Fashion For Less- How To Save Money On Clothes

One of my very favorite things to do is go shopping. I feel guilty for this little hobby of mine sometimes, but I really can’t help it. I love to find new things I love and can bring home with me! I particularly love getting new clothes, because I love the confidence boost they give me when I leave the house. There’s nothing quite like wearing a new outfit you love, and then being able to mix and match it forevermore. And somehow, this time of year makes me want to shop even more for new items in my closet. I think it’s leftover from my many, many years of BACK TO SCHOOL SHOPPING WHOOOOOO. Blame my parents, and my growth spurts, for this love of fall shopping. But, just because I love to shop doesn’t mean I have to spend a ton of money.

Last year, I went to the Lord & Taylor outlet store and purchased $320 worth of products for only $53. For those of you bad at math, that's over 83% savings, before tax. That's bonkers, bananas, out of this world savings. Most sales are only 15-25% off! Some of you might be thinking this is atypical, a rare occurrence, but the truth is that I save money like this on clothes all the time! After a shopping trip, my favorite thing to do is ask people how much they think I saved. Through a mixture of skill and luck, I've managed to save a bunch of money on clothes. And because I love to share, I'm going to give you the inside scoop of exactly how I do this.

Shop sales

This is a pretty obvious one, but you should shop when there's a sale going on. I was able to purchase colored jeans from Old Navy for half off. In fact, almost all my jeans are purchased when they're half off! If I hear a commercial (usually on Pandora) for a sale, I'll check out the site to see what they've got. It's a great time to pick up essentials like jeans, tees and sweaters for a fraction of the cost.

Use coupons

Another obvious one, but use coupons when you can. I'm not a crazy couponer, but sometimes Macy's will send me coupons on the mail, or Old Navy will offer a coupon for filling out their survey. I once saw a tip to create a special email address just for signing up for deals so you don't spend unnecessarily. This way, when you need to buy something, you can log into that email account and see what sales are happening and look for coupons sent to a store’s mailing list.

Shop the clearance sections

Although they can be a mess sometimes, the clearance section is a great place to find a good deal. Take a few minutes to browse around the sales section. Things over there can be pretty disorganized, so if you see something you like in a different size, browse the area to see if perhaps the one in your size was stuffed somewhere else. This area can sometimes have an added bonus, like an additional 15% off the lowest price. They want to get this stuff out of there, so they're dropping the prices like they're hot. Also, if there's anything I liked in a store, I like to take a look for it in the clearance section. Sometimes it'll be there!

Save on shoes

Honestly, I think shoes are the easiest thing to save money on! Shoes are extremely seasonal, so they're always being discounted. I love stores like DSW, Marshalls, and TJ Maxx to save money on shoes… but, what's even better is shopping their clearance section! It's like a discount on a discount. Plus it's usually name brand stuff for way less than retail!

Browse thrift stores

Shopping thrift stores has become known for fashionable people with eclectic vintage style, scoring the perfect 70's peasant dress or vintage faux fur coat. But the truth is, they've got something for everyone. I've purchased cardigans, a sequin t-shirt, and even a pink winter coat from there. I once even got a brand new pair of boots (with the tag!). You never know what you'll find there, but it's usually affordable. While the trendy shops are great for more unique vintage pieces, I find that the Salvation Army or Savers have more ordinary clothes for great prices.

Shop Secondhand

On that same note, you can also find great secondhand clothes without even having to step foot into a thrift store! You can browse Facebook Marketplace for local deals and find lots of great secondhand clothes on ebay. If you’d prefer a more streamlined way to shop, definitely check out the thredUP App! Their interface is seriously amazing and you’ll feel like you’re shopping new clothes instead of the bargain rack. They also have tons of new clothes with tags! Similarly, you can shop on the Poshmark app which is a bit more ebay in my opinion but they have tons of brands and sizes and options. I recently used thredUP to purchase a pair of brand new J. Crew shorts for $13.99 and a barely used pair for $11.99! Plus, I added a coupon and saved even more on my order. It’s seriously bananas. They have a $1.99 restocking fee if you return an item, but depending on the cost and what it’s worth, you can still save a ton. I took this screenshot after the return window ended for all my items, but only one (the top Ann Taylor Loft shirt) was final sale. Plus, look at how clean the interface is! Seriously feels like shopping brand new.

