MIA

Sorry, I have been a little MIA this week - its my daughters big birthday celebration, and we have lots of preparation to do, as well as guests from out of town. I will be back as usual next week!

Eddie Bauer - 30% off entire site (or in stores) Sat only.
Macys One Day Sale - check the clearance, lots of goodies here, esp in plus and petite sizing. Regular priced denim is BOGO Free. Lots of regular priced merch 40-50% off. Sat only.
Ann Taylor Loft has 25% off full priced things. Nice way to add a few spring items to the wardrobe
Ann Taylor has a few items promo priced. Here is the link to special price items.

Have a great weekend, and I will see you guys on the other side!

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Rainy Wednesday and A Question about those Talbot's Markdowns

Well, we started in the 60s this week, but today we got rain, which is turning into a "winter mix" overnight. Ah well. So much for the hope of spring on the horizon. How is it in your neck of the woods? (Move over Al Roker)



Cream Shell - Loft $?? I think $15ish, it was a loong time ago.
Black Cardi - Loft $20
Black ponte knit skirt - Chadwicks $15
the Zebra Scarf - Talbots $9
Tights - Kmart $6
Shoes -Aerosoles



Yesterday, Mel asked about some the deals I find at Talbot's, so I wanted to take a sec and answer. I do almost all my shopping online. I wear the 12WP in tops and jackets and they actually do not usually carry that ONE particular size in the stores (go figure). One thing I like about them is that items online, and in stores are almost always priced identically, and its rare that they offer a sale that applies to online only or in store only.

At any rate, Talbot's adds a new catalog monthly, and puts items from the 2-3 previous catalogs on sale. It seems the first markdown is usually between 20-40%, give or take. A few times a year they have a "Red Hanger Sale" where the prices are marked down a touch more, maybe 10-15%...However, sometimes during holiday weekends, and halfway through the red hanger sale, they offer an additional 40% or 50% off the sale prices. This is the clearance gold. Its temporary and they do put the prices back up afterward.

I always post when that is on - but be warned - its super easy to find a cartload of stuff that is in the $15-$25 range. I always have to do a reality check (for example: Am I REALLY gonna wear a paisley blouse?) ....Recently, they did this over President's Day. So, just keep your eyes peeled, since I check Talbots REGULARLY (ha!), I usually post about the sales before the emails go out.

Thanks for the question, and I hope this helped!

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Twill Jackets for Spring

I have seen lots of twill jackets in all the new spring catalogues coming to my door. Most of them are running $99+. Well, if you want to grab one for a little less, head over to LL Bean. Through Wednesday, all outerwear is on sale - and that includes several twill jackets, which look like spring to me. Use code 3018849 for free shipping.


Chino Jacket comes in Petite, Misses and Women $29.99 marked down from $74-$84. Lots of bright spring/summery colors.

Summerweight Twill Jacket, Petites, and some Misses left $29.99. Smaller sizes sold out.

Lots of other deals to be had if you are still looking for winter goods, or corduroy jackets.

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Monday Monday, Boo.

So, anyone ready for the weekend yet? Its my daughter's bday this weekend and we are having a "pop star" party. Her friends are going to dress up as their favorite pop star, and I lots of games and fun stuff planned.

For example, I am going to print a huge pic of Lady Gaga's head, and we are going to play "pin the crazay head gear" on Lady Gaga.

Yikes! I look all catawampus today, my outfit did start out symmetrical and straight lol, it was a looong day.



Skirt - Spiegel $11.25
Cream Top - Loft $19
Purple Sweater - Loft $20
Scarf - Talbots - Free
Belt - Forever 21 $2.50



Thanks for reading, and here's to a great week ahead of us!!

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Weekend Stuff

Here is some stuff from the weekend. I thought I would post it, since I have proof that I wore patterns. ;-)

Sat: Matchy Matchy Day:



Printed Tee - Macys $7.50
Green Cardigan - Talbots $18
Jeans - Talbots $20
Shoes - Talbots

Here is the bag I wore with it.





Sunday:



Coat - Macys $14.50
Jeans - Talbots $20
Black Tee - Loft $?
Shoes -Chadwicks $11

Here is the Makeup I wore with it:



Eyes: Antique Pewter and Twilight Ash Eyeshadow, Black Cream Liner from the Lauren Luke "My Smokey Classics" Palette, Black Mascara by Korres
Lips - Buck Naked Lipliner by Cat Cosmetics and Striptease Gloss by Nars
Cheeks - Plum Foolery Blush by MAC




Thanks for reading!!

