Showing posts with label gift cards. Show all posts
Showing posts with label gift cards. Show all posts

Thursday, July 07, 2011

New Mantra: SHOP DURING THE WEEK!

OK, I can't ever shop during the week either.  But I took advantage of my staycation (sorry for using that overused term...I haven't yet come up with an alternate) and shopped like it was my job. Well, at least the one I get paid for.  The stores are empty!  The salespeople are nice(r)!  And during the summer you get to take advantage of free A/C!

So between gift cards, coupons, and sales, I was able to get almost everything I need.  I'm still looking for that perfect khaki-colored summer pencil skirt, but in the meantime was able to score the following:

-Narrow, stretch, longish black shorts at Anthropologie (see pic). Yes, I buy the only thing that is black in that entire store. And on sale for $40!  I also picked up a sweet smelling candle-in-a-tin.  And this all cost me $3.02 because I had a $50 gift card.

-Carmen MarcValvo swimsuits at Paragon Sports? And 30% off! I have tons of trouble finding bathing suits that fit and don't make me look like a corpse. But this suit fits, is comfortable, makes me look fancy, and is in a color I never thought I would ever buy (but is the perfect anti-corpser, see pic). At $101, this suit is still pricey...but when you find a suit that doesn't make you cry, you buy it.

-Quality tank-tops, 2 for $25 at Madewell...white, grey, black. They snap back into shape!  I can't stand when my tank tops stretch out in the humid summer heat and then suddenly, I'm schlumpy.  I bought two white ones, for layering purposes (see pic).

-Flats, sneakers, socks...isn't this what DSW is really for?  I had a $10 off coupon, and somehow ended up spending $90+.  But I have already worn everything that I bought, so t'was well-worth it.  I spied a pair of black suede stretch Stuart Weitzman boots with very low heel. WOW. THE ultimate find. Unfortunately, these booties, even at DSW, cost two legs, and therefore you can't ever wear them ($450, on sale from $650).  But if you're not mega-rich, just really damn rich, you might think this is well worth it.  And as of Tuesday, there several pairs - including a 9.5 and an 8.5.

-Urban Zen. I have been trying to get into this place for years, but it's closed on Sundays, which seems to be the only day I find myself in the West Village.  So, today, I got inside and learned that it's affiliated with a Donna Karan foundation and anywhere from 10%-100% of the proceeds go to worthy causes, such as to artisans from Haiti. Interesting.  So after they gave me some samples of magical eye and face lotions from Morocco, I felt obliged to buy a heart-shaped rock to benefit Haiti for $15...which actually ended up being $16.33 with sales tax, which struck me as odd, but I have put it next to my bed and decided it will bring me great good fortune.

-Who knew there was a Ted Baker in the Meatpacking district?  Probably lots of people.  But I didn't - I always go to the one in Soho. Anyway, I like the store, though nothing really fits me. But if the brand fits you, run in there because they are having a 50% off sale right now.

-And in closing I finally got to the Alexander McQueen store on 14th St., which reminded me of a museum and also reminded me of the stores of yore in Soho. I'm pretty sure the salespeople in there hated me in my over sized army pants and canvas Nikes, but it kind of makes it all the more fun, frankly. 

Those are the highlights as I rode the urban retail heatwave...burning in my heart.

Wednesday, October 27, 2010

Bergdorf Goodman - Something for ALMOST nothing

The Andy Open Back Dress by Oonagh for Nanette Lepore in size large (10-12) for $59. With the gift card, that will be $9 plus tax, originally $118.

~Nancy Brenner

Friday, January 30, 2009

Become a Daffy's Model!

Click here to submit your your 60 second or less video in either Quicktime, MOV, MPG, Flash, FLV, or Windows AVI file. They'll notify you if by phone or email if your video has been pre-selected for the casting call.
If you win you get a WHOLE $500 GIFT CARD! You will never have to work again!

Monday, December 29, 2008

Gift Cards and Returns and Cash...Oh My!







