A Shopaholic's Guide to the Galaxy

I’ve absolutely loved shopping for as long as I remember. When I was a kid, it was a favorite activity for my dad and me. During my teenage years I would spend entire weekends with my aunt, shopping until we dropped, in downtown Chicago. Beyond the fact that I’m extremely extroverted and shopping trips serve as a great opportunity for social interaction, I find the process of choosing just the right piece to be a lot of fun and I get my kicks from finding a good deal.

In this post, I will share my passion for shopping with you by sharing my favorite online and in-store retailers.

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Physical Stores

Anthropologie

I will make a point of stopping in and shopping at Anthropologie stores any time I’m close to one. The stores are always enormous, and carry everything from clothes and jewelry to paper goods and home furnishings. The products that they sell are always high quality, and they are generally running a sale to make things more affordable. I am absolutely in love with the Capri Blue Volcano candle/lotion line that they sell, and I generally stock up on candles whenever I’m there. There’s a wide range of clothing styles available, and I have bought pieces both for work and for pleasure during my many trips in.

HomeGoods

I have always had an interest in interior design, and I really enjoy adding decorative elements to my home. I particularly love going to HomeGoods because no two stores carry the same thing, so you’re never exactly sure what you’re going to find. I usually go in with an idea of the function and style that I want an item to have, and then search for it in the store. All of the items are sold at amazing prices, so I don’t even have to feel bad about walking out with things that I didn’t initially intend to buy!

Nordstrom

I always feel like a classy, sophisticated woman when I shop at Nordstrom. Nordstrom is an especially fun place to go and spend some time because they carry extremely high end, drool-worthy pieces, but also offer items at prices that make it easy for me to treat myself to something nice. I always know that I am getting quality products when I purchase them from Nordstrom, and they offer great customer service and return policies. Plus, dogs are allowed in!

H&M

H&M was one of the first companies to embody the idea of “fast fashion”, and they are one of my favorite places to shop for fun statement pieces and basics at a reasonable price. The quality of some of their low-price items can be hit or miss, but you can’t argue with what you’re paying. I have been impressed many times by their Modern Classics line, which caters to professionals in an office setting. I’ve bought some great staple pieces from that line, as well as some fun pieces to jazz up my normal work wear.

Crate and Barrel

This store oozes inspiration. I have a soft spot for modern design, so wandering around Crate and Barrel really hits the spot. I have never had a problem with any of the products that I have bought there, and I am impressed with their customer service policies. Whether I’m there to plan out my dream kitchen or buy staple items for my home, I thoroughly enjoy every trip.

Online Retailers

Shein

Similar to H&M, Shein offers fast fashion at prices that you wouldn’t believe. Given the prices that I’ve paid, the quality of the items is surprisingly good. They take a little while to ship, but shipping fees are usually waived through promotion codes so I don’t feel too bad about it. They cater to every sense of style imaginable, so they always have what I’m looking for and then some. I recently came across their home products, so that will be a fun new online shopping avenue for me to explore!

The Real Real

A good friend introduced me to TRR about a year ago, and my life hasn’t been the same since. Their tagline is “Authenticated Luxury Consignment”, which really explains it to a T. They offer pre-owned luxury goods from names like Louis Vuitton, Gucci, Balenciaga, Prada, and many more. They offer 20% off of full price items, and run regular sales. Everything that I have bought from TRR has been in great shape, so I have been a very happy customer since the start.

Marleylilly

I’m an absolute sucker for a monogram, so Marleylilly is like a dream come true for me. I will be changing my last name soon, so I have had a fun and exciting reason to stock up on items with my new monogram. They have all kinds of monogrammed items including purses, shoes, clothes and koozies - just to name a few. They’re perfect for a fun treat for yourself, or a gift for someone else. They are generally running promotions with freebies, so it is a fun online shopping experience overall.

ColourPop Cosmetics

I have really gotten into makeup in the last year, and ColourPop is one of my favorite brands. They have makeup options to suit every style, and the makeup is very high quality. They have so many options on their website, and all of their products are very reasonably priced (especially considering the quality). They also offer exclusive bundles on their website, so it’s a great way to stock up on great makeup.

Amazon

I mean, come on. This probably goes without saying, but Amazon is the best. They have something to fit every style and budget, with guaranteed delivery to my doorstep within two days. In recent years, large retailers (like Adidas and Birkenstock) have started selling their products through amazon, so I can get things ranging from matcha tea to Mayari sandals, all in the same place.

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I’ve included links to the websites for all of my favorite retailers listed above, so you can check them out if you’re interested! Who are your go-to retailers? Comment your favorites below!