Tiffanys

is it me, or are the prices at Tiffany going up? I was flipping through the delicious tiffany-blue catalog that came in the mail the other day and was going to dog-ear some pages to drop a few not-so-subtle hints to my hubby. after all, the day of grand love gestures is coming up (valentines day, of course). and why risk getting a new iron as a "token of his burning love" when I can get something cute in a little, tiffany-blue box, right?

Look, I'm not looking for a "push-present" caliber of a gift for V-day....I save my requests for sparkly things for big occasions, like birthing a baby or any wedding anniversary that's a multiple of 5. the way I see it, in the next couple of years, I'll either (A) have another baby and/or (B) we'll celebrate our 5 year wedding anniversay. I don't need to be greedy about it...there's definitely a sparkly gift in my near future.

So I thought for V-day, perhaps some silver jewelry from Tiffany would be perfect. In fact, I could really use a silver bracelet. But, looking through the catalog, I couldn't figure out why some bracelets costs near $500 and others $150 and a bunch in between. I don't get it. What marketing genius is in charge of their pricing strategy cuz it makes no sense! And, this one bracelet that I bought for one of my best friends for a significant birthday of hers was only $100 about 6 months ago, and is now $125! A 25% price increase in less than a year! Who does that?! And is there a run on silver all of a sudden?!?!

Then I started to think back and remember the pre-mortgage/marriage/baby days, when disposible income was plentiful. And on a whim, I'd pass through the Tiffany store and pick up a little something for self, just because. Those were the days. My ever-growing collection of all things fabulous yet frivolous. Tiffany. Gucci. Louis V. But then again, I hadn't found the love of my life at that time, not to mention that the initial infatuation of a newly purchased item from Tiffany, Gucci or Louis V. never lasted that long. (Well, maybe except a new bag from Louis V....I swear I still hear a choir of angels singing when I look at my favorite LV bag).

So maybe it IS just me. Yeah, the prices are going up (did I mention 25% on a simple, but elegant, silver bracelet). But I guess when you're north of 30 with a family and a mortgage, the allure of the tiffany-blue box just doesn't quite cut it anymore.