Old Navy Sale Haul

I haven't done much shopping lately.  I think back in my college days I had a new top every weekend or something.  But for many reasons, I am trying to be more choiceful, choose quality pieces, and return things I don't love.

That said, I don't have as much luck in-store as online, in terms of both sizes and sale prices.  Plus, online I can stack deals.  So I'll often order more than I will actually keep, just to try things on and see what they are really like.  (Caroline's Day is awesome at this.)

Here are a few items that I've ordered, but have not yet received/tried on... but the sales were irresistible, and I spent under $200 on ALL of these combined!  (My entire spring wardrobe budget... but it will get me through the summer.)  Just to get an idea, take the sale price and then add discount codes... amazing.

Honeycomb-Knit Crew Sweater, on sale $12

Mint is such a great color right now!  I bought this sweater to keep warm in fluctuating temperatures.

Scalloped-Lace Dress, on sale $25

Lace is very on-trend right now, and it's missing from my wardrobe.  I love a white dress with same-color accents or eyelets.

Mixed-Eyelet Dress, on sale $25

Obnoxiously bright, plus eyelets.  I love A-line skirts!  Think this will go with a denim jacket over it for casual days at work!

Striped Fit & Flare Dress, on sale $22.50

I love black and white stripes.  This dress is going to replace a dress I have from Forever 21 that is simply too short to be appropriate at work.  I love when retailers offer longer lengths!

Long-Sleeved Wrap Dress, $32.94

I actually paid full price for this one, but used a discount code.  I LOVE the print, and these wrap dresses don't last long before selling out.  I felt lucky to snag my size; these are universally flattering and work-friendly.

Chambray Belted Shirt Dress, on sale $25

This dress is available in a darker wash, but I was attracted to this light color.  I see this as a weekend uniform or sorts, but everything I choose these days doubles for work.

Lightweight Patterned Shirt, on sale $19

I've been looking for gingham shirts for a reasonable price.  Wish this was blue or black, but I feel like purple is a color I could use more of in my wardrobe.  Great layering piece!

Chambray Printed Shirt, on sale $15

I love the chambray trend.  I actually really like this shirt in a lighter wash with anchor print, but my boss already has the exact same one!  (Sidenote, I have the same H&M shirt as two of my friends at work, and we're always worried we'll wear them on the same day!)  I actually ordered this in Tall size to get one that fit and was long enough.  Sometimes if your size is sold you, you can work some Tall/Petite magic to find something that will work.

And right now, until 3/24, you can save 25% with code ONSAVE25!

New Favorite Boutique: House of Stella

I haven't been the greatest blogger lately.  Aside from covering my recent Las Vegas trip, time has just been flying by and keeping me preoccupied.  So I haven't been here as much.

One of the Nashville bloggers I follow, Lauren at Old Red Boots, put it so well today when she wrote, "Like most bloggers, I have my periods of self-doubt and the sense of being lost. There are tons of really good bloggers out there and I find it hard to have my own voice and unique spot on the Internet."

But then I remember that I've never blogged for anybody else but myself.  This is my little corner of the world to share and own as I see fit.  So if I blog, I blog.  If I don't, you probably won't even notice.

Still, I had to write about an accidental and amazing find from the weekend.

Since these photos, this chair now has a pillow that coordinates with my bedspread and a nostalgic stuffed animal friend.

Isn't this old chair fab?  Love it!  It's a gorgeous grey color with pinstriped fabric.  I was at Plato's Closet attempting to rid myself of old denim (and remembered how much I hate Plato's Closet and need to find a better local consignment shop) when I saw this little boutique in the strip mall called House of Stella.

The mannequins had the most ADORABLE dresses.  So cute I was fawning over them.  It was a lazy Sunday afternoon, and I got into a fantastic conversation with Felicia, one of the store's owners.  She told me   the story of how she and her daughter started the store, and I quickly fell in love with the place.  And not only that, but much of the furniture in there is for sale too!  I just had to take this little grey chair home with me.  Isn't it the cutest?  Perfect for that awkward gap space in my bedroom.

And the clothes are so adorable.

Dear Creatures, source

I especially loved two lines they carry, London's Sugarhill Boutique, and its American line Dear Creatures.  I think that the clothes in this store are the style I aspire to, when I'm not falling back on basics from Target and Old Navy.

Sugarhill Boutique, source

Sugarhill Boutique, source

I think I may stop back in there for a birthday dress this week.  And maybe an Easter dress.  They actually keep most items under $100, so I love it for a well-deserved *local* splurge!  I will probably stalk their sale rack regularly too.

If you're in the Nashville area, check them out for sure!  A hidden gem I'll be rediscovering frequently.

Bunheads

I was a huge Gilmore Girls fan.  Its abrupt ending, without a true finale, really disappointed me.  But I think what I really missed was Amy Sherman-Palladino's fast-talking, eccentric characters and magical fantasy world.

Desktop Wallpaper I made in college.... I know, I was obsessed!

I'd heard Amy was writing a show for ABC Family, called Bunheads... but I wasn't super impressed with the other random shows on that channel.  It aired last year, and as of now they haven't announced whether it has been renewed for a second season.  But I noticed the first ten episodes were free on Amazon Prime, so I had to check it out.

The gist of Bunheads is that a cheeky Las Vegas showgirl marries her semi-stalker in a vulnerable moment, landing in a quirky little town only to have him die quickly and leave her with her mother-in-law and strange residents and a dance school full of teenagers.

source

It's no Gilmore Girls.  But there are lots of Gilmore Girls alumni with bit parts (and Kelly Bishop with a big part) and the witty, quick dialogue with off-beat references.  I like that even though ABC Family is aimed at teenagers, I enjoy the show's adult storyline the most.  Amy didn't compromise.

Also, the music is totally reminiscent of GG.  And Paradise is California's answer to Stars Hollow.

So if you're in the mood for a GG knockoff, this is a fun way to spend an hour.  Then another hour.  Then another hour.  Sutton Foster is a Tony-winning Broadway star, so her skills are legit and fun to watch.

But seriously, if Veronica Mars can have a successful Kickstarter campaign to make a movie as a TV series follow-up, shouldn't Gilmore Girls be next?

P.S.  Little Bunhead Bailey Buntain looks like Megan Hilty's little sister!