The Shop Cop

Jennifer Litwin Offers Testimonial for MyMediaTraining.com

cadencep — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 22:30:58 +0000

www.mymediatraining.com

Jennifer’s testimonial at MyMediaTraining.com:

“My coach taught me how to be acutely aware of who the TV viewer is, in both national and local markets. He gave me excellent tips on how to relate to, and find commonality with the viewer so they are fully engaged throughout the segment.”

Jennifer Litwin

“The Shop Cop” Consumer Reporter

Author of “Furniture Hot Spots” & Best Furniture Buying Tips Ever!”

People of Distinction on Home page (4) – Lauren Lozano Ziol

cadencep — Fri, 18 Nov 2011 17:25:03 +0000

www.LaurenLozanoZiol.com

One of Chicago’s top interior designers, Lauren Lozano Ziol applies her aesthetic eye and degrees in Art History and Interior Design to carefully and elegantly blend traditional elements with clean lines, refined materials and sophisticated colors. Lauren has been featured in Chicago Home and Garden and the Chicago Tribune Winner of the I4Design Suite 16 Award 2011. Lauren has also been featured on NBC’s LXTV Open House and is a member of ASID. I am drawn to Lauren’s versatile style, sense of design, color, proportions and personality in the homes she has created.

I asked Lauren her inspiration for this classic, yet contemporary twist in this powder room design (left). It is truly lovely and something I envision seeing in an elegant hotel in Paris. Lauren said that she “especially loves the contrast between ornate and clean lines in this powder room. The height of the ceiling allow this Dedar wallpaper from Holly Hunt to really come alive. The juxtaposition between the wallpaper and the very contemporary sink from Hydrology add a new-age glamour and sophistication. The contrast of the cream and gold add drama, yet instill a calmness.”

Interior Designer of Distinction: Lauren Lozano Ziol

cadencep — Fri, 18 Nov 2011 17:21:58 +0000

INTERIOR DESIGNER OF DISTINCTION: LAUREN LOZANO ZIOL

www.LaurenLozanoZiol.com

I asked Lauren her inspiration for this classic, yet contemporary twist in this powder room design. It is truly lovely and something I envision seeing in an elegant hotel in Paris. Lauren said that she “especially loves the contrast between ornate and clean lines in this powder room. The height of the ceiling allow this Dedar wallpaper from Holly Hunt to really come alive. The juxtaposition between the wallpaper and the very contemporary sink from Hydrology add a new-age glamour and sophistication. The contrast of the cream and gold add drama, yet instill a calmness.”

Lauren Lozano Ziol recently launched the debut pieces of her new furniture line that takes inspiration from Art Deco furniture.

I recently asked Lauren to tell me some of her favorite holiday gifts for the hostess and the home.

LAUREN LOZANO ZIOL’S FAVORITE HOLIDAY GIFTS FOR THE HOME:

FAUX FUR PILLOWS AND THROWS

Faux Fur pillow covers and throws -$24 – $29 for pillow covers, $79 for throws

BOOK: CHICAGO SPACES

Chicago Spaces: Inspiring Interiors by Jan Parr and the editors of Chicago Home & Gardening Magazine -$45

ICE BUCKET AND TONGS

Mora Horns Ice Bucket and Tongs -$130

BOOK: IMPOSSIBLE COLLECTION OF FASHION

The Impossible Collection of Fashion by Valerie Steele -$650

TRENDS THIS SEASON

Men’s suiting fabric – The classic pinstripe, herringbone and plaids never lose their appeal, according to Lauren. “This fabric is great for men and women’s apparel and a super chic way to upholster any piece of furniture”.

Check out Fishman’s Fabrics in Chicago. They have great haberdashery at decent prices.

Fishman’s

1101 South DesPlaines

Chicago, IL 60607

Phillip Jeffries wall covering at Holly Hunt offers fine quality, handcrafted grass cloths, raffia, Japanese paper prints, gold leaf, hemps and silks in stunning, unique designs. www.phillipjeffries.com

BIO

With Degrees in Art History and Interior Design, Lauren Lozano Ziol blends traditional elements with clean lines, refined materials and sophisticated colors. She has been featured in Chicago Home and Garden and the Chicago Tribune, Winner of I4Design Suite 16 award 2011, been featured on NBC ‘s LXTV Open House and is a member of ASID.

