Happy Holidays. I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas holiday. I came across this great article that I found helpful for that after Christmas gift exchange. Let's face it we all get that one gift or gifts that we would rather exchange for something a little more to our liking. So I hope this article will help make your gift exchanges and returns run smoothly......
Gift Returns New rules require new tactics.
Don't feel guilty about returning that singing mounted fish your cousin bought you. He might be returning your gift, too. About 40 percent of Americans take back at least one gift after the holidays, says the National Retail Federation.
If you find yourself in line to return a gift this season, you're apt to discover that store policies have become stricter. Restocking fees for opened boxes or missing packaging are increasingly common, and not just for electronics. For example, Sears now imposes a 15 percent restocking fee for some appliances, tools, and lawn and garden products.
Stores have also become more persnickety about receipts. Last summer, Target changed its policy to allow for two receipt less returns a year of items less than $20. Before that the threshold was $100.
Kmart, Lowe's, and Wal-Mart are among the retailers that now use computer systems to monitor how often customers return items without sales slips. If you bring back too many within a given period, the store might stop accepting them. Some retailers say they're trying to prevent returns of stolen goods.
HAPPY RETURNS
If returning a singing fish is essential to your sanity, follow our tips and the process should go swimmingly.
Check the policy. It's probably on the store's Web site. If not, call the customer-service line or the store. Note that some stores have more generous return policies for goods purchased at holiday time.
Handle with care. Lost tags, missing packaging, or damaged boxes make it less likely you'll get your due. Amazon.com says it won't accept returns of products missing the serial number or UPC square on the box. Best Buy and Circuit City charge a 15 percent restocking fee on some electronic items whether or not you've opened the box. But you should not have to pay a restocking fee if the item was defective when you unwrapped it.
Bring the receipt. Being able to present one makes it more likely that you'll get back the item's full value. Without a receipt, a retailer might credit you with the lowest recent price or simply deny your return altogether. Gift givers should try to include one whenever possible.
Go to the right place. If the item was purchased by mail order or on the Internet, make sure you send it to the address the retailer specifies. The retailer might also have a location near you that takes mail-order returns. Sears, for instance, accepts Lands' End returns at its stores. But Macy's and Kohl's, which sell online and in stores, don't accept returns by mail if the merchandise was purchased in a store.
Clear your good name. If your return is denied and you don't know why, you may have been incorrectly flagged by a store's computer for committing "return fraud." You might be able to correct the matter by e-mailing the Return Exchange, a company that monitors returns for retailers, at returnactivityreport@thereturnexchange.com.
article courtesy of Consumer Reports.org
26 December 2007
HAPPY GIFT RETURNS...............
19 December 2007
SOCIAL CHRISTMAS EVENTS GOING DOWN IN THE ATL......
VIA FOOD.BAR262 Pharr RoadAtlanta, GA 404.214.5404
The holidays are here and it’s the season of giving! Join Via Food.Bar on December 19, 2007 at 7:00 0p.m. for the First Annual “Mistletoe Madness” holiday celebration. Guests can enjoy great holiday hors d'oeuvres and cocktails for $10 per person, proceeds benefit The Atlanta Alzheimer's Foundation. Via Food.Bar is conveniently located in the Eclipse Building at 262 Pharr Road, in the heart of Buckhead. For additional information call 404.214.5404 or log onto the website.
Hosted By:
VIA FOOD.BAR
Info Link(s):
http://www.viarestaurant.net/
TOUS Jewelry invites you to experience a Holiday Affair with Chrisette Michele, performing singles from her debut album, "I Am.'
North Point Mall Saturday, Dec 22, 2007 2:00 - 5:00pm
Receive A Holiday Gift With Any Purchase
Please RSVP at rsvp@thegarnercircle.com
FEATURING 2008 GRAMMY NOMINATED VIKTER DUPLAIX ON THE 1S & 2S
18 December 2007
10 Savvy Gifts for Under $100
Affordable prices with luxury Style
To continue in the holiday spirit of things I will be sending out each day a list of great gift selections. For our 8 days till Christmas rush. Again our theme is giving back and with these stylish and affordable gifts loved ones will be easy to please and think you spent a fortunate on that perfect gift. Remember presentation is everything.
