Gift Giving Frugal Styles
Posted by: VictoriaToi on: December 13, 2011
Tis the season right? So have you started your shopping yet?? I hate to brag but I am almost finished mine! Since I am such a shopping master, a Sensei of the sales if you will, I thought I would share a few ideas and tips to help make your holiday shopping a little easier on both your sanity and your wallet.
Step 1: The Plan
The first step to holiday shopping is to get some ideas put together. I always make a list. If the ideas just aren’t coming to you there are some great sites out there that can help you. I always look forward to Sweetspot’s yearly gift giving list. They usually put an extensive list together of a wide variety of gifts that could suit anyone on your list and are at all different price points. Some things are pretty expensive but it is definitely a good way to get the ideas flowing.
Sweetspot Holiday Gift Giving Guide
Step 2: The Strategy
When I have my list all figured out I like to plan my shopping strategy. This involves research and planning, but don’t worry it’s fun research (at least I think so!). Go through your list and try to figure out where you think you would be able to buy those items, then head online to check out the sites. This helps you to plan out your shopping day and also helps you to see where you can find what your looking for at the best prices. For example: you’re looking for a great fair isle sweater for your sister, of course TNA has great sweaters but they are soo pricey, so you check out Joe Fresh, BINGO! Joe Fresh has great fair isle sweaters that are super cute and they cost half of what the TNA sweaters cost!
Step 3: The Execution
Once you have your list put together and where you want to buy your gifts, you need to start shopping. If you’re on a budget, then watch out for the sales. The Gap, Roots, the Bay and all the other big name stores, all have big sales leading up to Christmas so keep your eyes open and your ears to the ground. You can also check out stores like Joe Fresh who always have great price points and are always on trend. Finally, go online. The best deals can be had at many online stores, I like Amazon for DVDs and books and almost everything else, they definitely have way better prices and have all the hard to find items than many of the stores do. For special one of a kind gifts, you can’t go wrong with Etsy, this site is the absolute best site for unique gift giving ideas at reasonable prices! I could seriously spend an entire day on this site!!
So there you have it, my tips and tricks for easy holiday shopping! Happy Holidays and Happy Shopping!!
Fit, Fashionable and Frugal
Posted by: VictoriaToi on: November 23, 2011
I am on an exercise kick right now. I actually look forward to going to the gym after work. I get pumped for Pump (I couldn’t resist), can’t go a week without my combat class and count the days until Monday’s spin! I’m loving it and I hope I am able to stick to it. Not only do I love the gym, but I also love the clothes associated with going to the gym, not necessarily for their fashionability (I totally made that word up!!) but definitely for their comfort factor, especially the pants.
So, what does a Frugal Fashionista wear to the gym?? Well, I have a confession, I love, love, LOVE Lululemon, so much so I worked there for a bit last year (which was very frugal because I got a great discount!!), but if you aren’t so lucky and don’t have a sweet discount at Lululemon what do you do? Well, if, like me, you insist on wearing Lululemon, look to the sale racks or the “we made too much” section on their website. You can often find great deals on pants and jackets here, and you also get items that are of amazing quality.
If Lululemon is just a bit too much for your budget, there are some really great alternatives out there. First, The Gap. They have their own line of athletic wear line called GapFit and it is really well made stuff! My favourite are the G-fast leggings, these are magical leggings, they hold you in and smooth you out. You can actually feel the fabric sucking in your thighs!! Plus, they are almost half of the cost of Lulu leggings!
http://www.gapcanada.ca/browse/category.do?cid=17045
Check out this great top from GapFit as well!
If you love yoga pants, but don’t want to blow the bank, check out Roots Yoga line! They have yoga pants that fit almost as well as Lululemon pants and wash really well.
http://canada.roots.com/women_pant/womensActivePants,default,sc.html
Finally, if you are a super frugal workout warrior than look no further than your local Zellers! They have an extensive line of workout gear at amazing prices and they look great too! Stock up while you can because Zellers stores will soon be a thing of the past (which also means some great blow out sales!!).
The Ultimate Accessory
Posted by: VictoriaToi on: November 8, 2011
Everyone loves a good accessory. They can make or break any outfit. There is one accessory that I can’t get enough of, it is both stylish and functional and is extremely versatile! I’m talking about the scarf! I love scarves, all shapes and styles, I definitely own more than 20 scarves although I haven’t counted them in a while, and it could be reaching 30 (note to self: go through scarves!!). Anyway, in my humble opinion, the scarf is the ultimate accessory!
Here are my top 3 reasons why scarves are fantastic:
1. First and Foremost They Can Be Very Affordable.
Yes, there are some very pricey and beautiful scarves out there, but there are some equally beautiful scarves that aren’t so expensive as well. I like to go to H&M for a lot of my scarves they always have an abundance of patterns, sizes and styles. I recently picked up a great cowl/infinity scarf there for $7 and I have my eye on this cable knit scarf in grey (cable knit is very on trend right now) to pair with a nice black wool coat or wrapped around a few times with a cozy sweater and leggings!
http://www.hm.com/ca/product/94628?article=94628-C
Other great places to get scarves for great prices are Forever21, Smart Set, Old Navy and who can ignore the mall stalls, you can get some really cute scarves at these stalls and at random souvenier shops for as little as $5.00 (the best scarves are found at these stalls when you’re travelling, especially in Europe)!
