It's "gift with purchase" time at Nordstrom for those that like Estee Lauder products! Spend just $37.50 & you get your choice of a really great gift that includes eye shadow, lip stick, lip gloss & skincare products in a zipper make-up bag. You get to choose the type of set that best suits your skincare needs (anti-wrinkle, firming, etc.). You can get the deal online or in stores so act fast while supplies last!
Future Perfect is probably one of my fave moisturizers they carry & I absolutely LOVE the Idealist Skin Refinisher because your face will feel smooth like a baby's bottom! I can't live without it now that I have started using it.
Happy Shopping!!!
Thursday, April 17, 2008
Monday, March 24, 2008
Yippeee!! Baby D. has arrived!
OK, so this has very little, if anything, to do with shopping, but I just got a wonderful phone call from Jimmy, telling me that "baby D" has been born! YAY! Baby D. is the sweet angel yet to be named, born to my friend, of something like 23 years, Stacie (aka: Schmoopy).....it took them a long time to reach this point & to have this little girl, so I wanted to shout from the roof-tops once I got the awesome phone call announcing her arrival. YAY! Baby weighed in at 8 pounds 6 ounces -- she & momma are doing great!
I am SOOO happy for them! I get to visit them at the hospital tomorrow.....I plan to bring Momma & daddy a basket of edible goodies....mostly CARBS at the request of Stacie, who was on a strict pregnancy diet due to gestational diabetes. *SIGH* But, all that is behind them now....a healthy & beautiful baby girl has entered this world to 2 spectacular parents & I could not be happier. I will be shopping for some dark chocolate short-bread cookies, cheese, crackers, and fresh fruit for the basket to be topped off with a tiny plush baby duck for Baby D.'s nursery.
Yipppeeee! What a happy day!!!
I am SOOO happy for them! I get to visit them at the hospital tomorrow.....I plan to bring Momma & daddy a basket of edible goodies....mostly CARBS at the request of Stacie, who was on a strict pregnancy diet due to gestational diabetes. *SIGH* But, all that is behind them now....a healthy & beautiful baby girl has entered this world to 2 spectacular parents & I could not be happier. I will be shopping for some dark chocolate short-bread cookies, cheese, crackers, and fresh fruit for the basket to be topped off with a tiny plush baby duck for Baby D.'s nursery.
Yipppeeee! What a happy day!!!
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
Did someone say Make-Up??
My first trip to ULTA was last night.....a friend had been telling me about it for months now & I finally went in for a test-drive. My first reaction: WOW! Where do I begin? This place is huge & there is so much to look at!! I don't have near enough time or money to do what I wanna do in this place!
At any rate, my goal was simple, I wanted to investigate a mineral make-up called PUR so I needed to focus fast! Of course, my first stop inside the store was the cosmetics section under the Ulta label itself. Ooops! Much like Sephora, another fave store, Ulta carries its own line of cosmetics, including a line of mineral make-up -- just not my color.
: (
I did manage to grab a couple of eye-shadows that looked pretty at only $6.50 a pop! Then, I make my way over to the non-drugstore brand cosmetics section (the store is set up where one side is "drugstore" cosmetics & the other side is "department" store products, with hair products & salon in the rear). I found the PUR aisle & played with the various items....of course, MY shade of pressed mineral base was sold out, but I did find a cute little starter kit in my shade for about $35. It came with a nice chisel brush, the pressed mineral base (in Golden Medium) a mineral bronzer (for lack of better terms or its real name) and a marble mineral dusting powder of sorts for highlighting, etc.
Normally, I used the pressed mineral base by Jane Iredale & I LOVE it!!! It's pricey at about $52 (sold mostly at spas) although I can often find my colors on E-bay for less. I had heard about PUR and since it was around half the price, I thought I should give it a try. Besides, I am currently rather pale (it IS still Winter, technically) and my current Jane Iredale shade is too dark now. I needed a paler shade for the moment.
So far, really like PUR. The color is a good match & the true test will be when I work-out at the gym because my Jane Iredale stays on FOREVER! I love that --- no touch-ups during the day!!! I hope PUR does the same.
All of this aside, my main point for this post is to share that ULTA is a fun store with a GIANT selection that will not disappoint any cosmetic lover! And, I learned that new shipments arrive on Tuesdays, so if they are out of your color, at least you know when to check back, like myself!
I walked out of ULTA about $50 poorer & with my hands & wrists covered in all sorts of test colors, but it was a worthwhile trip! I joined the "frequent buyer's club", for free, so I can earn points for freebies after continued shopping there. I can't wait to go back!!
