Shopping On A Budget

Have you noticed that EVERYBODY is on a budget, and they are not afraid to say that they are "cutting back" their spending? Not only have I noticed lots of empty parking places at one of my favorite shopping places, Kierland Commons, but I have also noticed that I don't have to wait as long for a table at popular restaurants. Actually, one of the stores that I have seen pretty crowded lately is a local resale store called "My Sisters Closet". It seems that woman in my neighborhood are taking the clothes that they spent decent money on last year and not only selling them for credit at the store or cash, but also spending money on resale clothes too. Yes, I am one of them and I'm not ashamed to admit it. My latest quest is a nice, warm black coat for a winter wedding in Colorado. They have a store for kids called, Small Change too. Just yesterday I got a pair of GEOX shoes for my 3 year old that were normally $59. I paid $14 and they are in perfect condition.
Someday I hope to spend a lot of money again, but in the meantime, I am having fun trying to find the best deals. Do you have any great deal stories to share? Maybe some tips on how to save?

The Best Make-Up In The WORLD!

This is a true testament to how much I LOVE my Zethina make-up, and NO she is NOT paying me to say this. This is the absolute truth. I have found the best make-up in the world.
On Tuesday I had 2 really big auditions in L.A for hosting jobs and left my home at 5am in the morning to drive out there. I packed up my car the night before except for my hair products and make-up. I actually did my hair that morning and was going to put my make-up before the interviews so I felt "perfect." Well, after 3 hours of driving my husband, Dean, calls me in a panic and tells me that I have left all of my make-up and hair product sitting on the counter at home. Not only did I freak out, but he did too. His exact words were "You have to turn around and come home because you can't wear anything besides Zethina's make-up. You have finally perfected your look and it has everything to do with your hair and make-up". I promise you that is what he said. Well, coming home was not an option so I immediately called Zethina (while crying my eyes out)to find out if there was anyone in L.A selling her make-up? She said she had private customers, but not a store front and that I needed to go to Nordstrom's and have someone from the Bobbi Brown counter do my make-up. This was not the answer I wanted to hear, but I had no choice. So, about an hour before my interview I located the Bobbi Brown counter and a beautiful girl named, Denise, saved the day. When I looked in the mirror, I was happy with the results (especially since I did not have many choices) but I was not "Wowed". My face did not look smooth and flawless like I am used to and I thought my eyes looked cakey. Don't get me wrong...I looked good, but there was a huge difference between there make-up and Zethina's. Long story short...I made it to the interview and I looked great. This experience, however, has proven to me how much I love Zethina Cosmetics. Her mineral make-up is like nothing I have ever worn before. If it can make a freckle-face look smooth and beautiful, and provide perfect coverage then it has got to be good. Trust me, with my skin I have tried EVERYTHING. Her blush makes me glow and the eye-shadows blend perfectly, and makes my eyes just pop. Also, my skin has never felt healthier and I never have a break-out. So, wear whatever make-up you want, but if you want to see and feel a difference then check out www.zethinacosmetics.com I promise, you will love it.

I Love The Westin Kierland Resort!

I must give kudos where kudos are due, and this time around they go to the Westin Kierland Resort. A bunch of girls spent the weekend there celebrating Tracy's 40th birthday and everything was perfect. We had 2 casitas with the most comfortable "Heavenly" beds, a rented cabana with the nicest attendant and a high of 92 degrees. What a perfect day. After relaxing by the pool we spent the next couple of hours at the Agave Spa getting facials and massages. It was so peaceful that we all felt as if we were a million miles away. Between the services, the relaxation room, the sauna and the fruit smoothies, none of us wanted to leave. Trust me, if you are ever a little stressed out or just having a bad day, and need to "chill out" somewhere, then the Agave Spa is the perfect spot. We topped off our day with a wonderful celebration at Deseo Restaurant where we sampled Ceviche, Lamb Chops and yummy Champagne. What an amazing day. Happy Birthday Tracy and thank you so much to the wonderful staff at the Westin Kierland Resort.

Beg or Barter?

So I was talking to a friend today about Bartering and how we probably all have things or services that we could offer up in exchange for things we want or need. We both agreed that in today's economy we have to be creative and watch the bottom line. So, I thought of what I have to offer....my voice. I have a home studio where I do voice-over work and would be willing to barter for maybe airline tickets, spa services, a room at a nice resort, restaurants, etc. It's all about being creative. So, if you need a voice for your next project then let's chat. Listen to my demo at www.andibarness.com and let's spread the word and help each other out.

You Want To Pay Me What?

Okay, I have to vent for a minute. While playing around on the Internet and searching for production companies to send my demo to, I stumbled upon a casting notice. They want to pay the tv host $300 for an all day shoot. Is it just me or is that ridiculously cheap. What is the saying "you get what you pay for." My thought is that if you can get someone for that cheap, they must not be that busy and if they are not that busy, then shouldn't you ask yourself why?
It just blows my mind that someone in this business (a production company) would have the nerve to pay someone so little. Am I the only one that thinks this way? I welcome your thoughts...please.

Ready For Your Holiday Cards?

