Just A Little Treat For Me

I wanted to treat myself to some nice things one in particular a handbag and then a nice quality made sweat suit.
I went to my trusty resource site Luxist to find the handbag. Wow! So many to choose from. I ended up buying a Fiore all leather handbag. Lol, I guess I could have just went to the Coach counter or the next purse party for a handbag. Nope, not me.. I've worked just one day too long to pass up what I really want. $350 later, the bag is mine!

Next I wanted a good sweat suit made of good, quality material. None of that flimsy stuff. Nothing that will shrink after one wash. Not the sweat suit of the hour that everyone else is wearing, for example Baby Phat or Enyce. That stuff is not for me. For one, everyone else is wearing it and for two, I do me not them. I also wanted heavy embellishments such as Swarovsky crystals/rhinestones.

I subscribe to a catalog Boston Proper and they have nice, classy sweats for my age group. They also aren't afraid of embellishments, the more the merrier. I chose a dove gray boot cut hooded sweat suit. The jacket has a huge heavy embellished design on the back. I'm satisfied!







This Is Great!

WoW!
I just went to Walmart to get ingredients for Chili. Then I was going to head to CVS to take advantage of their .69 2-liter Coca Cola's. Then I thought, Walmart accepts all coupons and they'll price match another store's ads.
So I did all my shopping in Walmart. I had a copy of Highlanders ad and also a Walgreens ad.
The highlight of Highlanders ad was the BBQ Sauce for .75 a bottle. On top of that, I had a coupon for .75 off = FREE. I loaded up.
Then the Little Debbie coupons that belongs to Cubs was for .75 boxes of any snack cakes, guess what.. I had .75 off coupons for those too!
After going up and down aisle after aisle, I reached the check stand and the cashier (who was totally blown away with my purchase) bagged 18 bags of groceries and I paid $28.
Now when you price match at Walmart it will take you just a bit longer to check out, so that's when people started wondering what was taking so long and they were trying to pay attention to what I was doing. After it was over one woman (bless her heart) asked me would I PLEASE quickly show her how to shop with coupons. I gave her some of my ads and showed her what her best bet will be. For her it was the dish detergent that's advertised at CVS for .99, and last week at Walgreens for .88 cents. She said she would put her ONE bottle of detergent (priced at a little over $3) back and take advantage of the .99 Dawn and Palmolive.
I also explained to her how to get her coupons out and match them with sale items. Keep in mind that with Walmarts coupon policy, as long as the price of the item is the coupons face value AND if that face value is lower than their price, they will give you the difference in cash OR apply it towards your total purchase. Now that is how you walk away with paying next-to-nothing for your groceries.



Panty Hose

I love, love. love the panty hose sold at Penney's. They are made of good quality material and they hold their elasticity and you can launder them. They last a good while.
Then you have the other side of the tracks.. hosiery sold at your local beauty supply stores. These usually are so poorly made that you can put your foot in and they're already damaged OR your foot goes straight thru the bottom, never stopping at the end of the hose. They take on the shape of your feet and legs, never go back into their original shape and FORGET about laundering them. You can usually spot them from a mile away because they normally have millions of 'thread pulls' in them and make you look like you've snagged them on something since you've had them on. But really that's how they come sometimes. Another way to spot them is that they will be sagging, gathered or twisted at the ankle. Again, that's just how they come sometimes. You can also hear someone approaching you that may be wearing a pair because of the not so soft material they're made of. The more expensive pairs can be as quiet as a mouse.
Years ago I purchased a shimmery silver/gray pair at Marshall Fields, oh maybe about 15 years ago. Guess what... I still have them! No runs or tears at all. Then I paid about $12 for them, now at Carson's they run $25. Would I buy another pair at that price? Absolutely, but why when they're so well constructed and I can get months to years worth of wear out of them.
I occassionally go into Penney's during a good sale or clearance to stock up. While Macy's and Carsons also carry several different designs and patterns. Very elegant!

