Here’s a tease….



and this...

 

Now get a load of this....it's kind of cool....

Octopus Studios

Wal-mart is the retailer wearing the pants.  When they talk, their grocery suppliers have no choice but to listen.

Wal-Mart wants to keep their prices down while other retailers selling groceries are raising prices.  And they are doing just that.  Why is Wal-Mart so smart?

With gas, grain, and dairy prices exploding, you'd think the biggest seller of corn flakes and Cocoa Puffs would be getting hit by rising food costs. But Wal-Mart has temporarily rolled back prices on hundreds of food items by as much as 30% this year. How? By pressuring vendors to take costs out of the supply chain.

"When our grocery suppliers bring price increases, we don't just accept them," says Pamela Kohn, Wal-Mart's general merchandise manager for perishables. To be sure, Wal-Mart (WMT, Fortune 500) isn't the only retailer working to cut fat from the food chain, but as the largest grocer - Wal-Mart's food and consumables revenue is nearly $100 billion - it has a disproportionate amount of leverage.

Here's how the retailer is throwing its weight around.

Shrink the goods. Ever wonder why that cereal box is only two-thirds full? Foodmakers love big boxes because they serve as billboards on store shelves. Wal-Mart has been working to change that by promising suppliers that their shelf space won't shrink even if their boxes do. As a result, some of its vendors have reengineered their packaging. General Mills' (GIS, Fortune 500) Hamburger Helper is now made with denser pasta shapes, allowing the same amount of food to fit into a 20% smaller box at the same price. The change has saved 890,000 pounds of paper fiber and eliminated 500 trucks from the road, giving General Mills a cushion to absorb some of the rising costs.

Read more in CNN.Money Fortune Magazine

Wal-Mart puts the squeeze on food costs  í  here





 

It's been a while since we went on an internet shopping trip.....but with graduations and Father's Day coming up, why not?  Plus, Dad would be glad you weren't wasting gas.

Have you ever checked out the Bose site?  If you want quality sound it's definately the place to go....the prices aren't for the faint of heart; but you get what you pay for.  They have everything from headphones and iPod setups, to full entertainment systems.    Wow...You could really make some grad VERY happy.



__________________________________




Napa Style isn't just for Dads....it's for everyone.  But there are plenty of gifts there for Dad.  Things for the kitchen if he's a cook, things for the yard and garden, and food and wine items.  There are cooking items and recipes from Michael Chiarello, who has the show Easy Entertaining on the Food Network.  Great, unusual stuff here.




____________________________________


Wireless catalog offers casual apparel, unique gifts, fashion accessories, jewelry, collectibles, framed prints, home and garden decorative accents and more.  Plenty of fun and interesting stuff for Dad.

Previous Shopping Trips:



Wind and Weather has weather, home and garden products for students, gardeners, bird watchers, sports enthusiasts, pilots, hobbyists, and pros.

__________________________________




Lee Valley sells gardening, woodworking, tools, home supplies and gifts. 




____________________________________



Get the same hair products you buy at the hair salon for a fraction of the cost.  They have men's products too.

_______________________________




Sur la Table is one of the best places for a great cook to shop. 

_____________________________


Cherchies Specialty Foods has a complete line of gourmet food items and gift assortments.  They have peppers, preserves, soups, seasonings, and sauces, including champagne mustard.



________________________



L.L. Bean, out of Freeport, Maine has been around since 1912.  L.L. Bean can still be trusted for quality.  They have everything from kayaks, fishing equipment, shoes and boots, and clothes.





________

Oxo is a great brand of Kitchen tools in the store.  But you can't always find the item you want.  So why not check out all the products available right from the source, online? 

OXO Good Grips

_________


Neato.com is a trusted place to shop online for deals on computer related media...DVDs, CDs, cases, labels, photo paper, all kinds of stuff.  I know you can get this stuff at the store... but if you want to shop online, this is the place to go. 

 

______________



You can't get more beautiful bouquets than from Martha Stewart Flowers.  They are simply gorgeous, top quality flowers.  You can't keep your eyes off of them when they are in a room.  Unless you are looking at that special somebody!  They are delivered straight to you door in a flower box.   Order your Grad flowers now.

