{In My Closet} Autumn in Oslo

It has been over 2 months since my last post. Since I am in Oslo now, I cannot get my dose of retail therapy from my favorite US retailers on a regular basis. During the months between July and December, I spend time "window shopping" online and building my wish lists and wait patiently for a good promotion. The one good thing about living abroad is that I spend less money on impulsive shopping. Everything I buy, I would be able to pick-up until my next return to the US.

While I stock up my virtual closet, I do, however, visit the Nordic brand stores. One brand that I have grown to like over the years is Filippa K. This brand produces simple and elegant pieces of high quality, and the price points match the quality level. I cannot really compare prices between the US and Norway, as everything in Norway costs more. If I was not used to the price points in the US, I would dare to say that I get some good deals at Filippa K, especially during sale seasons. I am petite and smaller compared to the average Nordic woman. Walking into Filippa K during sales feels like they are hosting the sale just for me as they always have an abundance of XS.

This weekend, I purchased the Lambswool Pullover in Grass color. The color is brighter in real life and is a great strong, autumn color. My mom advised me that wearing this color green can drain colors from my face. I will have to remember to wear some bright lipstick so that I do not look pale and green. I have very sensitive skin and cannot wear wool directly on my skin. However, wool is essential in the cold winter months, and I plan on wearing this sweater over Perfect or Oxford boy shirts from J. Crew. I am not a fan of the jeans that is paired with the sweater on the model. Luckily, I have Minnies and Cafe Capris in a rainbow of colors that I am sure I will be able to find pants to match.

While I made some damage to my savings at my local Filippa K, I also took advantage of the 25% promotion at J. Crew. I am stocking up on cosy flannels, (Perfect Shirt in Buffalo Check and Perfect Shirt in Black Watch) and using this opportunity to try J. Crew's cashmere sweaters (Collection Cashmere Bateau). I am also looking forward to trying out this outfit from Madewell, but without the hat.

I might not be able to wait and will have to ask to have my recent purchases shipped to me before December. 

If you have tips for what I should include in my virtual closet, please send them my way!

{New Adventures} First Time in a Store

I thought it would be appropriate that my first post in my first blog should relate to a {first time} experience. I have been pouring my shopping obsession into only J. Crew and Nordstrom for the past 5 - 6 years, forgetting that there are actually other stores that exist. I have been curious about Madewell for a while (OK, the store is very related to J. Crew), and I did not want to buy something from them for the first time online. Today, I made {first contact} with Madewell at the Mall at Short Hills.

Going into a store for the very first time is quite an adventure as everything is new and unfamiliar - Different styling, different material and patterns, different sizing rules... lets face it, each brand has different sizing rules in the US. To learn a new brand and its sizing rules is like having to learn a new language. Despite how uncomfortable I was, I was determined to go in and see what this Madewell is all about and try on at least a pair of jeans since they are known for jeans. 

I came out of the store a very happy customer with two pairs of jeans and a fabulous t-shirt. 

skinny skinny ankle jeans in canister wash {item number 75588}

skinny skinny ankle jeans in  black {I did not see this wash online}

linen bicycle tee {item number 94907}

I am 5"1 (164 cm) and the ankle jeans fit like regular length jeans for me, which is absolutely perfect. The print on the linen tee is really cute. Although I do not like to ride bicycles, I am strangely a bit obsessed with images of simple bicycle outline drawings. I plan to wear the tee by itself paired with jeans in the warmer months, and in the autumn time, over a J.Crew perfect shirt and with a blazer, like the J.Crew School Boy Blazer in navy that I just bought. 

Lastly, I would like to mention that the customer service at Madewell at the Mall at Short Hills was superb. I will definitely visit again!