FW10 meeting in full effect with Baked By Melissa cupcakes. Awesome.
Wal-Mart Reorganizes, Strikes Deal With Li & Fung
Wal-Mart Reorganizes, Strikes Deal With Li & Fung:
Interesting… let’s see if Wal-Mart will be able to get it right this time. But with a partnership with Li & Fung I have a feeling they will.
Hatian humanitarian aid: where to donate
It never ceases to amaze me how many non-profits and charities crop up in the wake of a natural disaster/crisis. And while I think it's great all these people are willing (and wanting) to help the people of Haiti out, it's hard to navigate just where your money is going and if it's actually getting to the right hands. Instead of taking the day off on MLK, I decided to do some research on charities that are doing incredible things in Haiti: Doctors without Boarders (www.doctorswithoutboarders.org): YES my mother (Dr. Prabhakar) is involved with this charity but in a completely non-biased way, DWB/MSF are doing incredible things in Haiti. With some pretty slim means (makeshift hospitals are being set up in hotel lobbies, 500 people in 80 bed facilities and a barely functioning university hospital not to mention a total and complete lack of basic supplies like alcohol, surgical instruments and gauze) DWB/MSF doctors are working around the clock to make sure disease doesn't spread and people are getting the care they need. In addition, they are in the process of delivering 12 tons of medical equipment including drugs, surgical supplies and two dialysis machines but the country definitely needs more. Right now the web site is only taking donations via credit card and via phone but if I hear of other ways I will update the post.
Mercy Corps: My sister and another friend of mine suggested I look into this organization regarding donations and I was super impressed. With 3700 active volunteers in 39 different countries this NGO aggregates the talent of people from all types of professions including: medical, financial, management, technology, water sanitation as well as sports. Right now they have a team of emergency response experts working to help survivors with immediate food, water, shelter and hygiene needs and of course this costs $$$. You can donate online using PayPal, Google Checkout or Amazon Payments.
American Red Cross: You know how you've been hearing "text 90999" to help Haiti relief efforts? The proceeds are supposed to be going to the American Red Cross. But if are you are like me then you are skeptical of anything being charged to your phone bill even if it's for a good cause. As of today, Jan 20th, the ARC has delivered clean drinking water to 200,000 to 400,000 people each day via truck- and that's just the tip of the iceberg. But donating through text? So not my style. They are still handing out tons of supplies, water, medical aid and with the most recent earth quake shock, the ARC is going to need more monetary assistance. So for those of you who want to donate to The American Red Cross but don't to go through your wireless carrier, you can go to www.redcross.org or call 1-800-REDCROSS.
PIH (Partners in Health) PIH.org: I have several dear friends whose families have been effected by this terrible quake and they are all saying how great PIH (Partners in Health) is. Similar to Mercy Corps, this organization is making major strides in making sure adequate health care is administered in a timely way for people in need by taping into their data base of several thousand health care volunteers. In addition, PIH has been in Haiti for 20 years helping out people in need. They are taking medical donations (in large quantities) as well as monetary donations to help people who desperately need healthcare. What I like best about this organization is that they are making it SO easy to donate money- you can give via wire transfer, gifts of stock (if you roll like that), on your credit card or just by calling.
PSI.org: Like most of the organizations I am talking about in this post, PSI. org centers around healthcare- specifically educating and improving the health of vulneable poor people, but what I love most about them is that now they are making HUGE efforts to create drinkable water in a place that desperately needs it. Partnering with Proctor & Gamble, PSI is using PuR Purifier of Water to make dirty, disease, micro-organism infested water into water peeps can bath in, cook with and most importantly drink. To donate you can go directly to their web site www.psi.org.
Fashion Goes Live on Line - ABC News (It's about time!)
It's Fashion Week Again and We Need an Intern
It's almost here! Fashion Week is one of our busiest times of the year, so to help out and to ensure a smooth Fashion Week 2010 we are looking for an intern to help us take video and pictures at some of the shows. This is a great opportunity for a student to gain access to the tents and add to your resume! We are looking for someone who is truly dedicated, professional, great with social media, web and video! If this sounds like something you'd be interested in, send us your resume to info@hithaprabhakar.com
Post holiday shopping: the best and worst return policies
I find it strange how 99% of retailers are scrambling to get the consumer to start spending and build customer loyalty through rewards programs, etc., (Eye on you Amazon (AMZN), Target (TGT) and Best Buy (BBY)) meanwhile they have some of the worst return policies on the planet! This morning I discussed the best and worst return policies on NPR's "The Takeaway." Really JCrew (JCG)? Are you REALLY not going to let me return a sale item for a full refund? Ugh. Here are my notes from the interview:
What do you think is the ideal/fair return policy? I think a full refund (which very few stores rarely do) is fair, OR return/exchange a gift without a reciept which is what H&M is doing. Target (TGT) is also sort of doing that just as long as the price of gift does not exceed $70 in one year.
