A Few Spring Offers

So I've been a little busy as of late and have been very remiss in what was supposed to be my constant on this blog.... Oh well, better late than never. Here are a few of the deals and offers that have landed in my inbox this week:

• Old Navy is having an online exclusive: 30% off New Arrivals! Enter Code New30 at checkout through 2/26/09.
• Ann Taylor Loft "Spring into Style": Get $20 off a purchase of $75 or more, Get $50 off a purchase of $150 or more. Enter Code Spring at checkout through 3/1/09.
• Ann Taylor Loft and Goodwill Industries Team Up: Loft and Goodwill Industries invite your to donate your gently-worn pant to charity and save $15 on a new pair.

And, there is a cool discount program for teachers and an opportunity to earn rewards for classrooms on Ann Taylor Loft. If you are an educator, it is definitely worth a look: http://teachers.anntaylorloft.com/.

That's what I've got for now--happy shopping!

H&M

I first encountered H&M in London when I studied abroad. Being a poor college student in the UK did not bode well with the exchange rate 8-10 years ago...I can't imagine what it must be like today. I didn't do a lot of clothes shopping (believe it or not, there was a time when I controlled myself) but before I went to visit a friend in Spain, I stopped in to pick out some appropriate going out attire. The experience was fine--decent clothes at a decent price. Fairly trendy but not a budget breaker. And I thought when I left the country, I left H&M behind.

But clearly that is not the case; H&Ms are popping up like Duane Reades around this city! After my first traumatic experience 6 or 7 years ago in a Downtown NYC H&M, I pretty much swore them off. There are three things that make for a Shoegirl Shopping Meltdown and unfortunately H&M seems to have all of them.

1. For starters, I'm a fabric snob; if something is itchy or wrinkles when the wind blows, it is a no go.


2. I overwhelm easily--4 floors of fashions tightly packed together is not my idea of a good time.


3. People--there are just too many people. Have you seen the lines for the dressing rooms in those places?! Anyone who knows me knows that I am not the biggest fan of the general population, particularly those that are oblivious to the world around them. My affection only lessens when you put me in close proximity with a large amount of these people all looking for a bargain.

Now, all of that being said, we are in a recession and a girl still has to shop (well, that may not technically be true, but this girl still has to shop). So, I ventured back into an H&M for the first time in years last Saturday...and I survived! I even thought there might be purchase potential! It seems that now that there is an H&M on every corner, one can strategically pick a location where people are not likely to go in droves and perhaps, just perhaps, have an enjoyable shopping experience.

I have to be honest though--I spent approximately 10 minutes in the store looking around and then headed to an appointment I had, so I can't definitively say that my recent assessment is correct. I'm going to complete my mission this weekend after I've appropriately prepared both mind and body (i.e. eat a big brunch and drink lots of coffee) and report back. Stay tuned...

Long Island Getaway

Two of my favorite things (besides the obvious shoes, clothes, and bags) are my hubby and wine. I was lucky enough to have the opportunity to combine those two things last weekend in Long Island of all places. Pardon my surprise, but who knew that Long Island, NY is so beautiful and has upwards of 40 vineyards!

We stayed at the lovliest B&B, Shorecrest Bed and Breakfast, owned and operated by a fantastic woman named Marilyn. I absolutely love a B&B and this was no exception. The house is stunning and Marilyn has put quite a lot of work into the rooms. It is so cozy and directly across from the beach which allowed us the most beautiful view of the water at sunset. And seriously, the breakfast...SO good. One of our favorite foods were these ridiculously amazing orange and ricotta pancakes our second morning there. So, needless to say, if you are planning on visiting Long Island for a little getaway, I highly recommend Shorecrest B&B.

Now, the wine. We visited 10 wineries and found so many things that we liked. One of the biggest surprises to me was how much Chardonnay and Merlot is made there; I can see everyone's nose wrinkle at the mention of Chardonnay, but trust me, this is not the wine you are accustomed to. Thanks to the cooler climate here in NY, the sugar in the grapes doesn't process quite so quickly as it does in CA and it allows the winemakers to hold onto a lot more of the fruit flavors and acidity. The result is a Chardonnay that is crisp and clean (more like a Pinot Grigio) without the overwhelming butter taste. See---drinking can be educational.

In case you are thinking of visiting, some of my favorite wineries were Paumanok, Lenz, Duck Walk, and Osprey's Dominion. Most of the vineyards are family businesses and they have great stories. I recommend picking up a copy of Wine Press to get more information on all of the wineries and the award winning wines they produce. If you want a relaxing day trip close to home (for my NY readers) go--the wine is great, the countryside is beautiful and it is only 90 minutes away. Pack a picnic and enjoy your adventure!

