Retail Therapy

Well... not a lot of posts lately. But funny enough, there has been A LOT of shopping. Tonight, I decided to talk about Retail Therapy.

Myth, Truth or Excuse to Shop?

I really think it's a truth. I mean, if you hate to shop you are not going to suddenly love shopping when you become sad, depressed, or stressed. But if shopping is something you love, obviously much like a good friend it can bring you comfort when the rest of the world seems to not.

According to Wikipedia: Retail therapy is shopping with the primary purpose of improving the buyer's mood or disposition. Often seen in people during periods of depression or transition, it is normally a short lived habit. Items are "comfort buys."

Look as long as it doesn't turn into oniomania (yes, compulsive shopping is a disease) you aren't really doing the worse thing for yourself!

Other things people turn to in transitions periods: Danger Sports, Drugs, Drinking, Promiscuous Actions, Quitting Jobs......so now how bad does Shopping look? seriously. (again...don't go get into debt and then go ... I was depressed! but a few nice items that make your eyes sparkle aren't going to hurt you either!)

It takes your mind off things, a hunt for a great deal is a focus, a hard job....a distraction.
A Few Rules:
1. Set a limit for your Retail Therapy trip.
2. Don't make MAJOR purchases, but little things that make you smile.
3. Bring a friend to help you sort through "what is really needed."
4. Keep the receipts, because.....THIS TOO SHALL PASS!! In the bright sunlight, the purchase might not seem as wonderful.
5. Buy something for a friend or an item to donate to a local shelter.
6. If you really are having a rough time, opt for real therapy to accompany your retail habits.


So in closing...yes, Retail Therapy is real!!! It was actually coined by Chicago Tribune in Christmas 1986" "We've become a nation measuring out our lives in shopping bags and nursing our psyhcic ills through retail therapy." Pish Posh, Come on!!!

First, that was the 80's and everything was done in excess. Now we are helping the economy! :)
Second, your psyhcic ills will come out if you shop or not.
Third, please we as a nation measure ourselves by how cute we look in what've brought! :)

Wear a Smile - one size fits all! :)

Outlets? Deal or Not?

Thanks to an article from Kelly....here is my review of the Outlet situation.



I do live in Orlando one of the Outlet Capitals of the world so it gives me a unique look at what they really are. Bottom Line: They are great if you know what to look for, when to go, and what you are really getting.



First, is it last season or made for outlet? Let's use the GAP. The GAP never will have things from the store in their outlets. Don't believe me look at the tag? It will have "factory store" on the label meaning it was made just for the outlet. This isn't a bad thing, I think the store quality is better but if you love it...go for it. It also helps to know how much you could get something at the sale rack at the store vs. full price at the outlet. Other ones that make factory store clothes, Ann Taylor, Calvin Klein, Tommy, and Banana (but again look at the tag some Banana items are last season!) Basically, quality check....



Second, when are you going? Don't go during back to school shopping - you'll come up empty handed. I have found after a major holiday is a great time for outlets or when the seasons change. Who says you don't need a bathing suit bought in December?



Third, get the coupons. Either online or at the food court....yes, the food court and pick up that sample of orange chicken, you'll need a protein boost for this trip :)



Fourth, Return Policy! (and if you're a reader you know I love to return..) some outlets have NO RETURNS! (Victoria Secret.....my first run in...ohhh I was mad.) But it's always the shopper's responsibility to know the policy!



Ready to go? Call me....especially Coach Outlet after Christmas....one present for me a year :)

Gas Station Fashion

Interested yet?

Here's the deal...the other day I was in Walgreens having a horrible day and said huh, that sundress isn't bad...almost cute! Then my friend in effort to cheer me up bought it. I guess the surprise was when I wore it the next day with coach purse, nine west sandals, and Cole Haan glasses.

Quote: Merchandise it up!

It doesn't matter where you buy that "cute" thing if you put it with other high fashion expensive items....no one will ever know....Who's cares if you are wearing that Forever 21 top...with that Burberry Trench and Banana Pants....looks like you are a million bucks! Don't be afraid of the Gas Station, Walgreens, Goodwill....as long as you can add on to the outfit and make it your own and amazing it doesn't matter where it comes from.

Here's another note, the next day we saw the SAME sundress in Target with a different tag for like $25 more?

Score.

The Dealoholic goes to Italy!

II Dealoholic e disinserito in Italia sul suo nervoso slighty di sogno di vacanza.......spaventata ed eccitata. It's sempre stata un sogno, spero che possa fare tutti i miei sogni venire allineare. It's Italia...can'la t e duro quella a destra? Se vivessi con le vendite di campione, rivesto di pelle in Italia??? Destra? Eventualmente I' il II ha alcuni affari di stupore per ripartire lo stile italiano! Ringraziamenti per lettura e l' il II e indietro presto! Ciao!



XOXOXOXO



(The Dealoholic is off traveling to Italy for her next great deal! Ciao!)

P.S. For those of you who read Italian, I know I am missing a few accents! That's life!

To Survery or To Not?

So at the end of many a transaction you often hear..... "if you fill out this survey by calling this number next time you'll get....blah blah"



You've stopped reading, listening...just tuned out. No? Most people do and you simply throw that extra receipt away.



I get it, I've done it before many a time. But then the light turned on...."Ahhhhh"



So here's my story, I got one of those pesky surveys but actually did it. It took five seconds on the computer and a wrote in a five digital code on the original receipt. It was only 10%; so is 10% worth it??? For five seconds of my time? Sure!

