The Gap Factory Store opened its doors at the Fulton Street Mall in Brooklyn, NYC early last week. The Gap join other national retailers like Aeropostale and Aldo. Does that mean it’s time to bid farewell to the local electronic, jewelry and discount stores?

Shoppers seemed excited about the Gap Factory Store on opening day, as customers grabbed marked-down jeans and dresses and lines stretched from the registers to the fitting rooms in the back.

In January, Target announced it would open a location at the future CityPoint project at the eastern end of Fulton Mall, with a Downtown Brooklyn outpost of Century 21 perhaps following suit.

An H&M is on the way, too, with signs up at Fulton and Bridge streets informing customers that “the wait is almost over.”

In a December poll about national chains moving into the Fulton Mall, 51 percent of readers said the chain stores were convenient, and saved them a trip in Manhattan for their shopping.

I found this goody while reading Her Goodie Bag. The Shoe-Inn Warehouse Sale is in NYC.

“The sale that starts everyone’s year on the right foot! Shoe-Inn features over 7,000 pairs of women’s designer shoe and boots by Tory Burch, Rachel Zoe, Cole Haan, Ugg Australia, Kids UGGs, Via Spiga, Vera Wang, Marc Jacobs, Chloe, Celine, Donald J. Pliner, Michael Kors, Stella McCartney, B Attwood, Converse, Frye, Stuart Weitzman, Kate Spade, Pedro Garcia, Zalo, Ralph Lauren, Cynthia Rowley, Calvin Klein, Converse, Lilly Pulitzer, D&G, Charles David, Aquatalia, Moschino, Steve Madden, Fontini, Baker, Andre Assous Minnetonka, Jack Rodgers, Diane von Furstenberg, Elizabeth and James, Sam Edelman, Fitflops, 1000 pair of waterproof boots, and many others.

All boots $39.99-$249.99, all shoes are $19.99-$99.99. New merchandise is added daily. This event has been named “The Ultimate Shoe Sale” by FOX News (2011).”

*THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED. CONGRATULATIONS TO WINNER, SUSAN CHESTER!!*

Don’t forget the guys this holiday season… and certainly don’t buy another boring tie and sweater. Just like my christmas gift guide for the home and beauty junkie, I scanned the ‘net to bring you some great gifting options.

Miracle Skin Transformer MEN SPF 20 is a one-step, one-product skin treatment that provides the ultimate protection for men’s skin. It instantly enhances with an antioxidant-rich natural moisturizing base, skin smoothing elements and a powerful UVA/UVB SPF 20. It is carefully designed to improve texture and pore size, minimize signs of aging and reduce redness and imperfections. MEN SPF 20 leaves skin with a smooth, matte, natural effect. Available for $48 at Bergdorf Goodman or www.miracleskintransformer.com

L.B.Evans will knock your socks off, so you can slide into the 'Finn' this holiday season. Designed for year round comfort, these soft, aged leather moccasins are a luxurious treat for the man in your life. With L.B.Evans you don't have to sacrifice comfort for style, the latex cushion provides lasting comfort and support. The L.B.Evans 'Finn' is available at Bloomingdales and www.lbevans.com.

And, for those cold winter nights a Lucky Strike is a unique entertainment bar and restaurant that provides bowling lanes wrapped with a stimulating atmosphere of art, music, and an energetic crowd. The bowling lane features party space, sophisticated menus, full-service bars, billiards, plasma TVs, and DJs that leave every guest feeling like a VIP. Lucky strike has over 20 locations nation-wide get more info at www.bowlluckystrike.com

A recent stat reveiled that men who do more housework, have more sex. So give the GreenPan with Thermolon 1.5qt Saucepan with Glass Lid $29.95. it gives great nonstick performance and it looks fab. This pan is the ideal size for rice, pasta or vegetable side dishes or for simply heating your favorite sauces and gravies. It has a rolled rim for spill-free pouring and comes with a tempered glass lid that lets you monitor your food without releasing heat.

