ShopEatSleep

What inevitably happens to me every Christmas is I end up either buying a bunch of stuff for myself, or if I’ve managed to stop myself from buying something then, I’ll keep thinking about it. And thinking about it. And thinking about it. Until I covet so much that I write a post about coveting fashion.

So here are some fashion items that I hope to get this year. Some are of-the-moment, but many are staples that I’ve been looking for but haven’t yet found “the one.”

Chunky cardigan sweater

Love the look, but it always seems to look better on a hanger/obnoxiously skinny model. I can’t figure out how to not look “chunky” in it. Maybe it’s not meant for me?

Chunky cardigan sweater

Aztec-patterned cardigan sweater

This one is just for fun. Big pattern on a layering piece means I can remove it if I decide it’s too much. But worn as a statement piece, it should work just fine.

Aztec-patterned cardigan sweater

Flat-heeled booties

I want an alternative to flats or sneakers for a casual-yet-stylish look. And I want to be comfortable. Always.

Flat-heeled booties

Perfect light-colored clutch

So many times I’ve found myself in need of a light-colored clutch, but have been empty-handed (literally). Also, an empty foldover clutch looks lovely, but what does it look like when there’s actually stuff in it?

Fold-over clutch

Perfect black bag

The albatross of handbags. Does anyone actually find this? Here are a couple of styles I’ve been eyeing (imagine them in black, obviously).

J.Crew Teddie Satchel

J.Crew Biennial Hobo

Moto jacket

I’m especially loving moto jackets made with mixed materials. And that sideways zipper just screams cool.

Leather and wool moto jacket

If you have any suggestions that fit these bills, let me know. I’d love to hear and see what you think!

J.Crew denim. From J.Crew.

Don’t miss out on the long weekend’s Labor Day sales!

Gap
Adult t-shirts $10 and baby tees $8 Thursday, Aug. 29, only
Up to 40 percent off select styles through Monday, Sept. 2
In stores and online

OpenSky
85 percent off clearance

Banana Republic
40 percent off purchase online and in stores with code BRWEEKEND through Monday, Sept. 2
Extra 20 percent off when you open a BananaCard in store by Monday, Sept. 2

Old Navy
30 percent off entire store or 35 percent off when you use your Old Navy, Gap or Banana Card online (with code SPREE) and in stores
40 percent off all adult Famous jeans (not combinable with other discounts) in store only
Through Monday, Sept. 2

Anthropologie
New items added to sale, and extra 25 percent off home sale items through Monday, Sept. 2

Diane von Furstenberg
30 percent off pre-fall 2013 collection online and in stores through Monday, Sept. 2

J.Crew
25 percent off denim Thursday, Aug. 29, only
Extra 30 percent off final sale items in stores and online with code HELLO30
Free shipping on orders $100+

J.Crew Factory
40 to 50 percent off everything online and in stores through Monday, Sept. 2

West Elm
15 percent off sofas, sectionals and upholstered accent chairs
15 percent off mirrors
20 percent off laundry and cleaning
Extra 30 percent off pillows and throw blanket markdowns with code XTRAPILLOWS
Up to 30 percent off bedding
30 percent off select rugs
Online and in stores through Monday, Sept. 2

C. Wonder
25 percent off full-price items online and in store with code LABORDAY through Monday, Sept. 2

Ann Taylor
30 percent off full-price items
Extra 40 percent off sale items
In stores and online

Barnes & Noble
15 percent off any item in stores and online with code BWJQV61LMZ6E3 through Monday, Sept. 2

H&M
Items available in store and online starting at $5 through Monday, Sept. 2

Lifebooker
Extra 20 percent off Loot with code LABORDAY

Travelocity
Extra 15 percent off hotel bookings with code GOWEEKEND15E Friday, Aug. 30, only

Gilt City
20 percent off with code THANKS20 through Monday, Sept. 2

Piperlime
25 percent off full-price women’s jeans with code DENIM through Tuesday, Sept. 3

Topshop
Extra 20 percent off sale items

Macy’s
Extra 20 percent off (15 percent off home, excluding furniture and mattresses) with code DEALS through Monday, Sept. 2
Free shipping on orders $99+

