Filene's Basement http://www.filenesbasement.com/

I love to shop and hate to pay full price. It's all about the thrill of the hunt for me. Spotting something I covet and then tracking it down for less than retail. Whether it be Ebay (JT & Company and their endless supply of BCBG are among my favorite sellers http://stores.ebay.com/JTandCompany ), Century 21, Marshall's, Off Fifth, Off the Rack, the list of discount retailers that I frequent is endless. Not to mention stores like Forever 21, H&M, and Uniqlo (I heard they have a new line by Alice Roi, who I absolutely luv simply because she used to date a good friend of mine).

I'm not as crazy about stores like Mexx, Zara, and Club Monaco (sorry Hautechick! I know you luv CM) I find that more often than not, their fabrics are synthetics, which I hate for good reason. The retain odors, they don't fall as well as natural fibres, and they just don't feel nice against my skin. Plus I grew up with a mother who sews, and I'm not talking about "oh look at this a-line skirt I made" sewing. I'm talking about a woman who owns at least 3 sewing machines. A woman who says " $(fill in dollar amount) for this!? I could make that in about 15 minutes!" at least once everytime we go shopping together, and always makes me check the zippers before I make a purchase. So it is not surprise that one of the first things that I do when I see something I like is check the fabric content. Poly rayon blend, it better be $20 or less - or really really cute. Which of course it never is at Mexx, Zara, and Club Monaco.

So I was absolutely ecstatic when I found the cutest plaid button front Walter (see his spring 07 collection at http://www.walterbaker.com/spr07.html ) sundress at Filene's two weeks ago. The straps tied at the shoulders, it had pockets (lu-uv dresses with pockets!), 100% cotton lined in silk! I fell and I fell hard, even before I saw the $59.99 price tag. I'm all about the dress for spring and summer and I had the perfect Friday outfit all picked out, the sundress with my cropped denim jacket and some tan kitten heel Bronx sandals. But alas I got home, went to try it on and found that Filene had done me wrong, again!

Back in the 9th grade, I wanted white jeans, and of course the Gap ones that I wanted, my mom wouldn't pay for. But there they were in Filene's for $20 and she couldn't say no. Flash to Tuesday right before 3rd period and I'm walking down the main stairs at school "Hey are your jeans supposed to be two different lengths?" Laughter ensued and I learned a valuable lesson in working whatever you have on, no matter how defective or ugly.

Now back to our regularly scheduled story, (and by the way it was the same Filene's as the one that ruined the spring of my Freshman year) I'm twirling in the mirror in my new dress when I notice somethings not quite right in the bodice. Closer inspection revealed that a pleat was missed when the dressed was sewed making it look like my left boob was constantly chilly. So I took it back, and while I was there I came across the cutest seersucker suit! Absolutely adorable, with all of the buttons covered in seersucker. Again I had the outfit picked out. Simple white short sleeved t-shirt and my white leather high top Chuck Taylors. Monday morning comes and I go to pull on the pants, and they come up to my neck! So back to Filene's I go. I guess I should really start trying on stuff there, but I hate dressing rooms. I always feel slightly rushed, which makes me feel pressured, which in turn always leads me to a bad decision. I just hope that when I go back this ring I had my eye on is still there, at least I know that will fit!