Retail Therapy

TarheelMichelle

Hey Violet, I know what you mean about Reefs. I bought my first pair of Reefs for $14.99 at TJ maxx 5 yrs ago. Have never been without a pair since. The leather sole is so much more comfortable than rubber.

Thanks for the Aerosoles tip Shoppygirl. I love them and have several pairs but haven't seen any boot styles I like. But most of the stores I've been in are tiny. I'll check out online.

My teenage son starts school in 2 weeks so I've been shopping with him. He is totally into clothes (having a girlfriend contributes to that). It's fun. I shared my enthusiasm for Ralph Lauren. In return, he shared his love of Hollister w/me (softest ever cotton tops, great online sales)

shoppygirl

Violet

You are welcome! They do have half sizes and they always correctly to size.

Happy shopping !

GlobalGirlyGirl

Ann Marie - A personal shopper? WOW you are the queen! I also wear a 5/5.5 shoe, and I am in Northern California. I'm in the Bay Area, though.

violet_1

Global,

I'll have to share HOW I got started on using Nordstrom's personal shopper service...probably tomorrow...am exhausted tonight. But, it's FREE and they aren't even ALLOWED to accept tips (so I've had to resort to buying her thank you gifts/cards occasionally)!! LOL!...:)

AND I also make sure I call her boss & gush about how FAB she is &/ or fill out the online service report which is listed on the bottom of all Nordstrom receipts...;)



More details on this tomorrow! It's been a Fabulous experience for me...:) I always go to the same woman who works in the Petites Department...BUT, I text or email her frequently & let her know when I'm coming in again and she'll have several pairs of boots or anything else I've requested from OTHER departments, WAITING for me--all spread out w thoughtful presentation in a HUGE dressing room when I arrive!!! Is sooooo cool!



More to come...;)

Violet

sciencegal

Hi Violet, Love your shopping exploits! I am a "Macy's gal" rather than Nordies, and dont have a personal shopper but I can sure relate.



I am also in Norcal but I dont know moi, is it in bay area or sacto?



hugs to all and happy shopping!

violet_1

Science Gal

I was referring to myself, hence the MOI...not a store...LOL!...;)

batcatlady19

I've kind of been avoiding this thread bec. I'm *trying hard* not to use cancer as an excuse to shop -- but who am I kidding??? At the very least, I've been window-shopping like crazy & adding everything I want to Pinterest And I did allow my hubby to buy me a new iPad...

Right now, I'm seeing how long I'll resist these adorable shoes - http://www.shopplasticland.com/fashion/p/P30528901.html

violet_1

BatCat:



Love Pinterest!

TarheelMichelle

(bookmarks plasticland website)



Pinterest is like Candy Crush Saga for me. I stay away because I know I'll get hooked. However, BatCat, you may a compelling case for Pinterest as a shopping delayer or preventive. (Haha)

voraciousreader

I change my shoes all day long! I am a serious shoe shopper! DD and I don't miss shoe shopping at the regular retail chain stores. We love to head to Nordstrom's Rack. The local Nordstrom's is a disappointment. Very few comfort shoes to choose from. Love the Boca Nordstrom's. they carry some of our favors brands...mephisto, Monroe....



When not in Norstrom's Rack, we're on the hunt for Naot, Waldlaufer, Wolky, Durea, Fit-Flops and Dansko footwear.



Out grew Aerosoles,Ecco, Easy Spirit, SAS and Naturalizers.



We also have some glorious Me Too high heel shoes that we can wear all day and all night too!

shoppygirl

Voraciousreader.

Me too is a great brand. I had a pair of sandals from them and they lasted me through New York and Las Vegas when I wrecked them getting into a cab! Well today I was at our big mall in Calgary selling raffle tickets for my sons school and the booth was conveniently located outside a Winners (think TJ Max in the US). I ran in there on my break and came across an awesome pair of slim cut grey and black dress pants and also a very cool black top that had a skull on it in bronze and silver studs. Now before my dx I never would of bought that kind of shirt but now I think what the heck! If I can survive a double mx, chemo, rads and now tamoxifen I can certainly pull off a shirt like this!

voraciousreader

Shoppygirl...I shop at Winners in Montreal! I was there a few weeks ago! My maternal family is Canadian! A few weeks before that, one of my Canadian cousin was visiting with me my mom in Florida and we headed over to the Boca Nordstrom's. They were having a 30-50% off sale. I told her what I was looking for me and my daughter and she found a beautiful Mephisto sandal. It didn't fit me... DD's feet are slightly bigger than mine. I told her to try them and....she bought them. Then I had her model some more shoes and I took pictures of them and sent the pics to the DD! I nailed two pairs of Munro's that she's been wearing all summer! A cute wedge in white with velcro and shock absorbing heals and a second pair in brown and blue... They're called Tyra and they rock!!!!



Glad to hear you were a winner at Winners!

shoppygirl

Voracious reader

The shoes sound awesome, well done! I love finding shoes that are comfy and fashionable! I have always wanted to go to Montreal! The company that I work for has its head office there! We are getting a Nordstroms here next year so I am very excited about that! Cheers!

voraciousreader

Yipppeeee!!!! You will be so delighted with Nordstroms!!!! And if you get a Rack.... you will be even more delighted!

shoppygirl

Can't wait! Love new shopping opportunities!

TarheelMichelle

Online shopping at Nordstroms is fun and easy too. Their private label things are top quality, esp. shoes.

