Bargain Brag: Jeffrey Campbell Black Friday Score!

On Black Friday, I noticed that the Urban Outfitters near my job had 50% off of all clearance.  I decided to stop by to see if I could pick up any nice Christmas gifts.  I did find a few gifts (I'm not totally greedy!) but the best find was actually for me! 

I scored these adorable Jeffrey Campbell Ivar Velvet sandals for just $30! 

Even the box is cute! 

I've always admired Jeffrey Campbell shoes.  I feel their style really fits my aesthetic, but I've never owned a pair because their price range doesn't usually fit my budget. 

I was shocked when I saw these $125.00 shoes were marked down to $59.99 with an additional 50% off, making them only $30!!! 

I really needed a new pair of dressy shoes, and I loved that these could be worn either dressy or casual.  

The best thing about the shoes is that they are not just cute, but also soooo comfortable.  The inside is very cushioned and the straps fit perfectly. You could easily dance all night in these.   

When I came home I checked Urbanoutfitters.com and found that the same style is currently selling for their full price of $125 online. OMG!  I'm so excited about this super score.  I'll definitely be rocking these adorable chunky sandals on New Years Eve! 

So, what great deals did you find this Black Friday?

New In: Sandals/Shoe Factory Store Review

Hi everyone!  I recently bought these two pairs of sandals at Shoe Factory, a local Philadelphia shoe store.

These thick strapped gladiator sandals are right on-trend and were only $9.99! 

My pictures do not do these shoes justice-they are so cute on!

  

Not only are these stylish, the material of the straps is straps is very soft and the shoes are really comfy.  

These nude sandals were also $9.99. They are made of a soft microsuede fabric embellished with plastic studs.  I like how they kind of blend into my feet, giving a very neutral and minimalist look.

I decided to write this post after I realized there was barely any information about Shoe Factory online!  This is a local family-owned Philly store that I have been shopping at my whole life.  So, I wanted to do a quick review on this awesome store.

Shoe factory is located in Northeast Philadelphia at Castor and Tyson Avenues.  It is within walking distance of the Roosevelt Mall.  You can check out their Facebook page here.

Shoe Factory sells discount women's shoes and some girls' sizes as well.  The prices are really reasonable, with their shoes averaging about $15 full price. (Their winter boots tend to be more in the $30 range full price.) They also regularly mark down their merchandise throughout the season.  Sometimes there are sales where the whole store is marked down.  Many times, I have picked up some cute shoes there for $4-$7!

Their selection is really random.  They offer shoes in every imaginable color and style.  This store is a great place to check out if you need to match a certain outfit or want some sexy shoes for a night out or a formal event.  They carry many fashion-forward and over-the-top styles.  You can find anything from basic to attention-grabbing, flats to stilettos.  Most of their shoes are unknown brands, or inexpensive brands like Bamboo, Qupid, or Classified.  Occasionally, you might find a store brand like Charlotte Russe or Forever 21.  As a size 5.5/6 I find the selection hit or miss.  Often, they don't have my size, or the sizes run too big for me.  My sister who is a 7.5/8 fares much better.

They only have one location, and the store is cramped with tables stacked with shoes.  It is almost always crowded.  When I can, I like to go on week nights when it is a little more quiet.  There is not much space to walk or try on anything on, but I consider the less-then-perfect shopping experience a small price to pay for such a huge variety of cute and inexpensive shoes!

I also saw a number of bad reviews of Shoe Factory's customer service on store review sites.  This has not been my experience, but I have witnessed moments of tension between staff and other customers while shopping there.  I personally think that this stems from two things: Shoe Factory's bag-check policy, and their return policies.  The staff asks that all larger bags are checked-including handbags!  This is not a common store policy, so I think it leaves some shoppers feeling disgruntled.  I consider it an inconvenience that I'm willing to accept in order to get a good deal, and I simply leave my handbag in the car if it is large.  Also, Shoe Factory's return policy is very strict.  I'm not sure of the details, because I don't do returns, but I think returns are only issued as store credit and many sales are final.  These policies tend to annoy certain customers, but since Shoe Factory is a small privately owned store, it is the owners' prerogative, and being demanding and pushy will get you nowhere! I have been shopping there since I was a pre-teen and never had an issue with customer service.

