Marshall's Finds!

I had a high stress day at school today. How bad? Retail Therapy bad. So I stopped by my local Marshall's to see what was going on there.

Now some people will balk at the idea of even walking into a store such as Banana Republic or department store and rationalize by saying that they have a Walmart budget. What they may not realize is that with patience and determination you can find even better deals for high end designer clothes at these high priced retailers and sometimes even Marshall's or TJMaxx.

Case in point?...

My newly acquired $3.00 Gabardine wool MaxStudio slacks.

They retail at $148.00!

These trousers have that 1940s Hollywood sailor pant silhouette. It's high waisted and very slimming along the hips. The fabric just flows over curves and fits like a glove! Even the length is perfect for standard height heels. 5 inch stacked platforms need not apply!

In case you're wondering, there aren't any digits missing from the price up there. No typo. It really cost $3.00 as in three dollars. That's even cheaper than thrift stores these days! MaxStudio is one of my favored work apparel clothing lines but never in a million years would I consider spending $150.00 on a pair of pants. What I will do is take the time to dig through junk until I find a diamond in the rough. Trust me, the feeling to find an incredible deal such as this one is so worth the effort.

And what else did I find?...

J Brand cords for $10.00!

This slim fitting cigarette pant currently retails at $158.00 on their website.

I also found a black crocheted sweater from Express and a black wool pencil skirt by Kenar for $7.00 each. Both really cute staple pieces that will not fall out of style anytime soon or ever! I probably won't be able to find photos of these two items on the web, so I'll take my own pic and post it for the show part of my show 'n' tell later.

My total for all four items, pre-tax was $37.00. A savings of hundreds! That's insane! So how can I justify spending $80.00+ on slacks at Banana Republic when I know at the end of the season they will have the same pair of slacks for $9.99? Or markdowns as low as the MaxStudio slacks? I can't! So I keep that in mind and just know I have to wait...patiently...until the price marker gun goes off. Then all bets are off!

p.s. no cosmetics. still. ;(

Forever 21 Haul

They got me. Again. So this is my second F21 haul this month and it's barely passing the second week. I am rationalizing it by saying it's my birthday gift to myself AND for working so hard last semester AND as a motivation incentive for trying to do equally well this semester. Sheesh, you can tell the guilt is getting to me. LOL.

So here's what broke me down...

This top was a new addition when I popped on to see what was going on in F21Land. Big mistake. I just fell in love with the drapey, off the shoulder style of it right away. And of course, it is in my favorite Winter color. How am I to resist?

This classic silhouette cut dress is perfect for the office. I just adore that little subtle pop of color on the shoulders. Which can be a very attractive feature of women when accentuated right. It's been sitting in my cart for a while, so I had to free it, you know?

This is just a basic collared shirt for work. It was in the Fabulous Finds category too, so it doesn't even count! ;P Of course, with all great basic finds...

Stock up on another color.

I will love this shade with the black and cream skirt from my last haul.

A great slouchy, casual shirt. This one has a zipper pocket detailing that makes it just a little bit more dressy than a bummy stay-at-home sweatshirt.

I LOVE this fedora and the color scheme on the ribbon. So perfect for Summer paired with a white, flowy maxi dress. Wait, do I even own one? Uh oh. What about that cute white t-dress number from threadsence.com??? Big uh oh!

Basic tee with zipper pocket detailing. I know it's very similar to the one above, but this is more for Summer when I don't have to layer or wear thicker fabrics for warmth.

And here's the grand total using the ILOVEF21 discount code...

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Yes, the color choices are very similar to the first F21 order post, being mostly grays, purples, and blues but hey! Be proud of me for the colorful ribbon on the Fedora! I am working on it. I can only justify fun prints in the Spring and Summer for some reason. It's just the way my twisted little brain works.

Here's another thing, I am lazy about accessories. Be it jewelry, belts, scarves, hats, etc. I purchase things with the intent to incorporate them into an outfit and then I just don't. So I rarely buy them much anymore. They must be "have to have it" in order for me to get them. I want to get back into it again though. Maybe in the Summer...

New Online Shop

(Click here for contest 411)

There's a new kid on the online shopping block and already, it's become quite popular in the online fashion community. Introducing, Thread Sence . com, a self-proclaimed "indie-urban essence of style and culture". This is what I would describe my casual day outfits, indie-urban. So you know, I am already loving this website.

Aside from buying items via categories, they also offer an online shopping experience via a lookbook of pre-styled outfits. My personal favorite, because sometimes it can be difficult for me to put together a complete look. I can appreciate a well put together outfit, but sometimes it can be hard for me to create one on my own. I have been known to buy the clothes of an entire mannequin!

The prices are decent, a little higher than F21, but not by much. The quality of the fabrics? That's a big question mark because I haven't yet purchased anything. But I would say that some of their items are unique.

