BLACK FRIDAY, BLACK FRIDAY, GOTTA GET DOWN ON BLACK FRIDAY

I must say that Kohl's parody of Rebecca Black's "Friday" is pretty catchy.

Any way, countdown to midnight in t-minus about 1 1/2 hours...for the majority of the black Friday sales.  There are so many good deals going on but many are unnecessary for me to buy.  I really don't need a George Foreman grill but for $10 at Macy's... that's pretty good.  Therefore, I will buy one for Dan.  Walmart had a waffle maker or a food chopper for around $2!  I know what everyone's going to get this Christmas!  Choose wisely between your waffle maker and the food chopper.

There are some clothes deals for Black Friday as well but many are misleading as 'great deals':

Express- They open at Midnight with everything in the store at 40% off.  However, in the past 2 years they have not provided any free gifts.  Express has given out clutches to women in the past which were nice little gifts worth at an Express price of about $16.50.  Men received pajama pants worth around the same price as well.  Express has been crossed off my list as I find that during their clearance bin sales the deals can be better than at 40% off the entire store and of course to avoid long lines!  Express usually has "Take an Additional 40% off already reduced prices" at the end of each major season of Summer and Winter.  Dresses can be marked down to about $14.99 then plus an extra 40% off!  During this time 40% off everything in the store is great if you're going in to find that one item you loved last week and now you can get it almost half of during Black Friday.  Other than that, I don't find it too beneficial to go to Express as many items aren't marked down to it's lowest price of the season.

Old Navy- Random door busters of $5-$10 items here and there.  However, usually right before Black Friday they have random daily deals.  For example this past Tuesday they had a special where from noon to 5pm it was "Take 75% off all long sleeve women's and men's tops."  A bit cheaper than a Black Friday deal of a $7 long sleeve top when you purchase a $25 top with 75% off and not to mention no crazy lines!

Urban Outfitters- Until 10AM all clearance items are "Take an Additional 50% off."  Although, they do this more than once a year.  Usually around some sort of holiday they bring up this sale again.  During Labor day I went to UO and got 2 pairs of shoes at original price of $59 and $29.  Both were marked down to $20 each with final total of $10 each.  If lines are crazy hectic, don't bother, they will have that same sale again.  Not only that but the deal is only until 10AM!  During Labor Day it was the whole weekend clearance items were at the sale of the additional 50% off.

Just an example of how Black Friday sales can be misleading for clothing.  I won't say it's always like that but just to show you to shop other times of the year for great bargains!

Now onto my awesome deal!

It's a Day to Night outfit.

Fun and cute for the day and still fun and cute at night!

Same Jeggings, flats, and tank to mix with different jackets for day and night!
Sure my night photos aren't at night but you get what I'm talking about :)

Item 1-- Gray jeggings with side zipper at ankles
The material is fantastic.  Great pair of jeggings to go with any of your long shirts.  The zippers are a nice added touch too.
From: Nordstrom Rack
Brand: Joe's Jeans
Type of sale: Nordstrom Rack price
Original price: $118.00
Purchased price: $19.97

Item 2-- Long black tank with draping back
This shirt is one of a kind for me.  I own nothing like it and it's super cute over these jeggings with great flow.  You can actually unbutton the draping and have a more flowy top.
From: Tilly's
Brand: Ezekiel
Type of sale: Take an additional 50% off clearance items
Original price: $34.00
Purchased price: $9.99 with final price $4.99

Item 3-- Black simple flats with textured design
Great pair of simple flats from Burlington Coat Factory ("We're more... than great coats!").  I've seen these flats even at Ross for $12.99 so I got a great deal here instead.
From: Burlington Coat Factory
Brand: Bamboo
Type of sale: Burlington Coat Factory price
Original price: Compared at $28.00+
Purchased price: $7.99

