Deluxe Luxury

I was reading in my recent JCrew catalog about a very creative (however pricey) gift idea- and well, it was worth sharing...

Everyone knows there's "wine of the month" or "flowers of the month" clubs.
Personally, I always thought that was a bit overkill, but I appreciated the idea of getting something new each month for a year. Well, JCrew has taken it to a new level (and apparently been doing this for a couple years, where was I??):

For the ladies:
Cashmere of the Month: yes, you literally get a new Italian cashmere sweater monthly (remember, even in summer months, cashmere is fabulous) and for a mere $1800, you too can receive this! This breaks down to $150 a month.
Jewelry of the Month: (featured in the catalog, $850)
Shoe of the Month: (featured in the catalog, $1800) J. Crew’s stylists pick the shoes, so every month is a surprise; the styles are always from the most current catalog; and you can choose between flats or heels or a mix of both. You can exchange shoes for a different size, but you can't go back on your choice.

For the gents:
Tie of the Month: (featured in the catalog, $550)
Shirt of the Month : I can't imagine giving a better gift to a special fella, especially if he's like my brother or cousin who literally wear shirt and ties daily. For $695, may be totally worth it- that's $58 a month.

The money is one thing (clearly), but I absolutely love this idea. It's creative and useful.
If you're interested, the web instructs you to email erica@jcrew.com or call 866.739.5944.

That's deluxe at it's best!

Black + Friday = Nirvana

Ok, 16 days until...The BIGGEST shopping day of the year.
I wanted to give you ample notice so that you can create a strong plan of attack for Friday, November 26th...aka Black Friday!

I have found this site (which updates each year) to be very helpful: www.blackfriday2010.com
What I like about it is the various "leaks" to deals they tell you about, and even a new iPhone app which helps you identify the best deals in your areas. Very very cool.

A few tips for the big day, and I know I have written about this before, but good to review:

1. Easy access shoes (slip on and off). Nothing worse than having to tie or zip shoes when trying on something quickly.
2. Bring snacks and water. If you are serious about the Black Friday deals, you need to be up and out at 5am. Which means no time to worry about a leisurely breakfast.
3. Be realistic about what you want to buy. I don't recommend shopping for "whatever you find" this day- Black Friday is about seeking out an item (or 2) that is significantly discounted. Go there and purchase.
   
4. Go with people you like. It's a crowd heavy day: you should bring along someone(s) who will rally, not complain that you're actually participating in the madness.

Here's my two favorite comrades for Black Friday!