DeDivahDeals

Fashion and Fun after Fifty

Posts Tagged ‘mall’

Last Minute Shopping at The “W”

‘Twas 4 days before Christmas and all through the house not a gift was purchased…no not one…nothing even wrapped.  Was I in a panic…no, not me…no mall trip to navigate no whoa is me!  I jumped in the Sonata and drove down the street, parked and got out and entered the big “V”…oh I mean the “W” Walgreens.  

Long gone are the days of Santa and toys, I now have mini-men, they are no longer little boys.  Safety and Life Skills are things that they need, a job application and gas money will be under the tree!  ‘Tis the season for a few little gifts so they’ll have something to unwrap when they finally roll out of bed….after 12 noon if that!

Gifts from Walgreens

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 A Polaroid Tablet for Son #1, he can take notes in class, read a book or just have fun.

Old Spice

Wrestling, lifting, or just watching TV…they definitely both needed one of these!

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Son #2 is up texting all night so he needs help in getting up and a Bluetooth for no talking while driving (I know it didn’t rhyme this time).

Docking Station and Alarm Clock What to get hubby…oh boy…what does he need…nothing really, except maybe me!  Can’t go wrong with a gift card…one or maybe two and with Walgreen’s big selection that wasn’t too hard to do.

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Food and drinks and a trip to Lowe’s will fit the bill, added a little Dove Body Wash and all is chill.

Last minute gifts are sure to be found and if you need any assistance just look around, or maybe someone will greet you as soon as you walk in the door.

 I am so glad to finally be done, no stress…no hassle…actually it was kinda fun!

Now it’s time to head home and wrap up these gifts and place them neatly under our beautifully decorated tree!

If you have any last minute gift buying to do head over to your local Walgreens as most stores are open until midnight.

Happy Holidays!

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Farmer’s Market Friday

Hello Friends and Happy Fri-Yay!

Today is “Black Friday”, and in the United States it’s the day after Thanksgiving, noted as the first day of Christmas shopping. Crowds of consumers are drawn to special offers by retailers and some people even lose their minds!

Unfortunately or fortunately, depending on your point of view this year some retailers began their Black Friday sales Thursday night!

Die hard Black Friday shoppers are those who after Thanksgiving dinner will leave the warmth of their homes and drive to stores to camp out overnight for the latest, lowest priced gadget. 

Are you a Black Friday Shopper?  If so, more power to ya just don’t forget to wear comfortable shoes, carry snacks and a bottle of water in a small purse and check out this 2013 Black Friday Shopping Guide.  

Have Fun and Be Safe!

camping out on black friday

I don’t like shopping in the holiday madness and prefer to stay local which is why I like places like the Dutch Country Farmers Market in Middletown. My sons are older so there’s no need to wait until Christmas to buy them gifts, those days of hunting for Tickle Me Elmo, Furby or Star Wars memorabilia is long behind me.  I can now enjoy leisurely shopping and watch others stress – lol!

Here’s a look inside our local Farmers’s Market

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Farmers Market Friday Farmer's Market Friday Farmer's Market Friday Farmer's Market Friday

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Farmer's Market Friday Farmer's Market Friday  Farmer's Market Friday Farmer's Market Friday Farmer's Market Friday

Tomorrow is Shop Small Business Saturday so come back to see which Middletown Shops I’ve featured.

Happy Black Friday – Smooches


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Dressing for Less

Hello Friends and Happy Hump Day Wednesday

Tonight I will be teaching the class, “Dressing for Success on a Budget’ sponsored by The Money School of Delaware.  The premise being that you don’t have to spend a lot of money to look professional and how to have a “Champagne Closet with a Beer Budget”

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As a self proclaimed frugal fashionista, I usually don’t pay full retail price for my clothing nor do I shop high end department stores or boutiques in a mall. Thrifting at Goodwill or The Salvation Army, hitting a local Consignment Shop, low end retail sales and clearance shopping is much more fun and is easier on my wallet.

