The Retail Therapy Diaries

Thursday, July 7, 2011

Online Retail Therapy

Let's face it. We all have those days where we don't feel like trying on piles of clothes in the dressing rooms only to be disappointed by pieces that are either too big, too small, or just plain hot messes. Luckily or unluckily online shopping has become a more popular choice of retail therapy, with wider selections as well as the convenience of shopping in the comfort of your own home! The only downside is figuring out sizing. Even though they have sizing charts, all pieces don't fit the same. Depending on the fabrics a piece can run smaller or larger than the true size. A tip for online shopping fans. Make sure you check the store's return policy to make sure you can actually return the item, and get a full refund in case it doesn't look or feel the way you were expecting it too! Pay close attention to sale items. Sometimes they may not be returnable and may be final sale!

Here are a few items that caught my eye on some of my favorite online stores

Modcloth:

Texas Blue Belle Top $34.99

The Vlog Lady Dress $67.99

Cute Comedienne Skirt $37.99

Nasty Gal:

Lace Peplum Top $48.00

Gigi Sailor Romper $80.00

Budding Lace Skirt $48.00

Lulu's:

Apple Slice Black Lace Dress $37.00

Off to Sea Print Dress $40.00

Picking Petunias Pink Top $31.00

Here's the blazer I ordered from the Nordstrom website! They didn't have the color I wanted in the store in the size I wanted so I decided to order it instead.

Blazer: Frenchi Flip Collar Blazer $59.00

The flip collar!

Giveaway Reminder: If you haven't entered the 'Girly Giveaway' contest yet, simply like 'The Retail Therapy Diaries' on Facebook, write your favorite summer trend on the wall, and you will be automatically entered! Don't have a Facebook? Don't feel comfortable writing on the wall? Just email me your response to theretailtherapydiares@gmail.com and you can be entered in the drawing that way as well! Want to take a peek at the prizes? Find pictures as well as contest rules here:

Girly Giveaway

Inspired? Look for these items here:

Texas Blue Belle Top

The Vlog Lady Dress

Cute Comedienne Skirt

Lace Peplum Top

Gigi Sailor Romper

Budding Lace Skirt

Apple Slice Lace Dress

Off to Sea Print Dress

Picking Petunias Pink Top

Tuesday, July 5, 2011

Oh Canada

Took a road trip up to Vancouver this morning with a close friend for some much needed retail therapy! I always love looking in all the cute boutiques for pieces that I can't find in the states. There's a sense of comfort and satisfaction knowing that you won't find someone walking down the street with the same exact outfit as you. The only downside were the prices. So incredibly expensive! I was able to get my hands on a few great deals along the way though so not all was lost. Plus nothing could beat the quality time I got to spend with my friend! The weather was great (though it was a bit toasty) and it was so fun seeing all the different fashion choices that the other shoppers had made. I must say that Vancouver is a very fashionable city. It seemed like I pointed out a cute piece on someone every few seconds! I hope to go back soon!

Here are a few pictures from my trip! (Sorry! I wish I had taken more but it was a tad awkward trying to take pictures without people giving me strange looks!)

Robson Street Vancouver, BC

What to learn more about this exciting shopping area?

Click here!

Here's the top I purchased!

Top: UK2LA $25.00 (Urban Planet)

It came with removable straps!

Here's an outfit I put together using the bustier top! I liked the idea of a fitted top and skirt under a more relaxed fit blazer to prevent the outfit from becoming too revealing and clingy. I would definitely wear an outfit like this to a special event or dinner. It consists of three easy pieces that can be quickly thrown together to create a put-together look that only seems like it took a lot of time to create!

Blazer: Talula Blazer $125.00 (Aritzia)

I also purchased this blazer in Canada during a previous retail therapy session! I was definitely weary of the price, but I can say that I wear it almost every week! The cost-per-wear of this item made it a great investment! Plus I can wear it with anything.

Skirt: Black Bandage Skirt $15.80 (Wet Seal)

To keep with the theme, believe it or not, I actually purchased this skirt to wear out during a trip up to Canada with some friends! We ended up dressing a bit more casually so I wasn't able to wear it. Hopefully I'll be able to wear it soon!

Girly Giveaway

Also as a reminder, you don't have to be from the states to enter! The contest is open to all! Good luck everyone!

Monday, July 4, 2011

Red, White, and Blue

Happy 4th of July everyone! Hope you all have found a fun way to spend the day. We're having family and friends over today for a barbeque and it seems as if the Seattle weather is cooperating with us for once! The sun is out, there's a lovely light breeze, and the smell of yummy appetizers are filling the house! For today's post I wanted to focus on the colors of the American flag! I know sometimes putting red, white, and blue together can look tacky or more patriotic than fashionable, so I decided to create outfits that feature the three colors in a put together and polished way! If you focus on one color as the base, you can add pops of the other two colors with your accessories! Maybe adding a pair of navy heels, or painting your nails red is just what you need to finish off your outfit! Have fun mixing and matching the colors to create a look that looks both fashionable and patriotic!

Getting ready for tonight's barbeque!

