Shopaholic in Alabama

Do you ever go through a phase where you are obsessed with a certain theme or design in your clothing purchases? Suffice to say, I'm going through an anchor phase lately! Some of my new favorite anchor themed purchases include the following: J. Crew Factory, Charley sweater in Scattered Anchor, $74.50 (link HERE )  J. Crew Factory, Scoopneck Button Blouse with Anchor Design, $74.50 (link HERE ) J. Crew Factory, Nautical Sequin Tank, $61.50 (link HERE )  J. Crew Factory, Intarsia Charley Sweater in Nautical Rope, $54.50 (link HERE ) In case you can't tell - my little beach town doesn't have a local J. Crew, but there is a J. Crew outlet within 10 miles...so I've been wearing it out! HA!  If you want to see how I style my anchors for "everyday wear", be sure to follow me on Instagram. I'm @shopaholicinal - and of course, I will follow you back!  Are you also obsessed with anchors? Any recent themes to your purchases?  p.s. Anyone else r...

Hi Everyone! Seems like it's been forever since I posted to the blog - so much has been going on in my life, and there's never enough time in the day. Now I happen to be home suffering from the flu (ugh!) so I had a little time to update you on what's been happening around here.  #1: I joined Instagram (yes - finally!) and I am obsessed! If you're on IG, be sure to look me up (I'm @ shopaholicinal). Follow me and I'll follow you back! Watch for my #OOTD posts (which have come to a halt this week because of the flu) - as soon as I'm well they will return. "The First Step to Recovery Is Admitting You Have A Problem" - Twelve Step Recovery "To Thine Own Self Be True" - Shakespeare #2: I am on Diet Coke Detox. Recent health concerns of mine, as well as others in my family, really caused me to examine my Diet Coke habit  addiction. You see - in the spirit of full disclosure, I am a full blown Diet Coke Addict. Some people will s...

Who remembers my blog post about the Fall 2012 Lilly Pulitzer collection, and how fall was always one of my least favorite seasons? I'm hoping you forgot that I said I was DONE buying Lilly Pulitzer Fall, because guess what?!!?! Epic fail, as last week I caved and bought several new pieces! (Evidence of my September post HERE ).  As always, there's a sale to blame. It's really not my fault. I have to look put together at work, and my office is pretty conservative. And besides, my employer is a financial institution. As you can imagine, I'm usually one of the most colorful peeps in the building!  My friend Sarah over at Village Palm (website HERE , Facebook page HERE ) had lots of the Fall delivery on sale, so I picked up a few additional pieces. Here are some of them: Callie Wedges, $228. Of course I realize this shoe doesn't scream "Fall" to many of you - especially if you're in an area that gets really cold. Luckily, we don't receive a ton...

Well, it took a little over a month - but now I can finally confess my damages from the Lilly Pulitzer Endless Summer Sale. Most of us remember the details very well - the website crashed at the beginning of the sale, order status was uncertain, some customers received GWP's and others didn't, many people had cancelled orders...it was a mess. I felt really bad for the people who work at Lilly Pulitzer - honestly, we all know they want to take care of their customer. But the sale spiraled out of control, and it was really tough on the peeps at The Pink Palace.  When it was all said and done, I ordered twenty items for a total of $843. Full retail price on those items was $3432, so I saved 75% off retail. Of the original twenty items ordered, I only received sixteen of them because one of my orders was cancelled. (Those four items were sold out). Naturally, I was disappointed but I have to say - the Customer Service crew at Lilly Pulitzer made it right for me. I couldn...

Over the long weekend, I finally had a chance to try on some of the Lilly Pulitzer Fall collection pieces. As I have mentioned here before, Fall is generally my least favorite season for Lilly. Not because I don't love the clothes (of course I do) - but mainly because we don't have much cold weather here on the Alabama Gulf Coast. Plus it's really difficult for me to get into sweater dresses when it's 90-100 degrees outside.  First up: the Kinley Sweater Dress. I absolutely loved this dress on, and didn't feel like I was going to die from a heat stroke while wearing it. I purchased this one and plan to wear it early in the season on it's own, later with a Sherette Sweater Coat or some type of cardigan.  Second: the Hart Top in Tusk In The Sun. Sorry I didn't get a photo of me in this piece, not sure what I was thinking. Anyway - I loved this top, and of course the elephants were right up my alley. Hart now lives in my closet, and I've alrea...

