Birthday Shopping Part 2: Cheapy Goes to Anthropologie

Last Saturday night Cheapy took me out to celebrate my birthday. I was not privy to the array of evening plans he had cooked up--he likes to surprise me. All he told me was that he thought of a bunch of things he didn't want to do and we were going to do them.

First on the list of things-that-Cheapy-didn't-want-to-do: Shop at Anthropologie. He'd never actually stepped foot in the store, and when we got there he said, "I can see why you like this place. It's filled with a bunch of stuff that looks like all the stuff you have in your closet. And it smells good in here."

I grabbed some things; he grabbed some things; I did a try-on fashion show for Cheapy. We settled on three things we both liked. The first item below, the purple dress, is something I would never have picked up for myself, but the cut is really flattering as is the color. The grey corduroy skirt is stretchy, just the right length, and perfectly neutral. I'll wear the heck out of it this spring. And the white origami jacket is so me. It's got a nipped- in cut and loads of interesting details.




After Anthro, Cheapy took me to see Confessions of a Shopaholic, second on list of things-that-Cheapy-didn't-want-to-do (but he actually enjoyed the movie).

Faryl Robin from DSW Online: Stacked Coupons

I'd had my eye on a pair of Faryl Robin t-straps that I'd seen at Shoetopia a million times but had never tried on because they were $209 (and no matter how much wine Cheapy had before shopping, that would never fly--even taking into account that this shoe style is called "Doobie." Shoetopia is next to our fav restaurant so 95% of the time I'm there, he's with me.)

But look how cute these are. I love the shape of the heel, the animal print lining, the fact that the t-strap is askew. And I wish you could see the eggplanty color in person.

Last Saturday we met my friend and her boyfriend for dinner at said fav restaurant, and we scheduled in a few minute pre-food for shoe shopping. My friend found two cute pairs of shoes each on sale for $25 (a great first-time visit to the store). I tried on the asymmetrical Faryl's a half size too small because they were sold out in 8.5. Sad. (If you like these shoes and you don't wear size 8.5, they come in both bordo and black and are now on sale on Shoetopia's site for $104.)

As soon as we got home from our night out I set to googling the Faryl Robin Doobie and found it on sale on DSW for $139. Then I googled some more--this time for DSW coupon codes. When shopping on the DSW site, just as when shopping in the stores, you can use multiple coupons. For this transaction, I used three--one I found on the DSW site for free shipping, and two I found on coupon code sites, one for an extra $10 off and one for an extra $5. Google "DSW stackable coupons" and see what you find. Some will be expired, some with be birthday month codes--you just have to try a few and see if they work--but if you spend five minutes you can save a few bucks. And you can use them along with coupon codes you've gotten through the mail for DSW Rewards. (After my latest DSW purchase, I've got a reward postcard on the way--as well as my new shoes.)

No Go on the Owl Shoes, and Great Mini Kimono

I got the cute owl shoes from endless today, and they are indeed...cute. But my toes hang over the edge--and that's never a good look. They are back in the box, labeled, and will be dropped in the mail room at my office in the a.m. which is a little sad. (DSW is offering triple bonus Reward points this weekend so maybe I can ease my no-new-shoes pain there.)

I also got a package from one of my favorite eBay sellers. I've bought a number of items from this Hollywood-based seller, a man named John who I've imagined is fabulously gay and stylish and has a tremendous apartment with a charming patio on which he photographs his mannequins after which sipping pink cocktails as he uploads his photos. (That would explain the occasional creative spelling.) Many of his items are from studio wardrobes. His starting prices can be a little high, but the clothes can be pretty fab--some high end, some new with tags, some vintage, always some leather something. My new top is a silk kimono-ish Jendela Batik number with a bit of a '70s thing going. Little-baby-kitty listed it as "very Studio 54." I think it's a more hanging with Rose, Blanche and Dorothy on the lanai, but in a good (younger) way. My distressed demin and my flat silver sandals will be nice with this, as will my skinny black pants, big earrings, and a heel.



(For some reason I find this mannequin's crotch disheartening--fabulous gay John: cover her up. A nondescript skirt perhaps, or even a tasteful pantie would be fine.)

Shoe Shopping at 6pm.com

It's been a slow month here at Material Girl HQ. I've got a few trips coming up this summer so I've been trying to chill on the shopping so I have a little dough left in my discretionary fund to enjoy some east and west coast sartorial spending.

But here's the thing about visiting New York--a girl needs comfy shoes. I can't walk around the city and enjoy browsing shops and street vendors if my feet hurt. My feet are not used to such...use. Here in the Midwest there's always a place to park. We drive everywhere. The most walking I do is around The Mall, but even then I usually plan my shopping outings for one end of The Mall or the other--more efficient, less walking. At the outdoor shopping center, I've been known to drive from Anthropologie to DSW which it not really that far, but I figure I gotta stop at my car to pop things in the trunk anyway...

