But this past Saturday, Mr. EWP was off to the Chicago Auto Show with his dad, friends were working or had family in town, and I found myself with a whole day to myself. No plans until Valentine's dinner at 8. That left 8 hours available for shopping. It was just enough ;)
So I set off with my gift cards in hand and a list of things I needed, and clearly a little plastic to cover the rest.
1. Nordstrom
Like most of my shopping trips, I started things off at Nordstrom. I love a nice department store, so many things all in the same place.
I had a visa gift card that was begging to be spent. Since it was Valentine's weekend, I headed straight to the lingerie department. I will spare you pictures of my purchases, but I'll say they were super hot.
From there I wandered down to the M.A.C. makeup counter. Not sure if you know this, but if you bring in 6 of your old used M.A.C. makeup containers (doesn't matter if it's a lip gloss, lipstick, or eye shadow), you can get a free lipstick! If you go to a free-standing M.A.C. for the trade-in, you can get a free lipstick, lip gloss, or eye shadow. I was much too lazy to get to the free-standing M.A.C. and figured a lipstick was fine.
I got this one. I love a bold eye for night time, but for that look you need to balance it out with a light lip. I thought this pinky lipstick would be the perfect compliment for my bold eye.
M.A.C., $14 (free when you turn in 6 old M.A.C. makeup containers) 2. Sephora
The lipstick (and in the interest of full disclosure, the eyeliner I also picked up at M.A.C.) just weren't enough makeup to cure my shopping needs. I had a Sephora gift card that had been sitting on my dresser for the last 2 years (yes, you read that right. TWO YEARS), and I figured it was time to put it to use. In my defense, I had used part of it and there was only $8 left on it. I just couldn't get myself motivated to spend $8. But on Saturday it was time to clean house and use all these pieces of plastic that have been cluttering my house.
I put my big money ($8) towards a Laura Mercier lip gloss. I picked up Bellini. Yes, I already own Bellini, but I'm not sure where it is. I lose lip glosses and lipsticks at a pretty alarming rate. It's the price I pay for feeling the need to switch out my handbags 3 times a day. And I say it's totally worth it for perfect bag coordination :)
Laura Mercier, $22
And because I somehow thought my $8 would somehow buy more than just part of a lipgloss, I picked up this body cream from Benefit. While the name is what caught my eye the first time "Touch Me Then Try To Leave" it was the amazingly silky smooth skin it left me with that keeps me going back for more. I swear this stuff is the best cream ever. You have to try it.
Benefit, $30
3. Banana Republic
It's been ages since I've bought anything at Banana. It's not that I've broken up with them or anything, we just happened to be on a break while I tried out cuter, fancier guys like Club Monaco. But Saturday I found myself back in the comforting, familiar arms of my dear BR.
Why? Well, since Kathy made me a skinny jeans addict, I decided it was time to get some more. I'm normally a Joe's Jeans only kind of gal, but I saw a recent tweet from The Pioneer Woman saying people should try BR's skinny jeans. Now, we all know I am a fashion advice snob, and I listen to basically no one's opinions when it comes to clothes, but somehow this one got me thinking. It must be because of all we have in common - She's a 40-something mother of 4 who writes a insanely successful blog with thousands of readers who lives on a ranch in the middle of nowhere, and I'm a 28 year old mother of 0 who writes a blog with 2 readers and lives in one of the biggest cities in the country. Clearly we could be twins.
And I must say I was pleasantly surprised. BR's skinny jeans fit my big ol' behind and didn't make me look like a giant cow - which is my general fear when wearing skinny jeans. They were comfy and while most of their washes were gross and full of holes (I'm sorry, I don't need my upper thigh showing through a hole in my jeans that was put there on purpose), I did find not one but two pairs I felt worthy of bringing home with me. And at 25% off the regular price (not sure how long that deal is running), the two together were still less than just one pair of Joe's. Not bad.
