Dude.
Seriously.
'Kay?
So let's just say that I've done some shopping. And let's just label that "some" for what it is...
a gross understatement.
Because to say that I've done some shopping in the past few days is to say that Tink sort of likes shoes. Savvy?
Now, before you all weep for my credit card, let's remember this, shall we?
Rule Number One - TK ALWAYS finds the best bargain possible
Rule Number Two - TK's a pirate at heart
Oh, and a little addendum to the rules. TK typically returns 75% of what she buys on the internet. Sadly, I did some non-internet shopping. But I'm jumping ahead.
Anyone notice that those rules are sort of an oxymoron?
So let's start at the beginning, with what this update really is. A HUGE fashion extravaganza. I apologize if there are any men reading. Are you out there? Men? I promise there will be plenty of hijinks with HRH, I swear it! We are pirates, after all. Even if we are behaving like royalty.
So it all started with a little coupon in the mail from Kohl's. I keep a charge with them specifically for their coupon codes. Kohl's is really where I do the majority of my clothes shopping for the whole family, because there are such incredible bargains to be had.
So suffice it to say, I got the coupon, and thought, oh, it'll be fifteen percent off, like it usually is. Now imagine my suprise when I peeled off that sticker and it was 30% off! Holy Cabooses! (That one's for you, CP.
)
Now I was surprised. And then I had a little discourse with some of my co-workers, who are also fans of Kohl's. And you know what? We ALL got 30% off coupons.
Wow. Is the retail industry hurting, or what?
Well, far be it from me not to take advantage of a good deal when I see one. So I formulated a little plan. In addition to my internet shopping, because the coupon is usable both online and in stores, I would do the unthinkable.
I would venture forth.
To a real retail venue.
With bad lighting in the dressing rooms and everything.
Because, I reasoned with myself, 30% off of clearance items is pretty darn good. Especially considering one of the items I purchased today cost me $1.68. But I digress.
I told DH I was going to have an afternoon of shopping today. He agreed that was fine, since he didn't have to work, he'd stay home with HRH. Sadly, DH got roped into a HUGE project at Nana's, per Mom's request, and is now shampooing our floors.
The man is tired. And works hard.
And I just spent some money.
You all remember the debt to be repaid? I think it just doubled.
So I ventured forth, made courageous by my 30% off coupon. Ready to shop! Ready to conquer! Ready to find clothes that looked nice on me that weren't necessarily for work, but for the December trip and for the holidays! And also, in search of some pajamas for my boys.
That's our Christmas tradition, started by my mom when I was little. Every Christmas Eve, we get to open one present, and it's always pajamas to wear that night. I was so excited by what I find for DH!
I can't post a picture of his right now, because there isn't one I can lift off the internet, and he's obviously around, so he'd notice if I scurried off into the bedroom to take some clandestine photos. And let's not forget the man is shampooing the carpets. While I'm on the internet. So we'd like to keep him happy. Oh, the debt to be repaid. It's vast.
Suffice it to say my boys love to play video games. And one of there favorites is anything to do with Mario. So I found DH some awesome pajama bottoms with Mario on them, and bought two different sizes, just in case. Now, I searched the store for something matching for HRH, because that's just fun to me when father and son match, and they didn't have any. :::sigh:::
But when I came home and looked on the internet, I found these!
I'm so excited! Now DH has Mario jams, and HRH has Mario jams. It's so cool!
That was the extent of what I found for the men as nothing else really peaked my interest, so to speak.
So I moved on to looking for things for me.
Let me tell you. I tried on some absolutely hideous clothes. Things that make you wonder exactly what that designer was thinking when they put that together. Things that really shouldn't ever be worn in public.
And may I say as an aside, why is it such a huge trend right now for so many tops to look like maternity clothes? Now, don't get me wrong. I loved maternity clothes. They're adorable, and I had some really cute ones from Old Navy when I was pregnant.
That's the key right there. When I was pregnant.
Why is it so hard to find something with seaming? Something fitted, even? Something that shows my waist, which is the smallest part of me???
Finally, it appeared to me. Like a beacon. Like a wondrous, beautiful beacon.
This shirt.
It looks so nice on. And it wasn't too bad. Total with discount $11.76. Not too shabby, I thought. When I came home, I found it online and ordered another in black and one in white. It fits so nicely, and I've learned my lesson. When something fits that well, and is that flattering, you buy multiples, and set some aside, savvy?
I also found a similar style in a beautiful black satin, with a little ruffle around the neckline. Same type of neckline, same type of sleeves, but even dressier. I thought it would make a wonderful shirt for the holiday season. Cost around the same as well.
