Shopping Again: Great Bargains Under $30 and New Lace-ups at $70

Now that winter is finally coming to an end, I feel like the real me is coming out of hibernation. Gone are dark Saturdays sitting in a quiet corner on the couch watching endless hours of shows on the idiot-box. This weekend the sun shone and I spent the entire day out and about in the quest to find new and exciting bargains to refresh my wardrobe for the renewed and rejuvenated me. Here's what I found....

Bardot Marley Longline Cardigan in Black was $99.95 now $30

Bardot Stunner Skivvy in Black was $59.95 now $20

Sportsgirl Boyfriend Distressed Jeans in Light Blue was $99.95 now $29.95 (similar here)

Sportsgirl Lace up Flats in Black Micro $69.95

Sportsgirl Orange Crush Lipstick $9.95

10 Things Under $20

So, I needed to buy a few essentials this weekend and also just wanted to cheer myself up at the end of a long work week doing what I love most i.e SHOPPING! But as usual, here comes the 'B' word...you got it, 'Budget'! I'm on a budget I can't bust. So I only allowed myself things that wouldn't break the bank. And this search inspired this post...10 things that cost less than $20 that you need to buy right now to update your wardrobe, home or even beauty-kit.

1. Hooded Cardigan: *$19.95 (Dotti)

2. Open Bar Cuff: $14.95 (Sportsgirl)

3. Lace Push-up Bra: $19.95 (H&M)

4. Nail Polish in Peach: $14.95 (Witchery)

5. Grey/Cream Long Sleeve Top: $20 (Target)

6. Braided Waist Belt: *$11.97 (Seed)

7. Glasshouse Mini Candle - Coney Island: $18.95 (Peter Alexander)

8. Natural Leopard Print Scarf: *$12.95 (Forever New)

9. Metallic Cushions: $12 (KMart)

10. Nivea Moisturising Fluid SPF 15: $7.99 (Priceline)

* = sale prices

I only bought 4 of these...

....how many will you buy?

SALE! SALE! SALE!

Its Mid Season Sale time! Sales signs are up everywhere! Now's the time to shop up some great bargains. So, I've compiled a list of few of the stores you could put on your Easter long weekend must-visit list....

Happy Shopping! 

Colours of this season

Marc Jacobs predicted last year that the colours of the seasons were going to inter-change. Summer was going to be heavy, dark, mostly black and white and winter was going to be soft pastels and neutrals. And if Marc Jacobs says so, so it must be. Neutrals, pinks, taupes and a little bit of blue for a pop are the colours of this season. And especially for us here in the southern hemisphere being in the opposite season from our northern counterparts, waking up to bloggers all over the world getting ready for Spring, we can't help but subconsciously be inspired by soft blush tones of newly blooming flowers or bright blue hues of a clear sky! And you'll see these colours everywhere! Not just in clothes, but in homewares, in gourmet food, in art, anything that is current. I'm loving this change! Can't wait to freshen up my winter wardrobe! Lucky Chadstone VIP night is around the corner.

 Can't believe I'm about to say this but...bring on winter! (I may regret saying this in a few weeks though)

Chadstone VIP night - Novemeber 2014

Last Tuesday was Chadstone's last VIP night of the year. The Pre-Christmas Summer VIP night is their biggest shopping event apart from Boxing Day. Also, William Sonoma, West Elm, Pottery Barn & Pottery Barn Kids opened at Chadstone on the Lower Ground Level in the Home Section of the mall. Here's a little peak at the stores. You must check it out for yourself, they had great homewares, very sophisticated at very affordable prices especially West Elm. William Sonoma is a bit more pricey though. 

Pottery Barn

Pottery Barn Kids

West Elm

William Sonoma

I didn't buy anything from the new stores, it was too busy for me to think straight. But I definitely saw stuff I liked and would go back for.

Here's what I did buy...

"I'd Rather be Shopping" tee: $19.95 (Zara)

Black Bejeweled Ballet Flats: $45.95 (Zara)

Chambray Baggy Pants: 20% off $99.95 (Seed)

I was happy with that. Some good buys. Less is more.

BARGAIN ALERT: 26th November is Melbourne Central's Shopping Night.

Happy Mid-Year Sales!

