sale-drunk – the Spiff

Fashion, sale, sale clothing, sale-drunk

Expertly Shop a Sale

January 6, 2016 No Comments

Every year I use this week to finish catching up from everything over the holidays and spend some time with my family. Please enjoy this very relevant post from July when sales (like now) are at their peak.

If you’re on a spending freeze, I would highly suggest you keep a ten mile buffer zone between you and the mall because the sales are craaayyy-zzzeee good right now.

But just because they’re offering 150% off already marked down items, doesn’t mean you need to run around swiping your credit card like you’re in a sword fight. Or the metaphor I like to go with is – stay sober, don’t get sale-drunk.

It’s so easy to get in the store and immediately become intoxicated by all the savings. But what usually happens in that scenario is you make decisions bases on prices and not need and you end up with things you regret.

Let’s avoid that. Let me be your designated shopper…

1. Go in knowing what you need.

If there are certain things your summer wardrobe is lacking keep those in mind as you shift through the mounds of $2 items. Even if it’s something general like, “I need more shirts to run around in on Saturdays.” It helps you buy more wisely if you have your needs in mind.

2. Start thinking of the next season.

Sometimes retailers will pull out pieces from their winter collections that didn’t sell in January. Don’t disregard these. It’s easy to pass them by because you can’t walk out of the store and put on a sweater, however, Future You will LOVE the fact that you picked up that very versatile striped cardigan for fifty cents. Even when you’re looking at summer tops, start to consider how they’ll layer so you can get even more use out of them.

3. Walk around with it for a second.

This is my go-to, fail safe method for deciding on a piece. Even if the shirt costs $10, if you are unsure of it, or if it doesn’t fit you just right, walk around with it for a second and let the fumes of a great deal settle while you think in real-world terms. Where will you actually wear this? Can you tell me other pieces it will go with or bring together for a look that is truly you? Walk around, ask yourself those questions then decide from there.

Bonus: Do a little Christmas shopping.

Seriously now is the time to get a lot of Christmas shopping done. I’ve already bought three presents that I saved loads of money on by doing so. Future Me is going to do a happy dance.

Fashion, sale, sale clothing, sale-drunk, shopping, Shopping strategy, west town mall

Expertly Shop a Sale

July 17, 2015 No Comments

If you’re on a spending freeze, I would highly suggest you keep a ten mile buffer zone between you and the mall because the sales are craaayyy-zzzeee good right now.

But just because they’re offering 150% off already marked down items, doesn’t mean you need to run around swiping your credit card like you’re in a sword fight. Or the metaphor I like to go with is – stay sober, don’t get sale-drunk.

It’s so easy to get in the store and immediately become intoxicated by all the savings. But what usually happens in that scenario is you make decisions bases on prices and not need and you end up with things you regret.

Let’s avoid that. Let me be your designated shopper…

1. Go in knowing what you need.

If there are certain things your summer wardrobe is lacking keep those in mind as you shift through the mounds of $2 items. Even if it’s something general like, “I need more shirts to run around in on Saturdays.” It helps you buy more wisely if you have your needs in mind.

2. Start thinking of the next season.

Sometimes retailers will pull out pieces from their winter collections that didn’t sell in January. Don’t disregard these. It’s easy to pass them by because you can’t walk out of the store and put on a sweater, however, Future You will LOVE the fact that you picked up that very versatile striped cardigan for fifty cents. Even when you’re looking at summer tops, start to consider how they’ll layer so you can get even more use out of them.

3. Walk around with it for a second.

This is my go-to, fail safe method for deciding on a piece. Even if the shirt costs $10, if you are unsure of it, or if it doesn’t fit you just right, walk around with it for a second and let the fumes of a great deal settle while you think in real-world terms. Where will you actually wear this? Can you tell me other pieces it will go with or bring together for a look that is truly you? Walk around, ask yourself those questions then decide from there.

Bonus: Do a little Christmas shopping.

Seriously now is the time to get a lot of Christmas shopping done. I’ve already bought three presents that I saved loads of money on by doing so. Future Me is going to do a happy dance.

dress, Fashion, sale-drunk

Junk Food Dress

June 29, 2015 2 Comments

Getting dressed with a baby bump has been fun. I was looking forward to the new challenge and it’s proven to be the fun/interesting/refreshing adventure I thought it would be. I know it sounds weird, but I love a good fashion challenge and what’s more challenging than your changing body?

