Recent purchases: Clutches from Plato's Closet

So, a Plato's Closet has opened up in Chicaville last week, and I just had to scope it out. I ended up purchasing three clutches at $4 each and a pair of $6 Old Navy denim capris. I know, I know, bad girl, bad girl, I broke my shopping ban. I couldn't help it, they had some pretty neat stuff in there. I took some unwanted clothes in there about a month ago and got about $46 for half of the stuff. Not bad. The rest I gave away to a co-worker. I probably make another trip there this weekend to see what I can get for some more unwanted stuff that I have. Have a great and safe Labor Day weekend!

Today's printables and codes

• Rue 21: $10 off $30 purchase. Valid 8/28- 9/1/08
• Goody's: $1standard shipping on $40 or more purchase. No coupon needed. Expires 9-3-08
• Free Shipping with any Right Fit order at LaneBryant.com! Use Promo Code 006952464. Offer expires 10-14-08.

Cheap Chica giveaway #6: Enchantress earrings from Pink Cherie!

Hello, Chicas! The lovely ladies over at Pink Cherie are sponsoring yet another giveaway! We are giving away the Enchantress Swarovski Earrings. They are leaf shaped earrings with Swarovski Austrian Crystal on them. They are currently selling for $20 in the Classic Virtue collection at Pink Cherie, so if you don't win these, you can buy them and use coupon NEWPINK15 for 15% off. Coupon expires 9-30-08. Again, no hard trivia questions, or essays you need to write to win. Just send your name, city, and state to cheapchicagiveaways@gmail.com with Earrings in the subject area. Winner will be picked at random. Contest ends Sunday night (8-31-08) at 11:59 PM EST. Good luck!

Designer way vs. Cheap Chica way

DESIGNER WAY...

Yves Saint Laurent "Tribute" tote $1395, Saks

vs.

THE CHEAP CHICA WAY...

Black Tribute Faux Patent Croc Leather Tote $52, Accessory Bug

The YSL Tribute tote. I wanted that bag since the first time I saw Halle Berry carry it. So stylish, but so expensive. Then the lovely ladies over at Accesory Bug sent me an email saying "hey CC, look what we have for you!" A much cheaper version- so stylish, so inexpensive, thank you Accessory Bug! For an even better deal, use coupon code skool08 at the checkout for an additional 10% off your purchase. Offer ends 10-31-08.

$12 denim @ Old Navy

If you're ever near an Old Navy tomorrow, pop in to score a pair of $12 jeans. This Saturday (8-23-08) only, select women's and mens' jeans are $12, $7 for kids. This sale is in-store and online. Too bad I'm on a shopping ban right now, I'll be stocking up on a couple of more styles they have. I have a pair of the "Flirt" style in a dark wash, and I absolutely love them! Damnit! I'll survive, just pray for me y'all, lol.

Yay or nay: Peacock feather maxi dress

While surfing the 'net, I came across this interesting dress. I like it, but the problem is, where would I wear it to? It kind of looks too dressy to wear during the day, and I want a nice summer dress to wear during the day that's not a halter, tube, or spaghetti strap because of my broad shoulders. Oh well, I like it, though. What do you think?

Sol-Angel and the Hadley St. Dreams

If you don't buy any other cd this year, buy Solange's album "Sol-Angel and the Hadley St. Dreams". I've listened to the album previews and I must say, this is going to be a great album that you will have in rotation until the cd scratches up to the point where you can't listen to it anymore. I like it because the sound is refreshing, not this manufactured pop crap that you hear on the radio nowadays. It's something different and some of the songs kind of remind me of the doo wop music from the 60's. Listen to the album here. I'll be heading to Best Buy or Circuit City to cop this one for sure.

What I wore: Typical work outfit

Don't pay attention to the background. I was playing around with this Paint.net software I have on my computer, and as you can see to your left, I am not too good with it, lol. I'm trying, I'm trying. Anyway, here's a typical work look for me. I could've wore some wedges with this outfit, but instead I put on my flats for comfort. The shirt and the vest are some of my many purchases from JC Penney's "green tag" racks. At $3 a piece, you can't beat that.

