Edition 73: Fashion Friday

A few weeks ago my friend Steph and I had plans to go shop at the outlet mall in San Marcos. But then the day before we were supposed to go I came down with a cold/sinus issues/allergies/black plague and I knew I wouldn’t have the stamina to endure the marathon that is outlet shopping, so we rescheduled for yesterday.

On Tuesday I received a text message from Steph that read “Torn between two lovers. The semi-annual sale starts at Nordys on Wednesday. Should we go there or to the outlet malls?”

I don’t know. What’s more important, my left arm or my left leg?

Ultimately we decided to shop the Nordstrom sale because it only happens twice a year, plus the cafe upstairs serves those thin little french fries with the kalamata aioli dipping sauce.

My original plan was to take pictures of all the cute stuff we saw as we shopped. But you know what’s useful when you make that type of plan?

If you remember to actually take your camera out of your purse and use it. I cannot tell you how sorry I am, especially because that plan would have been so much simpler than trying to recreate all that I saw using only the internet.

But I’ll do my best.

Also, did you know that there is a Zara store at La Cantera? I originally heard about Zara at a Deeper Still conference when Beth and Priscilla mentioned on stage that they liked to shop there on occasion, but had never experienced one for myself until yesterday when I discovered that there is an ENTIRE SECTION of The Shops at La Cantera that I never knew existed. The only excuse for this oversight is that it’s located beyond the Food Court and I guess I get distracted once I see Chick-fil-A.

Anyway, here are a few things I thought were cute.

(By the way, Zara did have some really cute, very affordable things, but they don’t have a shoppable website)

(Is shoppable a word?)

1. Gumshoe Sweatercoat

I hate to do this to you because all I’m doing is causing you to join in my deep longing. If this isn’t one of the cutest sweatercoats you’ve ever seen, I’ll eat my hat.

Unfortunately, if I brought this coat home with me it would be all I’d have left to keep me warm at night. P wouldn’t understand the way the ruffles whispered my name and caused me to lose my sense of restraint and cost-appropriateness.

2. Ambition Corduroy Blazer

I didn’t buy one of these because I’m not in the market for a new blazer. Also, I’m a little afraid of the term “blazer”.

However, this is a really great jacket and even better in person than in the picture. Plus it comes in some great colors.

3. Naughty Monkey ‘Ring Maestro’ Boot

I love the detail of these boots. I love the color. I love the wedge heel that makes them so versatile.

But, let’s be honest, what really sold me was the name brand. I’d like to buy them just so I could make references to my naughty monkeys and cause people to wonder if I have a side job raising spider monkeys in my backyard.

Of course I guess a side job would require me to have a real job first.

4. Daytrip Plaid Coat

When Gulley and I were in college, the Diamond Darlings held a garage sale to raise money. I kid you not that we sold an old coat of Nena’s that looked EXACTLY like this one and oh did we laugh and mock and use the word “groovy” and other insults circa 1970′s.

But now I kind of wish we had the original.

5. Cable-knit Hooded Sweater Dress

In the interest of full disclosure I have to confess that I didn’t actually see this yesterday because we didn’t go in Old Navy. As far as I know, there isn’t an Old Navy in La Cantera unless I’m missing out on a whole other section of the mall. Which we now know is entirely possible.

Anyway, I’m including this hooded sweater dress because the number one fashion-related question I get in my email inbox is some version of “What’s a good alternative to the sweatsuit?” or in other words, “How can I walk around in my pajamas without looking like I’m in my pajamas?”

Steph and I pondered this question yesterday and ultimately decided that there really isn’t a good alternative for the sweatsuit. I mean, sure, you can run around in your velour sweatpants (guilty!) or your yoga pants (guilty again!) but you can only make those things look so cute. There is a cuteness threshold.

However, I think that you could easily pair a sweater/jersey/cotton type tunic/dress with leggings and either flats, sneakers or boots and have yourself a presentable look that would provide the comfort of a sweatsuit. Maybe I’m delusional, but I thought I’d throw it out there.

And on that note, I’m wrapping it up.

I realize I only featured five items today but that’s because that number coincides with the time I was rudely awakened this morning by a child who has the morning sensibilities of an overeager rooster. I need some sleep.

And to save some money for blackout shades for Caroline’s bedroom.

And to get my playbook ready for my solo coaching effort on Saturday since I don’t know anything and there is no rain in the forecast.

Y’all have a great Friday.

For more Fashion Friday, you can click over to Jo-Lynne at Musings of a Housewife where she’s discussing the trends she doesn’t get and I definitely agree with her on some of them.

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