My New "Signature" Bag

Anyone who has seen me in person over the last two years is well acquainted with my constant companion and signature accessory -- my Michael Kors "Lattington" bag.

It was love at first sight when I spotted it in a Vanity Fair ad, so sophisticated and yet rock and roll, as well as the perfect shade of purple to match all my Kings gear.  I ripped the ad out of the magazine, dragged Nadine down to the Michael Kors store at The Grove one sunny afternoon in September 2008 (incidentally wearing a Kings jersey because we went shopping after a Kings Rookie Camp scrimmage), added some temporary debt to the credit card, and never looked back.

Sadly, the poor thing has been dying a slow death from too much love.  I've hauled it across the country and back several times, stuffed all manner of hockey gear it, and put it places no classy bag should ever go.  And for almost two years, my Lattington has loved me right back in so many ways.    But I think the handles are tired and ready for some rest.

I've taken my poor Lattington to my shoe and leather repair shop, searched on line, and even spoken with the Michael Kors store, but sadly, repairs are not feasible and it's time has come.  I can't bear to part with it completely, because it's held so many wonderful memories, but it's earned a rest from the rigors of daily use.  So I've been quietly scouting around for another signature purple bag.

Today, Brighton came to the rescue.  Meet "Blondie."

It's a messenger bag, the color is "grape," and it's perfect!  Love the two little pockets on the front for things that need to be within easy reach, and the strap extends perfectly across your chest for hands free shopping. 

Even the fabric lining is fab!

 But the best part is the detail in the leather texture...

In the words of Barbra Streisand, "It's like buttah, baby..."  So expect to see it VERY SOON...like, tomorrow.

I Can Get It For You Wholesale

One of the great things about living in a huge city like Los Angeles is taking advantage of wholesale shopping districts. And since I am addicted to sparkly things in all forms, the downtown jewelry marts (incidentally located only a few blocks walking distance from where I live) are a great place to feed my addiction.

While I don't currently have much of a budget for anything too extravagant, I always love going to browse and dream. So when Nadine called me and asked for some company while shopping for some pearls (a gift for a family member), I was happy to tag along.



It was a short trip and Nadine found what she was looking for pretty quickly, in large part because we've done the jewelry district several times together and we have a system down. While we were waiting for the strand of pearls she selected to be finished and exchanged memories of our first trip downtown, I decided to share some of the strategies we've developed of the course of our previous shopping trips.

Here are some keys to making your jewelry mart trip a success.

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1) Take it all in first, and take your time.



You're going to feel a little snow blind from all the sparkle. Give your eyes time to adjust before you start looking in earnest. And having some Kleenex handy to wipe away the drool helps.

2) Unless you have an unlimited budget, have a plan.



Otherwise it's easy to get distracted by so many pretty things, spend a bunch of money, and not come out with what you really needed/wanted.

3) When you see something you like, get a business card from the vendor with a description of the item and the price they quoted.



If you have a camera phone, take a picture if the vendor allows it (which they may not if the design is an original). Because different sellers have similar examples of many pieces, avoid buying the first one you see. Someone else may give you a better price for the same piece, so don't be afraid to look around before you commit. When you do find the best price for the perfect piece, you have a way to find the vendor again.

4) Always negotiate.



Remember, these merchants supply the same jewelry you see at a major mall store but at wholesale prices, so the price they're quoting to you still ensures them a profit. In order to negotiate most effectively, research retail prices for the kind of pieces you want so you know if you're getting a good deal. Also keep in mind that if you're buying gold, the vendor will weigh the piece and quote you a price based on the daily market rate per ounce for the quality of gold you're purchasing.

If you can afford to pay in cash, they seller may offer you an even better deal. Don't worry -- there are ATM's only blocks away if you need an emergency cash transfusion.


5) Don't be afraid to ask questions.



A reputable vendor will be forthcoming with information about your potential purchase, including any authentication papers or other certificates, the age or origin of the piece, and an honest assessment of it's condition. And if you see something new, don't be afraid to ask what it is! For example, I discovered that Topaz comes in unique color variations, like the combination of purple and green in the photo above.

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So even though my budget doesn't have much extra space, I did treat myself to a little upgrade on the chain for my NHL Dream Capsule. Sterling silver, 26" long, and a bargain at $20.



Happy shopping!

Steal of the Week: Ann Taylor Loft Signature Tees 30% Off!

