Instas Of The Week

Instagrams of the Week for GranolaChris
I haven't ordered anything from Ideeli since last October but I've really like 90% of the items I have purchased from them recently.  They've also implemented 30 free days of shipping after paying for one shipment, just like Rue La La, which makes them a great alternative.  

J. Crew Sweater  |  Weather Tamer Plaid Trench  |  Danielle Nicole Purse  |  LOFT pants

Kooba Purse from Ideeli (not yet arrived)

Tweed Jackets from Old Navy  |   Couldn't decide which color.  TBD.

 C. Wonder Earrings from Ideeli

OOTD for work  |  LOFT Blouse, Pants, and Brooch  

J. Crew Factory Wishlist

Shopping on Gilt this morning I found a FREE deal for 25% off J.Crew Factory.  The voucher claims it can be redeemed in addition to any already marked discounts.  Score!
I've purchased from J.Crew Factory online before and have been happy with the clothing.  I would say the quality is slightly lower than full line J.Crew stores, but definitely not significantly noticeable.  In fact, I've lost track which pieces are Factory in my closet.
Here's my wishlist from J.Crew factory-- which realistically, blows my budget so I'll have to be picky in buying only what I need (I need everything, right?). 
The voucher details are listed below the photo.

• This 25% off voucher can be used on top of J.Crew Factory’s already existing sales and promotions of up to 50% off.
• Redeem by: Sunday, April 21, 2013
• Valid through Sunday, April 21, 2013, 11:59pm ET
• Valid on all items except gift cards
• For online and in-store purchases; discount applied before shipping and taxes are added
• No adjustments will be made to previous purchases
• Purchases made with this offer are not eligible for future price adjustment
• Cannot be redeemed for cash or combined with any other offer
• Not valid in J.Crew retail stores or on jcrew.com
• Valid on JCrewFactory.com & in J.Crew Factory stores only
• One-time use only
• Offer valid in the U.S. and Canada only
• After receiving an email confirming your order, please wait to receive a second email containing your voucher with redemption instructions

Click "Gilt City" to see the deal.

50% Select Sales @ LOFT: Restock On Basics

Thanks to La Vie Petite I've been hooked on LOFT for the past 2 years.  Prior to then I had never stepped foot into a store.  During my first visit there the very nice sales associate explained to me that every season they design clothing so that everything in the store goes with everything in the store.  So hypothetically, you could go through picking pieces with your eyes closed and end up looking ok.  Sounds so easy, right?
Well, I'm not so trusting in their concept, but I love going to LOFT for basics and their sales are to-die-for.  These are the items I picked up during their 50% of select styles + 40% sale items.  I don't believe I've ever paid full price for anything there, which is really hard to do since everything goes on sale.

I would suggest signing up for their emails as that's how I stay up to date on their sales.  

1) Button Back Tulip Tee

2) Knit and Woven Tiered Cotton Tank

3) Dalmatian Spot Print Short Dolman Sleeve Blouse

4) Stripe Terry Knit Dress

5) Striped Slubbed Cotton Tank

Uniqlo Pants With Striped Tee From Rue La La

Hi Friends!
Have you ever heard of Uniqlo?  I hadn't either until last weekend.  One of our best friends got married and a ton of our college friends came into town.  They were going a little nuts over this store call Uniqlo.
The best way to describe it is a Japanese version of H&M.  Mid-quality basics at a great price.  I picked up some amazing lightweight layering tanks form their "Airism" line and some of these elastic pants.  Do you all remember the tights from the late 80's with the stirrups?  Well, these are the adult version without the stirrups and I love them.
This is what I wore on this casual spring day to go get my hair done.  

 SHOP:  Rue La La Tee (Similar) |  Uniqlo Pants (similar)  |  Shoes from Taiwan (similar)  |  LV Bag  | Etsy Necklace

Instagram

Crossbody Bag Search and Reveal

Hi Friends!

Long time no post. I can only blame it on our recent move and the inability to find anything. Once I find my tripod, there will be some new outfit posts. Whenever that is...

I've been on the search for a smaller crossbody bag for awhile now. Initially, I was interested in the LV Saumur 30, but wasn't too fond of getting another monogram print crossbody bag (the Speedy B is too similar). It is a very functional and practical bag, and maybe if it ever comes out in Damier Ebene I will reconsider.

Photo c/o fmasarovic

The Chanel Half Moon WOC seems like the perfect bag. I was trying to stay away from black and almost all the pre-owned options I found within my budget were black. So I eventually just gave up after a year or so. I could have bought a metallic one in new condition, but the frugal gal in me just couldn't pull the trigger.

Photo c/o Malleries

So I pretty much gave up and would infrequently pop into my favorite pre-owned sites to browse around. Also, because of the few shopping diets I took this year, my shopping habits had changed and I became overly critical of the quality and value of luxury goods. In addition, we bought our first home and the expenses associated with that definitely helped curb my spending for a few months. Plus it's so fun decorating and improving your first home.

Sleepy eyed this morning, I was browsing the usual morning emails and saw this New Arrival from Malleries.

I clicked and it was love at first sight. I wouldn't call it an impulse purchase, more a "I know what I've been looking for forever and here it finally is" purchase.

So here's the irresistible red lady....a (vintage?) Chanel Mini Classic Flap in lambskin leather from Garo. I like its rectangular rectangular shape vs. the square shape of more recent minis. Soon (when I find the tripod) I will post some outfit pics with this bag.

