<p>(and I never buy retail. If its not on sale or I don’t have a coupon, I don’t buy it.)</p>
<p>Back to purses. Here’s how I find it super-easy to change bags: I put almost everything - lipstick, hairbrush, pills, etc etc- in a makeup bag. Then I have my wallet and cell phone. That’s it - basically three things in my bag, so switching by the day takes seconds.</p>
<p>I do the same thing, missypie. I have a medium sized LV zip makeup bag that holds all my loose items - I switch that bag along with my phone and wallet when I change purses - takes all of 10 seconds. More importantly, it keeps the inside of my handbag clean - it eliminates the risk of a leaky pen or lipstick, and I don’t worry about spilling my bag and having the whole world see my super plus tampons.</p>
<p>Yeah, those are in a bag within the makeup bag!</p>
<p>mafool, I have similar liberal WASP proclivities. However, my mother, who donates vigorously to liberal causes and always has, also shopped at Saks. I got the bug early. At some point I decided that liberal guilt, oddly, was doing me more harm than it did the world good. I still have shame about my desire for luxury goods, but I feel happier now that I indulge. Within reason. As for bargain-hunting, I’d rather buy 2-3 things/year that I really want than any number of things that are bargains. That’s just me. My particular psychology around self-denial and self-gratification. My hope is that there’s room for all of us, as long as a) we don’t show off to make other people feel bad b) we buy humanely, of both human and other resources.</p>
<p>Alumother, you are making me feel less guilty for my recent handbag purchase, a Kooba bag on sale at Nordstrom. I accidentally found myself in the handbag department while there to return defective boots, and there it was, all cute & on sale. I haven’t taken the tags off yet, as I am still debating the price with myself.</p>
<p>blankmind, my Kooba bag was a “steal” from Nordstrom Rack, but still it was the most expensive bag I ever owned (my Coach bag cost $100 or so back in the prehistoric times, LOL!). I walked around the house with it for a few minutes a day for several days just to see if I like it enough to justify the purchase. Turns out, I love it!! Thanks for the makeup bag tip - I never thought about using it as a pen and other loose items holder! Hmmm… Maybe I should own more than one bag…</p>
<p>My sincere apologies for digressing from the handbag train of thought, I, too am a handbag lover; I must own 30+. BUT I am in dire need of good lycra/Spandex yoga or workout pants. I require extreme stretch/holding power, I would like them to have a nice hefty weight to them (I’m sick of cheap ones that are basically leggings in a yoga pant shape.)and I would be ecstatic if these could be found for under $100. (yes. sigh…I speak of those Lululemon ones). Do these Nike Dri-fit things fit that bill?</p>
<p>I don’t think I would describe the Dri-fit as having extreme stretch or holding power, but they are not as flimsy as many brands. I love mine, in fact I am more likely to get a compliment from DH while wearing them than anything else. They hold up really well, I have laundered mine a LOT.</p>
<p>The Nike dryfit is not extremely stretchy or supportive, but I’d say that the weight is a bit heavier than others. It has a very smooth, non-clingy matte finish that makes them flattering on almost everyone. It is fitted at the hips, but skimming the thighs and pretty straight down the rest of the leg. The weight is similar to Lulu’s regular yoga pant, but not as heavy as their outdoor running pant. I think the Nike is much nicer (and cheaper). The Nike waistband is wide (2") and it fits slightly below my waist - I don’t have a particularly long torso, so they may ride a little lower on other women. They come in black, chocolate brown and navy, and in short, medium, long or cropped lengths. I buy them at Nordstrom or Dick’s Sporting Goods - about $45 full retail. I’m 5’7" and I wear a medium/medium.</p>
<p>Yes - I love that they don’t cling!</p>
<p>clingy = unflattering</p>
<p>I am trying to find another brand that I like as well - I wish Nike’s spokesmen were not all men who cheated on their wives. </p>
<p>But in the meantime, one other feature I like is the little zippered pocket in the back. I can put my cell phone in it when I go on my walks.</p>
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<p>According to yesterday’s Parade magazine, the Miss America contestants spray WD40 on themselves to make sure things don’t cling.</p>
<p>Well, here’s a thread merging comment - The first time DH used a wetsuit to swim in open water for a triathlon, any time he gained the swim was obliterated because he couldn’t get out of his suit. He was rolling on the ground trying to get his legs out. He later read and then subsequently used PAM on his body to prevent sticking. </p>
<p>See, Missypie, we all have our crosses to bear spouse-wise.</p>
<p>I guess that I would choose Pam over WD40!</p>
<p>I went to the opera the other night. H & I cringed over the choice of outfits that many were wearing. The look was often just **so wrong **for the body that was wearing them (& we are normally pretty neutral about clothing. So many of them would have looked just fine in something less “trendy,” clingy, revealing or tight. It wasn’t about money, since their outfits were probably quite expensive. It makes you wonder if any of them spent time in front of the mirror before they made the purchases and again before they left their homes.</p>
<p>^^^Ewwww^^^</p>
<p>I wear Champion brand knee-length pants when I work out. </p>
<p>But if I could afford Lululemon, that’s all I’d wear.</p>
<p>I’m getting ads for “designer bags 80% off” (read: cheap, fake designer bags) - LOL!</p>
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<p>I used to have some pants with a zippered pocket side pocket for my cell phone. Much better than the back pocket, I just don’t like having my butt vibrate if someone calls me.</p>
<p>For those who have worn the lululemon pants - are they long enough for someone who is 5’7"?
I have wanted to try them.</p>
<p>Fallmom -</p>
<p>Lululemon pants actually run very long - I’m 5’7" with proportionally long legs, and they are way too long for me. They do free hemming, but you have to go back and pick them up later.</p>