Good Things Come...

My iconic seasonal ensambles usually take some time to put together because I wait for bargains. As much I was love to be able to pull together all my looks at the beginning of the season, I have to budget and look or the best deals and the better quality. But trust me, the bargains are worth the wait. A couple weekends ago I finally got that candy apple red scarf I've been craving all season for $8 in Ann Taylor (it was on sale for about $15 w/ and extra 40% off markdowns). I also snagged a cute black& [winter] white striped sweater for $25. They're perfect together and the scarf will help me add a pop of color to numerous other outfits. The sweater and the scarf alone are so cute together I can pair them with just about any bottom. Black skinny jeans, a black skirt, dark blue skinny jeans. I can make the look more casual or sassy and look cute either way.

I also snagged a cute leather crossbody in mustard from Banana Republic that came out to $15 after discounts and a gift card.

So I had to wait it out but there is still a good 10 weeks of winter left to go.

I wish I had pictures but my digital cam is not functioning.

Ride On

Tory Burch Riding Boots during Nordstrom's Anniversary Sale

I have been on the hunt for the perfect riding boots all season long. I tried on a pair of Tori Burch during Nordstrom's pre-season Anniversary Sale and I was smitten. Though they were specially priced at about $300, they were way out of my range for a single pair of boots so I had to leave them at the store. Since then I have been hoping to find something close to the style and color without the big name with no avail. I became so frustrated. Boots are so expensive this year. They are selling okay looking boots for some really high prices. I think if I am going to be spending my money I might as well just get something cute, stylish, flattering, versatile, durable and be done with it. So spending almost $200 on a pair of boots that I just kind of like makes no sense to me. I'd rather shell out a little more for a pair I love.

I have, however, been able to spot some other stylish boots that are now marked down. I'm talking trusted brands and sophistacated style now priced at what other brands (like Aldo) started out with at the beginning of the season. So while they are still more expensive than other sale boots right now, they cost about that same as those boot did at the beginning of the seaosn... Are you following me? Hope I didn't lose you.

Browse the sale boots at Nordstrom and Lord & Taylor for some stylish and budget friendly finds.

Falling in Love with Autumn

Ok so for the past couple weeks or so, something inside me wanted to carry color blocking over into fall... I wasn't so sure how I'd do it especially if the bright bold colors are put away for the milder autumn hues. But I was reassured and very excited when I saw that color blocking is actually being encouraged for fall. Now I like the color blocking trend because I found that I've been doing it before it was in the spotlight (just with lighter colors but I love to throw in a color from left field w/ either an accessory or nail polish).

I see that the trend is continuing but bold colors are being blocked with neutrals (like tan or beige). I'm not sure if I love the tan and beige but I am sort of craving jewels tone for my fall wardrobe.. =] i'm talking amethyst, emerald, sapphire in thick fabrics that make a statement.

My Top 5 Fall '11 Fashions Cravings
1. A cute durable pair of equestrian riding boots
2. Cool weather dresses in jewel tones
3. A pencil skirt in a bright color like fuchsia or emerald
4. A navy blue school boy types blazer?
5. A scarf and maybe at least one top in candy apple red (kind of random but yea)

I'll be back soon some of frugal picks for fall =]

Store Credit Cards draw the thin line between Love & Hate

Today I write about store credit cards. Having worked in retail a number of years now I have come to learn more about this device that companies use to lure and captivate their customers. I have also come to learn how afraid some people are of these little death traps.

I am here to tell you that those cards can be both good and bad and that you do not have to be afraid of them. In fact, in my opinion, they can be a frugal fashionista's most useful tool in getting the best bargains. I have had one bad experience but that was a result of my own unwise action.

The key to being responsible with a store cards it to use it like you use cash. Act like it's a debit card. If you don't have the money to pay for whatever you are buying, don't buy it. Think through all your purchases the way you do when you use cash because you will have to pay it back eventually. 

This can't be said enough: Read the fine print! Make sure you understand what the APR and rate of interest is. Some of these cards come with great benefits and welcoming discounts but also with high consequences when used irresponsibly.  

They can be your wallet's best friends or worst enemies, the cards are in your hands... literally ^_^

Pay off your balances as soon as you can before you forget. I now pay mine online but not through automatic payments (I don't want anyone's grubby little hands in my bank account besides me. but that's just me)

It can be totally worth it if is for a store that you shop in anyway or where you will need to shop for work attire or anything else else you will be required to buy. Also consider the rewards and benefits. If they are not too out of reach, then go for it. My Banana Rep. card gives $10 for $200 I spend. As cheap as I am, that kind of deal doesn't make me want to go running but I thought about it and saw that after some time I will eventually spend that much even if it is over a long period of time. And because I only shop the sales and look for the best deals, I will get a reward for my already frugal habits.

Personal testimony: I got two great quality silk cotton cardigans for $10 each in Banana Republic. They were on sale for $20 each w/ addt'l 40% off = $30 for both + my $10 reward = $20. I got two items which were great additions to my wardrobe in great colors for the season for a price that even H&M cannot compete with.  

Funny thing is, I saw a J.Crew cardigan a lot like the one I got for $10 in the same color for like $80 or something (it might have been even more than that but I cannot remember the exact price) in a fashion magazine.

I have also gotten countless matchless deals in Macy's and Victoria's Secret over the years through these cards. I use my mom's Macy's & VS cards because surely, as much we love VS, neither of us shop there enough on our own to earn the benefits, so we work as team and it works out great.

