Sale at Victoria's Secret

Sorry I haven't posted in a while--our wireless modem broke down and we had to wait a few days til our internet was back up again. It sure felt like the "old days" with no technology to me!
Today, I went to Victoria's Secret, since they were having a sale on a lot of their bras and panties. Being a college student, I need all of those I can get, so I can do laundry a lot less often! VS is my favorite place to get good-quality bras and their panties are quite adorable. Unfortunately, they're usually a bit expensive. But with their semi-annual sale, going on right now, you can score great deals on the hottest essentials.
Every store will be different, but yours should have a good selection; order online if you want even more options.
I have a small bust (32A) but I was able to find a cute demi-cup push-up bra in my size. For those of you with smaller busts like mine, a great push-up bra can work wonders. Demi-cups are also great because they create cleavage.
So check out your VS and VS PINK stores to get a lot of essentials for a low price!

Cute bras and panties for less? Count me in!

 



Window Shopping & Online Ordering

Today, it was just me and my mom since my dad was at work and my sister started school again yesterday. My mom always has Fridays off so we had a little girl-to-girl time this afternoon. We grabbed salads for lunch at Elephant Bar and then headed to the mall.
I was trying to find a sweater at Hollister. Most of the store was 40-50% off, so I hoped I could find it at the store so I wouldn't have to pay for shipping. It was an Epic Only style, but occasionally the store stocks some overflow items. Unfortunately, they didn't have that sweater but I found several other cute things I debated about buying but ended up leaving empty-handed. One of them was the Big Dume button-down shirt ($19.75) in navy plaid. I liked it because I don't have much plaid in my wardrobe and it has sparkly thread. I also checked out the jeans and liked the Cali Flares ($23.70) in rinse. I decided I would rather get another pair of slouchy jeans from American Eagle so I could use up the rest of my gift card. The Fallbrook twill pants ($19.75) in stone were also cute--a few posts back I explained that I bought them and then decided to return them--but I'm still not completely sold on them. If I had had more money, I probably would have bought them. The spring collection had a lot of great pieces, but since none of them were on clearance, I left the store without buying anything.
When I got home, I ordered the Dixon Lake sweater ($29.90) in burgundy online. I got such a good deal on it, since it originally cost $79.50! I fell in love with it the moment I saw it and knew I had to have it, but when Christmas came and went, I thought it would be gone for sure. With standard shipping, it only ended up costing me about $40, which is still a fraction of the original price. I haven't ordered anything online in quite a while, mostly because I hate paying for shipping, but in the future, if I like an Epic Only item, I'll just spend a few extra bucks and order it since it'll be worth it.
I can't wait to get my sweater when it comes--I'm just hoping it comes before I have to leave for school in a little over a week.
Do you order things online? Do you mind paying for shipping? What's the best part of ordering online?

Sweaters Under $50

Whether you're still finishing up Christmas shopping (only 2 days left!) or doing a little shopping for yourself, you probably are looking for some great deals. Many stores are offering deep discounts to entice shoppers to buy more before it's too late so take advantage of these low prices while they last! If you're looking for inexpensive sweaters, you've come to the right place. Here are a few sweater options to keep in mind.

• AMERICAN EAGLE: The store is putting a lot of their winter merchandise in clearance to make room for the spring collection (crazy, I know!) The AE Pocket Cardigan ($39.50) is a great option for someone who prefers to keep things simple. It comes in six colors, from bright Rosso to goes-with-everything Crow so you can stock up and still save. For the person on your list who likes a little more flair, why not try the AE Marled Sweater Jacket ($39.95)? It'll keep you cozy no matter how chilly it is and it's double-breasted silhouette is unique.
• ABERCROMBIE & FITCH: Usually, their sweaters can be pretty pricey, but with 40% off everything in the entire store, you can score some good deals. If you're looking for a cute sweaterdress for yourself, the Bailey sweater ($47.60) has you covered with it's extra-long length and deep V-neck. Pair it with some tights and boots or flats. For a preppy look, get the Taylor sweater ($33.60)--it's bold stripes will really stand out.
• GILLY HICKS: Almost all of their non-clearance sweaters are already under $50, so you have a lot to choose from. The Paradise Beach sweater ($39.50) is a classic pullover sweater, while the Blakehurst sweater ($49.50) features pretty sparkly bow embellishments.
• HOLLISTER: They've got a huge selection of sweaters right now during their holiday clearance sale, so buy them cheap while you can! My favorites are the Abalone Cove cardigan ($31.15)--a very wintery sweater--and the Royal Palms Beach sweater ($34.65)--a great easy-fitting open cardigan. They've got tons of options, so treat yourself to one, too!

Are you asking for any sweaters for Christmas? Or are you planning on buying them after the holidays to save even more money?

Pre-Christmas Shopping Spree!

I know I'm slightly crazy for going shopping just 5 days before Christmas, but that's exactly what I was doing yesterday with my sister. However, we already got all of our shopping done for friends and family so this was just a little shopping trip just for us.

