Compass Trading Company

I just went to Sam Moon today for the first time and was overwhelmed and having sensory overload… Compass is much more comforting and smaller to troll around in looking for your next pair of fun earrings or a cool bracelet for that sweater or top that needs a little dazzle or a pick me up.
I like that its cheap and their watch selection for rubber, acrylic, and fun watches (Michael Kors look-​a-​likes), and fun digital watches is quite expansive.
As others have said, they do have the old country lady MILFY stuff and the cheesey bags, etc., but I always find a few gems when I’m in there. Always walk out with 3 – 4 things that I get complimented on for under $ 20.
Once you spend 100 bucks you get a 5 dollar credit, so be a frequent buyer if you frequent TJ Maxx or that particular Arboretum shopping center.

Staff is very nice. Interesting fun selection of accessories. Like Sun Moon but not as big or packed.

I love this place! Sure, there are some items in here that I wouldn’t wear on a bet, but I’ve found a number of pieces that are comparable in appearance and quality to much higher end stuff, and at a fraction of the price. Like anywhere else that sells off-​price or discount, you have to look through it and pay attention.
BTW, I’ve been to a couple of the Sam Moon locations in the DFW area, and they sell a lot of cheap and cheap looking stuff too, so the only way I can think that they are superior is by sheer volume. Just sayin.

Not sure who peed in Abi’s cornflakes, but I think this is a fun place to shop. Sure, there’s an abundance of cheese (yup, the turquoise, the giraffe-​print handbags, the silk flower hairclips) but the pros clearly outweigh the cons.
Where else in Austin can you go for this? It is Sam Moon-​esque but without the drive to Dallas, meaning you’re almost overwhelmed with choices for earrings, bracelets, rings, necklaces, anklets, wallets, hair fixin’s, and so on, all neatly arranged by color. I’m an elitist when it comes to fashion and lots of the big plastic stuff gets the pass from me… but there are plenty of tasteful things here too. Enamel bangles, a great selection of silver-​toned and gold-​toned classic stuff, semiprecious gems and stones, lovely scarves. Surely Abi just didn’t take her time and prowl through enough of the displays.
When you skim through Lucky or Cosmo but think «I’d never pay $ 50 for a bracelet like that”– now you can come to Compass and pay $ 4! I saw a girl wearing the cutest necklace over a blue top like one I have… thanks to Compass, I knew I’d be able to find something similar to imitate the look. And best of all, in this economy when pennies are pinched till they squeal, when you are bored, depressed, excited about a hot date, or whatever– you can shop as your therapy and still not spend a fortune.
I haven’t noticed any salespeople really– they tend to hover around the cash register until I’m ready to go. And I joined the frequent buyer program… don’t recall the details but I already received a $ 5 credit.
Granted, it’s not heirloom stuff (or even 14k.) Most of the handbags are meh to hideous. It’s wear-​for-​a-​year-​at-​most stuff you won’t freak over losing at the lake… but when you decide your cute dress would be even cuter if you had a mix of tortoiseshell and gold bangles on your wrist, you can guarantee finding them here for cheap.