retail therapy

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Hit the Target @ Tarjey

07/23/2010 in Deals + Steals, Forever 21, Random Musings, Tory Burch, Tricks of the Trade, Where we're Shopping by Lindsay | No comments

It’s no secret that I truly love a good deal.  I’d say about 70% of my clothes are either from Forever 21 or Banana Repub. sales, and I happen to be v. proud of that.  Finding a really good deal takes talent + dedication + years of practice, and feels so incredibly rewarding when you do. 

My two most beloved online-shopping-deal-finder sites are:

Gilt Groupe: www.gilt.com or join for free @ www.gilt.com/invite/lindsayrob
(I’ve gotten Diane von Furstenberg shoes, Amrita Singh jewelry, Cole Haan + Vineyard Vines purses for next to nothing.)


Smart Bargains (Loehmann’s online):  www.smartbargains.com
(Recently got a really killer deal on a Sir Alistar Rai handmade scarf!)

As far as bargain shopping in Atlanta is concerned, I’ve been very impressed with the extensive shoe and purse departments at Marshalls near the Peachtree + Piedmont intersection, where I’ve seen Badgley Mishka, Furla and Michael Kors purses, and L.A.M.B. and Diane von Furstenberg kicks.

Slick’s been out of town for a week, and I always find that when he’s away on a business trip is such an excellent time for some retail therapy.  :)   Last month when he was gone for two weeks for work, I went out on a Saturday afternoon to buy a new swimsuit for our upcoming cruise over Labor Day, but instead accidentally came home with a new Phoebe Couture dress, two work shirts from J. Crew and a pair of Tory Burch sunglasses.  Oops..

I decided to reel myself in just a little bit over his business trip this week, and went to Target instead. 

I’m usually not a big fan of their shoe department, but I found two pairs of the greatest shoes on sale there yesterday!  Feast your eyes on:

These pumps…

+ these sandals…

And, surprisingly, I have to say that both were priced under $20 – and they are COMFORTABLE!  I’m wearing the pumps to work today, and my feet feel just fine. 

The Tarjeys in Buckhead and Atlantic Station (rumor has it that it’s the largest one in the U.S.) are my personal favs.  I’m just sayin’…  Retail therapy works wonders for me, but it’s not always as pleasant for my wallet as it is for my well-being and wardrobe.  Tarjey made that a whole lot easier this week!

i mean, we're just tight like that.

xx, L

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V. Important Shopping News!

05/19/2010 in Buckhead, Deals + Steals, Where we're Shopping by Lindsay | No comments

Thanks to Ms. Ellen T who was sporting an amazing work-to-evening dress at book club last night…

yep, that's her.

…I found out that Calvin Klein in Lenox Mall is going out of business on June 25. 

what's the deal, calvin?

So, listen up Recessionistas + bargain shoppers: Everything is on major, major sale – most items are 50% off (male + female stuff).  I made out like a bandit today during my lunch trip to the mall, walking away with a rehearsal dinner dress for the Benator wedding this weekend and a large shopping bag full of other items I just. could. not. live. without.

hasta luego...

The sales guys told me that everything they have in the store is out on the sales floor – and it’s a ton of stuff.  It’s moving fast, though – Ellen’s dress was already sold out.  RUN, people, RUN!

Fun fact: Calvin Klein was one of Lenox Mall’s original tenants.  (sad.)

xx, L

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Foxy Lady

05/18/2010 in Buckhead, Deals + Steals, Guilty Pleasures, Tricks of the Trade, Where we're Shopping by Lindsay | No comments

Have y’all been to Fox’s? 

Fox's: Designer Off Price

I completely forgot about Fox’s and rediscovered it on Sunday while I was in Buckhead and in desperate need of some retail therapy.  On Sunday morning, Slick’s car got towed, my car battery died and I couldn’t find my digital camera.  NIGHTMARE.  Once we got everything sorted out, I needed to go shopping to relieve stress + make myself feel a little better.  I realized that I left my digital camera at the table at Goldberg’s, where we’d eaten brunch, so I made my way up Roswell Rd. to retrieve it.  On the way back, I spotted Fox’s and decided to stop in.

Years ago, I’d shopped there a few times and really liked it.  I never left the store empty-handed, and frankly I’m not sure why I stopped going.  Anyway, as soon as I walked in, I felt home again.  Fox’s has racks and racks of what appear to me to be Nordstrom and Bloomingdale’s type clothing – brands you definitely see in those department stores – for a fraction of the price.  It’s like a boutique version of Loehmann’s, but much easier to navigate. 

I left the store $108 later with a fantastic (I’d say “fabulous,” but that word is so 2006) belted jacket, an adorable embroidered beach cover up and a really cool exposed zipper black tank top.  Although I will always love getting excellent deals at my beloved F21, Fox’s is going to be my first shopping stop from now on.  I mean, Tahari and BCBG dresses starting at $80…don’t mind if I do!

