Christmas Shopping

categories: Personal, Shopping

I can’t believe it but it is already December and Christmas decorations are going up. I don’t think we’ll be visiting family this year so we will be celebrating Christmas at home. While I will miss celebrating with my family, we have only celebrated Christmas at home once in the past 5 years! I’m looking forward to putting up the tree and decorating the house. We have already put the exterior lights up and we’ll pull out the tree this weekend.

I have a few things on my wishlist this year. Usually I’m all about new clothes but funny enough I think I’m still all shopped out from the summer’s Anniversary Sale! Instead I have a few other things that I’m interested in 🙂

1. Christmas Dinnerware

I’ve been eyeing Christmas dinnerware for a few years now but I haven’t committed to a china pattern yet. My mom has Nikko “Happy Holidays” which I love. Do I go with that one or the Spode “Christmas Tree” pattern which is also beautiful? Either way, I don’t have the space for a full set of dinnerware so I’m thinking of just picking up a festive serving dish.

2. Camera Equipment: Fujifilm X20 Camera

My trusty Canon S95 has been feeling awfully slow lately, especially in the autofocus and shutter lag department. There are more missed photos of my daughter than I can count and I’m getting extremely frustrated. I checked out this camera in store and I’m seriously considering it though I’m not crazy about the nearly $500+ price tag. When I first started tracking the price, it was $599 so it has already come down to $525 but it is still a pricey point and shoot.

3. Camera Equipment: The Canon 16-35mm Lens

Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8L II USM Ultra Wide Angle Zoom Lens

This lens has been on my wishlist going on 4 years now and I think now might be a good time to buy it since there is a $200 manufacturer mail in rebate going on until early January. It is a really pricey piece of glass but it is a professional grade “L” lens which means it is high quality and should retain its value over time. We shall see if Santa brings this one or not 🙂

4. Cross Body Bag

I find that as a mom, having my hands free is so important so I have been using my cross body bag a lot. I love the look of the Rebecca Minkoff MAC and Mini MAC bags but for some reason I think they look really strange on me. Particularly the MAC… it is just too big for my petite frame!

MARC BY MARC JACOBS Preppy Nylon – Natasha Crossbody Bag

I am really digging the Marc by Marc Jacobs cross bodies. I will have to go check them out in person to see how they look on me.

What is on your Christmas wish list for this year?

02
Dec
2013

Neiman Marcus Deals – Combining Amex Sync and Gift Card Deals

categories: Sale, Shopping

Neiman Marcus is currently doing a tired gift card event where you will receive a gift card depending on how much you spend on regular priced merchandise if you use the code GC4YOU at checkout.

You can combine this gift card event with the American Express Sync offer that I talked about in the previous post.

So for instance, you could get this beautiful Rafe Joey Mini Leather Tote which is regularly priced at $225 for $175+tax and also receive a $50 gift card towards your next purchase. This effectively takes it down to $125 if you are a regular Neiman shopper.

Or you could get a pair of classic Tory Burch Revas which hardly ever go on sale. They are regularly priced at $225 so again, you could get them for $175+tax and receive a $50 gift card for next time, effectively taking it down to $125, but only if you shop at Neiman’s regularly.

As for me, I’m still drooling over my dream bag… the Chloe Marcie. I’ve been obsessed for months but I still haven’t been able to pull the trigger.

Since this purse is $1950, I would find something to add to my order to take it up to $2000 so that I qualify for the $500 Neiman Marcus gift card. Since I don’t shop at Neiman’s that often, I’m not sure how useful a $500 gift card would be for me. Now if only they were taking $500 off the purchase price instead… A girl can keep dreaming right? 🙂

02
Dec
2013

Getting Deals with Amex Sync

categories: Tips

One of the great benefits of being an American Express card holder is that they have a ton of great member benefits like the Amex Sync program. By connecting your American Express to your social media account such as Facebook, Twitter, Foursquare or TripAdvisor, you can access special discounts at stores like Amazon.com, Neiman Marcus or Forever 21.

Amex has released some great promos recently such as an offer for a $50 statement credit when you make a $200 purchase at Neiman Marcus, or a $25 statement credit when you make a $75 purchase at Amazon.

With Facebook, to sign up you visit the Amex Link Like Love app and click on the appropriate offer.

American Express Sync - Facebook Offers — American Express Sync – Example Facebook Offers

With Twitter, you sign up by tweeting the appropriate hashtag such as #AmexAmazon. Typically within a few minutes, you’ll receive a response tweet from @AmexSync saying that you’re signed up for the offer and they’ll include a link to the offer terms and conditions.

American Express Sync - Twitter Offers — American Express Sync – Twitter Offers

After you make your purchase, you will receive an email thanking you for participating in the offer and that your purchase is being reviewed to make sure it meets the requirements for participating in the offer. Amex says these statement credits will appear on your statement within 90 days of purchase but in my experience they are credited sooner than that.

I love that American Express is coming up with new ways to keep members engaged with their products and making each card earn its spot in my wallet. I personally have the Costco True Earnings card and Blue Cash Everyday card. These cards are great for everyday spending (I earn 3% back on gas, 2% back on restaurants/travel and 1% on everything else on the Costco card, and 3% back on groceries, 2% back on gas/department stores and 1% on everything else on the Blue Cash Everyday card).

Have you sync’ed your American Express card? What offers have you taken advantage of?

Btw – American Express is not an advertiser on this site. I’m simply an extremely happy customer!

Shopping Is My Workout

Month: December 2013