Monday, August 18, 2008

Do You Sometimes Hide Your Love For J.Crew Too?

In posts throughout this blog, many Aficionadas have commented how they "strategically place" J.Crew packages out of common sight, or even visit J.Crew during sneaked opportunites, for the sole purpose that their loved one does not see it. I love reading these comments- not only because they are humorous, but because I have done those same practices! ;)

I definitely have a routine for J.Crew packages. The minute they arrive at the house, I remove all packaging and discard the cardboard boxes/shopping bags to the recycling bin in the garage. They are of course flattened to avoid any bulky appearance (which may make it seem like I bought more than I did). I also volunteer to place the recycle bins outside, again avoiding the packages being seen by anyone but me. ;)

My husband fully understands my devotion (okay addiction) to J.Crew. :) However I fear that if he saw all the J.Crew boxes and shopping bags that have accumulated, he would have a heart attack. ;)

What are some of your ways to "strategically place" J.Crew packages out of common sight? Do you have certain routines you follow?

83 comments:

  1. Alexis, my husband would do more than have a heart attack - he'd get a lawyer! I do engage in the same, sneaky behavior to avoid having a confrontation every single time a package arrives. In fact, I've begun paying for overnight shipping so I can be sure my delivery will arrive before my husband gets home from work. I also disassemble the packaging ASAP and place the flattened boxes in the garage inside of an old, unused (ha!) beach tote. Then I take them to work the next day to discard them. I know, I know, I know how wrong this is! I feel so guilty about lying to my husband. He does not mind my purchasing clothes, and he knows I need new pieces due to dropping sizes. He even agrees in s[ending for quality pieces. He just doesn't need to know that I order so often.

    Name Changed to Protect the Guilty!

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  2. JCrewMama: I love it! I love it all!!! I think it is great that you take the boxes, by tote, to work in order to throw them away. :)

    I agree that our husbands don't need to know how often we order- we are actually doing them a favor! ;)

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  3. My fiancee is spending-averse, on pretty much anything. :) As a software engineer, he spends his days contentedly in khaki shorts and free t-shirts he's picked up from various companies / in college / whatever. I wish he was a sharper dresser, but don't begrudge him his style, because in his field, his YouTube / eBay / hot-company-of-the-moment shirts are like his badge of honor. :)

    But I hate that he expects me to do the exact same thing! And free shirts for women? Generally atrocious.

    So I do the same thing - I buy and slip items in my closet and flatten the boxes. I'm also the cleaner of the two of us so he doesn't even really notice. If he asks me if something is new, I generally say "No, I've had this for awhile!" Usually, I'm not lying - I'm not one of those "wear right away" people when I buy clothes. I like to put it in my closet, let it bond with the other clothes, see if it's a good "fit." :) And that's my story!

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  4. I watch the tracking numbers online and try to make sure I intercept the package or the notice UPS leaves on the door. I have planned some of my days around the expectation of a delivery! My number one tactic is to leave b& m packages in the car and bring them in when my husband is in the shower. Unfortunately he notices every new piece, so it doesn't matter if he sees the box or shopping bag. I still play the hiding game, though.

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  5. I LOVE you guys! These stories are great... I totally thought I was the only one and was feeling all sorts of guilt about it. (What can I say, I was raised Catholic - it goes with the territory!) My husband recently got a new job very close to home and comes home for lunch - I was sure my online shopping days were going to be over! Luckily, the UPS man now comes between 2 and 3 - I'm sure he's sick of me too, because the packages have gone from being placed on my door to kind of thrown there. Ha, I bet at this point he just throws them from the road like the paperboy!

    Husband almost never buys clothes, and by the time he does he's in such dire need for work shirts, he just goes right to Macy's and pays full price for whatever. He has no appreciation for a good bargain.

    Funny, the other day I got a package from eBay that my USPS guy delivered early, and at the side door. So when I get home it's on the dining room table (eek!) and he's all, "What's in it?" It was the chocolate/merlot small Anya bag from last September, that I got for $150 from eBay and it looks brand new (even came in the dustbag!). Seriously, I love it - even more so because it was purchased from money made from selling clothes, so I *techinically* didn't spend anything on it. He would've thought I was insane to spend $150 on a bag - imagine if I told him full retail was $395!

