Some of My Favorite: Shopping Friends, Mall Stores, J Crew Dresses for Spring

I have a few friends who are truly my favorite shopping partners. These are the kind of friends I can leisurely wonder around with and browse boutiques or hit a hard-core, dig-through-everything-on-sale outlet stores. They're the ones who hand me something over the dressing room door and it's always cool and fits just right and I like it better than anything I took in with me. And they may even rationalize a purchase for me so I don't have to do it myself: "I know you don't have anywhere to wear that, but it looks so good on you and it's on sale!" (It's lovely to have someone talk you into something you want.)

The trouble is that one of these friends lives in Manhattan, one lives in Brooklyn and one lives in Colorado. I don't live in any of those places. (I'm happy to audition local fellow shoppers--say the word, ladies.)

My Brooklyn friend visits here frequently so I get to shop with her a few times a year. I just had a day of boutiquing with my Manhattan friend. And last week I got to hit the mall with my Colorado friend. (We emailed about where to shop. Me: "What are you up for? Anthro? Shoes?" Her: "The Mall sounds good. Unless you think that would be lame." Me: "Are you kidding? The Mall is my favorite place!")

We parked by Macy's and walked past the oh-so-hideous prom dress department (dear god--I was never happier to not be a teenager) and hit all my favorite places to hit in The Mall: Gap, Banana Republic, J Crew and Sephora.

I gotta tell you, fellow shoppers, the Gap these day: bad. I don't know what's going on there but I find it ill-fitting and tuti-fruiti. It's all wrong. I have not liked a thing in the Gap the last few seasons. Banana, on the other hand, seems to be hitting all the right notes with me. (See recent posts on several Banana dresses I've purchased lately.) I've loved the color palette, the shapes, the fit. And I've really been wild about the sale prices. (I recently got a blue silk disco-vibe dress there for $23.99. During my latest Mall visit I grabbed an uber-oversize faux pearl necklace for $5.99)

But J Crew...I love you most of all. I've been hitting their final sale online fairly hard. (Oh the sweaters!) I've been scouring the in-store sale racks regularly. (Took home a black with touches of gold thread wool/cashmere pencil skirt--love it!--for $20.99. It cost me more than that to get it hemmed.)

My recent J Crew score was the papaya-hued version of the dress shown below in light pewter. (I don't see the orange-y one online). Good with both heels or flat sandals and a cardigan.


There are few other J Crew dresses I'm smitten with. (I love love love dresses.) The simple linen dress below is made special with a dash of metallic, a defined waist and a bow detail. (I heart bows--I'm girly.)



And so you don't think this post looks like a casual version of the Oscars (what was with the white/ivory/cream thing Hollywood?) here's a lovely bright (papaya!) with similar features as the above--a defined waist and a bow--but with a more squarish neckline and in cotton.



And back to white...I'd get married all over again just so I could wear this tulle and organza wedding cake of a dress. I am a sucker for tiers.

Jeans, Jeans, They're Good for Your Heart

Last night Cheapy Junior's nursery school had a kids-and-dads party, which meant I had one hour to myself. I made a list of possible ways to make use of those precious 60 minutes: watch TV, read a book, iron, do a little closet editing, give myself a facial, sit on the couch and stare at the wall...finally I decided to go to The Mall.

I really love wondering around The Mall on a weeknight. It's so empty, so warm, so full of stuff! There were a mere handful of fellow shoppers at the Gap, where I tried on dresses, tops, and several pair of jeans. I have to say I'm not that into what the Gap's got going on for fall--there was a definite lumberjack-with-ruffles theme, and the basics were boring (tweed and puffer jackets?).

But I was there for denim. My favorite pair of jeans ever is getting a tad threadbare. There are holes and fraying and all the stuff that makes worn-in jeans cool. But I'm afraid in a few more weekends there may be new holes surfacing near the cheeks and lady bits--and that's never cool.

I tried on the Essential (bad), the Straight (badder), the Curvy (baddest) and I ended up with my old favorite. The Long and Lean is my jean (which is funny because I am neither). The mid-rise is just right, the slight flair offers a good balance, the bit of stretch makes them as comfy as sweats, and the Ankle version is just the right length (and at least a full inch longer than my old pair. Since the Gap introduced Petite, Ankle's inseam has increased.)


