bestbargainbuys

[bestbargainbuys]

10. AFFORDABLE CLOTHING STORE FEATURE: TILLY’S

November 2nd, 2018

Hi my loves! 

I hope you all are bundled up for this cooler weather! I’ve finally been able to pull out all my sweaters and jackets. This week I want to talk about a store that I have only shopped from once, and was pleasantly surprised. So much so, that I had to share it with all of YOU!

This week while I was shopping on Dote (if you don’t know what this is, check out my last blog post), and I came across the store Tilly’s. Now, I had already known about Tilly’s, been inside of Tilly’s, etc., but had never purchased anything from there. While scrolling through their store on Dote I was astounded by how affordable their prices were. They constantly are offering deals on their clothing for up to 70% off! But before I jump into what I purchased from Tilly’s I want to talk about my previous thoughts of the store, and where my thoughts stand now after shopping from them.

Prior to this shopping experience, I had always thought of Tilly’s to be more of a tom-boy, skater-esque type store. This is because they sell longboards, a lot of casual skater-like wear, etc. For these reasons, I never really counted Tilly’s in on my shopping list. However, with my recent experience, I found that this is not true…at all! Yes, Tilly’s offers more alternative clothing options, but they also have the fashionable, girly-girl clothing, too! You would be surprised to see the items I ordered this past week. Their clothing is fashion-forward and is being sold for the ultimate BARGAIN. I purchased the cutest romper (as shown below) for only $8.98, when it was originally $26.99! Their items are always on sale at discounts much like this one, which makes it the perfect store for all your trendy, budget-friendly needs.

I also wanted to show another clothing item that I am very tempted to purchase from Tilly’s. The item is this pair of paper-bag, striped pants.They are perfect for the fall season, are totally on-trend, and are also on sale for only $10.98! It doesn’t get much better than that, right?!

Hop on over to the Dote app, get your free shipping and $5 off coupon, and head straight to Tilly’s online store! Their deals are the lowest they will be for the season, and it’s the perfect time to pick out all your holiday outfits. Don’t forget to follow me on Dote!

Happy Shopping <3

XOXO, Charis

[bestbargainbuys]

9. A SHOPAHOLIC’S DREAM APP

October 26th, 2018

HELLO LADIES! 

As you can tell, I am SUPER pumped for this week’s blog post! I am sharing an application I recently discovered that will be your new best friend. This application can be downloaded for free in the iPhone’s App Store. The name of the app is, “Dote.” They are basically a mobile mall (I’ll explain this in more detail momentarily).

Now what else is this application perfect for…Christmas presents! Your loved ones can create their own personal “wish lists” where they can add items they are interested in, and you can view these and purchase directly from Dote! Forget hand-written wish lists and having trouble deciding what to get your loved ones; Dote solves all your Christmas present worries! Not only will you get them what they want and have been wishing for, you’ll get it at an awesome price with money off, free shipping, and more! What could be better?!As you all are aware, it’s now almost November, which means holiday season is underway. With holidays like Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year’s Eve, etc. coming up, we all know we’re going to need some cute outfits, right? Dote, as I mentioned earlier, is an application that can be downloaded straight to your iPhone and is a mall at the touch of your fingers. They have around one-hundred stores (like the ones found in your shopping malls) that items can be purchased from. Some of the stores on the Dote app are: Forever 21, Urban Outfitters, H&M, Sephora, Victoria’s Secret, Lulus Boutique, Papaya, Express, Charlotte Russe, and so much more! Not only is there an awesome selection of stores, Dote also offers awesome coupons and deals that can be used to save you some money on your orders. For example, every day you open the app, you get a gift of “free coins.” Coins can be used towards coupons for $5 off, $10 off, free shipping, and more. You also receive coins for every dollar you spend on your orders. Just for signing up, you get a free shipping coupon, and $5 off of a $10 order.

Download Dote today and tell your loved-ones to also! This holiday season is going to be a breeze. You no longer have to wait in traffic at the mall, scour the stores for deals, or guess on the perfect gifts. Follow my Dote profile and Instagram for all the holiday inspo you’ll need. Happy holidays, everyone!

XOXO, Charis

[bestbargainbuys]

8. AFFORDABLE CLOTHING STORE FEATURE: PAPAYA

October 19th, 2018

Hello my Bargain Babes!

This week we are going to be talking about another Bargain Buy store…PAPAYA! Papaya has been a favorite of mine since I was a young girl. They are one of the only affordable, yet fashionable stores I know of that have clothing for legitimately all ages of women. However, this week, I just wanted to focus on a few items I found off their website that are ridiculously cute, on-trend, and of course…affordable! The items I am going to tell you about are items I would 100% wear this Fall. I think you’re gonna love them.

