The Cheap Girl

Online Shopping Tips – How To Get The Best Deals!

* Shop at the end of the season to take advantage of sale prices.

* Ebay, Craigslist, ssense, labellush, shopstyle, beautyticket and Shopbop are good sources for shopping deals. A good tip is to try things in-store first then buy the item on online for a cheaper price. When buying designer goods on Ebay or Craigslist, do some research, read the reviews and ask a lot of questions before making the purchase.

* Do a price comparison before making a purchase. Sometimes you might get a better deal in-store than online (or vice versa). For an online price comparison visit shopstyle.com or shopwiki.com

* Sign up for newsletter updates from your favourite stores and budget fashion sites where you will receive perks such as sales alerts, free shipping codes, and coupons.

* Private Shopping sites that offer members-only access to designer sales (Beyond The Rack, Keep it Simple, Enviius, Ideeli, Row Nine)

* Always read the return policy!

Budget Shopping and Style Tips from Tim Gunn

I adore Tim Gunn on Project Runway. He is such a sweet heart and the epitome of the stylish man.  Here are some of his budget style tips for every budget that I found from Oprah.com. He’s all for the budget shopping! He says that we budget and frugal fashionistas make better decisions than people who recklessly shop without giving their actions any thought.

{Image: Oprah.com}

FOR THE GENEROUS BUDGET

The basic wardrobe is open to interpretation.  It really will depend on one’s lifestyle. I think that a good essential wardrobe must be multifaceted and  will cover any occasion that you need to dress up for. From the the grocery store to an evening cocktail party. This is the bread and butter of the wardrobe. I really like Tim’s list.

Some basics that Tim recommends:

1. Basic black dress
2. Trench coat
3. Classic dress pants
4. White shirt
5. Jeans
6. Cashmere sweater
7. Skirt
8. Day dress
9. Blazer
10. A comfortable alternative to the sweatsuit

FOR THE MODERATE BUDGET

Tim suggests shopping your own closet and tailoring clothes that you already own before buying anything new. A fantastic new accessory is also a great way to bring life to an old outfit.

FOR THE NONEXISTENT BUDGET

Perfect posture. It’s absolutely free and it affects how we look and how we carry our clothes. I am still trying to work on this (I sort of walk with a slump).  Tim suggests that when you’re sitting down in front of your desk at work, sit up and keep your back straight. Pretend that you’re playing the piano.

“We look better, people perceive us more positively and we look as though were completely confident in how we’re presenting ourselves to the world,” he says. “You can be immaculately dressed, and if you have poor posture, then you’re not going to be able to pull it off.”— Tim Gunn on having good posture

Celebrity Style: Ashley Olsen for Hamptons Magazine

Ashley is one of my style-icons and I absolutely adore how she looks in this magazine. She is so fresh, simple and elegant.  I really love it when women style themselves in a natural way, still letting their natural beauty shine through.  For the every day look I am all for easy elegance. With jobs and families to take care of, the modern woman does not have the time to spend hours in front of the mirror prepping and prepping. I do know a few ladies who spend a few hours getting ready every morning and I admire them for their will power and effort. Whether we like it or not, we live in a society that equates value with appearance. We are judged by the way we look. Shallow? Yes. I don’t think that this attitude will change any time soon.  Fat chance in my lifetime.

I don’t know about you but making the extra little effort to look good makes one feel better about themselves. Whether it’s curling your lashes, putting on lipstick or wearing a dress for the day even if you are just sitting at home with nowhere to go. Try it.

THINGS THAT MAKE ME CRINGE:

* Messy, super-processed hair.

* Dirty, messy appearance (wrinkled clothes, unpolished shoes, stains and holes. With any budget this tragedy can be avoided)

* Cakey make up and too much make up.

* Over accessorizing.

* Super baggy or super skimpy outfits.

* People who don’t take pride in taking care of themselves.

BUDGET FRIENDLY, SIMPLE TIPS ON EVERYDAY ELEGANCE FOR WOMEN WHO HAVE 30 MINUTES TO GET READY:

* Less is more and less complicated. In other words, simplify.

* Take 3 seconds to look at yourself in the mirror and edit before heading out the door. Example: If you’re wearing accessories, remove everything except 1 item.

* Make sure your clothes are not wrinkled, missing buttons etc.

* For bad hair days, learn how to do a quick chignon or pull your hair back with a hair band. You can get inexpensive, plain hair bands from the dollar store. Chic and cheap!

* 5 minute no frills make up: powder applied with a brush, curled lashes with mascara and lipgloss. That’s it, you’re done.

