Sunday, September 13, 2009

Retail Therapy

After the "performances" my children displayed at my sister's wedding last weekend and the humiliation I endured during the toast, I knew I'd need some major therapy.

Dr. Phil won't return my calls, so I went for something even better....
{Retail therapy!}
Mimi (my mom) and I decided to brave the local DSW shoe store yesterday morning with the girls in tow.
It was her brilliant idea to give them a nice sugar high before we went shoe shopping. I could have warned her, but I decided instead to keep my mouth shut so that she could experience what's it like to shop with my kids. Then maybe she'd feel my pain instead of snarking, "Well, you kids never behaved like that!" all the time.
So after inhaling one of these

we made our way across the parking lot to DSW shoes.


I love shoes and handbags because no matter how much I begin to resemble the Pillsbury Dough Boy, I can always wear my favorite shoes and carry a fabulous bag. I feel a little bit better about myself if I am wearing a sexy pair of shoes.


I know what I like, and I am a fairly quick shopper. I can't say the same for Mimi. She meanders down the aisles the way one would take a stroll through a flowery meadow. I survey the area quickly, my eyes scanning the terrain for the finest footwear, before I decide on a pair or two to try on. I also like the meandering version of shopping, but not with two children who have decided that they too would like to try on shoes and/or dance barefoot in the boot section to the overhead elevator music.


I spotted a pair of these delicious grape colored Madden Girl booties as soon as we walked in the door.
Hello, lover.

Have you ever felt that a pair of shoes was blogworthy?

They were priced on sale at $49.99.

Bummer....except that I had a coupon for $20 off a purchase of $50 or more AND a $30.00 gift card in my purse!

With a $4.00 water proofing spray, those lovelies came home with me for only $5.00. If you time your gift card purchases with store specials, you can really get a deal! Now I need to be brave and find some skinny jeans and a long sweater or top to go with them, or at least a pair of really straight leg jeans.

Our last stop was Wal-Mart, because it was closer than Target, it was close to lunchtime, and the girls were getting whiny because my mom took 45 minutes to choose a pair of flats that resemble about 10 other pairs of flats she has at home.

It's better that I don't write much about the Wal-Mart experience because it's best left forgotten. I will say that at one point I lost track of Mimi and the girls and was able to track them across the store by listening for high pitched wails.

My final deal is one that I found over Labor Day weekend. I remembered that last year Lifeway Christian Stores offered a Buy 1, Get 1 Free deal on Christmas cards. I decided to stop in and see if they might have the same bargain again. They did! I got 36 beautiful Christmas cards for only $10.00.

This is a great way to save on Christmas cards, which can be pricey. I've been toying with the idea of possibly doing a photo card, but that can always be inserted inside the envelope before mailing. (Plus, it would require getting T in a good enough mood to go somewhere to be photographed, and the girls would have to hold still longer than 2.4 seconds.) I like to send out a personal message in my cards, rather than just printing "Love the 'T' family."

Isn't the glittery snow pretty?
Now I can store these in my downstairs closet, and hope to get them addressed and mailed early this year!
{Did you find any bargains this weekend?}


I'm editing and linking this oldie, but goodie up to Beth's "Show Me Your Shoes" party at The Stories of A to Z.




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25 comments:

  1. Your posts always make me laugh! I love those shoes - and what a timed bargain! Good luck finding the perfect jeans and forgetting Walmart ;)

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  2. I too went to DSW yesterday and came home with the cutest pair of pink Puma's for only $20!
    Love that place!
    You NEED to rock those shoes with some black leggings or tights and a cute long top or dress. They are adorable and I may have to head back to DSW very soon to see if they have them :)

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  3. You're too funny! The shoes are great! Luuuuuv them. I bombed out on finding new jeans this weekend. I think it's God's way of telling me, "just wear the gazillion pairs you already have!"

    Nancy

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  4. I seriously can't decide which I want more right now- those shoes or that donut...

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  5. DSW is a heavenly place and I am wicked impressed with your coupon/gift card savvy. Shoes for $5? Fantastic!

    Oh, and I love the name of your blog.

