SHE'S ALIIIIIIIVE!!! (and shopping!!)

So, I know that I haven't been the most active blogger around here on Canny Chic these days. But, I promise I have a good excuse. You see, I've really tried this whole not shopping thing, lately. And it's been working...okay..not really. But there has been an effort! 

In fact, I broke down and did some shopping today! You can see what I bought in the video above =)

My best advice for fellow shoppers is to go armed with your coupons! 

And the best way to receive them? Store Email Lists!

This season, when a cashier asks "Can we have your email?" Don't hesitate to hand it over. Providing your email allows you to receive coupons (as well as sale alerts) that you can use on online as well as in-store purchases. Even if a store already has your email address, sometimes providing the information again refreshes your email in their server and allows them to send you new, and sometimes more frequent, coupons!

What have you purchased lately??

I once saw a doggie in the window...and a pair of shoes...

It's harder than it looks, folks.
Walking away from the strategically colorful and beautifully lit displays of fashionable flats and stylin' stilettos was harder than I ever thought it would be!! I've been trying so so hard not to shop lately, in efforts to save for what Uncle Sam refuses to help me out with (ahem. an education). Hence the lack of Canny Chic posts, lately (which I am undoubtedly sorry for!!). But what made today even more difficult (even more difficult than a regularly difficult day) was the 25%+15% discount coupon screaming at me from inside of my wallet.
But I did it, guys.
I walked away without spending a penny on those cute little silver pumps.
But I have a confession...I didn't leave without spending any of my pennies. I spent a lot of pennies, actually. But it was well justified!
Let me EXPLAIN!!!

You might remember reading about my cute Italian boy, over at Pink Lemonade. Well, this little blogger got invited to prom! By who else, other than the cute Italian boy?! It wasn't too long ago that I was planning out my own fabulous Senior prom night. I was so super excited that I couldn't help but look at all the pretty, sparkly dresses.

I tried so many dresses on, but once I picked up this one. I got that undeniable wowza feeling! This. Was. It.

Of course, being the bargain shopper that I brag about being, I left the store empty handed to search for a better buy (spending 200ish dollars on a dress I'll only wear once was not exactly my idea of a savvy spend!).

Going back to the mall yesterday, I decided to stop by the store and just check to see if "my" dress was still there.
And sure enough it was.
And it was in my size.
AND THEY WERE HAVING A SALE!!
Hallelujah! They were having a sale.

And, turns out, by opening a store card that day, I would get 25% off of my purchase, upon approval, and an additional 15% off whatever I charged, that day.
$200 dress (minus) $50 dollar deduction for opening up the card (minus) an extra 22ish dollars for using the card = about 120 for the dress.
That's an 80 dollar savings, here, ladies.
So I caved.

The Look For WAY Less!

While casually walking around the local H&M outlet, after work, with my coffee in one hand and camera in the other (because that's how I spend my after-work time), I just so happen to find, what I thought was the cutest summer skirt ever!

It's got that perfect combination of cute, girly, funky and sophisticated.

Maybe it's because about 90% of my wardrobe is now black, white, or khaki (thanks to that lovely EX-work-dress-code) that kept me from shopping that day.

Or maybe it was that price tag? It wasn't so cute OR sophisticated. Actually, it was downright funky at almost thirty bucks.

Fast forward. Now we're casually walking around the local Kohl's store and perusing the clearance racks, searching for the cheapest finds (because that's how we spend our Saturday mornings). And we just so happen to stumble upon this baby:

Similar skirt. Similar style. Similar perfect combination of cute, girly, funky and sophisticated.
Much different price tag, at a stunning $4.40. Yep.

There you have it!
The same gorgeous look, for way way less.

Kick off this weekend right!!!

Many of you know that I am currently battling my shopping addiction. Now, I in no way, shape, or dress-form claim success, because it is definitely a work in progress. But lately, I've been doing alright by paying down the credits and staying away from the mall.
But, even though I'm sticking to shallows, there isn't any reason that you guys can't go out with a splash! Right now is a fantastic time to scarf up scarves and save on sweaters! Stores, right now, are hastily slashing prices on winter garb, to make room for the bathing suits. (Am I the only one who finds this weird? I mean, it's not even February yet, people!!) But anyways, on top of the already reduced prices, lots of stores are issuing a little something extra as incentive to spend some post-holiday dough.
So I thought, hey! why not put together a little shopping list for you guys? Not necessarily of items to buy, but more like coupons and discount codes to make shopping just a little bit sweeter (if that's even possible!).

