It's my usual winter Monday morning...warm tea in hand, slight chill in the air outside along with a light coating of snow from last night. My feelings about winter go just like this...the colder it gets outside and the older I get...the more I don't want to leave my house. I would rather devote a day to cooking and freezing future dinners(baked spaghetti for me and turkey enchilada soup for hubby), do laundry and watch tv then leave my comfortable, cozy and warm 4 walls.
But on the other hand, don't think that I won't leave my house because as you know, "a girl still has to shop!!!" And without fail I have discovered a new place to put on my shopping radar map...here is a warm welcome and shout out to Burlington Coat Factory. They have it all from jewelry to pots and pans, to shoes and onto pillows. And their sale racks are fantastic!!! And now for the good stuff, enjoy as I list a few highlights.
1. A pair of shoes made by the brand Sak, it's just like the purse but picture a shoe, a black tight woven slip on...love them!!! For $14.99 into the cart they go!!!
2. A pair of green style fatigue ankle pants...regular priced at $34, marked down to $16.99 and then on sale for $10.98, (oh, twist my arm) ok I'll take them!!!
3. A cotton fire engine red sweater with pretty 3/4 inched crocheted sleeves and elastic waist...regular priced at $30, down to $14.99 and then on the sale rack for $5.98...sold!!
4. And...drumroll... probably my best deal there...a short sleeve v-neck sweater, the color is dunebeach and the brand is "Cable & Gauge", it retails for $58, marked down to $40, then to $19.99 and then down to $5.98...yes this is a shoppers glorious moment!!!
As an avid reader of this column, one knows that there is always one or two shopping trips to Stein Mart that are always mentioned...and here we go...
1. Hubby bought a vest and I got a sweater (his vest was cheaper but they were both way under $20) and for the best part..."If purchased elsewhere...$118" and "Your Stein Mart Savings...$86.86."
2. And I did Stein Mart by myself one lazy afternoon...4 tops and one necklace later...."If purchased elsewhere...$268.00 and my savings was $111.05...cool!!!
And now for pretty much the show stopper...This was a first for us...On Thanksgiving night Macy's was opening up at 8pm so hubby and I decided to go(we were out of town and very close to Macy's)had I been at home...this would not be happenin'. Well the store was a madhouse...real big surprise and frankly not any deals anywhere, until...(hit the breaks!!!) I wander over to the shoe department and people are going crazy for something in the middle of the department. What is it??? Rows and rows of boots stacked 7 high. These are the brand Rampage and they are the tall boots perfect for leggings....lots of styles but good luck finding your size. Oh yeah, they were on sale for $19.99!!! They retail for $79, were on sale for $39.99...it's like they were giving them away. I found a great pair of brown, riding style, I love them and they are so comfortable...oh yeah and then I had to buy 2 pairs of leggings...a black pair and a brown pair but that was a given!!!
So here are my thoughts for winter shopping...yeah why not list them:
1. Bite the bullet, bundle up and wait for the January sales.
2. I have very warm coats, but I overheat.
3. I could online shop...I'm just not good at it, I need to see, touch and feel.
4. Send hubby out to shop...why not?? He has good taste, he loves to shop and he can find a bargain.
5. All good ideas but just not finding a winner!!!
To regroup...Thinking of a warm sun beating down on a beach with beautiful white sand...the sound of waves in the background, palm trees swaying in the breeze, calypso music in the background, yes I would like a refill on my pina colada...Calgon...take me away!!!
Monday, December 9, 2013
Monday, September 9, 2013
Give Me Fall All Year Long!!!
Hello all...well, how was your summer and let's get going right into Fall!!! My favorite time of the year, just love fall, the colors of the leaves...oranges, reds, yellows and greens, the bright orange pumpkins, bumpy gourds and glorious mums, fall foods like stews, soups and sumptuous homemade breads, apple fritters, sugar donuts and cider and to top it all off... pumpkin pies. And for someone like me with hot flashes, the cooler temperatures outside are a welcome relief.
