Listen to Lena

Perfecting the Art of Conversuasion

T is for Treat. Oh, and for Tory Burch too.

By

As we start 2013 off with a bang, here’s something you should know about me.

I rarely treat myself.

It’s true. I am quite honestly the most fuss-free, no-frills person I know. I do at-home pedicures. I wear glasses 99% of the time. I often splurge on discounted toilet paper – but rarely discounted Dior. I clip coupons, make sure my boys want for nothing and try to find the best brands at the best price every day. Now I know you may be shaking your head, thinking “So what? Me too…” – you must realize, I am a recovering Shopaholic. As in, I once owned 12 Coach purses and didn’t think twice about dropping $398 for jeans.

(Also in my Shopaholic Hall of Fame? 4 brand new cars in 10 years, hundreds of CDs, a $900 leather coat, two Movado watches… OMG. This really should be a Wall of Shame. How I wish I could have that money back! I’d invest it tidily in a tax-free savings account. Yes, I have turned into my father.)

So this whole turnaround in character – from spender to saver – is relatively new to me, but trust me, I’m not complaining. This past year alone, I paid off all my short term debts and put a healthy amount in savings – while sending my son to private school and taking the boys on 3 epic vacations. So, obviously I’m doing something right. High five to me!

But, for quality products where there is simply no substitution… I crave.

See, I’m not one for knockoffs. I just don’t do designer dupes. So if I see an item that I simply must have, I do the following:

1) Tell all my friends about it. Seriously, I’ll call them, tweet them, e-mail them links… all while trying to justify the retail price and gushing about why I love the item so much. Ask my bestie Victoria how many times I did the math with her… or Tammi, yup, I tweeted her like crazy… and Robin? She probably has tension headaches over the amount of times I talked about my latest crush.

2) Begin stalking the designer’s website for sales, promo codes, anything that can save me a few bucks. I will Google the sh*t out of that item until I know exactly who sells it, and for how much. And, I’ll know how much cross-border shipping is, USD to CAD discrepancies, etc etc. Then, I’ll repeat #1.

3) When all else fails, wait for an epic sale like Black Friday or Boxing Day… and pray that they still have my size in stock. And if they don’t, bow my head for a moment of silence, knowing I missed out because I’m too cheap smart to pay full price.

Such is the case with the Tory Burch Amanda Riding Boot. I can’t tell you how long I’ve coveted them! Slim through the calf and the absolute perfect shaft height, I knew they would complete my entire winter and spring wardrobe.

Our must-have riding boot. If you loved the fit of our popular Selma boot last fall, meet Amanda. An exclusive style, the Amanda Riding Boot comes in tumbled leather with strap details and ankle logo hardware. It’s a wardrobe staple that’s in line with the perennially classic equestrian look. Tumbled leather upper. Side zip closure. Metal logo ornament at side. Leather lining. Padded insole. Round toe.

The one thing holding me back? The $525 CAD price tag. I couldn’t – no matter how I tried – justify spending close to $600 after taxes on a pair of boots. Gah! My dream of riding boot perfection was not meant to be.

But then… like magic… the clouds parted and a ray of heaven shined down on them… by way of a Boxing Week promotion.

So after 6 months of waiting, countless page visits and in-store stalking extravaganzas… the boots were marked down to $385. Plus an EXTRA 25% off sale items. And, they had my size.

Just like that, I treated myself in 2012. And in case you’re wondering, they go very well with my other favourite purchase of 2012. I have a feeling that 2013 will be a fashionably fabulous year!

Reader Interactions

Comments

  2. nicolthepickle

    Good job, and they are nice!

    I had been dreaming about that Danier Lamb bomber jacket that you posted about a while ago. I finally went to a city big enough to house a Danier outlet. And my husband was looking for a Christmas present for me. I was getting that beautiful coat! I went straight for the jacket, and there it was on sale for 3 days only for $249. I went shopping on the right day. I was so excited. And it looked terrible on me. My torso was just to short to rock that jacket. *sigh*
    I can dream about something else now. Brocade boots anyone?

    • Lena

      Oh Nicole that breaks my heart! First, I feel like I am the matchmaker because I introduced you two – and now I feel like sad that you weren’t able to connect, LOL. But I promise if I come across a sweet sale on brocade boots I’ll send them your way!

  3. Soozle

    Oh my! I can see how those boots won your heart over! They are gorgeous!

    I hear ya on having to curb the spending; one of my ‘tricks’ to saving up for a luxery buy is that I have a piggy bank sort of deal at home.