Alright, so….unless you’ve been living under a rock, you would know how IN leopard print is this Fall. So of course, the first item that caught my eye was a fuzzy, leopard print jacket. This jacket looks incredibly soft, warm, and seems to be awesome quality. You’re not going to believe the price tag on it…$24.99. WHAT?!? I know. Only $25.00 for the PERFECT Fall jacket, and it’s warm and affordable too. Does it get any better than this?!

The next item I wanted to show you lovely ladies is this sweater. So, as you might’ve read a few blog posts of mine ago, sweaters ain’t all that cheap. BUT, there are some amaziiiiing stores like Papaya that sell them at prices friendly to your wallet. This sweater is only $12.99, comes in five different colors, and might I mention it would look fabulous under this jacket?! I’m a shopaholic and finding a sweater at this low of a cost is a MUST.

The final piece I want to show you are also perfect for the fashion trends this season. But let’s be honest, would I ever show you something that wasn’t perfect for trends?! The item to complete this outfit is none other than these black faux leather leggings. They are thicker material but have stretch like leggings. They can be dressed-up with clothing articles like above, or even worn with a distressed t-shirt. Whichever way you wear them, you know you’ll be stylin’! These faux leather leggings are retailing for $19.99. This price isn’t half bad for what the leggings are, the material they’re made out of, and how CUTE they are.

Soooo who else is already adding these to their shopping cart?! I am 🙈 I hope you all have enjoyed this week’s post as much as I have writing it! Don’t forget to tag me on your Instagram pictures if you DO end up ordering any of these items (@charis_laurel). Talk to you ladies next week <3

XOXO

Charis 

[bestbargainbuys]

7. ACCESSORY NECESSETIES

October 12th, 2018

Hello LADIES!

This blog post is going to be super special, and unlike any of the other posts I’ve made. This post includes a DIY idea for you to try at home. This week, I wanted to talk about accessories. Accessories are musts for some of us ladies. We know how much “oomph” that necklace adds to our outfit, or that adorable set of earrings. So, this week, is all about accessories.

Alright now we all know we all like a good deal around here, so let’s start with where to find some affordable, yet on-trend accessories. My favorite place to shop for accessories is (I bet you can guess it hehe)…Forever 21! Forever 21 is known for selling affordable accessories. I am going to attach some photos below of my favorite items (some of which I own, some of which I am ordering) that are on Forever 21’s website RIGHT NOW. I will also list the price for each accessory below the picture for your convenience.

These adorable star-hoop earrings are gold and are perfect for this season’s trends. Stars have been one of the most popular patterns thus far this year. These are the perfect size, and more importantly, are the perfect price. You can pick these cuties up for $4.90 (wow) at your local Forever 21 (or online via their website).

This next item, the Double Horn Layered Necklace, is another hot-trend this season. Horn necklaces have been alllllll (a lot of l’s for emphasis) over social media this year. Layered necklaces are also a hot trend right now. So, guess what…this necklace encompasses BOTH! It is super cute and affordably priced at a whopping…$4.90! This necklace is also listed on Forever 21’s website as a “Best Seller”, so go get this cute set today, girl!

Now, for the part I’m sure you’ve all been waiting for…my DIY project! I personally love a good art and craft session, so I decided I wanted to make a necklace of my own. I visited my local Michaels and picked up the following items: beaded chain, clasps, and a horn pendant. In total, this costed me around $10.00 (plus I have extra materials). I decided to try and create a necklace similar to the Forever 21 Double Horn necklace above but add my own twist to it. Beaded chain necklaces have surged all over Instagram with different charms, pendants, colors, etc., so I knew this would be the perfect addition. I am obsessed with how this necklace turned out. It was so simple to make and looks so trendy! To make the necklace, I cut the beaded chain to the length I wanted, attached a clasp, and attached the horn pendant…that’s it! I have attached a photo of it below.

I hope you loved this DIY project as much as I do, and I hope the Forever 21 accessories sparked an interest for you. Thanks for reading, loves! Feel free to DM me on Instagram if you have any questions, or if you end up making the necklace (@charis_laurel). Talk soon <3 <3 <3

[bestbargainbuys]

6. STAPLE CLOTHING ITEMS

October 5th, 2018

Hello Girly Girls!

So, as you know, Fall is finally here (yay)! Which also means, it’s time to put the tank tops to the side, and pull out the sweaters, jackets, and more. Today’s blog post is going to hone in on some staple clothing items (fall-related) that are necessities for your closet. They range anywhere in price from around $9.99 up to $29.99 and can be purchased through your local brick-and-mortar stores, or online. I will make sure to include what store I purchased each item from, how much it costed me, and what medium I bought through (e.g. online, in-store, etc.).