I think I hear a faint, "uh oh" echoing in the back of my head. That would be my shopping conscience trying to tell me to stay away!

Here's my first shopping cart...

I love how this t-shirt dress drapes the body. Of course, I will need to tan like crazy before I even think of putting this color on! Me thinks it's more of a Summer type dress. The off the shoulder is very sexy and fun, not in the trashy and sloppy, I-got-so-drunk-I-can't-keep-my-dress-on kind of way. You know what I mean!

Another off the shoulder, comfy cozy sweater. For some reason I am drawn to this earth toned color. I have a ton of shirts and dresses in this color. Love it to death!

You guessed it! Another off the shoulder. This shirt is on the model in the image up top. I liked it as soon as I saw it. So cute.

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So the subtotal for these three items is already over $100. Hmmm....I think I am going to just let the cart sit until I decide if I really really really have to have them. LOL. I am so bad.

Overall, I like Thread Sence's style. The Indie-Urban label is so me, so of course I was drawn to their website. If and when I do purchase something, I will have to let you all know more deets. Until then, happy shopping!

So In Love...with Forever 21!

Oh man, I was so so excited when this banner popped up as I logged onto Forever21.com! I am on their site once every other day because their stock is never consistent in the stores and is constantly changing online. I miss out on a lot of good stuff sometimes. But I always fill up my shopping cart and for some reason, just leave the items sitting there until they disappear from stock. But this time, oh man, this time I went cuckoo bananas because of the sale prices!

So here's what I purchased. At the end I have posted my receipt with all the prices.

This turtleneck sweater dress from their Heritage 81 or now AKA H81 line also comes in a lighter gray as well. I love how cozy warm it looks. Paired with leggings or dark washed skinny jeans and some boots and you're set!

This Dino tee was not on sale, but I couldn't resist! It was too cute. Perfect for a casual day or even the gym.

This Lire tee, fits my personality to the T (pun definitely intended)! I also love that it's a v-neck. I bought this in a medium so that I could wear it loose and casual.

I am definitely loving the high waisted skirts that have been around for a while, and then in a classic jacquard polka dot fabric and I'm as good as sold! Perfect for a sophisticated office look. I'm thinking heather gray cardigan and red pumps?

The deep eggplant-y purple of this top really caught my eye. I am loving the romantic flutter sleeves too!

It was love at first sight for me and this navy wool military inspired coat. I just hope it fits as well tailored as it looks! Love the whole look, from the red trim, to the belt, to the buttons.

This top got my attention for it's edgy, leather and studs detailing. Perfect for when you want to add a little rock and roll to your outfit.

I like this black sweater. It's such a great basic piece but has a modern silhouette with the deep scoop neck and bat winged sleeves. It's so nice, I bought it twice!

In a lighter gray!

This skirt is so adorable! Though you can't tell, the description says that it's pleated and satin. I am seeing this paired with a white collared shirt and deep purple cardigan. So cute!

Another jacquard type of pleated skirt with more of a floral flair. Again, perfect for the office.

This dress was not on sale, but I have been eyeing it for quite a while. So I caved today. I just love the silhouette. It's classic yet modern edgy with the zippered pockets. I bought it in navy blue, but it also comes in a brighter blue with polka dots. Not my style, but cute still.

A great pair of gray tweed slacks for work but with a more modern tapered leg. I hope it fits as cute as it looks on the screen! The size of my butt doesn't always agree with F21's sizing. ::sigh::

As you can guess, my style is classic sophisticate. I like clean, simple lines and dark (slimming) colors. I guess I am still in the Winter mood being that it's raining as I type this. Who am I kidding, this is my taste. So what? I need more cute outfits for my internship. When I lost my job, I packed away all my career clothes and went crazy on casual outfits for school. So now, I have to counter-balance that. (That's my excuse and I'm sticking to it!)

(clickety-click to enlarge)

Not bad for all those items, right? And it's free shipping if you spend over $75! The only con? Waiting for the package to arrive. :( So if you didn't already know (maybe I'm the slow one here?) log onto F21 now and shop away! I have a shopping cart growing again already.

I like the color combo here, it's very eye-catching. I also adore the shoulder detailing. Very Gaga-esque! Love her BTW.

I am starting to realize I have a ton of grays and taupe tops. I just love the color for Winter. This top has a sequin applique in kind of a chain link fence pattern. "Lattice" for the fancy people.

Here's another dress with a great silhouette. The color detailing on the shoulder adds a little simple flair that I am partial to.

I don't know how I missed these gems, but I guess it helps me to feel better seeing the amounts on two different receipts rather than one large total. (Spoken like a true shopping addict). ;P

***UPDATE****

Ugh, sooooo irritated with myself! Haven't been on chictopia.com in a while and forgot to check before I went shop crazy. But this is what I get, I suppose, for giving in...

(mental head slap)