This year I have tried to emulate Angie's shopping strategy by trying out higher price points than I would normally shop. So, I tried out the Aquatalia sock booties (lovely design and amazing quality, but not quite the right fit on my calves). I also ordered quite a few mint and teal jackets/coats, pretty much all of the ones in the sale that looked to be the right colors. I managed to luck out on a perfect fit in the BLANKNYC *faux* leather moto jacket, in a dark teal color, which surprised me because I'm quite picky about faux leather.

Initially the two mint coats that I ordered didn't work out. I've had a pretty good NAS this year overall, and still on a high from finding a teal moto, I didn't mind too much and was able to practice PPP.

What does all this have to do with an NAS splurge, you ask, since so far I've kept one affordable moto jacket and returned a pair of pricey booties? Well, a few days into the pre-sale I noticed a retro-styled Kate Spade wool-blend coat in MINT. Unfortunately, it was already sold out. I bookmarked the page for stalking but didn't have high expectations.

Then, a few days later I was idly checking NAS bookmarks when the coat popped up in size XS--my usual size. I quickly ordered, wincing a little bit at the price tag (which only shows up if the item is in stock), and waited patiently to see if it would ship. The order did ship, arriving today...

I grabbed my phone to take pics for a K/R forum post, because the coat is at the upper end of my single-item price range and living in northern California I don't need any new winter coats. I already have a pale blush J. Crew lady day coat, lined in Thinsulate, which serves as my holiday party "dress coat." The new Kate Spade coat is only 50% wool, which isn't necessarily a bad thing in my mild climate, and otherwise it's impeccably made.

BUT it turns out that my happiness meter is off the charts in this coat! So unless y'all talk me out of it in the next few hours, I'm cutting the tags and taking it to Nordie's to have the sleeves shortened Here are pics with a sleeveless layer (a la holiday dresses) and with a bulky sweater underneath.

Even if it's an impractical splurge, I think I'm keeping this coat because it makes me smile every time I see or wear it. And I may start taking my old J. Crew coat instead of my down puffer on winter trips -- I do travel semi-regularly to Montana and upstate New York in the winter -- now that I don't need to keep it absolutely pristine for dressy occasions.