the haul and the haul back

I haven't yet discussed our planned visit to London and Paris, because your intrepid correspondent and spouse will be accompanied by two rather young family members, and most of our computer time these past few weeks has been consumed by searches for things that they, rather than we, will enjoy. Example: climbing around an old castle is more fun than learning about Napoleon's triumphs. Including for us, because first we'd have to explain who Napoleon was. So, plan for summer: (1) organize trip; (2) take trip; (3) recuperate from trip and then - oh, look, October.

Age-appropriate activities and visits having finally been organized, I realized that in the heat of the summer, eating on the fly and picnicking, the old reliable travel togs were completely unsuitable. I have done what any red-blooded American girl would do: I have shopped. And I have returned.

Keepers:

probably this long skirt, but shortened to what used to be called midi length, except since midi now seems to mean "probably not a mini," I'll use one of the names that were in use before midi: ballet length or tea length.

this tank, which goes nicely with most of what will no doubt make the final suitcase cut.

this skirt - probably a keeper if it ever arrives, thank you, UPS Mail Innovations. Another pet peeve, why pay UPS to haul merch to the post office and mail it? Anyway, I caught a nice promotion and the print appealed. Plus, my brown silk tank with black piping is a sure thing here. I must have been having visions when I grabbed it last year.

these linen pants, in navy and in beige.

this cardigan, to award off over-enthusiastic airconditioning, and oh, look, does anyone remember this tee?









I thought a white jacket would go with most things, and my white jean jacket is getting a little tired. I tried a couple of linen blazers, but they seemed too dressy. This single-breasted cotton jacket - on sale at ralphlauren.com, on more of a sale at bloomingdales.com, with pockets works for me, and isn't something I'll want to toss at the end of the trip.

these sneakers:

discussion not required, they even look comfortable.

these pants, worn with navy silk tee or navy tank. They weigh nothing, nothing, I tell you, so ordinarily I wouldn't consider them for wearing at home or Out East, but for hot, hot days in a large crowded city, they'll work. And I got a great price. Navy tank, navy silk tee. Chie Mihara sandals that tone in with the coral design on the pants, how did that happen? I've had those shoes for 4 years.

Going - or gone - back:
       these skirts:

the green/blue floral is a great print, I love the length and the fullness, but sadly the material is so stiff that instead of draping forgivingly over my rear view, it juts right out and stays out. I tried on the poplin pleated skirt in navy, and the pleats behaved badly.

this purse:I wanted the small, and stalked it, and honestly I never thought I'd say this, but it has no capacity whatsoever. This is a disappointment, because the large version is large enough to hold whatever Himself doesn't feel like carrying, and I prefer to avoid the issue ...

this dress from the Gap - it's rayon, it has no straps, it creates lumps and bumps where I know I don't have any - I can't believe it's the dress I ordered, but life is too short to argue, it's going back.

this sweater, which was described as a drapey cashmere boatneck sweater. I didn't realize that the "drapey" part was most of the sweater, in fact every area but the neckline. I would have used the word "floppy" or "suitable for the female relatives of SpongeBob" because it's square. People might have been better informed.

I thought this silk tee would be nice, but it too suffers from squareness. It went back. However, I should note that it looks very pink on the web, but is a deep rich red in real life. At least the one that briefly visited me was.

An enthusiastic (fanatic?) statistician has tabulated and analyzed retail price patterns, and has computed how many days of the month J.Crew has a reduction, promotion, additional % off, and so on. I'm considering inviting that statistician to my Inbox which daily offers me great buys and once-in-a-lifetime reductions on everything from arch supports to hats to electronics, media, and clothing at all price ranges. I wonder if this can mean that consumers, on a large scale, are rejecting merchandise with inflated prices. If so, I can only say ¡Viva la revolución!

If I feel ambitious I'll discuss the study in greater detail in a future post. Essentially the study concludes that even if you don't want to be a "sale shopper," there are fewer and fewer days in the month when that's possible.