 

Online shoppers at American Eagle can score discounts by checking out before February 1.

Click here to shop clearance.

Since you're online shopping, why not stop by Victoria's Secert to score some sweet savings?

Click here to check out their sale items.

You can score 10% off of ALL your shopping at Pac Sun (in store and online) by signing up for email sale alerts. 

Check out my e-mail It-List and tips here.

Click here to go claim your savings pass! 

As always, the same promotion is offered at Kohl's depatment stores.

You can click here to get your free $5 and  10% coupon.

For a limited time, you can claim free shipping (which starts at about $6) on all crew necks and purchases over $100.

Click here to shop clearance at J.Crew

Now, of course, there are plenty of other stores that are offering great discounts, but for now, these savings should give you a start!

I can't wait to see what you shop for!!

{and how much you save!}

When taking an innocent trip to Kohl's last week, to pay off that tricky charge card, I came across the cutest top, that I hadn't seen in any other Kohl's store, as of yet (I am what you might call a Kohl's connoisseur...but this is besides the point). Despite my Shopping Buddy's attempts to talk me out of the spontaneous purchase, I just HAD to have it, so I splurged!
The lace around the middle continued around the shirt, so it is visible from the back as well as the front. My favorite part of the new deal? Off-the-shoulder! Most of the pieces hanging in my closet are slightly more conventional and are undoubtedly two-sleeved. Once I got home to try on my new find, I realized that there probably was more than one reason for my conventionality's.
The problem is, I have no place to where the one-armed wonder. At work, I have to look "professional", so both sleeves are required. At school, I must also look (you got it!) professional... When would I wear this completely impractical shirt?! Nowhere.
With this realization, I had to choice but to return my new baby back to the department store.
Later that evening, I was surfing some online stores, and I stopped when I saw the most ironic (and cutest!) thing ever: the same exact shirt being sold at Tilly's, for one dollar less, and (here's the kicker) it had TWO sleeves!!! Now, I'm not a fan of ordering much online, so I rushed over to the nearest Tilly's outlet the next day in search of the top. And guess what??

I found it!!!

Well, actually, my Shopping Buddy did. But I was so excited I looked over to see  her smiling and waving the shirt high above hear head (we do our own kind of victory dance!).

The whole outfit was under $60!

Top (Tilly's, $14), Jeans (Deila's brand, from Goodwill, $5) Boots (Kohl's, $40)

Where have YOU shopped lately?

If I Was Going To Shop...

With a Black Friday countdown under way (only 3 more days!) I've been trying so hard to restrain myself from shopping. It's been difficult - but so far, I haven't done any major spending damage. As an outlet for my shopping desire, I decided to make a list some of the things I would buy this week, if I were shopping, and display them in this sunny collage for all of you. :)

I absolutely love long necklaces. The one pictured above is sold at Forever XXI and costs under five dollars - definitely a steal. It can spruce up so many outfits; i think the bow adds just the right amount of vintage charm.

A few weeks ago, I did splurge on a grey boyfriend sweater, similar to the one pictured above from American Eagle Outfitters. This one costs $29.95, which isn't a horrible price when you consider it's versatility.

Everyone needs a cute pair of go-to jeans, regardless of the season. I prefer skinny jeans, because they give a dressy look when paired with flats, yet they can be easily tucked into boots. Target is offering a great sale on Mossimo brand jeans, with a wide selection selling at only $10 each! If I were shopping this week, I would definitely spring on this sale. As a bonus, if you spend over $50 (that's five pairs of jeans) you get free shipping. Click here to see a list of all the jeans on the ten dollar sale.

For some reason, I wasn't able to add in the picture of this fabulous scarf to the collage, but I love the selection of scarves that Target sells - they're all so affordable, as well.