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iHip NFL Limited Edition DJ Headphones is $49.99 at Amazon.com. The booming bass and noise canceling effect delivers hard hitting sound quality. These headphones has a gold-plated 3.5 mm jack, includes an in-line volume control, bonus carrying case, swivel mechanism for single-ear monitoring, high-quality sound large drivers for strong bass response, and soft-touch padding on earcups and headband for lasting comfort. Noise Isolating Explosive Bass 180 degree swivel with super soft ear pads.

Embodying the Western state of mind, Stetson offers a rich, masculine blend of woods and citrus spice—perfect for the rugged man. This set includes the collection of Stetson fragrances – Stetson Fresh Cologne, Stetson Original Cologne and the Stetson Black Cologne. Price: $15.99.

GIVEAWAY

*THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED. CONGRATULATIONS TO WINNER, SUE KING!*

You want to gift someone with something that will light up their faces for Christmas. But, you don’t want to buy another sweater or pair of gloves. Any home-decor lover — or hostess — would love these affordable and chic gifts!

This Golden Topez Large Poured Candle from Crabtree & Evelyn is warm and enticing. I burn my candle everyday and love the warm notes of cinnamon, nutmeg, and clove. $30

Who wouldn't want to get something in that iconic and classic Tiffany's blue box? The Riedel O Rieseling Tumblers are prefect for entertaining. Get the set of two at Tiffany.com for $25

The Creative Coalition and celebrity photographer Brian Smith created this book, Art & Soul: Stars Unite to Celebrate and Support the Arts. Features 123 portraits of actors, actresses, comedians and musicians like Anne Hathaway; Patricia Arquette; Harry Belafonte; Adrian Grenier; Tony Bennett; Kerry Washington & Samuel L. Jackson.Each portrait includes handwritten stories about life-changing moments that led them to pursue their talents. Amazon.com $26

I can't tell you how much I love Scentsy. My apt smells cozy and festive all year round without worrying about an open flame. Scentsy Wickless Candles are melted in a decorative warmer using a low-watt light bulb -- no worry, no mess. $25 to $40 available at Independent Consultants in the US at Scentsy.com

This sewing kit mason jar features a handmade pincushion lid tops off everything you need to stitch and mend. Includes two spools of thread, thimble, safety pins, needle threader, straight pins, measuring tape, four sewing needles and scissors. $48. anthropologie.com

This fabulous 14 piece KitchenAid Knife Set is $59.99 and will be on sale 12/10/11 at ideeli.com. Mark your calendars

I would like One lucky winner to have a chance to win The Creative Coalition’s Art & Soul Coffee Table Book. Enter to win the giveaway by leaving a comment on this post.

MANDATORY ENTRY: You must follow @ByondBlckBeauty on Twitter and/or like Beyond Black Beauty on Facebook. This contest is open to United States residents and will close on Tuesday, December 13 ­­­­­­­­at 11:59 pm EST. I will announce the winner on Wednesday, December 14. The winner will be chosen at random and notified via e-mail.

Bella il Fiore  - The site is offering 25% off everything on Cyber Monday only.  Just use the coupon code Bella25 at checkout for great deals on unique, girly and glamorous gifts. http://www.bellabeauty.net/

butter LONDON – 30% site-wide discount on Cyber Monday through November 30. Snag your favorite lacquers, treatments and more, by entering CELEBRATE11 at checkout. www.butterlondon.com/

Carol’s Daughter –  On  Cyber Monday,  spend $35, save $5; spend $50, save $10; spend $100, save $25, valid  through 11/30. http://www.carolsdaughter.com/

Mark - The more you spend the more you get at meetmark.com! Get your free products on Cyber Monday (up to a $69 value) with code fabfreebies. www.meetmark.com

RenttheRunway.com – Along with discounts and incentives on any rental or purchase over $50, the site is also giving a free Sugar Rose Tinted Lip Treatment SPF 15 from Fresh (a $22.50 value) with any gift purchase.  http://renttherunway.com

Smashbox- 20% off with code SBXFF11, expires 11/28. www.smashbox.com

Suki Skincare – Starting Cyber Monday through November 30, when you purchase any one product, you will get the same product for FREE. And, for every $50.00 spent, they will receive a free luscious lips cream berry trio. Enter code “Thanks2011” at checkout. www.sukipure.com/v6/

Violet Lips – The entire statement-making line of Lip patterns that range from bold animal prints and fun polka dots, to sexy fishnets and picture-perfect Glitteratti sparkle collection will be available for 50% off and FREE shipping. www.violentlips.com/

Today is Black Friday —  the BIGGEST shopping day of the year. I’ve scoured the ‘net to find you the best deals for you to get a bang for your buck.