If you want to check out thredUP, you can use my special link that will get you $10 off your first order. Depending on what you purchase, this can be equal to a free item! Click here to get $10 off your first order.

Check Amazon

A lot of times, Amazon will have items on sale for cheaper than the stores. I've used it to buy crocs wedges, crocs sandals, and even my wedding shoes! Which, by the way, I got for 30% off on Amazon. I’ve also purchased tons of other clothes there, like most of my maternity dresses, skirts, nursing friendly tops…. you name it, I probably have it from Amazon! A lot of their products have prime shipping and free returns, so you can try it on and return it for free if it doesn't fit.

My Fave Stores for Great Deals

Kohls

I got my maternity jeans from Kohl’s for a great price. I love the pools has a and a Tronic tag on their displays were tells you exactly how much everything cost with the discount. Cold is great for name brands that are slightly classier and more adult than other stores. They also have a great selection of family items so he can go there and shop for everyone in the family!

Macy's

If you have a Macy’s card, you’ll probably find that they send you a lot of coupons in the mail. Also, I think they’ll also put out coupons in local newspapers, so check those out if you get them! Since Macy’s carries so many different brands, you might be able to score a deal. If you have a brand that you like, try going to Macy’s to see if you can find the same item at a discount!

DSW

I love shopping at DSW, especially their sales section! They have so many great shoes (in so many different brands) for a discount. You’ll notice that the sales section has different colored labels for the different percentages off. The other thing I really like about them is that they have all the sale prices listed. So, for example, if you find a pair shoes that cost $69.95 and then is at 40% off, you can look up on the chart and see exactly what that means. It saves you from having to do mental math or go to the register wondering exactly how much you’re going to be paying. I also love DSW because it’s pretty much like shopping on sale all the time. You’ll be able to find the shoes you need for all occasions and maybe even a bonus you didn’t know you needed, but definitely have to have.

Marshall’s/T.J. Maxx

Another one of my favorite “always on sale” stores! I love T.J. Maxx and Marshall’s because again, they have all sorts of different brands and everything is so inexpensive! I have purchased so many great pairs of jeans here, as well as shoes including my favorite pair of turquoise slides. I used to love shopping at Marshall’s or TJ Maxx to find American eagle clothing and Roxy hoodies for a fraction of the cost. Because a lot of the stuff is from last season, you’re able to find it at a discount. If you don’t care about when things were originally in the store, you may find that you were able to get a great deal on the basics that will cost twice as much in the store currently.

Old Navy

I find that sometimes Old Navy can be hit or miss, especially because the sizes run so strangely and sometimes large. However, if you’re willing to do the work, you can find amazing deals at Old Navy! Just this past summer, I was able to get a pair of purple pants for only about $12. I was also able to get a pair of boots from last season (I remember seeing them last year and liked them but didn’t buy them). I found a pair in the regular shoe section, but it didn’t have a tag. To my delight, they were only four dollars. Can you believe that?! Four dollars! You may be thinking that is the first time that happened to me and probably was a random occurrence, but it’s not! Last year, I found a pair of gold glitter boots in the regular shoe section, and I remember them again from being last season. They also did not have a tag, so I brought them to the register, and lo and behold those were only about four dollars as well!

You definitely want to sign up for Old Navy‘s email list, because they’ll be able to send you all the deals that are occurring, which are frequent. And since they have random items on sale every day, be sure to check online to see when it’s on sale. They also offer free pick up in store, so if you’re not sure something will fit, this is a great option. You can buy it on sale, try it, then return it in the store as well. I have purchased a shirt that I loved it for about $20, and it was the only item I bought it wasn’t on sale. It’s my surprise, the next day they were offering 50% off everything online. I ordered the shirt and was able to get it for half price, and returned the first one that I had purchased at full price. So, there is definitely money to be saved at Old Navy!

