Simple Color Blocking

Color blocking, the latest and only thing I see on clothing store mannequins and front window displays.

I have two outfits to show you.  Both are very simple blocking outfits.  If you're not ready to wear purple pants, blue top, and a kelly green blazer... I totally understand.. Neither am I.  Too much 'bold coloring' going on for me.

Although Katy Perry is looking great with the color block scheme... I think I could only wear that going to some 'hip/cool' party (I sound like a middle aged woman not understanding what is hip and cool now).  It's just not an outfit I could wear out to lunch or to go to work in.  I don't think I would even wear that going out for the night somewhere either.  Well, maybe.. minus the belt.. and maybe with a shirt under the shirt or at least buttoned up :P.

Here is my version of color blocking in a simpler way.

Lime/Aqua

Item 1-- Aqua cardigan
From: Forever 21
Type of sale: Forever 21 everyday
Purchased price: $12.50

Item 2-- Lime-Yellow/White color block tank
From: Forever 21
Type of sale: Forever 21 everyday
Purchased price: $9.80

Item 3-- White skinny jeans
From: TJ Maxx
Brand: Vanilla Star
Type of sale: TJ Maxx everyday
Original price: Compared at $24.00+
Purchased price: $14.99

Tangerine/Tan

I purchased this dress from Express but have not worn it yet to take any photos but since this item is still being sold at Express I was able to find the image on their website.

I purchased it in the tangerine/tan color block but they did have various other color/pattern combinations.
As seen here!

The retail price is $79.50 and still being sold at that price.
I managed to purchase this dress last week for $30.65

This is how!

Express had a promotion going on where the dress racks displayed at the front of the store were 30% off.

I then received $25.00 off the dress on top of the 30% discount by using a...
 "$25.00 off your $50.00 purchase Express cash coupon**" (can only be used on regular priced items including promotional items that have an additional percentage off; exclusions are items ending in .99 in the price AKA clearance).

 **You receive one of these coupons on a previous purchase if your total purchase was over $50 (regardless if total purchase was clearance/regular priced)
 Note: the coupon is only good during a certain time frame.  My Express cash was only good between 1/30/12 and 2/20/12.

$79.50 - $23.85 (30% off) = $55.65 

$55.65 - $25.00 (coupon) = $30.65

Side Note!
TOMORROW, FEBRUARY 22, IS NATIONAL MARGARITA DAY AT ACAPULCO!
$2 house margaritas all day in the dining room and cantina-- get your margarita on ;)

Fashionably cheap,

Tina

With the Pumped Up... heels.

(In the tune of 'Pumped up Kicks')
All the other girls with the pumped up heels
You better save, save, save... save all your money


Lame but you know it works with the song!  And I made it up in about 10 seconds... so you have to give me some credit.

I'm sure someone, one of the five people who read this, would appreciate that chorus parody.

So after not blogging for over a month due to a combination of being lazy and me being sick... I'm back with an entry that will start the new year! (Only a month later... no biggie)

Part of my "What I am going to do this year differently" includes wearing the most dreaded thing I can't stand wearing-- Heels!

Yes, I know I have mentioned in past entries on how I can't wear heels and even tried wearing training heels but I figured it's about time to get a little girly in my footwear.  I started my new wearing of heels by buying these grey BCBGeneration Pumps!  I've already worn them 3 times and survived!  They are surprisingly.... not that hurtful to my feet.  I won't say, "Oh, they are so comfortable!" because that would be a lie.  However, they have been great to wear to work and to just a night out at a bar.  They mix well with my high-waist skirt outfits for work and with a pair of skinny jeans for a night out.

(Tobi the chiahuahua makes an appearance in my photos!)

Item 1- Grey Suede Pumps
From: Ross
Brand: BCBGeneration
Type of sale: Ross everyday
Original price: Compared to $83.00
Purchased price: $24.99

Item 2- Red/Black Pumps
From: Ross
Brand: Jessica Simpson
Type of sale: Ross everyday + clearance
Original price: compared to $59.00
Purchased price: $22.99 with final price $10.99

 

Item 3- Light grey/egg shell Pumps
It was such a good find!  The cashier was shocked at the final price of the heels.  
From: DSW
Brand: Marc by Marc Jacobs
Type of sale: Clearance with yellow tag additional 80% off
Original price: Compare at $395.00
Purchase price: $199.94 with final price $39.99

Side Note!
Macy's One Day preview sale is TOMORROW!
Take an additional 40% off already reduced clothing; up to a total of 80% off

Remember what I said in the past Macy's One Day Sale post... go on the preview day!  More items and less of a crowd!  The actual One Day Sale is posted for Wednesday but the preview day is the day you want to go to the "One Day Sale"!

