Promises Not Kept

The following is an email I just sent to J Crew:

When I received my Rewards Card last week, enclosed was an invitation to "join us in store for a private morning of shopping and refreshments" on Saturday July 30th.  The invitation went on to say "Don't forget to chat with our complimentary personal shoppers who will be on hand throughout the event to help you with your styling needs..."

I excitedly arrived at my local J Crew at the ---------- Mall in --------, MA at about 9:30am on Saturday.  Other than the fact that the store was open early (it usually opens at 10), there was absolutely nothing special going on.  No refreshments, no personal shoppers, and barely a greeting from the sales associates who were on-hand.  In fact, the sales associates seemed less helpful than usual--one person merely put my clothes in the fitting room and never checked on me again.  Another sales associate checked on the fitting room once, but only when I was already dressed and ready to leave.  There were only two other customers in the store, so I know that the sales associates were not preoccupied helping other customers.  Needless to say I was extremely disappointed in the whole experience.

I hope to receive more invitations to special events for loyal customers like me in the future, but I wish this event had lived up to what was expressed on the invitation.

Any other cardholders get this invitation?  I hope your event was better than the one I attended!

Royal Blue

The new J Crew catalog arrived today and I am fabulously in love with the beautiful new blue and gold jewelry pieces. I want them all!  Any of the three would look so chic with a crisp white shirt.

www.jcrew.com

Boston Shopping Favorite: Flat of the Hill

One of my favorite Boston boutiques, Flat of the Hill on Charles Street in Beacon Hill is closing shortly for renovations.  In preparation for the renovations, they are clearing out inventory and thus almost the whole store is 60 to 75% off.

It's a rather tiny shop, but it is packed to the gills with handbags, jewelry, accessories, and perfect gifts for any occasion. Flat of the Hill and Koo de Kir just around the corner are my go-to shops when I need an "off-registry" gift for an engagement party, shower, or wedding.

(image from flatofthehill.blogspot.com)

I've popped by the store twice since their sale started.  The first time I picked up a new Lilly Pulitzer memo mousepad for a mere $5.  The second time was the first preview day of their 75% off handbag sale.  I scored this beauty by Botkier in a deep cranberry pink.  Flat of the Hill marks almost their entire handbag collection by Botkier, MZ Wallace, Kooba, and Lauren Merkin down $25 to $50 off full retail to start with so subtract $50, then take off 75% and I paid about $140.  Talk about a great deal!  It's the perfect size for work as it fits my Kindle, water, and a sandwich and the color goes well with more than you'd think.

Botkier Bianca Satchel

Clothing Purge

Among the many goings on that has kept me from blogging lately, last weekend I helped my parents with a yard sale.  I also took the opportunity to purge a good amount of old clothes and handbags.  I've mentioned before that I am enormous saver when it comes to clothes.  If it still fits (and most things do because I am lucky that my weight has always been fairly consistent), I have trouble parting with it.  But last week I tried to look constructively at some pieces that have "worn out their welcome" and decided to say goodbye to them!  I also parted with some handbags that I just wasn't using anymore.  What didn't sell went in a bag to donate.

Cheers to more room in my closet!

Unfortunately, what else did I do last weekend?  I headed to the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale.  Luckily, I only bought a pair of new shoes for the fall!

Me Too London Pump

MIA Pink Maple

I just wrote a rambling post on my MIA status.  Blogger seems to have eaten it.  I'll be back soon!

What I'm Reading Now

Palace Circle by Rebecca Dean

This historical novel is by the same author as The Golden Prince, which I wrote about earlier this year.  I'm about 3/4 of the way through and loving it.  The book begins around 1915 when 18-year old Delia marries an English lord and moves from her native Virginia to London, England.  Set in both London and Cairo, the book spans the vast and interesting time period between World War I and World War II and strikes a good balance betwen romantic intrique and important historical moments.

Happy 4th (and yummy brownies too!)

Happy 4th of July!  I hope you had a great holiday weekend.  Mine flew by all too quickly: On Friday after work I stopped into one of my favorite Beacon Hill boutiques and scored a huge bargain on a Botkier handbag (post on that still to come), followed by a quick slice of pizza in Fanueil Hall and a stroll through Boston's North End.  Saturday I hit the beach.  Sunday I was beachside again for a birthday cookout for a dear family friend.  One of the very delicious desserts made by the daughter-in-law of the birthday honoree were S'Mores Brownies.  DELICIOUS!  They have a graham cracker crust base that you make and bake first for 20 minutes.  Then you pour brownie batter over the crust and bake as usual.  A couple minutes before the brownies are done, you sprinkle on mini marshmallows.

See the recipe from Food Network here.  It includes directions to make the brownies from scratch, I'm more of a from-the-box kind of girl though--so I'll be skipping that step!