Jean Shopping

Everyone tells me jeans are comfortable. Until this past weekend I had one pair... and hated them. It would be a rare blue moon when you would see me in a pair because I just never could find the right pair. Being a curvy girl with long legs- the perfect pair had always been illusive.

My girlfriend Janeen wears them all the time. She always looks cute and comfortable! So- I went to her with my problem. She was confident we would find the right pair.

We started at Macey's searching the Levi bold and curvy line in the junior section. My curvy hairstylist had been wearing a pair that looked amazing and I thought- maybe they were the ones.

I immediately freaked out because there were numbers and words like 32, 21, inseam, regular. O.M.G! What is this all about!?! I started to freak out and called for a sales associate. She tried her best to find a single pair of tall curvy jeans in my size- but couldn't. She gave me a size smaller and size bigger. I couldn't get them past my hips or I did and it created the dreaded "muffin top"! AND I DON'T HAVE A MUFFIN TOP! It's a small baby pooch... thank you very much!

I left disappointed. Then we went to Express. Janeen said we would find the pair there. I asked the associate for curvy, tall and in my size. They only had tall in low rise. WHAT THE HECK! Do you not make jeans for girls with hips? I tried all of the talls she had- and they fell too low below the hips. I'm not about sticking out. Then just as I was about to give up- she said- "Well, we do have high waist jeans."

What could it hurt. Let's try them. My girlfriend freaked. NO MOM JEANS! But I put them on- and.... FELL IN LOVE! They were comfortable, stretchy, skinny jeans that made me feel like I looked good in them. I don't think Janeen was as sold on them as I was... but she knew I needed to feel good in them or they would stay on the shelf.

I loved them. They were buy 1 get 1 50% off... ANNNND I had a $30 coupon. Two pairs of jeans for $100. Pricey- but worth how I feel in them. So now- I actually own 2 pairs of jeans! It took years but finally I had them thanks to my friend helping me out!

Do you like jeans? Have you had a hard time finding the right ones? Tell me about your experiences in jean shopping.

Pinterest: Time Sucker, Pin Lover

 

Oh Pinterest... how I love you. It's funny. I can go months without looking at Pinterest and then I get bored and the next thing you know- I'm on it for hours. This was the case Sunday morning. My girlfriend and I were chatting on the phone and she was talking about needing to go shopping. I love it when we declare we "need" to go shopping... such a girl thing.

Next thing you know- there we were... virtually shopping on Pinterest. We were picking out clothing and accessories and then we were talking about the fact that we "HAVE" to go to the mall. Too funny!

On a serious note- last year about this time I had slimmed down a bit and found myself "needing" to go shop. I thought it would be a good idea to actually stop and put some thought into my new wardrobe. I had a closet full of suits that were frankly very uncomfortable. I really don't like lined suits- and yet I had a whole closet full of them. I wanted to change that and be like the women I see who always seem to look like they have their own signature style. I purged my closet of most suits and then headed to the internet.

I spent some time pinning outfits that I thought were pretty and the next thing you know- I noticed a trend. Comfortable basics accessorized with a pop of color or bling, casual, sassy, fun and yet appropriate. Now when I shop I tend to think- "does this fit into what I'm trying to go for?"  I think I found my groove in work attire.. but now I'm trying to figure out how to make my "casual mom" wardrobe like that. I'm either dressed for work- or bumming around in workout clothes. I'm afraid I may lose several hours in this quest... but a girls gotta do what a girls gotta do! So, if you follow me on Pinterest you may see me posting more casual clothes.. and heck, I'm pretty sure you'll see me shopping in a store sometime soon... I think I "HAVE" to make time for some shopping.

Do you use your Pinterest account for planning like I do?

The Perfect Boot

I'm sure many of you ladies can identify with this.... the search for the perfect boot! Around this time of year I noticed boots were a huge trend. They were everywhere in every store. I became obsessed with finding a fashionable pair to wear at work. Lets face it- at home I'm in my gym clothes- so this was strictly for indoor work attire. I found every style, every color- except the style and color I wanted. I wanted a snug, fabric, just under the knee black book with a small platform. I spent weeks looking for it. I finally came across a pair at Marshalls. Unfortunately they were Coach and $200. I refuse to spend that much on shoes. I just can't justify it. Oh yeah... and they didn't have my size.