What do you think is an unfair policy?
Definitely "final sale" at J Crew (JCG) on sale items. What is that all about? Also,
Amazon (AMZN) has 29 different product-specific return policies in addition to it's regular one for example: -most unopened items can be returned within 30 days -items they do not accept back: Hazardous materials, Kindles (after 30 days), downloadable software products, gourmet baskets, health and beauty products, some jewelry AND If the value is $75 must have a tracking method, items at $500 must be insured. If you are missing orgininal documentation, there will be a 15% re-stocking fee. Annoying!
JC Penny (JCP) requires special occasion dresses to be returned with the "return tag" still in place which prevents people from wardrobing i.e., buying wearing once, and then returning it.
Overstock.com has a 60% restocking fee for some open used or late items.
Office Max will not accept returns of opened cameras and software unless it is defective.
I don't think a lot of people are fully aware of these return policies at these stores.
What kind of the hardest items to return? Undergarments, swimsuits, software, electronics (due to restocking fees, shorter time to return the item and sometimes stores won't take them back at all).
If I have to retun a gift for a store online do you have suggestions on how to make this return as EASY as possible? Do your research- most stores do not post their return policies for example, Best Buy lengthened its holiday return period for most items by one to three weeks (until Jan. 31st) but computers still have their 14 day return policy so computer bought on Black Friday can not be returned.
Ask about re-stocking fees: If an item is open add the fee, 30% from Overstock.com, Macys, 15%
Be aware of the tier method (what Amazon and Best Buy (BBY) are doing) : apparel that might have a different date you can return at vs. different than electronics
Buy things on your credit card in case you lose your reciepts: I tend to have about 1,000 slips of paper in my wallet/handbag and the most important reciepts get lost in the tsunami of paper. If you put purchases on your credit card the retailer can pull it up your purchase more quickly.
Fox Business Dollar Signs 9/29/09
Fox Business Bulls and Bears 9/2/09
Fox News- Fox and Friends- Hemline Theory 5/31/09
Fox Business Happy Hour 3/5/09
CNN Campbell Brown 2/21/09
Dinner with Seth
Just made dinner with @Thezog aka Seth Herzog producer of SWEET comedy. Taco filling doubled as pasta sauce. No I am not joking.
Black Friday shopping tips
I have my own method to my madness for Black Friday shopping tonight (I have the most amazing assistant ever who created a map for me, Seth and Sarah Mary plus a KEY for each store we are hitting) but I came across these Black Friday shopping tips on the Best Buy web site and I love them. If you are venturing out tonight- these are incredible FYIs.
A price comparison for a 19" HDTV- lowest price $128!
It may be the cheapest but it's not the best one out there. Retailers like Kmart, Wal-mart, Target and Sears are trying to unload their inventory from up to nine months ago so they don't have it on their books as Q4 comes to an end. What does that mean for us as consumers? Well, if you don't want the most current model HDTV, DVD player, iPod, etc. you are in luck- older models are priced to move... out of the store- ASAP, hence the low low pricing. In this case I did a price comparison on a 19" HDTV and realized I could probably get a better TV if I purchased it on a site that's promoting free shipping (like Amazon). On the pricing side, Wal-mart, Target and Amazon are in a pricing war that will last through the holiday. If you plan on buying anything online, Wal-mart may have the better prices, but Amazon whose entire business is built on web purchases, will probably handle your order better if you have to do a return.
