Strictlyinkblot Posted June 21, 2015 Posted June 21, 2015 Ok, this is not a countdown thread but hopefully I'll be entering between October and December of this year. I have one more loan to pay off but hopefully it'll get sorted. Now, I know there are old threads on this already and I've posted about this before, but when I looked for them the links had all gone dead. I'm hoping to buy a lot of the stuff I need in America as I only want to bring one suitcase on the plane. I don't want to order too much stuff online because I have a bit of an awkward body shape and really wide, but small feet (size 7). So, I'm going to post what I need to get and I'd appreciate any suggestions. The shops in question would need to be fairly close to Summit, New Jersey. I know I've got a while to go yet and I'm probably getting overexcited but I can't help it. Long sleeved, white blouse/shirt, cotton, non-iron (really hard to find these for some strange reason) White sweater cardigan Summer and winter nightgowns, not necessarily white Non-bulky dressing gown in conservative colours Cotton undershirts Black half-slips, cotton White knee-hi's/socks Thermal underwear Black/white slippers Snow boots (I've got wide calves so this is difficult) Sandals (Not Berkenstocks) Battery operated alarm clock Wrist watch that'll last Small organiser Large sturdy laundry bag Sweatshirt zip jacket Thermal gloves I have a fairly good idea where I can get stuff but I would appreciate help as I'm not that familiar with American shops and I want to keep costs to a minimum, while still getting good quality stuff. And yes, I am far too excited about this
Pax17 Posted June 21, 2015 Posted June 21, 2015 Strictlyinkblot, there is a Macy's department store in the Short Hills Mall (about 5-10 minutes past Summit off the highway; you'll need transportation) where you should be able to get many things on your list for a reasonable price. (The other stores in the Mall are very upscale and expensive.) There is also Macy's flagship store in Manhattan which is easily reached by train from NJ. Of course, if you go into Manhattan, there are plenty of discount stores. At one time, Summit also had some specialty clothing shops; I haven't been there in a few years, so I don't know if they're still there. Hope this helps. Fingers crossed about the loan...:)
Makarioi Posted June 21, 2015 Posted June 21, 2015 Can you PM MaterMisericordiae ? She has a monster list ... I believe she has a website as to where to get such things.
Strictlyinkblot Posted June 21, 2015 Author Posted June 21, 2015 I had a look at the website but I couldn't find what I wanted on the links but I only tried a few so far. An old thread had some great links on it but when I tried them none of them will work
darcy15 Posted June 21, 2015 Posted June 21, 2015 I believe you are in the UK? http://www.jdwilliams.co.uk/shop/cushion-walk-winter-boots-wide-e-fit/FM162/product/details/show.action?pdBoUid=2170&ci_sku=FM16201&ci_src=18615224&promo=6230&cm_mmc=Googlebase-_-JDWilliams-_-Product Feeds-_-na&gclid=CImY8-LgocYCFcTKtAod2F0ADQ&gclsrc=aw.ds#colour:,size: Wide fit snow boots
Sponsa-Christi Posted June 21, 2015 Posted June 21, 2015 Wintersilks is a bit on the pricey side, but it has good-quality basics: http://wintersilks.blair.com/. You could also look at Vermont Country Store: http://www.vermontcountrystore.com/store/ . These are both American-based mail order catalogs, but I imagine you could order your things online and have them shipped to Summit. Also, Walmart and Target are American inexpensive shops where you can find the undershirts and other odds and ends. There are just about everywhere in the country, so I'm sure there would be at least a few close by to Summit.
Lumiere Posted June 21, 2015 Posted June 21, 2015 Why don't you ask the nuns at Summit if you can have the things you are ordering on line delivered to them? Also here is MaterMisericordiae's site for hard to find items.
Sponsa-Christi Posted June 21, 2015 Posted June 21, 2015 (edited) Also, Strictlyinkblot, I live quite close to Summit, NJ, so if it would be helpful to have a local, non-cloistered contact on this side of the ocean for practical questions, feel free to get in touch with me at: sponsa.christi.author [at] gmail.com . (I tried sending a PM, but it wouldn't go through for some reason.) Edited June 21, 2015 by Sponsa-Christi
petitpèlerin Posted June 21, 2015 Posted June 21, 2015 (edited) Walmart and Target were the first thing that came to my mind, too. Most of those items you could find at Target, and most of their clothes are of pretty good quality and very inexpensive. Target is my favorite store for layering shirts. Walmart is even cheaper, and some of their clothes are of decent quality but not all. Both of those stores have household goods and personal items such as alarms clocks, laundry bags, and watches. I've found good thermals at Target, too. I would also mention Tractor Supply (another national chain store) as a place to look for things like thermals, thermal gloves, and snow boots. I wouldn't recommend either Target or Walmart for boots or shoes: cheaply made, hurt your feet. Best snow boots on earth (and great shoes all around): LL Bean (www.llbean.com). Edited June 21, 2015 by petitpèlerin
Nunsuch Posted June 21, 2015 Posted June 21, 2015 Try this site for tights, socks, nightwear, slippers, undergarments, etc. It is very reliable: https://www.hanes.com/hanes Shoebuy.com offers free shipping AND free return shipping if footwear doesn't fit. Another good site is overstock.com ($2.95 fixed price shipping per order, no matter how much you order.
