What to Do When You’re in a Shopping Rut

shopping, style help, help with shopping, how to shop, how to love shopping, how to shop well

When “sale” doesn’t give you butterflies.

Let’s first talk about the reasons for this post… I’ve found myself in several conversations recently where we started lamenting the fact that there’s not just one store you can walk into that has everything you want.

That, combined with other conversations where I hear things like, “Oh I would never go in there,” or, “that store’s for _(insert either young or old) people__.” It got me to thinking…

What should we do when we’re in a shopping rut? Do things out of the ordinary.

Start by shopping where you normally wouldn’t (in that place that’s for a perceived older or younger crowd). This is going to either open our eyes to new things, help us discover a store we would have otherwise written off, and best case scenario it’s going to provide us with an item that will enliven our whole closet. Did I say best case scenario – I meant, dream world scenario ;)

Worst case? We’ll have burned time. Bright side? We didn’t spend money. And if we walk in with an open mind, we still may glean an idea or two of how to style an outfit. You never know.

Something else that can get you out of a shopping rut is to try things on you normally wouldn’t. I talked about that here when I ended up with a top that I was not looking for, but have already worn twice – all because I tried it on.

Go ahead, pull a thing or two and spend some time with them in the dressing room. And don’t just throw it on and say it doesn’t work. Stand there and style it. Do a mini runway! Have fun! Take selfies!

Again, worst case you burn some time. But you’re stirring those creative juices and you may walk out with an idea for how to wear something you already own. Best case? Honestly – my best case scenario is when I walk out more in love with what I own. I cherish the times I’ve walked in and out of stores finding nothing, but instead spending the whole time thinking of what I’ve already got in my closet.

That to me is not wasted time – that to me is the best time because it’s showing me that I don’t have to wonder “what’s out there?” or whether or not I’m missing something. Nothing is out there. I’m missing zilch.

So what do I do then? I walk into my closet, say “hello boys” and start shopping my own looks. Trying on outfits and forcing myself to use and wear things I may not have previously touched.

I save money, I use what I’ve got and I’m a happier person for it – oh wait – that’s right, I’m out of my shopping rut because I don’t feel the need to shop any more.

See what I did there?

Continue Reading

Tips for Navigating Outlets

knoxville fashion, sevierville outlets, sevierville outlet fashion, tennessee fashion blogger, knoxville fashion blogger, elizabeth ogle

We live in a beautiful area. Driving through Sevierville at just the right time, you can get a clear view of the Banana Republic Outlet sign or the Nike Factory Outlet.

Nothing like a golden sunset behind The Loft Outlet. Mm. Mm. Mm.

The lure of the outlets is real. And I’m not going to lie, long before I pull in the parking lot my mouth salivates when thinking of all the outfit possibilities that lie in wait for me.

That’s why I set a few rules for myself to keep things under control.

Having recently shopped there, I realized just how valuable these rules are…

Go early.

I cannot stress this enough. The earlier you go the better your day will go.

You’ll avoid the crowds and you won’t walk away completely haggard.

Don’t get caught up in a sale fog.

Sure, you immediately think “DEAL!” when you hear, “outlet”, but honestly, you’re not getting super duper extravagant discounts. You are getting items that aren’t in the stores for a little less, sure.

Just bare in mind that you’re not getting the deal of a lifetime. Sometimes the feel of a discount can make you buy things you normally wouldn’t. Be aware of that.

Practice the art of walking away.

There were several pieces I almost picked up, but I wasn’t totally sold on them. So I walked away. And you know by doing that, I ended up buying a great skirt, gilt free, that I probably would have passed up if I had spent on other “just ok” items.

I hope these tips help your shopping adventures this weekend.

If you find those adventures take you to Vera Bradley in West Town Mall from 1-3, say hi to me! I’ll be in there cuddling bags ;)

Continue Reading

Avoid a Black-Eye Friday

how to survive black friday, black friday shopping, fashion blog. knoxville fashion blog, black friday shopping, black friday deals, black friday 2015, west town mall

My hope is that you stayed at home for Thanksgiving and enjoyed family time and turkey.

Now that it’s Black Friday is upon us, loosen those eating pants, strap on the coupons and get your shopping done!

In order to help you with this full on frenzy of a day, I’ve put together some links that will help you with everything. And I do mean ev-er-y-thing…

The best outfit for staying comfortable, stylish and stealth while shopping sales (along with a hilarious SNL video).

How to put together the perfect Christmas list for yourself and others.

A whole slew of tips from how to protect yourself during shopping season, to what the big sales are, as well as store maps and who’s open when!!

