Bloomingdale’s Department Store

Calphalon 14" Non-Stick Pan from Bloomingdales:

Having friends from the New York area, I had always heard of how great "Bloomie's" (as they call it) was. So, you can imagine their excitement when Bloomingdale's finally came to the Atlanta area. Bloomingdale's arrived at two locations in Atlanta in 2003--Lenox Mall in Buckhead and Perimeter Mall in Dunwoody.

At casual glance, Bloomingdale's may seem, to some, to be a higher-priced version of other department stores, but to truly appreciate the difference, you will have to experience it for yourself. For example, I saw brands advertised which were easily found in stores like Macy's (which were often just a short walk down the mall). But Bloomingdale's does something unique--if they sell the same item as advertised at similar stores, you simply bring in the advertisement and you can get the item at the same price--in Bloomingdale's. I know other stores do this; however, for me, the service will likely draw you back to "Bloomie's" over and over again.

My first visit was on a shopping trip to browse for cookware; I was not "set" on any particular brand. While I stopped in a different department store (in the same mall) first, thinking (of course) about the price, finding an associate was a task within itself. After a quick casual browse, I decided to see what Bloomingdale's had to offer... just for fun. What I found was an attentive staff who greeted me almost immediately. Not pushy, though, the salesperson asked if there was something particular I was searching for. I chose to browse quietly, but noticed two quick things: one, it was a Saturday and they had a cooking demonstration from a local chef at one of the nice restaurants in the area (not just a product demonstrator who may or may not interact with you, like those at your grocery store). Plus, these top chefs left you with a couple of terrific recipes, sure to impress your friends the next time you host dinner at your home. Second, I noticed that once I began focusing on a particular line of cookware, the salesperson doubled around to explain a little about them and to engage me as much as I was comfortable. Though I didn't plan to purchase anything at the time, she suggested if I wanted to "dip my toes in the water", so to speak, there was a pan from that cookware brand, on sale for a great price.

I was not only sold on the pan (which has since become one of my favorites). She showed me how to clean it and explained the best way to keep it in "like new" condition while using it regularly. She offered to put my name and contact information in her book to contact me when similar items went on sale. Perfect experience all the way around, and she won herself (and the store) a brand new customer.

Have to say quickly, though, that Bloomingdale's caters to the high-end fashion customer, so you really see a big difference when you venture to that department. Girls, the shoe department will call your name! They also have a furniture department with pieces that are elegantly unique.

Pros: Personalized service. Unique items and brands not easily found elsewhere. If you want to make a statement, even if it's just with a few pieces, this will quickly become a go-to store. Though they cater to a high-end customer, everybody loves a sale...so when they run one, it is GREAT. Some of the best buys I've gotten are on unadvertised sales.

Cons: Some brands, especially in certain sections of the store, are available elsewhere. The service, however, is not (especially in other department stores).

Other Info: The Perimeter store in Dunwoody closed in the spring of 2012. The Dunwoody area stores focus on home goods, so this is no huge surprise for Atlanta residents. The store at Lenox Mall, however, is still open.

Online or In-Store: Store

Recommended: Yes

Overall Rating: 5 Stars

Aqua Wrap Scarf in Gold Purchased At Bloomingdales:

Last October, my brother got married. I was in the wedding party and picked out this beautiful brown strapless dress. I loved the way it looked on me, but I had a very hard time finding the appropriate accessories for my dress. The wedding took place in Lancaster, Pennsylavania in a particularly cool autumn, and all the women in the party had to wear a shawl with their dress because the ceremony was outdoors. First I found my shoes, these striking sequin gold high heels that I could barely walk in, but looked amazing. Then I had to find an evening bag- that is where I began to run into trouble. It took me weeks of shopping and bouncing from one store to another before finally finding a bag that was in my price range, looked appealing to me and matched my shoes and dress. Now that I had my dress, my shoes and my bag, I had to find a shawl that matched everything. Honestly, I though finding a brown or gold wrap scarf that went with my outfit wouldn't be very difficult, but boy was I wrong. I think it was the week before the wedding that I finally found a shawl that had the gold and brown tones that matched the colors I had already picked out. I stumbled upon the scarf while browsing the Bloomingdales.com website. I'll admit, it didn't look at all like it was going to keep me warm during the October wedding, and it didn't- but at that point I was just relieved to finally find a wrap that matched my dress and my accessories. As a bride-to-be, I know how important a wedding day can be, and I wanted to make sure I made my sister-in-law's wedding go as smoothly as possible- even if that just meant she didn't have to stress about my outfit.

