Who do you patronize....

[peggyfromwastate]

We went to a wedding on Sunday. I brought my dress with me b/c the wedding was 4 hours away. I of course was wearing my grungiest pair of gardening Birks. Luckily, before we even hit the freeway I remembered my ONE PAIR of non-birks non-tennis shoes that even fits me.... But I doubt anyone at the wedding would have been surprised to see me in a nice dress and birks!

Peggy

I went to the Gap/BabyGap last week and only bought things on sale and used a 15% off coupon (you can get those if you give them your email so they can send junk to you). Today I went to Old Navy and picked up a few shorts and tees for Bryn and me.
My favorite places that I haven't been able to afford for ages are Ann Taylor and Neiman Marcus. I love(d) the Last Call sales at NM -- they can be hit or miss but sometimes you find amazing stuff at amazing prices.

After shopping today, I have a little gripe to air. Why, why, oh why can't stores have dressing rooms with somewhat decent, cellulite-minimizing lighting? Don't they realize that I would probably buy more if I looked better in the clothes while trying them on? I think those lights and mirrors put on at least 5 pounds!! I feel awful when I leave. I come home for a second try of the clothes (if I bought them) and they look so much better. Why????

I know I'm a freak because if it were up to me I'd spend oodles at Home Depot. I love that place! Maybe it's because there's so much we can do with our home to make it better but if I had money, baby, I'd go crazy with home improvement!

[Meenah]

I should have my own aisle named after me at the Home Depot here. IT is scary, I can close my eyes and tell you what is in each aisle. I could probably maneuver the store blindfolded!!!!
Luanne

When I'm looking for fun bargain clothes I go to Daffy's (kind of like a TJ Maxx). Otherwise, I like the Gap, Banana Republic, Express, Ann Taylor, Kenneth Cole. I love Target...I can spend days in that store. There's also a CitySports close to me and I love that store. For shoes, I frequent Nine West, Aldo and Nordstrom has a great selection. I also like to check out the outlet malls.

Speaking of, I really really need to clean out my closet and dresser. I don't have any room for anything new. Do most of you donate your old clothes (that's what I did last time I moved) or sell it to consignment/thrift stores? I still have some decent clothes and shoes that I don't wear anymore, but I could get money for.

Sharon

[Rapunzel]

I need to buy stock in Target - that is my favorite store on earth. Generally I get ideas from the Pottery Barn catelog and PBKid's catelog and then go to Target to copy the look (my husband swears that Pottery Barn and Target have the same buyers).
Other than that other stores I frequent (when I have the time and money):
Banana Republic (my absolute favorite clothing store)
Eddie Bauer (second favorite)
J.Jill (comfy clothes)
Old Navy (jeans and t-shirts)
Express/The Limited
Bebe (occasionally)
I covet almost everything in Ann Taylor Loft stores but amazingly have yet to buy anything there!
For shoes I am 100% about comfort - Born is my brand of casual shoes although I do own some Candies and the obligatory Keds. I prefer to shop at DSW when I can.

Kid's stuff:
April Cornell outlets (rich people's kid's clothes at super cheap prices - gotta love it!)
Target
Sears (they're actually moving up in the world for kids clothes in the last few years)
Carter's outlets (I LOVE Carter's)

For everything else there is *Target*!!! Well, except for the stuff I get at Home Depot (which I go to quite regularly as well). I really love the Home Depot Expo but it is horribly overpriced in my opinion. The Great Indoors is also a fun store to get ideas from. I have also fallen in love with William Sonoma and my husband count a trip to that store as a "date".

I almost forgot - I also frequent fabric stores (any and all of them) because if I can't find what I want I can always make it (ASSUMING I have the time ).

Oh, and there's Costco! I love Costco! I always end up buying a book and a few other "extras" when I walk into that store so I try not to go more than once a month.