5 money saving tips from the Today Show

I watch the Today Show every morning while getting ready and this morning they had a 5 surprising bargain-hunting tips segment. I found it very helpful so I wanted to pass the info on just in case you aren't a Today Show junkie such as myself...

I'll give you the quick rundown:
FruCall (Frucall.com, 888-DO-FRUCALL)
Use your cell phone for a quick price check. Say you're in a store looking at a big-screen TV and the salesperson is offering what seems like a can't pass-it-up deal. You could step outside, punch up a shopping-comparison site on your cell phone, and check to see if you can get the TV for a lower price elsewhere. FruCall can look up the price of the product you're looking at and let you know if it's cheaper anywhere else. All you need is the product name, the model number, or its bar code/UPC number. Contact the toll-free number (888-DO-FRUCALL) and enter a product's 12-digit bar code. There is no sign-up fee, and there is no monthly fee.

Online coupon codes
As I have said before, go to google and type in the stores name and coupon code/promotional code/coupon... Sometimes you have to try a few variations to find what you need. A few sites that were suggested were:
* Keycode.com is nicely organized.
* Currentcodes.com has a huge number of retailers.
* Slickdeals.net has a busy message board where members post codes they have found.
* Findsavings.com clues you in to rebates and freebies.

The Freecycle Network™ (Freecycle.org)
This looks worth a shot, you can find and get rid of items... Kind of like a craigslist I guess.

Out-of-order hotel rooms
Basically a room that the hotel isn't using due to a broken lamp, TV isn't working, stain... I don't know if I would do this one.. Maybe for a broke lamp but if there was no hot water... I guess it couldn't hurt to ask.

Dynamic pricing
"In order to take advantage of dynamic pricing and get the best possible deal, do multiple searches on several price-comparison sites in different browsers (such as Internet Explorer or Firefox) and even on separate computers to check if prices vary. You can also clear out cookies from your Web browser to cover up those electronic footprints."

If you have any other tips worth sharing let me know and I'll add them to the list!!

Sweaters Anyone? (oh and some sales...)

I believe I am a reformed sweater lover... I used to hate sweaters b/c alot of them are shapeless and super scratchy... However, they seem to be getting better and I actually purchased two this month (Old Navy has some cute selections and their reasonable). Two may not seem like alot but it is when you NEVER buy sweaters.

I am loving the short sleeve sweater with a long sleeve turtle neck shirt look... So cute!

The point of this email is to share with you an offer I saw today in my email inbox. Victoria's Secret is known for lingerie but they do have cute sweaters on their site! It just so happens that for 4 days you get 25% off any sweater on their site... (I sure do wish they paid me to say this stuff!)

So anyways, if you're looking for sweaters and wanna save some moolah head on over to VS! Enter offer code WARM25 at checkout. The price of your sweater will be adjusted after offer code is applied. Discount valid on one sweater per order. Offer is valid through December 1, 2007.

A few other sale emails I received: Barney's, Saks, Bluefly, ArdenB, and Spiegel... It pays to sign up for newsletters people!!

New boots - yay! yay!

I am a shoe-aholic and recently realized I own no tall brown boots. With it being Fall/Winter I felt I needed to get some. I checked all the usual online shops; Nordstrom's, Endless, Zappos, Macy's, etc... I found several I liked but none in my budget... Ok, so I didn't really have a budget I am just cheap and like to buy lots for little...

It's been awhile since I've visited my old pal ebay... so it seemed it was about time to head on over there. After looking around I found a plethora of cute boots all for less than $80 - me likey!

Here were the boots I narrowed it down to:





I ended up picking the first one but trust me when I say it was a hard choice! I liked all 4 but since I was looking for tall boots #1 was the best choice. They arrived a few days ago and I LOVE them! They retail for $179 and I got them for.... drum roll please.... $39.99!!!

So, the moral of the story here is that you can find great items on ebay within your "budget".

Hip Hop Hoodies?

One thing lately in fashion that really perplexes me is the hip hop hoodie. I just don't get it... I have yet to see one that I like even just a little bit. I don't get the repetitive patterns of large cartoony diamonds, skulls, chains, etc. Obviously there is nothing wrong with people liking these jackets but I just don't get it. (Trust me when I say I love hoodies!!)

