SHOPPING CONFESSIONS RECAP: WHAT I LEARNED FROM BOBBIE THOMAS

So this week's Bag Ladies Reality Radio was a true tell-all in every sense of the word. Shopping Confessions, Take 1!!! And seeing as how myself and my co-hosts, @BabyShopa and the @StyleNBeautyDoc, couldn't have possibly cleansed ourselves of all confessions in just one hour, there will surely be a take 2. 

But the highlight was welcoming back Fashion Expert, NBC's Today Show Style Editor and now Author, Bobbie Thomas. Not only did we dish about #Shopaholic tendencies and habits but Bobbie also dropped the scoop on her soon to be released book, The Power of Style. This is Bobbie's 3rd visit to Bag Ladies Reality Radio and whenever Bobbie joins us on the show, you totally want to kick back and as Bobbie revealed on the show, slip on your pj's, grab a glass of wine and a cupcake. Bobbie's version of a "girls night out." She had me at hello!!

What I learned from this week's show:
1. Retail therapy does not only exist in my mind. It's real!
2. When shopping, you don't always have to purchase to be satisfied. Go just for the "eye candy." Be inspired, come home and create looks and spare your pocketbook.
3. "When you shop, purchase items that speak to you." Not literally of course because that suggests other issues :-/
4. "Women are expressive and we have a true connection to our belongings (what we buy)."
5. "Life is short, so shop!!"

I can't express how anxious I am to dive into Bobbie's new book. Although set to release April 23rd, it is available now on our site for preorder. Go to www.bagladiesradio.com/listen. 

We even dished about forming a book club so that we may dish even more about all things style and fashion. We will surely keep you posted on the deets. BTW, what shopping confessions might you want to reveal???? Spill it! Catch up on that which you missed this week, OnDemand. Go to www.bagladiesradio.com/listen. 

And for more on shows, showtimes and more, visit www.bagladiesradio.com.

#PassionForFashion - I Did It! I Dressed For Less!!!

Rarely do I hang my head in shame because I am an admitted #Shopaholic. I embrace it. It is what it is. I am a true believer of the benefits of #RetailTherapy if for no other reason, than it works for me. I don't squawk, fret or cry over price points. Mind you, I ain't popping tags. I moreso "ball on a budget." I buy what I like and that's the bottom line. I do exercise restraint but ultimately if I see something I like and that I must have, I don't immediately have thoughts of how or where I might be able to get it for less. I don't run from store to store trying to find a like piece at a lesser cost. Not that there's anything wrong with that ...I just don't have the patience nor the time. I love the satisfaction in being able to get what I want. And don't let it be a shoe!! I have a #ShoeFetish that is on a whole notha level. I'm soliciting sponsors for this habit but that requires a separate #TalesOfSingledom post.

Anyway ...If I see it, if I like it, if it fits, if the cost is within my "supposed" budget, I'm heading to the register with the "quickness" absolved of any feelings of guilt. Why? Because like I said, I am an "admitted" #Shopaholic ...There is a difference ;-) ...Even if only in my mind.

But I had a moment of enlightenment recently and was surprisingly forced to reconsider efforts to shop for less. A recent shopping adventure at JcPenney or per the modern reference, jcp, changed my perspective. I was one of the ones who did lose a bit of sleep over last month's debut of #PrabalForTarget "LOVE" collection. After identifying pieces that I wanted, I became a bit concerned, pissed I mean after seeing the limited in-store selection and whether I would be able to get what I wanted. Click here for the previously published post on my "score." There was a peplum top that I was unable to find in store and sold out online however upon my recent jcp visit, I found a fabulous like top at an even more fabulous price! And that's not all. I turned around after grabbing the top only to spot a like pair of patterned ankle style pants very similar to a JCrew style I was swooning over just the night before.

You be the judge. What say you? Huh? Did I do good? Both are close enough in match and style for me whereas I feel like I'm still getting what I want and I can't express the feeling of doing so at such a significantly less cost. I just may have to keep this up! My bank account will surely be doing the "Harlem Shake."

