On the way to brunch Mr. Perfect and I were counting the incredible number of garage sales we passed.  Lawn chairs, dressers and even velvet paintings of Elvis were available, in record numbers, for a steal.  Last year we had a couple sales ourselves and made countless trips to donate…well…crap, which had accumulated in our garage or been left behind by others.  Mr. Perfect works really hard during the week and isn’t a big fan of collecting coins in exchange for “stuff” during the weekend.  Can’t really blame him, because having a garage sale can be a tremendous amount of work for very little profit…or…it can be a great way to make some extra money and clean out your house of unused items.  It just depends how much you know and preplan before the sale begins.  Here are some tips to have a profitable garage sale that is truly worth your time.

ADVERTISE THE GOODS:  When placing an advertisement in the newspaper make sure it has different ad copy for each day.  Instead of your ad saying “Garage Sale this Saturday & Sunday” for both days have it read “Garage Sale Today!” both days.  It gives people the impression that it is a one-day sale and they won’t find leftovers on Sunday that didn’t sell Saturday.  When placing an ad in the newspaper have the person taking down your information read back the address to you, making sure they print it correctly.  You can also list your sale on many free local social sites in your community.  But the most important type of marketing is just basic signage.  Hang signs to point people on side streets in the right direction.  Home Depot, Lowe’s and Fred Meyers have a large variety if you are not the crafty creative type.

CLEAN UP YOUR ACT:  you’ll get more money for items that are clean and in original packaging.  Buyers appreciate comparing original retail price tags, when possible, but price your stuff to move.  The standard for a garage sale is 15%-20% of retail, but be realistic.  Very few people would pay that percentage of a $300 pair of Kate Spade shoes so that item may be better taken to a resale rack (check our RESALE directory for a list of good consignment shops).  On the other hand, if you find yourself trying to price some ugly hillbilly rinestone ”Mom Jeans” from the early 90’s you probably can’t go low enough and letting them RIP at the Goodwill is a better bet.

PLAY HOUSE:  putting furniture out as close to the street as possible because it is the number one best seller at garage sales and people will “drive by” and shop your sale before stopping.  Having your furniture out front will entice them to stop.  Also arrange your furniture like you would in your house with end tables by couches and chairs tucked under dining room tables to give buyers an idea of how good it would look in their house.

BE CHILDISH:  put children’s items close to the ground where they can see, and become attached, to them.  Kids can’t beg their parents for toys or books they can’t see.  So don’t pile them high on a tall table because they will never know what they are missing.  Also place children’s items in the back of your garage sale so parents have a chance to shop without worrying about their kids being too close to the street.

HANG IT ALL OUT:  clothing is tricky because some people have great success selling it at garage sales and others don’t.  For your best luck hang-up clothing so customers can see quickly what size and gender it is.  Few people have the patience to paw through a pile so hang them all up and clearly price them.  Button and zip-up all your shirts, coats and pants so it’s clear that all the hardware is intact.  Remember that people  DO NOT have a right to try on clothing in your house.  This is not Nordstrom and you should say no if they dare ask.  The kind of people who would ask to go into your home to try on a $2 sweater are exactly the kind of people you do not want in there.

BE ELECTRIFYING:  the burden of proof that items work falls on you, the seller.  To prove your stuff works properly run an extension cord out of your home and into your garage sale for people to test items that need electricity.  Even on sale, it is only a good deal if it works.  Having a couple types of batteries on-hand also gives people the chance to check out electronic treasures.

SHUT UP:  have lots of small bills and change so you don’t have to lower your prices just to break someone’s $50. and keep your cash on your body in an apron so no one walks off with the cash jar.  Keep security in mind because these strangers may be very friendly but they are not your friends.  Resist the temptation to be talkative because you may give out too much information that can make you vulnerable.  For example, if you are selling a Playstation don’t let them know it is because you bought the new Playstaion 3 recently; you do not want to be a target for thieves.  Also keep your profession private so your work schedule cannot be guessed.  Obviously don’t tell them when you are going on vacation, tell them your guard dog’s name or disclose that you live alone.  And finally, clearly mark where your garage sale ends so people don’t wonder back onto your private property.  Shut gates or hang a sheet to clearly define where the sales ends and make sure to lock your back door. 

Having a garage sale with a buddy or neighbor is even safer (and more fun) and a great way to cleanse your collection of unwanted things and make a little extra money to do something special…like go to seaside brunch with Mr. Perfect.  Have fun and if remember if your garage is a rockin’, buyers will come a knockin’.

More of Nicolle’s Tips for a great garage sale: VIDEO HERE!