Let’s start with the first and favorite item I have to discuss today. This faux fur jacket (pictured below) was purchased for $29.99 and is the most expensive staple clothing piece I have to discuss today. Although it was $29.99, I find for the quality, material, and article of clothing, this is a fair price. The jacket is extremely warm, cozy, and is perfect to throw on with any fall outfit! I purchased it less than a week ago from Marshall’s. I made the purchase in-store, so hopefully you can find it in your local Marshall’s too if you’re interested. I’ve only owned it (as I mentioned) for less than a week but have never gotten so many compliments on an article of clothing in my life. That is why I have listed it as an absolute must-have, staple item for your closet!

The next staple piece of clothing I want to discuss is this sweater (also shown below) from H&M Clothing. I chose the color with different tones of blue, but they have a wide variety of different colors (some solid and some multi-toned like this one). The price of this sweater is what sold me…I purchased it for $9.99! I don’t know about you but paying $9.99 for a sweater sounds like an absolute steal to me. You can never have too many sweaters for the Fall season, and this one is NEEDED in YOUR closet. The thing I love most about this sweater (besides the fact it was less than $10.00) is that it isn’t very thick. This means you can wear it in any season, and style it in so many different ways! I personally am not a fan of thick and itchy sweaters, so this one is a must. I purchased mine in-store, but I have attached the model in it from H&M’s website. If you’re interested in purchasing, check out your local H&M or visit their website! 

I hope you enjoyed this post, and found it helpful for all your staple clothing needs. I love you all, and cannot wait for you to see what’s coming in my next post. Talk Soon!

Follow me on Instagram: @charis_laurel <3 

Xoxo

[bestbargainbuys]

5. COUPON CRAZE

September 28th, 2018

Hello, my friends!

Today’s post is about something many of us live off of…coupons! I am going to share the best bang-for-your-buck coupons that are live right now. These coupons range from 30% off, up to 40% off. Each of the stores mentioned will have the coupon code attached (if needed for check-out), as well as a sample item that is on-trend, and perfect for the season.

The first deal I wanted to share with you all is from the store, “Love Culture.” Love Culture is a trendy, yet affordable store that sells through brick-and-mortar stores, as well as online through e-commerce. The sale they are currently offering is 40% off their entire store! Now I don’t know about you, but getting 40% off every single clothing article, pair of shoes, accessory, etc. I buy sounds like a pretty great deal to me. The promo code they require to gain access to this sale is, “WANTALL.” It does not state when the sale ends, so I would hop on over to their website and make my purchases today! I have attached a photo for your reference of Love Culture’s website (www.loveculture.com) with the promo code. I have also added a clothing article I will be ordering from their site. The item I selected is the cutest houndstooth skort that was originally $14.95, but can be bought today for only $8.97! Houndstooth is one of the most popular patterns right now, so grab this skort today!

(graphic is not my own, is owned by Love Culture)

The final deal I want to fill you in on, is from the online store called, “Pretty Little Thing.” Now Pretty Little Thing is known for their ever-present sales, but this one HAD to be mentioned. The sale they are offering right now is for 30% off the entire store! Not quite as much of a deal as Love Culture, but still an awesome sale to buy into. To access this deal, all you have to do is type the promo coupon code, “YEAH30” in the designated box at checkout. Pretty Little Thing has affordably priced items, and a huuuuuge (a lot of u’s for emphasis) selection for all styles! I have included the photo of the promo code, as well as my #1 pick from their site for this sale. The jumpsuit I chose is a perfect piece for Fall, and can be worn for so many different occasions, whether it be dressing-up, or dressing-down. It originally was $28.00 but can be bought today for only $19.60! That’s a whole outfit for less than $20.00 (jumpsuits are the best, am I right?). This sale ends at 12am tonight, but PLT is known to extend their sales (shh, I didn’t tell you that).

(graphic is not my own, is owned by Pretty Little Thing)

I hope this post was helpful for all you fashionista’s on a budget! Hop online and start adding all those cute clothes to your cart (don’t forget the promo coupons). As always, you can check out my Instagram (@charis_laurel) for any inspo you might need. Hope you lovelies take advantage of these awesome two sales from Love Culture and Pretty Little Thing! Happy shopping 😘

[bestbargainbuys]

4. THRIFTED, FASHIONABLE SWEATERS

September 21st, 2018

Hello Lovely Ladies!

