Attention, Professional Shoppers!
TOTALLY-UNNECESSARY-ITEM OF THE WEEK: We recently found a rubber stamp(pictured) that made us laugh. It is at STAMP STAMP STAMP in the Century City Shopping Center. It depicts a 1950s romance comic-book heroine explaining to a phone pal, “Oh, I don’t think of shopping as a hobby . . . It’s my career!”
The stamp, $7.25, is designed by Catherine Koetter, the Inglewood-based graphic artist who is best known for her drawing of a woman declaring, “I can’t believe it. I forgot to have children!”
To receive a free flyer describing this stamp and 29 of Koetter’s additional Flying Fish creations, send a self-addressed, stamped envelope to the manufacturer of the stamps: neato stuff, P.O. Box 4066, Carson City, Nev. 89702. The stamps may also be purchased through neato stuff.
DEAR HOT: One of my New Year’s resolutions is to stick to a budget, which means no more rampant, out-of-control, setting-up-camp-at-the-Beverly-Center shopping sprees. But a shopper must have her fix. Do you advise thrift-shop shopping to help me endure this new austerity?
MISS STEIN SUGGESTS: Thrift shops are terrific places to supplement your wardrobe, but you should know their downside. It’s time-consuming to look through racks of clothes that sometimes aren’t neatly separated a la department stores, and it’s rare to find vintage clothes in mint condition. You might have to picture the garment with different buttons or a shorter hemline, or repair a rip or two. Prices and stock vary widely from store to store, so visit a few places to see what types of clothes they sell. On the upside of this argument, there’s something great about wearing old clothes; not only is it ecologically correct, but they have a look and feel that their modern-day knockoffs just can’t match.
MISS KRIER BEGS TO DIFFER: I know it’s not ecologically correct--or particularly economical, either. But just thinking about wearing other people’s old clothes, shoes or belts gives me the creeps.
There’s not much scientific evidence for it (yet), but I subscribe to the notion that inanimate objects are imbued with the vibrations of their owners. So I recommend being really careful when purchasing any used items, lest you wind up with a castoff previously owned by Lynette (Squeaky) Fromme, Milli Vanilli or anybody else whose energies may not be in sync with yours. Personally, I’d much rather try to get a grip on myself at the Beverly Center.
FACES FOR LESS: Singer Paula Abdul, actress Shelley Long and top models Linda Evangelista, Christy Turlington and Naomi Campbell are all clients of makeup artist Marilyn Young, who normally charges $65 for a makeup lesson/application. During the recent holiday season, however, Young lowered her price to $38.50 and threw in a free, see-through vinyl makeup bag filled with mascara, makeup sponges and a lipstick.
She says the promotion brought in so much business (introducing her services and other products to new clients) that she has decided to continue it throughout 1991. Her studio is in the Ole Henriksen Skin Care Salon at 8601 W. Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood.
Trying to decide if you should wear your Claude Montana shoulder pads to the Bud Bowl? Hot to Shop is based on conversations and reader mail. Write to Krier and Stein, Hot to Shop, Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles, Calif. 90053. Questions may also be faxed to (213) 237-4712.