This dress is something I picked up in Indianapolis from their H&M. I was hoping to grab some of their cheap maternity clothes, but the store I went to didn’t have a maternity section. Instead, however, I found something better. This dress (and another one like it) that I can wear while pregnant and (most importantly) after.

That’s been my goal each time I shop – to find something that works now and later. It’s a habit I’ve gotten myself into even if I’m not shopping around a bump.

The important thing to remember when you’re buying in stores like H&M or Forever21, is that the pieces you pick up are what I affectionately refer to as “junk food.” It’s cute and delicious and it’s going to serve a short term purpose. But after a couple of wears, you’re going to be hungry again.

The lesson here is exactly parallel to what we put in our body – we can’t fill it up with junk food all the time, we have to have vegetables now and then.

The vegetables in this case would be classic, quality pieces that will stand through the trends and your changing tastes. It could be a little black dress, nude pumps, even a great coat could be considered a closet “vegetable.”Just as long as it’s something you know beyond any doubt that you’ll love for years and years to come.

This dress cost me $17 and is perfect for this point in time. It fits my growing baby bump and is something I’ll probably wear once or twice next summer even without a bump. Beyond that, I don’t think it will last long. But that’s OK because it’s just a bag of Cheetos.

The goal is to have a balance in your closet so that you can keep your look fresh, but not cheap.

Fashion, sale, sale-drunk

Successfully Shop Tax Free

August 1, 2014 No Comments

Good old Uncle Sam is throwing us a bone this weekend, and giving us a whopping 10% off all our clothing purchases.

It’s a small bone, but we’ll take it! It’s also a genius ploy they’ve got going – giving us a time limit and all. The savings and the urgency combined can send you into a sale drunk shopping frenzy. So I want to help sober you up with 9 words that will show you how to walk away with your nose clean, your closet stocked, and your wallet giving you a slow clap.

Now is the time to make a big purchase.

Your wallet’s shooting me a confused look. Allow me to explain…

Yes you save on everything you buy this weekend, but unless you have kids to buy for or a closet to build from scratch, the dangers of you buying things you won’t wear, far outweigh the benefits of saving 10%. Between the crowds and the picked over merchandise (I’m looking at you, Forever21 jewelery wall) it’s easy to make a rushed bad decision. So instead, focus your efforts on the one thing you really need.

Last year, for example, I purchased a black blazer. It’s a bee-utiful blazer that I’ll have and wear for many years to come. It’s from Banana Republic, so it’s of impeccable quality. And you know what? I saved a lot of money by buying it tax free.

Think about the one quality piece you’re really needing to buy, and go get that sucker this weekend!

sale, sale clothing, sale-drunk, style setter

Successfully Shop a Sale

January 31, 2014 No Comments

If you’re really into paying full price for your clothes, now is not a good time for you to shop.

Every where you go in West Town Mall there’s sale upon sale. So if you’re not into that kind of thing, you’re not going to like that everyone’s having scrumtrulescent sales right now.
Who needs fantastic new clothes at wildly discounted prices? Oh, I do.
For those of us who are “crazy” enough to love a deal, here are 5 ways to sale shop successfully…

1. Go in with a game plan.

First figure out what your winter wardrobe is missing. Do you need more basics? Accessories? Fancy pieces? Know what you need and make a list.

2. Be aware of what you have.

Maybe you got some great items for Christmas that need an extra something. For example, I got the beautiful necklace pictured (from The Limited) for Christmas and I knew it needed just the right back drop, so I went shopping purposefully to find something to go with it. That’s when I landed this cute striped top from JCP for only $12!

3. Think of 3 things it would go with.

This is always a good rule to follow when shopping, but it’s essential when sale shopping. This helps you know how useful it will be and right away you can tell it will be a great buy. Also, think about whether it could work into your spring wardrobe or not. I’m happy that the striped top (above) will work well into spring (so will the silver skirt and messenger bag I scored at Garage for less than $20 total!)

4. Try it on.

I’m one of those people that can’t make a purchase unless I’ve tried it on. If you aren’t, make sure you know the return policy of the store because sometimes items on sale can’t be returned.

5. Have fun!

Shopping this time of year is so much fun because you get such great deals on items that were full price just the other day (like those patterned pumps I’m wearing from Belk)! Load up on pieces that will help carry you through the rest of this cold season, and will give you plenty of fun things to wear into spring…and even next fall!