Shoe Factory is one of my favorite places to shop for shoes, because there are so many great deals to be found.  Just leave your big purse and your attitude at home, and try not to go on Saturday afternoon!

You can also check out a Shoe Factory review from PhillyDiva19154

      

Bargain Brag: Kicks USA $4.99 Sale Haul

Yesterday, a friend of mine alerted me to a sale at the Kicks USA store at the Port Richmond Village Shopping Plaza here in Philadelphia.  The store was having a grand opening event, and she said I should hurry over because there was tons of great clothing on sale for just $4.99!  I have been in Kicks USA stores in other locations, and I knew it was a Foot Locker-type place that sells mostly sneakers and sporty/urban clothing.  I imagined piles of sweat suits, running shoes, and blingy tee shirts that said things like "baby girl."  Mmmm...Not really my style.  I wasn't too enthused about the sale but decided to check it out anyway.

When I got to the plaza, there were hardly any parking spaces.  Even in the parking lot, you could hear a DJ blaring from inside the store.  The store was really bustling, and there were giveaways and all kinds of promotions going on.  There was a fun grand opening event feeling in the air.  Even though the store was really crowded and busy, the sales people were all so nice and helpful!  I have nothing but good things to say about this experience at Kicks USA in Port Richmond Village Plaza.  

It turned out that there were plenty of cute juniors' styles on sale there.  They had a variety of tops, jackets, and pants for only $4.99 each!  I zeroed in on the jeans because I felt they were the best value.  Their selection of jeans were mostly inexpensive juniors' brands that I was very familiar with such as Celebrity Pink and YMI.  While it is pretty easy to find these brands for low prices, they aren't usually THIS low!  I'd say these types of jeans usually cost in the range of $15.99-$29.99, although it isn't unheard of to see them on sale for even lower.  They also had a few brands I hadn't heard of as well. I grabbed stacks and stacks of $4.99 jeans and headed to the fitting room.  To my surprise, almost everything I tried was a keeper.

Here is what I picked up:   

These gray ponte pants feature black flocked crosses and zipper pockets.

$4.99 

The photo doesn't do these black high-waisted YMI dress pants justice!  They fit perfect and the fabric is stretchy and dressy.

$4.99

These dark denim YMI stretch jeans have black faux leather accents.

$4.99

 These are some good basic high-waisted jeans by Lolo

$4.99 

Some stylish dark wash destroyed stretch jeans by Celebrity Pink.

$4.99

I got 2 pair of these "Wanna Betta Butt" jeans by YMI.  One pair has a slightly higher waist with 3 buttons, the other is a classic one-button cut.  I don't think they do anything to make my butt look especially amazing, but these are comfy, basic and have a nice dark wash and a good weight to the fabric.

$4.99 each

These stone-washed super high waist jeans are pretty cool.

$4.99

They also had tops and jackets.  I grabbed this studded light olive jacket, because for $4.99, why not?

Lesson learned: Keep an open mind-you never know where you will find a great deal!

So, where is your favorite place to shop for jeans? What style/brands do you prefer?

Bargain Brag: Mini Haul-Target, 89 Cents Direct, Dollar Tree

 Hello everyone!  Hope you are having a wonderful weekend.  Here are a few bargains I scored while out shopping today...

 I got these pink and black washed Mossimo jeans at Target.  They were only $6.88!  The great part is they are an "ankle" cut with a 29" inseam.  I'm loving the ankle styles that are all over because as a shorty, it means that I can actually find jeans with trendy washes and other embellishments that are a wearable length for me.  I like the fun color and the stud detail of this pair.  I really wish these weren't low-rise, but with the good length and great price I surely can't complain! 
   

My sister has been looking to buy some under eye cream, and she actually spotted this deal.  This Target-exclusive set contains RoC eye cream and Neutrogena mascara.  It was on clearance for $11.48, but my sister found the exact same RoC eye lotion, same size and all, selling by itself for $20 just an aisle away!  

