How much would you pay for the perfect...

If any of you have read my profile 'about me' paragraph, you know that I love to find a bargain. I just love sales. I love finding a great item regularly priced $125 or whatever, on sale for $39.99 or some other ridiculously low markdown. That is one reason I love ebay. You can find almost anything on ebay. Often, the people selling the item are either completely clueless about how it works, or they just don't care how much money they make, and you can get an absolute steal! I love buying stuff from the shopaholics. You know those people who buy and buy and buy (especially baby clothes) and their kids either NEVER even wore the item, or wore it like twice before they grew out of it? I love to buy from them. I have gotten some adorable Gymboree, Gap, Janie and Jack and other brand name items from people like this. I have gotten a Peg Perego highchair for under $100 on ebay. I once got a stack of baby books- The Baby Whisperer, What to Expect, Nursing Mothers Guide, etc. for $8.00 including shipping. Gotta love that. I got my brand new, king size Pottery Barn duvet cover for $80 on ebay. I got Ashley's beautiful pink toile and chenille crib bedding set, brand new, for $69 (including shipping). Ode to ebay! I love it.

Today I went shopping b/c we are having tons of inventory sales here. There is a rumor that our dept store, Myer, is being taken over by Walmart. Not sure if it's true or not, but they are having a massive sale. It reminds me of when ZCMI turned into Meyer and Frank. The racks are marked $10, $15 and $20. This is really cheap for Australia. There were tons of cute Esprit baby tops for $15. They are usually at least $29. And I got Olivia the cutest pink flannel pjs for $10. I would take a picture but she insisted on wearing them to bed and I can't wake her! I got a really cute gift for the baby shower I am going to this Saturday (can't give it away in case she is reading this) but it normally cost $49.95. Is there something wrong with me? Should I just be happy to buy a $10 item whether or not someone else has decided it's real value is $40? Do I put too much stock in brand names? Probably. But I think I can decipher whether or not it's worth it. I try to be objective. Do you ever look at something and ask yourself, "If this weren't -insert brand name- would I llike it?" I have often asked that question. In fact, I often wonder why some people love Gymboree clothes. They are pretty pricey and I find myself looking at some of them and asking, "Who would put that on their kid?" Like the zebra print and lime green stuff (sorry if you like that) or the pink and brown giraffe print line. On the other hand, some of it is really cute. This summer their line was adorable. My sister Lori is bringing over the online order I placed b/c I just couldn't help myself when they had the 'buy two get one free' sale. Anyway...





Today I did something that I NEVER do. I paid full price for a pair of jeans. I had no choice. When in America, I usually buy Gap jeans. It's easy to get the right fit. They sell 'short' which is a must when you are 5'2" and they often go on sale. $39.99. Easy. However, when I want something with more style, I can always find it on ebay. I once bought Seven for all Mankind jeans on ebay for $35. I know, I get too excited about ebay, but it's just TOO good. Anyway, I was on a mission today b/c since Ashley was born I haven't had a decent pair of jeans that fits me. I have the 'fat' jeans that I wore when I was 5 months pregnant, which sadly aren't all that big right now... or I have some of my 'normal' jeans which I can squeeze into (they have a lot of STRETCH) but they look awful. So I started the process, the nightmare, of finding the right jeans. After 3 or 4 stores, I started to get discouraged. I hate it when you know the size you WANT to fit in and you know the size you REALLY fit in and they aren't all that close in number! UGH. Also doesn't help that here they start with size 6. Size 6 in Australia is like size 0 in the States. Doesn't really make you feel so skinny when you are looking at a few digits higher than you are used to. Mentally can't get past that one. So the happy moment came when I found a perfect fit at Esprit. They felt so good when I put them on. Not too tight, not too loose. I usually have issues with the backside of the jeans. If the pockets aren't in the right place they can make your butt look too flat, too big, too wide, all kinds of funky shapes. And, you must avoid the bulky pockets, according to Susannah and Trinny (what not to wear), so I must have flat pockets. I paid $90 for them. I couldn't believe it. NEVER in my life would I consider paying that, it just goes against what I believe. But I knew from the hours I spent at all the other stores that things weren't looking good and I wasn't finding any other options. Not only that, but the jeans are just more expensive here. I would say the average price is $69. Anything less is cheap, like Target cheap. From $70-100 is normal. The better brands start at about $130-200. Yikes. Not so good when jeans are a staple in your wardrobe.

So if my husband is reading this, he is now having a heart attack b/c he just discovered I spent $90 on jeans. He is such a cheap skate it's unreal. He doesn't really shop so he doesn't know what the prices are... but this is non-negotiable. It's been almost 5 months. I needed some good jeans. So I guess I will enjoy my ONE pair of good jeans. I will not be putting a photo of myself in the jeans on here. I will just enjoy them. Hopefully I will be getting into some of my 'normal' jeans soon b/c I have an appointment with the personal trainer at the gym tomorrow. It's just a one time thing b/c she is retiring. Not that she is so old but she's going into the executive side of things there. She has helped my mother in law lose about 20 pounds so I am hoping for good results (not 20 pounds... maybe 5-10).

The other exciting thing that happened today is that we signed Olivia up for gymnastics. I can't wait for her to start! Monday is her first class. I really think she is going to love it. She just needs more things that are about her, if you know what I mean. I will post photos on Monday.

Also, Lori gets here in just 2 days. Poor thing will begin her long trip tomorrow. She has a hellish connection through Korea. how many hemispheres can she travel through before she arrives. That's what happens when you use freq. flyer miles. Can't wait til you get here Lori!