Quick post of West Elm IRL finds

So I wanted to post some pics of the West Elm Herringbone Mirror side table as well as the various vases and candleholders that I picked up last week (posted about here).  I'm completely in love with the side table, and keep thanking my lucky stars that I was able to snap this puppy up when I did.  

I have pictures taken in the morning and then in the evening when I was able to light the candles.  My phone doesn't take the best pics, but I think you get the gist.  I've never had a "proper" camera, so I have that on my wish-list for this year.  

I still struggle with arranging the odds and ends in order to look comfortable but not cluttered.  I'm always envious of other bloggers who are able to do this so effortlessly.  One day (sigh)...

I don't have any IRL photos of the square antique tiled wall mirror as I'm still trying to figure out where to hang it.  And yes, I'm totally one of those people that buy things without knowing where to use and hoping that one day it will find it's place...it usually does.

Hope everyone is having a great Sunday!

West Elm steals & deals

During my shopping trip on Monday, I decided to hop into West Elm just to peruse and see if there were any new items that caught me eye.  I like to pop in every once in awhile (okay, pretty much every time I'm at the mall) because I've had some good luck finding discounted store-display pieces that are in really good condition.  And luckily, on Monday I struck gold, as all sale items were an additional 15% off the lowest ticketed price:

First up, some vases & a hurricane:

Large Capiz Hurricane in Gray - Online $29.99 vs In Store $19.99 + add'l 15% off

Large Mercury Glass Log Vase - Online $19.99 vs In Store $9.99 + add'l 15% off 

Large Mercury Glass Pyramid Bottle in Silver - Online $19.99 vs In Store $9.99 + add'l 15% off 

Large Mercury Glass Inkwell Bottle in Onyx - Online $24.99 vs In Store $9.99 + add'l 15% off 

Square Antique Tiled Wall Mirror (I think this is sold out as I cannot locate this size online but Houzz has it listed at $99) - In Store $39.97 + add'l 15% off 

And the pièce de résistance: Herringbone Mirror Side Table - Full Price Online $249.00 vs In Store $99.99 + add'l 15% off 

And because I like to prove to myself that any money spent was a good deal, here's a little comparison:

	Item	Original Retail Price	Online Sale Price	In-Store Sale Price	After Discount
1	Gray Capiz Hurricane	$49.00	$29.99	$19.99	$16.99
2	Large Mercury Glass Log Vase	$39.00	$19.99	$9.99	$8.49
3	Large Mercury Glass Pyramid Bottle in Silver	$44.00	$19.99	$9.99	$8.49
4	Large Mercury Glass Inkwell Bottle in Onyx	$44.00	$19.99	$9.99	$8.49
5	Square Antique Tiled Wall Mirror	$99.00	$99.00	$39.97	$33.97
6	Herringbone Mirror Side Table	$249.00	$249.00	$99.99	$84.99
	Total:	$524.00	$437.96	$189.92	$161.43

That almost 70% off from the original retail price!  It really does amaze me how store prices can vary so significantly from what's listed online.

I've haven't yet decided on how I'm going to use everything and where I'm going to hang the mirror, but I'll post some pics this weekend showing what they look like IRL and how they're working out so far.

Hope everyone is looking forward to Friday as much as I am!  

Drinking the Made-lade

So...I don't really know what the Madewell equivalent to the Crewlade is, so we'll go with it for now.

After posting about Madewell's Biker Boots that were on sale in-store (here), I convinced myself that I must have them!  We're pushing all sorts of style boundaries here, people.  It's crazy!!!

Since I had Monday off in remembrance of MLK Jr., I hopped on down to (a different) mall to see if they had a pair (let's call this store B).  And here's where the story takes a twist.  Although they had a few pairs in the store, sadly they did not have my size.  Additionally, they were offering 30% off all sale items instead of the 50% that the store from this weekend (store A) was offering.  After speaking to the super-nice SA, she kindly called the original store (store A) to ensure that they still had my size and would put it on hold for me.  I zipped across town to pick up the pair and as I walked through the sale section (because, who wouldn't?) I see that this store is still offering 50% on sale items?!

Has anyone else encountered different promotions at different locations?  I just thought this was really weird.  Luckily, if I had found something at store B, the SA said they would honor the 50% off promotion.  I just think it's a tad shady, because what if you didn't know about the other store?

Anyway, crazy long story (if you were even able to follow that), so here are the boots in all their beauty!

