why buy it, if you can sample it?

As my roommate can tell you, I like getting the mail. Not only do I love checking for my issue of Us Weekly or the latest J. Crew catalog, but I also love checking for free samples. To me, getting a free sample is the best high out there. Who needs drugs when you can get a free sample of your favorite hand lotion or perfume? Plus they're cheaper!

Because I received a Sample Showcase of samples today, I decided it was time for me to spread the love with others out there.

Aveda is one of the best sample givers. If you sign up at aveda.com and provide your birthday, you will get a coupon around your birthday for a special sample. Plus, there are always coupons available online for free samples such as this one:



You can get this sample in any of the Aveda stores. Their locations in New York are:


COLUMBUS CIRCLE
10 Columbus Circle STE 308
NEW YORK, NY 10019

GRAND CENTRAL STATION
10 Grand Central Termina 87 E 42ND ST SPC MC-70
NEW YORK, NY 10017

FLATIRON/5TH AVE
140 Fifth Ave at 19th St
NEW YORK, NY 10011

And for our Chicago readers:

NORTHBROOK COURT
2116 Northbrook Court
NORTHBROOK, IL 60062

OLD ORCHARD CENTER
350 Old Orchard Shopping C Ste K23
SKOKIE, IL 60077-1457

JOHN HANCOCK CTR.
875 North Michigan Avenue
CHICAGO, IL 60611

OAKBROOK CENTER (located conveniently near the Frank Lloyd Wright museum)
98 Oakbrook Center
OAK BROOK, IL 60523

If you love perfumes (who doesn't), head over to your local Sephora store. I recently discovered that they will make you a personalized sample of your favorite scent in a reusable and refillable (great for travelling) spritzer.

I also am a huge fan of the Sample Showcase, which I must have stumbled upon during one of my online sample research missions. But everyone should sign up for their emails so that you too can get a box of goodies in the mail.
Click here.

Another great sample giver is Proctor and Gamble. In just a few short weeks, you will receive a box of fun goodies in your mailbox.
To sign up click here.

Finally, our friends at the women friendly employer, Walmart, are also great sample givers. Every week or so, they have a new product that you can sign up to receive a sample of. This week's sample is of Eucerin body lotion. Would you buy it? Maybe. Will you sample it? Why not?
To sample click here.

Happy Sampling!