What goes with almost every outfit this season? A great pair of black boots. The best boots to buy are ones that come slightly below the knee and those that have minimal designs on them - this way, you can blend them with almost any outfit. The killer boots in the collage are from Forever XXI, and are selling for $23.

If you were shopping this week, what would you buy?

Pac Sun Haul

What can you get a name brand store for under $20? Usually, not a lot. But with holiday shoppers scrambling around, store prices are falling down! :) A few days ago, my Shopping Buddy and I decided to hit the mall for a little pre-season window shopping; we weren't expecting to see such fabulous deals! Along with many other stores, Pac Sun had a clearance sale on their clearance. I didn't even know this was possible! So, we decided it would be an excellent opportunity to have an under $20 shopping spree. And by spending only $17.00, I think we were successful.

These graphic tee's were originally $19.99, and on clearance for $9.99.

Lucky me, only shelled out five bucks for each! ;)

I often don't wear these kind of shirts by themselves; they tend to look cuter layered or under a button down plaid. I'll have to make a mental note though, just in case I decide to wear them front and center: A cami is a must!

I also purchased this baby doll top. It was on clearance for $14.00, so I only paid $7! I love the lace on the neckline.

With the holidays approaching fast, now is the time to score big on the items on your shopping list. Many stores, like Pac Sun, are offering extra incentives for shoppers to stop by on the much anticipated BLACK FRIDAY.

Pac Sun advertised their incentives on their facebook page.

Will you be one of the lucky 50?

Forever XXI - Haul

There's no doubt about it: I'm addicted to Forever XXI. Whenever we step near the mall, I am the first one rushing in and typically the last one to be dragged out. Some of their items can run a tad pricey, but there is always a bargain to be had on their clearance racks. What I love most about this store is their wide selection of styles. Always in step with the latest trends, Forever XXI offers a wide variety of pieces that can coordinate with any personal style, from romantic or classy to grunge and eclectic. The gems in their jewelry section are also a great deal-while everything ranges in price, it's rare to spot a piece over $20. Most of the necklaces I find are cute, classic, and super versatile, and never cost me more than $8. Jewelry is final sale, however, so with this in mind, I try to only buy what I know I will wear!

On this trip, I was shopping around for generic items that I could mix-and-match into my already existing wardrobe. My main focus was on pieces that I could wear to work (muted colors, classy, multi-functional) and the basic necessities that any fashionista should have!

The first stop was the clearance racks, of course. I didn't let the adorable mannequins and colorful tee-shirt displays distract me from my ultimate goal, which was saving more than I was going to spend, today. On sale, I found a super-cute, black-fringe, sleeveless dress. For only $14, it was definitely a steal.

I also picked up some basics including a White V-Neck ($3), Tank ($3), and Black Leotard ($4). I usually opt for shopping at Kohl's for my basics, because of the great coupons, but even these prices were no comparison!

Another thing I love about Forever XXI how everything is organized by style. So, after scarfing up on the necessities, I took a spin through the military-inspired clothing, where I found this sweater. I just love the buttons!

My shopping buddy found this romantic lace top ($9.99), last minute while we were standing in line, waiting to purchase our goodies. It's so sheer, so a cami is a must!

I also found a sweater for less than five dollars! While it's current state is more shabby than chic, it has definite potential. For now, I'll leave you guessing with these snapshots:

To Be Continued... ;)

Sweater Weather!

With Autumn's chilly winds settling in to stay, it's again time to reach into the back of the closet and show those sweaters the light! I was so excited yesterday, when the temperature took a dip and the weather man finally condoned the acts that I've been dreaming up for weeks: Buying new boots and snuggling up in warm sweaters. Thursdays are usually busy days, with a list of to-do's that only grows as the time left in the day diminishes, which is all the more reason to make sure the outfit of the day is comfortable (and cute!).
Believe it or not, this week's entire ensemble cost me under $30.