Walmart

Most people don’t think of great fashion at Walmart, but they do have great items! I’ve actually been shopping at Walmart since I was in college. My parents used to go there for groceries, so I’d always peruse the clothes section for some fashionable items for a broke college kid. Just recently, I got a great romper that I’ve worn more times than I can count in the 6 months or so that I’ve owned it. I also got a really soft pair of lounge pants and a Friends t-shirt! Walmart gets a bad rap for being cheap, but their clothes are actually pretty good quality for the price. I know there’s some controversy about Walmart’s fast fashion, but most retailers contribute to the problem. In that regard, if you’re willing to shop other brands that aren’t super ethical, then don’t discount Walmart just because.

Lord & Taylor Outlet/Nordstrom Rack

As I had mentioned in the intro, I once saved an INSANE amount of money at Lord & Taylor Outlet! It’s similar to TJ Maxx and Macy’s becase they have tons of different brands, but it’s their last-minute-deal type of stuff. And, you’re able to find things for a steal! I personally got a dress, heels, wedges and a shirt for a crazy discount. I’ve also shopped at Nordstrom Rack and gotten great deals!

If you love shopping but need to stay on a budget, it can be done! There are so many great stores to buy clothing that’s really inexpensive. And, don’t be afraid to shop secondhand to save money AND the environment. It’s a win-win!

So, what are your best deals that you’ve gotten over the years? Where’s your favorite place to shop? Gimme the inside scoop!

DIY Paper Roll Pencil Cup

Can you believe that the summer is almost over, and back to school shopping has begun?! I mean, I’m not going back to school but any excuse for shopping is one I’ll take. Since everyone else has back to school on the brain, I whipped up the perfect project for families and teachers alike- this colorful pencil cup, using the humble paper roll! That’s right, we have a true trash-to-treasure treat for you today (say that 5 times fast!). You just need a few basic supplies that you probably have on hand.

My favorite part of back to school shopping was always getting brand new stationery. I was always picking out my favorite notebooks, folders and pens for the new school year. I always loved getting this fresh new gear. It’s a love I still have to this day, as I purchase unnecessary notebooks and markers. They take over most of my desk space, as I need a marker or pen in every single color for every single possible use. Thin markers, thick ones, pencils, pens… even erasable markers for my notes! I even have a giant puoch of markers that I keep with me at all times.

These would also make a great teacher gift when filled with some new supplies for the school year- pencils for the kids and markers for the teacher to grade papers with! I’m sure teachers have more than enough mugs and apple shaped things, plus everyone loves something homemade and useful. It would look so cute on a teacher’s desk.

The full DIY is over on the Giggles Galore blog, so head on over to take a look!

Tropical Bachelorette Party

Ok, it’s been about 2 years now, but I’m finally sharing the details about my tropical bachelorette party! We rented a hotel in Philly and my sister locked me out while she and my friends decorated everything. They know how much I love a party! When I was finally allowed in, I was amazed because everything looked SO GOOD. I didn’t take any good pictures in the hotel room (it was dark and lots of mirrors around!) so I brought everything back home with me on the bus and set it up so that I could photograph it. Then, I apparently left the pictures for two years and well, here we are now! This party was a really fun summer idea that’s pretty simple to execute. All you need are a few party supplies!

For starters, you’ll need a simple tablecloth and a tiki table runner. I added flamingo wrapping paper as a backdrop and topped it with a pineapple garland. The decor was really simple- anything with a flamingo, palm tree pr pineapple was fair game! We also had some (ahem) naughty straws and other items, but I kept those out of the photos. I’ll keep it PG over here!

