December 21st, 2012

Friday Find ~ Last Minute Gifts!

Posted by Pam

Christmas is 4 days away and the malls are crazy, parking lots are full, credit card machines are overloaded….and shoot…you forgot gifts for a couple of people!!! If you are like me, you don’t want to get near any type of retail outlet until after Christmas. I like to spend the next couple of days preparing dishes for Christmas Eve dinner and Christmas brunch..the LAST thing I want to do is fight the crowds!! Or you might not have time to drop a gift off before Christmas….ahhh!

Here’s the solution….some retailers offer e-gift cards…you can purchase a gift card online, often personalized and with a design of your choice and the “gift card” is emailed to the recipient when you schedule it to be! Seriously brilliant!

Here are a few of our fave e-tailers offering e-cards….

A couple of things to look for in the terms and conditions…some e-cards are only good for online purchases and some are good for online and in-store purchases. Also, some sites give you the option to print out a gift certificate…perfect for popping into a Christmas card!

Your friends and family won’t sniff a bit at receiving an e-card…they can take advantage of after Christmas sales! It’s a win-win for everyone!

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September 14th, 2012

Friday Find ~ Boot Stretching!

Posted by Pam

Last year, I found this fantastic pair of Tory Burch boots at Nordstrom Rack….in Hawaii!! Crazy to find boots in a tropical place, but I knew that after my vacay, I was going to be heading home to much cooler temps! So, I went for it! At half price, who could turn them down! However, I will admit that they were a bit tight on my calves. Apparently, it’s a rather common problem among women as our calf sizes can vary widely! This is nothing to be embarrassed about….some women have calves that are just too muscular (not a bad problem).

I decided to take these boots to a local shoe repair shop and I got great news….they could stretch them out! The only caveat…they needed time. So, that’s why boot stretching is our Friday Find! It may not quite be boot season yet, but it’s around the corner, and if you need to get your boots stretched or you find a rockin’ pair that’s just a bit snug, take them to your local shoe repair shop ASAP…. because they may have your precious footwear for up to 3 weeks! It’s a gradual process, but SO worth it!

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June 29th, 2012

O Canada!

Posted by Pam

July 1st is the 145th birthday of our country! In honor of Canada, we’ve picked our favorite red and white things!! We wish you and your families a very Happy Canada Day!! What a great way to kick off the summer season. Here’s to you Canada!

O Canada! by sugarplumsister featuring red shoes

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May 7th, 2012

Wardrobe Basics to Invest in!

Posted by Pam

People who know me know that there’s little that I love more than a good deal! I love to research an item, zone in on what I like, and then shop and shop and look and look until I find it at the best possible price! Over the years, I have found out that there are certain things that you can go the less expensive route with and then other things that I’ve regretted that I didn’t pick quality over price.

When I think of wardrobe basics, that’s were I would invest in quality. A basic black dress, a large neutral handbag, dressy jeans, neutral pumps. These are some of the wardrobe pieces that you will wear and use season after season, so go with quality.

wardrobe basics by sugarplumsister featuring a pocket dress

The fantastic thing about these pieces is that they are classic. It will be MANY years before they go out of style. They are also neutral in color….so add some fun with accessories!

I can tell you that I’ve had a very similar basic black dress for years and have worn it so many different ways! I’ve added a boyfriend blazer for a more professional look. I’ve added a thick jeweled belt for a dressier look.

I have these Pour La Victoire pumps and I have worn them with jeans, skirts, dresses….they go with anything! The great thing is because they are neutral they elongated your legs! That’s worth a lot to me!

A bootcut jean in a dark rinse will always look chic with a pair of heels and a fun shirt. They can even look professional with a crisp, white shirt and a boyfriend blazer. I have had a couple of bootcut pairs for many years and they look as great today as they did when I bought them.

A large tote in a neutral color will do you well! This one from Michael Kors can easily fit an iPad and all of your other essentials. This is a very classic shape and a great size.

Black pants….simply a staple every woman should have!!! They look great with a fancy top for going out, pair with a blazer for work, or add a splash of color with a cardigan.

You will never regret a good, comfortable pair of ballet flats! If you are investing in quality, pick a neutral or a metallic so that you can wear them with most anything. They are a great shoe for the in between seasons (fall and spring).

So, you might initially pay more for these basics than you would pay for other items, but if you could calculate the cost per wear, I think that you would find out that these are worth the investment!

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May 3rd, 2012

Sunglasses

Posted by Pam

Until a few years ago, I rarely wore sunglasses. But I do remember purchasing my Rayban Wayfarers back in the 90′s. Man, I loved those shades. The best shot of me in them was in a pic I received with a speeding ticket that showed the back of my Cabriolet with my ponytail flying and my Wayfarers seen in the rear view mirror. Since my lasik eye surgery, sunglasses are a must! A small price to pay for 20/20 vision and totally worth it! Actually, it just gives me an excuse to shop for another accessory!!

Here are our picks for sunglasses for this spring….

Sunglasses 2012 by sugarplumsister featuring cat sunglasses

If you are looking for something for that person who has everything, Oakley now has customizable sunglasses!!! You can pick the frame color, the lens color and you can have the lens etched with text. Three different fonts are offered. Scott, is a huge Oakley fan, and treated Laurel and I to customized sunglasses to celebrate the launch of our blog. We love!

The Sugarplumsisters with our matching glasses!!! Love them! Thanks Scott!

Love that the personalization is subtle!

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