 

I kept stalking the store to see if A-they went on sale and B-if they got in a second shipment with my size. Several more weeks went by... and there they were! Coach, my size, clearance price of $125. It was still over my spending threshold... but they were there.. and on clearance for goodness sakes. I tried them on... and guess what- I didn't like them. SIGH.

 

I realized the reason they were on clearance is because someone returned them. The material easily scuffed off and the elastic around the top of the calf had loosened. I put them back on the shelf only slightly sad the object of my obsession didn't live up to its hype. I was more happy I didn' bust my budget for a pair of boots that weren't that good after all.

 

So, imagine my surprise when I just popped into Burlington Coat Factory to check out the clearance dresses and decided to make a quick visit to the shoes the other day... yes 1 year later. There they were! But they weren't Coach and they were WELL within price range! I tried these bad babies on and... oh man... they had me at hello.

 

I finally found my boot! It's a year late... but I still love them. They were a whopping $40 and fit and look better than the $200 pair I was eyeing last year. It was meant to be! Are you a bargain shopper? Do you have a shoe obsession? Do you have to have the "perfect" boot? I'd love to hear from you!   

 

 

Costly Mistake

Do you clip coupons? I admit- as cheap frugal as I am- I am hot and cold with them. When I can plan a trip and my shopping list- I'm all about saving a buck, or two or three. I love a company that has an app with coupons already loaded on it. On the other hand when I'm out and about and feel the urge to spend some cash- finding a deal is not my priority. Well, I do hit the sales racks first- but if I like it enough and it's full price- I'll buy it.

It appears a lot of J.C. Penney shoppers like their coupons--- to the tune of a 1-BILLion (said with pinkie finger to the corner of my mouth) dollars. That was the loss the company endured under Former CEO Ron Johnson.. Former- because he was fired this week for the bright idea to take away the coupons and offer just plain ol everyday low prices.

Everyone enjoys an everyday low price--- but it was more like turning J.C. Penney into a Walmart... attached to a mall- and it just didn't work. Consumers were left wondering- were the clothes of lower quality, am I going to have to wait in long lines to check out, is the customer service going to suffer? All of these factors likely contributed to a damage to the company's reputation.

The company is now back in the hands of it's previous CEO Mike Ullman. A friend of mine mentioned to me that she had her Friends and Family coupon and she was looking forward to shopping there again. So I guess the coupons are back. Will it save the company? Or is J.C. Penney in its final days?

Walmart Losing Customers

Every time... and I mean EVERY time I go into Walmart.... I hear someone, or say myself...."How come they have so many darn checkout lanes and only 3 cashiers!?!?!" I mean really... come on! You know what they're talking about- it takes you 20 minutes to go buy that one stinking item you forgot to get the last time you endured the long lines for your big trip to the store. Well, it appears Walmart is finally seeing the problem too--- but only because their bottom line is beginning to show it.

They are now last in the American Customer Satisfaction index that came out last month. They probably should have noticed something was wrong a little sooner since it's the SIXTH year in a row the company has either tied or held that dubious spot solo.

 Their stock price is down. Many people say at some point they need to evaluate how to better serve their customers. Now, don't get me wrong- I'm all about the Walmarts! I admit--- I am cheap... or as I like to say... budget conscious. But sometimes I sacrifice that extra 10-cent savings when I know it's going to save me on frustration and time. And I'll admit I got giddy with excitement the other day when I went to my local Walmart and found they installed a self serve section! WHOO HOOO!!

People who are lucky enough to have a Wegmans in their back yard will attest--- they will shop there... even if it's more expensive... because the service and atmosphere is second to none.

So, could there be a change in philosophy on the horizon for Walmart- in an effort to woo back those who have strayed? Time will tell.

What's your most frustrating concern with Walmart... or any other retailer for that matter?

Last Minute Shopping

Are you like me and fearing you forgot something? I always get a last minute freak-out that my husband has "out bought" me in gifts and worry he will be disappointed. So there I am at the store making an impulse buy! I'm starting to feel that way now! Did I do enough? UGH- the season is about more than gifts but here I am freaking out.