I asked for a red scarf for Christmas. And I got it. And then when I brought it home I thought, "why did I ask for this?" So I returned it (sorry mom) - but I got something so much better! A gold (OK, not real gold) Skagen watch. I can't get enough of these Skagen watches, I have four! Then I also had a gift card from Bloomingdale's, so I went there and bought some Laura Mercier makeup...and then with the remainder put a small dent in a Elie Tahari coat that I couldn't say no to. It is so great - the style I have been seeking, 30% off, and...IT FITS! Then I headed to the Apple store where I bought a new iPod (an 8GB Nano) that I love - they have made some vast improvements over the one I bought about a year and a half ago. And since I gave them my old one back for "recycling," I got 10% off. THEN I went to Sephora because I had another gift card (thanks mom) and I bought a bunch of other fun makeup odds and ends from Make Up For Ever, Smashbox and Stila. I swear that store is a candy store for women.

Saturday, December 27, 2008

Post Xmas Sales

Hi ladies, sorry I've been gone so long but I have been burning the holiday candles at both ends. But here are a couple of sales going on right now right now:

Also, if you received any gift cards, remember to spend them quickly - not only are a lot of stores going out of business fast and furiously, but also gift cards often lose their value over time until they are completely worthless. I got a couple and am planning to spend them within the next week.

Tuesday, October 07, 2008

Store Closings Floating Around the Internet

STORE CLOSINGS AND LAYOFFS (emailed to me yesterday, so who knows how accurate...)
If you have gift cards, hurry up and use them!

Ann Taylor closing 117 stores nationwide A company spokeswoman said the company hasn't revealed which stores will be shuttered. It will let the stores that will close this fiscal year know over the next month.

Eddie Bauer to close more stores Eddie Bauer has already closed 27 shops in the first quarter and plans to close up to two more outlet stores by the end of the year.

Cache closing stores Women's retailer Cache announced that it is closing 20 to 23 stores this year.

Lane Bryant, Fashion Bug, Catherines closing 150 stores nationwide. The owner of retailers Lane Bryant, Fashion Bug, Catherines Plus Sizes will close about 150 under-performing stores this year. The company hasn't provided a list of specific store closures and can't say when it will offer that info, spokeswoman Brooke Perry said today.

Talbots, J. Jill closing stores About a month ago, Talbots announced that it will be shuttering all 78 of its kids and men's stores. Now the company says it will close another 22 under-performing stores. The 22 stores will be a mix of Talbots women's and J. Jill , another chain it owns. The closures will occur this fiscal year, according to a company press release.

Gap Inc. closing 85 stores In addition to its namesake chain, Gap also owns Old Navy and Banana Republic . The company said the closures - all planned for fiscal 2008 - will be weighted toward the Gap brand.

Foot Locker to close 140 stores. In the company press release and during its conference call with analysts today, it did not specify where the future store closures - all planned in fiscal 2008 - will be. The company could not be immediately reached for comment

Wickes is going out of business. Wickes Furniture is going out of business and closing all of its stores, Wickes, a 37-year-old retailer that targets middle-income customers, filed for bankruptcy protection last month.

Goodbye Levitz / BOMBAY - closed already The furniture retailer, which is going out of business. Levitz first announced it was going out of business and closing all 76 of its stores in December. The retailer dates back to 1910 when Richard Levitz opened his first furniture store in Lebanon , PA. In the 1960s, the warehouse/showroom concept brought Levitz to the forefront of the furniture industry. The local Levitz closures will follow the shutdown of Bombay.

Zales, Piercing Pagoda closing stores The owner of Zales and Piercing Pagoda previously said it plans to close 82 stores by July 31. Today, it announced that it is closing another 23 under-performing stores. The company said it's not providing a list of specific store closures. Of the 105 locations planned for closure, 50 are kiosks and 55 are stores.

Disney Store owner has the right to close 98 stores The Walt Disney Company announced it acquired about 220 Disney Stores from subsidiaries of The Children's Place Retail Stores. The exact number of stores acquired will depend on negotiations with landlords. Those subsidiaries of Children's Place filed for bankruptcy protection in late March. Walt Disney in the news release said it has also obtained the right to close about 98 Disney Stores in the U.S. The press release didn't list those stores.

