post-holiday bargain hunting

I went out after work yesterday for a little retail therapy session... one of my favorite Friday afternoon activities.  In addition to spending my Sephora gift card (which I did, splendidly!), I was hoping to find some post-holiday sales.  I hit H&M, knowing they'd be having their annual $5-20 sale.  I tried on 8 or 9 things, but none of them really struck me the right way - even the adorable red spaghetti strap swing-y top (which I was praying I was going to love) for $10.  Alas, it did nothing for my lack of a discernible waistline.  I did, however, find two great things for $5 each - and as an addendum to my last post, they were both long-ish basic tops.  The kicker is they're both from the H&M maternity line, Mama.

The reason they worked for me is they're not made with excess fabric in the front as maternity tops usually are, they're just REALLY LONG.  Apparently pregnant women continue to be a size 2 everywhere ..?  It makes no sense to me, but I cashed in regardless.  I am obsessed with tops and tunics that hit below the hip (I mostly wear low-rise pants and HATE to have even an infinitesimal chance of my stomach skin showing) and these are cut/made in a way where you can pull them down to almost mid-thigh (and the medium was still form-fitting, again confusing me as to how this is maternity wear?) or rouche it all up to hit at low-hip.  I got a white tank and a black tee, and I anticipate wearing them everywhere with everything.

I also found the most perfect pants on sale at Anthro -  Pilcro's stretch cord leggings.  The corduroy is very fine wale - almost velvety.  The store had olive green and slate gray/blue in my size.  They look exactly like pants (front and back pockets, fake button/zipper placket) but are exquisitely stretchy, soft and comfy.  And made to fit like leggings at the top (read: elastic waist area) but fit like skinny cords at the bottom, scrunching up perfectly at the ankle.  I got just the slate ones, and am already regretting not getting the olive pair too.  They will be gorgeous with boots, but would also look amazing with a pair of wedges, like Jeffrey Campbell's khaki Sheman, currently on sale at Need Supply (I think I have to get on that...)