Claudia Reese Studio Sale -- Inside Track: 15% Off

Sat. Dec. 5 - 10am -5pm: 15% discount

Sun Dec 6 - Noon to 5pm: Seconds and mosaics

Meet Claudia Reese and visit her home studio for a taste of Austintacious shopping. The trip takes you out Bee Caves Road to a funky wooded setting filled with art, pottery, mosaics, and scupture. Step away from the mall this shopping weekend and select a special mug, bowl or dinnerware set that's unlike anything else.

Claudia Reese designs pottery and wall art for area restaurants. You can also see her mosaic art in the bathrooms at ABIA. Once you see her style, you'll recognize it throughout town and in magazines. 709 Tumbleweed Trail -- off Cuernavaca. Austin. http://www.cera-mix.com/

Flipnotics: Erik Hokkanen Plays Amazing Twang - Guitar, Fiddle & Laugh-Out-Loud Fun

Tuesday nights at Flipnotics, a small, funky, coffee bar on Barton Springs Road, is by far the best fun to be had on a week night, best deal, and best value -- thanks to the talent of Erik Hokkanen and his band of cool dudes. Sitting in a packed room of 40 or so patrons sipping beer, wine, and coffee, I'm amazed to have up-close access to this talented trio. The group seamlessly transitions through sets of rockabilly, jazz, hoe-down, gypsy, surfer, blue-grass and others I can't describe. The entire audience is smiling in unison. Giggles spread through the room when Erik morphs into fiddle overdrive with silly riffs and surprises.

Who knew the electric fiddle could be so -- fun, or that you could find such amazing talent in a coffee bar. Erik might seem like a best-kept secret, but over a 20+ year career, he's played all over Europe and Carnegie Hall.

So why Flipnotics? As Erik explains it, "you need do something." Thank goodness that something is here in Austin, Texas.

So if you are visiting, have visitors, or looking for a fun escape on a Tuesday night, stop in at Flipnotics. No cover, but they do pass a hat -- so give generously. These guys need more than applause to keep them coming back week after week.

Thank you Erik!

Groupon.com -- Cheap Prices on Good Stuff, and Fun!

Groupon has a different item for sale every day. If enough people are interested, the item is sold for the deep discounted price posted. They rely on you and your highly engaged, uber bargain-hunting friends to spread the word and spend the cash. Fun and easy. Bookmark the site and sign in each day. Click on the link below to see the deal-of-the-day!

www.groupon.com/r/uu41987

If you call yourself a bargain hunter, you gotta go.

Is there such a thing as a good $12 Haircut? Great Clips, Westlake

Today my daughter needed a haircut -- desperate, in fact. After stopping by a few salons at the mall and finding them booked, we moved on to the most unglamorous of options -- Great Clips (gasp) -- a no-nonsense, no-fuss, no-appointment needed haircut factory. The cost: a mere $12. So cheap that I decided to get a quick trim myself.

While most of my friends pay $30 to $60 dollars a cut, I haven't found that the results justify the cost. As a no-fuss kinda gal, I am perfectly content taking my chances with Great Clips, at least for a quick trim. In this case, it worked out well. In and out in 30 minutes, 2 haircuts, $30 bucks. Not bad, right?

I can't say I felt pampered, but I did get a good deal and a fairly good haircut--and was perfectly willing to overlook the drab environment. I had a nice chat with the gal cutting my hair, who learned her craft at Crockett High School. Beauty school in high school, who knew? Apparently they have an entire program. I'm no beauty authority, but I'm guessing it's not the most prestigious program, though for all I know Crockett could be the credentials of choice for Jackson Ruiz, a high-end salon that charges upwards of $100. (http://www.insiderpages.com/b/3722352385)

The entire Great Clips staff was friendly and welcoming. Not exquisite, but perfunctory and fast. Though they made several pitches, I did not buy into the product suggestions -- not even tempted. I think it had a lot to do with how they presented themselves. Really, how can anyone expect to make a living in the beauty business and not have perfectly cut and styled hair?

Too often I've seen hairdressers with overly processed, messed, fussed, frizzed-out, fly-away hair dispense beauty advice to their captured customers. My suggestion to these hard-working guys and gals: aim for a higher level of perfection. Though we might assume that we pay more for talent and experience, we also pay for and expect a polished staff that exemplifies the look we hope to have ourselves. If these folks want to get ahead and build a following, they'll need to reinvent a head-to-toe look that positions them as an authority on fashion, beauty and hair. Honest -- I want beauty advice from beautiful people.

Was Great Clips a good value? Yes. Did they do a good job? Pretty good. Will I buy product? Not likely. Next time I need a trim, Great Clips will do. Would I go there for a new look? Definitely not. This is one profession where looks do matter.

P.S. The woman in photo is from the website, not the person who did my hair.

There's a Sucker Born Every Day, Westlake Dermatology

Ok, I fall for it everytime. Put me in a room with any mediocre sales guy, or gal in this case, and I'm signing the dotted line in no time. Today I had a skin check appointment at Westlake Dermatology, a very chic, high-end doctor's office, one that strategically places their checkout counter across from their very chic, high-end makeup. It's all right there to look, touch, and sample -- and sample I did. Of course I had to open my mouth and ask a question. That was my big mistake.

Within moments, one of the perfectly coiffed gals walked from behind the counter and morphed into an "expert" makeup consultant, offering her advice and a free demonstration. How could I say no? She proceded to apply Cleopatra-style eyeliner with refined precision. I didn't love the makeup, but her tips were brilliant (you need to to dab on the liner, not paint it -- and it needs to edge right up to and slightly overlapping the lash). How could I acknowledge my gratitude. You guessed it.

Within minutes I was at the counter pulling out a charge card for a $38 eyeliner and brush. As they placed the overpriced prizes into a shiny Westlake Dermatology bag I overheard another transaction. I watched a woman count out $800 in cash, then make the same appointment for next month. Yikes! I needed to get out, and fast.

In summary... great doctors, beautiful people, though clearly botoxed, plucked, polished, and exfoliated. Do as I say, not as I do -- walk right past the makeup and miracle creams. I got out sans $38. You may not be so lucky.

Apple Store, Barton Creek Mall, Austin, TX

Last night my iPhone zoomed in and locked. I couldn't get out or change the settings -- or even answer the phone for that matter. No one at work or at home could help. I decided to stop by the Apple store despite warnings that "you need an appointment." I didn't get four feet past the doorway when an overly perky employee offered to help. Rather then send me to the service desk, she asked to see my phone. With three taps on the screen, I was out of the mess and out of the store. Amazing! Great service and a well-trained staff. Apple -- you deserve your throne. Thank you for a 4-thumbs up experience.