Goodbye Target Canada

The big retail news the week was the decision by Target to close all of its Canadian stores. As a frequent and enthusiastic Target shopper, I was really sad to hear this. I feel sad for the employees who will be out of work and disappointed at the waste of money and resources used to overhaul spaces that, here is Halifax, were only operational for 16 months.

I'm aware that Target Canada was not readily accepted by a lot of shoppers, and I'm not sure why. Some of the reasons I've heard is that the shelves weren't stocked, there weren't enough people to help on the floor, and the prices weren't as good as in the States.

I estimate I visit Target about three times per month, so I have a fairly good idea of how the store normally looks and operates. I admit, the first few weeks the store was open, I noticed the shelves weren't fully stocked. Not a smart move by Target, but once the initial rush of the grand opening was over, I generally always found what I wanted was in stock. I wonder if there were some people who only visited Target once, shortly after the opening buzz, and decided not to return for that reason. I always thought there were a lot of employees around to ask if you needed help finding anything, and they were always very friendly.

As for the prices, I've yet to see a store come to Canada (except Coach) and offer the same prices in the Canadian stores as the States. Of course the prices aren't as good - but neither is Forever 21 and we've seemed to accept that store just fine. I almost bought a jacket in Vegas at Forever 21, but decided against it as it would have taken up a lot of room in my luggage. When I got home and scoped it out at F21 here, by the time I factored in the tax, I would have been spending about $25 more on the exact same product. Guess who didn't buy the jacket?

Besides the really cool stuff they have in the home decor section (bye bye Nate Berkus), they have a huge selection of make-up and hair products. I'll be stocking up on my Frederik Fekkai (the only place I've found it in this country). Their stationary department was amazing too! They have an entire wall of boxed thank you cards and invitations, the cutest gift bags, and really unique greeting cards.

Bought these this week! So cute and only $12.99 each. About 7 inches tall.

Our door mat. $14.99 

The worst part about Target closing (for me) is that we won't be able to access the designer collaborations. I lived and breathed for these. Some of my very favourite items in my closet are from Target collabs. I will sorely miss showing up at the store for the 8:00 AM launch of these lines. I never really understood why Canadians didn't spring on these collections like people in the States do.

One of the five 3.1 Phillip Lim for Target items I bought. My favourite line!

Dress: Peter Pilotto for Target

Dress: Sarah Stevenson for Target (a Canadian designer!)

In addition to Target closing, other Canadian stores have left (or are leaving soon). Sad goodbyes go out to Mexx, Smart Set, and Jacob.

I'll miss you, Target Canada. Sniff sniff.

XOXO
Glitterary Girl

Frap Happy

May flowers? Not here in Nova Scotia. The most exciting thing to happen here this month (in my opinion) is Frappucino Happy Hour at Starbucks.  Grande non fat Vanilla Bean please with a bit o' whip. I'm so sad it's over - they need to have it more often!

Details

Shirt: Winners 

Jeans: Guess

Sneakers: Peter Pilotto for Target

Scarf: Gap Factory

Sunnies: Guess via TJ Maxx 

Necklace: Stella & Dot

So the lack of high quality photos lately are due to the fact that my laptop has died, and my Canon camera software is not on R's computer. All of my photos lately are courtesy of my HTC phone, and I won't likely be using my good camera until I spring for my own laptop.

I have so much love for these sneakers. I hesitated as they are very very bright in real life, but they are so comfy and they make me happy when I look at them.

XOXO
Glitterary Girl

My Monthly Purchases: April 2014 Part 1

Brace yourselves for a lengthy read. I decided to do my monthly budget in two posts, starting with the free stuff. My goal is to spend under $500 per season on clothing/shoes. Each season is three months long.

Birthday money, combined with a trip to Vancouver, made for a busy shopping month.

I'll start off with all of the free stuff. These items do not count towards my budget.

Sneakers: Converse via The Bay
Discounted from $65 to $42
I have been aching for these sneakers since I saw them on-line earlier this year. I ordered these and the rose-gold metallic ones. I told myself I was only allowed to keep one pair and these were the winner. It was actually an easy choice as the rose-gold ones weren't that pretty in real life.