Chain stores such as Ross, Marshall’s, TJMaxx, Burlington Coat Factory, Rugged Wearhouse, and Target understands the needs of women who want designer clothing but with lower prices.

I read fashion magazines and blogs and try to stay current with the latest trends but if I can recreate an outfit with thrifted items from Goodwill I most certainly will!

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When my sons were younger, they only knew the “Mart Brothers” – Kmart and Walmart!

Shoes are definitely my weakness and I have too many pairs to count, but I never pay full price, not when there are ways to get Reward Points from stores such as DSW or coupons and AAA discounts at Payless and of course the clearance sales at Target!

Payless

Christian Sirano for Payless

Shoes - Payless // Purse - Ross

Fioni for Payless Peep Toe Pumps and Celine Inspired Tote from Ross

JC Penney and Sears may not be top on your shopping list but they should be, especially for their end-of-season clearance sales, remember the Liz Claiborne jeans I found for a dollar? Kohl’s is also another great place to shop for clearance deals.  Mixing thrifted items with new pieces can make a perfect outfit.

Dress - JC Penney // Shoes - Payless

Dress – JC Penney // Shoes – Payless

Top - Goodwill // Skirt - JCPenney // Purse - Ross // Shoes - Rugged Wearhouse

Thrifted Top – Goodwill // Skirt – JCPenney // Purse – Ross // Shoes – Rugged Wearhouse

Top - Ross // Skirt - Goodwill // Sandals - The Salvation Army Family Store

Top – Ross // Skirt – Goodwill // Sandals – The Salvation Army Family Store

 

Shoes - Rugged Wearhouse // Dress - Boscov's // Tote -Ross

Shoes – Rugged Wearhouse // Dress – Boscov’s // Tote -Ross

Also, don’t sleep on the cheapie cheap Dollar Stores either, places like Family Dollar, Dollar General and even Dollar Tree oftentimes have great accessories like leggings, tights, hats and scarves.  Remember this Fedora that I bought last summer from Dollar Tree!

Dollar Tree Dome and Sundress from Rugged Wearhouse

Dollar Tree Dome and Sundress from Rugged Wearhouse

There are also great deals and bargains to be found online and from catalogs like eShakti, Spiegel and Avon all of which are my favorites.

Dress - Avon // Shoes Goodwill

Dress – Avon // Shoes Goodwill

 

Dress - Avon // Pumps - Goodwill

Dress – Avon // Pumps – Goodwill

 

Top - Rugged Wearhouse // Skirt - Old Navy

Top – Rugged Wearhouse // Skirt – Old Navy

Totally Thrifted outfit from Goodwill

Totally Thrifted outfit from Goodwill

Walmart Sundress covered with thrifted blouse

Walmart Sundress covered with thrifted blouse

 

Thrifted dress with scarf purchased at a "Purse Party"

Thrifted dress with scarf purchased at a “Purse Party”

 

Rocket Dog Peep Toe Pumps from The Shoe Dept

Rocket Dog Peep Toe Pumps from The Shoe Dept

 

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Studded Shoes from Rugged Wearhouse

Studded Shoes from Rugged Wearhouse

If you are attending a fancy soiree, try a high end online site such as “Rent the Runway” or “Beg Borrow Steal” and in a pinch go to a Consignment Shop located in a high end neighborhood which is how I found a gown for a Ball that I attended last year.

Dressing for less doesn’t mean you can’t afford better, nor does it have be an embarrasing event, however, I must admit that it can be addictive, especially on $2 Tuesdays at Goodwill!

Where do you shop for your bargains?

Have a fantabulous day – Smooches!

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Back to School Shopping

Hello Friends and Happy Hump Day Wednesday

My youngest will be entering High School as a Senior which means no more standing at the bus stop in the rain…he drives, and no more back to school shopping…he wouldn’t be caught dead shopping with his mother…besides he has his own Debit Card.

His last year in High School is bittersweet but it doesn’t mean I can’t go “Back to School Shopping” and take advantage of the end of the season sales.