Here we go:
Anthony Logistics For Men “It Kit”, $50
Help make your man clean and smooth with a half-dozen of these best-selling products. The reusable travel bag fits snugly into the shoe compartment of your luggage.
Strategy: To give him a clean, smooth shave. Clean with Glycolic Facial Cleanser (4 oz.). Smooth with Face Scrub (2 oz.), Sea Salt Body Scrub (4 oz.) and After Shave Balm (2.5 oz.). Shave with Pre Shave Oil (1 oz.) and Shave Cream (2 oz).
Juicy Couture “Cheer “ Flat, $59.50,
Festive pompoms top the round toe of a rib-knit flat, and it's available in two colors.
GPX AM/FM Ipod/MP3 Clock Radio, $29.99
This dual alarm AM/FM clock radio docks, charges and plays your iPod. You can awaken to your iPod, AM/FM radio or buzzer, and it also features snooze and sleep functions.
MAC Heirlooms 5 Basic Brushes, $48, This antique-inspired clutch bag, which holds five professional-quality basic brushes for lips, face, and eyes, is made of woven cream/silver metallic thread fabric with a royal crown detail on an ivory moulded plastic frame.
Cabo Isabella Frames by Kate Spade, $50
These silver plated picture frames offer a fresh, fun design with a touch of color on the inside border of the frame — and a classic Kate Spade polka-dot fabric back. Available in three colors and two sizes.
Too Faced Good Girl/Bad Girl, $29.50 Feeling naughty or nice? This chic holiday palette has six eye shadows and six lip glosses to match your mood.
Philosophy Memory Sage Scented Candle, $25
Fill your surroundings with the rich fragrance of sage, which helps to clear the mind and relieve stress. This generously sized sage-scented candle will allow you to unwind and remember times of love, laughter and joy
Little Birch Jewelry Stand, $26, This coated-aluminum branch on a wide velvet-lined base is perfect for displaying your jewelry or for just looking pretty on its own. It's available from Urban Outfitters in three colors.
Armani’s dark-rinse cigarette jeans, $98,
These jeans are sure to look fabulous with knee boots or flats.
Stemless Red Wine Glasses Set of 4, $19.99
A classic bowl for serving red wines in a stemless silhouette, individually crafted by European artisans using centuries-old techniques• Set of 4 glasses• Made of 100% soda lime glass• Quality blown-glass wineglasses• Dishwasher safe
*some gift selections courtsey of Glam article
17 December 2007
Gifts from the Heart Never Go Out of Style......
So the holiday is nearing and if your like me your still trying to locate that perfect gift on a budget. While sweaters and socks are very nice, and always appreciated, you might just want to give gifts with a little more pizzazz this year. Giving gift that shows your love, friendship or appreciation is never the wrong gift and never goes out of style.
I came across some interesting finds that I think would make great holiday gifts. And they will keep you from over extending yourself. My thought for this year, give some items that you found interesting and would like to share with others. Here some great finds that I researched for my inner circle.
For my fashion conscious readers: The Nylon Book of Global Style.
Synopsis
Ask any designer, fashion editor, or art director where the hottest trends are coming from, and they'll tell you it's from the streets of certain cities. And if you ask them what magazine gives the best, most authoritative coverage of these outsider fashion incubators, chances are they'll say Nylon. Nylon here combines its street cred and international expertise (the magazine is read in major cities around the world, and has recently launched both Japanese and Australian editions) to reveal the iconic looks in the seven most fashion-forward cities today: London, Paris, Berlin, Tokyo, Melbourne, Copenhagen and New York
www.barnesandnoble.com/$24.95
For the Friend Inspiring to Model: Holiday Mega Shoot
Get made over by the hottest designer/fashion stylist in Atlanta GA, Reco Chapple, and have your picture taken by noted fashion photographer, Leslie Andrews for only $150 for 3 Looks.... This fee includes hair make-up and styling.