LLZ recently launched the debut pieces of her new furniture line.

www.laurenlozanoziol.com

My Favorite Weekend Hot Spots for a Relaxing Get-Away

admin — Sat, 29 Oct 2011 17:07:27 +0000

MY FAVORITE WEEKENDS SPOTS TO GET AWAY WITHOUT THE KIDS AND JUST RELAX

1) AMERICAN CLUB IN KOHLER, WISCONSIN www.destinationkohler.com. I love the Kohler Resort for a beautiful, peaceful getaway, especially if you love playing golf and peaceful tranquility, which the resort offers. I just visited a few weeks ago, having spent a nice, quiet weekend without the kids, and playing golf at Golf at the Bull, a fantastic (and less expensive than the pricey Kohler course) public course right next to the PGA golf course at Kohler. There are lots of cute little romantic spas and restaurants not to be missed in the little Kohler Village. If you love Baker Furniture, the Kohler family, who owns Baker, has done a great job of furnishing the resort with elegant Baker Furniture and Kohler Bath fixtures that surround the entire luxury resort.

2) EL MONTE SAGRADO IN TAOS, NEW MEXICO www.elmontesagrado.com/. I was lucky enough to win a weekend trip to this 5-star, award-winning newer, very romantic resort nestled in the heart of the quaint town of Taos. I had always wanted to visit New Mexico, and Taos, in particular. The surrounding terrain is beautiful and so are the views, but I especially love the little private villas, with big fireplaces, luxurious bedding, private little pools, spa, and organic food at the intimate dining room. If you are a lover of Southwest food, hiking and river rafting, this resort is a must.

3) EAGLE RIDGE RESORT AND SPA IN GALENA, ILLINOIS www.eagleridge.com. Yes, even in Illinois you can find breathtaking views and a beautiful resort in the middle of the country. If you love hiking, skiing and relaxing in a cozy spa with fireplaces burning everywhere, Eagle Ridge is the place for you. I love the relaxed atmosphere in the restaurants on property, perfect with or without the kids, the beautiful hills and mini-mountains, and luxurious rooms inside the lodge–great for a romantic weekend. If you are bringing your family, you may wish to rent one of the newer and larger homes that can accommodate up to twenty people. The town of Galena is well worth the visit. I love to play golf, and enjoy the award-winning US Open golf courses on the property—there are 4.

4) FOUR SEASONS HOTEL IN WHISTLER, BRITISH COLUMBIA www.fourseasons.com. To get away from it all, winter or summer, I love this little newer, less stuffy Four Seasons Resort in Whistler. The view of the flower-, grass-, and tree-covered mountains make me realize why this jewel was chosen as the spot for the 2010 Olympics. For a romantic weekend, enjoy the pool, hot tub and elegant bar/restaurant. This is a wonderful place to be trapped during a winter storm! On the weekends in the summer, visit the best farmers market in the world, with fresh, organic meals and dishes prepared right at the booths—local produce is some of the best I have had.

5) SHANGRI-LA HOTEL IN VANCOUVER, CANADA

www.shangri-la.com. This Asian hotel chain is one of the best in the world, paying attention to every detail and designing beautifully appointed rooms. Look no further for your evening’s romantic date than the high tea room on the first floor, or relax in the most luxurious bathrooms that boasts large tubs and televisions. Right in the heart of beautiful Vancouver, and just steps away from the water and mountains.

Car Rental Companies not Honoring their Contracts? What You Need to Know when Renting a Car

admin — Fri, 28 Oct 2011 20:17:05 +0000

CAR RENTAL COMPANIES HAVE A TRACK RECORD OF MISLEADING THEIR CUSTOMERS AND OVERCHARGING THEM

Though I typically don’t have a need to rent cars, I did so recently on a few different trips. My experience with Budget made me want to never rent another car again, and this isn’t the first time that my credit card meant carte-blanche to the car rental company.

CORPORATE CAR RENTAL OFFICES VS. FRANCHISE OPERATIONS

Apparently, when you rent a car from Budget, Hertz, Avis, etc., you are possibly renting from the parent company. However, plenty of franchise operations, privately owned and managed, rent out cars under the names: Budget, Avis, Hertz, etc.

