Shopping spree

Long time no blog...but it doesn't mean that I haven't shopped! A lot of the stores have had their mid-year annual sales, and it was...just amazing. Not sure if it's because gas prices are ridiculously above $3.00 a gallon, slowing down the economy so stores need to knock prices like mad or if it's just a banner year, but either way, I win!

So the Express and Limited sales weren't all that, as usual. But Bath and Body Works manage to surprise me endlessly. They had their usual stuff on sale, but then I got the Aquatanica Gel Souffle for $4.75. Its original price was $22.00 for 5 oz. And it's some really good stuff! Aquatanica is this new line and is heavy on the whole ocean and seaweed natural ingredients, and I love the souffle. It's light and smells good. I've been meaning to buy a jar, but couldn't reason out paying more than $4 an ounce! So I'm really glad that it went on sale even though the cashier told me that they might be discontinuing the line! I also have had my eye on the Bath and Body Works bathrobe that was originally $60. It is one of the softest robes I have ever felt, and I have been eyeing them since last season's sale. I got it for 75% off, for only $15. So I'm really happy about that.

My new favorite store has been Ann Taylor Loft for the last year since they opened near me. It is very similar to Ann Taylor without the exorbitant prices. They have been having their summer sales; actually it's still going on, but it's been picked over a lot. And I've bought numerous pieces from them such as button shirts and dresses. My great buys include a suit jacket originally for $125, which I got for $29.99. It's simple and black and will work with any skirt or pair of pants. I also bought a pair of tailored black and red striped pants for only $6.88. Seriously, some of these sales are just fabulous. I think currently they may be selling their flipflops for a mere $6.88!

The other store that has had a ridiculous sale has been the Gap. I used to love the Gap when I was in high school; actually I think it's safe to say that I was obsessed with it. But then, they changed CEOs or purchasing managers or something, and they took a path away from the classic pieces that they always have had. They started coming out with ridiculous colors like fushia or lime green or electric blue. Then they started going trendy instead of sticking with the classic styles that everyone needs to have in their wardrobe. They went with all the balloon skirts, thin hanging peasant blouses, and rubber flops that no one could wear to work. I think they're currently trying to find a good balance so there is a lot of chaos in their store branding right now. So they have run a lot of sales, including one over the fourth of July weekend where everything that was on sale was an additional 50% off. It was just absolutely crazy. I bought a jean jacket that was a mere $11, low rise flare jeans for $7.50, and tshirts for $2.50. I bought some other things to round out outfits in my wardrobe...so there were extremely good bargains for me.

Finally, last weekend when I was at home, I stopped by the mall and went to Victoria's Secret. I had expected that their semi-annual sale would be over by now, and it was just wrapping up. In fact, all leftover bras were $12.99 and all leftover panties were a mere $2.99. Score! Those bras were excellent, from Betsey Johnsons to Chantal to IPEX...really, there were like bras for $159 that were selling for a mere $12.99. I have to say too that they were selling their packets of clear bra straps for $2.99 for 3. Those are usually $12! It was a good find, and now I'm practically swimming in new bras!

What I really want now is a Kate Spade PDA case exactly like this one:

Kate Spade Brody PDA Case

Maybe I'll stop by the store this weekend.

Shopping Spree

Marshall Field's
Reaction Kenneth Cole Black Wedges $34.97
Clinique Clarifying Lotion II $19.00

So Good Jewelry
Sparkly necklace $9.99

Express
Camisole $5.99
Gauzy shrug $9.99

Gap
Black Bikini $0.97
Floaty brown Tank Top $1.97
Stretch Black Sleeveless Tank Top $1.97
Pink Classic Button-Down $12.97
Cream Jacket $19.97

Urban Outfitters
Gauzy sweater $29.99
Belt $4.99

Charlotte Russe
White peasant skirt $10.00
Black flirty dress $19.99
Stressed camisole 2 for $20

JCrew
Pink button cardigan $29.99
Distressed Chinos $19.99
Cargo Corduroys $19.99

Bath and Body Works
Aptiva Eucalyptus Sea Salt Scrub $20.00
breathe Serenity wash Free with coupon

Energy Boost: PRICELESS

A trip to Woodfield does wonders. C.O. Bigelow is opening a store in Woodfield. The Grand Opening is October 27. First 100 people who purchase something will get small travel samples of their Lemon Cream and Quince lotion. I wonder how they are going to balance Bath and Body Works and C.O. Bigelow in the same mall since they carry many of the same products!

