Shopping Alert!....

Okay. It's Friday and payday (for somebody, I'm sure!). So if there are any dollars left after the bills get paid.....


Kate Spade's got another sale going on (What, is she taking tips from Macy's?):



Kate Spade Sale

Looks like the Liz C. group is firing with both barrels for fall:




Liz Claiborne Fall Sale




Elisabeth Fall Sale

(Now if you have been reading this blog, you'll notice that I posted the 15% off sale in an earlier post. However, as the e-mail I just recieved stated "up to 60% off" -- so I figure it might be worth it to post it again....)

And Forth and Towne is already getting on their holiday groove....




Forth & Towne


Enjoy!

Okay...Now this is just wrong.....

Look, I've got a soft spot for Hello Kitty, but really how soft a spot do you have to have to justify this....





Hello Kitty Diamond Pendant

$4,250.00 baby!

And for those of you who have another $5000.00 to blow and feel you need a matching ring....




Hello Kitty Pave Diamond Ring

Honey, where else but at Needless Markup. Enough said.

(But I have to admit -- they are pretty cute! Just not 10 grand worth!)

Bargains from The Budget Fashionista....

Keeping on the subject of deals.....

If the Elisabeth sale has just wet your whistle, get thee over to The Budget Fashionista for her October coupons and deals newsletter...

The Budget Fasionista Coupons and Deals Newsletter

And while you're over there, if you haven't signed up for the newsletter, do so! EVERY Fashionista can use a bargain!

Speaking of Elisabeth....

There's another sale going on over there! 15% off any regularly priced item.

If you've got a mind to, surf on over! Here's the link....

Elisabeth 15% Off Sale

A tale of 3 Returns - Part 1

As you know if you’ve been reading the blog, I’ve made several clothing purchases over the past month or so - some in the real world and some in the virtual. Of course with varying success. And varying success leads to – yeah you know – returns.

So far I’ve had to deal with three from three different retailers – Sears.com, Lane Bryant and Elisabeth.com. Here’s the first post on how each of them faired as far as dealing with returns:

Sears.com: The online Sears site states that you can return your online purchases to any physical Sears store (that sounds so weird as I type it!).

That’s exactly what I did with a pair of black Covington pants that did not fit correctly (which was weird in and of itself since I already own a gray pair of the same model which fit perfectly! This is the kind of thing that makes women crazy when it comes to shopping – but I digress).

Actually I had to try this return twice, but through no fault of the store – I did not read the instructions for returns as carefully as I should have. Seems that the confirmation e-mail you’re sent is the important document to have with you when making the exchange – not the packing slip – because the RC# for each item is listed in that e-mail. The sales clerk will need that number in order to complete the return. By the way, my sympathies to the Sears sales staff – on both occasions they were aware that online purchases can be returned at the store – but it does not appear that they have been trained on HOW it’s to be done!

Despite that fact, both times the sales staff was very accommodating and took whatever time it took to find out how to do the exchange. Once the how was established, the return went like clockwork – no troubles!

So hat’s off to Sears.com – they are as good as their word! Kudos to their sales staff as well!

Note to Sears: Do your staff a favor and give them some training on this process okay? You can make both their lives and the lives of your customers just a bit easier!

It's been a crazy few days....

So I've not had a chance to post. Watch this space, through! New posts should be coming up starting later today!

It's Breast Cancer Awareness Month

A visit to the The Pretty Pear and the ever popular The Budget Fashionista has brought to my attention that it is Breast Cancer Awareness month.

So....

1. Ladies, if you haven't had the girls checked out for this year, get to it! Yes, it's an uncomfortable, boob squeezin' experience - but a potentially life saving one as well. So don't put it off!

2. Make a visit to either of the sites mentioned above for tips on how to contribute to the cause. Both have several entries outlining offers from businesses donating part of your purchase to Breast Cancer research. In addition, the Pear has a link to The Breast Cancer Site where a click on the Fund Free Mammograms link can help provide free mammograms to women in need.

3. For more info click on over to the National Breast Cancer Foundation site. And of course the American Cancer Society website.

My newest bag.....

As I said in an earlier post, I unfortunately did not have 200+ bucks to drop on a Kate Spade - even on sale! (It looks like SOMEBODY did through -- when I checked the Kate Spade sale page the next day there was not a one of the bags I liked left!). However, I did have 60 bucks...And I did buy a purse!

