Just 12 shopping days until Valentine's Day. Don't wait until the last minute and get stuck paying full price for your gifts. Check out the great sales going on at area stores now.
After 26 years in business, Life of Riley Irish Imports, 881 Boston Post Road in Old Saybrook, is closing. Currently, most merchandise is 25 percent off; Christmas items are 50 percent off. Information: 860-388-6002 or http://www.lifeofrileyirishimports.com.
Soccer and Beyond,163 Albany Turnpike in Canton, holds a February sale with deep discounts on indoor footwear and cleats. Hours are Monday and Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Tuesday, Wednesday and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Thursday, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Information: 860-352-5552 or http://www.soccerandbeyond.com.
Bank of America customers get culture for free this Saturday and Sunday. If you have a Bank of America credit, check or ATM card, present it at any of 150 museums and cultural centers across the country, including the Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art, the Bronx Zoo in New York or the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston, and admission is free. The "Museums on Us" promotion takes place on the first weekend of each month. For details and a museum list, visit www. bankofamerica.com/museums.
Sew up some savings. Close to Home Sewing Centers at 2717 Main St. in Glastonbury, 995 Queen St. in Southington, and 196 Boston Post Road in Orange are holding a Super Bowl sale this weekend. Fabrics, books, notions, quilt patterns and accessories are 30 percent off; select sewing machines and sergers are up to 46 percent off. Hours are Thursday, Feb. 2, 10 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.; Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and Sunday, noon to 4 p.m. Information: 860-793-6639.
Planning a party, graduation or wedding? Away To Go Designs, 943 Silas Deane Highway in Wethersfield, offers low prices on party linens and chair covers. For the month of February, get a chair sash free with each chair cover rental. Rental fees include free delivery within Hartford County. Hours are Tuesday through Friday, noon to 5 p.m. and by appointment. Information: 860- 869-2612 or http://www.awaytogodesigns.com.
Trade your old books for new-to-you reads at PaperbackBookSwap.com. Here's how it works: list your books on the site. When someone selects one, send it out and you'll get a credit for one of the millions of other books available.
Home decorators, take note: Venetucci Home in Westbrook is holding a winter sale this weekend with savings from 25 to 50 percent on all furniture and accessories. Venetucci is at 433 Boston Post Road. Information: 860-399-6477 or http://www.venetucci.com.
Best Dressed Kids, a children's consignment shop at 15 Mountain Ave in Bloomfield has re-opened for the spring/summer consignment period. Hours will be Wednesday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Thursday, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., Friday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Information: 860-242-3869.
Children's clothing and footwear are 50 percent off at the Second Chance Shop, 12 Station St. in Simsbury. Hours are Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturday, 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Kohl's Cash is back. Through Sunday, Feb. 5, you'll get $10 in Kohl's Cash for every $50 you spend.
Looking for online savings? eBay has a virtual outlet store at eBay.com/fashion/outlet. The site features a changing mix of clothing, shoes and accessories with discounts ranging from 20 to 65 percent on merchandise from Calvin Klein, Brooks Bros. and other.
Donate or purchase used clothing and help a charity in need at the same time. TheThriftShopper.com is an online database of more than 10,000 thrift stores across the country.
