free shipping >> anthropologie.com

i am having a little anthropologie obsession right now.  i don't usually buy things full price, and i just cant stop right now.  then i get buyer's remorse when i see it go on sale a month later and beat myself up over how i didn't wait.  but, it could have sold out in my size by the time it goes on sale.  as you can see, it is a constant inner battle.

anyway, a little free shipping never hurt anyone.  anthropologie barely ever has promotions, so i even consider free shipping lucky.  last time i saw a promotion from them was over holiday.

my current battle is over polka dots.  take a look at a few items i am coveting now:

dropped dots dress

bedecked flouce tee

didn't you just see some more blue polka dots from me below?  yes you did, those guys are from anthro as well.  i already said i am having an anthro obsession right now!

40% off + free shipping >> loft.com

stripes!  i obviously like stripes, and everything in this loft order was stripes.  i've already paired the blue shirt with my new ankle frye boots!

Wide Strip Boat Neck Top

Color Strip Block Polo Top

while the 40% off sale isn't happening anymore, there are always great deals at loft.com.  i've said it once, i'll say it again...

tip of the post:  NEVER buy anything from loft.com at full price.


i picked up my items at 40% off, but right now they are offering MAJOR markdowns, all below $20, so I suggest taking a peek.

i have my eye on this:

Henley Pocket Long Sleeve Blouse, only $14.88

how to >> use retailmenot.com

before clicking that confirm purchase button in your shopping cart, always look for online coupons.  the best coupon site that i have found is BY FAR retailmenot.com.  i've been using this website for 5 years, and they just keep getting better.  this is another one of those websites that is an affiliate.  like explained before in the ebates post, an affiliate is a website that gets a % of the sales that they direct to any ecommerce site that they have a relationship with.

unlike ebates, retailmenot.com doesn't HAVE to have a relationship with your favorite online shop for you to reap the benefits.  they post all kinds of coupons on their site.

it's easy.  this is usually how i use retailmenot.com:

1.  shop around and find the product i want

2.  perhaps find multiple stores that have the same product

3.  go to retailmenot.com and search all those stores to see who offers the best coupon that applies to your purchase

4.  click on the coupon code and it copies it for you and takes to directly to the website you are shopping on

4.  enter in the coupon code at checkout, and there is your fabulous savings!

best boyfriend ever >> shoes.com

i've been looking for ankle boots all season and have had my eye on the beauties from anthropologie:

pointelle fringe booties

i fell in love with them, but before making a $200 purchase, consulting the proper confidants is important.  sister and bf were a yes, but mom was a no.  i had to continue my search.

a boot search should always include frye, and i ended up finding these puppies:

frye jaden roper

these were approved by everyone.  so began my coupon and cashback search.  i would have purchased direct from the frye company, but they don't allow free return shipping, which is always important, especially in a shoe purchase.  i found them at shoes.com.  my size and everything.  ebates gave me 8% cash back (super high in comparison to many other sites), and i found a 20% off coupon code!  fryes on sale + 8% cash back, thank you!

since i found such a good deal, i decided to add these chaco flip flops that i've been needing.

chaco flip

here's the best part of the story:  i needed one final approval before i pressed confirm, the bf.  i had all my credit card information and coupon codes added to the sale and left it up on the screen to show him when he got home.  i ended up forgetting to show him that night.  the next morning i had a confirmation email in my inbox.  WHAT?  did i accidentally place the order?  no!  then i noticed the payment type, discover.  i don't even have a discover.  it was my bf!  he saw the checkout on the computer and ended up buying it for me!  how sweet is that!?

BEST BF EVER!

total savings for me:  GIFTED!

total savings for bf:  20% + 8% cash back + free shipping & return shipping

in-store pick up >> nordstrom.com (again)

probably my favorite way to shop.  in-store pick up again!  i can take my time, find what i really want online, get my eBates cash back, and pick up my product same day.

this time i really needed new skinny jeans.  i only have one pair that fits into boots, and they are getting pretty old, so...  i've been into Nordstrom a few times, and there were just so many jeans that i couldn't narrow down even what i wanted to try on.  so, thank you Nordstrom.com for allowing me to look at all the details of the jeans (color, size, lengeth, etc.) online.  so, i found 3 pairs that will potentially work for me.

