There really is nothing better (to me) than a great bargain. When I walk away from a cash wrap, shopping bags full of discounted delights, I feel completely intoxicated. I feel like I just got away with something really naughty. I want to do it again and again until I get caught. And then? I could suffer any punishment as long as I could keep my precious treats. Oh my, I’m feeling flushed.

My passion is not a selfish one however. When buying things for others, I experience the same rush. I can not really explain all of this. Let’s all just be thankful that I love shopping and not sword collecting. A couple of weeks ago, I experienced a rush of epic proportions. My husband and I just moved to Santa Monica from Arizona not long ago. After a tedious job hunt, he secured a position as an assistant manager at Starbucks. We were struggling a bit, living off of my meager salary for about a month, so when we found out that he had to wear a very specific uniform (of nothing which he owned already), we were a little worried.

On a sunny, Sunday afternoon, I put my game face on and we started our mission for khaki pants and black polo shirts. I knew this would be somewhat of a challenge considering ‘khaki’ was not in my vocabulary until mere days before this excursion began. We started at discount stores such as T.J. Maxx since we were on an extreme budget and had no luck. If you have been a good little reader, you will most certainly know why. NEVER GO INTO A DISCOUNT STORE WITH ANYTHING SPECIFIC IN MIND. If I had heeded my own advice we would have saved some time and unnecessary frustration. Alas, we moved on.

We meandered about the Third Street Promenade for awhile and were starting to lose hope when we saw it. The Holy Land of khaki and polos: The Gap. We hesitated for a moment, knowing that things in here would be a little pricier than we wanted, but something told me to go inside. Besides, what are credit cards for anyway? We trudged our way up to the men’s section and discovered that khaki pants were $49.50 per pair. Like who would pay that price when coffee spooge was an inevitable part of their job? We again felt a familiar feeling of defeat. But wait! What’s this? A sale??? I must have a gift. My sixth sense led me here. By purchasing two or more pairs, the price was reduced to $35 each. That was manageable! I never imagined that a surplus of khaki could be a good thing. When the Gap is trying to move product out their doors, it is a very good thing. We grabbed two pairs and made our way into the dressing room. Lo and behold they even made his butt look cute. Total win.

As we headed to the register I was feeling good about this purchase, not intoxicated, but mildly merry. Unfortunately, even with the sale price we had to use the dreaded credit card to pay for it. I could hear my husband’s wallet creaking as he begrudgingly opened it. I stopped him. “What’s this?” I exclaimed, “Open a Gap card and save 30% all weekend? Don’t mind if I do!” If we were going to further bury ourselves in debt, we may as well save an additional 30%. After what I’m sure was a very thorough credit check, we were approved and the new price popped up on the screen. It was $56 and change. I almost shat my pants. We got two for the price of one! Twofers are the bees’ knees. One feels pretty good about a twofer on grapefruits. But on pants? Unheard of.

My husband read the elation on my face and shook his head. Smiling, he suggested that we go to Old Navy to find some cheap polo shirts. I had that 30% off offer burning a hole in my purse and we were told we could use it at any of the Gap’s sister companies (Old Navy, Banana Republic, Piperlime).  We walked into Old Navy and I nearly fainted. All the men’s polo shirts were $5 off. From $15, down to $10, and then an additional 30% off. I felt like I was holding the golden ticket. He picked out his size in three black polo shirts and started toward the register. I was positively giddy with all of the savings when something even more magical happened. I discovered that Old Navy carried a line of Hello Kitty shirts for little girls. And? They were also on sale. I could have died happy right there. I managed to find an XL in a long sleeved variation that depicted my cherished little kitty dressed up as a witch. This was turning into the best day ever.

As we made our way home I did a little mental math. For two pairs of pants, three polos, and one very necessary Hello Kitty shirt, we only spent $86. I suppose this post was really just an excuse to brag about a glorious bargain shopping experience. I have no real tricks of the trade to share or shopping tips to give here. Sorry about that! But you have to admit, it’s a pretty f***ing impressive story.

As many of you already know, secondhand stores are a veritable Mecca among bargain shoppers. Unfortunately, navigating these places can be more challenging than the actual trek to Saudi Arabia. From top designers to vintage treasures, the possibilities are endless. And at prices that rival a Forever 21 sale, it’s almost too good to be true. There are precious gems awaiting you inside, but how the curses are we supposed to find them? Many people can become overwhelmed with the general disorder of awesome second hand stores like Buffalo Exchange or Crossroads. A little patience and a lot of control will get you far.

The number one thing to remember is to keep nothing specific in mind. I can not even tell you how many times I have gone into a resale store, determined to find one explicit item, failing, and then becoming frustrated with the whole experience. To make it easier on yourself, broaden the scope. Before you head out, do a little window shopping or look through some fashion magazines. Personally, my go to for all things fashion is style.com where you can view runway fashion from hundreds of designers. Ready To Wear, to Couture.

Whatever stands out to you the most, whether it is a color, a style, or a genre, keep that idea tucked away in your mind. For example, after skimming through some September issues, I have fallen in love with military inspired outerwear, dark, bold, statement making neutrals, and of course leather. The marriage of simple fabrics and ornate detailing and draping are simply to die for.  So here we go. I have vivid images of blacks, taupes, and greys along with cat suit silhouettes, knee length skirts, and military jackets dancing like emaciated sugar plums in my head. The perusing begins.