Even though the wind around Southern CA has been making it feel like I live in Chicago lately, the weather is starting to warm up (a little), and most importantly, the sun is out. And that sun has been making me crave spring clothes, so I spent my lunch hour at my local Ann Taylor Loft store in Pasadena looking for some inspiration. The sale sign by the front door gave me some added incentive, since my budget is still trying to recover from my investment in hockey play-off tickets.

I SCORED and found these three lovely selections. They're very representative my style - a little classic, mixed with a little glam and some definite rock and roll edge!



And the best part was the price - only $73 for all 3. All on sale, might I add! The one in the middle alone was originally $40, and I got it for $15 after two mark-downs. At the original price for each, I would have paid $125!! OK, I wouldn't have paid that much. I would have picked only one shirt because I refused to spend that much money on t-shirts.

Any guesses which I'd pick if I only had to choose one?

A Shoppers Guide to the NHL Play-offs

Now that the regular season is over and it's time for the Stanley Cup Play-offs to start, it's time to open your wallets, Hockey Fans! Because while the Cup play-offs are, first and foremost, an incredible display of physical hockey prowess, steeped in many years of tradition, with the ultimate sports prize on the line, they're also a money maker, both for the NHL and the team you hold near and dear to your hearts. So let's talk for a minute about stuff you need to buy, or in my case just WANT to buy, to enhance your play-off experience.

First, you gotta have tickets.



How much you spend depends on a number of factors, such as season ticket holders deals, etc. No matter what deal you get, let's just say you're gonna spend more than you would during the regular season for the same seat. But you know, when you've waited 8 years for a sniff at the play-offs, you don't mind so much.

Next, you've gotta have the proper fan attire, starting with the right jersey.



Now, I already own SEVERAL Drew Doughty jerseys, and my good old purple and black has been good to me this season. But I think it was a little tired after a long season and needed a break. Then the Kings announced the "official" jersey of the play-offs this year was the "Back in Black" model. Yup, the only one I DIDN'T have. But this purchase makes me dress code compliant and gives Drew something else to sign for me.

Of course, if you're normally a little cold during games like me, you also need something to wear UNDER the jersey. But it is starting to feel like spring in LA, and there will be a LOT of people packed into the arena during games, which means body heat, so you don't need something heavy. A t-shirt is the answer! And literally the day after the Kings clinched their play-off spot, these appeared in the team store at Staples Center.



Do I have other Kings t-shirts already? Yes. Do they say Stanley Cup Play-offs? NO. And they definitely don't have the player roster on the back. This is HISTORY people! It must be added to my t-shirt collection.





Finally, because I'm a girl, accessories are needed. I already have my Kings heart necklace and my NHL Dream Capsule that I wear to every game. But the play-offs are a special time....and the Brighton store has these great beads you can use to design your own necklace....so......I made a play-off necklace!



Kings colors, of course, and one bead for each of the 7 games I'm predicting we'll play until we win in the first round against the Vancouver Canucks. When we officially make it to the second round, I'm gonna start adding a bead for every win.

So that's my shopping list! Tell me Kings fans - what's on your play-off shopping list? I'll look forward to your comments.

And as always....GO KINGS GO!

Steals of the Week

In looking at the less than stellar state of my bank account lately, I've been facing a lot of the same hard choices with money that most consumers face in this tough economy. Everything is more expensive as taxes increase (thank you LA County....), every one's job security is in question as companies fight to remain competitive, and sometimes it just seems like you spend all your resources covering the basics and never have anything left over to use for something that could be considered fun.

In spite of all that, I try to remain optimistic and find creative ways to have fun that don't involve huge financial resources. Because I absolutely refuse to let a crappy economy suck all the happiness out of me. Life is meant to be LIVED, people! And fun can be found on the cheap...you just need to know where to look.

Since I snagged a couple of interesting bargains this week, I decided create a new regular blog entry and share my discoveries. The "Thought Locker" has proved popular, so now I'll be bringing you "Steals of the Week." Maybe not every week, but whenever I find some great bargains worth sharing.

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Retail

The weather was gorgeous in Los Angeles earlier this week, and I got up every day, looked in my closet, and realized my wardrobe needs an injection of spring. So what's the best way to shop on a budget? GET SHOPPING! And don't assume higher priced stops won't have bargains. In a down economy, EVERYTHING is on sale.

Case in point - my visit to J.Jill at the Paseo Colorado shopping mall down the street from my office. Now I like J. Jill's clothes, but I don't shop there much because I think their stuff is pricey in general. The quality is good, and everything I've bought in the past has held up well, but $79 for this basic jean jacket? No way.

