Discount Shoes Online from ShoeBuy.com

I can only begin to tell you how big of a shoeaholic I am.  At last count, I had 81 pairs of shoes (including flip flops and old, dirty shoes I wear in the yard/garden).  Yes, my husband knows.  He understands I’m addicted, but is thankful that I’m hooked on bargain shoes, not full-priced shoes. Few things thrill me more than to get a good deal on a new pair of shoes.  That’s why I love ShoeBuy.com so much.  There I can find discount shoes online!

Pros

There are lots of reasons I purchase from ShoeBuy.com. One of the biggest is the fact that there’s no shipping either way.  You won’t pay shipping to have your shoes sent to you and you won’t pay shipping if you need to send them back.  That was the primary reason I hardly ordered shoes online previously, discount or otherwise.  By the time you add shipping (and returns) the cost of the shoes would increase by as much as $15 or $20.  No thanks.  But at ShoeBuy.com, you never pay shipping for any reason.

I know what you’re thinking: the same thing I thought.  “The only way you get discount shoes online plus no shipping is if their prices are higher to start with. They’ve built it into the cost of the shoes.”  Nope!  See for yourself.  The pair I just bought are called Easy Street Cheer.  (I know… Easy Street usually makes old lady shoes, but these loafers are really cute!)

I paid $29.56 total at ShoeBuy.com.  These same shoes (same color, too) cost $45.97 at QVC including shipping/handling.  They cost $41.95 at the official Easy Street website with shipping/handling.  I thought I’d found a deal at ShoeStation.com for $19.97 until I discovered they charge a whopping $10.69 for shipping/handling making the total price $30.66.

Other reasons to buy?  They don’t charge sales tax and you get a 100% price guarantee.  Here’s what their website says about that:

If you find a product for a lower price on another website, we will refund you 100% of the difference between the lower price and Shoebuy’s price. We’ll even refund the difference if we lower the price at Shoebuy.com!

Cons

You do have to wait for your shoes.  They have to be shipped so there’s a delayed since of gratification until they actually arrive.  But that little lag in time gives a nice sense of anticipation… sort of like kids on Christmas morning.

I regularly try shoes on at the stores when I’m shopping for other things then order them for less at ShoeBuy.com.  I also order my husband’s hiking boots there since they carry men’s shoes (kid’s and designer shoes, too).  Even narrow and wide widths are available.  They also carry bags and a limited selection of apparel.

ShoeBuy.com has all sorts of styles and brands.  Their site says over 950 brands and 700,000 pairs of shoes. I always make it one of my first stops when looking for shoe deals.

Recommended? Yes

Have you bought from ShoeBuy.com before?  Tell us about your experience in the comments section.

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Women's Lee Relaxed Fit Stretch Jeans

A good pair of jeans is simply an indispensable item in a woman’s wardrobe. What used to be as simple as walking into a store and asking for women’s jeans has become one of those headache-inducing episodes. Classic or relaxed fit? Cotton or cotton/spandex for a little stretch? Blue? Black? Grey? Khaki? Purple? Boot cut or straight leg? Decisions, decisions, decisions.

While I own several different styles of jeans, I have one pair that is my favorite. If you haven’t tried the Lee women’s relaxed fit stretch jeans, let me tell you why you should.

Pros

At 98% cotton and just 2% spandex, these jeans have enough stretch to keep their shape, but not so much that they cut off your circulation. Having a relaxed fit means they have a little wiggle room, too (read: cheesecake after lunch with a friend!)

The classic five-pocket style is always fashionable plus the jeans sit just below your natural waist so they aren’t too high or too low. But, here’s the secret of why these jeans fit so well… they have a hidden waistband.

This has become a popular feature on pants and now you can find it in the Lee brand, too. Women’s relaxed fit stretch jeans often have one flaw: they gap at the waist. With the hidden elastic waistband, there’s no “crater waist” (as I call it).

You can bend, squat and move any way you want and they don’t show what you don’t want shown.

Cons

The retail cost is $40.00. (Yeah, right! NEVER pay retail!) But, Lee frequently has sales and free shipping offers so look for those.

“Where can I buy Lee jeans online” you might ask? The Lee jeans website is a good place or you can also find Lee jeans at Kohl’s. They also have great sales on a regular basis so keep an eye open for the best deals.

http://clickserve.cc-dt.com/link/tplclick?lid=41000000028202242&pubid=21000000000237060

Recommended? Yes

Do you wear Lee women’s relaxed fit stretch jeans? How do you like them?

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Christopher & Banks Wrinkle Free Pants

In practically every woman’s closet you’ll find at least one pair of khaki pants. Whether they are, indeed, khaki in color (or perhaps black, navy or brown) they are a mainstay because of the comfort and versatility they bring. That’s me. I have several pairs in a range of colors. But the ones I find myself always searching for first are my Christopher & Banks Wrinkle Free pants.

