Tale of the Multi-Tasking, Craft-and-Design-Loving, Mother-of-Two, Singaporean-Living-in-US, Corporate-Working Mom Named Grace Hester

Two Favourite Looks from Lands End Canvas Fall 2011

Photo from Lands End Canvas's Fall 2011 Catalog

Canvas Motorcross Jacket USD 79.50 (Now USD 49.99!)

Emerson Demi Wedge Boot USD 198

Merino Poncho Sweater USD 140

Paxton Wedge Bootie USD 98

Back to School Fashion by Crewcuts

 
 

Girls' Look Book Here   |   Boys' Look Book Here

Which One?

 

Crewcuts Spring 2011

 
Always a joy to look at the "Looks We Love" section at JCrew.com's crewcuts section.

It's In the Bag

Ashley from a Hasty Life is hosting a group of bloggers on an "It's in the Bag" series.  Here's a schedule of previous "It's in the Bag" peeps,

January 10 - Sandy a la Mode

January 11 - After I Do

January 12 - Lakewood Manor

January 13 - Chasing Davies

January 14 - Bright Lights, Big Cities

January 17 - Express - O

January 18 - Hi Sugar Plum

January 19 - Honey My Heart

January 20 - From the Briar Patch

Today, it's my turn to turn my bag inside out and display the contents on my blog.

 
So here's a photo of me and my current primary bag.  It's a Coach Madison Hippie Purse that you can wear as a crossbody (which I do alot) or as a shoulder hobo.  This is the closest one I could find online but there's still one style available at Coach.com.  I scored it at the Coach Outlet at Jeffersonville, already discounted, and applied a further 25% or 30% (so long, I can't recall exactly!) discount coupon.  Wassup!!

What I LOVE about the bag?  It's shape, generous interior (am I starting to sound like a car salesperson?), color, feel, versatility, and most important of all, that it is a crossbody.  I really like my hands as free as possible so I gravitate towards messenger-style or slouchy bags to haul all of my stuff in.

Which brings me to the contents!  Here's a snapshot of all of the things laid out,

 
 
(1)  Russell+Hazel mini binder for quick note-taking in meetings.

(2)  Urban Harmonie laminated cotton pouch in Aqua and Red Polka Dots that houses a pack of my "just-in-case" allergy medication.  I ordered these pouches in three sizes and the larger ones are used to house makeup and such when I travel.

(3) and (4) Coffee cozy and namecard holder from BagelCreations - I have another cozy in the car as well

(5) iPhone 4G in my CafePress-designed slider case

(6) Small totes umbrella - I started carrying it in the fall in order to be able to shelter my girls to and from the parking lot to the daycare center when it's rainy.  But because it's so small and fits the width of my purse, I just leave it in all the time now.

(7) Clinique "All About Eyes" serum - great for those puffy-eyed mornings.

(8) Chanel Cristalle Gloss in #12 (no longer available) - lovely touch of sheer sparkling gloss to the lips

(9) Karen Callan Designs notecards wallet that is falling apart on the sides.  It houses some business cards, some business notecards, as well as stamps.  When it does fall apart, I am switching to these fabric notecards holder from my store.

(10) Coach wallet.  (As a note, I JUST cleaned out my wallet a couple weeks ago in the name of decluttering for 2011.  Usually, it's a SUPER-FAT wallet filled with grocery, dry-cleaning, business supplies receipts - not money. *boo!*)

What's missing that would usually be in my purse:  My keys, day job security badge, Blackberry Bold for the day job - these were tucked into my coat pocket already as I took this photo while rushing out of the house this morning.  So much for my One Little Word!

So there, what's in YOUR purse today.  Take a photo and share it below!

The Chronicles of a Bargain Hunter

Je suis fière de moi!

Last week, when I was feeling less under the weather . . . sorry for bringing it up again but when you are down for 4 days, it's like "Remember the winter storm of 89'?" so expect to hear about it again, e.g., "Remember in '11 when I started a new job and within 10 days, was out for 4 days with the flu?" . . . I went to The Limited with the intention to purchase a pair of trouser jeans with my "virtual dollars" ($25 off a $50 purchase).  I headed towards their clearance section first and saw that they were having a 40% off clearance prices sale.

