Take a peek at TWEAK

WHY I'M OPEN ON XMAS MORNING

2012-01-19T16:33:00.000-08:00

I'm constantly asked why I keep my store open on Xmas day. "Does anyone shop?" "Do you make any money?"

(Heavy sigh). They just don't get it.

I'm in business to make people happier. 1) Inspire clients to live better by making simple changes in their lifestyle. 2) Offer a fun shopping experience by encouraging guests to play, touch and engage all their senses in the store. (You break it, you say sorry). 3) Sell items that people actually need- better designed cutting boards, books that make you laugh and chocolate covered pretzels. 4) Make shopping convenient- have everything pre-wrapped; open early, close late; be open on Xmas for last minute gifts.

No matter how well you plan, there always seems to be someone on the list that you forgot. Or perhaps there's a last minute invitation or an extra guest. I open the store on Xmas for these gifting emergencies.

Each year I'm always able to "save someone's life."

I'd like to share this year's holiday tale and perhaps you'll understand why I do what I do.

On December 25, 2011 I posted on Facebook that I was in my store and that we would be open until 2pm. I received a phone call from an old friend, who I haven't seen her since high school, who read my post. She lives up north but has been in LA for the last few weeks sitting by her father's bedside in critical care at Cedars Sinai hospital. She and her sister take turns being with him. They lost their mother already to cancer several years ago.

She asks me if she could buy some gifts for her father to give to her sister when she comes to the hospital for her 1-5pm shift. Apparently, the sister didn't receive any gifts for Xmas and her dad wanted her to have something to open. She then asked if I wouldn't mind dropping the gifts off at the hospital. Of course not. Not a problem. Cedars is only a few blocks away from the store- will gladly do it after I close up.

So I go to the South Tower lobby to drop off the gifts as her father is in this wing of the hospital. The receptionist tells me that gifts must be dropped off at the North Tower. So I get back in the car and drive to the other side. I walk in the leave the gifts and the receptionist tells me that they are no volunteers working and she couldn't guarantee that the presents would make it to the room by 5pm. She suggested that I take them to the nurses' station on the 5th floor in the South Tower.

I drive back to the South Side and go upstairs. I walk over to the nurse and ask if I may leave the gifts. She says no and that I should deliver them directly to the room. Seriously?? I'm going to walk in on a father who just had a near death experience while he's spending precious time with his daughter? What else could I do?

I knock on the door and the sister answers. I remind her that I'm a friend of her sister's from high school and that I'm dropping off Xmas gifts that her dad had wanted her to have. She put her arms around me and sobbed. "My father is thinking of me, now??"

I cried too. How fortunate I was to be there for her! To be part of her realization of just how much she meant to her dad- how much he loved her.

So, to all those people who question why I'm open on Xmas day- this is why I'm open. To make people happier. To be part of the true spirit of the holidays. To know that I can make a difference.

ELLE DECOR names Tweak99 a " Best Pop-Up in the country"

2012-01-09T07:47:00.000-08:00

ElleDecor.com listed their picks for best pop-ups and markets in the country!

TWEAK99 is on a very short list along with MoMA, Philadelphia Art Museum, Union Square Holiday Market(NYC) , Annie's Blue Ribbon(CT), Renegade Craft Fair (SF), Bizarre Baazar (Chicago), and West Elm(CT).

TWEAK99

This LA holiday pop-up shop’s motto is “value, smart, design.” Created by home stylist and self-described “giftologist” Tara Riceberg, Tweak99 will open its doors for the eighth year this month. Riceberg merchandises by price, and every gift costs less than $100. To make things even easier, every item comes pre-wrapped in Tweak99’s signature travel-friendly wrapping. And it is even open Christmas morning for truly last-minute shoppers.

The Elves are Tired

2011-12-31T16:13:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year!

Hope it’s off to a great start, though it may not feel that way as you are standing at a closed door when all you wanted was to say hi, browse, play, shop or even exchange.

We are truly sorry for the inconvenience but hope you can understand the elves are exhausted.

They’ve been with thousands of gifts,

again and again,

at no extra price,

they’re always wrapping and bowing,

bowing and wrapping,

and always too nice!

Let’s face it-the elves are tired! Everything below the hat is kapput!

They will be enjoying a short rest and will return January 5^th at 11am.

