Shopping | - Part 3

Blame It On The Deal / July 7, 2017

Create Your Own Stitch Fix (using Stitch Fix brands on a budget) – July Edition

With summer now in full swing, it was time to create a couple “fixes” for July. Like usual, I created a casual outfit and a work outfit using all Stitch Fix brands. If you missed my latest “create your own fix” post, you can check it out here. Also, if you aren’t sure what Stitch Fix is or haven’t tried them yet, you can check out my latest review here. I challenged myself again to only include Stitch Fix brands but at lower prices. If you are familiar with Stitch Fix, you know that each fix contains 5 items and a note. Now, let’s get on to the clothes, shall we?

This post contains affiliate links. For more information, please read my disclosure.

For this first “fix” I focused on a nautical/striped theme. To me, nothing says summer like stripes! Pair the Tart striped top with the Liverpool shorts and white Seavees and you’ve got yourself a super casual summery look. The Kensie dress will also pair well with the white Seavees for that comfy “running to the grocery store for hot dogs look.” The Urban Expressions cross-body purse is perfect to throw over either of these two outfits.

Tart Striped Top – $16.97
Liverpool Shorts – $34.99 w/ free shipping!
Kensie Dress – $22.93
Seavees – $44.99
Urban Expressions Crossbody Purse – $17.98
TOTAL: $137.86

The second “fix” focuses around workwear and you can never wrong with a classic black and white office look. For this fix, pair either the white or black Daniel Rainn top with the Level 99 trousers and Nine West heels. If your office feels like the arctic due to the blasting a/c, throw on the Kensie blazer to keep warm.

Level 99 Trousers – $39.99
Daniel Rainn Black Top – $24.97
Daniel Rainn White Top – $19.97
Kensie Blazer – $53.99
Nine West Heels $23.70
TOTAL: $162.62

What do you think of these two fixes? Which one did you like better? If you are interested in scheduling an actual fix, fill out a style profile here.

If anyone has any requests for outfits they would like me to create, drop it in the comments!

Blame It On The Deal / June 21, 2017

Spend v. Save

If you’re anything like me, I tend to have caviar taste on a ramen noodle budget. So, I decided to put together this spend v. save post showing cheaper alternatives to some high end clothing.

This blog post contains affiliate links. For more information, please see my disclosure.

These Marc Fishers are all the rage in the blogosphere these days and they clock in at a whopping $169.95. But, if you’re interested in a cheaper alternative and not spending half your paycheck on a pair of shoes, these Steve Maddens look almost identical and are less than $60!

Cross front tees have been very popular this season. You could opt for this $72 version made by LNA or save yourself some simoleans and go for this PST top for less than $10!

You could spend your food allowance on this BB Dakota Dress that’ll set you back $185 or you can save yourself at pretty “penney” with the JcPenney version that’s priced at $34.99 or 50% off if you spend over $40!

This pair of Steve Madden Slip Ons retail for $59.95 but, the cheaper alternative from Target cashes out at just $24.99! Can you even tell a difference?

I’ve been lusting over this Kate Spade Bathing Suit but once the reality of the $106.50 price tag set in, I knew I had to find a cheaper alternative. This almost identical version is only $23.99 from Cupshe!

Gingham and off-the-shoulder tops have been all the rage recently. You could opt for this one from Nordstrom that goes for $59.00, or you could choose the less expensive alternative from Loft at a great price of just $20.99 (at checkout!)

Well, there you have it! Now the only thing left to do is decide how to spend the money I saved. Maybe, I’ll go do something crazy and pay the electric bill.

p.s. For more sales and deals, be sure to check out my facebook page.

Blame It On The Deal / June 2, 2017

Father’s Day Gift Ideas – Under $50

I find men very difficult to shop for and find it even more difficult to shop for my dad. My dad makes it especially hard because he loses his s**t when he gets a gift card so that’s always a non-option. It’s also hard to find affordable dad gifts so I put together this list of gifts under $50 to help you out!

1. Polo Tee – I think every dad needs a good polo tee for those golf days. 40% off and less than $27!
2. Pilsner Glass – For the beer lover. 33% off and less than $24!
3. Gingham Dress Shirt – For the dapper dad. 40% off and less than $29!
4. BBQ Tools – For the griller. On sale for less than $32!
5. Funny Socks – For the dad who loves funny socks, these are so cute! Under $10!

1.Walking Dad Shirt – My dad loves the “Walking Dead” along with many others! $9.99!
2. Ice Cream Spoon – For the ice cream lover (like my dad!) $15.99
3. Guitar Picks – For the musical dad. $7.99
4. Personalized Hammer – For the handyman and dad who can fix anything. $13-$15

Original Penguin 3 Piece Set – Includes Tie, Pocket Square, and lapel for under $25!
Shorts with Belt – On sale for just $17.99!
Reebok Running Shoes – For all the athletic dads out there! On sale for $34.99!
Shoe Shine Kit – For the fellas who always wanna keep their shoes lookin’ good. $16!

