90 years = 30% off {Eddie Bauer 2.27.10}

Tomorrow, February 27 only, Seattle fav Eddie Bauer is celebrating 90 years with 30% off - in-store (also includes outlets), online, and through phone orders at 800-426-8020.

I haven't been in to see their latest offerings, but I purchased quite a bit from them this past Fall: quilted jacket, vest, chunky cable scarf... along with that great Christine blouse in a couple colors... (Eddie Bauer posts shown here.)

If you haven't checked out EB lately, Saturday would be a good time!

Happy Friday!

xoxo

OOTD 2.25.10: Buff Pink + Embellished Navy

I received my size exchange for Boden's Embellished Flats a couple days ago, so despite the grayness and misty weather, I'm wearing them today for a little school volunteering and running around.

OOTD 2.25.10: Buff Pink + Embellished Navy by sweetteainseattle featuring Louis Vuitton bags

I had originally ordered the 39s - my usual size - and they were just too short. The 40s actually feel a little roomy so I guess I am in-between but there is no in-between so I do need to add a little insert. The shoes don't slip off my heel or anything but they just feel roomy... a little wide I'd say... which is unusual because though I wear medium width, I think of my feet as being a little on the wide side. Maybe I'm just used to my Revas which fit like a glove, but it's nothing a little insert won't fix. If you have a very narrow foot, I'm not sure these would work, but with Boden's frequent free ship/free return offers, there's little risk in trying. It's a gorgeous shoe!

J Crew cardi, ON tank, Joe's Jeans, Boden flats, LV Damier Speedy 30

Wow, Thursday already!

xoxo

It's a Crock Pot Kind of Day

Target's Crock Pot, Target's pic

It's one of those days (we all know those days) where I have just a bit of time in the morning and then need to take care of a million things and run from one thing to another (with a break for lunch and a Lego-building date with my son) and will be just rolling in the driveway with three tired, hungry kids at 6:00 pm.

This happens around here twice a week and that is why

I. love. crockpots.

Tonight is Mango Barbequed Chicken, one of my old stand-bys, recipe here. I'll serve with cole slaw from the deli, rolls from the bakery, and mashed potatoes (from the Country Crock tub, don't judge ;) )

Happy Wednesday!

xoxo

OOTD 2.22.10: Blooms Scarf {with black + white + khaki}

Stepping back a couple days for another OOTD with the new Blooms:

OOTD 2.22.10 by sweetteainseattle featuring J Crew sweaters

Cardi in Black (J Crew shown, mine is ATL), ATL Marisa Lean Boyfriend Chino in Sandy Beige, ATL Painterly Blooms scarf, Tory Burch Revas in Black, ON tee in White, LV Neverfull Monogram MM. My earrings were different than pictured - I wore Anthropologie's Lobelia Bud Earrings

xoxo

OOTD 2.23.10: Fern Green + Khaki + Pearls

OOTD 2.23.10 by sweetteainseattle featuring Tretorn shoes

The Lands' End Polyvore Group has 17 members now, with 14 sets submitted so far! Thanks so much everyone!! If you'd like to submit sets too, you can join us here.

Here is this latest polvore IRL today:

ATL chinos, Talbots white shirt, LE shell in Fern Green, Tretorns from LE, faux pearls from Nordstrom Rack, Anthropologie Sweetest Hive earrings

xoxo

Latest Lands' End Orders

These are on the way:

LE's dress, LE's pic

(just the cardi)

LE's cardi, LE's pic

fine gauge cardi in light sea blue #24391-7WB2

LE's swatch, LE's pic

And these arrived today:

So..... new reviews, OOTDs and Polyvores coming up!

Ashley over at Love It! has posted a great review of the Canvas Shift Dress on her blog.

xoxo

Sephora by OPI Personal Shopper

A few weeks ago I cashed in some beautyinsider points at Sephora for their OPI nail polish reward (the current 500 point perk). This set contains three 15 ml polishes: Personal Shopper, Dear Diary... and I'm with Brad. Today I went for a pedicure with Personal Shopper - to me a perfect, true basic red - a happy color. I'm going to love this with the navy blue I've been adding to my wardrobe lately.

If you haven't already, you can sign up and check out all the details of Sephora's reward program here.

I hope everyone is having a great start to their week!

xoxo

Method Fresh Air Laundry Soap

Yesterday at Target I spotted this in the laundry soap aisle for the first time, and decided to give it a try:

It's a little pricey at $14.99... but this tiny little 20 oz bottle does 50 loads! It's hypoallergenic, 95% plant based, in a 50% recycled plastic (and recyclable) bottle... and I just love the 4 squirts into the washer convenience. I have my first load going with it right now... and it does smell pretty great too - just nice and clean - not overpowering or perfume-y. There was also an unscented version and another one that sounded more flowery.

doesn't this sound great?