This week’s bargain buys are two of my very favorite pieces I’ve found thus far! As many of you ladies know, sweaters for the Fall season are not cheap. They generally range anywhere from around $17.00 up to $60.00 (or more) depending upon stores. I don’t know about you but spending $60.00 on one sweater is not happening for this girl.

This week, I set out to find at least one fashionable sweater that was perfect for Fall (since it now IS Fall, yay)! I decided to go to an oldie, but a goodie…my local Goodwill. Now let me first preface this, Goodwill is a major hunt. There will be plenty of misses, but if you dig deep enough between the clothing racks, you’re sure to find a few gems. Goodwill’s sweater prices are around $6.00 each. Yes, you read that correctly, $6.00 each. Now I don’t know about you, but saving all that moola sounds pretty ideal to me.

As I mentioned earlier, I was on the hunt for at least a sweater that I thought would be cute for this Fall season (keeping up with current trends and all). I was able to find not one, but two super cute, super affordable sweaters for a whopping total of $12.00.

The first sweater I found was a color block sweater that’s a forest green and camel brown color. It is originally from Forever21 and would retail originally for around $17.00. That means, I saved a total of around $11.00 just on this one clothing article! It is extremely comfortable, is in NO way itchy, and fits just right. It also fits in with the ever-present “color block sweater” trend that seems to be flooding stores right now. I cannot wait to pair this sweater with a pair of brown booties, denim jeans, and gold accessories. I know I’m going to get lots of wear out of it this Fall.

The next gem I found is a sweater from the store H&M. This sweater is a heavier weight, warmer sweater than the last one. It is super fuzzy, has balloon sleeves, a high neck, and is the cutest baby pink/peach color. It is the perfect transition piece from Summer to Fall. It too is incredibly comfortable. I researched H&M and saw that this sweater look-alike retails for around $25.00. That means from this one sweater, I saved $19.00! That is a deal, my friends. I am so excited to wear this sweater with a pair of black jeans, black booties, and silver accessories.

Now that I have found these two stylish sweaters, I’m ready for Fall. But can the weather be (lol)? Stay tuned on my Instagram (@charis_laurel) to see how I style these two sweaters later this season!

Thanks for reading, loves! Talk soon <3

[bestbargainbuys]

3. EXPENSIVE CLOTHING ARTICLE FOR AN AMAZING PRICE

September 14th, 2018

Hello lovely ladies.

It’s Friday, which means…a new bargain buy! This week my primary goal was to find at least one article of clothing from a higher-priced clothing store or brand. However, there were a few stipulations to this challenge. Those stipulations being: the article of clothing had to be from a higher-end clothing store, had to be over 50% off, and had to be a reasonable price for the “average” consumer.

To complete this challenge, I went to Plato’s Closet first, as they are known for selling high-end clothing at exceptional prices. As many of you may know, shopping at Plato’s Closet is like a never-ending treasure hunt—you could end your shopping trip with a huge hit, or a major miss. However, on this particular day, I walked in the store, and right next to the entrance was a jackpot item. I could tell by the tag on it, and the overall appearance of the item, that it was from a more expensive store. That store in particular being none other than, Urban Outfitters.

Urban Outfitters is known for their trendy style, and high prices. This jackpot item I found was a jean jacket that was two-toned, had pops of red suede, a sparkling silver zipper, and white stitching. It is the perfect denim jacket to throw on and add a little “pop” to your outfit.

Before I tell you how much I found it at Plato’s Closet for, I did some research on Urban Outfitter’s website. I found a denim jacket very similar (I have posted the photo below). As you can see, the jackets are very comparable. Urban Outfitters is currently selling this denim jacket on their website for a whopping $89.00.

Now, let’s discuss the Urban Outfitters denim jacket I found from Plato’s Closet. The denim jacket I bought from Plato’s Closet was being sold for…drum roll, please…$16.00! Not only is $16.00 an incredible deal for practically any denim jacket, it is an exceptional deal for such a high-priced clothing store. It amounts to around 1/5 the price of the current denim jacket being sold on Urban Outfitters’ website. Now THAT is what I call a bargain buy.

Not only did I complete this challenge, I crushed it (if I do say so myself). That being said, if you’re looking for higher-end clothing from a wide range of clothing stores (Loft, Express, Urban Outfitters, Free People, etc.), head to your local Plato’s Closet! Let the treasure-hunt begin!

[bestbargainbuys]

2. AFFORDABLE CLOTHING STORE FEATURE: FOREVER 21

September 7th, 2018

Hello Bargain Babes!

