Happy Holidays!

I hope that Santa brought you everything you wanted. I know he did for me but it also helps that I picked it all out and then simply handed it over to Santa to put under the tree. Yep, that's how it works in my house. My parents long ago learned that I'm impossible to shop for. My haul included:
-Black tuxedo blazer, black tights, and silver cuff from Express
-Two dresses and a top from Anthropologie
-Victor and Rolf Flowerbomb perfume
-sweater from Aeropostal
-A big pile of makeup from Sephora
-Jeffrey Campbell flats

Our method takes all the surprise out but it saves me from having to fake that I like something and then have it sit in my closet with the tags until I finally pass it on to Goodwill. Of course, it isn't fool proof, especially with things that I pick out online. Thus today, I went to return some stuff and do some additional shopping with my mom. I returned the flower print shirt to Anthropologie and picked up a purple shirt with a big bow instead. The green dress might have to go back too but I'll wait on that. The Aeropostal sweater from my sister also went back but my mom picked out some pjs there for my Christmas gift to her so that worked out. We also hit up Macy's where I scored a really cute sheer black top with silver stars on it, the MICHAEL Michael Kors 'Berkley' sandals I've been wanting for months and a BCBG cocktail dress for...wait for it...$39.99 (originially $280)! I did a little happy dance inside when I found out the price. Woot!

"I've got to admit it's getting better"

The sales are getting "a little better all the time." Stores are really hurting for business. Saks sent out a 15% discount coupon for fragrance. That never happens. Makeup and fragrance are the two things that just don't go on sale. Saks also is marking hundreds of designer items 70% off. Go now before someone else snags the good stuff!

As for me, I won't be racing to Saks but I did luck out with the latest Anthropologie sale. The dress I've been dying to have is on its way to my parent's place, along with a green frilly dress and a floral empire waist top that I'm not sure will work but I bought so that I could qualify for free shipping. Hooray!

Gilt (groupe) and regret

I could have bought both these:
and these

for less than the price of what I will probably end up paying for one of them. Gilt group had a Cynthia Vincent shoe sale AND I MISSED IT! Excuse me while I hug my teddy bear and cry.

Black Friday Haul

You will never find me lined up at 3 am in front of a store on Black Friday. Well, never say never. I guess if Nordstroms or Saks did something akin to what Wal-Mart does, then yes, I'd be up there with the craziest ones fighting tooth and nail. However, they don't. There are discounts but nothing so tempting as to lure me out of bed in the wee hours of the morning. Instead, my Black Friday was a pretty casual affair. My mother and I went to Victoria Garden's and poked around. I found a grey boyfriend cardigan on sale at Anthropologie, a tank at American Apparel, 2 pairs of jeans at Express, a carry-on size suitcase at Macy's and a dress at White House/Black Market. The suitcase was a pretty good deal. It's Samsonite and has the wheels that go in all directions. I wasn't really on the hunt for luggage but I've been needing one this size. As for the dress, it's dreamy. I don't normally shop there but there was a sale sign so I stepped inside. On the rack it didn't look like much but on, it's gorgeous. It's a black strapless number with chiffon pleats on top. I would post a picture but it's no longer online at the website. I'm thinking it might be a good New Year's Eve dress.

Taking a cue from my roommate

American Eagle normally isn't my style. I own a pair of jean shorts from them but otherwise, it's not a store I venture into on a regular basis. The stuff is cute but a little too All-American girl next door for me. However, every once in awhile they get something right. Last weekend my roommate came home with a grey hoodie from AE. It was cute but I didn't think too much of it until she had me touch it. It was incredibly soft. We're talking puppy ear soft. Needless to say, I wanted one. Unfortunately she's a petite 5'2" so I couldn't exactly steal hers. Thus, I trekked into SF and bought my own in brown heather. It's oh so cozy and perfect for bundling up. Although given the ridiculously hot weather in NorCal at the moment, I won't be wearing it for a bit.

Einee, meeny, miney, mo!

I want things and those things are not cheap. I don't have the money to buy all of them so I have to decide what I want the most. My choices are:

1. Macy's Tahitian pearl bracelet
About $270 minus $100 in gift cards
2. Cynthia Vincent 'Cora' boots
Originally $525, Sale $367.50
3. Foley + Corinna 'Glazed Mid City Tote'
Originally $440, Sale $310.80

Well, those are my choices so far. Unfortunately I keep finding new things to lust after.

The sky is falling...

The economy is tanking and while, I realize that this might have serious consequences on my potential career options post-college, for the moment I am celebrating. Why you might ask? Because retailers are slashing prices. With the holiday season approaching and growing concerns about stale stock, my favorite stores are letting items go for a fraction of the price. No where was that more apparent than when I was perusing anthropolgie.com and spotted the Manoush coat I loved on sale. Now I wasn't entirely surprised that it was on sale but the fact that it was $200 off was the big shocker! I had maybe dreamed of 25%, maybe even 40% off but never ever did I believe I would see it for a little less than 60% off. Needless to say I immediately called the nearest Anthropologie to put it on hold and picked it up that day. It's still as beautiful as I remember and now it's mine! Thank you economic crisis.