Category Archives: Shopping

Not Your Mama’s Tupperware Party

Drag queen Tupperware party may sound odd but that’s exactly the kind of party I hosted last weekend. I met Kay Sedia aka Oscar at another Tupperware party because that’s how these house parties work.

Kay’s appearance on the reality show “Real Housewives of Orange County” has made her famous beyond the Tupperware circuit. But she’s actually been a Tupperware consultant for 11 years!

The mini show is a hilarious stand up comedy act interspersed with jokes and catalog numbers for specific Tupperware items.

When attending be prepared to laugh and buy stuff…Kay does an excellent job of demonstrating products so that at the end of the show you are convinced this is something you Must have.

Here are some Tupperware Testimonials from guests at my party “Not Your Mama’s Tupperware Party.”

Spring Style Mixer: Affordable Women’s Fashion from DownEast Basics

Recently, I was invited to attend the Spring Style Mixer for Downeast Basics, a clothing store at the Irvine Spectrum. The mixer gathered together a select group of bloggers for an evening of shopping. I had never visited the shop but I had friends who were raving about the place so I checked it out. Social media shopping mixers are always neat because looking at women’s fashion and shopping amongst friends is always fun.

Bloggers Shopping at Downeast Basics

Shelby of ocmomblog.com and I with Kara Noel of elislids.com photobombing in the background.

DownEast was founded in 1991, and is a privately held company headquartered in Salt Lake City, Utah.  It is a lot like other fast-fashion stores with affordable clothing, that offer a mix of trendy items and clasic staples. According to a DownEast Basics representative, their ideal customer is “any woman who appreciates boutique style designs but wants it on a bargain basement budget!”

Hair Accessories at Downeast Basics

Kara Noel and I try out some hair accessories.

Of course, bargain prices don’t mean poor quality. In fact, I was impressed by the quality of the clothing. I was told that they get in new styles on a monthly basis to keep their inventory fresh.  They have some basic items that I thought were awesome (Hello, wonder t-shirt line – it’s got spandex much like spanx, a friend to women like me who need the extra help, if you know what I mean.)

Wonder Tees and more at DownEast Basics

Wonder Tees and more at DownEast Basics in Irvine

Swimsuit

Swimsuit for DownEast Basics Spring 2013 Collection. Photo courtesy of DownEast Basics.

Finally, you gotta love a store that connects with its customers via social media. Let me say, DE is all over it. They are on www.facebook.com/DownEastBasics, www.twitter.com/DownEastBasics, Pinterest: @DownEastBasics and Instagram: @DownEastBasics. You can also shop online at DownEast Basics online.

They are holding a Spring Styles Contest on Pinterest that ends on March 5th. One lucky winner will win a $500 shopping spree.

Pin It to Win It with DownEast Basics

Pin It to Win It with DownEast Basics

 

My Storify: Was Small Business Saturday a Success?


Small Business Saturday Success

The day after the shopping holiday dubbed "Black Friday" is what is now known as "Small Business Saturday." What started as an American Express initiative in 2010, is now a battle cry for independent businesses.

Storified by Marcie Taylor · Sun, Nov 25 2012 10:58:31

American Express – Shop SmallMoZeus Worldwide
According to reports, over 500,000 small businesses participated in the Small Business Saturday event.  American Express provided free welcome mats and marketing materials for small business participants.
Today is Small Biz Saturday! Don’t forget to shop small & celebrate entrepreneurs in your area. Deets at: http://ow.ly/ftSRXAli Brown
Even the First Family supported Small Business Saturday.
Obama visits bookstore, promotes "Small Business Saturday" http://reut.rs/U4eeLyReuters Business
There are over 28 million U.S. small businesses. Where are you shopping on Small Business Saturday? #SmallBizSat http://pic.twitter.com/EVCpOpa5The White House
RT @CahabaBrewing: Today is small biz Saturday! Support those businesses that are local and small not just today but everyday! #ShopLocal http://pic.twitter.com/cwXlqFHsFreedom Soap Company
American Express also gave a $25 credit to American Express cardholders that motivated many to use their cards during their Saturday shopping sprees.
Small business Saturday is under way! (@ Portola Coffee Lab w/ 4 others) http://4sq.com/UE51KFNebai S Cherrick
From coffee shops to clothing boutiques, nail salons and restaurants…everyone got in on the “Shop Small Business” action.
#portolacoffeelabemrose91
Thanks to everyone who shopped with us for #SmallBizSat – you keep us going! Here’s to 72 more years in the Village!Murray’s Cheese
some vintage purchases from @BadMadge – can’t wait to rock that sweater clip at a holiday party #SmallBizSat #SanDiego http://pic.twitter.com/ArFnVUwbAmberly Charter
#smallbizsat shopped #local yesterday #childrens #bookstore #trains #kid #awesome #igers #igdai @ South Hill http://instagr.am/p/SdZWdSAOfZ/superdeluxe
Nice! "@MBFashionWeek: For #SmallBizSat we visited Antoinette in Williamsburg, #Brooklyn! http://Fb.com/mbfashionweek http://instagr.am/p/SdXHSAHtB_/"MetroGypsy
At the end of the day, some businesses benefited from the day more than others but it is important to remember that supporting our local shops not only helps the local economy, it also strengthens the community.
Thank you to everyone who came out and supported us on #SmallBizSat! http://yfrog.com/ocfw9xejButter Lane Cupcakes
hope #SmallBizSat helped some of the small businesses still recovering from #Sandy @etsy helpful to connect when buying from out of townBen Chang
I visited 20 local businesses & personally thanked them, @ShopSmall! (Shopping along the way.) So great! #SmallBizSat http://pic.twitter.com/FTav27tMAly Hess
Thank you to all if the people who chose to stop in our shop for #SmallBusinessSaturday we appreciate your support. And thanks to #AmericanExpress for the gift cards some of our shoppers redeemed- we appreciate your supporting #smallBusinesses everywhere.Lavender Hill Floral
Thanks for making #SmallBizSat 2012 a day to remember! Your support helped make a big impact on small businesses in your community.Independent We Stand
#SmallBizSat may be over, but don’t forget to still support and buy from indie businesses. They are the heartbeat of communities nationwide!Nicole Reyhle

Shop Till You Drop – new discount fashion stores court social media influencers

I am a self-confessed non-shopper. I can only shop with a purpose – need a black shirt? I’ll head for the black shirts. So it was a pleasant surprise when I was invited to two shopping events recently. I may not find comfort in retail therapy but I appreciate fashion and a good bargain.

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The first event I attended was the preview for the Nordstrom Rack at the Outlets in Orange. It turned out to be a social media gathering with friends, bloggers and fashionistas. Thumping DJ music set the mood, complete with hors d’ouevres and drinks. I  wrote about it on Storify. http://storify.com/marciemarketing/nordstrom-rack-orange-rocks

Original instagram photo by Kristin Ausk

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The second event I attended  was a pre-grand opening event at the new Stein Mart in The Market Place, Irvine. One of the cool things about the event was that there was a charity angle! Tickets to the pre-grand opening were sold at $5 each. Guests received a $5 coupon as well as 20% off any item during the event. (At Stein Mart, that goes a long way!)  All proceeds from the ticket sales benefited these local charities: Families Forward, Woman Sage, United Cerebral Palsy of Orange County and Goodwill of Orange County.

Take a look at my Storify Post on the Stein Mart Event here.

What these two events had in common were music and refreshments! Could this be the next trend in shopping?  Having a party atmosphere, start-up money to get you shopping (because you know you will always spend MORE ), and friends to hang out with definitely made shopping for this non-shopper, a truly fun experience worth repeating.