As part of the decor we had some really fun bridal/engagement themed items. First up were these great diamond ring shot glasses. We were able to put a little bit of alcohol in there and take a sip which is pretty funny, although they weren’t necessarily that useful. We also had these amazing light up engagement rings which were my favorite. You know this girl loves anything that lights up or glows so this was definitely one of my favorites. We also had a crown that said I was the bride to be.

As for activities we play the game Most Likely To. This is fun since were all really good friends and know each other really well. We also played a game of naughty ring toss which is actually really funny. We also took turns using it as a unicorn horn and throwing the rings at each other’s head. Other than that we didn’t really play any games since we spent most of our time sightseeing and going to bars and restaurants.

My sister got all the cutest table items for the bachelorette party! For starters we have these great palm tree and pineapple napkins which were so perfect for the theme. We also had these reusable cups- one set was Tiki and the other set was pineapple cups. For me she had purchased a gold disco ball pineapple cup which I still use to this day because I love it so much! For decor, we also added some fake flowers all around which helps add to the tropical feel. We also had lots of leaves because we all know that the tropical locations have so much lush greenery.

Before the bachelorette party, my sister and I took a trip to Michael’s to grab some last minute items for a “secret project”. I took a look into her shopping basket and noticed she had a few items. I immediately asked her “are we making floral crowns?” She said “how did you know?!” because it was just a bunch of random items in the cart. I insisted that she let me help her make them- I always wanted to learn how to make flower crowns, so this was a really exciting opportunity for me. We were able to make flower crowns for all the girls which we wore to a pool party and a little bit for sightseeing. It was really fun and help us all look kind of matching since we didn’t wear the same colors or have T-shirts or anything like that. We use some of the leftover flowers as decor, placing them in the drink cups and all around the table.

My sister also got some really cute favors for everyone! First up where are these customized pouches that she got for all the girls from Etsy. Inside she placed customized Chapstick. I ended up bringing these to my wedding and we use them in our wedding photos as well. I still use that pouch when I travel so it’s definitely a perfect favor to give everyone!

My sister also had a lot of balloons that she had brought, but unfortunately when we were bringing them home they ended up flying away! I was really bummed because they were super cute. I also felt so bad that they flew away because it’s terrible for the environment. My sister also made custom letter donuts (what?!) that she displayed on the bed.

Even if you’re not planning to go away or go to a hotel room, you can definitely use this tropical bachelorette theme party for your bride. It would make a great backyard party, as well as something in the home or even at the beach! And if you don’t have a bride to be in your life, you can also use this party theme for a birthday or graduation party!

I think that one of my favorite parts of the theme is that everything is reusable. If you have any leftover supplies, you can use it for a summer barbecue or end of summer party of some sort. Most bachelorette party supplies are kind of cheesy with everything saying “put a ring on it”, or have weird things like zebra print and marabou feathers. That’s the type of stuff you can’t really reuse and you would probably just throw away right after the party. Because I’m making an effort now to have everything in my parties be reusable, I want to make sure that my blog posts are able to do that too. That’s why I think this would be a great party for anyone. I always end up bringing special cups to parties and I even used these pineapple ones when I was pregnant and it made everyone want what I had- which was just water!

Pssst. Looking for some assistance planning your next big event? I can help! Visit my virtual party planning services page for more info and pricing.

The Truth About Postpartum

It’s now been 10 whole months since I gave birth to Hailey and people aren’t lying when they say time passes faster once you’ve had a baby! It’s pretty amazing what your body is able to do in 9 months of being pregnant. While (for the most part) I am back to being myself, there’s so much about me that has changed. Despite physical changes (which are pretty obvious when you’ve grown a human and then have to bounce back into shape) there’s so many mental changes that happen from the moment you give birth. 

I haven’t really shared any of my pregnancy photos that I took and I definitely haven’t done an update in a really long time. So, I thought now would be a good time to share the truth about my postpartum journey. Even though things may look the same from the outside, they’re actually really different on the inside.