Happy Shopping!
At any rate, my goal was simple, I wanted to investigate a mineral make-up called PUR so I needed to focus fast! Of course, my first stop inside the store was the cosmetics section under the Ulta label itself. Ooops! Much like Sephora, another fave store, Ulta carries its own line of cosmetics, including a line of mineral make-up -- just not my color.
: (
I did manage to grab a couple of eye-shadows that looked pretty at only $6.50 a pop! Then, I make my way over to the non-drugstore brand cosmetics section (the store is set up where one side is "drugstore" cosmetics & the other side is "department" store products, with hair products & salon in the rear). I found the PUR aisle & played with the various items....of course, MY shade of pressed mineral base was sold out, but I did find a cute little starter kit in my shade for about $35. It came with a nice chisel brush, the pressed mineral base (in Golden Medium) a mineral bronzer (for lack of better terms or its real name) and a marble mineral dusting powder of sorts for highlighting, etc.
Normally, I used the pressed mineral base by Jane Iredale & I LOVE it!!! It's pricey at about $52 (sold mostly at spas) although I can often find my colors on E-bay for less. I had heard about PUR and since it was around half the price, I thought I should give it a try. Besides, I am currently rather pale (it IS still Winter, technically) and my current Jane Iredale shade is too dark now. I needed a paler shade for the moment.
So far, really like PUR. The color is a good match & the true test will be when I work-out at the gym because my Jane Iredale stays on FOREVER! I love that --- no touch-ups during the day!!! I hope PUR does the same.
All of this aside, my main point for this post is to share that ULTA is a fun store with a GIANT selection that will not disappoint any cosmetic lover! And, I learned that new shipments arrive on Tuesdays, so if they are out of your color, at least you know when to check back, like myself!
I walked out of ULTA about $50 poorer & with my hands & wrists covered in all sorts of test colors, but it was a worthwhile trip! I joined the "frequent buyer's club", for free, so I can earn points for freebies after continued shopping there. I can't wait to go back!!
Happy Shopping!
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
Upcoming Flea Markets
Missed the Rose Bowl Flea Market last Sunday due to some unforeseen circumstances...*sigh*. We were really bummed to have missed it, but it forced me to investigate some upcoming other similar such flea markets, so that was a good thing.
RG Canning, the event company that hosts the Rose Bowl Flea Market, also does a monthly Flea Market in Ventura. The schedule is not quite as exact, but there is an event this month on March 30th from 9am - 2pm. It's only $5 admission for those that arrive at 9am or later. If you go as a early bird, admission is $10. No pets allowed, so they say. It's located at 2706 Harbor Bl. in Ventura, off the 101 Freeway. I am sure it's beautiful out there! Here is their link: http://www.rgcshows.com/EventInfo/VenturaFleaMarket/tabid/54/Default.aspx
This event is held one Sunday per month & dates seem to vary. There are no scheduled dates in July or August or December of this year.
Another big event is this Sunday, March 16th in Long Beach. It's the Long Beach Outdoor Antique & Collectibles Market & it looks & sounds huge from what I read online!! Again, only $5 admission between the hours of 6:30am - 3pm. This one is held at Veteran's Stadium near Lakewood Bl. in Long Beach. Just might have to make up for last Sunday's loss by checking this one out this Sunday! If we do, I will report back with my findings. Here is the link to their site: http://www.longbeachantiquemarket.com/
The downside is rain is predicted for this Sunday........but we shall see! This swap meet is held the 3rd Sunday of each month. They boast 800+ vendors on 20 acres containing antiques & collectibles at "bargain prices"! The event is held rain or shine.
Happy Shopping!
RG Canning, the event company that hosts the Rose Bowl Flea Market, also does a monthly Flea Market in Ventura. The schedule is not quite as exact, but there is an event this month on March 30th from 9am - 2pm. It's only $5 admission for those that arrive at 9am or later. If you go as a early bird, admission is $10. No pets allowed, so they say. It's located at 2706 Harbor Bl. in Ventura, off the 101 Freeway. I am sure it's beautiful out there! Here is their link: http://www.rgcshows.com/EventInfo/VenturaFleaMarket/tabid/54/Default.aspx
This event is held one Sunday per month & dates seem to vary. There are no scheduled dates in July or August or December of this year.