Written by Nicolle Camarata

Do you find excuses to be outside during this beautiful weather?  I water plants, sweep paths and be am a reoccurring guest in my daughter’s clubhouse for tea, just to soak up the sun.  When I bought my house three years ago the back yard was a bit of an eye sore.  Overgrown apple trees, a compost pile bigger then my car and a falling down fence were the biggest problems.   But after lots of elbow grease and a couple checks to the right people now it is my favorite place to just “be”.  From romantic dates by the fire-pit to entertaining the town, the back-yard is the perfect back-drop for summer.  Here are some tips to throwing a back-yard bash on a beautiful Portland day, VIDEO.

Between Facebook, Myspace, and Twitter, the social networks are endless and as popular as ever.  I joked once that somebody should create “Twit Myface” so we could all get back to work.  If you have a business or a busy life you know how valuable your on-line connections can be.  They can help you get a job, make a sale, or find your long lost friends.  And since so many designers, businesses and boutiques visit this site I wanted to know beyond Facebook and Twitter what the next big thing is?  Most people abandoned their Myspace profile when everyone seemed to leave overnight for the much more popular Facebook…but what is next?  After some research I found out that it is actually a lot of little things.  Instead of a million people on one social network they are going to break off and join little ones that cater to a certain niche.  So maybe you will be part of a culinary group, or sports, or fashion, or music, or college.  You get the idea.  One great example of this trend is http://iheartsingleparents.ning.com/ which is a place for single parents to meet, chat and find support.  Breaking off into smaller groups will help users continue talking to their “friends” about the same topics and also fuel the blog frenzy.  If you haven’t started a blog of some sort you are hardly alone but popularity is growing.  There are even blogs about blogs!  I was granted an interview with GoDaddy about the trends in domain names and dot.com’s (and net’s and org’s, etc) and I learned a lot about shopping for this intangible object.  Not all products are equal and therefore not all prices are the same.  But since protecting your on-line identity is invaluable what domains should you buy when shopping?  I have to confess that I bought my daughters name.com for the next five years because I was so worried that a porn star could have the same name and hurt my little girl’s on-line innocence.   Obviously I have several domain names connected to this website but which ones are most important for you to purchase?  GoDaddy told me that the most popular is still dot COM but another big trend is American businesses buying their dot US domain name.  They contribute the trend to the recent Olympic Games and increasing importing/exporting with other nations.  For individuals with a blog, public personailty or persona they stress the importance of owning your dot ME.  Since people assume that it’s you, the real you, it needs to be if at all possible.  The dot ME is a clear indicator that it is a personal voice, direct access to someone’s personality, music, art or writing.  Not a blog about you, but a blog written by you.  I own www.Nicolle.ME but most first names are already taken so buy your first and last name if you want to be you on the internet.  I was told that one could buy their dot ME for as low as $8.99 and even park it for free if you didn’t want to create a website or blog but rather just prevent anyone else from doing so with your name.  Who would think you’d have to buy your own name?  But that’s just it, so many people share the same names world-wide that owning your on-line identity is just as competitive as a half-off designer bridal gown sale.  But unlike a wedding dress that you only buy once you need to renew your domains and dots regularly.  GoDaddy receives a steady stream of calls twenty-four hours a day from people who’s ownership has expired on a certain date and are frantically trying to get it back.  They also help customers buy domains that are already taken by facilating communication between the wants and the haves.  Bloggers and business owners (and Mommy’s) have a lot to think about when shopping for their peice of the internet.  But like pockets, I think it is here to stay…hee hee. 

Well, after seven years of doing shopping stories for television the station officially lost their minds and did a story about me!  Pressure was on because of ”sweeps” and to say I was nervous is an understatement.  Maybe it was because the cameras came along on dates with my boyfriend, watched me do the dishes and play with my daughter, and sliced and diced dozens of stories from the past.  Ugh!  It aired in 52 cities and my bosses were pleased so I get to keep my job another day, ha ha.  If you want to go behind the scenes here is the ”Who is Nicolle Camarata?” VIDEO.  

We all know that the Northwest is a leader in recycling and renew-it expert Shannon Qimby built the nation’s first house without a dumpster right here in our backyard.  The couple took an old house down, and rebuilt a bigger and better one with the same materials (even the icky carpet) and they call it the Rex Project.  You can get inspired to go “green” and reuse materials as a do-it-yourselfer.  Make a date to go see the cool construction on Rex Street and see the VIDEO HERE!

Written by Anne Zimmerman  for WORKS.

