Penthouse Kicks, Basement Prices

Forget sugar plums. The vision dancing in most of the female heads I know? Shoes.

The names come easily to mind: Laboutin, Choo, Ferragamo. A girl can dream, right? But even 'bargain' brands like Steve Madden and Me Too can wipe you out in a hurry if you've got enough room on the Visa. But there's a sneaky name out there that no one connects with being well heeled: Old Navy.

Yep, there's a hidden treasure within that old standby of tees and $5 flip-flops. It's one I've utilized for years, and still every time I say "Old Navy" in response to the 'where did you get those' gasp, I just get a second incredulous question: "Really?!?"

Sample set:

The above are still available here! In silver or gold.

Best part? Didn't pay more than $20 for any of 'em. And a little added sweetness - A few were purchased in sales tax-free states.

Yummy.

Now most of the gems above - which I might add are all super wear-all-day-standing comfy - probably aren't findable any more. But here are a few on the website this minute for your purchasing pleasure:

Under $30 - Image courtesy of OldNavy.com

Under $10 - Image courtesy of OldNavy.com

Under $15 - Image courtesy of OldNavy.com

Giddyap. Stomp the yard. Work the runway. Bring sexy back.

And do it without breaking the bank.

M.A.C Fix+

It is my be-all, end-all, must-have product.

photo courtesy of maccosmetics.com

And this is coming from a new recruit. I envy the folks who found it ages ago, and have known it's wonders for years. It's M.A.C Fix+, technically a makeup fixant spray for use either before or after you put on your face. But it's uses are many:

*Fixant - Put your makeup on and keep it there. All day.

*Light moisturizer

*Makeup refresher
*Post-gym glow of a different (less stinky) sort
*After shave emollient - Legs & pits for the ladies, face for the menfolk
*Blend your powder shadow/pigments with Fix+ for serious stay
*During/Post-Flight wake-up call (& TSA carry-on approved 100mL)
*Etc. ... etc. ... etc. Endless.

A blend of green tea, cucumber, chamomile and glycerin (fab for those flaky moments, mattifying and calming for the others), along with good-for-skin vitamins and minerals, gets all rolled up into one perfectly fine mist. Topper? Deliciously scented with the (male & female friendly) scent of Sugi.

And I know how the equation usually goes: M+A+C = $$$.

Nope. At $18, it's one of the cheaper prods they offer. And it doesn't only last a week, but a couple of months at least, with the option of making it stretch as long as you want it to... Although I would like to hear from the person who resists addiction.

I'll be back at the counter in the next, say, 60 to 90 days. I'll shell out eighteen clams for true love.