My 'first' deal of the century .....

I heart this dress ......


For the past 2 yrs, I have been involved in some capacity with the Evening of Hope ~ a big fundraiser that benefits the Foundation Angel Program (in which I am also involved with here in Tampa).  Last year, I was co-chair and we decided we wanted it to be BLACK TIE.  It was so nice to see everyone in our community get all dressed up ~ there aren't enough events for me to wear every dress I own, so of course, I was pushin' for the whole 'black tie' thing.  Last year I paid just under $200 for my dress - and didn't think twice about it until I shredded the ENTIRE hem of the dress because of the crystals on my shoes.  

Since January, we have been on a BUDGET BUSTING spree to get out of debt ~ long story short ~ bad company investment (shady partner doesn't help) + 2 lawsuits (greedy lawyers don't help here either) = LOTS 'O DEBT.  We are fortunate that my income was used to help get that debt down to now it's completely manageable and I see a light at the end of the tunnel (hoping it's not a train) but I digress.  Oh, and prayer - that helps too.  ANYWAY, on to my original reason for this post : I was at Dillard's stopping in to check out their mega clearance sale b/c frankly, I needed new sheets.  Check - found 400tc sheets that were $30 - pretty decent but I've gotten deals like that before.  There was a clearance rack of evening gowns and I thought to myself "Hmmmm, wonder if they have anything in my size that I can wear for the EOH" and so I flipped through the rack - NOTHING.  I headed over to the junior department b/c sometimes you can find some decent dresses over there.

First of all - let me say this - what some of these girls have available to them, is RIDICULOUS!  I found several that were decent and were only $20-$35.  I figured that I could wear one of them to some of the other events we go to every year.  In the fitting room, I had the harsh realization that I am NOT a 3/4 anymore, plus all the dresses had been trashed.  I convinced myself I could fix the silver I wanted and be done with it.  Who really remembers what you wear anyway ~ I also had tried on a royal blue Jessica McClintock gown that was STUNNING, however it was just too big and I didn't want to get it and then spend $100 in alterations.  

As I was leaving the fitting room, I saw one last rack that had 50% dresses and then an additional 40% off the clearance price.  THIS was more up my alley - they were more 'grown up' - meaning their clearance price was $100, rather than $35.  SO I found a beautiful liquid gold Jessica McClintock dress (as seen above) and even though the size was literally 2 sizes bigger than I normally wear, it really looked like it would fit.  I tried it on - perfection.  It wasn't too big at all and was not so tight that I would embarrass my co-chair.   I was imagining my shoes (that I already have) and thought I would just need to get some ROCKIN' big chandelier earrings.  I looked at the tag = $101.50 ~ ok, so it would be just about $60 - this was a $260 dress originally.  I was literally skipping to the register - so happy.  I even had a $10 off Dillard's rewards check ... so $50 ... YAY ME.  

I got to the register.

It rang up and she gave me my total.

Cashier:  That will be $32.10 ~ are you going to be using your Dillard's?

me: I'm sorry - WHAT?!

Cashier:  Yes, your total is $32.10 - the dress was marked down to $50 and there is an add'l  40% off.

me:    Oh yeah, thanks (inside:  HOLY FREAKIN' CRAP!!  IS SHE SERIOUS!?!?!)

So there I went - with my $22.10 (don't forget my coupon!!) and don't think I won't make this look like the $260 dress that it is!! HA!!  

Come back tomorrow for my great find at the Salvation Army Thrift Store......