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| Banana & Gap cardigan / jacket / dress / top necklace / purse / necklace skirt / dress / leather tote |
I'm so excited to go shopping this weekend! I love this time of year - when stores are full of new arrivals, mostly in spring colors but also plenty of finds that you can wear now. One of my favorite shopping tips is to browse online first. That way you can get the lay of the land, compare prices, and identify what items and stores to prioritize first. After having way too much fun online shopping yesterday, here are some of my favorites that I'll be looking for in stores - what new arrivals are you loving?
Note: As you already know, I don't pay full price. This is my shopping strategy though - identify which items I like when they are first out, and then keep an eye on them until they go on promo/clearance. If the price never drops to what I'm comfortable paying, then I won't buy it. But I try to avoid the "buy it just because it's on sale" conundrum, because these are the items I'm specifically looking for. Planning things out this way helps me make better decisions while bargain shopping!
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| Forever 21 vest / tee / sweater skirt / shoes / boots jeans / jeans |
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| LOFT & Limited shirt / anorak / sweater dress / dress / jeans / jeans |
can't wait for spring -- love your shopping picks! xo
ReplyDeletehttp://allthingsprettyandlittle.blogspot.com/
i heart that peplum dress :)
ReplyDeletexo - heather
This Life Is Yours Blog
I am loving anything mint green or green right now, so I love the peplum dress. This would look great on you!
ReplyDeleteloving all of the new BR and Gap arrivals--especially that striped dress!
ReplyDeletelove it did not know F21 had the Chloe boot knock off!
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing this
xo Cassy
http://theworkette.blogspot.com/
These are all great finds! I struggle this spring because I am loving all the new arrivals. The colors and designs are so fun and versatile. My question to you is how do you pick and choose? I know just like me you like to stick to a budget. Is it color? Price? Quality? I have difficulty choosing what I should and shouldn't buy and a lot of the time make the wrong desicion under pressure. I would love your input on this.
ReplyDeleteLOVE ALL of the Gap and Banana Republic pieces!! AND the teal dress from Loft :D Can't wait for Spring...
ReplyDeleteXO Samantha
http://designerinteal.blogspot.com
Cute finds I'm so going to the mall today :)
ReplyDeletexo
http://pinksole.com
LOVING that striped dress from banana. they have a few striped dresses on sale too.. i'm so tempted to get it if i can find it in stores
ReplyDeleteI have the olive cargo vest from Forever 21! Absolutely love it!! I was even happier when I opened the package and saw that the hood zips off. That way you can wear it or take it off if you want. And I'm pretty sure I could buy the whole LOFT store every season! If only I had that much money!
ReplyDeleteI feel like Forever21 has been killing it lately with their new releases!! There are so many things I'd love to buy but I just can't afford anything frivolous right now :(
ReplyDeleteCassie
thriftthick.blogspot.com
I've been thinking about a budget for the new year and wanted to pick your brain. If my monthly budget is small, would you recommend sticking to it and buying one, maybe two things each month or rather saving up and doing a bigger trip say each quarter/season? Also, I live near Portland, OR and was wondering if you know anyone out here that you could recommend as a personal shopper, like what you do with ladies out in Florida? Thanks! and good luck with your shopping. You have a lot of great pieces on your list!
ReplyDeleteEverytime I walk in to Banana Republic I contemplate buying that first cardigan you posted today! I just don't know if I need another cardigan, but I have a feeling I'll end up getting it since I keep getting attracted to it... plus they always have 40% off sales/coupons.
ReplyDeletethose dresses are calling my name! Is it spring yet?
ReplyDeleteI love all your picks! I have been so curious as to what your closet looks like? How do you organize all your clothes, and more importantly all your jewelry? Blog post soon?
ReplyDeleteI'm loving all the graphic prints, black and white and the cobalt pants. I need to get me some.
ReplyDeleteAgi:)
vodkainfusedlemonade.wordpress.com
I have a MK shirt that looks just like that black and white stripe one that I got on clearance! Cant wait to see what you would do with it. I saw a pair of mint jeans w/white polka-dots at Target yesterday. Mint & peach are looking really nice, but would like to know how to incorporate it. I hate buying a fad look just to be tossing it out the next year.
ReplyDeleteHey have you ever used shelf.com? It's suppose to be a way to "store" items you want and then they alert you when there are price changes or promos. I don't know much about it yet to recommend it, but your post reminded me of it since just I set up an account to watch some of my favorite new arrivals that i hope to grab at any sign of a sale!
ReplyDeleteI bought that Forever 21 utility vest in the online sale here in the UK for £5.99! It even has the same item code! I really like it, though it's been too cold to see much wear yet. I look forward to seeing how you style it should you decide to buy...
