My shopping trup today report ( warning -an extremely long post)!

Tanya

So I went on shopping expedition today, looking for a bunch of things. I also received some recent online orders, so here' ton of reviews of various products, since I know many of you were looking for similar stuff.

1. Ardenb: Got that brown shirtdress tunic we posted here earlier:
http://www.ardenb.com/catalog/.....ctId=10634

The dress is very nice, the material is a light silk/cotton mix. I made the poor salesgirl take it off the mannequin which was very high on the wall, since it was the last one in XS. Question: since the buttons are gold, can I wear it with my new turquoise necklace ( see below) which has silver tone trimmings? Is it generally OK to mix metal hardware ( not jewelry), more stuff like belt buckles, bag hardware etc. Btw, the I running some kind of promotion right now, so I got $10 off.

2. Black House & White Market : Never set my foot in there before, but I got attracted by a tunic-shirtdress in the shop window:
http://www.whitehouseblackmark.....38;inSeam=

I got in, tried it on and loved it so much that i bought it, even tough it was full price and a bit out of my price range. Plus I was looking for some top with tribal print for this summer anyway, so I got two birds with one stone.

3. NY&CO : Tried on that tunic we also discussed:
http://www.nyandcompany.com/ny.....=cat350004

It was a bit big around the waist, but fit well everywhere else ( shoulders, chest, length etc). But beleted it was fine. Unfortunately they only had brown in XS, and I wanted turquoise since I already got the brown Ardenb one. So I just ordered the turquoise online. And that's it for me for shirtdresses this season!
I also got these denim walk shorts:
http://www.nyandcompany.com/ny.....d=cat90002
The other (canvas) pair was awful.

Plus two necklaces, a brown wooden one that's not on the site and a turquoise one that was on the site yesterday (third, chunkiest one in the first row if you remember) but not anymore.
Oh, and a lot of stuff in that store is buy one, get one 50% off right now

4. Banana Republic. They had so many cute things on sale. Sarah, your yellow cardi is on sale if you still want it!
I got this top but in a nice aqua-ish blue:
http://www.bananarepublic.com/.....pid=564290

I desperately wanted these two items ever since I've seen them. They were on sale, they had XS in both and I was swimming in both! And I am small, but not that small! I HATE when this happens. Boo to the vanity sizing!
http://www.bananarepublic.com/.....pid=564953
http://www.bananarepublic.com/.....pid=564764

5. ATL: same story ( and worse). They had tons of cute tops on sale, particularly that wrap eyelet one and wrap cotton sateen one. Tried 0's and 2's and they were huge!

6. Jacob: found a gorgeous cream trench that Angie would approve off for $98 ( not on sale). Of course they did not have it in XS. The saleslady told me that for each model they only get 2-3 pieces (?!?!?) in XS and they sell out in two days.

7. Benetton : fell in love with two beautiful items that had the most ridiculous prices: cream safari jacket ($140) and wrap rayon top with white/yellow/bright green/navy print ($90) . I'll hold out for sales ( and Angie's article on safari jackets) and hope they still have them then.

8. H&M: got just a cute cream chunky necklace.

Online stuff I received today/yesterday:

1. Got my first Sweet Pea top from smartbargains and I love it! A most perfect thing for an hourglass. And the price was great!
http://www.smartbargains.com/g.....8;t=Search...prod.5

I got it in black link and am seriously considering betting another one in allegra aqua. What so you think? Is it silly to own the same top in two different prints?

2. I got these Me Too Olyvia shoes on bronze from piperlime:
http://www.piperlime.com/brows.....;cid=36502

They are super comfy and fit well right now, but i have a feeling they'll stretch out a bit so I'll need an heel insert. These were 8.5 ( I wear mostly 8). I am considering the Swann shoe too. Should i get an 8 in that one?