My sis really wanted to go to Hollister since they had a pair of pants there she wanted. When we got there, we found out that everything in the store was 30% off--what a deal! I wasn't planning on buying anything from there, but I looked around just in case. Nothing really grabbed me, but when my sister headed for the pants she liked (the Fallbrook twill pants, $27.65), I decided to check them out, too. I kinda liked them in stone, so I took them to the dressing room in size 0 short (the smallest size HCo. carries). They actually fit pretty well, snug but not too tight, just the right length and I liked the color. I took pics in the dressing room to show how they fit--sorry about the bad lighting! If you've ever been in a Hollister store, you'll know that they're very dark.

 

 So I decided to buy them. But then we went to American Eagle next...and it completely changed my mind! I finally found the flats I've been looking for forever--the AE Sequin Ballet Flat ($19.50, pewter). Since they were $10 off the original price, I couldn't resist buying them, especially since they were actually in a size 6! When I tried them on with tights, they fit perfectly. I also found a pearl and metal chain bracelet for $12.50 and a chain and jewel necklace for $6.95, and since they were having their buy one get one 50% off jewelry sale, I only paid about $30 for all three items! That's a great steal, considering that if I had bought them all full-price, it would have cost me over $61!

But I decided that I didn't really need the pants that much, even though they were 30% off. So I returned them but hopefully I'll be able to find them again at a lower price after Christmas.

Have you ever bought anything and then decided to immediately return it because you found something even better? I hope it doesn't happen to me again, because I'm still waiting for the money to be credited back to my card. Have a merry Christmas, everyone, and good luck with any last-minute shopping!

Black Friday Heads-Up

Black Friday is one of the best days for bargain-savvy shoppers--and also one of the craziest! You'll want a little heads-up before you head out into the crowded malls the day after Thanksgiving, so here's a small update on which stores have great deals on the Big Day and all weekend long!
At Hollister, you can take 30% off everything in the entire store until noon on Friday--the catch is that your purchase must be at the actual store, not online. The best part is, the 30% off also includes clearance-priced merchandise, so you could score some great deals. If you prefer online shopping, make sure to spend at least $75 so you can get free shipping from now until Tuesday!
American Eagle has offered great deals on the weekends since October. On Thanksgiving only, you can get free shipping and an additional 25% off when you use the discount code found on their Facebook page (make sure you fan them if you haven't already to get in on some good discounts). All women's sweaters are $5-$30 off their original price, so make sure you check them out. Looks like you'll be doing your shopping a day early!
Abercrombie & Fitch has a similar deal, going on now through Black Friday--you get 20% off and free shipping over $100! Again, you'll need their Facebook discount code to take advantage of this offer.
Gilly Hicks is helping you stay cozy this holiday season with $20 hoodies and sweats in-stores only on Friday before noon. Unfortunately, if one of their stores isn't in your area (they only have 16 stores in the U.S.) you won't be able to get in on this, but if you join their email list, you'll find out about the Secret Sale that happens every Monday--every week it's something new, from 20% off everything online to pajamas, t-shirts or jeans on clearance from noon to 8 pm only. So the deals last all season long!
Are you planning on hitting the stores this Black Friday, or waiting for any Cyber Monday deals?

Perfect Shoes for Small Feet

Moccasins can be the perfect shoes for small feet!

For most petite ladies out there, you probably have trouble from time to time finding shoes that fit. I know I do. I wear a size 6 in most shoes, and while most stores carry this size, they are usually all out or fit weird. My feet are very narrow, so it's very hard for me to find shoes (especially boots and moccasins) that don't slide right off my feet because they're too wide. Most of my flip-flops are also a little too big on me, making it harder to walk. And on the high-heels that I own, I had to make extra holes because the ankle strap was too big on me. So I know how hard it can be to find shoes that fit tiny feet.

But this past weekend, on an afternoon trip to American Eagle with my little sister and mom, I found the moccasins I've been lusting after (AE Suede Fringe Moc, $34.50, in honey tan). Not only that, but they were in my size! Eager to see if they would actually fit, I slipped them on and to my surprise, they fit perfectly, even without socks! These are very narrow shoes, so if your feet are a bit wider, you may have to go up a size, but they were perfect on my very narrow feet.
My mom convinced me to buy some socks to wear under it (only with jeans, of course) so I got the AE Marbled Crew Socks ($6.50, in navy). When I got home, I tried the mocs with the socks (hahaha I'm a poet and didn't know it) and they still fit great.
I was a little disappointed, because I was also wanting to buy the AE Warm & Fuzzy Boot ($39.50) in grey. Unfortunately, the smallest size they had was a 7, and my feet were swimming in those. I even asked one of the employees to check the back room, but they were all out of 6's. So I'll have to check out other American Eagle stores to find those beloved boots.
But I was happy about my purchase, especially since I had a 20% coupon. The socks, as it turned out, were $5 at that store, so I walked out of there with mocs and socks for under $35!
So check out your local American Eagle Outfitters store, or their website, for some great shoes for smaller feet.