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  6. I feel so much less evil now! Now I know that if I go to Hell for my deception, we'll be there together - and we'll look GOOD! ;-)

    Confession time (and I'm not even Catholic!) Last night, by the light of the moon, I bought the Uptown Tote in Cherry Guava. It's supposed to be delivered on Tuesday. My husband is out of town this week, so that gives me till Friday to dispose of the evidence . . .

    I'm seriously never using my real name here again - if my husband ever finds this blog, I'd be screwed!

    jcrewmama

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  7. You guys are lucky! My husband works from home. Our house is in a little hollow, so he has the perfect view of the UPS man aka
    "My Best Friend" arriving almost every time. It doesn't help that the UPS guy always makes some comment about how many packages I am getting. However, the days he is traveling, I do the exact same things as Melanie! Phew - so happy to get this off my chest! The guilt was killing me. So glad there are others out there.

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  8. HAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!! I love all the comments about our J Crew purchases, it really hits close to home. My UPS man says his wife LOVES J Crew too! I think my DH has pretty much given up on me and now just accepts my J Crew "addiction"!

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  9. I sometimes order stuff online to be delivered at work and when it arrives, I try to estimate its arrival so I can be the one who answers the door. Also if I buy something on my lunch hour I always stuff it in my purse because I don't want my co-workers to know I've been shopping. I cut all tags off before I bring it home so my husband doesn't know. I'm a closet J.Crew shopper!!

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  10. jcrewmama, I laughed so hard! I'll be seeing you in hell... with my Anya tote! ;)

    There is something so satisfying about that *snip* of removing a tag off a new piece of clothing - kind of like popping bubble wrap!

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  11. I adore the San Remo dress in the picture for this post. I have seen Natalie Morales wearing one on the today show. She wears quite a bit of J Crew, actually.

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  12. Ha ha! I am soo lucky..UPS literally comes 30 minutes before my hubby gets home. Just enough time to get everything unpacked, hung in the closet and the packages hidden at the bottom of the garbage. I do all the finances so he never sees my purchases. My only concern is when my 3 year old is going to finally tell daddy that "mommy got another prize in the mail today!"

    I think he figured it out a bit when he went w/ me to the B&M store the other day and they addressed him by name. He thought that was a bit odd...I said oh I am sure I've mentioned you on the occasion I have been in there. They must have a great memory:)

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  13. I have to say that the whole website fiasco...I mean upgrade...has completely messed up the beautiful J.Crew package plan I had in place. Prior to the fiasco I would make sure to place orders I knew would not arrive on a Friday, as my hubby sometimes takes that day off. This meant I could safely order Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday. The only *iffy* day was Tuesday, since the package would more than likely arrive Friday, but if something came available I just couldn't wait for, then I would risk it. I was also able to easily track the packages with WORKING UPS tracking numbers, and knew FOR SURE which day they were coming. My UPS man usually comes in the early afternoon, so I tend to be safe, except that now my littlest ones sometimes unintentionally give me away in their excitement to share their *what happened at home today* stories with daddy. I also leave a Rubbermaid bucket by the door, so if I am not home the UPS man and USPS mail carrier know to put any packages I receive in the bucket *in case it rains*. Then if my hubby beats me home, he has no idea anything has been delivered. Anymore it really doesn't matter as much, as he knows I order even if I don't tell him, and he just assumes the packages are coming anyways...he knows I am obsessed. :)

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  14. How funny! I used to do all of the same things until my husband decided to be the budget police. He works with some kind of budget software on the computer that downloads all of our purchases so he can categorize them, and I can't tell you how many times he's asked me, "honey, what'd you get at jcrew last week?" BUSTED!!!

    Now that we're both in grad school, however, we've had to cut back on clothing purchases so I only get a certain amount per month. I'm pretty sure I'm already into October's money :)

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  15. Appgal...I do that w/ handbags. That is my other obsession. Every time I buy one I tell hubby it is an early aniversary, b-day, x-mas, etc gift. I'm pretty sure I'm up to 2014 holidays!!

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  17. Confession: I'm definitely reading this blog and commenting right now during my planning period at school. They didn't block the site! I'm hooked :)

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  18. appgal - omg, my husband has just started doing the same thing! He has these elaborate Excel budget spreadsheets with all sorts of scenarios (1 income, 2 incomes, me part-time, me not working, etc., etc.) and has never taken my $ into account but now thinks we should start "aggressively saving". Uh... noooooooooo! ;)

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  19. I think I definitely have it easier than some of you. My husband is a pilot and is gone every other week. If I order something and it comes the week he is home, I'm busted, but the weeks he is gone, I have a shopping frenzy! I got rid of the um...5 J Crew boxes I received before he got home on Saturday! :)

    Happy hiding everyone!