AIRPORT CAR RENTAL AGREEMENTS

Once you book a daily car rental rate online, over the phone or through your travel agent, you must sign a contract at the airport. This isn’t easy to understand, because the rental contract invariably adds airport fees, etc., that you may not have seen on the quote. Then, of course, the car style you expected to rent is probably not even available anymore. You are now forced to spend more money and get a bigger, fancier car; or shift down a gear and get a more modest car that costs almost the same as what you expected to rent.

After signing the contract for the car rental, and hopefully not for additional insurance, a big money maker for the car rental companies, you get to check out your new car. In my case, I was given a van that had 25,000 miles on it and seemed very worn out and dirty on the inside.

But before I could leave a little inspector man came out and asked us to look over the car, as he quickly walked around our car and told us there were just a few little scratches on the bumper—he put the little sketch of the scratches on the contract, mumbled a few words in broken English that we didn’t understand, and sent us on our way, as there was a huge lineup of cars trying to leave the Vancouver airport. I looked closely around the car, and pretty much agreed with the inspector, but it was dark in the garage and we were feeling the need to get out because of the long line of cars behind us. The kids were getting antsy.

GETTING CHARGED FOR DAMAGES

As it turned out, we never drove the car, even once after getting it to the hotel in Whistler. The car turned out to be unnecessary. The total charges Budget told us to expect to pay were about $400 for 4 days, including all the airport fees and gas. We were supposed to drop off the car in downtown Vancouver, at the Budget office there, and not at the airport, from where we rented the car.

What an experience the drop-off was. We showed up with the van, having not even driven it outside of the empty hotel parking lot in Whistler, and just driving it back to Vancouver, without any stops along the way. The agent in the Budget office there told us to wait for a supervisor to go out and inspect the Toyota Sienna. After a few minutes, we went outside to meet him, only to discover that the agent found a small one-inch dent at the top of the hood, close to the windshield. A weird place to find a dent. It was barely visible and something we had never seen.

BUDGET’S FRANCHISE OFFICE HAD MY CREDIT CARD ON FILE AND COULD CHARGE ANYTHING THEY WANTED

True…very true. So what should have cost about $400 for a car we never even drove, we were told Budget’s franchise office would charge us now a total of $1,400 for damages. No discussion, and they weren’t turning back. Interestingly enough, the couple behind us had the same experience earlier in the day with the same agent. This was truly a racket, this operation.

AMERICAN EXPRESS PROTECTS YOU AGAINST CAR RENTAL CLAIMS

Fortunately, I had charged the car on my American Express. My insurance agent at State Farm told me to immediately call Amex, stop payment to my credit card, and speak with American Express’ Claims department. I was saved by them, and they started a file, to deal with Budget and State Farm, to find resolution to this. I am not sure that Visa would do the same, but American Express is known for dealing with claims in car rental situations, and they have worked quickly to find answers.

I am now considering a driving trip from my own garage next trip!

Today’s Families Seeking Relaxed, Updated Chic Instead of the Overly Formal, Stodgy Decor of the Eighties

admin — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 02:41:22 +0000

WHAT KIND OF STATEMENT ARE YOU TRYING TO MAKE WITH YOUR NEW HOME? DOES YOUR HOME TRULY REFLECT YOUR OWN TASTE, OR SOMEONE ELSE’S?

Through all uncertainties of the real estate market and the economy you might say that home decor has changed for most homeowners. Stodgy, impractical and stuffy furniture of the 70′s and 80′s, the look of our parents’ generation, has given way to more functional, comfortable and affordable fashions. Picking up the basics at places like Costco and fashionable, urban, flea markets, have become the norm.

