Spring at Ann Taylor Loft

So, after months of turning my eyes from shopping, I let myself go back to pick up some essentials. I made sure to only stop in a few stores: Anthropologie, Gap, Banana Republic, and Ann Taylor Loft.

I had a coupon for 30% off at Gap/BR, but when I spotted a sign for 30% off tees at ATL and tees were what I was shopping for, I took a looksie. I shopping specifically for tees for work and ATL has a more professional feel to it than Gap and is more affordable than BR.

As for Anthro, I only wanted to shop there for some plateware. :)

Anywho, Ann Taylor Loft had such cute stuff today! It reminded me a bit of J Crew from last year, but I don't care...I loved it! I wanted to buy a couple dresses, some cardigans, some scarves, but I kept myself to what I had gone there for - tees.

I need tees so I can layer them for work. Here's what I got:

Pink tee ~$20, white long sleeve T on sale $12.99, gray sweater (machine washable!) $20


Gray decorative T ~$24, white T ~$20



I liked how this pink (and the white) Ts have a ruffly neckline - decorative edges look nice under layers of cardigans and sweaters.


This decorative tee has a neat necklace and fun pattern down the front, plus it's machine washable/dryable.


Even this tie-neck sweater is machine washable. I love the muted gray. It goes with the pale pink/nude look that seems to be popular now.

Anywho, don't think I'll be shopping much any time soon, but here are some basics to keep me going. Meanwhile, the rest of my money will go towards our new house, renovations, and all that jazz.

What have you purchased lately?

A Dress for Any Occasion

So...I haven't been shopping. Not. At. All. Not really in stores and not really online, save an occasional browse or pass-through. I'm trying to save money for other things (like our new house) and can't really put money towards clothes - ESPECIALLY not when I already have so much I can barely contain it all!

However, I think some window shopping here or there would be healthy and help me see how people are styling clothes so I can style what I already have. I will be making purchases once in awhile, but not like I used to.

Lately, I've been craving dresses. I've decided I need a single red statement dress for holiday parties. I browsed online today in search of dresses and though I didn't find any red ones, I did find lots of other pretty ones.

A Dress for Any Occasion:

New Year's Eve Party

J Crew - Silk taffeta Karyn dress - $295
This metallic number will help you be the life of the party. So festive!

Classy Night Out

Banana Republic - Colorblock Dress Waist Dress - $130
The classic lines of this dress help you look sexy and appropriate.

Daytime Dress-Up

Modcloth - So Chic in Batik dress - $54.99
Pair this with tights and slouchy boots for a fab daytime look - shopping with the girls, getting groceries (what? some people dress up even for grocery shopping!), or running errands

Date Night

Anthropologie - Abstract Adornment Dress - $248
The deep winter hues of this fun pattern paired with the simple lines and fun jeweled necklace of this dress make you sophisticated-sexy.

What types of dresses are you shopping for (if any)?

NOTE: images from respective web sites

Trend Love: One Shoulder Style

I'm seeing trend alerts everywhere for one shoulder top and dress styles, but seriously...the one shoulder look is a personal fave...one that I've rocked since high school (maybe even middle school?).

Here are some of my current faves:

Old Navy - Women's Ruffled One Shoulder Top - $9.99 (on sale from $22.50)


ModCloth - High Tide Dress - $74.99


Maggy London One Shoulder Dress - $128 (via nordstrom.com)


Foley + Corinna Zigzag Jersey Asymmetrical Dress - $212.50 (on sale from $425 via shopbop.com)

What do you think of the one shoulder look?

NOTE: images from oldnavy.com, modcloth.com, nordstrom.com, and shopbop.com

Martin + Osa: Labor Day Specials

Martin + Osa is offering some awesome Labor Day deals now through Labor Day: FREE SHIPPING (that's always nice, no?) on all orders and a free gift with purchase of regular price denim.

For the ladies:

With purchase of reg. price denim, you'll receive a M+O beautiful "Love Shop scarf (retails for $69.50).