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  20. OT: my orders for the Jackie Cardigans and Cropped Chinos are out for delivery today...YAY!!! I also wanted to let you all know that there is a Tropical Storm headed towards us, and it has good potential to become a Hurricane before it hits Florida. That means strong potential for power loss (aka no computer, as well), evacuations, tornadoes, etc...anyways, if I am not online later this week, that is why. Just wanted to give you all a heads up. :)

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  21. ffm-
    Make sure you put a couple of bricks on top of your Rubbermaid tote in case you get any packages. You wouldn't want them to blow away!
    Great strategy!

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  22. While MMiller completely understands why I love Jcrew (he loves it too) our incomes haven't merged into one household yet so he can't complain.

    I think both he and my mother wonder how I save as much as I do. But I really dont buy very many expensive pieces and lately all the boxes have mostly been things I didn't ORDER!

    Since my mother lives at home on a strictly very part time basis (its more of a glorified closet for her) I do try and hide the boxes. But she honestly doesnt really care. She knows I need to build a new wardrobe right now and she respects that. And in the process she has also come to love Jcrew clothes... in fact I am ordering her two bathing suits today. She tried on mine and loved them so much she wants them (and her body looks even better than mine in them--- and she is 60. Can we say a collective curse on her soul? Thanks).

    I do feel shopper guilt... but not half as much now as I did in Graduate school. I am no longer living on loans/whatever money was left over from my college fund. I am buying things but I am also saving money and the money i earn is all mine... so until MMiller is done with law school... I am FREE!!! ----And even there after I am, FFM That card is in a lock box and the lock box is hidden!

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  23. janek: Thanks! My UPS packages are set to come today, and so far it is sunny out (the calm before the storm)! :) The tote is actually at the side door on our deck (where he delivers)...we live on a private drive and only have 2 neighbors that aren't really near us, so the tote isn't an *eye soar* to anyone, fortunately, and very lucky for me, too! :)

    blumre: So glad the card is locked up...you may need it someday (though hopefully not)!

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  24. I get everything shipped to work and take it out of all packaging to take home. That way I can throw it in my closet and he's none the wiser. I am beginning to feel some self-conscious with my mailroom guys at work though, I feel like they're constantly bringing J Crew packages up to me! I get some other deliveries because of the nature of my job so I thought they blended in but lately one guy has been coming over and saying "here's more laundry" as he leaves my package - so busted!

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  25. I have all of my packages delivered to my office. This weekend I bought a skirt at J Crew and instead of a shopping bag I just put it in my diaper bag since I was at the mall with hubby:-)

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  26. I'm surprised that only Cori has items delivered to work. That where I usually get things sent. Not because I'm hiding them, but there's no home to sign for them.

    Did any of you ever consider sending the delivery to a 'safe house'? Send it to a friends and get it later. Just a thought.

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  27. I don't have a problem with a husband but instead it is the UPS drivers comments, "here is another one", sometimes UPS delivers 2 boxes at once, you should hear the comments then.

    OT I am expecting a UPS parcel today, and the order is still showing open on JC website, does this mean a duplicate order showing up at my door? I hate this new system.

    FFM: Good luck this week!

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  28. anon @9:47: I also still have orders that have been delivered and show as OPEN. I haven't received duplicates on them, either. Just keep an eye on your billing statements to make sure you don't get double billed. :) Thanks for the well wishes...I keep hoping the storm will turn away from us!

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  29. Y'all are too funny! My husband's hours are all over the place, and our UPS guy tends to come in the late afternoon, so I'm always busted. I actually asked the UPS guy last week if he could come a little earlier. He rolled his eyes at me.
    My "it was all on sale" line isn't working as much lately, but I find if I usually include something in the package for my husband, he tends not to be AS irked. My 4 year-old gets disappointed when there isn't anything in it for her, so I end up buying for her and her sister, too. Sigh. It adds up...
    Good thing I'm back at school in a few weeks. I'll live vicariously through everyone else's purchases for awhile.

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  30. I can never hide incoming J crew boxes from my husband because I get too excited about them coming that I can't keep my mouth shut. The whole family will know that I am expecting a package!