I tried to take a picture of them on, but the only full-length mirror that I have is just a cheapo-Target one that we keep propped up in the guest bedroom, so not the best quality:

I'm hoping to wear them this weekend, so I'll try to get my Husband to snap a few better (and more focused) pics!

Also, snapped a quick pic of this mannequin in the store as I loved the outfit--clean, classic, simple.

Aaaaaand, if that weren't enough, I'll leave you with this parting gift.  Dinner on Saturday night wearing the new J.Crew rectangle necklace and Madewell sweater.  Not the most flattering picture, but just keeping it real (dorky).

Hope everyone is having a good week!

Currently Loving

Here are a few items that I'm currently loving...

For some reason, I'm late to hop on the bootie train.  Wait a minute, did I just type that?  Yes I did, and they're at the top of my must-have list:
  
J.Crew Aggie Suede Ankle Boots - $278.00

I saw these in-store during my many outings to gauge the sale rack selections.  I haven't been able to stop thinking about them since then.  I think I've honestly turned into a teenage love-sick girl that is waiting for that boy to call her...I go to sleep at night thinking about different outfits, I check the website several times a day just to see them and make sure my size is still in stock (and maybe hopefully go on sale?), I find "not-so-random" excuses to stop by and try them on at the mall.  Obsessed much?

Anthropologie Touche Colorblocked Maillot - $140.00

It's still winter and I'm already ready for Spring and Summer.  Hands down, my favorite time of the year.  I love the look and style of this one-piece, just not sure it'll be able to hold the girls in (and up).

Kate Spade Hamilton Heights Sloan - On Sale for $229.00!

Ahhh, Kate Spade...how you've hooked me once again.  Thanks to the great sales last year and the outlet in Dawsonville, Georgia, I've been able to purchase a few Kate Spade bags at pretty low prices.  Every time I tell myself, this is the last bag I'll purchase, but then I see a new one and start drooling.  But seriously, after this bag, it really will be my last one...I think.

Madewell Mira Heel - $168.00

I know...not one but two pairs of shoes, and suede no less.  But this is a love list, right?  And I'm really loving these.

J.Crew Vintage Pajama Set - $95.00

I know, pajamas--random, right?  I currently only have one set of "proper" pajamas that are flannel and cute but I can't really wear in summertime.  I'd love to have a pair of crisp, cotton pajamas to wear in the warmer days.

The Gap has a cute pair as well (here).


Athleta Striped Chi Tank Extra Long $44.00 & Chaturanga Tight $64.00

Every time I go to yoga, I feel like such a bum because I schlepp into class wearing a pair of black stretch pants from college (that have seen much better days) and a random t-shirt that is usually just the first one that I've grabbed.  Now, I know it seems vain to dress up in order to work up a sweat.  And I really have no response to that, I guess I am vain.

On a side note, it may take me many, many years, but I hope to one day be able to do this:

(sigh).


What items are you currently loving?  Any surprises that you wouldn't expect to love?  Hope everyone had a good (and perhaps long) weekend!

Madewell Reviews

During my excursion to the mall the other day to vent my frustration with the online shopping experience, I decided to stop by the Madewell store.  Surprisingly, I've never bought anything from Madewell and rarely stop in the stores.  For some reason, their collection just always seemed a little too...bland.  

Once I walked in, I was pleasantly surprised to see that the B&M stores are also offering 50% off sale items just like the Crew.  As I perused through the nicely organized and well-stocked racks, I found a few things to try on:


Gamine Sweater - $49.99 plus add'l 50% off - Size Small

I really liked this.  Like, really really liked it.  I know it seems simple, but it was precisely for this reason that I thought it would be a good fit in my wardrobe.  In fact, I liked it so much that I wore it out to dinner with my husband that night--pair of heals, my new J.Crew rectangle necklace (posted here) and bam, instant outfit!  

Unfortunately, the good ends here.  It may be for the best that some of these pics are blurry because...ugh.


Silk Bromley Blouse in Tile Dot - (I forgot to take a picture of the price, I think this was marked to $69.99, currently sold out online)

Eh, not awful but not great.  I loved the color, thought the print was cute, but just felt that it was too overwhelming for my frame.  I don't know if you can tell from the pictures, but the sleeves were just ballooning on my arms, almost like a pirate top...not good.  For reference, I think this was an XS.


