Spendthrift Couture

I Make Up With Target and Do Two Good Deeds!

2012-02-05T09:49:00.000-05:00

Months ago, when the debacle that was Missoni for Target went down, I vowed that the next time a designer I liked came to the retailer, I'd suck it up and go to the store to make my purchases in person. For those who may have missed the Target 1, Laurie 0 incident, I was (I thought) one of the lucky few to place a Missoni order on Target online, only to go through two months of email notifications that my item (rain boots) was on back order, only to finally receive an email telling me I was never going to get the item, because they were cancelling my order. When it comes to retail, I hold grudges, and each time I'd go to Target to pick up a prescription or a few items, I'd swear under my breath about the stupid Missoni rain boots. When Jason Wu for Target was announced with a Sunday opening date, I knew (thanks to being a dog owner) that I'd be up early enough to get to the store to experience the craziness first hand.
Arriving at the Target parking lot at 7:40 a.m. (they open at 8 a.m.), I realized I had several obstacles to overcome. First, I had forgotten both glasses and contacts (and was breaking my mother's number one rule for leaving the house-not wearing any makeup) and was going to have a hard time seeing the dress I wanted, and secondly, there were already about 15 people in line. Damn. People weren't messing around. Missoni is a decades old Italian fashion house. I expected the madness. Jason Wu is an up and comer who is best known for designing for Michelle Obama. Quite honestly, I didn't expect too many people to be there. Anyway, I joined the crazies in line and was shocked when Target staff actually came out with a bull horn to announce where in the store the various Jason Wu items could be found (to avoid getting trampled, I suppose). I made friends with the woman in the fake Burberry scarf and baseball cap pictured above (she was breaking my mother's number two rule-she didn't do her hair). We exchanged size information and agreed that the person who made it to the blue dress first would grab the others size. Forging friendships was key as the line was easily about 60 people deep at this point.
About ten minutes later, the doors opened, followed by several minutes of absolute insanity. I wondered if people would run. Yes. I wondered if people would push. Yes. As I started to run (I had to defeat Target, after all), I knew how foolish it had to look and took the "I don't know anybody else here" approach to things while simultaneously realizing this was kind of a low point for me. Anyway, I got to the rack and saw two dresses left. I grabbed them both (because I couldn't see the sizes thanks to my blindness) only to find that I had somehow grabbed a two (my size) and an eight (the fake burberry/ballcap lady's size). Good deed one! With the only item I'd come for in hand, and having tracked down my friend and giving her the dress, I looked around and saw a cute black taffeta Jason Wu party dress, also in my size, grabbed it and somehow made it into the fitting room without having to wait in line. I looked at my phone. 8:03 a.m. Jesus. People are crazy. All of that happened in three minutes. Being thrifty, I decided to get the blue dress (completely more than I'd normally spend at $39.99, but worth it in my mind) and walk around a bit with the black dress ($59.99, more than I wanted to spend) while I made up my mind about suddenly spending $100 when my intent was to spend $39. I walked back over to the Jason Wu section to find a ransacked mess. Next to where the black taffeta party dresses had been hanging was a woman I'd seen in line behind me. She'd been standing with her teenage daughter and I'd overheard them talking about dresses. I asked her what size she needed, and she responded that she needed a two. I handed her the dress, and she thanked me profusely. She told me her daughter was waiting in the fitting room to see if somebody was passing on that dress in her size. Good deed two! All in all, a successful early morning, and an absolutely ridiculous experience that evened up the score. Target 1, Laurie 1.

P.S. People are selling the dress on ebay for $189.99 (already) and it's not even 10 a.m. Again, people are crazy.

the quest for red jeans concludes

2012-01-16T09:45:00.000-05:00

did you know i was on a quest for red jeans? no, because i've sucked at updating lately. sorry about that. miss me? why yes, since you asked, i was on a quest for red jeans. i'm quite tired of my weekend dress down routine, so yesterday, i decided i was going to end this journey and finally purchase a pair. i'm a cheapskate, remember, so i was shopping for the best fit at the lowest price. i'm not proud of how the day progressed, but the conclusion (read on) was glorious. i'm not going to go into the details of each store visit, but let's just say that i made several returns and was on everybody's shit list by the end of the day.
store 1: gap. they were on sale. $28. the fit was kind of off, and i had instant buyer's remorse and returned the jeans before i ever had a chance to leave the store.
store 2: h&m. i normally love h&m. some of my favorite items are from there, but i have only one pair of pants (that i never wear) from there. now i remember why. they somehow manage to make 100 lb. me look heavy and uncomfortable. i didn't even remotely consider buying.
store 3. wet seal. do you know they don't refund, only offer store credit? yeah, me neither. now i have a $19 store credit at wet seal, a place i haven't shopped in since i lived in richmond, va in 2000.
store 4. aeropostale. these fit much better than the gap and wet seal jeans, and were $25. i actually left the mall with these and made it as far as old navy, where...
store 5. old navy. i found an $8 pair of red jeans! they aren't skin tight, but are still of the skinny variety, and i can roll them easily for spring/summer transition purposes. woo hoo! see? a glorious ending. this also meant i had to truck it back to aeropostale to return the $25 red jeans, but it was so worth it, because i'd found the $8 old navy pair! success.

Regine Worthy Gloves=Happiness

2011-12-17T21:13:00.000-05:00

For years, I've been obsessed with the gloves that Regine Chassagne (from Arcade Fire) wears during performances. Always fingerless and embellished with sequins, beads, and bows, they are completely distracting. Let's pause for a moment:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ab2DDmwYVQw&feature=related
See what I mean? Don't you want them now, too? No?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FkwSf1YjEqs&feature=related
Isn't it obvious that everything is more fun with embellished fingerless gloves? The answer is yes. Now that I've firmly stated my opinion, you can imagine my excitement upon discovering Nicole Rae Styer's stand today at Crafty Balboa (an annual craft bazaar in Philadelphia). Not only did she have Regine worthy gloves, but the other items from her Passyunk Ave. boutique were both whimsical and affordable (the magic word). I picked up a pair of vintage inspired robin's egg blue gloves, a winter white beanie and a mesh victorian top-all beautifully detailed. Her other items (party dresses, sweaters, clutches, jewelry, belts and scarves) could easily be mistaken for items found at Anthropologie with an extra zero added to the price.
Anybody who regularly reads these posts knows all about my people. I find them at craft fairs, am fiercely devoted to them, and regularly give them business. Today, I'm adding Nicole Rae Styer to my list, and am beyond excited to wear my new purchases, particularly the gloves!
To check out more of these items, visit Nicole Rae Styer at 1822 East Passyunk Ave., Philadelphia, PA or visit nicoleraestyer.com.

My Mother, the Enabler

2011-11-10T23:02:00.001-05:00

My mother is the Imelda Marcos of my world. The woman celebrated the day her kids moved out of her house, gifting her with their closets to house her shoe collection. From an early age, my mother, a woman who regularly attends church and worked as an educator, instilled the skill of lying artfully and justifying irrational purchases in us. Almost every trip to the mall ended with the following conversation in the driveway, "Take the bag with my shoes to your room. When your father leaves, I'll get them out of your room." It's okay to lie to your dad, right? Her complete inability to not purchase shoes (ever) worked in our favor. I might not have gotten the cool new "it" thing that all my other friends had, but if I wanted completely unnecessary cowboy boots or my third pair of Diadoras, I got them. This set my brother, sister and me up for one thing when it came to making shoe purchasing decisions as adults-complete and utter failure. We all have a thing for shoes, which we can all pin solely on our mother. My brother's shoe collection is so out of control (and by that i do mean legendary and impressive) that my mother, the enabler, actually purchased him legitimate shoe racks for display. The best part about this is that when my brother gets a new pair of sneakers (his weakness), my mother says, "Oh, Michael," in a manner that you'd think he just blew a line of cocaine in front of her. While our problem isn't as serious as drugs, it is a sickness, albeit a mild one...like a cold (we're not going into massive debt over our shoe addiction, after all we are thrifty).

I've tried to explain this before, but when I see a shoe that I want, I literally fall in love. Love, as in the lights dim and a spotlight appears on the shoe and the song "Heaven" by Warrant plays in my head. Just this evening, this happened to me. Thanks to cancelled dinner plans, I had some free time in my evening open up, so I headed to Marshall's after work (it's not even five minutes away from work and i swear the staff know me). After discovering the perplexing removal of the women's clearance section, I saw them. Navy blue leather platform lace-up oxfords with a wooden heel. They had my size. I don't really remember taking my shoes off and trying them on, because I was kind of drunk on shoe lust. An old lady told me that I had to buy them (this was unsolicited advice) when she saw them on my feet. I really didn't want to spend the money (even though it was Marshall's), but I'd had the moment. After having their cuteness verified by a coworker, my sister, a friend and the old lady, I had only one person left who could possibly talk me out of spending the cash-my mom. This is how the conversation went down:

me: Mom, I found a pair of shoes and don't know if I should buy them. They're navy. Would I wear navy shoes?

mom: Well, what do they look like?

me: They're cute. Navy blue leather platform lace-up oxfords with a thick wooden heel.

mom: Is the wood real (she is good, people)?

me: Yes.

mom: Well, I was watching the Today Show and saw a segment about what's next for shoes, and these are the hottest shoe of the season. Even the lace up.

Let's face it, I knew that I was going to buy the shoes before even calling my mom. Her absolutely dead serious and hilarious rationale involving the Today Show only cemented the purchase. How many people have a mother who wouldn't say, "I agree, navy platform leather lace-up oxfords seem like a really specific look and a total waste of money," thus ending the decision making process. Not my mom. She could totally envision the shoe and went into full enabling mode. I do sincerely appreciate the fact that she knows what is in season, despite the fact that she wears Born and Clark shoes on a regular basis. And now, thanks to her enabling, I have one more pair of shoes to plan outfits around...which can only lead to one thing-more shopping.

Sidenote: the shoes are Steve Madden "Craizie," and are still available online and in stores at full price. I scored these bad boys for $59.99 at Marshall's, but retail is $150.

Reaching a New (Be)Low-Pashmire

2011-10-25T23:39:00.000-04:00

So, I have a ball to go to in November for work. I will be rocking one of two dresses-a BCBG strapless layered tulle dress from 2003 (worn to a work ball where I was famously stood up at) or a Calvin Klein satin one shoulder dress with a brooch from 2010 (I was a last minute seat filler for another work ball). Now, I'm not sure when a great month for a ball would be, but in my world, November is not it. November is cold. November is damp. I like warmth and sunshine. I do not want to worry about being cold in either a strapless or one shoulder gown. Knowing this about myself, I began a quest to find a wrap that would be relatively fashionable and not cost a fortune. I went to my usual haunts-Mizzy, Marshall's, Ross, etc. Nothing. Then, today at work, my coworker was wearing a fuschia wrap that met my criteria-fashionable, pretty, bright, long and well, it looked warm. I was shocked to find that the wrap was from Five Below, a super cheap retailer where everything is available for five dollars or less. My coworker informed me that they had the wraps in a variety of colors, and were only five dollars. Immediately after work, I trucked it to Five Below, and discovered possibly the funniest thing about the wraps, which also led to a new word being added to my language. Pashmire. Yes, as in faux pashmina/cashmere. I laughed hysterically by myself at Five Below. Pashmire. Oh, how classy is sounds. Still, the price was right, and the colors were fun and just what I was looking for. The quality was surprisingly decent and totally will work with either of my dress options. I opted for the royal blue and fuschia pashmires, and happily handed the 16-year old working the register a ten. All in all, a successful find-a solution to my wrap dilemna and even better, adding the word pashmire to my vocabulary!
http://www.fivebelow.com/style/girls/accessories/

My Closet at My Parent's-The Best Place to Shop!

2011-10-12T00:04:00.000-04:00

Two years ago, I moved home to my mom and dad's house out of complete and total desperation. No back story needed. Although at the time it felt like an eternity, in actuality, as quickly as I moved into my childhood bedroom, I just as quickly moved out. As a result, my belongings are sort of, well....scattered. Everywhere. Compounding that issue of moving in and out hurriedly, is the fact that I have a teeny tiny closet (the size of a linen closet in most homes), so I now have to do something I loathe-changing my closet out with the season. Really, there are few things that torture me more than trying to locate where in my parent's home I have chosen to store my hats, gloves and scarves. Without fail, I can locate 98% of my items, with the other 2% disappearing deep into the abyss that is my parent's full-size basement. So, imagine me last weekend, searching high and low for my consignment store Martin & OSA grey corduroy high-waisted pleated skirt with its wide belt, and coming up with oodles of other finds. What I didn't expect to find, and I barely remember purchasing, was this Maeve dress from Anthropologie, pictured at right. I wore this once to a wedding in 2006, and had clearly forgotten about it. Fortunately, it still fits perfectly, and like most Anthropologie items, is unique and will never really go out of style. Oh, and the full skirt has pockets! How I love pockets on skirts. As for the Martin & OSA skirt, it was in my childhood bedroom closet, the top item on a pile on the top shelf. Yes, this was the first place I looked, but I couldn't even be mad at myself for having overlooked it, because even though I ended up sifting through my own belongings for an hour (and then putting them back), it was completely worth it to find this retro dress!