I've been waiting for weeks to be able to wear these boots! I picked them out about a month ago on a Wal*Mart shopping trip for only seven dollars, which made wearing them yesterday even better. ;)
The sweater was from this season, and originally sold at Kohl's, but I scarfed up this brand new baby (with sales tags still attached!) from the Goodwill. Unfortunately, the price was torn off the tag, so I'm not sure how much I saved, but I do know that it was a lot, considering that I only paid $1.00. I scored the jeans here, as well, on a different shopping adventure, for about $5.00.
The belt and bag both came from Kohl's. The bag, Simply Vera by Vera Wang, was about $14.00, with it's adorable yellow clearance sticker. The belt, also with the magic sticker, was a mere $2. :)
Fall-time can never come quick enough for me. I wait for it's signs all year, and then in a flash, it's back to shorts and bikini tops. :(. In my opinion, it's hard to improve on an already amazing chilly fall day. But an inexpensive outfit seems to do the trick every time!!

Student Savings! :)

Every true fashionista knows and follows "The Three C's of Shopping", but to truly save, shoppers have to think outside of the bag!
Full or Part time college students (as well as middle/high schoolers with a student ID) are eligible for discounts at many stores just by presenting a valid school identification at checkout. The savings vary, but usually are around 15% off.

A few stores that offer great student discounts are:
The Goodwill
 J. Crew*
Apple
T-Mobile
GAP
Charlotte Russe
Canon
*Select stores also offer discounts for teachers with a valid ID.

Another great option is the Student Savers Card. They cost about $20 a year, but entitle you to savings at hundreds of retailers and health services from 10-50%. Depending on how often  you purchase from these retailers, your twenty bucks could be easily paid back in tenfold!

Not every store offers the discount, but it only takes a quick second to ask and be on your way to student savings!

Grand Opening Goolah

It comes as no surprise that in order to score the hottest deals, a fashionista needs to be thrifty. But these days, even the most frugal of shoppers still find themselves muttering in hindsight about unlucky worms and giddy birds. This is because a truly successful shopper knows that to save more than she will spend will require more than a quick eye and speedy shoes - it will require patience.
Although there are countless ways to prove dedication to your dollar, standing behind dozens of other anxious and dedicated divas seems to top the charts as proof. If the temperatures are below freezing or the guest list is over 100, shoppers seem to rake in the brownie points by the minute. Now, while my shopping buddies and I had been number twelve or so in the air-conditioned line, I would like to think that the two or so hours we spent waiting for the grand opening of our local Tilly's store was at least a small tribute to our extreme dedication. ;)
Unfortunately, we were not able to stay for the entire day's events, which included a visit from a local radio station, a live debut by Kids of Survival, and refreshments (when in doubt, go for the food!). But we were able to score free tee-shirts, discounted merchandise, and other goodies! The first 100 dedicated shoppers were guaranteed to receive a Tilly's logo tee, Volcom brand stickers, and a Tilly's key chain. In addition, the first 50 early-birds scored themselves a promotional $10 gift card (with one extremely lucky shopper receiving a $100 gift card). Now, tell me, fashionistas: What is shopping-lingo for "extremely lucky"? Whatever it may be, insert it here, because after waiting in line a few hours, one of my shopping buddies (who, ironically, was bribed to tag along for mere company) walked away not only with their slew of goodies, but with nearly $100 in free merchandise, thanks to being lucky number thirteen in line. :)
We ended up shopping around, but saving much more than we spent, by using plenty of the discount coupons laying around the store.
If you would like to see some of the items from our Tilly's Haul, just click here!

The Look for Less

After an incredible amount of clicking, vetoing, and coupon code typing, the results are in! While the original inspiration, found in Coldwater Creek's latest catalog, was more on the classy side of chic, I decided to opt for a more modern alternative  for today's Look for Less. The vest I found was from JCPennys.Com. Mind you, it was a bit of a $plurge for my part-time piggy bank, but it's so incredibly cute, I couldn't pass it up! The faux leather vest (which is uber 'green', I might add) by Liz Claiborn is available through JC Penny's new fall collection. It comes in Dark Brown, and is available in ranging sizes, including Misses, Women's, and Petites. Again said, it was a splurge, costing me about $72.00 (with free shipping, because I'm spending over $49). Let's just say that I plan on wearing this baby around the clock!!

