What's my favorite place to shop? + Home Decor Haul

I get lots of question as to what's my favorite store to shop? For a while I would shuffle between Charlotte Russe, Forever 21, Wetseal Papaya and lots more. Recently I rediscovered a store that has now become a clear favorite for me: Kohl's. Before this year, I hadn't stepped into a Kohl's in maybe five years and now I'm mentally kicking myself for it because I have missed out on a lot of cute clothing.

So you may ask, why Kohl's? It's simple really. 1) They do that thing where they jack up the prices but always have sales so you think you're saving a ton of money when you're probably not. 2) They have a points card and Kohl's cash (get $10 gift voucher for every $50 spent) so you actually are saving a lot of money. 3) It's a dept store so I can buy cute dresses, kitchen gear and home decor all in the same building.

This is the third time I've been to Kohl's in the past month. I thought I'd share what I bought and how much I saved.

Candie's Pintuck Tank in Spring Bouquet Blue $38.00  $9.99
I absolutely love the Candie's brand. Bright florals and colors are my bread and butter. This was on sale at $9.99. I think it was around $15 when I first went so when I saw it at $9.99, I couldn't resist. If it's still that price, I might buy the same thing in peach.

Candie's Reversible Woven Cami in Tossed Rose, Perfect Chevron & Botanical Pearl $38.00  $9.99

I think it's pretty clear how much I love this top since I bought it in three different patterns. I love this concept. A reversible cami. It's like buying 2-in-1! And again, It was on sale for $9.99 which is lower than I remember it was. This is so versatile. You can wear it on its own, or under a blazer.

SONOMA life + style Shoreline Fabric Shower Curtain $29.99  $17.99

I recently moved houses so it was time to buy some new housewares. For my bathroom, I wanted a beach/nautical theme. I saw this one online and instantly thought it was perfect. It has a burlap feel so I bought a basic shower lining $6.99 with it so that water wouldn't soak through.

SONOMA life + style Shoreline 3-pc. Nesting Basket Set $19.99  $11.99

Of course I had to buy some matching items with the shower curtain to have a unified look. What's cuter and more functional that these baskets. Be warned if you want to buy them online, they're a lot smaller that they look online.

SONOMA life + style Shoreline Live Laugh Love Hand Towel $14.99  $8.99

My bathroom has a ring for a hand towel so I figured I should buy one from the Shoreline collection. Even though they are on sale, $9 for a hand towel is a bit excessive so I only bought one. I love the phrase "Live Love Laugh".

SONOMA life + style Coastal Blend Vase Filler Set $19.99  $9.99

I love vase fillers and going along with my beach themed bathroom I bought this pack to put in my vases. I thought about buying a bigger bag of fillers for $12.50 but I passed on it. Lucky I did, I saw a bigger bag of similar product at Kirklands for $10. I bought another one on clearance for $3.99 that was full of brown small pinecones and similar things that I plan to spray paint gold and turquoise. (I can't find a picture online)

The total before tax was $99.90 so I qualified for $20 of Kohl's cash which I can use as a gift card but only between 3/16-3/22. I was scared I  would only get $10 since it wasn't over $100 but the cashier gave it to me. So in a way I only paid $80. Along with it I got a coupon for 20% off which I can combine with the Kohl's cash later. Kohl's does this to keep it's customers coming back and it is definitely working! Also with my Yes2You Kohl's points card, I get $5 for every 100 points (aka $100 spent) so that's another $5.

Total after tax: $108.14

Total Saved: $163.04

Kohl's Cash Earned: $25

Kirkland's Pearl Shell 3-piece Bath Accessory Set $14.99  $7.99

As much fun as I had saving money at Kohl's, this was my favorite purchase of the day. This was my first time at Kirkland's. I was immediately enchanted by their beach collection but it was the sale section that caught my eye. This three piece shell set which I thought was marked down to $9.99 which I still thought was a good deal and then at the check out found out that it was only $7.99. Can you believe that three pieces for $8. One of these at Bed Bath and Beyond would cost more than this whole set!

Bottom Line: 4 tops, shower curtain and liner, 3 nesting baskets, hand towel, 2 vase filler boxes, 3 pc bathroom set for $90. Seems like a deal to me.

Ulta, Papaya, Wetseal, JC Penney & Jessie Steele Haul: There's No Friday Like Black Friday!