A Successful Weekend with My People

2011-10-11T22:31:00.008-04:00

I've written before about "my people." What I've never written about before is that once a year, all of my people descend on one location for the mother of all craft fairs. Yes, the Covered Bridge Festival at Knoebel's Amusement Resort. This three day extravaganza may look like any other craft fair full of country knick knacks and cheesey yard ornaments. Dig a little deeper, and you might find some gems amongst the usual suspects. This year, I was pleasantly surprised to find an elderly woman selling gorgeous handmade 100% wool ponchos for only $40. I also hit up my favorite stand, Custom LeatherCraft (owned by the coolest older people ever-Letty and Kirby) and had a new custom belt made (yes, I already have one). Kirby was kind enough to stamp my name into the belt (this was actually included in the $28 price). For good measure, I picked up an $8 leather barrette from Custom LeatherCraft as well. Nothing like kicking off fall with a poncho and some new leather goods! I was actually ecstatic about all three purchases. Not to downplay my excitement over the poncho, because it's truly gorgeous and there's no way I could ever buy the same item in a store for $40, but Letty and Kirby are truly the coolest older people ever. Why? Because they sell leather goods that they actually make? Yes. Because their names are Letty and Kirby? Obviously. They are awesome simply in that they love what they do and it shows. Their products are well made and last forever (I've had my purse-keep reading-for five years, and it looks brand new). Letty and Kirby push their wares on Etsy when they're not on the road (http://www.nothinglikeleather.etsy.com), but, sadly, the site doesn't feature all of their products. Of the work available on their site, I have to say, at $86, their tooled leather purse is flawlessly made and a must for any bag junkie. Kirby will even stamp your name on the strap for free. As somebody who owns the bag, may I just say, it kicks ass when some woman carrying a Louis stops you to compliment your bag, then asks where you got a purse with your name on it. All in all, it was a successful weekend with my people!

Miss-oni

2011-09-21T22:05:00.006-04:00

So, like an asshole, I repeatedly logged onto Target's website over a week ago (apparently with most of the female population) to get my share of Missoni for Target. Oh, and I was one of the lucky ones to get through and actually place an order! How satisfied was I, ordering my Missoni for Target from the comfort of my office? How silly were those women fighting over the merchandise at 8 a.m., when all I had to do was go online and click on a few links? Yes, I could just sit back and wait for my Missoni. Well, guess what? Target was completely ill prepared for the mass chaos that surrounded the line, and I am still waiting for my order. In fact, Target was so completely reckless with their online ordering system, that they accepted orders and didn't have merchandise to fill them. Target was kind enough (sarcasm, people) to send a notification stating they regretfully were experiencing a delay in filling my order, and if I didn't have my order by the estimated delivery date, a full fifteen days after placing my order, that they would go ahead and cancel the order. Cancel? I love how they make that statement as though they are doing me a favor. No, Target, I do not want you to cancel my order. I want you to ship me the item that I ordered...you know, the item that was available when I placed it in my fun internet shopping cart and paid for when I cashed out. Now, this is where my beef with Target really comes into play. So, the item that I really want, the zig zag rain boots, are the apparent source of the delay. Now, in the time that has lapsed since I placed my Miss(ing)oni order, Gilt Groupe had a Hunter rain boot sale. The boots were $79. Did I order? No. Why? Because I thought Target was sending me rain boots. Now, why would I think that? Oh, because I ordered them and received an order confirmation. So, let's do this math. I'm out Miss(ing)oni rain boots, and missed out on Hunter rain boots. My feet: 0. Rain:1. Fuck Target.

Everybody's a Fashion Designer

2011-08-11T18:30:00.007-04:00

Why is it that every celebrity, whether their celebrity status is warranted or not, believes they can be a fashion designer? Why? WHY? Yes, they are famous. Yes, they have actual fashion designers desperately throwing their latest designs at them to promote their lines, and yes...when they are put together by their highly paid stylists, they generally look flawless. This, however, does not a designer make. Oodles of celebrities have clothing lines, and few do it well. I literally have no idea how Jessica Simpson is on her way to becoming a billionaire based on "Fancy" perfume, patent pleather cork platforms and rip off designer handbags. Now that I've stated how confusing I find the celebrity design phenomenon, let me express my complete and utter confusion by what is going on in the photo above. Ladies and gentleman, let me introduce you to Kardashian Kollection (in the words of Suri Cruise-what aren't you reading Suri's Burn Book people?-"I know how to spell, and this is wrong."). Let me be even more specific. Let me introduce you to the Kardashian Kollection for Sears. Yes, SEARS. Because the last time the Kardashian Klan (while we're taking words that begin with a "C" and making them begin with a "K") went to Sears was....well...hm....never. Now, previously, the famous for nothing sisters designed a line for Bebe, which took queues from Ms. Simpson. The bandage dress designed by Herve Leger that has been worn everywhere and by everybody was dumbed down for the Bebe crowd by the trio. Now, they're taking every conceivable trend and mistakenly selling them to the everyday Sears shopper, who, god help us, will NOT know what to do with a one piece. I literally fear the day I walk into Superfresh and see a woman in a leopard print Kardashian jumpsuit buying her weekly grocery order. "Leopard print what?," you say. Oh, yes. Leopard print, sure. One pieces, yep. Signature belted numbers, check. Stretchy rings, platform sky-high heels and faux leather bags. Yes! The gang's all here! Actually, for those common folk tromping down to Sears to check out this Kollection, swing by Forever 21 first and save yourself the money. For these mistakes, you're going to need the extra money for a stiff drink.

Also, I would like to think that Kourtney is above all of this nonsense (she actually seems to have legitimate fashion sense), but is just kashing in on this money train. Cash, kash, get it?

Native Shoes...Crocs for Hipsters

2011-07-31T21:55:00.005-04:00

So, my sister lives on the west coast, and is, by default, ahead of me when it comes to the fashion curve. Naturally, when she first told me about Native shoes, I laughed. She described them as "Crocs for Hipsters," so you can understand why I laughed. Dying from curiosity, I googled Native and was surprised by what I found. The shoes are made of the same lightweight material as their ugly duck-like counterparts, yet are fashion forward, with classic styles reminiscent of Converse, Vans, Sperry and Clarks. I instantly began searching for the cheapest price online, and found the Jefferson in Beaver Brown and the Miller style in Torch Red. The Jefferson arrived first. Comfortable and adorable-I wore them to work without a single person asking me why I was wearing rubber shoes to the office. Success! I also wore them to dinner and to the movies that same day without any of that "God, why did I trek around the city in new shoes" regret happening. I predict these shoes could be huge. Why? Because there's always that person who wears flip flops year round and, without fail, they brag about the fact that they love flip flops so much that they wear them year round (like they don't understand the joy of putting on a pair of Frye boots in cold weather). Well, Natives basically are like flip flops, but cute shoes, and they can be worn year round. And, you won't look like an asshole! Success! If you don't believe me, just look at the cool picture I took of my feet in my new Jeffersons.
http://nativeshoes.com/

Gap Extra 40% Off Success!

2011-07-04T21:33:00.003-04:00

Every few months, I shop. Shopping is actually important at the moment, as nothing fits me. Unfortunately, I'm cheap. As I've said before, the old me would think nothing of going into Neiman Marcus and buying a new pair of jeans and charging them to my store card. However, the new me is cash or debit only, and adheres to a strict budget. This will benefit the finances of future me, as my parents' neighbor reminded me just this morning, that I am still not married or dating anybody and will likely be left to only look forward to things like shopping for jeans in the years to come. Awesome. Thanks for that, Jane. Anyway...the old me was obsessed with expensive denim (the Italian in me was obsessed with Diesel) and the new me buys jeans from the outlet and Forever 21. Ever since I scored my wide leg jeans at the Diesel outlet in November for $50, I've been on the hunt for some additional wide leg jeans to wear around the house, etc. You know, leave the Diesel jeans for special occasions only (because oh so many special occasions require designer jeans). When Gap unveiled their wide leg denim styles for spring, I was initially giddy, but then realized I didn't want to pay their full prices for Gap "quality" denim and also, when did Gap decide that everybody was a giant and mass product 34 inseams as their "regular" size? I've diligently stood by as the sale prices dipped lower, lower, and lower. As soon as I received their email about the extra 40% off for the fourth, I swooped down on two stores, and bought two pairs of jeans for $11.98 each (down from $69.50). Granted, I have to pay to have them hemmed down to gelfling size, but it's totally worth it already having the satisfaction that I paid next to nothing for them in the first place.

Today is Sponsored by Paul Frank

2011-06-03T00:11:00.006-04:00

I love Paul Frank. I think it's a fun and clever company with great merchandise. Even better-not only do they have their own retail stores, but you can also score their wares at Target for low bargain prices. When my sister and her husband first moved to California, I visited and purchased the perfect pair of sunglasses, Paul Frank's Jets To Brazil in Burgundy/Seafoam. They sat perfectly on my crooked nose, covered my weird and uneven eyebrows and looked cool. I murdered the first pair with my ass (translation, I sat on them). Most recently, I stepped on a pair due to temporary blindness (walking without contacts) and broke the replacement pair in several places. Feeling utterly helpless (clearly I'm attached to the things if I'm wearing the same pair for six years), I did a half-hearted search online, only to find them sold out across the board. Fast forward to this evening, when, after a successful Paul Frank shopping spree at Target, I decided to search for my beloved Jets to Brazil sunglasses in Burgundy/Seafoam. Words can't express the excitement I felt upon finding them at the Bunker Online. Not only did they have them (they are no longer manufactured), but they were discounted, and shipping was free. Success!

Another purse

2011-06-02T22:28:00.007-04:00

This madness has to end. Since Christmas, I've barely made one clothing purchase. I don't need anymore shoes (I know, shocking that I can admit that so freely), jewelry, purses or hats. I have enough. I find comfort in that fact. When I walk away from an item, I use this as justification for not making the purchase. Still, I can't walk away from a deal as good as yesterday's Vera Bradley clutch sale at The English Garden. I tried. I won't bore you with the details about how I read about the sale on Facebook, posted a comment asking about buying over the phone, making them list every pattern available (so nice of them to do so), calling back to buy the bag after I'd wasted 30 minutes at work looking through patterns online, and, finally, calling my mom to see if she'd be available to go to the store and pick up the bag for me. In the end, I couldn't walk away from the Knot Just A Clutch in Hello Dahlia discounted $34. At only $20, my real success was allowing myself to only purchase one!

http://www.verabradley.com/product/Color/Hello-Dahlia/Knot-Just-a-Clutch/1001015/defaultColor/Hello+Dahlia/pc/639/c/0/sc/750/p/1001015.uts

To follow The English Garden on Facebook, follow the link:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-English-Garden/263002815093

we have a problem

2011-05-15T23:16:00.003-04:00

so...not updated in a while. here's why. i've been running. a lot. the running began when i signed up for one fun run, then decided to get into some races, and now, almost six months later, here i am, three sizes smaller. this is a huge predicament for somebody who loves their clothes as much as me. i'm a little attached, and now, nothing fits. upon this realization, i headed to the mall in search of 1. a new pair of jeans (as the diesel y.b.o.'s that i love are now hanging off of me) and 2. one good black work skirt. this is where things get really messy. first of all, the mall is terrible. and my mall is supposedly one of the best malls in the country. really, tourists go there. i couldn't find one black skirt that fit the bill-simple, straight and just the right length. next up? don't even get me started on the gap jeans that i found. yes, gap. and i was excited about them, because they were on sale. and wide leg (it's back, if you didn't know). and, besides the great sale price, it's kind of rewarding when you're fitting into the same size as when you were a senior in high school. i tried them on and they fit like a glove. they were too long, but no problem, i can wear them with my sweet new michael kors platform oxford or my seychelles wooden clogs, right? wrong. i got home and even with five inch shoes on my feet (am i insane? five inches?), the pants were dragging on the floor. confused, i went online and found the jeans and looked at the inseam. 34 inches. what? since when did the gap start selling 34 inch inseams? it's the gap. i'm not paying to have original hems put into jeans that are sold by a store known for making jeans that are supposed to fit everybody perfectly. again, am i insane? that rationale makes sense to me. perhaps i went shopping on the wrong day and my mood was off, but i took the jeans back. then, i went to the grocery store, bought some ingredients and made myself a solid meal in hopes of my old clothes fitting sometime soon. in the meantime, if you see a small girl wearing ill-fitting clothing, chances are, it's me. wave. and feel badly, as i really don't like anything in the stores, and don't want to buy a bunch of ugly clothes just for the sake of looking like i'm not marykate olsen.