The second thing to remember is to keep an open mind. Be on the lookout for certain colors and fabrications that can be worked into your existing wardrobe to create updated looks. See that outdated ankle length skirt? Pair it with a fitted blazer (buttoned up with no shirt underneath) and some black boots are you are suddenly a vision from the MaxMara Fall 2010 RTW runway show.

A tres tragic leather skirt circa 1988? Nope, it’s an essential piece to completing a look inspired by Hermes. Pair it with a belted wool pea coat, sheer stockings, and sky high heels for a sassy day to night winter ensemble .

You can never underestimate the possibilities of the boys sections as well. I have turned a little boy’s suit jacket into a blazer, a grungy flannel button-up into an essential piece to match my leather leggings, and a pair of corduroys into chic, baggy ankle pants. Ask yourself; is that a tasteless sweater or a new dress? A Betsey Johnson fiend sees it as a dress when paired with a low slung belt and some fishnets.

The third thing to know is not to think about it too much. Go with your gut! If you see something that you like, but have no idea how to wear it, don’t waste your money. Stay focused, leave no hanger unturned, and most importantly, have fun.

The reasons for allowing a splurge are filed into 3 simple categories: Comfort, Longevity, and Odor. Yes, Odor. I will get back to that momentarily. It’s a biggun’. Okay, so think about what you wear to work everyday. Chances are one or two really nice, classic styles are bound to go with just about everything. Think about what you do at work everyday. Even if you are sitting at a desk for the majority of your day, your feet still need to be happy. Buying cheap shoes can mean cheap leather, or fake leather for that matter (the horror!!!). Low quality leather can be hard or stiff and there’s no such thing as breaking that in. They stay that way forever, which inevitably causes blisters and rage. Buying a shoe made of calf or sheepskin will guarantee the softest leather. They are beyond comfortable and wear very well. I also advise to buy shoes made of that kind of leather a little snug. They will stretch and form to your foot that way. I am traditionally a size 6.5, but I always buy my calfskin pumps in a size 6. I made the mistake of buying my actual size once, and pretty soon they were slipping off the back of my heel. That’s bound to make a girl quite stabby. You need comfortable shoes. They may cost more. It is worth it. End of story.

Another reason to really indulge yourself, is the longevity of a high quality shoe. They really do last longer. I promise. You may as well only buy one marginally expensive pair of shoes that will last you at the very least, a year rather than purchasing 4 cheap ones for the same price. Not only will you be more comfortable, but honestly, they are going to look a lot nicer too. Ready for a little secret that will make them last even longer? Before you start wearing the fabulous new shoe or boot of choice, take them to a cobbler and have him reinforce the soles. It’s just little piece of black rubbery stuff that will add months to the life of your shoes. And if you are like me and enjoy the pointed-toe variety, it will help prevent the toes from curling up.

Finally, we reach the stinky portion of this post. Faux leathers make your feet stink and that’s really all there is to it. Synthetic leathers do not allow your feet to breathe, so they sweat more. And if your body chemistry does not mesh well with the material that your shoes are made out of, then you will have an enormous reeking problem on your hands. Genuine leather, because it is natural and not synthetic, will end up working out better for almost anyone.

I’m off my soap box. You now know that I am an advocate for nice shoes. Now, I am going to tell you where to find them for less. I have been wearing Charles David pumps for the past 5 years, and I am in love. They are honestly the most comfortable shoes on earth. Their new collection for Fall is ripe with “new classics” too. They come in all colors, styles, and heel heights and they are all made in Spain (just in case goods made in China are an issue for you). Their new boots are pretty much to die for as well and those are all hand-crafted in Italy. Here is the good news: They are always having a sale. I don’t know if business is struggling or what, but their sale merchandise is typically about 60% off the normal prices and they also do a 30% off sale on full priced merchandise about once per month.

Not impressed by Charles David’s selection? Want to find out who else is having a sale? Add your favorite designers and stores on Facebook. Everybody has a page these days and as soon as you press that “like” button, you will have all the inside info on sales, promotions, and new merchandise. This is also a lot better than getting on their mailing list because then you won’t be bombarded with junk email from every store in the free world.

Like to shop online? Here’s a tip. Some store websites are run through 3^rd party companies, so prices can differ from those in the stores. If you see something that you like on a website, try calling the actual brick and mortar location to see what their price is. Chances are, it will be less expensive. Most of the time, stores get the merchandise way earlier than the websites, so they are likely to put merchandise on sale sooner. And let me tell ya, as a former retail manager, employees love doing phone orders. It’s all the sale, and half the work for them so they should be more than happy to help you out and ship it to you.

Websites like Zappos, PiperLime, Endless, and 6PM are fantastic money saving tools as well. Many stores send discontinued merchandise to these sites, which gives you a unique selection to choose from at super low prices. Like anything, these sites can be hit-or-miss, but they should always be included on any shoe hunting expedition.

So there you have it! My first post and a plethora of options to find that perfect shoe for less. Stay tuned for more money saving fashion fabulosity.

With the infinite number of styles and looks out there, just pleading to be worn, in an era where anything from lobster hats to sweat suits are socially acceptable ensembles, what is stopping us from being envy-inspiring, world dominating, fashion goddesses??? I have an answer for you my friends. And it’s not a very surprising one. It’s money. How are we supposed to afford the new “it” bag when it costs more than our monthly rent?

There are definitely ways around it. Style can be found in the most surprising places. Trust me, I know. There has been an epic battle between my closet and my bills for the last 10 years. Unfortunately there is a small percentage of me that remains adult, so the bills always win. However, I would like to think that my budget friendly interpretation of fashion is a good one. So here I am to share my secrets with you.