Zannee’s Blog at BargainsLA.com

Many of us make resolutions at the end of the year. Here are mine:

On My Behavior
In 2008 I resolve….
To be kinder to people who really deserve a good dressing down.
To exercise more patience
To be helpful more often
To go to out social events more often

On Business
In 2008 I resolve…
To be better organized
To keep my desk neat
To not form an opinion on a store or sale before going
To be more open to different ideas and approaches
To make less spelling errors on BargainsLA.com
To master my new Blackberry and finally learn Adobe Photoshop.

On Family
In 2008 I resolve….
To give out more hugs
To listen better
To not give in to my daughter’s “I want” so easily
To always try to do what’s right instead of what’s easy
To recognize when I am wrong faster

On Health 
In 2008 I resolve….
To eat less bread and pasta
To eat less sugar
To exercise more often
To take calcium more than once a week

On Shopping
In 2008 I resolve…
To make better choices and not make impulse buys
To not fear a purchase if it’s a perfect item in every way
To differentiate better “I need” from “I want”
To finally own a classic Chanel skirt suit
And as always to never ever pay retail!

If I can keep ¼ of these I will have succeeded. I think what makes us better people is the effort made in trying, even if we don’t succeed.

Have a healthy, happy and prosperous New Year!

Okay, after a day of last minute Christmas shopping, hubby just walked in the house, ticked off  and owing my daughter $3. What the….?

Apparently he got snaked on several parking spots at the Glendale Galleria, was cut in line when trying to pay, had people bumping into him knocking him over at the mall and eventually lost his cool and cussed… several times. Hence the $3 owed to my daughter.

Okay everyone, RELAX… Good manners don’t go out the door ‘cause you’re in a crazy holiday rush. How is it that in a season of good cheer we turn in to animals fighting for materialistic tidbits.

Stop it. If you waited till the last minute who’s fault is that?

I did have one chick push me out of the way when I was packing up my purse after paying for wrapping at Big Lots. I asked her to back off and wait and then I wished her a Merry Christmas.

Really what cause do you have to be so rude to people? Good manners can save horrible situations, stop wars and made friends out of enemies.

Honestly, the only person who has reason to be ticked off with me is the poor sales chick at restoration Hardware in Santa Monica. My girl friend Liz asked me if I liked a coffee table there as we walked through the store on Saturday. At first I said yes and then on closer inspection I noticed it was laminated and told her to pass, that it was junk and wouldn’t hold up to her dog and 12 year old son. The poor sales clerk didn’t know who I was and chirped in that it was solid wood. I went into my tirade on laminated pressboard or particle board when she went a bit ashen and left.

She has a reason to be ticked at me, I lost her a sale and was talking a little too loudly. But I always tell my friend Lizzie the truth. We’ve been friends since we were 7… really.
But I should have lowered my voice.

Years ago I accidentally snaked a parking spot from an older guy. He got really pissed at me and got out of his car to tell me off. I deserved it too. I was in the wrong, had not been paying attention and had behaved selfishly. I remember being really scared and embarrassed. I apologized, moved my car and gave him the spot. Later on that same day I was standing in line behind him at Nordstrom’s. He apologized for getting so nasty and let me pay ahead of him. We had a nice chat afterward. I’ve never forgotten how giving in turned a bad situation good.

So if you happen to be that poor sales lady at Restoration hardware, I am sorry I didn’t lower my voice.

So relax, be nice and have a merry restful and joy filled Christmas.

Yes it’s true, my Christmas shopping is done. I finished a couple of weeks ago. I start shopping every year in August and spread out the expenses over several months. So I now have a little time to spend with family, shop for fun, bake and enjoy the Holidays. With my daughter out of school, I get to sleep in till 7:30! I like to pad around in my jammies for a couple of hours. During this time I like to drink tea and bake. I pick up Sticky Fingers Scone Mix at Cost Plus Imports when ever I can.

Their selection varies, but I have done well the Apricot and Raspberry. Easy, just add water, bakes in 12-15 and viola! Amazingly tasty scones. Of course I serve them with real British Tea. Normally I go to a British import store to pick up tea, but this year, I found Marshall’s had a bunch of Taylor’s of Harrogate Yorkshire Tea at $3.99 instead of $6 and I bought as many as I could hold. I am sure I looked like a wack job while I stood in line to pay for 6 boxes. With this tea you can make 4-6 cups in a tea pot with one bag. My last haul of 4 boxes (2 were gifts) should take me through the summer.

My holiday plans include the Music Center Sing Along on 12/21 @ 6:30 pm at 135 North Grand Ave., Downtown LA. This FREE event at the Music Center has you to singing along to sounds of the season. Song sheets are luckily provided but seating is limited. Early arrival is recommended. So I’ll pack up the family and a couple of friends who love corney holiday stuff like me and sing my heart out

But the big bargain experiment happens next week. I am trying for the lottery tickets for Wicked at the Pantages. Apparently if you show up 2 ½ hours before show time they take your name and at 2 hours before show time they pick a limited amount of people to get front row seats for $25 for that night’s performance. It’s cash only, and you may not get in. But to save $75 or more per ticket, it’s worth the risk. I let you know how it goes. I will try on two separate dates. Hope I am successful!

In the meantime, I am working on our Annual Frugal Bugles which should be published 1/1/08.

Enjoy your Holidays!