In Praise of Frye

2011-04-01T18:22:00.003-04:00

It's hard to explain what is so fabulous about Frye boots unless you are speaking to a fellow junkie. The boots have a certain weight to them. The craftsmanship is flawless, the leather thick and luxe. I once had a conversation with a fellow Frye fan who had had her cowboy boots resoled seven times over 25 years. The boots looked great, and had a ton of character. Like a little girl dreaming of what she was going to do when she grew up, I swore that I'd be just like this woman when the time came to take care of my shoes. I'd resole them and treat them like gold, and in turn, they'd last me a lifetime. Well, six years after buying my first pair of Frye's (the Sabina braid), I realized I'd worn them within inches of their life. The sole on the right boot was literally flopping a la Julie Andrews in the Sound of Music. The heels were rounded from wear. Salt marks from years of wearing them in the snow made rings on the leather around the base of the shoe. The shoes were unwearable. I had no choice but to part with them. I'm not kidding, it was kind of emotional. Those boots were with me through my longest relationship. I wore them when I bought the sweetest chocolate lab whom I don't get to see anymore and miss dearly. I want to associate these boots with happy memories, and not knowing whether or not they could be repaired, I felt like I was potentially packing these boots up to never see them again (like my old life). So, with the boots in the box, I called the company to get the official ticket number to send my boots to their repair shop. Yes, it's that official. I was told my number and I filled out the necessary form. They were off. This was the beginning of last week. Yesterday, I get a phone call from Frye (I had told them my preferred method of contact was e-mail). They had received my boots and they were indeed going to fix them. I was thrilled. So thrilled it became a Facebook status. Imagine my surprise when I came home today to find a box from Frye. Before opening the box, I'd already made up my mind that since I'd just gotten the call yesterday that they'd arrived at the repair shop, they had deemed my boots an impossible task and sent them back to me. Feeling about as down as you can be about a pair of boots you can't wear and can never part with, I opened the box. Much to my surprise, there were my boots! But, they were MY boots, as I remembered them in all their glory. I got the same giddy feeling as I had when I opened the box when I bought them in 2005. Even better? They looked just like they looked when I bought them in 2005. The heel was sharp, the leather on the sole perfect with beautiful new stitching. The rings from the salt? Gone. The scuffs demonstrating six years of hard wear and tear? Nowhere to be found. I was so ecstatic, I called my sister (who owns the same pair of boots), my best friend and my mom. I may or may not have sent a few text messages. Then, I updated my facebook page. Then, as though I was trying them on for the first time, I pulled the boots onto my feet and admired them, just like I had done all those years ago. I felt like I'd beaten father time, I still had my boots, I still had my memories. Now, I can't wait to wear them and make some more!

What's With Fashion?

2011-03-06T07:32:00.015-05:00

Every few years this happens to me. I simply don't like any clothing in magazines or at my favorite stores. This is both a blessing and a curse, as one would assume this would somehow save me money, because I wouldn't be shopping, but no, I simply shop for items I may have been neglecting in the past. Right now, my current hot ticket item is shoes. Prior to my black heel/Puma shoe updates posted below, and the Gap city flat's that I scored for $8, I hadn't made any memorable shoe purchases in some time, and I was okay with that. However, after several unsuccessful shopping trips for a new first day of work outfit (because, let's face it, everybody deserves one of those), I decided to secure myself some new shoes to shape up my existing wardrobe. This season, I'm loving wood soles and platforms. Fortunately, I'm short, so the platform is my friend. Any little girl who grew up watching Wonder Woman (or with a mom who wore Dr. Scholl's Exercise Sandal's) will tell you nothing (and I do mean nothing) is cooler than the sound made by a shoe with a wooden sole. Now, I wasn't actually considering buying any wooden soled/platformed shoes until I had a moment in Ross. Yes, as in Dress for Less. You see, one rarely is presented with something as well crafted as a Michael Kors platform oxford (what with it's cutout pattern, unnecessary lucite platform insert and suede piping) at Ross for $33, oh yes. I immediately grabbed the shoes and tried them on. They were shockingly comfortable despite the 4.5" heel (and 1" platform). Torn, as the shoes are clearly a cross between prostitute and Samantha Jones, I did what any modern woman would do-I insecurely sent photos of the shoe from my phone to two friends for a second opinion. In the meantime, I bought the shoes (the shoes received my friend's seal of approval), as they were the only pair in the store. Michael Kors $200 shoes for $33? Score! Next up on my quest for height? Wooden-heeled clogs. These have been an obsession of mine since childhood. I remember owning a great pair of J.Crew wooden heeled clogs in college, and currently own a pair of Michael Kors wooden-heels clogs. Why another pair? Oh, a chocolate lab puppy decided the heel on the Michael Kors clogs was a snack. Large amounts of scratch cover had temporarily fixed the problem, but they are not going to last forever. Thanks to Endless (and recently found much cheaper on Amazon), I now am rocking Seychelle's Care to Dance clog in whiskey for a mere $44 (marked down from $99). The shoe is really high, but surprisingly comfortable, as I wore them yesterday at the mall and received numerous compliments. I may not have succeeded in finding the perfect new job outfit, but I more than met my new shoe quota for some time.

It's Not Just Cotton...

2011-02-21T20:30:00.015-05:00

Remember a few years ago when there were commercials for cotton (because cotton needs commercials) that showed women shopping to cheer themselves up when they were down or to reward themselves for an achievement? Well, let me just say, the feeling is just as good when the purchase doesn't involve cotton in the least! Upon receiving the news that I was being offered a job that I really (really, really) wanted, I decided that I needed to reward myself the best way that I could think of-accessories shopping! You see, a major milestone was going to need more than a new shirt or a pair of pants. Here, in order, are my rewards and cost comparisons.

1. For those of you who frequent Marshall's and TJ Maxx, I am sure you are well aware that there are good and bad locations of these retailers. Well, in northeast Philadelphia, there is a Marshalls gold mine! I headed there in hopes of finding a new purse, and immediately was drawn to the most gorgeous Kate Spade purse in a neutral oyster color. The bag features a detachable shoulder strap and can be used as a tote. Kate's price? $435 (tags were still on the bag). Marshall's price? $129.
2. I truly only planned on buying the purse at Marshall's, but I couldn't help perusing the shoe department. I found an adorable pair of comfortable Puma flats. Original price $74.95. Marshall's price? $29.
3. Now, I realize I was seriously derailed on the Puma flats, so I trucked it to DSW for some heel shopping. I've been neglecting my accessories for some time, and I have the saddest assortment of worn heels this side of Pretty Woman's street. Literally, I used a Sharpie on my best black heels in my office not too long ago. Fortunately, my new $99 Adrienne Vittadini heels are not only unique, but were on a clearance rack and marked down to $23. Score!
4. In June, I bought a lovely necklace and bracelet from a shop on Etsy. Since then, I've loved and enjoyed window shopping on Etsy for hours on end. Brittany Chavers has been one of my favorites, and I am so excited to open the nautical/vintage inspired necklace that I ordered over the weekend. So cute and unique, and affordable at only $29!
Not a yard of cotton in the entire entry, but I finished my weekend feeling like one of the happy women in the commercials...satisfied and content with my purchases, and very excited about showing them off-at my great new job!

As Seen On TV

2011-02-11T22:47:00.008-05:00

I love to people watch. I tried to explain this to somebody recently, and I fear they didn't understand at all, but people are just so fascinating to watch. I find favorite people everywhere I go. For example, I have my favorite cast of characters at the gym. There is "guy who sweats to the right," a tall ginger fellow who clearly disobeys the 20-minute limit on equipment, but once politely told me I should place my belongings to the right of my treadmill (I was getting on the machine to the right of him and had set my jacket and keys to the left of the equipment), because he sweats to the right (he really did). Then, there is "tennis skirt girl," a girl who wears, duh, tennis skirts when running on the treadmill and doing the elliptical. "Black sock guy" is pretty self explanatory, and my beef with him involves his inability to clean the machine when he's done working out. "Jersey Shore Girl" wears so much bedazzlement that I almost didn't notice she was air punching while on the Stairmaster (fortunately, "Skechers Shape Ups Girl" stared at her to the point where I took notice). Thank goodness these people exist, because I literally look for them at the gym to provide entertainment while I work out. Should they all show up at the same time, I may explode. Now, I've been going to this gym for a while, and I have seen the same people from the start. Well, tonight, a rising star made her stunning debut. We shall call her "PajamaJean Girl." Yes, she wore PajamaJeans to the gym. What are PajamaJeans? Let's pause while you watch this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7HD9BmRtdSs

The commercial very clearly states that these jeans are so comfortable that you'll want to wear them while working out. I didn't think that anybody would even take the commercial seriously enough to buy the jeans, let alone to actually wear them to exercise! Now, being that this is a thrifty blog, let me just state that PajamaJeans aren't even cheap! Those puppies will set you back $39.95 (but they come with a sweet crewneck tee)! My confusion is hopefully obvious. Here are my thoughts. First of all, yes, I admit, I have jeggings, but mine cost $9.50 from Forever 21. Secondly, I also own workout pants, courtesy of TJ Maxx and Marshall's. I may have paid $12 for those. Third, I own pajama pants in the form of old workout pants that are too tattered, stained or ill fitting for public viewing. I guess the point I'm trying to make is that $39.95 is a lot of money to spend on pajama bottoms, ugly jeans or workout pants. I really wish that poor soul didn't spend her money on PajamaJeans, but I'm very happy to have a new guest star to look for while at the gym!

P.S. I really am a very nice person.

The One About Rain Boots

2011-01-29T11:52:00.008-05:00

I have never made a secret about my love of shoes, or, more specifically, my love for boots. In particular, I have a soft spot for cowboy boots (as evidenced by the six pair of Frye's in my closet). Oh, I have the token pair of Ugg boots, my fun and fringe-y Minnetonka boots and my suede and plaid Sperry boots (see August postings for that madness). Perhaps the one style of boots most noticeably missing from my repertoire were those of the rain variety. This is not an accident, as I strongly dislike spending any amount of money on anything dependant on a weather system. Case in point-I do not own snow pants, snow boots or a rain coat. In fact, the only reason I own an umbrella is because it was free through work. Despite this spending pattern (or lack thereof), I've contemplated buying a pair of rain boots for months. As the snowfalls become more frequent and my Uggs grow increasingly ruined from wearing them as though they were rain boots, I decided to take the plunge. Now, anybody who has been on the prowl for rain boots this season has seen Hunter boots everywhere. They are not only ridiculously overpriced at $125, but they aren't even lined. Oh no, the "comfort" liner will set you back an additional $19-$40! Knowing the Hunter boots were too expensive for my taste, I began shopping for alternatives. Then, I saw a pair of Tretorn rain boots on a girl at Wawa. Yes, fashion discoveries can truly happen anywhere. They were vaguely retro (I mean, they're Tretorn) with their Converse-style sole, but my moment of coveting these boots began when I realized they were sherpa-lined! Warm rain boots? I was pleasantly surprised to find that not only are these boots cute and functional, but they are also available in several height variations and are an extremely affordable alternative to Hunter boots. Now, I'm guessing Natalie Portman (pictured above in the Tretorn Skerry Vinter) doesn't shovel a lot of snow, so the shorter rain boot is more appropriate for her needs. However, I do shovel a lot of snow, and while the Vinter is adorable, I decided to go for the Tretorn Skerry Reslig, the higher boot (only $7 more than the Vinter on 6pm's site) to keep keep my feet dry and warm. I'm now hoping the black boots above arrive before next weeks impending storm, so that I can test them out!

Confession

2011-01-25T21:06:00.007-05:00

I'm really not good at certain "girly" things. Yes, I like to find clothing items at great prices, and I love shoes and purses, but...makeup? I have generally viewed makeup as a necessary evil. As a teenager, I used makeup to hide the inherited dark circles under my eyes. In my twenties, when my eyebrows decided to thin into patterns that would have made David Silver, Vanilla Ice and Luke Perry jealous (circa 1991), I discovered brow filler. Most recently, when a prescription side effect left me with melasma (and a pricey prescription for Michael Jackson skin bleach that isn't covered by any insurance), I began the inane task of finding a concealer that would hide the random patches of dark spots on my face. Makeup has never been fun for me. Plus, makeup is sort of expensive if you don't really know what colors to buy or which brand will work for your skin. All of this changed when I walked into CVS today to buy Bubble Tape (what, you don't do that?) and saw giant 75% off signs in the makeup aisle. I promptly scolded myself, because I had talked to my friend and she had told me about buying Sally Hansen's Natural line by TLC's makeup artist, Carmindy, for next to nothing. Intrigued, I decided to check out the products. What better time to experiment than when everything is going to cost $2, I rationalized. After spending way too much time in the makeup aisle and probably drawing some unwanted attention from the security cameras, I settled on two eye shadow palletes (including the one shown above), an eyeliner called "Jade" (all by Carmindy for Sally Hansen), L'Oreal's HIP Presso Lip Gloss duo in "Swanky" and two L'Oreal nail polish shades with such stupid names that I couldn't possibly type them and make myself sound even more ridicluous than the version of me who bought a lip gloss named "Swanky." Pleased with my purchases, I came home to play with my products, and immediately proved to myself why I am awful with makeup by getting something pink all over my Nike FIT workout top (before my trip to the gym). Still, I bought all of the above for under $10, a shopping feat to brag about...even if it is only makeup!