Citizens of Humanity 'Cropped Thompson' Skinny Stretch Jeans (faith wash)

Paige Denim 'Skyline 12' Skinny Leg Stretch Jeans

Hudson Jeans 'Nico' Mid Rise Super Skinny Jeans (chelsea wash)

so then, naturally, i went through ebates to get my 3.5% cash back (lower than the previous 5%, they must have changed strategy after holiday).

so, i get to shop online they way i want, get my cash back on the order, and get the items same day.  now, i'll just go into the store, try them on and return the ones i don't want.  yay!

added value:  in-store pickup & cash back

how to >> shop The Clymb

i think they're calling them "online sample sales."  love em.  someone got really smart and started one for outdoor products:  The Clymb.  cute name too.

all you do is sign up and you have access to limited time outdoor deals.  deals are up to like 75%, which is fantastic.  sales last 2-3 days, so there is always a new selection of products.

right now they have:

Kaenon - sunglasses for over %50 off
Skull Candy - fancy headphones and ear buds for cheap
Burton - snowboarder back packs at the moment
Foursquare - snowboardery clothing
Special Blend - more snowboardery clothing

it isn't usually all like that, they have women's product, hiking shoes, all sorts of stuff.

definitely worth checking out.

sign up for The Clymb here.

prodeal + cash back >> mountainhardwear.com

so, i get to take advantage of something pretty amazing in my industry:  prodeal.  the outdoor industry dealers allow employees of retail stores to buy their product at a super discount.  the point of prodeal is to enable employees to buy products easier so they have a chance to use it and can therefore sell it better.  pretty smart idea i think.

so, today i purchased something using my prodeal on mountainhardwear.com.

the amazing buttafleece jacket

i've been eyeing this guy for a few months now but never pulled the trigger.  then, it sold out of course.  i've been checking back since new years, and it was finally back in my size.  hurray!  

so, sometimes prodeals are done through order forms, sometimes through special sites, but mountain hardwear does their through their regular retail site, so i was able to get my mega discount AND the 5% cash back they provide through ebates.

total savings:  prodeal + 5% cash back

how to >> use ebates.com

i love ebates.

it is brilliant.  and it is simple:  you get money back from every online purchase you make.  (well, just about every, i have to caveat that.  some ecommerce sites don't have a relationship with ebates)  you get a check in the mail every few months for a % of the purchases you made through ebates.  while most sites offer less than 10%, it really ads up.  a couple months ago, I got a check in the mail for $50.  granted, i shop online a lot, but still.

how it works:  ebates is what you call an "affiliate."  they work through an affiliate marketing program, meaning every sale they send to an ecommerce site they have a relationship with, they get paid a certain % of that transaction, a commission.  they then pass on part of that commission on to you, the shopper.  ebates posts links to all your favorite sites.  all you do is click on the link to activate tracking.  ebates does the rest to follow your purchase and calculate your cash back.

So, go sign up right now!

tip of the post: always check ebates before you confirm your purchase.


1. shop around, find something you want to purchase

2. go to ebates and see if the website where you are about to buy from is on ebates.   they may have additional coupons and shopping tips too!

3.  click on the link to go back to the site you were shopping on (make sure this the last thing you do before making your purchase to ensure the tracking works)

4.  make your purchase

5.  wait for your check in the mail

25% off sale + cash back >> toryburch.com

i think my first pair of real designer shoes were this adorable Coach multi-color striped shoes.  i am not a big color person, and these were rainbow, so it was a big step (pun intended) for me, and i loved them.  i think i got them my senior year in college and had them until last year when even buffalo exchange would accept them.  (buffalo exchange post to follow)  anyway, with the birth of anything, it's death must follow.  the first pair of designer shoes i ever bought were the first i even had to THROW AWAY.  i usually don't make it to the point of throwing away.  i tend to get sick of something and end up giving it away or selling it.

here they were:

anyway that was just a small anecdote to let you know how hard it is for me to wear out a pair of shoes.  and soon after i got those adorable striped coach shoes, i got some silver juicy couture flats with gold hardware on them.  equally as cute.  these met the end of their days as well.  and who can live without silver flats?

in come the amazing Tory Burch after holiday sale on sale.  25% off!  and i found these guys:

metallic eddie ballet flat

next step?  yep, check ebates.  thank you 3.5% cash back!

total savings:  sale + 25%

in-store pick up >> nordstrom.com

i love nordstrom. they have the best stuff. they have an amazing return policy. they allow in-store pick up! 

this way i can shop online for what i want and then order it online and have it waiting for me when i pick it up in the store. it is just as good as the instant satisfaction you get from shopping at the mall, AND i get my 5% ebates cash back because i purchased online.

most recently i got the following:

o by oscar de la renta woven wrap for me

halogen altitude scarf for the bf's mom for xmas

it's so easy. you just go to ebates, click on the nordstrom link, buy your products online, then go and pick them up at customer service.

total savings: ebates cashback 
added value: easy, in-store pick up!

free shipping day >> just about everywhere

today is free shipping day.  awesome.  i just cannot get myself to purchase anything!  i am having major buyer's remorse problems these days.  i think it's because i've been doing so much shopping lately for the holidays.  and i went to vegas recently and had traumatic experiences with winning and then losing and then winning.  it is hard on the heart.

anyway here are a few my temptations today:

j.crew's cece suede flat in oasis green.  adorable...  and!  they are doing 30% off your entire order, which would usually convince me instantly.  i don't know why i can't just pull the trigger.

c. wonder's universal camera case.  how cute are these...

good luck on free shipping day!  find some hot deals.

full price + free shipping >> zappos.com

although i don't do it often, sometimes you just have to pay full price.  like when you find amazing sperry boots like these:

sperry ladyfish boot

right?  i searched for a while and couldn't find these gems anywhere on sale.  AND zappos doesn't do ebates for some crazy reason.  this made it really hard for me to do this, but they are so darn cute.  so, when you can't find something on sale, that's when you use your memberships.  i am vip member at zappos, so i get free overnight shipping.  i feel like it was worth it because i got to wear these to my birthday dinner!

total savings: $0

value add: free overnight shipping!

