so… i live in small town with no clothing stores.
and then if i go to where i used to live 10 minutes away, there is a walmart & a few places to shop for clothes.
we have no target.
no malls.
no GAP.
no starbucks.
and somehow…. i am still alive.
🙂
it's a 30 minute drive to get to those things and really that is no biggie at all.
what i do have in my halfway biggish town that is 10 minutes from my house is Dress Barn.
i hardly ever go there.
and then when i do…. i always find stuff!
it's tricky.
there is a lot to navigate that is too "mature woman" for me.
and there is a lot of…. ruffles where there shouldn't be?
and denim jackets with rhinestones.
in a bad way.
and racks and racks FULL of mom jeans.
but i am telling you… it's worth a peek if you have time to shop with no children.
so today i will walk you though my shopping experience at the Dress Barn (moo)
(WHO named that store???? it's HORRID!)
i tried on this one.
it looks like it's coral zebra stripey fabic but it's actually seperate little layers of fabric.
too bulky on my curvy frame.
and looked too old on me.
when i shop… i am committed.
i bring in A TON of clothes to the dressing room and try on ANYTHING i may remotely like.
i find this method to be productive when trying to shop without children.
maximizing my time.
if you don't like shopping for clothes… you definitely don't want to go with me.
i fully admit that i take forever.
they didn't have this one in my size.
sad face.
i liked it a lot and would've probably gotten it…it's classic.
but i would need a strapless bra and that is not a favorite of mine… but may still be worth it.
not my size in this one either.
boo.
it looks so comfy!
not my size.
but i know it would be too low cut and too much focus on the hips for me with that v-ncek.
maxi dresses are always teetering on the line of cute and Mrs. Roper.
this one expecially.
a good maxi dress is hard to find if you are not a long skinny stick lady.
but if you are then i bet you'd look amazing in that!
you should also get a huge black sun hat.
and send me a picture.
this is a nice churchy dress.
it was not red it was orangey.
so orangey that i actually didn't even try it on.
i took it in but just couldn't do that color on me…. i knew i wouldn't want to look at it against my skin.
now THIS one…. i loved.
the color is off in the website photo.
it looked like this:
![]()
bright mint green…yellow, orange, and corally pinks.
with little birds all over it.
i loved it!
but in the end decided it was too dressey for my life.
i have no where to wear it…my friends don't get married any more… i go no where that requires this.
bummer.
funny story: one time (not yesterday) i was shopping and had an over zealous store employee trying to help me find something to buy. (dislike) i came out with a dress on and she was arranging me (touching me a lot) straighting and moving the belt and said "oh honey if you just need to get some Spanx and you will look great" and i said quietly "i am wearing spanx now"
ha.
i did not buy that dress.
this was my favorite.
orange dress…just the right shade of orange….with cream lace on top.
i think it is an AWESOME dress!
![]()
the photo looks pink but it's orange.
it didn't fit quite right. :(
i am considering ordering it in two sizes & trying again in case it was that ONE dress that wasn't sewn right.
this one i thought was really sweet.
kelly green underneath with white lace on top with that sweet little belt!
very flattering cut with the pleats facing inward.
(would that be called an inverted pleat? did i just make up a new term? let's say yes)
LIKE!
this one is crazy bright yellow but i thought it looked good!
i think with brown cowboy boots… chunky necklace… denim jacket….yes!
much better maxi dress.
slimming lines.
a bit more coverage up top…. probably a cardigan to top it off.
thumbs up on this one too.
this one was the best for my needs.
it is a deep corally hot pink color not red like it appears.
my first coral dress of my life!
does it say "mother of high school graduate class of 2013"??
that is the look i am going for.
a cute cardi (of course)… wedge sandal… pretty necklace…. shave my legs…. 🙂
YEP! i think it will work!
let's party.
all of these dresses are their website. (dressbarn.com)
i appreciate the affordability there compared to lots of places.
they are having a sale with dresses. (buy two save $10 i think?)
i really don't ever buy anything else there…it IS the DRESS BARN ya know?
dress barn did not pay me to post any of this.
i am not even going to link it because i don't want you to be confused.
i don't even know the girl who helped me check out today.
i just thought i would share with you that dress barn (moo) is not that bad.
i mean… it has lots of stuff that is just NOT for me… but there is good stuff in there too.
i am having lunch with mr. duerksen today.
hubba hubba.
Bree - I read the book after seeing the movie as well…and was SO GLAD I did! The book was better but having seen the movie helped it be even better since I was able to “see” and “hear” the characters. Glad to know I’m not the only one!
Sarah @Professional Doctorates - Wicket is so adorable. I can imagine that you guys just love that kitty to bits and pieces. I have fallen into a crafty funk lately as well. I just have not had the time to really create things. I miss it.
Jenny B. - I am the same way about books made into movies. I didn’t read any of the Harry Potter books until after I saw the first two movies. I loved that the movies did the hard work for me. 🙂 I love the audio versions of those books, too. It’s like watching the movies, only better since you get the whole story. 🙂 Anyway… not sure if you’re a Harry Potter fan, but just thought I’d share how I relate. Have fun with all those maps! You should use a few to make something for yourself. 🙂
misty tharp - would it be possible to get the cow print in a special listing in a 16×20?
Lisa - I LOVE Wicket! I just love orange kitties. We just got a new kitten for my son (no, really, it’s supposed to be his kitten!) and he is just so much fun to watch and to play with. Even my husband who proclaims to not like cats, can’t help but pick up the kitten and snuggle with it – I have proof – I took a picture of him while the kitten was snuggled up to his neck and they were both sleeping. 🙂 I love our Kansas skies, too! And watching them while sitting at the ballpark watching our son play ball is just some great summer fun. And I know what you mean about “needing” to create – I just found a free coloring sheet online of a beautiful design and I can hardly wait to get home tonight (after the ballgames) and get out my colored pencils!