Item 4-- Zip up hoodie with tied bow at back of hood
Cute hoodie for the day time with frills at the shoulders and a bow to tie for a girlie touch.  Clearance price is faded but about $20?  Nice.
From: Nordstrom Rack
Brand: Juicy Couture
Type of sale: Clearance
Original price: $148.00
Purchased price: $49.97 with final price $19.80

Item 5-- Black short length blazer
A better camera could show you the shine of the blazer.  It has a bit of a shiny tint to it which makes it ideal for a night out.  I love how the draped tank looks great under the blazer, especially in the back!  Pair it with a fancy layering necklace and you're set!
From: Macy's
Brand: Guess
Type of sale: Clearance + scan the price tag and discover the new clearance price!
Original price: $108.00
Purchased price: $37.80 with final priced (after self scanned) $13.20! This was legen (wait for it) dary!

Item 6-- Layered gold necklace with white gems
Random find that really gives an extra pop to an outfit.
From: Nordstrom Rack
Type of sale: Clearance with 75% off original price
Original price: $29.00
Purchased price: $14.97 with final price $3.72

Side Note!
Um... It's Black Friday soon... 'Side note' could go on forever here.  Just go look at your local ads for all the awesome deals :)

Fashionably cheap

Tina

TJ MAXX end of season sale!

I recently read a random blog posting from an unknown source that suggested that people shouldn't use coupons on dates, especially on the first date.  To be honest, I have used a coupon on a date and I find nothing wrong with it.  When Dan and I had just started dating we went to Cold Stone Creamery (mmm... ice cream) and as we got out of the car I stated, "It's your lucky day because I have a coupon!"  I had cut out a coupon from the clipper magazine a couple weeks back for a "Buy one Love It get a second Love It for free" and stored it in my wallet (That's a $4 savings!).  The coupon obviously came in handy.  Dan knew I was a keeper from that moment on :).  I wouldn't mind if a guy used a coupon on a date, even on the first date.  It shows me that he's trying to save money and well, that's awesome!  If this sounds crazy to you then maybe I'm just cheap.

Onto the posting-->  Yellow tags galore!

When TJ Maxx gets to the end of their Summer and Winter season they really take clearance to another level.  A marked down price at TJ Maxx is usually indicated with a red clearance sticker on the price tag, however a very low marked down price is indicated with a yellow clearance sticker instead.  I love these yellow clearance stickers.  I'm usually saving at least 75% off the original price.  The yellow clearance stickers can be found at any time of the year when items have been at the store too long and need to be reduced to a very low price to sell.  However, during the end of a Summer or Winter season there is always a load of items on sale.  I took the time at TJ Maxx to look for various items on sale with a yellow sticker price.  I found items that varied on sizes to showcase that clearance items can be found not just in my sizes but in all.  I also am including for the first time a home item I bought!  I fell in love with a great home piece that I truly will hold onto until I move into my own place (aka when I finish paying off my school loans so Dan and I can move in together... eventually!)

Not all of the following items were purchased. I wanted to show that I can find clearance items in different sizes and challenge was accomplished!  I usually only look for things for myself so this time around I looked at every clothing rack in the clearance section.  Items in blue are items I purchased either for myself or for my mom.  Sorry if the pictures are not fully taken at all angles because I was in a rush to take most of them in the fitting room!  I looked a bit odd just taking photos of clothes in the clearance section so I decided to take a few of the items in the fitting room to take pictures of them.  Some of the items I ended up buying I took the photos at home.  The candle holder decor will be found in my 'Side Note' portion of this entry!

