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Tuesday, May 30, 2006

My best-ever bargain

The Bargain Queen is very, very late to her own party. She hosted last week's Carnivale of Couture, in which she asked:
What is your best-ever bargain? Where did you find it, how much was it and why is it your favourite?
Due to extreme technical difficulties she's taken a little while to post hers. But here they are! And no, she couldn't narrow it down to just one...

Gold heart necklace

heart necklace

The Bargain Queen bought this necklace in an op (thrift) shop for $6. It's 925 silver with gold plating, probably only 14K but it still looks pretty. Of all The Bargain Queen's bargains, this is the most frequently used. When it's warm enough to wear open shirts, this necklace gets worn about 4 times a week.

It looks pretty with everything and finishes off an outfit nicely, plus it just generally makes The Bargain Queen feel happy whenever she wears it. Yay for pretty necklaces!


Kenneth Cole boots

Kenneth Cole boots

The Bargain Queen's other best-ever bargain was a LOT more expensive. These Kenneth Cole boots were US$125 and The Bargain Queen bought five years ago when the exchange rate completely sucked, so they cost over $250 in Australian money. Eep!

So how are they still a bargain? Because they've been worn so many times that on a cost-per-wear basis they're cheaper than any cheap shoes she's ever bought. They're also incredibly comfortable and The Bargain Queen LOVES attractive, comfortable shoes because she walks practically everywhere.

These are brilliant for both work and hiking, which is basically unheard-of in a shoe. Even in their current battered state, they shine up nicely enough to be acceptable under trousers in the office; plus The Bargain Queen can walk miles in them without getting sore feet. That's saved a lot of space in suitcases because she can wear these on the plane, tuck some shoe polish in her toiletries kit and know she'll be acceptably shod for all but the most formal occasions. (Well, unless there's hot weather...)

After five years and hundreds of kilometres/miles, they're just starting to wear out. They don't look as great when they're polished and the sole has worn away on one side, although they're still super-comfy to walk in. Still, one day soon they'll go to shoe heaven and The Bargain Queen dreads that day. They're now saved for travel and long hikes in wet weather to try to preserve them a little longer, and she's starting to look for replacements since Kenneth Cole don't seem to make them any more. If they do ever make these again, The Bargain Queen will buy three pairs on the spot, cost be damned!

And until then, The Bargain Queen's on the lookout for the perfect hiking boot. It must have tough leather on the outside and supple kid leather on the inside... preferably in purple like these. They must have a thinner, more flexible sole than standard hiking boots so you can feel and respond to changes in the ground, but also have fantastic grip... just like these do. And lastly, they mustn't be ugly like 'real' hiking boots invariably are. If you see anything that fits the bill then please, please let The Bargain Queen know!


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1 Comments:

  • At 11:10 am, Anonymous Anonymous said…

    They don't have quite as much support as hiking boots, but I find Blundstones pretty acceptable for both walking and dress-up. I am sure that you'll be able to find them very easily!

     

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