say it ain't so!

Okay, it's bad enough that Filene's Basement is closing for two years while its Downtown Crossing building is renovated. But now there are rumors that when it does come back in 2009, there will be no more "automatic markdown" system.

Let me just say a word about Filene's Basement first. Yes, there are Filene's Basement stores on Boylston Street and in the Northshore Mall in Peabody, but they are NOT THE SAME as the downtown flagship location.

The downtown location is disgusting. It's literally in a basement, the lighting is bad and it looks unclean. But it is amazing. I have found some of the most amazing deals there. Plus, it's been around forever--my grandmother used to go there when she got a shopping itch. (Side note: I am my grandmother reincarnated--under her bed were always dozens of pairs of shoes, her closet was always busting open because it was overloaded with clothing, and she had more junk jewelry than anyone I have ever seen. When we cleaned out her closet after she passed away in 2003, we found clothing with the original sale tags still on, most of which were clearance items. She, like me, never passed up a sale.)

I have been to Filene's Basement downtown more times than I can count. In high school, my friend Meaghan and I would always hop on the orange line and head downtown to see what we could find at the Basement. They are best known for their automatic markdown system.

The automatic markdown is simple: when an item comes in, the staff marks the tag with the date, then it gets hung on the floor. The longer an item has been on the floor, the more markdown it receives. For example, if I am shopping on 2/5 and pick up a shirt that is dated 1/3, the price will be some percentage (probably 50 or 75) off the original price. The automatic markdown board is on display in every department.

From the Boston Globe today (“Basement may end markdown system” by Jenn Abelson):

“The century-old basement pioneered the concept of bargains when it devised a system of automatic markdowns, where merchandise is discounted on a set schedule that customers can track. While other Filene's Basement stores have opened selling discounted merchandise from designer clothes to picture frames, only the Downtown Crossing location maintained the automatic markdown system.

But with the store's temporary closing, the automatic markdown policy will not be adopted at another location, and it's unclear whether it will return to the original Filene's Basement when it reopens, a company official said.”

The point I’m trying to make here is this: a) Filene’s should move back to its old location when it comes back. There’s nothing like shopping in a basement, changing in an open room with 60-year-old ladies, separated from the subway by only a wall. And b) When they do come back, the automatic markdown system should come back with them. It’s what makes the basement unique and totally awesome.

I'll definitely be making a trip downtown in the very near future to take advantage of this gem before it goes away!

P.S. Check out the Filene's Basement Website, it's really cool.

And read the entire Globe article here

For your viewing pleasure--I gathered up some of the great deals I've gotten at the basement in the past couple months:




Britney Spears "Fantasy" Perfume, $30; Steve Madden Sunglasses, $10; Rainboots, $20; White leather clutch, $8; Tommy Hilfiger Denim Jacket, $25; Gray sweater, $7.

Until next time, friends. :)

your new best friend

The CVS Extra Care Card.

Embrace it. It is AMAZING.

If you're like my mother, who goes to CVS 2-3 times a week, or myself, who goes there nearly everyday, this little red card is your ticket to savings. Having the Extra Care Card (we'll call it the ECC from now on) guarantees that you have access to all the sales in the store, some of which turn out to be steals. Take, for example, last week. CVS put all their Sunsilk hair products on sale for $2.99, but ONLY if you have the ECC. So you get the sale price. That's fantastic. But the rewards don't stop there.

Every couple of purchases with your ECC, you get Extra Care coupons with your receipt. And they're not lame coupons like "$2 off your next denture health purchase," they actually turn out to be good things like "Save $2 on any Jergens skin care." And every so often you get Extra Bucks which equate to money off your entire purchase.

And if you're a girl who likes her expensive hair products, you can hoard some Extra Bucks and buy your Bumble & Bumble (which, though expensive, is awesome)

or Paul Mitchell shampoo. It may only add up to a $5 or $6 savings, but these kind of things add up. That's $6 more that you have to spend at the bar on Friday night!

And contrary to popular belief, there is NO SHAME in using coupons.

CVS: 231 Mass Ave., 240 Newbury St., 587 Boylston St.

Go to CVS.com to locate the store closest to you.

disheartening

I never liked Mike Barnicle, but my respect for Dan Shaughnessy has just plummeted after reading this post on daleynews, a local blog:

"Barnicle brought up 'the blogging thing,' and as they chuckled and guffawed away, Dan Shaughnessy chimed in that 'all bloggers' are losers and frustrated journalists. And apparently, we're destroying the political system."

Looks like someone is having a little bit of trouble adapting to new media...

Check out the full post here

forever in blue jeans

Let's talk about jeans.

Being a non-anorexic girl with wide hips and a pretty big butt, I've ALWAYS had a difficult time finding jeans that fit me well. Jeans, then, are one of the few items that I advocate "splurging" on. My definition of splurge in this case is anywhere from $50-around $100.

When you find a good pair of jeans you can wear them 3-4 times a week and not look like a homeless person. A good jean splurge is a pair that you can wear on casual days, but can also dress up for nights out.

