There was never a tale of more woe, than that of my order from M&O!

As per PFP's request, here are the details of my latest, HUGE Martin and Osa order. It may be able to guide some of you who are taking advantage of M&O's extra 20% sale.


Cashmere Boatneck Sweater - I love Martin and Osa cashmere but this sweater fits, well, like a boat. I ordered it in my usual size medium. I never can fit into a small sweater. This thing is HUGE! NO likey.


Spring Blossom Tee - Another medium that was massively huge and see-through too. Such a shame, the flowers are so pretty.


Artisan Tee - You can never have too many navy tee's. Unfortunately this tee, a medium, was too tight for me, especially in the arms. I felt like a bodybuilder the way my arms were busting out of this one.


Asymmetrical Wave Tee - I am a big fan of M&O's tees so I thought I should stock up on them while I can. This tee was another one that was way too big in my usual size medium.


Tidal Tee - This fit me me! Yah! It is a bit sheer but it was only $8 so I think I can live with that.


Printed Dot Tank - Again, this was a bit too baggy and see-through. However, I LOVE me some polka dots so I'll make it work somehow.


Harbour Stripe Racerback Tank - I'm not usually a fan of tank tops that need a special bra but I like this one solely for the reason that it looks great paired with the below item.


Cadet Blazer - This is probably my favorite item from this order. I've been looking for a navy blazer for awhile. I scored this for $52 (sweet!) which is way less than the blazers I was eying at The Gap and probably a lot better in terms of quality too.


Geo Graphic Tank - I ordered this is a small because it looked a bit loosey goosey in the pictures. It fit fine but what turned me off was the condition it arrived in. It was obviously previously returned because it was rolled into a ball and stuffed into the plastic bag. As it is silk, it was just one giant mess of wrinkles. When I return items, I make sure that they are neatly folded (how hard is it to follow the original fold lines?). I'm disappointed in M&O for not catching this one (they must be taking a note from J Crew).


Silk-Cotton T-Back Tank - I sized down from my usual size 8 to a 6 for this tank because it looks extra flowy in the pictures. It fit ok but was in the same shape as the last tank top; a mess of wrinkles. It would have to be a very special tank top for me to take the effort to make it look new again. And it wasn't that special.


Soft Utility Dress - This was a bit of a gamble for me because I often have a hard time finding dresses that are long enough for me (long torso). This is waaaay too short. It even surpassed my limits of a date night dress. On the right girl, though, it would be cute. The silk is super soft.


Slim Boyfriend Jeans - I thought because the word "boyfriend" was in the name, these jeans would fit a girl who has got a few extra chunks in her trunk. I thought wrong. These badboys were TIGHT!


Belted Paper Poplin Bag Skirt - I got this in black and wore it here. I like it but it doesn't allow for a lot of movement - it is very narrow.


Slim Stretch Marine Pant - I've been in love with these pants since they were a new arrival but since I'm cheap, I waited until they were om major sale before purchasing. Big disappointment. I saw the fabric had some nylon in it but didn't realize that wearing these pants would feel and sound like I was wearing ski pants. Not cool!

So all in all, my huge post-ban Martin and Osa order was a disappointment. Hopefully I have some good ones in the next few months before M&O is no more.

No More Martin and Osa

I'm so upset because I've just found out that soon there will be no more Martin and Osa.

From Reuters:

American Eagle Outfitters Inc (AEO.N) said on Tuesday it will close all 28 stores in its Martin + Osa clothing chain and the chain's online business.

The 3-year-old chain, which started out aiming for customers in their mid-30s, racked up an after-tax loss of $33 million in 2009, excluding impairment charges, American Eagle said in a statement.

As many of you know, I am a big fan of Martin and Osa. It's one of the few places that has high quality clothing at affordable prices and easily ships to Canada. I don't know where I am going to be shopping at after it is gone. So sad . . .

Like a Martin and Osa ad

Today I feel like a walking Martin and Osa advertisement.

Cardigan: Martin and Osa - I love the little bling around the neckline. This cardi is still available here.

Cami: Martin and Osa - This is still available and is currently marked down to $19.96. I found it ran a little big and would recommend sizing down. I didn't with this one partly because I feel guilty for returning so much to M&0 on their shipping tab!

