Weekend Window Shopping: LOFT F&F Sale!

I forget about LOFT sometimes because they're either really good or really NOT. Right now it's really good and they've got a Friends & Family discount going - 30% off full-price items with code FRIENDS. Here's what I really like:

We Discuss: Puffed Sleeves and Sad Sacks.

A: I already know the answer to this but here's the dress:

A: Please excuse my face, I'm sick.

M: Not your dress.

M: It looks huge on you but also just kind of sad.

M: YOU DESERVE BETTER

A: I had such high hopes for it.

A: It’s too big on top - I have narrow shoulders and it’s just a big sad sack.

M: I was in Loft today (which you know) and there was cute stuff for sure.

A: Ah, Loft! this looks good:

M: That is really cute

A: Your sweet new dress comes in a solid pink but it’s not my color:

M: Yeah no

A: I should go shopping in person next week. What an idea! 

M: I love this:

A: That has potential!

***

M: Are you ready to see a garment that made me uncontrollably lol

A: Always

M: This

A: That is…intense

M: I mean wow

A: Anne Shirley approves

M: It’s just everything you don’t want/need in a puffer coat

A: Literally EVERYTHING. Too cropped, too puffy, you can’t put your arms down.

M: Who is this FOR? What occasion? What weather?

A: It is for exactly 59 degrees and sunny and you’re going to some kind of hipster picnic.

M: That said, some very cute tees and sweatshirts at Clare V.

A: I just bought two tops from Madewell that I’m sure will look bad on me so I am set.

M: heh

A: Okay, I do love the tiger sweatshirt:

M: I mean it’s all overpriced

A: And look as this slouchy delight:

A: And this is cute as hell:

A: But. $100 tee? Eh.

M: Yeah. No. 

A: Danger zone! Good bye.

BUY THIS (So We Don't Have To): Athleta 20% Off Sale!

Athleta is doing that thing where they're giving an extra 20% off sale items, which is usually when I pounce. Be warned - sizing is limited and a lot of it is final sale but if you know your size, it can be a great way to score deals on some of the more expensive pieces. Here's what I like:

I don't own these joggers but I think they look IDEAL.

This is just the perfect slouchy top to throw over your yoga tank.

I've tried a lot of masks in the past year and these are still my #1 favorite.

How cute is this? I love the colors and the funky camo print.

I have this sweatshirt in leopard print and wear the hell out of it.

I mean, obviously I like this swingy little olive green jacket. Of course I do.

I love a high-necked workout tank and this one comes in a bunch of good colors. 

Limited sizing on this one but how PRETTY is the back? (Edit: I ordered it.) 

Weekend Window Shopping: Swanning About.

The internet served me up a caftan-style dress recently and I ordered it so fast I surprised even myself:

Cute, right? Normally, caftan dresses are more Marianne's style than mine, but I just wanted something pretty and floaty to balance out the cut-off jean shorts I've been wearing way too much. I'll report back! In the meantime, here are some other caftan and caftan-inspired options: 

Another Impulse Candle Purchase.

 Before I left town I went to Bluemercury (in person!) with the intention of just buying my favorite moisturizer which I was nearly out of. 20 minutes later I left with my moisturizer, a bunch of fancy candles and a very sweet sample bag. Apparently it had been too long since I got to shop in a store in person and I couldn't handle it. But, I am very happy with what I bought and I figured a new house deserves a couple of fancy candles, right? Sure. 

I've raved about Lafco candles before and the Rosemary Eucalyptus is a favorite. It's very green and herbal and not sweet at all, which I appreciate. Plus, the handblown container is gorgeous. I also got:

Champagne is gingery and fruity and smells like an understated celebration-in-a-candle (or something like that. I don't work for you, Lafco. But call me!) Most of the candles come in a few sizes and they also have a customizable discovery trio of minis which is a nice way to try them out. Pro tip: foil tent those babies to make them last longer!