If you have a gifting emergency, please email

gifts@tweak99.com

THR- Secrets of the Industry's Gift Giving Pros

2011-12-15T10:02:00.000-08:00

"The pro's toughest challenge is finding something for onscreen and behind-the-scenes power players who have everything. Tara Riceberg, who's working primarily with one major film studio, likes to counterprogram by going clever and low-cost. 'The greatest gifts are things where people go, "That's genius," like a waterproof notebook for people who do their best thinking in the shower, or a Corkcicle- it's basically an icicle that yo put in your wine bottle (to chill it), she says."

MSN.COM loves Tweak99

2011-12-15T09:13:00.000-08:00

Celebrity home stylist Tara Riceberg reprises Tweak 99, a pop-up this year on Beverly Boulevard. All gifts come pre-wrapped and the store boasts "99 things to love under $99." (What's not to love, indeed.)

http://local.msn.com/article.aspx?cp-documentid=31650160

FUN WITH KTLA MORNING NEWS

2011-12-14T17:27:00.000-08:00

KTLA Morning News sent Allie Mac Kay to Tweak99 to have some serious holiday fun. Check it out!

5am- stress relief
http://www.ktla.com/videogallery/66764845/News/KTLA-Affordable-Pre-wrapped-Gifts-5am#pl-62903516

6am- great guy gifts
http://www.ktla.com/videogallery/66764864/News/KTLA--Affordable-Pre-Wrapped-Gifts-%286am%29#pl-62903516

7am- kitchen stuff
http://www.ktla.com/videogallery/66765098/News/KTLA-Affordable-Pre-Wrapped-Gifts-7am#pl-62903516

ART-DECO GLAMOUR CANDLES

2011-12-09T12:11:00.000-08:00

Dramatic, award-winning candles from Australia. Art-Deco inspired colored glass and packaging. These candles are oversized at 6" tall by 3.5" wide. Absolutely stunning, especially when lit.

Premium gift wrap $79.99ea.

Zhou Xuan (Shanghai)

Art Deco inspired cut glass hand poured with soy wax infused with sophisticated fragrances. The oriental exoticism and romance that is Shanghai, is captured here in dark wood and musk, with just a hint of Vanilla, wrapping a fresh composition of Bergamot and Lemon in a rich, floral heart of Jasmine, Ylang Ylang and Rosewood. 345g, 12.2oz. Up to 70 hours burn time.

Josephine Baker (Paris)

Art Deco inspired cut glass hand poured with soy wax infused with sophisticated fragrances. Paris, the city of romance and style is captured in this fragrance, using the freshness of citrus and leafy green notes to create warm, mossy floral hearts on a rich, creamy base of Sandalwood, Vanilla, balsams and Musk. 345g, 12.2oz. Up to 70 hours burn time.

Elizabeth Ponsonby (London)

Art Deco inspired cut glass hand poured with soy wax infused with sophisticated fragrances. Reminiscent of the City of London, this unique Sandalwood and Cedarwood-based fragrance embraces a heart of Rose, Cyclamen, Jasmine and Rosewood. 345g, 12.2oz. Up to 70 hours burn time.

Dorothy Parker (New York)

Art Deco inspired cut glass hand poured with soy wax infused with sophisticated fragrances. A true reflection of the vibrant Metropolitan chic that is New York, this rich, warm and spicy fragrance combines the subtle influences of Muget, Carnaton and Rosewood upon a rich base of Patchouli, Musk and Tonka. 345g, 12.2oz. Up to 70 hours burn time.

LIGHT FANTASTIC

2011-12-05T19:29:00.000-08:00

I love night lights! No need to turn on the light on those midnight runs to the kitchen.

Unique plasma effect makes current visible within bulb. Watch it move towards your hand as you touch the bulb.

Favorite things- Graphite Pencils

2011-12-04T21:54:00.000-08:00

In 1998, Sculptor Agelio Batle developed a process to create sculptures in solid graphite. Initially, he created his own hand (Drawing Hand No. 1), and then botanical and other natural forms followed.

Each sculpture is cast using Batle's unique molding and carving process. Carbonaceous graphite (mineral remains of prehistoric plant life) is fused with smudge-resistant compounds, then cures into the object before you.

They have been formulated to resist smudging onto your hands. The multiple surfaces of each graphite sculpture can write.

Lucky us-Out of the Box

2011-11-07T07:55:00.000-08:00


only thing kitty loves more than cardboard, is stylish skyscraper cardboard


heat activated perpetual calendar. Rub the black squares to reveal fun factoids.

