My New BFF

When it comes to online auctions, I immediately think: Ebay. When it comes to books, dvds, music, and home goods, I think: Amazon. And when it comes to shoes? It's all about ZAPPOS, baby!!!!

I have been a looooooong time customer of theirs and have remained loyal initially because of their unprecedented shoe return policy. Free shipping to AND fro for 365 days after purchase. Wow! Whoever heard of being able to return a pair of SHOES one year after you've purchased them?

Earlier this year, I had the opportunity to listen to the Zappos CEO, Tony Hsieh speak about Zappos' "Path to $1 Billion". In 1999, Zappos began as a private company doing $8.6 million in 2000 and $32 million in 2001. Today, they have 1,600 employees, a 500 person call center, and are well on track to hit $1 billion in sales this year.

Tony emphasized that company culture was key and stressed the importance of achieving the best customer service. Zappos.com was not going to be just about shoes. It was going to be about great customer service- regardless of cost. This is hammered home in every aspect of their retail site and the overall experience.

In order to achieve this, a company culture book is provided to team members each year and every single employee writes a few sentences about what the culture means to him or her. They also send new team members to the company headquarters in Las Vegas for FOUR WEEKS of training just on culture, core values and customer loyalty, followed by a week of warehouse training in Kentucky! That's FIVE weeks of training before even touching a phone and speaking to a precious customer.

From free shipping and free 365-day return shipping, to fast, accurate fulfillment and surprise upgrades, the Zappos experience is like customer service on steroids. Tony shared a story of a customer declaring that what would really make him happy was a pizza but it was 3am. The customer rep searched and found the nearest pizza places in Santa Monica that were still open! WTF?!?

Hey, that's really cool. Today, I had to exchange a pair of shoes I bought for my son. Even though their return instructions are so easy, I called the 800 number just to hear the joke of the day :) To my pleasant surprise, Tony answered and had a guest speaker, Serena friggin' Williams helping him go through the menu options! Hilarious!!!

If you haven't shopped there yet. By all means, check it out. And the best part is, they're not even just shoes anymore. Clothing, bags, accessories... they're all at Zappos now, too.

Enjoy!!!
www.zappos.com

Let's take a trip down to King Burger...

... and see Bon Qui Qui:

SICK Beats..

While I don't typically work while listening to house music, I spent the afternoon today listening to DJ Inphinity and let me tell you. He rocks my world!

I can't wait to get back to Chicago to hear him live. Sick, I tell you!

Listen to some tracks here:
http://www.myspace.com/djinphinity

Fine Bowling Alley Food?

Well, no matter where you go, the shoes are not likely to be the most glamorous, but I was pleasantly surprised to discover a super cool bowling alley on a recent trip to Tampa.

Instead of a smoky, dingy, dark atmosphere, this place also known as Splitsville, had a fresh, funky and upscale vibe. There were plasma screens everywhere so you could watch sports in between turns. The alleys were spotless and featured all electronic scoring. The leather seating was modern, inviting…clean. And the food – oh, the food!

First of all, whoever heard of good bowling alley food? Forget the greasy onion rings, hot dogs and beer. This menu featured a host of tapas-style appetizers in addition to main eats like: grilled mahi mahi, blackened shrimp, seared ahi tuna, and sirloin steak topped with crab meat and asparagus and coated with hollandaise sauce! Seriously, wtf?

So, I did some researching… Apparently these luxe bowling alleys are all over the place.. Just not in SD. Waaaah. In particular, I’ll have to remember next time I’m visiting to check out Red Rock Lanes in Las Vegas, Lucky Strike Lanes in Chicago and Ten Pin Alley in Atlanta.

Needless to say, I was duly impressed and am itching to go bowling again. We need a Splitsville here in SD! Holla!!!

My Pick To Win ANTM Cycle 11 is......

SHEENA from Harlem!!!

This girl rocks. She's beautiful. She's positive. She's hilarious and best of all, she's OVER THE TOP! I loved her on this season's opener and I'd love to see her win.

You know, 'cuz she go hard. She got a diffrent swagger goin' on. You know? She don't play. She don't fit in into the regular society. She a stereotype slasher. She not lazy. She brung it. She's representin' us Asian females. She got so much flava she don't even know where it come from, for real.

Go Sheena! Go Sheena! Go Sheena!

Personal Fave #89 - A Very Special Kiss

Several months ago at a random doctor's appointment, I found myself sitting in the waiting room next to a welcoming bowl of Hershey's Kisses. Naturally, I took one and noticed that this was not your normal Hershey's Kiss. No. This was wrapped in light blue foil. Since mine didn't have the paper ribbon trailing out of the top, I didn't really know what kind of Kiss it was.

I didn't care.

I opened it up, popped it into my mouth and experienced nothing short of taste bud bliss. That little piece of heaven forced me to grab a handful on my way out after my appointment. I eventually discovered these were Cookies and Cream Hershey's Kisses. OMG. They were sooooooo yummy.

Almost immediately, I was on a mission.

I had to find these and purchase several bags for my home and office stash. Unfortunately, this was not so easy of a task. After checking all of the grocery stores where I frequent as well as the Targets and drugstores of the world, these Kisses were nowhere to be found!

Until NOW.

After months of looking, I finally found them-- in boatloads!!! Okay, wanna know where?

Wal-Mart.

Who knew? Yup. While picking up a copy of their exclusive Hannah Montana Concert DVD for my daughter, I found them in the candy aisle.

Woo hoo! Now I am enjoying these chocolates all the time-- right now, as a matter of fact. They are incredible. And you can, too.

Go get yourself some- you will thank me!!!!

Thai-Licious!

Okay, so I'm long overdue for an entry.. What can I say, it's been a busy summer. I've been juggling a bunch of projects, moving towards a goal and still trying to enjoy this never-ending gorgeous weather that we are so blessed to have here in SD.

As I sit here at my desk which, at the moment is completely covered in papers, my brain is a little fried and I'm drawing a blank..!

On that note, I'll include here a photo of me and some gal pals out for a spur-of-the-moment lunch last month. Funny, we are representin' Korea, China, the Philippines, and Japan... and eating Thai food! Yum :) I could eat Spring Vegetable Rolls ALL DAY LONG.