Splurge vs. Save

I am a self proclaimed shopaholic.  I just can't help it.  Clothes are just one of those things that make me happy.  I do, however, feel like I am a savvy shopper.  I like to buy quality items and will spend a little extra to get the quality, but I almost always only buy sale items.  These days I mostly just shop online as I don't really have time to physically go shopping.  I know we all get overwhelmed by all the sale emails.  I have an old email address that is specifically for "junk" mail.  I check it to see what sales are going on etc, but all the promotions don't over flow my important emails.

My brother's super smart girlfriend has also come up with a pretty cool app that helps you keep track of all the sales going on.  It is called Dote, and if you like to shop at places like JCrew, Anthropology, Lululemon (and several others) then you need to download it ASAP.  It uses the same idea as Tinder (for those of you who know what that is....this was after my single days, but I have friends who use it.)  Basically you can scan through all the items at these stores and swipe left if you don't like the item and swipe right if you do.  All your "swiped right" items are placed in your favorites.  It will then update you when they go on sale, and you can actually purchase the items from the app (it directs you to the retailer's page).  I highly suggest you check it out.  It is addictive.

So while I love a good deal, there are some items I think are worth the splurge and some that are not.

Splurge

1. JEANS If there is one item that I will always suggest going for a designer brand at a slightly higher price tag, it is for a good pair of jeans.  I still have some jeans from high school that I still wear.  If you get a good pair, they can last forever and they just look and fit so much better.  I got these Hudson Jeans (currently on sale) during the Nordstrom Anniversary sale, and I love them.  I will wear them for years to come.



2. Neutral Flats- I own two pairs of Tory Burch flats and wear them to work probably 3 days of the week.  I know they are on the pricier side, but when you wear them that often it's worth it.  They just look so classy and hold up well.  You can get them on sale if you are patient.  I just got the nude pair during Tory's friends and fans event.  I have had the black pair for several years.





3. Handbags-  I have made the mistake of trying to purchase a "knock off" version of designer handbags, and I am always disappointed.  My go-to everyday handbag designer is Kate Spade. I am one that will carry a purse forever (mainly because I am too lazy to switch it out), so spending a little extra is worth it for the look and quality.  I got my most recent one during a surprise sale which are always the best- up to 75% off!  The one I bought is no longer available, but these are a few of my favorites:

On sale!


charles street brantley

Save

1. T-shirts- I know there are some who swear by $100 t-shirts, but I just can't do it.  I will admit some of my favorite t-shirts are from Target.  My max is going to be about $20 for a plain t-shirt.


2. Accessories- I am talking scarves, costume jewelry, etc.  There are so many cute options for affordable prices that I just don't see spending a fortune on these things.

Old Navy

Old Navy

Just the Thing

Just the Thing

3. Shoes- There are some shoes that I will splurge on, but for the most part I can find cute, good quality shoes at a reasonable price.  I would much rather spend my money on a cute dress or top than shoes.  

On major sale!


pumps


suede boots

What do you think is worth the splurge, and what would you rather save your money on?


I am linking up with Natalie and Annie for Thoughts for Thursday.

Just another weekend

I am loving the weather lately.  It is still warm, but not too hot, and it cools down enough at night to feel just perfect. (Paul loves this time of year, because we don't have to run the heat or air conditioner. )  We have been trying to soak up these gorgeous days spending as much time outside as possible.  

Last Friday the kids' school was closed, so I worked from home and escaped for a while to play outside.  One of our favorite family activities lately is to feed the fish at the pond in our neighborhood.  There are so many of them, and Brady and Katelyn love to feed them.  We also make it a game to try and get the bread to the turtles, because the fish are so fast the poor turtles usually don't get any :(.  And, of course we stopped by the park to play as well.  This first picture pulls at my heart strings.  These two are becoming best friends, and it makes my mommy heart melt.  Brady is such a sweet big brother, and he loves for Katelyn to do everything with him.



Feeding the fish.



Friday night we went to Boo at the Zoo with some friends.  It is a special event that our local zoo puts on during October.  It was really cute, and Brady and Katelyn really enjoyed it.  They didn't last too long, because they were pretty tired, but it was a fun little outing.  They both looked so cute, and Katelyn's mouse costume just kills me.  Her little waddle with that tail is just the cutest thing ever!  Brady loves his Spiderman costume, and he even insisted on wearing the mask in the car the whole way there.




The sweetest thing ever how he was holding her hand..


Brady and Parker

Katelyn and her BFF Evie! (They were born 6 days apart.)


She loved that tootsie pop.
Saturday night Paul and I went to one of my best friends' and college roomate's wedding.  It was so fun to be reunited with all my sorority sisters.  Stephanie was a beautiful bride.  It is definitely wedding season for Paul and I.  We have another wedding this weekend!




I am busy on pre-school mom duty this week.  They have so many fun events planned at their school for Halloween; I am trying to keep everything straight.  The toddlers have a Dalmatian  parade where all the kids dress up like Dalmatians and stroll around the school.  I have been working on her costume.  They both have parties that I have to bring supplies for, not to mention they actually have to be at school on time so they don't miss out on the Halloween activities.  I have my work cut out for me!  I hope everyone has a great week!

Weekend Fun

We had another busy weekend.  I feel like once October hits it is full speed ahead until Christmas, and then once January gets here the months before summer just creep by.  It is probably because I absolutely hate the cold weather and January and February are usually the coldest months here.  (I know this is a joke to any northerners that I would complain about our winters, but I am a southern girl through and through.  I could not hang up north in the winter.)

We had a rehearsal dinner on Friday night and then a wedding on Saturday for one of Paul's best friends.  It was pretty nice to get two date nights in a row.  We are on a role with the date nights, and I am kind of loving it.  The kids love it as well, because that means they get to have a babysitter who lets them get away with way more than we would.  It is a win win!

Saturday before the wedding, Paul took Brady to his first Carolina game!  Apparently Brady ate half a hot dog, a whole bag of popcorn, pizza, and some fruit snacks.  Then, he said he was ready to go home and watch the Gamecocks on TV :).  We will try again next year...

Sunday we had breakfast with Nanna, Papa, Aunt Maggie, Uncle Rutledge, William, and Caroline.  Then, we enjoyed the beautiful weather and spent as much time outside as possible.  I am trying to soak it up before the cold weather hits us.

Rehearsal dinner

Ready for the game!

"I don't get to go momma?" Kidding- I think she actually loved having girl time with me.

Professional eater right here...

Sandstorm!

Love this sweet smile!

The bride and groom.


Cousins!

Little dare devil...




She went down this slide about 50 times :).

Crazy boys...

Sweet siblings.

Walking her doggy

SC State Fair

I feel like the fair is a necessary evil in the fall.  It kind of grosses me out, but I still have to go every year.  This is Katelyn's first year going to the fair, and I think she really liked it.  She was too little to ride any rides, but she just enjoyed walking around and seeing the animals.  And I do mean she had to WALK everywhere.  She did not want to be carried or ride in her stroller.  She certainly did NOT like riding the horse (picture below).  She clearly does not share in my love for horses.  Brady on the other hand rode that horse like a champ, and he made me ride the elephant with him too.  We also left with 3 nasty stuffed animals.

We had a good time, but I wish it wasn't so hot!  I remember always wearing a jacket at the fair growing up, and we were sweating bullets by the time we left.






No future equestrian here...


That's my sassy girl.








 
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