Moving right along here are some other top reasons why I like fall...I love the colors it brings to me. If one were to browse my closet you would find many many fall colors all through my wardrobe, my complexion and fall colors go fantastic together...let me explain: oranges: yes I can wear the bright orange, the melon orange and the burnt orange; yellows: I love to wear the mellow yellow, lemon yellow and mustard yellow; greens: you will find me in moss green, loden green and khaki green and those are just my top three main colors. Don't advise me to wear baby pink, wedgewood blue, gray or platinum, it's never gonna happen!!!
So I take it one step further with the fall colors because my home is decorated with all fall colors, and that should be no surprise to anyone. I have coppery orange in my kitchen, light mustard yellow in my den with rust carpeting and the rest of the walls are a nice mellow green except for our master bathroom which is a paprika red...lesson learned is this gal loves color!
But do I stop there...seriously... of course not! Onto the coats which, yes, many of them are fall colors. I can be found wearing rusts, deep greens, caramel browns and luscious mixtures of all. And here comes another facet to me, I love southwestern wear, so in my coat closet, a suede brown blazer with fringe (love it!) and a great long blanket coat with "cowgirl appeal" are happily hanging waiting to be worn.
And now I have to share with all my bargains from my fav...JCPenney. They have by far the best bargains ever...hands down!!! On the clearance rack over the summer, I see this great little polyester jacket, beautiful deep turquoise trimmed in brown with a paisley and flower cheerful design, just busting with color. After talking to a salesperson, I find out that it is an African designer by the name of Duro Olowu and apparently no one liked him but me, the jacket was marked down to $6.99...sold!!! And how about this...a great 100% cotton cardigan and matching sweater, beautiful lime green and melon colors for $3.74 EACH!!! Thank you JCPenney!!! And the last thing to brag about will be a Nicole Miller sleeveless summer pleated top, short in front and longer in the back for $5.99. You just can't go wrong on their clearance racks!!!
Here's to hoping I have enlightened you to a few of my "favorite things". I'm all about color and color is all about me. I don't live amongst white walls, color gets me up in the morning, on my way with a smile on my face. After my great repertoire about fall, the buzzkill is this...after fall comes winter and that leaves me nothin' to say but I HATE WINTER!!!...nuf said!!!
Moving right along here are some other top reasons why I like fall...I love the colors it brings to me. If one were to browse my closet you would find many many fall colors all through my wardrobe, my complexion and fall colors go fantastic together...let me explain: oranges: yes I can wear the bright orange, the melon orange and the burnt orange; yellows: I love to wear the mellow yellow, lemon yellow and mustard yellow; greens: you will find me in moss green, loden green and khaki green and those are just my top three main colors. Don't advise me to wear baby pink, wedgewood blue, gray or platinum, it's never gonna happen!!!
So I take it one step further with the fall colors because my home is decorated with all fall colors, and that should be no surprise to anyone. I have coppery orange in my kitchen, light mustard yellow in my den with rust carpeting and the rest of the walls are a nice mellow green except for our master bathroom which is a paprika red...lesson learned is this gal loves color!
But do I stop there...seriously... of course not! Onto the coats which, yes, many of them are fall colors. I can be found wearing rusts, deep greens, caramel browns and luscious mixtures of all. And here comes another facet to me, I love southwestern wear, so in my coat closet, a suede brown blazer with fringe (love it!) and a great long blanket coat with "cowgirl appeal" are happily hanging waiting to be worn.
And now I have to share with all my bargains from my fav...JCPenney. They have by far the best bargains ever...hands down!!! On the clearance rack over the summer, I see this great little polyester jacket, beautiful deep turquoise trimmed in brown with a paisley and flower cheerful design, just busting with color. After talking to a salesperson, I find out that it is an African designer by the name of Duro Olowu and apparently no one liked him but me, the jacket was marked down to $6.99...sold!!! And how about this...a great 100% cotton cardigan and matching sweater, beautiful lime green and melon colors for $3.74 EACH!!! Thank you JCPenney!!! And the last thing to brag about will be a Nicole Miller sleeveless summer pleated top, short in front and longer in the back for $5.99. You just can't go wrong on their clearance racks!!!
Here's to hoping I have enlightened you to a few of my "favorite things". I'm all about color and color is all about me. I don't live amongst white walls, color gets me up in the morning, on my way with a smile on my face. After my great repertoire about fall, the buzzkill is this...after fall comes winter and that leaves me nothin' to say but I HATE WINTER!!!...nuf said!!!
