Laura65 and I met to wreak some havoc at our local mall today, and wreak we did! The plan was to meet for some boot shopping; I've found my brown nice boots in the Franco Sarto riding boots, but I was still missing a fun pair I can wear with dresses or jeans. (The Frye boots were returned for being too wide.) We arranged to meet at Nordstroms, but it was hardly our only destination!

Laura scored first at Nordstrom with an adorable, gorgeous, embroidered, grey ankle boot from Pikolinos. They are seriously cute boots. I was envious she could wear them so well!

http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/29.....3&P=1

I then found my last boot of the season, a gorgeous black calf-height Vince Camuto Harlows. They're part cowboy (the almond toe, the stacked heel), part dressy (calf-height with a zipper, the wingtip seaming), and all parts kick butt.

http://www.zappos.com/n/p/dp/51791131/c/3.html

I love 'em. I could tuck my jeans into them if I choose to (a look I'm still not sold on for myself), or they work great under jeans or with dresses. Hubby instantly approved when I debuted them at home.

Next we hit Ann Taylor, which Laura hadn't been to in years. I returned a bf cardi in heather oatmeal, but we didn't see anything else this time. Too many ruffles for us, and we didn't need any pants or skirts.

I returned more items to BR, and we giggled over the new dresses with pockets and the one with the exposed back zipper. I *just* bought dresses with those exact details, from Loft and AT. BR was a little late on the draw!

I had coupons for me and a friend at LOFT, where we both scored and enabled each other terribly. LOL! I went in to check out their loss leader weekend item, a lovely cowl neck fall sweater for $19. They're sold out online but I picked one up in rich brown.

http://www.anntaylorloft.com/c.....d=E0002164

I then convinced Laura of the simplicity and perfection of LOFT's raw-edged tees, and we both picked some up. I love these because they don't cling too much and they're still so soft and pretty.

http://www.anntaylorloft.com/c.....pe=Regular

Laura then convinced me of the elegance and functionality of their new loungewear; I am a cheap pj girl. She slipped on this cozy cowl neck sweater in black, and I swooned. We both got it. I'm wearing mine right now; i might have to rethink the cheap pajama idea!

http://www.anntaylorloft.com/c.....pe=Regular

Lastly, we swung by our terrible Talbots to see what they had done with the new Lookbook styles. We call it terrible because no matter what season or items available in Talbots nationwide, ours manages to make it all look super-preppy and country-club old-lady. They had managed to do it again! There were exactly two items anywhere in the store that we could identify as ones from the lookbook, and one was the large-patterned b&w jacket that Angie's client wore in the blog entry; we found two size 6s hidden in a back area. Everything else was argyle and paisley, most often together in the display and on the rack. Sigh.

But Laura and I had a great time, and we both will separately try to take photos of our new loot, since we forgot our cameras today!

Now I am going to collapse. I ran a 5K this morning, then shopped all afternoon. I am beat!