banana republic – the Spiff

Fashion, Spiffy, Videos, wbir, west town mall

When It’s Time to Replace Basics…

September 9, 2019 No Comments

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The word basic never raises heart rates. It’s association in the past couple years is pretty, well basic.

I feel as if I’m trying to define something to my 4-year-old…

“Mommy what’s basic?”

“Welp, it’s preeeeetty basic.”

So when you think about replacing the basics in your closet it’s about as exciting as paying for your things to be handed back to you from the cleaners. Whoop-de-do.

However, when you see THESE basics, you’re going to start humming “Bringing Sexy Back” cause girl, you’re going to feel it in any of these jackets – even the button downs I brought with me on the show are going to get you excited.

And think of all the new ways you can work these puppies into your regular rotation. I know there’s a black number I hold up that could really jazz up my everyday t-shirt and yoga pants world. So look for yourself and check any of them out in Banana Republic or White House Black Market in West Town Mall!

Fashion, style, Videos, wbir, west town mall

What to Buy This Tax Free Weekend

July 26, 2017 No Comments

banana republic, west town mall, tax-free weekend, tax-free weekend shopping, what to buy this weekend, summer style, basics for your closet, closet basics, wardrobe builders

Several years ago I went shopping in Atlantic City. That town has no sales tax on clothes, so I felt as if everything was secretly on sale to me. What is it about that tiny 10% discount that has us running free through racks of clothing?

I remember I bought a pair of black Banana Republic jeans and later lost $10 at a casino. I wore out those jeans and won $10 off a gas station lottery ticket on the way home – so win! Win!

You can win too this weekend by stocking up on closet essentials.

These pieces in the segment will help other items in your closet get more use. Not to mention that I stood back and thought of 8 different outfits I could create around these five items alone!

Here’s what to stock up on this tax-free weekend…

There’s a Dillard’s sale going on – be sure to check out my picks!

style, west town mall

These Pieces Will Awaken Your Wardrobe

March 22, 2017 No Comments

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Tulips aren’t the only thing to come alive this time of year.

So many pieces in your wardrobe can rise from under the snow and dirt to bloom into something bright and beautiful. All it takes is a few key pieces to make you rethink what you own and layer in a new way!

Sounds magical, right?

Think about how a great off the shoulder checked top will make you fall in love your jeans, your white jeans and your black slacks all over again. Or how a laser-cut orange dress will make your nude pumps feel way less basic. Or how a ruffled top will breathe new life into your denim jacket/army green pants look.

A change in seasons is a fun time to mix and play with absolutely everything you own. Watch as I talk about the beautiful items Banana Republic in West Town Mall has that can really make our wardrobes come ALIVE! *majestic symphony music here.

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fall, Fashion, west town mall

Plaid Got a Makeover

October 21, 2015 No Comments

My son has pooped in a JCPenney three times now. I don’t know if it’s because he doesn’t like the place, or because he’s so relaxed.
Yesterday while the lady in the checkout line was oohing and aahing over him, he’s lying in the stroller straining. 

I’m just glad he got it all out because I was in a rush to put together an outfit. It was during that rush that I became thankful for two things…
One: I’m thankful he’s a good shopper and able to sleep while mommy drives his stroller like a bumper car (I’m still getting used to it).
Two: I’m thankful for plaid.

Sure the right kind of animal print makes me salivate and of course stripes are always a safe bet, but I was craving something new. Something fall-like but without the country feel (not that there’s anything wrong with that).

I needed a great pattern and I was pleasantly surprised to find that plaid has been given a makeover. Everywhere I turned there was an updated version of what can sometimes be a homely pattern. Whether it was incorporating new colors like the purple pictured above from Tommy Hilfiger or the orange and gray from Banana Republic, or by going bolder and wider with the stripes like Express has done, or maybe it was how The Limited printed it on a softer, flowy fabric – all of those upgrades made the pattern more appealing to a city gal like myself.

I tried with all my might to not title this post, “Mad for Plaid” but I have to say, the 21st century versions of this classic pattern and all the pattern mixing possibilities it brings with it, makes it hard not to go a little mad for a lot of plaid. ;)

Pick up any of these great options at West Town Mall!

Fashion, goals, the limited, west town mall

Goals and a Style Plan Made Interesting, I Promise

March 6, 2015 No Comments

So I’m going to ask a potentially uncomfortable question…where are you at with your goals for the year?

I’ll share an update with my goals so it may make you feel better… Back in January I talked about doing a style refresh, which included some of my goals for the year.

For example, the one goal of mine was to make social media time productive. While I have done that in some ways (planned Jackson’s nursery…ok I’ve done it in one way), I haven’t really limited my mindless scrolling time. I don’t know why our brains suddenly depend on a social media break, when just 6 years ago they barely knew what it meant. Regardless, I can be better at stopping myself from grabbing my phone every 30 minutes to see information that does me absolutely no good.

The goal I have done well with, is being careful how I shop. The goal of not buying something just because it was on sale has really prevented me from buying things I’m really not going to wear. I don’t want to fill my closet up with junk pieces.

A new goal I’ve added to the list, is coming up with a maternity style plan. Funny thing about me…10 years ago I was not a planner. At. All. Then I met my husband. He plans his path through Wal-Mart. So in the 6 1/2 years we’ve been married, a lot of that planning has rubbed off on me. It’s mostly shown up in planning what I wear.

After showing up late to a lot of functions because I was frustrated with finding something to wear, I realized planning an outfit in advance would really help me feel better and look better (which is always the goal). I now religiously plan what I’m wearing. Saturday, my husband and I are going to run errands, I already know what I’m wearing. It’s not uncommon for my Sunday morning outfits to be planned out weeks in advance.

That’s why I came up with a maternity plan, because what I REALLY want to avoid is frustration over that baby bump.

Above is my idea board.

I’m going to shop for deals, but I do plan to replace each pair of jeans I currently wear with their maternity version. That way I won’t miss a beat with my pants.

Maxi dresses are going to really come in handy because I’ll be able to wear those before and after (plus I can wear them 100 different ways). And blazers, well I’ll be stocking up on these for the rest of my life pregnant or not.

And statement necklaces are something I’m really going to load up on so that I can get away with repeating the same basics but still add my own flare.

You should try this. Start formulating a plan for what you want to wear this spring/summer. It will really focus your shopping time and help you put outfits together with greater ease.