{Flash} Me?

{SS} here!

Let's talk for a minute about flashing. Yeah... that's right, flashing. I'm thinking of incorporating it into {mynewstyle}, you know as a, "I'm stylish through and through" type of thing...

What do you think?

An old photograph of SS & KH getting crazy at the Capitol!

Okay, okay, I'm obviously kidding. I'm actually talking about flash sales sites. Websites where a single item is offered at a deeply discounted price for a short period of time (usually 24-48 hours). These sites  usually require you to be member, which sometimes is as easy as just joining, and other times requires you to get an invitation.

So, after reading {kh}'s post yesterday about store credit cards, I thought I'd follow up and talk a bit about flash sale sites, which have become super popular in the fashion world.

Let me start out by saying, I have never purchased anything from a flash sale site, however, I have had a number of friends who have both successfully and unsuccessfully ordered things from sites such as: Rue La La, Gilt, Hautelook and Ideeli.

Now if you love these sites, I'd love to hear about it, but here's why I don't, or at least haven't yet, utilize these sites:

• They take too much time: In order to get the "best" deals on these sites, you have to be checking them and reading the e-mails they send out daily, something that I just don't like to do. 

• They aren't always the best deals: Often these sites tack on high shipping fees which raise the price, and better deals can be found on sites like Zappos which always offers free shipping (and returns). 

• They make returns hard: These sites often don't allow returns, only give site credit for returns, or charge hefty fees for returns.

• They require you to make impulse decisions and are too tempting: Often times on these sites the daily deal is something that I don't need or even want, but upon seeing it I began to think that I should have it because it's such a good price for such a good brand or whatever. I have enough issues as it is with shopping, so certainly don't something like this to tempt me into making an impulse purchase.  

• They require instant commitment: I'm a bit of a commitment phobe-- I can't tell you how many times I walk through the whole store carrying something I intend to purchase, only to decide against it at the last minute as I'm checking out. I like to have the option of being able to think about something for a while- go home and figure out if it's something that I really need AND that I really can afford. With flash sale sites if you don't make the purchase right away, you miss out on the "deal". 

I'd love to hear what you all think about flash sites!

xo, SS

Go Shorts!

Hi All. 

{SS} here!

So, on Saturday {KH} and I decided to check out  Opitz, an "outlet"-like store in St. Louis Park boasting 70% off or more of designer apparel, accessories and shoes (read about it here). I managed to pick up a pair of shorts and a dress totalling less than $50.

Since it has been so hot here in Minnesota, and since I have decided to embrace the shorts thing (see post on that here) I was pleased to find another pair of shorts! I loved the detailing on these cut-offs and the length (I have a pair from last summer that I never wear because they are way too short). I plan to cut them about a half an inch so that they have a bit of a rougher hem, but for now I think they work!

For a simple Sunday afternoon of running errands and going on a walk with a friend I paired the Inc. denim shorts with a loose leopard print cotton tank (J. Crew, last summer) and a pair of easy white sandals (Target, last summer). 

(again sorry for the fuzzy photos...)

I did score a great dress too and have a cute outfit in mind for it. Stay tuned :) 

xo, SS

Saturday Adventure

Yesterday, {KH} and I set off for another day of fun blogging collaboration. Since it was hot & sticky we headed for air conditioning. We had both heard of and were intrigued by Opitz Outlet in St. Louis Park/Edina/Minneapolis (no there are not three, it's just really confusing where it actually is)- an outlet clothing store boasting 70% off or more on designer apparel and accesories. After a sweaty car ride in which we did about 4 U-Turns (thanks "smart" phones for nothing!) because we kept getting lost... we finally arrived... and were... surprised. Somehow we had expected a pretty, beautifully laid out (maybe like Jeremy's?) boutique with great deals. Instead, we found a large, unorganized and somewhat chaotic warehouse bustling with shoppers! We realized that in order to find said great deals, we were going to have to do some serious digging (something we are both sometimes a bit hesitant about... but working to improve)... Though we didn't get completely down and dirty (we decided we would come back... maybe the second time will be less intimidating?!), we did manage to get some digging done and I walked away with a new pair of shorts (to add to my collection and further overcome my fear (see here)?!) and a dress which I think will work perfectly with an outfit idea I've been dreaming of!

