Spring Showers = Spring Splurge (Again)

So almost a YEAR ago I told yall about these limited edition Jimmy Choo/Hunter Rain boots. I was a lil' obsessed. I went as far as having my personal shopper call me with weekly updates until he finally got his hands on a pair of size 6s in July. I'll admit I having urban addiction relapses every now and again. But when he called to say he had them I found the strength to say "NO" (although I went back & forth with the decision for 3 days!!). Anyway, I was fine until I recently spotted an urbanista on Michigan Ave. Here I was minding my own biz when she sauntered past me in MY boots! I just had to whip out my CrackBerry and get pics of my boots in action.

Now I can't stop thinking about them. And the kicker? The boots are now retailing for $425 when just last year they were $395. What's that...we're still in a recession? That's what I thought too. But you can find some legit deals on eBay. I'm torn. What to do?

Urbanista Files #103: 8 Foods That Combat Stress

I don't know about you, but I have to do everything I can to keep the stress monster away. If these foods aren't already on your weekly shopping list, make sure to add them immediately:

1. Dark Chocolate

2. Skim Milk

3. Oatmeal

4. Salmon

5. Walnuts

6. Sunflower Seeds

7. Spinach

8. Blueberries

Source

More Freebies 2DAY: Free Cones @ Ben & Jerry's

You scream...I scream...We ALL scream for FREE Ice Cream! Get your free pastry at Starbucks this AM then head over to Ben & Jerry's for a free ice cream cone from Noon to 8pm. To RSVP, GO HERE.

NYC Urbanistas: Shop W Style this Saturday

W Mag is celebrating its first-ever shopping issue with a fab event this Saturday that includes in-store events, appearances by W editors & experts and special offers at over 40 retail destinations.

Go by the Shop W Style Lounge at The Standard, New York where you will:
* Pick up a W shopping bag and detailed map of the day's special events and offers
* Book a make-up appointment with Shiseido
* Meet your stylist-on-demand or sign up for a
Style Session at HUGO BOSS
* Sign up to attend a W Fashion Forum
* Check out the new Kate Moss for Longchamp Collection
* Be among the first to shop the new Tacori 18k925 collection.

Lounge will be open from 10am-6pm and the entrance is located at 69 Little West 12th Street at Washington. For more info, CLICK HERE.

Urbanista D.O.T.D. = FREE Pastry Day TODAY @ Starbucks!

It's not too late...but you east coast urbanistas better hurry. From the Starbucks' blog:

Come to participating Starbucks on Free Pastry Day, March 23. Choose a delicious pastry to pair with your beverage and that tasty item is free.

Better yet, it’s free in another sense – free of all this stuff we removed from our recipes:

* No artificial flavors
* No artificial dyes
* No artificial trans fats
* No high-fructose corn syrup

To get your free pastry, print out the coupon below and present it to your barista. Or simply show them the coupon on any mobile device. But Free Pastry Day ends at 10:30 a.m. – so don’t miss out!

Free & the City: Soooo Sweet Sample

Get your FREE sample of Stevia-product Soooo Sweet by clicking here.



Are you asking yourself, "WTH is Stevia?" Read on to find out:

Stevia is a South American shrub whose leaves have been used for centuries by native peoples in Paraguay and Brazil to sweeten their yerba mate and other stimulant beverages.

Stevioside, the main ingredient in stevia is virtually calorie–free and hundreds of times sweeter than table sugar. That’s why it appeals to so many people – Stevia is a healthy and safe alternative for Diabetics.

While Japanese manufacturers have used stevia since the early 1970s to sweeten pickles and other foods, the FDA has turned down three industry requests to use stevia in foods in the U.S.

That’s why you don’t see stevia on supermarket shelves next to the Sweet’N Low or Equal. But you can buy it in health food stores as a dietary supplement. The FDA has little control over supplements.

SOURCE

Urbanista D.O.T.D. = Another 30% off Shopping Deal THIS weekend!

I recently fell in love with New York & Co. while in Nashville during the retailer's "buy 1 pair of pants & get 1 free" event. Now you too can reap some savings. This weekend (after you hit up the Gap) save 30% off all purchases both in-store and online.

Urbanista D.O.T.D. - 30% Off at Gap & Friends

So I must apologize urbanistas & urbanistos. I totally dropped the ball on Gap's recent denim-deal, but luckily Gap is offering another great deal this weekend. You can get 30% off purchases at Gap, Banana Republic or Old Navy March 18-21. CLICK HERE for more deets.

Urbanista Deal of the Day = $50 Spa Treatments Nationwide Mar. 8-14th

SpaFinder.com is offering a week of spa treatments like facials, massages, mani/pedi(s), etc. for only $50 for each 50-minute treatment. This offer is good at spas all over the country between Mar. 8-14th. To schedule your time to "relax, relate & release" CLICK HERE.