• top: JC Penney

vest: JC Penney

dressy shorts: Burlington Coat Factory

flats: Wally World

20% off sandals @ Go Jane

Today's printables and codes

• Bealls: Free shipping on any purchase. Coupon code: FREE2ME. Expires 8-21-08
• Ann Taylor Loft: 25% off any purchase. Coupon code: 10701098. Expires 8-24-08
• Arden B: $50 off $200 or more purchase. Coupon code: 0808EM5. Expires 9-1-08
• Payless ShoeSource©: Buy 1, get 1 half off. Expires 9-8-08
• CharlotteRusse.com: 25% off tops when you buy three or more. Expiration unknown.
  

Weekend find: My last purchase for a while

Here's my new clutch that I bought from Target this weekend. I spotted it over at Budget Babe's blog, and I just had to have it. This will probably be my last purchase for a while. I'm putting myself on a shopping ban *insert side eye*.

Freebies for all!

• Nina Ricci "Nina" fragrance sample
• Seattle's Best coffee sample
• Bounce Awakenings sample
• Ponds Clean Sweep towelettes sample (Costco members only)
• Benefiber free sample
• Meow Mix Wholesome Goodness cat food sample
• Dove Go Energize Fresh shampoo and conditioner sample (page is in spanish)
  

Fall 2008 shoe trends under $45

Ankle boots

Madison Button Ankle Boot $27.99, Payless

Mary Jane heels

Mossimo "Velda" pumps $26.99, Target

Purple

Koko Gilley Pump $24.99, Payless



Oxford heels

oxford spectator booties $44.90, Fly Jane

Exotic skins

snakeskin pump $27.80, Forever 21

What shoe trend are you digging for this fall?

Congratulations to.....

Victoria Lietz of Canandaigua, NY

You've won the RayBan Wayfarer inspired sunglasses from Sunglass Warehouse! Thank you everyone for entering! Stay tuned for more giveaways...

Recent purchases: 40% off clearance @ KMart

While shopping for school supplies for the children in my family, I decided to browse the clearance racks at KMart. Every now and then when I'm there, I'll find something I like. Their brand, Attention, has really nice jersey knit dresses and I found a few of them marked down to $2 last year. Well, this time, I found some more dresses marked down to $7 and a top that was $5, all with an additional 40% off the clearance price. The brown print dress, I'll probably wear with brown knee high boots this fall or brown pumps. I got that same dress in black as well. Instead of wearing the ties that come with the dresses, I'm going to use belts I already have. Not bad for dresses and a top for under $5 each.

Cash, check, or charge

CASH

Classified "Kyle" patent thong sandals $19.90, Fly Jane


CHECK


strappy sandals $39.50, American Eagle Outfitters



CHARGE



Tory Burch "Ali" sandal $195, Bloomingdales

The new Family Thrift Center

One of my favorite thrift stores here in Chicaville besides my favorite Goodwill is The Family Thrift Center. I popped in there after work today and browsed around. Even though they are in a nicer store, I think this new location is a lot smaller than the old. And they still don't have fitting rooms. That's okay. Next time, I'll be dressed for the occasion. I ended up buying a skirt for $2 and a pair of bermuda shorts for $3. I saw so other things that I wanted, like a brand new pair of Ann Taylor trouser jeans for $6, a cute maxi dress for $2, but neither one was my size. If you're ever here in Chicaville, and you're looking for a neat thrift store to shop at, come to Family Thrift. Before you go:

• Bring cash. They do not take credit cards. They do have an ATM machine inside the store.
• Dress in something that you can easily slip other garments over because they don't have fitting rooms.
• Prepare to spend hours and hours digging through all of the cool stuff.

Today's printables and codes

• Kohls: 15% off your purchase when you use your Kohls Credit Card. Coupon code: AUG15. Valid 8/13-8/19/08.
• Bebe: 15% off $75 or more purchase. Expires 8-30-08
• Gap: 25% off adult and maternity regular-priced jeans. Expires 8-17-08
• Gymboree: 20% off your purchase. Expires 9-30-08
• CharlotteRusse.com: 20% off regular priced dresses. No coupon code needed.
• Ann Taylor Loft: 20% off plus free shipping on orders $100 or more. Coupon code: August20. Expires 8-17-08
• White House Black Market: $20 off $80 or more purchase. Coupon code: 8690. Expiration unknown.
  