Fox's fliers

We only have one location in Atlanta, but there are tons of others on the e. coast:
http://www.foxs.com/store/store.htm

P.S. Fox’s has Loehmann’s style dressing rooms w/o curtains – so leave your super sexy Hanky Pankys at home, ladies.

xx, L

Fox’s
3804 Roswell Road NE
Atlanta, GA  30342
404.814.9292
www.foxs.com

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Guilty As Charged

12/30/2009 in Deals + Steals, Guilty Pleasures, Jewelry, Tricks of the Trade, Where we're Shopping by Lindsay | 11 comments

I love shopping online. 

I sit in front of a computer all day – in prime shopping hours – and, well, let’s just say I excel at multitasking.  It’s never a problem for me to participate in a conference call while sending work and personal e-mails, reading Perez Hilton and paying for a pair of shoes I found online that I just can’t live without.  That being said, I do not enjoy waisting time surfing the Internet looking for good deals.  Instead, I rely almost completely on the most glorious website - Gilt Groupe (www.gilt.com).

Gilt Groupe button

If you aren’t already a Gilt member, you absolutely must sign up immediately.  It’s free – you just have to provide your first/ last name and e-mail address.  Each day at noon, Gilt Groupe sends out an e-mail to its members with the day’s incredible sales on luxury and designer goods for up to 70% off of retail from names like Marc Jacobs, Diane von Furstenberg, Burberry, Dolce & Gabbana, Cole Haan (my favorite!), Theory…the list goes on and on and on.   The sale alert e-mails are very user friendly.  And, unlike other similar websites, you don’t feel overwhelmed or bombarded with sale items – like you are at a massive online garage sale. 

Gilt Groupe Sale Example

Gilt Groupe Sale Example

Gilt Groupe’s sales are broken up into Gilt (women + home + children), Gilt Fuse (less expensive and funkier items), Gilt Man (for men…) and Jetsetter (Gilt’s incredible travel site).  You can sign up to get e-mails specifically from any of Gilt’s subgroups, if desired, but they are all accessible from the general home page. 

I don’t buy from the site all the time, but I look at the sales every day and use the function on the website to put reminders on my Outlook calendar for specific designer’s sales I am interested in throughout the week.  You have to act fast when the sales start at 12:00 p.m. each day because they only have a limited number of items and they tend to sell out fast. 

Also, you can e-mail a sign-up link to your friends from the Gilt Groupe website and when a friend signs up for the sale alert e-mails and makes his or her first purchase – you get a $25 credit to use on the website towards a future purchase.  That seems like a pretty sweet incentive to me!

I’m just saying – it’s worth a look.  Maybe you’ll be guilty, too…  Enjoy!  :)

xx, L

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“No, I won’t be needing a gift receipt…”

12/14/2009 in Where we're Shopping by Lindsay | 5 comments

Over the weekend, I was on a serious hunt for a pair of jeggings.  I asked Meri to accompany me on my shopping voyage to (a) make sure I didn’t get lost at Phipps (she’s seasoned)and (b) provide honest feedback regarding the jeggings + Lindsay collaboration.  After I successfully spotted, tried on and purchased my very first pair of jeggings from Armani Exchange, we set off to find some comfortable over-sized shirts to pair with my new purchase.  We weeded through a number of tempting, overpriced options at Intermix, Barneys Co-Op and Saks, but I didn’t find anything I truly loved.  Meri suggested that I try American Apparel.  Meri is brilliant.

American Apparel in Buckhead, situated in the strip beside Lenox Mall next to Tootsies and Fab’rik, is enormous compared to the smaller version I frequent in Little Five Points.  AA has the world’s softest t-shirts (fact.) and they are excellent quality.  I hate when t-shirts lose their shape or pill after only a few washes, but I’ve never had trouble with my AAs. 

Not only does American Apparel carry excellent, versatile t-shirts, but they also have an impressive variety of mostly solid colored leggings, hoodies, tights, belts, dresses and skirts that are perfect to spice up a tired winter wardrobe.  I am big on layering shirts, so I was in heaven at the massive AA in Buckhead.  I did some serious damage. 

(Happy Hanukkah to me! :) )

Below are a few of my favorite purchases from my spree at American Apparel yesterday:

Ribbed Nylon Spandex Leggings: $36

Ribbed Nylon Spandex Leggings: $36

Stripe Thigh-High Sock: $15

Stripe Thigh-High Sock: $15

The Shiny Sash: $24

The Shiny Sash: $24

Unisex Organic Fine Jersey Short Sleeve V-Neck: $19

Unisex Organic Fine Jersey Short Sleeve V-Neck: $19

Opaque Pantyhose in "Cement:" $14

Opaque Pantyhose in "Cement:" $14

Faux Denim High-Waist Skirt: $38

Faux Denim High-Waist Skirt: $38

If you are looking for creative gift ideas or for fashionable basics to add to your cold-weather-armor, American Apparel has a lot of great stuff in store for the holidays.  Also, don’t forget to check out their hip vintage eyewear collection.  I have such a weakness for large sunglasses…   Happy holiday shopping! 

