onlne shopping...if you're into that kind of thing

I must admit, when it comes to online shopping, my purchases are basically limited to textbooks. I also bought a backpack that I liked and couldn't find in any of the six stores I went to. I've never been big on shopping online for clothes, shoes or accessories. To me, the fun in shopping is bracing yourself for a day of store hopping, or happening into a store on your lunch break. Where is the fun in sitting at your computer in your skivvies when you could be out and about, trying things on, finding a fantastic bargain buried at the back of a clearance rack, and people-watching?

Plus, sizing is so tricky, especially for a girl like me (and billions of other gals out there), that you run the risk of buying something online only to find that it doesn't fit, or worse, makes you look like you're about to drop twins.

That being said, check out Bluefly.com.

The site offers the best designer clothing, shoes and accessories for a discounted price, sometimes up to half off! For example, check out this Vera Wang dress, marked down to $297 (from a whopping $650!) It's still very expensive, but only half as expensive as it should be. If you have money to burn and like to wear only the best, Bluefly is great. I've never actually bought anything from Bluefly, but I like to look on the site occasionally and see what they have, just for kicks.

conspicuous consumption

It seems to me that jeans have replaced designer purses as the new status symbols for American women. I found a Slate article from November 2005 that discussed this in ways far more articulate than I could. Check out the end--this piece was written a year and a half ago:

When it comes to fashion trends, it's difficult to say what is fleeting and what will endure. There are already signs that the premium jeans market has peaked. With too many cognoscenti, too many who speak the language of the back pocket, it is bound to lose its appeal. Perhaps we'll even see a return to a conspicuous consumption of a more conspicuous nature. I recently saw a Seven for All Mankind cropped jean cuffed with real rabbit fur, for $295.

I don't know about you, but I'm pretty sure the premium jeans market is still alive and kicking. Everywhere I look, I see girls in R&Rs and Citizens of Humanity, and Sevens are EVERYWHERE. Its true what the author (Louisa Thomas) says in the article--that designer jeans are the perfect example of inconspicuous conspicuous consumption. We only buy them because we know people will be checking out our butts!

And it's not for the boys. We buy these jeans so girls will check out our butts. If you look good, boys don't care whether you're wearing Earnest Sewn or Target. It's our fellow women that we are trying desperately to impress.

Check out the entire article here

you're kidding, right?

The other night I was at Vox with a friend and we were approached by some guys. We were sitting and talking with them and my friend Amanda was telling one of the guys, Steve, how I'm her most stylish friend. He agreed with her and looked at my purse and asked if it was Gucci.

I got it from Target for $14.99.

HOLLA.

ikea? brilliant!

Rather than boring you with the same old text-on-a-screen deal, I've gone high-tech! Check out my podcast about my furniture-buying escapades here. I tried my hardest to keep my Boston accent out of this, but I'm sure you'll notice it.

Rock on, kids.

"spring break"

Last week was my spring break. While my friends and classmates jet-setted off to tropical destinations, I was home on the couch, still crippled by mononucleosis.

I won't lie to you, I stayed in my pajamas from Friday to Wednesday. I should be shunned from society. I know. I'm gross. But hey, we've all been there. By the end of the week I was feeling a little bit more energetic and decided to go shopping. Where did I go? Target of course.

And I hit the jackpot, yet again! Some earrings, a cute wallet that I found in the girls' department for $3.99, a green-striped tube top...I made out like a bandit. And now that I'm back to work again and making some money, I'll be shopping even more. And that makes me so incredibly happy.

patience, my children.

Perfect example of why you should wait for end-of-season sales.

A few months ago, I became obsessed with the idea of ankle boots. And why shouldn't I? They're perfect: they look good with pants (nobody knows that they're not full-length boots), and they look fantastic with a skirt or cropped pants. They're just cool. So I went on a quest to find the perfect ankle boots, but found them all to be out of my price range. I have a hard time spending $150 on knee-high boots, so I refused to spend that much on ankle boots. I put my desires on hold and decided to wait until boots went on sale at the end of the season. Best decision I ever made! (I'm being hyperbolic here, this is in no way the best decision I have ever made in my life...that would be a sad statement on my existence).

The other day I was feeling pretty energetic and walked up to Newbury to see if I could find any deals. I stopped into Aldo and hit the jackpot. Sale on all boots. And not just a sale, an AMAZING sale.

I found the ankle boots I have been coveting for the last four months, marked down to $49! Man, was I happy. Now I just have to start feeling better so I can get out and show them off.