 

__________________________________________


Moonstruck Chocolate Company is out of Portland, Oregon. 

You've got to see their chocolates to believe them!  But tasting them is even better.  Their truffles are outrageous!





______________________________________________



Starwest Botanicals is out of Sacramento, CA.  They offer bulk organics, herbs, spices & teas, essential oils, aromatherapy, extracts, and many other products. 




_________________________



          WEST ELM  in California, is a great store for quality household items from furniture to towels. 



______________________________



           Peeperspecs

______________________________


Red Envelope  unique gifts for everyone in the family, including home decor, gourmet food, and flowers.  They have specialty gifts for Dads and Grads, too.


_____________________________


ALTERRA


_______________________

  Koeze Company   features cashews, mixed nuts, chocolate confections, and natural peanut butter.



_______________________



 Z Gallerie   Eclectic gifts with something for everyone and beautiful artwork, too!

_________________________

Hale Groves

 _____________________________

Couture's Maple Syrup Shop




________________________________
.

Gifts for the intelligent person on your list, or for the person who is just "way out there."   Something for that Grad going off to college?
 _____________________________

 Mrs. Hanes Hand-Made Moravian Cookies

 

________________________________

 ZABAR'S

 Jewish deli out of New York with Smoked Fish, Deli Meats, Cheeses, Coffee, even Babka.

_______________________________________
 

     
All types of crafts and supplies in one place, online.

  ______________________________________

              

Beautiful, unique and quality greeting cards.  Special cards for Father's Day and Graduation.
___________________________________

                   Harbor Sweets

_______________________________

Hilltop Restaurant

GIGANTIC SWEET ROLLS.

_____________________________

Barbara Ford Doyle Calendars   Order your 2009 Calendar anytime.



 ____________________________

Zingerman's

Fresh Jewish rye bread and other breads and fresh finds.

I don’t know how you feel about it, but when I venture out to a store and I am checking out, I would just like to purchase my item(s) and be on my way.

With the creation of the “check card” it has really made it a convenience to not have to carry large sums of money around for shopping purposes.  It used to be people would never think of “charging” groceries or general items they purchased.  And, at times, if you would write a check, you would be frowned at by those in line behind you, so I always had as much of mine written out as possible before I made it up to the store clerk.

Now it is commonplace to use a check card since it is being drawn directly from your account.  The only problem I have with those cards is that sometimes I feel like I am the employee since I have to go through so many steps in using the store’s machinery.

In the past couple of years, when you go to a sales clerk, even if you are paying cash, you seem to get the third degree.  “May I have your phone number?”  What is your zip code?”  “May I have your email address so you can receive sales ads?”  “Would you like to save 10% today by opening up a charge account [that will charge you 28%APR] with our store?”  “Do you have any coupons?”  “Do you want to donate any money to [blah, blah, blah]?” 

I once went into a Radio Shack to purchase some batteries, with cash, and they wanted my name, address and phone number to enter into their computer.  For what?  I was paying cash...for batteries.  I wasn't applying for a job.


Now, “Helen,” from Maryland, had a new question asked of her while she was going through a self-checkout at Home Depot:

Read Helen’s short story on the Consumerist   ç  here


I know the phone number is used to locate your address, so the store will start mailing you flyers. 

Your zip code is a marketing tool to see where a store may want to build in a new location. 

But you know what? 

I don’t want to answer those questions, or any of the other ones either. 

And I feel sorry for the clerks who must ask them over and over all day long.

I wouldn't say that in Home Depot's case it's Big Brother at work.

I'd say it's the consumer being put to work, not only at Home Depot, but at all of these stores.

It was bad enough when all we had to be worried about while shopping was an overly aggressive, too helpful sales clerk.

Most (not all) people must find time in their busy schedules for shopping.

Products are expensive.

Shopping isn't much of a pleasure anymore.

Of course it's wonderful when you find what you want and you are happy about that.

But if you are like me, you don't want the annoyance of being asked all of these questions.

It's a big turn off, and I don't believe Helen is the first, nor will she be the last consumer who has decided not to shop at an establishment rather than be forced to answer unecessary questions.

You can bet I'm not answering them....

It happens in several locations around the country...the latest was March 28th in New Jersey.

The closest to us is in Chicago.

