My shopping excursion yesterday didn't include any free Pellegrino but it did have a moment of retail Zen. I am sorry it got so long but maybe it will help others looking for the same stuff!
Started out at JCrew. Asked to see Clea jacket. None in store; possibly won't get any. Bummer. Next: asked for v-neck short black cardigan. None in store; only boyfriend style with glass buttons. Moment of Zen: clerk looked online and found a short version on sale for $69. Sold.
Next (hiking through the mall really fast since I have to pick up my son in 1 hour and I am always the mom who is late), I hit WhBm to try cream jeans. Bingo: straight legs on sale from $79 to $59. Bummer: the jeans really are white, not cream. (Thus the sale). Try cream bootlegs, which are not on sale and are more cream-colored. Size 6 too big; ask for 4. None in store. Not sure I want rhinestones instead of rivets anyway or silver stitching on pockets. Creepy salesperson who was overly complimenting me early on blows me off when she realizes there will be no sale. Onward.
Arden B. Check out skinny cream cords and realize I am way too old for this store (no offense to anyone younger than me here, but that's how it goes once you're 40!). Exit fast and proceed to AT Loft.
Ahhhh. Nice big petites dept at AT Loft. Green cord jacket posted by Angie the other day is super cute on, the green is brighter than I thought but why not? The puffed sleeves add volume to my shoulders (good as I am a pear, pretty or not). Alas cord jacket isn't in store in petites yet. But, this shirt is:
http://www.anntaylorloft.com/c.....ory=Petite
It's a great shirt, with thin black stripes and a little sheen to it.
So I pass on the jacket, buy the shirt, and this red sweater to go under a taupe cord jacket I have from AT Loft last year:
http://www.anntaylorloft.com/c.....ory=Misses
plus I throw in a red statement bracelet to add some color to my life:
http://www.anntaylorloft.com/c.....ory=Misses
There is an argyle cardi which would look great with the striped blouse, but it somehow feels too matchy-matchy so I pass.
Now I am getting tired but heroically I make one last stop at Benetton. Last time I was here I was turned off by an overly pushy and needy salesperson. This time, I find the most amazing saleswoman. She is actually from Italy. I show her the black striped AT Loft blouse and -- get this -- she pulls two argyle v-neck sweaters in brown and olive! To go with a black striped blouse! I love her! So sophisticated. I choose the brown. It looks incredibly fab and European (sorry no photos - Benetton's web site sorely lacking).
She and I realize we are on the same page. She comes into the dressing room with the piece de resistance ... an amazing garment ... I don't even know what to call it. (I will, I promise, take a photo). It is a black, mock turtleneck, sleeveless tunic in a horizonal weave. At first I am horrified. How do I, in my 40s, and having had 2 kids in the past 5 years, wear that? She assures me (and she has some credibility as she seems older than me) that it is the best garment ever made, for $59. I try it on over the blouse with leggings. LOVE. It looks incredible. I feel so incredible in this piece. She assures me I can belt it. I can wear it with flats, and later, boots. She wants me to put this whisper-thin turtleneck underneath it, if only it came in small. I will come back for the turtleneck later in the season ... perfection!
If anyone made it this far, thanks for indulging me! It's so amazing to have a good shopping experience these days that I had to share ...
