The Value of a Bargain

Yesterday I was looking at a little set-up in our bathroom.

As I began nearing 3-0 this year, I realized I should probably start taking additional steps to keep my face looking young and fresh-including washing and using night cream on my face. I went so far as to place said night creams and face wash right near the sink, where I'd be sure to remember. Sadly, I was good for a week or two, and then it trailed off to Tuesdays and Thursdays after I worked out.

Thing is, I really love the nightcream, the way it smells and makes my skin feel. But it isn't cheap. Would I use it more if I had gotten a deal on it? Searched out the lowest cost? Don't know, but that got me thinking about the value of a deal/bargain. The equation of your time + the bargain + the amount of satisfaction and joy the bargain gives you.

I love a bargain. But not all bargains make me feel the same. Let's explore, rated on a scale of 1 to 10, 10 being a sense of happiness, elation and excitement about the product or purchase.

• Spending under $10 on an item of clothing you didn't know you wanted or would look good, but you find yourself wearing all the time = 9, 10 if found at an unexpected source or in less than 10 minutes
• Finding an item online at the lowest price, preferably with less than 3 minutes spent searching = 8
• Buying something you think will have one or two uses, but ends up becoming one of your favorite things = 8
• Anything bought with online coupons and free shipping = 8
• Stalking an item until it goes on sale and you end up using it all the time = 7 (I think the amount of time spent looking diminishes the return on happiness)
• Buying something off-season and loving it = 7
• Cheap doo-dads, fabric remnants or odds and ends that add a finishing touch = 8
• Good bargain, but you spend weeks and months searching for it = 6, lower because of the amount of personal time spent
• Sale at the grocery store on something you like and use = 5, because groceries just aren't sexy
• Stalking an item until it goes on sale or clearance and you don't end up loving it as much as you hoped =2, plus that sinking feeling in your stomach
• Anything bought full price at Gap, Banana Republic or J Crew = 1, everything always goes on sale

What else, what am I missing?

Need a Good Layering Turtleneck?

Found! I picked up this ultrafine turtleneck in grey last week and it is the perfect layering turtleneck. Stretchy, lightweight and long, it will work great under a jacket or dress. Very flattering.

And while I don't personally need a new fall bag, I saw this one in the store in mustard and it was BEAUTIFUL!

This Week in Yays and Boos

Yaaaay!

• Our wedding photographer's blog
• Wicked on Sunday!
• Good deal on way cute metal counter stools
• Crock pot ideas in the comments-baked potatoes!
• Reading recommendations from Cup of Jo readers
• Little Green Notebook's office redo
• Mini meatloaves

Boooooo!

• I thought I was taping the first episode of FlashForward, but it was the second one! Now I have to go find the first episode
• No pureed pumpkin to be found at the grocery store. Not pumpkin pie filling, pureed pumpkin
• Let's chill it with the RHO {insert city} expansions. NY, ATL, NJ and OC is enough, right?

Let's Talk About Ballet Flats

Let’s talk about ballet flats, baby. Let’s talk about quality. And all the good deals and the bad deals there might be. Let’s talk about flats.

While my favorite pair of Steve Maddens did cost close to $50 (they are silk and so, so pretty), I can’t justify several pairs of Steve Maddens. So I look, every couple of months but especially in the fall, for new pairs to cheaply and comfortably dress up my wardrobe. Which means sometimes the consistency and quality can be lacking when looking for cheap alternatives.

Here are some reviews for you cheap shoe fans (I will note, I prefer quality shoes, but ballet flats really only work for me in the fall and winter so I don't want to waste $$ on something I could find a cheap alternative to).

Target’s Odell flats come in a wide variety of colors and patterns. But, like many things at Target, their sizing is made to fit the masses. So many of the pairs I have tried on have been too wide, too short and inconsistent from season to season. But, they are a cheap option so I always take a look. Yesterday I picked up this gorgeous purple pair and for whatever reason, they fit. Yay!

A few weeks ago, I saw these American Eagle flats and fell in love with the red suede pair. With free shipping and 15%, I ordered them. Unfortunately they are way too big, but so cute. Too wide and too long. Do you wear an 8 ½ and not have narrow feet like me? I’ll sell them to you for a steal. Free shipping and I’ll include a cute picture of Micky, a bottle of tonic water and some leftover soup from last winter. No seriously, if you are interested let me know. Otherwise, returning to the store.

