OC Bargainista: Happy (free!) birthday

Freebie of the Week: With so many eateries offering birthday club offers on their websites now, there’s no reason to pay for lunch, dinner or a night out on your birthday. Examples include: Benihana (free $30 dining credit); Buca di Beppo (free dessert); Dave and Busters (free $5 game credit); Red Robin (free burger); Ben & Jerry’s, Cold Stone Creamery or Dairy Queen (free ice cream); Starbucks or Borders (free drink); or Krispy Kreme (free donut). Spend an hour researching your favorites now, and reap the benefits year after year.

Bargains for brides

Attention, brides! This is the sale you’ve been waiting for. The Dresser, 112 W. Commonwealth Ave., Fullerton, is having a killer sample sale from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday. All dresses will be priced at $100, $200, $300, $400 or $500. Designers include Casa Blanca, Mon Cheri, San Patrick, Maggie Sottero, Winnie Couture and more. Available sizes range from 6 to 14, with some plus-size offerings. No children younger than 15 will be permitted. The sale is cash only. For more information, call (714) 870-7101 or visit thedresseronline.com.

Tilly’s hooks up cheap school clothes

Need some back-to-school clothes on a budget? Hit the Block at Orange, 20 City Blvd. W. Active lifestyle retailer Tilly’s has opened a pop-up outlet for the next few weeks at Unit 511, beside the Warehouse Sale outlet mentioned in last week’s Bargainista column. The location only will be open while the company’s main store at the Block is remodeled. All items in the store are marked down, and other additional offers like “buy one, get one 50% off” may apply. For more information, call (714) 935-0654. Remember: the Block at Orange has become an outlet destination of sorts, with other bargain offerings like an Ann Taylor Factory Store, Bose Factory Outlet, Crocs Outlet, Gymboree Outlet, Hollister Outlet, Neiman Marcus Last Call, Saks Fifth Avenue OFF 5TH and Warehouse Furniture Outlet.

Find the right gift at the right price

A gift and knick-knack store is going out of business at 1820 Newport Blvd., Costa Mesa, inside the Ticket Shack. All home décor is marked at 60% off, and other discounts may apply. The sale includes dinnerware, frames, candle holders, pillows and other decorative items, both new and used. The sale will be from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. today and 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday. Park in the rear of the store. For more information, call (949) 645-8990.

Warehouse liquidation is your gain

We’re excited about Innovage’s back-to-school sale, which is open from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. today and from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. The liquidator at 19511 Pauling, Foothill Ranch, packs its warehouse full of As Seen on TV goodies, housewares, school supplies, memory foam mattresses and more at its occasional public sales. The loss leader for this weekend’s sale is a set of two memory foam pillows for $5 (visit the website for the details on how to cash in). New items will be added daily to the sale. As this is a warehouse liquidation, patrons are asked to bring their own bags, boxes or carts. All sales will be final; jobbers and retailers are welcome. For more information, call (949) 587-9207 or visit innovagewarehousesale.com.

Have a hot sale tip, or know about a great local business that you think deserves a little attention? Contact the O.C. Bargainista at candicebaker@gmail.com. And remember — never pay retail!