I rarely if ever, take on a campaign where I review or talk about products that I’m paid to discuss. Yes, I’ve been offered cold hard cash to do so, but more amusingly I’ve been offered lot’s of shit: everything from sex toys to washer/dryers.  To those peeps I say “Look, if they won’t accept your mode of payment at Starbucks, I don’t accept it either. I’ve tried paying Starbucks with vibrators — no go.” Well except for this incident.

That said, I was asked to do a special shopping event for SearsStyle and I jumped at the chance — strictly to see if I could rise to the challenge. Why? Because I would never consider shopping for clothing at Sears. Frankly, the last thing I bought there was a treadmill and you can’t wear that to a party. Also, in my fabulous and long forgotten NYC days, I was a stylist and owned a personal shopping company — which makes me an addicted bargain hunter who knows how to shop.  So, I was all, “Bring it!”

My instructions were to find outfits at Sears and pick one to wear to an Art of Fashion and SearsStyle event at the trendy Raleigh Hotel in South Beach…

I have 2 rules about shopping:

1. You can find something great ANYWHERE!

2. Never spend a fortune on uber trendy items, when you can save that money for a sick bag or boots that will last you more than a season or two!

With that in mind, I started to shop. I almost immediately found this blazer, which I’m kinda head over heels for, and it’s so on trend — I was shocked. Um, did I mention it was on sale for $39.99 from $99?

Where is one getting a blazer for that price? It’s beyond worth grabbing online, BTW.

 

Love the cut! And it looked awesome on, notice the thumbs up?

 

Emporio Armani Version $678 (spit coffee out) and Project D version $507 (love the peplum flare, but a bit matronly, no?)

Um, no brainer there.

Next, I found out the KK Kardashian Kollection was actually Kute.  I mean, yes there was some cheesy stuff, buuuut there were some great buys and fits. “The Kim” jeans (skinny cut) fit really well and the detail on the tush is so subtle, you could wear them with your favorite designer sweater, blouse, wife-beater and blazer combo, and totally get away with it.

Plus, they were also on sale for like $33.99 Really, and they’re perfect in colors because who needs to spend $200 on Rag & Bone colored skinnies in peach?

Me in the peach … LOVE!

Kim in peach, which is probably why they’re in her KK line…

Or maybe they’re in the line because she saw these hot chicas wearing peach skinny jeans…

So, I found an outfit for the Art of Fashion and SearsStyle. Mission accomplished … challenge rocked! (pics to come)

But, it didn’t end there — I may or may not have walked away with a few more pieces. By may, I mean 2 bags full. What? I had no idea I could get clothes and cordless drills in the same place!

I got the matching skirt ($24.99) … I’m thinking high holidays, what do you think? With tights of course. I don’t need to slut it up at temple. (though it never stops the teen girls!)

Plus, I found the UK Style by French Connection line has cute stuff.  (Yes, I bought a color block tee for like $11). I feel like I look better in it than she does, no?

Plus, who can resist Men’s Levi’s in high-end washes?  These are exactly like the ones I bought for my hubby at a high-end store for (undisclosed amount), but they were, cough cough — $38.

The 514’s are the best! Look, my hubby modeled them for you (more coughing, and wishing that were true) …

And my daughter’s skinny stretch Levi’s that I bought last year at a trendy boutique for some ridiculous price were $22. WTF?

And I may have gotten a Stila makeup pallet for my mom for the holidays… $38-72

Did you know about this Sears stuff or am I telling you?  I’m trying to figure out who’s the dumbass here!? I prefer it to be you, but it appears I’ve been a Sears snob all these years and I feel slightly stupid.

The associates don’t always hug you when you check out! But they do if you ask.

So, I’m thinking I rocked my shopping assignment. Sure, I spent some of the moolah that I got paid to do it (yes, they paid me in dough for this, weeks of lattes await), but I no longer fear Sears, in fact, I’m converted.

To you peeps that knew Sears offered more than power tools, and dishwashers, touche — you are wiser shoppers than I.

To those, like me, who were unaware or who are slightly snobby shoppers, you will find you can get some great items to sprinkle in with your designer duds. Lower your expectations about what a store “should” look like to be on-trend. Maybe close your eyes as you walk by the section geared towards older women … or shop online — and you’ll come out with some stylish stuff at sick prices.

NOW, for the trick: Take the savings to the mall and buy that Coach/MuiMui/Louis/Gucci bag you’ve been lusting after. I mean, technically it’s really like free money because  you would’ve spent that money if you shopped elsewhere. You deserve a reward, you conscientious shopper, you.

PS I made a catalog of styles I love at ShopYourWay. You can sign up with your FB account and earn points at multiple stores or add your own book at ShopYourWay.com.

Now for the fine print: I am a member of the Collective Bias©  Social Fabric© community. This shop has been compensated as part of a social shopper insights study for Collective Bias™ and SearsStyle. #CBias #SearsStyle. ALL opinions are my own. That said, I apologize if I’ve offended Kim Kardashian by saying some of her stuff is cheesy. Oh, well.