While enjoying the many photos of those I follow on Instagram earlier this morning, I was struck by an ad. Yeah. The most annoying thing about Instagram is the never-ending parade of sponsored ads. I hide them all.
My emoji twin and I are quite annoyed over the Instagram Ads. Is everything on this earth sponsored these days?
Anyway, I stopped to look at an ad from RueLaLa. Are you familiar with this site? The site has some great deals but the ad this morning was a click and bait for me. The photo in the ad was a pair of Stuart Weitzman boots. Stuart makes some beautiful boots—I’ll tell you that. And the ad contained wording that boots were up to 50 percent off. Naturally, I thought all the Weitzman boots were 50% off. Then I saw two words “Up to”. And I knew…..
See–this is where I’m an ass. The ad doesn’t say Stuart Wetzman “BOOTS”. I assumed that it was for all boots being 50% off. Look at the pictures. They aren’t 50 percent off. And that boot on the left-hand side is on RueLaLa for 599.99
They weren’t. 50 percent off, that is.
Other brands could be found for a very good discount but the pricing of the Stuart Weitzman boots was, pretty much what most stores and sites have the same boots on sale for.
Ain’t gonna lie. The Catherine Malandrino boots are a very good buy–but I would still price them at other sites and stores before clicking. The price on the Frye boots is very good too. But when it comes to an item like that, I would rather buy in-store because it is more convenient to return if it doesn’t work out.
Prices for Weitzman boots ranged from $497 at Nordstrom Rack up to $800 at Net-A-Porter. Note: the various pricing was for different models but they were all the Over-the-Knee boots. The shoes with the largest discount are the flat 50/50 boots which have been a constant in popularity over the past few years.
These Weitzman’s were at Nordstrom Rack for $497.
This model was $800 on Net-A-Porter’s site.
And this is an example of how to be a savvy shopper. We all need boots. Right? Most of us have the obligatory “snow-and-bad-weather” boots which are the ones that keep our feet warm while we are shoveling snow, at a winter’s tailgate or outside during very bad weather conditions.
My Hunter boots. Delegated for only the worst of weather. These are not the most comfortable boots I own. And yes, I purchased them on sale!
I’m not talking about those boots. I’m talking about the fashionable boots that we love to wear to work or out on date night or a night out with the girls or when we just want a dressier or more polished look.
Would I enjoy owning a pair of Stuart Weitzman boots? Of could I would. But, as I am not of the one percent, I cannot afford to spend upwards to $800 on a pair of boots. Don’t get me wrong—if you can afford them, that’s great, and I harbor no ill feelings at all. It’s just for me and the average woman, that’s a lot of dough to spend on a pair of boots.
Pretty much the face I make when items are out of my price range!
And considering the cost-per-wear, the price escalates.
Presently in my closet are 12 pairs of boots. I’ve had most of them for over 5 years. The average cost per pair, as I purchased them all on sale is about a hundred bucks—some a bit higher, some lower in price. I’ve purchased three pairs of these boots at Nordstrom Anniversary Sale.
I’ve also purchased a couple of pairs of Stuart Weitzman knock-offs—or dupes. Here they are and both pairs were considerably less money than the higher end. The cost-per-wear is great because I don’t wear these boots every day—even in season, I don’t wear them that often.
This is my faux suede pair of boots similar to the Stuart Weitzman ones. I paid about $79 for these last year at DSW. They are by Charles David, are comfortable as all get out and..
They look great and fit very well up above the knee!
These are my faux leather (pleather)–or rather VEGAN boots from Unisa. These cost me $39.99 almost three years ago and they remain in great shape.
These are similar to one of the Weitzman 50/50 models. Extremely comfortable and for the price, they have done very well!
J. Crew and J. Crew Factory have great sales. I don’t think I’ve ever made a purchase that wasn’t a sale item from J. Crew. When the new roll-outs arrive, I check online to see what I like. Then I take a trip to the mall and stop by the store to check the items out to see how they are made, if they fit well, and then I sit and wait. Because within a few weeks’ time, every item will go on sale. And that’s when I go in for the kill!