Monday, June 10, 2013
The Bob & Tom Drama, A Wedding in Israel and Life is Good!!!
Yes it's a Monday and yes it is raining...but it is the perfect time for me to blog, blog and more blog this morning. It's not a problem that I have so much to say and brag about and all the time this morning to do it. Sorry Karen Carpenter but this rainy day and Monday will definitely not get me down!!!
First and foremost for the best, exciting, and over the top news...my daughter is getting married a week from today in Israel...how cool is that!!! The aura around me is only happiness, fulfillment and love and I'm not gonna lose it!!! It's gonna be emotional, it's gonna be beautiful and it's gonna be one heck of a party with 230 Israeli's that I don't even know, on a lush and tropical kibbutz with an array of Israeli food and music going till the wee hours of the morning. I will be boarding that grand 747, soaring through the blue sky, over land and water to be greeted with arms open wide by my daughter, future son-in-law and the magical city of Tel Aviv. It's all good!!!
In preparation for this wedding trip, I have managed to do some shopping and of course I have stumbled across some really nice bargains...so here we go!!! I love to shop at Kohl's and here is why...browsing through the 80% off rack I spot a pair of Vera Wang capri's. I'm not a Vera fan but the color caught my eye, a real nice summer melon color and as luck would have it, they were my size and just the way I like the fit with a little bit of Lycra...and they were marked $5. Really??? These are $50 pants(one of the high end lines at Kohl's) marked down to $5, ok I'll take them and save $45. Even the cashier commented "Boy did you get a good bargain!!!" Yeah I would say so...thanks Kohl's!!!
Onto another really good bargain(but just a little background info first)...this mother of the bride found a fantastic dress for the wedding in Israel, I felt like it was just waiting in the store on the rack for me shouting out my name, or maybe the Israeli karma was pointing in my direction, anyways it was just what I had in mind. Long, black and flowing, perfect and my daughter gave me her stamp of approval. But shoes we just could not score. So I thought I would roll the dice and try to find a pair of shoes at home. Off I go to Dillard's and again as luck would have it I found a beautiful pair of pewter open toe sandals that went perfectly with my dress, they had a little bit of glitz, a little bit of sexy and a little bit of "show stoppin" style. It all fit together so nicely!!!
The next day I am off to Shoe Carnival to purchase my summer "Bob" shoes, it's the "buy one get one free" deal there that I just can't resist. And there is also my addiction to "Bobs", I have 5 pairs of "Bobs" and I just bought my first pair of "Toms"(on sale) and I love them also...so comfy, it's gonna be a throw down now between "Bobs" and "Tom's" (I never thought it could come to this...I always felt so loyal to Bobs)...anyway back to Shoe Carnival, I'm walking down the rows and there in front of my own two eyes across the back wall I see the same shoes I just bought at Dillard's!!! Are you kidding me? Seriously? I'm shocked!!! But here comes the tail spin...they are $30 cheaper at Shoe Carnival!!! OMG!!! Yes of course you guessed right...I buy them and return the other ones to Dillard's and yes, another great bargain under my belt!!! Dillard's, maybe you should be checking out what is going on over at Shoe Carnival!!!
I love finding a bargain when I least expect it and I love finding a bargain where I least expect it. I live by the hunt, the chase and the find. Whether it be a rainy day Monday or Sunday, a cloudy Thursday or a shiny Saturday, my aura, antenna and angle will always take me down that bargain huntin' highway!!!
First and foremost for the best, exciting, and over the top news...my daughter is getting married a week from today in Israel...how cool is that!!! The aura around me is only happiness, fulfillment and love and I'm not gonna lose it!!! It's gonna be emotional, it's gonna be beautiful and it's gonna be one heck of a party with 230 Israeli's that I don't even know, on a lush and tropical kibbutz with an array of Israeli food and music going till the wee hours of the morning. I will be boarding that grand 747, soaring through the blue sky, over land and water to be greeted with arms open wide by my daughter, future son-in-law and the magical city of Tel Aviv. It's all good!!!
