Outlet Shopping Magic with Nina.

Yesterday I took a half-day off and drove up to the fancy outlet mall in Northern VA with my friend Nina. If you've been reading this blog for a while you know what that means - Nina's magical finds. She's a terrible enabler but she has this shopping bargain eye. Basically, if she tells you to buy something you don't question it, you just do it.

So! What did I buy?

Laundry by Shelli Segall Notch Front Open Jacket - I'd been searching for something like it and even bought a similar Theory jacket Nina found at Marshalls, but I ended up returning it because the fit was weird. I can't find a good photo of the actual jacket I bought (which Nina pulled out of a clearance rack like a rabbit out of a hat), but I'll wear it in an outfit photo soon! This one is similar enough to give you an idea:

Not the jacket I bought

It came from the Bloomingdales outlet and I paid: $33 Original price: $228. 

RACHEL Rachel Roy Double-Breasted Wool-Blend Military Pea Coat - Nina told me about this one last week but I haaaaate BCF and will do anything to avoid going there. And, I don't really need another coat. Nope, sure don't. However, Nina asked if we could stop into the (much nicer) store at the outlet mall and I ended up buying it because the details are SO good:

Pointy bits! Pyramid-y buttons!

RACHEL Rachel Roy Pea Coat 

It came from Burlington Coat Factory and I paid: $39. Original price: $280. (I'll be honest that I wouldn't pay more than $80 for this jacket. It's really cute but the quality is NOT in the $200 range. RVA ladies - this is still available at the BCF on Broad St!)

Blown glass wonky-eyed octopus!! He was hanging out in the clearance section with a couple of blown glass walruses and I just couldn't leave him there.

He came from TJ Maxx and I paid $13. Original price: How can you put a price on joy?