Fashionista on a Budget, episode 3

This week, my friends and I went on a shopping escapade through downtown Seattle and ravaged Pacific Place, Forever 21, and H&M for things to wear to the company Christmas party (which was last night). We didn't find anything we particularly liked in terms of dresses, but we walked away with assorted other items like tank tops and sweaters. All of these items are much more suited to the weather here and our lifestyles, so they were probably wiser purchases than a dress anyway.

I picked up this Ecote Feather Embellished Tank Top from Urban Outfitters because it was on sale and it is made of a thick cotton material that I love wearing during the winter-time under cardigans. I purchased two of these tank tops, one in the off-white with beige beads, and the other in black with gray beads. They are low-cut in the back and can look a little sultry. The original retail price of these tank tops was $49, which I think is ludicrous for the tiny bit of material any tank top is made from, so I waited until they were on sale for $19 and the UO was having a 50% off sale items day. I picked up both of these tank tops for under $10 each. Now, that's what I call shopping! I'm very happy with this purchase because they suit day-to-day activities and are not under-dressed or over-dressed for any occasion.

Next, I saw this Staring at Stars Fuzzy Open Stitch Open Cardigan that I had seen weeks before but it was originally $59, which is far more than I had valued it. Therefore, when it went on sale, it became $29, and with the half-off promo they had going on, it became $15/each. However, at the cash register, the lady that rang it up, only charged me $10 for it, so I was absolutely thrilled. I got one in coral (which they don't have pictured on the website, so they must be sold out) and one in white. I'm kind of upset I didn't pick one up in black, but I wasn't sure if I wanted the same cardigan in triplicate! The damage I did during this shopping trip was around $43 with taxes and all, so I got two tank tops and two cardigans for that amount. The original amount would have been $98 for the tank tops and $118 for the cardigans, leaving the whopping non-sale, non-50% promotion, total at $216.

I'm a firm believer that if you're not desperately looking for one thing or another, you won't spend too much money shopping on the essentials for the winter season. Everything goes on sale, eventually. That's my mantra. Purchasing from the sale rack of this type of store is even a great idea for holiday presents for friends and family. They will be surprised and the big present you got them, but you don't have to reach deep inside your pockets to do it.

Cyber Monday Sales

So as most of you know, today is the day the internet gives something back and gives us Cyber Monday in repayment for sucking the lives out of us the rest of the year. I've scooped out the best beauty deals for you and thoroughly researched the web for deals. You will want to take advantage of these sales because cosmetics products only go on sale when an item is being discontinued, is old, or a store will no longer be carrying that brand... it is very rare that they just have a great sale, usually the sales are fairly bogus. The best deals I can find thus far are:

- Stila's warehouse sale where things are up to 80% off can be found here. They make fabulous eyeshadow and lipgloss

- E.L.F. has a 50% off any purchase over $25 (code 50wide) offer or you can get free shipping over $25 (SHIP25) at their site here - it's unfortunate that you can't have both offers, though

- Cherryculture has 20% off your entire purchase on their website, they have great NYX products and most of their stock is inexpensive to begin with

-  Clinique gives you 3 deluxe sized samples (which means bigger than sample size but smaller than the full product) for any purchase on their website, this is a great deal because the items they have as samples can be amazing: such as blush, eye creams, lipsticks. So I suggest you pick up something you love by them and would use up even if there was no free offer (I get the De-Puffing Eye Massage Serum).

- Elizabeth Arden has 25% off any order and free shipping with code BF2 here and a free 9 piece deluxe gift set with any order over $40.

- Tarte has a pretty lame deal of 20% off up to $100 and then you get $30 off, the code is CYBER and you get a free full-sized gift here

- Shiseido (which almost never has a sale on anything) has a gift of deluxe samples including a primer, translucent powder and satin face color in a cosmetic pouch for purachases of over $50.

- Bath&BodyWorks has an amazing deal of 25% off your entire order with the code CYBER2011 and when you check out anything in the Holiday Traditions Body Care selection you get buy 1, get 1 free for double your order!

- The Body Shop has any 3 single items in the online store for $30... that's right, even if the one item you chose was over the total price, it will still only be charged as 3 for $30. You also get free shipping with any purchase. If you add the code JOY10, you also get 10% off your order. So 3 items end up being $27, when usually just one would run you higher than that. Plus you get the free shipping... this is an amazing deal for night-cream and moisturizers.

Happy hunting everybody!!!!

Fashionista on a Budget

In an economy like this, how can you still buy yourself things and not break the bank? It's simple, just bargain hunt. No, I don't mean go to thrift stores, or consignment shops and buy things at drastically reduced prices because others have worn them. There are perfectly brand new stylish clothes that are on-trend in stores near you that you can definitely afford! I'll be bargain-hunting for you and I'll tell you all the best sales I come across!

Recently, I visited Urban Outfitters (who are usually charging a pretty penny for their frocks) and discovered their AMAZING, but usually hidden, sales rack! It's usually on the upper floor of their multi-level stores and they will occasionally have '50% off all sale items' promotions. I did notice that these sales are not advertised online, so you will have to visit a store near you to get this promotion. I purchased some of the most delicious Navajo-inspired tanks, a bow belt, and tights for amounts you would be surprised at.

Firstly, the cute belt that I didn't *need* but was drawn to purchase at it's measly $5.00.

Then, this set of tank-tops, of which for all three I paid $20.00

I purchased two cardigans, one in black and the other in tan, for $29 and $10 respectively. Each one is worth more than the sum of both, and they are great quality pieces which are great for a casual day or a fancy night out.

Lastly, two pairs of skinny jeans (the black ones are stretchy and fabulous) for $10.00 each!! I didn't post any photos because they were boring, unadventurous and simple. Might I add they were originally $69? Why would anyone ever pay that much??

One caveat is that you have to arrive early. When things get put on sale, you want to be there at the opening hour of Monday if you expect to get these sales. I've gone other times and had no luck with the sales rack, because you won't find your size, unless you're lucky enough to be an XS or XL. Here's their website http://www.urbanoutfitters.com

Stay tuned for more great deals!