misosouper, a shopping blog

True story:  as I was rushing to a client meeting in NYC, I lept over a puddle of melting snow, breaking a stiletto heel and–wait for it–ripping my favorite pencil skirt beyond my nether regions.  I ducked into an office building and begged safety pins off a sympathetic secretary, but had to keep my coat on all through lunch, then wobble–up, down, up, down–home.   Bereft and mortified, I decided this was the last straw in a job that I never really liked; the next day, I gave two weeks notice, never to work in corporate America again.  (This all really happened, cross my heart, almost 5 years ago today.)

And to think:  if I had been wearing a pair of these rain boots, I could have stepped in that puddle; my skirt would not have torn, my heel would never have flopped.  I might have stayed in that job, and I might have been promoted from underling to super-vice-lackey.  So by my calculus, Plueys can change your life.

From now until September 15, take 10% off your Plueys order with the discount code Miso10.  (One use per customer.)

Have you entered our Trend Boutique giveaway for a gorgeous Love Shop scarf?  Well, you should; and while you’re at it, take advantage of the exclusive discount codes The Trend Boutique is offering for misosouper readers:  at checkout, just enter Miso15 for 15% off all orders, and Miso20 for 20% off orders of $150 or more.

West Elm has sales all the time; I try to check out the discounted merch every couple of weeks, and generally avoid the “HUGE SALE” e-mails that arrive in my inbox, because inevitably all the good stuff is already gone.

Here’s what I’m ogling today:

1.  Wood Wedges (honestly, these ledges couldn’t look more adorable in a kid’s room, and for $9.99, you can get them in multiples); 2.  Lutz & Patmos Zigzag Throw (these are yummy soft, and worth stashing in the closet for next year’s holiday gifts); 3.  Uneven Squares Quilt and Shams (simplicity at its best, made even better at 50% off); 4.  Quilted Wingback Headboard (if you sleep in a California King–lucky!–this regal bed is a steal);  5.  Upholstered Bed Frame and Headboard (for the rest of us plebes, this headboard comes in smaller sizes and still ups the nighttime reading comfy factor); 6.  Rope Candleholders (just look at them…do they need commentary?); 7.  Wall-Mount Pendant (I love how these make a grand statement, for $69.99); 8.  Abaca Pendant Lamp (summer, at 82% off); 9.  Square Metal Sofa; 10.  Water Hyacinth Pillows (I dare you to show me a house these wouldn’t look great it); 11.  Beach Club Floral Print Pillow (as a rule, I buy anything that has “beach club” in its name); 12.  Sydney Bar (I’m totally putting this inside my house, but I live in Florida, so hopefully all will be forgiven).

As of this post’s publication, some version of the above items was in stock, although it probably won’t be for long.

If you’re totally sick of looking at your coat (and at this mid-winter moment, who isn’t?), think about alternating it with this burgundy number.  (Also available in olive and glamorous dirt-magnet cream.)  With details like an asymmetrical collar that folds up to a warm funnel, a belt that trims your waist, and a v-neck hem perfect for leg crossing, the coat’s tailored details make its $49.99 price tag even more ridiculously reasonable.

Le Train Bleu is the closet of the girl I want to be when I grow up:  louche, decadent, unafraid of color, careless in the best sense of the word.  Their pieces all feel showstopping, and not in the so-showstopping-they-have-eyepopping-price-tags way.  And in celebration of their 5th birthday, Le Train Bleu is offering 30% off all orders through February 18 with the code “birthday.”  Here’s what I’d buy:

1.  Babysitter Blouse (please don’t wear this over to babysitter my child, because I’d probably steal it); 2.  A Weekend In The Country Cards (did I mention Le Train Bleu also sells small tokens of affection, like this Jane-Austen-goes-Old-Maid game?);  3.  Aztec Shorts, complete with amazing detachable leather ornamentation; 4.  Die Brucke Painted Scarf Dress (how is this only $66?); 5.  Delaunay Scarf;  6.  Acid Floral Dress, which I plan on wearing at least three days a week this summer; 7.  Leigh Ring; 8.  Moravian Love Story Sweater; 9.  Ringmaster Jacket, a topper that would be elegant over both slouchy t-shirts and a billowy dresses; 10.  Shiny Skirt, whose elastic waistband makes it the comfiest summer going-out piece ever; 11.  Gal Collection Strawberry Lip Balm; 12.  Thousand Flowers Votive Holder, which would lovely in groups filled with both candles and flowers (but not at the same time, of course).