I can't tell you what it meant to have some nice clothes, that fit properly that looked good on me. Even in bad lighting. In my horrifying jeans, that really need to be thrown away. But I'm not to the jeans yet. That's a whole other ball of wax, okay?
Let's continue with the shirts. I also scored a really cute black sweater. It's the softest knit material, and is cut very similar to those shirts, but with a more open neckline, and fits more like a blazer than a cardigan. It's adorable. And it's comfy. I loved it.
The $1.68 was spent on an adorable tank top, with small ruffles on the straps, in a nice chocolate brown. Code for I think it'll look really cute in the Animal Kingdom.
Now after the trying on and the searching and the finding, I was feeling really good. I had the adrenaline going that only comes from a successful shopping experience, savvy?
So I made my purchase and felt a HUGE amount of satisfaction when the amount went from almost $100 to under $70. With some traditional Christmas gifts taken care of, and some clothes for me, I was feeling pretty good.
And then I got in the car. And it was raining as I started driving home. And as I had the heat on, and some really soothing Egyptian music (long story) I realized...
I WAS EXHAUSTED!!!!!!!!!
Lack of good sleep for the past couple of nights, and being at work this morning, to shopping for about two hours wiped me out.
Why didn't anyone tell me that real shopping is so exhausting?
I'm such a wimp. I may work out on the elliptical, but when it comes to going out and shopping, oh boy.
So then, when I got home, I decided to do some more damage.
Because I had the 30% off code, and it was begging to be used. Really. It said, "Please, TK. I feel so lonely just sitting in your purse. It's dark. And the Victoria Secret Lip Gloss won't talk to me. She may be Pina Colada, but she's not getting caught in the rain."
Or something like that.
So I ordered this.
Not sure how I feel about it, having seen it in the store. If the quality isn't good it's going back. If it looks too maternity, it's going back. But it's been ordered, in two different colors.
And this.
Same story as above.
And this totally falls under the heading of could not resist.
This corduroy jacket came to $11.76.
And so did this corduroy blazer.
I'm not sure how these will look in person, and I could not find them in the store at all, so I have no idea. I guess we'll see!
And before we get to something absolutely adorable, we have the battle of the jeans.
Oh yes.
This is a battle that rages on.
Much like the battle for Middle Earth.
Except with less hobbitsies. Which is too bad, because they're so lovable.
No, the battle for jeans is hostile territory. Let's just say I watch a little too much What Not to Wear. And it's gotten to me. Stacy and Clinton have seeped into my brain. And I'm fully aware that women with my figure should wear jeans that fit my widest point, and go down from that point in a straight line, not tapering, not boot cut, so as to be most flattering to the figure.
In other words, we're looking for a wide leg or a trouser style jean.
Do you have any idea how hard it is to find a wide leg or trouser style jean for a girl of my height? Being that really a 29-30" inseam is the best thing for me? Because although petite inseams are great, my body, is not petite, my friends. I need regular misses sizing! And misses sizing fits great, but the length! I swear! 32, 34, 36" inseams! Where are these people? On America's Next Top Model?
Okay, maybe I'm overreacting a little, but I really am on the quest for jeans that fit. And it's been a LONG quest. So suffice it to say I just ordered eleven hundred bazzillion pairs of different jeans from Kohl's. With my 30% discount.
And then went on the Old Navy website.
And saw these...
Trouser jeans! In my length! In my size! Not the rise I'm used to, as they appear to be an at waist style, but this is the closest thing I've found to what I'm actually looking for. I really want that long, lean look, even if I'm not long and lean.
And in my wanderings on the Old Navy site (because I really hate to pay $7 shipping just on jeans for me) I found something so adorable.
So wonderful.
So reasonably priced, I just had to get it.
And if you've stuck with me through this whole post, bless you.
This is the reward, right here, at the end.
Remember these?
Well, today, I found something to put them in.
I'm so excited.
I KNOW Mom and Nana will love their new slippers in their new cool
TOTE BAGS!!!!
On sale for $6.50! So reasonable! I was so excited to have their gifts really finalized. Cute slippers, cute tote to use on vacation, all holiday themed. And not to belittle the thought behind the gift, but given that the slippers cost me about $5 a pair, that's not too shabby! Under $12 per person for a nice, fun, thank you for taking me, I'll never forget Disney during the holidays type of gift.
What's better than that?
(We'll just ignore that I still haven't found slippers for HRH. Something's bound to come up. What with my shopping prowess, it just has to.)
Coming up next - The Returns
Just Kidding! More seriously, some musings about the plans, and something I wish I could change.
