I had a horribly busy week, both professionally and personally - esp getting the kids back to school. They are now with their dad for the next week. DH and I have been quite fried. All he wanted to do today was sleep and veg; I was in the mood for some shopping therapy and "me" time... which I had!

My first stop was bloomingdale's. They were having some event - I am not sure what it was - but I was greeted at the door by someone serving fancy hor douevres ... that set the tone quite nicely!

Bloomie's had little fall clothes and was mostly pushing end-of-summer sale items. I first bee-lined to a sales rack. There was a woman about my age, height, and body type, with two teens in tow. She was trying on a jacket that was a size P but way too large on her. I commented that it was the right idea - just too big. She sighed and we got to chatting about how much of a challenge it is to find clothing if you're only 5'0" with a mature figure, and have $ to spend and want something upscale. There's just so very little!!

She said she was going to hit the bloomie's petite department... and I rolled my eyes and said, "you won't like it... you're too young at heart for what they have; try upstairs, venture into the more junior designers.. take a chance..."

We parted and I headed towards Elie Tahari. I tried on several leather and tweed jackets which were close ... but not quite worth the $. If I'm going to spend that much, it has to be perfect. (I am okay with sleeve shortening but everything else has to work).

Then I headed upstairs and did a very quick run-through Aqua, Nanette Lapore, Theory, DVF, Sweet Pea, and BCBG... but mostly everything I had already seen a few weeks back. I tried on one interesting plaid jacket (Acqua) that I took a cell phone pic of ... but still haven't figured out how to download that to my 'puter. I put it on hold but ultimately did not end up buying it.

My last stop at Bloomie's was the sad sorry petite department... I ran into the same woman again. She was resting in a chair looking frustrated, sad and defeated. As I approached, she said "you were sooo right... this is clothes my mother would wear, not me!"

Then she and her teen daughter both inquired about my sweet pea blouse. I gave them the sweet pea pitch (perfect for any size especially hourglasses - and confessed I own several now). I told her to head upstairs, where they were on sale. And also if she liked them, to check out bluefly!

I then proceeded into the mall and hit Ann Taylor, where I think I scored very well! I don't know what it was about today, but sales clerks were ultra-helpful and nice. Maybe because I was in such a good mood or maybe because retail sales are sagging so they're trying harder.;-)

Here's what I got from AT - let me know if they are keepers.

1) Black boucle jacket. I know, I am buying a lot of black jackets lately! But black is very appropriate for Boston, and this one is heavier than the other two I bought recently. I think this is my last black jacket for awhile:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/2.....834592125/

close-up - the top button does button just fine - I was simply in a hurry with this photo shoot, so we could get out to dinner:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/2.....835429476/

2) Yummi soft cardigan - couldn't resist!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/2.....834592497/

3) Black and silver/gray sleeveless blouse (seen under the above):

http://www.flickr.com/photos/2.....834592627/

4) Aubergine tweed jacket:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/2.....835429918/

I would not wear this blouse under it; it doesn't go together, in my opinion. But I do like the idea of some sort of blouse that has a pattern peaking out underneath. The sales clerk was very cute... she saw me in this and said, "wow, I'd never have considered pairing that jacket with a patterened blouse!" I said, "but this is the wrong pattern - the colors don't work at all" and asked if she had anything else to coordinate. Unfortunately, they don't. But, I loved the color (hard to see in the pic) and I figure I can find something later that will work better. This seems like it will be a popular color this season!

Not the best close-up but here goes - and I bought the necklace from AT because it seemed to coordinate nicely - though may need some shortening to be just so....

http://www.flickr.com/photos/2.....835430048/

I had the AT sales clerk hold all of these items while I proceeded onward...

Next, I did a quick run through Coach. I wanted to see some bags I'd seen online in person. I found something similar to this:

http://www.coach.com/content/p.....ry_id=1196

Except in a crackled patent and without the queer imprint thingie (what the heck is that??) It was nice and lightweight which gets bonus points for me. Size was good scale for me (oversized tote without overwhelming my short frame). But lots of $. And I'm kinda not sure what I want just yet for a fall bag. So I didn't buy it but it is filed away as a potential...

Onward I went...