I'm finding the down side to the joy of shopping is that I don't feel good enough to wear my clothes. I can't buy more clothes until I wear the ones I've bought. I miss working. It was a great reason for shopping because I needed 5+ outfits a week. Guess I should spend more $$$ on pjs and lounge clothes.

shoppygirl

Rhonda

I am so sorry that you are not feeling well. I have read some of your other posts and you come across as a very classy, kind , strong woman. No matter what you buy, shopping is such a great way to put some fun and happiness in your life. You deserve it! I hope you will continue to shop and that you will find some great items that you can enjoy. Hugs!

violet_1

Love Nordstrom RACK! AND, love buying jammies! They have great pj's at Victoria Secrets ..they're not just for sexy

lingerie...;) But, I don't care for their Pink line.

GlobalGirlyGirl

violet_1 - I don't care much for their PINK line either. I think it's geared toward the young gals - teens and twenties.

Any fun purchases, ladies? I am overhauling the makeup and going paraben free. It's a hard transition as I am brand loyal. I've been using the same stuff for years!

Anyway, they're en route, so if I get a "find," I'll share.

shoppygirl

Global

Do you have any suggestions for paraben free make up. I have started to look for some too. Thanks.

GlobalGirlyGirl

shoppygirl - For foundation, I've gone back to mineral makeup. I'm trying http://www.purelycosmetics.com/.

For lipstick, I'm trying http://www.thebalm.com/thebalm-girls.html. We'll see.  Reviewers said that the lipstick is really pigmented, which I love.  I've been using L'Oreal (Lancome's cheaper sister)  for years.  A lot of people like Bare Minerals http://www.bareescentuals.com/Lipstick/BM_SUB_LIPSTICK,default,sc.html  lipstick, but I can't find a shade dark enough for my skin tone.

I'm finding eye makeup to be the hardest because I'm all about Maybelline Great Lash Mascara waterproof. I'm still on the hunt for that one. 

I'm a drugstore makeup kind of gal, and changing will be pricey.

shoppygirl

Thank you! I will check them out!

TarheelMichelle

Shoppygirl, (not that you asked me)!there are one or two topics here about paraben free and other icky-substance-free makeup and other personal care products. Plenty of choices these days. After wearing a pain patch I started to think a lot more about what I put on my skin. Thanks for the pep talk. :-) That's why I read these boards every day. Understanding, beautiful

sisters.



Violet, VS undies are not as well made as they used to be, IMO. I had some bad experiences buying a boatload of panties that fell apart, even on gentle wash/line dry. On the other hand, I have a pair of cami top/long pants PJs from VS that have lasted 3+ years. I like to wear shortie nighties but new meds have brought back night sweats and the long pants help me sleep.

Hey lurkers, pls post pics of ur shopping acquisitions!.

shoppygirl

Thanks Rhonda for the tip. I will search the boards. Hopefully I can find some good products on Canada! I also read the boards everyday. They have helped me so much more than any counsellor has!

violet_1

I like Bare Minerals but I can't use their powder Foundation because my skin is too dry!



I'd love to hear your "healthier" make up & skin care finds, Global!

I will try to put up pics of my shopping treasures...sooo much on my damn To Do LIST... And all I want to do is read, or research, or shop...ppppfffftttt! OY!!!!

Love this thread...I've been a bit down lately...and it's good for me to just read FUN stuff here, instead of BC stuff sometimes, ya know?

Tarhee,

I like VS cuz THEY carry XS's...;) But you are right, they aren't premium quality made. Yet, I have TONS of cute/sexy panties that haven't fallen apart...perhaps cuz I bought so many! HA! I rotate the shet outta' em--LOL! And, I ALWAYS air dry them INSIDE the house...;)

I LOVE their men's-style p.j.'s...satin & cotton ones.

violet_1

Oooohhhh....I bought 5! new lipsticks in Fall berry/wine/currant-red colors! Yay! Now, I MUST have only super-duper LONG-LASTING lipsticks...;)

Tested them out...keeping all but 1.

LOVE CVS drugstores cuz I get tons of free CVS bucks cuz I always buy my make-up there and they are great about returns as long as you have the receipt...:)

Anyone else a lipstick lover?

Violet

kaza

violet 1....me to love lippy...my favorite at the moment is bewitching coral, Max Factor, kaza

TarheelMichelle

What lipstick brand, Violet?

I've been a fan of the Loreal long lasting lipstick for years. (The 2-part, brush on kind) It stays on til nighttime, the color I put on in a.m. is on the makeup-remover tissue I use at night.

I also like Rimmel matte colors and Clinique chubby stick. Although I need to find new ones to love to avoid bad chemicals. Tarte is a fave too. The purple packaging is lovely.

CVS sometimes asks me to fill out online surveys for $10-$20 Xtra bucks. I always spend it on makeup!

shoppygirl

I am also a huge fan of the long lasting lipsticks and use the Clinique chubby stick gloss as a top coat. I love the fall wine colours too. I have dark hair (well a wig right now!) as they are the only colors that suit me. I know I should look for something without all the bad chemicals but I am finding it so hard to give them up. I wonder how unsafe they really are. Anyone know?

GlobalGirlyGirl

violet_1 - Oooh I LOVE lipstick. I've been using L'Oreal Colour Riche for years. 

TarheelMichelle - I, too, need to find one without the bad chemicals. Tarte is cool! My partner uses the one that exfoliates the lips.

shoppygirl - barbe1958 on the girly stuff thread said not to worry about changing my mascara because of the small amount of parabens.  That made me feel better. I would say lotions and foundations that have parabens would be the ones to avoid because they cover a larger area. If I can't find a decent lipstick color that's paraben free, screw it. I'll stick with L'Oreal.

 I love this emoticon because she has lipstick and mascara on.