Good Sales Right Now & Blogging on a Budget: September

A few good sales and coupons going on right now...

GAP: 30% off your purchase online with code GAPCOLOR (Ends 10/8) and 40% select styles in stores

LOFT: 60% off select full-priced pieces online with code TAKE60, and an extra 50% off sale styles (no code needed)

J. Crew Factory:  40% off select styles, online (ends Sunday)

Ann Taylor: 30% off everything with code SALE30

Another month, another Blogging on a Budget!

 September's breakdown.....

Last month, I spent:

$0 on hair

$0 on makeup

$0 on jewelry

$24.94 on clothes (this awesome chambray shirt from Old Navy--review coming soon!)

 

Fitting Room: LOFT 40% Off Sale

LOFT is having a 40% off store-wide sale right now (online, enter code FRIENDS at checkout), so I popped in and used up a gift certificate that had been sitting in my wallet for months.

It's been sitting there because I haven't been very taken by LOFT's recent offerings, but this time around, I found so many things I liked! Their prints seem more youthful than they have been as of late (lots of dots and stripes, so I'm happy), and they have some fantastic skinny colored jeans (in petite, regular, and curvy reg/petite fits).

Polka Dot Print Short Sleeve Tee, xs ($23.70 down from $39.50) / Modern Straight Jeans, 0P in white ($30.00, down from $49.99)

Tee: I love this tee! The print is cute, the material is soft (85% rayon, 15% linen), the boatneck is flattering, and the drape fits nicely. Verdict: purchased.

Jeans: The white pants were close but not perfect. They fit well through the waist and legs with only slight pulling around the knees. I have kind of muscular legs (years and years of dancing), so it was great to find a pair that both fit at the waist and didn't suffocate my legs. Verdict: passed, I can't trust myself to keep white jeans clean. :)

 Colorblock Wedge Short-Sleeved Sweater, xs ($29.70, down from $49.50)

Top: This sweater was cute, but didn't do enough for me to buy. The color (excuse the horribly-lit iPhone photo!) is a light grey in front and a darker heather shade in back (I kind of wish they were reversed). Well-fit and soft. Verdict: passed.

 

Cotton Textured Open-Stitch Sweater, xs (can't find online) (found it, hidden in the lounge section!) / Petite Color Pop Modern Skinny Jeans, 0P in Teal Night ($29.70, down from $49.50)

Sweater: I wasn't sure about this sweater in-store, but looking at it in photos, I'm so bummed I didn't get it. I think I'm going to go back for it tomorrow! The open-knit was soft and comfortable, and the sweater was still quite warm. Size xs fit in a loose, comfy sort of a way. Verdict: passed in-store, but want to go back to buy tomorrow.

Jeans: I have been looking for another pair of affordable colored skinny jeans (to add to my collection of one so far), but had not had luck in almost a year. With the plethora of options out there, I know that seems absurd, but my problem has always been finding jeans that are small enough to fit my waist but loose enough to not constrict my legs, which are on the muscular side of average, I guess. I am so glad to have found these LOFT jeans, which definitely seem to do the trick! The material is a bit lighter than my Gap Always Skinny jeans, and a bit stretchy, too. The waist, hips, and legs fit great, but there is a tiny bit of pulling at the crotch, though not enough to keep me from buying. Length is great, and would still fit any petite shorter than me well, as the hem hits right at the top of my foot. Verdict: purchased, happily.

Let me know if you get anything at the sale!

Amrita Singh Blowout on Hautelook

In case anyone has been coveting some Amrita Singh jewelry lately, Hautelook (referral) is having a huge sale with massively discounted prices.

A few of my favorite jewelry pieces are Amrita Singh, including this necklace ("Chinolli Necklace," available through this sale for $29, down from $120):

And this ring ("Shelter Island" ring, available in this sale in orange for $9, down from $50):

 A few quick thoughts on Amrita Singh jewelry:

In my opinion, the best part about this jewelry are the bright, bold colors. Most of the pieces are "statement" pieces for sure, and do a great job brightening up a look. The designs, I think, are modern, unique, and eye-catching.

The downside, however, is that this definitely is costume jewelry. It looks like real metal and stone, but is made mostly of enamel and resin, I believe (materials used are available in each item's description). As such, it's pretty lightweight, but I have no complaints as to the quality, as long as you know what you're getting! The prices before a sale like this one on Hautelook are quite jaw-dropping; but after, I think they're fantastically priced! 

A few of my favorites from this sale:

 East Lake Cuff, $18 down from $100

Turquoise Coral Chain Necklace, $49 down from $100

Let me know if you get anything!

*off to peruse the website*

Bundle Up

Seeing as I'm moving to Boston next year (and by next year I mean 2 months from now), I'm pretty sure that I'm going to need a coat. Honestly, I have never felt more Californian than when I think about preparing for a Boston winter. As far as I can tell, it will involve water proof shoes, coats (see below), and possibly earmuffs. The boyfriend says adults can wear earmuffs, but I'm not so sure.