In preparation for this wedding trip, I have managed to do some shopping and of course I have stumbled across some really nice bargains...so here we go!!! I love to shop at Kohl's and here is why...browsing through the 80% off rack I spot a pair of Vera Wang capri's. I'm not a Vera fan but the color caught my eye, a real nice summer melon color and as luck would have it, they were my size and just the way I like the fit with a little bit of Lycra...and they were marked $5. Really??? These are $50 pants(one of the high end lines at Kohl's) marked down to $5, ok I'll take them and save $45. Even the cashier commented "Boy did you get a good bargain!!!" Yeah I would say so...thanks Kohl's!!!
Onto another really good bargain(but just a little background info first)...this mother of the bride found a fantastic dress for the wedding in Israel, I felt like it was just waiting in the store on the rack for me shouting out my name, or maybe the Israeli karma was pointing in my direction, anyways it was just what I had in mind. Long, black and flowing, perfect and my daughter gave me her stamp of approval. But shoes we just could not score. So I thought I would roll the dice and try to find a pair of shoes at home. Off I go to Dillard's and again as luck would have it I found a beautiful pair of pewter open toe sandals that went perfectly with my dress, they had a little bit of glitz, a little bit of sexy and a little bit of "show stoppin" style. It all fit together so nicely!!!
The next day I am off to Shoe Carnival to purchase my summer "Bob" shoes, it's the "buy one get one free" deal there that I just can't resist. And there is also my addiction to "Bobs", I have 5 pairs of "Bobs" and I just bought my first pair of "Toms"(on sale) and I love them also...so comfy, it's gonna be a throw down now between "Bobs" and "Tom's" (I never thought it could come to this...I always felt so loyal to Bobs)...anyway back to Shoe Carnival, I'm walking down the rows and there in front of my own two eyes across the back wall I see the same shoes I just bought at Dillard's!!! Are you kidding me? Seriously? I'm shocked!!! But here comes the tail spin...they are $30 cheaper at Shoe Carnival!!! OMG!!! Yes of course you guessed right...I buy them and return the other ones to Dillard's and yes, another great bargain under my belt!!! Dillard's, maybe you should be checking out what is going on over at Shoe Carnival!!!
I love finding a bargain when I least expect it and I love finding a bargain where I least expect it. I live by the hunt, the chase and the find. Whether it be a rainy day Monday or Sunday, a cloudy Thursday or a shiny Saturday, my aura, antenna and angle will always take me down that bargain huntin' highway!!!
Monday, April 8, 2013
A Bucket List, Physical Therapy and That Light At The End of Some Tunnel!!!
Time to dust off my fingers, my keyboard and my brain...it's spring with chirping birds all around my birdfeeder(especially Mr. & Mrs. Cardinal), perianals abounding(anxiously awaiting to see my tulips pop up) and lots of allergies out there(stocked up on Zyrtec) !!! But where has this bargain fashionista been? Well she sure has not been seen shopping any where, let's ask why?
I would love to share my timeline with everyone since my last post. January was a great time...enjoying the new year, keeping warm and here comes the really fabulous news...my daughter got engaged to a wonderful man, so how exciting is this...pretty much over the top!!! (keep reading...more wedding info below.) Nuff said about January.
February is all about a bucket list and a shorten version of a really long story. Hubby's always wanted to ski in British Columbia(Whistler Mountain to be exact). Our son arranges trip and they look forward to this for 4 months. Hubby leaves for Seattle exhilarated, excited and with the promise of lots of photos...awesome and have a great trip!!! First day at ski resort, top of mountain first run down, first 30 minutes on skis and BAM...hubby hits ice, down on his shoulder, yes say goodbye to your ski trip...cause trip over for you!!!
Shoulder surgery, hospital stay and physical therapy bring us into the month of March. And now my life is full of schedules, his schedule, my schedule, my work schedule, his work schedule, the dogs schedule, grocery shopping schedule, doctor appointment schedules and I should put in a sleeping schedule and so on...!!! Time for shopping for bargains...nah I don't think so!!!
As we glide into April the good news for me...I'm going to Israel to help plan our daughters wedding...Tel Aviv here I come, 7 days of hustle bustle wedding stuff...invitations, table decorations, wedding dress, food tasting...my plane lands and we hit the ground running!!! But this is the fun stuff every mother dreams of enjoying the day a daughter is born!!! And the cherry on the top is to have family with us to experience, enjoy and celebrate this wonderful time with us!!!
