January deals - Part 2

I really believe we should start saving our money and all go shopping together in January.  I found another great deal.  It was at Target, where there are many deals to be had, but this particular deal was a "big name designer" collaboration.

This dress is perfectly puffy and a beautiful color for my blondies.  And as a bonus, the designer is -

My daughter knew exactly who is behind the name Marchesa, because we watch Georgina Chapman judge Project Runway All-Stars every week.  The only problem was that when I first saw it, the dress was priced at $79.99.  A little much for a little girl.  Last week, it was 40% off.  Better price, but it's "dry clean only".  This week, I decided I was going to buy it anyway, because I knew my daughter would love it.  Bonus time - it was on clearance for $23.  Sold and sold.  Now, both of my girls will be wearing Marchesa for Target at their next fancy outing.

January deals

I have always found January to be the best time to shop.  Clothing stores have amazing after-Christmas sales.  Of course, I will miss out on that opportunity this year.  However, I just found another place for great deals in January - ebay!

I bought my youngest daughter a brand new ipod nano for Christmas.  After spending many frustrating hours working on it, I finally accepted the fact that it is not compatible with our computer.  I realized that I was going to have to find find an old ipod.  A friend suggested I try ebay. I went online. There are so many ipods for sale on ebay.  I don't know why I didn't go there in the first place.

It arrived today.  Looks like new.  And was MUCH cheaper than the one I originally bought at Target.  It's nice to get some money back after Christmas.

(By the way, if you are as frustrated with iTunes as I was, you can use Windows Media Player for your music by following the instructions on this website.)

Cheap thrills

I needed to clear my brain a little last week, so I took an inspirational trip to Ikea.  I like looking at all of the stuff I could buy so cheaply.  Even their kitchens are amazingly cheap.  You could buy this whole kitchen (including appliances) for $3,640!  I have always liked the look of high gloss white cabinets, and if I lived in a more modern house, that is what I would get.

I like the dark gray tile and the dark gray quartz (which I think is Caesarstone in concrete).

I also like their space saving wine racks -

  The one item I intended to buy on this trip was this acrylic chair -

I have been eyeing acrylic chairs for years, and then I found out that Ikea has them for $79.  So, I wrote down my item number and decided to head for the check out.  A trip to Ikea always starts out full of possibilities.  It always ends in - "How do I get out of this place?!"  When I finally found the "bin" for this item there were none left.  My purchase of the acrylic chair was not to be.  I guess I'll try again next year when I have another few hours to navigate the maze.

Sparkly Toms

After months of promising, we finally made our way to Nordstrom to buy some Toms.  The girls immediately went for the sparkly ones.  Then, they had to lounge on the pink chaise on our way out.  Sparkly Toms make any outfit.  Now, my plain gray Toms are looking a little drab.  Sparkly black ones may be calling my name next February.

Farmers Market

It's that time again.  Fresh organic food coming to a parking lot near you. 

I really like being able to talk to the people who grow and produce the food and to hear their passion about the taste and quality of what they are selling.  My girls especially love the ice pops from Wholly Pops -

They have a lot of interesting flavors filled with real fruits and vegetables -

While they were occupied with their ice pops, I bought some cauliflower at Owl Pine Farm and some ground beef and smoked ham from Greendale Farm. 

Last week, we made hamburgers out of the grass-fed beef from Greendale, and I really do think it tastes better than regular beef.  It is twice the price of regular beef, but I think it's worth it.

Along with the healthy stuff, I have been craving baked goods.  I keep intending to make something at home, but I never get around to it.  So, we indulge in bread and pastries from the Best Bread Baking Company -

This week, we purchased personal size bundt cakes from Nothing Bundt Cakes.  I am not really a cake person, but these are delicious (and I can't resist chocolate chocolate chip anything) -

The full size cakes are even more elaborately decorated - 

Next week, we need to get there earlier before it gets so hot.  There is always good music -

And some cute style -

We're hooked.

Shopping in the desert

While in Palm Springs, I went for a long walk down the main drag.  I was struck by how piercingly hot the sun is in the desert.  Fortunately, we visited when it was in the 80's, but around noon I started to feel irrationally panicky and kept glancing down at my water bottle to make sure it was still there.  I can see how people die in the desert.  Palm trees don't provide much shade.  I had to keep reminding myself that I was in the middle of civilization. 

The stores did not provide the blast of air conditioning that I craved, but they did have great style and friendliness.  I love this sign -

Here are some cool sculptures I saw along the way -

My favorite was this consignment store filled with objects from the 40's and 50's.  I love everything about this yellow and chrome bedroom set and how it is styled with the acrylic lamp, the cute little owl and the vintage swimming pool photo.  

