Bagging a Bargain - be alittle thrifty.

I know that you are all like me and you want to find a bargain. But did you ever get the feeling that some people are better at getting bargains than you are.    If so, than read through the few little tips that I have picked up recently which will hopefully help you bag that bargain.

Follow your favourite stores on twitter

These stores may tweet discounts codes or give you an insight as to when the sale may start either online or in store.  

Compare prices

Compare the prices of your most used products whether it is in store or online.   I especially do this when it comes to make up.  I  can save up to 5euro a pop on my regular make up product by comparing the prices in the store and online.

Seek out discounts special

Remember if you are a student you can get student discounts.  It doesn’t matter if you are a mature student – these discounts will still apply.  Teachers get discounts also and some companies can sign up for group schemes where discounts apply.   So get up and talk to your boss – you never know what discounts that you can get.

Know what you are looking for.

Just because something is discounted doesn’t mean that it is going to be a bargain.  You have to ask yourself some questions:

• Does it fit ? i.e do you have spend more money on getting the item altered?
• Do you have accessories to go with it?  Do you need to spend more money buying some more items to go with it?
• Do you have shoes to go with it? Do you need to buy shoes to go with the dress or outfit that you are thinking of buying.
• Do you already have something like this in your wardrobe.  Knowing what you already have in the wardrobe is half the battle.

If you any of the answers from the above cause you to spend more money than really it is not a  bargain is it.

Shop off season 

Some people may shudder when I say this.  But if you are looking for those classic items that will never go out of fashion i.e. good denims, plain t-shirt and winter coats – than shopping off season will work best for you. 

What tips do you have for a bagging a bargain?  Leave a comment below and let us all know. 

S

Beauty Day - Choosing the right foundation

The answer to this question is rather confusing isn’t it?   Well it doesn’t have to be.Here are a few things that you should know when choosing your perfect foundation.

Here is some useful information for you to read BEFORE you go and buy that new foundation you want. 

 

Know your skin type

Take some time and examine your skin type – is your skin oily?  Then look for something which is oil-free or mattifying on the bottle.  If you have dry skin look for something which says it is hydrating or moisture-rich.  If you have combination skin – it may be a little more hit and miss but cream to powder bases seem to work best.    A Mineral foundation will work good for everyone.

What coverage do you want?

Light? Medium?  If you have good skin overall, than you may consider a light coverage.  If you have alot of blemishes that you wish to cover a heavier foundation may suit you better.

For me – I may not have the best skin but I always feel that it is best to go for a light coverage this way it will look more natural and you will have a less made up look.

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Liquid? Cream? Mousse? What the hell!

Yes, there are so many different types of foundations out there.   It is confusing to know what is going to work best for you.  These are some basic rules that I have found.

Liquid foundation works best for most skin types.  Remember to look at whether you are looking for oily skin or dryer skin.

Cream to powder formulas doesn’t work in an Irish climate.   I feel them very heavy on my skin and prefer them when I am in the sun as they tend to last longer than liquid foundation.

Cream formula is very full and quite heavy in its coverage.

Mousse is very light and airy in its texture.   It is good for someone starting out with makeup and a first timer. But for my skin (mid 30’s) it doesn’t seem to work for me.

Airbrush is the new kid in town.   It is more used by professional makeup artists than for us all on every day wear.  For me, it is too heavy to wear at any stage unless maybe Tyra Banks needs for me American’s Next Top Model.

Powder/Mineral - this really is a light coverage and doesn’t last that long.  Maybe for a few hours this would work quite well but my experience is don’t buy it. 

Ask the beauty consultant

It is recommended that you go to the beauty counter with no make on.  For me that will never happen so the best advice is to look at the colour on your neck.  This is the nearest match to your face and will allow you to judge if a colour is suitable for you.  The colour which most fades in to you is the best as this will be the most natural. Remember you are only looking at walking away with a sample – I am reminding you of this as the light in most stores is very deceptive and you could end up choosing the wrong foundation

Day versus Night

I always found that going darker for foundation in the night is a much better option as the lights in pubs and clubs can be deceptive and lighter make up ( for me ) can make me look sickly.  So I tend to go for a darker make up when I am going out.  I stick with the same brand for the night, but look at a shade or two darker.  This works best for me.  But again, get yourself a sample to work this out.

Getting Samples

Where do you get them? At your beauty counter is the best place to get make up advice for anything.  Make sure you bring a small sample bottle with you.  If you have a medicine bottle this will work quite well for you.   Alternatively, you can go on to a brand company’s website and email them requesting a sample, or take a look at their facebook page – they may also be offering samples.  Beauty magazines sometimes offer samples – these are good to use also.  So don’t be a snob – use the samples and ask for them if they are not there or offered.

This is the foundation that I have found works best for my skin - Clarins.  It is alittle expensive but shop around between stores and websites and you will find it at the right price to suit you.

I hope that you have found this article helpful - what foundation are you using right now?  Leave a mesage for me in the comments section

S

Why pay full price? Be alittle thrifty.

There are so many people cash strapped each week more and more people  looking out for bargain in the shops. Have you noticed recently alot more sales and discounts in store.

Recently I took a trip shopping and discovered the beauty and joy of the sales.   I have never been one to find a bargain in the sale rack of any store, but since losing weight I have found that this task is much easier.   Sizes are more for me than ever before.    On my recent shopping trip I discovered clothes that were less than half price than their original price. These were classic items like those I previously described on fashion Friday.   So getting classics at a good price is always self satisfying.