* When in doubt, wear black.

The following are pictures of Ashley Olsen in a Hamptons Magazine issue. She most likely had a team of experts for this shoot to make her look fantastic. And she looks incredible. Most people don’t have the luxury of having a team of stylists at their back and call. However one can still use this as an inspiration for a clean, elegant and slightly glamourous look.

In this spread her hair and make up are both natural and uncomplicated and her clothes fit her well.

Devote an extra 5 minutes of your time each day to yourself. You owe it to yourself to make an effort to look good. Look in the mirror, smile and tell your reflection that she’s gorgeous Do this every day.

No excuses. You deserve it, beautiful!!!!!

XOXO

Click here to read the article.

Image: Just Jared

RELATED POSTS:

* Look Book

* Celebrity Style

Price Adjustments

I often try to never pay regular price for clothes unless I really, really want or need it. I am just cheap that way. I would just opt to wait for the sale and pray to the universe to reserve a size xs for me. Sometimes I am lucky but most times I miss out. Thank goodness for price adjustments. I went to H&M over the weekend to do an exchange. While I made my way to the register, I saw a dress that I bought a few weeks ago marked down to $20 from $59. I spoke to the sales associate and he said that H&M offers price adjustments within 30 days of the purchase. So I dragged T (such a sweetheart xoxo) to take me back to the mall the next day to do the adjustment. On top of that, the dress that I originally brought to exchange was also marked down. 2 discounts in 2 days, cha-ching! I think that this solves my problem of losing out on the xs sizes.  Merchandise at H&M moves so quickly that things always go on sale. From now on I can buy things at regular price and see if I can get an adjustment towards the end of the 30 days.  I know that Gap, Banana Republic and Old Navy offer a one time price adjustment.  If a store marks items down on sale but does not offer price adjustments you can always buy the item again and return your original purchase within the return policy period. I’ve done this before and it’s a bit of a chore but if it saves me money I am all for it.

Stores that offer price adjustments:

(Please check with the in-store  sales associates or the store website for full details on return policies and price adjustments)

* Gap

* Old Navy

* Banana Republic

* H&M ( Edit: A reader mentioned that H&M does not offer adjustments—See comments)

* Jacob

* Jacob Connexion

* French Connection Canada

Happy Monday to all!

RELATED POSTS:

* Fashion Articles

Budget Beauty Tip: Pedicures and Nail Polish

When doing a pedicure:

“Rub a rich cream onto your feet and calves. Get rid of any residue on your nails by brushing them lightly with a toothbrush dipped in polish remover. This will help the nail polish adhere.”  Lifestyle from Yahoo Canada

Image: i.ehow.com

RELATED POSTS:

* Health and Beauty

Hi CGs,

I just wanted to point out a great article on Sample Sales by a CG reader:

“For years, entrepreneurial fashion enthusiasts have brought sample sales to discerning customers in cities like New York and Los Angeles. Featuring a small but wide selection of designer clothing at almost unbelievably discounted prices, these sample sales have caused a stir in even the most fashionable of circles. Internet versions of these sample sales have grown in popularity lately, but many are exclusive, members-only communities. Here are five ways you can get in on the action.”

Click here to read the rest of the article

Hope that everyone is having a fabulous Monday!

xoxo

Follow The Cheap Girl on Twitter

Every Cheap Girl, Frugal/Budget Fashionista or Recessionista knows that that the best way to score a great deal is by off season shopping. As backward sounding it may seem, now is the best time to score some winter clothes at fabulous prices.  That being said, this is the time to browse online sales and clearance racks for last season’s fall and winter clothes. Classic styles never go out of style so last year’s style will be re-hashed this fall.  I tend to make the same mistake over and over again. I’ll see a style in the clearance rack in the spring and not make the purchase. When the fall season comes around I’ll see the same style at full price and kick myself for not buying it earlier.

So if you see any of these items in clearance aisle, get them while they’re hot. You’ll save money and not regret paying full price later this year.

* Winter and Fall Jackets

* Boots

* Winter accessories (gloves, hats, scarves…)

* Classic cuts and styles from last year that you can wear again later this year.

Happy Shopping!

Image: Danier Leather

Once upon a time there was a girl who longed for long and lush lashes. She looked high and low for the perfect mascara that will grant her beautiful lashes. She tried expensive mascaras along with drugstore brands and went through the mishaps of fake eyelashes and eyelash glues. Oh yes, it was an excruciating journey.

One day she came upon Caryl Baker Visage and bought the Lash Extender (by divaderme). She was surprised and AMAZED at the results. Her lashes looked thicker and longer without the hassle of putting on fake eyelashes.