While cute, Old Navy flats are super uncomfortable. I like my feet too much to stuff them into any of their shoes. I have had luck with Gap flats, but I only buy them when they are half price.

Anywhere else I should be looking?

ECCO, You Make it So Hard

Wanting these ECCO Bouillon ballerina flats, desperately. My two pairs of the Bouillon Mary Jane are so comfy, I know these would be too. Must to find on sale somewhere.

Boden USA

Every few months or so, someone says to me: "Oh, I got this catalogue at home and the clothes totally reminded me of you." And before they even say it, I know it will be Boden. Its always Boden. I too get the catalogue, and while I drool over everything in it, I can't break down and spend the money on their clothes*. Even harder is the fact that I don't know how their clothes fit me, so the price and uncertainty is too much for me.

That said, of course I still dream.








Pictures from Boden USA. *The fact of the matter is, I only purchase about 2-3% of the things I post on this blog. Its really just virtual window shopping, shared with others.

My Mag Store

A family member is going in for surgery this week, and I wanted to pick up some magazines for easy reading during their long-ish recovery. Normally I'd head over to Barnes & Noble to survey their vast magazine selection, but this week I just didn't have time. Instead I ordered six lifestyle/cooking magazines from My Mag Store.

The site features single current issues of a national, regional and international magazines. All the basics you would count on, plus some other fun titles.

Of course I'd love nothing more than spending an hour lazing through a bookstore, but time is precious and since I sincerely believe you can find just about anything on the internet, I was glad to find this site.

More Shoes...Surprised?

I won't be needing you until September, but my, my, my, are you pretty.

Steve Madden Kinky flats.

Oh, Miss Ruby Sue

Oh Miss Ruby Sue, I would wear just about any of your pieces. If I needed a new outfit for Moe's wedding in August, which I don't, I would buy this dress in black.

Then I would wear one of these spectacular necklaces or headpieces.

Found via here. Top to bottom: Rhonda Goes Wild, The Florence Hair Piece, Lexie Bib Necklace and The Giulianna Necklace.

Pouf, There It Is

This little pouf from Target has been saving our lives when playing on the floor with los pooch-os. We use it as a foot rest for an arm chair, but right now it provides the perfect amount of cushion and keeps us close to the floor so we can be dog toy referees.

They Say Its Your...

Birthday, in one month. So every time I find or think of something I just have to have, I think to myself "well, my birthday is coming up soon, I'll use my birthday $$ to get that." I mean honestly 90% of the junk on this blog is things I think are cool, so what's a few more?Rebels Kimber sandal

Angel tie-dyeLorelai dressHeavy duty sheet pan

Blik iron vine wall stickers

Other things to consider: this shirt, this shirt, this shirt or this shirt. Also see facial, pedicure or massage.

Things I Do Not Need

These truly fall into the category of things I don't need because I already have them, rather than the category of things I don't need but still intend to buy.
Martha, Martha, Martha. Top is bundt cake carrier and bottom is melamine bowl set.

Pearl River

Oh Pearl River, always great treasures to find. We have two of these fold up stools in the red. They fold up nice and small, and also work as a side table with a tray on top.

I don't own any of these things, but they sure are pretty.

Top to bottom: wooden camp chair, wooden bench, bamboo blinds, plastic serving trays and foo dogs.

Darling Darly Bird Earrings

Darling vintage flower earrings. Found here. Top to bottom Willa earrings, Jennie earrings, Ida earrings and Karenina earrings.

Red or Teal?

So hard, I like them both. I could go either way on these. Only $39.99. Thoughts?

Kitchen Nook

I've been pondering our kitchen nook quite a bit lately. It is good sized and has room for storage pieces, as well as some type of kitchen cart. Some of the things I've been considering.

We never sit in it, though sometimes guests sit there when I'm getting dinner ready. I'd like to store as many appliances as possible, plus add a way station for pieces that are coming in or out of the house. One idea is to get one of the shelving pieces from above, then add a large cutting board to this existing cart.Sources top to bottom: white intermetro shelves, kitchen cart, Williams Sonoma metro shelves, Ikea kitchen cart, 3 piece breakfast set and Boos cutting board.

Sandali

These handmade sandals are exactly how I picture leather sandals should be, with a really super great price tag!
Found here.