Labor Day Deals + What I Bought

I was so excited to check out the newly re-opened Zara at the Galleria mall today, but I didn't end up buying anything for myself (more on that later).

I headed there around noon today when Harper went down for her nap and I visited the few stores I wanted to check out. While I love being able to try on clothes before I buy them, I don't really love shopping in malls anymore. These days, I'm doing most of my shopping online and dealing with the returns if items aren't what I expected or don't fit. 

I spent two hours checking out some stores and I came away with some fantastic items from Banana Republic which I'll share first. My entire purchase in-store was 40% off and you can get 40% off through tonight at midnight using code BRLABOR online.

Jacquard Elbow-Sleeve Top

This is one I'm still unsure about. On the right I'm wearing a size small and on the left a medium. I ended up getting the medium. I like the sleeve length and texture of this top. Let me know what you all think!

Next up is this must-have long sleeve tee. Oh my goodness it's so soft and stretchy. Highly recommend. I got a size small.

Mini-Stripe Long-Sleeve Tee

I also picked up a blue soft-wash oxford shirt. I got a medium as I liked the length, but I see they have it online in a size small tall, so I may order that to see if I like the fit better. You can see I layered it here with the striped tee from above.

Soft-Wash Oxford Shirt

I loved the print on this large checked plaid shirt. Black and white is classic. I want to layer this under a thin black sweater. I can't find this one online, but I LOVE this one that is very similar. This is also a medium.

I also picked up this charcoal-gray chambray-style shirt. I thought it would be good for layering and on its own for cooler weekends. This is a medium. Unfortunately I can't find it online.

This dress  is one I tried on but didn't buy. It was on sale too. Cute, but I passed.

Space-Dye Faux-Wrapped Dress

I also went to LOFT and had the chance to try on one of the dresses from Lou & Grey that I shared in my post on Saturday. It's perfect! Great for casual summer days and will be great for our upcoming beach trip. I ended up getting the medium. The small fit too but I worried about it shrinking with how short it already is. Plus, I liked that it made it a little looser.

LOU & GREY SPACEDYE BLOUSON TANK DRESS

Now, before I get to the bad, let's start with the good. Zara expanded their Galleria store to include a kids and baby store upstairs and I couldn't be happier. I had seen the baby collection when I was in Toronto and was hoping we would get a kids/baby store too. I picked up a couple of things for Harper and I'm sure I will be getting many more there as time goes on because they have so many cute items.

Now to the not-so-good. I have always been a huge Zara fan, but their current offerings are not for me. I used to get a ton of clothes there and the last time I shopped there (in Toronto) I saw a ton of cute items, so I know this is just a fluke but I didn't like one item I tried on (everything felt shapeless). The fitting room lighting was also terrible, as you are about to witness...

Not good folks, not good. Maybe next time!

Before I go, here are two cute dresses I got for Harper at Baby Gap:

Checkered flannel dress

 Mix-media stripe dress

And lastly, I was running low on my beloved peony blush and picked up another. Thank you Bobbi Brown for making the greatest blush color in all of the land.

Hope your Labor Day was amazing!