Since I’m already hanging out here, I might as well drop a quick brain dump about some of the shops in the city.
I guess I’m still feeling pretty skeptical about doing all my shopping online, honestly. Just the whole thought of having to deal with returns or haggling over stuff makes me feel kind of sick to my stomach, you know? Like, the idea of having to go through that whole back-and-forth process every single time I want to buy something just sounds like such a massive headache that I probably shouldn't even bother with.
I guess I’d just much rather live inside a total illusion, you know? Like, I find myself wandering through shops all the time, just drifting from one store to another, and honestly, whatever catches my eye, I just end up grabbing it... maybe it's a problem, but it feels better that way.
So, I’ve been dealing with this whole weight situation since my pregnancy ended, and honestly, it’s been a bit of a struggle because I actually started out carrying some extra pounds myself, so you know, the math just isn't working in my favor right now. If I had to pin down my size for anyone wondering, I’m sitting at about a US 16 or 18—maybe even an 18 or 20 depending on the brand—and my bust is probably around a 40 or 42, maybe a 40DD or something like that, I guess. I’m standing at about 5'8", so I'm not exactly tiny or anything.
So, I finally dragged myself back to the office, and honestly, the second I walked through the door, all hell broke loose with our inventory orders. It’s just been total chaos trying to get everything restocked, and I guess you could say the panic has officially set in. Everything is moving at once and it feels like we can't catch a break, maybe because I've been away for a bit, but man, the supply chain madness is hitting us hard right now.
So, I guess I finally stumbled upon some decent business attire.
- I mean, honestly, I don't even know where to start with C&A, but I guess if we're really going there, we have to talk about it. It’s just one of those things that kind of sits in the back of your mind, you know? Like, maybe it's not the biggest deal in the world, but there's definitely something about the whole vibe that just feels... I don't know, off? Or maybe I'm just being overly dramatic, which, let's be real, I probably am. It’s just one of those things where you look at it and think, "Really? This is what we're doing now?" I guess it's fine if you like that sort of thing, but for me, it just doesn't quite hit the mark. It’s hard to put my finger on exactly why, but there's just this lingering feeling that it's missing something essential, or maybe it's just too much of the same old thing. Whatever, it's just my two cents, I suppose.I mean, honestly, when it comes to those shirts and tunics they sell... I don't know, maybe I just have this weird thing about them, but I basically live in their size 48 shirts. Like, seriously, I'm constantly swimming in them.
But honestly, most of their plus-size stuff just looks so incredibly tacky to me, I guess. Like, it’s giving major "mom at a brunch" vibes, you know? It's just super dated and uninspired.
- Wait, did I just see that? M&S? Seriously? I guess I’m just seeing things now, but if you're actually talking about Marks & Spencer, I don't even know where to start with that. Maybe I’m being too harsh, but honestly, it feels like such a weird thing to bring up out of nowhere, like, what is the vibe here? I mean, I guess they have their fans, especially if you're into that specific kind of British grocery store energy, but for me, it just feels kind of... I don't know, mid? It’s fine, I suppose, if you want that predictable, reliable stuff, but it doesn't exactly get my blood pumping or anything. It’s just one of those things that feels so incredibly specific to a certain lifestyle, and I’m just sitting here wondering why we're even discussing it. Not that I'm judging, really, but it's just a bit random, isn't it? Just a thought, I guess. I mean, they’re kind of pricey, I guess, but they run these massive sales all the time—like that balloon set for example. $200 na $60So, I finally pulled the trigger and grabbed a size 20. Honestly, if you're looking for where to actually drop your cash, those black elastic-waist trousers they have—the straight-leg ones? Yeah, those were hands down my best investment. They're just... perfect. $133.
I actually picked these up way back when I was still pregnant, and honestly, they’ve just been growing and tightening right along with me ever since.
They fall so smooth, you honestly can't even tell they're held together by an elastic band or whatever. I mean, I guess I might be heading out to grab another set pretty soon.
- I mean, I was walking through the mall the other day—just trying to grab some basics, you know?—and I ended up wandering into H&M, and honestly, I don't even know what to say about it. It’s just... one of those things, I guess? Like, maybe I'm just being overly critical, but there’s something about the whole vibe that feels so incredibly repetitive lately. You walk in, and it’s like every single rack is just a carbon copy of whatever trend was blowing up on TikTok last Tuesday. I don't know, maybe I'm just getting older and more cynical, but I feel like the quality has taken such a massive hit over the years. I picked up this one shirt—nothing crazy, just a simple tee—and I swear, after one wash, it looked like something a dog had been chewing on. It’s kind of frustrating because, back in the day, I felt like you could actually find something decent there without breaking the bank, but now? It feels like you're paying for fast fashion that's designed to fall apart before you even get it home. I guess it’s fine if you’re just looking for something cheap to wear once to a party or whatever, but for me, it’s just become such a letdown. I don't know, maybe I should just stick to places like Target or even Uniqlo if I want stuff that won't disintegrate immediately. Just my two cents, I suppose. Honestly, there’s just absolutely nothing going on here, though I guess you might find some spies lurking around if you look hard enough.