Today we are on our way to Dallas to see the Tide play on Saturday night!  As we ride along I-20 between Vicksburg, MS and Monroe, LA we are listening to XM-19, the Elvis Presley channel. Here's a little fun fact about me that you don't know yet - the first concert I ever attended was none other than Elvis! It was his last performance in Mobile, on August 29, 1976. I was only six years ago and remember the concert like it was yesterday. My Father bought the tickets and took me, Mother and Nanny. My Aunt also went with us and we had a blast. I can remember my Aunt taking me down to the stage and putting me on her shoulders in an attempt to catch one of the famous Elvis scarves. (He would throw the scarves off the stage as he used them and your primary goal was to get.a.scarf.)  I wish I could find the pictures we took before we left the house. My Father always jokes that an Elvis concert was "the best place to see beautiful women". All the ladies would dres...

Sometimes, it pays to be home sick!  Yesterday morning I was jolted into reality by the noise of some very strong storms. Lightning, thunder, and rain blowing sideways. I was a little disoriented because after all, I had taken a heavy duty pain pill to get some sleep the night before. (Lortab #10, anyone?). At any rate, I woke in a fog and decided to grab my laptop and stay in bed for several more hours - and hopefully go back to sleep.  When I logged on to the computer, I noticed that Rue La La was in the middle of another "Final Sale" and Toywatch was one of the brands included. Long time readers will remember that last March, I purchased my first Toywatch (blog post HERE ). My original watch is pink and it's plastic. I have worn that watch so much, and I get compliments on it all the time. I have long wanted another Toywatch in a different color, and have been patiently waiting on just the right deal!  The bright green "jelly" Toywatch was on sale for...

Last Thursday, I was in a major state of indecision trying to determine which Kate Spade bag I "needed" from their surprise sale. Many of you will remember my post HERE .  After 7pm Thursday night, I finally decided the Yardley bag would be the best fit for my lifestyle and it was more of an everyday bag. So I settled in my comfy chair to order... I bet you already know where this is heading...Yardley was SOLD OUT. I was so disappointed, I'd already emptied out my Lilly Pulitzer Mar-A-Lago bag and was ready to begin carrying Yardley. So instead of ordering another bag that I didn't want as much, I walked away from the computer and didn't purchase anything.  As luck would have it in my Shopaholic society, sadness was short lived. The very next day, my favorite Lilly Pulitzer corporate store emailed about a wonderful sale. Fall Lilly collection! On sale! And lucky me, two dresses that were high on my wish list were available in my size. Now I'm anxiousl...

Shopaholic Confession Time: it's difficult to remember days when I didn't run around like a crazy lady, collecting Lilly Pulitzer dresses, tunics and skirts.  However, in years 2000, 2001, 2002 - I only owned a few pieces. The reason, you ask? Because in the town where I lived, it wasn't available in any of the stores. (Thankfully, this has all changed now - but 10-11 years ago, that wasn't the case.) When we moved north in 2003, I was happy to learn that the best department store in town carried Lilly. Hello - Belk! Hello - Southpark Mall in Charlotte! (Don't judge - this was before Nordstrom, Neiman Marcus, etc. came to Charlotte - Belk really was the best department store in town back then!) Because I was away from home, and because there was no beach in Charlotte, I spent many a Saturday afternoon at Southpark Mall. More than I am willing to admit. The Lilly Pulitzer department at Belk quickly became my "home away from home". The sales associa...

Happy Tuesday! Shopaholic Confession: I finally broke down and bought some Moroccanoil. I have been hearing folks rave about this stuff for a few years - and decided now is the time to take the plunge! With summer upon us, my hair is experiencing a lot of abuse. Isn't it bad enough that we color, blow dry, flat iron, use a curling iron, etc every few days? Then summer arrives and we sunbathe, swim in a pool and the Gulf of Mexico, exercise outside in 90-100 degree heat, wear a ton of ponytails and headbands. Not to mention washing the hair more than normal because it's so darn hot! Enter what I am hoping will be a miracle product - the Moroccanoil Light Oil Treatment. Instructions say to use a small amount on damp hair, then style as usual. For me this means use a significant amount on damp hair, as my hair is extremely thick. Watch what happens - I'll end up loving this product and wanting to purchase everything else in the hair care line. Of cours...

Happy Hump Day, Shopaholics! As you already know, I *love* buying shoes (and dresses, cosmetics/skin care, sunglasses, etc, etc). Two springs ago, I was very excited to hear from friends in the fashion industry that the famed "Miss Trish of Capri" was launching a line specifically for sale in Target. I love Miss Trish of Capri, and I love Target - could it be more perfect? My closet is packed with several pairs of the Miss Trish/Target shoes from the 2009 and 2010 collections, and some of the original Miss Trish of Capri styles (love the Grotto and Bali!). Last Friday, shopaholic sister Amy was blowing up my phone at 8AM from Target. Miss Trish has arrived for 2011! She sent me text photos of the available styles, but I was on Gilligan's Island  Dauphin Island and couldn't run to Target right away. Sadly, I had to wait until I arrived back to civilization to scope them out! For your shopping pleasure, Miss Trish of Capri, Targ...