It's the Little Things

It really is the little things that make me happy. I snagged 4 bottles of American Apparel nail lacquer for $1 each and it made my entire day. A.A. nail polish is actually very impressive when it comes to coverage and dry time and they go for $6 a pop but since these were "imperfect" I got them for just $1. The polish looked separated (the way it does after it's been sitting around for a while) but I bought them, shook them up a little bit and they will be just fine.

My Frugally Fabulous Birthday Look

Dress: Saks Fifth Avenue Off 5th
$49 after extra 30% off dresses promotion

Belt: Madewell
$25 on sale for 1/2 the original price

Shoes: Banana Republic
$41.97 marked down 60% off original price
See Feb. 14 post of better pic

Bracelet: Banana Republic
$20

Earrings: Nordstrom Rack
$7 for pack of 3 gold ball studs

Necklace: Gap Outlet
$12

Bag: Century 21
$47

Coat: Guess?
$60 on sale a couple years ago

The cherry on top was that I didn't have to come out of pocket for the shoes or bracelet because I had reward points from my Banana Rep Credit Card and extra discounts that covered the cost completely. I basically got them for $FREE.99!

Happy Birthday to me!

Have No Fear of the Big Bad Prices

That is my shopping philosophy. I remember going shopping for sneakers when I was younger with my mom and watching her negotiate pricing with the sales people. Now these were little shops downtown and while that may go over when it comes to sneakers.. I wouldn't dare walk into Anthropologie or J.Crew and try to talk them down. Lol! Can you imagine? One, most of the sales people are women, so batting my eyelash won't work (not that I would actually do that). And two, there are plenty of affluent customers that will help take their merchandise off their hands at full price. So what I do is I look at the new collections for inspiration and prowl the clearance racks. Then when they throw me a bone with an additional 30-40% off clearance, I pounce.  Rawrrr!

C Wonder just opened at Garden State Plaza during the holiday season and their prices aren't too bad for a chic like me to have a once in while a splurge but on any regular shopping trip, I just browse. 

Two weekends ago I saw they had an additional 40% off clearance so I wandered into to C Wonder... :) to C what I could find. Now, they were clearing out sweaters, cardigans, cords, etc. from their holiday collection so obviously some things can be worn for a little while before spring but there is no harm in putting away these snagalicious steals for next fall/winter. 

 

These Luxe Faux Fur Vests come out to $59.99 after the add'tl 40% off. That is an unbeatable buy! The only down side is that there were only Ls and XLs left but even if you wear S or M, you could probably pull this off with something like black leggings, a long sleeve black shirt or turtle neck and combat boots. If you can work with the over-sized look, I say go for it.

This jewel toned color blocked cardigan would have come out to $39.99. Part of it got cut off but it was about thigh length.

This was the most surprising and my favorite find form that day. This bag is way too cute and considering the quality, style and the snagable price of $83.99, it is definitely worth the splurge for this statement piece (especially considering how much handbags in other stores go for).

The cute two textured cross body comes out to $59.99

I also spotted skinny jeans ($29.99), corduroys in jewel tones, and jeweled sweaters and cardigans. Some sort of deal should still be going on. This is best time to get those end of season deals to keep you ahead of the game for next fall/winter so have no fear! You never know what deal you can find in those stores that usually intimidate with their Big Bad Prices.

The Dress I Let Get Away

I still think about that little black dress from time to time. I should have known, then, what I had when I saw how amazing it looked on me. It was obviously very versatile (good for the office and great for wearing out). The price was unbeatable ($22.97) but I was on a budget that it didn't fit into. I told myself no more shopping but if only I had put that dress on hold until the right time... we would be together now.

I try to tell myself there will be other black dresses but I doubt there will any quite like that one.

Lesson: When you find that great black dress that you look amazing in, don't let her get away! ;]

Simple but Chic for Spring

Spring is on its way and here is what I am craving to add to my spring wardrobe. I don't plan to buy much this spring because I wear some things across seasons if I can and I have clothes from last year I can wear. I'm trying to save and these loans are no joke so I'm going to keep it really simple and invest in inexpensive statement accessories in bright and bold colors.. oh yeah and nail polish. Here is my recipe with simple chic pieces that can yield many outfits.

1. Denim or Chambray button down (one in indigo and another in a light washed out blue)
2. bright denim skinnies in coral, mint green (or similar), yellow and shamrock green (these are just colors I see myself in)
3. Neutral oxfords
4. Stunner shades ;)

Ensables:

- Button down with whatever color skinnies you're in the mood to wear.
- A bright skinny belt to cinch the waste.
- Oxfords and a cross-body bag. bright nail polish
- Stunner shades

Feel free to color block with accessories (belts, handbags & clutches, sunglasses & nail polish). It makes everything more fun. And this, ladies and gentlemen is how I plan to step out this spring with minimal spending. Ensables perfect for a day in SoHo and photo snapping and effortless fantabulousness.

All is Fair in Style and Retail

Okay so I prayed, had a little faith and when I went back to Banana, even though they said they weren't there, I checked for the shoes and guess what? The leopard print Mad Men pumps were there! It's a small thing but I was very happy to see them. I put them on hold and along with a few other things. I have $40 in BR Card Rewards and if things with pricing and discount works out in my favor, the rewards buck should cover most of it. I see my bday outfit coming together. I don't know where I'm going but I will look good.