Where was I...oh yeah--comfy shoes for walking around New York. I had recently purchased a pair of black pointy flats by Born that were on clearance at DSW. They were awesome on my right foot. The left foot, however--ouchy. The arch support in the right shoe somehow got all lumpy and it was quite unpleasant as I tried them out walking about my yard. I gave the bottoms a good diaper wipe cleaning (diaper wipes are good for many tasks--someone at Anthropologie once told me they use them to clean schmutz off of clothes) and I returned them.

But I kept thinking about them so I searched for them online and found them at 6pm.com, which is now owned by Zappos. 6pm.com doesn't have free shipping unless you spend $100, and their return policy is not nearly as liberal as Zappos' (you only have 30 days to return and you have to cover return shipping), but this allows 6pm.com to offer deep discounts. (I found that the 6pm site is not nearly as easy to browse as Zappos.)

I had originally purchased the Born flats in black, but 6pm also carried them in red, so I chose that option instead. I also found a pair of Marc by Marc Jacobs platform sandals--because I need LA shoes too.

Mother's Day Shopping: Anthropologie Plus a DSW Shoe Binge

Cheapy is very nice on occasions like Mother's Day, my birthday, etc. He always occupies Cheapy Junior for the day, hands me some cash, and send me off to have the happy day of my choice.

I was a little bummed when I started off today because it was chilly, raining, and generally miserable outside. I removed "get pedicure" from my stuff-to-do-today list because I couldn't bear the thought of not wearing socks and boots.

"Hit Anthropologie," however, remained an option, particularly because my high school friends, who I've been getting together with every few months since my last class reunion, gave me an Anthro gift card for a belated birthday gift. It was a nice and unexpected surprise. So Anthropologie was the first stop on my Mother's Day shopping trip. My goal was to find some tops for layering. I've been accumulating a good collection of cropped cardigans and shrugs lately which I've really been digging, but I've been low on light knit tops to wear under them.

Here are the three tops I got, all of them from the sale rack.




They are all soft and comfortable and all have necklines that will accommodate the zillions of necklaces I've been buying recently.

After Anthropologie, I popped into the Gap, but I really just wanted to use the bathroom. I was not in a Gap mood, and after an hour of being spoiled by the Anthropologie dressing room experience (they remember your name and really don't seem to mind getting you other sizes), I wasn't in the mood to try things on at the Gap. (The white shirts were all super on sale, by the way.) Time for shoe shopping--even if it meant unzipping my boots countless times.

And twas a good day for shoe shopping--I bought four pairs. (It's been a really long time since I bought four pairs of shoes at once. I was as giddy I a girl could be on a dreary day.) Since they were DSW purchases, I can't find any of them online except these t-straps (which I got in Natural), and I can't post of picture of them because the DSW site uses Flash so I can't copy the image. (I need to get a Mac.) Besides the Prima pumps I got a pair of Franco Sarto patent three-tone t-straps, a pair of silver Frye maryjanes, and a pair of pointy toe, patent Born flats (the last two especially for my upcoming trip to New York. I don't want to tromp around the Big Apple in flip flops but I need something comfortable and cute.) All totaled, I spend $150 on all four pairs--three were 50% off and the cheapest pair was 30%. A Happy Mother's Day indeed.

BCBG Shoe Bargain--Lunchtime Shopping at DSW

I took a quick lunch-hour shopping trip to DSW the other day. My co-worker/friend had a pair of shoes to return and I had a $10 DSW Rewards coupon (thanks to Cheapy's wine-induces shoe shopping extravaganza).

It was one of those days, however, where once I got to shopping I had a feeling I wouldn't find anything. Shopping at DSW is sort of like shopping at a thrift store--it's very hit-or-miss, you-never-know-what-you're-gonna-get (which I guess is more a box of chocolates as Forrest Gump taught us.)

My friend had found a pair of shoes to exchange for the ones that, somehow, she couldn't walk in. (This friend strides around flawlessly on the highest and thinnest of heels--and talent I envy. Material Girl needs something more substantial at my base).

So there I was, bummed at leaving empty handed. Then I saw these BCBC t-strap wedges.


After my coupon paired with a 20% off "for a friend" coupon, I got them for $19.98. And I love them. They are tall, but they are squishy and super comfortable. They're not leather so I normally would have passed them by--PVC can get sort of warm and sweaty under the tootsies. But I had just been thinking, one, that I need some more spring/summer shoes (I'm pretty good on the boots), and two, that I needed some white footwear. These are perfect. They're sporty and they would be fine stomping through rain puddles. They're also great with a number of my summer dresses.

I found them on Amazon for around $78. And I also discovered that they come in an array of colors--I'm so tempted to get more! The red and the silver are calling to me.

DSW.com Now Opening for Online Shoe Shopping

Shoe Shopping with Cheapy: DSW

I'm starting to think I might have to change my husband's blog persona from Cheapy McMeiserberg to Spendy McShopalot. He keeps planning dates that involve shopping. Last weekend it was boutiques; this weekend evening shoe shopping. (This was after an day of Old Navy with Cheapy Jr. and shopping for an office furniture. We were almost getting to the point of too much retail even for me.)

Cheapy/Spendy has a habit of over-scheduling. His Saturday night plan: babysitter arrives at 6:45; we go taste wine; hit DSW and the Gap at one shopping center; go to Aveda and Macy's at The Mall; have dinner.