Fashionably cheap,

Tina

Fa La La La La...La La La La

I went after Christmas shopping today and Urban Outfitters had their "Take an additional 50% off sale items" just like on Black Friday! (minus the madness of feeling of 'death by hipsters')  Although I didn't buy anything it was a really good sale of a few select dresses for $5 and v-neck BDG tees, both men and women, for $2.50.

I'm going to be showcasing my Christmas Eve outfit; total price: $37.00.  It was an outfit I wore for a family lunch at home with some relatives.  Pictures were taken with my awesome new Canon Rebel T3 by my cousin Sharon.  So long lame Olympus camera... well for blogging purposes at least.  The Olympus is still great to take along with me in my purse to go out.

Item 1- Lace trim flow top
I love this flow-like top.  It's very light weight and the lace trim at the sleeves make it feminine.  The buttons on the back are very charming to add.
From: Macy's
Brand: Petticoat Alley
Type of sale: Macy's one day-- take an additional 40% off clearance apparel
Original price: $58.00
Purchased price: price scanned at self-scanner at $20.00 with final price $12.00

Item 2-- Skinny stretch 5-pocket jeans
From: Ross
Brand: Celebrity Pink
Type of sale: Ross everyday
Original price: Compare at $36.00+
Purchased price: $14.99

Item 3-- Red pumps
From: Urban Outfitters
Brand: Kimchi Blue
Type of sale: Take an additional 50% off sale items- Labor Day sale
Original price: $49.00
Purchased Price: $19.99 with final price $10.00

 

For kicks :)  And because my cousin wanted me to post this photo!

Side Note!
After Christmas Sales--
Urban Outfitters: Take an additional 50% off sale items
Gap: Take an additional 50% off sale items
Ann Taylor Loft: Take 50% off everything in the store
Bath and Body Works: Take 75% off "Charmed Life" items, $3 select shower gels and triple moisture body lotion
Pac Sun: Blue dot sale, buy one get one free anything with a blue dot (which is about 75% of the store)
Bloomingdale's: Semi-Annual handbag sale, 30%-50% off handbags

Fashionably cheap,

Tina

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

itsy bitsy, teenie weenie, not a yellow polka dot bikini

I have been posting about once a month now and honestly... I'm lazy.  This is time consuming and I wonder why I still do it.  I guess it's because I get bored once in a while.  I definitely shop more than I post.  I buy stuff way too frequently and could technically blog once a week for the items I buy but I just have other things to do... like watch new fall TV shows, watch a continuous amount of Mad Men episodes on Netflix (I just started and have one season left to watch then it's onto Breaking Bad!), and update my Spotify play lists.  I do other things of course than watch TV and listen to music.  I also sleep and snack a lot.

Best time to buy a bikini?  End of summer into the fall season.  I purchased three bikinis, two from The Gap and one from Victoria's Secret.

I usually would take photos of me wearing the clothes but in this situation you will have to pay a nominal fee for it!  So all weirdos out there, contact me for more info.

Please do not contact me.  I hope you realize I'm kidding.  Especially when I am calling you a weirdo.

The gray and white one (very neutral colors) are from The Gap and of course the bright (screaming look at me in this bright neon pink bikini) is from VS.  The Gap bikinis are made by Lycra as The Gap and Lycra teamed up to create their swim line.  The two bikinis have good bottom coverage and run true to size in top and bottom.  The VS bikini has less bottom coverage and run on the smaller side.  VS has multiple types of bottoms (string, scoop, hot short, hi-waist, and low rise).  The one I purchased from VS is a low rise bottom.  The gray top is a halter cut with a ring design in the middle.  The white top is a one shoulder type of top with a silver studded square design at the strap.  The multi-neon triangle top has double strings to tie around the band and around the neck; it also has a crochet design.  All tops have removable pads which is always nice since I always think without the pads...it's awkwardly thin.

To simply put it--

Bikini Tops
Original price: $25.00 (VS) and $37.95 (Gap)
Purchased price: $4.99 each


Bikini Bottoms
Original price: $14.50 (VS) and $35.95 (Gap)
Purchased price: $4.99 each

Each bikini cost $10.00!  That's a total of $30.00 for all three bikinis originally costing around $187.00 which is an insane amount for tiny articles of clothing.

And again I'm sorry about the poor quality of photos...I really have to get a new camera ASAP.  My birthday's next month, any one care to buy me a new camera??? :)

Side Note!
Southwest Airlines Getaways Deal: $30 toward a roundtrip flight from LA to Vegas for $10, a $20 savings.

Not bad to save $20 if you plan on flying to Vegas any time soon.  So basically it's $20 off your roundtrip airfare. 



http://www.groupon.com/deals/ga-z-southwest-airlines-la?utm_medium=email&utm_source=channel_getaways-deals&sid=10994511&user=7ea563f4bc2e3c9dafbbad48eda3d6fac1ce142cff1ca398882d01e4ca5753fa&utm_campaign=ga-z-southwest-airlines-la&s=body&d=deal-page&p=2&c=deal_button

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