Stemless wine glasses, not just for wine

I finally bought them! I am so excited to share my latest purchase with you. Since I moved out of my parents house last year, I have been shopping little by little for my home. Thankfully, my roommate had furniture, so I was spared a big expense. Now I can spend my last cent on houseware items. Yes, I realize I can walk into my family's warehouse and pick and choose all I need, but they don't carry everything! In particular, I am referring to my latest purchase; the newly popular stemless wine glasses. Crate & Barrel Stemless Wine Glasses $1.95 per glass. Eligible for free shipping.
Ok, maybe not that newly popular, since they have been on the market for a while. I have been watching them for a while and awaiting a price drop. The other day, I visited Crate & Barrel with my mom and my uncle. We were walking around the store, just browsing. Towards the end of our visit, we came across them: the perfectly shaped stemless wine glasses. There they were, in all their loveliness, delicate shape and perfectly molded to fit your palm for $1.95 a pop. I looked at my mom and she saw the excitement in my eyes. My mom is always telling me that I spend too much money. On Sunday, she knew this was a battle she would not win. However, for her to actually approve of the items is a big deal in itself. She actually motivated me to buy them! I knew that was a sign from higher powers.

Well, who can deny a mother's wish? I didn't waste a minute and grabbed a sales associate. 20 minutes later, I walked out of Crate & Barrell with a sweet memory and owner of these new versatile and delicate stemless wine glasses.



The glasses are meant for serving wine, however, they are so simple and beautiful, you can use them for any occasion. I think they are very versatile, and I am planning to use them for regular drinks as well. In fact I used them a few days later, for a small dinner gathering and they were perfect. Some guests enjoyed wine with them, others their Diet Coke.

There is a variety of styles and colors available for you to choose from. Take a look at the following:

Acrylic Stemless Beverage Glasses $2.95 each, Crate and Barrel Outlet

Stars Glass $2.95 each, Crate and Barrel Outlet

And I was so happy to finally own a perfect set of glassware for any occasion.

Tip: If you create a wedding registry, they will send you a 10% discount coupon towards your purchases.

Coupon Alert!

I know I have been MIA for a while, but my vacation took a while longer than expected. Meanwhile I have collected some great stories and experiences and can't wait to share them with you. Just in time for the holiday season, I will be collecting some great deals and reviews.

I have finally added some Lalique pieces to my own website, for all your fans out there. Take a look. All Lalique products come with authenticity certification and are 40% below retail value. The Lalique Anemone flower is my personal favorite. Lalique has such a delicate and unique style to its figurines, that it's hard not to love them. Check them out on Brentwood Kitchen.
As always, if there is a particular store or product you are intersted in, let me know!

Let's just start this new beginning with some sweet deals:

COUPON ALERT:
Kitchen Collection Coupon $10 off any order of $50. Enter coupon code bb
Horchow is having an amazing 20% off the entire site sale, but it will expire on Wednesday 10/15 at midnight. Enter code 2Days. Try to combine it with this additional 10% off coupon. It might work. Code: newhome
Sur La Table is offering a 10% discount on All Clad items. Enter code 332004

I love L.A.

It is almost ironic, that I left for New York with a blog about customer service, and all the things I love about LA, as it has never been as poignant before how much I prefer to live here. I had a wonderful time in New York. If you follow my Twitter updates (on the right side of the page), you will see a short summary of my moods and experiences, while I was there. It was busy, lively, people running around, shopping, making money and tourists all over the place encompassing the 13 million+ people that are on that tiny island on a daily basis.

But more than ever before, I encountered the NYC hospitality of rudeness. It didn't help, that New York was experiencing one of their worst heat waves and as an LA girl, I'm not used to 95 degrees plus 5000% humidity. So, I was required to spend most my time in stores to appreciate the air conditioners. Most store associates were rude, not helpful, or reluctant to be so, with the exception of one. However, the sales that were in progress made up for it. Of course I spent every penny I had. I am a professional shopper!

Most people believe, that whether you shop in LA or NYC, all stores are the same. Especially chain retail stores. But in reality, it's all about timing and selection. Bloomingdales, for example, in NYC is 4 times the size than their LA branches. So chances of you finding more selection in NYC, are 4 times as high.

During sale season, I have had more luck in New York at the following stores:

Macy's: Hands down, has one of the most amazing sales, but beware of the mob of people. It can get crowded and you will have to wait a long time for your requests, unless you snatch a sales associate.

Saks Fifth Avenue: Yes ladies, Saks Fifth Avenue has an amazing sale and offer extra incentives during sale season to sign up to be a card member. My sales associate, offered me an additional 43% off EVERYTHING on sale in the store (without any conditions), if I opened a card, and no tax if my items were shipped out of state. Of course, I obliged!

Finally, here is my personal piece of news for shopping. I met with a distributor and am proud to announce that I will start selling Lalique pieces at 35% and higher discounts on www.BrentwoodKitchen.com .

Coming soon: Adding Lenox and Villeroy and Boch to inventory. As of now, they are only available on special order.

Now back to fun and entertainment in NYC: In terms of restaurants, I must recommend "Buddakan". It's an Asian Fusion restaurant, decently priced with amazing food. It's actually the location of shooting for one of the "Sex In The City" movie scenes.

All in all, I must say, it was a nice trip. We had great food, went to great nightclubs and a beautiful rooftop bar. Plus, it was a girls trip-which comes with an extra high dose of laughter.

The Big Apple

I'm taking off to city that never sleeps for a week! I love going to New York and it has become an annual tradition. I love the people, Central Park, and everything that differentiates it from Los Angeles, funny enough. Whenever I am there, I am jolted with energy. I cannot wait to share all my fun experiences and shopping finds.

I must admit, by the end of every trip to NYC, I realize the many reasons I love Los Angeles.

During my trip I won't be able to update my blog, but I will surely be shopping! I will be back on June 10th.

Customer Service is not history!

On Memorial day, I decided to make Creme Brulee for my Sex in the City brunch! Basically my closest friends came over for lunch with a hot dish of gossip served on the side. I began preparing the creme brulee the night before, and everything went so well until the next day, as I was preparing the finishing touches, my blow torch dies! My Williams & Sonoma blow torch dies!!!!!

I have used it a handful of times before and was so baffled. On top of being surprised, I was so upset, that my creme brulee won't be complete. I mean, we all love the sugar crust on top. Regardless, I ended up having to put a strawberry garnish (my friend's idea to the rescue!) and serve them without the sugar crust.

I went to Williams and Sonoma to return the blow torch. As soon as I described my problem, the sales associate attempted to figure out the problem for the next 10 minutes. He then showed another associate the problem. They told me shortly after, that there seems to be a leak and that they would gladly replace it for me. They were so sweet about it! I had no receipt, no box and I didn't even have to ask them! They brought me a new, upgraded and more expensive blow torch, apologized for the inconvenience and I was on my way!

I have had so many negative experiences lately with customer service, that this just blew me away. It is so nice to know there is a store that appreciates the customer. With that, I would like to encourage all of you to go visit Williams & Sonoma this week-one of the few stores that still offer true customer service!

I was going to post a coupon, but the Williams & Sonoma's summer sale started last week!