3. Some La Redoute stuff that is all going back:
http://www.us.redoute.com/clot.....haseType=0
http://www.us.redoute.com/clot.....haseType=0
http://www.us.redoute.com/clot.....haseType=0

The tunic fit well but the material was awful and it hit me right under my backside-the worst possible spot. The dark jeans had mommy jeans-top and old-washed stonewashed look. The white jeans had low rise ( 7.5") and were not skinny, but wider-straight with 16" leg opening ( I was looking for 14").

So my quest for skinnies continue, but i have all the tunics. I'll start concentrating on skinnies, white jeans and shoes now.

Note: my stupid computer crashed when I was almost at the end of writing all of this ( and I am extremely slow typer), so I had to rewrite it all again and therefore it's more than likely that there're tons of grammar and spelling errors inside, for which I apologize!

18 years ago

Shopping

13 replies

Latest reply was from

Tanya

Veteran

My apologies for spelling error in the title and broken smartbargains link. Hope this one will work:
http://www.smartbargains.com/g.....98.prod.37

Also, I forgot to add that, for all of you still looking for shirtdesses, BR had this one in bright orange as well in the store:
http://www.bananarepublic.com/.....pid=564564
So if you like and can wear that color, have a look!

Btw, do you guys think my original post could win a prize for the longest post ever?

18 years ago

Maya

Veteran

Sounds like overall you had a successful experience! I also went to Arden B to hunt down that shirtdress, but they didn't have it in stock (though I also got the promo thing). It's just as well because even though the Chadwicks one is rather plain, I can't complain for $20. I don't think the mixed metals matter. I know they bother some people, but I think it's ultimately personal taste. The detailing on that shirtdress is beautiful though. I really have to tighten the purse strings though. I'm getting 2 skirt shirts, the shirtdress, and MAYBE some shoes if my shoe stretcher idea works out. That's it until fall.

When I looked online for the turquoise NY&co shirtdress in an XS, it had sold out. Somehow that always seems to happen to me! But I don't think it was right for me anyway so I"m not totally crushed over it. I think you really own the shirtdress look so I'm glad to see you're going crazy with it.

Sweet Pea is one of my favorite brands. I think just about everyone I have ever known who has tried on a SP top has been happy with the result. I don't even mind sizing up to a medium for it!

I loved the BR shirtdress but it is way way way out of my price range.

Be sure to model all your new stuff for us!

I don't know about the prize though. I think I might win with my why-I-can't-wear-shoes post in another discussion

18 years ago

Nicole

Veteran

Ok let me just say that you ladies who can shop with such focus, conviciton and goals amaze me. I can't wrap my brain around shopping so efficiently.

I don't see anything wrong with mixing metals on garments. But then again, that is the kind of detail I would overlook.

It sounds like you had a very fun and successful day shopping and are doing your share to help jumpstart the economy. I just "found" $150 and I'm planning on hitting the Natick Mall on Friday. After reading your post, I'm going to make a list of things I want/need and shop with that list in mind.

18 years ago

Julia

Active Member

Good finds Tanya! I love the BM&WH tunic the most, it looks great over a pair of white skinnies and silver sandals.

18 years ago

Maya

Veteran

Nicole, I can't speak for Tanya but I know I HAVE to keep a list and keep myself focused because I just don't have the money to buy things on a whim! I write down whatever I'm looking for and also the maximum amount I'm willing to spend. Somehow it helps me to have it on paper. If I put it in writing, it's like a binding agreement.

Lately I have been feeling a bit weird about shopping amidst such hard times, but I'm approaching my limit anyway. All I want right now are 2 skirt-length tops, a shirtdress, and the shrunken cardi Julia posted in another thread (and only because I have a few coupons and it will be ridiculously discounted...like $14...same with the shirtdress). I am hoping and praying that the shoe stretchers and stretching fluid I got will negate any need to do any further shoe shopping.

I also recently "found" $50. What luck. I hope your shopping is fruitful!

