I purchased a top at The Limited a few weeks ago. It was on sale for $12.99, and isn't the *best* quality, but suited my needs, and I really couldn't find anything else like it that was any better, even at a place like Nordie's or Macy's.
Places like The Limited, and Express have monster sales every 3 months--January, end of March/April, July, and September/October. I buy basics at Express like camis, and occasionally denim, but other than that I wait for the sales. I used to work at the Arboretum Express (which was owned by The Limited), and unless an item was EXTREMELY popular (maybe only 1 or 2 items per season), it would end up on sale. So now I almost only shop the sales, because especially this year, I feel like the quality of some of their "trend" items has gone down, and are not worth the full price they are charging. But if that same top costs me $9.99 and I can work it in to my wardrobe and I can't find anything I like better, if it only lasts one or two seasons, that's not such a tragedy. The Limited brand might be better because it was the company's flagship line.
By the way, Patience, how was your birthday shopping? You have to tell us where you went and what you picked up.