If you're tempted, you can go through my link for $15 off a purchase of $100+ (full disclosure, I also get $15 credit.) Finally, because we know you all aren't necessarily looking to spend big bucks on fancy candles, Marianne's latest Target fav is this one:

She said it’s very pineapple forward with a little herbiness thrown in, not an intense throw but just really nice and fresh. And the huge 3-wick candle is all of $10!

BUY THIS: A Little Bit of Stress-Shopping!

Hello! Hi! I am back in the world of the living, West Coast version. We are camping in our new house with a borrowed air mattress and almost nothing else, but I have internet so I'm good to go. (Our furniture won't arrive until this weekend.)

I packed my big suitcase for the drive out and for the week or so after and I am not sure what kind of alien being took over my body during that process but apparently I just assumed I'd be wearing pajamas for two weeks? It's a sad situation so when Madewell sent me an email all, "30% off sale" I was like YES PLEASE SEND ME CUTE CLOTHES BECAUSE THIS COLLECTION OF SAGGY TEES AIN'T IT.

I just ordered this:

Now, the sleeves are a lot lot lot but I feel like maybe I can pull it off? We'll see. I also ordered this:

Because yes, it's black, but it's floaty pretty springtime black. Heh. I also really wanted this one:

But I suspect it will not work with my DD chest. I always want stuff like this to look cute on me but it never really does. I might try it on when I'm returning whatever doesn't work.  I also thought this was really cute but maybe not quite my style:

It has potential though, right? Again, it's something I'd have to try on first, but it's awfully pretty. I'll report back when I get the first two tops! Hopefully I'll have a mirror by then too. Sob. 

Weekend Window Shopping: Madewell Sale Picks.

Madewell is offering "up to" 40% off with code SPRINGITON on a very specific selection of items, most of which I want, which is unsurprising. Here's what I like best: 

Stuff I Like: Last Minute Edition!

I am down to the wire on my move but I've been saving up a few things to tell you about that have been making me happy lately. Here you go:

This Book That Is Another Austen-World Winner
You guyyyyyys. If you're an Austen fan (specifically Pride and Prejudice) this is one for you. The Clergyman's Wife by Molly Greeley follows the story of Charlotte Lucas after she marries the dreadful derp that is Mr. Collins. It's a quiet and devastating little love story and is so beautifully written that I forced myself to put it down after each chapter to make it last longer. (I then immediately started reading her second book, which is about Anne de Bourgh.)

This Silly Gadget That You Definitely Need
My favorite body lotion has been Aveeno for years. it's just so good, it doesn't smell gross and it's really thick and moisturizing. However, because it's so thick, the pump stops working when the bottle is still 1/4 full. This drives me batshit crazy and I end up pulling out the pump and thumping the bottle against my hand and...globs of lotion everywhere. I HATE THIS SO MUCH. So, when the Internet was like, don't you want this dumb thing that you can screw onto your lotion and flip upside down? I was like YES I DO and bought it so fast. It arrived quickly and it's WONDERFUL. Literally just does what it claims to do. You can of course use it for honey and other foodstuffs but I am here to tell you that this is how you get the last bit of conditioner or lotion out of the bottle. it's worth every penny. I bought it directly from the website but you can also get it on Amazon! 

This Eyeliner That Might Replace My Favorite

My favorite eyeliner has been Urban Decay 24/7 for a long, long time. It's not cheap though and lately I've been running very low on a lot of my UD liners including Stash, a golden olive green color. So, the last time I was at Target I picked up a NYX Epic Wear Liner Stick in All Time Olive and y'all, it's really good! It's a waterproof gel-type liner pencil and the color is beautiful. My only beef is that the lid is crap and won't stay on, but I switched it out with an old UD liner lid and now I'm good to go. The best part: $8 instead of $22. I am not wearing a ton of makeup these days but I do like my liner and mascara, so this has been a fun cheap-and-cheerful find. (I want more colors, naturally.) 

This Netflix Doc About The Meaningful Things We Wear

A friend of mine texted me about this new documentary series on Netflix called Worn Stories and I absolutely love it. (Thanks, Francine!) Every episode follows different people's stories based around one pivotal item of clothing. It does a great job of being diverse and deep but also kind, which is definitely what I need right now. It's based on a book by Emily Spivack which of course I want to read as well. Enjoy! This series is a delight. 

