I’m pretty sure it was a Giani Bernini bag with an outside pocket that convinced me that the pocket is an absolute necessity! I haven’t looked at Macy’s in ages, though - I should give them another shot.
Congratulations!!! And a very Sparkly Happy New Year to you!
BetsQ, I used to be a BIG BAG girl but got tired of schlepping everything around that I didnt use/thought I needed for emergencies. Now I use my car as my auxiliary bag and just take a small bag with me. This one is my fave, the size is just right:
“Nylon material that’s ready to take on the elements, a fuss-free crossbody strap, and easy to access pockets make the MARC by Marc Jacobs Preppy Natasha bag the go-to for those on-the-go.
Nylon with golden hardware.
Adjustable leather crossbody strap; 19” drop.
Zip pocket inside front flap top; hidden magnetic closure.
Leather MARC by Marc Jacobs logo with button details.
Exterior, front flap pocket on front hidden partially by flap.
Interior, two open pockets and one zip pocket; logo jacquard lining.
10"H x 8"W x 3"D; 10oz."
Imported.
It has pockets inside for cell, lipbalm, pens, etc and an outside pocket for tickets, shopping list and stuff you want in a hurry - you could put your cell in there but I like mine inside.
I use it as a shoulder bag - the strap is adjustable. Comes in many colors but I have black.
Seconding the Nars Multiple recommendation - they’re amazing.
We knew we wanted to get married, but not “officially” engaged until he gave me the ring. 
BetsQ, I bought my last bag from Radley, a UK company. They’re not cheap but I think they are reasonable considering the quality - sturdy leather bags that can take a lot of abuse (I am really rough with my bags). And lots of pockets. 
The color of the year for 2013 is emerald green. So if you like it and look good in it, you may want to pick up a piece or two.
It took me a really long time to get brave enough to try sweater dresses. I think I assumed they would make me look fat. But now I have a few and they’re such a good “I’m in a rush” outfit for work.
LOVE it!
I’ve been pretty happy with the pumpkin orange trend that’s been going on. I don’t think emerald green will suit me if I wear it next to my face, but for accessories it might be good. I’m a big fan of black skirt or dress with colorful tights—it’s fun and a nice way to get some color and originality into an outfit.
I am not into purses but my mom and roommate are REALLY into them.
But here is what I’ve learned from them: You want to go to TJ Maxx. Ralph Lauren, Michael Kors, Coach are all quality, classic bags right now (provided you’re going all-leather). Don’t buy the first thing you see, but do buy something if you like it and then come back every week for several weeks; they get new purses every week. If you find something else you like weeks later, return the first one you bought (with tags and receipt!) and buy the other.
You’ll save about 40-60% off Macy’s and the like.
THEY ARE SO WARM!
Oh! I found a brand new Theory sweater at a consignment store – original tags still one. Retail $250. Got it for…$35 :eek::eek::eek:
Fingers crossed – going to the outlets tomorrow!
And congrats Hazelnut
Congratulations!!!
Aww yeah! I started to see a lot more green last year, you know - bought a lot of it, too. It’s a good color for me.
It is so nice to see a “girl” thread on Dope. I love the knowledge on this site, my impression is that the majority of posters are men. But, alas I have found my girls! And fashion talk too!
Congratulations to losing weight. It is one of the most difficult things to do in life. At least I have found it to be so. I have lost 53 pounds in 2012. I must say I look good. And more importantly feel good! Now the hard work of keeping it off comes in 2013.
And wow do I love clothes. And hair. And make-up. I live in the Pacific NW and we are a grunge-Eco crowd here. I often feel out of place if I dress up too much. Oh well, it pleases me so I do it anyhow. I find I can dress up but still be comfortable then I don’t feel so overdone.
The stores I love are Anthropologie. The clothes here are expensive and poor quality. But there seems to be few other options for unique clothing. The Gap is literally useless nowadays. I love Zappoa. I buy many thing there. Expensive but excellent customer service and free overnight shipping. Nordstrom is decent. They have gone downhill IMO the past few years, especially in their selection.
I have never shopped ASOS. I hear good things about it. I like the Sundance catalog. I like the Garnet Hill catalog. I don’t mind online shopping. Actually I prefer it. The selection is larger and I know my size and what looks good on me so I end up returning almost nothing.
And amazingly enough Target (stay with me here) is a great place to go. You have to frequent it often. But the clothes are better quality than Anthropologie and just is cute. Not as big a selection though. Less expensive. I buy a mixture of speedy and not so spendy. I am coveting a pair of AG jeans for $225 on Zappos right now. But I just bought pair of grey straight leg jeans at Target for $22 and they are equally cute.
For make-up I found Christian Dior mascara is now something I must have. I find a big difference in quality mascara vs drug store. I get it at Sephora. The shop girls are so nice. I do get more than I plan when I go in there, so be prepared.