Now there was a black dress that I let get away too. I've been checking for it but it looks like someone def got away with that one. Hey, you can't win 'em all! But I'm sure there'll be more little black dresses.

Buy the Shoes, Eat the Cookie

I hate when I do this but I let another amazing deal slip through my fingers. The leopard print Mad Men pumps were on sale at Banana Republic in my size but I wanted to wait until my rewards dollars arrived. I had the chance to put them hold sooner but didn't so when I called today to have them put on hold they were sold. Now I have this uneasy feeling in my stomach and it sucks. Ah well, I guess there are more fabulous shoes out there... There certainly are but not for that price.

This was a very hurtful lesson but sometimes you have to act fast on some deals. Your wallet and your wardrobe will thank you for it later.

Choose Your Battles: Price vs. Value

                         
Sometimes it is worth it to spend a little more on something you love. Don't get me wrong, I am all for frugal fabulosity (in case you couldn't tell from the name of the blog), but I am also all for "just buy something good and done." For instance, I splurged on a pair of boots that I absolutely loved this season. I waited till they were marked down and though the price was still quite high for me, I decided to go for it because I knew that I wouldn't like any boot within my price range.

A couple months ago, I found my red :) (red lipstick in the perfect shade for my skin tone) but I was trying my best to budget and decided that I wasn't going to spend $12 on lipstick when I could get it for half that at a drugstore. Now I'm not one to diss drugstore makeup just because of the name but the one thing about dept store makeup is the fact that you can try it before you buy it and know whether or not you like it before you bring it home. Drugstore makeup can be a hit or miss. And in these economic times, I can't afford to miss.

I bought a red in Rite Aid and though it went on really smooth but the color was hideous on me. Bleh! It was just wrong. I had to mix it with a sample of a darker red I had laying around. I folded and went and bought my red from The Body Shop and I'm sending the other one to my cousin. With the cost of shipping, it will be like I paid $22 vs. $12 on the one that worked in the first place.

Sometimes you have to buy what works. If you have to buy bottled water to get yourself to drink as much as you should then I say do it because what good is tap water if you won't even drink it? Skin care is no exception. Blemishes cut no corners with me so I can't afford to cut corners with my skin. I purchased Mary Kay Velocity this weekend. It was pricey for me but 100% returnable if anything goes wrong.

I leave you with this: Choose your battles wisely and buy what works.

$50 off a Purchase $100 more when LOFT reaches 1 million Likes on Facebook

So I feel like I got a nice little treat in my inbox this morning. $50 off? oh wait it's probably of like a $200 purchase.. eh.. oh wait it's off $100.. *Does the math.* Wow, so I can spend $50 at LOFT and make out pretty good? That means if something is $100 I can get half off? Sweet! =D

Click the link below and share with fellow fashionistas for your $50 off!

https://www.facebook.com/LOFT?sk=app_157987357565755 

Cash Incentive for Sticking to Your Resolution?

With it being a new year and all, many have joined the gym and vowed to go faithful to attain new found health and new bodies too. But all too many times, I see gym memberships go to waste as schedules get bogged down, laziness gets the best of us and those fees are automatically deducted from your bank account (this hurts me even when it's not my money). If you aren't utilizing that membership, that is money that is going to waste (money that can go to so many other things... like shoes, for instance ;).

What if you could be rewarded with CASH for sticking to your resolution to workout? If you find yourself becoming weary anytime between now and December, perhaps you can make a pact through a non-profit called Gym-Pact to help you stick to your guns. You can recommit yourself to a routine that will only cost you if you don't honor your commitment. Money can be a big motivator and I know if I can do something to keep myself from wasting  it I make the effort.

Ok, so how does it work?

- You sign up on the website.
- Set your personal commitment; how many times a week you will go to the gym and how much you will pay if fail to stick your commitment.
- Check in on your mobile phone every time you go to your gym
- Earn cash rewards collected from other people who failed to stick to their commitment. That's pretty sweet!

The plan is flexible so you can change your pact as you need to and you get sick and vacation days.

What is even better is that the organization is a non-profit so it's goal really isn't to make a profit off of your weakness but it is really to motivate you to workout. Check it out by clicking the link below.

http://www.gym-pact.com/whatis

Hey, Guess What?

I just saved a bunch of money on Christmas presents! How did I do that you ask? I didn't buy any. Yep, that's right: not one. As the shopper that I am, I once loved shopping to for gifts for my friends around the holidays. I would take advantage of markdowns and discounts wherever I could and somehow be able to spend about $20-$25 on each friend on gifts originally priced for at least 2x as much. But in more recent years, I forgo a lot of the gift giving due to financial strains and just ole not knowing what to get or what each friend needs. I say rather than spending money just so I can say I got you something (you might not like, need, or use) it is much wiser to just save my money. I recently read an article that talks about just that; the money we spend and over spend on gifts that the recipients might not like or appreciate as much as you thought they would when you were picking out the gift. On average, we tend to spend more on a gift that we would on the same product for ourselves. That money can be better used elsewhere. I try to show my love and appreciation for the special people in my life throughout the year so I don't feel like I have to prove anything. LoL. I sounds like a real cheap skate (I'm really not) but I just have a different perspective.
I didn't even want any gifts from anyone. I have very particular taste and very few people ever get it right so I'd rather people save their money instead of spending it on a hit or miss gift. LoL.. now I sounds like stuck up little brat.