I got one pair in the lightest wash because that was the only one in stock in my size. I'd really like some dark jeans for evenings and wearing to work, but my new super soft, perfect fitting pair are now my official Saturday pants.

Negotiation at the Gap

The day before my recent trip to LA, I fell into the Gap and tried on this little black shift dress.



It fit well and was simple, flattering and terribly comfortable so I wanted it to be my travel-to-LA outfit. I could wear it on the plane and in the cab, then change shoes, accessorize, and wear it to dinner at the hotel.

The trouble was, the only one left in my size was full of schmutz--makeup at the collar, deodorant in several places, dust at the hem. I knew, however, that I could launder all of this out--I'm good with stains. I pointed out the issues to the Gap associate and she gave me 20% off the $58 item. This is something I've done several times before at various stores--it works for missing or broken buttons, tiny tears in seams, etc. If there's an issue, they'll generally give you a discount. Note, however, that if you buy an item discounted as damaged, you usually cannot return it, so be certain it's something you really want and can fix. I knew I'd get a lot of use out of this dress. And, of course, it came out perfect after going through the wash.

I wore the dress to work the other day with one of my latest eBay accessory finds--this quite large, feathery flower pin.


I know--it's very early-Carrie-Bradshaw. But something about it called to me and compelled me to spend 8 bucks on it. Cheapy is not a fan. I got mixed reviews at the office as well. I was in the cubicle of one a female co-workers horning in on her lunch plans with a young, male coworker. He walked in:

Female co-worker: I invited [Material Girl] to lunch with us. Is that cool with you?
Male co-worker, turning to Material Girl: Are you gonna wear that brooch?

I found it quite precious that he used the word "brooch."

We had Mexican food for lunch and I somehow managed not to salsa up my feathers. And mixed reviews or not, I love this pin. The black shift is so plain, and I'm having a hard time finding the right necklace for the boat neckline. It's also not great with cardigans or jackets because the neckline is so high. This pin was the perfect focal point. I wore tiny earring and gold sandal in a very low wedge. I felt happy all day in my clothes.

Friday Night at The Mall

I mentioned in my last post that my company declared "summer hours" during which we can leave at 3 o'clock on Fridays. So far summer hours have been doing a number on my discretionary fund. Last week it was Dillard's, Victoria's Secret and Sephora, this week Macy's and Gap. I left The Mall with a shopping bag full of purchases about which I am quite jazzed--three dresses, a pair of shoes and a white shirt.

I spent some time in that Macy's dress department and it was not much fun. All the things I liked on the hangars looked dumb on, the dressing rooms were like 95 degrees, everything seemed to zip up the side which was hard to do, and each time I was trying things on there was an annoying women having a loud cell phone conversation in the room right next to me.

I gave up and headed to INC where I found this dress that I love love love. It was in the petite section which is always a plus, and it's a cotton shirt dress with a full 1950's-ish skirt. I got the brown and white pictured below in a petite size as well as a black and white floral print in a regular size, which also fits me nicely but is just a tad longer. I wish I could have shown a bigger picture, but the Macy's site is being weird (which you may find if you click on the link to this dress.) The picture below does not do this dress justice--it's so way better in person when you can see just how cute the print is.


I also got these Reaction by Kenneth Cole wedges only not in black as pictured here. They were also offered in pewter and I've got a weakness of a metallic shoe. They're a nice squishy comfy wedge and I really like the wood heel and the t-stap.

Finally I fell into the Gap and bought two white items--it's practically summer, you know--time to lighten up. I got a rather granola dress that's two layers of very light cotton with some embroidery. It's not normally something that I'd gravitate towards (it's a little Rachel Zoe), but it's really a good summer piece, it was flattering and comfortable, and it was on sale for $34. (I couldn't find it online.)

I'd already checked out when I noticed a display of white shirts. Remember the hip-designers -do-the-Gap white shirts? Let's just say they did not go like hotcakes at The Mall. Not quite right for the suburban Midwestern mall shopper, I suppose. They were all on sale for $16.99 (and are currently $44.99 online). I headed back to the counter and bought this one by Phillip Lim, which was my favorite of all of the white shirts they offered. It will do well for me in my chilly office through the summer months.

