The O.C. Bargainista: Forbidden donuts lure freebie hunters

Freebie of the week: Hip, hip, hooray. It’s National Donut Day. That’s right — the first Friday of June is a bona-fide holiday, created by the Salvation Army to honor the women who served donuts to soldiers during World War I. So get your (soon to be larger) rear to a participating donut shop today.

Participating stores in Costa Mesa include Any Old Time Donuts, 1113 Baker St.; Dippity Donuts, 1854 Newport Blvd.; Famous Subs & Donuts, 845 W. 19th St.; Oh Those Donuts, 1734 Newport Blvd.; and Victor Donut, 1125 Victoria St. Newport Beach locations include Mag’s Donuts & Bakery, 1280 Bison St. #81; Citi Donuts, 2727 Newport Blvd. Suite 300; Donut Depot, 1660 Dove St.; Doughboy’s Donuts, 4535 W. Coast Hwy.; and Seaside Bakery, 2108 W. Ocean Front.

Deep discounts on domicile decor

So you’ve finished that big home improvement project, or taken on the spring cleaning. Now comes the best part: decorating that new addition (or renovating that master bedroom). The ACG Green Group, which sells luxe bedding and décor under brands like Jennifer Taylor and Sandy Wilson, has launched its warehouse sale at 7 Autry, Irvine.

Savings will be up to 95% off, including $1 candles; $12 table runners (retail $100+); $6 decorative pillows (retail $75); and comforter sets for $99 (retail $900+). The sale will be weekdays from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. through June 18. Information: (949) 829-0025 or acggreen.com.

Pick me! Pick me!

Fans of bling and toiletries who have fast typing skills and a way with a mouse have made a habit of checking allure.com/freestuff daily at 9 a.m. sharp.

The first 500 people to sign up at that time on certain days will receive a free beauty product or piece of jewelry from Allure Magazine. (The OC Bargainista has found everything from lipstick to skin serums in her mailbox since the promotion began.) Today’s freebie is a bottle of Biosilk Beach Texture hair product, worth $12, perfect for giving hair a playfully tousled look. Other contests this month include $50,000 cash for a lifetime of haircuts, or a set of 42 OPI nail polishes.

Big top fun for not-so-big bills

Goldstar Events has quickly risen to the top of the web-based, reduced-price ticket brokers, offering fat discounts on everything from spa treatments to Shakespeare.

Current offers include comedian Norm MacDonald at the Irvine Improv this weekend (tickets are just $12.50) and the Circus Vargas big top at the OC Fair & Event Center, with performances through Monday.

The circus features animals, acts of strength, acrobats and all the fixin’s. Regular admission is $20 to $30, but those who visit goldstar.com can score tickets reduced to $10 to $15.

Free flicks for families

The free Movies on the Beach program has started up again at Newport Dunes, 1131 Back Bay Drive, Newport Beach, with family flicks displayed outdoors on a giant inflatable screen Fridays and Saturdays. This weekend’s films will be “Monsters vs. Aliens” tonight and “Bolt” on Saturday night.

Also on tap is Bands in the Sand, at 6 to 8 p.m. every Saturday; this weekend’s entertainment is the Belair Bandits, a popular surf band. Admission is free, but parking fees may apply. The free events run through Labor Day Weekend. For more information, call (949) 729-3863 or visit newportdunes.com.