Retail Therapy

Spoils from Sin City

Mr. Backseat Styler and I landed back in Toronto on Tuesday and I’ve been recovering from our 5 days in Vegas ever since; hence the delayed trip report. While I was in Vegas, I posted that the weather was crappy and the shopping less than successful, but thankfully our fortunes turned and the second half of our trip was sunny, hot and full of shopping bags. Must have been all the positive vibes you all sent us! What we lacked in luck at the casinos, my shopping partner-in-crime J and I definitely made up for at the Las Vegas Premium Outlets.

My first purchase of the day was this Ted Baker silk blouse I wanted several seasons ago and was never able to locate in my size. This is a prime example of why outlet shopping rocks – there it was hanging on the rack, in my size, at half the price I would’ve paid way back when. It’s a classic top that I’m sure I’ll get lots of wear out of on its own in the spring/summer and under cardigans and jackets in the fall/winter, so it really doesn’t matter that it was originally in stores over 2 years ago.

J and I both hit it big at the Elie Tahari outlet, where I nabbed 2 work skirts. The leaf embroidered skirt is wool and much prettier in person than in my photo. I first saw it at The Room at The Bay this past fall, but my size had already sold out by the time I discovered it. I was rather excited to find it at the outlet!

Where I really hit the jackpot though was at the Dolce & Gabbana outlet. With sale goggles on, I grabbed a whole pile of clothing from the additional 70% off rack. My pocketbook was saved from certain slaughter by J, who thankfully lent a critical eye and helped me nix all but one item. It’s a stunning black lace and silk 3/4 length dress that I’ve managed to photograph extremely poorly. With the unbiased thumbs up from J, I nabbed this dress at 85% off the original price. I can’t wait to wear it!

At the end of the day, arms full of bags and excited about the bargains we’d found, J and I made like bandits before anyone had a chance to change their minds and charge us more. Add to my outlet purchases a few items I snagged on presale at Saks that are on their way via snail mail, and I can happily declare that Vegas was a successful shopping trip after all!

xx, S

P.S. We did a lot more in Vegas than just shop, but who wants to hear about our non-shopping escapades anyway? Besides, it’s as they say – what happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas

Photo Credits: Style.com

Retail Therapy

Vegas, Baby!

Mr. Backseat Styler and I arrived in Vegas yesterday morning and were welcomed with weather that was colder than what we’d left in Toronto…le sigh. Refusing to dwell on the unusually chilly Vegas temperatures, we kept ourselves entertained with non-poolside activities like shopping our way down the Strip. Vegas has some of my most favourite shopping destinations, including the shops at Caesars Forums and the Palazzo, and Mr. Backseat Styler was kind enough to patiently accompany me from store to store all afternoon. It was quite the productive day!

My first order of business was to check out the bag inventory at the Balenciaga boutique and Barneys. I’ve been in search of an anthracite part-time or work bag, but have had no luck so far; sadly, Vegas let me down as well. What was interesting though, was that Mr. Backseat Styler declared himself not to be a fan of Balenciaga’s motorcycle bags. I don’t usually seek his thumbs up for style-related decisions, but it’s certainly something to consider when I’m deciding on my next bag purchase.

While at Barneys I stopped by the shoe department and found myself drawn to 2 pairs of flats. I spotted these whimsical Chloé flower chain ballet flats online a while back but hadn’t yet had the opportunity to see them in person. I tried them on and fell instantly in love with them. At $495 though, I’m definitely adding them to the sale wishlist!

I also gave these Lanvin chain strap ballet flats a try. The verdict, unfortunately, was that they were cute, but definitely not worth their price tag of $725. I decided I could probably achieve a similar look with a quick and easy DIY project.

I left Barneys empty-handed, but remedied the situation with a visit to Anthropologie in Caesar’s Forums. We have 2 Anthropologie locations in Toronto, but I’ve yet to make a purchase until now. I was delighted to find this Yoana Baraschi Vanilla Bean Blouse on the sale rack in my size. Rosettes, ruffles, polka dots and bows are just about my most favourite clothing embellishments and this top happens to have them all without crossing the line into tackiness. It’s disappointingly made of polyester, but could pass as silk, so I decided to waive my usual rule against buying synthetics and took the plunge. I’m so happy I did, because I already wore it to dinner and a Cirque du Soleil show tonight and loved it!

There are still a few shopping destinations to hit before the trip is over, including Fashion Show Mall and Premium Outlets Las Vegas, but we’re hoping to spend as much time as possible poolside and working on our tans the rest of the trip. Fingers crossed for balmy weather in Vegas for the next few days!

xx, S

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