For the men:

With purchase of reg. price denim, you'll receive a M+O awesome Two-color cotton web belt (retails for $39.50).

My pick for ladies:

If you're looking to update your wardrobe for fall, check out the Supercross jean in "Charcoal" ($120). This jean will help you rock out that tough-chic look that will be so popular. Pair with sky-high heels and a leather jacket to get the look.


My pick for the men:

I love these Vintage Slim Fit jeans ($99.50) in Black Resin Rinse Wash for Fall 2009. Same idea as above for the ladies but in a masculine way, of course. Pair with a simple light-tone, gray-wash tee and boots.

How the deal works:
- In store customers will have their choice of color for both the scarf and belt. Online orders color will be random.
- Max one men’s and one women’s gift per order (one men’s jean and one women’s jean = one belt and one scarf…. Two women’s jeans = one scarf)

Don't forget: FREE SHIPPING too on all orders!

Go to martinandosa.com to get shopping!

NOTE: Please check out martinandosa.com for full special details. Images courtesy Martin + Osa and from martinandosa.com

Infatuated with J Crew Spring 2009

I am so in love with J Crew's spring collection. I want one of everything, but since I'm not independently wealthy, I'll have to settle for none or maybe 1 or 2 things (since I know I've already purchased some other things that were such good deals, I couldn't pass them up).

Statement Necklace

Sunray necklace - $150
Would it be wrong to spend the majority of my shopping budget on this gorgeous statement piece? I'm thinking it could be a good investment if I can use it to dress up a lot of my spring '09 outfits. With this baby, you can make a T-shirt look fab!

Girly Top

Viscose ruffle-sleeve tank - ON SALE - $29 (from $42)
Besides cardigans, my other clothing staples are tank tops. I don't like sleeves, so cute tank tops are a must for me! This one, with the adorable ruffles, is a winner and the price doesn't hurt. Hmm...Maybe I should hit up the mall today before this baby gets snatched up?

Bright Bottom

Metallic-silk mini - ON SALE - $58 (from $78)
I feel like I'm finally getting my staple bottoms down, so now it's time to play. I normally don't do orange in my wardrobe (I have nothing against it, it's just not the first color I'm drawn to) but there's something about this skirt that I simply love!

Cutesy Cardigan

Cotton-cashmere ruffle cardigan - $68
Ahh...cardigan...my love. I don't have any...wait...I only have 1 short-sleeved cardigan and this cutesy, ruffly one would make a great addition to my current cardigan collection. I also this this cardigan would look awesome with that sunray necklace I'm currently craving.

Perfectly Pastel Pumps

Joley patent-leather peep toes - $198
I think I've mentioned before, but J Crew is one of my fave brands for shoes - they are so comfortable. I have learned the hard way that only their round-toe or peep-toe shoes are comfortable for me, personally, because I have wider feet. How gorge are these baby-pink pumps!? Love them...want them...

NOTE: Images by jcrew.com

Sephora Make-Up Shopping

Sephora is the devil when you're shopping on a budget, no? I want one of everything in there! I braved my shopaholicism and went to Sephora with a girlfriend this past weekend. I went for eyeliner and came back with some other goodies. They were all under budget, though. :)


I got the eyeliner I went for (Makeup Forever Aqua Eyes eyeliner in Black), new lip gloss (Korres - cherry), and a LORAC multi-plantinum palatte. I also got a free sample of some Sephora body cream in coconut, which smells delish!


Here's a peek under the covers.


And a closer look at the palette. I was torn between getting this palette and the other LORAC palatte, but the guy at the store pointed out that since I already have the Croc palette, I already have plenty of neutrals, so the platinum would be more fun.


Since I spent so much at Sephora, I decided to try to get as little as possible in the clothes department. I ended up just getting this adorable tank top for around $13.


Here's a closer look at the floral neckline. I love this part!

Have you gotten any good goodies lately? Are you shopping as much as you used to?