Some shoppers enjoy the crowds, lines around the block, limited parking and maybe even fighting for “the last one on the shelf,” but if you’re anything like me you prefer the ease of online shopping.

TheRealReal.com is a destination for women who love Chanel, Prada, YSL and other luxury designers but don’t want to break the bank or drive themselves crazy at frenetic sales. Their team of stylists constantly comb the closets of very fashionable women. That’s how The RealReal provides insider access to the world’s finest previously-owned jewelry, accessories, and clothing–from Hermes and Hervé Léger to Balenciaga and Burberry at up to 90 percent off retail price. Using discount code 20OFF from 10am EST to 11:59pm PST on Black Friday, enjoy 20% off select merchandise.

Devotees of the Bond Fragrance line will want to take advantage of the opportunity to buy any two of Bond No. 9’s wide array of signature fragrances including best-sellers The scent of Peace and Chez Bond, and receive a select Bond fragrance free offer at Fontainebleau in Miami.  And luckily you don’t have to be in the Miami Beach area to take advantage of this fantastic deal. Just call IDAandHARRY directly at 305-674-4781 and the Fontainebleau will generously ship the perfume for free.

Shop at the Gap and receive up to 60% off the entire store from Wednesday, November 23rd to Sunday, November 27^th. Promotion also includes: $19 women’s jeans & sweaters (select styles) and $15 GapKids and babyGap Pro-Fleece Gap Arch Hoodies on Friday, November 25th until noon. $10 men’s & women’s long-sleeved T’s (select styles) and 60% off GapKids Graphic T’s on Saturday, November 26th and Sunday, November 27^th. To find a retailer, please visit: www.gap.com

ENJOY, BUT DON’T BREAK THE BANK!

Here are some financially savvy tips from John Tschohl, author of The Customer is Boss, offers these suggestions to make Black Friday a little bit more manageable:

· Know exactly what you want, because the best deals are in very limited supply, which is why you should never enter a store and just be “window shopping.” Have a detailed list of everything you want to get. To save valuable time, make sure you know ahead of time the differences in models, if you need to purchase any add-ons or accessories and always have a backup store if your first stop runs out.

· Getting online is not enough. While many shoppers will find some incredible deals online, many retailers are offering even more special discounts to those consumers who follow them via social networking sites like Facebook and Twitter. Make sure you’re following all the stores you plan to visit.

· Times are changing. It used to be 6am, 4am, and then Midnight, and now we’re seeing more stores opening Thanksgiving night. Don’t only know what time your favorite stores are open, but those blowout prices on hot-ticket items are sometimes only good during certain times. Walmart, for example, might open at 10pm, but the big midnight madness deals on electronics don’t start for another two hours.

· Don’t go it alone. The competition will be fierce, so take the team approach. Shop with a spouse or friend. While you tackle one area of the store, your shopping companion can hit a different department within the store.

· If you don’t get the deals you want on Black Friday, wait. Retailers usually run special sales the first two weeks of December. Prices generally go up closer to Christmas for those who wait until the last minute. If you’re eyeing something for yourself, many retailers also run deeply discounted after Christmas sales to reduce their inventories.

Major merchants are racing to see who can open earliest on Black Thursday.

Kmart has taken the lead this year, opening at 6 a.m. Thanksgiving Day. Toys R Us pulls into second place with a start time of 9 p.m., one hour earlier than 2010. Walmart takes third, opening at 10 p.m. on Turkey Day. Doesn’t anybody “Respect the Bird” anymore?

For those willing to brave crowds on a turkey-filled stomach or rise well before dawn, here is a list of opening hours for 15 major merchants, along with a special deal each is offering. Keep in mind that hours are subject to change and some states don’t allow stores to open on Thanksgiving Day. For a comprehensive guide to Black Friday store openings and hours, check out CouponSherpa.com.

