Showing posts with label Recent Purchases. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Recent Purchases. Show all posts

Thursday, September 4, 2014

Look for Less: Camo

Hi there loves! Ya know, this weekend I had my family in town and took a ton of pictures, which made me realize how much I miss blogging and sharing my life and experiences.

So, this post is my If You Give a Mouse a Cookie welcome back.

Over the years I've started to accumulate vests and this year I already have my eyes set on J. Crew Factory's Quilted Puffer Vest in Camo.  Last year I got the herringbone and still wear it all.the.time so I thought the camo would be a fun add and still on trend.

The issue? I am too cheap to pay the full retail $108 after knowing their history of up and down pricing. I've been doing daily price checks for about a month now and haven't seen it drop below $88.  I've been carrying around some remnant gift cards waiting to pounce, but haven't deemed a "sale" worth it yet.

Low and behold, last night I was searching Old Navy and came across the vest! In the little girl's section! Girl's Quilted Barn Vest (Yep, still totally wear girls when I can). Regularly priced at $29.95 and 20% off; it was a no brainer to pop an XL and XXL in my cart.

Update: The XL was a little too short and a little too tight when zipped. The XXL is perfect for fall layering and I like the details and coloring even more than the JCF!
 



Wednesday, October 16, 2013

More (f)or Less - Dog Sweater

To date, this is one of my favorite outfits blogged (and grr Blogger for eating my old pictures) from last fall.

By now, you shouldn't be surpised that I would have bought a bulldog sweater last year. However, I have had a difficult time wearing it often because it's not quite kosher for the office.

So when I was in Indy recently and requested we stop by C. Wonder after visiting in NYC (how is there not one of these in Chicago yet?), I was smitten to come across a dog sweater, neutral and abstract enough that I could wear in the office.

What I wasn't smitten with? The price tag of $88. Sure, it's merino wool, but that also meant it felt light-weight and that it may pill easily.  So when my SIL sent my a duplicate of it from JCPenney at a fraction of the price, you'd better believe I hopped in the car!
 
Which would you buy?
 


Wednesday, October 9, 2013

What I Bought: Old Navy Binge


My shopping always seems to go in a rotation. In general, for staple items like jeans, I try focus on high quality items with a great fit that I know will last. But there are also so many trends that, not to mention so much shopping money in my budget, that I recently have found myself shopping more and more at places like H&M and Old Navy.
 
Old Navy recently had 40% off for cardholders and I took full advantage, ordering 13 items.  Whoops! Several of the items are variations for size and style with the ultimate goal of finding new black skinnies and chambray shirt; and some are items that I just feel like I have to have.
After seeing a post about this dress on a fashion board (and it's fabulous price, $8 after discount), I figured this dress is versatile for fun and work.
 
The first pictures are the size small.  I decided that it's a little tight and definitely too short for my comfort to wear in the office.
The medium was definitely loser; almost too big...but I decided I can wear it as a comfy shift or belted to give me a bit more shape. I decided to keep the medium and return the small.
Last year I purchased a pair of Old Navy's Rockstar "jeans" and really liked them. However, they wore rather quickly and need to be replace this year due to fading; but since I paid less than $20 for them; I'm not too upset.
 
I decided to give the Pull On pants a try after seeing them compared to J Crew pants. They're almost like a glorified, heavy weight legging. They have an elastic waist and no pockets; so I wouldn't be caught dead wearing them without my booty covered.
 
At first, I hated them and found them to be slightly itchy; but as I wore them while trying on other tops, they've grown on me and I'm considering keeping them for the days when I just want a cozy topping and warm leggings.
 
I ordered a medium and think a small would have been too small.  The length is decent and the first is okay. As you can see, the crotch is a bit "frowny" as my mom would call it; but if I'm going to keep that covered anyways...I think these might be keepers; but I'm torn.
I ordered this in a medium to replace an ON oxford I bought last year that ripped while in the wash after several wears. The fabric is 100% cotton, but slightly itchy for some reason. The fit is decent and the price was great ($8 after discount). It's not perfect, but I know I'll get a ton of wear out of it that I think it's a keeper.
I ordered this in an XL and although it fit just fine; I decided it was too juvenile and decided to return.
The hunt for a new chambray shirt has been on since this spring, when I accidentally got washable paint on my old button up and that washable paint turned out not to be washable.
 
