Shopping for Others?

Why is it when you're out shopping for others, you find the cutest things for yourself? Does this ever happen to you?

I found this cute coat at Old Navy. Have no fear, it will be mine once it's marked down after Christmas. It will have a nice home in my closet.

Or this cute hat at Talbots Outlet.

Alas, I had to put both back on the rack and walk out empty handed. Although, it has gotten me excited for the after Christmas sales.

How are you doing with your shopping?

5 Tips for Shopping on Black Friday

For those of you who haven't taken part in the spectacle this is Black Friday, I wanted to share some tips that I use to get through the day:

1. Hydrate: Pack a bottle of water in your purse. The stores and malls can get hot and your adrenaline will be pumping from those great deals you'll be getting.
2. Pack a snack. Throw a banana or some granola in your purse. Those register lines can get long and you don't want to get cranky from low blood sugar.
3. Bring the flyers. Some stores try to pull the old bait and switch. If you have the flyer with you, you can be sure that you're getting the deal you were expecting.
4. Split your list. If a friend or family member is going to Target and you're going to Wal-Mart, pick things up on each other's lists.
5. Leave your coat in the car! I can't stress this enough. The malls are especially hot this time of year. If you wear a big coat, you'll have to carry it around with you plus all of your bags.

Happy shopping!

The $20 Challenge

After reading an article recently in the Patriot Ledger, I was inspired to try a little experiment. I set aside $20 and headed out to do some shopping.

After checking the Cradles to Crayons website, I noticed that they are in desperate need of clothes for boys size 11/12. That's what I decided to shop for.

My first stop was Old Navy. I found a pair of athletic pants on clearance for $5.99. I checked a few other stores and didn't get anything. Then I went to Wal-Mart and found a short sleeve collar shirt on clearance for $3.00 and Hanes sweatpants for $5.

I was looking for some inexpensive socks to add to my haul. I went to the Dollar Store where they had 3-packs of socks for $1. I picked up 2 packs.

My next stop was Target. I usually do well with their clearance items. Unfortunately, the only thing that I found was a package of 7 t-shirts for $3.81. Since I had about 20 cents left in my budget, I got a notebook.

I wasn't very impressed with what I was able to get. I think that September is a tough time of year to shop. With everyone back to school shopping, there isn't much on clearance.

Here's how it broke down:

Old Navy pants: $5.99

Dollar Store socks $2.00

Wal-Mart shirt $3.00

Wal-Mart pants $5.00

Target t-shirts $3.81

Target notebook $0.20

All of the items that I bought will be donated to Cradles to Crayons.

I'd like to do this challenge at a different time of year, when there's more on clearance, and compare how much more I can buy with the same amount of money.

Kardashian Kollection

Yesterday I headed to the mall to do some much needed shopping. I needed a couple of birthday gifts and other items. Along the way, I decided to check out the Kardashian Kollection at Sears.

Hmmm, where to start? Well, the first thing I noticed was that there is not a natural fiber to be had in the entire collection. Cotton? Nope. Silk? Nope. Polyester? Hell ya! Spandex? You betcha. Rayon? Uh yeah.

I decided to gather up some of these fine pieces and head to the fitting room. I personally think that the "greatest" piece in the collection, oh , excuse me kollection, is this one-piece, leopard print, 100% polyester jumpsuit.

Isn't it grand? It even has elastic at the bottom of the legs. Sadly, I couldn't try it on, they only had it in an XL.

Here it is in black for those of you that are a little more conservative.

Next up was a beautiful leopard print (I'm starting to see a theme here) shirt. I paired it with a stunning pair of black leggings with cut-outs down the side.

God, I look good.

Imagine my surprise when I turned the shirt around and found that it's all lace in the back!! It just adds that little touch of class.

My next outfit was one that you could wear on a casual day out or out to dinner.

It's a cotton-ish top, but, bonus it makes you look like you're wearing a bustier!

I paired it with a pair of sequined pants. The pants weren't lined and the insides of the pants tore at my legs. It hurt.

The last thing that I tried on was easily my favorite. This striped, skin-tight dress. I'm aware that I do not have a super model body but I feel that I must share the picture with you anyway.

Look at those stripes! Nothing says flattering like horizontal AND vertical stripes.

As I was walking out of the dressing room (empty handed, so sad) I spied this little gem.

Where was this dress a month ago? I had a wedding to go to and I really wanted to look like a $2 whore. Dang it.

I'm sure the Kardashians are lovely people. I've been known to watch their (totally scripted) "reality" show on occasion. It's mildly entertaining.

I think their goal with this line was to create "affordable" clothes for everyday people. Well, most of the stuff that I tried on was $99 EACH, including the jumpsuit, the sequined pants and the striped dress.

I think I'll stick to more conservative clothes that don't make me look so foolish.

Disclaimer: This was NOT a sponsored post. The Kardashian's did NOT pay me to review their ridiculous line of clothing, nor was I offered any product for my review. I'm pretty sure I would have thrown it away if I was.

Talbots Bargains

I stopped in at the Talbots Clearance/Outlet store the other day. It's one of my favorite bargain hunting locations. There's nothing quite like walking into a store to see signs like this:

This pink corduroy jacket and green linen jacket were both 90% off.

This was originally $99. It was marked down to $48.99, plus an additional 90% off, making this $4.89.

This green linen jacket was originally $149. It was marked down to $73.99, plus an additional 90% off which would make it $7.39

This gorgeous 3/4 length lightweight coat was originally $199. It was on sale for $39

This black shirt was originally $79.99. It was marked down to $38.99, plus an additional 50% off, making it $19.49

These next two items are total Loopy clothes. I spotted them right away. They're just my style.

