See Sara Shop: Football Edition

Know what time it is? Football time!

Well, not quite yet, but pretty darn close. It's pre-season time, which is close enough for me to get excited!

And close enough for me to start shopping for this season's football gear. I've already got a decent collection of Volunteer orange, but there's always room for more - especially when it's this cute!

Behold, Victoria's Secret's new line of college and NFL football gear!



They've got super cute hoodies, tees and sweats for 50+ college teams and about a dozen NFL teams. Sadly, no Indianapolis Colts gear (what's up with that, Victoria's Secret?) but they do have my Vols and when Nate found out they had Steelers gear? It was over. It pained me to say it, but that's probably the only time in my life that I will tell him I really don't want to own one of everything! HA!

See Sara [Attempt to] Shop

{Image found here}

Well, I hadn't intended to take a break from blogging but it seems our desktop computer had other plans - in the form of a complete and total hard-drive meltdown.

No idea what happened. It was working one day and then emitting an ear-piercing shrieking sound the next. One of our IT guru friends took a look at it today and said we'll be lucky if we can recover anything off of the hard-drive. Bye-bye, the last six years in pictures. Bye-bye, fifteen versions of my resume. Bye-bye, our entire i-Tunes library.

Yes, I know I should have been backing those things up on an external drive. I'm not stupid.

Nope, not stupid. Just lazy.

Which is why we have nothing backed up. Literally, nothing.

Boo hiss.

I'm currently shopping for a laptop, but there are like fifty bazillion options for laptops. I am paralyzed with indecision. Since we've suffered the loss of both our desktop and my laptop in the last month, we're replacing them with a single super laptop. I am terrified to make the wrong decision and spend a thousand bucks on something that is any less than what we want. Ugh.

Mark it down in the calendar, ladies and gentlemen, this is the one time in the history of the world that Sara does not enjoy shopping.

Ooh! Look outside! I think pigs might be flying!

See Sara Shop

I need some advice. I have an interview next week with an organization I've been dying to work at for almost three years. The job is nearly identical to the job that I had prior to my layoff last March.

I've already had a phone interview, but next Tuesday will be my first in-person meeting with the hiring manager. I actually have a series of interviews - HR, the Director of Operations, the CFO and the associates who will report to the position I am interviewing for. Of course, I want to make a stellar impression while also being comfortable in my clothes. I have several suits that would work just fine, but have kind of been toying with getting a new one to celebrate the accomplishment of finally getting an interview! Plus new clothes just make you feel good, right?

Obviously, I have no problem shopping since I do it all the time. But I am struggling with this one a bit. The organization is really laid back - as in, they wear jeans to work most days. I think a black suit might be a bit much? I really like this blue, brown and yellow tweed suit from The Limited - it's memorable and fun and shows a lot of personality. But is it too much personality for an interview? I'd never consider wearing it on certain types of interviews, but given the casual environment of this organization, I'm thinking it might just work. The competition for this job is fierce (seriously, ya'll - like insanely fierce) so I really want to stand out in every way possible.

Thoughts? Would you wear this suit to an interview?

See Sara Shop

How fabulous is this skirt?

It's part of the Talbots 2010 Fall Look Book and I must say, I am in love! I have never shopped at Talbots, but after seeing their Fall collection on the Talbots blog Red Chair Confessions, I just might change my mind! I want pretty much one of everything for fall.

Like their stuff too? Head on over to Puttin' On the Grits and enter her giveaway for a $250 gift card to Talbots!

See Sara Shop

It's no secret that The Limited is my all time favorite place to shop for clothes. There are any number of stores that I wish I could shop at, but I am either 1. in love with their clothes but too cheap to shop there (J Crew, I'm talking to you!) or 2. their clothes don't fit me very well (hello, White House Black Market).

While The Limited can be a little bit pricey for some people, they have fabulous sales and you can receive a bazillion coupons by signing up for their email and mailing lists. There is rarely ever a time when I am not carrying around a coupon from them in my purse!

I don't know what it is about how the tailor their clothes, but they fit me like a dream, especially their dresses. As someone who is, um, bosomly challenged, it can be difficult for me to find tops that fit me well. The Limited is the less endowed girl's best friend!

I fell in lust with this dress the moment I saw it. I knew it was actual love the moment I tried it on - the jersey knit! the black and white! the ruffles!




Alas, I need another party dress like I need a hole in my head. I especially don't need a $100 party dress when I have no party to go to any time soon.