Happy Friday everyone! Like I said, I was planning on going to go shopping today! Forget going to stores at dawn and fighting over a flat screen tv. Nobody got time for that.
My first stop was at Ulta where I was planning to pick up the little OPI trios (2 for $12!). I also wanted to pick up the Lorac Vintage Vixen palette but I couldn't find it anywhere. Probably for the best. The last thing I need is more eyeshadows.

These were the two that I got. I wanted the purple one but they didn't seem to have any. 

Their regular price is $9.95 so I saved about $8 when I bought them on Black Friday. I don't know if they have them in stock after today but if they do, I highly recommend them. 

OPI Be Bold. Be Dramatic 3pc Mini Set $9.95 $6.00

OPI In the Pink 3pc Mini Set $9.95 $6.00

After Ulta I went to the mall in need of some winter clothes for myself, primarily some boots and skater skirts.

It's was hard so find boots that were $20 and fashionable. I got these at Papaya where they had a 20% off sale. It's hard to tell from the photo but they are a dark brown. They are a little slouchy and they are knee highs. These will look great with the boot toppers I bought a while ago. I found a link here so you can see it better: http://www.papayaclothing.com/p/search/winter-essential-long-flat-boots1?color_id=249&size_id=11

Papaya Boots: Brown $24.99 $19.99

Like I said, I wanted to buy skater skirts so I went to Wetseal where they were having a buy one get one free deal. They are a cotton-y jersey material. I would have liked a more flow, silky material but I can't argue with the price. The one on the left looks red but it is more of a burgundy/maroon color. Also, I almost always buy smalls but for this one I could barely fit in a small so I had to get a size up. 

Solid Ponte Skater: Burgundy M $14.90 $7.45

Solid Ponte Skater: Black M $14.90 $7.45

If you don't know this about me, I have a major weakness for scarves. I walked past scarves all day at every store I went to. But as I was walking past JC Penney to get out of the mall these caught my eye.  JC Penney had solid and floral pashmina scarves for $5 that were originally $20! That's just not fair. So of course I had to buy them. I resisted the temptation to buy more. They had similar floral patterns but with white, blue, orange etc. I got the purple and black because they looked the most versatile. Sidenote: this was the only store where I had to wait in an extremely long line. 

Bloomsbury Floral Pashmina Scarf $20.00 $4.99

Falling Flower Pashmina Scarf $20.00 $4.99

And of course Black Friday wouldn't be complete without an online purchase. I bought this apron from Jessie Steele who has AMAZING aprons! Perfect for a mom, aunt, grandma, girlfriend who loves to cook.  This was originally $33 but I had a 30% off coupon which I will put here: JSFRIDAY30
If you want to take advantage of this amazing deal, act fast because it is only valid for Friday! If you get more than $50 then shipping is free.
Jessie Steele Venice Toile Viola Apron $33.00 $23.10 (plus $6.50 shipping)

Overall Total (with sales tax): $91.03
Overall Saved: $67.72 43% saved

I gotta say, it's been a good day!
xx

Also, three consecutive posts! You're welcome.

Boutique Haul: Boot Toppers, Ceramic Measuring Cups, Knick Knacks and why you should shop at small businesses

It's late November aka Thanksgiving season aka almost Christmas season aka you better start thinking about what you're getting your loved ones for Christmas. Yesterday I went on a little shopping trip (not online) and although I can't post links to the things I bought, I hope I can give you some ideas for Christmas gifts or ways to treat yourself this winter.

Boot Toppers 2/$15 + tax = $16.24

These are the first boot toppers I have ever bought.  The Peddler Show was in town; it is like a Texas trade show of sorts (peddlershow.com).  It was pretty small so there wasn't much there that I liked that was in my price range except for these cuties. I bought dark brown lacy ones and blue buttoned ones because I wanted to get some variety. It also costed $6 to enter the show so I guess the boot toppers were more like $22.24

The next four things I bought at Spice Village. The best way to describe it is a collection of boutiques for the physical manifestation of Pinterest. They have such a variety that can't be put into words (spicewaco.com). I would say it was half clothing/jewelry, one-third home decor and the remainder, random stuff.  Side note: they had boot toppers 2/$25 so even factoring in the entry fee, the trip to The Peddler Show was worth it.