Postpartum Hair Loss

You guys, postpartum hair loss is so real and so annoying. My hair was coming out in clumps which is bad enough. But, the part they don’t tell you is that it’s coming out in clumps all the time. Not just in the shower, not just when you’re brushing your hair but literally all the time. When you have curly hair, that results in your hair basically becoming a giant knot filled with loose hairs that follow you around the house leaving a trail behind you. In addition to that, you’ve got these weird stripes/bald spots all along the side of your head so good luck anytime you want to put your hair in a ponytail or bun (which, as a new mom, you have to do a lot!). As if all that isn’t bad enough, eventually hair starts to grow back in and then you’re left with these weird little baby hairs that grow in funny little chunks. When your hair is curly like mine, they pretty much just stick out in little curls in the most terrible way. I’m dealing with this new hairdo of mine, however I found that blow drying it out has helped me a lot so that I don’t feel like a horrible mess of a mom every day. Sometimes it can be hard to find time to do it but I always find a way to prioritize it so that I can feel good about myself. I think it’s really important as a stay at home mom (who also works from home!) and essentially never leaves the house. Doing my hair helps me to not feel like a total bum and helps me to feel just a little bit sexy on the daily.

Hair Growth 

Well well, the only hair that’s growing isn’t on your head! You may have noticed while you’re pregnant that you have a little bit more hair on your body than you did before. It’s totally normal to have darker hairs on your stomach, nipples or face. I know this is TMI and I don’t love to admit that my stomach is now hairy, but hey we tell the truth here and that’s what’s going on. So get used to it and grab some wax or one of these little epilator pens to get rid of them if they bother you. 

Losing Weight

Due to breast-feeding, I managed to lose all of my pregnancy weight and even a little bit extra. That’s right- I weigh less than I did before I got pregnant! It really doesn’t matter what the scale says after you’ve given birth, or at any point in your life really. I’m not saying this to brag, because really I have nothing to brag about. I don’t exercise and I haven’t followed any sort of health routine, but I did manage to lose the baby weight. The reason why am telling you this is because everyone tells you that after you have a baby you’ll never fit into your pre-pregnancy jeans again. This essentially just invokes fear in you that after you have a baby, your “sexy body” is completely gone. I’m here to tell you that every body is different and there’s no telling what will happen to yours after you give birth. You may bounce back completely, you may have stretch marks, you may have saggy skin, you may gain weight, you may lose weight. The only thing we all have in common is that we really don’t know what’s going to happen. Invoking fear in new moms, telling them that they’ll never get their old body back, isn’t a productive use of time. Instead, let’s talk about the things they gain, such “as you’ll be amazed by how strong your body becomes after you’ve given birth” or “carrying a baby around all day gives you great arm strength” or “crawling around after your baby is great cardio”. Let’s change the conversation around postpartum bodies. After all, they’re pretty freakin amazing!

Soft Skin

While I have technically lost all my baby weight, my body is far from back to normal. The changes are pretty minor and probably only get noticed by me and maybe my husband, but they’re still there. My stomach is very soft and the skin is a little bit loose. However, at the end of the day, I have to accept it. Sometimes I want to cover it up with a high waisted bikini or maybe even a one piece, but I feel like as mothers we should wear this as a badge of honor. We should wear it as an F-you to the beauty industry that tells us that we need creams or potions or girdles or anything like that to make us beautiful once again. So while it may make me a little bit uncomfortable, I’ve decided I’m not going to hide it and I’m going to just try to rock it with pride. The fact of the matter is most people probably won’t notice it and in the end it really doesnt matter. 