If you are ever in Chicago the day of this event....

Run away as fast as you can....







Are these brides that desperate?

I've been to a Filene's Basement in Pittsburg and in Chicago.

Personally, I would never set foot in Filene's Basement in Chicago again for regular shopping, let alone to buy a wedding gown.


But if this is what makes a bride happy....to each her own.


Read about it at Filene's Basement      í here

Wind and Weather out of W. Virginia has weather, home and garden products for students, gardeners, bird watchers, sports enthusiasts, pilots, hobbyists, and pros.

Who else would have a digital thermometer with a weather girl who changes outfits?:

__________________________________




Lee Valley, out of Canada, has been in business for 30 years and sells gardening, woodworking, tools, home supplies and gifts.  I've mainly purchased gardening supplies here, and the quality and service has been great.  My dad told me about this store a couple years ago.  Normally I stick to purchasing in the U.S., but sometimes you just can't find a certain product and you have to go elsewhere.  If you garden, check out the merchandise and you'll see what I mean.  Some of the stuff is just unique.




____________________________________



If you like name designer named beauty products and want to get larger containers to save money, try ordering from
Cosmetic Magic, out of New Jersey.  Order $40 worth and get free shipping.  Get the same hair products you buy at the hair salon for a fraction of the cost.  They have men's products too.

_______________________________




Past shopping trips:



Sur la Table, based in Seattle, WA  is a one of the best places for a great cook to shop. 

_____________________________


Cherchies Specialty Foods has a complete line of gourmet food items and gift assortments.  With Easter coming up, why not check out their Champagne Mustard for your ham?  It's on special now.  They also have peppers, preserves, soups, seasonings, and sauces.



________________________



L.L. Bean, out of Freeport, Maine has been around since 1912.  L.L. Bean can still be trusted for quality.  They have everything from kayaks, fishing equipment, shoes and boots, and clothes.





________

I know you've seen this brand in the store.  Who hasn't?  Oxo, out of New York, is a great brand of Kitchen tools.  But you can't always find that item you want in the store.  So why not check out all the products available right from the source, online? 

OXO Good Grips

_________


Neato.com is a trusted place to shop online for deals on computer related media...DVDs, CDs, cases, labels, photo paper, all kinds of stuff.  I know you can get this stuff at the store... but if you want to shop online, this is the place to go. 

 

______________



You can't get more beautiful bouquets than from Martha Stewart Flowers.  They are simply gorgeous, top quality flowers.  You can't keep your eyes off of them when they are in a room.  Unless you are looking at that special somebody!  They are delivered straight to you door in a flower box.

 

________________________


Moonstruck Chocolate Company is out of Portland, Oregon. 

You've got to see their chocolates to believe them!  But tasting them is even better.  Their truffles are outrageous!









Starwest Botanicals is out of Sacramento, CA.  They offer bulk organics, herbs, spices & teas, essential oils, aromatherapy, extracts, and many other products.  I scent my shampoo with their essential oil and recently needed some glycerin for a project and was able to find a huge bottle here.





_________________________



          WEST ELM



______________________________



           Peeperspecs

______________________________


Red Envelope 


_____________________________

ALTERRA


_______________________

  Koeze Company



_______________________

 Z Gallerie

_________________________

Hale Groves

 _____________________________

Couture's Maple Syrup Shop




________________________________
.

 _____________________________

 Mrs. Hanes Hand-Made Moravian Cookies

 

________________________________

 ZABAR'S

_____________________________
 

     

      ______________________________________

             
 

___________________________________

                   Harbor Sweets

_______________________________

Hilltop Restaurant

_____________________________

Barbara Ford Doyle Calendars



 ____________________________

Zingerman's

Victoria's Secret models Heidi Klum and Tyra Banks during a press conference at the Miami Beach store.
Bill Ingram / The Palm Beach Post




Just how sexy is too sexy?

The Wall Street Journal reports that Victoria's Secret has determined that their advertising campaigns have become too sexy.

That it's time to go back to a more sophisticated look.

The chief executive of the brand known for its provocative televised fashion shows and alluring stores made an admission yesterday. In her mind, the brand has become "too sexy" -- or at least the wrong kind of sexy.