MY FAVORITE FREE RESOURCES TO HELP GET IDEAS ABOUT FURNISHING YOUR HOUSE EXACTLY TO YOUR LIKING

MAGAZINES

Dwell ( ideas for a more efficient house, soup to nuts)

Reader’s Digest (decluttering ideas–fresh and new ideas that will make your life a lot easier)
Oprah Home (multiple choices displayed for every piece of furniture you will need)
Martha Stewart Home (smart, fashionable choices for each room in your house)

WEBSITES/BLOGS

Homeportfolio.com (lists thousands of choices of products and design ideas, and links to the sites where you can buy them–saves huge amount of time)
Lesliehindman.com (great Chicago-based auction house that offers monthly auction in a wide variety of styles, periods and prices–take advantage of the great auction prices right now)
Designspongeonline.com (perfect place to get ideas that are well thought out and executed-no need to hire a designer if you go to this site–artistic, creative, easy to use and fun!)
Decor8blog.com (special finds and secrets from around the world, for all the little details of your house, with links to the nation’s best stores, all in one site)
Freshome.com (displays latest design and function characteristics for every piece of furniture you buy)
Trendir.com (the latest in materials, colors, textiles, trim)
Homedesignfind.com (beautiful layouts of entire room designs–great place for room design ideas)

In Search of Websites that Will Follow Through

admin — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 00:09:21 +0000

History repeats itself. Studies have shown that over time, people tend to make the same bad choices the second time around, and most of us are guilty of shopping at the same awful stores that we vowed we would never step foot in again.

I have also been in this rut. I vowed when the stock market crashed last year that I would explore new retailers, and new ways of shopping; I’ve been surprisingly happy with the results I came up with.

GET OUT OF YOUR SHOPPING RUT

After recently shopping at Costco (and renewing my membership for a whopping $50) I realized why I signed up in the first place. My son likes their chocolate cake. That’s it. That’s the only reason. And I paid $50 for that privilege to buy that one cake, one time.

In a recent radio show I hosted with the Miserly Mom, Jonni McCoy, listeners learned why Costco isn’t the price leader for many household products we assume must be cheaper because of their massive bundled quantities. You don’t need to be a repeat shopper. There may be other better ways to shop. You don’t need to pay anymore to belong to a “club”. Save your money.

SOME OF MY PERSONAL FAVORITE SITES FOR SAVING MONEY

Amazon.com: Yes, Amazon.com. In the past, I just couldn’t understand how to shop Amazon, their confusing return policies or anything else on Amazon. And yes, Amazon was known for its many confusing return policies. But now, years later, Amazon has done something ingenious, ahead of the others. Amazon now is banking on your buying into an annuity plan—that’s right; so if you are willing to have the same products (Amazon sells everything so you can buy absolutely anything, including household cleaning supplies and groceries) each month, you will get a 15% discount on everything, and shipping is free. This is a great deal if you always use the same products, as I do.

Alice.com: Alice.com is the place to go for groceries, toiletries and anything you can imagine buying for the house. Through Alice, you buy directly from the manufacturer, reducing the middle man and shipping is free always. I have seen savings on products up to 20% off what I pay at other stores.

KGB: I am addicted to KGB. A friend of mine told me about this great service. If you need to know answers to any questions you have immediately, text KGB at 542542 for an immediate answer, for only $.99. I have used them when I have a hard time finding information online, or am away from my computer but need to know something right away. Their agents seem to know how to get you exactly the answers you are looking for, in almost every category, instantly.

COOKWARE.COM: When I told a friend of mine recently that I needed to buy some new pans for my kitchen, she asked me how I can buy heavy pans, and carry them down the street, as I walk from place to place. She told me that she almost always orders heavy kitchen gadgets and appliances online so she doesn’t have to carry them. So I became hooked on Cookware.com. Cookware.com is a site for all things cooking-related. As I have price-shopped online for everything in my kitchen, I have found Cookware.com easy to shop, often a price leader, with ongoing sales, and free shipping if you spend more than $69. Items come quickly and I am no longer pulling muscles from all the carrying.

CARDPOOL.COM: I now know that one of the beauties of the holiday season are all the unused gift cards people have months afterwards. This means big savings for me. For 10-20% off, you can buy unused gift cards from every store you can imagine, from California Pizza Kitchen (15% off), Game Stop (10% off), Jamba Juice (my favorite for 15% off), J. Crew (10% off), and Hyatt (12% off). The prices are always guaranteed and shipping is free. Receive up to 30% off, and get back up to 90% of the value of the card you are selling. This is a win-win for all; but you just have to constantly remind yourself to check out the site before going out shopping. I especially like buying AMC movie gift cards, and saving 10-20% on them.

