Friday 28 March 2008

Shopping Style

Jaclyn and I spent a Saturday last month shopping for a grade 9 grad dress. We hit every store in the mall, and emerged victorious (pictures to come after grad, don't laugh: it's a K-9, these kids have been together for 10 years), but exhausted. I much prefer to dash into a store for 30 minutes and then see what I come out with. (Except on holidays, and then I can shop for hours and hours, women's' conference girlfriends beware.)
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This week I popped into Value Village. As I walked around the store I felt like I'd arrived an hour too late because I kept admiring items already in other shopper's carts. Darn! But then I headed down the boys clothing aisle - I have no idea why, I've never bought clothes for Steven at Value Village.
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There were 30 t-shirts just like this one. Some organization, presumably Extreme Soccer, must have donated a large batch of last year's shirts (still new with original tags). This was a super find for me because Chloe is crazy about soccer. She is so looking forward to soccer season starting up again soon, and she's been talking about having a soccer birthday party. This find solidified the birthday plan. I bought a dozen soccer shirts for $0.99 each. Score!

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I popped into Superstore - my discount grocery store that now carries it's own clothing brand.
I got a funny look from an employee for taking a picture in the store - not that long ago I also would have thought it was strange behavior.

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.I found Carmen's pink pleated skirt on the clearance rack for $1.94! The jacket is also from Superstore; I bought it with my PC Points (credit earned by shopping and banking through Superstore) so whatever the tag said it cost, it was free to me. Ken reminds me that it is possible to buy groceries with PC Points, but I say NO WAY! PC Points are a reward and I'm going to treat them that way!
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Chloe's green pear patterned shirt and red jacket were purchased with PC Points. I also bought her the most darling green gingham swing shirt, but it is in the ironing pile right now. I don't know what I was thinking buying children's clothing that requires ironing (?)
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Here's a close up of my dressy t-shirt that matches my new fruit punch poppy bobby pin. I think I might love this shirt and hair accessory too much. I'm concerned I'll quickly wear out the shirt - not sure I trust the quality of grocery store clothes. I just have to keep reminding myself that I've been very happy with the furniture I've bought there, which gives me hope of Superstore's general product quality. I'm keeping my fingers crossed. I'm also hoping I don't lose the pin, thanks for that April. Ha! .

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It wouldn't be a shopping post for me without something from Winners (TJ Maxx sister store). This yellow jacket has me hoping for a cool spring and summer. It is the perfect color, the perfect fit. I love the big buttons and the weight of the fabric. It was perfection at $50, especially with in store credit, which I know just means I spent the money long ago, but it felt free.
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19 comments:

michelle said...

What? A grocery store with clothes and furniture?? That you can buy with reward points?? Man, I think I need to move to Canada...

I love all the things you bought, and you look absolutely adorable in that last pic.

Neighbor Jane Payne said...

Oh gee, everything was grand! Such style. Such cuteness. I think I like your shirt and poppy hair pin on you as much as you do...they're darling!

And that playhouse? Wow! What a great thing.

Michelle Alley said...

We have a Loblaws that has an aisle of clothing, which surprised me the first time I shopped in it. They have some cute stuff, I wonder if these points can be redeemed in Quebec - btw - those barretts are so so cute!

Marie said...

I just did the same thing on Saturday! We hadn't ever cashed in our PC points (except to buy towels a year ago) and we had a ton of them. Maybe even a tonne. Dirk had the brilliant idea to outfit the kids for summer with them, so we went out and piled up our cart. We decked them out, got a few things for Dirk, new oven mits for free....$450 of free. So great.

And I am formally requesting a sneak peek at Jaclyn in her grad dress. I loved my grade nine grad dress. Still one of my favourite outfits of all time.

Mandy said...

All of the clothes you purchased are so cute. I wish we had something like that here.

Ortensia Norton said...

Love the clothes. All of them. Can't wait to see Jaclyn's grad dress. Good ole gr.9 Grad. You're going to Women's conference?!? What a FUN week away! Holiday shopping is the GREATEST!!

And how man times have I had this conversataion:
- great outfit
- thanks! Don't tell anyone, but I got it as Superstore.
- hey everyone is buying stuff from superstore. who knew

I quite enjoyed their coconut cream pie at Christmas. Cream on top was gross but the coconut and graham wafer crust was really good. And mark loves their baguettes.
Oh and I so agree on the points. They are a prize. For spending so much money.

April said...

Fashionable and thrifty...I think your husband must be terribly in love with you.

Love every one of your finds.

Wish I was as wise as you on the YW broadcast dinner. Brilliant and efficient...two of my favorite qualities.

Kelly said...

Shoptastic! All from a grocery store with points, amazing.

Anonymous said...

I love everything you found! I'm especially a fan of your and Chloe's coats. And the shirt and barrette. Maybe don't dry the shirt in the dryer and it will preserve it a bit longer for you? And a grocery store with points and clothes??

Can't wait to see Jaclyn's dress, too!

Elizabeth said...

You look so cute in that yellow jacket. What a great sp. I agree, using points to buy food would be no fun.

Unknown said...

you are so vogue!! makes me want to go out and spend my greenpoints (only, no clothes at my grocery yet, but, hey...)

Price Cream Parlor said...

SO CUTE, Barb! I love all the fun items you were able to get! Thanks for the photo inside your store. It looks really fun to me! I would totally shop there!
I wish you lived closer so I could borrow your yellow coat! Smashing!

Katie A. said...

All of those clothes are great. I love your jacket. And I'm with you: reward points are to be used for rewards!

jenny said...

What awesome finds. And it looks like that shirt goes perfectly with those darling pins!

Tiffany said...

I love your perfect finds! For how much $ I spend at my own local superstore--just wish it was as neat as yours and gave me rewards!

Tilane said...

It's so fun to read your blog posts! I totally understand what Value Village, Superstore, PC point, etc are. I love it. Thanks for always giving me a taste of home.

Amanda said...

I would totally buy clothes at a grocery store if they were as cute as those!

Love your new shirt, coat, barrettes. Maybe I need to take a shopping trip to Canada if/when the US dollar is in better shape.

carlo said...

i love the clothes and the pin! the yellow coat is perfection!

interesting about the points from food shopping. and i thought gas discounts were a great deal with the points. but cute clothing? even better.

love tjmaxx by the way.

Bond Girl 007 said...

oh barb, that is the cutest jacket...soo springy and beautiful foto reallY@!