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Because You're Ugly

Because You're Ugly: BlackFriday.info--All Black Friday, All the Time!

By Vickie Chang, Wednesday, Nov. 25 2009 @ 12:07PM
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If you're like us and your serious case of misanthropy is keeping you from lining up outside Target at 4 a.m. for the last Zhu Zhu Pet in the country, then you're in luck.

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BlackFriday.info is your one stop place for all Black Friday sale links and print ads... on one, convenient website. There are a few premature sales already happening this year, thanks to a slow economy and an effort to boost those much-needed holiday sales: MacMall, Amazon and Dell all have sales in progress going on RIGHT. NOW. So that's the good news.

And the bad? You now have exactly one month to find that fucking car your kid wants for her Zhu Zhu Pet, Mr. Squiggles (that you found on eBay marked up $100 over the retail price).
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Because You're Ugly

Because You're Ugly: A.P.C. Basement Sale

By Vickie Chang, Friday, Nov. 13 2009 @ 1:59AM
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Fave French brand A.P.C. will be hosting a basement sale this weekend. Though the label has only (somewhat) recently opened up a west coast location, their one and only Californian retail location is still  in LA--but trust us when we promise that it's worth the drive.

From a Trendzilla published in September 2007: "The only time you'll ever get me to admit that brand-name jeans are actually worth their price tag is when it comes to raw denim.Essentially, raw denim's just denim that has never been treated or washed. It appears and feels extremely stiff to the touch and will sculpt itself to your shape and body with frequent wear. In fact, you're supposed to purchase raw denim one or two sizes smaller than your usual to achieve this effect impeccably. You're also supposed to wash raw denim as little as possible--my boyfriend's pair kind of smells like the ball pit at Chuck E. Cheese. But if you really feel compelled to wash them, French brand A.P.C. actually suggests running into the ocean with the jeans on . . . something about the salt water."

After the jump: Event info and more on A.P.C. raw denim.
…More >>
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PETA Tee Prefers Breasts Over Animal Testing

By Vickie Chang, Tuesday, Jul. 28 2009 @ 2:34PM
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Categories: Because You're Ugly
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We all know PETA is no stranger to using "edgy" marketing campaigns, showcasing naked (and half-naked) women to trumpet their cause--see our recent slightly NSFW Ringling Bros. protest slideshow here--but some think their priorities are a little misaligned, worthy cause or not.

Check out PETA's latest offering from their catalog: The "Breasts Not Animal Tests" tank, $24. The product description reads:

"You probably already know that peta2 loves animals. But did you know that we also love boobies? What's not to love, right? That's why Keep A Breast and peta2 have come together to bring you an awesome new tank top with a very important message: "Breasts, Not Animal Tests!"

We all know that breast cancer is a serious disease that affects most of us in some way (either personally or through someone we know), but did you know that it also affects animals?

It's true. Monkeys, rats, mice, rabbits, cats, dogs, and other animals often suffer and die because of horrific tests that are conducted in the name of breast cancer 'research.' Besides being cruel, the 'research' is also ineffective. Former National Cancer Institute Director Dr. Richard Klausner has stated, 'The history of cancer research has been the history of curing cancer in the mouse. We have cured mice of cancer for decades, and it simply didn't work in humans.
'"

Coming from an organization that once shrink wrapped nauseous interns in 80-plus degree weather for World Vegetarian Week--in addition to that whole objectification of women thing, obviously--many are calling shenanigans. We're guessing that might include the 186,467 women and 1,764 men diagnosed with breast cancer in 2005 alone.
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Because You're Ugly

Because You're Ugly: EC Star 50% Off Sale

By Vickie Chang, Tuesday, Dec. 30 2008 @ 9:56AM
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So, it's no real surprise: all those drastic Christmas sales didn't go as well as retailers had hoped. In fact, the outlook is pretty bleak--many are predicting more and more closures and bankruptcies, joining big name stores like Circuit City, Linens 'n Things, Sharper Image, Steve & Barry and Mervyn's. 

Retailers are beginning to slash at any cost just to get rid of all the inventory they had prior to the holiday season. Forty-, 50- and even 60-percent off aren't too hard to find in shops, department stores, boutiques and online. 

Locally designed and distributed EC Star is hosting a 50-percent off everything sale on their website full of women's clothing that's the perfect mixture of femme, mod and punk. Check out favorites like the Dana jacket in black/white or red/black flannel ($40) or the ultra mod Go Go dress ($35). Sale ends tomorrow, so act fast to get your size. (Pictured left: the Suzy Dress, $45.)