Hip hop has always had a style of it's own and that's cool but I've been seeing these hoodies popping up on guys (and some gals) everywhere. I am a designer by day and I know that if I had come up with a design like some of these coats I would have been sent back to my desk to try again.

However, if this is your style and you just can't get enough of them then here are a few sites you may like: Urban Shop, Club Urban and Dr. Jay's.

Side Note: I was looking for some examples of hoodies I actually like and realized Delia's even has some of these hip hop hoodies... Crazy, I couldn't even find a good example of one I would wear... I guess the hip hop hoodie look just isn't for me... at all...

Right now my favorite hoodie came from Sameunderneath in Portland, it's made of super soft bamboo! It's black and has some stitching detail on the back. I think this is it but it's not the best picture.



Where did this hip hop hoodie trend originate from? I'm curious.

No more turkey for me...

Thanksgiving is officially over... your neighbors (maybe even you) are probably putting up their trees and lights which just means that Christmas will be here before you know it.

My Thanksgiving was really good, hubby and I had some friends over to celebrate the day. We lounged (alot), cooked, ate (alot), drank and socialized... I've been eating leftovers since Thursday. I'm ready for the fridge to have non turkey day food in it... I really am. No more turkey, no more ham, no more green bean casserole... you get the idea. I long for pasta, salad, pad thai, sushi, even pizza... (not all at once of course, I'm not a pig people! geesh!)

So anyways, starting a new topic now. I Heart Indie Holidays was on Saturday. Regina and I went down to the Seattle Center to check it out. I figured we would know alot of the designers but I must say I was pleasantly surprised as we only knew two. It was cool to meet some new designers in the area. We love all the designers we have met sofar but who knew there were even more out there. The show had a great variety of items, the designers were well selected, it seemed to me to be a good shopping experience. Well done Cassandra!

After the show I headed home and updated the site with some of the new designers we met. (Check out the site for lots of new designers). One use we'd like to see the site used for is for consumers. Our vision is you would be thinking "Man I sure do want a cool necklace for my holiday party" so then you head on over to the site and go to the jewelry designers page, scan down the page looking at the thumbnail images (for ideas) and then you see one (or ten) that catch you eye. From there you visit the designers website and buy from them. See, easy peasy! Of course we have several designers sections to choose from: Accessories, Art, Beauty, Men's Clothing, Women's Clothing, Jewelry, and Handbags.

I also have a confession to make... I am addicted to the ABC Family Channel and their corny movies... Today I watched Three Days with Kristin Davis, Christmas Do-over with Jay Mohr, and Christmas Caper with Shannon Doherty... OH and I haven't brushed my teeth all day (to be fair I never left the house)... I'm living on the edge today! Don't judge!!

DefMode Midnight Market

Tonight we had our 2nd meeting for the DEFMODE MIDNIGHT MARKET. There are some really great people involved and I met several new people tonight. I think this is going be a great show ~ really fun!!

I took some picts but sadly not many... I kinda took them at the end of the evening. There were alot of people there....

You should definitelly come check out this event!!! Here is the 411:

DEFMODE MIDNIGHT MARKET III
ART, FASHION, MUSIC, COCKTAILS & SHOPPING
Annual Community Food Drive for NW Harvest

Saturday Night, December 1st, 2007, 9pm-2am
Lo_Fi Performance Gallery
429 B Eastlake Ave East, Seattle, WA

Door Cover is $7 plus a Food Donation for NW Harvest
Bring Cash for Shopping. 21+ID.
Space limited to 200 guests!
Designers, Models and Artists contact tim@electronicmusic.net

About the DefMode Midnight Market & NW Harvest

This is our third event to support NW Harvest. The project is a grass-roots effort to highlight local designers, hair and makeup, artists, photographers, musicians, VJs, Djs, and dancers. You will enjoy off the rack shopping, a fashion show, dancing and cocktails with a cool vibe for all involved. We wish to thank everyone who donates their support to those who are less fortunate and hungry by donating food items to NW Harvest. Please visit http://www.nwharvest.com for a list of appropriate food items to donate at the door.

The weekend recap...

Sorry I haven't blogged in a few days... I've been lazy as there was so much going on this weekend, it's been nice to just go home and do nothing.