J. Crew. No wonder it’s my favorite store!!!
In fact, today, J. Crew Factory is having a BOGO on sweaters.
J. Crew Factory and I have a special relationship. I receive emails.
Is this really a good deal? Yeah. And I’ll explain. We are getting closer and closer to the Holiday Season. Let’s face it. In October the stores will start to bring out the Christmas artillery and the seed to start our Holiday shopping will be planted.
This sweater BOGO is great for those who want to begin their Christmas shopping. In fact, I know a young lady who would love the little Frenchie dog sweater! Now is the time to start searching for good buys. And with a bit of research, you can find them!
And I know a certain someone named Oona who would LOVE this little Frenchie dog on a sweater. See what I mean? I could start stocking up on gifts for Christmas with a BOGO like this one!
If you are thinking of purchasing more expensive items for your winter wardrobe, wait till summer’s end when the Nordstrom Anniversary sale rolls around. For coats, boots, shoes, and bags, this sale is fantastic. While I realize it is a bit late to mention this, it is a reminder for next year!
And you don’t have to go high end to find an excellent value. When it comes to basics, like white tee shirts, besides my beloved white tees from Old Navy, check out the boy’s department for XL or Large packages of white tees or the men’s department for XS or small white tees. Sometimes you have to think outside the box—or the gift box!!
Same goes for jewelry. I don’t have much “good” jewelry. All the good stuff has been from Bonaparte. My engagement and wedding rings, pearl earrings, another pearl ring are just about the most precious jewelry that I own. Everything else is strictly costume. I’ve purchased faux pearls at dollar stores. And my hoop earrings only come from one place—Walmart!
And this is another reason I stick to costume, and cheap, costume jewelry. If you have to hock the good stuff, you’ll get what he gives!
Even my wigs are purchased at a discount price.
My hairs. All at a cost of less than a wash and blow dry at the salon! Although I admit, I do miss Adam but I don’t have enough hair worth spending the money!
The thing is, I research before purchase. Yes. I still make the occasional impulse buy and I’ve made some bad purchase choices—everyone does. But at least I got them on sale!
And who hasn’t made an impulse buy???
And I think as we get older, our spending priorities change. These days, I would rather spend the money on travel. Many of us are on fixed incomes so budgeting is paramount. But it still doesn’t mean you can’t spend. We just should be savvier when it comes to doing so.
Speaking of bad purchase choices, a while back I purchased a contour palette by NYX. It was an impulse buy at Target. For some bizarre reason, the palette was $12 and I’ve seen this palette sold for as much as $24. When I got around to using it as a contour I realized that the powders were too drying on my skin and just didn’t work for me.
Definitely, an impulse buy!
Then I turned things around and started to use the contents of the palette as eye shadow. Is it a go-to or “must use” palette? No. It isn’t. But some of the colors are a desirable choice if I want a very natural look. I used this today because I wanted a more natural look.
The three colors I used on my eyes….
This works much better as an eyeshadow than contour and highlighter for me!
The natural look was because today I applied for a Social Security card with my new last name. I also went to have my driver’s license changed and thought that I would need a new photograph. Hence, I wanted a more natural look.
See–the eyes look nice and not overdone!
Suffice it to say, I was a savvy shopper when it came to changing my license. It would have cost me $47 to have a new driver’s license issued with a new photo. The other choice was a little yellow card with my name change that I can keep with my driver’s license. Ever the discount shopper, there was no way I was spending $47 so for $18, I took the license discount!
I wore a lot of discounted clothing this week. Here’s a look at what I wore on the days I bothered to get dressed!
This is today’s look. I took my plaid J. Crew Lady Jacket out of hibernation. Wore an Old Navy Tee, The torn jeans by Jolt and my Repetto ballet flats.
Yesterday’s look was the ten dollar LBD and patent Repettos.
A repeat on the Repettos and another ten dollar dress–and a wig that cost $11.99!
Tuesday it was stripes, jeans and the black Repetto flats again! I didn’t get dressed on Monday.
Are you a discount shopper? Has the way you spend changed as you got older? Store—or online? Let’s talk about this!
Enjoy your Friday—it’s almost aperitif time! XOXOXOXOXO!!!!