Ladies and Gentlemen, Your Tax Dollars at Work

I sent a $15 check yesterday to the U.S. Department of Treasury. Thanks to a weird self-employment taxation situation, I will likely owe the government money forever. These $15 I parted with gladly, though, after last year's $900. Yikes. I wondered, though, what I would do if it had been Uncle Sam giving me $15. Not much, you might say, but I say au contraire. I'd fork it over for this top, the likes of which I have been looking for since rufflles first started peeking out of leather military jackets in Lucky Magazine last fall. Two things I should clear up about this top and my small town: YES, it will still be in style several months from now in this neck of the woods, if not just picking up momentum. NO, I am not a fool for waiting five months to buy a top. Small town often equals small paycheck and all frivolous purchases must be made only after great time and consideration has been given to them. That said, let's all go freakin' nuts at The 15 Dollar Store! Everything, but EVERYTHING on this site is only $15!! We all know savings of this magnitude often mean a serious lack of quality, but sift through for serious bargains on labels like Kenneth Cole Reaction, Romeo & Juliet Couture (maker of the cute ruffled top), Derek Heart, Rampage and more. You can literally dress yourself from head to toe for less than $100, including accessories. That goes for your men and your kiddos, too!

How I Let the Perfect Pump Get Away

I slipped them on and immediately, my feet were happy. It was like a big hug for my tootsies after days of trekking across Manhattan in search of the perfect items at the perfect bargains. My good friend and NYC travel companion, Kat, swears by Sofft shoes (and she aughtta know, spending her days on her feet, kicking criminal butt in Houston). These, I found to be more than just shoes. They were the perfect fit, a delightfully elegant style with a heel that I felt certain even I could master on my gravel driveway. That was December. This is March. I'm still thinking about these shoes. Did I mention I didn't buy them? The department store was evacuated about an hour later by FDNY, but I'm sure that had nothing to do with my refusal to recognize footwear kismet when I see it. Although, it's not every day that emergency personnel clear out the flagship Macy's store on 34th Street a week before Christmas. I digress. If my occasional forays into financial blogs have taught me anything, it's that one should give oneself time to review a pricey purchase before whipping out the debit card. If it's out of your head in 24 hours, it's a no-go. If it enters your mind three months later first thing on a Sunday morning, I choose to believe that's Nature's way of saying, "go ahead, buy the perfect shoe. It's worth the $110." Sigh. Get 'em now here in black suede, black leather, winter blue or, my favorite, crimson. Walk a few miles in these and you'll still be able to walk a few more. Yes, they feel THAT good.