It's Beginning to Look Like Spring

The snow is almost melted away and there are signs of life outside--a lot of people were jogging or walking and enjoying the "warmer" weather. Even the parking lot for the beach was crowded.

    

There were several surfers catching waves, it was a great day to be out 

I initially went out of the house just to get a Starbucks, but then it turned into a mini-shopping trip to Wakefield. The detour was well worth it--I bought two sweater jackets, one by BCBG Max Azria, the other one by 360 Sweater. The best part? The total came to $13.00.

BCBG Max Azria sweater jacket, $5.00

360 Sweater sweater jacket, $8.00

I ran some errands this afternoon and took Bella along in her carrier...

Best Shotgun Companion Ever

Find of the Week | 11

I did not intend to buy anything today, really.

Until I ended up buying a cookbook and a pair of wedge booties...

In my own defense, I need to learn better recipes to make while I'm at school and I have been looking for a pair of wedge booties for a while. It was only a matter of time before I would them, anyway!

Meatless, bought at Island Books (In Martha I trust)

Report Footwear wedge booties in natural, velvet REvoultion

Find of the Week | 10

With summer winding down, it's time to start shopping for fall. I've been looking for basics before going back to school, sticking with neutral colors scheme for everyday wear and professional attire. Maybe the occasional pop of color for loungewear or going out. 

I just picked up a few things today on my day off:

Sheath dresses in heather grey (left) and black, velvetREvolution

American Eagle colorblock zipper sweater with 3/4 sleeves, Crosswynds Traders

Alternative Apparel sweatshirt in Eco Royal, Crosswynds Traders

Small zipper crossbody bag in black

Gold anchor sandals in black, KC Shoes at the Pier

I went to get my nails done with my mom for the first time in months. The cobalt blue pedicure was a solid decision.

Newport/Narragansett/Wickford: Black Friday Deals

Go local this Black Friday! There are a ton of Facebook posts on holiday deals this weekend, so here is a list of Black Friday offers from my favorite boutiques in southern Rhode Island:

Source: google.com via Mia on Pinterest

Gossip, 16 Main Street in Wickford
Special Offers valid Friday, Saturday, Sunday:

• FREE $38 free people hairclip WITH ANY PURCHASE!
• FREE $68 top WITH $50 PURCHASE!
• FREE $168 coat WITH $200 PURCHASE!

Source: google.com via Mia on Pinterest

The Apothecary Newport, 39 Memorial Boulevard in Newport

Gift Card Specials valid Friday, Saturday

• 1 Hour Microdermabrasion Facial: Regularly $125, Friday/Saturday Gift Card Price $75 (limit 3 per customer)
• St Tropez Airbrush Tanning Session: Regularly $38, Friday Saturday Gift Card Price $20 (limit 5 per customer)
• 1 Hour Enzyme Facial and 1/2 Hour Massage: Regularly $125, Friday/Saturday Gift Card Price $85 (limit 3 per customer)
• 1 Hour Makeup Lesson: Regularly $75, Friday/Saturday Gift Card Price $38.
• Brazillan Bikini Wax or Extreme Bikini Wax: Regularly $55, Friday/Saturday Gift Card Price $38 (limit 3 per customer)

Source: google.com via Mia on Pinterest

Laura Jean Denim Shop, 198 Bellevue Avenue in Newport

Adriano Goldschmied (AG) Sale valid Friday only

• 50% off select AG 
• 10% off all full-price AG

Jack Wills, 170 Thames Street in Newport

Black Friday Sale, valid Friday, Saturday, Sunday, Monday

• 30% off merchandise

Source: theinspirationroom.com via Emanuel on Pinterest

In addition to these retailers, here's a list some other businesses that support Small Business Saturday:

Narragansett/South Kingstown/Wakefield

One More Time Consignment

Brewed Awakenings Coffee

KC Shoes at the Pier

Nana's Gelato & Ice Cream and Candy Shop

Warm Winds Surf Shop

Turtle Soup Restaurant

Spa Mosaic

Bella Brow

Newport

Green Envy Boutique 

Sole Desire

Holy Smokes Smoke Shop

Shape Up Newport

Jane Pickens Theater

Closet Revival

White Horse Tavern

Kristina Richards

Mad Hatter Bakery

Cupcake Charlie's

Celebeautique Hair Salon & Spa

To find a list of businesses in your area that are supporting Small Business Saturday, please click here.

