The Most Wonderful Time of the Year

Around this time of year, it is so easy to get caught up in the holiday shopping madness – Black Friday, Small Business Saturday, and Cyber Monday.  Some of you may be wondering why I didn't write about these days and all the ways you can save.  My reason:  every day is Black Friday for me.  There are always great deals to be found, and you can do it without losing sleep, getting trampled on, or maced over an item (in case you didn't hear, that really did happen this past Black Friday).  

I believe that the best Black Friday deals you will find are on electronics, but let me tell you about the great finds I have come across this past week on electronics at my new favorite place to shop – 1/2 of 1/2 off County Line by Walmart.

As mentioned in a past blog, 1/2 of 1/2 is a salvage store, which means that it gets in items that have been damaged.  Sometimes that just means the packaging has been damaged, sometimes that means the actual item has been damaged, and sometimes everything is in perfect condition.  I just advise you to examine each item before purchasing it.  The store’s return policy on electronics is that if it doesn't work the item can be returned for your money back.  The return policy on all other items is that you can only receive store credit.  

Since Amazon.com was the most popular site for Cyber Monday, I will compare the prices of the items I found at 1/2 of 1/2 to the same items on Amazon.

1/2 of 1/2 had Keurig coffeemakers last week.  The large coffeemakers (K-cup Home Brewer) were going for $45, compared to $105 on Amazon.

Unfortunately, by the time I noticed one of the coffeemakers in another woman's buggy and ran to the back to grab one for myself, only one remained, and a gentleman was standing over it staking his claim.  However, he kindly pointed out that the store still had plenty of the Keurig Mini personal coffeemakers left.  SCORE!  I grabbed a black one for my brother and sister-in-law and a red one for myself.  The mini ones were only $25!!  By comparison, Amazon has them listed at $100. 

I decided that the following week I would need to be at 1/2 of 1/2 on Wednesday morning when the doors opened (they are closed Monday and Tuesday to unload new items.)  Although 1/2 of 1/2 did not get in any more Keurigs, it still had some great items.  My mom got a handheld camcorder for $30 (as opposed to $80), just in time to capture those sweet moments of my little cousins ripping open their Christmas gifts.  Speaking of which, I was able to snag a Disney Princess Barbie and Horse for $8.  The same day I saw the exact same Barbie at Walmart for $30.

I got my family this five-in-one stereo system for $58.  Amazon has it listed for $170.

  

I racked up on a few other great electronics, too, but I can't give away what will be in our family Dirty Santa gift stash.  But let me just say that our spending limit is $30, and there will be people fighting over these gifts!  

Now, I simply cannot write a blog without talking about fashion/clothes/accessories.  Recently, I have had the most fun raiding friends’ closets and putting outfits together for them as well as taking note of their sizes so that I can be on the lookout for great finds!  I recently found a pair of Michael Kors suede boots for $69 for a friend who has trouble finding shoes for her size 5 foot!

I also found a Kenneth Cole motorcycle jacket for only $50 for a guy friend who was not having any luck finding what he wanted within his price range.  That being said, if you would like for me to start keeping my eyes open for great finds for you, just send me your sizes, favorite colors to wear, and style (sporty, chic, Bohemian...).  If I find something, I'll text you the info, and you can let me know if you want it.  

If you like to go on treasure hunts yourself, great!  I should let you know that 1/2 of 1/2 has a shipment of Ann Taylor and about 5 racks of BCBG remaining from last week’s shipment.  All the BCBG pieces, except dresses, are $29.  The prices vary on the Ann Taylor apparel.  Again, just make sure that you check the items for damage.

Until next time,

Happy Hunting

How to Shop Highland Village and Other High End Shops

For those of you who are not familiar with Highland Village, it is a shopping center consisting of high-end designer clothes and top-dollar specialty items.  I have found the "Highland Villages" of the other states I have lived in, and while simply walking into the doors of these shops can be intimidating, fear not – you can find some good deals!  I believe the key to shopping at these high-end boutiques is to go at the end of a season, and lucky for us, stores are marking lots of great things down to make room for winter items.  

I found some amazing deals on great pieces for special events, and with Christmas parties and New Year’s Eve fast approaching, what better time to stock up?

A Southern Affair is a bridal boutique with the most fabulous wedding gowns, tiaras, and bridesmaids dresses I have ever seen, and this weekend it has a rack of dresses for up to 90% off!! Just look at these festive dresses!