One Stop, Four Stores: Brillant Move for the Gap

Check this out: Go to the website for the Gap, Banana Republic, Old Navy or Piperlime, and you can shop at all four of the stores at once, and shipping is seven bucks for your whole order. You just click the tabs at the top of the sites to go from one collection of goodies to another.

So I can get myself some shoes from Piperlime, go to Old Navy and pick up some new flannel shirts for Cheapy Jr., then click over to the Gap for some super-on-sale jeans for Cheapy, and checkout all at once. So cool.

Mother's Day Shopping: Anthropologie Plus a DSW Shoe Binge

Cheapy is very nice on occasions like Mother's Day, my birthday, etc. He always occupies Cheapy Junior for the day, hands me some cash, and send me off to have the happy day of my choice.

I was a little bummed when I started off today because it was chilly, raining, and generally miserable outside. I removed "get pedicure" from my stuff-to-do-today list because I couldn't bear the thought of not wearing socks and boots.

"Hit Anthropologie," however, remained an option, particularly because my high school friends, who I've been getting together with every few months since my last class reunion, gave me an Anthro gift card for a belated birthday gift. It was a nice and unexpected surprise. So Anthropologie was the first stop on my Mother's Day shopping trip. My goal was to find some tops for layering. I've been accumulating a good collection of cropped cardigans and shrugs lately which I've really been digging, but I've been low on light knit tops to wear under them.

Here are the three tops I got, all of them from the sale rack.




They are all soft and comfortable and all have necklines that will accommodate the zillions of necklaces I've been buying recently.

After Anthropologie, I popped into the Gap, but I really just wanted to use the bathroom. I was not in a Gap mood, and after an hour of being spoiled by the Anthropologie dressing room experience (they remember your name and really don't seem to mind getting you other sizes), I wasn't in the mood to try things on at the Gap. (The white shirts were all super on sale, by the way.) Time for shoe shopping--even if it meant unzipping my boots countless times.

And twas a good day for shoe shopping--I bought four pairs. (It's been a really long time since I bought four pairs of shoes at once. I was as giddy I a girl could be on a dreary day.) Since they were DSW purchases, I can't find any of them online except these t-straps (which I got in Natural), and I can't post of picture of them because the DSW site uses Flash so I can't copy the image. (I need to get a Mac.) Besides the Prima pumps I got a pair of Franco Sarto patent three-tone t-straps, a pair of silver Frye maryjanes, and a pair of pointy toe, patent Born flats (the last two especially for my upcoming trip to New York. I don't want to tromp around the Big Apple in flip flops but I need something comfortable and cute.) All totaled, I spend $150 on all four pairs--three were 50% off and the cheapest pair was 30%. A Happy Mother's Day indeed.

My Evening at Macy's--In Store and Online

Macy's is having this "Friends and Family" sale going on for which they decide pretty much everyone in the world is a a friend of Macy's or part of the Macy's family and send them cards for 20% off pretty much anything.

I hit the store at 8 p.m. (when it's generally pretty empty) to try on some dresses. I grabbed a handful and found a dressing room which happened to be filled with a bunch of other dresses that were all my size. I tried on a dozen or so and settled on a cute black cotton dress with cap sleeves and white embroidery at the hem. It was $68 after the discounts and it's a perfect little dress for summer. I can't find it on the Macy's website. I can never seem to find anything on the Macy's website.

If I go to, say, the Gap and they're out of something in my size, I can come home, go to their website, and buy it (or at least find it, whether it's available in my size or not). Every time something is sold out in my size at Macy's, I check the website and it's not there.

For example...tonight I found a Michael Kors Petites dress that I really loved. Problem was, one size was too big, one size was too small, and they were sold out of the size in between. Of course, this particular dress it not sold on Macy's website. If I want an ugly gold Michael Kors swing jacket or an ugly yellow Michael Kors mini trench, I'm in luck. Dress I decided I must have--no luck.

I found it on the Nordstrom site (have I mentioned that I can't wait for Nordstrom to open at The Mall--hurray up with that construction, already), but there would be no 20% discount involved in that purchase. Full price is $159.50 and Nordstrom's shipping is $8.

I decided to call some other locations of Macy's to find the dress. After a few minutes on (long distance) hold I talked to the very helpful (albeit monotone) Tiffany at a Columbus area location and--yay!--they had my size. And she could send it to me. For $15.95. (Isn't that outrageous?) But with the 20% off, I'm still doing better than Nordstrom. With all said, done and rung up, I saved $9 off the full price. I really hope it's fits me perfectly when it arrives--I hope I still love it. Nothing is more annoying than blowing 16 clams on shipping only to return the item.

