The Spoils: J. Crew

Hey, everyone! Check out how gorgeous I am in my new bikini. I'm ready for Florida!

Oh, look how tan I am, too.

Cannot wait to wear this to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter. Why else would I have bought a new swimsuit, right?

If you're interested in being my twin this summer, the suit is linked below.

Wildbloom Halter Top

Wildbloom Ruffle Hipster

The Spoils: Old Navy

A week or so ago, I received a coupon in the mail offering 30% off of select fall fashions at Old Navy. Exercising self-restraint, I promptly discarded the coupon.

On Friday, my coworker approached me and said that she had something for me. She'd also received the same coupon in the mail, but she did not dispose of it. Instead, she'd saved it for me. It was kismet. I called my coworker an "enabler," thanked her for the coupon, and paid a visit to Old Navy.

I know these hangers are sexy, but if the Texas temperatures would kindly accommodate, I could show you what the spoils look like on me!

The Spoils: Green Eyed Soul Studio

My coworker, Misti, is a super talented jewelry designer. She goes by Green Eyed Soul, and HELLO. How gorgeous is her stuff? Because she knows that I love her work, she always gives me sneak peeks of her new designs. My mind is constantly blown by how she does what she does, and when I saw this necklace, it "spoke to me," as Misti would say. I wanted it then and there, but she insisted that I let her take it home and package it up for me.

Man, I wish the pictures did this piece justice. It's made of sterling silver that she oxidized, and it includes a sapphire (my birthstone!) and mood stones and just pure goodness. I love it.

You can view Misti's Etsy store to check out her beautiful pieces. I think her handmade beads are amazing, and I think you will, too!

The Spoils: J. Crew Outlet and BCBG Girls

I don't know how else to describe my shopping trip with Thao this weekend as anything other than insane. I cleaned house. I was out of control. I drank a $1 ice-blended from The Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf (what?). But I got some wonderful things. Wonderful things that make me feel like I kind of maybe sort of not really know what I'm doing.

I totally failed the self-restraint test, and I only returned one item, and it was only because Thao made me. She also helped me justify my J. Crew outlet purchase by admitting that she'd recently spent that amount on one item, so who's REALLY the bad guy, here? Enabler McEnablerson, I love you. Anyway, now the real test will be putting all these pieces together and creating actual outfits that actual people would wear. I say actual people, because actual people don't wear jeans and tees day-in and day-out like some people. Me people.

Right before I saw this dress, I begged Thao to not allow me to purchase ANYTHING else, since by then, I'd already bought the entire inventory at the J. Crew outlet. Notice how it hangs on my fence. At my house. I don't want to say that Thao failed, but I didn't steal this dress from BCBG Girls. (Did you know there is a BCBG Girls?)

Shorts!

Belts!

Tops!

Skirts!

And I really am telling you, you can buy as much shit as you want, as long as you buy something - anything - for your significant other.

The Spoils: Ann Taylor Loft

When your partner-in-Ann-Taylor-Loft-crime tells you that it's time to get your shop on, you GO. Even if the commute is 30 minutes, because, for whatever reason, the only location remotely near you is in the middle of nowhere. You will be rewarded for your loyalty. You will show up, and your entire purchase will be 40% off. And the discount will be useful, because you will love lots of things that you try on.

You will come home from a successful shopping trip and throw your shopping bag and empty frappuccino cup at your husband as you walk through the door, because you really really have to pee. Your husband will call you out on your shopping when you walk out of the bathroom, because he saw your purchase via online banking when "checking on something else." You will defensively exclaim, "EVERYTHING WAS 40% OFF!" and show him your cute clothes, and everyone will be happy!

I felt like a really crazy focused person on my way to Loft. My goal was to NOT buy solid-colored clothing, because that is honestly what most of my wardrobe is, and it is frustrating. The plan was to find blouses made of pretty prints. I realize my new dress is a solid, but it's also denim, and that's unique! And it made me feel amazing! And you don't just put something that makes you feel amazing back on the rack! And I realize that 3 of my 4 new tops are solids, but they're interesting! And they made me feel amazing! And you don't just put things that make you feel amazing back on the rack!

