Update! The two dresses and Donald Pliner loafers arrived. Good news first: the loafers are gorgeous in a crinkle patent. Right foot feels a little squeezed so I’m going to try half a size up. If I can make the fit work, they are keepers.

The not-so-good news is both dresses are a no-go. The Rails dress is beautiful quality. The sleeves are too long which is an easy fix, but the top itself feels big too. I added shoulder pads and that helped a bit, but not enough to make it a slam dunk.

Maggy London dress is so close to being a winner, but the top flops open. Even with a cami, it would still look strange. Such a bummer that there wasn’t a dress for me this year, but I have a few more items coming. So … Next!

Oh...that's such a shame about the dresses, Laura! It really wasn't a great dress year at the sale, it seems. But the loafers look promising. Also, I love your platinum hair!

Thank you, Suz! I've had platinum hair for a year now and intend to keep it going as long as my scalp cooperates.

I always hope for a dress at the sale ... some years are good dress years and other years, not so much. The loafers are 1,000,000% more comfortable than the Aquatalias. Fingers crossed that sizing up does the trick!

More items arrived and we have some winners! Like everyone else has said, the Wit & Wisdom pants are fantastic. Perfect fit, new full length on me in the petite size and I can use them when I travel to DC for work in September. In a happy accident, the NYDJ blouse matches beautifully (I sized down two sizes per Angie's recommendation), as does the Kut from the Kloth faux suede jacket. And I added the new red Donald Pliner loafers for something a little unexpected.

All the items fit well except for the Kut jacket's sleeves. I wish the jacket came in petite! Photo #3 shows the sleeves. Definitely needs an alteration to shorten them - but I think it’s worth doing if alterations can manage it.

Fantastic! That blouse is so pretty! You and my mom will be twinning although she’s probably twice your age!

I love all of these. The shoes are fun. I'm curious about the sizing down in the top. Is it very fitted through the shoulder? I've ordered the pants, and they are en route, so I hope I have as much success with them as everyone else seems to be having.

What a great outfit! The blouse is beautiful on you! And so are the pants, of course! If I were shopping the sale this year, those are items I would want to try as well. Shoes look fantastic with this, too.

Laura, the dresses weren't good enough for your fab self. Next!

KILLER DP loafers! WOW! Love!

And aren't you gorgeous in all the top picks! KILLER cute! Perfect for work travel. No creasing

Try cuffing the sleeves of the jacket once. Might help just enough.

All top picks for the win!

Kellygirl, I'm chuckling because I thought I'd struck upon this outfit myself. Had no idea until I checked your thread that your mom will be sporting the same -- or that Angie had clients in this blouse and jacket combo. High five to your sweet mom!

Delurked, yes, the shoulders are fairly fitted. The sleeves run long (and I think the blouse is designed that way) so sizing down really helped me. But if you have longer arms than I do, probably sizing down one size is enough. Hope you have good luck with the pants! I'm not a pants person, and even I like these.

Suz, thanks for the kind words. I could see you in these items too!

Angie, I will try cuffing the sleeves. That should do it. Good point about creaseless items - the pants are going to be perfect for work travel. And thanks for another great NAS. Very pleased with my new items!

Always a pleasure, sweet Laura

We could write a book on our NAS adventures...

Laura, I’m so happy you’ve found items that will work so well for you. A far cry from the original pink capsule and that’s OK. It just goes to show you how the shopping process evolves as we try things and shift gears based on what fits and works best for our lifestyle and wardrobe. You managed that perfectly. I LOVE the way the colors in the top complement your gorgeous hair color and cut. It looks like it was made for you. And it’s no small feat to buy pants online and have them fit and look this good. Angie makes that process easier for us, though, doesn’t she? Her recommendations are always so spot on.

Haha! Likewise. I thought I was so clever to put the blouse and jacket together with the pants! Angie had already done that with clients. It's such a fab instant outfit. I considered it for myself but I'm in a no more buy for work state of mind!

I'm smiling

That's right, Angie! Ha! The thrill of NAS victories and the agonies of NAS defeats would make quite a story This year in particular, who would guess that Aquatalia would produce one of the biggest winners (your tall boots) and the biggest disappointments (those darned painful loafers). Plenty of drama and plenty of happy endings too.

Kyle, you're sweet! Thank you for all the nice things you've said and for checking items out in store. I did shift gears considerably from the original pink idea! That's NAS for ya. It inevitably evolves as you find items that work.

Kellygirl, I love instant outfits. Because my work is in a completely different climate and I only visit once a year, I don't need many work clothes, but at the same time I'm probably the oldest person in our office and I need to look up to date! Out of curiosity, why are you in a no-buy for work mode?

I know, right, Laura? Exactly!

You just NEVER know what NAS stuff you will end up with despite good planning, decision making, and stalking. It's all very thrilling to me (and my clients!) - and super fun if you stay chill and keep expectations low

You also make 119F heat look like a breeze.....

These are great finds, Laura. You look fantastic in the winners. Those loafers are gorgeous on you. And like Kyle, I see it's an evolution from where you started with the wish list. NAS can often work that way!