Check out Forth and Towne, Gap's newest branding concept for career women over age 35. The store touts an Indulge membership which includes free alterations and specials once you spend over $500. They also offer free tea on Tuesdays, and their dressing rooms are like little boudoirs. The store is based on four tiers of merchandise: 1) Gap Edition, 2) Vocabulary, 3)Allegory, and 4) Prize, and the clothes range from relaxation clothes to business suits to party outfits. It manages to stay classic yet somewhat trendy and molds in what middle-aged women would want in an outfit.

Ruehl 925

New store at Woodfield: Ruehl 925. It bills itself as business casual style meets Greenwich Village attitude. The way I understand it is that it's a new concept store owned by Abercrombie and Fitch. This is the first Ruehl 925 to hit the Midwest. Catherine and I checked it out while we were shopping because it caught our eye. Instead of the usual storefront, it's a bungalow sort of facade with salespeople outside holding flowers and welcoming people. Inside, it's divided up into rooms like a house. Think of J.Crew meets Hollister/Abercrombie meets Banana meets Kenneth Cole. Yeah, that kind of nice. It's subtle lighting and none of that pulsing rock you get when you go to the teeny-bopper stores.

It's a bit more expensive than Abercrombie's main store; it's also a lot more mature. That means no baby tees. It's also the only Ruehl 925 in the Midwest so far.

This is Abercrombie's time to expand. Like Gap, they are stretching their brand name to different markets. They're adding this market to their current 727 Abercrombie stores, 171 Abercrombie Kids stores, and 197 Hollister stores. Seems to me that they're doing their branding in a more mature fashion also...none of that controversy that happened with their Abercrombie magazines and suggestive/racial t-shirts. I didn't even know that Abercrombie was Ruehl 925's parent company until I did some background research. We'll see how Ruehl 925 performs.

In other news, if you haven't heard by now, Gap is also extending their brand name into a new niche store for people in their middle ages. Their new concept store will be called "Forth and Towne" and the main market will be in Chicago with only one other store in NY, I believe. I think this might be a flop actually...it doesn't sound very trendy. Sounds matronly, actually. With all the questionable clothing at Gap nowadays, I think Gap needs to take a look at itself and go back to the old days when it was just all classic clothing that served all age groups. That was their brand, and I never really understood why they went away from it.

Movies 'N Things

I let myself be convinced that Meet the Fockers was the must-see movie of the year...that I had to brave the cold and sit in a theatre at 12:01 AM this morning to see this movie. You know, I've never been a big fan of Ben Stiller, Adam Sandler, Will Ferrell, you know, the group of guys whose antics are supposedly really funny, but I just find it to be in the throes of stupidity?

Well, so I went because I grudgingly admit that I really did like Meet the Parents. I know, gasp, a funny movie I actually watched! (I think I was ALSO bullied into it.) Nevertheless, for two hours, I chortled my way thru Meet the Fockers. It was excellent, a GREAT sequel, and yeah, it was hilarious!! haha. Go see it.

The other movies I have watched recently, hm... Well, I saw Ocean's Twelve. Uh...totally not worth it. There are funny moments, and Bruce Willis's cameo...OH, THE BEST!...but as a whole, a letdown from all the hoopla around it. Bruce is hilarious tho. Anyway, I also recently saw Closer also, and I'm not too sure what to think about it. I'm still thinking about it. It's one of those movies that you have to take a second look at. Critics hyped up Julia Robert's role in it, and yeah, she did a good job, but I think Natalie Portman was by far the more outstanding actress. And for those of you that know me, you know I'm being totally serious because I adore Julia Roberts and I'm just like, enh on Natalie, but seriously, she was good.

So out of the three movies, go see Meet the Fockers. No kidding. But if you want something more serious, go see Closer.

BananaRepublic.com is having a 40% off sale if you use your BR card. Regardless it's a good sale; I'm in the middle of seeing what I want. Also, I heard that Gap is slashing prices in-stores. Might be a good time to check stuff out. I heard Express is slashing prices too, but who knows?

