This past Saturday was THE big day - it was the Versace for H&M launch - and many of us fashionistas were in line ready and willing to brave the cold hard mall floor! Some silly eBayers were there since 7pm the previous night. My friends and I? Well Richandcreamy and I joined the line after we left El Dorado (see previous post) and were later joined by friends who came bearing gifts - food and water for our dehydrated selves! Who leaves the club to go wait in line at the mall? We do. Come on, it’s Versace!

San Diego certainly is not New York, but we hold our own. The line was intense and we even had to wait in a pre-line before they let us gather in the official line inside Fashion Valley. By 7am, we were waving to the late comers shouting out “Good luck!”

This was my first true experience camping out for a brand. I’ve shown up to Black Fridays pretty early, but nothing like this. Last year my friends had waited for Lanvin for H&M, and even they said the Versace experience was far more crazy. Not to discredit Lanvin (oh dear God no - I love Lanvin! I would have waited in that line had I not been busy), but that’s the power of the brand. Versace is world renowned - fashion circles, hip hop music, and mainstream. Of course everyone would want a piece of the action!

As many fashionistas following the #occupyh&m movement (as we lovingly called it) knew, H&M was using a system where they let in groups at a time. If you were shopping in the women’s section, a colored wristband was given out and you were allowed into the gated section at a specific time. Yes - you had to wait twice if you were shopping both men’s and women’s.

Many of our hopes and dreams were dashed as we watched the first and second groups run in and take more than one of everything of the men’s section. To be honest, the men’s line was far more covetable than the women’s - and even the pro eBayers knew this. When my group was finally let in, we made a mad dash to gather what we could. The game plan was to swoop up items (cute or ugly - someone would want it!), reconviene in a corner, and do trades right then and there - leave behind any extras. We did the same for the women’s.

I am not sure how the women’s line did, but I know that in less than an hour - the entire men’s line was sold out. By the time we had finished, my friends and I were loaded with goodies and we were certainly glad we got there as early as we did!

As for the Versace line itself - everything I touched was so well made. The materials, the cuts. Even the over-the-top studded women’s tank came w/extra studs in case one were to go rogue. In terms of women’s wear I was most pleased with a fabulous multi-chain medallion bracelet. Engraved w/”Versace for H&M” - this was my personal prize for having waited out in the cold after a night of dancing. I wish more of the accessories were available to me, but sadly I could not find the panther choker or the multi-chain necklace.

Overall this was a good hustle and great experience - but next time (provided I like the designer) I am sleeping overnight w/the eBayers! There are already rumors floating about, so I hope next year will be a good one!

Nordstrom Rack Pre-Opening TweetUp at Plaza Bonita

To be honest, I was having a pretty horrible day and a tweetup was the last place I wanted to be. I thought, “Why would I want to show up to Nordstrom Rack - when I can’t buy anything - when the racks are scattered about anyway?” I had several reservations, but I showed up anyway - and thank God I did!

Upon my arrival, I was met with friendly faces. “Come sign in, here is your free complimentary bag with a $50 gift card to spend -” WAIT WHAT?! $50 gift card? “- and there are beverages behind you.” Ok again, what? Seriously? They were giving us $50 and booze? Can you sense the danger already?

I will spare you all of the details of my extreme shopping and instead head straight to the point: the new Nordstrom Rack at Plaza Bonita is very well done and was by far the best experience I’ve had shopping at a “clearance store”. Most of the time I am overwhelmed by how messy racks are, damaged items, and the lack of fashionable apparel in my size. Perhaps it helped that we were the first shoppers of this location, but let me tell you - I was impressed by their selection. Hudson Jeans, Free People, Twenty8Twelve, Marc Jacobs, Juicy, and more. None of it screamed out “CLEARANCE” - not even in the clearance section! Stylish and still in perfect condition, I was quite the happy shopper!

What also impressed me were the visuals. I like to pay attention to mannequins and dress forms to see how each store styles theirs. Whoever is doing the visuals for Nordstrom Rack Plaza Bonita is doing a great job. I wish I took a photo of this particular mannequin dressed in a blazer and dress - the colors were so complimentary that each of my friends went up to it! If you can dress a mannequin well enough to show off the clothing - you’ve got a sale.

In total, I had racked up over a $100 worth of apparel - which is incredibly good considering the retail value of the items I got. The Nordstrom Rack price helped, along with the $50 gift card and a free “must have” item of my choice, that I won. I think the best part though was, getting to experience this with my friends. As cheesy as it sounds, nothing beats being able to shop freely with your friends. I can shop alone, but who is going to gasp “SO CUTE!” with me?

So what did I walk away with?

1.) Love on a Hanger almond and black stripped long sleeve w/sheer back and sheer paneled shoulders

2.) Ali & Kris black and blue stripped crop top

3.) Patterson J. Kincaid lily chiffon button up w/lace back and cut-outs

4.) Joe’s Jeans charcoal jeggings

5.) Jessica Simpson tights

TIP: Head to one of the mobile checkouts for easy purchases - it’s like being at the Apple store!

Some thanks: @nordstrom_rack, @plazabonitarack, @jenboydsd, @smcsandiego, @mymelodie