Navy bucket bag: Old Navy (no longer available on-line but they are still in store as of last week)
Discounted from $30 to $17.50
I really wanted a bucket bag, but didn't want to pay a lot for one as I'm saving my "bag budget" for a new black handbag when we go to Vegas. This was a perfect choice to make me feel like I have a new spring bag, without spending a lot. The (fake) leather looks surprisingly supple.

Sneakers: Peter Pilotto for Target
Discounted from $30 to $9

Slip on sneaks are having a moment right now and these are certainly a fun version. Once it gets a bit warmer, I'll style them with my chambray dress. I wore these to the mall on the weekend and three people stopped me to ask me where I got them.

Scarves: Gap (no longer available on-line)
Discounted from $65 to $12 for both.
I couldn't pass these up. One is a winter snood, powder blue and heavy knit. The other one is an oatmeal infinity scarf with neon orange stripes.

Tee: Smart Set (no longer available on-line)
Discounted from $29 to $11
One can never have enough simple black shirts. This one has faux leather sleeves and the material is nice and thick. Worn here.

Tee: Smart Set
Discounted from $25 to $7.50
Cardigan: H&M
Regular price: $18
I love lightweight cardigans, especially at the office. This tee was one of my picks for the Opposites Attract feature I did for Halifax Shopping Centre. Graphic tees are always a favourite of mine as they can be dressed up or down. See how I styled these new buys on the streets of Vancouver recently.

Shirt: Joe Fresh (no longer available on-line)
Discounted from $29 to $15
A slightly sheer animal print blouse with various blue shades. I think this will look great with denim or navy dress pants. I'm also excited to see how it looks with the below jeans.

Jeans: Joe Fresh
Discounted from $19 to $10
I've been looking for comfortable white denim for a long time. White denim can be scary if the cut or stretch factor is off, but these were flattering... and ten bucks!

Belt: Joe Fresh (no longer available on-line)
Discounted from $25 to $3
Fun animal print belt for a steal!

Top: Joe Fresh
Regular price $19
I love lacy tops in neutral colors. I have a much heavier sweater that is the same shade and I wear it a lot on summer nights.

Top: J Crew
Discounted from $128 to $18
This is a girly shirt with contrasting sporty stripes down the arms, reminiscent of Adidas jackets from days gone by.

I used part of my birthday money on a fabulous experience at the Bay in Vancouver. Topshop at the Bay has a FREE personal shopping service! R and I were in there getting him some new things for the wedding we attended, and I decided to come back the next day for some pampering. My stylist was Kenneth, and he was really fun and very quickly got a sense of my style. He had about eight outfits pulled for me when I arrived, and I had large private dressing area to myself for the appointment. It was really fun to try on the things he chose for me, and I came away with three key pieces that I love! If you're in Toronto or Vancouver, I HIGHLY recommend this service. Topshop can be really overwhelming and it's a great way to zone in. I could have bought so much more - really had to restrain myself.

Pants: Topshop
Regular price $72
I told Kenneth I wanted "dressy track pants" and he knew exactly what I was looking for. These are high-waisted, have a strong waistband that stays put, and I can alter where they hit length-wise with the elastic ankle.

Sandals: Topshop
Regular price: $50
OK, I have a hard time believing these are only $50. They are classy, have a really cute turn-lock closure, and the heel height is perfect for work or play.

Skirt: Topshop
Regular price: $44
I couldn't leave this, it was far too fun. I'm on a hunt for a powder blue top to wear with it, but it looks great with black, white, grey, and pink too.

Not a fan of the shoes they paired this skirt with...

See, I told you this was an extensive read! Watch for part two later this week where I'll share what I spent of my own money... not much more, I promise.

XOXO
Glitterary Girl

Print-tastic

Peter Pilotto is known for creative bold prints and the Target collaboration was full of the brand's signature style. I wanted a piece from the line that screamed print-tastic and this dress certainly fit the bill. 

Details

Dress: Peter Pilotto for Target (still available and marked down in Halifax/Dartmouth!)