    Once, just once, the UPS driver made an error and it sent me into a tailspin trying to recover my package. The UPS driver left a neighbors package on my doorstop. I didn't think to look at the name on the package because I was expecting something. I opened it up to find a hat in there but I had ordered tons of stuff (pants, scarf, etc) and I was soooo upset all night!! Then the next morning I drove to my neighbor's house and lo and behold, there was my package at her doorstop. She had not taken it in yet. I switched the packages and left a note to explain why hers was opened and I was one happy camper!!!

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  31. I, too, am guilty of "hiding" packages. Since my husband is usually not at home when the UPS man comes, I am safe. But I still have to eradicate the trail. I get rid of the packaging asap and put all the wrapping and boxes in the recycling bin. Since we live in the city, there is not much hiding space in the house...so it helps to be creative. Sometimes, I put new clothing in drycleaning covers and pretend that those items are just back from the cleaners. And I keep my JCrew CC bill away from plain sight always!

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  32. This thread is so funny! Just adding that we have a joint account for bills and still have our eparate accounts so I never have to explain charge totals. I wish my UPS lady would lighten up, though. It's not fun signing for things from a statue that has just enough humanity to act put out.

    FFM -- Good luck w/the storm and hope you & fam are safe.

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  33. My husband usually doesn't know how often the UPS delivery comes! So I do the same as most of you...sneak it in the closet and get rid of the boxes! A few times when Jcrew messed up with the delivery time, my DH would see me calling Jcrew...then I would "casually" comment what a great sale I saw the other day online and I placed an order...and I would give an example..."you know, there was this sweater for $148 and now it's only $49.99 plus extra discounts." And he answers, "wow, what a great deal!" My DH knows how much I love shopping, especially at Jcrew and he THINKS he has an idea of what I spend. However, my true feeling is that his estimates is not even close! ...Let's just keep it that way, I guess!

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  34. My husband usually doesn't know how often the UPS delivery comes! So I do the same as most of you...sneak it in the closet and get rid of the boxes! A few times when Jcrew messed up with the delivery time, my DH would see me calling Jcrew...then I would "casually" comment what a great sale I saw the other day online and I placed an order...and I would give an example..."you know, there was this sweater for $148 and now it's only $49.99 plus extra discounts." And he answers, "wow, what a great deal!" My DH knows how much I love shopping, especially at Jcrew and he THINKS he has an idea of what I spend. However, my true feeling is that his estimates is not even close! ...Let's just keep it that way, I guess!

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  35. Oops...sorry for posting twice.

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  36. I am also guilty of hiding the evidence. These stories make me feel a lot better about it though! :) My UPS truck usually arrives 30 minutes before my dh gets home too so I also have time to hide the edivence and try the items on REALLY, REALLY fast. However, my dh always calls me during his drive home...which is perfect timing for him to hear the doorbell ring and the going CRAZY with barking! At this point, I'm afraid he knows exactly what that ring is all about. So I've started coming up with reasons to let him off the phone fast when I see the truck drives up. I usually tell him I need to start dinner and then begin my evacuation of the evidence.

    The only glitch in my routine is when the kids decide to announce to daddy that ANOTHER j. crew box came today! :-0

    ffm: Good Luck! You and your family stay safe!

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  37. sorry, supposed to read "...the DOG going CRAZY with barking..." :)

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  38. I always had stuff delivered to my work, and would sneak it in the house when my husband was out. Then, I'd wear it for the first time when he went out of town, so that later I could say, 'oh, I've worn this before.'

    I've also been known to scuff up the soles of new shoes for the same reason!

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  39. FYI -- There is an email in my box from J Crew. Today is the last opportunity for EXTRA30.

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  40. ...wait -- interestingly it sales that it's online & in-stores. So I wonder if the b&ms will have an addtl 30%, instead of 40%. I won't be checking. I'm going on a 7-day fast from clothes shopping. Wish me luck.

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  41. I am so happy to be in good company with all of you and your (crazy!) stories, I too have done pretty much what all of (the crazy stuff)you have. My issue is that my fiance orders a lot of stuff on line as well (not jcrew but his "hobby parts") so UPS is always coming for one of us...I think, what must UPS think??? If my fiance sees it's a JCREW box instead of one of his he gets so sad but if there is one for me and him usually I get a "pass". When I have gotten "another box!" comments, I say, "but it was on sale!!!" Sometimes I have said, oh they sent me the wrong size so this is an EXCHANGE!!! lol
    FFM-stay safe! I hope no jcrew boxes get blown away!!