Lots and lots to sift through...

Not the fanciest fitting room accommodations...

Since we had noticed it on our way, we decided to make a second stop at Second Début, Goodwill's fashion boutique. I was pleasantly surprised with their great selection and pretty displays. It truly felt like a little boutique! They were having an additional sale off the already low prices and {KH} scored a great dress! 

Shopping the racks...

Unfortunately as a result of mild crabbiness (brought upon by heat, too many crazy shoppers, hunger, etc...) neither of us were totally feeling the photo thing (it's also hard to sneakily snap photos in a store...) so we didn't take as many pictures as we would have liked. We'll work on doing better with that as we continue to do lots of collaborations. We're also looking forward to hopefully doing a [professional] photo shoot or two as well because it's pretty hard to get good shots of the two of us on our own :) 

Stay tuned this week for posts from each of us on what we got yesterday and how we plan to style it. 

Enjoy the rest of your weekend!!

xo, SS

{ Jeremy's }

Hello, hello, {SS} here.

Today I write to you from the lovely city of Berkeley, California where I will be for the next few days before jetting off  to Amsterdam and then France.




After attending a baseball game this afternoon, I set off to explore the streets of Berkeley in search of a few clothing items to add to my travel wardrobe, since I've realized I forgot a few key items (jeans?!?). Because I'd like to save my money for shopping in Aix-En Provence I headed to one of my favorite local stores, Jeremy's, which is usually full of {mynewstyle} pieces priced perfectly!

Jeremy's is a self-proclaimed "department store" with clothes for men, women (and now children), as well as accessories, home goods, shoes, bath and beauty products and jewelery from a variety of high-end and well-known designers and brands. You never know what you will find at Jeremy's because they get merchandise that's either leftover, slightly damaged, or unsellable from a variety of large retailers (lots of J. Crew, Anthro, Nordstroms, Lord & Taylor). Although it can be frustrating when you find something great that's not in your size, or when a perfect pair of pants has a small tear you can't live with, I have found some amazing things here (a great pair of Joe's Jeans, cute sandals, several brand-name dresses, etc...).

Today, I tried on a few things but only left with a $12 swim suit bottom which will go perfectly with a top I already have with me. I call that a style steal :)





And don't worry, I'll be heading back to Jeremy's in the next few days since I heard talk of a SALE as I was walking out. In the meantime, tomorrow my dad is taking me to a supposedly awesome women's resale boutique and I'm hoping to find some jeans which will hold me over for the next few weeks. I'll let you know what I find!

 xo, SS

Talking Shop

{KH} here!

{SS} and I met tonight to talk about the blog. We had every intention of coming up with post ideas, projections, strategies, and the liked. I headed over to blog HQ {SS's [mom's] house} to pick up my partner in crime and we went to "talk shop" over some salads.

They say the road to hell is paved with good intentions. We "talked shop" so well that we decided to go shopping. {SS} needed mascara for her trip. And it's not something that can be bought at Target. The closest place to get it is the mall!

It didn't hurt that I had been eyeing a pair of shoes online which one could only get at a certain store in the mall. I mean, we were already there! Sadly, they didn't have the shoes. I suggested to {SS} that we go to N. Rack {my text said, simply, "And NR"}. 

We were already there. So we went. And bought nothing.

 Then {SS} wanted to look into getting some powder to take on her trip. I swear by BareMinerals powder because I a) have SUPER sensitive skin and b) don't like to wash my face. My powers of persuasion are strong and off we went! {SS} got some powder which travels nicely {mine went to Mexico with no problem} and makes her skin looks even and dewey

 Awhile back we had stopped into a shop looking for some underthings. Since we were already at the mall and near, we decided to check it out. We both picked up things we were intent on buying. But then the more we thought about it, the less we wanted to buy them.

 

And so we left. Without buying anything.

We even left the mall without {SS} getting her mascara! 

I guess we can chalk tonight up to a field experiment. What big decisions did we make? Keep doing what we are going until {SS} returns from globetrotting. But at least we got one post out of it, right?!