Online Shopping: Land's End Spring 2014 and Clearance

So, there are some places that I've always felt too cool to shop, and Land's End is one of them. Not sure exactly why, but all I've pictured from there is elastic waist pants and orthopedic shoes... LOL!

I've liked some basic things that I've bought for the girls from Land's End over the years. Last year I took a chance on a printed summer tank dress for me and wound up loving it. So, in the interest of having an open mind, I recently placed an order for a few of their new bathing suit pieces and some other bargains I found while looking around. If you use the awesome free service eBates, you get 1.5-3% back on your purchase. Land's End items can be returned to any Sears store if that's more convenient for you than mailing them.

I'm 5'9 and about 126 pounds. I'll include sizes for references! Here are the pieces I ordered and how they worked (or didn't!) for me:

 Sleeveless Heritage Jersey Dress, $59 (on sale for $24.99) 

Size 4. I thought this would be a cute piece year-round, with jean jacket and boots or with flat sandals. Trying it on, I was kind of meh. The fabric is a little stiff and the dress is unlined. The color wasn't really exciting to me for fall or spring.
Verdict: Return.

Paisley Holiday Party Dress, $160 (on sale for $49.99) 

Size 4. This dress was just okay for me. The fit was good and the slip liner was really nice. I just wasn't in love with it, though.
Verdict: Return.

Swim Pieces (I'm going to spare you and not try these on for the camera! LOL). I like to mix and match suits so I ordered random things:

Regular Beach Living Tapestry Bandeau Tunic Top, $65 - Size 4. The fit was off on this. It was soooo tight around the top. I even had skin bulges/muffin top in the armpit area. Not a good look! LOL!
Verdict: Return.

Regular SwimMates Medallion Boy Shorts, $39 -  Size Small. I loved this print but the fit was soooo weird. The fabric on the bottom of the back was very loose and didn't fit tight to my skin??? Um... not trying to have my cheeks hanging out, not at this stage of the game! Haha
Verdict: Return.

Regular Beach Living Paisley V-Veck Tankini Top, $55 -  Size 4. Okay, fit was off on this, too. Same size as the top above but this one has major baggy fabric on the boobs. Print is adorable, though!
Verdict: Return.

Sleeveless Cotton Jersey Floral Tunic Cover-Up, $29 

Size Small. Super cute! I am in love with this print and the soft easy dress will be great to throw on all summer long. Runs a little big, could probably do with a size down, but not going to mess with switching it out.
Verdict: Keep.

Eyelet Dress, $108 (on sale for $29.99)  

Size 4. I was so excited to catch this dress on sale because I'd had my eye on it since fall. Looks like a great piece for all year round, depending on what you do with it. But... um...you can't tell in the picture but the fit was a bit of a mess. Very short for me and HUGE around the bust. If I inhaled, it basically fell down. If I sized down, the back would be too short to be decent.
Verdict: Return.

Paisley Adjustable Swim Cover-up Tunic, $49

5" Paisley Poplin Shorts, $49 (on sale for $19.99)

Top size Small, shorts size 4. Okay, obvs would never wear these together, but I needed to put them on with something for a pic! The top is fantastic. Too short for much coverage in a coverup, but love the print, the fit and the quick dry fabric. The shorts are pretty perfect, too. Fun print and a good length for daily wear! Love!
Verdict: Keep both.

Cross Back Surplice Dress, $59 (on sale for $24.99)

So, the first picture is how this dress is supposed to be worn... and, well, it's kind of awkward in person. The shoulder seams look backwards? I turned it around and it made more sense to me but the tag is in the front that way. I don't know. Cute idea, especially with how much red I wear, but not for me. It could have used some lining, too.
Verdict: Return.

Short Sleeve Pattern Georgette Pintuck Dress, $98 (on sale for $32.99)

Another fun print and cheap enough that I won't feel bad if I don't wear it much! The length is a little weird, I might have it taken up some, but will be cute in summer with a big chunky necklace and high strappy sandals!
Verdict: Keep.

So I found a few things that I think I will really wear and love. All of the bright fun colors and prints in this box made me so happy!! Have you started shopping for spring and summer? What are you loving?? Can't wait for warmer weather to get here! 