                                     

High Cotton is probably my favorite shop in Highland Village.  The store carries Hale Bob, Michael Stars, Kensie, Karlie, and other great brands.  It also has great sales in the back of the shop.  Check out these cute pieces:

The fabulous sequined jacket is only $28.98!! The other pieces are all less than $85!

My next stop is the most intimidating of all...Maison Weiss.  Because the workers get paid on commission, they not only hover over you the entire time you're in the store, but they also evaluate whether or not you're even worthy to breathe the same air.  But lucky for me, air is free, so I took a deep breath and mustered up some confidence to walk in and ask where the sales were located.  A lady graciously guided me around the store, and while I did get sidetracked by lovely silks, wools, and Rachel Zoe's fabulous collection, I also found two dresses under $100 and one dress worthy of a small splurge.

This cute Mac & Jac dress is only $67!  With a sweater, a belt, and some boots to accessorize, you have a great look!

This gold satin and tweed dress by Max & Cleo was on sale for $92.

While I wouldn't exactly call this next dress a great deal, I would consider it a splurge that's worth the asking price.  It's a gold beaded dress by Laundry for $217.  

                     

Also, there’s one last stop that you have to make in Highland Village if you have children or need a good baby shower gift.  Make sure to check out Nursery Rhymes for its deals, too!

So, the next time that you go by a mall or boutique that you think is too expensive, stop in and give it a try.  Who knows?  You may be surprised by what you find!

 Happy Hunting!    

        

              

Chic Cheap Coats

Despite the fact that we southern belles only experience about five days of legit coat weather, we still like to make sure we are stocked up on the most fashionable cold weather attire, and I want to make sure you can fill your closet without emptying your wallet.  So to save you time and money I did a little research to finding great savings on cute, name brand coats.

First stop: Ross Dress for Less. Just check out these steals I found!

This chic, wool peacoat is by Calvin Klein.  It's an eggplant purple with a two tier skirted bottom for only  $74.99!

This XOXO puff coat is super stylish with it's faux fur trim on the hood and gold buckled belt.  

Only $24.99!!!

This faux leather jacket is by Paper Denim and Cloth jacket is originally priced at $110 but you can get it at Ross for only $22.99!

If you think I was able to walk out empty handed, think again!  I got a steal on this black, wool, double breasted dress coat by Guess for only $63.99!

Next Stop: 1/2 of 1/2 Name Brand Clothes.

I have to admit that I was skeptical of going to this store.  But now that I have, I know it's a place I will be checking often for great deals.  Just be aware that the majority of the store's merchandise is damaged. However, I was able to find great deals on name-brand items for great prices.  Just check out these coats I found, none of which were damaged or flawed.

This whit puff coat is by Ellen Tracy and only $35!!

Another Ellen Tracy, this leopard print trench coat had an original price tag of $190, but 1/2 of 1/2 has it for $39!

This Columbia coat, originally $230, is marked down to $49!!!

This DKNY long wool dress coat is only $89!

1/2 of 1/2 also had 100% leather coats for great prices!  I also found labels such as James Perse, Rachel Roy, Sue Wong, BCBG, Michael Stars and many, many more!  If you do decide to drop by 1/2 of 1/2, be aware that it truly is a treasure hunt!  I had to look at a lot of less-than-attractive merchandise to find these rubies!  

To see more coats I found, check out: http://www2.snapfish.com/snapfish/thumbnailshare/AlbumID=8375379013/a=129067433_129067433/otsc=SHR/otsi=SALBlink/COBRAND_NAME=snapfish/

Happy Hunting!

Journey down Highway 49

Have you ever traveled down Highway 49 from Jackson to Hattiesburg?  With all the junk yards and antique stores galore, I think it would be the Picker Sister's, who love to turn junk into great looking furniture, dream come true. Usually, I try to visit as many of these little shops as a day will allow.  On my most recent trip, though, I focused more on finding good fashion deals.

My first stop, which was inspired by a video that I saw on iShopMS.org, was in Mendenhall, Mississippi.  The store is called Rockin' M Ranchwear, and although it does stock boots and cowboy hats, it is more of a boutique or gift shop than anything else.  On the iShopMS video, the style guru showed a gray cotton dress (that was nothing special) that the store sold for $80!  After seeing that, I had to check this place out to make sure that it had something other than over-priced dresses.  And lucky for you and me, it does!