Happy Sunday!

xoxo

OOTD 2.20.10: The Painterly Blooms Scarf {+ a couple more ATL buys}

For my morning Target shopping (plus a quick run to Lands' End, Sephora, and ATL) I actually had on an emerald green J Crew cashmere cardi, but as soon as I bought this scarf I had to wear it... so here I am now.

So, this scarf is not currently available online, but it is Style #180983 and you can search for stores that have it. I am pretty sure it is a new arrival. It's priced at $39.50 but I was able to get 25% off my entire purchase because I also bought a full-priced pair of pants so it was $29.62. I really like it -- I was looking at all the pink, peachy and coral tops to find matches but ended up not getting any... I'm sure I already have many things in my wardrobe this will coordinate with and I also like it with just plain white, ivory, and black. There is a little khaki in the print and the flowers look like big happy poppies. Love.

J Crew outlet Jackie cardi in pewter, ON tee, Vigoss jeans, Tretorns from Lands' End, ATL scarf

And here are the other two things I bought at ATL today. They're both pretty versatile but I plan to wear them together too. I love the contrast of the distressed slouchy boyfriend khaki with the feminine fluttery top:

Dot Ruffle Pullover #236951 - $49.50, $37.12 after discount

Marisa Lean Boyfriend Chino Pants #237780 - $59.50, $44.62 after discount

Hope everyone is having a great weekend! I have a couple of Sephora purchases and cute things I saw at Target I can hopefully post on soon.

xoxo

ATL Sale Rack Picks {and pics}

First off, I have to mention how much I like the palette of the new arrivals at Ann Taylor Loft right now! Coral, papaya, vanilla, gray... a gorgeous segue-way into Spring. I'm also fond of those splashy floral scarves and the move toward more origami-style embellishment as opposed to ruffles everywhere (I do still love a good ruffle.).

I have a difficult time paying full price at ATL though... there always seems to be a coupon or promotion around the corner (and does anyone know if we are due for another Friends & Family soon??)... so after a quick perusal of the new stuff, I focused on the sale racks (extra 40% off marked price!).

I'll have a post up about my new arrival picks soon, but here's what I got today:

Textured Turtleneck #235971 in Navy $59.50, $29.99 after discounts

Blooms Print Dress with Necklace Detail #236014 $89.50, $42.00 after discounts

Cowl Neck Sweater Dress #243275 in Navy $89.50, $41.99 after discounts (rang up a penny less for some reason)

I'm liking navy right now in anticipation of Spring and it's been a long while since I've worn a Shaker knit. I like this one a lot. This is no longer available online, but you can search by the style number online to see if you can find it at a store. This one's size S.

The floral dress I tried on when it first came out and seriously thought about paying full price... I tried on both the 4 and the 6 and went with the 6. The fits were close but I wanted this to feel more breezy & tunic-like. It is lined and not stretchy rayon/cotton. I'm going to love this with gold sandals in the Spring. Still available online in limited sizes.

On the knit dress, I went with a Petite M. I grabbed it mistakenly - I thought I had a regular S. When I tried on the regular S though, the little gathers and waist just didn't seem to hit right. I also like the length on the petite better. For reference, I'm just about 5'5" and don't normally buy petites. I couldn't find this one online either.

Here are some fitting room snaps:

those white splotches are lint on the mirror - not me!

xoxo

Urban Uco Torrontes

There is a wine that I really like - Crios by Susana Balbo Torrontes (a gorgeous flowery, citrusy white) - that I don't see very often. So I decided to try a different Argentinian Torrontes that I came across at World Market last weekend: Urban Uco. (Okay, I also bought it because of the cool label.)

It doesn't seem quite as floral as I recall the Crios but it is similar. It's also well priced - I can't remember what I paid but I looked it up online and found prices around $10. Wine Advocate gave it a score of 89 and said this:

“O. Fournier’s 2008 Urban Uco Torrontes is a remarkable value. It offers up a fragrant perfume of honey, spring flowers, pit fruits, and a hint of tropical aromas in the background. Expansive on the palate, the wine is crisp, ripe, dry, and impeccably balanced. Drink it over the next 12-18 months.” –Jay Miller

The quote under the picture says "We know who we are, but not what we can become." -W. Shakespeare xoxo

OOTD 2.12.10: Valentines Day Parties

I know I'm stepping back a holiday here... the stores are on to Easter now I'm sure... but I wanted to post what I wore to my girls' school parties on Friday. Many of the kids and moms were happily decked out in pink and red which to me is a really fun part of the holiday. That and the chocolate, of course. This outfit also features my new very-favorite-tee: the sailor boatneck from Lands' End.