Sidenote: These are all discontinued items, and I have no idea how long this sale is going to last, but CVS has various products in every makeup/polish line at discounts up to 75% off original prices.

My Shoulders are Fancy. Are Yours?

2011-01-14T18:23:00.007-05:00

Nothing spells shopping success quite like the combination of an end of the season sale and a payday. Coincidentally, I had both in my favor this evening when I headed to LOFT, the decidedly cooler and cheaper Ann Taylor (Sidenote, my grandmother has a friend named Ann Taylor. Over Christmas, she explained that she was going to write a letter to Ann to find out whether or not she was dead. I love this rationale. No reply? Ann is dead.). The only thing that could be sweeter than payday and a sale is finding bedazzled clearance items in my size. Oh yeah, and the entire store being an additional 40% off. Now, we all know that I'm big on being thrifty, but I had a moment of clarity today when I overheard a conversation in the fitting room next to me. A girl who had just graduated from college was shopping (with her mother and sister) for items to wear to her temp job. They were buying as much as they could, because everything was "so cheap" (by their standards, of course). I was trying to shed the guilt of buying a few sale items, because even though I was buying a sweater marked down to $34.99 (that was then an additional 40% off), that is way more than I generally spend on an item for myself. This really was one of those experiences where another person's idea of cheap was my idea of a treasure (plus, I covet sequins and beads. Sad, but true). I decided that I was going to buy the three bedazzled items, as they were the ones I liked the most (and they were the only ones in the store), so I couldn't rely on my trusty "if I'm still thinking about it in three days, I'll go back and buy it" shopping method. Not only did I buy the killer sweater featured above with beading on the shoulder for $20, but I also scored a great charcoal wool dress with embellishments on the shoulders for $48 and a heather tan cardigan with embellished pockets for $37. The additional 40% off is currently being offered on LOFT's website.

The Gap Strikes Again

2011-01-13T18:58:00.003-05:00

After the holidays have ended, Gap often reduces their prices to such ridiculous lows that one can almost hear the collective groan coming from the people who made purchases at full price during the gift buying season. Fortunately, I'm one of the people who anticipates Gap's sale patterns and knows that not only are they going to knock the $69.50 sweater down to $31.99, but that they are going to have special sale offers which will take an additional 50% off that price. The Gap sale keeps me clothed, oh yes. This year, I've struck gold on several occasions, which, don't get me wrong, makes me so pleased. Time after time, I kept checking the price on Gap's city flats, the colorful and adorable shoes that come packaged in their own little bag. Each visit, I'm disappointed. The shoes are originally roughly $40, and according to online reviews, they may or may not fall apart after several wears. But...they are oh so comfortable when I tried them on, and I can envision them with cute ensembles in my imagination. Then, the unthinkable happened! I stumbled upon a Gap that had not only a pair in purple, but also a navy set in my size marked down to $14.97. Thankfully, it was my lucky day on several levels, as this Gap was also discounting markdowns an additional 50%! Now, the snow needs to melt and the weather to warm so that I can rock my new $7 shoes (round down, people!)!

Oh, Irony!

2010-12-19T09:00:00.009-05:00

Just as I finish patting myself on the back for walking away from a great deal, I fail in the most epic way just as Christmas shopping went into the home stretch. I had to make a few small purchases for my mother, father and grandmother to complete my Christmas shopping. These were the types of purchases that a Marshall's and Target run could secure. Target was a breeze. I picked up the random necessary items I had had in mind, and even was the first in line as a cashier was opening up a register. Success. At Marshall's, things took a decided turn for the worse. The visual design team at Marshall's (i.e.; the people who also work the cashiers, fitting rooms and do everything else at Marshall's) had randomly thrown the specialty cookies and hot chocolates in with the workout gear. Now, I don't need workout apparel, but I did need to see if Marshall's had the maple cookies my grandmother loves (they did), so after picking up two boxes, I thought I was in the clear. Just as I was making my way to the cash wrap, out of the corner of my eye, I spotted a Philadelphia Union women's Adidas track jacket for only $29 (original price on the Adidas tag? $70.). I happen to be a fan, so I thought, "Well....it won't hurt if I check to see if they have a small." As it happened, they had two. My friend, also a women's small, is also a fan. Of course, you know where this is heading. I bought both jackets after consulting my friend and having her excitedly tell me to pick up the second item for her. Now, in my shopping universe, once you open the door for selfish purchases, it's all over. I knew I was in trouble with the track jacket purchase, but I still needed a few gifts. I decided to head to the Gizzy for a scarf purchase for my mom. My brother bought her a North Face fleece in gray, so I thought a scarf would be a nice touch. The Gizzo was having a huge sale. Not only were they offering up 40% off all sale, but they were taking an additional 30% off your entire purchase. Now, in all fairness to myself, I needed new cream and black sweaters for work. I have been on the hunt, and just hate to spend money on clothes for work. I was going to have a difficult time finding prices cheaper than these, so I looked around for myself. I bought a black and a cream cowl neck sweater for only $11 each (down from $59.50). That's a price I could justify, so for good measure, I threw in a heathered tan sweater as well. Getting back on track, I also bought my father a $69.50 sweatshirt with a half zip for $8.39. Score! Alas, no scarf for my mom, but overall an epic fail, as I still do not have a gift for my mom, but have three new sweaters and a track jacket for myself. Christmas shopping, Blogging and life lesson 101...think before you speak, as I completely jinxed myself with the last entry!

Exhibiting Restraint

2010-12-15T17:06:00.006-05:00

There were a few years where I made some basic "I have a real job, so I am going to buy everything I ever wanted" rookie fashion mistakes. The Diesel jeans that I have referenced before (no back pockets, a tragic look for my ass), were one of the low points. I also fondly recall the Prada shoes that were my size, but never really fit, but hey, they were Prada and were the right price, so of course I had to buy them, right? Well, fast forward a decade to the financially responsible version of me. Some of you may not be familiar with her, but she actually puts things back on the rack and talks herself out of "needing" something. She does not charge. Ever. She has happily returned to her college practices of shopping at the Army and Navy, Thrift and consignment stores. She thinks thoughtfully about what is in her closet (and her storage unit) and buys accordingly. This method of shopping is certainly better for my financial future, but it's not always easy to walk away.
Last week, in the midst of my Christmas shopping, I came across the most incredibly gorgeous black leather motorcycle jacket by Michael Kors at Marshall's. I looked at the price. The sucker was a clearance markdown! At only $99, the jacket was originally a cool $495. Of course it fit like a glove. I was in love. There are a few things that I undeniably love, and leather is a weakness. Again, I blame my mother. She gave me her hand me down leather jacket from college (which I wear sparingly to this day) in 1995, and I fell hard. But I digress. This jacket was 80% off. Plus, I don't have a black leather motorcycle jacket. I may need one someday, as I do have black motorcycle boots. I wear far more brown than black, so how often would I actually wear my MK jacket? Plus, nothing about me is tough, and this was definitely a tough, albeit beautiful, jacket. I may look like I am a costumed version of myself if I wear that coat. I might scare children. I walked around the store for over an hour carrying the coat, thinking about what I still needed to buy and scolding myself for thinking of making a self indulgent purchase at the holidays. Eventually, the good shopping fairy took over and I put the coat back on the clearance rack and said a silent farewell.
Generally, if I am still thinking about an item a few days after walking away, I'll revisit my decision and wander back to the store to see if the item is still available. Not this time. Marshall's won't suck me in with their low prices. The Michael Kors coat will remain on the clearance rack, hopefully going to a loving home, where it will be worn far more frequently than I would have enjoyed.

What I Want, But Will Have to Buy Myself (Part 2)

2010-11-28T18:04:00.009-05:00

Last year, my mom and dad were in California for Christmas, leaving my brother and me in the cold (no pun intended). They had a very good reason for being in California, but still, Christmas didn't feel like a holiday in their absence. No gifts, no decorations, plus, no meal. You see, my aunt's birthday is Christmas Eve, so on Christmas day last year, when everybody else was eating a warm meal, my brother and I were eating leftovers and watching my aunt exchange gifts with her husband (yes, that would be my Uncle) and my grandmother. This year, my parents are home for the holidays, but we are not exchanging gifts, so once again, the title of this entry can be taken quite literally.

1. A few weeks ago, when I was in the hunt for a new winter coat and in the midst of trying on jackets, not one, but two women stopped to ask me what perfume I was wearing. I'm sure the women expected to hear, "Why thank you, it's INSERT DESIGNER HERE." Instead, they complimented me, so this is what they got- "It's dirt cheap. I buy it online-costs only seven dollars." My supply is dangerously low, and I must replenish.

http://www.auricblends.com/pages/eg_product.html

2. Brooklyn Industries is a hidden gem in my shopping world. I don't get there very often (trips to the store usually involve my brother who loves their men's t-shirts), but when I do, I am always surprised by how well made, unique and affordable (when on sale) their dress clothes and women's line are compared to other brands. This skirt reminds me of an updated version of something my mother wore when I was little.

http://www.brooklynindustries.com/product/banded-sweater-skirt

3. I love fun handmade accessories. Coincidentally, and probably a surprise to anybody who knows me, I also really love head shops. Head shops always have the best random jewelry, and it's always super cheap. I was in one the other day, and found a ton of felt accessories and jewelry. I bought a few felt hair accessories. They had some cool necklaces, but not in colors that I like (Big Bird yellow isn't exactly my color). Not to worry, I knew Etsy, my go-to source for all things crafty wouldn't let me down. I love this crafter's whimsical shop!

http://www.etsy.com/shop/evalinen?page=1

4. Most people want trendy sunglasses with a giant Chanel or Gucci logo on the sides. No, I just want a pair that sits straight. Well, four years ago, I found the most perfect pair of sunglasses for my crooked nose and weird little face. They are Paul Frank's Jets to Brazil sunglasses in burgundy and seafoam. I have had three pairs of this style and have killed them all. In fact, my most recent pair just died. Literally, whenever they break (or are sat on-the most recent cause of death), it's like something tragic has happened in my simple little world. But, now I must replace. Thank god they still make them, as my nose is still (and will forever remain) crooked.

http://www.jackssurfboards.com/products/womens-sunglasses/589/073JTB5/paul-frank-jets-to-brazil-sunglasses

5. Years ago, I bought my dog a Coach collar. I figured I would never buy him another collar. One day I left home and returned to find that his ID badge had been affixed to his collar. This wouldn't be a problem if 1. my name was on the name badge 2. my current address was on the ID and 3. I could replace or remove the badge without destroying the collar. Now, I know my dog doesn't need a Coach collar, but I swear on my life that they are the best dog collars, and if I'm not going to splurge on myself, then my dog should at least benefit somehow. I'm thinking he needs the one with the skull charm (as anything that can make my dog look more masculine helps).

http://www.coach.com/online/handbags/-accessories_pet-10551-10051-5000000000000179152-en?t1Id=68&t2Id=5000000000000179152&tier=2&LOC=LN

6. When I was a little kid, my mother and father suffered through countless viewing of Nadia. I am fairly confident that my brother, sister and I can quote the entire film verbatim. Even though that is the case, I still feel that I need to add it to my collection.

http://www.amazon.com/Nadia-Leslie-Weiner/dp/B000QUCNTA/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1290991500&sr=8-3

7. One day, fifth grade me was sitting at the table eating cookies when the phone rang. My dad answered and called me to the phone. He handed it to me and said, "It's a boy." I don't remember exactly what happened next, but I do know that it was Matt Wolfe who was calling (an older boy-in sixth grade!) and that I hung up on him, because I had no idea what to say! Fast forward to present day, and Matt's in a movie that he wrote, produced and starred in, and it's available just in time for Christmas. Oh, and a large portion of the movie was shot in my hometown. You should probably buy a copy too.

http://www.amazon.com/Left-Right-Matthew-Wolfe/dp/B0041OJ0Q6/ref=sr_1_1?s=dvd&ie=UTF8&qid=1290991633&sr=1-1

8. A gym membership. I'm a big baby when it comes to being cold, and when I moved to Philadelphia, the weather magically became warm and sunny. Now, not so much...I've managed to suck it up and run in the snow already this winter, but the amount of hot chocolate I drank when I got home defeated the purpose of the workout.