This hobo look alike in a perfect fall color was only $5!

These adorable shorts were on sale for $16!  Add some tights and boots and you have a great fall look!

This funky little tunic would look great with black skinny jeans and boots and it's only $15! Originally  marked for $48.

So if you ever find yourself in Mendenhall, MS go ahead and drop on in to Rockin' M and see what kind of deals you find!

The next place I stopped is an all-time favorite of mine:  United Apparel Liquidators (UAL) located at 1829 Hardy Street in Hattiesburg, Mississippi.  If you have always envied people who could afford the name brands at Maison Weiss, your green, jelly-bellied self will be tickled pink to discover the variety of high-fashion brands at reasonably discounted prices awaiting you at UAL.  Included among the fabulous finds are Vera Wang, Cynthia Steffe, Juicy Couture, and Burberry. 

This sweet dress with pockets is Twelfth Street by Cinthia Steefe and is only $79.99!

This fun Marc Jacobs dress made out of 100% silk was originally $568 but at UAL you can get it for   $170.99!

For you Tory Burch fanatics out there this beautiful sequined dress has the retail value of $695 but at UAL it's only $149.99!

Check out these other UAL locations to find one that you can visit ASAP for more great deals and fashion finds!

-Nashville, TN           2918 West End Avenue

-New Orleans, LA     518 Chartres Street

-Covington, LA         2033 North Highway 190, Suite 1

               

     Or, visit www. ShopUAL.com.

UAL also carries shoes, jewelry, belts, bags, wallets, and beauty products.

I walked out with this stunning necklace for only $29.99!

So, next time you are headed down Highway 49, leave early enough to check out these stores.  Or, if you just need a weekend getaway with retail therapy at a good price, head down to Hattiesburg and make sure to check out the TJ Maxx and Hudson’s for other great savings!

Until next time...HAPPY HUNTING!

Intro to Bargain Shopping

Have you ever looked up the word "shopping" in the dictionary?  Well I did, and here's what I found:
verb (shop-ping)
       1. to go to a store or stores to buy goods    
       2. to look for the best available price or rate for something (shop around)


Upon reading this I realized that it breaks my heart a little to know that people just follow definition #1 without even considering #2.  To me, #1 is boring and kind of a waste of money, while #2 is like an adventure, essentially- a treasure hunt!


I love a good deal and in todays economy who doesn't?  But unfortunately, people tell me all the time that they just don't get lucky finding things like me.  Well, I say it's not about luck.  Bargain shopping is an art and this blog is to teach you how to become an artist.


Bargain Shopping Rule #1:  Go with an open mind.
I think the biggest mistake people make who try bargain shopping is looking for something specific.  Finding a bargain is about having an open mind and letting yourself be surprised by what you find.


Bargain Shopping Rule #2: Know your merchandise.
Many people complain that they don't have time to 'shop around' but if you know that TJ Maxx carries the same hair products your salon sells why spend the extra $$ at the salon?


Bargain shopping does involve some research and if you are on a hunt for something in particular it may take some time to shop around and find it, but if you are familiar with what bargain shops are out there you can quickly become familiar with their merchandise.

                                                 My favorite Bargain stores  (in no particular order)


TJ Maxx- I can't tell you how many times I have heard people say, "I just don't get it."  What's not to get?!?!  TJ Maxx sells designer labels for a fraction of what department stores sell the exact same items for.


Marshalls- Similar to TJ Maxx but has a larger shoe selection.


Ross Dress for Less- less merchandise to choose from than TJ's or Marshalls but has better prices.


Target- makes deals with top designers to produce a line for their store.  I have found most of their clothes to be pretty well made and a great fit!  Don't forget to check their sale racks!


Tuesday Mornings- not my choice for clothes, but for housewares, crafts, and toys it's great.  They also occasionally get in really nice designer handbags. 


Hudsons- for people who enjoy digging through junk to find a diamond in the rough.  The merchandise is sometime damaged and it's very hit or miss but I love it all the same!  


These are just a few tips of the trade, I'll be back to share more later but for now,  I'll send you on your way to great money saving finds.  Please make sure you share them with me! (If you are a first timer, I recommend trying TJ's first.) 


Happy Hunting!