9.20.09

On Sunday, Mom, Gina, Cooper and I went to the big American Science and Surplus tent sale. Haven't been? Check it out. It is such a crazy store. Gina and Mom got a lot of doodads and thingamajiggies for next to no money...and I got a new tripod for $15! yipeeee!

7.18.09

Saturday was the most anticipated shopping weekend of my year. Maxwell Street Days. This year Meghan and Tom joined in the fun with Jon and me. The sale officially runs from Friday-Sunday, but word on the street (Nancy) is that some stores started on Thursday. What?! We were not 1, but 2 days behind all the greatest deals. I have taken note of this for next year.

Back to Saturday.

We used my camera as a mirror most of the day since everything is on the street and mirrors were hard to come by. I believe this was right after Meghan took her pants off in the middle of State Street to try on a dress actually. Yup. That would be correct. (tee hee hee)

As for this picture...it may need some explaining, right? Meghan is making a 'b' with her hand. You know, b for Bula (the brand of these hats). I mean, Bula is quite possibly the best hat brand around - didn't you know? You best run out and get yourself one. (side note: obviously the ASL Meghan and I learned in college didn't kick in right away, because it wasn't until after we took the picture that we realized this was not the correct sign for 'B'.)

We all came away with a lot of good loot. My best buy of the day were a pair of Asics for $40. Meghan's was probably her $35 Michael Kors flats. Tom's: an Adidas track jacket for $30 (?)...and Jon would argue his were some plaid Quicksilver loafer things, but I think his was a pair of Rainbow moccasins for $30.

overpriced resale shop

I walk into Anthropologie behind a group of elderly women. The elderly women are curious about the new store. They have never been there. They enter the store and lay their eyes on Anthroplogie in it's purposefully shabby chic/boho decor and clothing. Sale tables in the front of the store house items in buckets with handwritten price flags on each one. The items include mix and match knobs for $3.95 each, aprons for $8.95, etc. The women converse as I listen:

"What is this store?"
"Oh! it's a resale shop."

I giggle.

I love a bargain

I have some great news for the bargain shoppers (who isn't one?). On Sunday, while on my drive back to Madison from Milwaukee, I made the required and often dangerous (to my wallet) stop at the Johnson Creek Outlet Mall. There are 2 new-ish discoveries there that I must share.

First, The Cosmetics Company Store. This place is so awesome, I can't even stand it. They sell all your favorite cosmetics for about 30% less than if you were to buy it at the department store. And yes, those are the brands I am talking about: Bobbi Brown, MAC (my fave), Clinique, Estee Lauder, Stila, Origins, etc. Of course, they don't have the entire line and a lot of things are obviously seasonal gift packs and holiday colors that they can no longer sell, but who cares! I sure don't. In the past, I have gotten MAC eyeshadows for $10 and MAC powder for $18. This time, I picked myself up a Clinique gift bag that included: eyelinger, blush, a blush brush, eye cream, moisturizer, concealer and a lipstick (which I know I won't use) for $24!! Oh... and that all came in a makeup bag. Now of course these all weren't full size products, but I didn't really bat an eye at that. I was in need of some new moisturizer and I wanted to try a new eye cream anyway, so this was actually perfect for me. I'll try out the small version, and if I like it, I'll get the full size when I'm out. Here is a list of The Cosmetics Company Store in your area!



Next, Bath & Body Works Outlet! Yes, outlet! I am sure everyone has been to an outlet mall that has a B&BW, but it is just like a regular one that would be at the mall. Well, that is no longer. It is like a semi-annual clearance sale there 365 days a year now. White Barn candles for $7, lotion for $4, seasonal gift packs for 50% off...you get the idea. Again, they don't carry all of their famous scents that are in the regular store. They had a few, but mostly carried their scents that make appearances during the semi-annual sale. You know the ones: Plumeria, Pearberry, Rice Flower and Shea (my fave)...along with the other brands they sell: CO Bigelow, Henri Bendel, etc.

Pretty sweet, right? I thought so.

Maxwell Street Days 2007

This year marked another Maxwell Street Days that has come and gone. Jon and I arose bright and early as we always do, to get downtown, walk around the Farmer's Market and check out the Paddle and Portage. We left around 9:45, the race started at 10, which left us plenty of time to get down there, park and make it to the square to see the runners. However, we did not account for the horrid traffic we ran into, thus missing the paddlers portaging their way through downtown :( This was the first time we've missed it in 5 years I think. We were bummed for a short while, but then realized there were deals to be had on State Street...

I scored. I got a winter coat (which I am still debating about), a bag full of merch at Urban Outfitters for about $20, and a few designer duds from Bop. Urban Outfitters was chaotic like usual and had mostly winter clothes like usual. I ended up with a couple sweaters and hats and a cute summer skirt after all the digging I did.

Every year I find VERY good deals at Bop, however, it is so frusterating shopping there, because it is a tiny store and the lines to try things on and check out are always ridiculously long. This year however, they had a bouncer at the door. At first that made me not want to even bother going in, but I couldn't resist and the line was only about 3 people deep. I stood in line for about 2 minutes and was let into the store where I found about 20 people and a completely picked over inventory of clothes and shoes. (I dont think the bouncer was necessary at that point in the day, but Jon and I agreed that it was probably a really good idea on their part when it is super busy early in the day) I still perused the racks and finally ended up with a Rachel Pally dress and shirt. The dress was 90% off and after the discount only cost $25 and the shirt, $15. I was also debating about getting yet another pair of Uggs, but I passed. I was proud of myself for that.

..And I know I catch shopping fever this weekend of the year, but it turned into actual fever/cough/cold. Being sick in the summer stinks. So now I sit home, sipping OJ and watching Big Brother After Dark.