18 years ago

shannon

Active Member

Wow! What a day for you! Can't wait to see it all on you. Did it take you longer to type that post than it did to buy all that stuff? Yep, longest one I've read. But thanks, it was fun to see what you bought.

I'm with you Nicole, I cannot go out and find more than one thing at a time. I would go crazy! Guess some people just know what they want. I never do. If I find something that I kind of like I keep telling myself "Well, maybe there is one I would like better" or "Maybe there's one that is cheaper" or "Maybe I don't need this." That is why it takes me so long to get anything. I hope I don't drive my friends nuts when shopping with them in Chicago this weekend. I like to shop alone most of the time. Gee, I hope I come home with something from my trip.

18 years ago

Tanya

Veteran

Well, I TRY to force myself to keep a list, and it's been much better since finding YLF! I used just go to stores and get whatever I liked ( with monetary restrictions, of course) without much thought if i have things to go with and so on. So I'd end up with tons of cute pieces and no outfits whatsoever. So now with Angie's & yours help I am trying to put looks together and identify what I'm missing and try to keep looking for that. Right now I need skinnies, shoes, scarves and necklaces, bright camis and white flared jeans. I still stray a bit, like that blue BR top! Tops are the easiest thing for me to buy so i have more than enough but I just can't resist.
As for the money, I've spend twice of what I was alowed too That BM&WH tunic definitely put me over board. But I have a consigment appointment tomorrow so I really hope that it goes well and i recover some money back otherwise I'm in trouble.

18 years ago

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

It looks wonderful, Tanya. You are a power shopper and typer! I’m glad to hear that you keep “a list”. This is the best way to add to your wardrobe. Creating appropriate go-to outfits is what it’s all about.

I’m excited to see you sport your new items. Sounds like the tunic look is becoming a favourite :0)

18 years ago

Antje

Veteran

Awesome! THanks for posting that SmartBargain link, I didn't know about them and that they sell Sweat Pea tops. I have two and love them. Very stylish, great cuts for hourglasses, and good quality. I look on BlueFly regularly, but now I have another source, great!

18 years ago

Sarah

Active Member

Thanks for the report Tanya. I need to do a shopping trip too very soon. My list is getting long. Perhaps I can go to the mall next week. I’m so happy that my cardi is on sale! I’ll have to go try it on. Even if I don’t like the yellow on me it comes in lots of colors, and my cardi collection isn’t great right now. Hopefully they will still have it in my size. I know how you feel about vanity sizing. It’s discouraging being smaller than extra small sometimes. That’s why I’m begging to think I can’t wait for sales. By the time stuff goes one sale all the extra smalls (and XXS) are gone. I’ve rarely shopped with a plan before, but you ladies have inspired me.

18 years ago

katieck

Active Member

Great post, Tanya! You've inspired me too. I like the Arden B tunic a lot. What do you think about NY+Company's quality? I have a couple things from them, including a fluted denim skirt that someone posted here a while back.

Love White House Black Market, Banana, and AT Loft. I regularly shop at all of them.

I have two things from La Redoute, one of which I absolutely love (a top).

Ah, I need to go shopping...maybe a nice, long shopping expedition will be my Mother's Day gift.

18 years ago

Tanya

Veteran

I'm glad you like smartbargains Antje. It's online store for Loehman'a and they have some great deals. also they are usually cheaper than Bluefly. They don't always carry Sweet Pea, but currently they have some.
Sarah, good luck with the cardigan!
Katieck, I have that denim tulip skirt! I can't tell much about the quality for NY&CO, since I have very few items from them and they are all relatively new. But I'd guess on the order of Gap or a bit worse.
Thank you all for all the kind words! I shall model these things as I wear them but unfortunately Boston is pretty cold now!

18 years ago

Anonymous

I really like the WHBM tunic. It was worth the splurge.
My friend actually works there, and bribed me into buying a top there for about the same price, but I don't regret it. They have some great things.
I wish I was as successful on my shopping trips as you are.

18 years ago

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