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  42. gigi-I got the same email. so stupid. good luck on your fast...somehow I think living without food may be easier than without jcrew orders, ha ha.

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  43. weab-you can say it's the girl scouts selling cookies or politicians soliciting votes when the doorbell rings!

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  44. Man, I am guilty. I buy J.Crew gift cards {for myself} whenever I get a cash gift and then use these when I shop online so the charge does not look so high when the bank statement comes in.

    Also, one of my mom's friends once told me that the secret to maintaining a good marriage and your shopping habit is never to wear your new clothes right away. Stow them in the back of your closet for a week or so. Then when you wear it and your husband asks if it is new, you can honestly say, "No, this thing! It's just been handing in the back of my closet."

    However, I know my husband knows. we have developed a code where instead of asking if something is new he says, "Well that looks nice!" (which is different then his typical complements)

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  45. Everyone: I really enjoyed reading everyone's comments here. I just had a big smile on my face as I was reading them all. They are just great! :)

    Also JCrewMama- I laughed so hard at your "if I go to Hell for my deception, we'll be there together - and we'll look GOOD" comment- so funny and so true! :)

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  46. Haahahha!!!shannon: I do the Same thing! "Oh, no honey. I've had this for awhile! You never notice anything!" Works like a charm...then HE'S left defending himself instead. ;)

    caw: lol! ITA! I think I'd have a much better chance against food than j.crew!

    In fact, my DH was saying he thinks we should collectively BOYCOTT until all the issues are fixed and we should start it on September 1st and go through the last fiscal quarter (and most lucrative for them) and really get them where it hurts.

    Well, I had a REALLY great laugh over that one! I think he's trying to push his OWN agenda! My not spending ;) I told him it was an impossibility because that's when all the really great things come out and how I make my Christmas List...Not going to happen!

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  47. Weab: Too much! My husband said a similar thing to me- He wanted me to be firm about my J.Crew boycott (which I am totally not pursuing anymore by the way- I gave that up awhile ago) because he thought I should send them a message. But I knew what that meant- he wanted me to stop spending so much at J.Crew- just like your husband! ;)

    Maybe we should start a second blog for the "Spouses of J.Crew Aficionadas". ;)

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  48. @ molly: omg I have noticed too that she wears quite a bit of J. Crew. I felt a bit weird though being able to point out exactly what she was wearing. Perhaps its her luck of working in a building that has a J. Crew in it (Rockefeller Center). I know that if some of you ladies worked in the same building as J. Crew, you all would be BROKE!

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  49. Alexis: Lol! I think that's a dangerous suggestion though...the DHs may end up collectively boycotting US! ;)

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  50. Kinda OT: Are order processing times a crapshoot now? I placed an order last Thursday and it still lists as "open" on the jcrew website.

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  51. OT: Thank you for all the kind words and well wishes about the up coming storm...I really, really, really hate this part of living in Florida! :(

    I also have a package coming FedEx tomorrow (my Polka Dot San Telmo), so I hope the driver makes it out early enough in the day to get it here...otherwise I guess it sits in the FedEx warehouse until they start delivering again...that would suck. :(

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  52. Whenever I shop at the retail store, I bring (multiple) canvas bags to tote my purchases home. This way my illicit J.crew love could simply be library books or whatever if my husband is at home when I get back from the mall!

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  53. molly and others-I love natalie morales too and she does wear a lot of jcrew! I wonder if she gets it for free from the store next door? She is pregnant now so hasn't been wearing as much butI have seen her in the waverly, tulip jackets and cash lily, also that san remo dress which I WISH I had.
    Just think how lovely hell will be, piled high in jcrew cardboard surrounded by our clothes!

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  54. haha, hell would be a giant Final Sale with nothing but sour lemon/citron/light citron/bright citron/whathaveyou!

    FFM - hope you and your family stay safe, and that the San Telmo makes it there sooner rather than later!

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  55. I love that San Remo print so much. I wish they would bring it back! I have one sweater in San Remo, and I get soooo many compliments on it. They are hard colors for me to wear, but I combine it wwith an orange shirt underneath and dusk gray pants and make it WORK!