Have You Picked the Wrong Travel Company? Reap Big Rewards with a Corporate Travel Agent Right Now to Take Advantage of Luxury Trip Deals

admin — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 20:08:30 +0000

MY SUMMER SPENT TRAVELING, ON THE REQUEST OF MY KIDS

Because I’ve spent the past many years traveling for work, I haven’t had much time or desire for leisurely travel. And traveling with little kids wasn’t always the easiest. But this past summer was different. My son, Edward, told me last year that he wanted to travel, to see the world. Planning the trips wasn’t easy, as I wasn’t sure which hotels to stay in, which places offered the best values, and best times and ways to book our trips.

RECENT TRIP TO THE REGENCY HOTEL IN NY WAS AN EYE OPENER

My brother and sister-in-law recently took my nephew, Justin, to NY for a weekend. They were so proud of the amazing rate they were able to get through Orbitz. For somewhere in the low $200′s, they were able to get a room at one of my favorite hotels, the Loew’s Regency in NY. I couldn’t believe the rate–a rate that I hadn’t been able to secure in years, since right after 9/11.

THE ARTIFICIALLY LOW HOTEL RATE QUOTED BY ORBITZ

Orbitz said in fine print that upgrades may be available upon arrival, but that they couldn’t guarantee the room you get when you book through them. Unfortunately, when my brother, sister-in-law and nephew got to the famed Regency Hotel, they discovered they would be sleeping in a room with 2 twin beds—something unacceptable for the 3 of them. So they went to the front desk, spoke with a reservations clerk and were able to upgrade to a room with 2 doubles—for an extra $100, of course.

PROBLEMS WITH ORBITZ, EXPEDIA, PRICELINE AND OTHER ONLINE TRAVEL COMPANIES

We’ve all had the same complaints when booking trips with the online travel companies, as Consumer Affairs reports:

1) The rate you are promised promises you nothing—wait til you see your room. No online or in-person guarantees of a room type or that your view won’t be the parking lot!

2) When you need to change your travel plans, good luck finding someone who picks up the phone to help you.

3) Changing your travel plans will require you to spend a hefty change fee, with no added benefits.

4) With online travel agencies you won’t usually be allowed to take advantage of all the freebies, miles, rewards and other ways the travel industry is extending to nearly every human being on Earth right now.

5) Travel websites are hard to use and are inefficient when you need to change your plans.

CONSIDER USING A WORLD-CLASS TRAVEL AGENT

I recently asked my friend, Erin, how she always plans the best trips, and how she keeps her kids so happy on vacation, even when traveling great distances. Erin was excited to share her little travel secret with me. As Erin travels all over the world to spend time with her husband and children, as her husband travels a lot for work, she has found that having the right travel agent is key to happy travels. Erin referred me Paul Klein Travel, in Chicago, a corporate travel agency, where I turned over my business and headaches. Through using Paul Klein Travel, I have been able to secure the best seats, best rooms, best hotels, best upgrades and packages, and yes, best prices. I have tried to comparison shop the trips I have taken using Paul Klein, in almost 100% of the cases, Paul Klein Travel has beat everyone.

CORPORATE TRAVEL AGENTS’ VOLUME BUSINESS GOOD NEWS FOR VACATIONING FAMILIES

The beauty of traveling with a corporate travel agency is that you can book great vacations at well-known hotel chains and resorts, and take advantage of the corporate travel agency’s great rates. Paul Klein, as it turns out, is one of only 80 travel agencies that “partners” with hotel chains like the Four Seasons and Ritz-Carlton, among many other great chains–chains that are often expensive and have little in the way of a rewards program. Through Paul Klein, we were able to stay in some great spots and take advantage of the opportunities to see different places we may not otherwise know about.

BENEFITS OF USING A CORPORATE TRAVEL AGENT–WHAT YOU SHOULD ASK FOR

1) Alerts if prices drop or are about to go up so you can secure the best air/hotel packages

2) Resort credits that average between $100-300 per trip—credits that may include meals or spa packages; even high tea and room service breakfasts—free with your travel agent relationship.

3) Instant phone calls made to the manager of a hotel to request a room change or upgrade on your behalf–something you may not be able to secure on your own.

