Shop With Me

Hello, friends. Happy Thursday! Since y’all seemed to like it so much the last time I did this, I thought I’d take you virtually shopping with me again. I went to the mall earlier this week to shop for our spring style series, and I’m telling you what. Online shopping has ruined me! I used to have the stamina to shop all day long, stop for dinner, and shop some more. I only made it through two stores on Tuesday, and I was stick-a-fork-in-me-done.

The two stores I visited were Nordstrom and LOFT. You’re shocked, right? Haha!

I always tend to start with those two and then branch out to a few other favorites when I need more ideas. As a fashion blog, I should probably feature a wider variety of stores, but it’s easy to get comfortable with the few that I know well. I have always been one to shop at a couple favorite stores. I get to know the fit and how the return system works and how they run their promotions, but I am definitely going to try to incorporate some other brands during our spring style series. So far I’ve placed orders with Ann Taylor, Old Navy, Banana, Lucky Brand, and White House Black Market.

Someone mentioned Athleta for dresses in yesterday’s post, and that’s a great idea. I’ve found some cute ones there in the past. Someone else mentioned Talbots. I haven’t found much there that resonates in recent years, but I’ll take a look. One person asked me to throw in something from Target or JCP every once in a while. I do throw in Target here and there – especially shoes and handbags, and I styled 2 dresses from them last summer. I will take a look at them again this year. I never think about JCP, but I do occasionally shop at Kohl’s. I definitely have my favorites, but I do try to bring in other stores from time to time. I know I tend to get stuck in a rut (or my comfort zone, rather) so I appreciate the suggestions and the nudge to expand my horizons.

That said, for today, we’re at Nordstrom and LOFT.

I didn’t really shop with a purpose. I wandered into the t.b.d. department at Nordstrom because that section always pulls me in with magnetic force. Haha! That’s their premium denim area, but they also have tops from brands like Trouve, Hinge, Chelsea28, Madewell, and others. I just started grabbing tops without really looking at prices because I recognized the names, but overall they were higher than I like to feature, especially when not on sale.

I didn’t mean to look for jeans, but when I saw this pair of Current Elliott that I’ve had my eye on online, I grabbed them because I was curious to see how they fit. In a word? Fantastic. It took a lot of will power to leave these in the store. I don’t love the whiskering on the hip, but otherwise, they’re perfection. For size reference, these are a 28 — the same size I wear in AG.

Current/Elliott ‘The Stiletto’ Destroyed Skinny Jeans $228 (I know… I definitely recommend waiting for a sale.)

FYI, the green sweater and leopard flats are mine.

I tried on two pairs of jean shorts, but I didn’t care for either. Maybe because I didn’t have on the right top, but they seemed kind of wide and awkward.

can’t find these; thought they were Madewell?

Joe’s Markie Cuffed Denim Shorts $118

I thought this tee was super cute with the cut-outs on the shoulder, but it was doing something strange over the chest – maybe it was the shape of the neckline or maybe it was my bra, I’m not sure because I usually like drapey t-shirts like this.

Treasure & Bond Oil Wash Cut-Out Tee $49

I thought this tee would be cute for the weekends with jeans and Converse, but I don’t like how tight it is in the back, and the crew neckline really doesn’t flatter me anyway. Plus, it is pricey for a weekend tee. It is SUPER soft, though. Love the material. For size reference, this is a medium. The small was too tight.

Treasure & Bond Old School Thermal Tee $59

I can’t find this top online and I am SO annoyed b/c I purchased it and packed it to photograph in Nashville. Now I’m wondering if I should return it. I like it fine, but I don’t need it for personal use. I thought it was fun and different for the blog, though. If you find it, let me know. It’s by Hinge. The first picture is a medium, the second is a small. I bought the medium because it’s rayon, and I was afraid it would shrink.

So this next top is so obviously NOT me, but I tried it on anyway. I am always drawn to these hippy dippy trippy tops. I’m convinced I was born in the wrong era with the wrong body. I should have been a flower child, haha! I love boho chic, but I can’t pull it off to save my life. This is a small.

Free People Isobel Tunic $88

This black top doesn’t do much for me. I think it is intended to wear without an under layer, as pictured on the website, but I’m not comfortable exposing my middle age midsection. I think I also needed a size larger. I was striking out with sizing. I took smalls back to the dressing room and had to swap out almost every one for a medium.

I’m also wearing these Madewell olive skinny pants, and I can’t find them online either. They had an odd fit. I sized up to a 30, and they were tight in the calves and almost too big in the hips. I was afraid they’d bag out in the rear so I left them there. They look better in this picture than they did in person. The sales associate even told me not to buy them, lol!!!

Chelsea28 Lace Inset Top $79

I love, love, love this grey tee. It’s so soft and comfy. I’m wearing a small. I’m also back in my own jeans, the AG raw hem legging ankle skinnies I’ve been wearing to death ever since I got them last summer on a Shopbop sale. I definitely recommend waiting for a sale to purchase premium denim. They always go on sale eventually, you just have to be patient.

Treasure&Bond Sporty Tee $55

I also love this green pullover. it comes in 4 luscious beachy hues. It’s thin enough to wear all summer — think cool evenings at the beach — but it’s fine to start wearing now. It’s a total slouchy weekend look, and I know it’s not particularly flattering, but I could not resist. It came home with me. I tried both the small and medium, and I bought the medium (shown here) because i wanted to allow room to shrink, and I like the oversized look in this type of top.

Treasure&Bond Side Slit Pullover $59

I feel like all of these Treasure&Bond tops are pricey for what they are, but the material is really amazing. Also, this is a brand that gives back. They claim that 2.5% from every sale goes to organizations that empower youth. I realize that is very general, and I can’t vouch for where the $$ goes, but that’s the deal on this brand, for what it’s worth.

