Jeans, Jeans, they're good for your heart....

Please excuse the childish subject of this particular post. Did you excuse it? Did you giggle a little? Good! Onward and upward, then...

So let's talk jeans. Jeans are, in a word, awesome. I mean, they go with everything, they're soft, comfortable, fashionable, come in tons of colors - what's not to like? I have a pretty big collection of jeans - everything from really old Gap jeans to some brand new designer ones I scored on clearance a while ago but haven't had the chance to wear yet.

Gap is a go-to place for jeans - I'm particularly fond of their curvy fit. My jeans pet peeve is the gap you get between the waistband and your back - which causes gapping and possible butt crackage. Nobody likes butt crackage, even if they say they do. Jeans that stretch and create that gap lead to me pulling all of my shirts down and wearing lots of tunics. Anyway, I don't have this issue with Gap curvy fit jeans, which seem to have a higher rise in the back. I will say that I don't really get Gap sizing in denim - I can usually go down 2-3 sizes in their jeans. Great for my self esteem, but it seems a bit unrealistic, no?

I'm a big fan of places like Nordstrom Rack or outlet stores for jean shopping, too - as long as you're cool with hunting through racks and racks of jeans and trying on a lot of pairs! It's also worth it to try on a few pairs in the same size, even if they are the same make and cut - jeans can vary quite a bit from one pair to the next! I was able to score a pair of 7 for all Mankind jeans from a Sak's outlet for a steal. I find that they fit a bit large and stretch out too much for my liking, but they're very comfortable.

Lately, though, my absolute FAVORITE jeans are made by AG. I was at Anthropologie, looking for a pair of jeans to try on with some tops, and I fell absolutely in love with the Stevie fit. They are a splurge for sure at full price - but I've worn mine constantly for the past few months. They are soft, comfortable, and perfect for curvy girls - they stretch but manage to hold their shape. The Stevie is a straight leg cut and fairly close fitting, but not as tight as a jegging. It's ideal for wearing with boots, but you can definitely rock a flat or heel with it, too. I have become obsessed, and ended up scoring another pair, in a soft grey, off of eBay. We also hit up the AG outlet in Palm Springs, where I got a pair of the Premiere Fit in a very dark wash. Premieres fit similar to Stevies, but are a bit longer with a slightly higher rise and less stretch. I'd definitely recommend trying on AG Jeans - I find them very flattering, versatile, and comfortable. In my opinion, they run about a size small. I'd try to get 'em from an AG outlet (50-75% off!) or stalk them on Anthopologie until they go on sale.

What brand are your favorite pair of jeans? Which cuts do you prefer?

Coupons!! Groupons!! Awesome!

The other day, I got an urgent email from my husband:

"Super good Groupon. I would buy you one, but it's one per person."

He provided a now-defunct link, so here's a new one for you guys:

http://www.groupon.com/los-angeles/

If you've never used Groupon before, it's a great service. Basically, there's a new coupon every day, usually for a service (like a massage or paintball), a restaurant, or an item (like cupcakes!). A certain number of people need to purchase the coupon before it goes into effect. If not enough people buy the coupon, it is void, and you are not charged. Each coupon works differently, but most are something like, "$30 for $65 worth of food at X Restaurant," or similar. You pay $30 and get a gift certificate. It's popular with locally owned businesses, as it really drums up new traffic to stores and eateries. We have tried lots of great new restaurants, mostly ones we never would have tried otherwise, thanks to Groupon. I was even able to score majorly discounted blow outs at DryBar and treat myself, my mom, and my mother in law to an afternoon of pampering and scalp massages. Side note: DryBar is WAY awesome.

Anyway, today's Groupon is $25 for $50 worth of merchandise at Nordstrom's Rack. It's okay if you don't live in LA; the coupons are good at ANY Nordstrom's Rack location. They expire December 31st, though, so buy 'em and use 'em quick. My husband and I stopped in yesterday - he bought some new Converse shoes, and I picked up a greyish lilac wool coat, a cute cloche hat, and a set of Stila eyeshadows and lipglosses (great gifts!). A new coat means I can probably do away with the black and white Express coat from 5 years ago... a coat that my husband derisively claims has "glitter" in it. It's not glitter, it's shimmery thread! Regardless, it's seen better days, so I'm happy to replace it - for a total steal!!

Coat: Originally $148, now $59.97

Cloche: Originally $32, now $15.97

Eye Shadow Palette: $9.97

Lip Gloss collection: Originally $20, now $7.97

Ended up spending an extra $50, but I got some great deals!

Go get your Groupon - now through Wednesday!

How Anthropologie Bested My Attempted Thriftiness

Okay, Anthropologie. You win. When you slash your prices in half for sales, I just cannot control myself. Suddenly, at 50% less, tops I'd never looked at before become vibrant and gorgeous - I must have them! Oh, and who do you think you're fooling with the $150 minimum for free shipping? It's just a clever way to get me to spend more money! I thought I could cheat the system by purchasing items I wasn't sure about so I could hit the $150, then return whatever I didn't like, but I always end up liking your clothes. Oh, and now I feel like I'm getting a great deal when I find sale items I want at the store, because I don't have to pay shipping... and that's really all the justification I need.

You win, Anthropologie. You are awesome.

My favorite thing about Anthro is how well all of the clothing fits. Not everything, of course, but a lot of their items just sit on my frame really well. I also love how most of the skirts and dresses are long enough that I don't have to worry about bending over. I'm 5'8", and trying on dresses or skirts at, say, Bebe has become a total joke.

Okay, so here's what I scored recently:

First, I have been wanting a leather jacket really badly. A cute, fitted leather jacket would be perfect for those not-so-chilly Los Angeles nights. I love the color and styling of this jacket. It went on sale but sold out, but I grabbed it on a popback in a size large. Unfortunately, this was just much too large on me to be cute. The sleeves were bizarrely baggy. I'm so sad that I'll have to return it - for $130, this was a good deal!

Okay, I will admit, I bought this Geometer Tunic because it was $20. I mean, come on, can you pass that up? It's by We Love Vera, and I really do like the colors. Kind of looks like stained glass. However, it's really generously cut and blousey - so blousey that it was ultimately pretty unflattering on. Tying the sash tightly improves things, but I suppose I should have sized down to a 6. Regardless, I'm not a huge fan of the asymmetrical hem in real life.

Oh Kirklees sweatercoat, I have wanted you for so long! I nabbed this online to, cough, make my minimum... and because I'm sort of in love with it. My husband really dislikes the pattern, but you know what, sometimes you have just gotta get something if YOU love it! It was $80, still not a steal, but it was going fast and too cute to pass up. I wore it yesterday with my AG Stevies, boots, and a brown tee underneath, and I had two people tell me they liked it within 15 minutes - the friend I was meeting for dinner, and the waitress! It is the perfect weight for fall, too. I took a medium in the coat.

The Boucle de Souffle jacket is another one I've been lusting over. I am dying to pair it with the Maryam tank, but I can't bring myself to pay $58 for a tank top. I told myself that if I couldn't find this in my size at the local store, I would not buy it online, because then I'd have to pay shipping. But, lo and behold, there was a jacket in my size waiting for me when I went shopping! I took my regular size 8 in this jacket. It's wool, but the sleeves are cropped, so it's not the warmest thing in the world, but it's totally cute for fall. The nipped-in waist is super flattering.

So what about you? Have you been staying away from the sale, or have you been finding good deals? And what on earth am I going to do when Black Friday rolls around??