9. I love boots. Anybody who knows this about me also knows that I generally buy one pair per year. I haven't found anything that I'm crazy about-until now. These Minnetonka boots are fun, and will look fairly dead serious with my Clint Eastwood style cape. Yes, you did read all of that correctly.

http://www.zappos.com/minnetonka-side-zip-double-fringe-knee-hi-boot-dusty-brown-suede

10. I'm a huge dork, and I love the Onion's A.V. Club. I haven't read a fun book in a while, and this book seems like it meets that short criteria.

http://www.amazon.com/Inventory-Featuring-Saxophone-Obsessively-Pop-Culture/dp/1416594736/ref=sr_1_9?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1290993910&sr=1-9

Success

2010-11-13T08:35:00.007-05:00

I am an outlet shopper. Quite frankly, when people say, "Ugh, I can't stand the outlets," I get very annoyed. Why? Who doesn't like saving money? Often, you can find the exact same thing currently available at high end stores in an outlet store for a fraction of the cost. I find it ridiculous to make such a broad statement. I would never say, "I only buy things at full price," because it would make me sound like an asshole. The same applies to the reverse. By saying you can't stand outlet shopping, you are implying that you only make full price purchases, which, in turn, makes you an asshole. Now that we've established that I'm not a full price buyer, and never one to make generalized statements, we've also established that I'm also not an asshole, let me tell you about my quest for jeans at the outlets. I took my quest to the outlets after a failed full price attempt (see post below). My day at the Philadelphia Premium Outlets started at Diesel, and immediately, I found what I was looking for in a great pair of jeans. I found the YBO, Diesel's wide leg trouser jean. They fit perfectly and were only $49.99. The retail price is $160. Me: 1, Renzo: 0. They look great with boots, flats and sneakers. Next, on to Last Call, where women's jeans were an additional 30% off their already discounted prices, which meant styles such as the always great fitting True Religion "Joey" were $85, down from $180. Although this was an exciting savings, I always hold off on things for a while until I'm sure I want them. My theory is this...in a few days if I am still thinking about the item, then I will go back and get them. Tomorrow will be a week of me thinking about the TR jeans, so today, I will make my trek back to the outlets (where they are still on sale; I know because I checked) and buy the jeans. This will mark the end to an extremely successful personal shopping month in which I purchased the following a Kenneth Cole dress coat (80% off original price) from TJ Maxx and a pair of Ecote over the knee tan suede boots with back tassels (a savings of 54%) from Urban Outfitters. Now that I'm warmed up, stay tuned for my second annual Christmas list...coming soon! And please, shop at the outlets!

The Quest For the Perfect Jean dum dum dummmmm.....

2010-10-31T18:29:00.005-04:00

Months ago, I bought the whole skinny jean craze hook, line and sinker. Why? The answer is very simple. I love boots. What better way to wear (eh hem, show off) my Frye Mustang's, Sabina's, Billy's, Carmen's, Dorado's or campus boots? My three tiered fringe Minnetonka's and my new Sperry's don't look too shabby with them either. Now that the weather is getting cold and I feel like bundling up a bit more, I am realizing that I have failed to balance my skinny jean/regular boot cut jeans purchasing ratio. Faced with this rather serious problem, I trucked it to King of Prussia Mall, where one should certainly be able to find a solid pair of normal boot cut jeans....right?

My quest began at my favorite, Diesel. Apparently, I did not get the offensive wash memo issued by Renzo Rosso. I looked for my favorite cut, Lowky. The boot was slightly narrowed, but what truly horrified me was the intense whiskering, faded denim and excessive paint splattered all over the jeans. I am 33, Renzo. I am trying to buy a pair of overpriced jeans from your company. If you want people who can actually afford your jeans to wear them, maybe you shouldn't make them look like a house painter wore them for three years before placing them in your store for purchase. Totally confused by what I was seeing and convinced that surely there must be "normal" jeans for sale somewhere in the store, I asked a sales associate (i.e.; the guy fixing his spiky hair in the accessories mirror) if they had the Lowky cut available in a regular wash. His response? "What do you mean?" This question was met with a look that implied I had either two heads, posed the initial question in a foreign language or I had come from another planet to shop in that store.

Next stop? Nordstrom. Surely, I could find something in this store. They sell just about every brand of denim, but unbelievably, they too had bought into the whole skinny jean trend. I did manage to try on a pair of boot cut Seven's, but they were petite and even though one would think I would wear petite, I don't. You're shocked. I can sense that. Still, I tried them out of utter desperation. Knowing that I probably wouldn't have any luck, I checked out Lucky (really?) and even the Gap (no wonder they are struggling as a company).

My major problem at these other retailers is the overuse of obnoxious stitching and bedazzling on the back pockets. I generally don't walk around courting attention, and having disco balls on the part of my body that I (and most women) am sensitive about and try to not draw attention to...yeah, not really going to fly for me.

Now, I am a very particular shopper. I shop like I am on a mission, and should I not find precisely what I am looking for, I'm out of there. I'm not going to buy a pair of jeans that I'm not in love with, just to wear them a few times and put them at the bottom of my jean drawer until I sell them on eBay for not nearly enough to justify the purchase. I left the mall, totally defeated, and totally perplexed as to where to find a great pair of jeans. If you're looking for me, I'm heading back to my planet, Fashionable Adulthood, where people wear cool, normal jeans that are blue and void of distressing, yet trendy and from a relevant brand. I hope to see you there.

well, well, well...looky what we have here!

2010-09-24T21:06:00.004-04:00

oh, celebrities. every once in a while you provide me with so much material that it's almost not even fair to take a take a cheap shot. but, since these pictures keep popping up, i feel like it's not exactly wrong to dissect the oh so, so, so many things wrong with this photo.
let's begin!
-are those pleather wedge boots? yes, i do believe those are pleather wedge boots. they may be leather, but they are so atrocious that i don't care to investigate, which, on occasion, i have done.
-this photo is from today. lenny "this is my posh spice look" kravitz is wearing leather pants. leather pants! he's in new york city. it was what 96 degrees today. that's a sweaty, hot mess. nobody wants to think about it. ever hear of going for comfort?
-is that some sort of polyester blend cowl neck poncho? are there sleeves on that cape, lenny? while you're looking like a woman, why don't you throw a belt on that bad boy and make it a dress?
-glad you remembered your murse. were you planning on putting your day planner in there or is it strictly just an accessory?
i can't really make fun of the glasses or his hair (or lack thereof), because my eyes keep going to those hideous boots and their ridiculous angled wedge heel. so ugly, so not appropriate for 96 degree weather.
now that my eyes are bleeding, i'm signing off. hopefully, i'll have some bargains to type about next week. for now, my apologies. wishing your eyes a swift recovery.

I Totally Wear Hats

2010-09-17T18:13:00.003-04:00

I don't know about you, but when I shop, I try things on and envision what that skirt/shirt/sweater/pair of boots will look like with the rest of the treasures in my wardrobe. In my head, everything looks perfectly styled, the lighting is camera ready (for my oh so fabulous and camera ready life), oh, and I'm about a foot taller than I am in actuality. Then, I imagine where I'll be wearing my outfit, what will be going on once I'm there and who will be there with me. For those of you who have ever shopped with me, this is what's going on in the fitting room. I'm daydreaming.
Finally, somebody else understands my shopping philosophy. The brilliant minds at Target (or rather, their brilliant advertising agency) have started airing the best commercial ever that epitomizes how I shop. I adore the commercial and feel like others can relate. And for the record, I totally wear hats.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2NBvuwBt7Zg

Another boot moment

2010-08-15T12:15:00.011-04:00

Every few years, I have a boot moment. My last boot moment occurred in 2008 at the DSW Shoe Warehouse in King of Prussia. I was walking through the aisles without any real purpose when I spotted them. The Frye Mustang boot in camel with the brown piping. The world disappeared. A spotlight appeared out of nowhere, shining on the box with the number seven on it. I yanked the box out of the stack, tried on the boots (which fit like a glove), exclaimed "These are mine!" to nobody in particular, and ran to the checkout. They are one of my favorite purchases ever-a $498 pair of Frye's for $278. Yesterday, I had another one of these moments at Nordstrom Rack. While perusing the super super discount shoes, I found a pair of brown suede Sperry boots marked down to an already stupid cheap price, only to have a "65% off the lowest ticketed price" sticker placed on the sole. My moment of shopping victory was short lived, when I realized somebody had placed these sized 8 1/2 boots on the 7 shelf. Fortunately, my friend, who happens to be a size 8 1/2 was with me, and I literally threw the boots at her and exclaimed, "These are adorable. If you don't buy them, I'll be mad at you." I'll be mad at you? Who am I? This is what happens to me when I find a good deal that I can't take advantage of, apparently. Anyway, the shoes fit her perfectly, and ended up costing a ridiculous $16! I thought about those boots probably 20 times between yesterday and this morning, when I decided they must be mine! Thanks to the internet, they now are! Not for $16, but $40, which I'll take, considering the original price was $110. Famous Footwear seems to be offering the best price, and they also have the boots in taupe and black. Now, the weather just needs to cool off a bit so that I can wear them!

target picked justin timberlake?

2010-07-31T23:20:00.000-04:00

quite honestly, i've been bored with my shopping life as of late. i've made zero closet altering purchases, nor have i made any earth shattering new discoveries. directly on the heels of these tragic times, target has unveiled the most puzzling collaboration to date. now, if you're like me, you actually think to yourself, "huh, i wonder who target is going to pick for their new guest designer?" chances are, these things don't cross your mind when you're at target picking up odds and ends. however, since i do think of these things, you can only imagine my disappointment upon learning that target has picked william rast to guest design. yes, william rast. as in justin timberlake and his best friend trace ayala's clothing line. the partnership, apparently approved by the mayor of what the fuck, will be in stores from december 19 through january 22.
now, i don't know a single soul who owns william rast, well...anything. how is this line even staying afloat? do people really find william rast so desirable that the brilliant minds at target thought it would draw people into their stores? zac posen makes sense. his clothes are coveted by celebrities and fashionistas everywhere. but justin timberlake? really? i feel like target has belittled my intelligence. where i was once impressed by their ability to nab the likes of anna sui, i now feel a little betrayed. justin timberlake? i'm having nightmares of baby tees with "i'm bringing sexy back" splashed across the chest.

Meet My Newest Obsession-Etsy!

2010-06-22T21:14:00.000-04:00

I love craft fairs. I also love jewelry. I love both of these things so much, that I have "people" that I seek out at specific craft fairs. I know that if I am going to ArtsFest in State College, PA, that I should look for the two men behind Amber Forever Amber, a great jewelry line comprised of sterling silver, amber, turquoise and pearl. When I am on the Danville/Bloomsburg craft circuit, then I have to seek out the lady from Lewisburg (yes, this is really how I identify people) who makes gorgeous pieces out of beads and found objects (like washers). Don't even bring up the Knoebel's Covered Bridge Festival. That's when I become PETA's worst nightmare and go on a leather-buying rampage (Seriously? Can you blame me? The retired couple from Florida who run the stand annually personalize-at NO extra charge! Do you have a tooled leather purse with your name on it? I didn't think so.). Well, now, I have "people" online too!

Years after being told that I need to check out Etsy (literally, years), I finally logged on and discovered the awesomeness of the site. It's basically an online craft fair, all day, every day. And today, I found my person. Her name is Suzanne, and she runs ForYouByQ, a cute handcrafted jewelry shop on Etsy's site. I just picked up the two adorable pieces above for around $10 each. So cheap, so cute. Granted, there are more expensive pieces and more expensive shops on Etsy, but there are also a ton of affordable and chic options in all styles! Literally, there is something for everybody on Etsy's site, and this jewelry (Brittany Chavers Studio) is cute and the seller is currently offering a buy three get one free (of equal or lesser value) deal. Check out Etsy today and support crafters! Find your very own people.

And This Is How It's Done

2010-06-16T18:01:00.000-04:00

There are a few things in life for which I can unquestionably blame my mother. I clean floors constantly, obsess over my roots and can't so much as get the mail without putting putting concealer under my eyes. One positive trait (that I'd like to think I've inherited) is my love for a good deal. See, the only way we were getting anything new as kids in my house was if there was a clearance sale at the mall. Well, that is, unless my mom wasn't making us clothes (I do remember several bitchin' outfits that Rose crafted from patterns I had carefully selected at our local fabric store). As a result, I've gotten quite crafty at making a dollar stretch, and pride myself on knowing where to get the best deals.

This week, I experienced one of my most impressive feats, and feel the need to share, as I am still experiencing the endorphins from my shopper's high. Desperately needing "bottoms" for work. I went to NY & Co., strictly to use a coupon that I had been given. You may recall NY & Co. I still catch myself (sidenote, this is also something my mom would do) calling the store "Lerner." The store was always a reliable go-to spot for staples, then it disappeared for a while (if you lived in Central Pennsylvania at least), and now it's back with those same great basics we loved the store for in high school and as young twenty somethings. Anyway, the coupon was for $10 a purchase of $30 or more, $25 off a purchase of $60 or more or$40 off a purchase of $90 or more. I set out to spend exactly $90 and came impressively close at $91.48 (this included 2 pairs of capris, a pair of shorts, a blouse, a shirt and a pair of wedges). So, if you're following, six things for $91.48. These were already reduced items, and still, that's not too shabby. Now, take off $40, and my total goes to $51.48. Yay me! This is getting super exciting, can't you feel it? I was experiencing my shopper's high as I left the store with my new (and much needed) work clothes when I noticed that at the bottom of the receipt, the store had been kind enough to total my savings, a staggering $87.27! I had saved $87.27. My total after discounts and before my coupon was $91.48! I saved almost as much as I would have spent without the coupon. With that extra bit of satisfaction in mind, I trucked it to Starbucks to treat myself to a drink! My mom will be so proud!

