****UPDATE**** Not Without My Tailor - Shopping Diary

Being the huge fan of designer collaborations, this weekend I couldn't help but take some time to check out the latest fashion marriage between Narciso Rodriguez and Kohl's. 

The news of the collaboration never reached my ears until one day while nose deep in Pinterest I overheard what sounded like Santigold on what was obviously a commercial.  While watching the graphic display of color blocking to the max (and waiting to see what Target collaboration this was), I almost looked away when I saw Kohl's flash across the screen.  

Me and Kohl's are what you would call friendly exes.  Back when I first started working in the laundry room at a nearby hotel I developed a Friday ritual of grabbing my check, heading straight to Stop & Shop to cash it and then off to Kohl's for some weekend shopping.  At that time they unfortunately didn't have half of the selection they have now but it was perfect for me because I didn't have to be escorted by my parents who would then question me spending my check and I could have a cute outfit to wear out to the mall......where I would usually shop a bit more.  But after I moved on to another job (and found myself closer to Marshall's and the mall) I kind of let the relationship unravel and before you knew it I forgot about its existence.  That's probably the time we officially broke up and I call it a friendly breakup only because I've never really talked bad about Kohls or its selection.  Over the past few years I have popped in to a few once in awhile but with so much access to variety these days I just never walk out with anything. So the chance to get reacquainted seemed nice.  

I didn't have to walk far to find the Narciso collection seeing as it was front and center sandwiched between Vera Wang, Jennifer Lopez and Lauren Conrad.  A bit messy I would say but you should always put your best in prime locations so I get it.  I had my heart set on the lovely black and white printed pajama pants that Jessica Alba was spotted wearing but unfortunately my good old Kohl's didn't have them.  In fact they didn't have a lot of what was featured in the commercial or seen on the many celebs endorsing the collection.  No worries though, I thought, they still have quite a selection.  And so hunt began.

In about an 30 minutes, give or take a few to answer a call, I found myself heading to the fitting rooms.  Now on a side note I will say how envious I was of their digital price signs.  I can't begin to tell you how long it takes to physically sign my store for our many many sales.  I think in one instance I spent over an hour in one small department due to having to print each sign, grab them and then find the right sign holders.  When I saw that they had taken a small step into the retail future I just couldn't understand why my job hadn't taken the same route.  The envy quickly turned into anger when I walked into the fitting room.  All wood with more than enough hooks inside the room, more than one mirror and a little shelf ( on top of the bench) for your phone or keys or whatever.  But the icing on the cake were the adorable hooks marked Love It, Like It and Back On The Racks.  I love little details and the idea that I was given more than enough tools to stay organized in the fitting room was an extreme delight.

But back to Narciso.  Despite not being completely wowed by the selection at that particular location, I did pull a few things that really caught my eye.  The graphic prints were lovely and I came across and amazing pair of skinny leg tuxedo pants in a delicious emerald green.  Those were the first to try on and it was at that point the experience took a turn for the worst.

I began having a serious issue with the fit which I found really disappointing because the quality of the collection was really there for the price point.  It shouldn't have surprised me though.  I can't even begin to list the amount of times fit has kept me from splurging on many of these big box retailer collaborations.  In fact it is because of fit that they normally leave a sour taste in my mouth.  How am I not supposed to feel like Mr. Rodriguez didn't just sell his name and Kohl's slapped it to some modern take on clothing.  

 

Keeping the pace going, I tried on a skirt and then immediately decided that bottoms in general weren't going to work. That got rid of two more pieces so I went on the dresses.  The black and white blocked dress fit pretty well but good lord was it too long for me.  After years of track my calves have decided to forgo the sleek, feminine look and with a knee skimming length all that ends up happening is a lot of inquiries about the sports I play.  But I still loved the color blocking and if I hemmed it a bit the look could work.  The other dress was a nightmare and the last things to try on were the tops which I knew would be a hell of a lot easier. 

I loved all three, especially the sheer crop top and the metallic cream sweater.  All three would would in my wardrobe now and I did find it a bit difficult to take off the sweater. But what, if any, would I spend my money on....why not let the hooks tell the story.

After walking around a bit more I put back my cream sweater and ended up leaving with a metallic mini dress from their Rock & Republic line. At the end of the day I could have snagged that sweater from H&M and added the metallic accents myself with a dry brush and some gold spray paint so it didn't really seem worth it.  I did still love the pants, the dress and one of the pencil skirts but the idea of having to find a good tailor just to wear new clothing doesn't seem right.  Clearly Ms. Palermo took her stunning deep magenta and black number to her tailor first. 