"We have so much gotten off our heritage," CEO Sharen Jester Turney said in a conference call with analysts. Responding to the past year's weak sales and focus-group feedback, she said, "We will return to an ultra-feminine lingerie brand to meet [customer] needs and expectations."

I don't know if that's right....

Too sexy?

Maybe some of their line has gotten too trashy looking.

Too cheap.

They're probably making the right move.


Read the article  Apparently, You can be Too Sexy      à here

 

For that serious Elvis fan (like Kevin Fischer)....

Check this out, but do it now... because it's Easy Come, Easy Go, since it's only in March:

Through the end of March, with the purchase of any Follow That Dream Collector Series CD at ShopElvis.com, you will be eligible for a FREE one year subscription to Rolling Stone magazine!


The Follow That Dream collector series is a program that serves the serious Elvis collector. It reissues classic Elvis albums, movie soundtracks and concert (soundboard) recordings that are not part of the record label's active mainstream RCA Records Elvis catalog.



______________________

Sur la Table, based in Seattle, WA  is a one of the best places for a great cook to shop.  They have thousands of products from vendors worldwide.  It's like Disney World for the chef.  Last time I was in Pittsburgh I had a hard time leaving the store.  That's why it's nice to shop online!

And they have a great recipe section too:

Sur la Table Recipes

_____________________________


Cherchies Specialty Foods has a complete line of gourmet food items and gift assortments.  With Easter coming up, why not check out their Champagne Mustard for your ham?  It's on special now.  They also have peppers, preserves, soups, seasonings, and sauces.



________________________


Past shopping trips:



L.L. Bean, out of Freeport, Maine has been around since 1912.  L.L. Bean can still be trusted for quality.  They have everything from kayaks, fishing equipment, shoes and boots, and clothes.





________

I know you've seen this brand in the store.  Who hasn't?  Oxo, out of New York, is a great brand of Kitchen tools.  But you can't always find that item you want in the store.  So why not check out all the products available right from the source, online?  Oxo has:

Kitchen Tools
Household Cleaning Tools
Bath Products
Barware
Barbecue Tools
Garden Tools
Storage and Organization Products
Automotive Cleaning Tools

OXO Good Grips

_________


Neato.com is a trusted place to shop online for deals on computer related media...DVDs, CDs, cases, labels, photo paper, all kinds of stuff.  I know you can get this stuff at the store... but if you want to shop online, this is the place to go. 

 

______________



You can't get more beautiful bouquets than from Martha Stewart Flowers.  They are simply gorgeous, top quality flowers.  You can't keep your eyes off of them when they are in a room.  Unless you are looking at that special somebody!  They are delivered straight to you door in a flower box.

 

________________________


Moonstruck Chocolate Company is out of Portland, Oregon. 

You've got to see their chocolates to believe them!  But tasting them is even better.  Their truffles are outrageous!









Starwest Botanicals is out of Sacramento, CA.  They offer bulk organics, herbs, spices & teas, essential oils, aromatherapy, extracts, and many other products.  I scent my shampoo with their essential oil and recently needed some glycerin for a project and was able to find a huge bottle here.









          WEST ELM







           Peeperspecs

Red Envelope 




ALTERRA

  Koeze Company





 Z Gallerie

 

Hale Groves

 

Couture's Maple Syrup Shop







.

 

 Mrs. Hanes Hand-Made Moravian Cookies

 

 ZABAR'S

 

     

     

             
 

                    Harbor Sweets

 

Hilltop Restaurant

Barbara Ford Doyle Calendars



 

Zingerman's

I warned you in January, Valentine's Day is just around the corner.  

At that time, I recommended "reasonable" gifts.

Now it's getting late. 

If you are too late, and miss the date, you might end up having to get one of these gifts:

Who wouldn't want to by their "Someone Special" this patent tote?

