"ANOTHER bright pair of jeans?"

"Another bright pair of jeans?"

That's what my husband said after coming home from the mall last night, and showing off my J. Crew Factory purchases.

Yes, husband, ANOTHER bright pair of jeans. They are still very much in style. Of course he never goes to the mall or reads blogs or magazines so he thinks I am breaking fashion rules.

I was at the Factory (also known as the Crewlet) and I saw these matchstick/toothpick jeans:

I wasn't there specifically to buy these jeans, especially since I already own the neon persimmon version from J. Crew and a pair of red skinny jeans from GAP. However the jeans were on a store promo for $49.99. And I had remembered seeing them look fabulous on Jeannie: http://colorfulcorporate.blogspot.com/2012/09/toothpick-ankle-jeans-in-garment-dyed.html

So I bought ANOTHER pair or bright jeans -- and I will wear them to dinner tonight no matter what the hubby says! LOL

I also picked up this quilted excursion vest, which I had my eye on a month or so ago but then it was offered for full price.  For some reason the vest is not on the Factory site -- instead they have some other vest in a similar color. I found this photo using Google and this one is much more accurate.

The vest was on store promo for 20 % off, making it $76. And I had one of those "spend $125 and get 20 off" coupons which helped. NOTE: There is a coupon code STYLE25 which works at the Factory and gets 25% off $150, but there wasn't anything else I wanted.

Thrift store SCORES from the weekend!

So I've been rediscovering thrift stores lately (see previous posts). On Sunday, an afternoon too beautiful to stay indoors, I found myself at a Goodwill store I had visited a month earlier. Sadly there were no finds -- except for a sign announcing that a nearby thrift store had just opened this past week. It was a 15 minute ride, and it was a beautiful day, so I decided I would check it out. I was warned upon inquiring about the store that "customers have complained it is expensive" and "we hear it is a lot of Target stuff."

Well, I myself like to form my own opinions, so I went... and I am glad I did! This newly-opened Goodwill was stocked largely with Ann Taylor and Target castaways. And yes, it was priced high, with items marked $20-$80. Still, deals were to be had!

Sadly, a majority of the Ann Taylor clothing had "Sample" in marker or other seemingly non-washable substance on the back. What I found to be a good surprise was the Target castoffs -- hey, remember when Missoni for Target sold out? Or Jason Wu for Target? There was TONS of brand new items -- even designer collaborating collections --- at a slightly lower than retail cost. I wasn't able to find any Missoni items in my size,  but I found this gorgeous Jason Wu dress -- brand new -- for $19.99.

I was shocked upon searching the jeans section -- mostly Mossimo for Target and LOFT/Ann Taylor castoffs -- to discover there were a handful of Bloomingdale's castoffs -- with the Bloomingdale's return sticker on the retail tag. I scored a pair of Joe's Jeans (my absolute favorite brand) with the original retail tag/Bloomingdale sticker on it for ... $29.99. Now I realize that for thrift shoppers, $30 for jeans seems like a lot, but Joe's Jeans retail new for $145! I love them and they are amazing.

I also scored a new or like new without tags Thomas Mason for J. Crew white shirt. Original retail is near $135 but I got it for $7.50!

Layering for fall

When you work in an old building with HVAC issues, I find that layering is a MUST. There is virtually no temperature control in my 100-plus year old school building; a day that is 70 degrees and cool outside can feel like 85 degrees in a hot classroom without ventilation. You walk into another classroom, and it feels like 60 degrees. It's impossible to predict, so all one can do is prepare.

I've been layering clothing quite a bit to adjust to the temperature issues. And although I have plenty of fabulous cardigans and blazers, I don't have too many shells and sleeveless tanks. I was able to pick up quite a few good ones recently from Old Navy.

I purchased this ruffle dot tank in green after receiving so many compliments on my white one. Since it was only $3.99 plus an extra 15 off, I also bought it in red multi dots.

I also picked up this dotted ruffle sleeveless blouse (note, I'm more into the dots than the ruffles, but the ruffles are not so distracting that they bother me) and a plain back sleeveless blouse. Both were under $15 each.

I also loved these two striped printed racerback tanks: I got it in red and black. I bought one online for $7 and the other in store for $12.

40 off @ LOFT plus GAP, Old Navy, Bath & Body Works

So I had to hit up LOFT today (and yesterday too, to be truthful) to take advantage of various promotions. Yesterday's promotion was 50 off select styles (which is a promotion I don't care for BUT it was the first time a skirt I have been wanting has hit sale!) Yesterday I bought this cheetah skirt for $35!