Summing it all up, the collection was really nice and outside of a faux wool wrap coat that reminded me of craft felt, the pieces were well made and hit a great price point.  If only the fit wasn't so off. 

Outside of Christmas shopping with Mom (very early this year for me but it felt good), I spent the rest of my weekend enjoying the amazing weather we had and mentally preparing myself for the realization that in only one short week I will be walking into work around midnight for Black Friday.  As crazy as it is, I always find it amusing to watch customers turn into wild animals for a $9.99 coffee maker.  I hope your weekend was great and did any of you guys check out the Narciso Rodriguez Collection??? 

****U P D A T E****

Speaking of Christmas, with the count down officially having started who isn't looking to save a bit of dough on the last minute presents we all have to buy.  Luckily for you (and me) I've got a 10% off coupon code for Kohls.com 

TENBLOG (good till December 29th)

And unlike so many deceiving discounts out there today, the above coupon code not only works on everything but can be compounded with one other discount. Oh yes that's right...I did say compounded.  

Still want to grab a piece of the collection for yourself and all caught up on holiday shopping?? You should still use the code...you've been good all year why not celebrate.  Head on over to the Narciso Rodriguez Collection Page to refresh your memory and Happy Shopping!!!

Bag Hoarding - Shopping Diary 003

Tribal Gold Chain Necklace with Horn Tooth Pendant (HERE) and Woven Nude Leather Bracelet (HERE)

Rose Quartz Necklace (HERE) and Shades of Burgundy Mookaite Jasper Necklace (HERE)

Not that I needed a new handbag or two but when I saw these Lucky Brand goodies ring up at $14 a piece I couldn't resist. Not only did I grab these two but I led another to grab the remaining four bags.  The savings were ridiculous considering the book bag alone was originally $200. They are the perfect rustic touch to any Fall outfit and both work really well with some of the necklaces I've made for Naughty Baubles. I've already broken in the cross body bag but as for the book bag I think I may add a little DIY touch to it.  I love the embroidery and the horn bead fastener but the straps are a bit short for me.  I keep envisioning it with leather and chain straps and after looking at it more carefully the straps are actually two separate pieces so adding in some chain would be extremely simple.  

Anywho, despite it being a gorgeous fall day I think I'll spend being extremely lazy with a few margaritas and some web stuff.  There seems to be a Bond marathon running and with an extremely busy  work week ahead of me I could use the down time.  Next weekend it's gonna be a hectic one.  My mom wants to brave a couple crazy sales for some new goods for the house and that will definitely require a couple shots of espresso.  I've noticed that my tolerance for crazy shopping days has diminished.  I blame it on early lunch break shopping around 11AM.  No one is out shopping at that time and I tend to be the only one in the store.  Plus I get first looks at the new merchandise as it comes out the back.  But my mom and I always have a good time out and this will be her first time checking out my store so it should make for an enjoyable day despite the chaos.  

Hope everyone is having a great Sunday and hopefully all of my fellow east coasters have seen their power restored.  The hurricane was such devastating one and to know that another storm is on its way is quite depressing.  We were very fortunate considering the damage done to many of our area neighbors and I my heart goes out to those who are left with the daunting task of rebuilding and relocating. 

Current Obsession 007

Ashley Knit Trimmed Wool Coat $399

First off lets start by taking time to celebrate the fact that its Friday and the weekend has finally arrived.  Now, if the past few nights steep temperature drop is any indication I am pretty sure Fall is right at our heels.  And by Fall I do mean crisp, crunchy leaves kind of Fall and not the brief moment in time we had last year. In preparation, I mentioned to the guy last night about really, really looking into a great coat for the season.  About 3 or 4 years ago I was introduced to Mackage at Saks and fell in love until I saw the price.  Then by chance a bunch dropped at the Off 5th Ave store around Black Friday and taking a chance I decided to wait till the kick off of the holiday season hoping I would be able to get it at a great price.  That didn't turn out as planned and they never restocked.  But it can't be a coincidence that today the goods dropped on Gilt.com (click on the link to shop).  I'm thinking its a sign and just incase you're having one of those "I swear someone's spying on me because this just isn't a coincidence" kind of moment then head on over and snag the coat of your dreams before it's gone.  My pick is the Ashley Knit Trimmed Wool Coat pictured above.

P.S.  They also have great wool peplum skirts, easy silk dresses and metallic herringbone dress pants.  Just in case you were dreaming of something else.....

****Transitional Gear - What I Want****

Okay, so I can't get enough of flirty, mini skirts.  Everytime I see one I feel compelled to buy it no matter what color, print, material or quality (if you only knew how many purchases didn't make it out of its first wash the same).  I definitely want to incorporate some of them again in the cooler temps and am currently looking for one size to big quirky sweaters to pair with them.  Passing up countless times on a faux leather option, this season I will be diligent in quickly adding into the arsenal along with a wool option and one in a metallic shade. Plus (and I'm perfectly okay with being late on the trend train) I really want a cool colored pair of wedge sneakers and this forest green pair by Jeffrey Campbell is to die for. 