Breast Changes

Oh goodness my boobs, let’s talk about those for a minute. When I got pregnant, my boobs got really big- well, for me anyway. They were still only a C cup! But, they were essentially useless in terms of being sexy because they hurt so much. I had to wear really unsexy bras and definitely couldn’t push them up or anything. Once I gave birth to Hailey and I was producing milk, they were plenty of times that I had what I call “porn star boobs” or essentially boobs that are so round and perfect that they almost seem like they were filled with silicon. It didn’t last long obviously, because the soon as I fed Hailey they shrunk back down. As time went on and my boobs stopped getting engorged, they tend to be much softer. While my right boob has stayed essentially the same, the left one has gone south for the winter and is now pretty saggy.  Again, when I’m wearing a shirt you really can’t tell. My boobs did what they were supposed to do-fed my baby for the past 10 months and counting, which is what they’re supposed to do- not be sexy or appealing in any way. However, it does get kind of sad sometimes when I look down and see how different they became. So, while I do thank my body (and I do it all the time), I do like to acknowledge that my body has changed and I am allowed to feel things about it.

Post Partum Baby Blues

The first few moments after I gave her to Hailey were really strange. I looked at this baby and didn’t relate her to the one I was carrying in my womb. It was a really strange sensation to have and actually extremely upsetting, because I felt like a horrible person. After such a long labor (35 hours) I was completely exhausted mentally and physically, and now had this new person to take care of. The baby blues that I felt after giving birth were so bad that I wouldn’t wish it on anyone, although I’m sure many many women feel it. I was so sad that I was no longer pregnant. For probably the last month of my pregnancy, I simultaneously was excited to meet my baby/wishing she were here, and wanting to soak up every last minute of pregnancy. After giving birth, there were so many times that I touched my stomach only to find that it was empty. For some reason this gutted me every single time and I begin to cry. This happened every time I walked and touched my stomach expecting to feel my baby, every time I took a shower and very often when I just thought about it. Luckily, within a few weeks it passed and I was able to find acceptance with my body and find love for my baby. It was the whole reason for the pregnancy in the first place!

Emotional Forever And Always

If you didn’t cry a lot before you got pregnant, you’re probably find that you cry a whole lot more now! Everything makes me super emotional especially in relation to my baby. I don’t think I had too much postpartum depression, although I suspect I may have had a touch of it. There are definitely days where I felt dark but they seemed to pass so I didn’t seek help. Maybe I should have, I don’t know, but I found that I was OK for the most part so I didn’t. (If you’re feeling sad, hopeless, have negative feelings towards your baby, or want to harm yourself or your baby, please seek help.)

Heres a picture of me after I took my very first set of bump updates. Totally crying, like I did pretty much throughout my entire pregnancy.

So, that’s a little bit about my postpartum journey as well as some truths about it that most people like to hide or sweep under the rug. Postpartum is kind of like an evolving, winding road. Sometimes we forget which way we came but there’s so much we’ve done and yet still so far to go. Like our baby, we are now ever-changing and yet only getting better.

So, please share your postpartum journey with me in the comments. Was there anything you learned or realized? Anything you wish people knew? Let me know- don’t be shy!

DIY Colorful Summer Place Card Holder

Whenever I watch TV shows, they always seem to have these beautiful outdoor dinner parties, where everyone hangs out under a giant tree covered in string lights, on a long table where everyone has their own gorgeous place setting. There are, of course, candles all over the table and these amazing platters filled with delicious, vibrant, colorful food. It’s a far cry from my usual summer party- paper plates and hot dogs on the BBQ. So, I set out to take my BBQ and make it a little bit fancier.

This summer, create a one of a kind experience for your guests by making them this DIY place card holder that doubles as a party favor. It’s really easy to make with only paint, wood blocks, and wire. I’ve got the DIY over on the Giggles Galore blog so head on over there for the full DIY.

After the BBQ is done, your guests can take this place card holder home with them to put on their desk as a picture holder, note holder, recipe card holder- really, anything their heart desires! It’s a great way to show your friends how much you care about them, while also getting to flex your creativity muscle. So head over to the Giggles Galore blog for the full tutorial. Then, take a trip to the craft store to grab your supplies, pop on a summer rom-com and grab your glue gun- we’re about to get crafty!

So head on over to the Giggles Galore blog now to see the post and make your own! You definitely want to whip this up before the summer ends.