Save in Style

My hubby and I were talking about this blog tonight and he mentioned that maybe there was something I could put up on a regular basis to help or entertain all of you, my 4 readers. His was always a political quote, but I'm thinking mine should maybe be more geared towards how we can all be stylish and save money at the same time! Thanks to the many emails I receive from my favorite stores, I will attempt to keep you up on the latest sales and specials.

Here's the rundown for this week so far:

• Ann Taylor: 25% Off Dresses and Cardigans--Online Only


• Ann Taylor Loft: 25% Off Spring Essentials--Online Only


• Bluefly.com: This site seems to have a deal a day! If you are a first time buyer, they are giving you 10% off of your purchase over $100. I have really only picked coats from here, but they have super cute dresses at a variety of price points (yay spring)!

Just in case you decide to check out Ann Taylor, I got the best little cardigan there this weekend! I have the hardest time finding a cardigan the fits right and actually buttons without pulling, but this one is absolutely perfect. Click here to check it out: Ann Taylor, Item #229462. Happy shopping!

Hello Bandolino

http://www.bandolino.com/. Calling all shoe girls...check this out. I inadvertently ordered a pair of black boots this year (yes, from Piperlime) that were Bandolino. This was my first experience with the brand and they were not only affordable (I realize affordable has many connotations depending on your level of obsession, but in this case I mean affordable by a rationale person's standard), but also comfortable right from the start. Any shoe/boot that I can wear to AND from the subway as well as for a full day at the office makes me a happy woman. It's amazing how hard it actually is to find a shoe that can accomodate.

What I didn't realize is how cute and inexpensive their other shoe lines are; they have a large selection of both trendy and basic shoes all for under $60! Seriously, I love my shoes and I appreciate quality, but if I'm going to buy a pair of wedges that may only be considered "in" for a season, I don't want to spend a fortune.

After yet another good experience with a pair of dark brown heels I recently purchased, I'm heading out this weekend to add the little gem pictured above to my collection. A girl can never have enough shoes...no matter what my husband says.

Just One of Those Weeks...

Most people will tell you that they have their best ideas in the shower. I, on the other hand, spend most of my time trying to picture what outfit I am going to wear for the day (have you seen Clueless? I feel like I have Cher's fancy closet computer system in my head). It sounds easy, but due to my lack of focus before 10AM, my mind drifts to the email I need to send or the person I forgot to call and before I know it the water is off and I still have no clothing plan in sight!

This probably has very little relevance on this blog, but honestly, it has just been one of those weeks where this task of putting top and bottom together seems to be impossible, no matter how long I stay in the shower. I can't even pick an outfit when I am standing directly in front of my closet. And instead of acting like a rational person and putting on the tried and true things I know work well (even if I think they are boring), I attempt to get creative. People like me who get up at the last possible minute leaving only enough time to walk out of the house without any extra task, should not get creative at 7:30AM. It doesn't bode well for the rest of the day.

Ultimately on these mornings, I end up with a floor full of hangers, a daybed covered in failed outfits and I am 20 minutes late getting out the door. TGIF.

Tailor: Friend or Foe?

K's comment to my Size Doesn't Matter post brings up yet another valuable topic in the world of clothing and you: the tailor. I, myself, didn't truly understand the many amazing talents of the tailor until a few years ago. I often have to go a size up in tops to fit a broad back and chest, but then my mid-section is swimming in fabric. Typically I would just accept that, buy the bigger shirt and leave it hanging in my closet with the tags on. But then, I branched out and took one to the tailor...I was hooked! The shirt came out perfectly and I looked fantastic!

Here's the thing--clothes are not made to fit every body. In fact, rarely are they perfect on any body shape. It would be impossible for manufacturers to create multiple cuts on garments to make sure the hourglass, pear and straight girls are all accomodated. So ladies, stop blaming your hips, butt and chest for every garment that doesn't fit right. Start placing the blame on that evil piece of fabric whose dart is in an idiotic location and it doesn't hit your beautiful curves in the right place. Amazing how the inanimate object might actually be the issue, not your bone structure.

But I digress: the real point is that there are clothes that are going to be just oh so close to looking phenomenal--if only the straps were shorter, the side seams slightly more form fitting, or the length an 1" shorter. Guess what? This is where your new best friend the neighborhood tailor comes in. For another $10-$20 you can have the perfect piece of tailor made clothing for your body! And, yes the additional $ are worth it--anything that fits you properly is going to make you and your body look its best, and in turn make you feel your best. Are you noticing a pattern here?

Seriously though, if you have never been to a tailor except to get a bridesmaids' dress fitted, please put that traumatic experience out of your head and give them a second a chance.