Thursday, April 30, 2009

Obamanut? Yes, I am!

Here are some on my favorite photos from President Obama's first 100 days in term. I heart this family.

Look at that little boy's face. "Yes son, that's a man.


I've never seen the inside of Air force 1. Looks better than my office for sure.

Say 'cheese' Daddy! I luv how you can tell the girls are excited for their dad.

Um, I'm not that into the Superbowl, but I heart watching the Obamas.
You can still tell he has some on those "This is so cool, man!" moments.
"What do you think this is young lady, a game? Yes you can!"
They are sitting on the floor!

Musiq's "So Beautiful" is playing in my head.

How many times a week does he do this? I bet he's thinking, "These ninjas trippin."

Swoon.

Way cute! They look like they're leaving prom.





Tuesday, April 28, 2009

Be a Good Customer Part I


We all have stories about the poor customer service we have received, but since I've started working in retail I can speak on both sides, in order to get good customer service you must first act like a customer=person. You must also treat the sales associate like a person too. Now this may not work all the time, but it is a good start. It at least indicates that the employee is the problem and not you.

1. First rule from the hip. The sales person is not a maid. So when you must have the medium from the middle of the stack of folded shirts, don't just flip the pile over, get the one you want and leave the disheveled pile for the next person to pick through. If the sales person just folded the pile either make an effort to put the pile back or wait until he or she leaves to make the mess if you have to. Picture this you build a castle and some fool knocks it over just as you plant the flag. It feels like that. All if you need to spread an item over the rack to get a good look at it, put if back the way you found it. Don't you hate finding the item you want only to discover its all tangled up? This is especially for items with thin strap.

2. If you bring in clothes to the fitting room, take them out of the fitting room. Where I work it is not uncommon for people to simply step out of the clothes and leave them on the floor. This is never cool and don't throw the clothes over the wall either. This is especially a no-no when there is a line out the door. Each customer has the right to a clean shopping environment.

3. What should you do with the clothes you don't want? This varies in some stores but you can know what to do by simply paying attention. When you are finished trying on clothes you can hand them to the person in the fitting or if no one is there place them on the rack. In high end stores the associates may ask you to leave the clothes in the room, but in Express, go get yo ish. It would also be great if you put them on hangers. I hate to receive a wad of tangled shirts and pants in addition to a jumble of hangers.

4. Last note about trying on clothes if you get make-up or deodorant on the shirt you tried on I think it's okay to get another one, but that's only because I do it sometimes. I do not condone urinating in the clothing. Yes it happens. We don't have a public restroom in our store.

4.5 Ok one more thing about trying on clothes, if you chose not you use the fitting room for blazers, coats, etc... Don't leave the unbuttoned garments in a pile by the store mirror. This goes for accessories too. Put them back where you found them or in the area you found them.

5. You also need to know what kind of store you are going into so you know what level of service to expect. When I go into Target I don't expect to fawned over and asked what I'm shopping for in fact I don't expect to be bothered. I do ask if an item is in the back or where is the shirt advertised in the paper, but other than that I'm on my own and that's fine. I do the same in The Limited. There may be a person in the fitting rooms asking if you I need a different size. When I leave I give the person my no's and I'm on my way. In short you can expect moderate attention from the sales staff, but in jam packed trendy cheap store like Forever 21,H&M, TopShop and what not take what you can get. The staff should be pleasant and helpful if you have questions, but do not expect to be waited on. Sometimes if it is a slow day you can ask the staff to help find a Friday night out fit, but on jam packed days, no.

6. If you knock something over, pick it up. It doesn't matter what it is. If you knock of a fixture or spill something let someone know. Leaving a spill can only create a bigger mess and sometimes a legal one.

7. Stand in line and stay in line. Don't expect the person behind you s hold your space or the cashier to keep track of who is next. If you don't know where the line is ask. I know I can't stand store where the lines twist and turn or when there is one long line and four cashiers. It gets frustrating, but just ask.

8. When it is your turn, know what you are going to get. I hate when someone stands in line and gets to the cashier and and decide what they want. It rude to the people behind you. I understand quick decisions to buy or not, but full a full on list of pros and cons is annoying to everyone.

Side note: If you decide you don't want an item, give it to the cashier don't throw that leather coat into the bin of socks. If you decide you don't want an item before getting to the cashier hang it up or if it isn't on a hanger put it on a shelf, don't throw it in a corner. It does have to be in the exact spot you found it, but respect the garment. If it is damaged because of being stepped on or tangled the price get distributed back to the customer via higher prices.

9. If your card is declined, do not make a scene and blame the cashier, your baby daddy or whatever. Discreetly put the items on hold or walk away. You will only end up looking broke and stupid.

10. When you pay with cash. Put the money in the cashier's hand. DO NOT THROW THE MONEY ON THE COUNTER! Talk about rude! People kill me putting their money on the counter then having their hand out for their change. Why is it rude picture this you ask someone for a pencil and reach for it just as they toss it on the floor. Not nice right?

Here's another reason to be nice to the sales staff; they can save you money Many time extra coupons are available at the cash register or they can look up your card number if you are in a discount clubs. And sometimes, sometimes they can increase a discount. They can also let you know when items will go on sale or when the new stock comes in. Trust me I know. I've been on both sides. Don't go shopping with a bad attitude. No rolling your eyes at the girl who says "Hello" or barking out demands to the sales staff and then expect them to go out of their way to help you.


When it comes to shopping let's go with the golden rule: Treat others the way you want to be treated.