Another big event is this Sunday, March 16th in Long Beach. It's the Long Beach Outdoor Antique & Collectibles Market & it looks & sounds huge from what I read online!! Again, only $5 admission between the hours of 6:30am - 3pm. This one is held at Veteran's Stadium near Lakewood Bl. in Long Beach. Just might have to make up for last Sunday's loss by checking this one out this Sunday! If we do, I will report back with my findings. Here is the link to their site: http://www.longbeachantiquemarket.com/
The downside is rain is predicted for this Sunday........but we shall see! This swap meet is held the 3rd Sunday of each month. They boast 800+ vendors on 20 acres containing antiques & collectibles at "bargain prices"! The event is held rain or shine.
Happy Shopping!
Thursday, February 28, 2008
Premium Denim -- Why pay full price?
Who doesn't like a great pair of jeans? I think we all do! If you are one that prefers "premium denim", please don't pay full price!! These jeans (you know the brands: True Religion, James Jeans, Joe's Jeans, 7 for All Mankind, Citizens of Humanity, Paper Denim & Cloth, Yanuk, Buffalo by David Bitton, Rock & Republic, Salt....just to name a few) can all set you back upwards of $150 to $200 or more per pair!!! I don't know about the rest of you, but I can't see paying that when I can often find these exact same jeans for far less!
I have never once paid full price for any of these brands! In most cases, I pay $30 to $80 per pair, which I think is fantastic. After all, you cannot go into place like The Gap & find jeans there for under $60 (unless they are having a big sale). So, that being said, why not buy premium, get a great fit AND a great price??!! (And, I like The Gap, don't get me wrong, just not for my jeans).
Best places to shop for such deals on premium denim: Loehmann's, for sure!!! Also, a few times a year, Marshall's will get in a huge load of premium denim & their pricing is on average about $10 less per pair than Loehmann's. All first quality -- no defects that I have detected to date.
I have Joe's & James jeans, both from Loehmann's, that I have paid $79.99 per pair for. If you sign up for Loehmann's Insider Club, you will often receive e-mail discounts....the last one I received was for an additional 15% off my entire purchase. Not too shabby!!! (More on my love affair with Loehmann's later......) Jeans by Paper Denim & Cloth or Salt will run you about $39.99 from Loehmann's, which is even more amazing. Oh, and the jeans I have purchased here by Buffalo, I have really scored....anywhere from $11 to $25 per pair! I see these jeans at Macy's starting at $95 a pair.
I also have jeans by 7, Joe's, Salt, Paper Denim & Cloth and more that I scored at Marshall's in recent years & those started at about $24.99 a pair up to $79.99. No coupons, though. Usually, I get wind of the Marshall's premium denim influx by E-mail. Everyone should sign up for their "newsletter" via E-mail so you know when the good stuff is arriving.
Bottom line: Hit the web-sites for both Loehmann's & Marshall's & sign up for their E-mail newsletters / the Insider Club (Loehmann's) so you can get hot tips & extra discounts. Then, head on out for some great shopping. Your denim-covered butt will look like you spent some serious coin, when in reality, you scored 2-3 pairs for the price of one, had you bought them at Barney's or some cool shop on Melrose!
Hey, and when you tire of your premium denim, you can always get your money back -- you sell them on E-bay! Often times, I auction a pair off & it makes more than I what I originally paid!! E-bay shoppers enjoy a good deal & are not afraid of "used" denim, as long as the stuff is clean & in good condition.
Happy Shopping!
I have never once paid full price for any of these brands! In most cases, I pay $30 to $80 per pair, which I think is fantastic. After all, you cannot go into place like The Gap & find jeans there for under $60 (unless they are having a big sale). So, that being said, why not buy premium, get a great fit AND a great price??!! (And, I like The Gap, don't get me wrong, just not for my jeans).
Best places to shop for such deals on premium denim: Loehmann's, for sure!!! Also, a few times a year, Marshall's will get in a huge load of premium denim & their pricing is on average about $10 less per pair than Loehmann's. All first quality -- no defects that I have detected to date.
I have Joe's & James jeans, both from Loehmann's, that I have paid $79.99 per pair for. If you sign up for Loehmann's Insider Club, you will often receive e-mail discounts....the last one I received was for an additional 15% off my entire purchase. Not too shabby!!! (More on my love affair with Loehmann's later......) Jeans by Paper Denim & Cloth or Salt will run you about $39.99 from Loehmann's, which is even more amazing. Oh, and the jeans I have purchased here by Buffalo, I have really scored....anywhere from $11 to $25 per pair! I see these jeans at Macy's starting at $95 a pair.