So let me recap the weekend for you... Friday night was the House Party show put on by Movin' 92.5. We were on the floor so we moved close to the front but off to the left side. We watched Rob Base, Naughty By Nature and Coolio. (We left before Candyman and Tony Toni Tone played).

Apparently when it comes to concerts there is no such thing as concert etiquette. (Maybe I should have known this but I haven't ever had any issues as far as I can remember). People were shoving their way in front of us, and by shoving I mean literally pushing us out of the way. No "excuse me", just a big giant shove... And it tended to not be small people but rather large people which made the shove even more aggressive. One guy, who we have affectionately named Big Breasted Barry, decided to get right up on Regina and try and push her out of his way to get in front of us. We had had enough so we turned around and told him to back off. He then told us he wanted in front of us (He was taller than both of us). We told him to just go around us. (It's not like we were taking up the entire front of the stage). He laughed and said no he wanted to go "through" us... We stood firm. He then proceed to be annoying, whistling loudly in our ears, calling us bitches, pushing us, rubbing up against poor Regina... I got pretty pissy with him after awhile which his response was "You know you want me!" , I laughed and said "Yep you got it, you and your giant man boobs!" (Sorry but it was a weak moment, he had pushed me over the edge and I couldn't abide by my if you have nothing to say rule...) Finally his wife saw him and yelled for him, he called us bitches a few more times and then FINALLY went around us to the front. He enjoyed harassing us, he just laughed the whole time like it was some fun joke to him (did I mention Coolio was on the stage this whole time?)... Ughhhh!!!! After Coolio we bailed, we'd had enough of that place. (check out the pictures!)

Saturday was a pretty lazy day for the most part. I met up with Regina for Bamboo Garden and then we headed over to the UnZipped fashion show. We ran into some friends and had a cocktail. I enjoyed the clothing in the show, I saw several items I liked. The choreography was a little different but I'm sure it was just supposed to be part of the atmosphere of the show... Oh and Regina and I dressed like twins, not on purpose either...

Sunday, Regina and I got up early and headed to Seattle Center for UnZipped. We setup our table in the sponsor area and I set my jewelry as well. It started out pretty slow but by the end of the day we had done alot of good networking, which is always a win for us. I sold no jewelry but then again I really wasn't there for that. I loved the setup of the designer area - the lighting was great and everyones stuff looked good in that room. It was inviting. (I forgot my camera Sunday so I have no pictures from the event...)

Here are the Unzipped pictures we took, but please view Liminist.com too - they have more professional looking images. Plus, you can use their images as long as you make sure to credit them!

After the show we loaded up our UFN stuff and headed home, we were done by about 6:30pm. The rest of the night for me consisted of lots of nothing... Ahhhh!!!

So anyways enough of my ramblings, have a great week and a Happy Thanksgiving!!

Kate Spade Sample Sale - HURRY!

TODAY ONLY!!! Up to 60% off! Go here to check out the sale!

If your looking for more sales in Seattle, Portland or California check out our Urban Fashion Network Sales page! We try and keep the page updated with sales from the West Coast. If you have any sales you'd like added to this page let us know, we'll put it up.

P.S. We definitely need more for California... So come on California, send us your sales! ;)

I don't know about you but when it comes to Holiday shopping I try and seek out the best sales. It's so easy to spend loads of money on gifts so why not actively try and save some this year! That'll just give you extra cash for a well deserved trip when it becomes sunny and warm again.

Also, don't forget to check out local shops in your area - support your local stores and designers! Everyone loves unique items and what better way to satisfy that desire than buying from local designers who tend to make one-of-a-kind or unique items that can't be found at Nordstrom, Macy's, Dillard's or whatever large department store is in your area. Don't get me wrong, I love the large dept store but I have found a fondness for the local boutiques and designers. Plus, you can find reasonably priced pieces and great sales. My thoughts on how I couldn't afford boutiques have been squashed by shops like La Rousse, Bouncing Wall, The Industry, Duque, and many more. (For more shops check out our boutique section).

I love owning something most people won't have. surely I'm not the only person who feels this way... Right?! Happy shopping!

My new coat and some weekend updates...

Regina and I went down south to the Auburn Supermall to shop for bras... For all those ladies out there you know how much of a pain it is to find a good bra. Many months ago I visited the Maidenform store down there and was lucky enough to find 5 bras and walk out of there with a bill of about $60... What a bargain!!