Red, White, & Blue Outfit Options:

Forever 21

Striped Rib Knit Tank $5.50

Belted Woven Skirt $19.80

Lace Neckline Sweater $19.80

Tanya Studded Sandals $12.80

Papaya Clothing

Striped Lacy Neck Basic Tank Top $3.99

Linen Simple Mini Skirt $14.99

Lacy & Spangle Trim Basic Cardigan $19.99

Leatherette Belted Wedges $23.99

Lulu's

Western Damsel Ivory Lace Dress $58.00

Bamboo Margarita Keyhole Slingback Platform Pumps $33.00

Right on Point Navy Blue Purse $49.00

Inspired? Look for these items here:

Striped Rib Knit Tank

Belted Woven Skirt

Lace Neckline Sweater

Tanya Studded Sandals

Striped Basic Tank Top

Linen Simple Mini Skirt

Lacy Trim Basic Cardigan

Leatherette Belted Wedges

Ivory Lace Dress

Slingback Platform Pumps

Navy Blue Purse

Sunday, July 3, 2011

Living the High Life

Once summer comes around and the sun starts shining, there are more opportunities to show off some leg and give them some much needed color after being covered up for so long! High-waisted sailor shorts are a great option to turn to if you aren't in the mood to wear a dress or skirt. Unlike skirts, shorts give you a sense of comfort knowing you don't have to tug down on them every five seconds, or have to worry about them flipping up after they catch a breeze. Plus the high-waisted feature of these shorts creates the illusion of a higher waistline, therefore making your legs look super long! Depending on the fabric, these shorts can go from day to night, especially if you pair them with a dressier top! Definitely love versatile pieces that can be worn for many different occasions!

High-Waisted Shorts on Celebrities

Casual Day Outfit

Liv Tyler

Dressy Evening Outfit

AnnaLynn McCord

High-Waisted Short Options

Steal:

Cuffed Sailor Short $15.80 (Forever 21)

2 1/2" Sailor Short $19.99 (Rue 21)

Spend:

Top Deck Shorts $44.99 (Modcloth)

Compass Points Shorts $68.00 (Anthropologie)

Splurge:

Juicy Couture Bedford Sailor Short $128.00 (Zappos Couture)

Milly Cotton-Jacquard Sailor Shorts $215.00 (Net-A-Porter)

Top Options

Stripe Pocket Sleeveless Casual Top $12.99 (Papaya Clothing)

To keep with the nautical theme of the high-waisted sailor shorts, pair them with a striped tank or top in the same color family for a more tomboyish look. Toughen up the look with a denim vest, or create a classic look with a black blazer.

Classic Woven Shirt $18.90 (Forever 21)

Tuck a classic white button-up top into the shorts for a polished and fresh look! Since the white color goes with virtually everything, you can pair it with a pair of denim shorts for day, and a pair of silk high-waisted sailor shorts for evening.

Sparkle & Fade Tube Top $34.00 (Urban Outfitters)

For an evening look, pair the shorts with a fitted tube or bustier top to create a sleek feminine silhouette. You can top off the look with a cropped cardigan, blazer, or short sleeved bolero. Add some heels and you're ready to go!

From TRTD's Closet

I had been eyeing these shorts for a while and I finally added them to my closet today! Luckily they were on sale, so I didn't feel too guilty after purchasing them.

Shorts: Aritzia $45.00

Anchor details on buttons to keep up with the nautical theme!

Inspired? Look for these items here:

www.forever21.com

www.rue21.com

www.modcloth.com

www.anthropologie.com

www.zapposcouture.com

www.net-a-porter.com

www.papayaclothing.com

www.forever21.com

www.urbanoutfitters.com

Saturday, July 2, 2011

Girly Giveaway

The sun is out, the living is easy, and it's time for another giveaway! Inspired by the colorful flowers in my garden, I decided to find something that featured a pretty floral print. As I was doing some retail therapy shopping in Vancouver, I spotted a cute floral cross-body bag that adorned a faux leather bow. It screamed summer to me and I figured if I loved it, my readers would love it as well! In addition I also spotted an adorable silver bow ring accented with a small diamond. As much as I wanted it for myself, the rings were too big for my fingers so I figured my loss in someone else's gain! Interested in adding these two pieces to your accessories collection? Make sure to check out the rules of entry at the bottom of the post!

Giveaway Prizes:

Cross-body Bag: Spring Shoes Accessories

This bag has an adjustable strap, zipper closure, cell phone pocket, and an additional pocket on the side!

Ring: Spring Shoes Accessories

The double ring feature makes for an interesting accessory and would add a girly finishing touch to just about any outfit!

Rules of Entry:

Like The Retail Therapy Diaries page on Facebook (Click here to like the page!)
Tell me what your favorite summer trend is by writing it on the page's wall! (romper, maxi dress, cutoff shorts, tanks, etc.)
Tell a friend or two about my page (I will never know if you did step number 3 or not... I trust you!
That's it!

Additional Rules:

This giveaway is open to all readers
If you don't have a Facebook account, either follow me on my Tumblr account (click here) and email me what your favorite summer trend is at theretailtherapydiaries@gmail.com to be entered. If you don't have a Tumblr account, simply email me your response. Don't forget to reference me to a friend! I would really appreciate it!
Once I announce the winner, I will contact that individual for an address to ship the prizes to
The giveaway will be open for one month and will end on August 3rd at 12:00 AM (PT)
If you have any additional questions, don't be afraid to email me!

Good luck everyone!!

Friday, July 1, 2011

Just Say Yes to Style

Whenever I look through Japanese fashion magazines, I end up feeling sad knowing that I can't buy any of the cute clothes in them. I dream of going back to Japan and buying all sorts of cute clothes! I'd probably need to bring an empty suitcase with me just to fill with stuff I'd buy! Luckily I came across the clothing website Yes Style, which features fashionable pieces from Korea, Japan, and Taiwan. I love all the pastel colors used in their fashion and all the cute touches that they add to the pieces like bows and lace. I'm a big fan of flowy and girly romantic pieces so the pieces they feature are perfect! This website not only has a wide selection of adorable pieces, but they also put outfits together for you, saving you time and effort. I highly recommend taking a look through the site. I guarantee you'll find something perfect for you!

Some of My Favorites: