Weekend Purchases: Sin City Edition

Oh yes, faithful readers, that is an authentic EWP-taken photo of the rainbow outside my hotel. I was in love with the Bellagio fountains, and, lucky me, they went off on the half hour! It truly was a magical weekend.

The only downer of the weekend (other than the bachelorette party which I won't discuss) was my foray into gambling. I'm not a gambler. I've only done it twice before, both times in Aruba, where my honeymoon luck earned me $300 when I only brought in $20. Well, it seems that the honeymoon is definitely over. I came in with $130 and I left with $0. My usually loving and doting husband was rather upset. What I think really bothered him was the speed with which I disposed of this sum at the blackjack table. I'm pretty sure it was only 15 minutes. I really just blame him for giving me all those chips. I was also upset as I totally could've bought a new pair of shoes for that much. My gambling days are definitely over. I'd rather part with my money that quickly and get items in return.

While Las Vegas is known for gambling (darn you, gambling!) and nudie ladies, what it should also be known for is its fantastic shopping. While none of their stores are unique to Vegas, what is unique is the conglomeration of these stores in one easy to walk through shopping mall in any given hotel. Instead of traveling great lengths to go from Nanette Lepore to the Catherine Malandrino in NYC, they're helpfully located right next to each other in Caesar's Palace. Clearly I was excited.

First off was a little trip to Stuart Weitzman. As much as this recession is an awful thing for America, at least one tiny perk has presented itself -recession sales. How else was I able to buy 2 pairs of Stuart Weitzmans for $99 each?

First up, a pair of black suede peeptoes that don't look exactly like these, but they don't seem to be photographing very well. The flash is making the color all wonky. But these are essentially them.

Stuart Weitzman, mine - Sale $99 in stores, above - Sale $209.90

Next up, a bright pair of yellow patent slingbacks. Yes, a little early as these are clearly summer shoes and there is plenty of snow on the ground here in Chicago, but I heart yellow shoes and it was such a good deal.

Stuart Weitzman, Sale $99 in stores

The Birthday Present

Remember these lovely mary janes that I so lusted for? Also remember how my husband said they were too much for a birthday present? Well, he also said that my birthday present buying would be on hold until our big Las Vegas trip. And as it turns out, the big flashy lights must have given my husband a stroke as it seems that while those mary janes were too much, buying several hundred more than that in gifts in Sin City was totally within budget. It defies logic, but I just smiled and said thank you.

Present 1: Black frilly cardigan.

I am not a fan of frills on the end of sleeves, and I still might not be one, but this cardigan's other frills just won me over. It was so country club chic on, and the little preppy part of me really needed it.

Tory Burch, Sale $150
(with an extra $50 off with the purchase of present 2 below)

Present 2: Black flats.

I've loved my black Sam Edelman flats so so much for the past year, but after extensive wear, I wore holes right into them. It was time for a replacement pair. While these may look exactly the same as the Edelmans, they have the bonus feature of not making noise when I walk. That silly chain on the Edelmans jingled every time I took a step. It was making me crazy.

Tory Burch, $195

Present 3: Another pair of Loubs!!

So, as discussed, the mary janes were out of the question. But then we saw the Christian Louboutin store right around the corner from the Tory Burch. I think J was just too blown away by the novelty of an entire store full of shiny red soles (he's fascinated by the soles). The Loub store was full of styles I hadn't seen in any stores or on any sites. It was really exciting! I tried to go with a conservative choice of a reasonable pair of $500 black pumps, but the man at the store said they were the most uncomfortable shoes ever made. So, after trying on at least 10 more pairs. We got the shoes below. Happy birthday to me!

Christian Louboutin, $790

And now it's time to go back on that budget I was supposed to be on this year...

And let's not tell people about these splurges, k? After all, what happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas. And what gets bought in Vegas, comes home with me.

xoxo,

EWP