For the first 20 minutes, I speed-shopped the Nordstrom petite section. After three babies (and three maternity leaves during which I took full advantage of the mall's air conditioning or heating, depending on the season) I'm a highly experienced speed shopper. Basically, speed shopping involves grabbing about 30 options, hooking them on the stroller, awkwardly bumping the stroller into a dressing room and then trying to squeeze through the half-open door, attempting to try everything on before the baby screams too much, and then running out of time and not purchasing anything. Now that I don't have an actual baby with me, I look like a real nut, but I can still try on a lot of dresses really quickly. I came up with nothing at Nordstrom.
On my way out of the mall, I saw a sign at Ann Taylor: "All Dresses 50% off." Now, Ann Taylor was my go-to store back in my early teaching days, but somehow it's gone downhill since then. Or maybe it's me--but I haven't found anything there in ages, and I haven't been inside in at least two years. I had ten minutes left, however, so I figured it was worth a shot. Long story short, I found two possibilities, and I'm going to return one within 30 days. Keep in mind that they were each 50% off!
Now, before you look at the pictures, you have to promise not to look at my white legs and muppet ankles. Seriously. I'll wear tights for the real thing.
So there are two options. One is a little play-the-flute-in-the-school-band, and the other is a little sack-y/Mother of the Bar Mitzvah on me, but overall, they're not bad. (The sack one has sleeves and cool little black polka dots that you can't see in the picture that are actually putting it in the lead right now.) Next up: accessories. You see, this IS a real fashion blog!