Tracy - I loved The Help. If you’re going to read a book, that’s the one to read! Stick with it!!
Excited to see the new maps in the shop.
Hope you ENJOYed your evening!!
Jodi - I do the EXACT same thing with books! I love reading them after I see the movie. The Help was one of my favorites to read that way!
Kelly MB - Another Kansan here who is often amazed by the sky, especially when storms are rolling in! I am an avid reader… as in I read just about every single day. I am currently reading the Harry Potter books for the first time, after seeing all of the movies, and I agree.. because I did it in this order I can see and hear the characters much more clearly. When I read a book first and then watch the movie I am often disappointed that the characters are not how I pictured them in my head. And it never bothers me that the ending has been spoiled!
Dena - Enjoy ” The Help”. I loved the book; read that first, but was disappointed some in the movie as there is so much they didn’t include.
Lisa - Hi Meg, I rarely comment here because you get SOOO many that is seems like it would just get lost in the shuffle, BUT….don’t feel bad about your “ADD!” As a mother for 23 years so far, I believe you’ve just been too busy and distracted to fully concentrate on books. As with your crafting, reading is my outlet and when I am happiest. As my kids have gotten older I feel like I enjoy reading EVEN more. And even though I’m still “mothering” in some way every single day (my youngest is home from college for the summer), I truly treasure the escape that reading gives me. I’ll bet you will start to read more as the kids get older……
Valerie @ Chateau a la mode - Hope your enjoy your alone time. Maybe you will make something 😉
Kori - Loved The Help…in book and movie form. Reading is my favorite. 🙂
Rach - I’m with you on #2. I have a 2 and a 4 year old. I can’t even sew a hem without being interrupted. 🙂
Tiffany - 1) Who wouldn’t love that adorable face! Oh my. I need to find myself a kitten stat. Just to play with, not bring home. I’m pretty sure my hubby might kill me if I bring another cat home.
2)I’ve been using my kids’ nap/resting time in the afternoons to create recently. Mostly little things to decorate for my future sister-in-law’s wedding shower this weekend. I’ve made 3 different kinds of bunting. I blame you. I never heard of bunting before you! It’s fun creating!
3)I’m self proclaimed ADD too! It was always tough for me to focus on something like reading when I was younger too. Finally managing it well as an adult. If you like funny, check out Jennifer Lancaster’s memoirs. Laugh out loud funny!
4)That sky! Are you kidding me?! That’s amazingly beautiful! As you post about beautiful Kansas weather it has me cursing my ancestors that decided to hunker down in Minnesota.
5)Love me a good garage sale! Lucky you to have a friend help you out that way!
CathyC - That sky is incredible. It looks like a piece of heaven.
Kerri - I loved reading the The Help! Since I am a teacher, reading for pleasure has to wait until the summer! On my list to read is Bread and Wine and Cold Tangerines by Shauna Niequist, Kisses from Katie, Sparkly Green Earrings and A Little Salty to Cut The Sweet. That Kansas sky is gorgeous! I see an angel with her wings when I look at it!
Rhonda - Meg..
I wanted to tell you that I used your idea of a shaving cream battle at my son’s ‘end of 2nd grade’ class party. It was amazing. (I got the idea from one of your posts last summer.)I am guilty of using ideas , and never following up with giving thanks to those who deserve it! So Thank You! I love your blog.. thank you for sharing your many talents. Take Care
Rhonda
This is what the teacher wrote about the party.
Thank you to all of you who turned out for the incredible last day party! If you came, I am sure you are glad you did! I can say unequivocally that I have NEVER seen children have so much fun!!! That is spoken by one who has taught for 28 years (and had 3 sons)! Not ever: it was unrestrained joy! Every child experienced it. It was interesting to watch some children hold back for a while, and finally they couldn’t stand it, and joined in the fun.
I truly wish we could start the school year with such an experience. The children were all BFF’s by the end of the shaving cream extravaganza!
Heather Simnitt - The Help is one of my favorite books ever. Read it in less than 48 hours…and if I recall it’s like 500 pages, so that’s a lot of reading while I’m supposed to be training up some kids. I even invited their friends over to spend the night so they’d all be happy together and let me alone to finish reading it. Sick, huh?
And you are so right, the sunsets in Kansas are the most amazing I have seen in all the places we’ve been. Homegrown Kansas sunsets are the BEST!
Katie - I made the white chocolate mint Oreo dreamy creation from your Monday post with my kids this morning…it was ready by afternoon snack time. It is awesome! Thanks!
Terrie - I loved ‘The Help’! Hope you enjoy it as much.
I can’t start a book unless I have the time to finish.
I’m a read until it’s finished kind of person.
I try to stretch it out…I’m really trying. 🙂
tere - Sounds like a great Wednesday. And I have that Target purse…I mean bag…I love the color and all, but I don’t know, I can’t find a darn thing in it. Enjoy your alone time. xoxo
Janelle - I actually took the two maps I bought from your shop to the framers today! Beautiful white wood frame with burlap matte – can’t wait!
Allison - You could try listening to audio books while you craft or clean. I often listen to them (or podcasts) when I am working on my artwork and it is a great alternative to music. Most of the voices are excellent and add a whole new dimension to the story. I download them online and put them on my ipod, so it is super convenient (most libraries have a great selection as well). Hope this helps! Happy reading!