Target: VIZIO 19" 720p Class LCD HDTV - Black (VA19LHDTV10T) $179 Available online and in Paramus Sylvania 19" 720p LCD TV - LC195SLX- $189 Available online and in Paramus
Wal- Mart: Everything is 97 cent shipping Sansui 19" Class LCD HDTV, HDLCD1909A $128 (only available at the store) Emerson 19" Class 720p 60Hz HDTV LCD TV, LC195EMX $178 (available online and at the store) Vizio 19" 720p 60Hz Class LCD HDTV, VA19L $198 (only available at the store) Samsung 19" Class LCD 720p 60Hz HDTV, LN19B360 $258 (only available online)
Best Buy: Dynex® HDTV and $20 Gift Card Package $149 with $20 free Best Buy gift card (avail at the store and online)
Sears: Philips 19" Widescreen 720p HDTV LCD Display $219 (available at the store and online with free shipping) AOC 19 in. (Diagonal) Class 720p LCD HD Television $199 (available online with free shipping)
Kmart: Sylvania 19 in. (Diagonal) Class 720p LCD HD Television ENERGY STAR® $219 (online and at the store but also free shipping)
Amazon: LG 19LH20 19-Inch 720p LCD HDTV, Gloss Black $218 w/ free shipping Insignia NS-L19Q-10A - 19" LCD TV - widescreen - 720p - HDTV $169
Black Friday 2009: Store times
All right peeps- in case you were wondering when everything opens for Black Friday I made a consolidated list for ya. For those in NYC the Apple store opens at 12 am tonight with discounts on iPods of up to 30% (BUT if you really want discounts on computers I would hit Mac Mall's 96 Hour Sale). Also, Wal-Mart is open for 24 hours BUT door busters start at 5:00 am which include $3 nightwear $248 32 inch Emerson plasma TV, a TomTom GPS One 124-SE for $59 and DVDs for $3- $5. Babies R Us Sale Starts at 5:00 AM - Ends at 1:00 PM
Bass Pro Shops Sale Starts at 6:00 AM - Ends at 11:00 AM
Bealls Sale Starts at 4:00 AM - Ends at 1:00 PM
BestBuy Sale Starts at 5:00 AM
Cabela's Sale Starts at Midnight
Costco Sale Starts at 9:00 AM
Craft Warehouse Sale Starts at 6:00 AM
Gander Mountain Sale Starts at 6:00 AM
Gap Outlets Sale Starts at Midnight at Participating Stores
Half Price Books Sale Starts at 7:00 AM - Ends at 10:00 AM
Harbor Freight Sale Starts at 7:00 AM
Home Depot Sale Starts at 6:00 AM
JCPenney Sale Starts at 4:00 AM
Kmart Sale Starts at 6:00 AM
Kohls Sale Starts at 4:00 AM - Ends at 1:00 PM
Lowe's Sale Starts at 6:00 AM - Ends at Midnight
Meijer Sale Starts at 5:00 AM - Ends at 12:00 PM
Menards Sale Starts at 6:00 AM
Northern Tool] Sale Starts at 6:00 AM
OfficeMax Sale Starts at 7:00 AM - Ends at 12:00 PM
RadioShack Sale Starts at 5:30 AM
Sam's Club Sale Starts at 5:00 AM
Sears Sale Starts at 4:00 AM
Sports Authority Sale Starts at 5:00 AM
Staples Sale Starts at 6:00 AM - Ends at 10:00 AM
Target Sale Starts at 5:00 AM - Ends at 12:00 PM
Toys R Us Sale Starts at Midnight - Ends at 1:00 PM
Women's Beauty Products Men Love
Brandon Nicholson, a Ph.D. candidate at the University of California, Berkeley, tries hard to keep his dark secret from his girlfriend.
"It's getting to be a problem, and I'm afraid she is catching on," he says. "Every time I take a shower, I have to use her body wash that smells like chocolate. It's like I'm addicted or something."
A 6-foot-9-inch, bald-headed wall of muscle isn't the first person you would picture lathering up with a soap that smells like hot cocoa, or hiding the fact that he enjoys it from his girlfriend, who happens to work at Bath and Body Works. But Nicholson isn't alone. Seven out of 10 men use some product meant for the opposite sex as part of their grooming ritual, according to men's Web site groominglounge.com.
What I will be buying at Wal-Mart Black Friday morning...