Lucky us, Luckies of London makes such great gifts! Get'em unwrapped today at 20% off! Type in OUTBOX at checkout on www.tweak99.com

game night dinner napkins


jot down your to-do list as your brain starts to function with the morning cup o'joe


do your best thinking in the shower? now you can write down your thoughts on this waterproof paper

URBAN DADDY WEEKENDER GUIDE

2011-11-07T07:04:00.000-08:00

November 3, 2011

Urban Daddy-- "KEEPS ON GIVING
Start (and Finish) Gift Shopping Here

’Tis the season... when you have no idea what to buy for anybody. Solution: Tweak 99, a pop-up gift shop stocked with a bunch of random design-y loot, from concrete coasters to mini ping-pong sets. Everything’s prewrapped and the whole place is sorted by price. Done and done."

Out of the Box

2011-11-03T11:31:00.000-07:00

olive oil

Be sure to type OUTBOX at checkout for the daily deal. Shop today to save 20% on unwrapped arrivals.

Today's arrivals:

tag it mats


Ping pong


granata spice grinder


ice 3 sided frame

bird cafe

Out of the Box

2011-11-02T12:08:00.000-07:00

Every day new things arrive. We're offering daily "out of the box" specials. Sign up on twitter to receive notices on what's arrived or go to www.tweak99.com and click on the "out of the box" link http://www.tweak.bigcartel.com/category/out-of-the-box. You have until 2pm to save 20%.

Check out today's arrivals:

Picasso Mighty Morph Pad


Bachelor post it pad


Twin salt/pepper shakers


wave 3pc cheese set


Club salt/pepper shaker


The Daily Mood


Chimp sticks


Pac Man crocheted placemats

M cups

Let the Games Begin!

2011-10-27T00:46:00.000-07:00

Chess, checkers, cards, cribbage and dominoes all in a leather box $99.99

I'm addicted to game night with my friends from high school. We get to regress to being sixteen again- when our only worries were what our weekend plans would be, who had the best wardrobe and whether or not he would call. Wait, isn't that life at 42?

Seriously, it is fabulous to get together for a casual night of laughter and finger foods. When buying for the store, I try to find things that I myself would want for my home. Here are some things that I found for my next game night party- also available at www.tweak99.com


Greet guests with a special libation filled with ice cubes shaped like card suits			$6.99

Light the candles with these card matches $4.99


Play ping pong on any table with this adjustable net. $47.99

Assemble this 3D puzzle and create table art. $31.99

Challenge a friend to a game of arm wrestle $24.99

Serve hors d'oeuvres on Bingo plates $19.99 each

Set the dinner table with these hand crocheted mats set/4 $39.99


Roll dice. Arrange cubes. Make poetry. Smile. $27.99

Throw these on a coffee table $14.99

Not sure which game to play? Consult the Ultimate Book of Card Games $21.99

TWEAK99 is back for the season!

2011-10-13T00:27:00.000-07:00

It's my favorite time of the year! I've found so many goodies- I can't wait to share!

My new space is at 8384 Beverly Blvd @Orlando. Same block as last year, different street. In fact, my new neighbors are Beverly Hills Juice, Mandarette, Ballet Bodies, The Detox Market and West Elm!

Stay tuned for all the fun coming up in the next few weeks.

Building a Better Mousetrap

2011-10-13T00:10:00.000-07:00

Watch how it works! http://youtu.be/ZvQLv6j1Kto

I call it jumping when you take that leap and try something new. It's scary yet nothing great comes from playing it safe. I have so much respect for people who jump. To have the belief that you can make a difference, that you can bring an idea to life. We all have great ideas. How many of us actually bring them to life? To come up with a concept, have the product manufactured and brought to market is no easy task.

Designer Laurie Cohen jumped. She believed purse hooks were essential fashion accessories and that no purse should leave home without one. It took her many years to get the design and manufacturing right. Unfortunately, the market became so saturated with bad product that shoppers lost faith in the beauty and need for purse hooks. Still, with all the hooks out there, she knew she could build a better mousetrap.

She faces an uphill battle but great design that functions always wins.

I have so much respect for people who take the risk to try something new. I'm proud to support them and encourage them to keep jumping.

Check out this great video of Laurie's Mon Mode purse hanger in action http://youtu.be/ZvQLv6j1Kto

To purchase her product, you can check it out on my site www.tweak99.com or email me at gifts@tweak99.com

Take a peek at TWEAK: Tara's Tips for Halloween

2011-09-23T09:11:00.000-07:00

Take a peek at TWEAK: Tara's Tips for Halloween: @partycity @galtime @succulentwife @paulaabdul