Ponte Screenplay Dress - $49.99 minus an add'l 50% off - Size Small

Wow.  Yeah.  I really wanted to like this dress.  The fabric, the color, the price, the pockets!  However, on me it was just a total mess.  It accentuated all the wrong places, plus it showed the outline of my bra (the entire bra).  In addition, there's a weird seam down the middle (I'm not sure you can see it very well in the photos) that just added to all the ways in which this dress was just wrong on me.  The few reviews on Madewell's site indicate other people love this dress.  These people must be taller and thinner than I am because this was a definite pass for me.

Pleated Skirt in Stripe - Size 4

It looks so pretty on the model, why does it look so wrong on me?  So this was another item that just accentuated the wrong places.  It cut off my waist and made it look thick while also poufing (is that a word?) out at the hips.  Yeah, definite pass on this one.

See on Rose at One More Shopping Blog (here), looking much lovelier on her.

Before I left, I did (discreetly) snap a few pics of some items that caught my eye:

The Sketchbook Bag - $138.00 (currently only listed in Black Online, but Sold Out)

Silk Dress in Night Orchid - $160.00

I know this is a long post, but I'll end it soon, promise!  Just wanted to share one more thing:

The Biker Boot in Distressed Leather - Full price online $248.00, on sale in-store $169.99

I didn't snap any pictures, but the store had these on sale for $169.99 (plus an additional 50% off).  There were only a few sizes in the store and I was really tempted to take a pair home, I just wasn't sure how I would wear and style these since this is outside my normal preppy-style range.  But the leather on these boots was gorg-eous!

Anyway, that's it for now!  Hope you enjoy!

J.Crew Sale Finds & Frustrations

Gah!  Did anyone else feel the same frustrations I did trying to order items from J.Crew Factory (40% off Clearance items) yesterday?  I think 90% of the time, I encountered this:

I'm not even joking, it happened almost every...single...time.  (sigh).  It would have been comical if I hadn't gotten so pissed.  Needless to say, pretty much everything I wanted was sold out (go figure), so I ended up not taking advantage of the sale...yet (ends January 22nd). 

So, in order to vent some of my frustration, I did what any addict would naturally do--I headed to the mall.  Since the 50% off all in-store sale items is still raging on, I decided to check out another mall in the Raleigh area.  Unfortunately, pickins were slim.  Especially considering all I really wanted was to look at purses and shoes (do any of the retail stores ever keep a good inventory nowadays?!).  But I did try on a few things that may or may not have come home with me.

First up, the Tipped Silk Tee in Diamond Tile - $49.99 plus extra 50%

After trying on the Silk Diamond Tile Skirt in this post (which sadly just didn't work...it just didn't), I was happy to see this top instead.  I tried on a size 2 (and later a size 6, which was all they had) and I though the 2 fit fine.  The size 6 surprisingly was only different in the back, which seemed a lot looser.  I like the fact that I can wear this with jeans, put on a pair of heels and I'm ready for whatever the night may have in store.  Yup, this came home with me.

**Side note, this was marked at $69.99 in store, so I'm glad I did a quick check on my phone for the online price.  One of the few times that the online price was better than the B&M price.  Weird.  

Next up, the Tipped Silk Tee in Windowpane - $79.99 plus extra 50% off

Yeah, I loved this.  I tried on a size 2 (and also a size 4) and thought the size 2 fit well.  Since the top is supposed to be slightly loose, but I like a slightly fitted look, I went with the 2.  Again, I'm looking forward to throwing this on with my Factory Black Minnies, a pair of heels, some earrings and being ready to go.

And then, the Misty Fog Floral Shift Dress - $198.00

It's rare for me to try on a non-sale item, especially one like this 'cause, I'm cheap like that.  But since the sale section was seriously lacking and this just looked so pretty on the hanger, I decided to give it a whirl.

So these pics are of the size 4.  Beautiful print, the fit...eh.  I really want to like this dress, but the shift style is just a little, underwhelming.

Here it is in the size 2.  I like the 2 better, but it is a lot shorter.  I held up my arms just so you could see the length.  If the price falls (somewhat substantially), I might pick this up because it's just so dang pretty.  But that being said, there are enough people out there who drink the crewlade that I may not be able to pick this up at a discount...we'll see.

The last thing I picked up on my way out was the Rectangles Necklace (I can't find the link online)

It was marked down to $24.99 plus an extra 50% off.  When I first saw these necklaces in store, I was a little skeptical as they looked a little bit costume-y for my taste.  But when I picked it up, I was surprised by how much I liked it, so of course, I took a big swig of the crewlade and added it to the pile.

I have a few Madewell reviews that I'll be posting later on.  Hope everyone is having a good weekend!