This white shirt was originally $59.99. It was marked down to $28.99, plus an additional 50% off, making it $14.50

I love this white jacket. It was originally $99, marked down to $48.99, plus an additional 25% off, making it $37.64

I was trying to find a dress for an upcoming wedding but I couldn't find anything that I liked on me. I'll just have to keep shopping.

Remember, these may not be the lowest prices you've ever seen, but Talbots clothing is quality clothing. If you buy something there, it will last for years.

Happy Shopping!

Unexpected Bargain

Don't you just love BJ's Wholesale Club? I was in there today, trying to score some more boxes for my book sale, when I decided that I was hungry. I went looking for the sample people. You know, the elderly people that give out the free samples of food? I didn't like anything that they were offering, so I did the next best thing: I bought a rotisserie chicken for myself. Don't judge me.

Anyway, as I was walking through the store I noticed a cute jacket. It was a distressed, lightweight, faux leather. It caught my eye because I thought it was real leather.

Then I saw the price.

What the?! Ten bucks? Seriously? It's such a cute jacket. It would look great with a pair of jeans.

Alas, my tummy started grumblin' and I headed for the deli to pick up a chicken. I had to leave the jacket there in search of food. I'm thinking of going back for it though. It's just too cute not to have in my closet.

I Love The Gap, but...

Don't get me wrong, I love the Gap. I have bought quite a few cute things from there in the past. They also have some great sales. Lately though, I feel as though they're way off the mark.

I was strolling around Derby Street Shoppes today and a woman from the Gap was walking around handing out coupons for 30% off your purchase. I decided to go in and have a look around. Well, it wasn't pretty. One of the first things that I saw when I walked in the door were these pants:

Umm, skintight, pleather, side-zip pants?! Seriously? Oh and they're $79.99. Thanks, but no thanks.

Next, I stumbled upon these gems.

Bronze Keds. Okay. Is it 1989? No? I didn't think so. Believe it or not, they were on clearance.

Now, because I love you guys so much, I decided to model those fabulous pants that you see above.

Maybe they look good on...someone else.

Gift Idea for Children

I have a birthday party for a two year old this weekend and I had absolutely no idea what to get her. I always seem to get kids books as gifts. I wanted to do something different (and inexpensive). I decided to put together a beach bucket for her.

I had quite a few errands to run today, so it was easy to pick up things for the bucket as I made my way through my day.

My first stop was Old Navy where I picked up a cute little bathing suit for 60% off. Next, I went to the Christmas Tree Shops. I knew I could find a beach bucket for $1 and I wasn't disappointed. I also love CTS for sunscreen. They have a great selection and great prices (note-always check the expiration dates on sunscreen, wherever you happen to buy it). I also picked up a bag of sea shells to put on top of the completed bucket. After those two stores, I had to run to Target to pick up a few household essentials. There, I was able to find a cute little pair of sunglasses, a Sesame Street book and a blue sandcastle thingy, all for $1 each. Score! I took a quick peak down the wrapping paper isle and found some brown "grass" for the top of the bucket.

Here's what it looks like completed:

I had my sister write the child's name on it (she has way nicer penmanship than I do). I added the shells on the top to make it look beachy.

Total cost: less than $15.

If you think that's creative, you should check out the bucket my friend Kelly did. Click here to see it.

Loving Old Navy

Old Navy is one of my favorite places to shop for spring/summer items. They have the cutest dresses. I picked up these two yesterday:

They always have the best summer dresses AND the best prices. Each of the dresses above was on sale for $15. If you want to wear these in spring you can pair them with a cute cardigan. I love easy dressing!

While I was there, I shopped their amazing clearance sale. I picked up a pair of dark skinny jeans for $4.99.

I also picked these up for my BFF's daughter, who's 9 months old.

This shirt was $1.49

This sweater was $3.49

I'm looking forward to seeing what else Old Navy has to offer this spring/summer!

T.J. Maxx/Marshall's Spring Fashion Preview

Yesterday, I had the pleasure of attending the T.J. Maxx/Marshall's Spring Preview event. It was held at the Ames Hotel in Boston.

Anyone who knows me, knows that I love to shop. They also know that I rarely pay full price for things. T.J.'s and Marshall's are the perfect stores for me. They always have the cutest styles and big name brands. And their prices can't be beat.

They had handbags:

And hats:

and shoes. Oh my!

One of the things that I loved most about yesterday was seeing all the COLORS! I'm so tired of wearing black and gray. I crave color.

There were so many things that I picked up that my sister would call "Loopy clothes." Those are things that just look like me.

Like this purple dress:

This top is such a Loopy top:

And this bathing suit cover-up:

I also fell in love with this pillow.

It's pink. And ruffles. And oh, so girly.

Now, check out the price:

I thought for sure the price would be $39.99. It was only $12.99. It's reverse sticker shock!

Here's something that I will NOT be wearing this summer.

I'm sure this teeny-weeny-yellow bikini will look great on someone, just not me.

Here's the lovely Robin with a flower in her hair. Check out that beautiful smile.

We saw so many great brand names there like this Under Armour shirt for just $12.99. I've seen these in the stores for considerably more.

I also had fun chatting and catching up with some of my new blogging friends.

Photo credit: Masshole Mommy

Kim from Mommycosm, Moi, Charlene from Charlene Chronicles, Niri from Mommy Niri, Robin from Masshole Mommy

If your wardrobe needs a little spring makeover, check out T.J. Maxx and Marshall's. You won't be sorry!

*Disclaimer: TJX provided us with lunch and gift bags at this event. I received no compensation

for this post. All opinions are my own.