Mad About Plaid!

I am so into plaid. Not this season, every winter season. I just love that cozy comfortable feeling.

On the left is another "perfect plaid" shirt from GAP, making it a grand total of three in my closet. The other comes from J. Crew Factory, making it the second one in my closet from that store.

After-Christmas sale

Banana Republic is having a great sale this week, with 30 off reduced items and an extra percentage off for cardholders.

I was hoping to buy this corduroy mini skirt a week earlier to wear for the holidays but the berry color was sold out in the store I was shopping in. Thankfully the stocks have replenished with all the returned gifts and I was able to get the skirt as well as this tartan plaid. Total spent: $45.

Warm fuzzy feeling

I have a feeling I will be getting a lot of use out of this North Face "Denali" jacket. It is on the pricey side but I purchased it using gift cards I received for Christmas. I see this jacket on so many people and there must be a reason this jacket is so popular each winter season.

I don't know if this will become my new favorite car jacket but the associate who helped me decide to buy it said that she has hers from eighth grade and still wears it. What really sold me was that as I was trying it on, a mother and daughter came in. The mother had the same Denali jacket on and was buying one for her 20-something daughter. I like that it is easy to wash and supposedly the fleece does not "pill."

J. Crew & GAP - storewide sales

Monday! I don't normally shop on a Monday but it's the holiday season. And I definitely wasn't alone... lots of shoppers out in full force at 4 pm this afternoon. Who could blame them with all the great sales? A great time to do some last minute shopping for family, friends, or yourself!

First up, a trip to GAP where I ended up buying two of the perfect plaid shirts. These particular two styles were hard to come by as they are sold out online and in many stores. Items were marked down plus an additional 40 percent off.

The other items I purchased were from J. Crew. I ordered the slouchy dolman-sleeved sweatshirt in heathered camel and another pair of the Waverly chinos, this time in pink. (I just love those green ones). I was happy to find the sweatshirt in my size and on the sale rack (plus extra 30 off). I had been eyeing it for a while and there was only one other one left on the rack today.

More NOVICA treasures

I am still very much into Novica and purchased the following items within the last week:

The Royal Java Blue silk batik scarf comes from Bali & Java. It is sold out on Novica at this time and I can see why... it is gorgeous. It is a very delicate silk so I will be sure to handle it with care. The other item I bought is also currently sold out: the silver filigree seahorse brooch. I just adore seahorses and I was thinking of buying a brooch. Currently I only have own, a simple initial of my first name. I think this will look cute with sweaters and even coats. We shall see.

GAP has Love Quotes scarves

I was browsing around the GAP this weekend and saw a sign advertising the 'buy one scarf get one free promotion. I quickly found the other colorblock scarf I had been searching for, the one with yellow, which has been sold out online for weeks. Upon looking for my second "free" scarf, I discovered brightly colored scarves on one of the shelves and spotted a deep blue. I looked at the price tag... $85?! Then I saw the tag.... LOVE QUOTES! Gap is selling Love Quotes scarves and a portion of the proceeds of their scarves go to international children's charities.

UNFORTUNATELY, the Love Quotes scarves are NOT part of the "buy one" promotion. Still, I caved in and bought it. I figure it will be excluded from other sales and coupons, so I better get it now before it is gone. So why buy an $85 scarf? Well, if you are a scarf lover like I am, the quality of this brand is worth it. Love Quotes scarves are seen on celebrities such as Jennifer Aniston, and frequently retail for around $110. I'm happy to say that the cashier gave me an additional 15% off for using a GAP card. (*I'm not sure if he was supposed to, given the other exclusions, but I did not complain!

Bangles!!!!

So these were out of stock on (you guessed it, NOVICA) so when I received notification they were back in stock, I jumped on them. They are bangle bracelets from Dehli in India.

All of these bangle bracelets come from an artist named Vipin. I still have yet to receive any of my NOVICA orders, but being that they are being shipped from all parts of the world, I am (trying to be) patient! All of the items were "guaranteed by December 24" so we shall see.

More great stuff from across the globe

Oh NOVICA.... I can't stay away! The free shipping and the coupon codes are killing me! But look at my latest purchases: the Guatemala "Mystique" scarf and the Rainbow Moon Drop Earrings. They kind of go together, right?

I also had to take advantage of the J. Crew one day sale: 25 percent off and free shipping site wide. I had almost bought these items for more in store: the Factory Perfect Shirt in Tomboy Plaid and the Ultra Knit Zip Hoodie in Mediterranean Blue (I already had it in heather gray and henna.) While I didn't have the discipline to go without any shopping this Monday, I am glad I had the discipline to wait for this sale...

Do you know about NOVICA?

NOVICA is a business in association with National Geographic which, according to its website, wants to create a bridge between consumers and the many talented artisans across the globe. I discovered the brand after my mother told me about these $90 place mats that she is obsessed with. When I went on the website to scope it out, I was greeted with the jewelry page. Four web orders later.... I am what you can call a NOVICA-addict.

But can you blame me? Look at my recent purchases! I'm so excited to get them in the mail.

Catch some WAVE-RLYs

I am obsessed with J. Crew Waverly pants. This is a classic example of why you need to try things on twice sometimes. The first time I saw the Mineral Green Waverly chinos was on a sale rack (of course). When I tried them on, I loved the color but wasn't thrilled with the tapered leg. I am a loyal bootcut fan when it comes to khakis and chinos. However, I tried these on a second time when the price became too low to ignore and decided it was worth the risk.

So glad I did! I received so many compliments at work on these. More importantly, I was comfortable in them all day long and the tapered leg didn't bother me as much as I had thought it would. The end result was a flattering and stylish pair of everyday pants at a bargain price!