Remember, West Town Mall is a great place to get everything you need and you don’t have to keep parking the car! (Also, two words: Auntie Anne’s)

Continue Reading

3 Shopping Ideas for Fall

I feel as if I am in a rut when it comes to writing the first post about fall. I pretty much stick to saying how I’m not going to gush about the oncoming season, then follow it with something like, “Just know if fall were a drug, I’d have to check into rehab,” or something like that.

Well I’m not going to do it this year! (Crap, that’s the first thing I always say). Just kno…Ha, I have a serious problem as I didn’t start writing that to be cute. Uh…I’m stuck on where to go from here. Let’s just say I’m a huge fan of fall.

Fall clothes especially make me drool, so I thought I’d share some fall inspiration off my Pinterest board (titled, “Spiffy Fall Clothes” if you want to follow) and share with you my fashion plan for the upcoming season.

1. Shop in Color.

fall fashion, fall styling, west town mall, fall fashion 2015, fashion blog, knoxville fashion blog

I’ve made a rule for myself for fall shopping – I’m not allowed to buy any gray. It’s the safe color to get but doesn’t help when you’re feeling a pop of color OR when your closet is already full of gray (out of protest to the movie I refuse to do a 50 shades of gray joke here).

Gray is soft, it is wonderful and boy does it go with a lot, but there are times you want to stand out. Be bold! Join me in buying off the rainbow this season.

2. Stock up on cool.

pinterst, fall fashion, fall fashion 2015, pinterest outfits, fall, fashion blog, knoxville fashion blog, casual outfits, sequence

Anyone else as addicted to Fixer Upper as I am? That show could be the theme song to my maternity leave – I’ve been watching it nonstop. And forget getting inspired by Joanna Gaines’ ability to stage a home – lets talk about her ability to look so cute! She has a great style that is both comfortable but awesome at the same time.

I want to get better at buying things that will help me get dressed on Saturdays and be cute about it. This outfit with the stripes on the left is a great example. Cute and cool.

The sequence jacket is a great reminder to mix and match high and low. That also helps create a cool look and reminds me to bust out my sequence pants more often.

3. Buy textures.

leather pants, style, fall style, fall fashion, fashion blog, knoxville fashion blog, fall fashion 2015

These pictures make me think two things: I can’t wait to wear my leather pants again, and why does every girl on Pinterest have thighs that don’t touch? Girl please. Let a cheeto or two introduce your one thigh to the other for crying out loud.

I do love the left picture and how she’s wearing an all black outfit, but the different textures make it less boring and more awesome. So if you’re stuck with buying the same color and can’t get out of the rut despite your best efforts, shop for that color but in different textures so your look is multi-dimensional.

Also, the picture on the right proves you can layer/add textual interest with more than just your fabrics – this gal did it with some great bracelets for a cool vibe.

What are your plans for shopping this fall?

Be sure to check out this and other boards on my Pinterest!

Continue Reading

Expertly Shop a Sale

If you’re on a spending freeze, I would highly suggest you keep a ten mile buffer zone between you and the mall because the sales are craaayyy-zzzeee good right now.

But just because they’re offering 150% off already marked down items, doesn’t mean you need to run around swiping your credit card like you’re in a sword fight. Or the metaphor I like to go with is – stay sober, don’t get sale-drunk.

It’s so easy to get in the store and immediately become intoxicated by all the savings. But what usually happens in that scenario is you make decisions bases on prices and not need and you end up with things you regret.

Let’s avoid that. Let me be your designated shopper…

shop a sale, sale shopping, expertly shop a sale, how to shop, how to shop wisely, shopping, fashion blog, how to shop well

1. Go in knowing what you need.

If there are certain things your summer wardrobe is lacking keep those in mind as you shift through the mounds of $2 items. Even if it’s something general like, “I need more shirts to run around in on Saturdays.” It helps you buy more wisely if you have your needs in mind.

2. Start thinking of the next season.

Sometimes retailers will pull out pieces from their winter collections that didn’t sell in January. Don’t disregard these. It’s easy to pass them by because you can’t walk out of the store and put on a sweater, however, Future You will LOVE the fact that you picked up that very versatile striped cardigan for fifty cents. Even when you’re looking at summer tops, start to consider how they’ll layer so you can get even more use out of them.

3. Walk around with it for a second.

This is my go-to, fail safe method for deciding on a piece. Even if the shirt costs $10, if you are unsure of it, or if it doesn’t fit you just right, walk around with it for a second and let the fumes of a great deal settle while you think in real-world terms. Where will you actually wear this? Can you tell me other pieces it will go with or bring together for a look that is truly you? Walk around, ask yourself those questions then decide from there.

Bonus: Do a little Christmas shopping.

Seriously now is the time to get a lot of Christmas shopping done. I’ve already bought three presents that I saved loads of money on by doing so. Future Me is going to do a happy dance.

Continue Reading