I was determined to buy a few more and try and not spend a fortune. Trust me I love going to Nordstrom but you walk out of there with 2 bras and have spent about $100 so I wanted to save money and still find quality bras.

We decided to check out the Steve & Barry store that carried the Sarah Jessica Parker line, Bitten. Regina hadn't seen the line yet so we went in and found several cute items. I decided not to buy anything as what I had in my hand seemed pretty similar to items at Old Navy so I figured I'd check them out first before committing to the Bitten items. Old Navy was next and I went in looking for a turtle neck and walked out with 3 turtle necks, 2 sweaters and a pair of brown wide leg pants.

Our next destination was Maidenform, the store we had driven all the way down there for. I walked out of there with 4 bras, 5 pairs of undies and a night gown and spent about $100... 10 items people!!! That's a great deal if you ask me!

We were then headed to Nordstrom Rack but were sidetracked by Burlington Coat Factory since I have been on a mission to replace my stolen coat. I had no idea BCF had so many items, I thought it was just about coats. I instantly found a cream colored sweater for $16. Then we wandered the coat area (which was so disorganized and crazy) when I spotted a cute Esprit coat... I had a few coats on my arm to try on but ended up whittling it down to just 2 - a cute cream colored swing coat and the black/white military style Esprit coat. Esprit won! It was originally $225 but I got it for $99 - it's so cool, I love it!! It isn't the perfect coat for brown but I figured my red one would serve that purpose. So now I am all good on coats!!

We were pretty beat after BCF so we decided to call it a day. By the time we left it was about 5pm and so dark out... I am really disliking how it gets dark so soon, I can't get used to that.

Oh, quick weekend update. Reagan was the winner of the Best Working Pet picts category - yay!! She had a fun time mingling with the other dogs and being on the runway. Read about it on her blog! Thanks to Tim, Frani, Matt, Kelly, Regina, Scottie, Isabelle, Kona and Scooby who came to support Reagan in her first ever runway event.

Here are the picts we took!

Savings!

Just ran across this website with some amazing savings!! Check it out!

All is right with the world...

I just got an email from Kate Spade and all is right with the world again... No more puffy coat purses, she has upgraded to some sleek patent leather totes. I love them, I want one!! Red please!

Thanks Kate, I have faith again in handbags!

bilbao quintessa
the spanish city of bilbao became a cultural destination in its own right when it was chosen as the site for Frank Gehry's spectacular titanium guggenheim museum. since then, the city has become a hub for contemporary art and design. these handbags reflect the graceful, confident design found in bilbao.

·smooth, soft, patent calfskin trimmed with mirrored metallic cowhide
·short shoulder tote for daytime, work and weekends
·open top
·interior center zip pocket, double slide pockets and zip pocket
·nickel hardware
·custom printed dot on 100% cotton twill lining
·imported
·mirror license plate signature
·14.4"h x 13.3"w x 3.7"d

$595.00 (GULP! Maybe NEXT Christmas... when they go on sale...)

Neiman Marcus Private Sale - TODAY ONLY!!

You can save up to 30% off designer items today only... The code at checkout is PRIVATE. Plus you get FREE shipping!

Maybe I can find a new coat to replace the stolen one... (read last blog).

Happy Shopping!!!

Farewell to my coat...

Dear Favorite Coat,
I just wanted to send you a farewell letter to let you know you will be missed.

We had some good times, yes we did. You always kept my dry with your water wicking fabric yet fashionable look. You went with everything I owned and for that I am appreciative. You will be hard to replace.

I knew it was meant to be when I saw you at Nordstrom Rack - you were the one. The coat I had been searching for for months. You were he last one of your kind and just happened to be my size. I don't think I will ever find another coat like you. Be well dear coat. If you can ever find it in your heart to come back to me I will be so happy!

I sure wish I could have given you a proper good bye. I hope your new thief of an owner treats you better or as well as I did. I am so sorry I left you on the floor of the EMC, I came back for you, I promise, but it was to late. You were already under new ownership. I searched and searched but to no avail. I am so sorry!

Good bye old friend, you will be missed!

Love,
Tarah

P.S. This is the last picture I could find of us together.