 Omg these sales are amazing! They are some of the best ever deals! Is anyone else as excited as I am? I was in my element this weekend, shopping up a storm. And I could have kept going...but I had to stop myself because I'm going on holidays next month. Here are my finds:

Witchery (7 days of Sales - every day a new offer): Buy a sale item & get the second one for further 50% off

Always wanted a Bretton Stripe Top - bought this one originally $49.95 down to $34.95

Got this necklace which was originally $69.95 for a further 50% off the sale price of $29.95

French Connection: further 20% off Sale prices 

Originally $79.95 down to $39.95 and further 20% off

Fits like a dream - these pants originally $129.95 down to $64.95 less 20% 

Scarf originally $39.95 down to $19.95 and further 20% off

 Sportsgirl: 50%off Selected Styles 

Wouldn't be my wardrobe without some colour: Originally $69.95, got it at 50% off

Last one in my size - was $69.95 down to $39.95

Some of these offers are still available online. Now the challenge is stopping myself from buying any more as these sales will continue next week while Myer begins their Stocktake Sale on Wednesday and Zara will be on sale soon, too.

Some other exciting offers I had to resist were...

Steve Madden: 50% off selected styles

Country Road: Buy 2 sale items, get the 3rd free

Seed: Further 25% off Sale Knitwear

Kookai: Futher 50% off selected styles

Happy Sale Shopping!

Random Shopping

If you've Liked my Facebook page, you'll know that last week was Chadstone's VIP shopping event - a day of exclusive offers - a day that comes around once every few months - an event that I never miss. But I'd also made plans to meet a friend on Sunday for a day of shopping at Highpoint because she'd been wanting me to see the new and improved shopping centre - which I must say, was a welcome change to my usual haunts of Chadstone and Melbourne Central. So on my very tight budget, I had to spread out my shopping over the one-day-only offers and things that I wanted but could buy at Highpoint. So here are the few random purchases I made across the 2 days of shopping...

From Chadstone:

Forever New Rani Lace Top - $79.99 less 20%

 I love this colour for winter!

Forever New Penny Pretty Cardigan - $49.99 less 20%

 This "pretty" cardigan, you can't clearly see in this picture, but it has sequins sprinkled all over it.

From Highpoint:

Glassons Scoop Neck Merino Top - $29.99 down from $39.99

Even $39.99 is a great price for Merino wool tops. At $29.99 this was an unmissable bargain! Warm and soft. Can't wait to wear it.

Bardot Flocked Sweater - $50 down from $89.95

I thought this was a great buy at $50 - it actually looks quite high-end. I liked it when I first saw it but didn't buy it and then all along our shopping trip I couldn't stop thinking about it, so I had to have it!

Typo Eiffel Scissors - $14.95

I saw these scissors on Pinterest and thought these would be so cool to have as a desk accessory. The link on Pinterest took me to a New York blogger's page. I thought she must have found them at a little vintage store or some place exquisite and unattainable - but the link on her blog led me to Typo! Of all the places! I was ecstatic. Very random, I know but I still love it (I love anything Paris or Eiffel Tower-related) and I'm glad I found these (and so easily!).

Thus ended my Random Shopping spree. Quite productive, I think, and not much damage done.

BARGAIN ALERT: Highpoint Shopping Day - Wednesday, 22nd May. And if you miss that, Melbourne Central Shopping Event - Thursday, 23rd May. Happy Shopping!

VIP nights, Sales and Special events

My calendar has been so full these last few days! All these sales and special offers! Click Frenzy (which was an epic fail), Chadstone VIP Night, Melbourne Central Shopping Event, etc. etc. I just love this time of year! Has anyone else been taking advantage of these pre-Christmas, post-Black Friday (so confusing!) events?!! Don't worry if you've missed any of these or if you're not a Melbournian....

BARGAIN ALERT: There's one more One Day only Shopping Event for everyone to take advantage of all over Australia (minus the crashing of websites) - Westfield Super Saturday on 1st December. More details available on their website.

Chadstone VIP night ended up being more a night out with the girls for me, I only bought one top (the first one below) as we spent most of our time sampling free bubbly, having dinner (at Oriental Tea House which was ah-mazing) and stopping at every store everyone wanted to visit. I got more shopping done today at Melbourne Central as I was alone and focussed on the task at hand. Here's what I bought from the Chadstone & Melbourne Central Sales...

First Stop: Forever New - 20% off all stock (even Sale items)

Scarlett Lace Top - Soft Gold

Vanilla Lock Front Bag

Stevie Neon Trim Tee - Neon Orange

 Next Stop: Portmans - 30% off Storewide (including Sale stock)

String Back Maxi Dress - Jade

Cropped Jacket - Derby Pink

Beaded Contrast Hem Maxi Dress

With these gorgeous maxi dresses, a white crossbody bag (which is something I've wanted for a long time), a top that I can take from day to night, a trendy gym top & the MOST comfortable blazer you'll ever find (it looks more coral than pink in real life, not like the photo) I think I'm all set for summer! Plus I've blown my budget so I'm going to lay low now.

Happy Shopping to all those who are planning to go to Westfield Super Saturday, I'm sure there will be similar offers there on the day.