Time's A-Ticking

Express's up to 50% off Sweater and Other Stuff Sale - Enh. Pass on it.
Limited's 50% off Sweater Sale - NICE.
Nine West 50% off Boot Sale - Nice.
Gap's Last-Minute Sale - Leaves something to be desired.
Ann Taylor Loft Sale - Excellent.

Shopping this weekend was just plain frustrating. Too many people with no direction, not enough good stuff, no bargains, and the parking lot was a mess. I think I'm done for awhile because I can't stand stupid shoppers. Let the Holiday Season be over so I can have my malls back!!

Oh. Bath and Body Works Semi-Annual Sale starts December 27th!

A Good Day

You gotta wonder why I've never really taken advantage of price adjustments before. I'm not sure why I haven't either. Maybe it's because when I make a purchase, I am just so firmly convinced of its "good deal" status, that I don't care? No clue.

So today I waltzed into Gap and found out that the dress that I bought during Thanksgiving had been marked down. It's a NICE black dress...you know, simple, black, slightly flared skirt, reaches the knees, A-line...your classic black dress. I whipped out my receipt and got $15 back. NICE. I think I could make some serious money in price adjustments...and I don't get the guilty "I've spent too much" feeling...AND I still have the item in question in my hot little hands!

Not only does Limited still have their ribbon sweaters for $10, they have also put out cute cardigans for the same price...and your basic sweater turtlenecks...all for $10. I think they've usurped Abercrombie's $10 sweater sale, which I look forward to every year.

My Favorite Things

I am the new proud owner of:

1. some cardstock, some stickers, some new holiday cards and gift tags, from Archivers
2. Tutti Dolci cinnamon frosting lip gloss, Burt's Bees raisin lip gloss, the Bath and Body Works Christmas CD, a Henri Bendel candle, wheat germ almond hair reconstructor from Bath and Body Works.
3. A tank top for $2 (!!) and a professional skirt from Banana Republic
4. Two sleeveless sweater tops and a flirty skirt from Gap
5. Two cardigans from Old Navy
6. Two scoopneck long-sleeved ribbon bow on neckline sweaters in cream and brown from Limited...it is a weekend sale and they are $10 each down from the $39.50 retail price. Also a pair of pants from the $29.50 sale thing they are having that I will probably return because I have enough pairs courtesy of last January. (that was a take of 22 pants for $10 each from Express and Limited and was so bemusing that even the doctors knew about it and asked me about it).

**From Bath and Body Works: Trying the testers at the store, there are 6 flavors in the Tutti Dolci line, all promoting some "airy" substance such as creme brulee, angel food cake, and lemon meringue. Go figure. Some of them smell good...actually all of them really do, except the chocolate one, but when you put it on, it is tacky and sticky, and doesn't taste like anything at all. Actually, it's kinda gross. I got my free lip gloss so we'll see how much I like it. I also am going to try this wheat germ thing because I am growing out my hair for Locks of Love and apparently I don't eat right or something because my hair kinda looks limp nowadays so we'll see if this wheat germ revitalizes it.

In case anyone is wondering, I guess what is so amusing is that I don't wear half the stuff I buy. Yet I covet clothes endlessly. You can bet I will only wear half of what I bought today. There are clothes in my closet that still have tags on them. I took up two closets in Rockford and I still had my closet full at home, plus clothes scattered in the most random places. But you know, I have to say in my defense, I'll get around to wearing everything someday. Like that ugly sequined purple top from Forever 21 that I bought because I was upset that day and it seemed like a good deal: a good five years later...I wore it for the first time to the Halloween party! And Chris spilled beer on it! It's clean now tho. Some people collect videos, some people collect mp3s, I collect a wardrobe.

High point of the day: At Limited, I was trying to branch out of my usual color scheme especially since my color tone isn't all that nowadays. So I called Victor to ask for his opinion of the color pumpkin. He actually was more helpful than the salespeople at Limited. So go figure. It actually looked good on me (weird, I know!), but I stuck with the neutral colors because pumpkin might not look good on me one day depending on my color tone.

I didn't get to Express because it was closing time, so I will probably go back tomorrow.