Whether you’re heading to UCSF to tour the campus, visit a friend or see a loved one in the Medical Center, one thing’s for sure: you don’t want to overpay for your hotel.  The Parnassus Campus is close to downtown, so nearby lodging gets pricey.

Be sure you’re paying the guaranteed lowest rate online for your San Francisco hotel near UCSF by booking through Orbitz.  Plus, take an additional 10% off the cost of your stay by redeeming Orbitz coupons!

Days Inn San Francisco Downtown Civic Center Area

• Free parking
• Fridge, microwave & premium cable TV in every room
• Located close to City Hall & only 10 minutes from UCSF

Grant Plaza Hotel San Francisco

• Low-cost hotel with newly updated furniture & wireless internet
• Rooms feature clock radios, private voice mail & electronic key card locks
• Vibrant Chinatown location about 15 minutes from UCSF

San Francisco Central Travelodge

• Complimentary continental breakfast & internet access
• Microwave, coffee, fridge, hairdryer & safe in all rooms
• Situated on Market Street with UCSF only 2.5 miles away

Tell Me What’s Going On

Fillmore Jazz Festival 2009 (July 4 to 5)

The Fillmore is the biggest free jazz fest on the entire West Coast and a must-visit for music fans in San Fran for the July 4th weekend.  Join over 90,000 other jazz lovers for music, food and plenty of fun!

Wolfgangs Vault is another must-visit spot for any jazz enthusiast.  Browse dozens of posters, photos and collectibles featuring legends like Miles Davis, John Coltrane and Charlie Parker.  Take 10% off all merchandise with Wolfgangs Vault coupons!

Moms-to-be, this one’s for you! Vicki of Frugal Cafe (where it’s chic to be cheap) outlines six must-know tips and a bonus trick to looking great while being pregnant. She’s got great ideas on helping you look fab-u-lous!

Pregnant working women need to look “put together,” but investing hundreds of dollars in new maternity clothes is impossible for most families’ strapped budgets. Don’t spend a fortune on clothes that you’ll wear for just a few months.

1. Color scheme: Mix-matching color-coordinated pieces increases your wardrobe. Combination possibilities: black/white/red, blue/green/beige. Consult a color chart. You’re not locked into buying just three colors, but by planning ahead with a color scheme, pieces can be combined in multiple ways, extending your wardrobe. Color coordination maximizes your dollars.
 
2. Boutique maternity shops: Maternity boutiques have gorgeous clothes, but their price tags are faint-inducing. Check clearance racks. Get ideas from their inventory. Feel the fabric. Quality fabric is worth the investment if you’re planning to have several children. If the prices are too steep, make mental notes, then hit the second-hand stores.

3. Used clothing venues: Second-hand children’s wear stores often sell gently used maternity clothes. Consignment stores have pricier clothes of higher quality. Second-hand charity stores like Goodwill are “hit-and-miss,” but often have name-brand bargains. Visit used clothing stores often. It may take several visits to build your maternity wardrobe, but the money you save is worth it. Yard sales are promising in younger neighborhoods. Consider on-line auctions like eBay, especially if you’re far from a major city. Be cautious: shipping hikes up the cost and you can’t try anything on.

4. Internet “freebie” sites: Freecycle on Yahoo Groups embraces the “free/recycle” concept. Register with a group in your area. No money exchanges hands. Post your maternity wear needs and watch for when maternity clothes are offered. Craig’s List is another free Internet source.

5. Family, friends, church, clubs: Spread the word of what you need. Your sister’s boss may want to unload her old maternity wear.

6. DIY: Request free fabric through Freecycle or buy it on sale. Invest in some maternity patterns. Make several outfits to absorb the pattern’s cost. DIY takes time, but your savings are significant. If you lack sewing skills, seek help from someone who sews. Buttons and zippers aren’t needed with simple, slip-over dresses.

Frugal trick: Get extra “mileage” from regular skirts. Loop a rubber band through the waistline buttonhole, then around the button. The rubber band’s “stretch” helps you wiggle into your regular skirts for a few extra weeks.

Does your wardrobe have what it takes to handle the heat? If not, don’t let it put a damper on your wallet – just be sure to stock up on everything from bikinis to shorts at Alloy.

And don’t forget to use the free Alloy coupons to get $10 off orders of $75 or more! Redeem them by June 18, or you’ll miss out on the savings.

Reading Between the Lines

Not sure about wearing a bikini? Go for a one-piece with all the sass of a two-piece. The Zebra Monokini has just enough animal print to make you look and feel fierce. A hot-pink bow highlights an empire waist, and the oval cut-out is a funky way to show off your belly button.

You’ll Stop in the Name of Love When You See This ‘Halt’er Dress

Every woman will feel like a goddess in the Halter Maxi because it emphasizes the smallest portion of your torso while accentuating your womanly curves. And it comes in great look-at-me colors so you’ll command attention upon arrival.

When you shop at Alloy, get your hands on other great items including skinny jeans, knit tops, reversible totes, and everything else that a true fashionista needs to steal the show! Use your coupons now to save big!