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Giveaway Winner!!

I wanted to thank everyone for reading my blog, and for signing up for the first giveaway. I had some really nice notes on the giveaway and in my inbox. Thank you so much for those..

Ok, I drew a winner randomly and she is....

Concious Bride!!

Please shoot me an email with your address, and I can get it out tommorow!!

Thanks again ladies, and keep your eye out for some other giveaways!!


~Bianca

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Hellllooooo JJill! Great size range! Cute stuff!

So, JJill used to be owned by Talbots, but was recently sold off so Talbots can focus on...well...not closing, I believe. I recently got some goodies from them, and wished I'd ordered more during the special. Well, good news, they have a couple of specials this weekend. 30% off any sale items (deducted at checkout), 15% off some selected full priced styles (deducted at checkout) and 20% off their gorgeous new chinos (deducted at checkout).

Where to start? OK, first lets check out these chinos....



Very nice! Love the styling on these as well. I know if you are checking me out on the blog instead of in a Reader, the pic is cut off, click on the image to see the full size. The long pants are $69 before the discount, the crop is $59 and short $49. They come in four colors, and petite 0p-18p, misses 2-20, plus 14W-28W and the trouser also comes in tall 4t-20t. Nice size range! There is always buzz about JJill chinos, and the new LE Canvas brand is creating some talk, but neither have this wide a range of sizing.

Also, selected new spring pieces are 15% off the listed price. Ok, I don't do ombre and they seem to have several ombre options for spring - if you like this look, check it out. Here are some other items that caught my eye:



And of course, my favorite category - the sale/clearance (rubs greedy little hands together)

I bought these jeans last time (first pic below), and they are perfect - I am wearing an 18P for reference. The jeans and cords are $29.99 before the 30% off.



I suggest checking them out, I really love the things I got!

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OOTD 02.18.10 - Cardi, Pants, Scarf

Hi everyone! Hope your week is going well. Be sure and enter my giveaway, I will be drawing Sunday night. There are not very many people signed up, so odds are good. :-)

I just realised I wore the same pair of shoes 3 days in a row. LOL. I should not do that. Bad "what I wore today" blogger!!




The Stuff:
Black Tee - Loft $14
Green Cardi - Talbots (free after using rewards from classic awards program)
Taupe Pants - Talbots $31
Scarf - Talbots - Free (won giveaway)

Oh - cool note - Amazon just released a free Kindle reader for Blackberry. I am thrilled about this because it seems like I end up getting stuck places without a book all the time! I will just download a couple of faves now, and have them just in case!

As always, thanks so much for reading!

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Talbots Scarf of the Month Club

So, you guys remember I won 3 months of the scarf club at Talbots? I got my third, and final one this week. I just thought it was so cute how they come. This is certainly something I would consider getting someone as a gift. Its so fun to get a new scarf every month!

Each of the scarves I received were priced online at $49-$69 when I received them. I called to get more details in case anyone was interested.

They offer 3 and 6 month subscriptions where a scarf selected by Talbot's is shipped to your recipient monthly. When it ships, your credit card is charged. The cost is - (3 month plan) $43.00/month or (6 month plan) $41.40/month - if you complete the 6 months, you get a 7th scarf shipped free. If the recipient (or one's self - ahem) doesn't like the scarf of the month, she/he can exchange or return for credit.











Note: I won this through a drawing at my local store, I was not sent the packages in exchange for writing about the program, or given any compensation of any kind for posting on my blog. :-)

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OOTDs Tuesday / Wednesday 2.16.09 - 2.17.09

The Stuff:
Long Sleeve Tee - Loft $15
Black Ruffle Tank - Loft $9
Taupe Pants - Talbots $31
Necklace - Gift
Shoes - Chadwicks $11

The Stuff:
Long Sleeved Tee - Loft $10
Vest - Loft $5 - this vest is probably the happiest a $5 bill ever made me.
Wide Leg Pants - Limited - $17

Silly geek fact of the week: Harry Potter books were translated from the 'Queen's English' to American English. Apparently, the publishers were worried American kids wouldn't know a bin from a jumper, so they translated words and concepts for the US consumer.

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Anniversary Giveaway

Hey all, tomorrow, it will have been one year since I started this very blog. My style hasn't really changed a whole lot in the past year, I am kind of at a place where I am "settled" into it. I do however, find inspiration from lots of you guys. From your comments, your blogs, your photos, etc.

