Denim Review: Big Star Maddie Jeans

I just LOVE Big Star Maddie jeans from Buckle.  It's the only store I've ever found the Maddie jeans at, but they have a wonderful selection of them.  Big Star Maddies were the first pair of jeans I ever bought from Buckle and were the jeans that got me really started on the designer denim.  After I got them, I was admittedly hooked!

Maddie jeans have a little over an 8" rise (mid-rise jeans) making them not so revealing for those of us who don't want to show all our assets in every pair we own.  They are slightly more eased through the hips and thighs for those of us who have curves so you might want to size down from the more slim fit jeans if you are used to those.  I am normally a 28L, 29L, sometimes a 30L in designer denim, but I need a 27L in most of the Maddie jeans.  They are definitely a more relaxed fit, without looking baggy on you.  The price of the Maddie jeans are expensive if you are not used to paying designer prices, but not expensive compared to many designer lines.  They start around $94 and go up to around $112.  You will want to try each pair on as they can all fit different, even though they are the same brand.

I probably have 7 or 8 pairs of Maddie jeans and I wouldn't mind having a few more.  I have recently noticed a black pair I'd love to have.  They have a style and color for everyone, from flares to bootcut to skinnies.  I highly recommend them for all my girls!

Buckle jeans are addicting!

...  Well, it's true!!

I thought I could go in that store and get just 1 pair of jeans and that they would not compare to my AE (American Eagle) jeans, which had been my favorites for YEARS.  This was a year ago now, and I must sadly admit, I am hooked.  I must have 25+ pair of Buckle jeans (Big Star mostly, MEK, Miss Me, Rock Revival, Antique Rivet, 7FAM, and some BKE Jeans (Sabrina and Culture) ).   I don't usually even wear my AE jeans anymore.  I do still wear my Aeropostale Bayla Skinnies, but I only have 2 pairs of those.  I am totally hooked on buying my jeans at Buckle (and Nordstrom, too, but mostly Buckle)! 

So I am penning this blog mostly as a direct result of hearing so many girls on my WLS message boards posting that they want to buy a PAIR of jeans from Buckle.  Haha...  That's how it started for me, too, and I hope they realize it probably won't stop at just. 1. pair.   Just sayin'...

I love, love, love my Buckle jeans!

2009~ It was another year of change!

I will say I did change a lot when it came to my own personal style this year.  I think that my changes were certainly for the better because, looking back on it now, I dressed very young for my age.  I think I had also quite outgrown the total "prepster" look I'd been sporting for some years now.

Amongst my favorite discoveries of the year are my Hudson Stella Jeans, Big Star Vintage Jeans(the whole line of them!!), Sinful shirts, Affliction shirts, Rebel Spirit shirts, Crash & Burn shirts, and all other cute shirts I find at Buckle, boots and more boots!, Joes Honey Jeans, Rock Revival Jeans, 7 For All Mankind Jeans, True Religion, Smashbox Cosmetics, and much more!  Thank you Buckle and Nordstrom for a great year hehe!!

Here's to an even better 2010~ I don't see a change in personal style coming, but probably an expansion of the wardrobe.

In pursuit of corset(s)...

Actually, yes, I'm in pursuit of my FIRST corset(s).  I've been wanting one for a long time, probably about 2 or 3 years now, but I've always been afraid of how I'd look in them (call it's self-esteem issues, I guess).  I am over that now and I just really, really want a corset or 3!  I found 3 or 4 that I really liked on the Hot Topic website today (they are Tripp brand, for around $29).  I want to definitely go in the store and try them on and not just order them online blindly, as I am a bit top-heavy for my size, but I'm excited to see how they are on me!

Other than that, I just got a cute pair of Bayla skinny jeans from Aeropostale (on sale for 19.75) and a cute  button down tunic top from Forever 21 (for 15.80).  I just LOVE saving money!

If I don't blog again til after the holidays, Merry Christmas everyone!  And happiest day after Christmas shopping to all!!

Lonnngggg overdue update =)

Hey y'all...

So I have been terrible about updating since right before the Black Friday excursion.  I must say, it was a really successful shopping day, but it just didn't compare the bustle of shopping in Austin, San Antonio, Dallas, or even Oklahoma City.  I miss fighting those big city crowds (and better stores, of course haha). 

I have not been getting quite as many outfits lately with the holiday season here, but I have gotten a couple.  I've also finally tackled the boots dilemma x 3.  Yeah!  I got Black UGG tall 5815 boots ($75 on eBay, new in box from reputable seller!).  I got Zigi Girl Sarah Boots in a Tan Leather.  They are tall boot with zippers all over them.  And then, I got these short little BKE Sole Muse Boots in Grey Leather.  They are a little short cowboy boot with rhinestone accents... SUPER cute!

I'm hoping to get some new outfits in DFW (Dallas/Ft Worth)~ Most likely at Nordstrom~ before we go out to California in March.  That's the goal of the immediate future since I am almost positive I gots the boots thing covered now. =D

Black Friday is almost HEEEEEEERRRRREEEEE!

 I just LOVE shopping on Black Friday...  I wouldn't miss it for the world!   I like to scour the web and buy online specials there.  I love the bustle of the crowds in the malls.  I love the line at the Starbucks of people, like myself, who REALLY need their coffee.  I just love to take this festive day in for all its worth and savore it =D!

I have every intention of avoiding Wal*Mart at almost all costs tomorrow.  There is nothing I really need in there.  All the kids toys are already ordered and most have already arrived.  I just don't want to deal with that level of INSANITY.  The mall can get bad, sure, but it's NOTHING like Wal*Mart. 

