And sometimes, it feels like you really are maintaining for a while . I won't say the P word, because it's not really, but it's become slow. But you are so right, I am *not* gaining it back, that is true. The amazing thing is, I'm not even worried about gaining it back, that ain't gonna happen. I just don't eat that way anymore.

Any excuse to go shopping.

Excuses are needed?

I totally agree! I did a lot of second-hand shopping over the last year. I "banked" my clothing budget until I hit goal and have been hitting the outlet mall sales, and Ann Taylor Loft, and J. Jill, and Macy's, and Penney's, and ...

I have actually put together such a nice fall collection, that I am excited about getting some colder weather - just so I can wear my new finds!

And I think I have probably gone overboard on buying "fitted" clothing. No boxy jackets and shapeless tops or dresses for me. And don't get me started on elastic waist bands ...

Isn't Ann Taylor really expensive ? I always walk along 5th Ave. when I'm vacationing in NYC and window shop but I don't dare even go into those stores . I thought Ann Taylor was there?

I've seen ads for their clothes and they're just my style. I also really like Calvin Klein, Donna Karan, some of Ralph Lauren's less "preppy" stuff, and Liz Claiborne.

What designers/stores do all of you like? I didn't have the money to shop for about 10 years so now I'm going to the other extreme for a couple of years and getting everything I missed ! I'm confident all of it will still fit me 10 years from now too.

Dagmar (it's almost Friday!!!)

Mudpie, Yes, Ann Taylor is expensive. I wait for sales. And now that i'm not going up in sizes all the time, I can afford to give a little more for things I really love. You named all my favorite brands! Plus the ones that laurie mentioned. Love J.Jill.

If you can't afford to go "hog wild" just buy a few basics at a time and add too. Build a new wardrobe that you can be proud of. It will be an added incentive not to gain weight.

Ann Taylor Loft isn't as expensive as regular Ann Taylor, but it can still be pricey. The sale rack is often quite reasonable though! It is a toss-up between quality and quantity IMO. I used to buy massive amounts of clothes from Old Navy. Now I buy fewer items but each one costs more at Ann Taylor Loft.

Actually come to think of it the prices of the shirts I bought at Ann Taylor Loft were about the same as shirts I bought a few weeks ago at Kohl's. And the jeans I got from ATL were $34, which is pretty standard (they were on sale for $20 off). Most of the shirts I get there are between $15 and $35. Their skirts and pants usually run closer to $50, and dresses and jackets can be up to $150 or so (unless they're on sale).

Lately my shopping has been pretty much entirely at Kohl's and Ann Taylor Loft.

I just have two words to say: Outlet Malls.

Shopping is so much fun when you don't have to go to the fat ladies shop! My favorite find is a Calvin Klein pant suit that I got for $75.00. It is easily a $200 suit, I got it cheap because it was off season.
It is a winter suit and I got it in June. It is a very classic style so I am not concerned that it will go out of style before it gets cool enough to wear it.

I'm finding a lot at Kohl's too. And, the 80% off rack had some wonderful fall finds

Bargoo - I look for classic styles too, although I must admit - I did pick up a few baby-doll jackets this year. I have never been able to wear them (they just don't look right on a size 20 body).

I am fortunate that I can wear a lot of petites. I have found that ATL and J.Jill both can have different pricing on their petite clearance items than on the regular. The same item can be 20% less in the petite size

I find ATL sales to be amazing. I got the most incredibly suit for 14,88. Yes, you read that correctly. It was mismatched (8 jacket/4 skirt) and exactly what I needed. I've also gotten cute skirts for 3.88 and tons of pants for less than 9.88. I love their clothes.

LOL - so what is in my mailbox? A "share with your friends" 25% off coupon from ATL.
Thur. - Sun
25% Off
code: 10701098

Good in store or online for both AT and ATL.

I'm not quite....to maintenance yet, but I can't imagine my clothes size will go down much more...

Have you tried sierratradingpost.com? If not, get the deal flyer! There's hardly a day that goes by that they don't send you some kind of discount (today it's add'l 30% off bargain barn). I've been shopping today...jeans for $8, running shorts for $6-10. I've had to send stuff back for not fitting, but you still can't pass up the deals!! (and one "leading name brand" was actually LLBean....I had LLBean pants for $8!!!)

Gotta go back to shopping!!

I managed to scrape out an hour to shop last night, cause I have a bachelorette party/ lingerie shower to attend tonight.

All my cute nice clothes are too big and I did not want to wear the same clothes I have been wearing to the office the past 2 months.

Time. I need more time in my life!

Anyway, I hit the mall, did some serious damage at Fredericks on behalf of the bride-to-be, and myself of course. Yes, even my underwear are too big.

Then I walked down the mall looking for Ann Taylor. Turns out they moved to a different mall. Who knew? By then, the mall was going to close in about 30 minutes. I flew in and out of 3 different stores. Nothing I really wanted to even try on.

I went to a 4th store and decided I was going to try *something* on or else I would not have a prayer of having something cute to wear tonight. So I tried on a few dresses (it's amazing how the cut, flow, and fabric can make me look pregnant---not the look I was after).

I tried on some jeans cause I desperately need some. Found some! Not the size 8 Levis I have been dreaming about--that will require a trip to another store. But cute nonetheless and they were on sale 50% off. I found a denim skirt that I liked and a top that I liked. In the meantime, the employees start turning off the music and lights. I mean, it is still 5 minutes til closing. I understand about wanting to go home, but I actually worried they would lock up with me in the store. They had barely acknowledged me to begin with. In fact, if I had had any more time at all, I wouldn't have bought anything from them, cause I rarely shop at stores with horrendous service. Alas....the clock ran out so I bought what I bought.

Shopping might be fun if I had more than an hr.

I got that Ann Taylor coupon too! PM me if you want me to mail it to you (so you can use it in the stores). The coupon + 100.00 certificate from my mom for my birthday = GOOD WEEKEND.

I have this skirt and it is the CUTEST! It has awesome cut outs in the hem that make excellent shadows when you walk around outside! You should all get one! Ha

http://www.anntaylor.com/catalog/pro...ategory=Misses

Available in petites too!