ON jacket in Radiant Red (last year), LE striped sailor tee in navy, Vigoss jeans, La Scarpa Paris suede ballerinas in brown

Here is the Polyvore:

OOTD 2.12.10: School Valentines Parties by sweetteainseattle featuring Old Navy jackets

Also, I picked up my March copy of InStyle last night, and they've featured a Lands' End jacket in bright yellow with some glen plaid trousers, patent flats, and a great looking tote - the Heritage Tote from LL Bean's new Signature collection - on page 210. I'm really liking the LE rain jackets this season too - still trying to decide between yellow and orange!

Happy Tuesday!

xoxo

{the sales}

Sale sign from Denmark last summer

I know many email inboxes out there have been inundated with Presidents Day Sales offers just like mine. I thought I'd put together a little list, though, just in case I've come across any that someone's missed.

Happy Shopping!

Ann Taylor - extra 40% off sale items and 40% off 1 full-priced item CODE: SPRING40

Ann Taylor Loft - 20% off regular priced merchandise order of $75+ CODE: 20SAVE; 50% off select Spring styles and free shipping over $125

Banana Republic - 25% off regular priced merchandise (today only) CODE: PRESDAY25

CWD Kids - free shipping on orders over $175 CODE: CGT175

Lands' End - 20% off everything online and in-store (ends today)

LLBean - free shipping on orders over $75

Lord & Taylor - extra 20% off clearance, sale and regular price CODE: PRES

Maidenform - 20% off Decadence Collection (ends 2/17)

Old Navy - 20% off adult merchandise purcase of $100 or more CODE: ONSAVE20

Saks Fifth Avenue - free tee with $250+ Tory Burch apparel purchase CODE: TORY2

Shoes.com - extra 25% off all sale merchandise CODE: 25SALE

Tory Burch - 25% off orders of $300 or more -- does NOT include Revas & gift cards (ends today)

And don't forget to go through ebates when you order online! Here are some examples of current cash back rewards (the percentages do change sometimes):

Lancome - 12%

shoes.com - 8%

endless.com, Gap, Old Navy and shopbop.com - 6%

Banana Republic, Barnes & Noble and Sephora - 4%

6pm.com, Kate Spade and Tory Burch - 3.5%

Ann Taylor, ATL, Blue Nile, Boden, Lands' End, Nordstrom and Target - 3%

Hanna Andersson and Saks Fifth Avenue - 2.5%

Victoria's Secret - 2%

Expedia and J Crew - 1%

sale signs from Paris last summer

xoxo

It's a Chocolate for Breakfast Kind of Day

Happy Valentines day!

xoxo

Words of Wisdom from Thai Tourist Attractions

Awhile ago, we had an amazingly fun time being expats in Thailand. I recently came across a couple of photos I took when we lived there of signs that were up a couple of places we visited. At one point I had these framed in a guest bath.

I can't remember exactly where I took the pics, but the second below was at an elephant camp.

I think they translate into good guidelines for life, not just visiting attractions.

Basically:

1) minding your manners, and

2) a little common sense

can serve you well in life!

(I think that bottom part also says "no smoking".)

(Wonder how many cameras were lost to hungry elephants before this one went up!)

We're almost to the weekend!

xoxo

Too Many Catalogs?

There are several catalogs that I will admit to being rather excited to see in my mailbox:

J Crew: Please do not ever, ever, ever, take me off your list. Lands' End: Your latest actually got me to start a Polyvore group. Tiffany & Co.: I love to dream, thank you.

But there are many out there that I just don't even open. And those really are a waste of paper and postage.

Quite a while ago I went on Catalog Choice and signed on to be removed from certain mailing lists... then I kind of forgot about it. Well, today I received an email from them with a new promo they are having - "How One Piece of Paper Can Save Millions" - where they are asking people to print out one piece of paper - this flyer - and post it in their community:

I thought I'd try to contribute to the cause virtually, and just post it on my blog. If you want to sign up, go here.

Happy Wednesday!

xoxo

What I Bought at Lands' End {+ a new polyvore group!}

I promise I will not be writing exclusively about Lands' End... I still love J Crew, Louis Vuitton, OPI nail polish, talking travel, and taking pictures of what I am cooking/eating ;) ... but I wanted to post my purchases from yesterday.