Best Buy – Midnight Friday
Best Buy will distribute entry tickets up to two hours before midnight.

JCPenney – 4 a.m. Friday
Free collectible Disney snow globe, while supplies last.

Kmart – 6 a.m. Thanksgiving
Earn 20 bonus points for every $1 spent (twice the normal amount).

Macy’s – 4 a.m. Friday
Shop online all day Thanksgiving.

Office Max – 6 a.m. Friday
Save $15 on a $100 VISA or MasterCard gift card.

Kohl’s – Midnight Friday
Receive $15 Kohl’s cash for every $50 you spend, through Nov. 27, with coupon from Black Friday flier.

Old Navy – 9 a.m. Thanksgiving and midnight Friday
Free Kodak Easyshare Sport waterproof digital camera bundle with $40 purchase (while supplies last).

Rite Aid – 7 a.m. Thanksgiving (at select stores) through 11:59 p.m. Friday
$10 reward when you buy a $50 Home Improvement gift card.

Sears – 4 a.m. Friday
Pick up a Real Deal Coupon Book with over $3,000 in savings that start Nov. 27 (while quantities last).

Sports Authority – 5 a.m. Friday
First 80 people in line at each Sports Authority receive Bonus Bucks valued between $10 and $500.

Target – Midnight to 11 p.m. Friday
Learn about unadvertised deals by texting “MORE TVs” to “Target.”

This contest is now closed. Congratulations to winner Real.

According to a nationwide survey commissioned by LifeStyles Condoms and conducted by Harris Interactive, U.S. women were more likely to want sex than receive cards, flowers, chocolates, jewelry and lingerie on Valentine’s Day. 

Although I may not be able to send flowers and chocolates, I’d like to gift one lucky winner with the new Lifestyles KYNG, LifeStyles THYN and LifeStyles SKYN.

To enter into the giveaway, please leave a comment on this post.

Mandatory Entry: You must be a follow @ByondBlckBeauty on Twitter and/or like Beyond Black Beauty on Facebook.  

This contest is open to all residents of the U.S. and will close on Monday, January 31 at 11:59 pm EST. I will announce the winner on Wednesday, February 2. The winner will be chosen at random and notified via e-mail.

LifeStyles KYNG Condom
The new KYNG™ condom is designed for the man who needs a fit larger than the standard condom size. KYNG is extra long and extra wide, featuring the brand’s most popular flared shape, and allowing for a more personalized fit. Lubricated for maximum pleasure with a reservoir tip providing extra safety and comfort, KYNG highlights the features and benefits that are most important to consumers.

LifeStyles THYN Condom
THYN™ is a breakthrough in sensitivity, boasting a condom “so THYN you’ll forget you’re wearing it.” 21% thinner than LifeStyles’ standard latex condoms, THYN was designed to give consumers what they desire most—sensitivity, while giving condom buyers even more options to discover their perfect fit.

 LifeStyles SKYN Condom
The next generation of condoms, SKYN was designed to give condom buyers what they desire most—sensitivity.  Committed to providing its consumers with the best product possible, LifeStyles SKYN is the first clinically approved polyisoprene (non latex) condom. One thousand tests of the condom ascertained that SKYN provides greater sensation and more comfort than other non-latex polyurethane and even natural rubber condoms on the market today.

*This giveaway is sponsored by LifeStyles. They provided the product.

While Black Friday and Cyber Monday target early bird shoppers, Free Shipping Day is designed for people who have procrastinated and are searching for last-second gifts. The third annual Free Shipping Day – which is set for Friday, December 17 – is a one-day shopping event when participating stores like Macy’s, Bloomingdales and JC Penny offer free shipping with delivery by Christmas Eve.

Free Shipping Day was created to extend the online holiday shopping season for merchants and give procrastinating consumers one final chance to surf the Internet for gifts. This year, 65 percent of the retailers who have signed up will offer free shipping on all deals.

What are you waiting for? Go, it’s time to start shopping.