Here's the dress I ordered from Tiffany.


So maybe it's a little derivative of Balenciaga's spring florals. But it's less weird (and I can't afford Balenciaga). And let me tell you, that "petite" model must be at least 5'7" because that dress hit just above the knee on 5'2" me.

My Shopping Weekend: Venturing to the Other End of The Mall

I generally stick to the end of The Mall near Macy's because there's a parking garage there that almost always offers rockstar parking, and it's near the Gap and Sephora.

Today I shopped at the other end of The Mall. (That's where the Aveda store is, and I got a haircut there during their charity cut-a-thon.) There are stores at this end that I like, but sort of forget about. I cruised through Banana Republic and got bored. (I like the Banana at my favorite outdoor mall much better.)

Next I hit the sale rack at J. Crew. They had lots of nice items on sale and tried on a bunch. I thought about a wrap dress and madras mini skirt but passed on them. (I bought a madras blazer from T.J. Maxx recently, and I fear I could easily over-madras.) I tried on several tops and concluded that J.Crew clothing is generally made for B cup and below. (Are the preppy all flat chested? Cheapy will never leave me for a J. Crew model.) I did buy a silk shirt similar to the one below. My friend had this one on when we went out the other night and I really loved it. The one I bought is the same cut but in a gold and white animal print. The print along with an an exposed zipper in the back add a little edge to the conservative boatneck cut. The animal print top looks fab with my destroyed jeans.


I also popped into Ann Taylor for a spell to check out the clearance. (The full price items at the front of the store were really icky. They have this whole white/turquoise/green/blue/lots of pattern thing going on and that I found quite unappealing.) They had a 75% off rack in the back of the store and I found me some paisley. (Much like rickrack, I have a soft spot for paisley.) So I went home with silk shirt number two, a button down in a brown and white paisley pattern. I can't find it online. It was on final sale for $19.99. The cut is really flattering (it's petite). And I recently decided I look really good in brown.

I also bought yet another clutch from an eBay seller. (The red one I got last week was kinda disintegrating so I got a refund from that seller and sent it back.) This one should prove to be quite nice, and it's a perfect neutral for spring--I think it will go well with my two new silk tops--and I really like that it's got silvertone accents instead of goldtone.



And check out how nice this bag is on the inside. It looks new.




My only other recent purchase was a pair of straight cut black pants from the Gap. I got them on Thursday when I took back some trouser jeans because I decided the rise was too low. I will be bringing these pants to a tailor, however, to have the waistline taken in just a bit. (They will join the three dresses and one pair of pants in need of hemming that have been in a shopping bag in my trunk for two weeks--it's hard to find time to go to the tailor). The size I purchased fits perfectly everywhere but the waist. I can literally take them off without unbuttoning them. The next size down was too tight everywhere except the waist, of course. But with a little nip, they'll be just right. Everyone should find a good tailor--proper fit is important, fellow shoppers!

Hip Designers Did White Shirts for the Gap; I Tried Them On. Here's My Review

April 15th. The day our tax forms must be on their way to the IRS. The day Juno comes out on DVD and Blu-ray (cause how could you not know that if you've been in a mall or anywhere on the Internet). The day the Gap debuts their latest collection of cool-designers-do-the-white-shirt. I visited the Gap at The Mall today and tried on each and every one of them. (They are all $78 or $88.)





These four white shirts are all by Phillip Lim. I found the first one (top left) to be too boxy and too long (keep in mind I'm 5'2"). The sleeves are nice and I like the detail on the placket

The second one (top right) made me feel like a fancy waiter. (Note to the Gap: I apologize if there's some Wild Violet lipstick in the vicinity of the collar of the shirt I tried one. It was quite snug going over the head.)

The third one (bottom left) was pretty cute on, but I'm really over this sort of babydoll cut. And having to attractively tie the tie at the neckline before I left the house would make me late for work.

The fourth one (bottom right) on a good day, sexy librarian; on a bad day unattractive school marm.




Of this group I like the first one (left) by Michael Bastian the best. I always like a Western cut and what's not to love about a shirt with snaps. It's nicely fitted, but it was too long for me. On someone a few inches taller than I am, this would be a great choice.

