GAP SALE TODAY!!!!

TODAY ONLY the entire store is 40% off and 45% if you use a GAP, Banana or Old Navy card. Plus if you dont have one.....sign up and get an additional 15% off. THE ENTIRE STORE!!!!

Love this

Check out new blog, http://www.undressedlifeloveandloss.blogspot.com/



It's a great read and my friend Penelope needs followers, I wont be updated her new posts, so you'll need to follow her blog to hear the latest!!!!!

Gift With Purchase

Ladies,

I am a make-up fanatic. I completely fall into the trap of "it will make me beautiful....." and it all comes in a bottle for $39.99.



I love new products that claim to length, bronze, stretch, firm, tone, lighten, -- I can play for hours. This might of come from one too many games of dress up.



Here is my tip: DO NOT BUY ANYTHING FROM DIOR TO CLINQUE WITHOUT A FREE GIFT WITH PURCHASE.



So you want new foundation from Estee Lauder but you are at Macy's and no free gift? Just ask! Either just down the mall at Nordstorm's they have an entire free gift set or if you scrape the bottle you can wait two weeks until Macy's receives their free gift! All Department Store take turns having the free gifts....equal opportunity.



Sometimes if the counter girl really wants to make a sale, she'll offer you a gift anyway! Trust me. Just ask. "I'd really like to get this now, but I think I'll wait for the next free gift." If she works on commission suddenly the free samples come out of nowhere. This can sometimes be a better deal because all free gifts have a minimum purchase (i.e. $32.50) and trust me no one item will equal that so you'll have to spend more to get the free gift.....



Oh! And if you are buying makeup at a Department Store anyway....you can always get your make up done for free. Beware though, don't let a counter sales girl paint your face. They should all have one make up artist, and that is worth sitting down for a few minutes to have someone show you a few new tricks.



You need the rest anyway ..... it's going to be a long day of shopping!

Christmas in July!

That's right folks, my Christmas Shopping is done! Tah- DAH. Say it out loud. TAH DAH.

I recently visited my family, and one suitcase was all Christmas Gifts. Crazy you say? Do you realize how much shipping all that would of been? Hellloooo.....Southwest flys bags for free! There was also a few fall birthday gifts in there as well.

I make a list of people to buy for every year after Christmas for the next Christmas and it begins.....

Why you might ask? Well I love Christmas and love season. I love walking around the mall watching kids with Santa, people with too many bags, drinking cocoa and driving around looking at light displays! Sooo if I have too much Christmas shopping to do....these fun activities get interrupted. Anyway, searching for the perfect gift causes too much stress. I like to enjoy the holidays not stress them away. It's a lot more fun to attend all the parties, gatherings, and events knowing I've bought all my loved ones a great gift!

You have 365 days a year to shop for the perfect gift for someone. And trust, that 30% off during Christmas is not a sale (they marked it up 40%). You really have to realize if you "need" it the stores know it and mark it up! Now the after holiday shopping is an entire another blog.....

I love collecting things for people I know they will love as I find them on sale. Don't wait, if you do you'll be searching for the perfect gift and it will probably be overpriced!!!

Now when to wrap? (Please, of course I already have the paper got it after Christmas last year!!!)

Retail Therapy

Well... not a lot of posts lately. But funny enough, there has been A LOT of shopping. Tonight, I decided to talk about Retail Therapy.

Myth, Truth or Excuse to Shop?

I really think it's a truth. I mean, if you hate to shop you are not going to suddenly love shopping when you become sad, depressed, or stressed. But if shopping is something you love, obviously much like a good friend it can bring you comfort when the rest of the world seems to not.

According to Wikipedia: Retail therapy is shopping with the primary purpose of improving the buyer's mood or disposition. Often seen in people during periods of depression or transition, it is normally a short lived habit. Items are "comfort buys."

Look as long as it doesn't turn into oniomania (yes, compulsive shopping is a disease) you aren't really doing the worse thing for yourself!

Other things people turn to in transitions periods: Danger Sports, Drugs, Drinking, Promiscuous Actions, Quitting Jobs......so now how bad does Shopping look? seriously. (again...don't go get into debt and then go ... I was depressed! but a few nice items that make your eyes sparkle aren't going to hurt you either!)

It takes your mind off things, a hunt for a great deal is a focus, a hard job....a distraction.
A Few Rules:
1. Set a limit for your Retail Therapy trip.
2. Don't make MAJOR purchases, but little things that make you smile.
3. Bring a friend to help you sort through "what is really needed."
4. Keep the receipts, because.....THIS TOO SHALL PASS!! In the bright sunlight, the purchase might not seem as wonderful.
5. Buy something for a friend or an item to donate to a local shelter.
6. If you really are having a rough time, opt for real therapy to accompany your retail habits.


So in closing...yes, Retail Therapy is real!!! It was actually coined by Chicago Tribune in Christmas 1986" "We've become a nation measuring out our lives in shopping bags and nursing our psyhcic ills through retail therapy." Pish Posh, Come on!!!

First, that was the 80's and everything was done in excess. Now we are helping the economy! :)
Second, your psyhcic ills will come out if you shop or not.
Third, please we as a nation measure ourselves by how cute we look in what've brought! :)

Wear a Smile - one size fits all! :)

Outlets? Deal or Not?

Thanks to an article from Kelly....here is my review of the Outlet situation.



I do live in Orlando one of the Outlet Capitals of the world so it gives me a unique look at what they really are. Bottom Line: They are great if you know what to look for, when to go, and what you are really getting.



First, is it last season or made for outlet? Let's use the GAP. The GAP never will have things from the store in their outlets. Don't believe me look at the tag? It will have "factory store" on the label meaning it was made just for the outlet. This isn't a bad thing, I think the store quality is better but if you love it...go for it. It also helps to know how much you could get something at the sale rack at the store vs. full price at the outlet. Other ones that make factory store clothes, Ann Taylor, Calvin Klein, Tommy, and Banana (but again look at the tag some Banana items are last season!) Basically, quality check....



Second, when are you going? Don't go during back to school shopping - you'll come up empty handed. I have found after a major holiday is a great time for outlets or when the seasons change. Who says you don't need a bathing suit bought in December?



Third, get the coupons. Either online or at the food court....yes, the food court and pick up that sample of orange chicken, you'll need a protein boost for this trip :)



Fourth, Return Policy! (and if you're a reader you know I love to return..) some outlets have NO RETURNS! (Victoria Secret.....my first run in...ohhh I was mad.) But it's always the shopper's responsibility to know the policy!



Ready to go? Call me....especially Coach Outlet after Christmas....one present for me a year :)

Gas Station Fashion

Interested yet?

Here's the deal...the other day I was in Walgreens having a horrible day and said huh, that sundress isn't bad...almost cute! Then my friend in effort to cheer me up bought it. I guess the surprise was when I wore it the next day with coach purse, nine west sandals, and Cole Haan glasses.

Quote: Merchandise it up!

It doesn't matter where you buy that "cute" thing if you put it with other high fashion expensive items....no one will ever know....Who's cares if you are wearing that Forever 21 top...with that Burberry Trench and Banana Pants....looks like you are a million bucks! Don't be afraid of the Gas Station, Walgreens, Goodwill....as long as you can add on to the outfit and make it your own and amazing it doesn't matter where it comes from.

Here's another note, the next day we saw the SAME sundress in Target with a different tag for like $25 more?

Score.