I love free stuff. Cheese samples at the grocery store. Fragrance samples with my lip gloss purchase. A free rum tasting at the local liquor store -- I almost cried tears of joy when I walked into that last one.

Needless to say, getting stuff for free is like early Christmas for this Deal Diva.

But I'm not a total cheap-o. Often mixing in a little "free" just makes me feel better when I know I'll be coughing up major dough on cocktails or dinner later that night.

For example, the next time you're set to hang with your girls, stop by the M.A.C counter with everything except your eyes done and tell the makeup artist that you're dying to "try something new!" Those girls (and guys) live for the make-up illiterate.

Boom! You're turning heads all night with those peepers and didn't have to pay a thing. Okay, that one may be for the more cunning among us, but here are a few free events that don't involve lying to unsuspecting makeup artists.

Fake it so you can make it: I love Williams and Sonoma, even though I can't actually recall buying much of anything from there. But hey, they don't have to know that when I show up for one of their free cooking classes. Many of the local stores offer a variety of free courses from Italian to French techniques. On Feb. 7, learn to make Italian comfort foods at the Williams Sonoma at Citrus Park Mall.

Get your girls together and get your girls measured: The majority of us are walking around wearing the wrong sized boulder holders, according to Oprah. So why not get a proper bra fitting at one of the best lingerie departments. On March 6, Nordstrom's Fits America will do the service for free at International Plaza Mall store. RSVP to this event here.

After food and bras, you'll probably need to relax. Take a free yoga class at The Lotus Room at 1101 W Kennedy Blvd. in Tampa, offered on Thursdays from 7 to 8:15 p.m.

Deal Diva Nicole

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