Jeans Shopping - Loft

Remember like 2 weeks ago when I said I went to Loft after my Gap jeans shopping adventure?  I'm finally going to share my Loft story.

After Gap, I was fairly sure that I needed a size 16 for jeans, so I headed to Loft with that plan.  Guess what size they don't carry in stores?  So, I grabbed 14 in every style/fit option, and hoped for the best.  I was pretty sure none of them would fit.  And then they all fit!  Hooray!  Loft has a system that is based on leg shape and fit.  So, you have every combination.

The Modern Skinny was pretty good, but a little tight in the waist.

The Modern Straight seemed awkward.  I don't think I could wear boots over them, and I still think that's a priority this winter.

The Relaxed Skinny was just very bad.  This style is not doing me any favors.

The Curvy Straight was really comfortable, but I still didn't like the leg opening.

The Curvy Skinny was only available in my size in the light wash.  I loved the way these fit, but the color isn't super flattering.  I asked the sales associate if they had any in a darker wash, and she offered to order me some.  But then I asked if there were any sales going on, and no.  I'm not going to pay full price for jeans at a store I know regularly has 40% off sales.  So I waited patiently and ordered them a few days later.  I really like them!

But I can't decide if I should keep them or not.  On the one hand, I will need more than 1 pair of good jeans this winter, and I should probably have a pair that doesn't have holes in it.  But I'm hoping to keep losing weight, so do I really want 2 pairs that fit right now?  Or should I hold off and buy another pair of jeans later in the fall?  For now, I'm leaving the tags on these.

The Flare gets an honorable mention.  I might end up with these later in the year.  It's hard to adjust to the flared silhouette when I've been in skinny jeans for the past 5 or so years.  I just don't even know how to wear flared jeans in the snowy winter.  Are the hems just wet and salty all the time??  I vaguely remember this being a problem in college.

Anyway, those are my jeans shopping stories for now.  I wasn't sure how hard it would be, but I had success at both of the stores I visited.  Not too bad!

Jeans Shopping - Gap

On Sunday afternoon, I ventured out to the mall all by myself for some serious jeans shopping. Normally, I enjoy shopping, but this was not an exciting trip.  As I have mentioned, my body is just different now, and while my old jeans all technically fit, I don't feel good in them.  So I was on a mission to find a new pair of jeans that I really like.  And I figured I should probably blog about my experience, because some of my favorite posts from other bloggers are about shopping/fit.  As I was looking at these pictures, I almost chickened out.  But I'm going to forge ahead and try not to complain about my body too much.

Pre-pregnancy, I was usually a size 14 in jeans.  I'm tall-ish, and have always carried my weight mostly in my tummy, so I usually try on jeans that are baggy in the legs/butt, but still don't zip.  The good thing about pregnancy changing my body is that my hips are bigger now (yay??), so I didn't have that problem as much.  Except, despite doing the squats challenge, I still have no butt at all.

I went into Gap, because they've been my go-to jeans place for at least a decade.  And I proceeded to grab every single style of jeans in both a 14 and 16.  My arms were about to fall off by the time I got to the fitting room.  It probably didn't help that I was also on the phone with my sister.  It turned out that size 14 would button and didn't look too tight, but I knew I'd be uncomfortable in them.  And old me would have probably gone with it, but I have no time for being uncomfortable these days!  (#momstyle, amiright?)

First up, I tried on the Gap Resolution True Skinny.  Not a bad start.  I liked how these looked okay, but the fabric was too stretchy/leggingy.  I want my denim to have some stretch, but these were too much.  Looking at the website, it's because they are 41% Polyester, 34% Cotton, 23% Tencel®, 2% Spandex.  I need more cotton in my jeans, apparently!  

Gap Resolution Slim Straight was next.  My sister recently bought these, and told me to try them.  We are not similar body types at all, so I figured they wouldn't work for me.  Wrong!  I loved them!  And I think they look pretty good, too.  Guess what?  They are 95% cotton.  So they are actual jeans.

Next I tried on Gap Resolution Skinny (Legging) - I can't find these online anywhere!  They aren't the pull-on legging.  Anyway, I hated these.  Again, I don't think they look bad in the pictures, but they just fit too close and were too stretchy.  I can't imagine they would look good for more than 5 minutes of sitting down.  

These Gap Girlfriend jeans are like...  I don't even know what they are.  So stretchy, and yet still uncomfortable!  I feel like the whole point of a girlfriend fit is to be a little bit looser, which doesn't really work with the super stretchy fabric.  The fabric is definitely more of a knit than a jean, and seemed really thick, like my legs would get too hot.