I wanted to love this lace top, but I just didn’t. It doesn’t flatter my shape at all, and it looks kind of funky over the chest. It might look better on someone with a pear shape. For size reference, this is a medium.

Hinge Lace Top $69

I realize these are all tops. I did peruse dresses in the Point Of View department, but I didn’t find much. I don’t need jeans right now so I didn’t try on many. I did want to find some pants, but those olive ones didn’t work, and I didn’t see any others. I asked the sales associate who was helping me about colored jeans, and she said they’ll be getting more in March, after the winter sale is over.

Okay, on to LOFT!

Sale Alert >> 30% off select full price Blouses, Tops, Pants & Skirts at LOFT PLUS 40% off all Sale Styles!

The same thing happened here. I grabbed all smalls, and then when I tried them on, I felt like I needed mediums, which is odd, because I’m usually a small in LOFT tops. The sales associates at LOFT pretty much left me alone, and I didn’t want to go back out and get other sizes, so all the ones I’m showing here are size small.

Speaking of which, it is amazing, the difference in customer service between Nordstrom and LOFT. The attentiveness is almost overwhelming at Nordstrom, but it sure is nice to have someone at your beck and call to bring you sizes and give you feedback about fit. At LOFT, I was totally on my own.

This pocket sweater has potential, but it is soooo super cropped that it didn’t work for me. Maybe in a medium… This is on sale for $29.50.

This white sweater is odd. I’ve been wanting a white sweater to wear with jeans this spring. I love white and denim in spring and summer, and this is a way to feel springy and still be warm enough. But I didn’t like the way the hemline was cut at all, and again, it looks small through the chest. I’d try a medium, but I don’t think I’ll like it because the hemline is weird. It is on sale for $35, if anyone thinks they’d like it.

Another white lace blouse fail here. It’s super cute, but it would definitely be more flattering on someone with a smaller chest. It’s 30% off for anyone who is interested. This is a size small. This is part of the 30% off sale.

I know people want me to show some work wear looks so I tried on these printed ankle pants, but I hate them. I absolutely hate how I look in this style pant. How’s that for honesty? They are cute, and they look cute on some people, but whenever I try them, I feel like I’ve aged 20 years. Maybe with heels and the right top… BTW, these are a 6, and they are 30% off.

Again, trying to change up my typical jeans and top look, and wanting to find some work wear, I tried two skirts.

I don’t mind the first one. This stained glass pencil skirt is cute, and it fits well, but I have no idea what to pair it with. It sits very high on the waist, and I’m short-waisted already, plus you know, I have the chest issue, so I can’t tuck anything in. But it would be a shame to hide this waistline. I did try to find tops to go with it, but I came up empty. It is 30% off.

This wrap pencil skirt is a tad too long, I think. I didn’t like the fit as much as the one above, but it might be okay with the right top and heels.This is also 30% off. I’m not sure if these skirts are a 6 or an 8. Sorry. Some fashion blogger I am.

I did try the skirt on with a top tucked in. You can see why I never wear this look. This is their filigree mixed media shell, and it is not on sale.

For kicks and giggles, I pulled on my jeans with this same top, to show you how much better it looks with jeans, but it actually doesn’t. I don’t think it flatters me at all. The blousy material doesn’t have a nice drape to it so it just sticks out. I found the shoes in the dressing room, by the way. I know, it’s gross to use those samples, but it really does show the look better. I wish I’d put them on with the skirts above.

Okay, finally, a dress. I ALMOST bought this, thinking it would be good for a work wear post, but I ended up leaving it in the store. I feel like it makes me look a little frumpy. If it had a deeper scoop or a v-neckline, it might work. I generally look best in a structured sheath.I think this would be better on someone with a smaller waist and smaller chest — so maybe a pear? It is on sale for $49, by the way.

My gosh, I look so miserable and dejected in those last few pictures. LOL!!! I was tired, and I realized I had totally struck out at LOFT. I didn’t buy a thing there. I wish I’d spent that time at White House Black Market. I always have good luck there, but I also know they are pricier, and you guys seem to like LOFT better.

I did come home to find a box from Banana Republic that had some cute things in it, and I also got a box from Lucky Brand with a fun top I can style. It going to be a lot of jeans, though, at the beginning of our spring style series, I’m just warning ya. Hopefully as the stores begin to stock more spring merchandise, I’ll find more goodies to share with you.

Some of the stuff I tried in this post would be cute on the right person. It’s all about knowing your body type and what works for you.

And that provides a great segue!

My friend Kelly who runs the Adore Your Wardrobe course is launching her first From Frustrating to Functional 14-Day Closet Challenge, and registration opens tomorrow.

This is a FREE class that unpacks the reasons why women are so frustrated with their wardrobes. Kelly will give you an understanding of the things you do that sabotage your own wardrobe and help you create a custom plan for a functional wardrobe that fits your current lifestyle.

This four-lesson challenge consists of lessons, videos, and worksheets in the exact same layout as the Adore Your Wardrobe course, so you can really get a feel for the course and how Kelly works. It’s completely free, but it is designed to prepare you for her Adore Your Wardrobe course, which starts on 3/22. If you like what you learn from her and her teaching style, you will probably want to sign up for that. I highly recommend it. I learned so much.

Registration for the next Adore Your Wardrobe course starts on 3/12 and ends on 3/21. 

Okay, I’m off to the races! Haha, not really, but that’s how I feel. I am leaving for Nashville tomorrow, but I have so much to do first, I’m not sure how I’m going to get it all done.

Have a great Thursday!