The second shirt (center) by Band of Outsiders is just too much white shirt for me. If I was channeling my inner Lindsay Lohan, I'd grab some leggings and this would be a fab dress. Good sleeve length and good cut.

The white dress (right) by Three AsFour looks good on the model, but not on me, and probably not on most women who aren't 5'8" and a B-cup. It really shows off the shoulders nicely however.




My favorite white shirt is not available on the Gap website so I had to copy this group picture to show it to you, fellow shoppers. It's the second one in on the right--the one cut like a tank with one spaghetti strap and one thicker strap. This shirt was really flattering. I love the cut and the asymmetrical snap placket. I would have purchased it except for one thing: there's no way any brassiere of mine can go under this little number. Material Girl generally needs some support, but I'll go hippie when I need to. But, come on--under white? This looked terrific on the mannequin who had no nipples. Otherwise, ladies, we'd be giving the world a little more boobie info than it needs.

A Boutique Fashion Show Date with Cheapy

Cheapy put Cheapy Jr. in the jogging stroller and took off on a run to the downtown area of our tiny city. A few minutes later, I got a phone call. Cheapy had found the perfect place for us to begin our Saturday night date: a Jackie O.-inspired spring fashion show at a neighborhood boutique. Go figure! (I'm starting to get that Cheapy likes boutiques way better than The Mall--woo hoo! It didn't hurt that there were free drinks.)

Needless to say, I was in on his plan. I picked out my outfit: an asymetrical black silk cap-sleeve top, a bronze and silver metallic shrug, and my sad Gap jeans. (I really need some decent denim. But that's another post.) I abandoned wearing my Poetic License two-tone metallic mary janes because it was chilly out and the event was outdoors, instead wearing my standard black Rockport boots.

By the time our babysitter arrived and we got to our fashion destination (Romauldo's for men/Kennedy's for ladies) we had missed the show, but the bar was still open as were the boutiques.

I found the sale rack in Kennedy's and came away with a Tracy Reese black silk tunic at 40% off. It's hard to see the details in this photo--a problem with viewing black clothing online--but it's got a pleated ruffle down the front and interesting seaming that gives it a really flattering shape. In the back, it closes with a shiny crystal button at the neck. (Why does the model have such bad posture?)


Cheapy and I found the clearance in the men's store as well. They had a shelf full of gorgeous $300 cashmere sweaters at 75% off. A sales associate got us in a conversation about his cashmere sweater philosophy: He advises men to start with navy blue and charcoal gray, move on to olive green, then begin to branch into other colors. I was enjoying this conversation immensely, happy with my purchase in hand which Cheapy paid for since I couldn't fit my wallet into my vintage clutch. Cheapy, however, was in pain. I'm fairly sure he would have gone into a retail-induced freak if he wasn't on his second beer. Too bad--he would look so nice in the navy cashmere.

He did spy a tie he liked for something like $145. It was black with purple paisley and made of buttery soft textured silk. He called it "Johnny Cash in Vegas," a fab description.

These boutiques were doing quite the business during the event, stuffed full of men in pink Bermuda shorts and blue blazers and women in $600 shoes. I saw a tall brunette with thick bangs, a thick ponytail and skinny jeans purchase a pink satin bomber jacket for $640 which she immediately began wearing. (I it found interesting yet a tad gaudy.)

Although I missed the spring fashion show, I picked up a guide which listed all the clothing the models wore. My favorite item on the list: Dion pink/blue pocket square: $40. I once saw an interview with a fashionable rapper that I'd never heard of say a man leaving the house without a pocket square is like a woman leaving the house without lip gloss. Ponder that for a bit.

My Very First Pair of Keds--Should I Keep Them?

With the Clarks sandals I got from Zappos yesterday came the most darling pair of Keds. I've never owned a pair of Keds in my life--the basic white sneaker thing never did much for me. But I saw this pair on Mischa Barton in one of her Keds ads (you can find it in Lucky and Vogue) and I had to have them.


They are so very very cute for spring. This red wedge would be perfect with many of my skirts, casual dresses, shorts, and even my baggy Gap khakis. My mom and Cheapy both really like them. But they sorta squish my big toe a little. Should I send them back? Does canvas give at all? I have no Keds/canvas shoe experience (even my Chuck Taylors are leather). Guide me fellow shoppers.