Enter The Limited's fabulous Virtual Dollars. $25 off a $50 purchase. I had two of them. $50 plus $50 is $100. The exact same price of the dress. Plus a $15 birthday coupon. Which makes the dress $35. Surely this is God smiling down on His ruffle-loving daughter, right? I mean, He practically delivered it to my doorstep Himself.

Well, I guess technically the UPS man will deliver it (in 3-5 business days), but I'm pretty sure he's an angel of the happiness (and ruffles!).

See Sara Win!

Remember this post where I sang the praises of my IRL friend Amy Cornwell? And encouraged you all to enter her giveaway even though I wanted to win this delightful necklace all for myself?

Well, guess what?!

I WON!

*Does the dance of joy*

Want to be just like me? Head on over to Amy Cornwell Designs to get your very own personalized ACD creation. And make sure you tell her I sent you!

See Sara Shop

It's no secret that I'm a big fan of my IRL friend Amy Cornwell's jewelry. In fact, I was rocking one of my four AC Designs today! In addition to my own pieces, I've bought several as gifts. It's a fun way to do something meaningful for someone you love.

Want your very own Amy Cornwell necklace? You're in luck! She's having a giveaway of her new 'Enjoy Life' design pictured above. I told her it should have said 'Unwrap Life' but then she would have had no choice but to choose me as the winner.

So head on over and enter to win it for yourself or someone else or, you know, me. Since I was nice enough to tell you about it and all.

See Sara Shop

While I was on vacation down South, I was thrilled to have innumerable enthusiastic shopping companions - my dad, my mom, my sister and my mother-in-law all managed to shop with me at one point or another. We were, of course, hitting up the after-Christmas sales! Banana! Limited! Express! Baker's! New York and Company! Ann Taylor! All my favorites were having mad post-holiday clearance sales. And this girl cleaned up! Here's a sneak peek at what you'll see me wear soon:

I saw this top on GingerSnap a few weeks ago and immediately clicked over to the Banana Republic site, only to find they were out of my size. So imagine my delight when I ran across it while shopping with my MIL in Charlotte - my size, on sale plus an additional 30% off.


The good deals kept rolling at New York and Company.I originally saw this dress while shopping with my mom on Christmas Eve. She loved it on me but I wasn't willing to cough up $30 for it. Lucky I waited, because I found it a few days after Christmas for just $7.99. Can't wait to wear it with some leggings and flat boots. Super cute and uber comfy.



I already own this sweater in black and camel, but we all know my obsession with all things electric blue. And at $9.99, I couldn't resist adding a third one to my collection. Now if only the snow would dry up so I can wear it with these!



In case I haven't mentioned it before, I heart the ATL - Ann Taylor Loft, that is! Their sale prices tend to be a-MAH-zing! Case in point, this cowl neck sheath dress - mine for $20!



As is this pin-tuck, ruffle collared chiffon dress in blue! Come on Spring, so I can wear this baby!


All in all, a very successful post-Christmas shopping season for me! What did amazing finds did you score?

See Sara Shop

On my lunch break at Starbucks and I'm supposed to be job hunting....but the siren call of the dozen sale alert emails in my inbox lured me astray. I resisted the urge at Victoria's Secret, successfully fought the impulse at Best Buy, and conquered my desire at The Limited. But my self control ran out when I found these Madden Girl boots in gray suede over at Endless. It was the free overnight shipping that did me in! Order today and get it tomorrow? Who can resist?

See Sara Shop

Spoiler Alert: If your name is Haedyn's Mommy or Aunt Cricket, you may want to stop reading now, lest you spoil the Christmas surprise!

Okay, I know this has absolutely nothing to do with me or my closet, but would you guys look at how adorable this stuff is?

I spent the weekend Christmas shopping and definitely the most fun person on my list was 6-month-old baby Haedyn. She is seriously one of the cutest little doll babies I have ever seen and I had such a ball shopping for her. All I have to say is that Nate better hope our first baby is a boy because I foresee major trouble if we have a girl....



I love seeing babies dressed in teeny-tiny versions of grown up clothes. You'll find me in a velour hoodie any given weekend, so I got Haedyn her very own bumming-around-the-house hoodie.


A denim jumper is like the baby version of The Little Black Dress.



And since we all know I love my animal print, I simply could not resist this cotton top. I wish you could see the details better - it has a little mock turtle neck and ruffles on the front. Love!