If you're like me and thinking you need to make a last minute gift stop- click HERE for some final hour sales deals and to find out which stores are going all out with extended hours of operation!

Viral Video: Black Friday Employee

Like I've said before- you have to have a sense of humor if you decide to go out and brave the Black Friday crowds. This is the latest viral video making the rounds that celebrates the madness in the most awesome way possible- a prank. All the guy's needed: a red shirt, some khakis, what looks like a name tag--- a hidden camera--- and some guys who can identify a customer looking for a good deal!

This cracked me up!

Black Friday Sales Report

It appears Black Friday sales were down about 2 percent from last year. Apparently there were more people out there shopping- just fewer purchases. Why is that? Those Thursday sales that were so controversial. It appears shoppers liked having those earlier sales.

Looks like stores like J.C. Penny are going to have to give into the pressure of opening on Thanksgiving next year if they want to get a piece of the revenues. One shopper was quoted as saying she didn't know why those stores waited to open on Friday- she had already done all her shopping and she was just looking now.

To learn more about why Black Friday sales were down- click HERE.

Did you go out and brave the crowds?

Black Friday Madness

Do you track the advertisements, download helpful apps, plot your Black Friday travels to optimize your purchasing power? I couldn't believe the statistics that 1 in 3 people will actually go out and shop on Black Friday. I guess it explains the retailers going bananas for this day with some serious discounts. Even more shocking to me is that 57% of people enjoy the madness of Black Friday.

One year I made my list and went out at midnight to do all my Christmas shopping done in one night. I ended up spending 3 times as much as I set out to. On Christmas morning the tree was SOOOOO stuffed that the kids ended up losing interest in most the toys. I took that as my hint- that maybe Black Friday shopping wasn't for me. Do I like a deal? You bet yah. I just realize that I ended up spending more money- than had I paid a little more for the "must have" items and just bought them on-line. I think cyber Monday is more my speed.

If this is your first Black Friday- learn from my failed attempt. Here are a couple tips to make your day a success.

Black Friday Tips:
1. Look at all the advertisements and find the best deal.
2. Prioritize! Go for the biggest/most important purchase first
3. Bring your list- and don't deviate from it! (this is where I went really wrong!)
4. Go to most important store first
5. Bring your sense of humor and have fun- because you have to have a little bit of humor to even consider going out in the first place!


Want to see some more interesting statistics- click HERE.

Oprah's Favorite Things 2012

Oprah's Favorite Things shows used to be among her most popular. I think maybe more for the lucky audience members who were able to get their hands on them than for those of us who watched from home wishing we were there. Even so, she set the trend for many of shoppers each year. She is out with her new "Favorites" list on her web- and its sure to be featured in her monthly magazine.

Some of my favorites on the list this year- include:

Photo: Oprah.com

Bougainvillea Bangles

Wrist Watch

"These beautiful bangles take me right back to my trip to India."—Oprah

Originally $39 each, now $31 with code OPRAH | BougainvilleaBoutique.com

Read more: http://www.oprah.com/gift/Bougainvillea-Bangles?editors_pick_id=40387#ixzz2B4FGXcRW

Photo: Oprah.com

Hotel Collection Bedding

You Snooze, You Win

"I'm a sucker for freshly pressed white sheets and cozy down, and this 600-thread-count Egyptian-cotton sheet set is sensational for anyone who loves to hang out in bed."—Oprah

From $80 to $360; down-filled items, $220 to $700. | Macys.com

Read more: http://www.oprah.com/gift/Hotel-Collection-Bedding?editors_pick_id=40387#ixzz2B4FqG61X

Photo: Oprah.com

Blue Velvet Cake

My Blue Heaven

"Gayle fell hard for this blue velvet cake with cream cheese icing and sugar snowflakes. Just add coffee, milk, or a flute of Champagne."—Oprah

Originally $42, now $34 with code OPRAH | CarouselCakes.com

Read more: http://www.oprah.com/gift/Blue-Velvet-Cake?editors_pick_id=40387#ixzz2B4GMLXdN