As luck would have it, this jacket had been marked down 3 times already, and the store was offering an additional 50% off the last marked price. The final bill for me to take this home? A mere $13.

Are you going to find a deal like this every time you walk in? No, but if you don't try, you'll never know what you find.

Entertainment

I was out quite a bit this week, and there were bargain aspects to both my evenings. Entertainment is one of the first discretionary expenses that get the boot when you're short on money, but they don't have to be.

I already mentioned the Jon Lovitz Comedy Club. In addition to lower cover for lots of comedians and bargain food, they were giving out two-for-one coupons at the show that were good pretty much any time. Cheap the first trip, and even cheaper the next time! I like it.

And the folks at the Troubadour have a great way to fight high concert ticket prices. If you buy through Ticketmaster, the fees can be almost half the price of the ticket. For Bob Schneider, tickets were $15 and the Tickemaster fees were $8.75. The Troubadour has a fax system that let's you order tickets directly through their box office for only $2 in fees. And you can pick up the tickets at the venue right before the show. Cheap AND EASY!

And don't forget to join e-mail lists for places you frequent, and follow them on social media sites like Facebook. I just got an e-mail from the Troubadour today about a FREE Dinosaur Jr. show next week. FREE!

Sports

You guys know I love hockey, and cheap hockey is the best kind. Head out to Toyota Sports Center in El Segundo on a Friday night, and watch some great rec league games....absolutely free! It's a lot slower than an NHL game, but it's a fun way to spend an evening! And if you get bored while you're there, join an open public skate session for the last hour - a bargain at only $5! I spend more than that on Starbucks every morning!

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So those are my favorite steals this week. Now tell me about yours! I would love reader comments on ideas you have for fun and inexpensive shopping and entertainment. Together, we can all get through this tough economy....and have a great time!

These Boots Were Made for Walking....

I've always loved boots, but like many women I've never been able to find a pair to fit ALL of my leg. Getting the foot and ankle is generally easy, but zipping them past my calf...good luck! One of the wardrobe additions I hoped to make during this weight loss process was getting back into boots, but I was still having no luck with full length ones. My calves now have less fat, but they're still not small thanks to the elliptical machine. In talking to a number of friends, I discovered this is a pretty common problem.

Thank goodness I live in the age of the Internet! I was commiserating with Michelle on the boot drama, and she mentioned her friend Lisa Dolan's blog, which had recently included a series of posts on finding the right boot on-line. And wouldn't you know Lisa found a fantastic site that specializes in wide calf booths! Yee-ha! So I followed the instructions, measured my calf in the right spot, placed my order, and hoped.

They arrived today, and they're perfect! Just the right accessory for my new sweater dress!



I had to order half a size larger than normal, but I just throw on a pair of thick ski socks and they fit perfectly.

Bring on winter! I'm ready to tackle it in style.

Bargain Shopping, LA Kings Style

As every sports fan is well aware, compiling a wardrobe of logo gear to support your team is expensive. Now, I haven't priced football or baseball jerseys in a long time, but I would venture to say hockey jerseys are some of the more expensive ones out there at around $200 a pop. And those are the cheap ones.

So any occasion to save on hockey stuff is cause for celebration. Hence my journey to the LA team store at Staples Center this morning, to brave the madness of their outdoor clearance sale. For up to 90% off on some of this stuff, I can be convinced to stand in line for a bit in my comfy shoes. Plus, the Staples staff thought ahead and provided us with some entertainment via a jazz band. The xylophone dude and the bass player have the right idea. It just figures the drummer would be a Clippers fan....



There were bargains aplenty, with most of the stuff outside on sale for less than $30. WAY less in some cases...the Kings paper crowns were a bargain at 25 cents! Calendars were a dollar, so I picked up a couple of those since they normally have good player photos.



But the best deal of the day was the "Grab Bag Special." When you entered the sale, you got a 12" clear plastic bag, into which you could cram as much sale stuff as possible. Everything that fit in the bag would be $50....period. For once, my frequent travel experience came in handy. I am an expert at packing clothes, and I managed to get all these into that little bag....



... along with this !



Two t-shirts, a player jersey, AND a purse for $50. I rule! So what if Sully doesn't play for the Kings anymore. I still love him, and that poor jersey looked so sad laying on the table buried in Lakers t-shirts that I just didn't have the heart to leave it there. Sully deserves better.

Of course, his 8X10 glossy was my best deal of the day - only 10 cents.

