Zannee’s Blog at BargainsLA.com

I go to the Doo Dah parade to laugh and watch an exercise in the ridiculous. I hadn’t been in years and decided at the last minute to go. But the good oldies were gone. No precision brief case drills, no lawn mower brigade … and my all time favorite the paparazzi newsmen. They did have the BBQ Hibachi guys throwing bits of Hot Dogs at the crowd, and a killer drum band from some local high school….which barely saved the day.

I am not sure when good old fashioned sarcastic fun became an opportunity for political activism. Along with all the typical silliness there was a great deal of political statements being made. “Vote for Obama”, “Impeach Bush”, “Impeach anyone”, “Make Marijuana legal” people along with “911 was a hoax” people. Okay, it’s a bit annoying, but I can live with that.

But now add the nearly naked women to the mix. That just ruined it for me.

Honestly, if I wanted to look at naked women in pasties, I would have hit a strip joint. If I wanted to go to a political rally, I would have. But I had two kids in tow and watched their stunned faces when a woman in a real g-string, spike heels, feather boa and scotch tape across her nipples hand out flyers over their heads to the crowd. When did this parade start needing to be PG 13 rated? Where was the smart originality I so loved years back?

I loved the Andy Baby for President and the guys dressed up as grandmas in electric scooters telling everyone to vote. The Church of the Stop Shopping guy was there. But the best thing was the Napping Brigade…. Hilarious! Synchronized pillows and napping, smack dab in the middle of the street.

The Doo Dah had many elements from Mardi Gras and the Gay Pride parade now which was fun, but had I known about some of the other stuff I would not have taken the kids. Don’t get me wrong, there was still some good fun, but not enough in a 2-hour parade to make me go back again.

I am a real believer in buying something you really love and that makes you happy.
I don’t fall in love with cars, jewelry or even shoes. Sometimes I fall in love with antique furniture. But what will get me in trouble are fabulous handbags. The only thing that keeps me in check is the retail price of these lovely bags.

When I missed the Roxbury Warehouse Sample Sale back in December, I kept thinking about a couple of specific bags. One I had seen on the Roxbury website.
www.roxburybag.com

The other I had seen at Arden B’s last year at the Glendale Galleria. It was made out of leather and pony hair (my fave!). But I was still in my Kooba handbag kick and though I loved the bag, I didn’t give it a second thought and walked out.

Actually both of these bags were well out of my meager financial range until I heard about the sale. But even at the sale, I would be spending a great deal of money.

So I didn’t go to the sale. Both of these bags ranged in price from $350-$560. Even at 50% off at the warehouse sale, I didn’t go. I had overspent over the holidays and had to curb my enthusiasm for awhile.

So in January I started to cruise the web to see who had the line. I found one dealer on Ebay and started watching his auctions. Though I couldn’t be 100% sure it was authentic, I was sure enough to eventually bid on the Zebra print pony hair bag. I gave in to weakness and got it for just $89.

It showed up 10 days later and had obviously been stored for a long period of time. It was stiff. So I stuck a bunch of books in the bag, sat it on the floor of my bathroom while I took a very hot, very long shower. Afterward I treated it with a leather cleaner. It softened up nicely.

It ended up being a lot bigger than I thought, so I am now gonna use it as a brief / business/ carry all case. Great for TV shoots to carry everything from shoes and makeup to run down sheets and water bottles.

Normally I buy one really nice bag a year. This year I have bought two. My my my, I am getting spoiled.

Time to hit the web again for exceptional web buys. The sale at May Yeung Jewelry is promising with savings of 30%-70% on their sale page. Quantities are limited! Check out the sale at www.mayyeung.com.

The pieces are mod yet classic and very reasonably priced.
This lovely necklace was originally $60 but is now $25.

Designer’s handbags by Nicole Lee is having a first sale of the new year at www.nicoleleeonline.com . Easy on the wallet prices starting from $15 and all items are discounted even more with a coupon code N2008HGD722 up to 60% in total savings on some items. The coupon can be also applied to the selected items in our “sale” page of our online shop.

If you or a gal pal is a serious fashionistas, check out the famous Mike & Chris Bailey Hoodie now on sale at Tobi for 40% off. http://www.tobi.com/

There are other goodies on sale at 25%-75% off at this neat little site. I liked this silk, Peter Pan colored top by Fremont. Normally $154 it’s a better price now at $108. So cool and classic you can wear it for years.

These days with cell phones, PDA and such, many of us are not wearing watches. That makes deals on status watches appear.

Smart Bargains has a nice selection of Movado watches at pricing that is 30%-50% below fine jewelers prices. The classic Museum watch for both men and women is now $249 instead of $395.

Now sic ‘em!