I mean, I used to shop over in Graz years ago—specifically at their BB department store—and honestly, I’ve still got some of those shirts and pants hanging in my closet from back then. They were just incredibly high quality back in the day, I guess. Maybe things have changed since then, but man, those pieces have actually lasted.
Honestly, I’ve gotta say, I am just totally, completely blown away lately—like, in a good way. I was sitting here thinking about it, and man, seeing how things are going with TAKKO and KIK... it's such a massive, positive surprise. I mean, I guess I didn't really see it coming, maybe because I usually have such low expectations for these kinds of things, but they're actually killing it right now. It's kind of wild how much they've stepped up, you know? Just a total shock to the system, honestly.
I guess I finally went out and grabbed some denim and trousers today... maybe I was just tired of looking at my old wardrobe, but whatever. I guess there isn't much to say about TAKKO, really. I mean, if you're looking for high fashion or anything that actually feels like it belongs in a boutique in Manhattan or even just a decent mall in Chicago, you're probably looking in the wrong place. It’s just one of those things where you walk in and it feels... I don't know, fine? Like, it's okay if you're just trying to grab something basic because you're running late for a meeting or whatever, but it doesn't exactly scream "style." Maybe I'm being too harsh, or maybe I just have higher standards than most people these days, but it always feels a bit mass-produced and uninspired to me. It’s just middle-of-the-road stuff, I guess. Nothing to write home about, honestly.Everything’s at 48, and honestly, it’s looking pretty damn good. I guess it's actually quite favorable, if you ask me.
U I'm sorry, I don't quite follow what you mean by that. If you were trying to get my attention or if there was some specific context you were thinking of, maybe you could clear that up for me? I guess I'm just sitting here wondering if it was a typo or something else entirely, but without more info, I'm kind of flying blind, I suppose.So, I finally tracked down that tunic and vest combo I was looking for, and honestly, they were made from actual thread and everything—total quality stuff. I ended up dropping about a hundred bucks for the whole set. I guess I should mention that the department at Kohl's is actually pretty solid if you're hunting for larger sizes; they've got a surprisingly good selection laid out there.
Boots—man, I absolutely love boots, like, they're my whole vibe, but honestly? It’s such a struggle to actually find a pair I can even shove my foot into. And the weirdest part is that people always tell me my legs are relatively thin, which I guess is true, but still... I've got this apple-shaped build, I suppose, so maybe it’s just a proportion thing or something, but finding a fit that doesn't feel like a total squeeze is basically impossible. 🙄
- TamarisHonestly, it’s probably the best way to go, even if it does cost a bit more than the other options. I guess you just have to decide if that extra hit to the wallet is worth it for the quality, but personally, I think it's the smartest move.
- I mean, honestly, I was just walking past a Foot Locker the other day and it hit me how much everything has changed, you know? Like, I guess we all just collectively decided that paying premium prices for whatever the latest trend is just became the norm, which is kind of wild if you think about it. I don't know, maybe I'm just getting old or being cynical, but there used to be this sense of actually finding a good deal without feeling like you were being totally ripped off by some massive corporate machine. Now, it feels like every time I look at a shoe rack, I’m basically looking at a receipt for money I’ll never see again. It’s just one of those things where you start noticing the patterns and you can't really unsee them, I suppose. Everything feels a bit more commercialized and, I don't know, hollow? Just my two cents, though. I'm probably just overthinking a pair of sneakers. They’ve got a massive selection, honestly, though I guess you wouldn't be looking for much right now since it's not exactly peak season. But even so, the stuff they have actually holds up pretty well—it hasn't gone all soggy or anything, which is kind of a relief, I suppose.
NAME—honestly, that’s just the stuff I actually like, you know? It’s not really something I can just sit down and list out for everyone. The rest of it is probably better suited for some backyard bachelorette party or whatever.
So, I was looking at some LISCA corsets and bras earlier—you know, that bottom-tier stuff you see everywhere—and honestly, I’m just over it. I used to swear by Marks & Spencer for my basics, like, they were my absolute go-to, but now? It feels like either they completely shrunk their sizing or I’ve somehow drifted entirely out of their little bubble. Again. I don't know, maybe I'm just getting older or maybe their manufacturing is just totally off lately, but it's such a headache when nothing seems to fit right anymore. I guess I'll just have to keep hunting.😢
I was actually looking for something a bit more upscale or business-casual over at Nordstrom, but honestly, their dresses are all cut so weirdly small—like they’re all super tight in the wrong places—so I always have to size up just to breathe, which usually means they don't even carry the size I actually need.
There, I hope that actually helped out a bit.
