Saturday, January 19, 2008

Bargain Hunting

A few weeks ago my roommate, who moonlights at West Elm, texted me to tell me about a big sale happening at the store. I happened by later that day and was quite enamoured by the big, soft throw-pillows that they were practically giving away for free. I picked up one of the Bamboo Cotton Pillow Covers, in Cinnabar, of course, and found a matching pillow form in the 75% off floor section, so the whole thing cost around $10. I pretty much cannot describe how much I love this pillow. It is big and soft and cuddly, and if I thought they wouldn't look ridiculous I would buy 3 more. (Also, I can't believe these are still available and for SO CHEAP, so if you're in the market for the best pillow ever, I highly recommend clicking on over.)

[Aside: I have to confess that I LOVE extra pillows. I love finding ones that match even though they're not from the same place, and I extra-love finding them when they're on sale. The other two in this picture are from Anthropologie, both purchased on sale. The one at the back was also seen on Six Feet Under in Claire's room, which of course validates my taste.]

The other awesome deal I found recently was at Victoria's Secret. I was in SoHo and wandered in to their store there, then remembered that my absolute favourite lipgloss is from VS. It's their own Beauty Rush brand and the colour I love is called "Oatstanding" - in the tube it looks ridiculously red and sparkly but on lips it gives just a hint of colour. It also tastes like oatmeal cookies. I found a bin with a few tubes of it left, and they were marked $7 each or two for $10 - being the good consumer I am, I decided to pick up a couple (spend more to save more, right?). The salesgirl scanned them and said, "$3.79, please." I said, "What?" She repeated the amount: $3.79.

I AM TOTALLY SERIOUS! Somehow these babies were on sale for $1.75 each. I felt like I won the lottery.

Finally, on my way home from the gym today, I stopped by Barnes & Noble and spent a few minutes browsing their post-holiday sale section. I found the Christmas Tree In-A-Box that was featured on Popgadget back in December for 75% off, and with my Barnes & Noble card (an additional 10% off), I paid a whole $3.37 for it. I also found a few other cool and similiarly-discounted Christmas craft kits, which I'll tuck away for next year's Secret Santas and stockings.

I'm pretty convinced at this point that January is the best shopping month. As Bri says, "it's not a sale until it's at least 50% off" - retailers, take note. (Shoppers, too - the J. Crew online sale is an extra 20% off, but just until tomorrow.)

3 comments:

Brianna said...

last week i took a shirt up to the counter at old navy unsure if it was full price ($29) or somehow on sale and it rung up for $4! FOUR DOLLARS! I felt like the luckiest girl in the world.

gillicious said...

Man, another Gillian thing: PILLOWS

Anonymous said...

this just made me remember one of my best sale finds ever [like bri, it was at old navy]: this awesome, very brit-poppy parka. originally $49. didn't have a clue what the sale price was. verdict? $1.99. ahh...memories...