Wardrobe Malfunction

Every trainer I know has a few good horror stories of classes gone wrong or crazy mishaps while they're facilitating a session. One friend of mine split his pants open bending down to point out something on a car to student and had to teach the rest of the class with his boxers in view!

All in all, I've been very lucky during my training career, with the exception of one crazy weather related incident in Sacramento a number of years ago. Not brave enough to share that one! Most of my mishaps have amounted to little more than walking around a body shop with a grease smudge on my face none of my students bothered to mention until I saw it in the bathroom during a lunch break.

Until this week! I was in our training center in Tempe, AZ doing a class on coaching skills for a group of my fellow trainers. It was close to the end of the module, and I was leading a discussion when out of nowhere, I felt a snap across the bridge of my right foot. I looked down to discover the top of my shoe coming apart! Without missing a beat, I tried to stay in the same place as much as possible to keep the shoe from flopping around since practically nothing was holding it on my foot.

While my students were taking a break, I found a MacGyver solution. Thank goodness for masking tape. Because the show must go on! So I just cycled the roll a couple of times and basically taped the shoe to my foot. And of course, posted it on Facebook!



Here's a close-up of the "carnage." I do love these, and I'm hoping my shoe doctor can repair it. Looks like a clean break...nothing a few stitches can't fix.



But in the meantime, I needed a dress code acceptable replacement for work the next day. Because of course my shoe would fail during the one trip that I packed NO OTHER SHOES besides flip flops. And those don't exactly meet our work dress code.

So it was off to dinner with some friends from class (wearing the flip flops), followed by a trip to Scottsdale's Fashion Square Mall, where I found these....



Hello, lover! Stuart Weitzman, 65% off. Macy's, I am forever in your debt. And note to self...be the shoe whore you are and bring at least 3 pairs on your next trip!

Weekend Recap: Retail Heaven

This weekend was all about shopping. Why, when I'm now paying almost 10% sales tax (thank you Governor Terminator...) and doubling the cost of the roof over my head in 7 days would I want to go shopping. Because sometimes, as the illustrious Tom Cruise said in Risky Business, you just gotta say "What the &%^$!"

There was a practical purpose to some of my shopping. In the spirit of starting fresh with the move into the new place, I am also leaving behind my old furniture lest my roommates go back to sitting on the floor where they were before I moved in. That means new stuff! And unlike the last time I bought furniture, when my choices were influenced by an ex-boyfriend who disagreed with me on just about everything, I am getting EXACTLY what I want. Last time I wanted leather, but the BF whined "It will be hot and sticky in the summer! We'll freeze in the winter." I knew there was a reason I ditched him. So this time, leather it is!

So my first stop was the high-end furniture store around the corner from my office that's going out of business next month. They actually gave me some pretty good prices, and the pieces they sell are mostly Henredon, Drexel-Heritage...expensive non-Ikea quality stuff that I could never afford before. Here are some of my favorite pieces. Opinions?







The table has a lazy susan in the middle (the marble piece spins), which is kind of cool but sort of limiting at the same time. Undecided on that one.

Then I met Nadine for some outlet shopping, and we saw these at Restoration Hardware. For an outlet, their prices weren't that great, but at least I know where I can find the style of chair I want.



The impractical part of the shopping day revolved around the typical girlie stuff...shoes, bags, Rocky Mountain Chocolate....you know the drill. Although this was my first major shopping trip with my iPhone, so I posted pix of Nadine on Facebook trying on these beauties....Cole-Haan, 50% off...





Alas, no purchase in spite of Facebook encouragement from Michelle and my friend Jillian. In Denie's defense, they're a tad high for standing for any length of time, especially when you've broken a toe recently falling over your dog. Beauty is pain, but walking is essential.

Not to worry, we got plenty of other bargains....and bags!



Now I just have to pack it up and move it this week! T-6 days and counting....

Retail Therapy?

OK, so I know Christmas is only 51 days away, but I think retailers are going a little overboard. Here are the catalogs I got in the mail JUST TODAY! Seven in one day! At this rate, a small forest will have been killed between now and the Christmas shipping deadline trying to get me to part with my money...



Although I did enjoy ONE catalog I received....



Because every girl should have a little blue box under her tree....

City Love

It's hard to believe two weeks have already passed since my visit to NYC, and I haven't written a word about my trip! In fairness, I got home and had one day to do laundry and pack before I got back on the road with two trips in a row to Phoenix. I had big plans of writing my blogs at night and not being this far behind, but the meetings kept me busier than I thought and I was too worn out at night to be creative. Now that I've made enough excuses, let me tell you about my trip!

