What's the Most Expensive Thing You've Purchased for Yourself?

Setting aside things like cars, houses, and appliances, I'm wondering what the most expensive thing you've ever bought is? I'm considering getting this bag from Dooney & Bourke, which I've been coveting for months now.

 

Dooney & Bourke Florentine Vaccheta Satchel in Chestnut

It retails for $398, but with various discounts and ebates, I could get it for around $300. My BFF says that since I rarely buy purses (I haven't bought one in 3 years, if you can believe it!), then I should totally get it. After all, what's the point of having a full time job if you can't occasionally spoil yourself. However, I'm having trouble pulling the trigger. I've never spent that much on anything except for bridesmaids dresses that I will never wear again.

I have decided bridesmaids dresses don't count, since I didn't really have a choice. I think this Betsey Johnson Dress and this little Fendi purse (except in black and gray, I might have kept it if it was crazy purple and gold!) are the most expensive things I've ever bought at around $200 (dress was more especially with the alterations they talked me into!). And oddly enough, I ended up selling both on ebay. The dress because my big butt could no longer fit in it (seriously tragic, I LOVED that dress, too bad I can't find a better picture of it) and the purse because I never used it.

So I'm wondering, what's the most expensive thing you've purchased for yourself?

Thanksgiving Weekend Shenanigans!

Hi Everyone!

I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving. I have much to give thanks for, primarily the fact that I was able to travel home and be with my family for the holiday and then spend a few days with Tony.

 A few frozen turkeys.

Our Thanksgiving was fairly typical, in that it started with an extremely cold Turkey Trot, instigated by my mother. Friends, this was the worst race I have run in YEARS. The weather was not pleasant (about 20 degrees), nor was the course, which was uphill for two miles. We ran the Saratoga Christopher Dailey Turkey Trot for the first time (we're making our way around the capital region). I finished with a time of 32:15, which is a 10:23 pace. I don't think I've finished over 30 minutes in at least a year or so. Needless to say, it was not the most pleasant run! However, we did look very cute. Like our Turkey Butt Tutus? Yeah, my mother made them. She has a problem. I'm looking into tutu intervention.

Turkey Butts

Afterwards we enjoyed Thanksgiving at my parents house, which I totally neglected to take any photos of. I did do some amazing Black Friday shopping though! I did almost all of it online using ebates (this awesome online shopping rebate program) so I got even more of a deal - it even works on Amazon so I could combine it with my Prime account. Winning!

Coach Basic Gloves in Red | J. Crew Flannel Shirt | J. Crew Flannel Pajama Bottoms | Luichiny 'This Time' Leather Boots | Tend Skin Under Armour Shatter II Capris

Did you pick up anything on Black Friday or Cyber Monday? Share your deals! To be honest, most of these weren't *amazing* deals, but they were things I could put to good use and at a pretty decent discount.

Saturday I went to my dear friend's baby shower, whose mother did an amazing job decorating. Seriously, it was so cute, and there were so many details tying into her safari theme. Alas, the pictures of us are not yet up, so I can't share. However, Saturday night shenanigans continued at the Biergarten, where Tony and I took this lovely photo.

I love their Christmas decorations...and food. I think this is probably the coziest bar come winter time. It is definitely a place I will miss once we move permanently.

Merry Christmas from Jess, Tony, & Tony's Beard. Perhaps Our Christmas Card for this Year?

How was your weekend - Any adventures to share?

Belatedly sharing with Sami!

Black Friday Wishlist

Are you a Black Friday shopper?

I have to admit, I occasionally am. I haven't gone out to the stores in years, but I do get up at 6am (a whole 30 minutes earlier than usual!) to check out the online sales. In fact, I'm even worse than a Black Friday shopper. I'm one of those people who goes shopping on Thanksgiving. It's become a bit of a new tradition in my family. The last couple years we watch National Lampoon Christmas Vacation after Thanksgiving dinner and then pile into the car to do some midnight outlet shopping in Lake George. I know, I'm part of the problem, not the solution. Oh wells, it's not so much about getting all the things before there are no things! But more about the fun experience of hanging out with my cousins and midnight adventures.

Do you have any favorite stores you check out? Here are a few things on my Black Friday Wishlist - although I am sure I'll be stopping by Marshalls and Rue La La, too

Coach - I got a pair of cashmere lined leather Basic Gloves from Coach years ago and they have held up wonderfully. I'd love to get a pair in red this year (I'm a very red accessories kind of girl), but it seems in order to do so, I must upgrade to the 3 Turnlock Glove.

J.Crew - I have been digging their flannel button downs and also recently bought a couple pairs of the Winnie pant. I might pick up another pair of Velvet Jeans and give the Minnie Pant a try.

Baublebar - I'm new to the Baublebar, but I've been liking what I've seen so far. I am especially loving the Gold Sparkler Set. These Ice Lantern Drop Earrings would also go perfectly with a bracelet I just ordered from Jewelmint.

Yankee Candle Co. - There's a Yankee Candle store at the outlets we usually head up to on Thanksgiving, so it seems like the perfect time to stop in and pick up a few of my favorites, Mistletoe, Peppermint Bark, Christmas Eve..and really anything holiday related.

L.L. Bean - I'm thinking of going with the L.L. Bean 10" Shearling Lined Boots in Brown - I'll also be purchasing Tony a special Christmas present there, too :)

Lilly Pulitzer - I am loving the Kariana Sweater Shift Dress, Haven Sweater Dress, and Yardley Sweater Dress.