Big Shopping Day (for my sister)

OMG...I don't think I've ever spent so much time shopping. We opened the mall at 11 and left at 630! My sister did really well...I, on the other hand, got absolutely nothing. But I was so busy helping her, I didn't have time to shop for myself. But I had so much fun, and I think my sister bought some really nice pieces that will make her feel fabulous. I did try on a few things that I've been wanting to try.

We started at Nordstrom, where my sister had a bra fitting. She buoght 2 bras, but will be returning one, because she wore it while we shopped and it was rubbing her raw! She bought 2 pair of the Nordstrom house brand pants, one black and one chocolate. She tried one pair on and liked them so much, I went and found her another color. She also bought some beautiful tops that she said she never would have consiered trying on, if I hadn't brought them to her.

We ended our day in Macy's where she bought a few tops, a purse, and some Chanel perfume.

Inbetween Nordstrom and Macys we hit AT, ATL, Martin + Osa, NY and Co...and I think a few others. She picked up a few sweaters at ATL, and a beautiful ruffled shell at NY and Co. She needed to focus on tops, and I'd say she bought 10 - 12 tops by the end of the day. I was very impressed with her willingness to try on everything I suggested. Her spirits remained high, and she didn't beat herself when things that she really like on the hanger didn't fit. I told her she needs to pick up several camisoles, and suggested she keep a list of colors that would work well with what she bought today. Do you beleive she does not own one cami because she thought they would add bulk. I took my cami off and told her to put it on with one of the sweaters she was trying on. She couldn't get over what a difference it made.

I tried on a velvet jacket at Nordstrom. It was one I had linked to here before--black with an orange design along the bottom--it had a zipper but two rows of decorative buttons. It was on clearance for $60. I *almost* bought it--but it wasn't perfect. I also tried on a pair of cream jeans, that were just a tad too snug in the thighs, a pair of dark jeans that fit really well, but were too short, and a pair of dark denim bermudas, but decided I wanted to stick to items for the fall/winter. Oh, I tried on a pair of Citizen jeans, but they were just way too low. I was a little disappointed that this Nordstom didn't have much in premium jeans for anyone over the age of 21. All the jeans meant for my age/shape were NYDJ. I just can't get past the name. I tried on a denim and canvas jacket, but they just didn't blow me away.

Since my sister has to shop in petites, we were not in my section all that much, which is why I didn't do much trying on. I was disappointed with Macy's shoe selection--they had about half a dozen boots, none of them had a wedge heel. I looked thru Nordy's shoe dept, but didn't see anything spectactular there either. But I think I was so focused on my sister, I wasn't really in the frame of mind to shop for myself. I'll have to go back another day, by myself.

17 years ago

Tanya

Veteran

Nicole, sounds like your sister had a very successful day. She is so lucky to have such a wonderful sister as you helping her. I am so glad for both of you!

Sorry you didn't have much luck for yourself, but I am sure you will later when you are on your own.

Ana

(website)

It sounds like you guys had a lot of fun! I'm glad you didn't buy anything you didn't think was perfect--good for you! I know it's hard sometimes.

Which perfume did she buy, do you remember?

Nicole

Yes, I think it was Allure. It was a repeat purchase--it's her signature scent and she was out of it.

There are so many things I'd like to get the fall/winter. I really need to write a list and prioritize. I also need to do another closet sweep. Tops on my need list are a pair of knee high boots (probably black), a few winter weight skirts, and a pair of straight leg dark wash jeans. I don't want to get distracted by all the pretty things I see in my peripheral. Once I have these items, I can reevaluate the rest of my closet. THe kids start school on Tuesday, so I should have more time to work on this.

Dani

Sounds like a great day, Nicole. I'm glad your sister was successful in her search for some tops. Sorry you weren't able to try much on, but I'm sure your sister appreciated the focused attention she received from you. You're a very thoughtful person!

Antje

Oh Nicole, your sister is so lucky to have you as her shopping friend and consultant. Sounds like a very successful and fun day. Good for you guys!
Sorry you didn't find any goodies for yourself; hopefully next time I'm also still looking for black boots and am hoping for lots of links to be swapped on the forum...

Julia

Active Member

Sounds like a great day! I'm impressed that your sister bought so many pieces and she was upbeat all day. She's lucky to have you.

shiny

Wow, I can't believe you spent 7 hours in the mall! Without buying anything for yourself either! I hoped you stopped for lunch and snacks and paced yourself. I get woozy and overwhelmed by too much stimulation after about 3 or 4 hours, so that's my limit.

