Not long ago, a reader asked me about how I save money on clothing, since I rarely blog about that particular subject. I thought about that question long and hard. And then I looked in my closet.
Mystery solved. I just don’t buy clothes. For me, anyway. Sure, I am always picking up major bargains on clearance for my kids and my hubby. But when it comes to me, my DNA must have been genetically altered by the birth of my children to instantly trigger waves of guilt when spending any amount of money on myself.
This is obvious by the state of my closet. Racks of out-of-style or too-small pre-baby clothes hang there collecting dust.
Since the birth of my son three months ago, I have lived in my pajamas frumpy post-partum/maternity clothes with a handful of new items thrown in out of necessity. But I digress.
This week, I am getting on a plane and heading to Chicago. My first ever blogging conference, BlogHer, awaits. {squeeee!!!} With 10-ish extra pounds of baby weight lingering on my hips, I had no choice. I had to go shopping.
Since I loathe the mall, and wanted to spend as little as possible, I made a shopping plan. I knew I wanted practical, yet stylish clothes that I would be able to enjoy in the future. Solid colors and classic lines were the goal. With a pretty dress or two just for fun.
A few of my favorites from Ross
So where does a frugal girl shop for BlogHer attire? I hit Ross first. Sans kids. Much digging required. Success! I walked out with more clothes than I have purchased for myself in the last 5 years combined! Each item cost $19.99 or less. I even found an adorable pair of comfortable black slip on shoes for only $9.99!
$9.99 at Ross!
Marshalls was the next stop. I noticed it is a lot more organized than Ross, and they have higher end labels to boot. So the prices are a bit higher. But I scored a great pair of jeans that fit just right for $24.99. You know, the kind of jeans you will wear again and again.
Next on the list was Old Navy, one of my favorite stores. Their clearance racks are a bargain shopper’s dream. I resisted the urge to head straight to kids section and carefully chose some dressy tops to pair with casual black skirts. I even found another fabulous pair of dark jeans for only $4.97!
Favorites from Old Navy
The best part of my Old Navy excursion was the awesome coupon I used. I saved $50 off a $100 purchase with a coupon from oldnavyweekly.com (major score!) So my girls ended up with new flip flops, oops.
I am so excited about my new mini-wardrobe, and the fact that I will not be wearing sweats to BlogHer. My closet no longer looks likes a scene from What Not to Wear. And I spent WAY less than $5ooo!
Note: I am attending BlogHer 2009 thanks to my partnership with Walmart and the ElevenMoms program. Are you going? I would love to meet you!
I love Ross and Marshalls. I have started shopping at Old Navy online and have been pleased with their stuff also. I am tall, 5ft 10 in, and Old Navy online sells quite a bit of tall clothes. I agree all three stores have quite a few bargains if you really look around. Great finds and have fun at Blogher!
.-= Lynn´s last blog ..Huevos Rancheros =-.
Looks like you did really well for yourself. I hate shopping so it is often hard to find the really good deals. I just want to get in and get out.
.-= Denise@TogetherWeSave´s last blog ..Huggies Enjoy the Ride Rewards =-.
Your clothes look cute! I so wish I was going- but plan to be there next year! 🙂
.-= Melissa´s last blog ..Ulta: FREE Shipping on $25 and Coupon Code =-.
Congrats on updating your wardrobe and on sale!!! I love to shop clearance racks.. refuse to pay full price for clothing. LOVE Ross and Old Navy!
Have fun at your conference!
Good for you! Ross and TJ Maxx are my favorites, too!
.-= Robin´s last blog ..FACEBOOK FRACAS….LOVE THY ENEMIES =-.
Looks like you’re going in style! Thanks for the oldnavyweekly.com link—just watched a crazy video there while coupon hunting.
.-= Dawn @ My Home Sweet Home´s last blog ..Notable NAPP Links: Worldwide Photo Walk Edition =-.
Great shopping spree! I’m glad you found some things you like and that are comfortable. That’s always important for a trip… at least I think so. I love the spots (although I don’t usually go to Ross) and I hit JcPenney because they have great stuff on clearance. I wish I were going to BlogHer this year, but I’m not… I’m hoping to be able to go next time. Have fun!
.-= Petula´s last blog ..Deep sigh of relief =-.
you will only be about 45 minutes from me!! LOL I am in kenosha!! sure wish i could meet you!! I was not able to get in on that conference. found out about it wayyy to late.
I love our Ross! It’s so much better than our Marshall’s!
.-= Angie´s last blog ..Special Sale at EyeBuyDirect.com 7/20/09 to 7/26/09 =-.
I loved this post…mostly because it fits me to a tee! I am always finding great deals for everyone else in my family, and I don’t do much shopping for myself. When I do, it is usually in a big ONE STOP shop …Old Navy, Macys (great sales and clearance coupons) and sometimes Target. I tend to do best when I have an evening to myself (no kids) so that I can really get into the shopping groove and put together some outfits.
I think your stuff looks great ~ and so glad you don’t have to wear sweats to BlogHer, lol! Have a ball!
.-= KeriLyn@SheSaved´s last blog ..Lowe’s Build and Grow Clinics… =-.
Look like some great finds! I will need to do a shopping run on the way to the airport — my fave bra just had an underwire poking out incident! Mall is an hour away, as is Old Navy and Target. We have TJ Maxx, Kohls, JC Penney local. And the -marts (Wal and K).
I’ll be at BlogHer for the first time as well – hope to meet you in real life there!
.-= uppervalleymom´s last blog ..Menu Plan Monday – Week of 7/20/09 =-.
If anyone lives in Central FL, we have Beall’s and Beall’s Outlet. Not a huge Beall’s Outlet fan. But with that said, we have a Beall’s Clearence Store in Lakeland on S. FL Ave. Whenever the regular store’s clearence hits 70% off, they ship it out to the clearence store. The best are the $1, $3, and $5 racks. I regularly get Liz Clarbourn, look like a million bucks, and spend less than $10 on each outfit.
loved the incredible ideas for finding deals for that little black dress–am excited to have found your site and will keep you on my radar from now on. I’ve got two contests that would be of interest to your readers. The first is for a free account with ClickNRead a phonics program for kids that I am giving away on July 31st just click on the link here to get to that contest at my site http://www.answersformoms.org. ClickN KIDS<a/ The second is at my other website and it is for the cutest baby of the year picture. Check it out at brickhousemama2.blogspot.com cash prizes .
Great finds…frugal fashions IS a topic I know well. 🙂 Although, mine are all thrift. You hit the nail on the head….just saw a pic from BlogHer with you and Mommy Snacks…wow!
.-= Jen@Balancing Beauty and Bedlam´s last blog ..How to organize kids’ chores and routines? =-.
Great finds! And good for you for choosing to spend less all the while treating yourself to some new things. It is amazing how unknowingly we hand over our attention to our kiddos and completely ignore ourselves.
🙂
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