2nd Annual Shoe Shopping Extravaganza

Last year on January 1, 2008, while out seeking to spend a Dillard's Christmas gift card, my sister (Toni Baloni) and I stumbled upon the greatest of all sales . . .a SHOE SALE! After we each scored around 5 pair for under $100, we vowed to make January 1st from here on out our annual day for shoe shopping no matter what! Neither rain, sleet nor snow would keep us from this awesome event and a pinky swear sealed the deal.

Fast forward 1 year later, January 1, 2009, we honored our pinky-sweared vow and set forth on the 2nd Annual Shoe Shopping Event. The major surgery had by Toni Baloni on Monday December 29th might have slowed her down but even that couldn't stop her from going! What a trooper! So with credit/gift cards in hand and hope in our hearts, we entered the shoe department at Dillard's and had ourselves one heck of a heyday.

The 50% off sales of already slashed priced shoes were hiding from us at first. However, once we spotted those wheeling-dealing Rocket Dogs, you could barely see us through the frenzy of boxes, soxes and tissue paper flying around as we tried on many a pair, style & brand.

I finally settled for leaving with three pair. 1 pair of brown Rocket Dogs, 1 pair of black rocket dogs and 1 pair of brilliantly blue Ecco low-top hikers as seen here: Purdy, aren't they. The Rocket Dogs were originally $49 bucks, I scored 'em for $15. Ecco's originally $125. . .mine for just $37!!! SCORE! I love shoes. These three round out my collection to close to 50. Yes, yes, I know that 47 pair of shoes are ridiculous for one person to own; however, in my defense, Imelda Marcos I am not as I wear each pair at least a couple times a year. Some pair, obviously, I wear more than others. One thing I love about shoes and why I can't get enough of them is that no matter how many years pass or how much weight I gain over the holidays, I can "usually" fit into my shoes. Thus explains my love affair for the Shoe, Queen of the Accessories. ~sigh~ This rule applies to the Ladies in Waiting of Accessories as well - jewelry, scarves, handbags & sunglasses - but those are all stories in and of themselves that I shall leave for another post.

Back to the task at hand . . this year's shopping spree was a little different than last year's as we also scored some smokin' deals on clothes. I purchased each of these shirts for under $10 each. Two were Columbia brand and the colorful one in the middle was such a fru-fru brand that it was $75 at regular price!!! YIKES $75 for a fricken T-Shirt?!?! WTF?! Get outta town!

I also scored this blouse & vest. The vest was 8 bucks and change and the blouse was the most expensive at just under $17. I love the detail on the white blouse. Can't see much of the detail on the vest in this picture, but trust me, it's lovely.

All in all the day was a success. Regular price total added up to $480 and I got the lot all for around $135. Toni's spoils at regular price was close to $300 & her actual cost $60-something. Next year, praying we're both happy & healthy, we will attack the day with even more vigor! I can't wait.