"You can't even spell OLD SKOOL!"

This weekend was quite a busy one... Urban Fashion Network participated in the Crave show for the first time ever. I even setup my jewelry, which was a first for me in regards to Crave as well. We had 18 vendors there under our UFN umbrella. Everything seemed to go well for the most part. We had some space issues at first but Melody of Crave was kind enough to let us expand into another 1/2 space. So we were able to spread out a bit more and give the vendors more room to sit. To see who was in the show with us go here. I also took picts at the show, they are here.

Saturdays show started out pretty slow, had a little spike in the middle of the day and then slowly died off... I wandered around a bit passing out flyer's and checking the place out. There was ALOT to do. I had my eye brows waxed for $15 (normal rate, tasted some gourmet food, sampled chocolate, drank Twist water, drank Dry Soda, tried to get a psychic reading but there was a line, shopped from many vendors, had our picture taken in the Liminist booth, watched some yoga classes, and much more...

One highlight for me was 92.5 was there and I had called a few days before to see if they'd be giving away houseparty tickets - they said yes. So I made sure to stop down there and see when. 3pm Kim told me... My cell phone alarm went off at 2:50 and I ran down there. I was the only one there until about 2:59... These women came down and I joked and said oh no, I was here first, there my tickets!! Then one of the women replied "Honey, you can't even spell old skool! and the other woman said "take off the diapers!" - yeah, it was on!! (HAHA) We went back and forth and then it came time to the questions... WE all missed the first one, I got the next one, then they asked me to stick around to help them... I gave them both the answers to their questions... Who can't spell old skool!!! I was just so excited I won tickets, I have been trying for weeks.

That night Regina, Melody and Melissa and I hit up the Emerald Queen Casino for a little Rick Springfield concert... Sadly, it was not the best show I have seen. It was my 3rd time seeing him and for $57 (way to expensive for where we sat if you ask me) I can't say I was impressed. He did some guitar solo that went on forever and then some bluesy riff and song that just didn't seem to fit... I want to hear the classics, re-live the old days, ya know... He did play the old favorites thankfully. He looked great!! Emerald Queen is not a location I like at all. After we left I forgot my coat and about 5 min later I realized it and went back - it was gone. No one has turned it in as of yesterday. I can't believe someone stole my coat. What a horrible person to steal someones coat - you know I need it! I took a few illegal picts, apparently you are not allowed but I was stealthy! I had to hold the camera up against my chest so the screen could not be seen, hence the lovely images of some ladies head...

Sundays show was busy up until about lunch and then it slowly died off through the day. I didn't sell anything all day long. All the vendors started packing up at about 5:20 but we decided since we organized all of this that we should wait and be last, you know that whole be an example type of dealio. Thank God I did wait with my jewelry b/c I had 2 large sales at 6:00ish. They made the whole weekend for me, especially b/c I had made 2 not so small purchases at the show.

I'll post some pictures tonight and hopefully can add some of our silly photos from the Liminist booth as well.

Hope you had a great weekend!

NWSource Seattle's Best Pet Pics

I entered my dogs, Reagan and Scooby into the NWSource Seattle's Best Pet Pics Unleashed contest a few months ago... Reagan was picked as one of 8 in the Working Dog category. I found out 2 days ago that she is 1 of 3 finalists and has the chance of winning!!

The picture here is the one I sent in for her. Regina and I went hiking with her last summer. Reagan always wears her own backpack (she LOVES that thing!!) so she can carry her own food and water. It was so hot that day so she decided to try and fit all 100lbs of herself under a small rock for shade. As you can see in the picture, that is all that would fit. She was just to big for that shade that rock provided. No worries, we poured some water on her to cool her off.

So anyways, she and I have to be present at their awards ceremony on Nov 10thfor a chance to win. Apparently we have to go and walk the runway ~ FUN!!!

I plan on taking both dogs to the event since it's a place where pets are welcome... and how often do they get to go to an awards ceremony or runway show?!

If you love animals and want to attend a free ceremony/runway show then make sure to RSVP at the link above ~ we'll see you there!!

This is the picture I sent in for Scooby for the Most Kid Friendly category... It wasn't picked... Sad... It's such a cute picture of him and Abby!!



Thanks to everyone who voted!!