Wallis Fashion Review
Posted: May 15, 2012 Filed under: Shopping | Tags: Online, Shopping, UK, Wallis 2 Comments
Spot Print Belted Dress (Taupe and Black)
Taupe Spot Print Belted Dress | Also offered in black
I recently placed my first order with UK clothing website, Wallis. I ordered the Taupe Spot Print Belted Dress, shown in the pictures. I also picked up a black jersey dress for only $18, but that one was too small, because I ordered it in petite and didn’t account for the stupid fact that petite sizes are normally smaller in all measurements, not just shorter. I ordered both dresses in size 4 (which is a size 8 in UK size, but they display American sizes on their .com site). Obviously I would order a size up in petites next time. I am very happy with the way both dresses looked. The quality is not fantastic, but for the price, I think it is a reasonable quality. The dress is not lined, and the zipper is a little difficult. The belt it comes with is pretty low quality, but that is to be expected even with a higher-priced dress. Both dresses were machine washable, which is a huge thing for me.
Wallis offers free shipping with orders over $30. You do have to pay for the return shipping, though. The sell clothing, petites, shoes, accessories and even beachwear. Probably only 30 percent of the items for sale appeal to me. Some of their items look a little too trashy or crazy for me personally. The items arrived on individual hangers (marked with the UK sizes), sealed in protective plastic bags. The price for this dress has changes at least 3 times since I bought it, so definitely keep an eye out for sales. I think it was about $50 when I bought it and it is currently $63. I would recommend checking them out!
Cute Easter Items
Posted: April 5, 2012 Filed under: Shopping, Uncategorized | Tags: Bunnies, Easter, Target Leave a commentTarget has some cute Easter items, in case you wanted to do some last minute shopping (or pick up some stuff on sale after Easter).
$19.99 Bunny Apron and Pot Holder Set.
Rad stuff I’ve bought lately
Posted: February 17, 2012 Filed under: Art, Shopping | Tags: Art, Jewelry, Orla Kiely, Shopping 2 Comments
All Together canvas print from Etsy shop Kiki and Polly - The Art of Lisa Golightly
Orla Kiely Stem Print Towel
Bunny Ring from Etsy shop TheRogueAndTheWolf
Necklace from Beaucoup Vintage
J. Crew Warehouse Sale
Posted: January 8, 2012 Filed under: Shopping, Uncategorized | Tags: J Crew, Sale, Warehouse Sale 1 CommentJ. Crew periodically holds a “warehouse sale” in Richmond, renting out an empty storefront and setting up tables full of cardboard boxes full of seemingly random merchandise. I got the tip about the current one thanks to this post from RVA Bargains. The sale is going on through the 22, and they seem to keep putting out more stuff.
I went Saturday morning, arriving 30 minutes before they opened to wait in line outside. There were a lot of pants and tops, none of which I was interested in. The shoes were in terrible condition and I couldn’t find any cashmere (people in line said they had a lot the day before). There were a lot of formal dresses, but I got one last year that I still haven’t worn, so I passed. I totally scored when it came to the coats though, which made the trip more than worth it.
I got two Lady Day coats for myself, one in black and one in a peacock blue/teal color. (I know the photo below is green, it was the best I could find. The black product shots don’t show the details well.) I got the wool cashmere Capella coat for my mom.
J Crew Lady Day Coat
Petite double-cloth lady day coat with Thinsulate®
Original price: $325.00
Select colors on sale for: $229.99
I paid: $50
J Crew wool cashmere capella coat
Original price: $298
I paid: $50
freshwater pearls
Original Price: $275
I paid: $10
Clasp needs to be reattached on one end.
Multistrand pearl necklace
A lifelong treasure: five strands of genuine freshwater pearls, hand sorted for size and lustre and hand knotted on silk thread. This gorgeous, heirloom-quality piece is finished with a gold-plated sterling-silver button clasp covered in hand-set rhinestones. 4mm and 6mm freshwater pearls hand knotted on silk thread with a gold-plated sterling-silver clasp covered in hand-set rhinestones. Part of J.Crew Collection. Import. Length: 20″.
J Crew Resin Link Necklace
Original Price: $85
I paid: $10
Two tiny rhinestones are missing on the back side of the necklace (won’t be noticeable).
Goals
Posted: January 2, 2012 Filed under: About Me, Saving, Shopping | Tags: Bills, Budget, Goals, Resolutions, Saving 2 CommentsI don’t normally make resolutions, but sometimes I set goals for myself and since the beginning of the year is probably the best time to do something like this my goal is to set up a budget and learn how to stick to it like an adult.
I started setting up my info using a finance program. It’s hard right now, because the program sees all my student loan money as my normal monthly income. I need to figure out a way to let it know this is bonus money. I also need to make myself understand that as well.