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  56. molly, i have the sweater too and tend not to wear it that much, but I like that idea, gray pants. I usually do navy

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  57. this is the best thread! I too try to get boxes before my fiance comes home, get rid of all the evidence, and tell him that "I've had this for awhile" when he does notice something new (which isn't very often). I also use, "it was such a great price" and "I need to build my professional wardrobe."

    he's been good lately though. I've been traveling a lot, and he's picked up quite a few boxes recently. The one thing the website fiasco has come in handy for - "but honey, the system is messed up and they keep sending me multiples!" :)

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  58. I have to say that my husband is very supportive of my love (and sometimes hate) of j. crew. He will go shopping with me and entertain our son while I spend way too much time in the dressing room or making decisions on the "perfect purchase," and he never complains. He even comes in with the mail and says, "Honey, I'm going to make your day...new j.crew catalog!!" But as a sahm we agreed that I receive a shopping allowance every month. So that helps with his "support," I'm sure. :) It's not always fun but definitely the smart thing to do(for us).

    FFM: Good luck and be safe! I have relatives that used to live in Pensacola. Not a fun time of year. Hopefully it will die down! :)

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  59. Anonymous @ 12:52 PM - I placed an order around midnite Wed, so it was Thu EST. My order is also still showing open. I don't know how often they update the shipping page, though. So I just called. The placed me on hold to check. She came back and said it was sent out on 8/14 and she gave me a tracking number. It's the correct# of digits and format (most of them begin 1Z...) but I don't see it in the UPS system. Two things I am guessing, 1) J Crew doesn't update their order status page as much as we'd hope & 2) My package hasn't been picked up by UPS yet and put in their system. I'm optimistic. I'll try the UPS website againt tomorrow.

    Anon @ 12:59 - I do the same! I always leave and come home with the same Trader Joe's eco bags. I imagine that my husband knows what I'm doing, but we both pretend otherwise.

    caw - My husband orders a lot online as well. This morning he said USPS and UPS must think we are drug dealers since we receive so many packages coming from all over. When I receive an eBay item I always tell him something like, 'That must be the sweater I just got for $2.29.' Guess I will be looking good in hell, too! :-)

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  60. It takes 24-48 AFTER the first scan for your JCrew order's tracking number to appear on the UPS website (according to JCrew CS)

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  61. I forgot to type the word HOURS.

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  62. We all have our vices/weaknesses... my dh's are cufflinks and ties), so I look the other way when I find his "extra" or mysterious wrapping/packages from his favorite stores. He, too, gets handwritten notes from SAs from "his" stores (Burberry/ PINK).

    So, he reciprocates by pretending not to notice the numerous JCrew flat boxes in the recycling everyweek.

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  63. FFM: I hope you & your family will be safe! Hopefully the storm won't be a hurricane, and won't affect your area.

    JCrew Guy in Canada: A safe house- brilliant!!! Love the idea. :)

    Everyone: Let's hope our spouses never see this thread! ;)

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  64. OMG I am sooo covert when it comes to hiding my J Crew packages. As I have previously mentioned, when school is in session I toss the boxes in the dumpster behind the school after removing all clothing and wrapping it laundry style in a large blanket and carrying it upstairs to hide in my closet. I do this under cover of darkness and put the boxes in the back of my SUV where they are out of sight. I have also had my wonderfully well trained UPS man put the packages behind our hot tub OR deliver them at my mother's house if my husband is home. Last week my husband finished early with patients and I had a box sitting in the middle of the kitchen. The moment he walked in I said that I had a question about something out in the garage, and as he turned and went back outside I gave the box a hard kick that sent it swooshing into the sunroom and out of sight. Whew.

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  65. FFM: I am wearing my Elizabeth Halter today and it is fabulous!

    I hope that you and your family stay safe AND that your husband had a very Happy Birthday yesterday! Take care!!! :)

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  66. JCrewJunkie: Your posts are making me laugh out loud!! Kicking the box away, having the delivery guy deliver to your mom's house... too funny! I love reading about it. :)

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  67. I'm in university and I'm home for the summer, and I have a retail job so my hours are all over the place. It's SO hard to intercept the multiple J. Crew packages that come to the house.....I'll sometimes come home on my half hour lunch break if I'm expeting a package so my parents won't find it and grill me about how much money I'm spending at J. Crew...sometimes I'll even switch around my shifts or get rid of them entirely so I can intercept a package!