*Disclaimer: To thine own self be true. If you know yourself and know that you cannot be responsible in your shopping then avoid credits cards all cost!

All in all, a store card should reward you for your spending and help you in a future bargain buy instead of drive you into debt by making you spend more than you usually would. Lastly I say, Be responsible and have no fear!

additional 25% off Sale at ANTHROPOLOGIE??? say WORD!!

I was walking through the mall and saw that Anthropologie in Garden State Plaza (GSP) is offering an additional 25% off markdowns. I could hardly believe my eyes. They never do anything like that and of course they would offer a deal like that when I've decided to take a break from shopping. I love Anthro but they are so stubborn with their markdowns. The most affordable thing on their sales rack for me is always just about $10 more than I am willing to pay and it's always so frustrating and disappointing.
So my fellow fashionista sistas, though I am not allowing myself to take part in this one, I do hope that some deserving diva can benefit.

Also, the Victoria's Secret Semi Annual sale began on Tuesday, June 14. I've also noted that the Vicky's in GSP has a new system for sale bra shopping. They still have bins of grouped bras but they also have them organized in draws similarly to the full priced bras. Great move Vicky's! This makes the semi annual sale so much easier to shop and I'm sure the sales associates prefer it too. 

Nordstrom's Half Yearly is still going on along with a ton more specials at other stores.

As always,

Happy Shopping!

Financial Responsibility

Financial responsibility is important if you want to stay looking fabulous because being broke is not fashion forward. Don't get me wrong, I love to shop. My heart skips a beat when I lay my eyes on the perfect pair of shoes. Articles of clothing have taken my breath away. And the first time I saw Saks 5th's shoe dept right before the half yearly sale, I saw shoe heaven. I couldn't afford to buy anything... but it was beautiful.

But lets get back to your money. You work hard for it. Or if you don't, someone else does. I mean unless you have a crop of money trees, you should spend it wisely. Why just give it away? While in the world of retail you can never really get your money's worth because the stores would never make a profit, you can always demand as much for your money as possible. This takes patience and it may mean holding out for a while and not buying anything until the prices are reasonably low.

Tips I use to save and stretch my dollars.

Take time to browse and compare prices
Since I had to throw out my worn out staple black pencil skirt over a year ago, I've been on the hunt for another but it is incredibly difficult to find nice fitting, good quality, black skirt with little to no distinguishing details marked down to less than $40. It is important that skirt has no distinguishing details so you can get away with wearing it [to the office] a couple times without anyone having to know it is the same skirt. Also, a gal should always have one in her closet for they come in handy very often. After months of hunting and holding out I found a gray and a black one at $15 each in Banana Republic!! I could hardly believe it and bought without question. It takes great discipline but you too can become a money miser.

Put aside savings and forget about. Act like you don't have that money hiding in separate account or in an envelope in your sock drawer. Money in your debit account is too easily accessible when you feel the urge to spend.

Put away amounts that end in 0
I find it much harder for me to break bills so I like my savings to equal an even amount $500, $650. And I like to use brand new $100 and $50 bills for cash stash so I will be less tempted to slip out a $20 for something I may not really need. Ever notice how as soon as you break a $10 or $20 bill, it's gone almost before you realize it? Smaller bills are easier to spend but they add up.

Bring your lunch
Street food is always more expensive than cooking but cooking saves you money. Think about how much money you can save each week just by bringing your lunch.

Hold out for sales
That's what I do. I save whatever I can outside of my necessary expenses like transportation cost to and from work (as much I would love to be able to eliminate that, reality is, it isn't going anywhere =/) and I don't do much shopping on a regular basis. I browse sales racks and I save up for the big sales so I can afford to really shop when they do happen.

Remember, you can look cute on a dime but not your last dime.. ;)

Sale Season is here again!

Every six months stores mark down items to clear out their inventory to make room for new stuff. It's June, so that means you can snag some of their early spring items that can be worn now or be kept for fall when the weather starts to cool back down.

The key to shopping on a budget  is shopping in the off season. I just saw some great sweaters in Banana Republic from the Spring '11 collection for about $11. I could hardly believe my eyes. While I would not even think about wearing a sweater in this heat, I know it will come in handy in the fall when the weather starts to get a little brisk and prices of sweaters will be way too high for my pockets. 

I also love to shop at the end of summer for things that I can wear during early fall and even keep for the following spring and summer.

I also love this time of year because I get items of good quality from stores that are usually way out of my price range.

While sales are fun to shop, the same rules always apply to ensure that you maximize your dollars.

Ask yourself:

Do I need this?

Do I even want it?

How many ways can I wear it?

Can it go with things I already have or will I have to buy things to go with it?

Is this a good color on me?

Does it do anything at all for my figure or my look?

Am I in love with it??? 

If you, with full conviction, believe it is a good buy, then go for it!

Here are some great sales I've shopped recently:

MACY*S

Bought: BGBGeneration Pewter handbag $13 & Chinese Laundry sandals about $13 after applying $10 off coupon

Tignanello handbag in coral $40.02 after $10 off coupon

BANANA REPUBLIC

Bought: Silk Cashmere blend cardigans ($10 each after add'l & $10 rewards card), fun spring skirt ($8), and two pencil skirts for work ($15 each) 

Spotted: Cable knit sweaters $11.97, tops for $7-16, skirts for $11.97, dresses for about $25

+ and add'l %25 off sales items

NORDSTROM

Bought: Report sandals $39.90

Spotted: shoes, shoes , and more shoes!