RAVE: Aldo Accessories

For weeks I've been saying "I need a new purse," because honestly, I do (did). Of course, with a wedding in my very near future my budget is small - which is an added challenge.

Leave it to my very shopping savvy co-worker to find a fabulous deal through some online browsing. She came across a nice looking hobo at Aldo Accessories that I had to check out.

Note: buying purses online is challenging, it's kind of one of those things you need to touch and see. Glad I did it that way, because in person, the material was darker than in the picture online, which I liked.

Upon walking into Aldo Accessories in Water Tower Place (downtown Chicago), I was greeted by a very friendly associate. She helped me find my bag, gave me honest opinions, showed me different options, and pulled the brand new, still in it's package purse from the back room. On top of that, I was looking for a wallet too. She immediately showed me their sale items, being conscious of my budget, but I fell in love with an inexpensive number not found in their sale section. She pulled that from the back as well and I was on my way.

The experience was quick and not only painless, but enjoyable. I was so glad I walked into the store on that day and had the most helpful sales person ever. Not only that, I'm trilled with my purchase and get compliments on my bag, and tons of compliments on my cute wallet too!

If you're looking for high quality, but not uber expensive accessories, I highly recommend Aldo Accessories.

Cheers!

-A

On being a brand whore

If there's one thing in this world that I'm not, it's a brand whore.

I've always been one to shop cheaply. Sure, I like to have some of the latest styles, which I usually pick up from stores like H&M, but I mainly shop for classic pieces like black/grey

dresses, cardigans, Mary Janes, straight leg/boot cut jeans, classic boots...you get the picture.

It's rare that I will buy anything from stores like BCBG or Calvin Klein. I'm more of a Banana Republic, Black House White Market, Ann Taylor Loft kinda girl...and these are for my high end clothes.

Though I do have a confession to make, when it comes to Coach, I can't say no!

This weekend, since the weather was poopy, my fiance and I headed out to the outlet malls west of the city. I wasn't impressed by most of the stores there, that is, until we came to the Coach outlet.

I couldn't help myself, I just had to go in.

Earlier in the day I had pointed out a purse that a girl was carrying that I really liked. Having just glanced at it, I hadn't noticed what brand it was....until of course, I walked into Coach and there it was, staring me in the face. After seeing the $200 price tag I walked swiftly away, knowing I couldn't afford it at the time.

Then I came across this scarf that was amazing! Having just purchased a black trench, I couldn't help but think how great the two would go together....but I refrained and walked out of the store.

My fiance ended up convincing me that I should buy the scarf, as it was fairly inexpensive, and something I really wanted. And let me tell you, I'm so glad I did. Check it!

It's large and warm and comfy and I love it!

Now, it might just be time to start my Christmas wish list, with the Coach purse listed squarely at the top :).

Tell me I'm not alone here...what brands can you just not resist?

Cheers!

Ashley

RANT: The Gap

So this week I had a not-so-great experience at (formerly) one of my favorite jean stores - The Gap.

Now I know there are a lot of blogger brand ambassadors out there for The Gap, and unofficially I considered myself one before this incident. I've had good luck with their jeans. They fit well, are durable, and have lots of different styles depending on your taste.

But this most recent trip only left a bad taste in my mouth.

This past weekend I headed out to the mall to find some replacement jeans after an accidental shrinking incident with a frequently worn pair.

After getting $4.20 for them from the little bitches at Plato's Closet - that's an entirely different story all together - I headed to the Gap where I assumed I'd still be able to find a matching pair.

And I did. They seemed to fit a little snug in the store but I assumed they'd relax out over time. So I made my purchase and headed home.

As I was getting ready to head out later that evening, I tore the tags off with excitement and donned my new denim.

After about 5 minutes I realized these were uncomfortably snug and that I would need to return them. So I took them off, folded them back up with the tags and receipt and put them back in the bag.

Let's fast forward to yesterday where, after work I headed back to the Gap to exchange. After trying on about 10 pairs of jeans I finally found ones that fit like I wanted them to. Upon my attempted return, the cashier inspects the pair I'm returning and calls a manager to the front.

They whisper to one another and speak in code, and finally the manager (who is a rude little 19 year old herself) asks "have you worn these?"

Me: "No."

Manager: "They look worn."

Me: "Well, they're not."

Manager: "Are you suuure?"

Me: "Yes. I had them on for a total of 10 minutes before realizing they didn't fit the way I wanted."

Manager: "Well, if you didn't wear them, then why are the tags off?"

Here is where I explain my excitement as I did above...

Manager: staring blankly....pause.... "are you really sure you didn't wear them?"

Oh no, you're right, I did, I'm sorry.

HELLO! Asking three times doesn't change the fact that I DID NOT WEAR THEM!

This actually went on for about 5 minutes. It was like pulling teeth trying to return a pair of jeans that I didn't wear - only to buy a more expensive pair. Oh, I didn't mention that? Yeah...

As I was leaving with the new pair of jeans she finally "let me" have, I was scolded for taking the tags off.

Manager: "Listen, next time, don't take the tags off and we won't have issues like this."

For a second I thought she was going to wag her finger at me like my 1st grade teacher used to...

Seriously?! I don't need to go to a clothing store so some chick on a power trip can talk down to me like this. Unacceptable in my world!

I hate leaving places knowing that I'm going to be writing one of these rants. Why can't customer service just be up to par everywhere - we'd all live in a much happier place.

Cheers!

-A