Strictlyinkblot Posted June 21, 2015 Author Posted June 21, 2015 Thx so much for the suggestions. The sisters have given me some suggestions but my problem is that I'm an awkward shape, both body and feet. I really need to try stuff on in the shop. I will be bringing stuff with me and I will order some stuff on line. Sponsa Christi, I will take you up on your offer nearer the time.
vee Posted June 22, 2015 Posted June 22, 2015 sorry I cant help with finding the stuff you need but congratulations and Im sure we all look forward to stalking you on a certain community's social media!! oh wow its a new ninja emote...
TheresaThoma Posted June 22, 2015 Posted June 22, 2015 I also have really wide feet. So far the only durable sandal I have found that fit are Birkenstocks, they are pricey but worth it. I did see that on your list it says not Birkenstocks but I don't know if that is your preference or a requirement. If you can't get Birkenstocks my suggestion is to possibly look into Men shoes they are generally wider than womens. I have mens snow boots. I got mine at an outdoors store (Cabella's). They are more of a hiking boot but are waterproof and insulated. I would also double check your baggage allowances. Add up any possible shipping costs, it may be cheaper to just bring a second bag.
TheresaThoma Posted June 23, 2015 Posted June 23, 2015 Another thought is if you can spare the time perhaps leave a couple extra days to do some shopping/exchanges in the US. I know companies like Eddie Bauer will allow you to return items ordered online at the store. (Eddie Bauer And LL bean also have amesome wrinkle resistant blouses.)
Marie Villalovos Smith Posted June 23, 2015 Posted June 23, 2015 Many prayers for you...when do you arrive in Summit?? Pax
IgnatiusofLoyola Posted June 23, 2015 Posted June 23, 2015 This is so exciting! When we get PMs back, I'll send you an email. I want details!!!! In the meantime, another site I like a lot is Lands' End. It is mostly a catalog site, but it also has stores in the U.S. where you can return items (and I think you may also be able to return items at Sears). Lands' End clothes are very well-made, and are mostly very simple and plain. Lands' End has LOTS of sales. If you sign up to be on their email list, you will get lots of emails announcing sales. One part of Lands' End that you might not think to look is their School Uniform section. It has clothes not only in girls' sizes, but in women's sizes, too. They have several styles of long-sleeved white cotton blouses with collars. If you need a very plain long-sleeved sweatshirt with hood, they have that, too. Lands' End is headquartered in Wisconsin, so they have a good selection of things like long underwear (although their full selection probably won't come out until Sept--maybe even Oct.) I have found their snow boots to be very high quality at very reasonable prices. I don't know what style of snow boots the nuns wear, but my snow boots don't go up to my calf--they stop above my ankle. Since your postulant jumper will be long (you're going to have to get used to the fact that in the U.S., a "jumper" is not a sweater! ) this style of snow boot may be fine. (Snow boots are different from "wellies"--wellies go up much higher on the calf.) I live outside Chicago, which has weather very similar to what you'll have in the U.S. Check with the Sisters, and see what style snow boots they wear. In any case, I expect that around September/Oct. Lands' End will offer their selection of snow boots. Again, I have shopped around a lot, and found Lands' End snow boots to be better in quality, but much lower in price than say LL Bean. And, much better quality than Target. I have far too many heavy winter jackets (when I say "heavy"--I mean down to -5 or -10F). When we get PMs back, let me know how tall you are and approximately what size. Heavy winter jackets don't have to fit perfectly. And, if mine don't fit you, I may send them to the nuns anyway, in case they might fit other Sisters, or the Sisters can give them away. Check Lands' End right now for sandals--they might even be on sale. Lands' End offers most of their sandals/shoes in wide sizes. (Wisconsin women are "corn-fed" farm women--not size 0 Hollywood fashionistas!)
IgnatiusofLoyola Posted June 23, 2015 Posted June 23, 2015 Note: I've got some extra thermal gloves, too. (And they're black!) So check before you buy some. I need to move and, in the process, give away a LOT of clothes. I have too many pairs of totally new thermal gloves that I bought on sale because I lose them a lot. However, I haven't lost as many recently as I expected.
Strictlyinkblot Posted June 24, 2015 Author Posted June 24, 2015 Thx for the suggestions everyone. Iggy, I'm sorry I haven't got back to you yet. Work is v crazy and I keep thinking to myself that I need to sit down and reply to you.
Gabriela Posted June 25, 2015 Posted June 25, 2015 This is why I love Phatmass. Look at how nice and helpful you're all being. God bless you all! < happy cry
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