So back to reality...this gal has barely had time to breath let alone go shopping...and I have to confess...I NEED TO SHOP!!! I need that relaxation mode, the 4 walls of any department store and a nice bargain would be a perfect mix of perfect!!!
So...SteinMart, JCPenney, Macy's, Sears and Elder-Beerman...roll out the red carpet cause:
1. Hubby will be driving soon(oh, that sounds good)...
2. I will have my life back(somewhat)...
3. He will have his life back(somewhat)...
4. I am in desperate need of a bargain(not kidding)...
5. So nice to see the light at the end of the tunnel(also not kidding)...
6. You have missed me(as I have missed you!)...
Hoping you have enjoyed my current BUCKET LIST!!!
I would love to share my timeline with everyone since my last post. January was a great time...enjoying the new year, keeping warm and here comes the really fabulous news...my daughter got engaged to a wonderful man, so how exciting is this...pretty much over the top!!! (keep reading...more wedding info below.) Nuff said about January.
February is all about a bucket list and a shorten version of a really long story. Hubby's always wanted to ski in British Columbia(Whistler Mountain to be exact). Our son arranges trip and they look forward to this for 4 months. Hubby leaves for Seattle exhilarated, excited and with the promise of lots of photos...awesome and have a great trip!!! First day at ski resort, top of mountain first run down, first 30 minutes on skis and BAM...hubby hits ice, down on his shoulder, yes say goodbye to your ski trip...cause trip over for you!!!
Shoulder surgery, hospital stay and physical therapy bring us into the month of March. And now my life is full of schedules, his schedule, my schedule, my work schedule, his work schedule, the dogs schedule, grocery shopping schedule, doctor appointment schedules and I should put in a sleeping schedule and so on...!!! Time for shopping for bargains...nah I don't think so!!!
As we glide into April the good news for me...I'm going to Israel to help plan our daughters wedding...Tel Aviv here I come, 7 days of hustle bustle wedding stuff...invitations, table decorations, wedding dress, food tasting...my plane lands and we hit the ground running!!! But this is the fun stuff every mother dreams of enjoying the day a daughter is born!!! And the cherry on the top is to have family with us to experience, enjoy and celebrate this wonderful time with us!!!
So back to reality...this gal has barely had time to breath let alone go shopping...and I have to confess...I NEED TO SHOP!!! I need that relaxation mode, the 4 walls of any department store and a nice bargain would be a perfect mix of perfect!!!
So...SteinMart, JCPenney, Macy's, Sears and Elder-Beerman...roll out the red carpet cause:
1. Hubby will be driving soon(oh, that sounds good)...
2. I will have my life back(somewhat)...
3. He will have his life back(somewhat)...
4. I am in desperate need of a bargain(not kidding)...
5. So nice to see the light at the end of the tunnel(also not kidding)...
6. You have missed me(as I have missed you!)...
Hoping you have enjoyed my current BUCKET LIST!!!
Tuesday, January 1, 2013
Just Like Barbra Sang..."Memories..."
Food was in the oven, table was set, champagne was on ice, fireplace was roaring, friends were on their way over...yes tis the season to remember 2012 and say "goodbye", "see ya", "out with the old and in with the new", move on looking forward to ringing in 2013 and most importantly...celebrate all the sales happening now such as "after Christmas sale, "year end sales" "new year's day sales" and very soon the "great white sale". Yes tis the season to get out, spend your Christmas cash, catch all the bargains you can, seize the day!!!
Back in the day, things sure were different... lets take a short trip down memory lane...
*nothing was on sale prior to Christmas, no complaints, no arguments, that was the way it was!!!...it was full retail the whole way!!!
*the mall was packed elbow to elbow with Christmas shoppers!!!...long, long lines at check out, mad dashes to get that special gift hoping it wasn't sold out and hours were spent shopping.
*special kiosks brought in just for the Christmas season with all kinds of unique things, last minute ideas...yeah you get the idea!!!
*the mall had decorations way over the top...it was really something to see and enjoy!
