Website:  http://www.payless.com/

If baking isn’t your thing, then classes might be just what you need.  Think of it this way: I’m helping you to become a more cultured, refined and talented broke girl without bankrupting you.  You’re welcome.

Every month Williams-Sonoma offers a series of “technique classes” to help teach the culinary-impaired how to use different ingredients, tools and techniques.  This month’s focus is on baking.  In more than one job in my life, the baked goods I’ve brought into work are what have given me job security.  Part of me wishes I were kidding, but I’m really not.

If you want to suck up, I mean earn financial security through sugar, attend one of the weekly classes at your local Williams-Sonoma, hosted on Sundays.  This upcoming Sunday, March 7, will focus on perfecting your soufflé.  They promise that you will be able to “impress family and friends,” which I think can also mean “coworkers” and “bosses.”

The following Sundays are March 14: “Cookies and Tarts,” March 21: “Cakes and Cupcakes,” and March 28: “Pies and Tarts.”

Every store has an RSVP list that you need to be on to attend, but I’ve been assured that walk-ins are welcome more often than not.  (I’d still call if I were you.)

Check out Williams-Sonoma’s homepage here (http://www.williams-sonoma.com/?cm_type=gnav ) where you can then locate your local store’s information.  Additional information about the technique classes can be found here (http://www.williams-sonoma.com/popup/customer-service/technique-classes.html )

In keeping with the neighborhoody vibe of the place, the studio’s kind owners have offered Broke Girl’s Guide readers 50% off their first class.  Just mention Broke Girl’s Guide at the front desk when you check-in and receive this stellar discount on the spot.

*The video is of a Zumba class offered at Your Neighborhood Studio, complete with live drums. Don’t know what Zumba is? Neither do I, but it looks fun and is supposed to be a really good workout.

Location: 3625 Hayden Avenue, Culver City, CA 90232
Website: http://www.yourneighborhoodstudio.com/

* I really want the top pictured here but I am, as always, BROKE. Sad when I can’t even afford the affordable.

Website: www.chicandyoushallfind.com

Ciudad is yummy, 30% off is delicious. [Blackboard Eats]

Last week I went to a makeup line launch party, and the artist asked me which cosmetic brands I prefer. My response was something along the lines of “whatever I can steal from my mom and/or get free from launches like this one.” Anyway, on the off chance I’m actually going to purchase my next round of beauty products, it’s nice to know that Topshop and H&M offer affordable options. [Refinery 29]

Part of my New Years resolution was that I’d no longer be seen at places like this. No, that wasn’t me you saw at Voyeur on Saturday…or Thursday…well, at least this offers me an alternative to Voyeur, right? [Eater LA]

This website makes me happy every day. And if you are a regular reader of this blog, you know that’s no easy task. I was particularly taken with this lovely Parisian/travel-themed posting. It has nothing to do with being broke, except perhaps that it’s my love of things like this that keeps my bank account funneled into Kayak.com. [This Is Glamorous]

LA public schools are about to get worse. My advice? Marry rich. Just kidding. Kind of. [Huff Po]

One of my exes is a reporter covering the quake in Chile. Kind of hope he falls into the rubble, but happy this little guy was pulled out. [Huff Po]

And finally, those of you interested in fighting through hordes of dbag gatecrashers should take note of this special offer from Hollywood Tans in honor of the Oscars this weekend. [Hollywood Tans]

It’s below 60 degrees outside.  You actually got a good parking spot for the first time in your life.  You don’t want to run into your ex and his new extensions-wearing whore-of-a-girlfriend.  Whatever your reason is for staying in for the night, you might as well have a movie to watch, right?

I agree, which is why you should take one of the codes listed below to your local Blockbuster Express to score yourself a free DVD.  To be honest, I had never heard of Blockbuster Express, but apparently it’s a way to avoid all human interaction when renting a movie.   This is perfect for someone with terrible taste in movies and a tendency to not wear makeup.  Who, me?

Check out the promotion codes below:

GOLIVE – Free one night Rental (Exp 3/3)
GE12B – Free one night Rental (Exp 3/8)
GT21A – Free one night Rental (Exp 3/12)
GL9RA – Free one night Rental (Exp 3/31)

I think it’s worth a shot.  Can I recommend Monsters Inc.?

Website: http://www.blockbusterexpress.com/

*Editor’s Note:  I recently became an instant play fanatic on Netflix and have since lost the will to live in the outside world.  I should fire Sarah for bringing more ways to be a loser to my attention, but I think I’m more likely to give her my job so I can dedicate myself more fully to streaming movies into my sad little studio apartment.  Congratulations, Sarah!   If you need me I’ll be watching Love Story and The Notebook on loop.

This one actually has me really excited:  free cooking classes at Whole Foods!

The Whole Foods located at 11666 National Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90064, is offering FOUR free classes in March.

The first class is called The Skinny on Citrus with Executive Chef Monique King from NINETHIRTY and The Backyard restaurants at W Hotel Los Angeles.  It’s going to be on Wednesday, March 3 at 6:30p.m.  Learn how to “creatively” cook with citrus and demo roasted baby beet salad with arugula, grapefruit, blue cheese and horseradish dressing, and two other recipes from Monique’s kitchen.  (That sounds like free dinner to me.)

The second, Spring Sweep Vegan Cooking Class, will teach you how to make “delicious spring detox vegan dishes to help cleanse your body.”  It’s on Thursday, March 11 at 6pm and boasts of such dishes as lemony artichoke dip, spring veggie stir fry with ginger apricot sauce, raw kale salad with fennel in a miso vinaigrette and chocolaty rice squares.  Considering my idea of vegan cooking means opening a bag of salad mix, I can use all the help I can get.  Take a look at the personal chef, Melissa Costello’s website here.

The third class, Healthy Appetizers with Chef Eric, is on Wednesday, March 17 at 6:00p.m.  Since this class is on Saint Patrick’s Day, a beloved holiday in my family, I’m going to have to pass on this one.  However, if you want to spend a drinking day getting your wild mushroom and spinach fritters on for free, please be my guest.

The fourth class is Spring Produce Vegetarian Cooking Class on Wednesday, March 24 at 6:00p.m.  The chef, LiilaYerro, is a vegan and vegetarian personal chef and cooking instructor.  This is another one that sounds like it has free food potential, which makes for one happy broke girl.

You can check out this Whole Food’s website here or Facebook page here to view the events for yourself.  Go to one, go to them all, but be sure to get there early to reserve yourself a prime food tasting/gorging spot.

Location:  11666 National Blvd, Los Angeles, CA, 90064
Phone:  (310) 996 8840
Hours:  M-Su 7:00 am – 10:00 pm

Thanks to everyone who came out!!  I just got a little preview of our next show, and it’s going to be a good one.  Stay Tuned!