And please note the ever versatile denim jeans - because every girl needs good mix and match pieces.


And the piece de resistance! I laughed out loud when I saw this at Target. Ta-Da! How cute is that?

See Sara Shop

{image via Victoria's Secret}

My love affair with Steve Madden continues. The electric blue ones will be arriving sometime in the next 5 to 7 business days.

See Sara Shop

No outfit post today. We were out late last night at a concert and someone might have chosen an extra 30 minutes in bed this morning rather than face Monday morning. I completely forgot to take any pictures this morning. No worries, you didn't miss much!

Instead I leave you with my steal of the weekend - this Old Navy dress that I scored for $7! Can't wait to rock this with some black tights and knee high boots!

See Sara Shop

No outfit picture today. I took at least a dozen and not a single one turned out. I am so over my camera and it's inability to take a single focused shot some days.

I did, however, find time to pick up this cute little dress from New York and Company on my way home from work. I can't wait for it to cool down enough to wear this! I have visions of tights and booties dancing in my head! A cute little menswear vest or a chunky gray cardigan, oh my!

Can.not.wait.for.fall!

See Sara Shop

My love affair with shoes is no secret. A girl can never have too many pairs in my opinion! I've tried really hard to be good lately, but OH MY WORD there are some amazingly beautiful shoes coming out for fall!

One fall trend I couldn't resist? Hardware!

Although I want every single pair featured in InStyle's August preview 'Heavy Hardware' (page 155), I just can't stomach $200 for a 'trend' that will be over by spring. But $15 for these cuties at Baker's Shoes? That I can handle.

See Sara Shop

No outfit post today. I spent the entire day at home, cleaning and getting things in order for going back to work next week. Grubby work, for sure!

So in lieu of a daily post, here's a sneak pack at some of my Back to Work shopping over the last few weeks!


I ordered this dress from The Limited yesterday and I can't wait for it to arrive. I fell in love with it the minute I saw it. Despite the bold print, I expect it to be very versatile - I can change up the belt and play with the whole color pallet. I'd love to find some electric blue patent heels to pair with it, too.


This skirt from Express in this peacock blue and also a more traditional navy. I think I will have fun playing up the higher waist on occasion.


I did finally find some pants that I was willing to give a try. These are the wide waistband Editor pant from Express. I was really hoping to find some amazing straight leg slacks but that just wasn't in the cards. I'm hoping that the flair leg on these will be de-emphasized a bit when I have them hemmed an inch or two.


This Ann Taylor Loft dress may not make it too far into fall because it's pretty light weight but I'll certainly take it as far as I can. On sale and with a coupon, it was just too sweet to resist. I heart ruffles.

Don't panic! This one's not for work. I just really couldn't resist this one. Rarely do I allow myself to impulsively buy something that I can't wear at least 3 ways but this dress was basically begging me to take it home. Quick, someone have a fabulous party so I can wear it!


I thought this jacket from The Limited was a fun and stylish twist on the basic black staple. If you look closely, you can see that the collar is buttoned down up near the neck. You can wear the color popped or laying flat. I am super excited about this little beauty.


And since no shopping spree is complete without new shoes, I present to you my newest conquest from Baker's Shoes. So cute, right? Love, love, love! I would have worn them at least 5 times already but, like a new kid before the first day of school, I'm 'saving them' for work. How cheesy am I?

See Sara Shop

We are officially on the downhill side of vacation now. Sigh.

But what perks a sad girl up better than scoring a great deal? Scoring a great deal at her favorite store! What can I say, I'm easy like that.

It's The Limited's friends and family weekend! 30% off everything in the store, including sale items. Cha-ching. Remember this dress from a few weeks back?

This baby is officially mine - in 8 to 10 shipping days, that is!

Enter promotion code 335 at checkout to use the discount online today through July 19.

See Sara Shop

Friday was an exciting day in my mailbox! First, I got my Old Navy online order from last week. Super cute bright yellow shorts for $5 and a summery flowered tank top that I fell in love with instantly. I'm already scheming ways to work them in to the vacation rotation next week!

The second thing was a gift card from Old Navy! I won the Weekly Customer Appreciation award at Old Navy for being a loyal supporter of their brand. Can you say, SCORE! I had no idea they even followed stuff like this! So I guess, technically now, I got paid to say this, but since I've been saying it for weeks before - I love me some Old Navy!