Of course there is a story to this purchase (Isn't there always for any purchase?)...

In the past, I was not a big fan of wristlets. If there was a reason, it was probably because I didn't see it as a legitimate purse -- after all what the heck can be carried in that little thing?

My pride, however, was brought low when I purchased a couple of pairs of pants that do not have pockets (through I could have sworn when I ordered them that the description said with pockets!).

Now, I'm not a person for pocketless pants, but I came to love these - and that left me with a quandary - where do I carry my stuff when I make those short trips during the day, far enough to need money and/or keys on me, not far enough to need to carry a purse.

The answer - a wristlet that came with a loved Franklin Covey tote bag I was carrying at the time.

You know the rest -- I fell in love - and hard - with the whole wristlet thing!

I decided that I'd like to get a black one (the wristlet that came with the tote is blue) so I thought I'd splurge a bit and spend around 50 - 60 bucks to buy a Coach.

But then I was in my local Franklin Covey to get a refill for my binder -- and what should I see but a black hobo tote! And, as it is with the Franklin totes, it had a wristlet (Or as Anna Johnson charmingly describes it in her wonderful book, Handbags: The Power of the Purse "a satellite (or dinghy) bag") that came with the bag.

The cost for the pair? About $60.00 on sale!

Hummm....$60.00 for a leather wristlet - or $60.00 for a leather bag AND a wristlet -

I brought the bag of course!

Here's the new ship of state with the "dinghy":

Franklin Covey Tote and Wristlet

Here's the inside. I'm not usually one for pink, but it does work well with black. And I love the little detail of the dragonfly print, continuing the dragonfly motif from the enamel charm on the purse, in a pale almost mint green.




Now I know that most women don't think Franklin Covey when they go handbag shopping. But over the past few years, they have developed an excellent line of business totes - ostensibly to carry your binder, pda, cell phone, etc. But this is my second one, and I find that they make great, durable and good looking bags in general. And you can often find very nice ones on sale. So if you have a Covey near by, check them out -- you might be pleasantly surprised at what you find!

Shopping Alert!.....

When I said the sales just keep on comin' -- I had no idea!

Looks like the Liz Claiborne group is making a full court press this fall...

An extra 25% off sale items on the Elisabeth.com site. Check it out at the following link...

Elisabeth Sale

And yes, this time I could not resist! I've made the following purchases:

Elisabeth Silk Charmeuse Pleated Skirt

Elisabeth Silk Blend Pointelle Shell

Elisabeth Silk Blend Pointelle Cardigan


As I've stated before, I own a couple of pieces from Liz C's plus size lines, but I've never purchased anything from the online Elisabeth site. So I'll let you know how this turns out!

Shopping Alert!......

They just keep on comin'.....


Elisabeth Liz Claiborne's Plus Size division, is having a sale on their Fall 2006 collection. Check it out at the following link:


Elisabeth Fall 2006 Sale

Liz has a lovely plus size collection covering both career and causal clothes. I've purchased from the old Village collection (a navy summer jacket and drawstring pants that remain sleek enough for work, wonderfully comfortable and one of my favorite spring - summer outfits.) and I also own an Emma James sweater. The quality is everything you would expect from Liz.

I've not ordered from the web site as yet, so I can't speak to the experience of buying these clothes online. But if the quality is anything like what I've purchased in the store, you'll be pleased.

So if you have a chance, go on over and check them out!

To: NY Mag Fashion Page - I love ya, but....

What is up with the snub of the Elena Miro runway shows!

For you who don't know, Elena Miro' is an Itatilan fashion house who specializes in clothes for plus size women. Beautiful, ready to wear clothes.



Take a look....From the Fall 2006 collection...










As you can see -- no fear of curves here! All pics credit to FirstView - get yourself over there and check out the whole collection! 'Cause you sure as hell can't do so on the New York Magazine Fashion Show Page -- gee I wonder why!

Fear of curves perhaps?.....

Shopping Alert!.....

Kate Spade is having a 25% off sale on selected styles....

Kate Spade 25% Sale

My favs from the sale:

Madison Park Eley Small

Madison Park Eley Large

Sigh...Unfortunately I don't have 200+ dollars right now to drop on a purse (I did however, have $60.00 -- but that's an upcoming post!)

Anyway, if you do -- check it out!