Item 1-- Teal ruffle top
Item was a short sleeve shirt with a ruffle bottom on the shirt; shirt was in perfect condition.  The purpose of the photo was to show the savings and deal on the shirt.
Brand: Juicy Couture
Original price: $138.00
Super clearance price: $15.00

Item 2-- Floral racerback tank
I waited months for this shirt.  I was so happy to find it in my size and it was still in the store after seeing it marked down weeks after weeks.  Even with a TJ Maxx original price of $49.99, there was no way I was going to pay that much for a shrit!
Brand: Joie
Original price: $108.00
Purchased price: $12.00

Item 3-- Tank bohemian type dress in ivory
One of those items that I waited for the price to drop; totally worth it!  It's a very cute fitted dress that falls between the knee and thigh and has a cute bohemian style print around it.  I purchased the dress in ivory since I seem to own a lot of black clothing.
Brand: Free People
Original price: $138.00
Purchased price: $15.00

Item 4-- Black and White patterned dress
I love the back of this dress.  Not my size or I would have purchased it!  Doesn't mean I didn't try it on just to see if it would fit; it didn't =/.  Even at TJ Maxx price... $20 bucks is not bad!
Brand: Rhapsody
Original price: Compare at $34.00
Super clearance price: $5.00

 Item 5-- White Jean shorts with studded side design
These shorts were casual and simple with a cool studded design on each side.  I was looking for some new shorts and wished they had these in my size.  I recently saw the brand Current/Elliott at Saks and believe it... it wasn't on sale for $12.00!
Brand: Current/Elliott
Original price: $175.00
Super clearance price: $12.00

Item 6-- Black leather strapped wedges
These were quite fabulous.  They were my size and fit nicely too but I really don't have the need for more shoes or for wedges in general.
Brand: Coach
Original price: Compare at $188.00
Super clearance price: $39.00

Item 7-- Leather black/white belt
Another item I would have purchased if I found it in my size.  It's a great simple belt that was made with quality leather.  Sorry for the blurry pictures.  It got really awkward when a lady next to me started staring at me taking photos of this belt at different angles and these two photos were the best taken =|
Brand: Michael Kors
Original price: Compare at $50.00
Super clearance price: $7.00

Item 8-- Gold heels with diamond trim
Can't beat this price and the heel is only an inch that they're 'Tina approved'.
Brand: Celeste
Original price: Compare at $50.00
Purchased price: $3.00

Item 9--  Mini leather cross body bag with rivet design
Super cute and perfect size when going out for the night and I don't want to carry my huge purse with me.  The ivory color is great when matching it with any outfit.
Brand: Michael Kors
Original price: $198.00
Purchased price: $20.00

Item 10-- Magenta cloth material pumps
I bought these for my mom.  It was the least I could do when they cost a couple of dollars!
Brand: Madden Girl
Original price: Compare at $45.00
Purchased price: $3.00

Of the 5 items items I purchased, the original purchase price total would have been around: $539.00
My purchased price was around: $63.00!

I would never pay the original prices for these items but I know there's someone out there who bought one of those items at the original price somewhere.

Side Note!

This awesome candle holder within the wicker basket was only 70 CENTS.  Yes, even cheaper than going to the 99 Cents store.  It's made of great quality and holds larger sized candles.  You don't necessarily have to make it a candle holder and actually I'm not sure even if it is a candle holder... I assume though.  Even at the TJ Maxx price of $6.99 I would have still purchased it at that price.  This is a great addition to a home... or the future place of mine.  It was in perfect condition with the styrofoam lining still intact.  It sets for a great theme of a room and can easily give a nature feeling.  It reminds me of an item that would be used on HGTV's Next Design Star (totally rooting for Meg by the way).


Fashionably cheap,

Tina

A Mother's day lunch

I know I'm a week late but I had a busy week and just posting a Mother's day outfit now!  Since my first post, the structure has not changed: blurb, about the outfit, photo, and blah blah blah where it came from how much and the savings!  What I plan to do is to change it up a bit and have posts that have outfits I have worn in the past.  I can't keep up with new outfits all the time!  I buy a lot of things but I'm always wearing working clothes or work-like clothes at least 5 days a week.  I'm too lazy to go home and change into a different outfit just for picture taking purposes for the blog.  I was talking to my friend Penny today via gchat and she was showing me a potential Vegas dress she wanted to buy which gave me the idea of having a Vegas Dress Galore post.  All my Vegas dresses have been bought at a great deal so I can always go back and find photos (at least the appropriate ones ;) to post and talk about each dress.  That should be coming in the near future!