I was a little more relieved when I logged onto Alloy.Com to search for a cute striped top to wear under the vest. In the clearance section, I found an adorable Mod "paint streaked" top, priced at $9.99. Since I was still in the green, at this point, I decided that the only thing that could top off such a cute combo would be shoes to match! And *surprise!*, Alloy had adorable black suede boots on sale. Some colors were selling for $14 - but, of course, the ones that will match my Look were ringing up $34.00. But, they were still a deal, considering the many times I will end up wearing them this season, and the seasons to come. To make the deal even better, I used a 15% off coupon I thieved from my mama's Entertainment Book, and was entitled to free shipping! Lucky me!!

The only piece I did not purchase today was a pair of dark wash denim. The reason behind my omission is the 30+ pair of jeans I already own, courtesy of the Goodwill's wonderful $5- Denim sale, and the fact that I haven't grown very much over the past 9 years (it's a blessing and a curse...). But after all, dressing fabulously isn't always just about shopping and new finds - it's about working with what you already own to enhance your own style!

After tallying up today's expenditures, which were $115.00, I realized I had saved about $45 just by shopping sale items, not to mention the $244.85 we avoided spending by shopping around, and finding our Look for Less!!

Savvy Sick Days

It is officially "that-time-of-year" again! You got it: Hoodies, Scarves, Boots, Bonfires, and...the Flu :( Unfortunately, the famous flu is in season, and it has reduced me to merely cyber-shopping, this weekend. But, despite contrary belief, even sick days can be savvy. Don't believe me? The proof is in your pocketbook!
While it's so tempting to gravitate to the sweatpants and tee-shirts that embody my sick-day lifestyle of the weekend, my goal is to shop smart for fall. Yesterday, my mom received a Coldwater Creek catalog in the mail. Being the blob of goo that I am today, I peeked inside in hopes to cure my flu-found boredom. To my surprise, I found that I have purchased so many similar pieces, for a fraction of the cost! Needless to say, I'm definitely adding this store my list of inspirations!
One outfit in particular caught my eye, during my page flipping. It was a sleek leather vest, worn over a striped cardigan, paired with a dark-wash denim. I was in love! After all, what better way to say Fall, than vests and sweaters? But at a stunning $359.85 for all three pieces, there is really only one solution, to look this fab for fall. Fashionistas, it's a Look for Less Challenge!

The Third Stage

The three dollar challenge of the week is getting deep - but so are the savings! I made a stop at my local Kohl's to hit the clearance in an attempt to find more three dollar deals. Now, I don't want to come across as biased,  but when it comes to clearance racks, nothing quite compares to Kohl's. This is not to say that I don't appreciate other stores' attempts to draw me into their traps, but Kohl's just does it so tactfully.
As soon as I entered their sliding glass doors, racks and racks of 80% off called out my name! Unfortunately, I did run into a few problems during my excursion. Ironically, however, none of them related to the three dollar dilemma. Actually, I found plenty of three dollar finds! The first problem was finding them in my size. The second, narrowing down my options. I did end up finding two very cute striped tunics, with a rope tie belt for under the budget. Both were so cute, and definitely fit the nautical theme that was "in" earlier in the season, but to my disappointment, none of them were my size. So, undefeated, I moved to the next department: Jewelery, where I  stumbled on the cutest chain-style necklace for only three dollars and change. The best part of the deal? It was 90% off! :) Which means I saved about $27! Pictures are available on the mini-haul photo album on facebook!
What's the most you have saved on an item, recently?

Three is a Charm

For this evening's savings adventure, I didn't have to wander very far from home. With only a few clicks of the mouse, and a minimal amount of loading time, I was able to navigate away from my 'home' page, and straight to ForeverXXI.com-all without leaving the comfort my jamies. :)
This week, I've had my eyes peeled and my wallet ready for all the three dollar deals I can find. I've had to be strict, by turning away from trendy tops and sexy skinnies, but as a result, I'm finding plenty of great additions to my closet (and yours!) and saving my poor piggy bank from a meltdown.
Tonight I found the cutest pair of black-bow hair clips, originally priced at-you guessed it-$3.00!! But to make this deal even sweeter, I found them on clearance. Today they're selling for only $1.99! These classy bows added to the handy bobby pins can be just what us busy girls need to make for a great hair day in practically no time.
Right under the accessories section on the sidebar was a link to the tops on clearance. This was the hardest part of my browsing; It was so hard to say 'no' to the deals that didn't fall in budget! But through a bit of self-discipline and tough love, I made it, and am able to bring you the three dollar ribbed tee as a stronger and more savvy shopper. The shirt comes in three shades (grey, navy, and white) and only costs three dollars and change. They're great to sport under v-necks, or layered for a stand-alone look.
Maybe later this week I'll be able to find some great accessories to go with them. Only time will tell! ;)

The Magic Number Three!

