Kid Tip – Perfume box playtime
Hey Beauties! Perfume departments have fab box freebies. My son likes his crayons in Gwen Stefani’s L.A.M.B
Most recent articles
Oh No She Didn’t! – Quotes
Who said this?
no i’m not wearing a weave
Quick Tip: Tan Towels
If you must be tan, topical towel applications are a convenient method for DIY. Not sure what brand to go with? Tan Towel owns the patent and licenses out the towel – so any company using towels uses that technology.
Have you used this type of application before? What was your experience?
Susan Boyle – A Makeover Do Over?
Susan Boyle has received a much anticipated makeover, but not everyone is singing praises. 
Not that there isn’t approval for the fresh cut & color that has removed the grays, artfully applied makeup, thinning of the eyebrows and Burberry scarf clad outfit. It’s just that some wonder if Susan will lose her charm by gaining attractiveness.
Boyle shot to fame with her rendition of “I Dreamed A Dream” on the show Britain’s Got Talent. The song heard round the world was only slightly louder than the disdain for her plain jane looks. Boyle spent years caring for her mother and putting other needs above her looks. Now, Amanda Holden, the knockout blond judge from the show, claims Boyle is in jeopardy of losing her appeal by becoming more attractive.
She needs to stay exactly as she is because that’s the reason we love her. She just looks like anybody who could live on your street,” (Holden in interview with Daily Mail)
Pardon me Ms. Holden, but people responded to Susan Boyle because of her voice and what is clearly a feisty personality. People responded to the underdog with an amazing talent, and to have her continue on this silly gong show without any improvement in looks – when we know there are hordes of makeup artists, stylists, wardrobe budgets, etc – would be the sham. People normally transform in these competitions as they go anyway. Why deny Susan the same pleasures? Because she’s had to live her life without so far, does not mean she cannot succeed with what others get so easily or take for granted.
Frankly, people begin to look weathered when under stress or living a hard knock life. And in the long haul, the public wants as much beauty as can be mustered. Most people don’t look as attractive if they don’t keep up with a regimen of exercise and learned grooming. We’d dare Amanda Holden, who has admitted to botox use, to go without her stable of help for a few weeks, but we’re sure she’d say her success depended on it. Let’s not deny Susan Boyle the same tools.
CafePress -ing shopkeepers for profits
Cafepress , one of the largest online design & sell shops, has suddenly changed selling tactics. Along with establishing the price points in their own marketplace (creating a conflict with their own merchants), the final payout for shopkeepers will be a mere 10% commission.
With shops like Zazzle around, why would associates stay with CafePress? Do you think they are cutting their own throat or really looking out for everyone? Please chime in if you are currently selling, and whether you are staying or going.
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Dear Shopkeeper,
The CafePress Marketplace launched four years ago as a way to showcase Shopkeeper designs to a broader online retail audience. Since then our catalogue has grown to over 300 million products, and each month over 11 million shoppers visit CafePress to find unique and expressive products.
While our Marketplace growth has benefitted many Shopkeepers, others have seen commissions flatten or decline as the Marketplace becomes more saturated with redundant content. It is clear to us that to continue growing our Marketplace, we need to deliver a higher-quality shopping experience to customers, continue to invest in customer acquisition, and maximize conversion.
To do this we’re making two key changes:
Beginning today: We’ll be making changes in our search platform and algorithm to ensure we’re better delivering the designs and merchandise shoppers are looking for. This includes bringing the best designs to the front, and reducing redundant designs.
Beginning June 1st: We’ll start setting prices in the Marketplace, and Shopkeepers will receive a 10% commission off the final retail prices from all Marketplace sales. This change provides our shoppers with consistent pricing that’s competitive with other online retail stores. It also allows us to better invest in a quality retail experience and continued growth.
These changes DO NOT impact the pricing, markup, or sales you are driving in your own shops. By separating our Marketplace pricing from the prices you set in your shops, we’re able to preserve shop base pricing and continue to support Shopkeepers who drive their own sales.
We recognize that the implications of this strategic shift are significant and will affect Shopkeepers who sell designs in the Marketplace in different ways. The purpose of this email is to inform you of changes, and to help you understand how this will improve the overall retail customer experience at CafePress and help us ensure continued growth.
How these changes may impact you:
As with any decision that impacts our Shopkeepers, these changes were made only after careful consideration.
For some Shopkeepers, the impact will be on the upside as their designs receive more premium placement due to algorithm changes. Others may see no change or a decline in their commissions due to the new set pricing and commission structure. The first check you’ll see based on the new 10% commission structure will arrive in August (for June sales).
We’ve posted complete details and a list of FAQs of these changes.
On June 1, 2009 the current Shopkeeper Agreement, Shop Services, and Pricing Policy will change to reflect the new changes to the CafePress Marketplace. The major changes are to the Shop Services and Pricing Policy. You can review the new Seller Services (currently Shop Services) and Shop Pricing Policy (currently Pricing Policy).
If you have questions, please email us at marketplacequestions@cafepress.com. Depending on the questions, we’ll either answer them directly or publicly at the Shopkeepers News & Announcements page.
Sincerely,
CafePress
Cedar You in My Dreams
It is Spring Cleaning season, and I thought I’d share a bit of closet envy.
We all know about people with entire bedrooms devoted to their wardrobes, or Carrie’s dream shoe closet (or the above male wet dream according to Heineken). Me? It wasn’t so much the space but the type of space. Personally, I’ve always dreamed of a cedar closet.
I’m not sure why I had such a fascination with cedar. Growing up on the west coast everyone was familiar with the Lane cedar chest (do girls still wish for hope chests?). I’d never really had a problem with moths – not like we do in Wisconsin. But I also detested the moth balls used to keeps wools safe, and longed for the chemical free use of cedar. It just seemed like such a useful, little luxury.
In our digs, I first laughed at the little slip of a door in the hallway:
Then I opened the door:
Holy bananas!
This tiny little space is floor to ceiling cedar, including the door. There are two rails allowing for double hanging. And the shelf is adjustable.
What is the purpose of the cedar closet?
Protection from predators
If you live in Wisconsin and have wool, chances are you’ve seen this little bugger. I brought two wool rugs with me from California, and one disintegrated before I realized the problem. The other is hanging onto dear life. The natural oils in cedar help repel insects. For added protection, it is still recommended to “bag and ball” (did I just coin a phrase?).
How does it work and what keeps it working?
This floor-to-ceiling cedar closet is ideal because it is the natural oils in cedar that give the distinct aroma that drives bugs away. It is the destructive larvae that eat through tasty fabrics, and adult moths won’t lay eggs in such a pungent smelling environment.
The oils don’t last forever though. Cedar should be refreshed with a light sanding to revive the wood. Too much contact with air, dirt and simply time turns the cedar from a nice red to a brownish tone. This color change or lack of scent is a sign to perform maintenance or risk creatures getting cozy in your goods. Sanding once a year is a common recommendation, with a light application of cedar oil as an option.
Maintenance is so easy, even Spiderman can do it!
How do I get my own closet?
If you don’t already have a built-in and are looking to convert or build, there are two ways:
1) Use Eastern Red Cedar. This is the original cedar harvested primarily from the southern Appalachian Mountains. These planks produce the strong cedar scent. This is the more expensive route but will provide a beautiful finish.
2) Cedar flakeboard. This was my backup in college, and I have pulled those boards and taken them with me everywhere I’ve gone. You simply nail them in and you’re done.
If you share the same dream I’ve always had, don’t despair. Seems dreams really do come true!