Photos c/o Garo

I am so glad I waited, as I just know this is exactly what I was looking for. It's not black like all my other Cocos and it will add a pop of color to any plain outfit. Thanks for letting me share my small crossbody search story. Have you ever looked for something for so long that once you find it, you know it's exactly what you've been looking for?

*Disclaimer: Post created with mobile app. Thanks for excusing any formatting errors.

Burberry Hobo Reveal + The Real Real Review

Try saying "The Real Real Reveal" 3 times fast.  ROR...raff out roud!
My friend introduced me to The Real Real a little over 2 months ago when I mentioned being a fan of pre-loved luxury goods.  If you can imagine a site like Malleries in a flash sale format like Rue La La...that's pretty much what The Real Real is.  They have daily sales of only pre-owned/new luxury clothing and accessories.  They gather many items from estate sales and celebrities. 
The popular items go pretty quickly, so I was surprised to see this Burberry Hobo about 4 hours into the sale.  I closely read the description and reviewed the pictures they provided.  The flaws I could live with.  The price was a steal.  So I decided to make my 1st purchase from The Real Real.
PROS:- Great prices.  I haven't done any direct comparisons, but they seem lower than Malleries, Bella Bag, Portero, etc.- Most of the items I've seen have been in Excellent to Near New condition.- Constant rotations of luxury brands.- Shipment arrived overnight.  Seems the origin is in SF, which is huge plus!- Descriptions and photos are accurate.- New coupon codes every month for $25 off.
CONS:- My bag was not thoroughly cleaned.  I went through about 4 facial wipes to "refresh" the bag.-  Many unsold items are repeatedly listed.  Which is OK, but I'd rather see new merchandise.
Bottom line, The Real Real is a nice change from the usual pre-owned shopping sites.  The prices are great, delivery is prompt, descriptions are accurate, and they have coupon codes!  I'm a fan and give The Real Real a thumbs up!

Shopping Diet: Day 4 of 60

 My ridiculous return pile

< 50% of my jewelry

Beauty products I gave away

As I write this I'm visualizing all my overflowing drawers, cabinets, and storage space full of stuff.  Ranging from hardly used make-up, skincare, and haircare to candles, makeup, shoes, stationary, gadgets, leggings, and list goes on and on and on. The clutter just never ends and I'm totally overwhelmed.
 There's a corner of my living room dedicated to things I need to return from Rue La La, Hautelook, Amazon and Ideeli (as seen above).  It literally looks like a stack of trash.  Actually, Mr. Granola recently put an empty milk carton on top of my "return stack" thinking it was the recycling pile.  How sad.  At least $200 worth of merchandise is mistaken for garbage. 
I've decided to chronicle my 60 day shopping diet, here on my blog, with my readers.  
As a child, I would have an underlying joy and sense of happiness that would last for days after my parents took me to Sanrio or Mervyn's-- the usual places a 6 year old in the 80's would shop.  Thinking back, it's probably my first experience of that "shopping high," the same feeling I get to this day when I click "buy" or rip open a box that has arrived at my door-- most of the time where I can't even recall its contents.
Before I turned 30, I accomplished my goal of paying off the debt.  A goal I cannot take credit for, because as I realized, I was overjoyed by the act of shopping.  Mr. Granola really helped manage my money and forever grateful I've learned to spend only "cash."  Over the past year I've learned many important shopping lessons and really stuck by them.  Except what do you do when "everything" goes with 5 pieces in your closet, or when "everything" is on discount?  
Although I've given myself an allowance each month, I've managed to fall for the hype of the YouTube beauty gurus "Monthly Favorites," latest season must haves, newest subscription site, and once-a-year-deals I can't live without. I can honestly say I don't need another darn thing.
So as we've all heard-- first step is admitting you have a problem.  Although I'll have some recent online purchases trickle in, I have officially started my shopping diet on July 1st!

Tory Burch Natalya Wedge Reveal

Hi Friends!  
Long time no see!  We've been busy bees shopping for real estate, traveling, and working.  It's been awhile since I've done a reveal, so here goes one for my new Tory Burch Natalya wedge pumps.  Originally $265 I got these on sale for $185.  I realize they're not a great steal, but they're super comfortable and perfect for all the work travel I do.

tory burch wedge at Beso.com

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For sizing reference, I usually wear a size 7.5, but in TB Revas, I'm an 8.  I originally bought the black pair in an 8, only to find them too big because the toe box is a bit wider.  So I would suggest getting these in your true size.  However!!...the tan pair seems to run larger because they're slipping a little.  Hmmmmm.
Thanks for checking out my reveal.  I snuck in a recent purchase of my pink and orange Big Buddah Celine lookalike bag too, since it matched the boxes so perfectly :)

Reward Yourself

 I truly believe hard work should have some type of reward at the end.  Whether for you it's a spa day, a car detail, or vacation, we all work too hard not to reward ourselves.  
This is my new best friend purchased from LoneStarEstates via Etsy.  It's my first vintage/antique piece and I'm very happy with it.  
Many people don't know I was a gemologist trainee at Gemological Institute of America (GIA) where I graded diamonds for 3 months.  If you have any questions regarding diamond shopping, feel free to email me.  My personal mission (amongst many) is to help others make smart choices when shopping for diamond jewelry.