We Discuss: Universal Thread at Target. Dammit.

M: Me: I only want investment pieces in my closet. I'm at an age where I should be building a forever wardrobe of well-made things that I love.

Also Me: HAVE YOU SEEN THE NEW UNIVERSAL THREAD LINE AT TARGET I'LL TAKE ONE OF EVERYTHING.

M: But seriously, they are out-Madewelling Madewell. I already bought this dress AND jacket and I think I need the shoes too. Dammit, Target.

A: Ahhhhh. Cute! DAMMIT, TARGET. Also, I'm always looking for a denim jacket, report back!

M: I have bought and sold or returned or given away at least 6 denim jackets in my life but that one is CUTE.

A: Why so hard, denim jacket?

M: They are damn near impossible for me. Smaller shoulders, long arms, short waist, big ass. IMPOSSIBLE. But this one, I like it. I think. I'm going to try it on with a bunch of stuff when I get home.

A: I kindly request pictures when you do

M: They only had a medium and extra large in store though...the extra large was definitely too big but if I can find a large I'd like to compare it. But it's good. It's not stiff, not cropped, the arms are lean but not tight, it's not too stretchy, it's not too light wash.

A: Remember how I was all, "I'm going to do a no-buy until I see you in March."

M: That was cute. We were so cute!

A: Adorable.

A: Also adorable:

M: I am telling you, there is some GOOD STUFF there. The quality looked good too. TONS of interesting looking jeans. Dangerous.

A: Ugh, how cute are these:

A: And these are a straight up Madewell high rise skinny dupe:

A: AND THESE:

M: The jeans looked REALLY good. Definitely need further investigation.

A: I will be seeing you, Target.

M: YUP.

M: But seriously, what color do I want in the shoes??

A: I like the ivory for spring.

M: That's what I'm thinking. I should probably order those before they sell out. They are a straight up dupe of these by Free People:

A: Welp, those are great.

M: I used to have the open-toe version but sold them because they were too wide on me, so I wasn't about to spend $200 on them again. But I'll spend $30!

A: Target loves you and wants you to be happy.

A: PS. Even the jewelry and accessories look really good! And this looks like you:

A: I'll stop now. Dammit, Target. 

BUY THIS (So We Don't Have To): Banana Is Giving Clothes Away.

I have been lukewarm about Banana Republic for a while but I'm slowly coming back around, what with the good jeans and all. So, when I saw they were giving an extra 50% off sale stuff (no code needed) I took a look. I still think there are too many crazy sleeve ruffle things but I also found some great stuff:

         

       

Weekend Window Shopping: Cheap 'n Cheerful Spring Dresses.

Marianne's dress post has made me long for light spring dresses. Sigh. Here are a selection I found that are all under $50:

         

         

        

     

Stuff I Like: Watching, Reading, Listening, Smelling.

YOU GUYS. I haven't done a "Stuff I Like" post for a while because I needed time to accumulate some new stuff to like. And I have! Here you go:

This Show Full of Ridiculous Beautiful People.
I know I'm probably the last person on earth who hasn't watched Big Little Lies but I don't have HBO! I finally got a pass so I could watch The Last Five Years and then I was like, what else can I watch? Marianne had recommended BLL to me and I binged it hard over a weekend. I haven't read the book so I was completely in the dark about it and enjoyed the intrigue a lot. Also, everyone in it is absurdly beautiful - like - is Zoe Kravitz a real person for reals? Anyway, totally great if you need something engrossing to binge-watch.

This Book That I'm Reading Because The Author Charmed Me.
I've talked about the Penguin Podcast a few times and recently listened to the episode with Jojo Moyes, who is delightful. So delightful, in fact, that I decided to read Me Before You, which I am enjoying more than I expected to. It's formulaic but I like the main characters and I'll probably read the rest of the series some point, assuming I still like this one when I've finished it. And listen, I know there was some backlash after the movie came out but I'm reading the book with an open mind. (I haven't seen the movie, this is just about the book.)

This Podcast That Makes Me Buy Stuff.
Okay, so I've delved into the world of beauty podcasts and am very much enjoying Forever35 which is quite new and very entertaining. Also, it's enabling af and makes me want to buy stuff, specifically the legendary Lotion P50 which I've purchased in a travel size. ( I'll report back.) I also want to buy a bunch of sheet masks and this weird travel bag. And this balm stuff. Ugh. Anyway, it's a fun podcast and I definitely recommend it, just hide your wallet first.

This Perfume That Makes Me Sniff My Arm Repeatedly.
The other beauty podcast I added to my list is Fat Mascara. I've only listened to one episode so far but the guest was the head of product development for Jo Malone, Celine Roux. I now have a crush on Celine Roux. This woman is amazing! She designed my favorite perfume by deciding what a windswept British coast smelled like. AND IT TOTALLY DOES. I WOULD IMAGINE. Anyway, I scampered home and dug up some Jo Malone samples I'd been hoarding and sprayed the Blackberry & Bay cologne on my arms and it's so freaking lovely and I can't stop sniffing myself. The point of Jo Malone fragrances is that they're pretty simple so that you can layer them. I already have Wood Sage & Sea Salt and Nutmeg & Ginger* which are both long-time favorites and now I'm obsessed with the idea of layering and oh my God I need to stop with the beauty podcasts.