Jacket: Danier

Boots: Aldo

Tights: American Apparel

Nails: Pacific Blue by Sally Hansen

Bracelet: Stella & Dot

Excuse the indoor shots and that my legs have seemingly become one with the ottoman. Another blogger a while back said this is the worst time of year for blog photos as the outdoors is covered in snirt (dirty snow).My neighbourhood is Snirt City right now. 

Have you added any bold prints to your wardrobe lately? I'll be re-mixing this dress a lot this season and might even try it with jeans if I get bold!

XOXO

Glitterary Girl

My Monthly Purchases: February 2014

About mid-way through the month I decided to change the way I think about my clothing budget. Sticking to a monthly budget is a way to avoid overspending, but I often feel limited by my goal of $140, especially when it comes time for buying bigger ticket items (handbags, shoes, coats, etc). I don't want to "cheap out" on these types of items in order to stick to my budget, because inevitably I may up picking something of lower quality, which means I'll have to replace it sooner.

I'm going to see how I do with a seasonal budget instead. And I'm going to give myself a little raise.

My new goal is $500 per season, and each season will be divided into three months. That way if I want to spend $250 on a handbag, I won't feel guilty for blowing my monthly budget, and I'll still have some wiggle room to buy other things.

I'll still do my monthly breakdown, and at the end of the third month I'll share how I've done for the season.

Earrings: Joe Fresh (not available on-line)
Discounted from $8 to $4
I'm not going to bother with a photo of these. They are a three-pack of studs in gold, hematite, and rose gold. I've worn them a lot already. They're cute and understated - great for when I'm wearing a chunky necklace.

Sweater: Old Navy
Discounted from $33 to $12
This was a great way to satisfy my craving for all things nautical. I wore it here.


Tights: Old Navy (not available on-line)
Discounted from $8 to $5
A nice basic pair of navy tights.I wore them in this post.

Dress: Peter Pilotto for Target
Marked as $30 (mistake on tag, was supposed to be $40- yay)
I wasn't quite as excited for this Target collaboration as I was for 3.1 Phillip Lim. I was really hoping to love  the napkin skirts in this line, but they just didn't flatter my shape. I was pleasantly surprised at how much I loved this dress though. I am hoarding it...maybe for a spring wedding, maybe for my birthday, maybe both! I also have my eye on a trumpet skirt from the collection which I will pick up if it goes on clearance.


Vest: Vero Moda via Envy (can't find this on-line)
Discounted from $60 to $25
I haven't worn it yet as it hasn't been warm enough, but it was on my list of things to buy and I love it! It's a army green utility vest and has a detachable faux-leather panel.

Riding Boots: Call it Spring
Discounted from $150 to $50
I've never actually owned a pair of riding boots. When I saw that these were real leather and only $50, I ordered them on-line. I've worn them around the house and they're really comfy. They're different enough from my other brown boots that I can justify keeping them. My other ones are darker and cone-heeled.


Skirt: Club Monaco
Discounted from $140 to $17
OK, I just realized that this is new stock, so I have no clue why I got it for the ridiculous price that I did. I assumed it was from last year or something, but nope, it's on the website for full price! The shopping fairy was on my shoulder that day.





Jeans: Cambio via Foreign Affair (can't find them on-line)
Discounted from $295 to $50
I haven't worn these yet. They were bought on a whim on what might have been the most expensive lunch hour ever (same day I bought my wedding shoes). I'll be sure to wear them soon and take some photos. They will replace my grey Old Navy skinnies. Cambio is a German brand and they were apparently featured as one of Oprah's favorite things. I'm so glad I walked into Foreign Affair on the day they did final markdowns!

Total spent this month: $193
Total value of the items:$734
I saved 74%.

Based on my new "seasonal budget", I have $154 to spend in March to complete my Winter season. I'm excited for another Target collaboration that I just found out about a few days ago. This one is with an emerging Canadian designer, Sarah Stevenson and the previews show some gorgeous floral prints. I'm noticing an absence of red tops in my closet, so I might try to find one.

Do you budget your monthly clothing expenses? How did you do in February?

XOXO
Glitterary Girl