First off, Michelle is not only one of my very best friends in the world, but a grade A hostess. She taught me everything I know about cooking, and every meal and snack she made was amazing. I came to New York simply to have girl time with my best friend, but she really outdid herself and came up with a whole slate of fun for the weekend.

I got in late Thursday night, and my first adventure was getting all the way from Long Island's Islip airport into Manhattan to meet her at Penn Station. Life without a car makes things interesting! And since Southwest doesn't fly into LaGuardia any longer and I was using a free ticket, I got to experience the LIRR (that's Long Island Rail Road for you non-New Yorkers). The trip was uneventful, and after a little confusion in Penn Station, Michelle managed to find me and help me drag my luggage back to her place in Jersey City.

After a good nights sleep and breakfast, we headed over to Brooklyn. Michelle had been raving about a great boutique she found over there, and you know I don't need to have my arm twisted for a shopping trip! After navigating the train and subway systems, we walked through the beautiful tree-lined neighborhoods. The store wasn't open quite yet, so we did a little window shopping in the bakeries, food stores, and cafes. I could live in Brooklyn in a heartbeat!! Everything within walking distance, nice people...a real old fashioned neighborhood!

Lee Lee's Valise was everything Michelle promised it would be. I found 2 amazing dresses and two shirts, and I've worn all of then every week since I got home. Michelle picked up a fabulous gray dress! After almost 2 hours, we left lighter in the wallet but happier than ever. Ladies, check out Lee Lee's the next time you're in NYC. Here's the website info:

http://leeleesvalise.com/

After our shopping trip, we walked through Brooklyn Heights to the waterfront, where I took the skyline photo above. Then we found a great little place for lunch with awesome sandwiches and artichoke dip, and had a chance to rest our feet before the trip back to Jersey. We spent the rest of the evening in, catching up, laughing and playing gin - our favorite thing to do together.

The next day, we slept in before heading back to the city to meet up with Michelle's friend Eileen. Michelle had been hinting since I arrived about the crazy day they had planned, and Eileen is a riot, so I knew it would be fun. We walked around the fashion district and did some jewelry and bead shopping for starters. Then I spotted the NHL store and the girls indulged me so I could have a look around. I snagged some really cool t-shirts from Alex Ovechkin's clothing line (one for me, one for Nadine). Those will come in handy for our trip to DC next year!!


(Me and Eileeen outside the NHL store)

Then we headed to the Stardust Diner, home to New York's finest collection of out-of-work Broadway singers moonlighting as waiters. Plus they have "adult" milkshakes! I got a Peppermint Patty (creme de menthe, vodka and lots of yumminess) and the girls got Mudslides!


(Michelle and Eileen outside the Stardust)


Then we headed out for the highlight of the evening....an off-Broadway show, "Naked Boys Singing." And yes, they were COMPLETELY naked during most of the show. After you get over the initial shock, it's actually a great show, and the guys are very, ummmm.... talented. Seriously.....


(Michelle and me in front of the show entrance)

After heading out for some post-show margaritas, we called it a night and headed back to Jersey. Sunday morning was all about Starbucks, card playing, and dreading the time to put in me a cab to Newark Airport. I couldn't have asked for a better weekend!

Thanks Michelle! Better start getting ready now for my next visit. It won't be long....

Things That Are Making Me Happy Today!

Girls hockey trip with Nadine already planned! Capitals vs. Penguins tickets - lower level, March 7, 2009. If these teams are anywhere near as competitive this year as last year (both teams when to the Stanley Cup playoffs, and Pittsburgh went to the Stanley Cup Final), this is the game to see in March! Plus, how can you not love watching the talents of reigning Hart Trophy winner Alex Ovechkin against favorite NHL phenom Sidney Crosby!!

Michael Kors "Lattington" oversized satchel. My new signature bag for this year. It's purple so it matches my Kings jersey!!! Nadine and I stopped by the Michael Kors store at The Grove in West Hollywood on our way back from the Kings rookie scrimmage, so we still had our colors on. The guys at the store thought it was hilarious.

And last but not least....chocolate-dipped fortune cookies!! As if they're not good enough plain.

Since I ate two cookies, I got two fortunes....

* Have patience - it will benefit you

* You will travel far and wide

Not sure about the patience part, but the Kings Frozen Fury game in Vegas is in 2 weeks, so travel is definitely in my future! Wish me luck! Go Kings!!