I'd get the Neiman Marcus Cupcake Car...

Neiman Marcus

It's that time of year again. The Neiman Marcus Christmas Book is out and filled with all the gifts and wonders that only Neiman Marcus could offer. Included in this big book of opportunity is a $1,795 Donna Karan dress, a $250 pair of Ralph Lauren Rain Boots, and a $12,000 Michelle Brand Sustainable Design Art Chandelier. But none of those items are what we are here to discuss. The most fantastic item available this year is the $25,000 Customized Cupcake Car.

Complete with a matching hat, these sweet (yes, that pun was intended) vehicles were designed by East Bay resident, Lisa Pongrace and her design firm Pomegrante Gardens. They debuted at Burning Man in 2004 and are now available to all via Neiman Marcus. This gift from God (and by "God" I mean "Neiman Marcus") is electrically powered and can zoom down the sidewalk at a tremendous 7mph.

Now I know, I could get a number of other cars for $25,000 or less; for example, I could get a 2009 Honda Civic Hybrid for $23,650 or a 2009 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited for $23,065--less than one of those delicious Cupcake Cars but where's the fun in those. Sure, I could take those "real" cars on the road and carry passengers and packages, but they don't come with matching hats. Their prices also don't include the opportunity to customize their exteriors as my favorite cupcake flavor.

If I wasn't so poor I wouldn't buy myself a useless car that goes over 10mph, I'd buy myself one of those yummy Cupcake Cars from Neiman Marcus.

If you're interested, call 1.877.9NM.GIFT for details!

Note: I haven't decided what flavor I'd get yet. This is an important decision, don't rush me! I'll let you know when I make my decision.

...I'd shop at the Neiman Marcus Outlet

With up to 65% savings on your favorite brands and labels, who doesn't love shopping at outlet stores? Whether it's The Gap Outlet, Guess? Factory Direct, Bath & Body Works Outlet, Betsy Johnson, Saks Fifth Avenue OFF 5th, or the Samsonite Factory Outlet, you can find an outlet for almost any designer, brand or store. And with those awesome markdowns you can really get some great things on the cheap at places like The Gap and Bath & Body Works outlets; you can even find items at reasonable prices from designers like Michael Kors. An even bigger perk of outlet shopping is that they're nearly always located in malls dedicated to factory direct outlets, so you can go to one place for great steals.

Now despite my frugality and financial situation, I can usually afford to shop at these amazing stores every once and a while and get a few things. Not true for the Neiman Marcus Last Call Clearance Center--or in other words, the Neiman Marcus outlet.

Neiman Marcus carries everything high-end and high-class. If you see it on the runway, red carpet, or Oprah's Favorite Things, they probably have it. For a pretty penny, too. Whether it's Christian Louboutin's Glitter Sling Back Heel in silver, which make me want to cry and wish it was New Years all year round for $775, "Britto" Butterfly Luggage from $200 to $350, or an average-looking Kimberly Wolcott Rosary that makes me consider converting to Catholism, for $135. You can find almost anything you might want at Neiman Marcus,if you are willing to pay the price--quite literally.

Their Last Call Clearance store is similar. They carry most of the same things the actual store has. Maybe the items are a season late, or they could just be overstocked. Now despite my raving on behalf of the outlets, Neiman Marcus' is a completely different story. Their items are so expensive already, even if you found something for 65% off, chances are the item would still be more expensive than you would be willing to pay.

As this blog explains, I'm poor. Even with a 65% price cut, I can't afford to pay $271.25 for a pair of shoes, no matter how glorious and glittery they may be. And that's the best price I can hope for. Not everything is 65% off--most things aren't, in fact. Many things aren't even discounted; items that run lower than 200, often aren't.

If I wasn't so poor I'd fulfill my expensive taste and pay extra to shop at the Neiman Marcus Last Chance Clearance Center. But never, ever, would I shop at Neiman Marcus proper....In the meantime, when I need a cocktail dress, stationery and a smoked meat basket, I'll just stop by Wal-Mart. Oh, and all three of those things are also available through Neiman Marcus, just in case you're interested.