My jcp "score" on the left. Worthington Ankle Pant for $25 vs. JCrew Collection Liberty Cafe Capri' for $250. My "score" may be slightly less tapered at the ankle but if I wanna be particular, my tailor can resolve that for a nominal cost. 

My jcp "score" on the left. Worthington Peplum Shirt for $16 vs.  Prabal Gurung for Peplum Top at $29.99. The pic doesn't do my "score" justice. It just looks like spring. The colors are so bright. There is slightly less definition but the style is the same. It is really too cute and fits like a true peplum style of which I can't get enough. The style is just so flattering. I want everything peplum.

Worthington Ruched Sleeve Blazer, $35

And what's this? I was so proud of myself for having saved some $$$, what better way to treat myself than to reward myself ...With another purchase of course. I have totally fallen in love with all things floral this season. I can't get enough of floral prints. I just may have to do an #OOTD post when I rock this piece. Oh, the possibilities. Yay me!!!















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Weekend Update with Lady Erin ...Series 2, Part 1

Let's try this again ...Shall we? It's a new year! I got some resolutions of my own. Let renewed efforts to maintain this "thang" (thang being mybagladies blog), here and my commitment to do so, commence!

You know "funk" is not just limited to weekdays. "Funk" can be suffered on the weekends too. It's amazing how one can go from being so ecstatic about the coming of the weekend and upon the weekend being here, just being like "ho-hum", what do I do now?  I was childless (Daddy's weekend) so I should've been over the moon but I actually missed them terribly. And I'm single and "dial-a-date" wasn't answering the dial ...#TalesOfSingledom.

For my girls ...

Anyway, it's a blur how I ended up at the mall. A total testament to a true "Shopaholic." You ever set out intending to go one place and then *poof*, you find yourself entering the mall. And intentions were to browse but I fastly found myself engaging in total retail therapy. First stop, Nordstrom's. I stuck solely to the children's section. I snagged a great sale and picked a few pieces for my girls in true #MommyMidday fashion ...Even picking a coral tutu skirt (wish I could fit it), and blazer for my 8 yr. old that will make for a perfect Easter ensemble. I know, proactive like a mo-fo ...Ahead of the curve. I suffered a bit of guilt for not checking the boys section for my son but I had only just hit the Target #Holiday24 collection, now on CLEARANCE for an adorable sweater (Hit me on Instagram for a "look see"). Anyway, from there I stopped in J.Crew to make a return on some pants I purchased online two weeks prior ...They were too cute, pajama style in green with a navy stripe up the side but much more sheer than expected or necessary. As I told the associate behind the counter who asked how dare I return them, "They show much more than anyone needs to see until I reach my 2013 ideal weight goal."

The Limited 917 ...

From there, I dashed into The Limited surprisingly. As much as I used to love The Limited way back when, I'm not as much of a fan presently however, one piece in particular caught my eye and upon trying it on, I realized it was an absolute must-have and even moreso at 40% off! A pleasant surprise. I made my way to checkout only to be distracted by "temptation" yet again. Browsing thru the clearance section, I happened upon a few denim styles from the 917 collection, reduced to a price of 6.99! How could I not and look at that neon stripe. I've rocked them already. The fit wasn't as tapered at the legs as I would've liked so I remedied by cuffing and rolling up to just above my ankle and sporting with a patent grey pump and a fitted sweatshirt. Ow!! That's just the "vain" in me ;-). And might I add that these are some of the most comfy jeans I now own. I also grabbed a cute A-line leopard print dress with 3/4 length sleeves ...On sale too! Do I need another anything leopard??? Uh, absolutely not but when has that ever stopped me?

Check me on Instagram @bagladies for the must-have piece that I scored. I think you will agree ...

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February 2013 ...It's a new season of Bag Ladies Reality Radio ...Bag Ladies Tested, REAL Women Approved!!!