There is a new store in my local mall, a Neiman Marcus spin-off called "Cusp." They just opened. Sales clerk met me at the door. I asked, "What is the concept" and she explained they are trying to hit the 20-50 market. I thought that was interesting, so we chatted about that. She explained that there are a lot of 40-50 women who still feel youthful and "with it" enough to want to wear trendy clothing. I nodded enthusiastically!! That's me!! She then showed me around and suggested a few interesting items, but alas, all of them were too big for petite little me. But I loved the idea of the store...

Onward I went.... next stop, a quick run-through of BCBG. Nothing new there, so out I went again.

Next I hit Cole Haan. I love their shoes. I was greeted by the most amazing sales clerk ever. He saw me eyeing boots with an overwhelmed and intimidated look on my face. He asked what I was looking for, I explained that I'd worn my straight leg jeans and my mission was to find boots to wear with them. He said, "Sit right down here on this comfy couch - let me get you a Pelligrino because I'm sure you're thirsty... and I will bring my suggestions to you!!"

(are you loving this or what.... I felt so pampered... )

Unfortunately, every last pair of boots just didn't work. This is going to be a challenge for me. My legs are simply too short, and the boots all too high!! But, they have some beautiful, gorgeous & comfy boots, my tall friends.

I then told him about the items I had on hold at AT, and how I wanted shoes that went "pop" with them. He eyed me up and down, said, "I absolutely love that necklace you're wearing - and I'm guessing you are a pearl girl??" I nodded ... oh YES! He responded, "I KNEW it!!! You're so .... Audrey.... 1940s, classic.... Okay, I have the shoe for you!!!"

Then he whipped out two pairs of absolutely GORGEOUS pumps... first pair was grey suede round-toe pumps (very 40s) and second pair was red suede with oxford detailing and ankle straps... both were stunning and awesome... but I just can't do the 4 inch heels!!!!!!

He gave me his card with the brands and style info written down, in case I change my mind... but I doubt I will... as beautiful as they were.... I just can't do a heel that high. Sighhhhhhh.....

I then went back to AT and before buying my previously selected items, tried on the motorcycle jacket I posted about earlier, which was fab but the sleeves were just way too long for me.

I also took a look at this purse - since I probably need one good black purse - and the accessories were all on sale. The scale was very good for me. What do you think - I didn't buy - but should I go back and get it:

http://www.anntaylor.com/catal.....ory=Misses

Then I had to head through Bloomie's to get back to my car. At this point, my lunch had worn off and I was glucose-deprived and fatigued and not really thinking all that straight. But I swung through the shoe department since it was on the way....

And ended up sitting in a cushy chair, having three sales ladies fetching shoes for me to try on to coordinate with the AT clothes!

Oh- and there was this woman who tried on Angie's lace-up boots - the ones she blogged about!!! They looked totally fab on this woman and I insisted she had to buy them, which she did. The sales clerks begged me to try them too, but I couldn't even get my foot into them (something strange about them - maybe you need narrow feet?). I also know in my heart this style is just not me... as much as I'm a mood dresser...

I spent a good hour having fun in the shoe department, and ended up buying these two pairs of shoes... there was a deal going on, complicated deal involving finally signing up for a bloomie's credit card to get extra % off, but basically the end result was I got one pair for free:

Stuart Weisman ankle boots - they are actually a dark silver, not black - and heel is managebly high! Very comfy - and roomy enough I can wear my cashmere socks underneath to keep warm:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/2.....otostream/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/2.....otostream/

and Stuart Weisman ballet flats with fake snake-skin detailing:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/2.....834636777/

I may have been too glucose-deprived so I'm not sure about these shoes... what do you think?? Keepers? Or I can do better? I can return if they don't meet YLF approval!

Finally, since I was now armed with a bloomie's card, and told I'd get 20% off anything else I bought today, I hit the bra section and added two more Chantelle's ... which were desparately needed. I am now going to throw away all the Victoria's secret bras and stick exclusively to Chantelle from here on out.

Whew!! Whirlwind day but it was a lot of fun!

Let me know what you think of my purchases - keepers? If so, how to style? Accessory suggestions? And the purse... I just want to purchase one single "investment" purse this fall, but completely unsure what to do here.

Purse, blouses and knee high boots are still on my list. Today was mostly "jacket" day and I think I did okay on that!