Narragansett: Hurricane Sandy

My family and I have been without power for the past 21 hours--hopefully it'll come back soon.

Around 3:00 pm, the lights went out. The wind was howling, the trees bent every which way, the rain pounded on the window skylights. It was crazy.

We lit candles and brought out the crank-powered emergency radio and flashlights.

The winds died down around 8:00 pm.

This morning, my dad ran to Dunkin Donuts and got breakfast. Soon after, we all took a drive around town.

Narrow River was flooded and Route 1A by Narragansett Town Beach was closed by the police. They were in the process of clearing debris by the post office and the Towers.

Other damage includes a fallen huge pine at the 138 park & ride and floods at homes around Middlebridge.

As you can guess, every fast food place is crowded. When we drove into Wakefield, McDonald's, Burger King, Panera, Dunkin Donuts all had lines out the door and onto the street. Starbucks wasn't open because it still had no power.

Hopefully the power will come back soon and everyone is safe and sound. Please think of the people in New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut who suffered the most damage.

Reading by candlelight

Massive line for McDonald's

Flooded street by Narrow River

Debris around the post office by the beach

Wakefield: Back to Chameleons

After going to Chameleons yesterday, the boutique associate said that the store was accepting consignments for fall.

I do currently consign at Wish in Newport, but they only accept high end clothing brands, Banana Republic serving as the baseline label. Since Wish moved from lower Thames to William Street, they do not accept "mall brands" there--think Arden B. or Express--that would slow down inventory.

Today I figured I would give Chameleons a try to consign some old clothes that I have not in a long while or no longer fit. The same boutique associate from yesterday walked me through Chameleons' consignment policy. Items are given one set price and may be returned to the owner or donated if not sold within 90 days. When an item is sold, the consignor/boutique split is 45:55. Consignors may receive cash if their account is $25.00 or less and consignors also receive a 10% off discount if they use their consignor credit towards a store purchase. 

Thankfully, she accepted most of what I brought--a Juicy long-sleeve shirt, a Free People top, an Old Navy sweater, and a few other items that I cannot remember. While I was there, I tried on a beautiful Calvin Klein black sheath with zippers, so I hope that my stuff will sell soon to put consignor credit towards it. 

With the reasonable policy, great staff, and hot inventory, I look forward to going to Chameleons more often. 

Top, Gap; Belt, vintage (circa 1960s); Cutoffs, "vintage" Gap (circa 1980s)

Black Zipper Sheath Dress, Calvin Klein

There were a lot of designer jeans at Chameleons in my size--I just wish these ones fit!

Warwick/Wakefield: Muffins and Chameleons

Instead of spending the morning at the beach, my mom and I went to a salon in Warwick. There was a muffin place next door that I could not resist when I started aching for a snack. I stood at the counter for at least ten minutes looking at the muffins before deciding to buy a box of a dozen mini muffins.

For the record, I plan on doing a more serious workout tomorrow morning.

We went to Wakefield in the afternoon to get some groceries at the Alternative Food Co-Op, but then I figured we could stop by the bookstore at the mall to pick up the long sought-after September Issue beforehand.

When I get to the bookstore, formerly a Waldenbooks, I did not see any magazines by the register. The sales associate almost looked insulted when I asked whether they carried magazines. She said, "Shaws next door is the nearest place nearby that has magazines." 

So off to Shaws I went.

Though I would normally look forward to Marion Cotillard's radiant French charm, I do not want to read the August issue of Vogue. To my surprise (and I may also admit, horror), Lady Gaga was not staring back at from the newsstands with the Vogue title and "September" an inch away from her gown and outrageous wig. 

Another day without the September Issue, but HRH Duchess of Cambridge on the cover of Vanity Fair is more than a sufficient consolation prize. 

When we headed to the Co-Op, I parked a little farther from the store than I meant to (whoops), but in doing so, we stopped into a cute consignment shop called Chameleons.

Chameleons has advertisements in many South County publications alongside other consignment shops in the area. I meant to go there when I was looking for a prom dress years ago, but I was fortunate enough to find a BCBG Max Azria gown at The French Bulldog in East Greenwich. I got a cute pair of navy, high waist silk pants.

A hot cup of green tea, Vanity Fair, and a new episode of What Not to Wear finished up a busy day.

Just realized the irony of a box of muffins on top of a Women's Health magazine--temptation won today

Dress, American Eagle