Yesterday was my birthday. So, like a good little bday girl, I blocked the day off for shopping and pampering!

My mother-in-law and sister-in-law and I went to Mi Salon & Spa in Florence for pedicures. I went there on a recommendation from Debba at Girlfriendology, and I loved it! Afterward, I decided to do a little shopping at Macy’s downtown.

I had $75 in promotional gift certificates that were going to expire, so I thought I’d treat myself on the cheap! I had a few things I actually needed, so I was excited to do some damage, without really doing damage to our budget!

Because I’m teaching four spinning classes a week at Keep It Tight, I need new workout clothes and also some new no-wrinkle dresses that I can throw in my gym bag to wear to work. I also wanted new shoes because it was my birthday and it’s fun to buy shoes.

I have to tell you, I was sooooo disappointed in the Macy’s selection. I searched all over trying to find workout wear, to eventually find out they didn’t carry any. I searched high and low for cute dresses, but it was all mostly outdated styles and frump wear.

I will say, there were a few cute dresses, but even with their 20% off sale, they would have still been more than $100. Sorry, more than I’m looking to spend for something I’ll be stuffing in a gym bag.

I went down to their shoe department, sure I’d find something there. No, again! The Jessica Simpson line was the only redeeming element of their shoe department. But unfortunately Jessica’s line is a little too hoochy-momma for my work wear (I needed new work shoes), so I didn’t make any new purchases there either.

I ended up spending my $75 on some very not-so-exciting things: hosiery, shapewear and a belt.

But after this two-hour-long search for a little splurge, I couldn’t go home without buying something a little fun. It was my birthday afterall. So, I went across the street to Saks. I had shoes on the brain, so I made a bee line for that department. They had a much better selection, but they were waaaaay overpriced.

I found some super cute Prada Cutout Espadrille Wedges. I saw “sale price” and thought “ooooh, goody!” That is until I saw that the original price was $695, and they were on sale for the bargain basement price of $485.99. I shrugged my shoulders in defeat and waved bye bye to the pretty Prada. And off to Payless I went.

And man oh man did I splurge. And it was fun to splurge there. Such cute stuff and they had great prices. Although, I will say Payless has price hiked a little – their most expensive pump is pushing $26 now (I remember when they maxed out at $12/pair). But still, $26 is MUCH easier to stomach for a simple little splurge than $485.99!

I got several new shoes, and I’m really, really happy about them! And every time I wear them, I’ll remember my birthday search for a splurge. Oh yeah, and I’ll again be reminded that I have Prada taste on a Payless budget!

I also ended up buying these ruffle pumps ($24.99) because they looked so similar to my Stuart Weitzman black ruffle pumps ($179, Cincy Designer Shoes). I wear my Weitzmans all the time, so I figure I’ll have an inexpensive backup pair when they wear out! Now that’s some smart splurging!