Cheap Chica giveaway #5: Ray-Ban inspired sunglasses from Sunglass Warehouse!

The Cheap Chica has teamed up with Sunglass Warehouse for this fab giveaway. Spotted on celebs such as Kirsten Dunst and Rachel Bilson, the classic Ray Ban Wayfarers are what's hot this summer. We are giving away a pair of Ray-Ban Wayfarer inspired sunglasses to one lucky winner. Winner will be selected at random. No hard trivia questions or riddles to answer this time. Just email your name, city, and state to cheapchicagiveaways@gmail.com with "Sunglass Giveaway" in the subject area. Contest will close at 11:59 pm Friday night (8-15-08). Must be 18 years old or older and a resident of the U.S. To those that don't win, you can buy these babies for $16 on the site. Good luck and a special thanks to the lovely folks at Sunglass Warehouse for making this giveaway happen!

Cheap Chicalicious links 8-9-08

• RIP, Bernie [E! Online]
• Are black ballet flats an essential for your wardrobe? [The Budget Babe]
• Alexander McQueen coming to Tar-jay? Oh hells yes! [Style it Less]
• Freshen up that white button down shirt with baby powder and an iron [Fabulous on a Budget]
• Where to find Mad Men inspired fashion [Shine]

Star style under $100: America Ferrera

photo source



I love "Betty's" casual but chic look.

• top $15, The $15 Store
• belt $9.50, Wet Seal
• jeans $24.50, Wet Seal
• peep toe pumps $27, Target

GRAND TOTAL= $76

Lunchbreak shopping: Payless

Lizzy Wedge $11.99 (on sale online), Payless

Today on my lunch hour, I took a stroll over to Payless. Armed with my 15% off coupon, I finally purchased these shoes that I had my eye on for months, and they were on sale for $8! Sweet!



FORUM TOPIC OF THE DAY: Beyonce's L'Oreal ad.

Today's printables and codes

• Payless: 15% off in-store purchase. Expires 8-14-08
• CharlotteRusse.com: 15% off any denim purchase (excludes sale denim). Expiration unknown. No coupon needed.
• ShopBop: Take an additional 20% off already reduced 30-50% off. Coupon code: BONUS20. Expiration unknown.
• Delia's: Free Shipping on all orders over $25 with code DWJAFF. Also, Take 15% off your order with code BTS15.

Point and click vs. brick and mortar

Sometimes, I'd rather do online shopping because if there is a certain item I'm looking for, nine times out of ten it's not going to be in my local stores. I'd ask the sales clerk if they know when they are going to get the item in and the answer is either they don't know or try another one of their stores, which most of the time is another city away. Instead of driving from store to store looking for the item, I just order it from the site. So, online shopping most of the time is the way to go for me. Which would you rather do? Discuss in the forum.

Wally World cans one of its clothing lines

Wal-Mart Stores Inc's online division is ending a line of trendy women's clothing that it had been selling since last August.
"We don't have plans to continue it at this time," Walmart.com chief merchant Kelly Thompson said in an interview.
Called z.b.d. design, the clothing line was being sold as a test on the retailer's website after it faced rocky attempts to sell hipper apparel in its physical stores. [continue reading source...]

I actually have a few pieces from the z.b.d. design line. The line wasn't that bad, at least to me it wasn't.

Join the Cheap Chica Social Network!!!

Okay Chicas, I closed down my last forum because there was no action going on there, so I've started The Cheap Chica Social Network. At the CCSN, you could start forum topics, post pics, videos, and music on your own page, create your own social groups, and create your own little blog posts. So what are you waiting for? Check it out!

Weekend finds: Old Navy under $5 finds

Just a couple of things I found from Old Navy yesterday:

• clutch $2.99
• ring $3.49. I can't believe this cost more than the clutch.

I also bought a black pair of skinny cropped pants for $6.99.

Check out the new Cheap Chica Social Network.