New feature-Outfit of the Day!

So, as you most of you know that have read this blog, I love fashion and I love to shop.  I have lots of clothes for myself and my girls, household items, and many other things i find on bargain.  Everything I find I take pictures of.  I have A TON of pictures of clothing deals I have yet to post.  So I have decided to have a new feature called "Outfit of the Day."  Here I will have a short post with an outfit with some items I found a good deal on.  Make sure you stay tuned as I will try to post them a few times a week.

 

                   Baby Blue Henley shirt Old Navy regular $17.94 
                          sale $5.49 clearance $3.29

                 Mossimo Black French Terri Hooded Jacket 
                         regular $39.99 clearance $11.98

                       Old Navy Sequin Boots regular $40
                                    clearance $11.97

Without the Jacket

With the Jacket

Keep checking back for more outfits of the day for woman and children:)

The latest out of the magazines

I still look through a lot of these magazines to see what they have and whats in style.  But most of the time I never take what I find and go out and buy the exact item.  I take the ideas I find and go out and find it cheaper:)

The Oprah Magazine Feb 2012 issue, great buys under $100 page 80-cheapest thing on there was a color blocked tote for $45 from the gap…could get an entire outfit for that.

Allure Feb 2012 Fashion Bulletin page 58.  Cheapest item listed is a pair of Studio Pollini leather and cork wedge sandals for $495 that’s almost a month of child care for my 3 y/o! Then page 60 Fashion Cravings LUST vs MUST.  There is a ‘love’ necklace just like the one I had posted in my post about JC PENNY’S that I found for $9.97(this necklace is posted in a previous post).  Even though its gold in the article, it looks identical to the sterling silver one I have but their must is $130 and their lust is $650…They also had a $40 gap bra Bra.  I get it that you need to have undergarments that are comfortable and supportive, and I am not saying that I haven’t ever bought an expensive Bra.  But recently when I went to Burlington Coat Factory, I found 3 bra’s(one was an I Zod) for under $20.  The original price of those bras at a department store would have totaled $65.

People Style Watch Feb 2012-page 40 Guilt Free Shopping article- they actually-do have a $25 skirt from JCpennys but the majority of things are still too pricey…..especially the $98 necklace from j crew (that would not make me feel guilt free, especially when I can find something similar in style and color at a department store or TJ Maxx.

They also have a “Everything under $100” article on page 46 and some items are reasonable, but others you can wait to go on clearance or find something similar for less.  “The look for less” article on page 50 makes me laugh.  They compare celebrities-who have money coming out of their ears-wearing an outfit and then have a display of a similar outfit find for less.  Even though Olivia Palermo’s skirt alone is $400, they found the total outfit she was wearing for $288.75.  For $288.75 I better find an entire outfit for every member of my family.  That would be close to $73 per person in my family, which could EASILY be done, for much less than that!  “Get Simply Sexy Style” has a vibrant green BCBG Max Azria dress for $178.  I found a similar dress in style and color at old navy for $5.98 on clearance (I will post a pic soon of this-it’s super cute and a great find!)

The bottom line is again that many of these magazines are un-realistic for the everyday person.  These magazines are a great place to pull different style ideas from, but take those ideas to the department stores or TJ or Marshall.  I guarantee you can find something similar in style for much less.

Consignment Shopping

Everyone has their own opinion on buying used clothing.  You either love it or you hate it.  Some people can't stand the thought of putting on something someone else has worn over and over again.  Me, I feel that if its in good enough condition, that's what laundry soap is for! 

Some of the best purchase i have made have been through consignment-especially for my girls.  Here in Plymouth, we have a cute little consignment shop called "Sharing R Kids Closets".  Its a cute little shop downtown that has gently used children's clothing and accessories. Before this store was there, there was a similar store with like items.  I bought a Arms Reach Co sleeper bassinet there when I was pregnant with my oldest Savanah.  Those run brand new around $160 and i got mine, gently used for $65.  It still to this day is my favorite purchase i have ever made for my kids.  It put me at ease as it is meant to be a safer way to have your baby close to you but not in bed with you...for those of you that know me personally, you know how much I worry so waking up and being able to see my babies right by me was comforting. Savanah slept in it until she was about 6 months and Britta slept in it until she was nearly 9 months and my nephew used it until he was about 6 months.  BEST MONEY I EVER SPENT!!  So , it was used by 3 babies in my family alone, and is still in wonderful condition!  It paid for itself. 

                                           Savanah in the Co-Sleeper

                                                 Britta in the co sleeper

There is also a great consignment sale held twice a year by 'Just Between Friends'.  I have attended the Milwaukee sale at the state fair grounds multiple times and found amazing clothing, toys and even a breast pump for only $25!  I know what you are thinking...that's disgusting to share a breast pump, but it was only the machine I paid for because when I was in the hospital, they gave me all new equipment and tubing for the machine.  Some items at this event still have price tags on them!  I bought Savanah a brand new Gymboree Winter Coat (tags on) for $20.  It was originally $60.