Pants: You guessed it, Martin and Osa

Belt: Joe Fresh

Shoes: Naturalizer

Sales make it hard to resist

I'm still keeping to my ban of no online shopping but some of the sales are making it hard to resist. Martin and Osa has some new markdowns and they also have an extra 30% off. If I can't have these goodies, maybe someone else in the blogging world can.

Here are my sale picks.

Essential Cashmere-Silk Cardigan. I am a bit fan of M&O's cardigans and have this one in a mustard. For under $50, this is a great buy. There are only a few colors that have smalls and medium lefts so go snatch them up.

If you really want to indulge, go for this sweater:

It's the Long and Lean Cashmere Sweater; 100% cashmere and $105. I haven't tried it myself but it looks oh so cozy.

Twist Print Tuxedo Tank: super cute, super cheap, just the way I like it.

If I didn't have wide clompers, I'd be getting these: Carter Strappy Heel - $38.50.

My final sale pick:


Three Chain Ribbon Necklace.

Happy Shopping!

Martin and Osa Sweater Review

My recent Martin and Osa order also included three sweaters. Here is what I thought of them.

First off, the Slouchy Open Scoopneck Sweater priced at $24.50.

I think some fashionistas could pull this off but it's not for me. It's really short and would need a tank top underneath to cover up the belly. It felt like I was going to an 80's workout class, all I need was some tights and neon legwarmers. RDog's comment: "It's makes your shoulders look weird."

Next, the Oversized V-Neck Sweater priced at $39.50. I think this could work for girls with less "junk in their trunk" than me. There is a banding at the bottom of the sweater that clings to an area of my body that I like to de-emphasize.

Lastly, the Sequin V-Neck Cardigan price at $49.95. This is the only sweater that I kept. I've been wearing the poop out of another M&O black cardigan that is longer so I felt like I needed a shorter option to spice things up a bit. I like how the sequins are understated which makes it appropriate for work.

Should I Stay or Should I Go?

My latest Martin and Osa order arrived today and I feel like sharing.

First off, the Leather Motorcycle Jacket. Currently $350, I snagged it for $105.

While it looks pretty hip left open. . .

. . . it's a pretty big disaster zipped up. It's way too tight. What do you think; should I keep a jacket that I will never be able to wear zipped up? I do live in Canada.

Next up, the Puffer Jacket. Not the most fashionable thing, but I could use a new roughing around the neighborhood coat. The kind I wear when making snowmen and taking hikes. It's currently $89.95 but I got it for $51.

I'm still undecided on this one. Do I really need it? What do you think? Is is a keeper or a return?

Lastly, the Wool Trench Coat. This is not longer available. I paid $75 for it.

This is already packed up in the box waiting to be sent back to M&O. Even though it had a lining, the wool poked through, making it very itchy to wear.

Martin and Osa 25% Sale

I received an email from Martin and Osa this morning announcing their current sale: 25% off and free shipping (no minimum on the shipping).

There are some great deals to be found. Here are my top picks.

I've become a big fan of the retro feel of RayBan sunglasses. These are often not included in M&O's sales. I just bought a pair last week. If I needed another pair, I would be pick these nerdy-chic shades.

I've been slowly testing out different tights and I think a flowered pattern is my next battle to conquer.

It's cold and scarves are warm. Nuff said.

I think these gloves would make a great gift. They come in many different colors if purple doesn't do it for you. They're cashmere (my fav) and under $20.

This top would be so pretty layered under a cardi.

The sale lasts until Tuesday. I'm going to try hard to withstand the urge to order. I've been going a bit overboard with my M&O shopping lately. So overboard that the ladies who work the counter at my local post office have stopped asking for ID. They recognize my face now. Whoops.

Great Deals at Martin and Osa

My favorite shopping site, Martin and Osa, has some great deals today. There is free shipping and it doesn't look like there is a minimum. There is also 30% off with the code 996297782. "Big deal," you may think. Martin and Osa regularly has 20, 25, or 30% off. But today, the 30 % can be applied to something that has never been discounted on it's site before: Raybans.


I've been aching for a pair for months but have yet to see them go on sale. Tonight, I snagged these in black for $77! They have since disappeared from the site but there are many other available styles.

I also found great deals in Martin and Osa's accessories section on some fairly recent arrivals.