Because you guys are such an inspiration to me, I thought I'd like to do a giveaway to say thank you. So, here is the prize that one of you will win!

the Inspire Pendant







The gieveaway necklace features peridot and pearls, both of which are stones associated with first anniversaries AND its called the Inspire Pendant??! PERFECT!~ (I love symbolism!) I purchased it from hamptonjewels - check out her stuff, its amazing!

How do you enter the giveaway?

1. For one entry, respond to this post with anything.

2. If you have more than 5 comments over the life of my blog, advise me of that in your response.

3. Post this on your own blog, and advise me of that in your response.

4. Trade blog links with me. If I am already in your blogroll, or if you add me, advise me of that in your response. (If you aren't in mine, I will add you.)

You can do these entries on the same post. So for example, a response that looks like this:

1. Enter me
2. 5 comments!
3. On my blog.
4. Got you in my blogroll!

Would garner you 4 entries!!! Please be sure to leave an email address, or be a regular reader, so that when I draw, we can close the contest fairly quickly. I will draw a name randomly next Sunday - February 21st

Hope you guys like this necklace as much as I do, and good luck!!!!

ETA: If you have trouble with the comments form, please just email me, and I will add your entry(ies). Thanks!

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President Day Sales

Here is the better options from the inbox:

If I didn't mention a store you like, just google, there are TONS of sales going on now.

6pm has just a ton of stuff marked way down for President's Day.

Martin and Osa has 20% off and free shipping on any order with code 34197998! Exp 2/15/09

Speigel has 25% off with code PRESIDENT, then add second code S37 for free shipping. PRESIDENTS exp 2/15/09

Loft has 50% off a good number of items, lots of styles sold out online, but check in-store as well. Free shipping at $125

Talbots marked down their sale 50% again - its prices as marked, but they are good! Free shipping at $175

Ann Taylor - 40% off their sale (prices drop when added to the bag) and 40% off a single full priced item with code SPRING40. Free shipping at $150

Macys - Clearance was marked down another 20% (prices as marked) and free shipping at $99 with code PRESIDENT.

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OOTD - 02.10.10 Inspiration Squared

Sometime last month, I was inspired by a fellow blogger wearing something very similar to this - it turned out she had been inspired by Kimberly @ Fab Finds under 50, who in turn was inspired by the Fall Jcrew catalog. Ha!



Dress - Tianna B vis HSN outlet store $17
Navy Sweater - Loft $20
Black Tights - Kmart $6






I have been doing some catching up on my library books, and I just finished "Sense and Sensibility and Sea Monsters". If you can make it through the first the chapters of WTF??s, then stick around for the rest of the book. So funny. Especially if you particularly like (or dislike) Sense and Sensibility.

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Do you ever get the feeling that someone just needs a little attention?

Someone, please pay Louis Vuitton some attention.

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Loft 50% off Select Spring Styles

The Loft has 50% off a large # of new spring styles for Presidents Day! I was surprised at how many as usually, they will do 5 shirts for this type of thing, but there are 45 items and a pretty wide range (pants, tops, jackets etc). This is really cool. :-) Its online and in stores, and shipping is free at $125.

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Almost one year!

Hey everyone! New upcoming giveaway!!

Its almost been one year since I started blogging (Feb 15) and I wanted to get something really cool to show my appreciation for you guys hanging out with me! I ordered something that I think it just stunning! :-)

I will probably post the contest later this week, and leave it open a week. Wanna see a hint?



OK, there ya go. :-)

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OOTD 02.09.10 Inspired by Seeds

Today, I was inspired by something I don't have anymore. When hubby traveled to Jamaica he brought back some goodies, but my fav thing was a hand strung necklace he bought from a street vendor - it was purple and brown dyed seeds strung together and I loved that necklace. It sadly lost its life to a toddler LOL, but I still love the color combo.




Purple Sweater - Loft $20
Brown Tee - Loft $4.88
Tweed Skirt - Talbots $29
"Assets" tights - Target $14 (close to the price of my whole outfit yesterday :-P )
Shoes - Chadwicks $10


Cabbage inspired shirt haha ~

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OOTD - 02.08.09 - Inspired?

In the Jcrew 09 Fall Catalog, I saw them pair a hoodie sweater, pencil skirt, frilly blouse and umm short work boots. Ok, I dropped the frills and work boots, and wore a hoodie with a skirt. I think its kinda cute - but I guess you guys can't really see the hoodie ~ ha!!. I felt a little "young" in it, and my daughter said it was cool when I got home tonight.