Even I Am Shocked

2010-05-23T01:11:00.000-04:00

My obsession with overpriced jeans goes way back. Let's say 2000. I believe this was the year I purchased my first pair of Diesel jeans, and, in all honesty, they were not a sound investment. The wash was bad, the rise was high. The entire lack of back pockets is a separate story that just shows a total lack of judgment and shopping inexperience on my behalf. The insanity reached its high point in 2005 when I adopted a pug and named him Diesel. Since said adoption, I've had to explain that my adorable dog is indeed not named after a shitty, washed up, bald action star, rather overpriced Italian denim. Perhaps it's that irritation, or my depleted finances that have left me rather jaded by the current state of the denim industry (could be the entire 80's revival too). Either way, I've been testing the waters and begun buying "regular" jeans. Gap, American Eagle, etc. Just this week, I had a major breakthrough. I discovered denim leggings (or, as I was told they are called, Jeggings), and even though I'm clearly late in recognizing their fabulousness, I'm diving into devotion to them feet first. I shockingly bought my first pair (in black) at Old Navy, which is shocking only because I can't really ever find anything there. They are amazingly comfortable, hit perfectly at my ankle, are slimming (I know I am skinny, people, but skinny jeans are tricky, and these work), were super cheap and washed up well. Points for Old Navy. In an effort to track down a dark denim pair of leggings I went to the mall today on a mission. After purchasing a pair for $19.99 at American Eagle that need hemmed (seriously, who wears a size 2 and has a 34 inch inseam?), I trucked on over to Forever 21, just to see what they had to offer. Much to my surprise, they had a pair of 26 x 29 perfectly fitting denim leggings for $9.50. Nine dollars and fifty cents. I tried them on about 10 times, because I couldn't believe they fit so well. Forever 21 is where you go for a cute top to wear out at night, not jeans. I was perplexed, but moved forward with the purchase regardless of any doubts I was experiencing. I wore them tonight, and feel like I need to go back tomorrow and buy three more pair for good measure. Moral of the story? Before investing in a pair of $250 designer jeans that might be trendy today, but being sold at a yard sale to an old woman for $10 (the fate of my first pair of Diesel jeans) in a few years, I highly recommend stopping by Forever 21 and checking out their offerings. You just might find yourself surprised!

Very clearly...

2010-05-14T18:10:00.001-04:00

This is a mistake. Please do not find yourself making this mistake. I really don't even know where to begin with this. Maybe Kate Hudson's recent breast augmentation made somebody at Forever 21 dig up old episodes of Goldie Hawn in Laugh In, and that inspired these ridiculous pants...who knows. The creative people at the company did their best with the web description, considering, contrary to what you may be assuming, these are not supposed to be pajama pants, rather lightweight floral capris featuring a bell-bottom two-tier flounce at the hem. They left out the words unnecessary and ridiculous, but fortunately, I'm here to add them.
Unless you are prepping in advance for Halloween, these pants are completely and utterly insane. There has literally not been an appropriate time to wear these pants since Charles Manson was a free man.
Should you find yourself contemplating spending the $32 required to purchase these hideous pants, please contact either your mother, best friends or psychiatrist immediately and run through your decision making process. No doubt this step will not only save you $32, but it will also rescue your pride from inevitable humilation and embarassing photographs of you in these odious pants that will no doubt be shown to future suitors by your friends and family for years to come. You can thank me another time.

Read The Fine Print

2010-04-27T19:59:00.000-04:00

Imagine the excitement I felt when I received not one, but two (!!) coupons from DSW Shoe Warehouse last week. My roommates would not be surprised by this development, as the only person who has my address other than my family and my friend Cori is DSW Shoe Warehouse. It's much more fun to receive coupons in the mail than bills (which, sidenote, I pay, should you feel concerned now that you know I don't receive my bills at my place of residence). Anyway, I had a formal work event to attend, and was excited to buy some dead serious heels while saving $25 in the process.

I spent hours at DSW. I tried on Calvin Klein snake skin strappy sandals with three-inch heels. I tried on incredible heels with feather accents (for fun, they wouldn't have matched my dress). My favorites were a pair of BCBG open-toe heels with faux gem embellishments (which matched my dress perfectly). Given the $25 in coupons, I would only be spending $45 on the perfect shoes to go along with my dress. This is exciting in my world. I live for saving money. Getting great deals is my idea of a hole in one, my favorite team winning a sporting event, etc. You get it. I am thrifty.
Feeling like I just won a medal (Okay, let's get this straight, their should be shopping awards), I marched to the cash register. I handed her my coupons and debit card. She processed my transaction and was about to swipe my card when. . .the unthinkable happened. I am pretty sure nothing was wrong with her speech, but in slow motion, I watched in horror as she uttered the following, "I can't accept these coupons. They're for the new Cheltenham Mall location." Now, this is where I stand in a league separate from my shopaholic cohorts. I had a price in my mind, and I was hell bent on spending $45 or less. The thought of spending $70 for the same shoes that I had spent the last twenty minutes in line prepared to spend $45 on was appalling. I walked away from the cashier and returned to the rows and rows of options and started from scratch, finally settling on a rather plain, but totally appropriate pair of shoes by Nina for a mere $29.99. I went home, still dreaming of the BCBG bejeweled heels, but with an additional $40 in my wallet. The lesson learned? Always read the fine print. Had I done that, I would have driven to the Cheltenham Mall (as soon as I figured out where on earth that was) and used my coupons. Again, lesson learned.

Yes, Please!

2010-04-05T23:35:00.000-04:00

Nothing is making me happier right now than the fact that Zac Posen will be debuting a guest line at Target on April 25. The line features everything from heavily inspired menswear separates to swimsuits and cocktail dresses (obviously, my favorite is this brocade number with the structured bow selling for $74).
Target's guest designer lines have been popping up in more and more stores, with the retailer able to rotate the capsules with greater frequency. Jean Paul Gaultier and Liberty of London for Target will no doubt still be on sale racks when Zac Posen is unveiled. Posen is such an undeniable presence (and influence) in American fashion, I find it hard to believe his line won't perform not only to Target's expectations, but please his legions of fans who are unable to afford his regular line. Posen, unlike some of the other designer's who have worked in conjunction with Target, dresses and socializes with young celebrities, such as Natalie Portman, Rihanna and Beyonce. He's a bit more relatable than a Jean Paul Gaultier, and for Target's, um, target demographic, he's sadly probably more well known than a Gaultier (whose line for Target photographed far better than it appears in person).

Thank you, H&M...Love, The Environment

2010-03-29T19:29:00.000-04:00

I don't know any girl that doesn't love H&M. Their affordably priced and on trend clothes and accessories have been making people like me-who want to purchase trendy items without breaking the bank-happy for years. Now, H&M is leading the way for discount retailers to offer environmentally friendly clothes without the usual washed out colors and plain designs that earth friendly styles often feature.
The Garden Collection at H&M is made from organic linen, tencel, cotton and recycled polyester. The best part about the line? Unlike the guest designer lines and specialty clothing sometimes featured at H&M, the Garden Collection is at the retailer's traditional price point.
Now, if you're like me, you not only love H&M for their cheap and chic buys, but you love a great cocktail dress more than just about anything. The Garden Collections features a slew of great dresses made from tencel and polyester, as well as organic cotton. My fave? The adorably structured cocktail dress on the above, priced at an affordable $40.

(image courtesy of H&M)

It's A Miracle!

2010-03-15T21:02:00.000-04:00

I've been highlighting my hair for entirely too long to divulge (I actually don't even remember when I began to color my hair, so I couldn't tell you even if I knew the length of time). It's embarrassing to say, but I don't even know what my "real" hair color would be if I let it grow out. Highlights have become an obsession for me, and if I even start to see root, I frantically call my salon and make an appointment. Imagine my torment when (yes, this is the shit that I worry about, no matter how smart I'd like to think that I am), being new to Philadelphia, I found myself needing highlights, but wanted to go to my regular stylist back home. She happens to be closed on Saturdays, the only day I could go. Fortunately, my friend Nicole saved the day and referred me to her colorist, who introduced me to the best hair product that nobody knows about. Agadir Argan Oil Spray Treatment. As all of my friends know, "It's all part of the treatment." Sorry, inside joke. Anyway, the product is great. A miracle, if you will, particularly for dry, over processed hair. Not that I would know anything about that. The treatment protects hair from heat damage caused by use of blow dryers and flat irons, leaving hair full, shiny, healthy looking and sleek. Oh, and it smells amazing too. I was initially horrified when Karen, my friend's colorist, told me she was putting oil on my hair, immediately assuming that it would leave my hair looking like grease had been sprayed on it, but the next day, my hair looked just as good as it did the day before. Seriously, a miracle. Am I the only person who gets excited about things like this? Maybe, but for $25, this bottle will last me for months and make bad hair days a thing of the past!

I lost a jacket, but gained Goldie!

2010-03-10T19:59:00.000-05:00

So, if I hadn't lost my jacket today, I wouldn't have stumbled upon my favorite and, sadly, discontinued, makeup brand of all time in TJ Maxx. I didn't even know the coat was missing until I realized I was cold, went to put it on, and voila, no jacket. The end of work day wasn't really in sight for some time, so I needed a sweater or jacket or something to help me out. I was out on the road anyway, so I trucked it to the Mizzy (TJ Maxx for those who aren't catching onto my lingo), and picked up a cheap cardigan. On my way to the checkout, I walked past the makeup, and had one of my shopping freakout moments. Goldie, the now defunct, yet ultra cool, makeup line founded by Dineh Mohajer (co-founder of Hard Candy makeup) and Jeanne Chavez with the most amazing packaging by Kim Petty (daughter of Tom), was unloading their stock at the Mizzy! Not only did Goldie make the most amazing lip gloss shades, but the gloss lasted forever, and their nail polish? Amazing colors that lasted a week or more without chipping. Now, for those in the know, Goldie went out of business a little over a year ago. Traditionally, makeup doesn't have a shelf life (once opened) of more than a few months (bacteria is bad, people!). Did that stop me? No. Do I currently have cute nails and pale pink lips? Yes!
Just a side note, Hard Candy is back too and available exclusively at Wal-Mart. You might remember Hard Candy for the funky eye shadows and bold colored nail polish sold in the mid-1990's. After being under the LVMH umbrella since 1999 (when the Mohajer sisters sold the line for $30 million) and struggling amongst the growing specialty makeup lines at the likes of Sephora and Ulta, the line was again sold to NuWorld Beauty. The Wal-Mart deal was struck so that Wally World could compete with the cosmetic lines that are exclusive to Target (such as Sonia Kashuk and JK Jemma Kidd). So far, it's working. Magazines such as Lucky and Real Simple are already awarding the line, and with NuWorld keeping Hard Candy's rock and roll edge to the 260 plus product line, the lower price point will win over a new legion of followers.
http://www.walmart.com/cp/Hard-Candy/1058084

Do I Need Another Sundress?

2010-03-01T20:22:00.000-05:00

Yes. I do. Especially that pretty, swingy yellow number pictured at right. Particularly when Jean Paul Gaultier at a Target price point is involved. Minus, of course, that bizarre mesh tattoo top. Yeah, and I won't be wearing the snake skin tights either.
Anyway, Jean Paul Gaultier at Target debuts March 7, and will undoubtedly fly off the racks. The JPG/Target collaboration has been widely anticipated since its announcement five months ago, and with prices ranging from $19.99 to $199, it appears to be the most wide ranging effort to date for Target's partnership with a guest designer. Gaultier, most widely known as being one of Madonna's go-to designers, has toned down his rock and roll style and added some flirty feminine pieces and swimsuits. The accessories, leather jackets, those snake and tattoo inspired looks, as well as some throwback looks paying homage to vintage Madonna are all reminiscent of typical Gaultier.
John Paul Gaultier will be available at select Target stores and online beginning March 7.
http://www.target.com/b/?node=1294293011&ref=sr_shorturl_gaultier

Can't Even Explain My Excitement...

2010-02-20T22:36:00.000-05:00

The first perfume that I ever wore was Love's Baby Soft. I was in fifth grade when I got it, and it was a huge event in my life. I know, who else would say that? Regardless, it was, and to this day, Love's Baby Soft has a special place in my heart, right next to roller skating parties, middle school dances and hair scrunchies. To be fair, I hadn't given much thought to this favored perfume of teenagers since that initial bottle of Baby Soft ran out all those years ago. That is, until this evening.

