Don: Stop here. Do not read!
A package from England arrived in the mail yesterday, just in time for me to spirit it away from Don’s curious eyes and open it up in my office. I ordered two small appliances from Elf Miniatures for the Top Secret Project.
This under counter Miele refrigerator, which opens:
The shelves are removable, the crispers slide in and out, and it came with some rather bizarre plastic food. It was made in Korea. Maybe for little kids playing with minis? Anyway, I won’t be using that particular selection of food, but it’s fun!
Also in the package – a Miele microwave oven.
It also opens and has a turntable. Apparently, I mistakenly ordered two of these, so Hummingbird Cottage has a new microwave, as well!
My idea is to build a little counter that has the microwave and a coffee maker on top, the fridge on the bottom, and maybe a stool that Don would perch on when having a snack. The whole thing would go along the same wall I have the fridge and microwave on in this photo.
When I get back. No time now.
I woke up way too early this morning and could never get back to sleep, so I’m pretty tired today. I have to get my hair trimmed, run a few more errands, and do some laundry.
Yesterday, I spent a few hours looking for a new pair of jeans. A very frustrating few hours. Here’s my question for you. Where do you get your jeans? Where does a tall woman (I’m 5′9″) with a curvy tush and hips find a good pair of jeans? Keep in mind that I don’t have a lot of money to blow on jeans. Any suggestions would be welcome!
Can I just say that I hate dressing rooms, fluorescent lighting and the mirrors in those dressing rooms? I felt fat and pale when I was in there. Well, I am pale as a rule, but I’m not fat! But my formerly angular body is definitely curvy.
Two thank yous to share:
Kathy from Iowa sent Scout a birthday present! Two bags of her favorite treats (she really loves them and they’re nice and soft for chewing) and some chocolate treats for her parents. Kathy, Scout hasn’t had time to send you a thank you email yet, but she will. I’ve taught her good manners.
And Nancy sent me these Christmas minis:
Thank you, Nancy! Nancy, I lost your email address. Can you message me with it, so I can write a proper thank you?
It’s clearly a Mini Saturday!
Happy Saturday.
How cute are those items for the TSP? I’ll bet Caroline will appreciate the gift. I buy 2 kinds of jeans. I’ve had good luck with Gloria Vanderbilt jeans….they are kind of stretchy…and you can usually find them on sale at Kohl’s. I believe they have them in tall. The other jeans I wear are by Chic….elastic waist, and they have a full leg or a slim leg…I get the slim leg. I get mine at Farm and Fleet. Local store in the state…I’d check online. Neither one will strain the budget…I hate jean shopping too! ;)
Thanks for the tips, Donnamae. I HATE shopping for jeans!
How cute are those appliances! I’m learning so much about minatures.
They are really cute!
Love the mini’s! Perfect for the TSP! I also buy the Gloria Vanderbilt jeans at Kohl’s. I’m the short with no behind but a big tummy (not happy about it but that’s my body right now). As Donnamae said, often on sale and not so expensive. They do have tall. I like the ‘Amanda’ style the best. Now that I’ve found these jeans I try to buy them online on sale and no more dressing rooms. HATE trying on clothes in those places. Ugh. I finally got a good nights sleep so hope to make today a productive day.
hugs,
Linda
I hope your day is a good one, Linda. I was at Kohl’s yesterday, but I didn’t try on the Gloria Vanderbilt jeans. I’ll check them out.
I also buy Gloria Vanderbilt, “Amanda “jeans. Either Kohl’s or Pueblo Traders on line, good deals! By the way I am 5’10..and regular fit perfect. I think tall jeans are for those who wear heels and jeans ,not my style. love the “fridge”.
I saw the Amanda jeans there, but I didn’t try them on. I’ll have to go back there and check them out. I wear sneakers most of the time, so regular should be fine for me!
Adorable appliances. How sweet that Scout got birthday presents. I hate mall lights in general. I feel like I look okay when I leave the house, but then I see myself in florescent lighting and wonder what the hell happened. I hate buying pants in general. They never seem to fit me properly. Good luck!