Check Out AE's Winter Warm-Up!

The problem: winter is sooooo cold! (well, depending on where you live) The solution: lots of cozy, cute winter clothes!
AE's got that covered with their brand-new collection, Winter Warm-Up. It features their great jeans, which come in all kinds of styles and washes, from skinnies and jeggings to boot cuts and vintage flares.
Check out their Looks of the Season for 12 totally different outfits that will keep you warm and looking good this winter. My favorites are Lofty Luxe (the one in the middle), Modern Military (the one on the right) and Winter Warm-Up (the one on the right).
One plus is that right now, they are offering 8 pairs of jeans under $30 which is a great deal. I have quite a few pairs of their denim, from shorts to skirts to jeans, and I love them all. They don't fall apart easily but are much cheaper than designer denim, so if you're on a budget, I suggest you check out American Eagle. They have sizes from 00 to 18 (even sizes only) and short, regular, long and extra-long inseams so they should fit almost anyone!
If you're an AE lover like me, or are curious to see what they're all about, swing by your local store and you're guaranteed to find some great deals on some super-cute things. Oh, and every week from now until Christmas, they're offering a Favorite Gift of the Week through email so be sure to sign up if you haven't already and get ready to be gifted!

Something Unexpected

A simply cute outfit (all I need now is the
tank top and ballet flats!)

If you've been reading some of my posts lately, you'll know that I've been hunting down the perfect jeans. I only have 3 or 4 pairs in my closet and I was looking for a couple more but I was having the hardest time finding ones that weren't all spandex-y or too low-rise or way too long in the length.

I got to spend some much-needed time with my family this past weekend, as it was Homecoming and family weekend on my campus, and on Friday afternoon my mom, sister and I hit up the local mall to buy a few things. Unfortunately, the stores there didn't have the best selection, so I only ended up buying the Boat Canyon zip-up hoodie in dark red ($29.89) from Hollister. But it was fine, since I don't have much red in my closet and the hoodie was on clearance.

Then later, my mom told me she had a surprise for me: she had ordered me a pair of jeans online from Abercrombie Kids! I was ecstatic, since I'd been talking about trying to get some jeans from there lately. The closest store is almost an hour away from our house, so it would have been kind of a pain to go to the store, especially since I'm in college now so my mom wouldn't want to waste a whole day driving. So she ordered a size 14 for me, hoping it would fit and wouldn't be too long.
The next day, I checked my dorm mail and sure enough, there it was! When we got back to our hotel that night, I tried them on. I didn't expect them to fit snugly, since most of my jeans don't, but these definitely did. But they weren't so snug that they didn't fit at all and my parents and sister thought I looked great in them. Plus, they're only slightly too long without shoes. Yay, I had actually found a pair that were great (by the way, they're the Mackenzie Flare in rinse, now $23.70). They have just enough stretch in them to make them comfortable and not stiff but not so much that I feel like I'm wearing jeggings. I love how flared they are, too--not extreme, like bell-bottoms but definitely more than boot-cuts. The color is amazing too--it's so dark and rich-looking.
I guess the lesson to be learned here is that there's a great pair of jeans out there for everyone, you may just have to step outside your comfort zone and try a new store or new style, whether it be light wash or skinnies or boyfriend fit. Next time I need a new pair of jeans, I will definitely be hitting up Abercrombie Kids...I'm not even ashamed of the kids label!

End-of-Season Clearance At American Eagle!

While most of us are well-aware that winter has barely begun, the clothing world is already a step ahead of us: they are already getting rid of their cold-weather merchandise. But that's good news for anyone with a small budget and a big need (or maybe just want) for some winter apparel.
American Eagle Outiftters is currently having a great sale on tights, outerwear and even their ever-popular jeans. Some styles of socks are as cheap as $3.95, stylish tights are available for $6.95, flats cost as little as $11.95 and jeans range from $29.95-$59.50! Most coats and vests, perfect for chilly days, are also great deals.
Take advantage of end-of-season sales to get your winter gear cheap and before it disappears!

50% Off At Hollister!

Times are tough, but what better way to embrace economic hardships than with shopping? I know, it seems wasteful to blow your hard-earned salary on a brand-new wardrobe, but you can take advantage of Hollister's current sale on sweaters. Normally, they cost anywhere between $39.50 to $140, but with 50% taken off many of their more-popular sweaters, you can stock up on a winter essential for half the price! The cheapest (County Line) at $15.90 is a steal, while the higher-priced Ormond Beach ($89.90) is still much cheaper than its original price of $120.
As winter blows in, bringing snow and the common cold with it, you can get a couple of sweaters for the price of one, that will keep warm and comfortable throughout the season. And that's nothing to sneeze at.