Monday, November 12, 2012

First World Problems...


Last week it rained which ushered in me the most real and enlivened sense of fall. After an early morning client meeting I enjoyed a peppermint mocha (with half the peppermint – have you noticed the intensity of those things if you order them at full strength?), which only solidified the song in my heart. It was time to begin CHRISTMAS SHOPPING! I am a handmade Christmas kind of girl – but I do love to add some store-bought sparkle and I have to do it on a budget, so it was undoubtedly time to allow the store stalking to commence.

My first stop was Pier 1 Imports, but the meat of this story takes place in Nordstrom Rack. I walked in full of high hopes and eager anticipation – I was ready to conquer and just knew I would be knocking some names off the holiday shopping list before the night was through. I perused the jewelry and didn’t find anything that jumped out at me. There were some darling (and oh so brightly colored) Kate Spade wristlets but they were a bit out of my price range, so I moved on. Next up was the smell-good section, which also disappointed.  I decided to use one final surge of searching strength and headed to handbags. There was a gorgeous collection of Kate Spade bags that had already caught my eye and was subtly requesting interrogation. I picked up the softest leather purse in a natural cream with a black and white polka dot interior. I knew in my heart I wanted this bag, but I had yet to glimpse the price. I cautiously reached for the tag trying not to be overly optimistic at the slight sight of a red clearance sticker. In the flashiest of flashes (2 points if you can name that movie) I looked at the price and was ELATED to find it was a mere $79.80 – a ridiculously AMAZING price considering the bag was originally ticketed at $488.00. HOWEVER, it is the holiday season and with much shopping to accomplish for others, I hesitated. I walked around the store several times trying to justify such a purchase. I casually glanced at the bag on my arm at every mirror and confirmed my absolute love. I got in line to checkout. I waited excitedly and then a moment of horror. When the lovely cashier rang it up, it was $179.99. She kindly explained that a Juicy Couture clearance tag had mistakenly been placed on the Kate Spade of my dreams. She felt terrible about it, but did not offer to honor the price. She took the bag away, and I left the store empty-handed and a bit heart-broken.

The next morning I told a co-worker my “devastating” story when I got to the office. She has a friend who just happens to be the manager of that particular Nordy’s Rack. Coworker (who shall remain anonymous) sent a text on my behalf to see if she could get me a deal. Well friends, the manager was LIVID – the cashier absolutely should have honored the sticker price. WHAT A BUMMER! I almost had a blog-worthy deal on a beautiful Kate Spade.

Moral of this story – I didn’t buy a single gift and now I really want a Kate Spade for Christmas…

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