Let us tell you a story about a boot...

...a boot that was SO special that 2 friends went to the ends of the Earth to find that boot.  But what is this mystical boot?!  

Once upon a time, 3 friends went to a Saks fashion show. At that show, they saw lots of exceptional outfits, gorgeous clutches, and tall-as-the-sky booties.  But what intrigued them most of all were the boots worn by the general manager of Saks Boston.  Tall, knee-high, graphite grey boots with a stacked heel.  She wore them effortlessly, so they must be comfortable.  What were they?  Were they available?

Image from pinterest.com.

Jen and Lisa approached the manager after the show.  They complimented her on the show and the store, and then quickly asked about her boots.  She gestured casually - "They were Stuart Weitzman from the prior year.  Maybe they had a pair or 2 floating around.  Maybe not."  Claudine, our fearless personal shopper at Saks, searched the system.  Nothing was found.

Both Jen and Lisa sadly drove home.  They wanted that perfect, wear-every-day boot.  Lisa turned to the internet for research.  She discovered that the boots were called the 'Molten' boot.  Her intense search turned up only one pair of size 11 on 6pm.com.  Jen too went on an intense search and came up empty.

A few days later, Jen found herself in a waiting room.  Rather than flip through some magazine, she pulled up her Gilt app on her mobile phone.  And what to her wondering eyes did appear?!  A Stuart Weitzman sale!  What would she find there?  She scrolled through and found what she was looking for.  A Molten boot, in black, and another boot that looked suspiciously similar.  Furious texting to Lisa ensued:

Images from Jennifer Houston.

The Toujours boot was a VERY similar boot to the Molten.  So similar that both Lisa and Jen quickly whisked them into their shopping carts and checked out.  But what would happen when these boots arrived?

Image from Jennifer Houston.

They were perfect.  And 2 pairs of Stuart Weitzmen Toujours boots (at 50% off retail price!) came to live happily ever after with Jen and Lisa.

Image from Jennifer Houston.

The end. ~ JH

Stepping a little out of our comfort zones.

Lisa and I teamed up this past Thursday for a fall shopping appointment at Saks in Boston with Claudine Eaton Lewis, personal shopper.  We've shopped with Claudine before, and every time she pulls us a little out of our comfort zone.   This time, Claudine set us up for Fall 2014!

One of the first things we tried on was this Elie Tahari blouse-detail cashmere sweater.  Not sure either of us would have pulled it off the rack.  While it wasn't a great fit for me, Lisa rocked it.  Over leather leggings or waxed jeans, I think it will become a work-horse for Lisa.  The back is pleated and totally cool.

Image from saks.com.

We've been guilty before of purchasing the same thing, and we are guilty again.  Several times over.  Egad.  We definitely have to call each other if we're at the same event.  First up?  Helmut Lang asymmetrical wool top. So cute, very flattering.  And we both had to get it.

Image from saks.com.

And I thought the top looked GREAT over these Helmut Lang bat wash leggings.  And I will wear these leggings a ton, tucked into boots, with drape-y sweaters, etc. So useful. 

And speaking of boots, the next find was really out of my comfort zone.  Originally, I went into the appointment wanting a pair of classic, black, heeled boots.  I actually don't own a pair (SHOCKING), and thought I needed to fill that big void.  Claudine said "Why?  Why not get something more hip, cooler, updated?".  Like these, Stuart Weitzman croc-embossed, knee-high boot?  At first, I balked. They are REALLY out of my comfort zone.  But I put them on.  With a dress.  With leggings.  And I thought, where have these been all my life?!?!

Image from saks.com.

When I looked to Lisa for confirmation, she stood silently.  I couldn't get a read on what she thought.  I thought, 'oh dear, she hates them' and thought back to the time in the early 2000s in New York when I was obsessed with grey, suede slouchy boots and Lisa wouldn't let me get a pair.  When I said that I thought I loved them, she smiled, and said 'YES'!  

These are the great moments when you realize what personal shopping is all about.  Claudine knows me, knows what I have, and likes to push me.  Had I walked by them on display in the shoe department, I would have kept going.  In fact, they aren't even on display because Saks Boston has about 3 pairs of them left.  She brought them out to me.  Made me try them on. And they were fabulous.

And I can't wait to wear them with this Vince dress, which is sweater on the front, and pleated silk on the back.  And Lisa bought it too.  I will be accessorizing it with the grey boots and a great scarf (a la Claudine).

Images from vince.com.

These are the highlights among our treasures.  While our wallets definitely came home a little lighter, there really is nothing like a good shop.  ~ JH

...it's December 26th.

Lisa and I wear:

• Ballet flats.
• Skinny or straight leg jeans.
• Long sleeve t-shirt.
• Scarf for style.

Why?

Because every December 26th, at 8:00am, the doors of Saks Fifth Avenue open, and all reduced items are an additional 50% off, until noon only.  And you need to be ready to try on anything at a moment's notice.  Ballet flats can be tossed into your purse as you grab and try on shoes.  A long sleeve t-shirt can have any sweater pulled over it.  Jeans can be tucked into boots.

For years, Lisa and I (along with our friend Heather - who had a tank on under her sweater, for even easier trying on), have been up at the crack of dawn, Starbucks in hand, and at Saks around 7:40am.  Even when I've been in cities other than Boston, I've gone.  Here's what the door looked like at 7:40am at Saks in Boston this morning.

And here's what it looked like at 7:55am.

And here's what the shoe department looked like at 8:15am. Chaos.  Complete and utter chaos.

Why do we endure this chaos?  Because the prices are UNBELIEVABLE.  Here's a sampling of today's purchases:

Sample #1:  Chloe, stack-heeled, chocolate boots.  Original price: $990.  Reduced to $692.99.  50% off that = $346.49!  Lisa picked up a pair too, in black.  

Sample #2:  Prada, grey dress boots.  Original price unknown.  Reduced to $839.99.  50% off that = $419.99

Sample #3: Rivamonte knit fair-isle sweater.  Original price: $550.  Reduced to $335.99.  50% off that = $167.99

Sample #4:  Lisa picked up this gorgeous Philip Lim textured leather pencil skirt in cognac.  Will pair beautifully with a simple black wool sweater or demin shirt.  Orig $695, scooped for $232.50.  (This actually came from Neiman Marcus (stop #2 on our 12/26 journey) - Neiman was also having 50% off reduced prices before noon.)

Photo from Net-a-porter.com

Crazy deals, and lots of fun.  It's not for the light of heart.  We don't recommend trying for purses - there are "professional" shoppers that line up at the door closest to the handbag section, and scoop everything within 2 minutes.  The shoes are more manageable, but it's still nuts.  The line to actually get the match to the shoe in your hand will be 40 people deep.

But, if you have a friend, can divide and conquer, and have patience, the deals are totally worth it. ~ JH & LB