(P.S. Do everything you can to avoid Lenox Mall’s parking garage and lots = nightmare.)

xx, L

american_apparel_logo_3

American Apparel – Buckhead
3400 Around Lenox Road NE
404.812.0010
www.americanapparel.com

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“Diamonds are a Girl’s Best Friend…”

11/04/2009 in Jewelry, Suburbs, Tricks of the Trade, Where we're Shopping by Lindsay | 2 comments

…but if you can’t wear diamonds all the time, I suggest you get bedazzled at Francesca’s Collections in the Vinings Jubilee!

4We all know that I can’t resist a good deal and that I love mixing cheap jewelry + nice jewelry, so Francesca’s is absolutely heavenly to me. I used to shop there all the time in Dallas + Austin, loved dropping by the one at The Summit in Birmingham, but I did flips when I stumbled across the one at Vinings Jubilee in Smyrna! (We just need one ITP now. Immediately.)

Here’s the Q+DD on Francesca’s Collections:

Since opening its first store in 1999, Francesca’s Collections has become one of the fastest-growing women’s fashion retailers in the country. This privately held company, with locations in over 28 states, provides its shoppers with an eclectic, carefully chosen assortment of treasured items. Francesca’s provides this unique shopping experience to our patrons by taking its inspiration from travelers who search the world for beautiful luxuries and gifts to bring to their friends and family. When shoppers visit Francesca’s they will find that each boutique is a treasure chest overflowing with gifts, apparel, home accessories, and jewelry that reflect the most fashionable styles and desired items from all over the world. (www.francescascollections.com)

Francesca's Store Front

Francesca's Store Front

The store reminds me of an updated version of your grandmother’s jewelry box and it’s just as exciting when you stumble across some amazingly unique-looking necklace, bracelet or ring. Although the store’s focus is on jewelry, Francesca’s also carries a really nice selection of clothes, picture frames, purses, scarves and random trinkets. It’s an excellent place to find a special gift for a friend or waste away an hour or so trying to conjure up an outfit to match some of Francesca’s adorable accessories.

Inside Francesca's

Inside Francesca's

Francesca’s is surprisingly reasonably priced for the quality and durability of it’s jewelry, and there are always great sales to discover in the back of the store. It’s virtually impossible to leave empty-handed. Drop by today!

Here are all the Georgia locations.

img_0397

xx, L

Francesca’s Collections
4300 Paces Ferry Rd NW
Atlanta, GA 30339-5703
(770) 431-9672
http://www.francescascollections.com/index.jsp

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Who Says I Can’t Be Forever 21?

07/07/2009 in Britney Spears, Forever 21, Guilty Pleasures, Harry Potter, Jewelry, Random Musings, Tricks of the Trade, Where we're Shopping by Lindsay | 8 comments

Karen, my shopping sponsor, is a very busy lady – eagerly pursuing her physician’s assistant degree at Emory and traveling back and forth from Hilton Head to enjoy sunny weekends. However, she will readily accept an urgent phone call from me whenever I find myself in Perimeter Mall (what am I doing there anyway – I live in MIDTOWN) and about to walk into my guilty pleasure, Forever 21.

Karen reminds me that I am no longer 21 (unfortunately, far from), that I already have sunglasses in 12 different shades and that I don’t have a crush on a Jonas brother – so what do I think I am doing in there?? Initially, I understand her reasoning. Generally speaking, the clothes are cheaply made in scary places like Vietnam and constructed for pre-teens with boy-shaped bodies. BUT, as soon as I glance around the store and spot neon fringe, I am quickly drawn inside like a magnet lured to Forever 21′s countless metallic racks.

Some days are better than others. Today was amazing. Truly amazing. One hour and a medium Yoforia (how do they keep the fruit so fresh?) later, my closet is about to look like a Kanye West video. (And, yes, I got my 13th shade of the same sunglasses.) While I walked away with some cute work clothes, a fun bubble dresses (Slick loves them) and a few more pairs of leggings, my best finds were in the jewelry section. Please see Exhibit A below:

Exhibit A

Exhibit A

(Sorry, there is not an Exhibit B…)

I think Forever must have just had a shipment, because they had so many great summer clothes. Run, don’t walk, run to Perimeter!

It’s okay if you aren’t obsessed with Harry Potter (like me), Britney Spears (like me) or Twilight (like me) – the pre-teen dressing room discussions can be easily ignored and the young-ins on their summer vacation will only see you in your schnazzy work clothes and aspire to be as put-together-looking as you one day. Plus, I had just purchased a dress at Sage that I swear I saw at Forever for half the price.

I told you so.

xx, L

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