For more info call 404-246-3773 or 404-433-1272
A little something for Her Stocking: Jill Bliss flower mini journal set 
Set of 4 mini journals in a hardcover slipcase. Darling native flower exterior opens to accented patterned on blank pages. So perfect for the gal on the go! 4”x5.75
www.fredflare.com/$14.95
Something Fun for Him: Deluxe Valet:
Technology may have made man more efficient, but all of those gadgets have wreaked havoc on his dresser top. Our chestnut-finished valet has room for his watch, wallet and cuff links, as well as cord cutouts to accommodate his phone, music player and PDA. 
www.redenvelope.com/$105-$110
For the Family: A year Subscription to NetFlix:
This is a great gift idea to give to a family. They can order as many movies they like and they will arrive right at their door. With Netflix you can rent as many DVDs as you want for one low 
price. There are no late fees and no due dates, and DVD shipping is free both ways. Plans start from only $4.99 plus applicable tax. With our most popular plan, you can rent as many DVDs as you want (3 DVDs at-a-time) for just $16.99 a month plus applicable tax. There are no additional charges.
http://www.netflix.com/
05 December 2007
Breaking Into Fashion..............
With this all star line up and the nature of the event I was surprisingly amazed that this forum was not filled to capacity, especially with all the A-town aspiring models, actors, photographers, stylist and so on. They surely did not know what vital information they missed out on. Threw topic of discussion I found the forum to be very informative and eye opening for any business minded individual. So if you were not in attendance because your desire is not for fashion, I found the information provided would help any entrepreneur stay ahead of their game.
Create Relationships: For all industry type individuals creating relationships with other knowledgeable industry folk will and can help you build a team and hopefully offer opportunity to open doors for yourself and others in your circle. If you’re a model looking to build your portfolio introduce yourself to a photographer or makeup artist that is also trying to build a name for them selves. Build a team, help each other. As Candice Woods put it, “Even Business Exchange”, bring something to the table.
Follow your dreams: Surround yourself with like minded individuals. If you’re working your way up in fashion design then hangout with fashion designers with your same interest in mind. Surround yourself with people that can take you to the level you desire or higher. Keep elevating yourself.
Find Direction: A simple tip given by Cotrice, Fashion Stylists was to get a notebook, list all the things you like and what you want to do in the industry. If it is acting list what types of rolls you would like to play. Research that area. Work on your ideas everyday add to that area and check off which ones you have completed. Set some goals for your ideas.
For more information or to sign up for updates visit the forum’s myspace page: www.myspace.com/breakingintofashion. Hopefully The Social Scene has enlightened and inspired all my fashionistas out there to attend the next seminar. I will also keep you posted on upcoming events of course.
Shouts out to ICON STYle for giving these designers some shine and the opportunity to share their work.
ICON STYLE is always on the look out for new designers. If you are a designer and wanting to participate in their next trunk show apply via website(http://www.iconstyleinc.com) or visit their my space page www.myspace.com/iconnstyleinc.
I also made my way over to one of my new fav restraints Hot Stix Stir Fry Kitchen. I have been dying to try this place for sometime. The concept is a dining experience that allows you to create your own stir-fry bowl. You have your pick of rice or noodles, vegetables, sauces, spices and meats. You can pile them as high as the bowl can handle, then your mixture is cooked on a 700-degree Mongolian grill-in-the-round, and then brought to your table by the HotStix staff. I was amazed to learn that one of owners for this restaurant it the same owner of Thrive in downtown Atlanta another one of my favorites and part owner of The Compound night club. My Food was delivered fast and fresh. On Thursday nights they offer socializing drink specials like $5 Sake Bombs, $5 Jagger Bombs and my personal favorite to help complement the Socialista in me, the Geisha House. A little Sophia Mini champagne in can served with a champagne flute and a pink straw. How cute is that. So if you’re in the new Lindbergh City Center be sure to check out them out. 
Hot Stix Stir-Fry Kitchen, 570 Main Street, Lindbergh City Center, Buckhead (404-844-2000 or (hotstixstirfry.com).
Insider tip: Valet Parking, Prompt Seating and Buffet style dining.
Till next time my socialites......The Urbansocilista the socializing trendsetter.
On The Radar..........
Step Your Shoe Game Up