4. Ann Taylor
I don't generally find much at Ann Taylor. It's mostly too staid for my tastes. But if I need a nice staple, like a white button down, then it's definitely the place I go.
Saturday, however, I was intrigued by the sign in the window saying 40% off sale prices. While sale items freak me out because I think there must be something wrong with them, I was feeling in the wheeling and dealing spirit on Saturday, so I went in.
And I came out with this ruffled top. You know I can't say no to a ruffled top. This one I swear is so much cuter in person, and cuter on. I was too lazy to put it on for a pic though, so you get to see it draped on my couch.
Ann Taylor, was $88, sale $49.99, after 40% off $30I also picked up this pink sweater top. What can I say, Valentine's was on my mind and I couldn't pass up a pink top. Especially at that great a price.
Ann Taylor, was $110, after 40% off sale $185. Tory Burch
I finally dragged myself up to Tory Burch to spend my $50 gift card they sent me for my bday. I went in thinking I'd do something new and different and get a dress or maybe a clutch. But I couldn't help myself. I love the Tory Burch Reva ballet flat. I just had to get another one. Yes, I'm aware I already have four pairs. I'm not embarassed to admit it. I love them. I wear them whenever I need to walk anywhere. I wore them as I walked miles and miles in Spain, and I looked cute every step of the way. This time I spiced things up and got a navy pair. The Chicago store, however, didn't have my size so they're being delivered to my house from a Connecticut Tory Burch store. So I don't have a picture of them for you.
Tory Burch - You must buy these IMMEDIATELY
6. Macy's
I am not a fan of Macy's. At all. It's my least favorite department store. It was a very sad day when Marshall Fields switched over into Macy's. The quality of the merchandise definitely decreased instantly. I avoid it as much as I can, but I had received a couple Macy's gift cards. And I couldn't let my dislike for Macy's get in the way of me spending my gifts. So my final stop on the shopping day extravaganza was to the State Street Macy's. I refuse to go to the Water Tower Macy's unless I absolutely have to. The State Street one is made more palatable by the fact that it is one of the few Macy's in the country that carries designer stuff and they have a giant shoe department. The shoe department was calling my name. I needed new boots to wear with my new skinny jeans. I went in, gift cards in hand, ready to do some damage in the boots department.
But when I off the escalator, I saw nothing but disarray around me. Boots rubble, with ugly scattered shoes. I hoped that maybe they were hiding the good stuff and employed the help of a shoe salesperson. No luck, he said. All the boots were gone. Everyone had bought them and only ugly ugly options were left. I was too late. I guess mid-February is awfully late in the season to be buying boots. But I haven't had time!! Don't penalize me for being busy!!
I gave up on boots and looked at the other shoes. And then my eyes fell upon the most beautiful pumps I'd ever laid eyes on. I jumped for joy and clutched them to my chest. I had to have them! And then the evil salesman laughed at me again. "I've sold almost all the sizes in that. I only have a 6 left." Darn my size 7.5/8 feet!!! So while I couldn't get them with my gift card, I thought I'd show them to all of you, I hopes one of you will order them from Bloomingdales and send me a picture. They're just too lovely to pass up.
Badgley Mischka, $200
After the big bust that was the shoe department, I moved on to the designer section. If I couldn't have boots or sexy pumps, I could at least find a new dress to wear to Valentine's dinner that night. Well, that didn't work out either. But I did find this cute and casual Marc Jacobs top that I thought would be fun for our Valentine's day in. I've realized I don't actually own anything casual to just wear when bumming around, so this top is really going to come in handy.
And obvi I was in love with the ruffles.
Marc by Marc JacobsSadly, the top didn't use up all my Macy's gift cards, so I will have to go back. Laura J., however, reminded me that the Macy's on State has basically a grocery store in the bottom. So if all else fails, I can just use the gift card to get some groceries at Macy's, and then use the grocery money to get those Badgley Mischka pumps. It all works out in the end. Or at least it does in the EWP universe. :)
And so concluded my day of gift card shopping.