For this week’s blog post, I wanted to dive in, and show you one of my very favorite, affordable clothing stores. DRUM ROLL PLEASE...Forever 21! As many of you may know, Forever 21 is a brick-and-mortar and e-commerce retail store specializing in high-trend clothing, at the right price. They sell everything from bathing-suits, denim, athleisure, makeup, jewelry, room décor, various tops, skirts…okay, you get it—they sell it all! Not only do they have an awesome selection of affordable clothing in general, they also offer sales with numerous clothing articles, and new items are added to the sale section daily.

On my trip to Forever 21 this week, I found an article of clothing to show you how trendy yet affordable their clothing is. Within seconds of entering Forever 21 (specifically the sale department), I found this adorable romper. This romper was originally priced at just $19.90 (already an awesome deal), and was on sale for a whopping $12.00. If that price doesn’t make you want to run to the mall, I don’t know what will! For under $20.00 you’re getting a full outfit, that is great quality, and is super trendy.

The next aspect of Forever 21 I wanted to talk to you all about is their jewelry. Every outfit needs a little accessory—you know what I mean?! They offer a wide variety of gold, silver, beaded, simple, dainty, or statement jewelry pieces. The craziest part is, the prices for jewelry start as low as just $3.90��like are you serious?! For under $5.00 you can get the cutest, most perfect accessory to complete your outfit! The jewelry section of Forever 21 has got to be my guilty pleasure. Every time I shop at Forever 21, I stock up on fashion-forward necklaces, unique earrings, and the most perfect rings. They are also constantly coming out with new jewelry items, so you’ll always have the cutest accessories to pair with your outfits.

The final aspect of Forever 21 I want to highlight is how quickly they adapt to seasons. With Summer unfortunately coming to an end (I’m fine…it’s fine), Forever 21 has already started implementing Fall clothing into their stores. I appreciate this, as love to prepare for seasons with new clothing pieces, so as soon as the leaves start falling, I can rock my new Fall attire! Now, we all know Fall clothing articles can be pretty pricy—cozy sweaters, winter-jackets, warm cardigans are not normally very cheap items. However, Forever 21 no matter what season, what clothing articles are necessary, always keep the best, most consumer-friendly prices. Sweaters can be purchased for as low as $15.00…what…crazy, I know.

So, what are you waiting for?! We all know fashion-forward clothing is a must, but breaking-the-bank is not the move. Go head over to your local Forever 21 (or online), and shop away! I promise it will be worth it, and your bank-account can thank me later.

[bestbargainbuys]

1.$10 AND UNDER OUTFIT CHALLENGE

August 20th, 2018

Hello my Bargain-hunting loves!

This week I set out to do a highly-requested, seemingly impossible challenge, the “$10.00 and Under Outfit challenge.” This challenge requires the total cost of the outfit to be under $10.00--not a penny more.

To accomplish this challenge, I found myself in one of my favorite, second-hand clothing stores, “Plato’s Closet.” This store has gently-used clothing articles, but also is covered with unworn clothing with original tags still attached to them. Their mission is focused on providing their customers with affordable, yet fashionable clothing.

On my hunt for a $10 outfit, I found a hidden gem—a pair of shorts, in my size, with the tag still on them. The shorts were originally from the store Forever21, where they were being sold for $19.90. Although not unreasonable for a pair of jean shorts, it is still a moderate chunk of change. At Plato’s Closet I was able to purchase these unworn, tag-attached, fashion-forward pair of jean shorts for…$5.00. Yes, I said $5.00. This is practically a fourth of the cost Forever21was retailing them for. Not to mention…they were NEW.

The shorts are a light denim, with an elastic waist, a zipper, and two small, brown buttons. They also have large front pockets, which if you’re a girl, you know the struggle. They are the perfect casual, comfy pair of jean shorts that aren’t skin tight. They are for sure going to be a staple in my closet throughout the rest of the Summer season, and potentially through the Fall (we all know Georgia weather is unpredictable).

The second piece of my $10.00 outfit was a cropped, white, spaghetti strap shirt from the e-commerce clothing store, Boohoo. Boohoo is known for their affordable prices, and fashion-forward and trendy clothing. This top did not have the original price-tag attached but was in mint condition. I did some research and found a similar shirt on their website, which retails for around $5.00. I purchased this cute piece for $3.00 from Plato’s Closet. This might not have been the greatest “steal”, but it sure is better than paying the additional $2 and the extra $6.95 for shipping.

So did I beat the challenge…? You bet I did! My total came in at a whopping $8.48 with all taxes included. Fashion doesn’t have to break the bank! With a little searching and dedication, you too can be a trend-setting Bargain Babe!