It's A 10 vs Pantene Miracle Rescue

It's A 10 Miracle hair conditioner is a brand recommended by celebrity hairstylists. The trademark's formulas come in a (1) daily, (2) leave-in, and a (3) deep conditioner plus (4) special hair treatments. It's pricey yet affordable. Still if used every day the expense would add up to quite a chunk of change over the span of a year.

I tend to splurge on skincare but save on haircare. With my skin, I try to prevent damage from happening, but our hair is already dead, so I simply trim off any damage.

A worthy competitor at a lower price is Pantene Miracle Rescue Deep Repair Condition. Pantene's line has the corresponding formulas to the It's A 10 brand. What I like is, Pantene is recognized as a great brand for hair products with a ton of satisfied customers. It's available at drugstores, Walmart, and Target so there are promotions further lowering its price if you wait for them, and with the money saved, you can also buy the shampoo, as well as, put some change back in your wallet.

Difeel is a T.J. Maxx discovery I use daily.

On hair products, there's no need to splurge for high-end brands since it's easy to save without compromising. You'll find new outstanding hair care shampoos, conditioners, and treatments in the beauty aisles of T.J. Maxx! Always worth a browse.

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COACH In Lieu Of Jacquemus

I sound like a broken record, in saying I'm not a luxury bag maven. Instead, I'm loyal to COACH because you can't beat the leather, craftsmanship, or durability of its bags while spending far less money than what you'd pay for similar in-quality, luxury handbags. I hope the fantastic value of COACH continues into the future as Tapestry, COACH's parent company, recently bought Versace. How disappointing if we start seeing steep price hikes on COACH bags! So far, so good!

Certainly, I appreciate a well-made handbag, and can understand the appeal and temptation of procuring the top-tier luxury brands! Yet, even luxury bags that aren't as exclusive, well-made, or insanely overpriced as Hermès are expensive! Let me show you one example that sells for around $1,000 then I'll show you a COACH handbag to consider costing about 1/7 less in price. Wouldn't it be great to keep a tidy sum of your own money in your bank account?

The Jacquemus Le Grand Bambino Crossbody at $1,025 is a stunning classic handbag. If you bought it in a department store like Nordstrom, or Neiman Marcus at the right time, you could shave off roughly $130 from its full retail price. There is nothing wrong with this bag ... it's notable in leather, style, and craftsmanship.

And yet, if you're willing to compromise a tad on style to still end up with a smart, classic, and stellar leather handbag, consider the COACH Large Morgan Crossbody. At COACH's Outlet, the Morgan costs between $135 - $199 depending on color. It comes in black, white, light violet, light blue, dark green, red, and blocked canvas. While stock lasts, the Morgan is offered in either refined calf or crocodile-textured leathers. The workmanship of COACH is impeccable, plus guaranteed for life.

Obviously, the Morgan and Bombino aren't replicas of one another, but both bags have a similar shape, size, and classic vibe. Although I love the top handle and edginess of the Jacquemus, personally I wouldn't pay an extra $800 for it because the bags are enough alike in the ways that matter. You get the effect for far less moola. A true handbag aficionado would likely want the Bombino at any cost. Are you a bag enthusiast who'd part with an extra $800 if you had a similar cheaper option?

COACH is accessible to everyone with a job. I prefer sales to exclusiveness. COACH possesses everything I need: Classic style, fine leather, excellent craftsmanship, and durability at a fair price.

Of the two brands featured, which bag would you buy? Please explain.

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Diamond Accent Flower Studs

A YouTube luxury influencer, Sophie Shohet, whom I sometimes watch, showed a pair of diamond accent flower stud earrings on her channel that looks familiar. I also own a pair in the same style. Her diamond accent flower studs are ruby stones and likely 18K gold. My studs are sapphires in 14K gold. Hers were designed by her jeweler. I got my earrings at Macy's Herald Square in the mid-1980s. In fact, I'm wearing the earrings in the small blogger photo over on the sidebar.👉

I bought sapphire diamond accent flower studs on an entry-level salary and over the years, I have really gotten my money's worth wearing the classic style of earrings (sometimes daily). IMHO they are as beautiful and elegant as diamond stud earrings, with an ample effect for less moola. ↖Over to the right is a similar pair sold by Macy's today.

I'm glad I bought my earrings years ago as they cost 4 times more now (because the price of gold went up) and as much as I love them the price is (arguably too?) steep now! I'd wait for one of Macy's best sales to lower the cost, or I'd consider buying the earrings in sterling silver (still a precious metal) with the choice of ruby or sapphire stones.

Jewelry was always a splurge but sadly it's getting harder to find substantial gold pieces worthy of the much higher price tag of today.

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Halloween Bags And High Fashion At T.J. Maxx

BETSEY JOHNSON Ginger Pumpkin Crossbody

I love going to my local T.J. Maxx, as well as, browsing online despite not being able to bring up specific designers by typing a name into its search box. Yes, a pain! T.J. Maxx has an agreement with certain designers not to disclose that their commodities, often marketed as exclusive, have landed at the retailer, discounted. Fair enough for the savings!