I agree. They didn’t even fit me properly when I was younger, but now, it’s even worse!
The only thing worse than trying on Jeans is trying on swim suits….TORTURE. Yes try the Gloria Jeans…as a fellow tall person I can tell you they might work I also like the jeans from Coldwater creek…when they closed their stores I hoarded them on sale. They are back in Catalog form. They last forever!!!
I used to have jeans from Coldwater Creek and liked them. I don’t want any low cut waist stuff – just regular old jeans!
Dressing room mirrors and lighting – UGH! I think that these both should make us look absolutley fabulous so we buy lots of clothes. As for jeans, on the pricey side is NYDJ (Not Your Daughter’s Jeans) but they wash really well, have that magical Spandex in the fabric and fit great. On the affordable side I’ve heard that Lee jeans fit well but haven’t tried them in many years. Gray and cold here, inside decluttering and rearranging things at Frog Hollow. xoxo
I’ve tried NYDJ on, but they’re too expensive for me. I’m currently wearing Lee jeans, but Kohl’s has stopped carrying the style that fit me well!
What cute new appliances, they are just darling :) I love how they always looks so life like. I purchase my Jeans at Maurices they are $29 a pair and they come in all shapes and sizes and the staff is good at looking at you and telling you what style will fit the best. That’s the only place I buy from, no sense in torturing myself trying something new. I stick with what works.
No Maurice’s here – is it a Midwest chain?
Well, you know that age thing, I have lost 1/2 an inch and now down to 5’9.5″ but still do best w/ GV as others have said, although it has been several years. I did just buy a pair of black Lee “relaxed fit” jeans at JCP before the holidays and very pleased w/ the fit. For the longest time fuller-figured gals like me have had to put up with all that extra bunching and wadding of material hanging in bad places. Not w/ the Lee jeans. Made me feel very good about weight loss since 1st of August and after not buying jeans for several years, that there are now options that really do make you feel better about yourself. I still have a journey ahead but finding something along the way that works is very motivational. Now if manufacturers and designers would do something about the fact our wrists don’t match our waist and hip size, hate sloppy cuffs! And I won’t get started on all the boat-neck stuff, don’t they know V-necks have a slimming affect?
I have Lee jeans now, but the style I like isn’t on the shelves at Kohl’s. I know I can order them online, but I wanted something sooner than that.
Nice minis, Claudia…the frig and microwave are perfect for my daughter’s dorm room! I’m also a Gloria Vanderbilt jeans fan and I was happy to find she makes skinny-ish jeans now. I forget the name of the jeans, Bridget?? I buy all my jeans at Costco….$19.99. I also found DKNY skinny jeans for the same price at Costco. No need for fancy more expensive jeans for me. They fit me really well too, and are skinnier than GV. Both styles are sold by size and length. I’m a bit shorter than 5’4″ and I have to buy the 28″ length or shorten the 30″, which is the most prevalent length by far. I really have to dig and go through piles to find a 28″.
We don’t belong to Costco because there isn’t one nearby. We used to. I’ll definitely check out the GV jeans tomorrow.
I really like the mini fridge and microwave – Elf miniatures seem to photograph very well. I don’t know where to buy jeans. Life dictates more formal dressing, so the last pair I bought was a boyish pair by Calvin Klein 25 years ago. I wear them for painting, so they are looking somewhat disreputable these days. Work has been frantic since the break, so I haven’t had much time for blog reading/comments, but I did like seeing your Riverside Shakespeare. I still have mine from university days, complete with notes and sketches in the margins. I hope all goes well for you with the new production. I would love to see some photos of the sets and costumes if it’s permitted.
Depends. Designers are very protective of their creations – I will probably be able to sneak a photo when we’re in Tech.
I like Lee jeans because they have a variety of lengths & styles. Kohl’s doesn’t carry all of their styles & lengths, so I order them from the Lee website and have had very good luck with that. I also like Lands End, again for the variety of styles and lengths. They are more expensive than Lee, but not as expensive as some other brands. They do have sales and I recently got a nice pair on sale and the fit was great.