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  68. Thank you all for sharing and having/giving such great laughs with this post. (And thanks for the great new ideas, like the Rubbermaid container!) I laughed till I cried, and I truly do not feel so guilty knowing I'm not alone in my J.Crew obsession. Hey, I must be improving, because before I was obsessed with multiple shops,. Now, I'm down to mostly one! :-)

    FFM, I spent 6 months in Florida during a hurrican season (in Winter Park) and it was enough for me. (I much preferred CA and it's earthquakes - much more random and no anticipatory worries.) I hope you and yours all fare well with Faye. Please post to us and let us know when she has passed.

    jcrewmama (who is no longer using her real name for fear her hubby may find this blog, so please do a "Men in Black" for me and burn it from your memories!)

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  69. hi guys - been trying to stay away so I can save up my typing for my dissertation. Since cutting my finger typing has become a big chore. But I missed you guys :)

    I have several strategies. I ship to my parent's house and my neighbor's house. I alternate so neither thinks I'm crazy. Then I pay my bill in the store with money I have pocketed through cash back at the grocery store. Extremely devious I know :(

    My trick around the holidays is to buy gifts and add one item per trip for myself :( Devious too, I know.

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  70. ffm: I hope you, your family, and your packages stay safe!! I'll be thinkin of ya.

    weab: I got my package (well my neighbor got my package) in the mail today!! Thanks for the jacket. I love love love it!

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  71. caw....everyone...my fast was a bust.

    Another $150 to J Crew. I had to get another Baird McNutt (93765) in Navy. And since you all were going crazy w/color combos, I bravely and confidently ordered Jackies in Sour Lemon and Bright Azul along w/a couple of tees.

    Fast begins again at 8:00p PST!!!!! I'm going to be really busy this week so I hope to make it.

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  72. gigiofca: you crack me up with "the fast was a bust"!

    I know exactly how you feel. I put myself on jcrew fasts all the time. They typically last less than 8 hours. If I even make it that long.

    Congrats on the purchases though. They sound fab!

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  73. gigiofca: that still gives you 1.5 hours until your fast begins again. Anything you still want?

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  74. kater - Well...at least I didn't go to a b&m today. That's one point for me. :-) I got the EXTRA30, but didn't get free shipping. She said there was only space for one code. I actually didn't mind paying $14.50 today because of the value of the items. You know...the items I got are great quality, plus I got the 30%.

    blumre - OMG! You EnablR!!!! ;-)

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  75. blumre and gigiofca: that was a great enabling line...:)

    I'm trying really hard to hold out and not order a thing until friday, when I'll stop by a b&m. who knows what will happen though, if something in my cart goes on sale. I can make no promises about my fast under those circumstances...

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  76. Hehe I know, I'm bad. I'm sorry... um NOT

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  77. Off topic, but the dress and sandals in the picture were some of my favorites of 2007 ... .

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  78. jcrewbug: I'm so glad you like the jacket! The color is great, isn't it! How are you going to wear it?

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  79. Thanks again to EVERYONE for the thoughts and safe wishes regarding the storm that is hitting Florida. Fortunately for us it has remained a tropical storm...YAY! We are expecting the worst of the storm to hit us later this afternoon, and with it comes the threat of Tornadoes and loss of power...if all goes well we will experience neither, and it will just be two days of rain and strong winds for us. Thanks again everyone! :)

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  80. ffm - great news! That's good to hear. :-)

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  81. I typically pull the whole "I've had this shirt/whatever for a really long time" when questioned by my husband. I'm going home to visit my parents next week so I'm having a package delivered to their house...it's much better than the stress of hoping and praying that I'll be the one to answer the door when the UPS man comes by!

    I get to go to a B&M for the first time in 4 months next week! Hurrah!

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  82. All these stories crack me up!

    Mr. Hex and I have a yours-mine-ours arrangement, so technically it's none of his business what I spend from my own account (and likewise I'm not supposed to roll my eyes at a new video game or BB shirt). Still, I don't like to advertise my spending. He works at home but usually he doesn't check the back steps (where UPS leaves the packages). Then, I smuggle them into the downstairs bathroom, which he never uses. Then, I smuggle the boxes into the walk-in closet upstairs, and they stay there until he has a meeting and I can break them down and put them in the recycle bin.

    But, as I related the other day, we were downstairs and heard a huge crashing noise. We rushed upstairs to find that the cat had gotten into the closet and knocked over the four-foot high pyramid of boxes. He just shook his head and laughed

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