Pros: The biggest pro of this wrap scarf is that it matched my wedding dress for my brother's wedding. It also looked BEAUTIFUL. I love the way the designs in the scarf brought out my accessories and made my dress pop.

Cons: For a scarf, the Aqua wrap was a bit expensive. I wouldn't normally spend $74.99 on a scarf, but it was a week before the wedding and I was running out of options. It is also very thin, making it not a very insulating scarf, more of an accessory than a source of warmth.

Amount Paid: I paid $74.99 for my Aqua wrap scarf in gold

Date Purchased: October 1, 2012

Online or In Store: Online

Recommended: No, I wouldn't recommend this scarf. It is cute, but it is very expensive and too thin- to me it defeats the purpose of a scarf.

Rating: 2 Stars

Bloomingdale’s Splendid Rugby Jersey:

Bloomingdale’s has always been the kind of store that I think of as too fancy for everyday shopping. I had browsed the fine dress section when I needed a gown, and I enjoy looking at the high end bags and wallets. If I had a different kind of budget for clothes and accessories, I would love to shop there all of the time. I am, however, on their email list and was intrigued when I got an email from them about a secret sale with big discounts on clothes that were already marked down.

I started browsing the casual clothes section and I could not believe the low prices on brands that I had always thought were out of reach for me. High end brands with completely affordable prices seemed almost too good to be true. After browsing as quickly as I could before the store sold out of the best stuff, I settled on a few different casual tops.

The Splendid brand of clothes is made from the softest fabrics imaginable, and they are usually found in boutiques or high end department stores. They are cut really well for a woman's figure, and they are dyed beautifully. This is not your standard t-shirt or long sleeve shirt. They also offer skirts and dresses, but everything is usually on the casual side. I would never pay full price for one of these casual shirts, but I found a really pretty rugby in jewel tones that was almost a quarter of its original price. I snagged on in my size. There were others in a different color that were equally nice, and I would have gotten more than one, but they were sold out before I could get another one.

My shirt came in the mail quickly and was packaged beautifully. Such a nice change of pace to get a package from Bloomies! The quality is exactly what I hoped for. It is a really cute top that looks like splurge, but is actually as affordable as the rest of my weekend wardrobe. As a nice bonus, the shipping was free. I don’t think that is always the case, but it was during this particular sale.

Pros: The online store is really well organized and I found it easy to shop and browse. The prices were much lower than I expected from such a fancy store, and the quality was still incredible. The idea of designer clothes at bargain prices has me hooked waiting for the next sale.

Cons: Some pieces were selling out. Getting to the sale early is important, and I’ll remember that for the next time. I think I would have found a lot more if I had shopped earlier in the day.

Amount Paid: $ 40

Purchase Date: March 2013

DID YOU PURCHASE ONLINE OR IN STORE: Online

Final Notes: I am really glad that I lost my bias against this store and gave it a chance. While it definitely carries expensive items that are way over my budget, and frankly not my taste, there was plenty that I could afford. I’d much rather pay these prices for quality items than for cheaper goods that will fall apart quickly or will not be as flattering.

Recommended: Yes

Overall Rating: 5

Review Title: Profile by Gottex Tri Colore Lattice D Cup Tankini Top & Tri Colore Lattice Skirted Tankini Bottom By Bloomingdale’s Department Store

Title: Profile by Gottex Tri Colore Lattice D Cup Tankini Top & Tri Colore Lattice Skirted Tankini Bottom

Review Body: I have actually already bought myself something new for summer. My Tankini Top & Tri Colored Lattice Skirted Tankini Bottom arrived over the weekend, I ordered them from Bloomingdales – and I love them.