This bracelet looks so pretty. I think it will be great for festive dressing up. It's only $20.


I'm not sure if this necklace will fit in with my style but I thought I'd give it a try.


This chain looks like a great basic and it's only $10.


And finally, the Gunmetals Bubbles Necklace. It didn't come up with an extra $30 off but already was discounted by 50%. In this case, I think that's good enough for me. I love me some bubbles.

In the sale section, the Cashmere and Silk V-Neck Cardigan has been restocked.


I have this cardi in black and purple and wear them a lot. They are warm and cozy. I ordered another in map green for $27.

Weeee. . . I can't wait for my loot to arrive. Merry Christmas to me!

RDog's first Martin and Osa order

RDog grew jealous of my Martin and Osa orders so he decided to do some spending on his own last week. He had a code for %25 off and free shipping. And he let me throw a few itens into his cart so good deals were had by all. Her is what he got:

Leather Motorcycle Jacket
He is not allowed to get an actual motorcycle so this is the cloest he will ever get to a cool biker look. He is digging the jacket and says it is nice and thin, perfect for fall layering.

Under the jacket is the Cotton-Wool Exposed Seam V-Neck Ringer Sweater. Boy, that is a mouthful.

This sweater has disappeared from Martin and Osa's site and I don't remember the name. I like it because it is nice and tight. RDog responded by flexing his muscles. Here's a hint RDog: don't pose in a silly fashion when your wife is standing in front of you with a camera. She WILL post it on her blog.

More on my new duds to come.

Martin and Osa New Arrivals

Yesterday I received an email from Martin and Osa entitled "Preferred Members: Exclusive Access To New Arrivals For Holidays". Am I really a preferred member or does everyone under the sun get this email? Either way, here is what I like from M&O's newest duds.

Sheer Layered Tank. This is suspiciously J Crew-like. I need more purple in my wardrobe so I can represent my school's colors. Go school go!

Sequin Collar Tee. It's a bt pricey for a tee at $45 but I know it will go on sale at some point.

Velvet Blazer. I'm digging this green color but my size is sold out already. What the deuce; I just got this email yesterday!

I'm really loving Martin and Osa lately especially given my recent rage at J Crew (that story will need a whole other post).

What are your picks from Martin and Osa's newest arrivals?

This week's shopping haul

I think this is the first time J Crew has had an additional percentage off sale and I haven't bought ONE thing! Yay for my credit card. I'm just tired of the crazy shipping fees. I really wanted a pair another cocktail capri but just couldn't bear to pay $13.50 in shipping. Instead, I turned to Martin and Osa with its free shipping and an extra %30 off. Here is what I ordered.

Cashmere Double-Breasted Shawl Collar Sweater

Yesterday this was $250. Today it was $79 + 30% off. I have no idea why it was marked down so much as it is a fairly new item. Most of the smaller sizes are sold out but medium is still left in navy. That was a no-brainer. 100% cashmere=love

I also got this shirred sleeveless shirt.

It will be great for layering and one can never have too many white shirts.

Then a few pairs of shorts (here and here). It will be nice to have new summer clothes in case we go down south this winter. Finding shorts for $10 is just lovely. Finally, another of the perfect v-neck sweaters because they are just perfect to throw on and go.

Martin & Osa - New Arrivals

This email from Martin & Osa popped in my inbox this morning:

I'm not sure if I am really special or if everyone on the planet received this email but I headed over to M&O's site to check it out anyways. There were, of course, lots of basics, but a few things stuck out for me.

Shawl Collar Fleece Cardigan

"Fitted like a blazer + fashioned like a cardigan, this versatile shawl collar knit is a modern update in a plush blend of super-soft fleece." This looks super cozy but still appropriate for my school with its wildly inaccurate heating system. I always need a stack of sweaters in my desk.

Autumn Print Belted Cowlneck Dress

I love Martin and Osa dresses. This one is so pretty. I don't know if I would get any wear out of it in my climate where the fall turns cold fairly quick.

Cap Sleeve Scoop-Neck Ponte Dress

This dress would be a better option for Canada's climate. I could add in some tights and a sweater and be all set.

There were lots of other great things like this that I will keep my eye on. Of course, I will be waiting for all of the above items to go on sale before purchasing. I love extra 30% off sales.