Some Days It's No Picnic at The Mall...Returning Online Purchases: Gap--Bad; Sephora--Good

I took that lunchtime trip to The Mall the exchange my Petite khakis at the Gap. Things were going well. They had my size in every single color of the rainbow khakis (I decided against yellow), and off I went to the register for my quick-and-painless exchange--only to discover the receipt was no where to be found. The Gap employee would not do the exchange without it.

I figured I left the receipt in my trunk, so I hauled my booty back to my car. No receipt. I called the store. Do I really need to drive all the way home to look for my receipt? Yes says buy-the-rules Gap employee.

Twenty minutes later the whole deal was done, but I was a little annoyed. Sure, it was my own fault for forgetting the slip. But for an even exchange you'd think they could cut me a break.

I almost didn't feel like walking halfway down The Mall to the escalator and halfway down The Mall again to get to Sephora for another return. But I'd been carrying an unwanted Sephora cuticle trimmer around in my purse for a few weeks. I'd ordered it on Sephora.com and I was unsatisfied with its performance--it wouldn't cut through warm butter. I'd long ago tossed the packing slip. I wasn't even finished with my explanation and the friendly-and-helpful Sephora employee was dashing off to check the price. In two minutes I had a card in my hand with my store credit. Happy happy. I love that store and its liberal return policy! (I also love it because it's full of makeup. It's like a continuous girl party where everyone tries on cosmetics and says, "Oh, that lip gloss looks great on you!" to one another. If they served cupcakes and cocktails I would move in.)

The Gap: Petite vs. Ankle

As mentioned in a recent post, I ordered Gap kahkis online so I could get them in a Petite size. They arrived today (hooray for fast shipping!), but they're not good. I love the colors, but I don't like the Petite cut. Unlike Ankle length pants, these Petites are not just shorter than regular Gap pants, the cut is adjusted, including a shorter rise--that's too short for me. The rise on the regular khakis was perfect when I tried them on in the store. Everything about them was perfect except that they were a good four inches too long. I don't need Petite--I need Ankle.

So tomorrow on my lunch break I'll take them back to the store, my $6 shipping charge experiment a failure. But I plan to leave the store with two pairs of regular khakis. And I will roll them up, and look all J.Crew catalog-y. Keep your fingers crossed that they have some good colors left in my size in the store. (Who know--I might come home with yellow!)

Back to the store you go camel toe khakis and weird white jacket.

Shopping Shipping Injustices: The Gap

Today I decided to buy a pair of the new pink and the new light blue khakis from the Gap. I'm going to Florida for vacation next week, and I figured these pastel trousers would compliment Miami well. Trouble is that (as I mentioned in a previous post) they only come in regular length in the store. If you're petite or tall you have to order online and pay for shipping. It's only $6 when you shop on Gap.com.

But I was thinking about this--why should I have to order my clothes online just because I am not of average height? That's not fair! The Gap should carry petite and tall items in their stores. (Their sister store Banana Republic finally started carrying petite and their line fits me so well.)

While my ire was still up, I decided to voice my opinion. I called the Gap's customer service number. Here is a close facsimile of our conversation:

Gap: Gap online customer service--how may I help you?

Material Girl: Hello Gap. I'm going to purchase some khakis from your website because you don't carry petite sizes in your stores. I feel it is unjust that I must pay shipping charges, however, simply because I am 5 foot 2. Would you consider waiving the shipping charge of $6 to make me, your loyal customer who talks about you on her blog quite often, happy?

Gap: No. We can't do that.

Material Girl: Do you have any future plans to carry petite and tall sizes in your store and thus discontinue this injustice?

Gap: I'm going to put you on hold, Ma'am.

Interlude of obnoxious-and-loud hold music for approximately 2 minutes.

Gap: Ma'am, we do carry petite sizes in some of our large flagship stores, but we have no plans to carry them in other locations at this point. And I confirmed that we cannot waive shipping.

Material Girl: I'm sorry to hear that. Thank you for checking.

Gap: Is there anything else I can help you with today, Ma'am?

Material Girl: No thank you. Goodbye and have a Gappy day.

