PEARLS- A PERFECT PURCHASE!

In my last two posts I explained I've been using gift cards received either as gifts or through stores' promotions to buy earrings, one time at Bloomingdale's and the other time at Nordstrom. Each of these purchases were thought out ahead of going to the store. I set and followed two guidelines, including buying a brand I did not own and adding some money, at most $100 to the gift cards to buy something I'd like.

During this third gift card shopping trip, I had a collection of Saks Fifth Avenue gift cards. The sum of these gift cards was enough to consider buying jewelry from a long time favorite jewelry brand, David Yurman. Yes ,it looks like I I'm on an earrings binge as I decided to again target earrings.

This shopping trip was well planned. I have a passion for pearls. Perhaps due to the fact I was named after my great grandmother who was named Pearl! Pearls are elegant and I've read they are symbols of wisdom and love, among other interesting attributes, Reading that royalty has worn pearls for hundreds of years is intriguing. Prior to the shopping trip to the Saks Fifth Avenue Store in New York City, I looked at the store's website. Much has been written about the Saks Fifth Avenue stores and the website, saks.com operations being split in 2021. Yet, as a shopper I can't separate the two and think it is just one operation.

After looking at the David Yurman selection on saks.com I narrowed my choices down two pairs of earrings. Though websites, such as saks.com indicate if the item is available in the store, it is possible it won't be in stock and on the other hand, it could turn out to be a nice surprise the store has merchandise that is not on the website, and that becomes the purchase.

The shopping trip did not take long. I was helped by a welcoming and enthusiastic sales associate. I recall she helped me a few years ago. She did not remember me; nor did I expect her to recall helping me. I left the store, pleased with a perfect pair of pearl earrings. David Yurman refers to them as pearl and pave Solari stud earrings with diamonds. Photo above and check them out here: bit.ly/3HUVDRU

This was another successful gift card shopping trip. As pointed out in my last post, based on a number of shopping visits, Nordstrom has inadequate inventory levels of merchandise in the 57th Street store. Based on about a dozen trips I've found the same situation with the Saks Fifth Avenue store on Fifth Avenue. There are a range of clothes, accessories and shoes that are best purchased in person. If buying a repeat item, or very familiar with a brand, buying online is a great convenience.

Shopping is supposed to be a simple experience and shoppers should be given the opportunity to easily discover new brands, new fashions and buy new things. Yet, with not enough in the stores I believe retailers are losing out on immediate sales and revenues down the road.

JENNY BIRD JEWELRY - ACCESSORY REFRESH

For me, an accessory refresh is always in fashion. In a previous post I mentioned when I have promotional gift cards and the rules require the gift cards be used in a short time frame, I'll do two things: (1) Add some money to the amount of the gift cards. (2) Look at buying an item from a brand that I do not currently own. This combination leads to buying something special and I like, rather than just spending only $50 on something I don't like.

Based on a Nordstrom purchase I made in December 2022, I earned a $50 promotional gift card. It was emailed to me on January 1st and it had to be used by January 31st. One month is a short window to think about what to do with the gift card! For the departments and items I shop at Nordstrom, $50 is a negligible amount to put toward a Nordstrom purchase. Yet, it is $50 and certainly helps with any Nordstrom purchase.

In fashion related emails I receive and browsing retailers' websites, for a few years I came across the designs of the Canadian jewelry designer JENNY BIRD. She founded her company in 2008. The jewelry is contemporary and in some cases a nice twist on a classic style. After viewing the JENNY BIRD jewelry on its website, along with retailers that sell this brand, the one thing that stood out is that many of items are very shiny. That left me with an upbeat and positive feeling and I knew this brand warranted a further look.

After reading how the Company sources I was more interested in the brand. The website states: "At JENNY BIRD, it is of the utmost importance to us that our products are sourced and manufactured responsibly through ethical practices and regular audits of their factory." Also attractive is the Company donates one-percent of all sales to organizations that uplift women from our fund, the Possibilities Project."

With about five days left before the gift card expired, I scanned the Nordstrom website looking to see if it sold JENNY BIRD. I opted for earrings as that category is one I'm working on freshening up. I saw Nordstrom sold the brand and then went to the 57th Street store in New York City to look and try on. There was a just small selection of JENNY BIRD earrings and that was disappointing.

(As a side note, I find inadequate inventory levels at the 57th Street store. For example, during about a half dozen shopping trips there when I was looking to buy a suit, in certain brands such as Veronica Beard and A.L. C. I saw, for instance pants in only sizes 0 - 4 and jackets in sizes only 6 and 10. This is more of a mismatch than a suit! I like trying on the entire suit not just one piece so I did not buy anything in my size because the other suit piece was not there to try on. The store should make shopping less frustrating and place more goods on the floor.)

After reviewing the few pairs of earrings that were on display I selected a fabulous pair to try on. The sales associate helped me with the alcohol pads. I bought the double hoop earrings shown in the post. They are called "Florence" and the JENNY BIRD website describes them well: "Dramatic and voluminous, this custom design creates the illusion of two earrings stacked together. Finished in high-polish gold." (They also come in silver tone which I learned after, but I do not recall seeing them in the store, nor did I ask about that.) Price:$130. Mission accomplished. I love the ball backing design and they are comfortable.

So far so good with these beautiful earrings and therefore went to the JENNY BIRD website to see the"NEW IN" Tab. Another "Florence" piece caught my eye. This "Florence" is a gorgeous statement-necklace with large links and also finished in high-polish gold. Wearing the two "Florences" together I think would be too overwhelming. The "Florence" necklace and some other nifty JENNY BIRD pieces are on my radar for my ongoing accessory refresh.

LAGOS - A NEW LOVE!

Receiving a promotional gift card when making a purchase is a nice bonus to get from a retailer. For me, the only drawback with these gift cards is there is typically a short time frame to use them. Use it or lose it!

In December 2022, with just a few days left to use a Bloomingdale's $200 promotional gift card I set aside time and listed the criteria for using this gift card.

First, I would add up to $100 to the purchase price of the item I selected, giving me a budget of $300.

Second, the item I'd shop for would be jewelry. With this low budget I decided to focus on earrings and they'd probably be plain silver; lacking gold and gems.

Third, if possible, the brand would be one I did not own and was interested in taking a better look at and then maybe making a purchase.

During previous visits to Bloomingdale's I've admired the LAGOS pieces located in a dedicated area closer to the store's Third Avenue side. LAGOS, which has been in business since the late 1970's is known for its "Caviar" line, which I've read was introduced in the 1980's. The pieces are composed of bead like shapes. That was not the clearest way to describe "Caviar" so best to check out the LAGOS website. https://www.lagos.com/.

While at the website, take a look at the "SMART Caviar" line. These pieces are Apple watch bracelets that are gorgeous and make the Apple watch look like a sensational piece of jewelry. (I'll have to earn a big promotional gift card to purchase one of these!)

It is usually fun to go on a shopping mission and using this Bloomingdale's promotional gift card was no different. Once at the LAGOS display cases I searched out silver hoop earrings. A sales associate quickly approached and I asked to see the pair in this post. Cleaned with an alcohol pad I tried these on and also tried a pair that was larger. There wasn't any hesitation to purchase these.

I love these earrings! They sit nicely on my ears and are a good weight, making them comfortable to wear. The earrings are versatile and I've worn them with casual outfits and also with a bit dressier clothes. I'm glad they are a part of my collection of earrings and looking forward to adding other LAGOS pieces to my jewelry box.