A Room with a View

The firm I work for moved offices this past weekend and I couldn't be happier with the new digs. This is the view from my desk. Can you belive it? Nordstrom Rack, right there everytime I look up! So if anyone is looking for me . . . .

Can't wait to share with you all the deals I find!

Clearing out the Clearance Section

Old Navy had their blow out clearance on the clearance section sale. So basically what this means is, you take your already awesome clearance find and then you whack off an additional 50%! It's like they are practically giving stuff away. I wasn't in real "need" of anything specific but we can all use a couple extra long sleeved tees right? Great for LA winters! And at only $1.99 each I'll take three! I also couldn't pass up this cute, floral, empire waisted, blousey number, originally $24.99 marked down to $7. I know right now its a bit cold for a tank but just put a tee under it and its good to go!

After Christmas Sales

After the ball drops in Times Square, your Christmas trees have been set out on the corner for collection, the lights have been rolled up and shoved in Rubbermaid bins for storage and you are already cheating on you new year’s diet, it’s time for the after Christmas Clearance sales! Yes, I know that technically the after Christmas sales started on December 26th but those sales are nothing compared to the markdowns that you will find at this time of year.
This is the last chance for the stores to off load their holiday merchandise so they are practically giving it away. This past week I stopped by Target and Pier 1 where they were selling all their Christmas merchandise for 75% off .

Here’s what I made off with:

Premium Gift wrap
The red and striped premium papers were originally $7 a roll, I paid $1.75 each
Merry Christmas wrapping paper, originally $4, I paid $1
Gold metal ribbon: originally $6 a spool, I paid $2
Red and Green gift bags: originally $3.50 a bag, I paid 88 cents each
Naughty or Nice gift bag: originally $4.99, I paid $1.25
Naughty or Nice gift tags: originally $2.25, I paid 58 cents.
Tissue paper: originally $2.75, I paid 68 cents each
Ornament gift box with tissue: originally $3.99, I paid 98 cents
Gold and Silver silk pull tie bags: Originally 50 cents each, I paid 8 cents each!

Home Decor

Snow flake diffusers: originally $10 each, I paid $2.50 each

Gingerbread diffuser: originally $15, I paid $3.25

Gingerbread air freshener: originally $6, I paid $1.50

Snowflake picture holders: originally $8, I paid $2

Red cinnamon scented candles: originally $6 each, I paid $3 each

Gold ball candles: originally $12, I paid $3

Peppermint scented bath bubbles: originally $5, I paid $1.25

Party goods

Cocktail napkins: originally $2 each, I paid 50 cents each

Naughty or Nice drink coasters: originally $10, I paid $2.50

Final Word: Hit up places like Target, Pier 1 and Cost Plus for clearance items you can score and store for next year!

A Truly Religious Experience

Hey dolls, hope everyone is enjoying the New Year! I spent my New Year’s holiday as usual with my BFF Laura who lives in San Francisco and as always, we got up to a little shopping together. On Sunday she took me over to West Portal where they have a dozen or so little boutiques and most important; a Goodwill “Boutique”. What is a Goodwill Boutique you are asking? Well I asked and they told me that it was a special Goodwill where only the best labels and merchandise are sold. They literally have a team of people who sort through all the donations when they come in and pull out the cream of the crop to send them there. Some of the items are donated directly from the department stores and have never even been worn by anyone. I was instantly excited and ready to dig in.
Right in the front of the store was a huge rack of designer jeans so we attacked it, Laura took one end while I came at it from the other and this is where Laura found these babies.So cute! True Religion, straight leg, jeans that look so cute paired with some ballet flats (as seen above). They don’t even look as though they have ever been worn. True Religions retail for anywhere from $175 to upwards of $300 (yes, really), but not for Laura, she got them for a mere $31.99.

Regular Price: $225 (average)

Laura paid: $31.99

Total Savings:

Final Word: If my first thrifty find of 2010 is any indication of the year ahead then I am pleased as punch!

$2 Jewelry Bag

I told myself there would be no more shopping for myself in the year 2009. With Nordstrom half yearly and the Black Friday sales I hit my max on shopping for a while and after all, there are some many other people to shop for this time of year. So I was definitely NOT going to buy myself ANYTHING when I walked into a second hand store this past weekend. I was actually looking for small vintage ornaments to use as gift toppers for x-mas presents for others - but that's a whole other post. Then I saw this little bag. Still can't decide if it is more Asian or '70s era inspired but I fell in love at first sight. It has thick padding and an easy to cinch drawstring and at only two bucks I felt I NEEDED it to keep all my costume jewelry in when I travel. Now all my little accessories can just be thrown in to this little bag and tossed into my suitcase and I won't have to worry about snags in my clothing as a result of a rogue earring or bobby pin getting crazy in my carry-on. Also, thinking about the environment; I am actually doing a service because all those plastic Ziploc bags I used to go through anytime I left town are now one less - replaced by this gem. So there! This bag is a justified purchase and I don't feel bad about it!

Black Friday Finds - Part 3

After hitting the stores that opened WAY too early LeeAnn and I were able to go back to bed for a 2.5 hour power nap before the next wave of stores opened. Nordstrom Rack opened at 8am (because it is the kind of place that is owned by civilized people who value a full night's sleep) and LeeAnn and I were standing patiently with our cart ready when the doors opened. Once inside LeeAnn made her way straight to the racks of designer jeans while I headed straight for the clearance racks. . . which is where I found this stunner. Its an Ann Klein cardigan with adorable 3/4" sleeves, front pockets and a tie. I was immediately drawn to the color (I have been all about yellow recently) but the price tag sealed the deal.

I actually wore it the other night to Andrea's birthday dinner at Cecconi's in West Hollywood and I paired it with the $12 clutch I picked up a couple weeks ago. Made for a fun outfit.

Original Price: $109
I paid: $29
Total Savings: 73%

Black Friday Finds - Part 2

All sweaters were only $15 at the Old Navy sale. I got two really cute sweaters that you would never guess were only fifteen bucks.

Regular Price: $34.50
Black Friday Price: $15
Total Savings: 60%