                                                

****Shades of Beige - Shopping Diary****

Yeahhhhh..I know the shopping will soon need to come to a halt once the big day budgeting kicks in but for now I can't help but give in to a few of my guilty pleasures....shoes, beads and now bridal magazines.  Let me start off by saying that unlike Vogue, Elle or W magazine, the content within bridal magazines doesn't exactly change month to month.  At $10 a pop on the low end I would like to think that I can get "new" wedding ideas to feed my need for inspiration but instead I've been getting one big idea and everyone else's attempts at doing it.  Many of you may think that the seasonal fashion trends are no different and you are probably right but for some reason I don't feel as ripped off when I get to the end of a Marie Claire.  Nonetheless when I saw the the september issue of The Knot and noticed its thickness I couldn't resist.  This will be my last one, I promise...

Outside of the wedding and work, Brian(the fiance) and I have been putting this fantastic weather to good use and checking out all the near by walking/hiking trails and nature reserves. Here's a tip about Connecticut ....there's a lot of marshland and I never really realized just how much until every destination we have come across is atleast speckled with a bit of swampy terrain.  Another tip, don't visit said marshland in your new neon citrus faux suede ballet flats as you will have to throw them out...guess I'd be the only one who'd do something like that but just incase.  

On one trip to a park/beach I came across the gorgeous quartz stones seen above (not the pyrite, that was discovered at a bead store...I would have chiseled the whole rock off if I'd come across vast amounts of fools gold) and of course shells.  Last Sunday we managed to visit another beach at low tide. The cool thing about it was that a sandbar revealed itself around that time connecting the beach to a somewhat famous island (apparently pirates buried their treasure on the island on the way to and from Boston which basically means is cursed).  From afar it looks as if people are walking on water but its far scarier when you're actually on it.  The water gently crashes up and over what is not sand at all but rather barnacles and muscles clustered together and it is extremely slippery.  You kind of want to walk fast but the realization that you could slip and fall into the water keeps you from rushing.  The other scary tidbit was that the window to walk there and back wasn't very long. The minute we got to the island a lifeguard informs us we really only had 30min before the tide began to come back in and we would be stranded....no pressure.  The whole trip ( a walk around a quarter of the island as it isn't really set up for tourists rather wildlife) I couldn't keep my head up enough to take in the amazing scenery.  I found myself more interested in the gorgeous shell and stone variety underneath my completely muddied new shoes.  Brian kept having to look back and make sure I was following and hadn't fallen over the rocks.  I started off picking up everything that caught my eye but eventually curbed my hoarding tendencies and left with the ones that really spoke to me.  Besides it's not like they're going anywhere.

As for the shoes, I picked them up at DSW while out with my best friend and for $20 on sale I couldn't pass them up.  The bow and soft color makes them extremely feminine but I can't wait to toughen them up a bit with a pair of black skinnies or leather pants. Anywho I hope your weekend has kicked off to a good start.  Today marks the official beginning of my vacation and I couldn't be happier.  See ya next post...

****April Buys - Shopping Diary****

So I recently enacted a budget and I have to say shopping within it is much easier than I thought.  Not only did I realize that most of my money doesn't even go towards clothing but by chopping most of the useless fast food purchases out I can not only save quite a bit weekly but I have a teensy bit more for my closet.  

So what newness did April bring my closet?

H&M

• Cropped Floral Pants - $14.95
• Electric Floral Leggings - $14.95
• Snakeskin Leggings - $14.95
• Pastel Peach Lace Skirt - $14.95
• Floral Mini Wrap Skirt - $9.95

 J.C. Pennys

• Oversized Sequin Strip Sweater - $7
• Peter Pan Collar Print Dress - $6

 I also picked up some b-day presents for my friend and two dresses for my mom for Mother's Day but that gets filed under a different expense account...haha I sound so officially it cracks me up.  And so after the annoying taxes now on clothing purchases I managed to still spend less than $100 for the month.  Next month I have a few pair of shoes on my list from my job so that may be it but they are on sale now and after my discount I might just be able to weasel in a new dress or something.

Anywho, its still pretty cold this morning after a bone chilling night but I do want to get in an outfit shot seeing as its been ages since my last one.  So I guess I'll c u next post!!!

Happy Saturday!!