I need a new bag. But I never want one with an obvious logo. Even if I pay hundreds for it. I want a useful, stylish bag. Not a bag that is an advertisement. No Coach, no labels seen anywhere. Plus it has to fit my iPad and my make-up!
Congrats on the weight loss. I am sure you are looking beautiful! And well dressed!
I love this thread (thanks, lindsaybluth, for starting it) and I don’t want it to be forgotten, so I’m going to throw a 2-part question out:
What splurge (beauty or fashion) was worth it?
What frugal buy was not?
For my splurge, a while back I bought the Clarisonic Pro skin brush. I combined a deal and a coupon and an ebate and some Discover points and it was still somewhat expensive…but it’s been well worth it. And, really, it’s worked out to be the cost of 2 salon facials. I had to do some trial-and-error to determine what frequency of using it works best for me, but my skin looks much better. Gone is that awful, dull, flaky winter mess.
On the other end of the spectrum…I generally can find great drugstore makeup, but not all cheapo nail polishes are created equal. Some of them are just too thin and streaky.
lorene, can you name names? I’ve heard people say Revlon is the worst nail polish evar, but I think it’s better than some others I’ve tried.
My splurge that was worth it was Clinique eye cream and night cream. I don’t know what it’s actually done for me, except make me feel spoiled when I use it. That combined with the Technibond Byzantine necklace and bracelet I treated myself to have made being 32 instead of 22 seem… well… not completely unappealing.
Frugal buy that wasn’t worth it is every single drugstore pencil eyeliner I’ve ever bought. They’re always so dry and flaky that they don’t make a line on my eyelid at all.
I’ll check at home later for the nail polish. It’s usually the super-cheap $1.49 nail polishes that just are too cheap. (Not necessarily Wet & Wild, though. I’ve had some pretty decent luck with those).
If you want a good drugstore eyeliner, try the Covergirl Liquiline Blast. That thing is awesome.
I’ve also had really good luck with Rimmel mascara. Of course the one I loved best of all (Sexy Curves) seems to have been discontinued. That happens to me a LOT. I loved CVS’s own version of these face-cleansing disks, and they stopped making them.
Well, I haven’t bought much this Fall/Winter season, but this past spring splurged on a pair of Vince Camuto ‘Silas’ boots and they are the most comfortable pair of boots I’ve ever owned.
Probably my only real splurge this Fall/Winter was two Chantelle bras. They ran about $70 each and they are amazing.
Frugal buy that sucked: Old Navy tights. Their sizing is stupid. I bought the size for my height/weight and they were miles too long and would not go up past my thighs.
IMO the best cheap nail polish, far and away, is Milani. Pretty colors, and great wear. I used a sparkly red for the holiday that lasted from Christmas Eve through January 3rd with no touch up. They also used to have a line of eyeshadows that I loved, and was sad to see discontinued, so much so that I bought three pots of their Antique Gold on ebay.
I’ve always hated Revlon nail polish, but I haven’t tried it in years, it may have improved. In fact, I always hated Revlon everything. Their lipsticks reeked back in the day.
Worst cheap buy lately was Cover Girl mascara. I know everyone swears by Great Lashl, but I hate it, and I hated the Falsies (?) just as much.
That’s always confounded me, too. Great Lash sucks and always has (IMNSHO) and it keeps getting trotted out as a ‘classic’ and winning Best Of awards in magazines.
Your post made me realize that I hardly ever buy Revlon anything. I do like the Sonia Kushiuk line at Target. The pots of gel eyeliner are great.
ETA: I did get $75 in Sephora gift cards for Christmas, though, and am looking forward to those shopping trips!
Rhiannon, those boots are incredible. Wear the hell out of them!
I want to take this opportunity to complain about women’s clothing sizing. I bought a new skirt yesterday, in a size 6. When I went to hang it in my closet, I picked a skirt hanger that already had a skirt hanging on it, in a size 8. The size 6 skirt was bigger than the size 8. Just…gah, I give up.
I’m wearing pants in a size 12 today that fit me perfectly, and I have size 8 pants that fit perfectly. I have dresses in 6s and 10s that fit the same way. I’m a size S in shirts in some brands, and a size XL in others.
Seriously, what is going on? Sizing is a total crapshoot at this point. You’re pretty much better off ignoring the tags altogether and just trying on anything that looks like it might have a chance of fitting.
L’Oreal’s used to be one of the worst (I think they’ve revamped lately, but I haven’t tried the newest iteration). And Maybelline’s “frosted” versions. On the high end, Nars is just crap.
I have heard the e.l.f. line of cosmetics (sold at KMart I think?) is actually really good and very inexpensive. Anyone have experience with that brand?
As far as nail polish, it isn’t a bargain brand but OPI is the best I have tried. Beautiful, rich color, and wears for a long time without chipping. I am fairly frugal, but I have to admit, in many things you get what you pay for.