To cut the long story short, I got three of these sweaters, at 19.99 - 40% = $12 = $36.
(Original prices were $39.99 which is moot because I rarely purchase anything manufactured at full retail pricing but it still tickles me pink to know I got them for $12 vs. $39.99)

 
 
But wait, remember how I meant to get a pair of trouser jeans?  Was I to be distracted by the above steals that I would abandon my initial mission instead?  Ahhhh yee of little faith!  I present to you, my new trouser jeans!

OK, the actual pair I purchased was no longer available online so this is the closest and it's in a dark rinse like this one.  Anyway, the original price was $69.99, marked down to $24.99, with an additional 40% off for a whopping total of $14.99! *doing the happy dance*

So my total for the 4 items was $36 + $14.99 = $50.99 so I got to use my virtual dollars and my out of pocket was only $25.99!

Wow, there's just something about walking away with a deal that makes you peppy for the rest of the day.  It's silly but strangely satisfying!  Is it just me?  Do you give yourself a secret "big whoop" and pat-on-the-back when you score an awesome deal?

Gilt-Full Shoe Shopping

Show of hands here, who hates buying anything at full-price?  I almost never purchase anything retail at full price just on principle.  I also love well-made items and when they go on 50% or more sale, my heart skips a beat.  These are the key reasons why I love shopping at Gilt Groupe -  an online store that grants invitation-only access to highly coveted products and experiences at insider prices. Each day, Gilt Groupe offers its members a curated selection of merchandise, including apparel, accessories and lifestyle items across the women’s, men’s and children’s categories. They also provide home decor, entertaining, and luxury travel packages and fantastic offers on local services and experiences.  Most sales start at noon ET and last only 36 hours, making Gilt.com an exclusive shopping destination for luxury at up to 70% off.

If you try to apply for Gilt access without an invitation, you have to wait for a fairly long time to be approved.  But here's my personal invitation link so that you can sign up for an account and be kept informed when sales go on and save up to 70% off retail prices on some of your coveted brands,

 

For instance, just today, they announced a Seychelles shoe bonanza sale (click on Women's Sale > Ending Soon > Seychelles) and these are currently in my shopping cart,

 

1. BANJO Bootie (Was $125, now $69)
2. BLIMEY Oxford Bootie (Was $125, now $69)
3. CARD SHARK Sandal (Was $105, now $59)
4. SQUARE DANCE Flat (Was $95, now $39)

So head on over and sign up to be a Gilt Groupe insider! 

 

I Heart Gilt II

Recent deals found on Gilt:

Skip Hop Diaper Bag, Originally $58, Gilt Special $27.

By the way, Gilt has a kick-tushie section for kids.  I have purchased many outfits for the girls at department store prices.

LAMB Sandals, Originally $245, Gilt Special $129

Hazel Park Quinn Tote, Originally $395, Gilt Special $139

Although I receive a $25 Gilt credit if for every sign-up that results in an order, my next statement is a sincere tip from me even if there is no benefit to me.  If you sign up for Gilt at the site, it could take awhile for them to approve your membership request.  But if you apply directly at the site via my invitation link below, your membership is processed immediately.  Since membership is free, and the sales run for such a short time, if you register only when you see the deal, you might not get your account set up and ready to shop till the sale as passed.  So do consider signing up today just so you can get immediate access if a really good sale comes on. :o)

SIGN ME UP!

Get $25 for Shopping at Gilt Children

For today and tomorrow only - receive $25 credit towards a future Gilt Group purchase when you purchase something from Gilt Kids.  With prices starting as low as $8 for leggings, $12 for tunic tops to $40 for dresses that retailed at $173, can you understand why they are my new go-to site for deals on great designer scores at prices that I would spend at department stores?

 

Wearing The Vintage Pearl

Today, I have on one of my "birthday" giveaway prize from Problem-Solvin' Mom and Vintage Pearl (long story short, I won like THREE giveaways on my birthday this year) and have received so many compliments on it.  Naia loves to touch it because she knows her name takes up the most space on the circle (naia-athena is her full first name).

Maybe it's because I like my visuals to be VERY symmetrical but it feels like there should be a fifth bird on the tree.  (Oh Lordy - this is how rumors get started.)

Anyway, thanks Stephanie (www.twitter.com/psmom) and Erin (www.twitter.com/thevintagepearl) for the giveaway and prize!