Friday, April 24, 2009

Day 26 Stan Reporting

First things first, I got that new Day 26 album "Forever in a Day." I don't know what I expected, but I do like the majority of the songs after hearing them over and over. My favorites are "Girlfriend", "Need That", "Your Heels," and "Truth is a Lie."
I can see where they wanted to go with this album, the bank. They wanted to go that 'get money' route and still keep some of the R&B vibe from the last album. I say 'get money' route because it seems like talking about money and sex is what's selling right now.

Truth is, I never really like an artist's sophomore album. Sophomore albums seem too forced, like the artist has something to prove. I loved Ne-Yo's first album the second one was, blah. Same with Kanye 808 and Heartbreaks is the bizness, Late Registration not so much. So in short I'm looking forward to Day 26's third effort. I do believe they'll get there.

I just hope they get an image consultant, stylist and a pr manager. They be lookin like some straight bums, not a good look. Ew, and the radio interview with them talking so openly about sex was repulsive, a complete turn-off. I'm offended!



There is more nastiness on YouTube.

Anyway, the Making the Band 4 season finale was last night. Whack! Whack! Wiggety Whack. The performances were sub par and them boys looked bad, not in a good way. I did like Will's sequined/sparkly jacket, but Robert's leather capris. Are you kidding me? Them ninjas some straight clowns. Que was dressed like the nutcracker. I don't remember much dialogue with the group. Donnie seemed a little annoyed with his lack of tv time. I would be too if some fools were taking my shine for fighting each other.

Now to the Danity Kane disaster. It is now clear that Aubrey did not ruin DK. It was D.Woods' clumpy arse. Hater. Dawn was right. Some people had hidden agendas, um D.Woods. First signal, you make the group as Wanita, but change your name to D.Woods cause your old fans know you as D. Woods. **Side Eye** Erbody in the group goin by they government name and you wanna use your stage name. She never really interacted with the other girls anyway.

Aubrey did go 'hollywood' but she wanted to be in the group. She was the one speaking up for them and let's be real she was publicity. Them other girls was blah, but great together. I still listen to both of their CD's and I went to the concert in B-More. So I think they were a great group, but as solo artists? I don't think so. I guess ego is bigger than money cause I woulda stayed in the group till I got my money right. Them fools sold over a million albums in a recession. They were about to 'make it'. Silly girls and over what? The only two who you may see next year are Aubrey and Dawn.

Oh and speaking of Dawn, what a mess. You thirsty broad. She may have been right, but her delivery was whack, nasty and manipulative. She saw that people in her group had other motives and she was right to start making some back-up plans, but it came out grimy and sneaky. First she threw them girls under the bus in the last season finale. They weren't going to speak on the problems, but she had to keep it 'real'. Aubrey even called her out saying she heard for Harve Pierre that Dawn was going solo. This season she acted like she was confused and all alone. Bish you knew last season you was going solo. Then she had poor Aundrea following behind her knowing she was going to be fired. At the beginning of the season she talking about she called the girls and what not. Charades!

Why you have to act like you didn't know Dawn? That's why I can't stand you. You act like you so real and humble. Keep it real, you knew you what was up. When you act fake it looks like you are trying to hide something or your motives are unpure which in a nut shell makes you a low down mofo. Dirty Money is a perfect name for your solo/group debut.

I'm glad the season finale was called "The Final Chapter" cause I'm sick of these fools. Diddy's says he's looking for a new girl group and as much as I want to not watch it I may take a peak.

Wednesday, April 22, 2009

Check This Out!


I used to love Honey Magazine back in the day. I was so sad to see it go under, but it was been resurrected as an online magazine. Check the title to go to the Web site. It is a little raunchy, but I still like it. I used to like VIBE: Vixen too.

Thursday, April 2, 2009

Day 26 Stan Reporting

Below is the wackness of the new Day26/Diddy video. I know the album will be fiyah, but the video below for “Imma put it on Her” bites. Were there no brown skinned sistas available? And is it me or were those girls really short and skinty? They are defiantly drinking the Diddy Kool-Aid. Besides that, what is the concept for this video? I’ve seen it before like a zillion times. It looks like a Hodge podge of Bow Wow’s new video, that Wayne Wonder video that was hot a couple years back, “No Letting Go” and Usher’s “Love in this Club.” I at least expected some dancing since Que was so adamant about attending dance class. Ends with a big WTF? They just walk off. This video is like the other two Day 26 videos unfinished and uninspired, and let me not forget cheap.

Wednesday, April 1, 2009

Topshop USA




Topshop is a godsend for those of us who love high fashion, but can't afford or refuse to pay high fashion prices. They offer up-to-the minute designs at affordable price. Haute dresses can be found for under $100.00 and the guest designers are amazing, ever heard of Kate Moss?

Topshop is the business. It's kind of like H&M but the quality is a little better in my opinion. I got the cutest pair of pink bedazzled moccasins there back in 2005. I'm just a little envious that they will be opening their first US flagship store in New York on Broadway and Broome, April 2.

"To celebrate the arrival of Topshop in the US, purchases over $100 in store will come with a free, limited edition Cool Britannia t-shirt while stocks last. 'Cor blimey guv'nor' - that's a good deal!" says the Web site.

Not only do customers receive a free t-shirt but opening weekend customers will be treated to instore beauty treatments, guest DJ's and stylish affordable clothes including the Kate Moss Collection. Rats! Click the title for more info.

Are You Kidding Me?


When enough going to be enough? Intially, I was like "let's make sure the Obama merchandise we purchase supports his campaign" and I only bought stuff from his official Web site. Then I got an "Obama for your Momma" tee from Urban Outfitters cause I really liked it. Then I started to see the street vendors and beauty shops offer faux Obama stuff and I was disgusted. Socks and flip-flops, really? Would Obama mind? It's good for the economy, right? Reluctantly, I had a change of heart and took on the "get your money man" attitude, but Obama fried chicken? Are you kidding me?