YES you read this correctly- this HP printer is only $25! Comes with a scanner AND copier as well. For this price, I'm gonna get everyone this for the holidays as opposed to my usual hastily knit scarves... *le sigh.*
Black Friday 2009: HDTV Deals
Aw yea it's that time of year again! While most of you are gearing up for the Olympics of cooking in yer kitchens, I am gearing up for the Olympics of shopping both off and online. Instead of feeding you a bunch of nonsense deals on stuff you really don't care about, I've decided to ONLY give you the heads up on items I am interested in, i.e., flatscreens, cameras, computers and awesome luxe items. Just a little FYI, these prices go into effect in some cases on Thursday (Wal-Mart has it's stores open for 24 hours starting ON Thanksgiving) so be sure to check on line, etc., and I will try my best to give you a heads up on store hours via Twitter. Black Friday 2009! Let's go! (prices aggregated via www.blackfriday.become.com)
BEST BUY: Dynex 19" 720p LCD HDTV (Model # DX-L19-10A) - $149.99 Dynex 32" 720p LCD HDTV (Model # DX-L321-10A) - $299.99 * Dynex 40" 1080p 60Hz LCD HDTV (Model # DX-L40-10A) - $499.99 Insignia 42" 1080p 120Hz LCD HDTV (Model # NS-L42Q120-10A) - $699.99 * LG 32" 1080p LCD HDTV (Model # 32LH30-UA) - $439.99 Panasonic Viera 50" 1080p Plasma HDTV (Model # TC-P50U1) w/Blu-ray Disc Player (Model # DMP-BD60K) - $999.98 Samsung 32" 1080p LCD HDTV (Model # LN32B530P7F) - $497.99 Samsung 32" 720p LCD HDTV (Model # LN32B360C5D) - $397.99 Samsung 40" 1080p 60Hz LCD HDTV (Model # LN40B500P3FXZA) - $597.99 Samsung 42" 720p Plasma HDTV (Model # PN42B400P3DXZA) - $547.99 Samsung 46" 1080p 120Hz LED HDTV (Model # UN4686000VF) - $1599.99 * Samsung 46" 1080p LCD HDTV (LN46B500P3FXZA) - $847.99 Samsung 50" 1080p Plasma HDTV (Model # PN50B530S2F) - $897.99 Samsung 50" 720p Plasma HDTV (Model # PN50B430P2D) - $697.99 Sony 32" 720p 60Hz LCD HDTV (Model # KDL32L504) - $377.99 Sony 40" 1080p 60Hz LCD HDTV (Model # KDL40S504) - $662.99 Sony 46" 1080p 60Hz LCD HDTV (Model # KDL465504) - $852.99
Sharp 42" 1080p LCD HDTV A2863297 - $599.00 Vizio 55" LCD HDTV With Blu-Ray Player Bundle Sony BRAVIA 40" LCD HDTV A2543748
K-MART Element 26" LCD HDTV (Model # 26LE30Q) - $249.99 Panasonic 42" 720p Plasma HDTV (Model # TC-P42C1) - $549.99 Sony Bravia L Series 32" Class 720p LCD HDTV (Model # KDL32L504) - $379.99 *
KOHL'S 19" LCD HDTV w/Built-in DVD Player - $199.99 * Digital Labs 7 Inch Portable LCD TV - $69.99 *
MEIJER: Sylvania 19" Class LCD HDTV - $129.99 * Sylvania 42" 1080p LCD HDTV - $499.99 *
OFFICE DEPOT: Digital Prism 7" Portable LCD TV ATSC710 - $84.99 Samsung 19" Widescreen LCD HDTV 933HD - $199.99 Samsung 23" Widescreen LCD HDTV 2333HD - $249.99 Samsung 26" Widescreen LCD HDTV T260HD - $299.99
RADIO SHACK: AOC 22" 720P LCD HDTV - $199.99 Auvio 3.5" Pocket Digital TV - $79.99 Auvio 7" Portable TV - $119.99 Samsung 32" LCD HDTV - $399.99
SEARS: AOC 32" Full HD LCD TV - $379.99 Audiovox Under Cabinet Kitchen 7" LCD DVD Clock Radio - $179.99 Eviant 7" Hand Held TV - $89.99 LG 55" LCD HDTV (Model 55LH40) - $1499.99 Panasonic 42" Class Plasma HDTV - $649.99 -Doorbuster! Panasonic 54" Plasma HDTV (Model #TC-P54G10) - $1499.99 Proscan 40" Class LCD HDTV (Model #40LC45Q) - $539.99 -Doorbuster! Samsung 22" Class LCD HDTV (Model #LN22B350) - $249.99 -Doorbuster! Samsung 40" Class 1080p LCD HDTV (Model #LN40B500) - $599.99 -Doorbuster! Samsung 40" LED HDTV UN40B6000 - $1399.99 Samsung 42" Plasma HDTV PN42B400 - $549.99 Samsung 46" 1080P Class LCD HDTV (Model LN46B500) - $899.99 -Doorbuster! Samsung 46" Class LCD HDTV (Model LN46B650) - $1309.99 -Doorbuster! Samsung 46" LED HDTV (Model UN46B6000) - $1599.99 Samsung 50" Class Plasma HDTV (Model PN50B430) - $699.99 -Doorbuster! Samsung 50" Plasma HDTV (Model PN50B530) - $899.99 Samsung 52" LN52B530 LCD HDTV - $1299.99 Samsung 55" LED HDTV (Model UN55B6000) - $2469.99 Sharp 19" Class LCD HDTV (Model LC19SB27UT) - $179.99 -Doorbuster! Sony 32" Class LCD HDTV (Model KDL-32L504) - $379.99 -Doorbuster! Sony 40" Class LCD HDTV (Model KDL40S504) - $664.99 -Doorbuster! Sony 46" Class LCD HDTV (Model KDL-46S504) - $854.99 -Doorbuster! Sony 46" LCD HDTV (Model KDL46V5100) - $1239.99 Sony 52" LCD HDTV (Model KDL52V5100) - $1599.99 Toshiba 40" 1080P Class LCD HDTV (Model 40RV525U/R) - $589.99 -Doorbuster! VIZIO 32" ECO HDTV (Model VO320E) - $349.99 Zenith 42" Class Plasma HDTV (Model #Z42PO2) - $499.99 -Doorbuster!