Finally, I tried on the Gap Flare fit, because it seems like we might be getting tired of skinny jeans.  I managed to only get side view pictures of these.  I do love a good flare jean, but my last pair of non-skinny jeans barely got worn.  These are also 95% cotton.  I just like jeans to be jeans, okay?

After all that, I ended up getting the ones my sister told me to get in the first place, the Resolution Slim Straight.  When I got home, I was looking online and noticed a version without holes, so I meant to order those and then return the store ones.  But I let the day get away from me, and now they aren't running the 40% off deal anymore.  I might keep an eye on the sales and see if I can order those to see if I like them better.  I'm just worried about where the fading will hit on my thighs and whether that would look okay or not.

Anyway...  that's the long story of my Gap jeans shopping.  I went to Loft next, but that story will have to wait for another day, because my baby is about to wake up from his nap.

Any thoughts on jeans?  Where do you all find good options?  Do you think I should get some flares?

June Shopping

It all started because of this cardigan.  My sister told me that they were marked down to $10 in stores, and there was an additional 40% off sale.  I also had an email coupon that gave me $10 off if I reserved something online, so I was like "Hey, free cardigan!"  This is a trick, you guys.  Retailers always trick me.  I tried on so many things, but only came home with 3:  this dress, this shirt, and these shorts.  If you are wondering about the cardigan, they didn't actually have my size in navy, and I tried on a different color and hated the fit.  Way too slouchy. But they still gave me the $10 off! 

I tried on this dress in navy, this dress in white/navy, this dress, and this skirt.  They were all just a tad too short. I would like to start a petition that larger sizes have a bit more length.  Yes, there are tall women who wear size 2, and there are short women who wear size 14, but as a general rule, shouldn't a Large be longer than a Small??  Or am I just crazy? This dress and this dress are the same style, I think, but I tried on both because one was in a Tall size.  The length was great, but unfortunately it had kind of a dropped waist and looked quite terrible on me.  (Free advice - Drop waists are not a good style for ladies who carry their weight in the middle.)

So then I was at Target, and I've been thinking about buying these Cognac Sandals, but I was going to wait until July, since I was trying not to shop much in June.  Then I decided that was silly, because I'm going to get them - it doesn't matter when I do it.  Waiting was just running the risk that they'd be gone.

Anyway, here's the official list of what I bought:

Gap
Striped dress:  $15 (originally $70) (worn here)
White shorts:  $10 (originally $40)
Camo/Stripe shirt: $5 (originally $27)    

Loft
White Tank:  $5 (originally $30) (similar)

Target:
Cognac Sandals: $20 (not even on sale, I'm so ashamed!)  (worn here)

Lucky B Boutique:
Necklace: used a giftcard (originally $24 - marked to $12) (worn here)

Total spent: $55 (originally $187)

I feel pretty good about this month.  I got some replacement pieces, and a couple fun new things.  Plus I only spent about half of my monthly budget, so I have $45 rolling over into July.  I like to have a little extra buffer each month.

As always, linking up with Franish for Budgeting Bloggers. 

Polka Dot Week Recap - and Shopping Tips

1/2/3/4/5

Polka Dot Week is officially over!  Thanks to everyone who linked up yesterday (and the linkup will be live for a week, so there is still time if you want to join in)!  I'd also love your feedback on the theme week!  Would you like me to do a theme every so often (maybe once a month)?   I'm thinking the possible themes are endless, so it might be fun!  Let me know what you think!

AND if you are interested in adding more polka dots to your closet, you are in luck, because they are pretty easy to find this fall!  Here are some options, at various price points.  What are your favorites?

Classic Black and White 

Forever 21 dress / LOFT dress / J.Crew long sleeve shirt / Love 21 flat top / Sequin top / Embellished top / Merona blazer / Skirt / Gap / Gap tight / Black skirt / Mossimo black shoes / Chooka rubber boots / Black handbag / Forever 21 tech accessory

Colorful Options

Green top / Gap polka dot shirt / Gap sweater pullover / Forever 21 long sweater / Gap jacket / LOFT long jacket / J.Crew j crew jeans / J.Crew j crew jeans / J.Crew long polka dot skirt / Ann Taylor petite long skirt / Mid rise skinny jeans / Polka dot skirt / Mix No. 6 heel pump / Forever 21 platform shoes / Tote bag / Pink handbag / Gap scarve / Tech accessory / Old Navy polka dot scarf

Dressing Room Files - LOFT

It's a Saturday Bonus Post about shopping!!!  Thursday after work, I decided to swing by Loft and check out their sale.  I had a gift card and just wanted some pretty new things (it has been a stressful few weeks!).  I usually shop by myself, but I tend to text my sister for advice.  I've enjoyed reading other bloggers' dressing room recap posts and thought it might be fun to do my own.  So here's my shopping story.  If you don't think shopping is an interesting hobby, you might want to skip reading this one! 

