MissAmy |

I went a little crazy at the Target sale racks recently.  See, I finally decided to work out in the mornings again.  So, I wanted to stock up on easy dresses – they really are the easiest thing to throw on after a workout & a quick shower.  They’re also usually pretty appropriate for an office environment.  So, I went into Target.  Dun dun dun.  Seriously, those clearance racks are my kryptonite.  I came out of there with a whole new wardrobe.  I’m not kidding: 3 new dresses, 1 skirt, 1 t-shirt, 1 peasant top, 1 sequined tank top, 1 knit vest.  (Full disclosure: I actually went back the next day for a cardigan top thing.)

New stuff is from the left to the print top on the right.  (The pink sweater was mine already.)  Yep, pretty much filled my closet…  I do love Target clearance because when you’re sick of it you don’t feel super guilty about passing it on since it was so darn cheap to begin with.

I went on a bit of a shopping trip recently & to my surprise only purchased two things: a dress from Ross & a pair of sandals from Marshalls.  I just wore the dress  to an event last night & I’ll post about that later.  But the shoes I had to share.  They are one my favorite brands: Me Too.  The brand tends to put out very cushy, comfy shoes but we’re not talking slipper-like Aerosoles here.  Their shoes tend to have a bit of support as well which is exactly what my feel need in a casual shoe. 

Me Too sandals ($25, Marshalls), pedi is Sally Hansen Insta-Dri in Rose Rush

These might actually make the cut for the cruise I’m going on in September.  We’ll see when it gets closer.  I’m really looking forward to packing for it & I plan to treat you to a post on the capsule wardrobe I’ll be taking.

That I love ballet flats – this is not news. 

But also these bright yellow studded Louboutins are > all other ballet flats.

Sigh…. Lust, lust, lust… Covet, covet, covet…

Yes, I fell right on the Memorial Day sale bandwagon without even realizing it.  I’m glad I did it this weekend because I had the extra day to burn.  And burn it I did.  I spent the majority of the day shopping – originally it was supposed to be strictly bathing suit/bra shopping at Lane Bryant but it soon got out of hand.  And whatta ya know – I did not come home with one bra or one bathing suit.  Sigh… 

Here’s the plunder:

These were actually from a Thursday night stop at Walmart (to pick up my prescription).  I guess I started the festivities a little early. What?
Miley Cyrus scarves – on clearance for $3 each.  $3!!!!!  They’re very soft, perfect for summer boho looks.

The one thing I actually bought at Lane Bryant.  So beautiful I couldn’t pass it up.  $25.43 on the clearance rack.

Found at Ross – perfect for nights out with the girls since it’s across the body, not too big, not too small & totally cute!  Betsey Johnson, $20.99
I also bought THE shoes (which I posted about on Sunday) and an adorable navy blue embroidered peasant dress.  I’ll wear it soon & take pics!

Marshalls bounty: Born Famous Couture tee – $5, Nicole Miller scarf – $10

More from Marshalls: Nine West wedge sandals, each pair was $15!  I love the height they give me!

Enough of my ill-advised decadence.  I’m am now beyond broke.  I really have to start shopping my closest for a while!

That black, white & khaki is my new favorite color combination.  You could build a wardrobe around it.  Or you could pack around it for a trip.  It’s so classic & can be either sophisticated or fun, casual or more structured.  Try it – go to your closet, pull out anything in black, white, khaki and black & white striped.  Add camel or brown accessories.  Viola!  You’re packed for a trip - it all matches, it all works!

The story of THE shoes:

A month or more ago… I went into Ross.  God knows why – I rarely set foot in there anymore.  (I prefer to haunt TJMaxx & Marshalls. with my limited time & money I have to choosy.)  I tried on some shoes.  One pair was a Nine West metallic bronze snakeskin pair of what I call Barbie shoes – high heel, single strap across the foot.  They fit OK – a little long since they were 8 1/2 (I’m an 8).  They were fairly comfortable.  They were $16.99.  Well, I talked myself out of them.  I didn’t know what I would wear the color with, they were the tiniest bit big, I didn’t need to spend the money, and so on and so on.

