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I've never been a big fan of the behemoth chain that is Blockbuster video, but when they recently changed their late fee policy, I swore off them forever. First of all, Blockbuster rentals were...
I've never been a big fan of the behemoth chain that is Blockbuster video, but when they recently changed their late fee policy, I swore off them forever. First of all, Blockbuster rentals were always too expensive for their own good. It's bad enough that the good movies are always taken, but when I'd have to settle for my third or fourth rental choice and then have to shell out about $4 for the privelege of renting Caddyshack 2, I couldn't help but curse the fat cats at Blockbuster corporate. But when they changed over to the super-confusing and contradictory "no late fee" policy and raised their prices even more, I promised my inner movie lover I'd never deal with Blockbuster again. I've never had a problem returning videos on time-- why should I have to pay more for a rental just because a few people can't get it together and return their rentals in a timely fashion?
My new love is Hollywood video, as they've custom-made a rental structure for those of us who have never worried about late fees. You choose how long you want their videos and pay accordingly. This way, I can rent a just-released film for just $1.99 and have 2 days to watch it. At Blockbuster, a new film rental will cost you almost as much as two admission tickets at the Crest (and does not come with the big-screen theater experience OR the sweet smell of popcorn).
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Did anyone else read From The Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler as a kid? You know the story where a brother and sister live in a New York museum for weeks before being caught? I've...
Did anyone else read From The Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler as a kid? You know the story where a brother and sister live in a New York museum for weeks before being caught? I've always felt like I could do the same in Costo and be blissfully happy. Not only can you eat every meal just from the sample tables, you could sleep on a leather couch (from the office department) in a North Face sleeping bag (courtesy of the camping department), and jump on a for-sale trampoline when you got bored.
It's hard picking the best part of Costo, but I'd have to say it's their photo department. They have a kickass website on which you upload your photos and can do all sorts of editing tricks (redeye removal, cropping, etc) before you send them off to their studio with a click of your mouse. Then you just have to wait a day or two before your cheap prints (I think around $0.14 each) are ready. And I've found that Costco's photo center prints better photos than I've found anywhere else-- particularly better than those cheap Kodak stands, where the photos are always super grainy. The Photo Center is yet another jewel in the glittering crown that is Costco Wholesale.
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I bought a pair of dress shoes from Nine West in U Village last fall, and when the slingback broke last Friday, I was more than a little dismayed. I took them back into the store to see what they...
I bought a pair of dress shoes from Nine West in U Village last fall, and when the slingback broke last Friday, I was more than a little dismayed. I took them back into the store to see what they recommended, and I was completely pleased by the way they handled the situation. They took the shoes, sent them to their cobbler, and had them fixed and ready within 24 hours (even with the Sunday drop-off) without charge. I will certainly be returning for Nine West the next time I need a pair of sexy yet professional-looking dress shoes.
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I went to Whole Foods for lunch today, thinking I would induct myself into the cool kids' club of delicious, healthy, and earth-friendly lunchtime options, but I left feeling pretty ehhhh about the...
I went to Whole Foods for lunch today, thinking I would induct myself into the cool kids' club of delicious, healthy, and earth-friendly lunchtime options, but I left feeling pretty ehhhh about the whole place. First of all, I selected a smallish tub of soup and shared a bit of pasta and a roll with a friend, and somehow still ended up spending $7 just on myself. Then, expecting great things from both the pasta and the soup, I soon realized that neither were as tasty as I'd expected. Perhaps I chose the store's only gross soup and pasta options, but I wish I'd skipped Whole Food's cream of asparagus and just gone to Nana's instead.
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Ikea
Category:
Business Services
Seattle, Washington 98101
n/a
The next time you find a need for a new bedspread, lovely bamboo plant, anything related to organizing your desk/office/life, fluffy bathroom towels, or stylish kitchen cabinets, head on down to...