When I walked into the store, I noticed that all full price merchandise was 40% off.  Normally, I go straight to the sale section, but I meandered around the regular section to see if anything caught my eye.  Then I headed back to the sale corner and started grabbing things to try on.  I had an armful when I went into the dressing room.  I tried everything on, put it into Yes/No/Maybe piles, and then wandered back out into the store to look for pieces to try on with some of the "maybes" and see the styling potential.  This confused the salespeople.  Here are a few of the pieces I considered, with commentary included:

First up, this yellow polka dot skirt ($13).  I immediately loved it, but wasn't sure how remixable it would be with the rest of my closet.  I don't have anything similar, so I put it in the maybe pile.   Then I tried it on with a pink top and navy cardigan, and decided to get it.  Then when I went up to pay, I learned that it was not 40% off, and decided to leave it.  I'm regretting this decision, and will probably call them back to see if it is still there and if they can hold it for me. I mean, $13 isn't bad for a really cute skirt!

Next, I tried on these floral shorts ($10) and purple tank top ($14).  I really liked the shorts, but they were a little tight, and I wasn't sure how often I would wear them.  The tank was just okay.  I don't think I have any purple tops, but it was a little pricey for a tank top.  The shorts went in the maybe pile, and then into the no pile when I found a better option.  Tank into the no pile.  The striped skirt hanging on the wall was significantly more expensive than I thought ($30), so I didn't even try it on.  What can I say - I'm frugal!

I was intrigued by this ruffly tank ($18) in both white and black.  I loved it on the hanger, but thought it was adding volume where I definitely don't need it.  My niece was a big fan, though.  If she had been with me instead of on the other end of the phone, I probably would have been talked into it.  It's probably best that I wasn't under the influence of 8-year-old girls on this trip.  Put it in the no pile.

The yellow striped sweater ($12) was a yes from the first trying on pile.  I found these floral shorts ($18) on my second run through the store.  Even though they were a little bit more expensive than the previous pair, I liked the color and fit better, and they will play nice with the rest of my wardrobe.  I'll probably even wear this exact outfit sometime soon!  Mixing prints is my new obsession.     

This is a black lace top ($24) layered over a pink camisole, and then a pleated pink skirt ($13).  The skirt is just girly and fun, and I think I will wear it a lot (particularly on hot summer days).   I really liked the lace top, and decided to get it, but then I changed my mind at the last minute.  I'd like to find a similar option for about half the price. 

I left the dressing room with the above 5 items, but then made a last minute decision to ditch the black lace top and yellow polka dot skirt. 

This is where it gets sort of shameful.  I thought about that yellow dotted skirt all day on Friday, thinking I should go back for it, and trying to convince myself that would be ridiculous.  After work, I met John for dinner, and we were very close to the Loft, so I went for it.  I was hoping the skirt would still be there, and really hoping the workers would be different.

When I went in, I made a beeline for the final sale rack and the skirt was still there - YAY!  There was also a new option that I hadn't seen on Thursday - similar, but yellow with tan dots instead of tan with yellow dots.  I took both into the dressing room to try them on and decide.

I went with the original option.  The other one was cute, but just a little too yellow for me!  And the exact same girl was working, so I was sort of embarrassed, but she was nice enough.

Overall, I was really impressed with the options at Loft.  I used to find awesome stuff there regularly, but I don't think I had found anything in the past year or so.  It was nice to finally use up my gift card and find some fun pieces!

I'm officially done shopping for June!  I have to stick to my budget!

Have you found anything fun at Loft lately?  Are you going to check out the sale this weekend?  Let me know if you have any luck!

I guess I should note:  this post was in no way sponsored by Loft.  I just went shopping there and wanted to share about it!

First Time Budgeting Blogger

You may remember that one of my goals for 2013 is to actually stick to a clothing budget.  A few of you mentioned that I should link up with Franziska each month for the budgeting bloggers, to keep myself accountable.  I'll be honest, sharing details of how much money I spend on clothes freaks me out a little bit, but I suppose it's a good way to keep myself on track.  My budget is $100 per month.        