Deals Of The Week

This week at CVS you can purchase 2-liter Coca Cola for .69 each with a CVS Extra Care card. Limit 5.
However there is no limit to how many times you go into the store to purchase, I go everyday. Me and him together leave the store with 10 each trip and we probably hit 2-3 stores each day.
It's called stockpiling. When items are dirt cheap, go for it!
Also at CVS this week is 32-load tide detergent for $5.99, pair it with the .50 off coupon from this weeks P&G insert in Sundays paper and get it for $5.49 each.
There is also .99 Dawn dish detergent. However 2 weeks ago, it was .88 at Walgreens. I chose to stockpile both times.
REMEMBER, Walmart price matches and they also honor all coupons. At times an attractive sale price somewhere else will still be higher than Walmarts low price, so if you have a coupon for that particular item, take it to Walmart UNLESS, and this is my thing, unless the other-guy will give you cash back or a gas card like CVS. At times you'll have to pick-and-choose your battles.

Starting Your Own Business

What's holding you back? Now is the perfect time to see what you're made of when it comes to having your own.
The banks aren't lending any money to anyone so that's one hurdle out of the way. Forget the big-guys vendors, it's all about the little guys now.
So again, what's holding you back? Is it you? If so you'll find yourself in the same place for a long long time. Is the place you're in now a happy place? If so, stay. If no, start your own.
Look around you at all the big name chains that are leaving your area where you live or work. Why are they leaving?
Ask yourself how many opportunities do you pass each day on your way to work, school, daycare, etc.
Think about it, Buffalo Wild Wings started in a college dorm room with 300 wings.
Contrary to popular belief, you don't need millions to make a dream come true.
There are so many avenues, so many opportunities. Take one.
What's holding you back?

High-End, Low Price

It has been a growing trend for years now. High-end designers placing their fashions in affordable department stores. My favorite is Dana Buchman in Kohl's. Then you have Issac Mizarahi in Target. Walmart places designers based upon the community.
I used to get Dana Buchman in Marshall Fields and Macy's so I was happy to see her in Kohl's. Her denims are made of quality material that lasts over the years. Moderately priced and always in style.
I also purchased a pair of Vera Wang jeans in Kohl's. Now I'm curvy, but these jeans take good care of me!
This summer, I decided to be me first and fashionable second. My love of watching The Real Housewives of Atlanta and Orange County and then Basketball Wives keeps me posted on what's happening now. I'm all packed for my trip to New York next week and I have my cute sandals and maxi dresses. I really only wear Tiffany silver and a tennis bracelet or two.
For some reason, I'm really feeling the fashion sensation!

Church Hats & Suits

" Elegance is not the prerogative of those who have just escaped from adolescence, but of those who have already taken possession of their future."-Coco Chanel
Before I begin let me make it very clear that these are my own views and are not meant to hurt or harm anyone.
Church hats and suits are a lovely thing especially when it all matches like the Queen of England.
My only issue is the cookie-cutter suits and hats where as some are found in your local beauty supply stores:o
Suits made of cheesy fabrics and outlandish color schemes will make heads turn alright...
I have searched far and wide on this matter and came up with interesting finds. There's a NY designer, Panzai who makes some of the finest Sunday frock in the country. Yet a bit pricier than ordering from the popular wig magazine but well worth it if you're into dressing to impress. All suits have hats to match, how can you go wrong. There's even a matching suit for him. You usually see Gospel stars, pastors and first ladies donning Panzai's creations but they cater to anyone who's ready to take their 'church suit game' a bit further. The hats are breath taking.

Next is my personal favorite, St. John Couture, St. John Knits and St. John Sport. Timeless is an understatement with some of their pieces. I love the feel of the fabric against my skin and I totally feel confident wearing their pieces since they're adaptable to minor to moderate weight gain. They don't make hats to match their suits but they do make shoes!
You can find their boutiques on Michigan Avenue, Nieman Marcus and online. They do have several outlet stores too. My favorite outlet is in Aurora Illinois. As much as I love this designer, I refuse to part with any pieces, I just keep adding to my collection.
Price wise, this line is costly but back to a previous article I wrote, it pays off in the end. The material shows no wear at all, the colors do not fade, buttons and zippers don't lose luster. Quality made clothing.
This line is dry clean only and just a bit of advice, go to a cleaners that is familiar with St. John!!