Website Review: Dancewear Solutions

Over the years I have bought LOTS of dance, cheer and gymnastics clothes, and that doesn't look to change in the near future! I find the options in local stores a little bit limited. You can go the ULTRA basic and inexpensive route and buy (boring) pieces from major chains like Wal-Mart, Target and Meijer. Don't get me wrong, my dancer thinks the Danskin Basics at Wal-Mart are super soft and comfy, but personally I get tired of looking at them! LOL!

The other main choice in Louisville and surrounding areas is Kinney Dancewear. They have super cute things, and a weak rewards program where you get a little certificate after you spend $250, but BOY are they expensive. Gymnastics leotards can easily run close to $50. It's a great place to pick up a "treat" piece every once in a while, but I try to avoid it most of the time because we can't seem to get out of there without spending $100+!

Last year I took a chance on online retailer Dancewear Solutions and have been really happy with it! The products have been the great quality and the prices are definitely more reasonable. And I love that it gives me an opportunity to buy my girls something to wear that nobody else has! SO much more to choose from!

We recently ordered a few things, including this leotard/dress for a voice recital performance:

So, so soft and pretty and she loves it! It was $35 before discount and is actually something she can wear over and over again for regular classes!

Here are a few of the other things we've bought recently:

It's all so cute! And neither of those are my kid, BTW. Haha!

If you spend $100, shipping is free. And coupon code DWSBB4 will save you 10% through the end of May!

What do you think?? Is there some magical land of dance and gymnastics clothes around Louisville that we've been missing out on??

Website Review: Team Wardrobe

I have been seeing and loving the galaxy leggings on Instagram for a while but wasn't sure where to get them. Then I got a website suggestion and I was.... skeptical. The Team Wardrobe website looks a little too "junior" for someone of my *ahem* age in all the ways that make me leery. I found the leggings but.... ? Will the material be too cheapy? Will the junior sizing be incredibly tiny? Will this website that caters to a crowd half my age have decent customer service?


I started to look around for a little bit and when I found the melting CC Chanel logo t-shirts, I was sold. I put enough in my cart to use one of the two offered coupon codes: NEW10 for $10 off of $75 or NEW20 for $20 off of $150. What's the worst that can happen? I put the clothes on, get a good chuckle and give them to my niece? It's worth a shot! LOL!

My first pleasant surprise came when I received an email with the tracking number for my shipped package THE SAME DAY I placed my order. I mean, seriously. As a person who shops online a LOT, this was nothing short of amazing to me! Less than 48 hours from placing my order, our mail lady had already attempted a first delivery. This was just with the regular shipping option! Granted, the package only had to go from Arkansas to Kentucky, but I was impressed!


Next pleasant surprise came from the nice touch of cute duct tape to seal the package. Followed by dumping out my bag and finding that they had included a little surprise freebie bracelet that I LOVE and would have totally bought on my own!

Still not expecting much from the clothes, I pulled them out and.... they looked good! They are definitely similar to the quality of fun pieces from Forever 21 or Charlotte Russe or something, but that's what they are meant to be - FUN! These aren't things meant to be worn a million times and I'm really happy with them!

Here's what I bought:

Sublimation Galaxy Leggings ($19.99)

White Dripping CC Top ($17.99)

Multi Color Zig Zag Maxi Skirt Dress ($44.99)

So what do you think?? Stuff is cute, right?? Sizing was fine and customer service gets an A+. I have been looking for a chevron maxi skirt anyway so that unexpected piece on the website was a great score! I'm thinking all three of these pieces get to go on my upcoming adventure this weekend!! ;)

Tyler Shields Suspense Collection

Ok, I am borderline obsessed with this collection. I've had recurring nightmares for almost a decade that involve seeing my kids fall from a major height and being unable to help or save them. In so many ways, these images capture that moment before the splat that I have been horrified of forever. That being said, I CAN'T QUIT LOOKING AT THEM. They are fascinating. This one features Emma Roberts (who we know is okay and didn't really splat! ;). The ballon one below features Shields' longterm girlfriend Francesca Eastwood (yep, daughter of bad ass Clint). The third one is a self portrait. The hubs and I purchased the two below to add to our collection and I am so excited about them.

A lot of people think "art" is some untouchable, weird thing that the average person can't understand or connect with. I have always thought that photography is a medium that everyone can appreciate. We all take pictures, and it's interesting to see the world through someone else's lens. Find an artist you love, support creativity! If it's an American artist like Tyler Shields, even better! :)

Here are the two we bought:

Suspense Collection info on the Tyler Shields website