Right – the style of Lee jeans I’m wearing now wasn’t on the shelves at Kohl’s yesterday. I like Lands End but the one pair I bought from them was way too baggy.
Claudia, What cute things. Can’t wait to see it all set up like you want it. Hope you are having a nice time on your work trip. Blessings, xoxo,Susie
Thank you, Susie. I have a lot to do before I go!
Blergh to jeans shopping. I do like Lee jeans. If I can’t find what I want at Kohl’s in the store, they usually have all sizes on their on-line option. I usually wait til I have a 30% of course!! Amazon used to carry some Lee’s, too. I haven’t looked in a while. I really like the elastic waist ones, and they seem to be harder to find.
The minis are wonderful. Will Don be good while you are away and not peek?? I bet Caroline was happy to receive her new microwave as well. I’m sure she has been doing a lot of entertaining now that she has been published in TWO different magazines!!
Good luck on the jeans hunt!!
I may order a pair online, but I need something sooner! Like…tomorrow!
I don’t think Don will peek – he’s pretty good about that sort of thing.
Do you know your address at the apt? If you can’t find any tomorrow, could you order them to come there?? I suppose you want to wear them on Monday. I always am a day or two off when I am looking for something. One would think that by now I would realize looking for something (esp to wear) should be done sooner rather than later might come to my mind!!
I’d have it shipped to the theater – that’s where the mail has to be sent. Don (the prince) is coming with me tomorrow and we’re going to look at GV at Kohl’s. If they aren’t right, I’ll order some online – probably the Lee’s I currently wear.
I also wear GV Amanda jeans (petite). They are the only kind that I buy, but I buy them all second-hand at a Saver’s thrift store. The only ones that I bought new were from Kohl’s because I hadn’t found any used in black at that point. Love them except for the fact that, because they are stretchy, the waist always gets loose on me. I keep forgetting to wear a belt, so I am frequently hiking up my pants as the day goes by. Until I discovered GV jeans, I never had found a style or maker of jeans that I loved. They look great. Definitely try them. I think that they are quite popular with more “mature” ladies (as you can tell from your commenters), probably designed for us?
That’s exactly what has happened with my current pair from Lee. The waist has stretched out. I will definitely try GV – heading to Kohl’s tomorrow.
I love my Lands End jeans. For about 20 years now, comfort has been trumping appearance for me as far as clothes go, but these look great – AND are so comfy you could sleep in them. As I have on countless occasions – LOL. I ordered a pair to try, loved them and turned around to order 4 more. I get the “indigo” color. Good luck shopping!
I most likely have to try another style – the one and only pair of Lands End jeans I owned was too baggy. I should investigate them anew!
Eddie Bauer and Talbots are my go-to’s for jeans. EB jeans last forever. I am tall/curvy too.
I used to wear Talbots jeans. My sister swore by them. Are there still retail stores or are they just online now?
Hi Claudia! I think that your mini fridge and new microwave are Perfect for your Secret Project.
As to your difficulty finding jeans that fit and where you might try. I have a different set of problems with short legs, no hips and a bustle bootie. :/ I have given up trying to buy new jeans because they are expensive and I would still need to alter them. I look for mine at Value Village. There are racks of them all mixed up no name brands as well as designer jeans (Calvin Klien, Ralph Lauren, Lee and Levi etc.) and although it does take time to sift through them, they are already broken in and they cost on average $12 ( plus or minus ), which doesn’t break the bank.
But truthfully all I want to wear these days are sweat pants- everywhere.
It seem that I am becoming a “baggy lady” in my golden years; I am finally comfortable and I LOVE IT! :D
If I could get away with wearing my husband’s old pajama pants (which I often wear around the house) when I’m out and about, I would do it!
Love the TSP items. Perfect! I think I’m the cheap one here. I get my jeans at Shopko. I’m 5’10” and know how hard it is to get them long enough. Good luck.
Blessings,
Betsy
Thanks, Betsy. If I had something like your Shopko, I’d definitely buy them there!
Gee..how I envy all of you tall ladies…I hate going grocery shopping and if I need something from the top shelve..there I am..standing in the aisle waiting for a tall person to come rescue me…I hate asking but people never seem to mind…What nice gifts from Kathy & Nancy..candy and miniatures…plus treats for Scout…how perfect!