I also wanted to let any fellow Polyvore-aficionadas know that I just started a new group! I did a search on Lands' End and couldn't find anything... so I put together "Living in Lands' End" which should be easy to find... one set, one member - that's me! Update: two sets! three members! thanks, mrsanketell and JBinSF! :)

OOTD 2.8.10 by sweetteainseattle featuring Old Navy

Please feel free to join me and submit sets if you are liking what's coming out for Spring as much as I do!

And here's what I just could not leave at the store yesterday:

The Tretorn Nylites in Navy $55, The Striped Jersey Boatneck Sailor T-shirt in True Navy/Ivory $29.50, and the Cotton Linen Gauze Scarf in True Navy Diamond $29.50

I first tried on my usual 8.5 and they were fine but the 9 gave me a roomier fit in the toe, without slipping at all in the heel, so I went with the 9. The (super sweet) saleslady told me that people were all over the Tretorn shoe display yesterday. I can't remember exactly how she said it, but it was so cute... something about buzzing around like bees to a hive or something. Anyway, they've apparently been very popular and I believe I only saw one 8.5 and one 9, which I bought, left in the navy.

These come in little girls' sizes also, priced at $35 and $45, and while my six-year-old says she probably wouldn't wear them, my eight-year-old would love a pair and said she wants to get the same color as mine and wear them on the same day. How sweet is that?!

I absolutely love the scarf and have it on right now with a white tee and navy cardi. I've never really thought about wearing casual spring-y/summer-y scarves before but I really like them! They just pull your outfit together a bit and are very nice if you get a slight breeze or it's not really quite that warm. They just add a little something to an otherwise super simple/cas outfit.

The striped tee I had been planning on getting in the other colorway, but it wasn't in yet and I really like they way this one looks under bright yellow and orange and light pink - would be great under red too - so I decided to go ahead and get this one. I know I'll get a lot of wear out of it.

Now, here are the little cards that they have at the cashwrap. It looks like they may be giving them out when you make a purchase, to use on your next purchase. I asked about them and the SA applied right away. I'll be back for sure, anyway!

Inside is a barcode for an in-store purchase and a promotion code/PIN for an online purchase. They are printed in little white boxes and appear to be one time use only. The card pictured on the left is good through February 28th and the one on the right is good March 1 - March 31. The promo is $15 off of a $75 purchase of full-price Lands' End merchandise. They say they may be used at the Lands' End shop at Sears or at Lands' End Inlet.

xoxo

Boden Pre-Order: Crewneck Cardi & Embellished Flats {+ a little more on LE}

Way back in November I took advantage of Boden's 20% off + FS/FR offer and pre-ordered a couple of Spring items, the Favourite Crewneck Cardigan in Sealion Leopard and the Embellished Flats in Navy.

The crewneck I have already worn three times... it is soft, comfy, stretchy and I love the button detailing. I wore it over a navy tank with jeans and boots this first time in the pic. I ordered a UK size 10, which I think on the old size charts they translated to a large 4/small 6 US. The cardi is tagged UK 10/US 6 now that they are including US sizing. In J Crew I would normally order a Small or a 4 in a cardi or jacket. This is slightly roomier than a J Crew Small cardi would fit me. The fabric feels great on. If you are not sure what size to order, the Boden website actually gives dimensions specific to each garment in each size -- not just a general size chart. I love this feature!

Now the shoes... first of all... I ADORE these! The quality, the design, the detail... seriously the word "couture" sprang to mind when I first looked at the embellishment in person. Gray satin wraps across the toe of the shoe, topped with gorgeous grograin and sparklies. I ordered a 39 in these as I almost always wear an 8.5 or 39 and have a pair of peeptoe pumps from Boden from a few years back in a 39 that fit well. Well... I put my foot in and squoosh. My toes were right up against the edge of the shoe. I could probably hobble along okay but I want to get a lot of wear out of these. So the lovely 39s are on their way back to exchange for some size 40s. Please, Boden, don't sell out of my size and send them to their new home quickly! I can't wait to wear these! Oh, and thank you for the free returns.

These also come in silver and a pink that looks quite dark on my screen.

Also, I was in Lands' End again today. I know, I know... I just had to check on that Spring store-set. Well there was only one pair of the navy Tretorns in my size, so I bought them plus a couple other things - reviews & pics coming up next post!

Oh - And! There were stacks of coupons at the cashwrap for $15 off your $75 purchase. If you aren't offered one, be sure to ask about them - I did and the sales associate went back and adjusted my purchase. They are printed with individual (one time use it looks like) codes.

xoxo