Home Depot store closings (E. Brunswick, Rt 18 just put up their closing sign) ATLANTA - Nearly 7+ months after its chief executive said there were no plans to cut the number of its core retail stores, The Home Depot Inc. announced Thursday that it is shuttering 15 of them amid a slumping U.S. economy and housing market. The move will affect 1,300 employees. It is the first time the world's largest home improvement store chain has ever closed a flagship store for performance reasons. Its shares rose almost 5 percent. The Atlanta-based company said the under-performing U.S.stores being closed represent less than 1 percent of its existing stores. They will be shuttered within the next two months.

CompUSA (CLOSED) clarifies details on store closings Any extended warranties purchased for products through CompUSA will be honored by a third-party provider, Assurant Solutions. Gift cards, rain checks, and rebates purchased prior to December 12 can be redeemed at any time during the final sale. For those who have a gadget currently in for service with CompUSA, the repair will be completed and the gadget will be returned to owners.

Macy's - 9 stores Movie Gallery - 160 stores as part of reorganization plan to exit bankruptcy

The video rental company plans to close 400 of 3,500 Movie Galleryand Hollywood Video stores in addition to the 520 locations the video rental chain closed last fall.

Pacific Sunwear - 153 Demo stores Pep Boys - 33 stores Sprint Nextel-125 retail locations

New Sprint Nextel CEO Dan Hesse appears to have inherited a company bleeding subscribers by the thousands, and will now officially be dropping the ax on4,000 employees and 125 retail locations. Amid the loss of 639,000 postpaid customers in the fourth quarter, Sprint will be cutting a total of 6.7% of its work force (following the 5,000 layoffs last year) and 8% of company-owned brick-and-mortar stores, while remaining mute on other rumors that it will consolidate its headquarters in Kansas. Sprint Nextel shares a re down $2.89, or nearly 25%, at the time of this writing.

J. C. Penney, Lowe's and Office Depot are scaling back Ethan Allen Interiors : The company announced plans to close 12 of 300+stores in an effort to cut costs.

Wilsons the Leather Experts -158 stores

Sharper Image : The company recently filed for bankruptcy protection and announced that 90 of its 184 stores are closing. The retailer will still operate 94 stores to pay off debts, but 90 of these stores have performed poorly and also may close.

Bombay Company: (Freehold Mall store closed) The company unveiled plans to close all 384 U.S.-based Bombay Company stores. The company's online storefront has discontinued operations.

KB Toys posted a list of 356 stores that it is closing around the United States as part of its bankruptcy reorganization. To see the list of store closings, go to the KB Toys Information web site.

Dillard's to Close More Stores Dillard's Inc. said it will continue to focus on closing under-performing stores, reducing expenses and improving its merchandise in 2008. At the company's annual shareholder meeting, CEO William Dillard II said the company will close another six under-performing stores this year.

Friday, November 17, 2006

Gift Cards: Cop Out or Not?

I guess it's my Ms. Manners mother who has influenced me to think that gift certificates and the like do not make particularly good gifts. They are impersonal, cause the recipient to then have to go out and get something for themselves, show exactly how much you spent, and don't require much thought. I tend to agree with this line of reasoning. She also likes to wrap presents and awe the public with her skills. A gift card doesn't really allow for wrapping so much.

However, I think that they serve a purpose in some instances.

If you know that your friend is an avid reader, but you are not so savvy in the literary arts, a gift certificate from Amazon.com, Barnes & Noble or Borders is suitable (OK, yes, I admit it, I'm talking about myself here!). Or if you feel that your friend is in dire need of new shoes, but don't really know what style or size she would be happiest with, a gift card from DSW would be a semi-thoughtful gesture. Which leads me to my next point...

Sign up to become a DSW Rewards Member TODAY because starting this Sunday, November 19, if you buy a $50 gift card, you get a $10 bonus card redeemable between January 14 - February 3. What could be better? Buy a gift for someone else and get a gift for yourself!

Remember, you can only make others happy if YOU are happy.