Should it stay or should it go now? Should it stay or should it… DANGIT! Now you’ll never get it out of your head.
Okay, folks– there’s nothing more fun than spending other people’s money, so come on and help me spend (or save) mine.
In March and April, I used up the last of my store credit and a few of my Pretty Year Bucks. Mostly on stuff I actually planned to buy and/or “needed” (a departure from previous years, that’s for sure)– like a yellow belt, bright flats, an A-line skirt (!), etc. But some I am iffy on, so I am bringing them to you. Because I put all my trust your unerring judgment, oh anonymous Internet box.
Colorful Flats!
A few weeks ago, I profiled funky flats and my critical need for the same. Other than these black flats, I don’t really own any flats to speak of– and I walk a couple of miles to work most days. So they’re not quite at the sunscreen-and-Madeleine level of necessity, but they’re pretty close. Luckily, I found three pair in my price range, preferred style, level of desired comfort, non-smoking status, etc.
Co-Op Barney's New York Red Patent Flats, Originally $325-- $29.99 (Filene's Basement Credit)
SE Boutique "Haley" Flats, Originally $75, $28 (Filene's Basement Credit)
Aerosoles "Horoscope" Wedges, Originally $69-- $14.99 (Aerosoles Store Credit) + $5 (Cash)
Pros and cons?
The red shoes seem almost necessary, don’t they? Not the most practical option (especially the suede bow)– maybe a little dressier than everyday, but seeing them in photos is kind of selling me. On the other hand, if I’m actually dressing up for non-work activities, how likely am I to pass up a chance to wear heels in favor of flats?
Between the two blue pair, the SE Haleys are more stylish, and the color and print more sophisticated (and pretty darn close to the Nine West Logans I was stalking). But the Aerosoles (true color is closer to my photo) are suuuuuuper-comfortable (the SEs are good, not great, in that department), cheaper, give me a little height and look like they could take more of a beating. I really don’t feel like I can afford everything, given my $250 budget this year, so help me decide what stays and what goes.
[polldaddy poll=1596047]
Yellow Belts!
Remember my recent fixation? Well, it took me a little while, but I found three in my price range that might work, and I only need one.
Betsey Johnson Belt, Originally $48-- $13.59 (Filene's Basement Credit)
Steve Madden Patent Belt, Originally $38-- $13.59 (Filene's Basement Credit)
Yellow Gap Belt, Originally $29.50-- $6.72 (Cash)
And while I was looking, I found another one in blue.
Blue Gap Belt, Originally $29.50-- $6.72 (Cash)
I’m not sure the Gap belts are working, but what say you?
[polldaddy poll=1596093]
H&M Run!
I’m not a big H&M girl, mainly because the quality leaves something to be desired (though every so often, you run into something that lasts a good 250 wears), but also because the cut tends to run very “junior” and my T’n'A don’t really care for that. But with Obsessed sold out on opening night, my friend Kitty and I ended up in H&M and I couldn’t stop myself from grabbing up replicas of the stuff I wore in junior high and high school. Please, somebody stop me before I pull something.
Red Jersey Mini-- $7.90 (Cash)
Black Jersey A-Line Skirt-- $14.90 (Cash)
Blue jersey pencil Skirt-- $14.90 (Cash)
Ridiculous Black Dress-- $14.90 (Cash)
Black Jersey Pencil Skirt-- $14.90 (Cash)
So. I can’t really get all this stuff. It’s kind of a bad investment, don’t you think? I’m leaning heavily towards the A-line skirt even though it doesn’t look terribly durable, because I have a devil of a time finding A-lines that fit– and they are so versatile. I already have a black pencil skirt (actually, two), but the first is a bit heavyweight for warmer weather, and the second is less-than-basic. But IDK, I have to be strategeric. The dress, I only bought because I wore one exactly like it to my 14th birthday party (didn’t we all?) Of course, I was only a D-cup back then. What’s the verdict? Keep in mind I have to make my money last all year. And we do have seasons (4) here.
[polldaddy poll=1596128]
And Then There Were Stripper Shoes.
Yeah, so then I got some completely impractical yet unbelievably comfortable platform shoes that add 6 inches to my height and that I really don’t need. Should I keep them?
Michael Kors Chatom Peep-Toes, Originally $149-- $33 (Cash)
[polldaddy poll=1596158]
Come on, people! If they go, they will be trouble! And if they stay they will be… DANGIT!
Related posts:
- Should It Stay or Should It Go: Keepers
- 47 of 250
- 48 of 250
- It's Time for Another Round of… Should It Stay or Should It Go?
- 41 of 250
I love red shoes (and I maintain that if your shoes/bags are bright enough it’s like they come full circle and become almost like a neutral because they’ll go with pretty much anything), but I don’t like the bow on those ones, so I voted for the blue reptile print ones. The Aerosoles are kinda meh, and they don’t seem as versatile to me.
I’m not feeling those Gap belts as outerwear. They’d be good with jeans, but I think they’re too buckle-y and bulky otherwise.
The H&M run, if I had to pick something for you to keep it would be the black dress. But I’m not convinced that any of them are really worth using even a little of your 250 bucks.
I really really like the platform shoes, and my inclination is that you should keep them, but I’d have to see them with an outfit to be absolutely sure.
Are shorties allowed to wear flats? It seems like all the short women I know are constantly in heels.
I agree with your assessment of the Gap belts, titilayo, and I really appreciate all of the practical, down-to-earth advice that will assist me in keeping money in my pocket. Here, have a practical, down-to-earth gift.
Butch, I believe that’s in the 5′2″ amendment.
Stripper shoes? Those aren’t stripper shoes? They have to be clear platforms with 6″ or above heels. Clear because strippers like to see how much money they have in the coin jar.
The ONLY reason I know this because not many shoes come in a size 12. Payless can hardly be called a source for good shoes. The ones that do look remotely good are mixed within… yep, you guessed it, stripper shoes…
Coin jar? Are you Canadian, or are strip club patrons around your way just that cheap?
[...] 7, 2009 · No Comments Pending purchases aside, I’ve made a few additional withdrawals from my Pretty Year Account since the last time I [...]
Hey, the internet is international. I get sites from all over the world. Some are good stores, others are not. Unfortunately, the shoes in my size are in the sites that are not good.
http://www.pleasureusa.com/
Oh, no, anomaly! I get the shoe situation– I was just joking about the idea of a strip club having coin jars. I heard they have those in Canada, which makes sense b/c their $1 and $2 denominations are coins now. In the US, a strip club where the patrons tip you in coins would not be a strip club I’d want to work, LOL.
You mean you would work at a strip club if the pay was good…?
…I am sorry to hear that. I hope your husband would not mind…
That’s a joke, BTW…
[...] Choose my clothes for me! I’m especially torn up over those Michael Kors shoes, people. Help a blogger out. Possibly related posts: (automatically generated)Michael Kors is actually pretty awesome.Shoe Crush [...]
No to the Kors. The ankle strap hits a weird place and the vamp looks like it’s cutting into the bridge of your foot.
Yes to the red flats and the blue pair as well. Yes to both yellow belts, and no to everything else except maybe the black dress. (But really, why settle for H&M when you can save up for Herve Leger? Gilt Group just had a sale.)
nausicaa, you make excellent points. I saw that Herve Leger sale on Gilt! $398 makes it sound almost reasonable, but not for me (this year).
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[...] It’s time for… SISOSIG! [...]
[...] It’s time for… SISOSIG! [...]