    I have taken to selling items I no longer need/use on Kijiji and putting that money into the pot. I wasnt using the item, and the money wasn’t already planned for something else like bills, so I consider it free use. I actually saved up enough last year that I ended up paying $200 out of savings for a week holiday to Mexico!

    • Lena

      Thanks Suzanne! I’m glad you approve! And I love your “piggy bank” idea – I do the same thing with a savings account I have! Everything that goes in there is “free” for me to use to my hearts desire. But I am particularly impressed that your savings took you all the way to a week in Mexico – good for you!

  5. Tania B

    That is some smart shopping mama! Well done! Definitely don’t feel bad about those missed out on treasures – think of it as an opportunity to find something you will love even more! Happy Shopping in 2013! Let’s hope the Canadian retail landscape only improves.

  7. Huguette E.

    Nice boots and great job recovering from being a shopaholic. But wow, I would have liked to own your closet for a week then!

    • Lena

      Hahaha sometimes I can’t even wrap my brain around how much stuff I had. My closet at my mom’s house is still full of old clothes and jackets – I should donate them :)

  9. Lisa H

    Its not called being ‘cheap’ ; you are smart – and frugal ;)
    Im cheap cause Id rather have the knock off bought on Ebay lol! Enjoy your pretty boots Lena.

    • Lena

      Thank you Lisa! And no! Don’t do the knock off thing. I promise that the satisfaction from the real item is well worth the price :)

  10. Ella Pretty Blog

    So exciting – it’s great to get a wishlist item – especially at a bargain price! I was equally excited when you got your Danier jacket on sale too.

    I agree about not doing the dupes thing on wishlist items – I’ve tried it in the past and often spent MORE time and money trying to replicate what I wanted – and end up buying the original in the first place – SUCH a waste.

    • Lena

      Too funny Ella – I could actually feel your excitement for me both times. And I often think of your Balenciaga bag and how it’s so much better to own the real thing :)

  12. Nicole W.

    Gorgeous boots! After all of that amazing saving and debt pay-offs, you definitely deserved this treat! :)

  15. RubyRed67

    Oh, so lovely. You have exquisite taste Lena, and since you got them on sale, you’re smart and stylish!

  16. Robin

    These boots are an investment. No – a work of art! Oh – who cares how many ways I can justify them. They are gorgeous AND you got them ON SALE. I think you made a great decision and can’t wait to see them in real life! Bravo!

  17. Jeannie

    Okay…you just made me cry over a pair of darn boots!
    I’ve had my eye on the tory burch erica riding boots, but also couldn’t justify the price tag. After reading your post, I went to check out my sites and realized they are also 25% off….Thanks! Love you!

    • Lena

      Ah, I feel like crying with you! So terribly HAPPY for you! Now go get them QUICKLY – I believe the sale ends soon!

  18. Brenda Penton

    Gorgeous boots!! You got a great price on them! I’d love to get me a pair but even the reduced price is a bit steep for just after the holidays. I always love reading about your shopping hauls!

    • Lena

      Thanks Brenda! I didn’t go crazy this Christmas because I knew there was a “me” purchase in the cards for Boxing Week :)

  19. Tammi @ My Organized Chaos

    Bwaaa, and here I thought you buying them was {finally} the last I’d hear of them… Ahhh!!!
    Seriously though, glad you bought them – at discount and NOT at that crazy and insane full price.
    … ahem… now shut up and wear them!!!

    p.s. love you!! muaah

    :)

    • Lena

      HAHA I think this comment just earned you at least two more weeks about me gushing about them :)

  21. Dreena

    These boots look great! They were just meant to be….since your size was still to be had. Lucky you!

  22. Emilia

    Very nice treat indeed. Riding boots are very popular this year. I bought a pair not as nice quality or detail of yours but perfect for my rainy weather

  24. Michelle Chow

    Yes, high fives to you Lena. Smart yes and saving like you Dad is a good idea and a must with the economy and cost of living today. I am so glad you hung in there Lena and got the price that you were comfortable spending. Sounds like you are doing a great many things right. I will keep your tips in mind next time I see an item I want to buy that is sold in the US but not in CAN. Great tips and wonderful advice as usual. :)

  31. nin

    Hi! Love the boots! I’ve been searching for them for months but i can’t find them for a reasonable price. I live in Belgium and the shipping price is so much! Do you know a website where i can buy them for a reasonable price? :)