Williams-Sonoma
Extra 15 percent off clearance items with code SAVENOW
Free shipping with code LABORDAY
15 percent off table top with code LABORDAY
20 percent off cooking tools with code TOOLS20
20 percent off soap and lotion
Up to 75 percent off outdoor
20 percent off Williams-Sonoma cookware
In stores and online through Monday, Sept. 2

Still working on that list of Christmas/Hanukkah gifts? Here’s a hodge podge of shopping and gift options for you to consider:

Gap slipper booties

The Grove: I did some of my holiday shopping at The Grove earlier this week, and I saw some decent stuff at the Gap for decent prices. All necklaces were $10 and all bracelets were $4. Scarves with large flowers on them, which apparently aren’t offered on Gap’s Web site, in purple, turquoise and green were $10 (other colors were more expensive). And slipper booties, originally $29.50, were $19.99. J.Crew and Banana Republic didn’t seem to have a lot of sales going on, though there were some jewelry sales at J.Crew, and the sale rack in the back of Banana Republic was pretty full.

Royal/T: This art space and cosplay cafe that is currently hosting the latest incarnation of LudoBites also has a Winter Wonderland pop-up shop just for the holidays. The space has Christmas trees decorated with items from tokidoki, Hello Kitty, The Valley of the Dolls, Be@rbrick, and Momiji that shoppers can pick off and buy. The Hello Kitty one is really cute, I must say. There are other gift ideas in the space, too, including under the Christmas trees, which you can use to create your own customizable holiday gift boxes ranging in price from $50 to $200. And with any $20 purchase, you’ll get a hand-painted gift box for free (you can also purchase one for $5).

Maven Collective: For those of you south of the Orange Curtain, Maven Collective, a company that holds sample and pop-up sales in Los Angeles, Orange County, San Francisco and New York City, is holding just such a sale in Costa Mesa at The Boathouse (1638 Pomona Ave.) this Saturday, Dec. 19, from 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., and Sunday, Dec. 20, from 12:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Expect to see clothing from Mike & Chris and B.B. Dakota, shoes from Balenciaga and Lanvin, shoes and bags from Jil Sander, and much more for up to 80 percent off retail prices. Cash and credit accepted.

I love the collar on this Gap sweater. On sale for $19.75.

I don’t do Black Friday. I can’t handle the crowds and the lines and getting close to engaging in fisticuffs (or actually getting into a fight) over a parking space or sweater or whatever. I prefer to wait, because there are always deals as it gets closer to Christmas, or to shop online during what is now called Cyber Monday, the Monday following Black Friday. And you can thank the recession for the sales that have already started!

Gap is having an in-store buy one, get one free deal on men’s and women’s sweaters, Gap Body pajama pants, and Gap Kids and Baby Gap fleece through Friday. Online, Gap is offering 50 percent off men’s and women’s sweaters and kids’ and baby fleece, as well as 30 percent off all outerwear, through Sunday. There’s also free shipping on orders more than $50 from all the Gap Inc. brands (Gap, Old Navy, Banana Republic, Piperlime and Athleta).

MacMall is having a 72-hour sale that runs through Friday. Macbooks start at $884.98, Macbook Pros start at $1,068.99 (less than what I paid for my 13″ with my education discount), Macbook Airs start at $1,398.98, and iMacs start at $1,068.99. There’s much more, including iPod Shuffles starting at $54.99 and iPod Touches starting at $169.99.

And don’t forget the Rebecca Minkoff online sample sale that lasts through Monday.

For a comprehensive list of traditional Black Friday and online sales, check out Black Friday Ads to see the actual advertisements for Target, Amazon, NewEgg and others.

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No doubt you’ve noticed the Gap 1969 “Born to Fit” jeans (named for the company’s founding year) ads around town or in the latest fashion magazine touting the pants as “America’s Best Fitting Premium Jeans.” When something is described as the “best” anything, I’m immediately skeptical. Maybe they’re the best for some, but certainly not for all, and most likely not for me.

Finding a good-fitting jean is not an easy task, as many of you, dear readers, can probably attest to. There’s gaping in the back of the waistband, or the length is too short or too long, or the crotch area bunches, or your butt looks too fat or too flat. And for someone with curves, like me, fitting into any jean that’s too skinny is pretty much a no-go.

So Gap comes along proclaiming its jeans as the “best fitting,” and naturally I said to myself, “Yeah, right!” Well, Gap may have proved me wrong.

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