Skintastic! aka, Why Do Nice Things Cost So Much?

Like most women I know, I am always looking for new additions to my bath & body product library. And during the LP shopping trip, I wound up with some exciting samples: Kiehl's Creme de Corps and Fresh Sake Bath. The creme is GREAT. It feels rich, but melts on nice & easy. The Sake Bath is luxurious--great scent, left my skin feeling fantastic. So I'm thinking, I gotta get some of this stuff.
After pricing them online, I'm thinking what I really need is a new job.
My favorite Keri lotion, which I use just about every day, runs about $8 or $9 for a 20-oz. bottle--a reasonable price for soft skin. But switching to Kiehl's would tack on $33 more for a slightly smaller bottle. Yup, a 16.9-oz bottle costs $42.
The Fresh Sake Bath is another story entirely. For a 400-ml bottle of this elixir (which must fall from heaven like manna every 300 years), we're talking $80. Seriously. That's not even a pint.
Looks like I'm sticking with my Olay beauty bar and Keri lotion for now.

shopping in lincoln park

Did some shopping in Lincoln Park (that stretch on Halsted, between Webster and Armitage) on Saturday with Jes and Joyce. It was a beautiful day out, and I was excited to check out bluemercury and Lori's Shoes. At bluemercury, a very eager, very friendly Laura Mercier artist was somewhat anxious to get some makeup on us! Not that we didn't look beautiful already (ha), I think she was just a lil bored. Anyway, she was a little heavy-handed with the brow shadow (I've never filled in my brows, but I realized it really does make a difference), but I liked the blush/highlighter that she used on us, so I bought it. *grin* It's called Pink Mosaic Shimmer Bloc.

Spent a fair amount of time browsing in Lori's (thanks for telling me about it, Jennifer!), which I adored and will visit again and again! They have a great selection of handbags and shoes! Now I know where to go next time I'm in the mood for a new handbag! I ended up buying a necklace and a ring there, and plan to go back soon.

I also liked Blue's Jean Bar. They carry so many brands, it made my head spin a little. I especially liked the 'bar' concept: they have one pair of each jean out on the counter (or "bar"), so when you see something you like, you just ask one of the staff to get it in your size, instead of having to go looking yourself through racks for your size. I'll definitely go back when I need a new pair of jeans.

Anyway, we stopped at a handful of other places, but those were the highlights for me.....

for the retailers who are no longer

For some reason last night, Contempo Casuals came to mind. You remember Contempo Casuals, early '90s purveyor of apparel that was simultaneously trendy, skanky and affordable. It's since morphed into Wet Seal, but it will never be the same. Of course, thinking about Contempo Casuals on the first floor of Lincolnwood Town Center, I couldn't help but reminisce on another retail establishment that had once occupied LTC's first floor--Madigans. Back in the day, Madigans was one of my favorites. But if you wanted to go to Madigans, the best place was Harlem-Irving Plaza, where there was not just one Madigans, but THREE. (Gals, can I get an "Amen!") Madigans for Juniors was the best, with its stylish, neon-blue sign and black-and-mirrors interior, I felt like I was in the place to be, the mecca of fashion--parachute pants, Swatches, lacy fingerless gloves. If that wasn't enough, they also carried Sanrio items, shelved near the back wall.

Anyway, before I get too teary-eyed, just wanted to share an interesting site. There's an amusing article on the Brickyard here too--ah...Chess King...Rave...Spencers....

deadmalls.com

if only my sandals were sandy...

I just have to say--I LOVE these sandals. Actually spotted them at some fancy boutique on Southport last summer (yes, they are a past-season oldie) & just did not want to pay full price for them. They had my size in blue, though, so I tried them on and was surprised at how comfortable they were. Never forgot them and ended up finally picking them up from Zappos (in "sand") during the winter, and they've just been waiting to step out of my closet. C2 may remember that their debut took place at her birthday dinner. Since then, we've been inseparable. Tromped around in them yesterday to the theater, and nary a sore toe or blister to be had! Not saying I'm ready to go hiking in them, but I do think that heeled sandals are generally more comfy that closed-toe heels, simply because of the reduced toe-smashage.

Try saying that 5 times fast: SMASHAGE. SMASHAGE. SMAHAGE. SHMASAGE. SHASAGE. I can't even type the damn word properly.

white handbag, part II

Went to Old Orchard on Saturday, and was browsing in the tbd department, and saw a cute white handbag on one of the mannequins. I didn't see any on any tables or racks, so I took it off the mannequin...and almost took her arm off in the process! Anyway, it met 2 of my most important criteria, as far as what I look for in a handbag: single strap and outside pockets. It was also under $50 (yes, under $50!), so I didn't mind that it was bigger than I'm used to, or that it's faux leather. I usually will not buy faux leather but couldn't resist; the price was right and it's a cute bag! Plus I'll probably only wear it for one season. And I won't be devastated if/when it gets dirty. It's really comfortable, the shoulder strap is just the right length, and it rests very nicely against the body. All in all, I'm very happy with the purchase!