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! 

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.

Hawaii - The Shopping

No holiday is complete without great shopping! Specially for a shopaholic like me, that's number one on my agenda. Hawaii has amazing shopping whether you go to the Ala Moana Mall or if you prefer a shopping strip like the Kalakaua Avenue where shops are open till 11pm every night (H&M till midnight) for post-dinner shopping - win! But one place that's a must-visit for bargain-loving shoppers is the Waikele Premium Outlets Centre. Even though its a fair way away from Waikiki where most of the hotels are, its definitely worth setting aside an entire day to go here. You won't be disappointed. This is where I did my best work as you can see below ;)...

Waikele Outlets house outlets for brands like Ralph Lauren, Tommy Hilfiger, Gap, Calvin Klein, Kate Spade, Banana Republic, Michael Kors just to name a few and also larger specialty stores for Sports goods, Perfumes, Sunglasses etc. Something for everyone.

Change-rooms at Kate Spade New York

My shopping from the Outlets

Inside the shopping bags- From top Left to Right: Prada Sunglasses at 50% off, Kate Spade cos bag $11.79, Kate Spade Bangle $17, Kate Spade top (as seen in photo above) $62, Michael Kors Gold Watch at 50% off, Bobbi Brown Shimmer Bricks (not from Outlets - bought at Nordstrom) $40 each (price is Aus $76).

Some more shopping -Turquoise & White Striped Maxi Dress $12 and Paisley Print High-waist Shorts $17 from Forever 21, Grey & White Sequins Striped Tank and Cream with Gold Sequins Tank from Banana Republic $7 each (Waikele Outlet), 2 for 1 Body by Victoria Fragrance Mists from Victoria's Secret $15, Daisy by Marc Jacobs 100ml perfume from Duty Free shop at Hawaii Airport $75 (comparable price in Aus $120) 

Given that I had just 2 hours at Waikele (because we had to make it back in time for the last shuttle out to Waikiki) I think I did pretty well, although I do recommend taking the earliest shuttle to get there and the last shuttle back so you can take your time because there is lots to see. I was pretty chuffed with the bargains I got. My new favourite shopping destination ;). What I would give to go back!

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!

Online Shopping

So, finally a few days ago, I succumbed to the temptations thrown at me by ASOS. Yes, I blame ASOS! I had a few items saved from when I was browsing and they were already on sale, so when ASOS said I could take a further 20% off the sale prices, I couldn't resist anymore. Here's what I got...

These are some of my photos from Instagram (have you checked out my Instagram account yet @fashionsansfortune). I'm glad the jacket doesn't look too glittery or jazzy irl. And its quite soft and warm, too. I haven't tried on the dress yet (oh, yes the one on the right is a dress). Links to the styles and clearer photos below...

ASOS Lace And Floral Kimono Dress

ASOS Knitted Bomber With Quilted Metallic Fabric

This is not an editorial, nor am I affiliated with ASOS in any way - but I have to say it's my favourite online store. I haven't bought from any other site as much as I have bought from ASOS. Even back in the day when they used to charge delivery fees, in Pounds! May be its partly that loyalty+nostalgia factor as well, as this was the first online shopping destination I discovered, and now they've made it big so I always go back. Even though the quality and fit can be hit and miss, I find they're very reliable and the website itself is user-friendly.

What other websites do you like? Would love to know what some other favourites are.

My first buys from H&M Australia's first store

If you've read my previous post, you'll know that I was one of those people that lined up at an unearthly hour for the H&M Australia launch to ensure I was one of the first ones in. In this post, I shall share with you what was inside that shopping bag of mine. Without further ado, I present to you my first purchases from H&M Melbourne....

Clockwise- Necklace: $12.95, Black Shirt Dress: $59.95, Bracelet: $6.95, Jade Green Ballet Flats: $12.95, Black Tunic: $39.95, Pale Pink Off-Shoulder Top: $19.95, Black Ballet Flats: $12.95.

Below are photos off the tops & dresses I bought, to give you a clearer idea.

The pink top is the one Miranda Kerr wore in their launch campaign

The Black top/tunic on the far right of my photo is the tunic from the "Australia Exclusive Collection" as seen here

And the Black shirt dress on the top of my photo is a long, maxi dress with a button-up front from the waist up and from the waist down there's a long slit, so this will have to be worn with pants or a skirt. This photo does't do justice to it, but this is my favourite of all the things I bought. Will have to do an outfit post soon to show how this moves.

I don't know if they're still doing this, but on the day of the launch, they were giving away a free t-shirt at the exit when you showed your receipt. 

Successful shopping trip, I say. Can't wait to go back (once the frenzy dies down)!

The H&M Australia Opening

I had been waiting for this day for so so long! So, of course I was going to be one of the ones lining up outside H&M's first Australian store at a crazy hour. I always said I would line-up for H&M's opening, so I did. I keep my word. I will let the pictures speak for themselves and not say much else...

The queue as at 5.45am! Yes, I was one of those people.

Freebies to keep us occupied, alert and looking our best in the wee hours of the morning

Free nail colour courtesy of L'oreal Paris

Goodie Bag for the first few 100 customers of H&M Australia

Finally! The doors open!

So true! We definitely didn't sleep for the sake of fashion that night!

Yay! My first purchase from H&M Melbourne

 Coming soon: What's inside the bag...