My suggestion, if you're oddly proportioned like myself, is to go to a store where they know what they're talking about. My absolute favorite is Lucky Brand Denim, on the corner of Newbury and Fairfield Streets.

You can go in there and tell them what kind of jean you're looking for--in my case, mid rise boot cut--and they'll grab a few options for you to try. The staff is honest (at least that's my impression), friendly and don't try and make you buy 20 other things while you're there. You walk out without having broken the bank, and you get a good pair of jeans, which, let's face it, makes every woman happy. Here's the pair I bought most recently:




The Lola Boot--perfect for the girl who wants a higher rise to her jean (not mom jean-ish, I promise you) and a skinnier leg (no need for extreme flare, this is not 1975, people!)

The options at Lucky usually run around $100--which is not necessarily a "bargain," but its much better than paying $250 for a pair of True Religions or Rock & Republics, which I'm convinced, by the way, are made only for girls who are 5'10" and weigh about 80 lbs. But I digress.


--


Another, CHEAPER jean option that I love is Express. They re-vamped their line fairly recently, adding different rises and more washes. So they also have a mid-rise jean that I love (the W31 Curvy) and are always having sales. A basic Express jean will cost around $50-$60, but they sometimes have $20 off sales on all denim.

The nice thing about Express is that you can get a good quality pair of jeans for a reasonable price, but they don't look cheap in any way. A dark jean from Express dresses up really nicely. A lighter wash is perfect for going to class or going out for a casual lunch. They have plenty of options for all different-sized gals, and you can usually get a great outfit from there for well under $100. Plus, their clearance racks are AMAZING.


--


A note about buying jeans: don't buy a pair if you don't love them. If you just "kinda like em," you'll wear them once and then bury them in your closet. Trust me, I know.

The ideal jean should fit nicely around your waist--a little snug when trying them on because most jeans will loosen up about half a size. If you're a heels girl, like me, buy them a little bit long, so they'll look good once you're hiked up in the big girl shoes. Or better yet, bring your favorite pair of heels with you when jean shopping.



And remember, don't EVER let a salesperson pressure you into buying something you're not sure about. She didn't work hard for your money, you did.



EXPRESS: The Shops at Copley Plaza, Downtown Crossing, Cambridgeside Galleria, Arsenal Mall
LUCKY BRAND DENIM: 229 Newbury St., The Shops at Copley Plaza, The Mall at Chestnut Hill

target (pronounced tar-jay)

This weekend, I'll be making a trip to my very favorite store. Yes friends, that is none other than Target. Get excited, kids!

the perils of bargain shopping...

When I was doing a 6-month co-op at 500 Boylston St., I became very well acquainted with the 2-floor Marshalls located in that building. I was there almost every day on my lunch hour. Marshalls is one of my very favorite bargain stores, which is why the announcement last week that TJX Cos., which own both Marshalls and TJ Maxx (another favorite) had their customer information hacked and stolen, made me nervous.

The ever-helpful Susan Wornick of WCVB-5 advises customers to pay attention to credit card bills and bank statements--the law says you are not liable for fraudulent charges.

There is, however, a new development to this story. Apparently, TJX may be fined because they failed to comply with a new industry standard ("TJX Facing Customer Complaints, Possible Fines by Credit Card Firms" by Ross Kerber from The Boston Globe, 01.20.2007):

"Merchants who accept credit cards are supposed to comply with a new international data standard put in place by a group called the Payment Card Industry Security Standards Council, created in the fall with a dozen employees. Its board includes representatives from Visa, MasterCard, Discover Financial Services, and American Express Co.

The standard lays out how much data companies such as retailers and restaurants can collect and how long they can keep it on file, among other things. The goal is to minimize how much data thieves might find. But compliance rates are notoriously low: Visa says just 31 percent of large merchants have met the requirement.

Financial-services executives have said TJX was among the laggards, which could lead to fines of up to $500,000. TJX spokeswoman Sherry Lang declined to comment."

It will be interesting to see how this plays out over the next couple of weeks. I can only hope that my credit card information is safe and I can continue to be a loyal Marshall's customer.

Read the whole article here

too sick to shop? that is LUDICROUS

I'm really sick and haven't been able to get out and browse. Hopefully tomorrow I'll feel a bit better and can get back in the game.

In the meantime...

Bargain retailer Target has some of the coolest commercials I've seen. Check their most recent one out here:
Hello Goodbuy

Don't Sweat the Technique

Love living in Boston, but hate how expensive it is? Before you throw in the towel and contemplate moving to gasp Somerville or Arlington, pay attention to what I am saying! There are plenty of low-budget shopping opportunities in America's Greatest City. And just because you are strapped for cash doesn't mean you have to look like a suburban housewife. Every day, I strut down Newbury Street looking like a million bucks. But what those snooty rich people stepping out of Armani, Gucci and Longchamp don't know, is that my outfit's real estimated value is much closer to about $49.50.

I love clothes. And shoes. And bags. And skin and hair products. Trust me, I would love to be able to buy $100 exfoliant or jeans with a pricetag approaching the value of my 1994 Acura. But I am a student from a very modest financial background. I search out bargains, and if I may say, I've been told I've got damn good style.

Your bargain savior has arrived.