    

Ceramic Measuring Cups $16.00
I thought these were absolutely adorable.  They come in 1/4, 1/2, 1, and 1 1/2 cups. The largest one could even be used as a mug if you wanted.  I bought them as a Christmas gift for my mom.  It's an awesome idea for anyone looking to buy their moms a gift.  They had a similar set for teaspoons but I thought $16 measuring cups were enough.

Sing Scripture Sign $8.99
My favorite section of Spice Village was a corner boutique where they had a lot of Pinterest-y looking signs. I bought this one as a gift for someone. I also took photos of some that caught my eye that I didn't buy.

Tea Owl $8.99
This was in the same section. I bought it for my cousin who loves tea. I thought this thing was too cute not to buy. Even the check out lady liked it.

Biofreeze 4oz $14.99
This was a really random purchase for me. I started working out more and I love this kind of stuff to help with aches and shin splints. It also looked out of place in the store. There was just a small rack of about 40 bottles. They probably thought no one would buy them (they thought wrong).

This haul was a lot different from ones in the past. I didn't go to a mall or a place with an online store where I could post links of everything I bought. Everything I bought came from local, small business owners. And although they are not the most accessible spots and probably not the most aesthetically pleasing layout compared to a large shopping mall, there are benefits to buying from these boutiques. Shopping local helps boost the community and the budding entrepreneur.  In a way you are giving back to your city.  The merchandise is usually more expensive but better quality and more unique.  Do you want an H&M cardigan everyone owns, or one you bought from a small business?  With boutiques, sure some of it is hit or miss but you may find some quirky knick knacks that will end up making the perfect gift for someone you love.

xx

How To Save Over $100 on Swimwear Without Really Trying

If you haven’t realized yet, I am a major bargain shopper.  I rarely buy anything that is not on sale. You might as well call me Connie the Cost Efficient Shopper (because Connie the Bargain Hunter doesn’t sound as poetic).

I was window-shopping at my local mall one day and I wandered into JC Penney.  I was browsing around the sale sections since most of the clothes are above my price range. As I was looking through the racks a sign that said Clearance $2.97 caught my eye.  It seemed too good to be true so I looked at the price tags and sure enough there were $2.97 bikini pieces. Long story short I walked out of JC Penney with one bandeau top and a top and bottom swim set paying less than $10 for them.  So the shopping moral of this story is shop early (or late, it’s a matter of perspective) for swimwear in October and save a boatload of money.

ANA Bandeau Top $44.00 $2.97

This feels like a good quality bandeau. I couldn’t believe that this even retailed at $44. This came included with a removable strap in the same colorful print. I love the gap in the middle.

ANA Banded Hipster Bottoms $44.00 $2.97

Again, another $44 swim suit piece. It has the same colored lining. I love the crisscrossed detailing at each side.

Arizona Jeans Bandeau Top $28.00 $2.97

I love the pastel tribal print of this bandeau. My favorite part of this bandeau is the braided section in the back. It comes with a sewn in braided strap in the middle. It looks like it included a removable strap like in the ANA Bandeau Top but there wasn’t one in the empty plastic bag.

Retail Total $116.00

Sale Total $8.91

Total Discount $107.09 (92.3% off!!!)

Overall, I am very excited about this purchase.  I don’t have a lot of swimwear and the fact that I got these good quality pieces for $3 each.  I will be going to Australia in December where it will be summer so this sale came at the right time. Until next time!

Xx

GirlInAFantasyland

Charlotte Russe Haul/Review

Here’s the next installment of Connie shops too much online with her debit card. I’m in a current transition where I donate clothes I’ve had since high school and buy new clothes to fill the void.

Crochet & Chevron Print High-Low Dress $28.99  $11.60

I liked the mix of crochet and chevron, two popular trends. I wouldn’t say it is really crochet though. It’s just a textured white material. The thing I don’t like about this dress is that it is inadequately lined. The white part has a thin lining on the front and not the back, and even with it, I don’t think I would be able to wear anything but a nude-colored bra underneath because it would show through. The bottom part doesn’t have any type of lining under it either. It’s feels cheaply made and not something that should have been priced at $28.99. I did get it for 60% off so I won’t complain too much.

Neon Scarf Print Cold Shoulder Shift Dress $28.99  $11.60

This is one of my favorites purchases. I had nothing like this in my closet. It is one of three shift dresses from Charlotte Russe. I love the bright pink paisley pattern and the black piping on the top and the cold shoulders. This one does have a lining under it. My only gripe is that it is a little longer than I thought it would be.