I'm thinking of starting a one woman email campaign. Perhaps if I bug them enough they will reconsider this retail strategy of theirs. I've have engaged in such campaigns before and hold myself at least partially responsible for dark chocolate M&Ms, the reemergence of the Jell-O pudding pop, and getting a Sephora in my Mall--so it just could work. Feel free to join me fellow not-of-average-height shoppers! If we all bug the Gap, they gotta change their ways.

And we can also work on Old Navy who some time ago removed all their plus size clothing from their stores, making it online only. A plus size friend of mine was both annoyed and insulted by this, as if Old Navy was saying to their plus size customers: "We want your money, but we don't want you in our stores." And who needs to try on clothing more than a plus size woman? Size 2's have a much easier time of it when it comes to how clothing fits them. Size 22's need a fitting room and a selection.

Gap corporation--throw me a bone here. Clear out a few dozen of the 10 million pairs of jeans you carry and give me a tiny little section of pants and tops that fit me.

Saturday Afternoon--The Gap and Anthropologie

Sometimes I think I'm in a shopping rut, that I should find some new stores. But the familiar relaxes me, and I needed some Saturday afternoon Material Girl time, so I headed to my favorite Gap location which is just a few stores down from Anthropologie.

I wanted to hit The Gap to try on the colorful khakis. And I love the pink ones. They were sold out in my size, but I tried on the yellow just to test the fit. I've been in a yellow mood recently even though I'm certain it's a color I should never wear. In pants, though, it wouldn't reflect in my face and might not be bad. The Gap's colorful khakis for spring, however, only come in regular length in store. I'll purchase a pink petite pair online. (The light blue is nice, too.)

I did come home with this white jacket from The Gap. But it's weirdly shaped and I'm taking it back. (It looks much better on the model than on me.) Anthropologie does the nautical jacket thing in a much more flattering shape.














I also bought this top at Anthropologie (which I'm wearing right now) only in a really flattering rosey red color, not the yellow pictured, although I really dig this tumeric shade (just not on me).


To satisfy my sudden jones for yellow, I've been searching for a shoe. Last night I found one on Zappos.


This is the Camper Helena in in Banana/Cuarzo and I decided I must have them. I have a pair of Campers in the Helena style in green sans instep cutout and they're a favorite--cute, unexpected color, and very comfy. I wore them walking around New York during a 12-hour work day over the summer and my feel felt fab. These may be my birthday present to myself. (Although, fellow shoppers, we should treat everyday like it's our birthday--as long as we're easy on the cupcakes.)

P.S. I wore my new You by Crocs wedge boots (mentioned in my last post) while shopping and they were great.

A Rainbow at the Gap and Brights at Banana

The Gap is getting happy with the colors for spring. The khakis are practically Roy G. Biv. Thankfully there is no orange. I think I could wear the pink, but the others I'm not so sure about.





Speaking of orange, Gap's sister company Banana Republic has gone there in the form of a lady coat.



And if you don't want to get lost in a crowd this spring, how about a hot pink or bright yellow dress?


I don't think I could ever get enough of a tan to wear either of these. What do you think, fellow shoppers? Are these brights a refreshing change after winter months in a cocoon of darks, demin and down? Or are they a bit much? Is the next step day-glow? (Help, I'm having a flash back to 1984.)

Material Girl's Week of Savings!

I've made several good bargain purchases over the last week or so that I'm kind of excited about. Today I will share:

• Gap school boy plaid blazer, worn to work today--original price: $98; online price: $44.99; Material Girl price: $24.99 (in store); savings: $73.01.
• Kenneth Cole satchel, winter white leather, quite possibly my favorite bag ever due to all the hidden pocket and its capacity to hold my makeup bag, cell phone, wallet, one diaper, three toy tractor trailers, and a binky--original price: $274; Material Girl price: $69; savings: $205.
• Charles David Stunner black leather peeptoe wedges--original price: $194.95; Material Girl price: $58.79; savings: $136.16.
• My two Dillard's shoe purchases--original price (combined): $229; Material Girl price: $51.50 (how Van Halen!); savings: $177.50.
• A vintage brown sequin jacket that will possibly be an accessory at Donya's wedding if it's chilly--eBay seller claimed it was purchased for $700 at a vintage boutique in Beverly Hills (what the heck--we'll go with that); Material Girl price: $41; savings: $659.

So, ladies, here is my grand total of savings: $1250.67! What a week!