*This appears to be discontinued. Please excuse me while I go weep in a corner.

Outfit of the Day: Sometimes You Have To Try Something New.

Remember that Loft sale I posted about last week? I bought a few things from it, one of which I was certain I'd be returning. I mean, satin cargo pants? How are those words even next to each other? But the reviews were positive and for freaking $7.50 I figured they were worth a shot:

I LOVE THEM. It's the closest I've ever come to achieving pajamas at work. They're super comfortable but also feel fashion forward and sleek. Tragically, they're completely sold out online, though I suspect you might still find them in-store. For something similar, this pair in olive on NR has the same slinky vibe and this pair of tencel joggers look like pants you could absolutely live in. And you know what? I usually steer clear of Forever21 but these are a dead ringer. Finally, Lou & Grey offer up these beautiful satin pants which, let's be honest, are just fancy pajamas. (You could do worse.)

I'm wearing my James Perse long-sleeved tee which is probably the nicest t-shirt I own, though the neckline is bit lower than I prefer. Why can't I find a perfect long-sleeved 100% cotton t-shirt? It's so annoying. I might give this one at Nordstrom a try but I've basically given up. 

One of my other Loft purchases is this dashed kimono thingy I'm wearing. It's very flowy and a bit over the top - the kind of thing you can throw over a tee and jeans and just like that, you fancy. Loft has really gotten into kimono-type things:  this velvet kimono wrap looks cozy and this floral kimono would work well into spring. And, of course I regret that I didn't order this sweatshirt kimono because that would be Lounging Level Achieved. On to details:

I went pretty minimal with the jewelry today. Just my little Madewell star necklace and a longer pendant from Banana. Both are sold out but I love this tiny star necklace from Madewell and this beaded lariat would work great in combination. I also dig this layered necklace which takes care of the guesswork and tangled chains.

My boots and bag are boring today - the same stuff I wear all the time! My boots are Madewell Lucien and are very similar to the current Pauline style. My bag is a MBMJ hobo and I adore it. There are still a few available on Gilt and of course on eBay and the like. For another grey bag alternative, this Botkier hobo is on sale and how about this suede hobo for $80? So cute. 

That's it for today! If you feel so inclined, please tell me your favorite source for perfect long-sleeved tees, preferably cotton with a scoop or v-neck. (Seriously, WTF EVERLANE. GET ON THIS.) 

Review: I Check Out Banana Republic Denim.

​Okay, so I spent a lunch break recently trying on allll the denim at BR and decided to report back because I was very pleasantly surprised. Also, that striped sweatshirt with the big sleeves that I linked to recently is reeeeally nice:

I'm wearing my own Madewell coated jeans in this photo. Also, I'm pretty sure the striped top was $58 in store, not $68 like it is online. I want it. ANYWAY, jeans. I tried on:

Your basic skinny in a mid-rise and ankle length which is perfect for me. The new denim is really nice quality and very comfortable. I feel like this style runs a bit big and was quite stretchy, so if you're between sizes, I'd size down. I quite liked them! Then I tried on these slim straight jeans and hated them:

Straight jeans seem like a good idea but never really work on me. (I feel like you have to wear heels to make a straight leg work and I rarely wear heels.)

I tried on a pair of light wash cropped jeans with an undone hem (which I can't find on the website but kinda like these) because the sales assistant brought them to me, possibly thinking she was helping an old lady out of her rut. They were fun but not for me. Finally I tried on these girlfriend jeans:

They were cuffed in the store and look really cute that way:

They have a reasonable mid-rise and are so so comfortable. I am a size 28 or 29 depending on the jeans and I went with a 28 in these. And, since they were on sale, I bought them. (They'll probably stretch out to hell and then I'll have to burn the store down.) Currently everything seems to be full price, but code BRFRESH gets you 40% off a $200+ purchase plus go through eBates for 2% cash back!

PS. There was also bright pink gingham in the store which NO. NO BANANA. WHAT EVEN:

We Discuss: The Hatefulness of Winter.

M: 
January 31st:
The only "color" I wear is olive green. 
I wear some combination of the same seven things over and over again. 
I contemplate taking a nap in my puffer coat.
I might as well extend this no-buy into March. 

February 1st:
IS IT SPRING YET.
I HAVE AN IDEA: FLORALS FOR SPRING!
I SHOULD GO SHAVE MY LEGS.
IS IT TOO EARLY TO BUY THESE SEVEN DRESSES FROM NEED SUPPLY?

M: UGH I HATE WINTER. 

A: So, we're coping well, are we? 

M: Yes just swimmingly I just ordered four dresses nothing to see here.

A: HOORAY SPRING HAS SPRUNG. 

M: In my defense I have to go to Phoenix in two weeks and need to look cute and it’s 86 there? Sigh. 

A: Which four?

M: Nolita, Melu, Sicily, Lydia. One is final sale which is ALWAYS a mistake. I’ll never learn. 

A: I was hoist by my own petard and bought a few things from the Loft sale including satin cargo pants lol wtf 

M: Satin cargo pants!!!

A: I know. I also got the gin carnigan and this kimono thingy.

M: That reminds me some of that Loft stuff looked cute THROW A NET OVER ME

A: Heh.