Over the weekend, I ordered a little black dress for a date.
Okay, not just! For multiple reasons actually. I was thinking it’s a conservative enough option for a work event, or a networking soirée (not that I attend those- I’m awkward), for a night at the theatre, for working at a MAC store (they’re always in black), for joining a witch coven while still being chic, or for bumping into the love of my life, Mark Ruffalo, while looking remotely cute. Okay, so not all of those are likely (though which ones aren’t I won’t tell). Clue: my actual, real-life, non-Hollywood S.O. did, in fact, bump into Mark Ruffalo. So in terms of plausibility the Bruce Banner entry is pretty high up my list.
My point is, I exhaust all possible options of usability, imagined or otherwise, before I buy. Never mind that an LBD is a classic and every woman should own at least one. I think given my brain fart just now you already know that I love to shop and will find any excuse to justify a purchase. This blog was created for a reason – to cover up an alarming, debilitating vice.
Seriously though, any fashion girl at least scouts or “window shops” the latest trends and items, while a smart girl is always on the lookout for deals and irresistible, no-need-to-justify bargains. I’d like to think I’m both. And I’m guessing you are too.
But not all purchases are made in brick and mortar stores. Online shopping is even more seductive, and rightly so. It is so easy. I still remember when Zalora, an e-commerce company in the Philippines, launched a few years ago. I’ve ordered several times from them since. I also love shop online in the US and have it delivered to MI. Deliveries usually signal my imminent arrival, as I tend to arrive shortly after they do. I’m a sucker for discounts and clearances. Labor Day sales are my absolute favourite. There’s no shame in that.
Now, while I typically use credit cards to pay for items purchased internationally, I tend to shy away from doing the same in Manila. If there’s a Cash on Delivery option, I wouldn’t think twice about using that. I guess I just feel like the e-commerce biz here is relatively young compared to other countries and I’m paranoid about security. Smart Communications, my preferred network, partnered with PayMaya recently, which is a mobile payment app that gives subscribers a virtual prepaid MasterCard with the option to also get a physical card. So the idea is to load any amount to your card, reload whenever you want, have people who also have the app transfer money to you in a few digital clicks, and you have a MasterCard for perusal. I love it because it lessens the security risk by a mile, since there are no extra funds that can be conned into oblivion. People who typically have a hard time getting credit cards (or aren’t allowed to) like students, young ones, and people like the girl from Confessions of a Shopaholic who have serious swiping problems, will finally have an option to pay with some other mode of payment other than cash, especially online when cash payments aren’t an option. The collaboration with Smart is even better because it adds a whole other dimension to the slew of benefits already intrinsically cool about the app including a 10% discount on Smart prepaid loads and exclusive perks and discounts (wait for it). You can also pay bills, but that’s really not as exciting as this next bit of news.
Until December 31, 2016, you can get PHP400 off any purchase to Zalora with the code SMARTPAY. Just plug that in upon checkout and it’ll feel a lot like Christmas. Get the app via the App Store or Google Play, get shopping, and magically get discounts off your purchases. ‘Tis the season to be jolly, after all. And I can’t think of a better way to imbibe good cheer than by getting gifts delivered straight to my door. Especially those handpicked by me, for me.
For more information on even more perks and exclusive treats, visit smart.com.ph/smartpaymaya.