Many of you may be asking what a tankini is – it’s all the rage in swimwear now. It could be looked at as the modest model to the bikini. It’s a two-piece swimsuit featuring a tank top, rather than a bra top, which is common in styles of bikinis. I first noticed them in the 80’s and they have gained in popularity since then. The bottom and top can often be bought individually to contain different needs in sizing for the upper and lower halves of the body.

The tankini tank top can still expose some skin dependent on the style. Some end at the waist leaving a few inches of skin exposed. Some fit precisely to the bottom waistband offering more skin coverage. It is all what you are comfortable with.

Tankinis are what women with long torsos have been waiting for since a one-piece is too short. It offers the illusion of a torso that is shorter and is more comfortable for women to wear. It also offers more security than the bikini bra top, as there are fewer accidental exposures.

For those with more curves who want to choose the tankini, it is a great idea to look for the type where skin coverage is between the two pieces is at its maximum. This is attained by finding styles of tank tops slightly longer and bottoms that go all the way to the waist. With a tank top that is shorter or bottom, that is shorter, extra fat or skin around the middle can bulge out unappealingly and cause a look that is unflattering.

There is a skin-revealing suit, a much newer style of the tankini named the camikini that has a camisole type top that is low-cut and is regularly matched with a string bikini bottom.

I ordered from the Profiles by Gottex collection – it is a tri-colored lattice tankini top that is a D cup and tri colored lattice skirted tankini bottom. I absolutely love it!! It feels so much better than a one piece or a bikini.

It has ruffles with pops of color that have made Gottex’s popular, not so black basic tankini top, so it is ideal with an assortment of bottoms of the swim skirt that are coordinating. It is made of polyamide/elastane, which is hand washable. They are adjustable, bra-style straps in contrast color with trim ruffle at hem and neckline. Also has padded cups and is fitted at the bust, but much looser fit at body.

This is my solution for this summer – it is so comfortable and I just love this new look in swimwear.

Pros: Covers more than a bikini but is still fitted – it is just more comfortable with less accidents happening.

Cons: None

Website Experience: This is Bloomingdale’s website that is really sharp looking. Navigation is menu driven with main menu at the top of the page to be used with menu down the left side. Website has all type of clothes for both men and women. There are lots of choices on one page to eventually get down to the product being featured on one page with extra photos and magnification. Product pages have just enough details to leave lots of white space so no cluttered look. This website offers lots of items, which provide very pleasant shopping experience.

Amount Paid: $172.00

Purchase Date: March 17, 2013

Online or In-Store: Online

Final Notes: Depending on your body shape, there are tons of ways to match these tops and bottoms up. It is very versatile for swimming in the summer as one top can be matched with several bottoms. So, I am glad that I found this for my summer. All wash and wear so seawater can be rinsed out daily when on vacation

Recommended: Yes

Overall Rating: 5 stars

Review Title: VINCE CAMUTO Lace Dress with Black Overlay

Title: VINCE CAMUTO Lace Dress with Black Overlay

Review Body: I was on the Bloomingdale’s website during the middle of February and found this absolutely stunning Lace dress with rich Black Overlay and I thought it would be perfect for spring, so I bought it for myself. I rarely buy my clothes over the internet, but I really liked this dress. I was concerned it would not fit as mostly the sizes at various stores are so different. You never can really predict how a dress looks until you try it on, but when this arrived, it fit perfectly.

It is a Vince Camuto design made of cotton/polyester. This dress has a round neck, black sheer overlay and is sleeveless. The skirt is full and lined and features side slit pockets. I always like dresses that have pockets as I never know what to do with my hands. I simply love any clothing that is designed by Vince Camuto’s design firm. I seem to always be able to find something of their line that fits really well as this dress does.

This dress makes me feel as if I am in my twenties again – and I like that feeling. It does have a very youthful feel about it – I hope I don’t look too much like a middle-aged woman trying to look young again.

Vince Camuto is an Italian American fashion designer and is best known for designing women’s footwear. He co-founded the fashion brand for women known as Nine West. As of this year he is CEO as well as “Chief Creative Officer” of the design house Camuto Group.

I simply love its striking design and is perfect to wear to a garden party or to places where the weather might be warm and humid. Moreover, I found it equally awesome to wear for cocktails in the evening or to a party as the weather begins to change to summer and can even work in the summer as something to wear for work. The designer put passion into this dress – it makes me have passion for spirit, passion for work – in fact, just passion for all of life.