**Edit: I also will start having a section after every post entitled "Side Note" which will feature other bargains that are just not clothes/accessories!

Outfit:

A cute dress for a Mother's day lunch with my Mom at the Farm of Beverly Hills.  The dress has two layers with a slip underneath, bubble sleeves, and ruffled edging.  It is a very chic dress with a vintage floral pattern.  I topped the dress with a high waist belt and leather strapped sandals.  I couldn't figure out if the belt was upside down or not but whatever works!  I  also wore a gold Juicy Couture necklace with a heart pendant but it was a graduation gift from my Mom 2 years ago so I will not add it in the deal.

Item 1-- Brown chiffon two layered dress with vintage floral pattern
From: TJ Maxx
Brand: Juicy Couture
Type of sale: TJ Maxx everyday + clearance (x2)
Original price: $278.00
Purchased price: $79.99 with final price $39.00
See the item here



Item 2-- High waist brown skinny belt with bronze flower
From: Forever 21
Type of sale: Forever 21 everday
Original/Purchased price: $4.80

Item 3-- Sling back leather strappy sandals
From: American Eagle
Brand: American Eagle
Type of sale: Clearance
Original price: $39.50
Purchased price: $14.99

Side Note!
DJ Hero 2 Bundle: Original price $59.99 now $25.99! (Courtesy of Mitch Saltzman)


Fashionably cheap,

Tina

Even one inch heels are an issue for me

Add color to an ordinary pair of skinny blue jeans and a simple black tank!  A designer bold cardigan on clearance and super cheap shoes will make an outfit all the better. 

Outfit: 

Dark skinny jeans, a black tank with a bright cardigan over it, simple heels, and a 3 tier necklace to top it off!  This outfit consists of 2 Juicy Couture items that were both bought for more than 65% off the retail price.  I usually don't wear heels.  Okay, more like... I never wear heels.  So, why do I have heels?  They were cheap.  I only wore them for the picture and my feet were dying to get back into flats.  I just had to showcase these gold heels since they are cute and were bought for a great price.  I would wear this outfit with the heels to a "sit-down" lunch, no walking please!  I would usually pair this outfit with my Kensie Girl black flats ($12.99 from Ross) found in my last post. 

The cardigan has gold buttons on it with 2 pockets in the front.  The sleeves are "bubble sleeve" style and the feel and material of the cardigan is so nice!  You can really see and feel the high quality of the cardigan, no wonder the original price is so much.. however, I would never pay the original price for it.  The necklace is a very detailed necklace with Juicy Couture pendants including a "J".  The necklace really stands out and has a good weight to it.  You can tell it's not cheaply made by the details and the weight.

Item 1-- Short bubble sleeve cardigan
From: TJ Maxx
Brand: Juicy Couture
Type of sale: TJ Maxx every day + Clearance
Original price: $198.00
Purchased price: $49.99 with final price $29.00

Item 2-- Dark blue skinny jeans
From: Ross
Brand: Cello Jeans
Type of sale: Ross everyday
Original price: compared at $34.00+
Purchased price: $12.99

Item 3-- Simple black tank
From: Forever 21
Brand: Forever 21
Type of sale: Forever 21 standard price
Purchased price: $3.50

Item 4-- Gold heels
From: TJ Maxx
Brand: Report
Type of sale: TJ Maxx everyday + Clearance
Original price: $40.00
Purchased price: $16.99 with final price $5.00

Item 5-- 3 tier gold and black necklace with multiple charms and a heart locket with pearls/diamonds
From: Juicy Couture
Brand: Juicy Couture
Type of sale: Juicy semi-annual sale
Original price: $128.00
Purchased price: $45.00

Fashionably cheap,

Tina