Mad Men

This time,I hit the store to find some great buys instead of digging online. And right now is a great time to do so. Kohl's has several racks full of clearance clothes, including a lot of dresses for Under10. But first --

Favorite Find:  This mock-layered dress is too cute. It's belted with a short turtleneck. The a-line cut is flattering to pretty much anyone, and the whole thing reminds me a little of the fashion in "Mad Men." I paired it with this layered necklace by Candie's.  This dress, normally $58, is on sale for $37.70.  The necklace was about $12.00.  (Note:  I can't find either of these online.  If you can, please link me.)

If you're willing to spend a little more, pick up these black, oxford-style heels by UnionBay.  They're only $24.99 right now, and they go great with a lot of fall/winter styles.

 

Keep warm this fall/winter with this cable-knit sweater dress.  It comes in six colors, but my eye was on the teal.  I layered it over a long-sleeve gray shirt (check the Back to the Basics sale for a good deal on those).  I also added a white belt Simply Vera by Vera Wang.  It was less than $10 on clearance.  The dress is $27.99, but if you order it online right now, enter the code HOMECOMING at checkout and you'll save an extra %20!  Works well over a pair of tights or leggings, too. 

Want to accessorize?  This white, beaded cuff bracelet and matching necklace contrast great against the teal, and match the belt.  Best of all, they're less than $5.00 each!  That's your dress, belt and jewelry for less than $50 (cheaper if you order the dress online).

Best buy of the day:  This empire-waist dress was $8.90!  Hold onto it for your New Year's parties.  Like the other clearance items, you'll have to hit the stores for this one.  The layered-necklace is also available for less than $10.00 I believe.

Three great deals today.  I'll keep an eye out on the "Mad Men" dress for any more price reductions.  If you like the last one, I recommend going to your nearest Kohl's as soon as possible.  Note: all of these styles were found in the Murfreesboro, TN, Kohl's.

And now I leave you with this (I think I'm in love)--

Splurge of the Day: 

Gray faux-suede, calf-high boots with a bow accent.  $49.99 online (down from $79.99) Also available in black or brown.

Back to the Basics

Tons of great deals right now via good ol' Target.  I love Target for clothes now.  In the past few years, they've really amped up their designs by bringing in big names designers to do real-budget clothes.  And if you're willing to dig through the sales racks at the end of a season, you can find some great buys.

Today however, you don't have to do any digging.  Target has their "Back to the Basics" sale going on -- and you can find it online!  And with the temperatures dropping, their sales items are perfect for layering.
Deal of the day: I love the boyfriend cardigan in violet/ivory for $15.00.   I’d recommend an ivory scoopneck shirt (tee, tank top, or long-sleeves.)  However, you can pick up this black-lace trimmed one for less than $4!  Add the dark denim, low-rise bootcut jeans for under $10 (limited sizes available) and you have an entire outfit for less than $30.00!  You can bet that outfit is already in the Bargain Fashionista’s shopping cart. 

Here’s a great deal on a wardrobe staple – the basic black dress -- and this figure-flattering, sleeveless wrap-dress by Merona is on clearance for $14.98.   All sizes from small to xx-large are in stock, but I doubt for long.

While you're there, stock up on long-sleeve crewneck tees for only $6.00.  I especially love the berry for a winter-friendly pop of color, plus they’re great for putting under sweaters of all kinds when it starts getting really chilly outside.  Or for an easy weekend look, just throw on the shirt with a long necklace and jeans and you’re ready in no time.  This is a basic must-have.

Find it here

Today's final find: a sky blue tunic with slit-sleeves and a keyhole back has been marked down to $10.48.  Throw it over some skinny jeans and a pair of black boots.  Add a long necklace (noticing a theme yet?) and you’re good to go.  Kohl's has a lot of fashion jewelry on sale right now, but you’re better off heading to the store for that one.

Bonus Buys: 

+Gray/black canvas tote with zippers – was $44.99, now only $15.74.

+If you spend $50.00 or more at target.com, you get free shipping.

Site to Watch

I've become a little obsessed with watching HauteLook's website.  They launch new sales everyday.  All big brands.  Some of them are couture sales that still range in the few-hundred dollar range, but sometimes you can find a great buy.  Earlier this week HauteLook featured American Apparel on sale for under $20.00!  I bought two solid color hoodies, one in olive and one in navy, for only $13.00 each (I'll post photos when I get them in).  They also had long sleeve tees and dresses all for under $20.00.

It is a member's only site, but it's free.  And like I said, the sales change daily, so you only have about a 24 hour period to get in on them.  But keep an eye on it, and if you get any great deals, let me know!

HauteLook

Welcome

Willkommen, bienvenue, welcome!

If you're like me, you love clothes but don't have the budget (or won't to make one) to blow on big ticket items. Let's face it, most of would love to stock our closets with couture; but instead, we're forced to do with sales-rack shoes and off-the-rack reality. Sure, fashion magazines offer pages of styles for those of us who are more financially-challenged, but is a page with "Great Deals Under $500" still doesn't fly for your average college student, or single mom, or really any woman on a budget.

Don't fret, my friends of fashion. Cute clothes and hot looks aren't reserved for people with thick wallets. When I talk fashion deals, I'm talking about putting together an entire outfit for less than $50. Okay, so it can't always be done, but I've got plenty of wardrobe that people would never guess I spent so little on.

Here is my one warning, as much as I love Coach, and Burberry, and Fendi, and so many more, if you're a label-snob, you're probably in the wrong place. But if you just want to look good without spending big bucks, this is the place for you.

Keep an eye out here for great deals, and send me ones you find, too.