Crochet & Chiffon Flounce Shift Dress $26.99  $9.49

This is one of the clearance dresses that I bought. Again, another fusion of two current trends: crochet and chiffon.  Coral is also a trendy color. The only bad thing is that it has a v-neck back which shows a little of my bra underneath.

Strappy Floral Print Cold Shoulder Shift Dress $28.99  $11.49

Another shift dress! I liked the straps on this dress. The print looked a little different than it did on the site but I actually like it a lot more in person.  It’s a more subtle print. Overall, I like this dress.

Lightweight Striped Scarf $9.99  $3.99

I absolutely love scarves. I was overdue for a new scarf and I didn’t have a striped one. I liked the color on this one and it was only $4.

Coral Metallic Bandeau $16.99  $1.99

I really only bought this because I was just under the amount needed to qualify for free shipping. I was also drawn to the fact that it was only $2. It has since been removed from the online store, which is expected when you discount a swimsuit bandeau to $2.

Retail Total $140.94

Sale Total $50.16

Total Discount $90.78 (64.4% off!!!)

So that was my Charlotte Russe Haul/Review. Overall, I am satisfied with my purchase. My bargain hunter tip with Charlotte Russe and online shopping overall is to monitor sales (Charlotte Russe ALWAYS has some type of sale) and decide which one is best to pounce on. I made my purchase during a 60% off dresses sale. Two dresses had qualified for 60% off and the other two were already on sale. My order was shipped a day after I placed my order. Shipping took only four days; two days sooner than expected. Everything was individually packaged with the price tags on them. Five stars for Charlotte Russe.

Xx

GirlInAFantasyland

Forever 21 Haul/Review

Being away at college to me is synonymous with guilt-free online shopping. Maybe it's the distance away from my family that makes it easier to buy stuff online and get it in the mail so far away that they never know it happens.
That being said, I still have some cash on my UK card when I was abroad and seeing as I can't use it here without charges, it goes to feed my online shopping addiction.
The dangers of online shopping are that sometimes expectations fail to meet reality. I'm not super high maintenance so I can usually work around any mishaps I may come across.
Without further ado, let me give some feedback on the 6 (7, I'll explain down below) items I bought online at Forever 21.
Scottish Terrier Sweatshirt $15.80

A basic sweater at Forever 21. They have the same type in Boston Terrier, Horses, whatever suits your fancy. I bought a size M because I like my sweaters baggier. The design is cute and the sleeves go to my palms. I wish it was long enough for me to wear it with leggings without judgement but alas, it is not. The material is pretty thin, like a light cardigan. It won't do a lot of good on it's own during average winter day. Pair with a pop up collar and a skater skirt for a nice transitional season outfit.

Low Impact - Reversible Chevron Sports Bra $12.80

I loved the concept of a reversible sports bra. It's like 2 in 1 even though people's would even see it. This did not come with removable pads as they had listed nor did it have a sleeve sewn in to put ones in. First issue so far with this shipment. But what puzzles me more is what kind of sports bra doesn't come with padding? It's still a cute design and I pair it with a tank top that also has a sports bra without padding sewn into it. So I guess two wrongs make a right?

Power Mesh-Paneled Leggings $12.80

I tried to find them online again, but they have been taken off. Just picture black leggings with a mesh stripe down each side. Anyways, this is the one I was most excited for. I ordered a small because I consistently fit the small size. But with these leggings, I struggled to comfortably fit them. They were so skin tight I thought they would rip down the middle in yoga class. But I guess that will be my motivation to work out.

Low Impact - Cami Sports Bra $7.80

I bought this in purple. It's great. Nothing to really say about this.

Basic Cuffed Denim Shorts $7.80

If there's one thing Forever 21 is good at, it's offering affordable demin.  Sure, it's not the most high quality but for $8, I'm content. 

Crepe Woven Shorts $12.80

I wanted black shorts like this. However I will say after putting it on, the inseam is very low which makes it pretty easy to see what's underneath if you're not too careful. I don't really like the way they fit on me. This one is kind of a miss for me. 

Pleated Woven Top??

This would have been the 7th item but it did not come in the mail. This was one of their weekly deal items. I guess they ran out and couldn't give me one. Thankfully I wasn't charged for it so I won't pursue it more. However this did dampen my online shopping experience. But I have had favorable past experience with F21 so I will keep shopping here. Overall, I was happy with my purchase.

xx