*there was always a certain part of the mall designated as a Christmas wrapping area, for a few bucks you got a fantastic present wrapping and you also helped out a local charity( I use to volunteer for the American Cancer Society)
*there was a huge "Give a Gift Tree", you purchase gifts for underprivileged children and they hung your name on their tree(my children did this).
Okay...my memories, good memories!!!
And now in the present, how have things changed...?
*everything in the mall is on sale...no need to pay full price for anything, retailers have no problem luring in Christmas shoppers from the 80% off racks to the buy one get second one 1/2 off!!! Now that sure feels good on our wallets!!!
*Christmas season...shopping at the mall, consider yourself lucky if you could find a parking space! Now we can Christmas shop online, take our time, have that second cup of coffee, in your jammies, pandora music in the background, free shipping...yeah exactly, we don't even need to leave our house!!!
*yeah...because of online shopping I guess why bother with unique kiosks, if you think unique, it can be found online.
*don't get me wrong...the mall decorations are very pretty, just not over the top(like back in the day)
*the present wrapping area is surely missed...from the customers to the charities!!!
*yes...we also miss the big "give a gift tree"
So what does a shopper (like me) do in this crisis...learn the tricks of the trade and convert to online shopping?...but wait, I like to see "in person", I like to "feel it" and I like to "try on", I like the sensation of holding a shopping bag or bags, I like to see a receipt with my savings, I like to window shop at the mall...so now the truth comes out...yes I am and always will be a mall shopper, the free shipping is hard to resist online but the window shopping has got that beat!!!
As 2013 begins, I can only see more and more bargains in my future...I can only see VIP parking spots for me at the mall, I can hardly wait to feel the weight of many shopping bags gracing my body and the razzle and dazzle of the mall...nuf said!!!
But my inquiring mind wants to know...what ever happened to The Christmas Club Savings Account?!!!
Back in the day, things sure were different... lets take a short trip down memory lane...
*nothing was on sale prior to Christmas, no complaints, no arguments, that was the way it was!!!...it was full retail the whole way!!!
*the mall was packed elbow to elbow with Christmas shoppers!!!...long, long lines at check out, mad dashes to get that special gift hoping it wasn't sold out and hours were spent shopping.
*special kiosks brought in just for the Christmas season with all kinds of unique things, last minute ideas...yeah you get the idea!!!
*the mall had decorations way over the top...it was really something to see and enjoy!
*there was always a certain part of the mall designated as a Christmas wrapping area, for a few bucks you got a fantastic present wrapping and you also helped out a local charity( I use to volunteer for the American Cancer Society)
*there was a huge "Give a Gift Tree", you purchase gifts for underprivileged children and they hung your name on their tree(my children did this).
Okay...my memories, good memories!!!
And now in the present, how have things changed...?
*everything in the mall is on sale...no need to pay full price for anything, retailers have no problem luring in Christmas shoppers from the 80% off racks to the buy one get second one 1/2 off!!! Now that sure feels good on our wallets!!!
*Christmas season...shopping at the mall, consider yourself lucky if you could find a parking space! Now we can Christmas shop online, take our time, have that second cup of coffee, in your jammies, pandora music in the background, free shipping...yeah exactly, we don't even need to leave our house!!!
*yeah...because of online shopping I guess why bother with unique kiosks, if you think unique, it can be found online.
*don't get me wrong...the mall decorations are very pretty, just not over the top(like back in the day)
*the present wrapping area is surely missed...from the customers to the charities!!!
*yes...we also miss the big "give a gift tree"
So what does a shopper (like me) do in this crisis...learn the tricks of the trade and convert to online shopping?...but wait, I like to see "in person", I like to "feel it" and I like to "try on", I like the sensation of holding a shopping bag or bags, I like to see a receipt with my savings, I like to window shop at the mall...so now the truth comes out...yes I am and always will be a mall shopper, the free shipping is hard to resist online but the window shopping has got that beat!!!
As 2013 begins, I can only see more and more bargains in my future...I can only see VIP parking spots for me at the mall, I can hardly wait to feel the weight of many shopping bags gracing my body and the razzle and dazzle of the mall...nuf said!!!
But my inquiring mind wants to know...what ever happened to The Christmas Club Savings Account?!!!
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