I've never tried Roc, but my sister said she's heard good things about the brand, so I thought I would give it a try.

I've also never used Neutrogena masacara.  So, this set was a great way to try both of these out at a bargain price.

I believe in the power of massage as a way to encourage circulation, and discourage weight gain and water retention.  I picked up these little massagers for $1 each at Dollar Tree.

I grabbed this 4 pack of colorful mesh bath poufs at 89 Cents Direct for only 89 cents. 

This earring set was an unbeatable bargain...just 89 Cents at 89 Cents Direct!  Twelve pairs of colorful faux pearl earrings for less than a dollar!  OMG-I love this store!!! Although I regularly wear simple earrings like these, I really bought these more for the nice plastic stand.  I plan to take the pearls off and use it to display my favorite stud earrings.

This neon green friendship-style bracelet from 89 Cents Direct features a blingy Hamsa hand.  I think this will go great with festival-style summer looks. 

This darling pearl bracelet from 89 Cents Direct is trimmed with a silver mesh bow. This will be perfect for demure Asian-inspired spring time looks with lots of lace, peachy neutrals, and tan accessories.

So, what beauty or fashion bargains have you picked up lately? 

Forever21.com Haul/Christmas Gifts

Late on Thanksgiving night my sister alerted me to a really awesome "Black Friday" sale on Forever21.com.  All of the redline merchandise was an additional 50% off and shipping was free on all orders.  They had tons of great stuff on sale, and when all was said and done, both my sister and I had each bought about $65 worth of sale items from the site.  Since it was about to be Christmas, we decided that we would just be lazy and pay for each other's orders and exchange these items as "gifts" with my family on Christmas.  Here are the things that I chose:

Quilted Faux Leather Bomber- $9.00

This was my favorite purchase from this haul.  I love the 90's style, it fits well, and it will make a great jacket for transitioning from winter into spring.  I always get nice jackets on sale from Forever 21.

 Varsity 33 Sweatshirt-$6.99

This blue sweatshirt is comfy and cozy, but still cute.  I've already worn it a couple of times on nights in with friends.

 Faux Leather Front Top-$4.99

This was the item I liked the least from this haul.  I bought this thinking it was great for an edgier more dressed up version of jeans and a T-shirt.  It's ok, considering it cost just $4.99, but I just don't especially love it.

 

"C" Initial Cell phone charm- 50 cents

I'm a sucker for cell phone accessories.  This blinged out "C" was an awesome deal!

Quilted Shoulder Black Tee- $5.49

I was definitely on a quilting/faux leather kick that night I ordered.  I love this one.  It is a basic with a little extra pop of style.  I just wonder how well it will wash...

Striped Dolman Tee-$4.99

Another great basic piece, and while it looks bit boxy on the hanger, I really like the fit.  It lays really nicely.

Studded Cross Tee-$4.49

This is another "dressed up casual" piece with a nice fit.

Window-pane Sweater-$6.99

I love this one.  It fits great and looks so stylish on!  It will work through winter and transition into early spring, too!

Studded-shoulder sweatshirt-$6.99

This is a more fitted sweatshirt for that girly embellished sweatshirt look. The fit makes it great for with jeans or a little skater skirt.

 Zippered Floral Skinny Jeans-$8.49

These have a short inseam that fits me great.  I think the floral print will make them pretty for spring and summer.

I noticed that "Andystyle", a beautiful fashion blogger that I follow, incorporated these same jeans in two of her recent looks.  (You can check those out here and here.)

Striped Skater Skirt-$3.99

I love skater skirts, stripes, and anything cheap, so this skirt is absolutely perfect for me!

Also, I thought I'd include some other Christmas gifts I got in with this post...

The Naked 3 Palette was #1 on my wishlist! 

 I got this pretty TIGI eye shadow and liner set from a friend. 

 A cute and inspiring Tee from Old Navy.

 Some lotion.

A really cute 10 pack of OPI mini polishes in classic colors. 

So, what was the best gift that you got lately?