Meghan's Bday!

This weekend was fun!

Meghan's 12th bday was celebrating on Saturday night at Ron's house.  It was a really fun night.  Kurt could not make it until 1130 PM though as after we worked on Saturday, he had to take Vito to London, Ontario,to a vet who does MRIs on dogs.  Their machines are better than what vets in the USA have, so our surgeon wanted Vito taken there.  They want to treat him without another surgery, but need a better MRI to determine what is going on.  So, Kurt took him there.  Long day for Kurt.



Today was great.  I had a massage scheduled, with a gift card the office got me.  This morning, Kurt and I went to the park and ran a 5 mile run, then biked tonight for 12.44 miles.  Great workouts.



I went to the new Whole Foods in Detroit last weekend.  I was not impressed.  While I am thrilled Detroit is getting some actual stores, the selection was horrible and not even close to the caliber of the Ann Arbor stores.  So, I will not be going back.  Plus, the neighborhood was sketchy and I was harassed by various men on the side of the road while driving home, which was annoying.  And people wonder why Detroit has the rep it does?  Ugh.

We had to book a quick business trip to Costa Rica to finalize some paperwork with our residency there, so we are off there for a few days soon.  I am hoping to make it to Jaco to visit the house and eat at Taco Bar.  :).  Our business stuff is in San Jose and San Ramon though, so not sure extra time we will have.

I met Kelly's baby this week!  She stopped into the office so we could meet Baby Nolan.  I got to hold and feed him, and he is such a little angel.  Was so happy she could stop by.  I am hoping she brings him to our next girls' dinner in august!  :).



Went to my friend Susan's wedding shower last weekend as well in Milford.  It was nice to see friends and family and the shower was super nice.  They served brunch food, which was incredible.  Best shower food I have ever had, I think.

I know I need to post about Spain, but am putting together a trip report and still uploading pics.  In one word, AMAZING.  One of my fav trips ever.  wonderful country.  Especially Ibiza.......

Shopping Site Reviews

So, as we all know, I love fashion and shopping.  However, because of this love, I find ways to get a lot of things at really discounted prices.  I rarely shop racks of regular priced clothing at the store and almost always have coupons or outlet shop if the store does not have good clearances/coupons.   I thought I would share with you some of the sites I use for discount online shopping and the pros and cons of each site.  I will include links so you can sign up as well, as most of them you need an invite from a member to join and if you join on most of them, they end up giving you and I free money to shop after purchase.  Here goes with the first three.  I will post more when I have time.

Ideeli

Click here to join.  I have been using this site since June 2011.  I have bought a lot from this site and it is probably my fav of all the discount sites.  The prices are very low for higher end designers.  Every day at noon, the site comes out with new items and lists them.  Obviously, being on around noon may score you an item that will not be there later on in the day.  If you have a "1st row" membership (which can be purchased for an additional amount), you get access to the sale before the general public at noon.  I have never paid for this membership, but the site has given it to me for free various times, I think because I am a good customer and to try and lure me into purchasing, which I will not do.  Shipping is $9.95, but once you pay that once, you get free shipping for the next 30 days.  You may return any items that are eligible for return up to 21 days from the day the item is shipped from ideeli unless otherwise noted on a product page or in your order information online. They offer 2 return options: You may choose to receive either a store credit for the purchase price of the item and free return shipping, or a refund in your original form of payment minus a $8.95 return shipping charge.  Be careful when shopping to note if items can be returned or not.  It will say in the product listing.  Certain items like bathing suits and lingerie are not ever returnable.  I almost never order anything that I cannot return.  Anyway, I have returned many items.  I do not like that they use UPS for returns, I prefer USPS, but that is just personal preference.  Prob one of my fav purchases ever from this site was a red wool trench coat I bought by DIVA.  It was originally over $500 and I paid $89.99 (plus I had a coupon for $30 off).  If something is sold out and you still want it, you can waitlist it, meaning once it is available the site will email you and allow you to buy.  I think this happens when at item is returned or someone's credit card does not go through and their purchase is cancelled.  Also, for every friend you invite who purchases, you get $25!

Rue La La

Click here to join.  I have been using this site since October 2010.  I started using it because I bought an amazing suit for Kurt for a ridiculous low price.  I have found that this site has slightly higher prices then Ideeli (see above).   Every day at 11 AM, the site comes out with new items and lists them.  Obviously, being on around 11 may score you an item that will not be there later on in the day.  Most Rue La La merchandise ships for a rate of $9.95 for standard shipping to the 48 contiguous United States. With The Rue 30, once you place an order and pay the shipping costs, standard shipping is free on every order you place for the next 30 days.  We offer two return options. You may choose to receive either a merchandise credit and free return shipping (AK & HI: air shipping rates apply), or a refund to your original form of payment (minus return shipping costs. Visit My Returns and follow the steps for Returns Your Way to tell us which option you prefer. Just be sure we get the item within 30 days from the date you originally received it (and all items must be in their original condition with all packaging intact). Be careful when shopping to note if items can be returned or not.  It will say in the product listing.  Certain items like bathing suits and lingerie are not ever returnable.  I almost never order anything that I cannot return.  I have returned many items with no problem.  I like that they use USPS for returns.  You can waitlist sold out items, but you have to basically say you are purchasing if it becomes available and they charge your card once it becomes open.  If you refer a friend who purchases, you get $10!

Gilt 

Click here to join.  I have been using this site since October 2010.  I was referred here by a friend who loved the site.  A lot of the stuff on this site is very high end, but they do have reasonable prices on things as well, you have to kinda look around.  Items are listed at noon each day.  My fav purchase from this site is a Kate Spade dress I bought for our law firm pictures that is the perfect summer dress.  I also bought an amazing Love by Moschino winter coat at an insanely low price.  At noon daily, the sales come out.  You can waitlist items and they notify you when they are available for purchase.  Be careful when shopping to note if items can be returned or not.  It will say in the product listing.  Certain items like bathing suits and lingerie are not ever returnable.   Must return within 21 days.  Returnable items that are priced at $199.99 and under are eligible for a refund in the form of Gilt Credits. For returnable items that are priced at $200 and above, we are offering two options for our members: Receive Gilt Credit with no additional return charges, or Receive a refund back to the original form of payment minus a $9.95 restocking fee.  If you refer a friend, you get $25.00.