Handbags

Everybody is carrying a Coach handbag. That's cool. Especially if it's one of their all leather bags such as their famous Duffel Sac, they last forever. Coach is also reasonably priced. Again, everybody is carrying a Coach.
Next, Louis Vuitton. Hmm, the price ranges are 'up there' but is still affordable. Let's take my favorite, the Speedy 35. Priced at $750, add another $250 to have your initials embroidered.
Next, Gucci. Keep in mind that to me, Gucci and Louis are timeless handbags that never ever go out of style. While some will look down at someone who is still carrying a Gucci Boston Bag from the 80's totally miss the point of these pieces. Me, personally would much rather carry the Boston Bag then the latest Coach bag. My next personal favorite is Dooney & Bourke's All Weather Leather Teton Bag. I have every color combination the line has ever came out with. The pieces of this line I do not own are any of the wallets and coin purses and the back packs. These bags are huge and roomy and they last forever. I've only had to send one in to repair the fob. Other than that, my oldest one is about 17 years old.
I put the brakes on at the Hermes bag. Which one? Any of them.. The starting cost of these bags are $15,000-$20,000. So make sure you don't purchase one of these at the next purse party you attend. I just let the secret out of the bag:-D

I'm on the search for a vintage MCM bag. I really like the way those look. I try to steer away from Coach, unless it's the Duffel Sac I'm carrying.

Another hot handbag is Mulberry and Bottega. Break away from the 'norm' of the Coach and explore!





No More Raggedy Wigs!!

Oh my goodness!
If I see another woman in a wig that absolutely does nothing for her..slap me.
I go to the mall, I see one. I go to the gas station, I see one. I go to my doctor, and I see one. What's the deal? Just because the color is pretty on the manikin does not mean it's pretty on YOU! Just because the style is nice in the magazine does not mean it will look nice on you.
Sometimes all I can think of is the scene from the Wizard Of Oz with the Flying Monkeys when I see someone in an ill-fitting or ill-styled wig. Spare me!
Some of the blame goes to those who shop at stores ran by individuals who know nothing about fitting a woman in a wig. All they want, and is getting is your money. Shame on you for letting them allow you to walk around like this. More of the blame goes to those who are too tight fisted with their money to invest in a decent wig with the mindset of I'll spend $20 to look like a fool versus spending $40 to make people look twice and wonder if it's a wig. Do the math.



I personally feel that all women should value themselves. What's your self worth as far as appearance? I cannot stand to see a woman not value herself. While it may not be at the top of the list, I always remember what my old pastor said.. You never know who you'll run into. Step it up ladies and stop slapping anybody's wig on your head. Take your time and invest in  yourselves. I guarantee you will be glad you did.



Nice Clothes, Not Found At Walmart

You all know by now that I love, love, love nice clothes BUT I hate cheap fabrics. You spend more on cheaper clothes than you know.
I've tried the George line at Walmart. I love the styles, but the quality of the fabrics is the pits!
I find it more money saving by going to Chico's, my favorite store for casual clothing than going to Walmart with the hopes of saving a few dollars. I can pay $65 for a pair of cargo pants that will last me years, the quality of the fabric will not change and the elements of washing will not compromise the quality.
I see high-end designers are putting their labels in Walmart, Kmart, and Target but at what cost? Quality.
Some may say that 'I will never spend $65 on a pair of pants' but if you think about it, you'll end up shopping less by not having to replace items as often.
Even their jeans, known as the platinum line far exudes the quality of your average jeans, and like I stated before they can withstand the elements of laundering.
The closest Chico's store to me is the one at The Streets of Cherryvale, however there are many outlets.