As Gold and Diamond Prices Continue to Rise Consider Shopping at an Auction or You Are Likely to Overpay

admin — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 19:38:37 +0000

Recently, I did a segment for Twin Cities Live about melting your gold and selling it because you could get more money for gold than a few years ago. Recessions work that way. Gold holds its value during a recession. But someone whose parent had recently died asked me if now was also a good time to sell an old wedding band, made up of several diamonds. Her jeweler suggested making an eternity ring, or using the small diamonds to make something for her daughters.

BAD NEWS: PRICES FOR DIAMONDS IN 2010 HAVE GONE UP

If you own diamonds and want to sell them right now the good news is you will be able to sell them for a little more than you could have in 2009, by about 5%. The reason is because manufacturers of diamonds are slowing production of their supply, which is causing prices to go up. It is unclear how long this upward trend will continue, but since January prices have been going up a little each month.

SHOULD YOU BUY DIAMONDS NOW?

There is no question that in the past three years diamond prices plummeted 30%. That is the question of the day. The diamond industry now has a set price marker, called the IDEX. This pricing index should be a good judge of what a diamond should sell for.

FIND OUT THE VALUE OF THE DIAMONDS

Go to your local jeweler for an appraisal
Compare venues across the board to see where you may be able to get the highest price (auction, jeweler, web)
Consider buying inexpensive little diamond(s) and turning them into something else for your children. The prices have not gone up steadily for a few years, and you may want to hold out.

“Healthy” Fast Food, Including Chipotle, May Be Preventing You From Good Health

admin — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 18:11:34 +0000

It dawned on me recently that along with my kids, I haven’t eaten as much fast food this past year. In the past, with 2 young kids and their hectic schedules (and mine) I would occasionally stop at the usual fast food places. Not this last year. After reading a recent article in Health magazine about fast food, even the “healthy” fast food options make me now understand why America isn’t losing weight.

Fast food places, like Chipotle, carry long lines out the door, with kids and their parents, believing they have found a new lower calorie, healthy alternative to fast food. A few years ago after the movie, Super Size Me, came out my kids decided that they would no longer eat fast food. The movie painted a very bad picture of fast food, and what it can do to your weight and overall health. It seemed that many kids decided to stop eating fast food as a result of watching this movie. Then in NY a few years ago, restaurants came under fire for serving unhealthy choices, and not alerting their customers about the nutritional contents. As a result, NY restaurants are now required to post all nutritional information in a highly visible place for their customers to see when ordering their fast food.

How should you navigate your way around fast food? It is inevitable that we will need to grab fast food once in awhile.

FAST FOOD MYTHS

Mexican fast food places, like Chipotle, are often viewed as offering healthier options than the traditional standby’s, McDonald’s and Wendy’s. Chipotle lets you decide what you want on your burritos, which makes people feel like they are eating fresh made, made-to-order food that isn’t processed. Here’s the bad news and the startler–if you look at this wonderful nutritional post for Chipotle you will see what the fat and calorie count is for the exact type of combination you order. The average burrito has over 1,500 calories, and many options have over 2,000 calories. The Burrito Bowl is a better way to go, so you can skip the fattening tortillas, but get all the protein and other healthy ingredients–just watch the cheese, sour cream, guacamole and, of course, leave off all the onions.

McDonald’s has gotten a bad rap since the Super Size Me movie came out. Since then, McDonald’s has gone to great strides to beef up their health contents. Rated by Health magazine as one of America’s healthiest fast food options, McDonald’s actually now cooks their fries in Canola Oil, and offers smaller portions than some other fast food chains. Some of the healthier options at McDonald’s include the Egg McMuffin, grilled chicken sandwich and wraps. Stay away from the Super Sized options.

Italian food and noodles have gotten a bad reputation in the past few years for being high in carbs. But Health magazine says Noodles and Company is actually one of the healthiest fast food chains around. With high protein options, and whole wheat pasta dishes, you can’t go wrong here. For picky eaters, like my son, Edward, there are Asian dishes, Italian dishes and American. The pasta dishes aren’t prepared in much oil. Watch the desserts here, though.

Sandwiches have become popular as a healthy fast food alternative offered in places like Corner Bakery, Au Bon Pain and Panera. If overstuffed, those sandwiches can inch up towards 1,000 calories. These chains do offer reduced portions, though, a huge plus. Au Bon Pain has a nice selection of soups and appetizer-sized plates worth trying.

Image Credit: asbalyan @ Flickr