Premium denim for $35 Last week I wrote that 20 percent off premium denim at Bloomingdale's going-out-of-business sale was a good deal. This week brings an even sweeter deal at Mode (7788 Main St., Maple Grove, 763-391-6102, www.shopmodestore.com). Jeans from True Religion, Citizens for All Humanity, 7 for All Mankind, Habitual, Rich & Skinny, J Brand and Joe's Jeans will be $35 each, regularly $180 to $212, in waist sizes 24 to 32. Doors open at 10 a.m. Thursday with the sale running through Saturday. As for Bloomingdale's sale, some new markdowns might happen Sunday.

Buffet BOGO at the casino Mystic Lake Casino's buffet (2400 Mystic Lake Blvd., Prior Lake, 952-445-9000, www.mysticlake.com) brings back its popular buy-one-get-one-free offer through Jan. 31. There is something for everyone among the 45 entrees and 24 desserts. The offer is valid for weekend brunch ($14), lunch ($10) or dinner ($14 to $17), but not valid on Wednesday evenings or on the night of Jan. 22, which are seafood buffet nights. Single guests can get half off the regular buffet price with the coupon, which is available only at the website. Copies of the coupon are also accepted.

LED bulb plummets in price At $15 each, a Philips LED bulb that replaces an incandescent 60-watter may seem pricey. But for anyone waiting for the price to drop, the time to buy and try is now. Last year the same A19 bulb cost $40. Then it fell to $25 last fall, which stood as its regular price. Now the bulb is on sale at Home Depot for $15 through March. The Philips 12.5-watt LED bulb (a 60-watt incandescent equivalent) has received, er, glowing reviews online and from Consumer Reports. It's dimmable, has a six-year warranty, contains no mercury, and has the soft, warm glow of an incandescent. It's expected to last 22 years (assuming 3 hours of daily use) and use 80 percent less energy than an incandescent. I've used one for over a year without any issues.

It's not a perfect replacement yet. It has a one-second delay when switched on, but reaches maximum brightness immediately. It should not be used in photocells or timers or in enclosed fixtures indoors or outdoors. It's not much of a looker, either, so it's best when hidden by a shade. A 40-watt equivalent by Philips is $22 and a newly released 75-watt equivalent is $40. The bulbs can also be ordered at Homedepot.com. The 60-watt equivalent is model number 409904.

So why did Home Depot lower its price? It's a special offer from a utility, but at the Consumer Electronics Show last week Lighting Science Group announced a similar bulb for slightly less than $15 that's expected to last even longer.

John Ewoldt • 612-673-7633 or jewoldt@startribune.com. If you spot a deal, share it at www.startribune.com/dealspotter.