the litter. I can't wait to explore solutions to make my life neater, simpler and more organized. I'll issue a progress report soon.

Kohl's brings out bargains bright and early

The early bird catches the bargains Saturday at Kohl's, where Fisher-Price and Little Tikes toys will be 40 percent off, enabling Santa's helpers great and small to stock up for the holidays.

At brick-and-mortar stores, the doors open at 7 a.m., with sure enticements as 33-60 percent off the entire stock of watches. The earliest of birds can shop online at Kohls.com, where sale prices go into effect at 1 a.m.

Bargains worth bagging include the Big One Bath Towels for $2.99 each; $11.99 guys Urban Pipeline jeans; and 55 percent off girls' sweaters. So set your alarm and go shopping. You can catch up on your sleep on Sunday, when we turn the clocks back an hour.

A window of opportunity for curtains

The folks at Smith and Noble want your home to look its best for the holidays.

In fact, if you get your act together within the next few days, you can enjoy sumptuous new window treatments along with your Thanksgiving turkey. Pass the cranberry sauce and admire the tassles, please.

The offer doesn't apply to such exacting treatments as made-to-measure honeycomb shades and wood shutters.

But if you're yearning for new curtains you have until midnight Nov. 7 before the window of opportunity closes.