And I’m one of those people that see someone struggling to reach something and immediately get it down for them!
Well..Let me thank you for being so nice to us short little Elves…lol..
I suggest Old Navy as an inexpensive option. When I complained to a friend about how expensive my favorite jeans from Chicos are, she told me she loves the jeans at Old Navy. I have since purchased a couple pairs from there and love them!
I’ll check them out next time I’m near an Old Navy, Karen. Thank you.
Yes, those appliances have the oddest food minis. :D But, they are some of the best and most reasonably priced on the market.
They are. I really love the way they look, Brae!
Hi Claudia, I’ve gotten great jeans (denim trousers, they call them) at the Eddie Bauer outlet. Down the sidewalk is the Talbots outlet, so they’re out there still. I found great Lee styles at Walmart for something like $20. Otherwise I get storebrand jeans from Belk, a store you probably don’t have in NY. Love the mini appliances, they are PERFECT for the TSP.
Good luck on your trip. You’ll be home sooner than you think, and meanwhile you’ll be doing something you love.
There’s a Talbots near where I’m staying in Hartford – well, about 15 minutes away – and I’ll check them out, too.
Hi Claudia, finally finding some time to read through your last couple of posts after New Year, first of all I want to wish Scout Happy Birthday and healthy and happy years to come. She always looks so happy on pictures! I found it pretty funny having bought a Miele appliance the last week myself and seeing it on your post, it looks so real in a scene and I like that it’s not a clear synthetic white but rather pinkish. This makes it look more realistic I think.
Me too, Susi. I really love the way they look. I can’t wait to incorporate them into the Top Secret Project!
Oh my gosh, the new TSP additions are too cute!
Like so many of the commenters before me, the Gloria Vanderbilt brand of jeans (“Amanda” style) have been my “go-to” jeans for a long time. On a fluke, I recently tried the Gloria Vanderbilt “Avery” Pull On Denim jeans and they are absolutely awesome–even better than the Amanda style.
Until I found the Avery jeans, I’ve always avoided jeans with elastic waistbands or too much stretch like the plague (since I can’t stand baggy jeans) so I don’t even know why I considered trying these on. Oh goodness, am I ever glad I did though! They are super comfortable due to the spandex and elastic banded waistband, but unlike other stretchy jeans I’ve tried, they actually retain their shape and continue to hug in all the right places, even after I have worn them all day. No baggy seat or knees! They just feel sooooo good on…almost as good as pajama pants! Many of the website photos are really very poor and make them appear like they have a little flare at the hem (and too short!) but don’t let lousy photos deter you. The legs are definitely straight.
I never seem to have much luck finding the various different colors in my size in the stores so I almost always have to order online, but even the online supplies are currently extremely limited, unfortunately. However, maybe if you want to try the Avery style, you will be able to find a color and size that works for you. I’m hoping they will be restocked because, now that I’ve found the BEST jeans EVER, I can’t imagine my life without the GV Avery pull-on jeans!
If you don’t find what you are looking for when you visit your local Kohl’s, here’s the Kohl’s link for the Avery jeans: http://www.kohls.com/product/prd-2358065/gloria-vanderbilt-avery-straight-leg-pull-on-jeans-womens.jsp?submit-search=web-ta-product&pfm=search-ta%20product&search=vanderbilt%20avery
JCPenney’s also has them in more colors, but limited sizes: http://www.jcpenney.com/gloria-vanderbilt-avery-straight-leg-jeans/prod.jump?ppId=pp5006390422&searchTerm=gloria+vanderbilt+avery&catId=SearchResults&_dyncharset=UTF-8
And if you have Boscov’s near you (in case you need to return), they have them in several colors too…and at a great price: http://www.boscovs.com/shop/prod/gloria-vanderbilt-avery-comfort-flex-pull-on-pant/307685.htm
I bought some GV jeans today – Amanda – and they fit beautifully. I think I saw the Avery there, as well, so next time I’m at Kohl’s, I’ll definitely give them a try. Thank you!