I also have jeans by 7, Joe's, Salt, Paper Denim & Cloth and more that I scored at Marshall's in recent years & those started at about $24.99 a pair up to $79.99. No coupons, though. Usually, I get wind of the Marshall's premium denim influx by E-mail. Everyone should sign up for their "newsletter" via E-mail so you know when the good stuff is arriving.
Bottom line: Hit the web-sites for both Loehmann's & Marshall's & sign up for their E-mail newsletters / the Insider Club (Loehmann's) so you can get hot tips & extra discounts. Then, head on out for some great shopping. Your denim-covered butt will look like you spent some serious coin, when in reality, you scored 2-3 pairs for the price of one, had you bought them at Barney's or some cool shop on Melrose!
Hey, and when you tire of your premium denim, you can always get your money back -- you sell them on E-bay! Often times, I auction a pair off & it makes more than I what I originally paid!! E-bay shoppers enjoy a good deal & are not afraid of "used" denim, as long as the stuff is clean & in good condition.
Happy Shopping!
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
Sunday is my Fun Day!
If you are like me & tend to believe that one man's trash is another man's treasure, then I have a few fave shopping haunts to share with you......
2nd Sunday of every month, rain or shine: The Rose Bowl Flea Market
It's at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, just like the name implies. Parking is free, but they have steadily upped the admission price. I think we're up to $8 per adult now!! It's fun, though, despite the entrance fees. No pets allowed, but we often see smuggled in dogs -- I just don't have the balls yet to try it! Concessions are costly, as is the beer, so if you are pinching pennies, you may want to pack some H2O & snacks of your own, but I love me the frozen lemonade on those hot shopping days! There are areas of new items for sale, but mostly, it's old antiques of every variety. And, if you need some great (new) "Persian" style rugs, hand-made in various places in the Middle-East, there is a "rug guy" there to visit.....you can find a huge area rug for MUCH less than retail. Trust me, we have shopped these babies around.....what would have cost us far beyond $3500, we paid maybe a third!
You can find anything from cell phone accessories, to clothing, to Spanish clay tiles, to plants, to edible items, jewelry, handbags, belts, candles & soap.......then, you have your antique toys, vintage clothing, furnishings, etc. TOO much to name! Plan to be there for at least 2-3 hours & wear comfy shoes!! A recent score: Rustic teak coffee table for $140 which we have seen similar items at local shops like Jackalope Pottery for nearly $600 !!!
The general admission begins at 9am. If you get there earlier, be prepared to pay far more than $8 just to walk in the door!
3rd Sunday of every month: Swap Meet at Glendale College (GCC) in Glendale
This one has free admission, but you will pay $2 to park, which is a deal right there! It's a small group of vendors & if you are prepared to dig through the junk a little, you can really score BIG & pay next to nothing for those items you just found! I have scored a bunch of home decor items for prices so low, you would not believe me if I told you! And, yes, there is a lot of junk......but amongst the junk, we find many gems.
If you get hungry, it's the "Roach Coach" for food or drink. I recommend you eat before you arrive unless you like that sort of thing. And, yes, you can bring your pooch along for the shopping trip!
1st Sunday of every month: Swap Meet at PCC (Pasadena Community College) in Pasadena
Another one with free admission, although I have not been there lately -- it may have changed. And, you will need to supply a couple of bucks to park the car. This one is pretty large, so again, wear those comfy walking shoes! You will see mostly antiques & some "junk"......but when you find your treasures, the vendors often have GOOD pricing!
There is not much here in the way of concessions, but you won't starve to death if you go on an empty stomach. They do have some food & drink offerings for sale. Just nothing fancy.
For all of these events, I recommend bringing what I call a "Granny cart" -- it might look lame, but you won't be alone pushing one around filled to the brim with treasures, I promise! My man even modified ours to add a pair of drink holders -- it's fabulous! And, by all means, be prepared to haggle on pricing! Unlike a retail store, nothing is set in stone!!
Stay tuned for more on this subject, but there are 3 of MY local faves in this category.....Happy shopping!
2nd Sunday of every month, rain or shine: The Rose Bowl Flea Market
It's at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, just like the name implies. Parking is free, but they have steadily upped the admission price. I think we're up to $8 per adult now!! It's fun, though, despite the entrance fees. No pets allowed, but we often see smuggled in dogs -- I just don't have the balls yet to try it! Concessions are costly, as is the beer, so if you are pinching pennies, you may want to pack some H2O & snacks of your own, but I love me the frozen lemonade on those hot shopping days! There are areas of new items for sale, but mostly, it's old antiques of every variety. And, if you need some great (new) "Persian" style rugs, hand-made in various places in the Middle-East, there is a "rug guy" there to visit.....you can find a huge area rug for MUCH less than retail. Trust me, we have shopped these babies around.....what would have cost us far beyond $3500, we paid maybe a third!