 

Today, the entire store was 40 off and although I was looking for clothing, I ended up purchasing this cabochon necklace for $16.50!

I also hit up GAP because I had a 30 off coupon for cardholders. As it turned out, I couldn't use it because the item I wanted was a sale item that was already 30 off the markdown. I had seen this 1969 pocket jacket (olive) before but to be honest, I have three other green jackets. It would be crazy to own four, right? Well, the other three have a hood, and this one doesn't. Also this one is longer than the ones I own, which are technically more spring jackets. So I got it for $42. I think I will keep it!

Today I also received an online order from Old Navy. I ordered a roll cuff blouse in dark blue (not navy, more bright cerulean), a leopard sleeveless tank for layering, and striped roll cuff blouse in khaki striped. 

I became obsessed with ON's roll cuff blouses after buying one, quite by accident, in a mint sea foam color (sorry no online photo available). I had wanted a mint colored blouse after seeing the Blythe blouse from J. Crew on several fashion blogs. I had also seen the Mossimo for Target version on some blogs, but unfortunately the fit was not right for my body. The Old Navy roll cuff fits me. terrific! The day I had been looking (unsuccessfully) to buy the Blythe blouse, I wandered into Old Navy and VOILE! -- there it was! I am very pleased with the style, the fit, the price, and the quality for the price.

Of course, I would be remiss not to mention that today's shopping excursion was PRIMARILY to pick up candles at Bath and Body Works, which I definitely did. I picked up the following candles during the 2/$20 sale -- with a 20 off coupon and today was a free bonus gift day -- a limited edition Pumpkin candle (for FREE!) So I bought 4 candles, plus... I also had a "buy any $13 item of your choice" coupon as well so I got some free body lotion! Four 3 wick candles, room freshener, 1 smaller candle, and hand lotion for a total of $42!

Blog shout-outs for J. Crew items and look-alikes!

A BIG shout out goes to TweedandToile for this one! I  ordered the striped jersey slub knit blazer from Shade Company for just $20 and I love it! I picked up a Medium as I usually wear a size 6 in J. Crew blazers and it fits great! Love this blazer -- and what a steal! It obviously looks a lot like similar blazers offered at both J. Crew and Anthropologie but for less. The quality is terrific in my opinion.

I also was excited today to receive my SECOND authentic J. Crew bubble necklace in kelly green. I fell in love with this necklace after seeing it worn so many ways on ColorfulCorporate but I had recently purchased a turquoise bubble. I wasn't so sure about buying two as they are pricey! As I mentioned, I bought the turquoise with a discount for opening a credit card. I recently received a 25-off and free shipping code from J. Crew for being a cardholder and so I decided to snatch up the kelly green bubble as well. Very happy I did as it seems very versatile! However, no more bubbles for me! Two are plenty!

Anthropologie in store shipping

I've posted before about Anthropologie's amazing policy to ship an item unavailable in your size in stores to your home, at sale price, with FREE SHIPPING! But seriously, it's terrific! (J. Crew: are you listening??!!)

I've loved the Gilded Estate/Capri Villa Pencil Skirt since seeing it here: jcrewismyfavstore

However, I had been waiting for the $128 skirt to go on sale. It finally was marked down to $69.95 with an extra 25 pct off sale. My store had the skirt, but I needed it one size smaller. They located it and two days later it arrived at my door! Love this skirt and so excited to wear it!

Labor Day Sales

It's Back to School tomorrow for me... ugh, so depressing! Labor Day has officially become my most dreaded holiday as it marks the end of summer. However, to soften the blow, I did some shopping -- which always cheers me up! Luckily Labor Day offers great sales. I started my day at J. Crew, where all sale items are an extra 30 off. That is always a sale too good to pass up. Here is what I bought:

The No. 2 Pencil (ha! as if I needed another) in Deck Stripe was on my wish list for a while. I also bought two pairs of 5 inch Chino Shorts in Neon Azalea and Modern Red. Lastly, I picked up the polka dot scarf in burgundy/pink.

I also bought this striped v-neck top at The Limited for 40 off. I don't often shop at this store but I really ought to check it out more often. Great items and great sales.

Lastly, I was very excited to pick up a dozen of these Gerbera Daisy faux flower stems from Pier One for just $2.38 each! They look perfect in my dining room vase and are an amazing way to say goodbye to summer and hello to autumn!