Name: Nicolle Camarata

Age: 33

Location: Portland, Oregon

Education: Bachelor’s of Science from Portland State University

Job Title: TV, radio, and Web personality

What She Does: More importantly, what doesn’t she do? Seemingly awake, bubbly, and ready to go all the time, Nicolle is a morning host of Portland radio’s 105.1 The Buzz, a lifestyle and fashion reporter for BETTER TV (a nationally syndicated morning show), and the creator of nicolleshopsportland.com, a guide to fashion and local shopping in Portland, Oregon.

How She Got Her Gig: Nicolle got her start in radio advertising sales, making valuable connections in the business before attempting to make her dream of on-air writing and reporting a reality. With her great personality, persistence, and style she soon had a gig as a shopping expert on a local TV station. She started her website because she was getting hammered with questions from women who wanted shopping advice and fashion answers. “It wasn’t possible to write them all back, so it made sense to launch the website and start posting information about cool, locally owned shops and boutiques,” she says.

Super-Scheduled: Nicolle is making coffee at 4 a.m. (yes, 4!) and arrives at the 105.1 The Buzz radio station at five. The show is live, five days a week, from 6 to 10 a.m. As one of three hosts (and the only woman), Nicolle trades jabs, offers witty quips, and reports on fashion and entertainment. Once she’s off the air she heads directly to the BETTER TV station where she tapes two segments, one in the studio and another in the field. Nicolle reports on shopping, fashion, and home life, covering everything from closet essentials to how to buy a boat. After all that, she shifts into mom mode and picks up her 9-year-old daughter, Kaden, at school. “My daughter is the love of my life,” says Nicolle, a single parent. “I only work this incredibly hard to provide for her and be a great example.”

Zip It!: Since Nicolle is basically on radio or TV all the time, flubs can be common. “I have those ‘I can’t believe I said or did that’ moments all the time,” she laughs. A favorite occurred when she served on a panel of fashion experts and jokingly introduced herself as Lola Bigcups. “Everyone thought it was funny, but it probably wasn’t that appropriate. But I don’t want to take myself too seriously,” she says, adding that her job is to demystify fashion while promoting local businesses. And that means acting like a real girl (food-in-mouth moments and all), not a snobby fashionista.

It’s All in the Memories: An excellent memory. Nicolle doesn’t take notes or keep files, but seems to possess a superhero’s ability to remember names, faces, and locations. “Having a good memory has been extremely important when visiting shops, meeting new people, and making connections,” she says. “Everyone represents something, and if you can pinpoint what they care about it will help you to remember who they are.” Case in point: When I approached her for an interview, Nicolle remembered meeting me briefly at the winery I work for nearly two years ago. Amazing!

This Job’s for You if: Simply said, “You love people and you hate to sleep!” Which means being a radio, TV, and Web personality may not be for everyone. But with Nicolle as a role model, it may be worth a try.

With Spring cleaning comes Spring “sprucing” which is when you try to spuce-up your home decor to lighten up for the summer months to come.  Maybe your cozy cottage is more fire-side then beach retreat and you want to make big changes on a small budget.  Making throw pillows can be done in minutes with minimal investment and your options are endless for color and size.  You just need some fabric, stuffing, and thread and needle…you don’t even need a sewing machine!  See the VIDEO HERE!

You can create a one-of-a-kind playhouse for your child on a budget!  This way they get a break from you, and you get a break from them ..after the bonding of building it together of course.  You can do it on a budget by taking advantage of “oops” wood and “oops” paint and using some creative instincts.  We went to Home Depot before we the hit the yard to make our masterpiece and you can see the  VIDEO HERE!  Good Luck!

A woman’s work is never done between family, friends, her job, and herself.  Everyone has those days (or weeks) where we just don’t feel motivated and need a little pep talk to get energized.  So here are some tips to light the proverbial fire under your butt and keep you fueled until you complete your task.  You go girl!

Commit to a time frame:  This tip especially applies to jobs that should not take more than a couple hours.  This means you should specify a time frame before you get knee deep into a particular task.  You can plan it in advance, or if you are more spontaneous in nature, say to yourself that you are going to start working on your task now and give it a termination time.  I used this tip when I organized my closet so I didn’t spend my entire day in my bedroom sorting and folding, it made me hussel, and the pride you’ll feel once you complete the project and knock it off your do-to list should keep you motivated too! 

Easter is here and traditionally that means a visit form the Easter bunny and hunting for eggs outside in the yard among the daffodils. The Easter bunny comes rain or shine, but all this drizzle makes going in the yard hard to imagine especially with kids in Sunday best.