BETSEY JOHNSON Boo Ghost Crossbody

Moreover, here's thrilling news from the United Kingdom ... its T.K. Maxx, the company name across the pond, has paired with consignment shops to offer haute couture items for folks who buy Chanel, Louis Vuitton, or St. Laurent bags, wallets, or cardholders! Some of these high fashion labels are also landing on T.K. Maxx's shelves under the radar. If going forward you see them, it's not a mirage. Sometimes I see Valentino or Choe leather goods at the USA's sister company, T.J. Maxx, in addition to its Off the Runway section of apparel. The merchandise is still pricey, yet reduced by hundreds of dollars for interested consumers.

As regular readers know, I have an interest in haute couture as a blogger, although I don't buy it for myself. I'm happy with my Coach leather handbags and have picked up non-couture leather goods of excellent (or good enough however usually stellar) quality from T.J. Maxx's shelves. I buy all my leather wallets and cardholders for under $15. Shhhh, don't tell anyone! [I'll have to put this problem child bag identifying information here. BAGAMOUR Made In Italy Leather Baguette Crossbody →]

Now let's end with a bit of spooky fun. I've pulled up some Halloween-themed bags that are available until supplies last from T.J. Maxx's online website to feature throughout today's blog. The retailer always offers super cute holiday-themed home goods, as well as, apparel (including children's costumes) and bags, and shoppers may not have to go elsewhere. No scary prices for Maxximistas to find!

On the ends are ISADORA Made In Italy Leather Phone Holders and in the center a DIVINA FIRENZE Leather Triple Compartment Crossbody.

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5 Reasons Not To Buy Cartier Love Bracelets

All photos: Courtesy of Cartier unless noted. I like this design because the diamonds hide scratches that show on the smooth bangles. It's also less common than the plain ones, although I approve of common when cheap. :)

The Cartier Love Bracelet was designed in 1969 by Aldo Cipullo and recently popularized by television personality and makeup entrepreneur, Kylie Jenner, who is known to stack her multiple love bracelets up and down both arms while filming her family's scripted Kardashian reality show. 

Back in 1969, the original Cartier Love Bracelet was gold-plated sterling silver selling for $250. It was a plain bangle with the familiar bolt design that came with a vermeil screwdriver to unlock the bracelet to put it on or take it off. The inspiration for the bracelet was a medieval chastity belt, and ideally, customers like Kylie Jenner are supposed to wear it (or them:), 24/7. 

Soon after promoting the bracelets, Cartier dropped sterling silver and made the bracelets out of 18-carat gold. In 1979 the retailer added diamonds to the design. Today the Cartier Love Bracelet Collection has grown to about 50 variations selling from $4,450 to $62,000 depending on the width, gold, and gemstones you buy. For unknown reasons, white gold costs more than yellow or rose gold at Cartier. The bracelets weigh between 30 grams and 38 grams. On the resale market, yellow gold retains more of its value due to its greater demand.

I won't lie ... I like the chic solid bracelet ... rose gold and sparkly 3 rows of diamonds would be my choice, yet I will never in a million years buy one. 

Here are 5 reasons why I don't think you should buy it either:

1) It's not good value for the money. You spend a huge markup to own a status bracelet. You're not paying for the value of the gold or diamonds, you pay for the Cartier name, and the concession isn't good value for the money.

2) There's nothing unique or special about the bracelet, which is often the natural criteria along with demand for driving up the price of an item. It's as if the bracelet is mass-produced! Every luxury influencer, wannabe, and Kardashian wears a Cartier Love Bracelet. You are spending a ton of money to join the flock of over consumptionairs.

3) The bangles don't stay pristine, but scratch and break easily, so you will make several trips to Cartier for repairs. After charging double-digit-thousands, why can't Cartier design bracelets that don't scratch up and locks that don't loosen or break?

4) It's a hassle to take the bracelet off and on. You'll always need the help of another person to unscrew it, not to mention, do you want to leave on an expensive piece of fine jewelry 24/7? One that scratches easily?? Really, do 'ya???

5) A slew of Cartier Love Bracelets always end up on the resale market. What does it tell you? 

Photo: Pinterest

1. Too many customers have regrets after parting with a heap of moola: The allure of owning the bracelet sometimes exceeds the love of wearing it. 

2. You need not buy a new bracelet at full price: If you must own a Cartier Love Bracelet save a few thousand bucks by perusing the reputable resale markets. 

 

Frankly, I wouldn't pay the still-inflated prices for a pre-loved Cartier Love Bracelet. But I'm a value shopper, and it's a hard habit to break. 

If a buyer were to choose a non-staus, fine jewelry bracelet, she could get an equivalent bangle (sometimes with more gold and diamonds) for less money that fewer people own, for example, the Roberto Coin Love in Verona bracelets - plain or with flower diamonds or pave diamonds. Moreover, you don't need a key to take it on and off! That said, whatever brings you happiness is not to be judged. Logic doesn't always win. Personally, I like the Cartier Love Bracelets, but think consumers can find beautiful similar pieces for significantly less. Same joy + a car ... or some retirement money.

Roberto Coin Love In Verona

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