But this makes think – if a store can reduce prices so drastically in a sale why do we need to pay full price for clothing?  Sale shopping can be madness and there are people who get up out of bed for a store to open at 0500am.  I am not one of those shoppers - never have been and that is not about to change any time soon.   But seriously, if you could get exactly what you wanted for next to nothing price wise would you do it? But when is the right time to get the items you want so that they are actually a bargain and a good deal.

Remember, something is only a bargain if you actually need it and will wear it, other than that you are wasting your money so please be careful.

Its all about planning.  Most stores once they get in new items will then have a sale on those items approximately 7 weeks after they have arrived.  So if you have the patience; hold out and see if the item you want really does go down in price.

If you are looking for winter items – you should buy them at the start of spring when the sales are on.  Remember if you are looking to buy classic you will always find something of a bargain and remember to buy something that will definitely bring you in to next year and not something that is good for now.  

Need summer items for next year – you should be looking now! Yes now.   Get out in to those stores now as there are many many sales which are currently on.

The above rules don’t only apply to clothing, but also to everyday items such as TV’s or washers.   These items normally go on sale around holiday weekends and especially the start of the New Year.   Of course, if your washer goes before then there is nothing you can do but shop around.

Under normal circumstances, shopping around is the best way to buy.  Remember to price stores in your local town along side stores on the internet.  For example,  if I buy my normal make up in my local two it will cost be 28€ plus 3€ to park.   Ok so now my make up is costing me 31€.  Compare that online, whereby I don’t have to leave the house it costs me 26€ and there is no other post and packing charges.   So, you see shopping around really will help you save money.

Why do we need to pay full price for any item when sales and research will help us get the items we want at a lower price.    This really is the way to go – take a few minutes before your next purchase and think – can I get this at a lower price?  Yes,  Do I want the item at full price? No – then I am going to chance it and wait it out.

Best of luck finding your shopping bargains and a great price.

Have you any other helpful hints and tips on getting a bargain in store or online.  Why not add them to the comments. 

S

- Fashion Win Versus Fashion Epic Fail

I have had some time this week and I have been looking through some of the celeb fashion.    Looking just at casual every day, out and about shopping looks there is a startling difference between what some people think works and what actual does.  Take a look below.

What do you think - add to the comments below. 

Fashion Epic Fail                                                                                   
  

 











 Fashion Win 

The classics and the basics every girl must have in their wardrobe

Every wardrobe needs some classic items in there that will take you season to season.  Let’s be honest, not everyone can afford to buy new clothes at every turn.     I also believe that your style doesn’t have change with every new fashion phase which seems to pop up on the runway or magazines.   Buying new fashion every few months ends up costly, when you buy an item think about cost per wear rather than is it on trend or not.    Having a wardrobe full of clothes does not necessarily mean that you have something to wear does it?  No, because a trend has passed and you will no longer wear an item of fear of making a fashion faux pas.  A fear my friend recently realised and ended up giving three bags of clothes to charity shops.

So lets me take you through some fashion classics and basics which also appear in my wardrobe.  In some cases I have paid a bit more for these items as only because I know that only do I get this season out of them I will also get next and hopefully the following.  Fashion doesn’t have to be on trend to fashionable – it needs to be timeless. 

Black dress

This is little number is a classic for a reason.  A black dress will take you through any event whether it is business or friends party.  The best thing about a black dress is that you can match in any accessories colour that you wish or that is currently in trend.

 

White t-shirt

Whether long sleeve or short sleeve this is a classic again for a reason.   Jeans and t-shirt can be stylish when worn with the right shoes, handbag and jewellery and it can also be a nice relax style as well. 

Black coat

A black coat is good for all occasions.  It is another wardrobe classic that will take you through any event and will look fabulous over so many items.    Again a black coat is something that you can match up the colours which are currently on trend and voila a classic is again in fashion.  The same can be done with a brown coat – placing orange and corals with this colour will add a pop of on-trend to your outfit.

 

Nice fitting classic word trousers.

Every wardrobe needs a good trouser.  A trouser which has a good fit and will take you through from day to night.  Whether it is black or brown – either classic colour will serve your wardrobe well. 

Fantastic Fit Denims.

Spend time and spend some money on a classic and comfortable pair of denims.   These are a classic item for any wardrobe and can take you from lunch with the girls to dinner with the man in your life. 

Shoes / Shoes / Shoes

We all need the comfortable work shoe but we also need a classic statement shoe.  That shoe that will pop any outfit that you have from your denims to your black dress.  Some examples below.

 

 Nude Classic shoe that will go with everything 

Classic Handbag

I love handbags – I have them in all shapes and sizes and colours.   But one thing I have realised is that a bigger handbag is more versatile for a reason.  It can take you from day to night and have every item you will need to get you through the day in there!  So for that reason I have two handbags shown below. 

 

For the night time and that special occasion it is safe to say that you will need a small classic clutch bag that will get you through.  But I would never spend too much money on those as you can easily stay on trend by getting the most up to date colours from places like Primark or A-wear at very reasonable prices.

Tank Tops

Get yourself two – one in black and one in white – perfect over a black / brown pants and over a denims as well.  Another classic look that will take you through work or lunch with the girls to an evening event. 

 

White Shirt

Another classic that goes from work to play.  Take time to pick the right one and you will see how fashionable these really can be.

I hope that you have some of these items already in your wardrobe and if not take some time the on your next shopping trip to pick up one or two items on my list.

What are you fashion classics and basics that you would never be without.  Share them in the comments section below.

S

Linky Love - Posts I have loved & adored this week

Take a look at some of the posts that I have really enjoyed this week.

Things I Love About Being A "Grown Up" by the Lady Named C

7 Life strategies I would tell my younger self by All Women stalk

Three day rule by A Thrify Mrs

Blogger Look of the week from Maytedoll

Celeb look of the week from Hollywood life