A Denim Milestone

I broke out of my super deal-finder persona this weekend to achieve a denim milestone... my first pair of FANCY jeans.

For the last few years, I've coveted my girlfriends' 7 For All Mankind, Paper, Citizens of Humanity and Joe's jeans. I have wanted to buy a pair but haven't been able to justify it (either I didn't like the size I was, didn't want to spend $160, couldn't find a fit that I loved, etc.). I also realize that I've paid $20-$40 for about 12 pairs of jeans in the last two years that I haven't loved. I'm no math major, but this tells me that my so-so jeans have cost me more than a really great pair.

Well, this weekend, while helping my Aunt Vera (of VeryVera fame) out at Costco, I saw something that made me do a double take: a table of original bootcut fit 7 For All Mankind jeans... for $96! (FYI, ladies, I was at the Mall of Georgia Costco Foods in Buford, Georgia.) It was a little more work than trying a pair on at Macy's ("little more work" = no fitting room, had to buy a few sizes to try on in the bathroom, returned the ones that didn't fit) but totally worth it. That's like 30-40% off retail!

I was a little perplexed about what size to buy (did I want a pair that fit exactly right from the get-go? Or did I need a pair that was a little snug, knowing they would loosen up a little as I wore them?). I ended up with the slightly more snug pair and feel I made the right decision. P.s. the length is great for me because I'm tall (5'8) but even having to hem a pair of $96 7's would be worth it.

Doing jean-loosening stretches in my living room and pondering outfits.... eeeeeeeh!

Katy

Husband Loses Bet, Wife Wins: A Story of Pearls and Legs

When the hubs and I went out of town to celebrate our anniversary, we planned to do a little hike around the north Georgia mountains. When the weather didn't cooperate, we opted for a movie instead (no complaints here, as we don't actually go to the movies as much as I wish we did). 

Dan probably wishes it had been sunny that day. A few minutes into "The Informant," I quietly proclaimed to Dan that I recognized one of the actors as the very same guy who played Biff Tannen in the Back to the Future series. Dan absolutely did not believe me and even suggested we bet $100 on whether or not this guy was indeed Biff. I shook his hand, never having been so sure in my life.

Immediate checking of www.imdb.com ensues. I see shaking of the head and mouthing of expletives. Score! What could I buy... hmmm? [Even though it's "our" money, I decided it was okay that some could be earmarked for me.]

Flash forward three weeks. I decided to seek out a strand of pearls in the $80-$120 price range. Every gal could use a nice strand of pearls (classic, beautiful and glamorous are just a few words I use to describe pearls). We received a "20 percent off" coupon for Macy's in the mail this week, too. A sign? I thought so!

So, while visiting our friends James and Lauren in Columbus, Georgia, this weekend, I suggested to Lauren that we swing by the mall. We couldn't have picked a better day! The signage at the jewelry counter read, "50 percent off." I tried on a few strands of pearls, eventually settling on an 18-inch, 7.5/8 mm strand originally marked $260. After applying both discounts, the strand set me back a rather reasonable $110.

Never the one to waste a trip to the mall, I asked if we could browse some of the nearby stores for patterned and colored tights. Express had some cute ones that were $12.50 each (plus buy one, get one half off). Unfortunately, few were left in my sizes except for boring black and grey. We meandered down to New York & Company. Cute tights, not all that impressive of prices (I think these were $12.50, too). Dillard's was the jackpot. I bought a pair of crimson tights and a pair of black ones with a brown and grey argyle pattern. Can't wait to wear those this week.

Yes, I can do math. I'm perfectly aware I spent just a **few** dollars more than what the bet won me. I'll consider it "interest."

Thanks, Biff. :)

(Nearly) A Week in Review

When I wake up, I think I'll be able to pick out in outfit in under a minute. With all the staples that any gal probably has (black skirt, brown skirt, black sweater, black dress, solid and print button-ups, blazers, etc.), it shouldn't be that hard... right?

Turns out that the one-minute estimate is on the way skimpy side. Each morning, I end up spending about 10 minutes second-guessing a boring outfit choice only to grab something funkier from the depths of my wardrobe. Then I triple-guess myself, wondering if the slightly edgier outfit will be too much for my semi-conservative office. Then I land somewhere in the middle. 

I'm working to find the balance between fun/unique and business casual. Where are Stacy and Clinton when I need them?

Monday: OLD black Wal-Mart tank ($10), random black/white shrug sweater from Ross ($12), random Macy's black pencil skirt ($14) with white seams, gifted crimson Nine West shoes

Tuesday: GAP Outlet teal v-neck sweater ($17), GAP Outlet black and teal cap-sleeve blouse ($17) Ann Taylor LOFT lined wool pants via The Nearly New store ($7), gifted Kenneth Cole kitten heel Mary Janes

Wednesday: BCBG dress ($15 from Ross), Target tights ($5?), Lapis black swing coat ($12), Fitzwell heels ($15 plus S&H from www.6pm.com)

The Tuesday dress by its lonesome

Friday: vintage plaid lined cape ($4 plus $10 for alterations), Banana Republic Outlet white button-up ($17), Banana chinos ($6 at The Nearly New), Nine West brown kitten heels ($30)

(Forgot to take photos Thursday — sorry! And it looks like all but one outfit fell under $50)

What do you wear to work?

Monochrome Legs (Goodies from the Weekend Part 2)

I posted on Saturday that the weekend was full of blog-worthy material.

I also posted this teaser snapshot of one of the many things I snagged over the weekend:

Here's the dress!

Trying on in the store. Ignore the boots and the hat (and the hair... and the face).

Monochrome tights and shoes inspired by What I Wore's Jessica (seen here and here).

The brooch I already had, but I picked up the dress during my visit to Last Chance Decatur (FYI - you can print coupons from their site). I knew right away that I wanted to accessorize it with my new-ish burgundy tights and the same-color platform sandals.

The dress has big buttons down the back (fun!) and is unfortunately too short to wear to work. I'm excited about it for an eventual night out or date night though.

Dress: Liz Claiborne (circa early 90's — it has shoulder pads) $8 at Last Chance (Decatur)

Shoes: gifted

Brooch: $2 or $3 at Goodwill

Tights: $10 at Macy's

Fabulous Candles in Decatur (and another good deal)

I heard another great tip from Jessica Shops Atlanta—the upscale candle company PaddyWax has an outlet in Decatur! 

An 8-ounce PaddyWax candle in a glass container, for example, will run you upwards of $20 or more on the PaddyWax web site or in a nice boutique. At the outlet, however, the same candles are priced around $8.00. The shop also offers tinned candles for traveling, gift sets and pillar candles of all sizes. 

While browsing through the outlet's merchandise, I couldn't help but pick up several candles for last-minute Christmas gifts. The eight candles I bought set me back $48. Not bad for really quality merchandise.

I complimented the shop as a woman rung up my order. I asked why the outlet was located in Decatur and how the prices were so much different than in retail stores. She responded saying the factory is in Decatur, attached to the outlet actually, and that she was a corporate employee. When I mentioned that I hadn't noticed the outlet store before even though I drive by almost weekly, she said that they don't really advertise and get most of their business through word of mouth.

One downside to this deal savvy place are its hours of operation. PaddyWax is open Monday through Friday 10am to 5pm and Saturday from 10am to 4pm and closed on Sundays.  Another is the strong mix of scents that hit your nostrils the moment you walk through the door. Like walking through the perfume section of Macy's, you may end up with a mild headache for the next half hour. 

235 Dekalb Industrial Wy
Decatur, GA 30030

(404) 378-7422

www.paddywax.com