Review: Helly Hansen Kirkwall II and Belfast Raincoats.

As I mentioned last week, I panic-purchased two Helly Hansen Raincoats from Amazon - the Kirkwall II Raincoat and the Belfast Long Rain Jacket (they also make an insulated version) both in navy blue. 

I sized up for both and hooray, they both fit! And I liked things about both of them! And didn't like things about both of them! 

First, the Kirkwall II: 

This is a classic trench-style raincoat and it's extremely well-made and most definitely waterproof. The navy was a good, dark blue and it had rose gold snaps which I though gave it a bit of style. It fit me well and I liked that the sleeves has a snap so you can tighten up the cuffs. The hood is also perfect - not too shallow, not too deep, just right. 

Here's what I didn't like: the front snap pockets are the only pockets. WHY ON EARTH. No cozy hand pockets, no inside pockets, nothing. I also found the tie belt a bit short and it's irritating that the front closes with snaps only, no zipper. Result: I returned it. If it had hand pockets I probably would've kept it but every time I tried it on I attempted to put my hands in non-existent pockets. Nope. 

Now, the Belfast:

This one is more of a sporty style with an A-line cut. Overall excellent quality, it has fleece-lined hand pockets (THANK YOU), velcro cuff adjustments, and a sizable front zip pocket that easily fits a cell phone. Also, similar perfect hood - deep but not too deep. That white zipper, tho. I wanted to like it but it felt jarring every time I saw it and I wasn't crazy about any of the other colors offered for this jacket. Result: I returned it. If it had been on sale I probably would've kept it, but to pay full retail, I should absolutely love it. (I'm going to keep an eye out for a sale on this one.) 

I should say that even though I didn't end up keeping either of these rain coats, I do really like Helly Hansen! I love my Boyne Parka and I always keep an eye out for discounted styles on Nordstrom Rack. This HH short rain jacket looks like a good spring option, right? 

PS. I sent these pics to my friend Kate who dryly reminded me that I'd purchased a rain jacket from Athleta last spring. A jacket I'd completely forgotten I even own. (My bestie Kate: Saving me from myself for more than 20 years!)

Weekend Window Shopping: Crazy Sale Time at J.Crew.

It is my duty to inform you that J.Crew is giving an extra 50% off last chance sale styles with code SHOPSALE. Now, sizing is limited and it's mostly final sale but the deals are outstanding. Here's what I love:

Stuff I Like: April Edition!

This HGTV Podcast That Marianne Is Hosting(!)
You guys! Marianne is now the host of the HGTV Obsessed podcast! I am ridiculously excited about this because now I get to learn all her tips and tricks without having to constantly her text pics of various spaces in my house all, "what do I do with this?" She's a natural and in today's episode she interviews the winner of Design Star: Next Gen. Listen! Subscribe! Review! Five stars! (I'm so proud of her, y'all.) 

This Gua Sha Set That Is Making My Dumb Face Happy
I know I'm late to the game on this but oof, the pandemic/moving has NOT been kind to my face or my brain. I finally caved and bought this beautifully packaged rose quartz Gua Sha set and watched a bunch of tutorials (this one was great) and now I'm giving my face a gua sha massage every other night. It's supposed to aid with puffiness, and ease tension (I got it!) and help with circulation. I tend to use the roller in the morning and the stone at night. I haven't noticed any obvious changes yet, but if nothing else, it's relaxing and it feels amazing. If you just want to try the stone, this one in jade gets very good reviews. 

This Book Which Wrecked Us Both (in a good way)
Marianne is such a book enabler. She was raving about the book she was reading, In Five Years by Rebecca Serle, to the point that I just gave in and bought it because I had to know. I don't want to give anything away, but it starts out feeling like romantic comedy and quickly becomes something very different and more meaningful. It's about friendship, and love and finding your own path. I recommend reading it with a best friend and then obsessively texting each other about it. It'll wreck you, but it's worth it.