I may not be doing this…

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But I can do this…

back to school

Which is what I did at TJ Maxx and Burlington Coat Factory!

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Jessica Simpson Wedge Shoes @ TJ Maxx

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Floral Dress – $15.00

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Black & White Stripped Maxi – $19.99

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Unlisted loafers – $19.99

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Bandolino Blue Patent Leather Wedges – $19.99

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I didn’t purchase, but these Bandolino pumps were so comfy @ $24.99

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Leaving TJ Maxx I saw Barbie, a true fashionista, whose skirt and top were purchased at Nzinga’s Boutique.  A perfect outfit to wear out and about running errands or shopping (s/o to Steve aka Ken – lol)

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Next I drove down Naamans Road to Burlington Coat Factory at the Tri State Mall

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Maxi Dress – $14.98

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Floral hi-low dress – $6.98

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Infinity Scarf $5.98

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Infinity Scarf – $4.98

I also purchased a pair of CitiClassifed Pumps ($9.98) and Yellow Evening Bag ($7.98) – I love clearance racks just as much as thrifting!

Next year we will be paying College tuition so there will be no more Back to School Shopping for me, also bittersweet!

Have you done any Back to School shopping or taken advantage of the end of season sales?

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Car Shopping Is No Longer A Fun Event!

Once upon a time not so long ago car shopping was a fun and exciting adventure, flipping through magazines, reading the classifieds, looking for the perfect car, with the perfect color for the perfectly affordable price.  That was “BK”, “before kids”, now as a parent of 2 sons we are once again in the market for a car, not for me nor hubby but for #1 son.

We were very fortunate the first time when we found a 2002 Hyundai Elantra at a very affordable price but with very high mileage and now, “Miranda” is on her last legs.  She is not going to make it much longer and it’s not worth putting any more money into having her serviced.  She was dutiful in her position and served us well, she valiantly got the  boys back and forth to High School with weekend jaunts to the mall and grocery store.  Now the time has come to find a replacement and it is not a fun event.  The sticker prices are a hard pill to swallow but we must keep in mind that good safety features and good insurance ratings are our number one priorities.

Hubby and I spend a few hours yesterday looking for vehicles that might fit the bill, first stopping at Carman Auto Group in New Castle.  We didn’t see many but there was a 2012 Ford Fiesta, with mileage that wasn’t too high but was a bit out of our price range.

Ford Fiesta

Carman 1

Our next stop was at Willis Chevrolet in Middletown.  Willis is where I have my Hyundai Sonata serviced and customer satisfaction is their #1 priority so it wasn’t a surprise to find that they had a few vehicles that caught our attention.

A 2011 Ford Fiesta SES, mileage was a bit high for it’s age and a sticker price worth negotiating, the other vehicle was a 2009 Chevy Cobalt Sport, mileage and price more palatable.

Willis 1

Ford Cobalt

Willis 2

Now comes the fun part…the research…checking State Farm Insurance, KBB, Carfax, Cars.com, AAA, Costco and any other website to compare prices, and safety features – this is no longer a fun event and I still have to get a hooptie for son #2 – do you know where I can get a 2fer!

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JC Penney Clearance Sales

Do you remember my previous post about the clearance sales at JC Penney?  Did you go?  If not, I suggest you go there as soon as you can.  Today I went back to return the $5 skirt and ended up getting 2 more, a Worthington black and white tweet and a pencil skirt; a patterned scoop neck top and a Comfort Revolution sports bra for a grand total of $12.00!

There are $3/$5/$10/$12 and $14 clearance racks in every department, men/women and children clothing, jewelry, accessories, shoes, purses, lingerie, housewares, etc.  If you need a last minute Valentine’s Day gift, get to the mall with a quickness  because you will definitely get more for your money!

These pics were taken when I stopped in last month.

JC Penney Image Image Image Image Image Image

Have fun shopping & saving!


OOTD – Any Way the Wind Blows

Hello Friends and Happy Friday Eve!