They also had the obligatory Eames chairs -

And some retro dishes -

I didn't shop for too long, though, because the stores were heating up with the sun. 

After a delicious salad at the beautiful Cafe Europa (highly recommended), I hurried back to our hotel to read in the shade, which was 20 degrees cooler than the sunshine.  (By the way, I was reading on a Kindle.  I will tell you about that soon.)

Unique jewelry

I am always on the lookout for interesting jewelry.  Last week, I stumbled upon Dora Rae Boutique.  It is a beautiful store tucked away in a little office complex in Sandy Springs.  I am now obsessed with this ring -

I love the combination of the architectural wooden base and the sparkly double star -

I also really like these bracelets by Chan Luu -

Both of these pieces have a great balance between sparkle, which makes you happy, and organic, which keeps you grounded.

A little something from Dora Rae would make a great gift for Valentine's Day (hint, hint).

Consignment shopping continued

I visited two more consignment stores today.  First, I went into Fantastic Finds in Sandy Springs.  I saw this adorable Milly sweater vest (size M) -



It was probably originally priced around $150 but is now $31.  I would have bought it if I didn't already have a Missoni for Target zig zag vest.  A sweater vest is an easy way to add a bright pattern to your wardrobe.

Then, I saw this 50's inspired Ann Taylor jacket (size 4) priced at $17.50!

 

Someone needs to snatch this one up.  Very "Mad Men".

I couldn't pass up this Vince cashmere sweater for myself -

I will enjoy wearing it if winter ever comes to Atlanta.  (It was 70 degrees here today.)  After spending a long time in that store trying to limit myself to one purchase, I had a few minutes to run into Back by Popular Demand in Marietta and saw this cute Banana Republic clutch for $20 -

 

Let me know if you are looking for anything in particular, and I will let you know if I see it.

Consignment store scores

I have a current obsession with consignment stores.  I love being surprised by what they have, and everything is relatively inexpensive.  It gets me out of my "regular store" rut and helps me to try new styles.  

Some of my favorite items have come from consignment stores in Atlanta.  I found a Whiting and Davis evening purse and striped skirt from Rag-O-Rama in Little Five Points -

Years ago, I found these Cynthia Steffe pants at Tabu (now closed).  They were cheap enough that I could take a risk on the bright red color -

Recently, I've fulfilled a long time dream of owning a dress by Diane Von Furstenberg, who is the queen of the modern wrap dress.  Fortunately, some Atlanta women have been cleaning out their closets, because I've located several DVF wrap dresses at local consignment stores.  I found a "maybe" at Alexis' Suitcase in Sandy Springs.  Then, I found a "definitely" at BChic in Buckhead -

It evokes a feeling of vintage Palm Springs, which is where I am going in a few months.  So, I bought something to remind me of my trip...before my trip. 

I've probably spent enough of my money for now, but let me know if you want me to help hunt around for you.  

Being prepared

It is always "after the fact" that you find what you need.  Last week I was trying to find a new outfit to wear to our party.  I didn't find any party outfits, but I did find this cool belt on sale at the Gap -

I used to only wear silver and find it interesting that the fashion community has managed to make antique gold look modern.  It's a good thing that I like change.

In an effort to be more prepared for my next party, I've scanned the internet for some cool statement necklaces that are good for a party but also for my everyday life -

Etsy - Rania Jewelry



Etsy - littlepancakes

Shopbop - Brook and Lyn necklace

(She has a very cool blog, too, at www.brookandlyn.com/blog/.)

Zappos - Kate Spade necklace

Urban Outfitters

More UO...

And...done.

All Christmas gifts have now been purchased.  I have been scrambling for the last few days to finish my Christmas shopping, because next week my schedule will shift into high gear with Christmas events (including a Company Christmas party at my house, which is causing a bit of a panic).  So, I was excited to go to the re-inspiration store today (http://www.reinspirationstore.com) to check off my last few items.

The first thing I purchased was this -



It is a candle that smells like campfire.  They also have candles that smell like dirt, fresh cut grass, gunpowder and other manly scents.  They were invented by this boy as a joke and a desperate attempt to buy a new bike, but they have really taken off -

The next items that inspired me were these -

They are books made into secret hiding places -

I didn't buy one, but my oldest daughter would love this as a gift.  Maybe next year.

I wasn't going to buy anymore jewelry, but I couldn't leave the store without this necklace made by Jill Fagin (www.jillery.com) -

Even though I really want to keep it, I can't buy anything else for myself right now.  So, I'm going to give it to someone who might be reading this.  If you don't like it, feel free to re-gift it to me next Christmas.