A couple days later I start thinking about them.  I’m going on a cruise with some friends in September and have 2 dresses picked – one for the “formal” night & one more casual one for another night for dinner.  The first is a dress by Casting that I wore on my 30th birthday and on 2 other occasions.  The other is a grey leopard print Tahari that I’ve only worn once.  These are the dresses:

It finally occurs to me that a simple but dressy shoe in metallic bronze would work with both these dresses.  As a total bonus, I have a metallic bronze Lodis clutch that would work with metallic bronze heels.  So I go back to Ross.  No shoes.  I check all sizes.  I even check under the shoe racks, butt in the air & everything. Shoes get shoved down underneath, never to be heard of again!  It’s true – I saw lots of lost shoes, just not the ones I was looking for. 

Now, I figure I can find them on ebay – no dice.  OK, I’ll look for a similar shoe, somewhere, anywhere! Nothing.  This turned into an unstoppable shopping binge. I went to every possible TJMaxx & Marshalls in my area in the course of a week - we only have one Ross in town.  I even went to a Goodwill or two.  Nothing. Even. Close.  Life continues to happen - I forget about the shoes.

I went up to the Gulfcoast Town Center’s Lane Bryant yesterday (about 30 minutes north of the city I live in) to try on bathing suits  - totally need a new one built like a tank to hold the girls up.  Or architecture for the breasts(TM) as I like to say.  They shipped all but 2 styles out just the other day.  Two sad one-piece styles on a tiny rack was all that was left.  On top of that, they had none of the bra I wanted in my size.  (I did buy an awesome jacket on the sale rack but that’s another post.)

To console myself at the lack of bathing suits I go to Ross on the way to Marshalls.  Well, fucking A – the shoes.  Are there!  It might be the same friggin’ pair even.  Same size, everything.  AND they’re marked down to $10.99!!!!  The clouds parted. Angels sang.  The cruise is saved.  It was a little over the top.

Here. Are. THE Shoes:

The clutch has rainbow sparkles which I think is an extra-special complement to the shoes so they’re not too matchy-match.   Don’t know how they got in there – magic?

Next: must. find. plunging. bra.  Wish me luck!

I just had to highlight this one buy from the thrift.  I absolutely had no choice but to buy this jacket.  It’s just so awesomely messy!  I love the mixed up animal print with the bright pinks & greens.  This is another example of a piece that could support an entire wardrobe.  I almost feel like I should get rid of everything I own & start over, building around this jacket & the one I showed you last week.  And I could keep them in separate ends of my closet.  They’d be all neat & clean with several inches between each lovely wooden hanger.  Sigh…  Bliss…  OK, no more fantasizing.  Besides, I really couldn’t ever get rid of the rest of my collection of clothing – that’s just crazy talk…

I have been shopping at the thrift lately.  In fact, I’ve been to two different ones this week.  First, St. Matthews House Thrift Store since my friend Mel keeps insisting it’s the best place on earth.  Guess what – it is!  I was seriously impressed with their selection.  Then Friday night I went to my favorite haunt, one of the Goodwills here in town.  I totally binged there as well.  Then my crash came as I did my bills this morning.  Yep, I could have done without the spending, but oh well.  I’ll figure out how to make it up.  Right after I go out to eat tonight.  Sigh, will I ever be able to stop the spending?  Geez…

Anyway, I came away with a great batch of goodies for me (top two pics) …

And for you (last photo)…

The more summery, lighter things will be going up on ebay fairly quickly while the heavier pieces will go in the fall.  Just the line up of brand names is making me seriously drool.  Louis Feraud, Yves Saint Laurent, Ralph Lauren, Nicole Miller, BCBG, Max Mara, Michael Kors, Calvin Klein, plus a new one to me – Isda&Co.  I can’t wait to place these in their next loving home!

The title says it all.  Jacket by Akris.  Will only set you back $3,500.

Apparently we’ll all be wearing leather diapers this season.  Hurry!  Gets yours! 

(I think I got these from Bazaar magazine)