While meandering through Wal Mart, gearing up for my upcoming move, I stumbled upon a Love's display. Imagine my surprise to learn that Love's makes scents other than Baby Soft! Most people would have just walked right by and not thought twice, but not this girl. I was lucky enough to find the display after somebody (no doubt a tween trying to convince a parent that they would face ridicule from their peers if they didn't wear perfume-the card I played all those years ago) opened the packaging to sample the scents.
To explain what happened next, I have to explain what happened five minutes earlier at Wal-Mart. Not to get too personal with those of you reading my blog, but for years (11 precisely), I wore Berry Blossom Teen Spirit deodorant. Despite my age, I loved it, it worked, and it smelled amazing. Then, without any warning (you know, because Mennen should warn me about things), Berry Blossom disappeared from the shelves. Now, I didn't go out of my way to find it, so it is possible that the stores I go to just don't carry it anymore, but to use a product for over a decade and then not be able to find it, well, it's kind of traumatizing. As I am moving, I decided to buy new deodorant (which involves me buying a new brand like a week ago, and because I can't buy Berry Blossom, I was experimenting, did not like my choice, and now needed to replace the coconut concoction I had purchased). That being said, there I was, shamelessly removing the annoying plastic shields on the deodorants in the middle of the store, inhaling and passing on each scent. Noticing that Degree makes a line for teens, I decided to try their "Just Dance" scent (literally, the packaging says, "For All Your OMG Moments"). "Just Dance" is Berry Blossom Teen Spirit reincarnate. I threw my find in my cart, left the aisle and proceeded to cosmetics, which is where we shall pick up my ramblings about cheap perfume.
I sprayed Love's Baby Soft in the air, inhaled the familiar scent, and immediately decided I had no idea what the hell I was doing at age 12. Sugar Kiss was pleasant, just not my cup of tea. It has notes of jasmine and vanilla, which ruined it for me, because I equate vanilla with bathroom spray. BUT!!! Berry Sweet, oh how sweet is Berry Sweet? It is like Degree's Just Dance and Berry Blossom Teen Spirit had a baby in a spray bottle. It is $5 perfection. Feeling just as excited as I did when I convinced my mom to buy me Love's Baby Soft at Thrift Drug in 1989, I rushed to the checkout to buy my latest obsession, Berry Sweet!
http://www.danaclassics.com/women/loves/loves-berry-sweet-body-splash-10-ounces

Curling saves the day

2010-02-18T10:58:00.000-05:00

The 2010 Winter Olympics did not begin with a bang for me. Ralph Lauren dressed the American team, and from the waist up, we looked warm and fashionable in our patriotic (and Polo logo'd) bubble jackets and woolen caps. The problem I had was with Ralph's work on the lower half. White pants. Oh, I don't follow the white pants after labor day rule, I'm referring to the ill fitting nature of these pants, and the fact that they were paired with dark hiking boots. I read an interview with Lauren, stating the U.S. Olympic Committee's desire to go with a "retro" look, but instead, we looked like were were going to a club at a ski resort on top, and hanging out with Charlie on It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia on the bottom. The look wasn't cohesive, and I'm anticipating fashion redemption during the closing ceremonies (rumor has it we'll be sporting fitted wool navy blue cardigans with red accents and berets, BUT those white pants, again.).
The subsequent performance uniforms provided little excitement, until...Curling. The little watched sport pulled through in a huge way with Norway, sporting some harlequin style navy blue, red and white pants, stealing the show. The pants, made by LoudMouth Golf, are receiving a lot of attention, and rightfully so. Quite frankly, Norway always pulls through in the winter olympics department, and I am glad they are not disappointing in 2010.
The U.S. team is always looking for innovations to enhance performance so that more medals are won. That's the entire point of the Olympics. I get it. It's just nice to see that some people are having fun with the entire Olympic experience, particularly in a sport where the uniform plays no role in the end result!

Valentine's Day

2010-02-04T14:13:00.000-05:00

Being that I have nobody to buy a Valentine's Day gift for this year, I have a particularly sarcastic view on the day. Assuming that most people do have to find some small trinket to gift their significant other, I thought I should share my wisdom on shopping for Valentine's Day.

I liked Valentine's Day when it was easy, when your grandparent's gave you conversation hearts and your parent's hooked you up with some chocolate. To me, Valentine's Day stopped being fun in fourth grade, when we stopped exchanging small cards and candy with our classmates. Still, I've had my fair share of Valentine's Days, and have received (and given) some great gifts. Even more importantly, I've heard about the gifts my friends have received over the years, and based on the information I've collected, I have only one hint for those shopping for their significant other this year. Listen very carefully, and repeat year after year for the rest of your long life. Do not buy anything with hearts. Nothing screams, "I didn't have an idea, gifts with hearts are easy to find around Valentine's Day, and I spent virtually no time trying to find something meaningful." Trust me on this. I could continue on and say that flowers are lame (again, no thought required, plus, a tremendous waste of money, since they will die within a few days), candy is so old school it's almost cool, and a stuffed animal is only acceptable if you are still if you are still waiting for a college acceptance letter, but no, I will not. Just avoid gifts with hearts, and you are set.

Plagiarism

2010-01-28T22:45:00.000-05:00

Apparently, Forever 21 (reliable for cheap and guilt-free shopping) doesn't easily learn a lesson. The discount retailer was sued in 2007 by Gwen Stefani for copying designs from her line, Harajuku Lovers. Now, they're copying Miley Cyrus, of all people. Honestly, I get it. I'm a sucker for sequins (who isn't?). But not only did Forever 21 steal everything about the shirt from Wal-Mart's Miley Cyrus & Max Azria line (it's completely embarrassing that I know any of this, for the record), they have the audacity to charge customers $12 more for the top. Perhaps Forever 21 will be putting that extra profit towards their legal defense, should Miley and Max decide to go Harajuku on them!
See Miley's tank, top left....now move on over to the right and take a look at Forever 21's version. Plagiarism.

Hey, summer!

2010-01-24T19:51:00.000-05:00

I don't exactly like cold weather. The only thing that makes winter tolerable is the fact that I get to wear my favorite footwear (boots). The occasional "warm" winter day (you know the type...high temperature in the 40's) makes me want to start looking for spring and summer clothes. Right now, I'm obsessing over these shorts, and how cute they would look with my red Dr. Scholl's exercise sandals.

If Only It Were Something Other Than Costume Jewelry

2010-01-14T21:47:00.000-05:00

I was privy to a shopping phenomenon today. This happens very rarely, so one should not become too excited upon reading this post. Here's how it went down:

I am at the King of Prussia mall, a very dangerous place for a person who shops at my skill level. I see a sign outside of Gap telling me to "TAKE AN ADDITIONAL 40% OFF OF CLEARANCE." Interesting, I think. I wander into Gap, ignore all the new merchandise, and walk back to the clearance. Being that I've ignored most of the store, I give myself a pat on the back and start looking at the extremely picked over selections in my size. Disappointed, but not defeated, I turned to the accessories, which had a 70% (70%!) off sign near them. After all, there were some really cute costume necklaces. None of them had prices. I did what any resourceful person would do. I tried loading Gap's site on my phone to see if I can find the sale price, and of course, am far too impatient to wait the few minutes it was taking to load, so with two of the necklaces in hand, I set out on a quest to find a sales associate. The sales associate had no clue as to what the price of the necklaces should be, so she went to find the manager, who was trying to do a huge return at a register (why I didn't go to him in the first place). He glanced at the necklace, and told the associate to "Go in the back, find another sale necklace and use that barcode, then take 70% off." Initially, this annoyed me, certain this would somehow not work out to my advantage, because, well, I have virtually no luck. Well, today was my lucky day (finally, although I wish luck would appear in different situations). The sales girl grabbed a tiny, thin necklace from the back (I was holding the necklace in the photo), doesn't tell me the price on the tag, but rings it up and tells me that my necklaces are going to be $1.20 each. Of course, I bought them both. I just checked Gap's website. The necklace is on sale for $19.99. And that's how today worked out for me.

Dear Christian Audigier, Please go away. Yours, Laurie

2010-01-04T17:41:00.000-05:00

My brother is going to Las Vegas in six days. He took me shopping this afternoon to help him find "Vegas" clothes to wear out at night while there. Early on, we decided that it was impossible to find his size shirt at Macy's, the only decent department store in our area, so we went to my go-to source, T.J. Maxx. Thankfully, we were able to find some Ben Sherman fitted dress shirts, and he secured himself some pants, dress socks and a Polo sweater. We then found possibly the most visually offensive item I have seen at a store, perhaps ever. An Ed Hardy tie. After making the obvious Jon Gosselin jokes, we both laughed hysterically at the hideousness of the tie. Then we inspected the tie (which was really poorly made-I am pretty sure the tacky graphic was an iron on). It was as if we couldn't believe such an item existed. Yes, for $12.99 at T.J. Maxx (or, apparently, for $75 at other stores), this tie can be yours. I contemplated getting it as a gag gift, but didn't even want to waste that much money on the tie. Where on earth would somebody wear such a ridiculous tie? An MTV Jersey Shore themed costume party?
Okay, okay, I know. Ed Hardy is popular. And no, my problem is not with tattoos (I actually love tattoos if they're well done.). While I do think Ed Hardy products are horrible, I think Christian Audigier is at the root of the problem, because we can blame him for other offensive trends. Remember the VonDutch trucker hat phenomenon of the early 2000's? Yeah, that was him too. Smet? Ugh. This man buys the rights to other people's talent, slaps them on a t-shirt (or a hat), sends samples to celebrities and opens stores in high-end retails markets.
If you're going to wear tattoo inspired clothing, at least look into the Sailor Jerry line. The images and products are actually cool, made in the USA, and the line includes not only clothes and accessories, but household items (I am loving the pint glasses), books and vinyl (oh, and for those over 21, rum). Still a die hard Ed Hardy buff? Hardy turned down a scholarship to Yale to tattoo under Sailor Jerry, and Hardy (not Christian Audigier) and Mike Malone, another student of Sailor Jerry, were involved in the 1999 creation of Sailor Jerry, Ltd., based out of Philadephia.

Enter the One-Piece

2009-12-30T23:22:00.000-05:00

My friend, Val, loves theme parties. It's not uncommon to receive an invitation to a party that requires you to find an ugly sweater, 80's outfit, or, on one occasion a few years ago, a one-piece. We, being the crafty girls that we are, even changed the lyrics of a Sean Paul song from "It's all good, Girl turn me on 'Til a early 'morn" to "It's all good, I got a one-piece on." At the time, we thought it was funny, but now, not only are one-pieces turning up everywhere, but they're fun and fashionable, and even though Val will make fun of me for saying this, I want one (or five)!

Now, as I have stated my latest obsession, let me explain the rules of one-piece shopping.
1. Avoid the harem pant. This look didn't look good on anybody (with the exception of Barbara Eden), including MC Hammer. Apparently, a lot of retailers thought that a plunging neckline could work with a sagging bottom. Sadly, they were mistaken. Don't waste your money.
2. No frills on the bottom. Again, a lot of retailers are taking the look very literally and making the same version of the jumpsuit that bank tellers wore in the late 70's and early 80's. If the jumpsuit you are trying on has a ruffle anywhere near the waist, put down the item, run out of the store and don't turn back.

3. Avoid linen and satin. Look for jumpsuits made out of jersey knit that will wear well and be more versatile.
4. Wear flats. This look is all about comfort.
5. Don't over-accessorize. Stick with a bangle and a scarf, and you're set.
Where to look for jumpsuits? A great place to start is Forever21 (the above look is available for $29) and Macy's. Both retailers offer the look at an affordable price. For some pricier options, try Shopbop and TopShop.

Have dress, will travel

2009-12-21T14:29:00.000-05:00

I love to dress up. Few things excite me more than getting an invitation to a function that requires me to don a cocktail dress and heels. One of those things is a good bargain, and Target's newest collaboration with Rodarte is my dream come true, blending Kate and Laura Mulleavy's knack for ladylike details and lush fabrics with Target's affordable pricing.
Rodarte for Target, ranging in price from $9.99 (socks) to $45 (the lace little black dress above), is available until January 31 at Target stores and online at target.com.
Unlike Target's past pairings with high-end designers, where the quality and design work have been disappointing at best, Rodarte have finally hit the nail on the head. The designs are adorable, vintage inspired, and can be worn for years to come. The quality of the items is impressive, and the colors are all neutral and able to be worn in any season. I suggest getting to your local Target, and quickly, as Rodarte for Target will likely sell out. Rodarte has a huge cult following, and being able to purchase their designs at a discounted price is a holiday treat that nobody will be able to resist. As for me, I'm obsessing over the beige dress pictured (only $39.99), and, just throwing this out there, will gladly be a plus one to a wedding or holiday party, just for an excuse to throw on that dress.
http://www.target.com/gp/browse.html/ref=sc_iw_ss_1/?node=16275561

lazy typing about...lazy shoes?

2009-12-13T10:17:00.000-05:00

when the first leaf falls, i break out my frye collection, shine those bad boys, and brace myself for cold weather and good footwear. when the weather warms to the point where i can't pull off boots, i break out flip flops. there's virtually no in between in my world. oh, i own other shoes, there just isn't much time for them with all that boot and flip flop wearing going on. so, when i found myself eyeing up the new reebok easytone, i wondered if i was coming down with some sort of horrible illness.
reebok boasts that the easytone has the ability to, much like my beloved dr. scholl's wood-soled exercise sandal, tone your legs. reebok designed the sole to create instability, leading to said toning. lazy shoes for lazy people, or shoes that enhance your workout? i'd like to think of it as a shoe that multi-tasks for your benefit. apparently, i missed the boat on their november product launch, when you could custom-design your own easytone shoe. lack of custom-shoe aside, the mere idea that i could go for a walk and get some added toning, simply because i am wearing these shoes? well, that's all i need to hear to open up my wallet and fork over the $99 to put these in my closet. maybe i'll even wear them!