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  6. Surprisingly I'm not that big into shoes, I wish I were b/c I often feel I'm left out of an elite club, purses are more my weakness. You are a brave soul. I went to Wal-Mart in S.P. yesterday & just about had a panic attack from all of the comotion & chaos swirling around me among the mid-day shoppers. At one point V had to just grab my hand tight & shove our way through the crowds b/c I would have surely gotten trampled. Lol!

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  7. oh, oh, oh, consider this fair warning that when--yes, WHEN, i see you in those shoes, they will be ripped off your feet and promptly squeezed (ugly stepsister style) onto my footses (as avey would say). in case you were thinking about taking them to nashville, just consider yourself warned.

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  8. Stopping by from SITS! Love the shoes. I hope that you have forgotten the WM trip. It's been a while since I have had to shop with young kids. I have tried to block those moments from my memory!!! LOL!

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  9. Love love love those shoes! They'd be super cute worn with tights too!! I seriously have to stay away from DSW...it's a dangerous place for a shoe addict like myself to be :)

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  10. I love your new shoes! They will look great with jeans this winter. For only $5.00, you really hit the jackpot with those.

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  11. Shoe shopping yay! Another something we could have a blast doing together if we only lived closer!

    You got a killer deal on some killer shoes!

    Love the Christmas cards, and everything's more fabulous when you get a fabulous deal!

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  12. amanda, i am in LOVE with those shoes!!! not sure why i didn't get a DSW coupon in the mail, but i might have to snag them at full price anyway, b/c they're just so dang cute! we may need to coordinate when we should where them:o) teeheehee!

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  13. Cute shoes, good buy, and darn I am soooo hungry for a Krispy Kreme and we have NONE local or even close.

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  14. May be an oldie, but definitely a goodie! I love the ruffle on the front of those! I'd love those with jeans.

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  15. LOVE LOVE LOVE those purple shoes. I would purchase those in a heartbeat...but for $4.00!!! Stellar shopping! So cute

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  16. Oh my, the purple shoes are AWESOME! I love madden shoes...

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  17. I want my self a new pair of feet so I can wear shoes like that. You lucky, lucky woman.

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  18. LOVE those hot purples!!! I also love shoes...but im in the middle of tackling my closet! Maybe next time i can participate!!!

    Yeah! Im your 400th follower! yIPPIE!

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  19. Those purple shoes are lovely! But oh my, they really have a big heal don't they. I would positively break my neck if I tried to wear these.
    But enjoy them, they are beautiful and so was the price.

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  20. Love the purple booties and what an awesome deal. You are one thrifty shopper.

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  21. I love DSW -- it makes me drool! Cute booties!

    XOOX
    Jen

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  22. Oh lucky, lucky you and jealous, jealous me. Those shoes are to die for. I can't believe you got them for only $5.00.
    Isn't a deal like that worth the torture of taking the kids and the mom along?

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  23. Those purple booties are fab! Thanks for linking up :).

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  24. I want some shoes with some ruffles. Those purple shoes are too cute. Thanks for sharing. Became a follower.

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  25. I noticed you guys were talking about high heels and I wanted to share something with you that you may be interested in...

    A little over 2 years ago, my husband and I were married in Los Angeles, California. Unfortunately, the day of our wedding was spoiled with rain. We were having the wedding out on the grass and believe it or not, I was wearing high heeled shoes! They were ruined by the end in the day :(

    Even though this was one on the worst experiences I've ever had with my shoes, it truly led my sister in law to create a item which is just awesome! It is already been featured on TV shows like the Girls of the Playboy Mansion, and also the show Kendra.

    Heels Above will support you protect your expensive heels from sinking in mud, slipping in cracks, and walking on sand and gravel. It is a new merchandise, and I thought I'd share it with all of you.

    They are taking orders now. You are able to order one pair, or a few dozen for your big wedding day.

    I hope you guys like it... If you have any questions, feel free to drop them an email on their site:
    [url=http://www.heelsabove.com]High Heel Protectors[/url]

    Here's a photo of it in action:
    [img]http://www.heelsabove.com/images/carousal_big/7.jpg[/img]

    Lex

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I love to hear your feedback! Please feel free to leave comments...just don't send me spam asking me to buy stuff off your website! I've got three kids and no money to purchase your magic weight-loss pill or bust enhancement, or whatever else you might be selling. Thanks, and I look forward to hearing from you! :)

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