ReplyDeleteJ, I bought the floral brooch necklace from Banana last season in different colors. I have to warn you though, if you haven't seen it in person, it may not be worth $98. Luckily, I bought it on sale. The quality isn't wonderful, and the first necklace they shipped me was broken, so I had to exchange (also saw several comments online where other people had the same problem). However, I still love it but I am having trouble styling it, because I feel like it's "too much" even when paired with the most simple outfit. I love this color combination though, and if you do buy it, I'd love to see how you style it!
ReplyDeleteJ, I'm curious if you've found ways to save money at Forever 21. I know they don't offer too many promos and I've never seen a coupon. Their prices are usually pretty good though, especially for trendy pieces that only get worn a few times. I love those strappy shoes in the middle!
ReplyDeleteLoving that BR gold purse, purple sheath dress, and aqua peplum dress. Guess I'm ready for spring to get here!
ReplyDeleteimo there's no good way to save extra money at Forever, as the prices are already pretty low. The item you want will most likely be popular and sell out. Some items go on sale. I believe all their sweaters were 30% off recently (online, not sure about in store). However, a popular sweater might have sold out before that sale began. Sometimes there are online discounts, but they aren't very steep. On 12/12/12 they had 12% off your purchase. I think on Cyber Monday, they had 10% off of your purchase. I've given up on going to their store bc I find it overwhelming, so I mostly shop on their website. You can get free shipping on purchases of $50 or more. You can return in store, but only for store credit. It's sort of like a vicious cycle for me where I spend ~$70 online, return $45 worth in store and then use the $45 credit on my next online purchase.
ReplyDeleteyay! love your selections J! I recently bought the olive vest from Forever 21 when they had an outerwear sale, and i love it! I hope you get it. I have worn it with my polka dot sweater, a cute top and a nice high-low sweater. it totally amps up all outfits. :) Forever 21 has had a lot of deals online lately, like 30% sweaters, and 50% outerwear, and that is usually when i buy my things. Even though FOrever 21 is pretty cheap, I know they won't last forever so I like to get a good deal. :)
ReplyDelete-Courtney
www.415bond.blogspot.com
Just an FYI to anyone interest. When I went to look at the jeans from the loft right now there is an online code for them to be 50% off. Makes for a good deal. Thinking about the mint jeans or polka dots ones
ReplyDeleteALL full-price at the LOFT is 50% off today and tomorrow! Online and in the store!!
ReplyDeleteThe more I see military vests, like the one in the 2nd collage, the more I want one! Love your picks!
ReplyDeletexo Ashleyluckylittlebird.blogspot.com
It's always great to go shopping now because the spring inventory is just arriving on the floor of many stores.I'm excited to just go browsing around the mall and hit up any stores that look like they might have anything good!
ReplyDeletehttp://emmastyleguide.blogspot.com
I've been trying to stay away from stores like Forever 21/H&M because as you said last week, I'm trying to make smarter choices when it comes to buying items so instead of buying fast fashion, I'm choosing to buy higher quality pieces that will last for many seasons to come. I think this season I would like a high quality colored pencil skirt - possibly in emerald. That should be easy with it being the color of the year ;)
ReplyDeleteCheck Banana Republic - I think they have an emerald skirt!!
ReplyDeleteJosie, no those shopping tips and sales strategies I share are only for the other stores featured in this post - Banana, Gap, Limited and LOFT. F21 sells out of the best stuff fast so I wouldn't wait for a sale if you see something you love!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the heads up Katherine! I don't think I would spend more than $30 on that necklace, so I'll wait and see if I find one at that price. :-)
ReplyDeleteCool thanks for the idea Mila! I do all my shopping in stores for the most part (the prices are WAY cheaper than online) but that's a great strategy for someone who can't get to the mall.
ReplyDeleteChristine, with a small budget I would recommend saving up for the two cheapest times of year to shop - which is right after Christmas/New Years and at the end of June. And then outside of that maybe do a couple smaller trips in between!
ReplyDeleteF21 has some great trendy pieces if you can forgive the [lack of] quality. Their prices are great. Now if only they would change their return policy...
ReplyDelete-FashionEdible
I love your preppy picks - so colourful yet classic
ReplyDeletecoverupchic.blogspot.ca - Giveaway: J Crew Inspired link bracelet
I just love the *Vibrant Purple* of Banana Republic's ponte sheath, (i.e., in the 1st Section, 3rd Row, Above)!!
ReplyDeleteAhhhh ok i LOVE everything here.
ReplyDeletekendrrat
kendrrat.blogspot.com