****The Great Illusionist****

I thought it was going to be a match made in heaven. A fun bold print.  A sleek fit. A plethora of shoe options...the list went on forever the minute I saw these pants floating around the blogging world.  I figured it would end up being that one item never to see the light of day in any of my local H&M's and I was fine with that.  The unattainable doesn't keep me up at night.  Then I snagged the magazine during one of my frequent lunch break shopping trips and saw the price.  It was at that moment I knew I had to have them. So I stalked and stalked and grilled the sales associates about them.  Are you getting a second shipment of this floral delivery?  Is this everything?  Did any other store receive more of a selection than you?  Do you have a style number?  DO YOU KNOW WHAT PANTS I AM TALKING ABOUT???? A tad bit on the psycho spectrum but I needed to know and then one great day I received confirmation that they will infact have them March 8th.  

PERFECT.  

Perfect that is until I tried them on.  I am getting really particular with fit these days. Gone are the days of coming home with skirts that need to be hemmed, dresses that I think I could have taken in, and pants that aren't oh so perfect.  Every month for almost a year I have been able to let go of items bought under these familiar circumstances and now all I see is money wasted.  As much as I love these pants, I had a interesting problem with the crotch....just a bit too much extra material creating the unwanted bulge when I sat down and a weird illusion that my crotch continued down a inch or so further than it really did (I'm quite sure everyone has encountered this all too common problem). 

Okay no problem, I will just try the next size up.  

Even worse....bad idea.  

The next size down?  

Yes..thank god......but only if I wouldn't feel awkward sitting down in a very specific series of steps to avoid any unwanted splits.

Guess it just wasn't meant to be.  And that's okay because the dress in that print fit like a charm and I definitely went home with the sheer blouse that pairs insanely well with my graphic black and white striped cropped pants.

****Just In 005****

Eat your heart out Alexander Wang  and fashion lovers alike.  I just walked away with a sporty, preferated leather number that cinches into the most darling peplum skirted top for $20 courtesy of H&M.  While everyone else was fighting to the death for whatever was left of the Marni collection, I managed to shop comfortably at my store and uncover what shall be my go to piece this spring, summer and fall.  And with the price tag coming in well within my budget, I grabbed a pair of super skinny cropped pants in a flattering black and white vertical stripe.  Did I truly need either piece?  Not at all but when life gives you nothing but rotten fruit (which is exactly what Walmart sold me by way of two mangoes that were meant to be chopped up in my fruit salad but decided against it) it can't hurt to buy something that will make you forget...even if only until you exit the store.

****Just In 004****

Express - $36

Okay so I went shopping again....

H&M(skirt and dress) - $17, Forever 21(cardigan) - $14

H&M - $25

And lets not forget my lovely purchase back in December, the first of many from Nasty Gal.  I had it shipped to my parents and finally this weekend I didn't have to work so I was able to head over for a visit.  Funny story.  Around the same time these babies shipped to the house, my parents were expecting their xmas gift (both got new sneakers and clothes) so lets just say they were a prematurely excited about the delivery.  My dad immediately thought the box contained his sneakers and to his surprise a pair of 6" leopard wedges were inside.  Unsure about what was going on he immediately called my Mom at work while looking over the box.  As soon as he saw "Nasty Gal" on the label he asked my mom exactly what is our daughter into these days.....lol.  I had to physically show him the site to prove to him I didn't buy them from a stripper store. 

Nasty Gal - $51(shipped)

I've made a handful more purchases and last week made a run into the city but I have to say I've been catching some great sales.

****It's Okay, You Can Tell Me....****

....That I've been shopping a bit more than usual but I blame it on the great sales......  

-Lucky Brand Boots - $30 (down from $139)

-Snakeskin Pumps - $15 (down from $100)

-Distressed Black Denim & Supply Jeans - FREE thanks to a gift card!!!!!!

-Patchwork Denim& Supply Jeans - $30 (down from $198)

-H&M Sheer Bird Print Top - $13

-H&M Orange Mini Skirt - $6

Hope your Christmas was awesome and you got exactly what you wanted.  I know I asked Santa for sleep and I got that plus my all time favorite perfume Flowerbomb.  Other than that I just spent the days off in between my hectic work schedule  with family and tons of food.  I am pretty sure I will be wearing the bird top and orange skirt for New Years Eve.  Every year I get fanatic about what to wear and end up spending the whole day looking for items that only exist in my head and by the time we get ready to head out I am exhausted.  That coupled with a few drinks leads to me looking for a dark corner to power nap in so I'm gonna make it easy.  All I need to finish the look is a pair of navy blue socks and gold stappy heels.  

And yes I will be freezing my ass off upon entry to the club but its the price with Fri/Sat/Sun/Mon off I will have enough time to nurse my cold....lol