HAPPY HAPPY JOY JOY

The Spoils: H&M (Seoul)

My strategy: buy stuff for work.

LOOK! Blazers! I could have sworn that I (read: my aunt) also bought a khaki one, since I remember taking it off of the mannequin. It wasn't in my bag, though, so I could be crazy. I probably am crazy. What am I saying? I am crazy.

Man, I am so pumped to wear all of this.

The Spoils: Zappos.com

When I walked into my podiatry appointment last Monday, my doctor gave me the WTF face, because he noticed that I was wearing this 4" wedge on my left foot. Even as I put the shoe on that morning, I knew that it was probably not the brightest idea. Sometimes vanity gets the better of me, which is surprising, I know. You've seen the way that I show my face in public.

Anyway, he very delicately suggested that I invest in more practical shoes while I'm on crutches, and since he was right to suggest as much, I thought back to the most comfortable shoes that I've worn in my life. In high school, I had these bright-ass Saucony sneakers that I remember wearing with blue jeans skirts and the like.

Just as I was about to add them to my cart, I recalled that I always felt that the sole was a little thicker than I would prefer. Thankfully, Zappos also carries the Jazz Low Pro, which has a thinner sole. So, I added the green/navy babies to my cart and checked out!

If you don't know, GUESS WHAT. Zappos offers FREE SHIPPING on all purchases (and returns!), which is amazing. Honestly. AMAZING. That, in and of itself, is a huge selling point. But do you know what Zappos did after I placed my order? They emailed me to let me know that they were upgrading the shipping method on my order - sweet! Totally unexpected and absolutely appreciated, because I'm an instant gratification type of girl.

To my surprise, I had my beloved shoes the NEXT DAY, because Zappos had overnighted my order. Did I already say that they are amazing? Amazing, people. Don't believe me? Ask Kate. Preach it, girl!

The Spoils: Tulle

So, that wonderful dress that I wore on Monday - it's from a company called Tulle. I'd never heard of this company before, but when my friend mentioned how pumped she was about an order she'd received from them, I was a-hankering to place an order of my own. So, I did. And then they sent me the wrong size. And then I had to send it back. And then they sent me the right size without expediting it (grumble grumble). ANYWAY, it was worth the wait, wouldn't you say?

I have been wanting to add some more short-sleeved cardigans to my wardrobe so that 1) I can stop wearing the same.dang.shrug. and 2) I won't melt in the Texas heat.

Oh, that's... not a cardigan! How did that get in there? (whistles innocently) Look, I really wanted to own a blazer, okay? Now I just need to figure out what to wear with it. Your suggestions are most welcomed.

I will certainly be purchasing from Tulle in the future. A word of advice: please follow their sizing charts! I wear a small in most brands, but not with Tulle. In fact, I think these new cardigans that I ordered in a medium are just barely large enough; definitely much shorter than I prefer. I hope they don't shrink like my shriveled heart.

The Spoils: Martin + Osa

I don't know how or why I found myself at a website I'd never visited before, but the other day I happened upon Martin + Osa. Amazingly, I'd stumbled across their website on the final day of their 20% off sale and free shipping offer (score!). So, I took a gamble, having only ever walked by their store, and ordered some goodies.

I looooooooove online order deliveries. Makes a bad day good and a good day even better.

Impressed! Martin + Osa's packaging is a far cry from my Old Navy clearance orders. ON THE REALS.

Impressed!

Silk Pocket Tee in Goose Grey - mine! Soybean Ribbed Cardigan in Aviary Blue - mine! Cableknit V-Neck Seater in Goose Grey - mine!

Dearies, please always remember to buy something (like this Classic V-Neck Sweater in Yellow Ochre) for your significant other when you shop online. It's only polite (and smart to cover your ass for spending the moniessss).