Pros

I got my first pair – oh – probably three years ago. I have a hard time with getting a good fit so once I find a pair of chinos that work well, I want more! I brought the first pair home and washed them. I’m one to put everything in the dryer. I don’t want to have to baby my clothes with line drying or expensive dry cleaning. Plus I hate to iron so wrinkle free is always my friend.

The Christopher & Banks Wrinkle Free pants did not shrink. And, when taken immediately out of the dryer, they were wrinkle free. As with all other cotton clothes, if you leave them sitting in the dryer once it stops, they will wrinkle.

The problems I’ve had with other chino/khaki type pants included stretching and fading over time. You know what I mean… after a year of wear, you’ll find yourself trying to match the seams up while hanging your pants only to notice that the seams don’t match any longer. From sitting, moving and wearing, the fit has stretched a bit.

Also, fading (especially with dark colors) is a problem. I’ve had a few pair of chinos (not the Christopher & Banks Wrinkle Free pants) that were in perfectly good shape except for the fact that the black was now a horrible grayish sort of color. Who wants to wear pants that look like that?

The black pair of Christopher & Banks Wrinkle Free pants I have are now two years old and the back is just as dark as the day I bought them.

Cons

The only thing I think could be improved about the Christopher & Banks Wrinkle Free pants is the softness of the material. Don’t get me wrong: it is 100% cotton and it is soft. However, it’s not *as* soft as material that hasn’t been deemed “wrinkle free.”  It’s not the least bit scratchy or rough… just feels a tiny bit stiffer than “non-wrinkle-free” fabric.  I’m sure they must treat the material somehow so that it will resist wrinkles and that’s probably what causes it to feel the way it does. A small price to pay for not having to iron, if you ask me.

Recommended? Yes

Do you own Christopher & Banks Wrinkle Free pants? How do you like them?

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What a surprise!  I bet it’s been 10 years ago or more since I was originally introduced to ABC Distributing.  I couldn’t believe the extremely low prices they had on very good quality merchandise.  I ordered from them for years.  In fact, sitting here at my desk, I can quickly spot a wooden desktop organizer, a basket set, some knick knacks and several other items I received from ABC Distributing.  But then, for some reason, I stopped getting their catalogs.

Just the other day, I got an email that mentioned ABC Distributing and I sat straight up in my chair!  I want to share this incredible shopping resource with you.

Pros

As you can easily tell, I’m a big fan of ABC Distributing.  This company offers similar merchandise to Lillian Vernon and other such sites, but with much lower prices.  It’s a hodge-podge of kitchen wares, electronics (including Wii accessories for cheap), furniture for your home and home office, toys, apparel, handbags, accessories, home décor, hardware and home repair, food items, gifts… you name it.

The prices are what hooked me.  The inventory changes regularly, but just as an example, the Wii Play and Drive Sports Kit is $29.95 at Toys R Us and Home Shopping Network.  It’s only $16.95 at ABC Distributing.  A set of four black diamond glasses is $24.99 at Target and only $10.95 at ABC Distributing.

With such a huge selection and the constantly updated inventory, I always found myself immediately hitting the couch as soon as my catalog came so I could order at deep discounts before all the best items were sold out.

You can elect to receive a catalog by mail or add your name to their mailing list (form is at the bottom of the page) to get updates by email.

Cons

Way back when, you had to be a business to order from ABC Distributing.  As a wholesaler, they only sold to other businesses.  You also had to order at least three of each item.  But, looking through their site just a few minutes ago, I saw that you can now order any quantities you want. I also noticed you can pay by credit card with either a business or a personal account. Good news!  Problems solved.

Recommended? Yes

Have you shopped with ABC Distributing before?  Tell us about it!

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Coldwater Creek Value Line Apparel

I’ve long been a fan of Coldwater Creek. Their styles are attractive and the fit is excellent. However, I’ve mostly shopped the online outlet in order to get good deals on their rather pricey clothing.

That’s why I was so glad to find out about their new Value line. These fashions are every bit as beautiful as other Coldwater Creek clothing and accessories you’re used to seeing, but with greatly reduced price tags.

Pros

The biggest pro, in my opinion, is the price. Cute, tailored, long-sleeved t-shirts (perfect for layering) are as low as $14.95 while others run as high as $59. Capri pants for $29 instead of the usual $59 or $69. All sorts of bargains can be found.

The quality? I’ve bought a jacket, several t-shirts, couple of pairs of pants and some accessories so far. They’ve all been of the same excellent quality as the other Coldwater Creek clothing I’ve purchased in the past.

Cons

I really haven’t found any. I think the Value line is one of the best ideas Coldwater Creek has had in a long time.

Recommended? Yes

Have you purchased any Coldwater Creek Value clothing? Tell us about it!

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40SomethingReviews.com is a site that typically reviews products and services that 40-something women care about. However, we’ve had a request to provide information about swimwear for 40-somethings. Here’s a little review of which styles work well and not-so-well for women in their 40s.

