Lucky Girl

So...you saw my post about brown handbags?

And you remember how I said I hope my Virginia mom was not reading?

She has an intervention planned if I purchase another bag.

Mom...stop...do not read any further.

 

 

So....the Marine Corps Exchange was having their BIG anniversary sale this weekend.

D needed some new sports shirts for work and they carry Brooks Brothers there,

so we decided to head over this morning and get a few.

 

We walked in and I got my "scratch off" extra saving coupon that could NOT be scratched off

until your purchases were rung up and then they would add the additional discount...

5%, 10%, 15%, 20%, or 25%...

and my sweet and statistic-loving husband reminded me that 99% of them are only 5% off

 

On the way to men's clothing, sweet D detoured to this department....

 

 

 

And I was going with him until I saw THIS...

Notice the COACH 20% off.....

 

So I detoured to here...

 

And LOOK what I found....

 

It was the ONLY one of its kind in the entire Coach department...

and it retails for $298, sells for $237 and the Exchange...and was 20% off that price!

PLUS....I had my scratch off coupon.

Hmmmm.....I grabbed the bag and found my sweet husband,

who was still in the electronics department...

and casually "slipped" it into the basket.

 

My husband, who totally spoils me, probably rolled his eyes...

and ignored it.

Oddly, the last time we were at the Exchange,

a Navy blue Michael Kors bag "accidentally" fell into our basket

and found a new home in my closet.

 

Well...I was feeling major guilt because I NEED to finish several projects around the house...

and I did just get a new bed...

so I decided that if my scratch off coupon was for only 5% more off,

I would return the bag...I told D my plan.

 

My scratch off coupon was....additional 25% off!

(disregard hat hair from USNA football game today)

Love my new bag....

It ended up being more than half off and no sales tax!

Oh...and we did get D his shirts....all on sale with additional 25% off too.

BEST husband EVER

Guess who is not taking me with him to the Exchange again?

Good thing I can get in with my own military id.
 

 

My Favorite Online Store

I do a lot of online shopping...

( mainly because I can do it late at night or early in the morning when I actually have the time)

My regular go-to online stores are LL Bean, Land's End, Amazon,

and of course Talbots, Nordstrom's and Target (all of which have actual stores too).

 

One of my favorite online shops is Horchow...

It's an online shop with home furnishings and home accessories.

 

 

They are owned by Neiman Marcus

and happen to be having their 40th anniversary this year.

 

Their merchandise is fabulous and they cater to many different tastes.

You can find everything from furniture to party napkins to desk accessories.

 

Here is a small sample of what you can find at Horchow...

 

Blue & White Toile Porcelain Vanity Set

 

Napoleon Bee Stainless Flatware

I actually ordered two sets of this...it's on sale!

 

Country Manor Bed Linens

 

Monogrammed Hemstitched Table Linens

 

Chevron Lamp

 

Two Drawer Chest

 

 

Monogrammed Party Napkins

Outdoor Pillows

 

Faux Floral Arrangement

 

Greek Key Mirror

 

Butterfly Prints

 

This is a VERY small sampling of the kinds of treasures you can find at Horchow!

Pop on over and take a look!

   

 

 

 



Investment Dressing

I am often complemented on my outfits, and most of what I wear is VERY old...as in a lot of my wardrobe is almost 10 years old! My style has always been "classic" and "preppy" and when you buy classic clothes, they never go out of style. I have Lilly Pulitzer dresses that are older than my twins, and I still get complements when I wear them.

Part of creating a wardrobe that will last a long time is not only buying things that are classic, but buying things that are well made and then taking good care of them. There are wardrobe "staples" that are the foundation of a great wardrobe (I'll save that for another post) and then there are "investment" pieces that will set you back a chunk of change, but you will have them forever.

Here are a few of my investment pieces:

The Louis Vuitton Speedy is a classic bag that you can dress up or down. I have had mine for 14 years now and it's still in great shape...I don't carry it every day.

The Ferragamo Vara shoe is classic and comfortable...I have these in black, navy, and black patent leather and I have had these for over 15 years now. They have needed to be re-soled once or twice, but they are still as good as new. They come in a flat version as well as a pump, and in many colors.

A trench coat is another great investment, especially if it has a lining to use during the winter months. Burberry makes a classic, but you can find more reasonably priced ones at Talbots.

A dark suit in either navy or black, that is dressy enough to wear to a cocktail hour, but casual enough to wear to a funeral or charity luncheon. I have a black "Chanel inspired" boucle suit that is an Albert Nipon, and is similar to the one pictured. I can wear it with a triple strand of pearls to dress it up, or a silk scarf to dress it down. Good places to shop for a suit like this is Neiman Marcus, Nordstrom's, or Saks. Another GREAT place to find a suit similar to this is at a consignment shop and it will be half the price!

Speaking of silk scarves, having a few classic silk scarves like this Hermes one is a great way to accessorize. I love equestrian inspired prints and have one in pink and black, and one in navy and gold. You can also find classy silk scarves that are much more affordable at my favorite shop, Talbots.

Finally, a strand of pearls and pearl earrings. Having real pearls is very special, but you can find good imitation or "costume" pearls these days at a fraction of the price at most high end department stores. I have several strands, including both a double and a single choker length strand, and both a single and double strand of long ones (most of which are costume) and peal earrings in two sizes.

Shopping at consignment shops really is a great way to find these investment pieces...we have many upscale consignment shops in Richmond and I have found designer suits and dresses as well as handbags and accessories for a great price and they look like new!

These are a few of my key investment pieces...what do you consider to be your "investment" pieces?