Only $1,795.00 from Neiman Marcus

Ladies, you know he really wants to be on time to see you.
Give him this Titanium Chrono-Automatic Watch 

$12,500 from Neiman Marcus









Some little baubles for your beauty
Gucci Floral Diamond Earrings

Saks Fifth Avenue    $3,785.00

Do something together...."Fly with someone you love"
Zero-G...the weightless experience 

Sharper Image  $3,500 plus tax ($175) per couple

 

 

Let her know she has your heart....
Conjoined Steuben Crystal Hearts

Horchow    $600.00

Make sure he saves his back for more important things...
Stewart Golf X3R Remote Golf Caddie

Sharper Image  $1,995.00

Give her perfume that smells wonderful but looks pretty too!
Bond No. 9 New York  Swarovski

Saks Fifth Ave    $550.00

  

Ahem....

This one's called "Fill me with love" Cheesecake.....

Breathtaking edible gift box of white- and bittersweet-chocolate cheesecake
swirled with raspberry on a chocolate/macadamia-nut crust.
Lid is hand-sculpted of the finest Belgian white chocolate adorned with dark chocolate scrolls.

Horchow   $125.00

  

 

Hmmm....

This gift is dual purpose...

jimmyjane Massage Oil Candle
Figure it out yourself.....

Red Envelope   $48.00



Whatever you decide to do….

You've had plenty of time!

If you haven't been in the actual store, I'm sure you've walked past one at either Brookfield Square or Mayfair.

They are dark, and shuttered.

They smell strongly of cologne...it pours out of the entryway.

Handsome young people, usually men, are standing inside near the doors...sales clerks.

I'm talking about Abercrombie & Fitch

The chain has been in past news before regarding their provocative ads and for charges of racist hiring policies.

They are in the news again. 

They have a new ad campaign of photos out where one photo includes three twenty-something guys in a field, shirtless, their backs to us, all appearing to be pulling up their jeans as they walk away.  One of them has some of his buttocks showing as he is pulling them up.

Walking behind them is the slight figure of a female, who is shadowed.

In Virginia Beach, police seized this mural and charged the manager with obscenity charges.

Children are allowed to enter the store and these photos are not proper, is what's been said.


Read the article


Virginia Beach Police Seize Photos From Abercrombie Store  Ã here

Has the Abercrombie & Fitch gone to far in their ads?

Did the police go to far?

What do you think?

L.L. Bean, out of Freeport, Maine has been around since 1912.  I visited their store back in the 1960's two times and remember the visits well, even though I was a child.  Back then, there was no other sporting goods store like it.  While there are other stores now, L.L. Bean can still be trusted for quality.  They have everything from kayaks, fishing equipment, shoes and boots, and clothes.





________

I know you've seen this brand in the store.  Who hasn't?  Oxo, out of New York, is a great brand of Kitchen tools.  But you can't always find that item you want in the store.  So why not check out all the products available right from the source, online?  Oxo has:

Kitchen Tools
Household Cleaning Tools
Bath Products
Barware
Barbecue Tools
Garden Tools
Storage and Organization Products
Automotive Cleaning Tools

OXO Good Grips

_________


Neato.com is a trusted place to shop online for deals on computer related media...DVDs, CDs, cases, labels, photo paper, all kinds of stuff.  I know you can get this stuff at the store... but if you want to shop online, this is the place to go.  And they almost always have a coupon.  Here's the latest coupon:

20% OFF CD/DVD LABELS,BLANK MEDIA,INSERTS, STORAGE,
SURGE PROTECTORS, CELL PHONE ACCESSORIES &
OUR NEW DISCGEAR PRODUCTS
at neato.com with Coupon FDWA

 

__________________________________ 

Stops from past Internet Shopping Trips:


Okay, all you men out there...with Valentines Day just around the corner, it's time to at least think about what you will give your sweetheart for that special holiday.  If it's flowers, you can't get more beautiful bouquets than from Martha Stewart Flowers.  They are simply gorgeous, top quality flowers.  You can't keep your eyes off of them when they are in a room.  Unless you are looking at that special somebody!  They are delivered straight to you door in a flower box.

 

Moonstruck Chocolate Company is out of Portland, Oregon. 

You've got to see their chocolates to believe them!  But tasting them is even better.

And I'm bringing you this just in time for Valentines Day! 








Starwest Botanicals is out of Sacramento, CA.  They offer bulk organics, herbs, spices & teas, essential oils, aromatherapy, extracts, and many other products.  I scent my shampoo with their essential oil and recently needed some glycerin for a project and was able to find a huge bottle here.










          WEST ELM







           Peeperspecs