Bloomingdale’s is such an iconic name always committed to leading the way with merchandise that is exclusive, customized service and alternative venues for shopping. They always are able to set their stores apart which is the promise and legacy of Bloomingdale’s. They feature on this dress free shipping as well as free return.

Pros: Perfect for late spring and summer, has pockets, Vince Camuto’s design, has a youngish feel about it, great fit and makes me feel good about myself when I am wearing it which is what nice clothing is supposed to do.

Cons: None

Website Experience: Bloomingdales is an interesting website. Their navigation looks as if it is going to get you lost, but doesn’t. The site is of course menu driven with the main menu on the top and submenu along the left side of each page. They carry many well-known designers’ items on their website. With the clothing they use the “pass over” technology, so that when you pass over an item it will be magnified automatically. They do not give much detail about their items which I would prefer, but I still have gotten great items from them. There sale section is a place to find lots of bargains. They also have a great section of home items from many great American designers.

Amount Paid: $199.00

Purchase Date: February 15, 2013

Online or In-Store: Online

Final Notes: This is a stunning dress that I think I will get a lot of wear out of as I see so many places it can be worn too. With a wrap or small sweater it could even be worn on those nights or days when there is a chill in the air. It can be dressed up and I can even see it dressed down with sandals for cocktails by the pool in the evening. I see this dress being worn a lot.

Recommended: Yes

Overall Rating: 5 stars

Bloomingdales is the legendary department store that shopping enthusiast think of when they think of New York City. Well not everyone has access to the local Bloomingdales so now the ability to shop for the best in fashion and accessories is available on-line. Free shipping offers are available according to what department you are ordering from and they have international shipping to over 100 countries and territories worldwide making it easy to shop from anywhere or ship to friends and family all over the world. There are many benefits for visiting the web-site such as on-line only pricing, newsletters and sweepstakes offers that make the site even more worth cruising to find the trendiest, latest fashion articles available.

I have always been a big fan of Bloomingdales and was excited to see that their online store had so much to offer. As much as I love shopping at department stores, my life can get pretty hectic but I still want to refresh my wardrobe every few months. When I can’t make it to the mall I always make sure my first stop online for clothes shopping is Bloomingdales.

I think the thing I like most about their online store is that they carry everything that you would find at the store plus some exclusive items. And if you are a frequent shopper like me the rewards program is actually worthwhile and can give you nice discounts on future purchases. Overall I am very happy with my shopping experience with them and know that the clothes are of the highest quality.

For the ultimate in bed spread luxury, you need to look into the Ralph Lauren Verdonnet Collection at the Bloomingdale’s website. This rural design pattern will remind you of quaint old farmhouses or Victorian era homes. It is a faded pattern that is purposely distressed for a delicate look. The colors of green, red and gold are woven together to make a beautiful yet subtle pattern. The set comes with a sham, duvet, bed skirt and decorative pillows covered in durable but comfortable linen. This is the perfect set for those warm spring mornings where the breeze comes through the window, or those cold winter nights when the only thing between you and the brisk outdoors is your bed covering.

Okay, yes Bloomingdale’s tends to run on the very pricey side, but not every store can cater to discount brands. I am not what I would call rich, but I do okay and I love going to Bloomingdale’s on occasion. Bloomingdale’s is where I first purchased Clinique products and I’ve never looked back. When I’m I the mood for something chic and fashion forward, I know I can go into the store and come out with something my friends will all swoon over. If you have the ability to shop at Bloomingdale’s, even once a year, you should. It’s a high class experience from the moment you step through the doors.

True Religion Jeans - Cameron Boyfriend Recut in Sem Defiance from Bloomingdale's should be a part of any stylish woman's denim wardrobe. This is a very trim cut that looks great on women with a thin figure and few curves. They have a distressed look and vintage hardware, giving them a unique look that is sure to be very well-appreciated by anyone who is fashion-conscious. Handy sizing charts are provided to make sure that you get the right size each time, as sizes may vary among different denim brands. This particular jeans style looks great with several different types of casual tops and shoes. You'll be able to enjoy plenty of comfort, while looking great in any setting.