shop til you drop now

if there is anything classic that you want or have been eyeing, you should buy it soon!! i'm not sure if the everyday shopper has noticed but apparel prices are going up! since i'm in the retail industry, i feel so intimate w/ the current cotton / labor crisis that has struck the entire industry and is also a macroeconomic issue. prices retailers are being charged they say will jump 20-40% this year. retailers have no choice but to increase prices; some have already admitted the price increases while others are tiptoeing around it. the sad fact though, is that consumers are still very price sensitive and are still waiting for sales.

as much as i love to wear sweaters and boots, i'm soo ready for spring! since weather is definitely not on retailers' side, i think spring product will be backed up and retailers will start to be promotional...if they aren't already. a couple of items i've been eyeing (some of which i couldn't resist but did buy w/ a promotion).

jcrew is by far my favorite retailer (amongst) the specialty retailers you find in malls. the best selling styles are usually the 1st to go when they have their sales but they do occasionally have promotions online.

i'm a sucker for plaid shirts...i love this color combo

my other weakness - stripes! i love how this stripe feels more elevated because it's merino

madewell is a brand under jcrew. their styling is a bit more funky / casual. unfortunately they don't have any stores in the bay area. they did launch their website last year so at least we can buy online!

love love this shirt. should have bought it already...it's sold out now!

ann taylor...i remember as a high schooler, i aspired to shop at ann taylor when i was going to join 'corporate america'. of course, in my industry, it's uber casual so i never need to dress up. i can wear jeans every day! ann taylor has always been perceived as an mature and conservative brand. however, in the last 6 months or so, they've revamped their image and their target customer. even their marketing has been compared to jcrew.

saw this on cameron diaz in people magazine. found a 30% off coupon so i got this stripe sweater!