Deals-Of-The-Month!

Oh bargain shopping, how I both loathe and love you for emptying my bank account one tiny purchase at a time and still putting a smile on my face. August was a month filled with scores for me, and I couldn't help but share my top bargains for the month with you here.

1. The $16 Joe's Jeans

Yes, it's true. I picked these up on final clearance at work. The employee discount helped out a little bit, but even so, these were a STEAL. This is a pair of Joe's "The Jegging" which usually retail from $158 and up. At TJ Maxx they were originally $59.99, and then got marked down and down and down until...voila, $16! I love these jeggings because not only are they super comfy and stretchy, they have five functional pockets so they look like skinnies. They have a 29" inseam so although they would be crops for the average gal, they are skinnies or cuffed crops on me. The wash is fabulous - vintage dark with great details. These pants were a tiny investment and I am literally wearing them all the time. Can't wait to tuck them into boots this fall!

2. The $10 Coach Heels

You have my permission to pick yourself back up off the floor and keep reading. This pair of Coach "Kyla" wedge heels were sitting at Goodwill with a special price of $10 (you know, so much more $$$ than the usual shoes there). I almost fainted when I saw they were my size. My hands shook as I put them on and realized they fit. Deal. Of. The. Century. Not only are these heels worth a TON more than $10, they are almost brand new. They have never been broken in or worn outside. So score one for me, thrift stores, and bargain hunters everywhere.

What is the best bargain you've scored recently?

Fall 2011 Wardrobe Updates

It's August, which means it's still generally hot around here (minus a few cooler days lately which have been glorious!). But September is just around the corner and that means I've started scoping out the pieces I want to add to my wardrobe this fall. September issues have been flying off of magazine stands (or into your mailbox) giving advice on the pieces you need this season, and I have definitely been intrigued. There are some trends I'm not really ever going to be into (like...argyle). But others I am certainly willing to branch out of my comfort zone and try, particularly if I can score them at steep discounts. So today I took a trip to Goodwill with a $20 limit to see what I could dig out of the racks to update my wardrobe for fall. Here are 3 key pieces that will serve as the foundation for 3 major trends that are going on this fall. Observe.

1. Menswear

This lightweight striped button-down by Gap is a perfect essential for a fall wardrobe. We've all heard the buzz about menswear taking over fashion (blazer, suiting, oxfords, boyfriend jeans, ties, etc.) and this button down is certainly borrowed from the boys but with a feminine flair. The lightness of the fabric moves with you and skims your curves without bulkifying your frame. In this neutral palette, it would go easily with some cool military cargos, dark wash skinnies, or tucked into a high-waisted skirt. It would look great over a tank top while it's still a tad warm, or layered under a sweater, trench coat, or leather jacket when the temperature drops. Besides, it's really soft and comfy so what other reason do you need for going out and finding one?

2. Nautical Inspired

The nautical inspired trends have been on off and around the runways for several seasons now. I feel like Calvin Klein and Ralph Lauren throw a bit into their collections nearly every year - and for good reason: the chic striped shirt has never gone out of style. Every girl should be in possession of one of those Audrey Hepburn-esque, big, striped tee shirts to throw on with a pair of skinny jeans and ballet flats. This fall, nautical can make a comeback in your closet when restyled in a modern way. I never get tired of that iconic stripes & skinnies look, but why not try mixing it up by adding some chunky wedge heels or boots, a pair of high-waisted flares, a trench coat and some gold bangles? Why not dress up your striped tee by pairing it with a classic pencil skirt in a coordinating color, accenting with sparkly jewelry, a peacoat, tights and peep-toes? I challenge you to go buy one striped tee shirt and see how you can style it this fall.

Striped tee shirt by Old Navy, via Goodill

3. Trouser Jeans

So maybe trouser jeans are not a trend in and of themselves. But this fall I've noticed the silhouettes are a mix of skinny and every variation of flares. Yes, those flares you tossed out of your closet several seasons ago when you were told that they, along with bootcut jeans, were a thing of your chic-less past and that with the advent of the skinny jeans, their services were no longer needed. Yet here we are watching flares walk down runways and into department stores all over again. "Everything is retro", my Dad always said. He was right. So I used to detest flares and all their hybrids. But I saw this pair of denim trouser-flare-thingies at Goodwill and decided that for $3.39 I could probably afford to go for it and see what happened.

Denim trouser-flares by Merona, via Goodwill

Ironically, despite my lack of height, these jeans are the perfect length to wear with short heels! I was so excited! I've always shied away from these kinds of flares due to my petite frame, but these jeans were surprisingly cute and comfortable. In fact, they looked excellent with my striped tee and some wedges! This fall I plan on wearing my leather riding jacket and ankle booties with these. Or a long, chunky sweater with ballet flats. They're a little high-waisted which means I have a chance at another fall trend that still scares me a little.

In conclusion, I would like to point out that the above three pieces cost me pennies over $10. And that, my dears, is why you should never fear thrifting.

Especially after you see the COACH shoes I picked up in my next blog...cheers!