Karmaloop, a longtime destination for those seeking clothing, sneakers and accessories on the more "urban" side of things (think: sneakerhead), is hosting a half-off everything sale on their website as well, which carries everything from Betsey Johnson, TOMS shoes, WESC and Jeffrey Campbell to OBEY and tokidoki. Use the discount code HOLIDAYS for a sixty-percent off discount--valid through the end of the day. 

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Because You're Ugly

Because You're Ugly: American Apparel Financial Woes?

By Vickie Chang, Tuesday, Dec. 23 2008 @ 9:32AM
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Is Dov Charney's American Apparel empire in trouble?

As of Nov. 30, American Apparel employed over 10,000 people and operated more than 240 retail stores in 19 countries. The label is known for their fair wages--and tiny track shorts and slightly pornographic adverts--at its factory in downtown Los Angeles, workers make $12.50/hour plus benefits, which is something like more than twice what sweatshop employees make. 

But American Apparel announced yesterday that they received a three-month extension on its outstanding debt that was set to mature in January. Charney commented, "We are pleased to have secured these extensions to our loan maturities given the current difficulties in the credit markets. We have also had discussions with our lenders about the possibility of lengthening the maturity of our debt into 2010, and we will continue these discussions while we pursue other financing alternatives."


Charney continued, "Our business has remained encouraging during the holiday season. We are set to close out a strong 2008 for American Apparel, in which we expect to have opened at least 80 retail stores and to have reported a double digit same-store sales increase over 2007. Most importantly, we look forward to continuing to enhance the productivity of our retail stores and drive free cash flow in 2009."


Friends tell us that dozens of sewers and employees were laid off just earlier this month at American Apparel corporate headquarters. 


American Apparel's massive popularity with the hipster/youth sect has survived and continued to thrive despite the perma-controversy swirling around their hyper sexual ads, five sexual harassment lawsuits and even CEO Charney whipping it out in front of a journalist once--but can they survive this recession?


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Because You're Ugly

Because You're Ugly: It's Not Too Late!

By Vickie Chang, Monday, Dec. 22 2008 @ 2:05PM
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Look, it's not too late. Jump in the car, drive. See something in her size? Are Pokemon still cool? What's a Ped Egg?--just fucking grab it at this point. Hey, Macy's is even staying open until midnight today and tomorrow for people like you. Hurry.

South Coast Plaza: Mon.-Tues., 8 a.m.-10 p.m.; Christmas Eve, 9 a.m.-6 p.m.

Bloomingdale's, South Coast Plaza: Mon.-Tues., 9 a.m.-11 p.m.; Christmas Eve, 8 a.m.-6 p.m.

Macy's, South Coast Plaza: Mon.-Tues., 7 a.m.- midnight; Christmas Eve, 7 a.m.-6:30 p.m.

Nordstrom, South Coast Plaza: Mon.-Tues., 8 a.m.-10 p.m.; Christmas Eve, 8 a.m.-6 p.m.

Saks Fifth Avenue, South Coast Plaza: Mon.-Tues., 10 a.m.- 9 p.m.; Christmas Eve, 7 a.m.-6 p.m.

Sears, South Coast Plaza: Mon.-Tues., 7 a.m.- 11 p.m.; Christmas Eve, 7 a.m.-6 p.m.

Irvine Spectrum Center: Mon.-Tues., 10 a.m.-9 p.m.; Christmas Eve, 10 a.m.-7 p.m.
…More >>
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Because You're Ugly: Orange County Puts Vanity on Hold

By Vickie Chang, Friday, Dec. 19 2008 @ 3:37PM
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Categories: Because You're Ugly

Orange County? Postponing implants and Botox?


The New York Times is reporting that in Orange County, "where plastic surgery is a part of [our] culture" (sigh), business is down 30 to 40 percent. 


The story chalks it up to both financial constraints and, surprisingly, even a "Botox backlash"--men and women finally disparaging the unnatural, plastic look cosmetic surgeries all too often generates. 


And more good news for your Friday afternoon: Other researchers are finding that less sex, more depression--which, in turn, can lead to all sorts of health issues--and teary ballads topping the carts are other ramifications of the recession. 


Have a good weekend! 


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Because You're Ugly

Because You're Ugly: Discount Codes

By Vickie Chang, Tuesday, Dec. 16 2008 @ 2:12PM
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marcj2115511554_prod_zoom_front_v1_m56577569831357164._SX201_.jpgAlright, you last minute shoppers. With the holidays nearing and the economy slumping, storefronts are offering steeper discounts than ever. Here are some discount codes for a few favorite websites that I've rounded up for you. Remember to pick express shipping to ensure you receive your packages by Christmas. (Pictured left: the Soft Percy handbag by Marc by Marc Jacobs, $158 [$110.60 after discount!], available here in black, red and denim.)