The next time you find a need for a new bedspread, lovely bamboo plant, anything related to organizing your desk/office/life, fluffy bathroom towels, or stylish kitchen cabinets, head on down to everyone's neighborhood IKEA. Sure, it's a drive, and parking is usually a drag on the weekends; but you will be happy you made the trip. If you need any product related in any way to your home, this place will become your Chocolate Factory and the goofy guy in the IKEA commercials your Willy Wonka. I particularly love their vast selection of organizational tools (closet organizers, storage boxes, etc), and I rarely leave the store without picking up a houseplant or two (if they can survive being ignored in IKEA and still look good, I know they have a chance in my home). Go with patience-- this place have never been anything but packed whenever I've visited. Well worth the crowds.
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Comes the latest addition to Ave dining, Cafe Crepe. I used to drive 2 hours to Vancouver BC for crepes as delicious as the ones the friendly folks at Cafe Crepe serve up, and now I can sneak away...
Comes the latest addition to Ave dining, Cafe Crepe. I used to drive 2 hours to Vancouver BC for crepes as delicious as the ones the friendly folks at Cafe Crepe serve up, and now I can sneak away from my desk at any point during the day for a mouthwatering sweet crepe with strawberries and whipped cream. Thank you to the French! Keep 'em comin'!!
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If you haven't tried the mojitos at Cactus, drop everything and run--don't walk-- to Madison and park it at the bar. Their mango mojito is possibly the best fruity drink I've ever tasted, and their...
If you haven't tried the mojitos at Cactus, drop everything and run--don't walk-- to Madison and park it at the bar. Their mango mojito is possibly the best fruity drink I've ever tasted, and their margaritas come in at a close second. And if you're even the slightest bit hungry, give the butternut squash enchiladas a try. Great location (right near the water), delicious menu options, and phenomenal drinks make this restaurant one of my Seattle favorites.
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Brooklyn Grinder, now confusedly located on the Ave, is a delicious, wonderful, superfriendly, and overall teriffic lunch stop. They have a great selection of sandwiches, and they all come with a...
Brooklyn Grinder, now confusedly located on the Ave, is a delicious, wonderful, superfriendly, and overall teriffic lunch stop. They have a great selection of sandwiches, and they all come with a choice of potato salad or... well, something else-- choose the potato salad! It's delicious and not too mayonaisey. The staff here is really nice; every time I've been they've checked in to make sure everything is okay and tastes good. Really feels like a neighborhood shop-- highly recommended.
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Especially when that "good thing" is Denny's. I know this is a greasy spoon joint that, since they demolished the beloved Ave location requires a Grand Slam-lover like me to drive all the way to...
Especially when that "good thing" is Denny's. I know this is a greasy spoon joint that, since they demolished the beloved Ave location requires a Grand Slam-lover like me to drive all the way to bloody Bothell, but I love it all the same. Case in point: the above-mentioned Grand Slam. Call me crazy, but two pancakes, two sausages, two bacons, and two eggs, all for $2.99 is a good deal in my book any day. There are certainly better breakfast places closer to home, but only Denny's has the classic Grand Slam. Word to the wise: stay away from the chicken fried steak. Far away.
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I suggest parking it in one of the no-nonsense yet cozy booths at New China Express. This is not a place I would take an out-of-towner for a "real Chinese food experience," but this place...
I suggest parking it in one of the no-nonsense yet cozy booths at New China Express. This is not a place I would take an out-of-towner for a "real Chinese food experience," but this place definitely has a lot going for it. First of all, their portions are ludicrous for the price you are paying-- I often take half home, turning $5 into two pretty delicious meals. Secondly, when you order the lunch option (which is always available, cheaper than dinner, and has a huge entree), you also get some tasty side options. If that doesn't do it for you, consider the freaking 8-foot TV in the back of the restaurant, or the lightning-fast service. I give this a solid three-star "good" rating for those nights when you're detesting the thought of cooking and feeling a little poor.
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