The best gift ever!

2009-12-07T09:19:00.001-05:00

I know. That's a pretty tall order, but I do believe that for a girl, this is the best gift ever. A few years ago, when I got my pug, I kind of went into a puppy-induced craze, and did everything a new mom would do, but for my dog. I had professional pictures taken, carried a camera with me at all times-I even tried to turn him into a doggie model, and landed him in Better Nutrition as story art. Recognizing my obsession over my new dog, my sister wisely chose a personalized Christmas gift that year-a charm necklace from Planetjill, with Diesel's (Diesel would be my pug) face on the charm. Adorable, perfect...love. A few years later, when I got my lab, Liam, I received another necklace with his face on it. Another perfect gift.
The best part? The charm itself is only $38 (in sterling silver), and a chain or charm bracelet can be inexpensively purchased (for about $15) at stores like Target and Piercing Pagoda. You can buy the charm on a chain directly from Planetjill, but it does cost a bit more that way (a complete bracelet starts at $130, while the basic necklace starts at $70). The company also makes other original designs, such as monogrammed and letter jewelry. Planetjill offers their designs in sterling silver, 14 k gold, and 14 k gold with diamonds. Not only would the charm, on a necklace or bracelet, make a great gift for mom, but they also make a full line of gifts for the office and home (think bookmarks, letter openers, paperweights, keychains and luggage tags), which would be great for dad.
If you are looking to make a holiday purchase, and want to make a generous gift at the same time, Planetjill has a great selection of items in the "charity" section. "Planetjill in Pink" offers inspirational and memorial gifts, and 20% of the purchase price will be donated to "Save the Ta-Tas." Also, when ordering through "Planetjill cares," the company will donate 50% of the purchase price to non-profit organizations, such as Autism Speaks.
If this idea interests you, get started now! In order to receive your gift before Christmas, orders must be received by December 16th.
https://www.planetjill.com/default.asp
Shopping Advice: When purchasing the chain or charm bracelet from a vendor other than Planetjill, make sure you take the charm with you, to ensure that the charm will fit over the ends of the chain, or can be added to the bracelet easily.

Christmas: What I want, but will have to buy for myself

2009-12-01T14:48:00.001-05:00

I love buying gifts for people. I also love to receive gifts (doesn't everybody?). This year, my family decided to not exchange gifts. On a few levels, this is great. For starters, I don't have to act happy when I get gifts I don't like. Also, I get to keep some change in my pocket. The depressing thing? Nothing to open. We aren't even putting up a tree this year, people. It's a sad reality, and it has made me start thinking about all of the things I'd like to open. So, here's my simple little list. Nothing fancy, nothing too pricey. Just what I'd want to receive. They're solid ideas though...feel free to steal them.

1. I am obsessed with scarves. I don't need another scarf, but needs and wants are two completely unrelated topics. A scarf is the easiest accessory. If you have a white shirt on, that's great, but add a scarf, and you have an ensemble. This one, from Madewell, makes me think of a scarf my father brought back from Turkey that I used to play dress up with as a kid.
http://www.shopbop.com/fringe-paillettes-scarf-madewell/vp/v=1/845524441855062.htm?folderID=2534374302090405&extid=shopping-MADEW20056

2. A few months ago, I ran into somebody who was wearing a scented oil that I wore in college, but had long since forgotten about (anybody else remember Egyptian Goddess by Auric Blends?). They gave me the web address for the oil, but instead of ordering EG, I discovered LOVE, my new favorite scent. I've been wearing the oil, but they make the scent in perfume too! Trust me, you'll get tons of compliments, and compared to others perfumes, it's super cheap (the oil only costs $7). Love, LOVE!
http://www.auricblends.com/pages/love_product.html

3. This summer, I was completely obsessed with 500 Days of Summer. I saw the movie in the theater, bought the soundtrack, watched the supplemental videos on YouTube-you get the picture. The movie will be available on DVD on December 22. Of course, that gets added to my list!
http://www.amazon.com/500-Days-Summer-Zooey-Deschanel/dp/B001UV4XUG/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=dvd&qid=
1259698626&sr=1-1

P.S. Check out the trailer if you have no idea what I'm talking about...the movie is brilliant!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PsD0NpFSADM

4. For the last four years, the only item that I asked for was slippers. I never got them. Interesting. The pair I had wanted are no longer available, thus, no picture or link. Slippers are the female equivalent of a tie. It's a joke that they are given as gifts. Sometimes, though, people actually want slippers. Unless, of course, they don't. Purchase at your own risk.

5. Like every girl, I love jewelry. Specifically, handcrafted jewelry. For years, I've been collecting pieces from Sherry Tinsman, a metalsmith from the Poconos, and to complete my two-tone Dogwood collection, I just need the bracelet. Sherry's pieces are available at shops across the country. Check out her galleries page for locations.
http://mysite.verizon.net/vze1slqm/Jewelry.html

6. I love everything about "It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia." It is wickedly funny, politically incorrect, and extremely quotable. The gang just released a Christmas special, and although I haven't seen it yet, I can't wait to enjoy the shenanigans that Charlie and the rest will get themselves into!
http://www.amazon.com/Its-Always-Sunny-Philadelphia-Christmas/dp/B002IFUCYO/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=dvd&qid=1259732220&sr=8-1

7. I should invest in a bedazzler, because if there are sequins, I am there. Let me enter this photo (above, from Hollister) for your approval.
http://www.hollisterco.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_10251_10201_562735_-1_12745_12552

8. Downloading has ruined liner notes, which I sincerely enjoy reading. Right now I want to read the liner notes for Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix by Phoenix. Their drummer is crazy...http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RulP4OXxFbM&feature=related

And because this is my wish list:
9. A vintage MOOG.
10. Drum lessons. I know. I lived with a drummer for almost five years and never learned how to play. Shame on me. Lesson learned.

oh, miley!

2009-11-25T14:03:00.000-05:00

I am a complete snob when it comes to shopping. I know this is foolish and materialistic, but shopping genuinely makes me happy. The bonus is, I am good at it, and don't spend all that much (aside from my "problem" with Diesel jeans and Frye boots, but I'll save that for another time). Being that I am an admitted fashion snob, you can imagine my initial irritation when I learned that Max Azria (who doesn't love a good BCBG party dress?) had teamed up with Miley Cyrus (who can't get "Party in the USA" out of their head) to do a discount line for Wal-Mart. Everybody hates Wal-Mart. I get it, I try to not shop there, but sometimes it is impossible to not. But here's my beef with Miley: like me, she is addicted to Frye boots. And, she is most photographed wearing the Daisy Duke Kidskin boots that I long for, but refuse to spend the $498 to purchase.
Now, knowing my beef with Miley, imagine my horror when I found that, while at Wal-Mart to purchase some cosmetics, I couldn't tear myself away from a rack full of $7 London-inspired Miley/Max tees. I wanted to walk away, but couldn't. The shirt with the phone booth (reference above picture to confirm the cuteness factor) on the front and numbers splattered across the back was just too cute to not buy. Besides, it was just a one-time thing. I could slip up once and buy a tee at Wally World, right?
Enter last evening. I went to Wal-Mart to buy my mom a birthday card (nothing like procrastinating, as her birthday is today). After securing a sentimental card (she's going away for a month, so I couldn't go with the usual humor-filled cards that I prefer), I meandered through the store. To my surprise, I found a new, and completely hidden, sequin, fringe and tutu wonderland of Miley/Max gear. Like a 12-year-old, I had a Miley freak out, and grabbed a cream tank with a sequined bow splashed across the front, a cream tank with a sequined bib (very Marc Jacobs), and a black tank with zipper straps that zips down the back (well, not really, to unzip a tank would be too risque for the tween set, this zipper is inoperable). Total? $27.
Clearly, I now embrace Miley. So, she likes Frye. Maybe her taste is just as sophisticated as my own, right? After all, I'm the one in rocking kicks with the phone booth shirt on my back!

Black Friday...blah blah blah

2009-11-17T09:53:00.000-05:00

I have absolutely no idea why people shop on Black Friday. Believe me, I understand the value of a good deal. I grew up in a household where one didn't make a purchase unless some sort of good deal was involved. I can think of hundreds of things I'd rather be doing that don't involve getting up early to wait in line for the opening of a store or standing in line to pay on Black Friday. Plus, I avoid conflict at all costs, and the mere idea of fighting with somebody over the last item in any store makes me want to put down my wallet and surrender before stepping foot out of the house. People die on Black Friday. Why? Because Wal-Mart had a good deal on a computer. Do you want to get trampled to death at Wal-Mart? That is so not what I want written as the cause of death in my obituary.
Fortunately, like all good trends, Black Friday is old news. Cyber Monday is the new Black Friday. Retailers are going to be offering great online-only deals the Monday after Thanksgiving. Oh yes, people will still wake up at the crack of dawn and stand outside in the cold, waiting for Target to open their doors (does the image above-thanks ABCnews.com-look like fun?). But not this girl. I'll be at home, enjoying some extra sleep, and, hopefully, my grandmother's turkey and waffles.
I have no idea how great the bargains are going to be, how much money one can save...check out CNBC's site if you want actual information. I am simply passing along a website for people to explore, use a coupon code and get a deal. Who knows, maybe even save a life! http://www.cybermonday.com/

Eh, Choo?

2009-11-12T09:52:00.000-05:00

On Saturday morning, crazy women will line up outside of H & M and wait for some poor soul assigned to wrist-band detail to let them in to shop the debut of Jimmy Choo for H & M. Not that I don't condone waiting in line to shop. Let me salute my sister, who waited in line for hours for me when Diesel had their "Dirty Thirty" event (in celebration of their 30th anniversary, Diesel released a limited edition pair of jeans for just $50).
The Jimmy Choo line for H & M isn't bad, don't get me wrong. The electric blue suede mini-dress is adorable, but the price points are not exactly the norm for H & M shoppers. The blue suede dress is $249, which isn't horrible, if I was buying the dress at French Connection or Club Monaco, but H & M? Even the Karl Lagerfeld collection for H & M didn't cost that much, and he's heading up Chanel! The rest of the Jimmy Choo clothing line (which is the winning point of the collection) has a rock and roll vibe, but isn't anything you couldn't find in H & M on a cheaper/non-Jimmy Choo rack. The shoes are disappointing. Gladiators? Still?
The shoes Christian Siriano designed for Payless (Payless of all places, people. See above pic-courtesy of NY Mag for reference) are more original, and more what I have in mind when a collaboration is announced. Unique heel design, chains, spikes! No boring gladiators here. These shoes are actually exciting. I want to wear these shoes (even if they are from Payless, which I curse for bringing the term "BOGO" into my vocabulary). Siriano won Project Runway and (even though he interned at Vivienne Westwood) answered phones at a hair salon. Tamara Mellon (of Jimmy Choo) has years of experience as British Vogue's accessories editor, plus years of heading up Jimmy Choo under her belt, and Siriano out designed her.
The Jimmy Choo line will undoubtedly sell out quickly by brand association alone. I just hope the next accessories collaboration with H & M (perhaps Christian Louboutin) will live up to my expectations. In the meantime, I'm skipping Jimmy Choo and trying to track down the Christian Siriano heels with chains and spikes.

Stella McCartney Joins the Club

2009-11-10T07:38:00.000-05:00

Joining the ranks of designers such as Anna Sui, Karl Lagerfeld and Vera Wang, who have all enjoyed mass market success by selling low-price knock-offs of their designs (at Target, H & M, and Kohl's respectively), Stella McCartney is designing a line for GapKids-just in time for the holidays.
This isn't McCartney's first foray into affordable wares. She has collaborated with H & M, LeSportsac and Adidas in the past with much fanfare and positive reviews.
McCartney's line will speak to moms and kids alike...the clothes are whimsical and practical. All pieces are even machine washable. McCartney, who uses no fur or leather when desigining her adult lines, has even convinced Gap, known for affordable and on-trend leather footwear, to go green. McCartney's accessories for the brand are all vegan. Plus, moms will have the ability to dress their kids in Stella McCartney clothing at Gap pricing.
Now, I don't have kids, although I do have a nephew, another niece or nephew on the way, and most of my friends are parents, but I have genetics on my side. Somewhere along the line, destiny (and genetics) knew about Stella McCartney for GapKids, her military jacket for boys (pictured in the group shot above), plus my love for Marc Jacobs military jackets (McCartney's is a complete knock-off, see picture of the female model for comparison's sake), and gifted me with a small frame. Yes, I can shop in the kids department. This is a win/win situation for me thus far, although I'm having a hard time tracking down said military jacket. A large will definitely fit me. Do not fear, for when it comes to finding designer duds for less, or feats of shopping in general, I all but never lose.