Sounds like your sister is all set - 10 or 12 tops! I'm glad she had luck in the petite section of ATL and NY&C. What is Martin + Osa? I don't think I've ever been in that shop.

Which Citizens did you try that were too low? Do you remember the style name?

I'm also in the same situation as you: holding off on fall shopping until 1) kids go back to school (Thursday for us) 2) I can do a closet sweep and see what I have. I have been looking back at my photos (before YLF I posted winter outfits on fabsugar site), so even if the items are in storage, I have a reminder of what I have.

I'm still not quite ready to let go of summer either..... so nice to finally have some summer weather with no rain.....

Shiny, Martin & Osa is a relatively new line from AE for grownups. They have some pretty nice stuff, somewhere between J Crew and Boden style wise I'll say.

http://www.martinandosa.com/we.....Ggodhky3QA

I am also very glad for the current summery weather!

Alecia

It does sound like a VERY successful trip. Your sister is going to be set for a while. And I'm very impressed with the marathon shopping session. I am beginning to realize that part of my problem is that I just don't like shopping that much. I'll have to get past that hurdle to get to fabulousness, I guess. Good thing there's the ylf bloodhounds around, keeps me abreast of what's happening out there.

Angie

Fashion Stylist

Priceless! A fab day with a fab sister yielding fab results. You are wonderful Nicole. I'd have loved to be a fly on a wall. And I’m most impressed with sis’s attitude. That’s not easy. You work miracles. WELL DONE.

p.s. Try “Amber” COH jeans. They are high rise and pretty fabulous. They’ve just come out at the Nordies flagship in Seattle. Also, try the Tahari jeans that Dani has. Next shopping day will be all about Nicole.

Shiny, the time just totally got away from us. We were leaving Nordies, and thinking it must be close to lunch time, because we were hungry. We were shocked to see it was 130! (We had lunch at California Kitchen). My husband called me to make sure everything was okay. He rarely calls me, so I was surprised that he was checking up on me. I checked the time again, and it was almost 630. I thought it was like 400 the latest. The jeans I tried on, I think were called Ava. I wasnt even going to bother when I saw how low the rise looked, but the Nordies girl suggested I at least try it--so I'd know what size I was in premium denim. She told me to add 21 to my normal size, but I found the 29s to be a bit tight. I don't know if I would need to go up a size, in a different style or brand. They did carry a brand called Jag...that I was reluctant to try on, because I couldn't find a pair with a dark rinse, plain pocket, and straight leg. I'm going to have to check out that jean company store you like so much. Do you mind telling me where it's located? I couldn't find a website. I also should check out Filenes Basement.

I think the fact that my sister needed to shop in the petite department, made it nearly impossibe for me to try on much. I realized early on, that she would need me to just pick out stuff for her. She was overwhelmed and didn't know where to begin. Luckily, that Nordies has a small petite department. So she basically tried on one of everything. I just kept bringing her stuff. I'd bring two sets of the clothes to the register, one to buy and one for the girls to return back to their shelves. The two women working that department, asked me if I wanted to work there. I don't think she would have been as sucessful if she had to keep going back and forth from the floor to the dressing room. We were able to rule out a few styles (button downs, structured jackets, and trouser style jeans). She will need to have any button down shirts tailor made, she will need to wear cardis inplace of structured jackets, and she looks best in tighter classic style jeans with a small bootcut.

I already have my shopping list memorized, and I'm not going to settle or stray from my list. I have enough stuff to get by until I find my jewels.

Alecia, My sister commented several times that she does not like to shop. She routinely buys things with out trying them on. But she said shopping with me made all the difference in the world. She didn't have to think about anything--just try it on. I also brought my camera--which she found very helpful in deciding that she didn't like something. There were several tops that she thought she liked. I thought they were too tenty. I think she thought just covered her up. When I showed her how a more fitted top made her look hourglassy, and the looser tops makde her look bigger, she quickly started to prefer the fitted tops. Anyway, my point is, if you don't like to shop, maybe you can round up a friend who does like to shop--and ask them to pick out things for you. So long as you have an open mind about trying new things--you don't have buy something you don't like, just take the time to try it on. Maybe that would make your shopping trips more productive.

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