For a fashionista on a budget, a little magic goes a long way. This week, our magic number is three. Three dollars that is! ;) On a recent grocery shop to Wal*Mart (I feel like I live there), I was scanning the racks of summer clearance and I found a super cute black ballerina style dress by Miley&Max for only three dollars! The excitement grew into curiosity as I wondered exactly how far three dollars could go. So, throughout the week, I will be trekking far and wide to discover for you all of the three dollar bargains, I can. :) Wish me luck!!

Super Shopping

As many of us Pro-Shoppers know, fall time is one the best times to take advantage of major sales, designed to lure in bargain hunters like us! With the season's shopping well under way, Banana Republic, The Gap, and Old Navy, among many other stores, are making an extra effort by offering shoppers extra discounts for coming in to browse over these next few weeks. In fact, today is the last day for their Give to Get promotion. These stores are offering 30% off of ALL purchases, including sale and clearance items!! Yahoo!! :) What could make this promotion even better? An additional 5% of what you spend goes toward the non-profit organization Teach for America.


I, personally, can't wait to go and do some window shopping this afternoon. To print out your coupon, click here. I got mine through the Banana Republic E-Mail List. Saving dough on my splurges and promoting a great cause sounds like some super shopping to me!
I can't wait to hear about your fabulous finds, today!

Happy Hunting!

Twenty Five.

Black Tee
Originally uploaded by Canny Chic

It's that time of year, again! Now is the season that cheesy slogans, super sales, and advertisements as colorful as the leaves on the trees float in the air, luring shoppers into their local department stores with lists longer than ever. That's right, folks: It’s back-to-school time! Accompanied by my Shopping Buddy, I set out today to see just how difficult the annual back-to-fall shopping spree would be, this year. Finding cute clothes for the season is simple. And spending loads of money on them? Well, that's even easier. The real challenge today was to stay on my small budget. After raiding my piggy bank and rummaging through my wallet, I was able to scrounge up $25 to spend on a new fall wardrobe. After a recent adventure into my messy closet, I've come to the conclusion that jeans and dress slacks are not a necessary buy this season. What I do need, however, are new tops. And a new pair of shoes couldn't hurt, either. After all, a girl can never have too many shoes! ;) For $25, I thought this list was pretty do-able, if I shop at the right places, of course. After grabbing a tasty lunch, it was time to put my money where my mouth was!
Armed with my stack of coupons, I walked in the first store: Kohl's. After a quick browse through the clearance racks and a shop around the beauty department, I ended up purchasing a black blazer and some liquid eyeliner. I also got a free "Flirt!" tote, just for purchasing makeup! The short cropped blazer with grey pinstripe cuffs, originally priced at $60.00, was a steal for only 12 bucks today! (I love clearance!!) The eyeliner, originally $12, was a bit of a splurge, costing me about $9. But here's the kicker-after deducting my coupons and discounts at the checkout, my total came down to only $6 for everything! With excitement in the air, my SB and I headed over to our next stop: Wal*Mart. For the quality of their products, I find Wal*Mart's prices to be slightly above average. However, if you're lucky enough to find your size in the clearance section, it's well worth the price! With this in mind, I meandered over to the clearance shoe section and, to my surprise, found a pair of brown knee high boots-in my size! Making this find even better was the low price of $7! To wind up the day of savings, we ventured to the mall for a bit of window shopping. I hadn’t heard of any outstanding sales, so I wasn’t planning on finding a lot for my leftover pocket change of $11.40. Walking into my favorite store H&M, however, changed my preconceptions. For only $5.00 each, I was able to purchase two tops to bring my day’s expenditures to a grand total of $23.60!! Not only did I stay under budget, but I racked up a savings of over $113.00, which can be accredited to having coupons, shopping clearance, and having self control!