But, I'm getting ahead of myself, let's start with the coat. I think I'd need two, one pea coat type thing, and one waterproof/puffy coat. So, I turn to you, who must know more about this sort of thing than I do; am I on the right track? And are there any secrets to shopping for coats on sale?

Winter Coats by petiteonapenny featuring j crew coats

Amrita Singh Blowout on Hautelook

Hautelook (referral) is currently having an Amrita Singh blowout with prices up to 80% off. Amrita Singh makes gorgeous costume jewelry, and there are some great selections on the site. Go check it out! My impressions of AS are that the designs are beautiful, but the materials are a bit cheap. Mostly, they are just very lightweight and do feel like costume jewelry. However, at these prices, I think it's well worth it! Here are a few of my picks for the holidays:

Hope you have a great weekend!

LOFT Sweater Dresses

There are some very cute petite (and tall, and regular!) sweater dresses for sale at LOFT right now. Each of them are $35, down from $89.50 and $79.50.

I think this particular sale is a short one, so get 'em now if they strike your fancy!

 Petite Striped Short Sleeve Sweater Dress $89.50 $35.00

Available in sizes xxs through xl

Petite Short Sleeve Sweater Dress  $89.50 $35.00

 Available in sizes xs and xl

Petite Cowl Neck Sweater Dress  $79.50 $35.00

Available in sizes xxs, s, m, l, and xl

I kind of really want that striped dress...but I'm not sure if it's the best use of my budget. Should I go for it? :)

Deal of the Day: Banana Republic Sleek Suit Jacket

I wanted to share one of the best deals I've gotten recently, on this Banana Republic "sleek suit jacket," size 0.
The original price was $158;, but the jacket was already priced down to $85 in my local BR store. On top of that, it was in the 40% off section, and then on top of that, I got a 25% off coupon when I walked in the door as part of some promotion they were having. All of that added up to me getting this classic black blazer for an amazing $41, including tax!
Blazer: Banana Republic Sleek Suit Jacket sz 0 ($158 $41 online here) / Top: Ann Taylor sz xsP/ Jeans: Gap "sexy boot" bootcut jeans sz 24/00 (hemmed, similar here)/ Belt: F21 sz x/xs (about $3) / Shoes: Target Pearce Pumps ($29.99) / Necklace: Macy's, borrowed from mi madre

I've shopped some great sales in the past, but I'm pretty sure this is one of the best I've ever had. Partly because of the great discount (about 75% off in total!), but partly because a black blazer has been on my wish list for years, but has always been out of my price range. I knew I could get a cheap-o one at Target or F21, but I wanted something fully lined, classic, and durable, with great construction that would last me for years. I am SO happy to have found this jacket. I can't wait to style it in the fall and winter!
The great sale wasn't enough to persuade the Boyfriend, however, who was, hilariously, absolutely flabbergasted that women wear blazers with jeans and heels on the regular. To him, they're strictly work wear, but I'm determined to try to prove him wrong!

* * * * * * * * * *

Fit: The fit is great across the shoulders, which was the most important thing for me. The sleeves are the slightest bit long when unrolled, but I actually really like that extra half inch. The torso is nipped in at the waist, but there's enough room under the jacket to layer a sweater during the winter. I guess this blazer is more in line with the "boyfriend" style...a bit longer past the hips and slouchier overall (yet fitted in the back and shoulders). The online reviews say it runs small.

Measurements (lying flat): 24.5" length (from top of shoulder), 14.75" across shoulders, 13.5" across the waist, and 24" long sleeves (from shoulder seam).

Material: Shell--57% cotton, 39% modal, 4% lycra; Body lining--100% polyester; sleeve lining--95% polyester, 5% spandex.

Care: Dry clean only

Loft Free Shipping

Just wanted to write a quick post saying that LOFT is having a sale right now: 25% off all full-priced items and free ship on everything! (Oh, how I love free shipping!)

Oh no, LOFT, you've done it again...

Just when I thought my credit card was safe for a few more weeks...LOFT had to go and post an up to 75% off sale. Dang it, LOFT!


I think I'm going to have to hold off on buying anything right now, because though I love a good sale, I don't need any of these things right now....

However, if I were going to get something....

Great shirt for work, tucked into pencil skirts: Tuxedo Button Front Shell
On second thought, maybe I do need a statement necklace: Multi-Chain Bead Necklace
Love me some military-inspired outerwear: Petite Drapey Roll Sleeve Jacket
Perfect Little White Dress: Petite Tipped Flutter Sleeve Dress
I have been looking for shoes like this for a few months, but I'd really prefer a closed toe....anyone have any leads?: Shirlie Open Toe Bootie