https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/shopping-overload-vent Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Wed, 06 May 2026 04:36:16 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/shopping-overload-vent#post-176129 Fri, 25 Jun 2010 18:46:04 +0000 fathenry 176129@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Hi Chewy, I don't have kids but can relate to the feeling of wasted time. I buy a lot of mistakes due to not wanting to waste time. It feels like it is hard to leave the store empty handed after one has invested two hours browsing, trying things on and driving around. Learning to leave the store empty handed after such a trip if the item isn't just right is something that I'm working on.</p> <p>I love your idea of taking snacks and water, that is so smart. I also agree with the poster that suggested shopping alone. Even when I go with friends, it is tough to really focus. I'm sure kids are another story!</p> <p>I hope you can treat yourself to a nice outing. It does seem tough for moms to have enough time to do things just for you - you deserve it though!</p> <p>There must have been something that kept you from taking the leap on that purse, something not quite right. There will be more and soon we'll all be getting excited for the fall trends. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/shopping-overload-vent#post-176027 Fri, 25 Jun 2010 15:13:59 +0000 Vix 176027@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>You definitely earned a do-over...I felt my blood pressure rising just reading this!</p> <p>I know you were combining with a doctor trip, but FWIW my friend goes at night or swaps childcare with another mom so they can each do their thing. </p> <p>Better luck next (childfree) go-round. May the odds be with you! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/shopping-overload-vent#post-175955 Fri, 25 Jun 2010 09:41:42 +0000 Katiepea 175955@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Oh, I HATE those days with a passion, I've had that happen to me many a time as well, so you have my sympathy! I like your plan of action, sounds like a real goer for me. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/shopping-overload-vent#post-175948 Fri, 25 Jun 2010 07:33:37 +0000 Sparky 175948@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Khris, I can commiserate. As a SAHM, I do tons of online shopping as it's the only way I can manage it. I haven't been to an outlet mall in almost a decade (DD's almost 9 ~ sensing a connection?). This week a friend said to me, "Oh, those premium jeans you were trying on at Nordstrom's? Wait till the fall when you will have time to go to the such-and-such outlet!" My youngest kids will be in first grade and I will finally have more than 3 hours at a time to myself.</p> <p>In the meantime, I shop a lot online. I avoid shipping costs as much as I can. As already mentioned, retailmenot is great for coupon codes, but I also google [name of store] coupon code for discounts and free shipping codes. </p> <p>I hope you find a chunk of time to do some outlet shopping solo, soon! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/shopping-overload-vent#post-175800 Fri, 25 Jun 2010 00:58:16 +0000 yublocka 175800@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>All sounds a bit traumatic Khris! Better luck next time. Why don't you order online then plan to return what doesn't work when you do a trip instore? Best of both worlds!! I always find outlet malls alot more stressfull than regular stores as well. ALways very hit and miss as well. Is there a movie theatre at the mall? Would that entertain the kids for a couple of hours while you buzz around your must-hit shops? </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/shopping-overload-vent#post-175799 Fri, 25 Jun 2010 00:55:32 +0000 Mellllls 175799@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I'm not a mom and I was a great shopper as a kid, but even then, my mom NEVER looked at stuff for herself when she shopped with me or my sister. It was all about looking for stuff we wanted to look at. I have a feeling shopping for yourself with children is just not ideal. </p> <p>To put it in perspective, my friend who is a new mom is now doing peapod for her groceries; it's worth the extra cost to keep her from having to take the baby with her to the grocery store. And it's temporary, eventually your kids (and hers) will be older and you can shop again!</p> <p>KristenKP, I didn't know that you get free shipping with your gap card. That totally made my day! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/shopping-overload-vent#post-175793 Fri, 25 Jun 2010 00:49:21 +0000 Theresa 175793@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Oh Khris great big hugs - that actually sounds like a very stressful day :(</p> <p>I hate shopping with my girls too - G doesn't cope well in the shops and E wants to look at everything in great detail so I often leave with nothing, or make impulse buys just to get out of there with them.