A study conducted by More magazine and Land’s End shows that we, as 40-somethings, have become more confident when wearing bathing suits. Not necessarily more *comfortable*, but more confident. And surprisingly, we’re not confident in our bodies, but we are confident in our own skin.

The survey doesn’t say so, but my own take is that we’re more confident in ourselves overall professionally and personally and that translates into confidence at the pool, lake or beach.

Does it take a perfect body to wear a swimsuit? Absolutely not! None of us has that. But, we can make the most of our assets while minimizing our flaws by choosing suits designed for specific body types.

Don’t Try too Hard

There are some women that simply can’t embrace the fact that they are 40-something. With every ounce of strength within them, they try to recapture their youth by wearing swimsuits that just don’t work. I accept that I don’t have the body of a 20 year old any longer. While I don’t want to look like an old granny, there are options that don’t involve ruffled, attached swim skirts with matching bathing caps.

That said, unless you’ve got a killer body, you’ll want to steer away from string bikinis that reveal too much. There are exceptions to this rule, but for the most part, the more revealing the bathing suit, the younger you should be to wear it.

My husband and I spend a good deal of time on the lake. I can tell you from experience how hideous 40-something women look when they are trying to appear much younger by wearing a swimsuit that’s too small, too skimpy or too busy. The snide comments others make behind their backs is a pretty good indication that these women are not accomplishing what they set out to do.

What’s a Good Style for You?

How do you choose a suit that’s not too old or too young? Here are a few articles that offer excellent insight into what swimwear looks good on various 40-something body types plus a few dos and don’ts.

Bathing Suit Styles for Women Over 40

Buying the Right Swimsuit: A Guide for Women of all Shapes and Sizes

Four Disastrous Mistakes Women Over 40 Make When Buying Swimsuits

2009 Slimming Swimsuits for Women: Bikinis, Tankinis and More

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Teva Women Olawahu Flip Flops

By Karon

About a year ago, while I was visiting my sister in Virginia during October, the weather turned unseasonably warm. We’re about the same size, so she loaned me some shorts, a t-shirt and a pair of flip flops. “Cute!” I thought when she handed the shoes to me. “These are my very favorite,” she said. Two seconds later, I found out why.

As I put them on, the footbed ever so gently conformed to my feet, cradling them with a soft cushion. With each step, I could feel more support and more comfort. “Where’d you get these?” I asked. I wanted a pair (or three!) for myself.

Pros

They’re called Teva Olawahu flip flops and they are – without a doubt – the most comfortable flip flops I’ve ever worn. The footbed is made of something called EVA that, as I said, actually conforms to and cushions your foot. The sole is textured so you get great grip on wet or dry surfaces making these excellent for wearing around the water or anywhere else. Add to that an arch support and the cute criss-cross design and you’ve got yourself a flip flop that stays on better, feels better, looks great and is actually good for your foot.

Teva Women Olawahu Flip Flops - Brown

They come in over a dozen colors and patterns from several different shades of blue to bright orange and your basic solid brown and solid black. Mine are brown. I wear them just about every day. I’ll be getting a second pair here shortly

Cons

These are not your ordinary $3 K-Mart plastic flip flops. I’ve got a closet full of those already. Depending on where you get them, the Teva Olawahu flip flops can run between $18 – $26. Be sure to add in the shipping charges to get the full cost. I’ve found Amazon.com has some of the best prices with reasonable shipping (depending on who the seller is).

Recommended? Yes

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Land's End Sun Life Convertible Pants

I’m exceedingly fair skinned, and let’s just say my thighs ain’t what they used to be. Lastly, I hate the heat. Usually I spend my summer in capri pants or long skirts, but those still aren’t as cool as shorts. This year, I found Land’s End Sun Life Adjustable Pants and decided to give them a try.

Pros
These pants are super light weight and they dry quickly, which is convenient, if you happen to get caught in the crossfire of a water fight as I did last Sunday.

They are adjustable to three lengths, full-length, mid-calf, and just below the knee. We’ve had an unpredictable start to the summer and these pants have been perfect on those cool mornings that become hot and humid days. The adjustments are made by rolling the pants up and securing them with tabs that button. Although these pants are still mostly casual wear this also lets you tailor the look a little.

They come in great colors a few traditional and subdued (navy, olive and khaki) and some fun summer shades (peony pink, coral orange and fresh green).

Cons
They can be pricey. Full price they are $44.50 to $49.50. I’ve managed to find mine on sale either online or in the Land’s End Shop at Sears.

Despite having an elastic back, this cut is not the best fit for my body type. I carry my weight in my stomach and the cut on these pants is just below the waist with a straight leg. This doesn’t fit me as well as other Land’s End products, but it they are still comfortable.

I wish the tabs that secure the pants had a second buttonhole. That would allow me to roll them up one more time on those miserably hot days.

Despite these minor issues, I own three pairs.

Recommend? Yes

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