But then last week I was one of the first shoppers at my Old Navy during Stuff n Save and got a 50% THE ENTIRE STORE COUPON. What What. Awesome. Song. Dance.

So after the glee, shopping, and more shopping I head to the counter with my hands full. I mention I had one of those surveys but I probably couldn't combine offers....right....????

NO! The ohsonice sales clerk informed me that is the best things about those 10% off surveys - THEY CAN BE ADDED ON TOP OFF ANY OTHER OFFER.



And that's when 10% became 60% and it all became worth it.....



So next time you are throwing away that extra bit of paper, you might be throwing away an extra bit o cash ;)

The Gift Closet

Okay forget the gifting tree...this is all about the gift closet. And I have one! I am not sure when I started but I know my mom had one so I am pretty sure I started young.

The idea is this: You have a closet full of great gifts either generic or that you are saving for that some one's birthday or next holiday.

Why you might ask? Well think about it, just because it's Christmas time does not mean that you will magical find the perfect gift for Tom, Dick, Harry or Sue. You might find it August? So what? And if you buy it in August it might be 40% off. Let's face it you wait until holiday season, they will mark it up 40% then take 20 %. Trust me, they are making their margins over the holidays.

I often walk through stores and possibly see a candle set that would be the perfect gift for Secret Santa, Aunt What'sHerName, or a Neighbor. Just save it and put it in the closet. This way when that hair dresser gives you half off for Christmas, you then show up with that perfect gift from the gift closet.

I also think buying 98,760 gifts at one time isn't fair to your credit card so spreading them out gives you more time to pay it off and spread out the cost. It's helps with the stress of the season. You want to enjoy the holiday, not be nickel and diming and only thinking of the money.

Also, I like walking through the malls during the holidays and not having to "find" the perfect gift. I like to relax, people watch, and enjoy the decorations. If you have all the gifts at home, it's easy breezy.

I love to shop, and often see that right fit gift for (fill-in-blank) so if I can afford it, I buy it and store away. This doesnt mean I just buy what's on sale. I buy things that I truly know or hope they will love I just do it in advance.

You should see my closet. All my friends Christmas presents are done, All Birthdays in the fall are done, Wedding Gifts for the fall....check. It gives me more time to enjoy the event and heck, I get to cross it off my to do list. Best feeling of all.

And do my re-gifts get put in the closet for later use? Hmm....that's another post ;)

How to Pack Your Bags!

How to Pack Your Bags SO when flying you never pay for checking luggage.

I refuse to check luggage when I have to pay. It's silly. I pay enough for the ticket.



But how do you pack correctly to make sure you get everything you need in that carry on?



Read on.



And remember these are just my tips (everyone has their own!)



1. Brown or Black rule, if traveling for 4 days or less chose a color. That's right all your outfits either are in the black or brown family. That means one purse, one pair of shoes, one belt, one set of accessories. If you can keep your outfits all in the same family; you'll pack a lot less.



2. Know your outfits. DO NOT dump your entire closest in a suitcase, pay $100 to fly it, and then wear 2 things out of it. Seriously. DO NOT. Lay out your outfits completely. Know what the proper undergarments you need are, what the accessories are, what socks or shoes will go with. Then once they are all layed out - pack.



3. Twice is Nice. If you are traveling for 7 days or more - don't pack it unless you can wear twice. Seven pair of jeans for seven days. Puh-lease. Every thing should be in the complimentary family so you can mix and match.



4. Keep the colors in the same family so you can mix and match and be spontaneous on site. The more you can mix and match the better. BUT of course you want to be fabulous....so read on to number 5.



5. ACCESSORIZE!!!!! Scarves, Earrings, Necklaces, bright colorful pieces will add tons to your outfits and not add to your precious suitcase space.



6. Know the climate. Is it 80 or 40? Snow or Sand? Don't bring unnecessary items but don't have to make emergency runs to target and then have to figure out how to get it all home. (God forbid buy another suitcase for that emergency parka purchase.)



7. Travel Size. I love the amenities from any hotel, I keep them for my next trip. I have honestly tipped and just said "need toiletries, bed is fine". It's true! I also save makeup, deodorant, and lotions when I get to the end for the next trip, this way I use the rest of the trip and then throw it away there. That means I have just enough foundation left, I put it in the travel bag for the next vacation. You can also ask any makeup counter for trial sizes....(trust me they want you to buy their product, they'll give you a tester.) This goes for perfume as well. Any free samples you might get? Save them for your next travel! My travel bag of toiletries is impressive and probably a prize possession.



8. Rules. Lots of people think "Well I can't do a carry-on because I have to bring....xyz." Not true. Razors....fine in carry on. Shampoos....get the right size. Phone Chargers....fine in carry on. Besides the biggies, most items can be carry-on. Just ask for samples and save the small sizes for traveling. Don't go raid the travel size section of any store, please. They are just too expensive. Just call me. :)



9. Save room. No matter where you go you'll end up with some souvenir. So please don't waste money on shipping it home, just leave a little extra room in the suitcase.



10. Pack ahead of time and leave the suitcase open. Edit Edit Edit. If you pack ahead time; you'll always come up with one or two things you can remove, and one or two things you forgot.





Seriously, I follow these rules every time. I LOVE TO PACK, but only by my rules. It's stressing me to see others pack.....on a mission for the perfect carry on pack!



***Disclaimer...I am going to Europe for 2 weeks and get a free checked bag up to 55 lbs so I will check a bag (GASP!) but only cause it's free and I'll be there so long....but trust me the outfits are already layed out.



Want me to pack for you? Just call. I would love to hear anyone's tips! I love to pack!