We tasted wine, shoe shopped, and went to the Gap for 10 minutes. Cheapy had no idea how long it can take to wend one's way through the two-floor expanse of our beautifully lit and well stocked DSW store.

Cheapy bought two pairs of shoes for himself, one by GBX (his Favorite Shoes Ever!) and one by Timberland. I must say I like Cheapy's taste in footwear. (I happen to think there are not a lot of attractive options when it comes to men's shoes. The lack of footwear options is one of the many reasons I'm happy to be a girl. That and I don't have to shave daily, take out the trash, or walk around with a penis, but I digress.)

During our evening of shopping at DSW, Cheapy had a shopping milestone: It was the first time in his life he's ever purchased two pair of shoes on the same day. (I also think it's the first time he's ever purchased two pairs of shoes in the same year.)

He was on a shoe-shopping high. He was so excited about finding a GBX shoe that he wanted to walk around the store and look for shoes for me. Somehow I walked out with the closest thing DSW had to stripper shoes. They're Michael Kors does stripper shoes in ivory patent leather with a bit of a vintage feel. They're just like the ones pictured below except instead of cork, the heels and platforms are navy and ivory striped. They're very tall but very comfortable, and I let Cheapy talk me into them despite the fact that they're ankle straps and I hate ankle straps. (I'm actually thinking about taking them to a shoe repair and having the strap shortened so they become slingbacks. I love slingbacks.) The fact that these are so light in color, however, makes them an acceptable ankle strap for someone my height. In black or something dark they would cut my leg off at the ankle. The ivory blends enough with my anti-tan that they work. And I've got a perfect pair of shoes to pack next time we go to Vegas.


P.S. Cheapy is still really excited about his shoe purchase. He told me he was in a good mood all day because of his new shoes. He was excited that he got a couple of compliments on them. He said several times throughout the day he took a few moments to just stare at and admire his shoes. I think he's starting to understand me.

DSW Spring Shoe Savings This Weekend

I remember the first time I entered my favorite DSW Shoes. The store was brand new, shiny, well-stocked, two floors, and it was one of the most beautiful and overwhelming moments in my shopping career. I almost teared up. I couldn't actually buy anything until the third time I entered the store. My first couple of trips I just took in the footwear. I admired it, maybe caressed a few pairs of boots. Ahhhhh.

Get to a DSW near you this weekend, enjoy 30% off, and take in the shoe love. It's sandal time, fellow shoppers!

Saturday Shopping: DSW

My friend was in town from New York this weekend, so I got in a little shopping with her and another friend. One of our stops was DSW Shoe Warehouse. I got this really comfortable pair of Matisse pumps. I love the buckles and the contrast stitching. They're for sale on Zappos for $110. The DSW clearance price: $32. Plus this weekend their doing double Rewards points. Yay!

DSW Coming to an Internet Near You!

Vacation, the Holidays and My First 08 Shopping Quest

Greetings and happy new year fellow shoppers! Did you miss me? I've been off work for the last two weeks and when I'm out of my routine, I don't seem to get anything done (laundry, exercise, yoga, blogging). Alas, the more I have to squeeze in, the more I seem to accomplish. This is why Material Girl needs a job. If I was a stay-at-home mother I'd never take off my PJ's.

One thing I have managed to accomplish these last two weeks is a little shopping. Some was mandatory holiday gift shopping. But when one is shopping for others, one cannot help picking out a few items for herself. Christmas shopping brought me a novel (The Flawless Skin of Ugly People), a Nike workout tee from Dick's, and a flannel shirt from the Gap (which I'm living in).

I also spent some Christmas money on a camel two-button blazer at Banana Republic ( love that they carry petite items in the stores now). And I hit Antropologie to buy myself a few items--a metallic shrug, a velvet skirt with beaded lace applique that I'd had my eye one (don't know where I'll wear it and I almost decided to take it back but my mom talked me out of it--it's not often I find a beautiful skirt that fits so well), and a scarf (which is the last thing I need, but it's so soft and pretty and pink and drapey and it was 30% off). This is such a great time of the year to shop--sales, sales, sales!

(Incidentally, I saw a number of the sweaters I declared ugly on Anthropologie's clearance racks. Sometimes I am so very wise.)

I've also identified my first shoe buying goal for 2008--a great pair of black pumps. I've identified this as a gaping hole in my shoe wardrobe. I've got tons of boots and sandals, but no basic black pumps that will go with everything (such as jean and that velvet skirt). Cheapy, however, says I'm not a "pumps kinda girl." What that means exactly I'm not sure. I've currently got my eye on a pair of Cole Haan Nike Air patents pumps that have a nice sturdy-yet-high heel. (I strive for both comfort and style, ladies. One cannot feel good in an outfit if one sports cruel shoes.) I love the shape and the shine and the height. Of course I'll keep you posted on my quest for the perfect comfy pump.

Speaking of shoes, don't forget to check out DSW soon--their winter sale is still going on with up to 80% off (although the triple reward points promotion ended on New Year's Eve).