</p> <p>OT though - how'd the kids appt's go? Hopefully they were at least positive... </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/shopping-overload-vent#post-175731 Thu, 24 Jun 2010 22:16:19 +0000 Laura 175731@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>This sounds like a recipe for not finding anything -- post-doc appts, two kids, general exhaustion, stores not stocking anything you want -- so don't be too hard on yourself. I find outlet malls completely overwhelming even when it's just me! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/shopping-overload-vent#post-175728 Thu, 24 Jun 2010 22:00:51 +0000 Kristen 175728@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Khris, if you order online, always check RetailMeNot for coupons, and sign up for eBates. I almost never pay for shipping anymore (also I have a Gap card so it's always free from ON/Gap/BN). </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/shopping-overload-vent#post-175724 Thu, 24 Jun 2010 21:45:28 +0000 Christie 175724@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I understand the vent. Kids just don't shop well for long, and then I get grumpier than they are! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/shopping-overload-vent#post-175721 Thu, 24 Jun 2010 21:39:04 +0000 chewyspaghetti 175721@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I forgot to mention that this was after we had spent all day at the doctor's/lab (11 am until almost 5, with a short break for lunch)- *really* not a good idea.<br /> I'm going to have to bite the bullet and be willing to order online more, too. My sanity is worth the price of shipping. I actually placed a Gap/Old Navy order today, so we will see how that works out. They had the shorts that Angie and Laura recommended on sale, and were already out of the size above and below of what I think I need. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/shopping-overload-vent#post-175675 Thu, 24 Jun 2010 19:37:47 +0000 chellebrate 175675@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I'm sorry.</p> <p>I can't shop well with my brood either. Even if my hubby is with and has the boys, I feel pressured that I'm taking too long. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/shopping-overload-vent#post-175674 Thu, 24 Jun 2010 19:36:48 +0000 RoseandJoan 175674@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>You did well to come home with your sanity Khris, give yourself a break, shopping with kids is far from easy. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/shopping-overload-vent#post-175604 Thu, 24 Jun 2010 17:22:54 +0000 Lisa 175604@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Sorry to hear your shopping trip didn't go well. With young kids, I commend you for even trying. Don't stress too much, if the bag was meant to be, it'll be there next time you go. If not, then there is another better bag awaiting you. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/shopping-overload-vent#post-175602 Thu, 24 Jun 2010 17:20:25 +0000 Scarlet 175602@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I live in a big city (lots of shopping options), have no kids, and can still barely find any time to go shopping. It's not easy, even when you have the time to go, and then maybe it turns out it's just not your lucky day. Also I sometimes have trouble making decisions right away and need to "visit" my purchases before committing. Man, I respect you for even trying under those circumstances. I wish you better luck for next weekend. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/shopping-overload-vent#post-175591 Thu, 24 Jun 2010 16:57:42 +0000 agrace 175591@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I have two very small children and sometimes I momentarily go insane and try to take them into places like Forever 21 or the mall at the end of season sales and immediately regret it. What helps me (and this is not possible for you with outlets) is I call ahead and have stuff put on hold. I also take snacks and drinks and I literally set a time limit for myself. It stinks not having the time to focus and really look, so I do end up buying stuff I later return, but I'm getting better as my style is getting more defined. I also comfort myself with the knowledge that if I missed it (like the purse at Marshalls) there *will* be something later. </p> <p>I hope you can make the next trip count! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/shopping-overload-vent#post-175588 Thu, 24 Jun 2010 16:51:28 +0000 Srujana 175588@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Kudos to you for even trying Khris! Outlet malls overwhelm me to no end....I understand the savings, but I somehow can't make myself see them as a viable shopping source. </p> <p>hope you get some alone time with your shopping...and I'm keeping my fingers crossed that Marshall's still has that bag when you go back! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/shopping-overload-vent#post-175502 Thu, 24 Jun 2010 14:44:18 +0000 Debbie 175502@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Try to crave out some time to go by yourself. I think that why I'm shopping on the internet more because I don't get anything done when I take my Grandson. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/shopping-overload-vent#post-175498 Thu, 24 Jun 2010 14:32:31 +0000 Kristen 175498@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Going shopping with Laura on our YLF trips has taught me that hitting the mall at the end of the day/early evening (on my way home from work in my case, but maybe for you after your husband gets home and you can get away for a couple of hours) is the best time of day to go. It's quieter, stuff is better stocked than on a Saturday, and slower so the salespeople have more time to help you out. Plus, it's nice to get a little retail therapy in at the end of the day! :)</p> <p>I've actually been breaking it up into little trips this week (I'm replenishing my wardrobe with skirts and tops, to give myself a break from dresses for a bit) -- Tuesday I hit Kohls and Target, yesterday was a different mall for Banana and LOFT (before and after a hair appt), and tonight will be Nordies...and groceries. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/shopping-overload-vent#post-175497 Thu, 24 Jun 2010 14:30:14 +0000 Queen Mum 175497@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>sounds like a nice birthday gift from the hubby to me </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/shopping-overload-vent#post-175495 Thu, 24 Jun 2010 14:23:50 +0000 chewyspaghetti 175495@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Oh my gosh Kim! That would be wonderful! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/shopping-overload-vent#post-175492 Thu, 24 Jun 2010 14:21:43 +0000 Anonymous 175492@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>This happens to me a lot, too. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/shopping-overload-vent#post-175491 Thu, 24 Jun 2010 14:21:16 +0000 Queen Mum 175491@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>sorry you had a frustrating day. I too get overwhelmed after a while and can't make educated decisions. I ALWAYS shop alone. I do much better that way.<br /> Of course it helps that the mall is literally one block from my house, and my kids are all in school... so I understand that your situation isn't as free. I hope your next shopping trip goes more smoothly. </p> <p>Wouldn't it be awesome if you could go on an overnight shopping trip? Spend all Saturday shopping... get a hotel room... upload all your pics on a laptop... send them to us for a keep or return analysis and then spend Sunday returning and filling holes. A girl can dream can't she? </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/shopping-overload-vent#post-175482 Thu, 24 Jun 2010 14:06:46 +0000 Angie 175482@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Oh, what a shame. It's hard isn't it? Well, Khris! You need to plan your next outing day soon to make up for lost time. Think it will happen? </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/shopping-overload-vent#post-175480 Thu, 24 Jun 2010 13:59:17 +0000 chewyspaghetti 175480@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I'm so frustrated and kicking myself! Yesterday, I had one of my opportunities to go shopping at the *really* big, not so close, outlet mall. I get here once every 3 or four months, and because the shopping is so limited where I live I feel the pressure to really make it count- and I feel like I blew it. Unfortunately, I always have the kids with me on these trips (it's near their doctors)- but they are getting better about it. I had a mental short list of what I was looking for (summer dresses- including a specific one at Old Navy- which they didn't have, a specific pair of shorts at The Gap- which they didn't have, sandals at Clark's- which they didn't have, and a summer handbag), and even a list of must hit stores (Old Navy, Gap, H&amp;M, Fossil and Marshall's). But once we get into the mall and the crowds, I get so overwhelmed that I can't really get much done. DD wants to go in every store, look at everything and try everything on. DS doesn't want to go in any stores except the Lego outlet, Hot Topic and the Video Game store, hits every bathroom that we pass, and wants to eat three times while we are there. I ended up with a pair of sandals for dd, a tank top for ds and a little summer dress for me (which I didn't even bother to try on at the time), but I left the perfect summer bag at Marshall's- it was a Sak woven leather hobo in a gorgeous caramel color and it was only $40. Why?!? I was just too overwhelmed at the time to make a decision.<br /> Now that I'm home, I can see the solution is *not* to combine these shopping trips with an errand with the kids, but to make time to go alone, to hit only half the mall at a time- to stick to my list, carry water and snacks, and to go more often so that I don't feel so much pressure. It's just putting that plan into action that is hard. Next weekend dd and I will have a chance to shop at a different mall after her recital, and I am going to plan better.<br /> Thanks for letting me vent! </p>