You can find anything from cell phone accessories, to clothing, to Spanish clay tiles, to plants, to edible items, jewelry, handbags, belts, candles & soap.......then, you have your antique toys, vintage clothing, furnishings, etc. TOO much to name! Plan to be there for at least 2-3 hours & wear comfy shoes!! A recent score: Rustic teak coffee table for $140 which we have seen similar items at local shops like Jackalope Pottery for nearly $600 !!!
The general admission begins at 9am. If you get there earlier, be prepared to pay far more than $8 just to walk in the door!
3rd Sunday of every month: Swap Meet at Glendale College (GCC) in Glendale
This one has free admission, but you will pay $2 to park, which is a deal right there! It's a small group of vendors & if you are prepared to dig through the junk a little, you can really score BIG & pay next to nothing for those items you just found! I have scored a bunch of home decor items for prices so low, you would not believe me if I told you! And, yes, there is a lot of junk......but amongst the junk, we find many gems.
If you get hungry, it's the "Roach Coach" for food or drink. I recommend you eat before you arrive unless you like that sort of thing. And, yes, you can bring your pooch along for the shopping trip!
1st Sunday of every month: Swap Meet at PCC (Pasadena Community College) in Pasadena
Another one with free admission, although I have not been there lately -- it may have changed. And, you will need to supply a couple of bucks to park the car. This one is pretty large, so again, wear those comfy walking shoes! You will see mostly antiques & some "junk"......but when you find your treasures, the vendors often have GOOD pricing!
There is not much here in the way of concessions, but you won't starve to death if you go on an empty stomach. They do have some food & drink offerings for sale. Just nothing fancy.
For all of these events, I recommend bringing what I call a "Granny cart" -- it might look lame, but you won't be alone pushing one around filled to the brim with treasures, I promise! My man even modified ours to add a pair of drink holders -- it's fabulous! And, by all means, be prepared to haggle on pricing! Unlike a retail store, nothing is set in stone!!
Stay tuned for more on this subject, but there are 3 of MY local faves in this category.....Happy shopping!
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
A Few of my Favorite Things...
The premium outlets in Cabazon, California! Need I say more?
Well, in case I do.....Cabazon is the home of Casino Morongo on Indian land. Sales tax is lower than in LA & you are just minutes from downtown Palm Springs.
These outlets are by far the best I have been to.....I always seem to score, as does my hubby. Just a few of the wonderful stores: Gap, Calvin Klein, Gucci, Ferragamo, Nike, Dior, Barney's New York, Theory, Hugo Boss, Osh-Kosh, Puma, Bose, Coach, Tod's, Michael Kors -- just to name a few! There are 3 huge shopping complexes & there is no way I could list all the stores, not to mention I have yet to hit them all myself, despite my numerous voyages to the area. GO EARLY if you go on a weekend & actually expect to find a parking space.
Normal Shopping Hours: Sun-Thu 10am-8pm, Fri 10am-9pm, Sat 9am-9pm. Check their site for holiday hours, special sales & coupons.
website:
http://www.premiumoutlets.com/outlets/outlet.asp?id=6
Wear comfy shoes.....and if you forget that tip, just buy some while you are there shopping!
Happy Shopping!!
Well, in case I do.....Cabazon is the home of Casino Morongo on Indian land. Sales tax is lower than in LA & you are just minutes from downtown Palm Springs.
These outlets are by far the best I have been to.....I always seem to score, as does my hubby. Just a few of the wonderful stores: Gap, Calvin Klein, Gucci, Ferragamo, Nike, Dior, Barney's New York, Theory, Hugo Boss, Osh-Kosh, Puma, Bose, Coach, Tod's, Michael Kors -- just to name a few! There are 3 huge shopping complexes & there is no way I could list all the stores, not to mention I have yet to hit them all myself, despite my numerous voyages to the area. GO EARLY if you go on a weekend & actually expect to find a parking space.
Normal Shopping Hours: Sun-Thu 10am-8pm, Fri 10am-9pm, Sat 9am-9pm. Check their site for holiday hours, special sales & coupons.
website:
http://www.premiumoutlets.com/outlets/outlet.asp?id=6
Wear comfy shoes.....and if you forget that tip, just buy some while you are there shopping!
Happy Shopping!!
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