I also got this Hanna Anderson Snowsuit for $15 when they run up to $100.

And of course they will all get used again since god blessed me with 2 little girls:)

There spring sale is coming up...check it out if your in or around Milwaukee

http://milwaukeecounty.jbfsale.com/pages/home

Or check out their website as they have sales all over the U.S.! 

http://www.jbfsale.com/default.cfm

They also have one coming up 3/29/12-3/31/12 at The Washington County Fair Park.  I will definitely be checking it out!  And of course if you have items you want to get rid of, contact them as you can make money too rather than spend it:)

I also love going to consignment shops for myself.  In fact, today I just had an appointment to get rid of somethings i no longer wear anymore and make a little cash myself at Sheboygan's "Nikki's Next 2 New."  Hopefully my things will be successful in selling and I can use the money i make, to find something cute for myself:) 

 

Goodwill days at Boston Store

Don't forget to head to your closest Boston Store for Goodwill days.  It is some of the best deals you will find for a good cause.

For every piece of clothing you donate, you receive a 20% off coupon in return.  There are hardly any exclusions on using these coupons except "incredible values".  They have this sale twice a year and its the only time you can ever use coupons on perfumes and cosmetics so make sure you check it out....its worth your time and worth the cause;)

The sale goes from March 7th - March 22nd.

http://www.bostonstore.com/

JC Penny or jcp - the name that says it all.

Growing up, my family often times went to what my mom likes to call “Pennies”, and the name best described why.  You could find affordable things for all members of the family.  It was a “one stop shop” for all of us not to mention it was close to home (this was before they closed the store down in Sheboygan.  I remember vividly making special trips to JC Penny Outlet in Milwaukee too.  When we went there, we always came back with a car full and boy was it cheap.  Sadly, they closed down last year as well.   It was and still might be her favorite store, and to this day I still shop there.  I can’t recall a time when my wardrobe didn’t have something from JC Penny in it, and it is still that way to this day.

They have many cute, affordable brands in the present day including I <3 Ronson, a.n.a, bisou bisou, Allen B, and the list goes on for women.  They have many popular children and teens clothing from Carter’s to Arizona and for men they have Stafford, American Living and Claiborne to name a few. 

To me, JC Penny’s has always been affordable but with the recent change of leadership at the department store, they have a new motto. …”Everyday price” Where you don’t need coupons and there aren’t special “weekend sales.”  These items have the red price tags.

 “Month-long values” where they feature certain items during the month that stay on sale all month long.  These items have the white price tags. 

And “Best Prices”, where the 1^st and 3^rd Friday of the month they mark their prices down even more and these items are in blue. 

I recently just saw a comercial for their new mottos as well with Ellen as their spokesperson-it seems everyone is getting on board. 

I recently shopped at a JC Penny’s while in a Palm Springs California and found a few cute, affordable buys.   I found this charcoal/tan bowl neck a.n.a sweater originally $40.00 marked down to $8 (with the blue price tag).

(Other clothing pieces in the photo not from JC Penny's)

Stella Camel Boot reg $54.97 sale 39.97 from Shiekh Shoes

'Limited' Grey dress pants reg $30  Tj Maxx $16.99

                                

             a.n.a Green geo Print blouse reg $38 sale 15.20 (60%) clear $8

These are some items I found in the fall last year while I was away on a work conference in Wausau-of course in my spare time during my real job I found time to bargain shopJ 

                          Sterling Silver "love" necklace jc penny $50.00  80% off  $9.97

Liz Claiborne Rainbow stripe shoulder strap purse reg $50 clearance $5.97

 Bisou Bisou orange/brown/purple one shoulder ruffle dress org $70.00 clear $9.97

                               I <3 Mom & Dad Onesie reg $12.00 reduced to $1.97

 Worthington JC penny Black white stripped dress shirt org $30.00 clear $4.97

                                       Worthington khaki skirt org $44.00 clear $4.97

They recently started sending out their new catalog as well for March 2012.  If you didn’t get one I highly suggest going online to take a peak. http://calendar.jcpenney.com/march/#!book/thebook/4

I found numerous items in there that were great buys.

Page 17- the royal blue color craze necklace for only $9.  Hot color for spring and summer (my fav color always) and can be mixed with many different outfits both day and night.

Page 95 – Stafford Suit-$100!  Seriously, $100 for an entire suit.  This kind of price on a nice suit doesn’t happen often and this suit is a great color (neutral tone) and is apparently wrinkle resistant.  I am hoping to find this suit this weekend for my honey when we go suit shopping for his upcoming awardJ

         Then just cruising around on their website, I found this fun, adorable dress

                                                       Bisou Bisou® Metallic Strapless Dress $18.

It doesn’t get much better than that!  Throw this together with the color craze necklace with a pair of fun matching blue heels and you got yourself a great date night outfit.

So if you haven't before, run, don't walk to your nearest JCP.  You are bound to find a great bargain!