STAPLES: Samsung 23" 2333HD TV/Monitor Combo - $249.98
TARGET: Apex 40" Full HD LCD TV - $449.00 * Haier 7 Inch Portable Digital TV - $79.99 Westinghouse 32" LCD HDTV - $246.00
WALMART: Emerson 32" LC320EMFX LCD 720P HDTV - $248.00 * Emerson 42" PL-P42W-10A Plasma 720P HDTV - $448.00 * Flat-Panel TV Stand - $89.00 Philips Large Fixed TV Mount - $69.00 RCA 46" L46FHD37R LCD 1080p HDTV (Online Only) - $688.00 Samsung 32" LN32B360 LCD 720P HDTV (Saturday) - $398.00 Samsung 40" LN40B500 LCD 1080P HDTV (Saturday) - $598.00 Samsung 42" PN42B400 Plasma 720P HDTV (Saturday) - $548.00 Samsung 46" LN46B500 LCD 1080P HDTV (Saturday) - $848.00 Samsung 50" PN50B400 Plasma 720P HDTV (Saturday) - $698.00 Sansui 19" HDLCD1909 LCD HDTV - $128.00 Sanyo 50" DP50719 Plasma HDTV - $598.00 Sony Bravia 32" KDL32L504 LCD 720P HDTV - $378.00 Sony Bravia 40" KDL40S504 LCD 1080P HDTV - $598.00 Sony Bravia 46" KDL46S504 LCD 1080P HDTV - $798.00 *
One of my favorite pictures from fashion week
How GORGEOUS does Rachel Bilson look here? This was taken at the Giuseppe Zanotti party at Fashion's Night Out.
Hi-fi shoes: What fashion week was REALLY about
An $850 million acquisition of online retailer Zappos.com by Amazon. The Sex and the City sequel where extras are clamouring for Carrie Bradshaw's shoes. Children's footwear posting an 11.8% dollar volume in sales increase. While the retail industry in almost all areas is experiencing one of the worst economic downturns in recent history, the shoe industry in the last three months has proven to be a bright light at the end of a very dark, damp, dismal, depressing tunnel. “When the product is right and offers multiple reasons for wear, the purchases will come,” according to Marshal Cohen, chief industry analyst for The NPD Group in an interview done by just-style.com.
“Consumers are showing they want footwear and are willing to show their passion on their feet rather than on their backs.”
Cohen's sentiments could not be more true considering what I saw Mercedes- Benz fashion week. While the most of the collections had buyers barely raising an eyebrow, the shoes on the runway caught everyone's attention. here are some of my favorites:
Check out these Giuseppe Zanotti for Balmain animal print boots. Yes they are priced at over $1,000 but guess what? People are buying them like crazy. Why? Because this country's mantra when it comes to spending is "where there's a will, there's a way." We'll discuss that later.
Another Giuseppe Zanotti for Balmain boot. Awesome right?
These are my FAVORITE.
Again, another crazy pair of shoes from Giuseppe Zanotti. What would you wear these with?
I think Rhianna was eyeing these...
While it's not really my thing to a) spend upwards of $300 on a pair of shoes and b) purchase anything at full retail price, these shoes were worth talking about because they are metallic. I have several pairs of metallic shoes and they are the best accessories in my closet!