Holiday weekend

I didn't plan to go shopping this Black Friday weekend (honest!) but the hubby talked me (and actually bribed me) into it. For any avid readers out there, I finally bought a ton of Christmas decorations... at Pottery Barn (LOL ... where else?) 

But while getting some home decor, I scored these items @ GAP. These particular items have been sold out of stores and online for a few weeks now, but they magically popped back in at the right time and I scooped them up. I've been looking all over for both of them!

Yes, I know I already have a "cozy scarf" from GAP, but I fell in love with this colorblock one and I think I will get use out of both. The cord leggings.... well I already bought every other color and I've been living in them since Thursday. I am confident that I will get enough use out of them for the winter. Besides, this aubergine color is clearly the BEST of the cord leggings colors offered.

Black Wednesday

 I was fortunate enough to get out of work earlier than usual today, and what better way to spend a free afternoon than shopping? After all, most of the good merchandise will be gone from store shelves after this weekend.

At J. Crew, the additional 30 off was over. However, I still snagged the items above at a very discounted price. The boatneck painter tees's retailed for $32.50 when new. I bought both of them together for about $25.

I also got these Cafe Trouser pants for roughly $20 (retail $89.50) The pipe dream hoodie retailed for $79.50 when new. I bought both of them together for about $45.

Cord-ially yours

I am rediscovering corduroy.

It started out with a coupon, a 60 percent (!) off coupon at Gap. I fell in love with these pants. And when I went to another Gap to find the leggings version, I was dismayed to find they had sold out of most sizes. For shopaholics, that is the kiss of death. That is when you know you are onto something that everyone else loves ... when most stores are sold out. And that is when the craziness kicks in...

         

HELP ME! I can't decide which one(s) to keep! Or should I keep them all? They fit REALLY nice, sort of like skinny jeans and they are awesome with boots. Best of all, I think I can get away with wearing them for work.  BTW I scored the leggings for 40 percent off the regular $59.50 retail price.

J Crew - Extra 30 off final sale

I had to do it. As soon as J. Crew sent out their "additional 30 percent off final sale" email, I had to go. I am so in love with the yellow boatneck painter tee that I grabbed two other colors (the aqua above and also"bright dahlia") for a total of less than $18. Original price of each: $32.50.

Yesterday was the last day of the additional 25 percent off Lands' End sale so I grabbed another LEC Heritage cardigan in Fern Green (above). With sale and discount, the total was $15. Original price: $39.50.

Monday boredom

OK, so I didn't expect to shop today... I swear! I went to Target in pursuit of Christmas decorations (see prior post) but ended up instead with clothing.

I purchased this blue shawl cardigan from Target for $19.99. No additional sale, but that is the beauty of Target - decent quality items that are low priced. I am happy to have found this cardigan after reading the good reviews on Target.com. Also, it was the last left in this color, and size, which also adds to the frenzy.

I also picked up this Merona cowl neck for $16.99. The color is called "Colorado Rust" but it reminded me of the beautiful ginger spice colored scarf I ordered a few days ago from GAP. I am so into autumn colors this season. I really liked the button detail on the sleeves. I think it gives this turtleneck a classier look.

Last day of Veteran's Sale weekend

Back to work tomorrow... no shopping for awhile. (sniff sniff). I wasn't planning on shopping today but the need for Christmas decorations motivated me. Ironically I didn't buy any... LOL!

Instead I went to J Crew (yes, I know, it was only the third time in the last week!) and snagged both the Around Town sweater and the boatneck painter tee in yellow on sale. I had originally planned to wait until J. Crew had an additional percentage off final sale, however, I've come to realize that playing the waiting game too long is a gamble. I've had too many problems with waiting for sales only to find my item was no longer available. Original retail of the two items combined: $100.50. Actual spent: $52.00

For this reason, I did not hesitate about buying the Bittersweet wreath from Pottery Barn, marked down to $37.00. (orig. price: $59.95). So I did buy decorations, just not of the Christmas variety!

Accessories and sales

So it is still Veteran's Day weekend -- sales galore! I went to the outlets today as well as the mall. At the mall, I found this on the sale rack: Ann Taylor LOFT ripstop skirt with zippers. Original price: $49.50. Final sale price plus 40 % F&F discount = $8.93. Score!

At the mall, I also purchased a metallic skinny belt from J. Crew. It was on sale for $19.99. I've been wanting a belt like this for a while after seeing many fashion bloggers wear it so many ways. 

Other purchases I made were at the outlets, and not available on the web. I found photos that give you the idea. I purchased a citrus green colored viscose wrap/scarf at Nordstrom Rack. The regular price was $38.00 but I got mine for $9.99.

I also grabbed a navy geometric shaped wrap dress from GAP outlet. I had my eye on this dress for a while but no way was I paying $49.99 for it. I finally found a 30-percent off coupon and purchased it today. It looks very similar to this dress here and I see many possibilities of how to wear it. Very excited to go back to work this week!

Cardigans are a girl's best friend

I got the hubster to come shopping today! We hit up some of Jersey's finest malls. The idea was to get him to buy some clothes, but instead he ended up with football collectibles. While we parted ways for short periods of time, here is what I snagged -- all on sale.

I discovered Lands' End Canvas "Heritage" cardigans. I've read some great reviews online and seen some great photos on fashion blogs. Seems like a great staple. As a bonus, they were on sale this weekend because of the holiday. I snagged two in store, in the blue color above as well as black. Temptation caught the best of me and I ended up buying red and lavender later on from the Internet for an even cheaper price.

As I mentioned earlier, GAP Friends and Family is going on, and that means 40 off storewide for cardholders. Snagged the black terry long sleeved sweatshirt, the acai berry rayon turtleneck, and the tiered drawstring print dress, all three for a total of $44! I am excited to wear that dress with one of my four new cardigans!