Best Buys

San Diego comparison shopping. The best deals, local products, and services in the county.

Covering the backyard in flames

Outdoor lights for that wild-party atmosphere

Summerfest at Kelly Manor will officially begin with a backyard dance party. We’re going to kick up the heels, down some sangria, and party. We’ve hired the band, sent out the Evites, and reserved a ...

Solutions for a dirty pool

Dialysis for the swimming pool

Swimming-pool water filtration instead of replacement could save you thousands.

Sun-protection lotions after skin cancer

Mercy for the skin

Once you’ve gone under the knife, your thoughts of the sun change. Last year, I lost a chunk of eyelid. Basal cell carcinoma. They didn’t get all of it the first time, so I had ...

Carved, rolled, filled: custom candlemaking

Decorative candles can be carved or of the gel variety.

Margarita mixer matchup

Taste-rating away the margarita mixes

‘If life gives you limes, make margaritas,” I sang, channeling my best Jimmy Buffett. “If life gives you hordes of guests, buy margarita mixes,” responded my man Patrick. We were in the midst of planning ...

Rescues in the surf zone

There are many ways to go about becoming a San Diego lifeguard.

Coffee Roaster Tour

A tour of San Diego coffee shops that roast their own beans.

Save a fortune on eyeliner

The worst enemies of permanent cosmetics exposed.

Hamster is a better idea than hamsters

The pet debate raged on in the Kelly home. On one side are the kids who ask for a dog every time they see one in a commercial. On the other side is my husband ...

The ups and downs of garage doors

"Darn it, Patrick, this is suburbia!” I complained. “I am not about to put barn doors on the shed in our front yard!” Patrick has been trying to cut costs — he’s already embarrassed to ...

Bringing out the butterflies

Turn your tomatoes and squash into butterflies and hummingbirds.