I’ve gotten a bunch of advice from friends that act like responsible adults. I’m really dreading having to save receipts and track every single thing I buy. But it’s something I need to do, especially if I ever want to actually pay back my student loans, or learn not to rely on the student loan money.
“Holiday” Present
Posted: December 21, 2011 Filed under: Shopping, Uncategorized | Tags: Max & Cleo, Shopping 1 CommentWe had the office Holiday Party this week. The party was held in the historic downtown area near the office in a fancy Italian restaurant that let us have their private room. After appetizers and cocktails, each employee was given a $100 Visa gift card and a map of local retailers and told they had to buy something for themselves.
My first choice was a store I normally shop at a few times a year (and window shop at about once a month), but they were sold out of my size in the dress I’d had my eye on. So I went across the street to the more upscale ladies boutique. A coworker and I both picked out the same dress, by Max & Cleo. They had to order mine, since they didn’t have two in the same size. It is super cute and I will be able to wear it mostly year round. The only bummer is that it is a jersey dress that says “dry clean only.” do I risk it and machine wash it on gentle? Hand wash?
Harry and David Pears: Best Ever
Posted: December 6, 2011 Filed under: Food, Shopping, Uncategorized | Tags: Gift Ideas, Harry and David, Pears Leave a comment
Harry and David Pears
Harry and David pears are super expensive and if you’ve never had them you might just roll your eyes. But once I ate one I was a believer. They are amazing.
I found them online for 3 different prices (WTF?) but this one is the best deal, and it comes with free shipping.
Normally $30, on sale for $20. Use the code FREEFSD when you check out to get the free shipping. A good alternative to sweets, awesome for people out of town. Buy one for yourself, too.
Essie Luxeffects Nail Polish
Posted: December 4, 2011 Filed under: Nails, Shopping | Tags: Essie, Luxeffects, Nails, Ulta 2 CommentsI went on a bit of a spree at Ulta this weekend. I wanted to pick up some of the new Essie Luxeffects top coats I’d seen on Pinterest. Of course I had not been to a cosmetic store in a while and they had all their fun holiday gift sets, and sale things, and buy so many, get something free deals… I went overboard. But they had stuff like $7 eyeliner pencil for $1! I managed to get some cute little stocking stuffers, too.
One funny thing that happened, when I was looking at the different makeup sets the sales lady came over and asked if I was shopping for my daughter. I gave her an involuntary “bitch, please” face and said, “Um, actually my mom maybe?” I’m not saying I’m not old enough to have a kid, but I more frequently get asked if I’m an undergrad, and since any kid I would have would not need a 100 color makeup set. I wonder if that lady puts her foot in her mouth a lot, or sells a lot of wrinkle cream that way!
Here’s the manicure I did yesterday. I really need to get my cuticles in better shape.
Essie “Brooch the Subject” Winter 2011, a creamy cashmere cameo
Essie “As Gold As It Gets” Luxeffects Top Coat, gilded lamé sparkles
Orla
Posted: October 30, 2011 Filed under: Shopping, Travel, Uncategorized | Tags: NYC, Orla Kiely, Shopping 1 CommentHave you seen the shots from the Orla Kiely NYC store? It’s set up like a little house. So adorable! I’m excited to see all the mugs and paper products in stock, because that’s probably all I’ll be able to afford! (All images from their Facebook page)
NYC
Posted: September 28, 2011 Filed under: Shopping, Travel 2 Comments
Orla Kiely
Ever since I heard Orla Kiely was opening her first US location in NYC I have been planning to make a trip up to check it out. I absolutely love her stuff, even though I’ve only bought two Etc line purses (both on sale) and one mainline bag that my parents kindly splurged on for a Christmas gift. I would love the chance to even just try on the clothing, even though that is out of my budget. At least her bags last a long time and are something I can get a lot of use out of (I don’t mind if that don’t always match my outfit).
I looked into the discount trains, but I don’t think my personality would do well on a train, plus they don’t save you any time. I found I can take Amtrak for about $100 round trip. I can leave in the early morning, arrive in NYC Penn Station (which is a great hub for the subway) by late morning and then catch a train back that night. That will give be 10-12 hours in NYC and hopefully I can sleep during the train ride, which is about 3.5 hours.
I’ve started a Google Map of places I want to hit up. I need to confirm when/if the Orla store is actually opening. But I’m hoping to hit at least one Anthropologie as well as some more budget-friendly shops like H&M. I’m not actually budgeting a lot of spending money for the trip. It’s going to be more window shopping than anything, but hopefully if my student loan money comes through I will be able to pick up a few things. [This is the annoying thing about being sick, because I had a nice chunk saved and it’s basically all gone to medical bills.]
I’m bringing my mom with me and she wants to visit the World Trade Center memorial, but that requires tickets that I’m not sure are even available. I’m also hoping to meet up with at least one friend for lunch. I’ve got several friends in that area. I haven’t been to NYC since 2007, and I used to go up multiple times a year, so it will be really nice just to be back.
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