I pretty much have the day already planned to a T.  We are leaving here between 530 and 545.  First stop will, of course, be Starbucks to get COFFEE.  After that, we are headed to the mall.  We are hitting up the Children's Place first of all.  I'm getting new jeans for Miss Krysten.  She's gotten too tall for most of her jeans and they sell really good quality ones with adjustable waistbands.  Then we are headed to my Personal Shopper fitting at Buckle ...  I look forward to it and dread it at the same time.  I look forward to looking at and trying on some great clothes, but I don't look forward to trying them on the day after Thanksgiving haha.  I feel bloated on Turkey~ ugh.  Maybe I'll feel better about it by morning, but that remains to be seen.  I'm also going to be hitting Maurices to get a couple of Tunics, Rue21 to get some socks & accessories, and Old Navy to get Winter Jackets for both of my kiddies.  After all that, we're going to need more coffee, I'm sure.  Jason and I are taking time out tomorrow afternoon to see Twilight Saga: New Moon (his first time, not mine).  I'm stoked!

I might not have an another blog with a full report in until after the weekend and Cyber Monday (the 30th), but there WILL be a good report coming =D

Ahhh, the pursuit of BOOTS!

Yep, I am in pursuits of boots.  Yes, I have boots, but I need more boots.  I do not know what kind of boots that I want, nor do I even know what color I want.  I know I need chocolate suede boots, black suede boots, more black leather boots, and tan leather boots.  Right now, I am in pursuit of 1 pair of boots, but with a good deal, 2 pairs of boots =). 

So far, I've been scouring Nordstrom online (considering I'm just over 3 hours away from Nordstrom.. Bah-humbug!!) and also Zappos.com.  I've also just started to check out Overstock.com and, wow do they have SOME KIND OF SELECTION!  You just have to look hard sometimes to find your size and it can be kind of limited.  I'm also browsing around on Alloy.com and they have some cute boots, as well.  Shoes are one of those things I DO hesitate to buy on eBay at this point in time.  I also plan on checking out Famous Footwear, Shoe Dept., Payless, and, of course, BUCKLE (where I've gotten 2 pairs of boots already) when I'm at the Black Friday sales. 

I also don't know if I want booties or if I want a knee boot?  I am so open for all suggestions/opinions/ideas in my comment box!  I need all the ideas I can get to go along with my own on this!  I get really indecisive on shoes~ Basically, I want to bring home the whole store hehe.  My husband says I have too many shoes, but I say that a girl can NEVER have too many =).

Send forth those ideas, y'all!

Another Private Sale gone down in FAIL...

Well, I can honestly say I was pretty excited about the Joes Jeans sale on Beyond the Rack UNTIL it opened today at 10AM...

It really wasn't marked down as much as I'd hoped it would be (and truthfully, I should have known it wouldn't be).  I'd find better deals on eBay or even the clearance racks at Nordstrom or some of my favorite online boutiques.  I'm still just really happy I finally scored a deal with my AG Jeans earlier this week and I'm sure I'll get another pair of Joes soon enough.

Beyond the Rack (SO FAR) has turned out to be my least favorite of the Private Sale sites to shop at, as they seem to not have as good of deals as many of the other sites.  Do any of y'all share my sentiment on that one??  I just love Gilt Groupe/Gilt Fuse!

Hello, My name is Renae...

... and I'm admittedly addicted to eBay.

I love the thrill of the bargain hunt, I love the thrill of the last minute bid, I love the thrill of the win haha.  Yes, siree, I am addicted to getting great deals on eBay.

However...

I just might be the world's pickiest eBay shopper alive.  I watch multiple items at a time before I bid on them.  I won't bid over a certain price on any one item (and that depends on what the item is).  I just have my limitations on what I will and will not do.  Hey, it works for me and I have nothing but positive feedback for it.

So, I end with saying this.  If you've been hesitantly eyeing shopping on eBay, I say at least give it a shot.  You could be very pleasantly surprised with the results.  I have been so happy with all my purchases.  Read the feedback carefully of everyone that you are looking to buy from and happy bidding!

AG Jeans sale on Gilt Groupe = SCORE!!!

O.M.G.!!!!!

I FINALLY got a pair of jeans at a Private Sale!!!  I cannot EFFIN' believe my luck! AND... it was on the sale I MOST wanted to get the jeans at...  the AG Adriano Goldschmied Jeans sale!!!  I got a pair of the New Legend Jeans for $68 plus shipping, which was one heck of a steal!  They are a beautiful dark wash in a size 28 with a 33" inseam.  I am totally in LOVE with them and cannot wait til they get here so I can wear them with a great pair of heels for the holidays.

I guess the moral of this whole blog here is that I was totally about ready to give up.  I was scared to buy at those sales because of my changing body type.  I mean, granted, I can still wear the same size jeans, but right now, I do know my body has done some changing due to going into early menopause.  However, I guess you just have to know what is going to fit your body type and what is not.  Don't be unrealistic about your figure and measurements and you should have no problems shopping at the Private Sales, outlets, online boutiques, online stores, eBay, etc.   Size is just a number on a tag and it does not determine your self worth.  It's taken me years to see this.  Heck, sometimes, I still have issues with this one, but I'm getting better about it all the time.  Shop for what fits you best, not for what the number inside the clothing says.  That will also help you on these Private Sales because designer labels definitely DO tend to run small.  Many people don't realize that and I was one them who didn't know that for a long time.  Just a piece of helpful advice for y'all.

I hope those of you who shop these sites have good luck and happy experiences soon~  For those interested in checking them out, send me a comment and I'll be glad to hook you up with an invitation to join (since these are invitation-only websites).  You won't regret shopping at Private Sales because you can save up to 80% off of normal retail price. 

More soon!