I hadn't done much shopping in January until this weekend, when I met up with a friend at the mall, and happened to find some great deals.  As pictured above, here are the items I purchased in January:

1. Old Navy Polka Dot shirtdress - $19
2. Gap Striped Scoop-neck Tee -  $9
3. Gap Always Skinny Mint Jeans - $13
4. J.Crew Factory Classic Cardigan in Vibrant Flame - $14
5. Mossimo Lady Satchel - $12
6. Gap Boyfriend Fitted Shirt - $12
7. J.Crew Factory Tissue V-Neck Tee  - $5
8. Old Navy Striped dress - $10  (Update: I had to return this, due to a giant hole appearing!)
9. Merona Kylan Fur Ankle Boot - $10
10. Gap Boyfriend sweater - $6

Grand total - $100 

I feel pretty good about these items.  I do think I bought the J.Crew factory things just because they were so cheap, but I think they will be good staple pieces.  I probably feel the worst about the purse and boots from Target.  I shouldn't even walk over to the non-grocery side of the store, because I always find something and talk myself into it!  Since I came in $10 over budget, I am tempted to return one or both of those things.  What do you think?   

For February and March, I'm going to limit myself to thrift shopping, and the gift cards I got for Christmas.  I am going to Phoenix in April and want to save up for shopping out there, so a little two-month pseudo-ban seems like a good idea.

How did you do on shopping in January?  Did you get any good deals on after Christmas sales?  

Confessions of a Gap-oholic

They say the first step is admitting you have a problem, so here it goes:

I think I have a slight addiction to Gap Sales. 

I've shopped at Gap pretty regularly ever since I was in high school, and they just have really good sales sometimes!  Now that my sister works there, it's even worse.  On Christmas Eve, we went to the mall to say hi, and my other sister wanted to do some shopping at other stores.  Well, of course we just looked around at Gap a little bit.  I bought 2 things that day:

Purple Skirt - $20 (originally $50)
Printed Pocket Tee - $6 (originally $23)

Then on the day after Christmas, we went back to the Gap so my sister could return a shirt (which she forgot to bring), and so I could get my purchases from the previous trip price adjusted to the better sale prices (I think I got about $5 back).  Well, they were having an additional 50% off all sale items, and I just had to take a look around.  I ended up spending about $63 on 1 pair of shoes, 1 pair of jeans, and 5 tops. 

Black Ankle Strap Peep Toes - $12.50 (originally $60)

Gray Jeans -  $14 (originally $70)

Gray Floral Sweater - $9 (originally $60)

Yellow henley - $5 (originally $20)

Pocket Tee(Rosamunde) - $6 (originally $23)

Printed Top (seen here)- $8 ((originally $50)

Striped tank (not online, or on this blog yet)- $4 (originally $40)

If you figure tax, that means I got $424 worth of stuff for  $84.  Pretty good deal, right!  I mean, 80% off the original prices.  But it also means I spent $84 at the Gap on stuff I really didn't need. 

Anyway, it got me thinking that I might have a bit of a shopping problem.  I'd been thinking about taking a break from shopping, but hadn't made any real decision on it.  So, I think I'm going to do it.  It's going to be one of the weakest shopping bans ever, but I think I'll try to go 3 months without traditional shopping.  I'm giving myself some cheats:

1. I can use gift cards.  I have one to Dillards and one to Loft.  If anyone wants to send me gift cards to anywhere else, I'll accept donations!  (Just kidding, unless you really want to)
2. I'm allowed to shop at Goodwill and other thrift stores.  I'm not much of a thrifter, but I would like to be, so this will hopefully make me branch out a bit.  I'm also hoping to find really cheap items that I can refashion somehow.  
3. I'm allowed to buy fabric to make things.  Not sure how much of this I will do, but I wanted to put it on the list. 
4. There are a few things on my shopping list that I've been looking for forever.  If I happen upon a great deal on any of these items, I'm going to cheat.  (black flats and a watch are 2 I can think of right now).

So, there it is!  My super lame 3 month no shopping rule.  Is it April yet??

Midnight Madness

I  told myself I wouldn't do any crazy Black Friday shopping this year.  Then I saw these boots in the ads for $20.  I've been looking for some new brown boots.  My other ones are ok, but the stiletto heel isn't the best for winter.  We were driving home after a full day of Thanksgiving fun, and my husband was willing to drop me off at the mall to check for my size.  It was a madhouse in there!  I can't believe how pushy and rude most people were.  I pretty quickly found the boots, found my size, tried them on, and started looking for a cashier.  The lines were winding around the shoe section.  I walked about 10 feet over to a checkout in the clothing areas, and there was no line.  I don't know why other shoppers didn't think of that!  I think I was in and out in about 15 minutes.  20 dollars + 15 minutes = totally worth it!