Come Sale Away, Come Sale Away, Come SALE AWAY WITH ME!

Bad puns of Styx lyrics have been occupying my brain space far too often because of all the recent second cut sales. I went brick and mortar shopping with a friend last weekend and discovered quite a few places made recent mark downs. I wasn't in the market for anything specific so I mostly browsed, window shopped, and tried on things for fun but she scored some fantastic deals at Anthropologie, Footloose, and Chick Downtown. I did get a great deal on a pair of marc by marc jacobs pumps with a mid heel at Footloose. We also went to Saks but both managed to leave without anything.

Chick Downtown's Pittsburgh headquarters seems to be in transition. The boutique space used function as the mostly full-priced showcase for their website. I went there a while ago to see about trying on a "final sale," nonreturnable item from the website and was told that they don't keep their sale items in the boutique space. This past weekend I witnessed a direct reversal of that strategy.

Their brick and mortar retail space is now their outlet.

This week, Barney's and Neiman Marcus (both the websites and stores) took an additional 25% off their sale prices. Bloomingdales.com ran their "Spend more, Save more" promotion. And today, Saks took an additional 33% off designer sale prices. Nordstrom just did their second mark down. Net-A-Porter also took an additional 20% off sale prices.

Today is the last day of the online Kate Spade sample sale and they are deducting an additional 30% off when you add items to your cart.

There are lots of great deals out there! I have considered beginning my holiday shopping EXTRA early this year just in case. If the NY Times Sunday Styles section's analysis is correct then serious retail restructuring will render the sales of fall and early winter to be far less enticing and far less amply stocked.

Adventures in Nautical Trompe L'Oeil!

My neighbor has a sailboat, which Chris has spent some time on the last few weeks, preparing it for the summer season of sailing. Accordingly, I have been fantasizing about summer events and outfits that will comprise my summer wardrobe. Because that wardrobe now includes a reason to be even more obsessed with all things Nautical than I am every summer season, I found it fitting to pick up this Trompe L'Oeil sailor dress from the Annie Creamcheese consignment and vintage shop in Georgetown.

Too patriotic? Too silly? Perhaps. I admit that it is somewhat costumey but my other outfit idea, (to wear white linen pants with my navy cashmere anchor sleeve sweater from Blanc Bleu in St. Barths) might not be practical, due to the heat and my epic clumsiness.

The tshirt style dress is scandalously short so I've had to layer underneath it an exposed slip by Hanky Panky. Hopefully I won't look too jaggy when just a dream and the wind will carry me.
I hear the canvas can do miracles. (I realize I age myself when I quote such lyrics, but whatever).

Diane von Furstenberg Sample Sale Haul: Your Advice Needed!

To hem or not to hem the sleeves: That is the question.

This Spring Shadows Greer DVF wrap dress was purchased on my behalf by a fashionism.org friend who was kind and generous enough to ship it to me after braving the legendary DVF sample sale! I love it and have long wanted a dress with this gorgeous all over print, but am torn about whether I should keep the bell sleeves as is, or hem them into a 3/4 length (for more seasonless wearability).

What do you think? (excusing the crudeness of the quick iPhone pics):

I can't return the dress, so any "both are epic fails" comments are moot. :)

Back in Pittsburgh!

I am back in Pittsburgh and starting to feel settled again, after a few long but fun weeks of hectic travels, lengthy research, unreliable internet connections, and bleary mornings during which I'd regularly forget my location. Although I am happy to be back, since there truly is no place like home, I will miss DC for its restaurants, museums, comprehensive public transportation, great friends (shout out specifically to my Fashionism gal pals), and shopping.

Before I left I managed to hit up some of my favorite neighborhood haunts, to scope sales and try on some clothes. A few items might eventually become objects of estalking but nothing struck me as a "must buy." At least not for just 30-40% off retail.

In light of the Susie Bubble dressing room photo scandal I am a little wary about posting my own dressing room picks, but I sincerely doubt anyone from Cusp, Anthropologie, or Barney's Coop will ever stumble upon my humble blog. So here they are:
Anthropologie:

Leifsdottir dress, Anna Sui skirt, Odille skirt

Cusp (where I tried on every See by Chloe dress in the store):

Barney's Coop:

3.1 Phillip Lim skirt and dress

A.P.C. dress and jacket

I will be getting back into the rhythm of blogging now that I am home again and have many topics ready for discussion! Thanks for bearing with me during my DC hiatus!!