If your like me, the thought of getting your family together for a holiday picture makes your stomach turn. First, you have to get them all together at the same time. Second, they have to all be wearing something halfway nice. Third, they have to all be in a good mood so they smile. Fourth, you have to think of a good bribe to get them through the photo session. Fifth, who is going to take the damn picture. Okay, I'm stressed out already. So the only thing not stressing me out about this whole thing is that I get the best holiday cards from www.starfishart.com I have the most talented friend....Pam Breece. She has had this business for a number of years and her selection is so different from anything else you will ever find. It's refreshing.....
So get the family together in some clean clothes and call your friend over to take some fun pictures. Oh, and maybe a glass of wine before hand to take the stress away and make you SMILE from ear to ear. If I'm missing anything let me know.

High of 74

I can't believe we have finally made it to this weekend. Wow! After months of locking ourselves and our kids inside the air conditioned homes, we are FREE! I think I actually have a skip to my walk because I am so happy and I think last night was the first night that I was cold during these last 4 months. So far this weekend, we have gone for walks, played ball outside, road the bikes outside and even just stood in the street talking to neighbors that have ventured outside to see what 74 degrees feels like. It's now time to get the block parties going, decorate for Halloween and figure out a way to make enough money so we can escape next summers heat. You mark my words..........I will be somewhere else next June and July! You? Oh yeah, if you are looking for something fun to do outside check out www.whattodotv.com

Things Are Quieting Down Over Here

Well, it looks like the things are quieting down over here after the murder of our dear neighbor, Jay Breeze. (see previous blogs) The reporters have dissipated, the police are hopefully gone for good and now the only thing that is constant is Jay's family that has the horrible task of going through his belongings. I can not imagine having to go back into a home that someone I loved was killed in. A bunch of the neighbors have been concerned about the kids so a police officer will be stopping by to talk with them and hopefully be able to answer questions and concerns that they may have. It's been difficult to find the right words to tell them. We also found out that there will not be a funeral that we can attend. I was so hoping to be able to say my final good-bye and now I'm just left with the memory of our last phone conversation and the last time I saw him cleaning up his front yard that he took such pride in. Hopefully we will be able to get some answers as to why this happened even though we will probably never understand it.

My First "Big Time" Infomercial

I arrived in Iowa yesterday to film my first "Big Time" Infomercial and so far it has been a blast. Plane rides, Limousines....it just keeps getting better. It's 4:55am Arizona time and I am getting ready to head out the door to breakfast and then off to Hawthorne Direct.

More pictures and great stories to follow.

UPDATE ON JAY BREEZE'S MURDER:

In case you had not heard, our neighbor Jay was murdered over the weekend allegedly by a guys that he was trying to help out. Read more about it at my blog below and click on this link for updated info. I will be following this story closely.

http://www.azcentral.com/arizonarepublic/local/articles/2008/10/07/20081007murderfolo1007.html

BREAKING NEWS: PHOENIX Man Found Dead in His Home

October 5, 2008 Unfortunately, the man found dead was our dear neighbor. I'm not going to give his name yet just in case his family has not been notified. We heard a police helicopter overhead last night around 2am and saw the lights flashing in our yard. I thought this was strange since this never happens where we live. I woke my husband and told him to make sure the house was secure and then tried to go back to sleep. About 30 minutes later I heard a police siren and thought they must have caught the person and was then able to go back to sleep. At about 7:15 this morning a police investigator knocked at the door and I just knew what had happened. I won't go into details here, but let's just say I predicted this was going to happen. I had a strange feeling come over me last week that gave me chills. Always trust your gut instinct.
They are putting ---'- body into the van now and I am sooooo sad. I guess I am writing this to get my thoughts out there and because there is nothing else I can do. He was such a kind, good man, that only tried to help people. Sadly, this could have cost him his life.

How to Ensure Great Customer Service

1. When a customer comes in the door drop what you are doing and acknowledge them.
2. Make sure you also drop the attitude, as well.
3. Do not answer your cell phone at work. (The girl that did my pedicure the other day must have gotten 3-5 phone calls and took every one.) This is so rude to a paying customer.
4. If you own a business and have high school kids working for you....make sure you drop by from time to time and check on them. Can I tell you how many times I have seen their friends sitting on the counter or hanging out at the register.
5. When answering the phone, please be courteous and DO NOT leave me on hold forever. Yes, I will hang up and try another one of your competitors.
6. Please make me feel like my questions are important and not stupid. If you make me feel like I am bothering you or that I am asking dumb questions then I will go someplace else next time.
7. Don't give me a hard time when I try and return something. The customer is always right and if you want me to come back you will make the return an easy one.
8. Please do not put your mean, rude, anti-social employees up at the front of the store to deal with customers. If they don't have good people skills they should be working in a back warehouse somewhere.
9. If you open at 10am, then PLEASE have the doors open at 10am and not 10:02am. That is sooooo annoying. Don't you know I have other things to do then to wait for you to get your act together.
10. I can't think of a number 10. Do you have any to add to the list?

Thought For The Day.

How comfortable would you be traveling over this? Holly and I took this picture while on our way back from the ERA Convention. It's the new bridge they are building over the Hoover Dam and it freaked me out just looking at it. I mean seriously, my heart started to beat double time just imagining us driving on it. I pray that we will have a choice when it's finished to either, drive the scenic route over the dam or avoid the delays and travel over the bridge. What would you do?