Can you believe it’s the last Thursday of the month, tomorrow is the first day of February. February 1st is also my “baby boy’s” Birthday and he will be 17 – somebody is getting old and it isn’t me!!!!
February, 1996, two days after he was born we were hit with a major snow storm that kept us house bound for almost a month. I hope that doesn’t happen again, the storm of 2010 was more than enough to last a lifetime – remember that one?

No snow storms in the forecast, just bright sunshine and high winds, but not like what tore through some southern states last night – we are truly blessed!

OOTD 1 31 13 007 OOTD 1 31 13 018 Sweater and Slacks are both closet staples // Blue Suede Booties – The Shoe Dept // Scarf – Target

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These blue suede booties are different than the one’s featured here.  They were purchased last year from The Shoe Dept, and also came in red which I didn’t get – wish I had because it would have saved me from going to the mall today.  By the way, have you been to JC Penney’s lately?  If not, GO, they have $1 ~ $3 ~ $5 and $10 clearance racks, I got a red skirt and a pair of capris for $5 each!  Their new “one price no sales” marketing campaign didn’t work out so well, and now they are restructuring, so head over for some great bargains.  The “housewives of Exton” were racking up on kids clothes on clearance for a dollar which are better deals than Goodwill!

Linking up with Thoughtful Thursday & Imprintalish – hop over and meet a new blogger

Have a good afternoon – Smooches!

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Polka Dot Black Friday

Hello Friends and Happy Cyber Monday, are you shopping online today?  There are a few items that I’d like to get but nothing major so I think I’ll wait until this evening or perhaps even after the holidays for deeper discounts.  On Black Friday I didn’t go to the mall instead I went to GW Boutique (Goodwill) in Middletown, it wasn’t crowded so I was able to take my time to find a few items knowing that I would return Saturday for the 50% off sale.

Oxblood Skirt Jonathan Martin Polka Dot Skirt

Dressbarn 3/4 sleeve blouse

Mix It Blouse

Style & Co. Polka Dot  Knit Top

Apt. 9 Brown and White Polka Dot Shirt Sleeve Blouse

In Vain Polka Dot  Short Sleeve Blouse

Jones New York Polka Dot Maxi Skirt

Worthington mini dot skirt

All items were $3.75 each, I would have waited until Saturday but didn’t want the hassle of relocating them and I am not one who “hides” merchandise- lol

WantedShoes.com  Leather Studded Pumps – $4.00

Givenchy Parfume Quilted tote – $2.00

Perfect size for carrying my iPad, note pad, wallet and cell phone

Holiday heels unfortunately were not my size

 

Have a fantabulous day – Smooches!

 


Dress Shoes on the Cheap

Tomorrow hubby and I will be celebrating our 22nd Wedding Anniversary at our favorite restaurant in Newark. I will be wearing the blue dress that I purchased from Boscov’s and for the life of me I couldn’t remember if I had shoes to wear with it. Driving home I contemplated stopping at the mall but I didn’t want to spend a lot on a pair of shoes that most likely will be worn only a few times.
I drive by a Goodwill so I decided to stop and found 2 pairs of shoes for $4.00 each! In the past I would never have purchased second hand shoes but thanks to the recession that is no longer unthinkable.

Most times the shoes are gently worn or haven’t been worn at all and I make sure to thoroughly disinfectant them prior to wearing. I donate shoes to Goodwill all the time and there are times when women have tried on shoes in the department store prior to my purchasing them so it’s no big deal.

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I spray and wipe out the shoes and straps while wearing plastic or rubber gloves, and for non-fabric shoes I use bleach and water.

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NEW YORK & COMPANY – Guess The Price

I don’t normally shop the malls because of the high markups on clothing and shoes but yesterday I stopped at the Concord Mall and found a FANTASTIC deal at New York & Company.

Guess the price

Regular Price is $39.94

Go ahead guess….

Nope, try again

Guess…

Give up?

Okay….

two dollars and ninety nine cents!!!!

Now look at these sandals

Regular price was $19.95

Guess…

Nope, try again….

Give up?

five dollars and ninety eight cents