Grey 3/4 sleeve hoodie - Fashion Bug $4
Blue Tee - Loft $5
Snake Print Skirt - New York and Company $5
Grey Tights - Chadwicks $4
Grey Shoes - RSVP via 6pm $10

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OOTD 02.05.09 Road to Marrakesh

This is the shirt that started it all. Ha! When browsing the Talbot's website for the first time last February, I stumbled on this little shirt and had to have it. It was not the first thing I purchased from them though. I stuck to the clearance racks, as usual. :-) I thought it was too expensive for a top, but eventually ended up buying it with a 20% off promo in stores. I am glad I did not wait for it to go on clearance because as soon as it went on sale online it was gone.

I dunno what it was about this shirt, its nothing extremely superb, but it just spoke to me. Thanks for looking as always!




Marrakesh Print Top - Talbots $39
Five Pocket Bootcut Jeans - Talbots $31.19
Brown Shoes - Chadwicks $10

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OOTD 02.04.10 - Fireworks in February?

I felt a little like a Fourth of July decoration today!



Pintucked Cardigan - Red Berry - Talbot's $35 (almost sold out, and back to $49)
Pintucked Tee - Loft $4.88
Bi-stretch twill bootcut pants - Cool Taupe Talbots - $33 (almost sold out, back to $38.99)
Brown Flats - Chadwicks $9

Colors in top photo are accurate. :-)

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Smashbox Lets Do Lunch

I know there are lots of people out there who know about this, but I think its always good to share it again. Not clothing related, but such a fun deal.

I consider Smashbox to be right inbetween drugstore and MAC quality - and pretty good stuff overall. Like any other company, it has its misses and its hits.

They have a lunch special every Tuesday and Thursday from 12EST -5pm EST. (9am -2pm PST) They select one full size item and send it for free with any purchase you make. They also offer deluxe samples and free shipping with every purchase.

Let's see this in action:

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Thursday Coupon Round-Up

As usual, Thursday means full in-box. Not much meat this weekend, but here are a few worth perusing if you have some time.

Gigi had a feature recently about Chico's clothes and jewelry. Take $25 off $50 with code 6739 exp 2/15/10

Dooney and Bourke has all Scottie dog stuff 40% off - ends Sunday. Yep, scottie dogs.

Nine West is having a big clearance sale, many of their shoes are an additional 30% or 50% off in the cart. (Listed under the shoe) Lots of shoes end up $20-$30, and boots $30-$40.

Martin and Osa 20% off sale section (price drops in cart), and free shipping on any order with code 88352482 through Sunday.

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OOTD - 02.03.10 Cardigan, Tee, Cords

Hi All!

I tend to try and read the books that my daughter reads so we can talk about them, though with my own reading list, and she being a voracious reader, its hard to keep up. Well, while she is re-reading the Harry Potter books, I am catching up with her most recent series. (I think Twilight is behind us for awhile - thank goodness!) At any rate, she is reading a series called Percy Jackson and the Olympians, (there is an upcoming film) and I love these books. They are soo cute! I read the first 2 tonight, they were only about an hour long read each, and will probably finish off the series this weekend.

When I was her age, I loved the Greek and Roman God/Goddess stories, and this series makes such clever use of them. Its Harry Potter meets Hercules. Anyways, cute fun little reads if you have kids in the 10-13 age range, I think they will love them. Or if you, yourself liked the Harry Potter books, maybe try these - I did enjoy the second book a little more than the first.

Ok, on to the clothing! Nothing groundbreaking today, I am seriously just trying to keep warm. It is not that cold, but if I never believed the old wives tale about "thinner blood" after living somewhere warm, I am starting to believe it. I am chilled to the bones daily and it is in the 40s.



I did not intend to leave the raspberry scarf on all day, it was supposed to be outerwear, but it stuck around for most of the day because I was chilly.



Moonstone Button Cardigan in Valley Green - Talbots $17 (price back up to $30)
Placed Petal Tee - Loft $10
Woven Belt - New York and CO $1.99
Bedford Cord Trousers - Talbots $27 (currently $45 and in Plus Petites only)
Necklace QVC

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OOTD - 02.02.10

I hope everyone is doing well. Tonight I am wearing one of those reminders of why I stick with petites or 3/4 length sleeves. Yikes! I feel like a little kid in hand me downs. :-)



Blue Sweater - Ashworth Golf $19
Polo - Target $6.50
Skirt - Chadwicks $15
Tights - Chadwicks $3.50
Shoes - Aerosoles

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Tullesday Sale Today

Starts at 3am EST - not as great as last month, but a few things on sale today. The jacket above is $8.99. I just usually go to the sale section and sort by lowest price. Tulle Sale Section.

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