Alameda Frugal Family: Work Out, Get a Massage, Hit the Garage Sales

Not Your Grandmother's Doily Project: , the very adorable gift store in , is bringing back their Craft Nites with a class next Thursday (May 12) on making lamps out of lace doilies. (Picture something that looks  like a Chinese lantern, only lacy.) The lamps are cool, the class is free, and it's always fun to craft with others. Sign up on Modern Mouse's Facebook page.

Workout Deal for Parents: If you're a member of the Alameda Parents Network—an on-line bulletin board for all sorts of parenting-related matters—you can get a membership at the  for $399/year. That's about $80 off the regular annual membership fee.

Maybe a Massage? Ok, this one is off the Island, which I know is a hurdle for some folks, but it is a good offer. Archstone Spa on Piedmont Ave is offering a $64 massage session for $32 via Groupon. You have until tonight at midnight to buy it. (And, according to my Google map, it only takes about 15 minutes to get to Archstone from the Island.)

You Say Garage Sale; I Say Tag Sale: But they're all the same thing — the best places to get furniture, dishes, books, clothing and knickknacks (ah, the knickknacks) at rock-bottom prices. We all know that Alameda is a mecca of garage (and estate) sales, but do you know how to find them? Check out the garage sale section of the East Bay edition of Craigslist. 

Mother's Day Magic: I know, I know, it's a totally commercialized holiday that feeds on people's guilt about not being nice enough to their mothers most of the year, but go ahead! Buy your mother (or your wife, or your sister) something nice for Sunday. One good place to get a nice-yet-not-exorbitant gift is , which offers hand-crafted items by local women artists, including jewelry, candles, soaps and prints. Just the kinds of things most moms love.