Ok, ladies and gents prepared to be awed! This invention is a fairy lashmother for all those who were born with short stumpy lashes. This product is amazing.  This is the best eyelash product that I’ve ever used.

Here’s the dish:

WHAT:

Lash Extender (It’s NOT mascara, this is something that you use with your mascara). Think “lashes in a bottle”.  Tiny fibers of lashes that coats your lashes to give it it length and volume. Made in Italy, 9 ml 30oz.

THE PROMISE:

LASH EXTENDER

“Lengthen, Strengthen & Volumize Lashes instantly! Add hundreds of tiny lash hairs to your eyelashes instantly! By adding tiny lash fibers to your lashes, with a specially-designed applicator, this advanced formula lengthens, curls and separates lashes perfectly. The effect lasts all day and all night, and can be easily removed with eye makeup remover.”

APPLICATION:

- Curl your lashes

- Apply a coat of  mascara

- Apply the lash extender (away from your face). Some fibers might scatter on your face but you can use the brush that is included with the kit to brush it away. A good trick is to hold the mirror perpendicular to your face and look down while applying. Do not apply to your bottom lashes.

- Apply one more coat of mascara to seal in the fibers.

- Repeat if longer, thicker lashes are desired.

- Comes of easily with eye make up remover

* I am a big advocate of the natural look during the day so this is something that I would prefer to use at night.

PROS:

Fantastic volume and length. This product is a blessing for women who were not born with long lashes. Easy to use without the mess and hassle of fake eyelashes. It’s lash-on-the-go!

CONS:

Tiny bits of fiber might come undone by the end of the day. Barely noticeable but the product might work better if used with water proof mascara (less raccoon eyes)

PRICE:

$37.50 CAD

THE VERDICT:

As you can tell from above, I am sold. I love this product. I was never a big fan of the fake lashes because I could never master the application. This product is so easy to use. It takes less than a minute to apply so I can wear it to work everyday!

As for the price, it’s a total bargain. Why you ask? Well, instead of spending $30 on expensive mascara that has a shelf life of 3 months max. Why not buy a less expensive drugstore mascara and use the Lash Extender to give you va-va-voom lashes. The Lash Extender gives you better results than most of the department store mascaras out there. Plus, according to Angie Vittoria (Franchise owner of Caryl Baker Visage Eaton Centre) the Lash Extender has a shelf life of 2 years.

If you want to economize. Instead of spending big $$$ every 2 to 3 months buying expensive mascara. Buy mascara from the drugstore and use the Lash Extender at night or for special occasions. You will save money in the long-run.

TO PURCHASE LASH EXTENDER (by divaderme)

Click here for a Caryl Baker Visage location nearest you.
Click here to buy the Lash Extender by divaderme

What is your Earth Day resolution?

Mine is to….

Reduce, Reuse and Recycle

REDUCE

My goal is to put an emphasis on quality instead of quality. When making a purchasing decision my friend Chinyere often asks herself if it’s a need or a want, no matter the price. I’ve tried to apply that concept into my life and it has drastically reduced the amount of items in my closet. I’ve slipped here and there but for the most part I’ve been very good. Another question that I ask myself is if I can use the item for seasons to come. In the long run I have saved some money and reduced waste through less consumption.

REUSE

Evaluate your wardrobe and make up bag before making a purchase. Shop your closet before deciding what to buy before each season. Enough said.

RECYCLE

Take your old clothes and see if you can give them a second life. If not, donate them to charity. Shop at vintage/thrift shops.

Not exactly rocket science but saving the earth starts with the small things in life…..Happy Earth Day!

I went to a conference once called The Millionaire Mind and the presenter discussed how to divert your income into many different pots (i.e bills, savings, retirement, investment etc.). So to make a long story short he briefly talked about the fun pot. The money that you would use guilt-free for fun or expensive purchases.  Think expensive dinners, spa days and designer items. 

So you would take X amount from your paycheque every 2 weeks and deposit it to your SPLURGE FUND. Automatic deposits are the best especially if you lack the discipline. After a while you forget about the money being deposited. It’s kind of like an emergency cigarette. If you’re trying to quit but have had a bad day and need a quick nic fix. Or an emergency credit card. Except it does not cause cancer or make you owe more money. The Splurge Fund is set up for your enjoyment once or twice a year. The best thing about it? Guilt free spending that you can afford!

Other ways to contribute to your Splurge Fund:

-  Set up a jar for loose change.

- Extra income from part-time or seasonal work.

- Work Bonuses or commissions.

Image: turbosquid.com