Anthropologie Does Spring Tops for 2009

Oh, Anthropologie, why do you taunt me so with your beautiful Spring 2009 tops? Look what I found when I innocently browsed to Anthropologie in search of chic placemats:


Curl & Twirl Sweater - $88


Tivoli Scoopneck - $88


Remember Me Surplice - $98


Esja Blouse - $68

Maybe if I'm a good girl with my budget this month, I will treat myself to one of these feminine beauties?

NOTE: images by anthropologie.com

Shopaholic Regresses

So, I've been super good about not shopping lately...at least, that was until I ventured out to the mall to get some stuff for hubby this past weekend. While I was out, I figured I'd take a quick peek at some stuff in my fave stores and would ya know it...a quick peek turned into a weekend-long shopping spree. Tonight, I'm having to go through my goods to decide what I absolutely can't live without and what can be returned. The problem is, that I don't actually want to return any of it. Out of everything I got, I only got two trendy items and the rest I feel are classic items I can wear to work or play.

So, fellow shopaholics, I have two questions for you...

#1 - How do you make yourself return something that you don't actually want to return? You only feel obligated to return it because you spent too much?

#2 - How do you keep make-up off of cream colored coats and collared-shirts, like this:

J Crew Class Peacoat with thinsulate - $149.99 (from $250)

I got this coat yesterday at J Crew, plus I got an extra 20% in the store! Woohoo! Only problem is...I noticed that the collars graze my jaw and cheeks every now and again and I'm wondering how on earth my make-up (Bare Escentuals) will stay off!

Any ideas?

:) D

Banana Republic's Amazing Upcoming Sale

You guys know how infatuated I am with Banana Republic, so it brings me great pleasure to announce that BR will be having the most amazing, upcoming sale!



“Life of the party luxuries. No splurging required.

$25 off your purchase of $100 or more

In-store only

December 5-17”

Click here for holiday offer

As usual, there are a million things I'd love to have and now have more incentive to actually buy:

Cashmere argyle sweater - $160


'Olive' cutout oxford pump - $89.99 (from $150)


Cowlneck knit dress - $110


Long tie-front cardigan - $64.99 (from $98)

I've been really good about not buying any clothes lately, so perhaps I'm due a little splurge? *wink*

Anyone else out there as excited about this sale as me?

NOTE: Images by bananarepublic.com

Must Shop: The Leather Jacket

I've been wanting a leather jacket for FOREVER now, but simply cannot find the "one." I was actually willing a year or so ago (when I wasn't trying to be so darn responsible) to spend a couple or few hundred on an "investment" piece, but just never found anything I liked.

I actually really like this one I found at Urban Outfitters:

Silence & Noise Motorcycle Jacket - $128

The price isn't bad either. I'll have to check it out in person. I'm sure real-leather would be better, but my wallet would appreciate this deal more.

I haven't found any good middle-ground options, but if you're wanting to go "all-out", here's a gorge leather jacket by who else by D&G:

D&G Dolce & Gabbana - Fitted Leather Jacket - $1495 (ouch)

Have you found any good leather jacket options this season?

NOTE: images by urbanoutfitters.com and neimanmarcus.com, respectively

Must Shop: Old Navy's Self-Proclaimed Flirty Top

I love the look of this breezy top - it is perfect for enjoying the last weeks of warm weather. I don't think the below picture does the top justice - it looks much better on the model they feature on the Women's Homepage, but here goes:


Women's Ruffle Chiffon Tanks - $26.50

This top would be great for anything from hanging out w/ girlfriends to going on a sweet date. I also like the other available color for this top - pink!

NOTE: Image oldnavy.com

Must Shop: Target's Jrs Xhila Cap Slv Open Cardigan

I saw this adorable cardigan online and knew I wanted to try to find it in store today. I also wanted to swing by Target to see if I could pick up any more work-friendly clothes and some layering, white tees. I, of course, found too much stuff I liked and had a hard time putting things back. I always have a hard time putting items back from a potential purchase collection (that stack of clothes heavily draped over your arm as you walk around a store) whenever they look good on, have a good price, and are versatile items that I think will get lots of use. Something's gotta give, though, so I managed to put a few items back.