I ordered this in a medium based on previous ON button up experience. I like the variety in color and tunic style, but I'm still contemplating on this. It's not a great fit and even slightly tight if I put both arms out....but it's a looser fit that could be great with leggings or a sweater on top. (Don't mind the packaging wrinkles).
 
I ordered this Mid-tone shirt in a medium as well to compare to the pull-over above. This seems to be the classic color and style for chambray so I'm torn if I like this better than the above; the fit is slighty better but I can't decide which color I like best!
 
Which of the two chambrays would you keep? If any?
I picked this up in store a couple weeks ago. It's obviously a trendy item and given that I couldn't wear it for work, I decided against it for $30. However, when I was able to get it for 40% off, I ordered it in a medium to give it a shot.
 
I'm pretty disappointed in the fit. I think it's too frumpy and gapes at the neckline. If I went down to a small, it'd be shorter than I'd like. Not to mention, the rhinestones are barely secured on with just two threads each; if one rips you'll be left with a dangling gem (although it'd be an easy fix). This will be returned.

#9: Rockstar Midrise Skinny
Based on my size search last year, I ordered up a size for these and got a 8-regular.  They're certainly a higher fit on the hips than the classic Rockstars; but the length is slightly too long and by measurement, I fear short would be too short; but I think I may order to give it a try.
 
#10 and #11 Rockstar Super Skinny
I ordered these as another pant alternative. I ordered both an 8 regular and a 10 short. Again, the fabric is slightly itchy, but from experience I know it'll soften with time.

Like the mid-rise, there's some bunching in the crouch but even the model's pictures for both styles show bunching; so maybe I'm being over critical?

Would you keep any of the black pants (including ponte pull on) that I ordered?
The 10S were WAY too big! They were gaping and knowing that these pants also stretch with wear, there's no way 10 would be a smart choice to keep.
#12 and #13: 3/4 Sleeve Sequin Tee
This was actually the first thing that prompted this order. I saw this shirt online and thought it was so fun. I love the mix of black and navy, sequins and stripes.
 
I ordered both a small and medium; as you can tell, the small (top pics) are not so complimentary for me. I returned the small and will be keeping the medium. Plus, I love the length of the medium! I already have a number of outfits planned in my head for this shirt and cannot wait to wear it.

10/9's Deals and Steals

Happy morning to you! I don't have much to say now, but I do have a double whammy coming at you later; What I Wore AND What I Bought posts! Be sure to check back to see what all of this really is:

  • Banana Republic: Extra 50% off women's sale items online with code BR50SALE through 10/9 (2% back via ebates.com)
  • Express:
    • 40% off all sweaters, outerwear and jeans through 10/14
    • $25 off every $75 spent with code 1896
  • Gap: 25% off online purchase with code GAPMORE ends today (2% back via ebates.com)
  • J Crew: Extra 40% final sale items in store and online with code EXTRA40; plus free shipping on all orders today (6% back via ebates.com)
  • Old Navy: Through 10/10
    • 30% off in store and online for cardholders with code STUFFSAVE
    • 20% off online for non-cardholders with code ONSAVE20
    • 2% back via ebates.com
  • Restaurant.com: 2 for $10 gift certificates with code LOCAL ends today
  • Starbucks: Free tall coffee for paying it forward


Wednesday, October 2, 2013

What I Wore Wednesday 10/2

Well looky here, someone <moi> actually pulled out their real camera to take an Outfit of the Day shot instead of using their iPhone!
 
Can you blame me? I've been obsessed with my fan fringe necklace since I bought it...but sadly, I have to say I think that the time is dwindling while it's still appropriate, season-wise, to wear a neon pink skirt.
Shirt - Old Navy (similar) // Skirt - J Crew (similar; similar) // Necklace // Shoes - Max Studio Mecca Wedge via TJ Maxx (Similar)
Watch - Michael Kors Blair (similar) // Chain - Yuni Kelley // Rhinestones - Forever 21 (similar) // Nails - Essie Bobbling for Baubles
 
 
While I love the colors and how cohesive this outfit is; what I love most is that it cost me just 
shy of $100 for everything; shoes included! Is it weird that I remember the cost of the
majority of the items in my closet?
Tee - $8 : Skirt - $30 : Wedges - $34 : Necklace - $14
Watch - gifted from my generous MIL who decided it was too heavy
Chain - $12 : Rhinestones - $3
total - $101!

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