2. They Are Sooo Versatile!
A simple scarf can spiff up any outfit even sweats (ok, maybe not full sweats but definitely jeans or yoga pants and a sweatshirt. I can’t condone wearing sweatpants out in public, I’m sorry). A square scarf folded in half and tied around the neck is my favourite way to wear a scarf with a sweatshirt, also great is the Unisex Circle Scarf from American Apparel, I have it in burgandy. This scarf can be worn a ton of different ways and is soo cozy!
http://store.americanapparel.ca/rsa0503.html?cid=51
Like the circle scarf, there are so many different ways scarves can be tied and worn so you can put your own spin on any outfit. Check out this amazing YouTube video I found. I love this girl, she is brilliant!!
3. Scarves Are Very Practical!
And who doesn’t like to be practical?! First and foremost, they keep you warm! I am always cold and I don’t like to risk being cold when I go out, so I always throw a scarf on or in my bag, because even in the summer the nights can get chilly! In the winter, I like to be as cozy as possible (I have said cozy a lot in this post, but what better word is there??), so the softer and bigger the better when it comes to scarves. The Gap also has some amazing cozy, soft scarves right now. This is also one that I have my eye on and I am patiently waiting for another sale so I can add it to my vast collection:
http://www.gapcanada.ca/browse/product.do?cid=71027&vid=1&pid=863025&scid=863025013
So there you have it. Scarves are amazing, there is doubt about it. Let me know if you have found the ultimate scarf that you want to brag about!
FF
The Most Beautiful Word in the English Language … Sale
Posted by: VictoriaToi on: November 8, 2011
A wise Wayne Gretzky once said: “I skate to where the puck is going to be, not to where is has been.”
Now, you’re probably wondering what the hockey great, Wayne Gretzky has to do with being fashionable. Well, besides the fact that he can wear the hell out of a suit, he makes a good point. Imagine the “puck” is a sweater and you don’t “skate” you run towards it because it is an amazing sweater!
This quote summarizes the key rule that every Frugal Fashionista should live by: Never Pay Full Price For Anything!!! (There are some exceptions to this rule, but for the most part it should always be followed). You should always practice patience and have the foresight to see that the beautiful sweater that you must own is most likely going to be on sale very soon, so don’t jump the gun and buy it right away, if you can resist.
Here are some of the things that I never buy at regular retail pricing:
Anything From the Gap:
The Gap* is a great store, they have all of the basics as well as some really nice looking on trend pieces like sweaters, jackets, jeans, blouses and accessories. The best thing about the Gap is that they always have a great sale at least once a month. Keep your eye open for 30-40% off sales when looking for items like sweaters, jackets and jeans. For basics, workout gear or seasonal things, keep your eye on the sale rack since those items always get reduced a few times. Another good tip is to register for their emailing list, you will get coupons for sales ahead of time or tips on exclusive online sales.
*The same thing applies to Old Navy, Banana Republic, Roots and even Club Monaco – these places have the best sales so be patient!
Underwear
I never buy underwear at full retail, never. The best place to go for good quality underwear, lingerie, and PJs is The Bay (or if you aren’t in Canada, any big department store i.e. Marks and Spencers in the UK or Macy’s in the US). I am a big fan of Calvin Klein bras and undies and The Bay always has a sale rack for reduced price Calvin’s. You can also rely on The Bay to have a significant sale every month or so. Right now you can get Calvin Klein bras for $24 which is a really good price! They also have other great brands like Esprit, Donna Karen, Betsy Johnson and Ralph Lauren. It’s not just underwear either, keep your eye on deparment stores for sales on brand name shoes and clothes! The Bay is now featuring Dorothy Perkins from the UK and I picked up a great striped shirt there for 30%off yesterday!
- Dorothy Perkins Shirt
Nail Polish
I have a serious addiction to nail polish! I love it, I don’t even know what my toes look like without it anymore (I know, that’s probably not very good). I also love a good pedicure or manicure, but for someone on a budget they are not always feasible. I have also never paid full retail for a bottle of nail polish, I refuse! Every time I go into Shoppers Drug Mart or Pharma Plus I walk by the nail polish and if and only if there is a sale I pick up a colour. The drug stores usually have a sale on nail polish once a month or more. You can also check out hair salons like First Choice Hair Cutters, you may never consider getting your hair cut there but OPI is always on sale.
Well, Fashionistas, I hope those tips help and let me know if you have any suggestions or tips on where you find the best sales!
FF
Hello Frugal Fashionistas!
Posted by: VictoriaToi on: November 8, 2011
Welcome to my blog!! This is my first stab at the blog world so bear with me while I figure it all out!
So, what’s this blog all about? Well, like millions of blogs out there it is abut fashion and shopping, I know, it’s been done before right? Well I want to focus on something a little different, I want to focus on fashion on a budget.
After religiously reading some amazing style blogs like Sweetspot.ca a fantastic lifestyle guide with great fashion finds and tips and Lainey Gossip whose Lifestyle section written by the incredible Sasha is like crack to me (I get way too excited for her style posts every Thursday) I noticed one small thing. While each of these blogs provide extremely helpful advice on what to wear and where to get it at all different price ranges, they tend to lean towards things that aren’t really budget friendly (well my budget, which leans towards the everything should be less than $50 range). Now, don’t get me wrong, I love expensive things and am all for spending a little money on a key wardrobe piece, but that is only on special occasions (like a really bad, bad day) or after weeks of saving up by eating only Kraft Dinner, but that isn’t always realistic for me.
So, I want to provide a place where those of us who want to look stylish but want to do it on a budget can go to find ideas and tips on finding trendy items for a little bit less! I will post about where to find items for less, great things that I have found and where I have found them and what and who has great style that inspires me. One person that I found who is probably the most stylish person I know and who makes a lot of her own accessories and is a Value Village master is my friend Liza, you should go and check out her blog LaLa Love Liza.
I hope you come back and check out my blog again, so we can be the most stylish people on a budget around!