I did end up finding this cardigan:

Jrs Xhila Cap Slv Open Cardigan - $17.99

It must have been a popular item - the rack with this item was nearly empty and only had a handful of XL and XXL. I normally wear a S-M, but figured I'd try one on anyways, seeing as how layers seem to be so loose this fall. The L and XL actually fit pretty well - nice and loose - a great compliment to a tank, tee, or even dress. I love layers! I ended up picking this cardi up in brown and black. I think they'll work nicely from casual to dressy and even to work!

NOTE: image target.com

Sale Alert: Take an Extra 30% off J Crew Sale Through Monday

Listen up ladies...J Crew is offering an extra 30% off J Crew Sale items online & in-store through Monday. I ended up stopping by the mall today to check things out. I've been looking for some cute shorts, but they didn't have any good ones left. I went to the "popular" mall in town - people hit those sale racks up hard core!

I'm pretty happy with today's shopping. You guys know I've been working on keeping my shopping in check, which is always a challenge, especially when there's a good sale (things were an extra 40% off at the store I went to). I managed to hold myself back from buying a couple tank tops and some comfy khakis, and only got one thing - this madras skirt:


Baja patchwork madras mini - $49.99 (from $68 - plus an extra 40% off the sale price)

Click here to shop J Crew Sale

Must Shop: J Crew Fleur suede peep-toe heels

I fell in love with these beautiful pumps as soon as I saw them in my new J Crew catalog:


J Crew Fleur suede peep-toe heels - $195

Don't the little rosettes make these shoes look so sweet? These would look great with all the ruffles that are supposed to be so popular this fall...or with a pretty floral dress? Yum!

NOTE: image by jcrew.com

Must Shop: Floral Dresses

I really, really, really want a floral dress. One of those dresses I can rock out now and pair with tights and sweaters to transition to cooler weather. Perhaps if the teeth-thing works out and I gift myself $100 to play with, I'll get one? Here are some of my faves:


Kimchi Blue Botanical Dress - $68


Kimchi Blue Redwood Dress - $58


Aubrieta Dress - $158

What are you looking forward to getting for fall?

NOTE: Images by urbanoutfitters.com and anthropologie.com, respectively

A Not Quite So Thrifty, But Still Affordable Spree with Urban Outfitters

So, I actually got some clothes from Urban Outfitters a couple weeks ago and before my Thrifty Shopping Spree at Forever 21. I actually went in just for those skinny black jeans we talked about before, but as usual, I found a couple other things to pick up while I was out. All in all, I think I did pretty good - I got the jeans I went in to check out, I picked up a simple scarf and then two tank tops and a Tee off the sale rack. Not bad, eh?



So, about those skinny black jeans. When I went in to the UO store, the SA pointed out two different styles: a more pant-like material and a more denim-material. It turns out that the first type are extremely skinny - very tapered at the bottom (hard to fit over the tops of heels) and they are very skinny - and I mean super-tapered! I ended up liking the denim pair more - they fit me better and had slightly more open bottoms.



Oh, and remember those scarves we were talking about before? I found a super cute one when I was in the store and figured I'd pick it up before they sell out. I love the fringe on it!



I scored this gray tank from the sale rack - only $10! It's super soft, nice and loose-fitting (so I can wear it with those skinny jeans) and has a cute little keyhole-detail on it.



I also found this interesting tank top on the sale rack - it has an asymmetrical design on it in different tones of blue. It's a bit hippy, but hey, what's wrong with that? I think it will look really good with white jeans or some sort of white bottom.



Oh, and check out this adorable mermaid T - this was also on the sale table for only $10 - yay! In general, I am not a fan of sleeves (not even short sleeves), but I am trying to learn to like them. With cute tees like this for such good prices, I think there's a good chance for me.

Ok, I have some serious outfits to get together now with these recent shopping sprees, eh?