ShopBop.com -- ShopBop is the go-to destination for contemporary designers and labels like Marc by Marc Jacobs, AKA New York, Alexander Wang, Anna Sui, Steven Alan, Theory and more. Enter code HOLIDAYLOVE at checkout for 30% off full-price merchandise. Free shipping every day!

Saks.com -- Saks Fifth Avenue is offering free shipping and free gift box (and bow?) with code SFAGIFT.

80sPurple.com -- A reliable  we've discussed time and time (and time) again. Enter promo code GIVETAKE at check out to take an additional 25% off everything, including hundreds of items reduced 30-80%.

BenShermanUSA.com -- Are you a mod or a rocker? Receive $25 off when you spend $150 or more, no code required.

Also: Longtime favorite Built By Wendy has announced they're shutting down both of their west coast locations (Los Angeles, San Francisco), leaving the only stores that will still be standing in New York. Stop by the stores in person to receive up to 70% off everything--even sale items. Built by Wendy, 7938 W. 3rd St., Los Angeles, (323) 651-1902; www.builtbywendy.com. Mon.-Sat., noon-7 p.m.; Sun., noon-6 p.m.
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Because You're Ugly

Because You're Ugly: Urban Outfitters Pulls Tees in Support of Gay Marriage

By Vickie Chang, Wednesday, Dec. 10 2008 @ 2:18PM
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Repeat offender Urban Outfitters has made headlines once again: the leading retailer has taken T-shirts supporting gay marriage off its California shelves this week.


The printed Tees, a staple for the popular chain, simply read "I Support Same Sex Marriage." When questioned, a buyer for Urban Outfitters stated that they had received "too much bad press"--though not even a single blog entry had made its way onto the internet, according to the shirt's designer, Tara Litman and New York magazine. 


The store has been known for stirring up some controversy via the T-shirt in the past. In 2001, one men's Tee featured a smiling naked woman mapped out as a piece of meat (shoulder, chuck, rib, loin, rump...) ready for slaughter.  In 2004, Urban Outfitters yanked their "Everybody Loves a Jewish Girl" shirts after receiving some pressure from the Anti-Defamation League and other Jewish organizations. The same year, Urban cited "continued misunderstanding" in their decision to remove a Tee that read "Voting is for Old People."


So this whole thing isn't anything new for Urban, except for one notable thing that's somehow been missed over the years: Urban Outfitters chairman (and zillionaire) Rich Hayne is a well-known conservative Republican who has contributed money to numerous senators who vote for legislation against gay marriage, including former Pennsylvania senator Rick Santorum, who made controversial statements in a 2003 Associated Press interview equating gay marriage to incest and pedophilia. 


This is all especially unnerving when you consider that the hipster movement has fueled Urban's extreme popularity, by the youth who've chosen to believe they were being anti-establishment by shopping at a store that hawks only Obama Tees next to copies of NYLON and Catcher in the Rye. Pawns? Puppets? Smart businessman? 


Hayne founded Urban Outfitters in 1970 and has since then operated four retail brands in addition to Urban Outfitters: Anthropologie, Free People, Terrain and Leifsdottir. The company's net income was $448.61 million in 2005. 

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Because You're Ugly

Because You're Ugly: EC Star & RVCA Warehouse Sales

By Vickie Chang, Tuesday, Dec. 9 2008 @ 12:43PM
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ecstar.jpgLocally designed and distributed EC Star never fails to please with its ultra femme, ultra mod, little-(punk)-girl-grown-up designs. Head designer and Huntington Beach native Jen Johnson (whose name you might recognize from local bands like the now defunct F-Minus and Ammunition Affair) has championed the label since 1996, and EC Star has since then made its way into stores around the world. 

EC Star will be holding their warehouse sale this Friday and Saturday at their warehouse in Costa Mesa. Credit card and cash only, all sales final and no backpacks or bags allowed!

Also: In addition to last week's extravaganza, RVCA is having one last final day for their moving/warehouse sale that's actually not too far away from EC Star HQ. And when they say "Everything must go," they really mean it--bring friends! Tell your friends! Tell everyone!

Flyers for both sales after the jump.

EC Star Warehouse Sale, 1835 Whitttier Ave. d1, Costa Mesa, www.ecstar.net. Fri., 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; Sat., 10 a.m.-2 p.m.

RVCA Moving Sale, 919 Sunset Dr., Costa Mesa, (949) 548-6223; www.rvcaclothing.com. Sat., 9 a.m.- 5 p.m.
…More >>
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