If you’re wondering what I decided to get my dad this year, the answer is this raft. He’s a huge camper and spends a lot of time in the lake drinking beers so I thought this raft was perfect! PLUS it’s valued at $250 and reduced to $45 shipped with code BDMARINA617. You can grab one here

There you have it! What did you get your dad this year?

Blame It On The Deal / May 24, 2017

What’s In My Cart Wednesday – Nordstrom Half-Yearly Sale Edition

Hi guys! It’s that time of year again, the Nordstrom half-yearly sale! Although not quite as good as the Anniversary sale which is taking place on July 21, 2017 (mark your calendars,) there are plenty of good deals to be had! Don’t forget, Nordstrom always offers free shipping + free returns, so you can shop worry free! All items I chose are under $60! Here are my top picks (all items are clickable)!

This post contains affiliate links. For more information, please read my disclosure.

Stripe Racerback Maxi Dress (40% off = $38.98) – Maxis are perfect for Spring and Summer weather.
Hinge Off The Shoulder Top (50% off = $24.50) – This off the shoulder trend has been so popular this Spring, I want to carry it into the Summer months with this short sleeve option.
Street Level Bag (50% off = $27.98)
SP Black Skinny Jeans (40% off = $34.80) – I know that Stitch Fix carries this brand so, I’m excited to try these for a discounted price!
Gibson Peplum Top (40% off = $29.40) – Anything with “flouncy bell sleeves” in the description is a winner in my book.
PST Cross Front Tee (40% off = $20.98) – I have been obsessed with these cross front tees all Spring and I can’t seem to get enough of them! Available in two colors.
Lush Camisole (40% off = $17.40) – Perfect layering piece.
Socialite Stripe Cross Back Shift Dress (40% off = $20.40) – Great for those summer days with a pair of fashion sneakers and easy to throw a denim jacket over at night.
TopShop Light Pink Jeans (40% off – $41.98) – I have been on the hunt for an affordable pair of light pink jeans and these fit the bill.
Lucky Brand Lace Up Flats (40% off = $41.37) – I love the look of these + they’re Lucky Brand so you know they’re going to be comfy!
Caslon Denim Jacket (40% off = $47.40) – I have a darker colored jean jacket that I am constantly wearing and am in need of a lighter color one.
Vigoss Cropped Jeans (40% off = $40.80) – I love cropped jeans for those in-between weather days where it’s not quite shorts weather and not quite pants weather.

12. Kut from the Kloth Connie Skinny Jeans (40% off = $53.40) – I love this brand of jeans! They really are fantastic and I love the light was of these skinny jeans.
13. Vince Camuto Bell Sleeve Blouse (40% off = $53.40) – I am a lover of all things bell sleeved and check out that color!
14. Sole Society Bootie (40% off = $53.96) – Not only are these adorable looking but they also look super comfy!
15. French Connection Dress (40% off = $58.80) – This dress is just adorable! No other words needed.

Phew, there’s all my top picks under $60! So, go ahead and fill up your cart and remember to simply, “blame it on the deal!”

Blame It On The Deal / May 17, 2017

What’s In My Cart Wednesday

Well, folks it’s time for another installment of what’s in my cart Wednesday! So many good sales and deals this week, it’s gonna be tough narrowing down what I actually buy. Let’s get started, shall we?

This post contains affiliate links. For more information, please read my disclosure.

First off, Kate Spade announced a surprise sale the other day that runs until May 19, 2017 with up to 75% off items! Plus free shipping over $99!

Black Tote ($99, regularly $299) – Such a good deal for a large Kate Spade tote! It also comes in four colors…decisions, decisions.
Earrings ($19, regularly $49) – I’m typically a hoop earring girl but these are just too cute to pass up!
Clutch ($62, regularly $248) – I mean, this is almost a $200 difference! Again, too cute (and cheap) to pass up!
Phone Case – $(19, regularly $39) If you could currently see my phone case, you would understand why I need a new one.

Next, of course, is Nordstrom. I don’t think a day goes by that my Nordstrom cart is empty. Here’s what I have this week (all on sale!)

Bobeau High/Low Cardigan (40% off) – I know Spring/Summer are coming but I always need a good cardigan to throw over tops when the sun goes down at night.
Lush Cold Shoulder Dress (40% off) Not much to say about this one other than it’s just adorable!
Steve Madden Ecntrcqt Sneakers ($41, regularly $59.95) I already own these in black but I love them and if you know anything about me, it is that I am obsessed with blush!
Bobeau Ruffle Top (40% off) – I’m all about ruffles this season and this short sleeved top is perfect for the upcoming warmer weather!
Necklace ($9.49) – I own a very similar necklace in white that goes with everything, and I wear it constantly. I MUST add a pink one to my collection.

Last but not least, my Amazon cart has a couple items at phenomenal prices!

High Wasited Bikini ($19.99) – After the amount of donuts I’ve been consuming this year, high waisted bikinis are looking better and better!
Chifon Blouse ($13.99) – This looks adorable and is available in 7 colors!
City Classified Sling Backs (some sizes are $21! All under $25) – These are exactly the type of shoe I have been searching for and they’ve gotten really good reviews.

And there you have it! Do you have anything waiting in your cart that you’re dying to purchase?