10% off + free shipping >> toryburch.com

so, i've had a $60 gift card to Tory Burch for a while now.  how have i not been able to use it?  because i am deal seeker, and i've been looking for the best deal or the perfect item.  i finally found it:

the Tory Burch penny loafer

i know, super cute and preppy.  sometimes i am just in the mood.  i wore them with a white button down shirt and a grey grandpa sweater.  loved it.

so, back to the purchase.  i have been saving my welcome to the tory burch email list coupon for when i use the $60 gift card.  the welcome email gave me 10% off + free shipping.  sign me up!

total savings:  $60 + 10% + free shipping


why no ebates?  don't worry, i checked and they offer 3.5% at ebates, but i unfortunately had to place my order over the phone because my gift card was acting up.  bummer there.

20% + free shipping >> piperlime.com

happy birthday, piperlime!  on piperlime's birthday this year, they offered 20% off their entire site.  yes please!  i had been eyeing these metallic sperrys for quite a while.  (yes, even though i just got those great boots.  that makes 4 pairs of sperrys in my closest.  i can't help it.  they are so comfortable.)

Sperry Top-Sider Bluefish

they go with everything!  right?

of course, i checked ebates, and they offered 2%.  even better!  gosh, i love online shopping!

total savings:  20% + free shipping

40% off + free shipping >> loft.com

i've said it before, never buy anything full price from LOFT or Ann Taylor.  they always have amazing deals, always.  this was no different.  friends and family!  practically the best deals you can find outside of black friday and cyber monday.  LOFT.com had a 40% off for their friends and family sale this time.  i of course went to ebates first to get my cash back on my order, in addition to the 40% off and free shipping.

a couple cute finds:

 
it is important to note that i try really really hard not to buy anything online that i cannot return for free, be it in-store on free return shipping.  because i ended up returning everything i bought!

total % savings:  40%

25% off + free shipping >> jcrew.com

i have fat calves and stumpy legs.  it's okay, i do.  therefore, i cannot wear cute booties.  at least with skirts.  it just doesn't look good.  maybe with tights?  maybe... but anyway, i thought i could still embrace the trend if i wear them with jeans.

i found these adorable wedge booties at jcrew this weekend.  the remind me of this awesome pair i got and returned from coach last year.  that was a stupid compulsive return.  so, i found these jcrew boots in-store, and of course they don't carry my size.  no one does.  (tiny feet - 5.5).  i was going to have to order them online anyway.  good think i already knew jcrew was having a 25% off your entire purchase + free shipping over $150 sale on their site at the time.  i bypassed the super helpful jcrew associate to order the shoes online at home.  this way i could get my cash back from ebates too!

i got home and checked out the shoes online.  extra colors?  yay!  i found a color that i liked even better than the colors they had in store.  and i ended up saving shipping + the 25% off by going home and ordering online.

tip of the post:  try to check in-store AND online to find the best deals, because one store might have different offers at each.

cute, huh?  with jeans, right.  or maybe a skirt and tights, we'll see.

total % savings:  25%

15% off + free shipping >> aldoshoes.com

i should be an online personal shopper.  maybe that's where i'll make the big bucks.

so, there's no secret around town that i like to shop.  a few co-workers like to share fashion ideas and shopping tips with each other.  one of my co-workers is looking for low taupe/tanish boots for the season (as am i, naturally).  she showed me these cute motorcyle boots at aldoshoes.com, and finally decided to buy them.

the first thing i did was go to ebates.  no aldo on ebates?  what?!  okay, not to panic, there's always the coupon sites.  retailme not and coupon cabin had the same deal - 15% off + free shipping.  not too bad.

my friend ended up saving $25 and got free shipping on her fancy new boots.

total savings:  15%

40% off + free shipping + more >> loft.com

so i have recently discovered the chic and classiness of LOFT.  as a kid whenever i needed to dress up or look business-professional, my mom would always suggest Ann Taylor or LOFT, and i would promptly refuse.  "mom clothes" i think was my response.  now that i am the grown-up age of 26, i have found myself wanting to dress that way.

tip of the post:  NEVER buy anything full-price at AT or LOFT because I guarantee that you'll find it on some sort of sale within days.  

to ensure that i never buy anything full-price, i signed up for the email list where i am informed of sales all the time.  i had been eyeing a few blouses, since they are so grown up, so i occasionally browse the site to see if there is a good promo surrounding my shopping goals.

huh, 40% off?  not too bad, so i browsed the selection, and of course i found some good stuff.  then, after browsing some more... i saw a couple rouched plain t's that could obviously be a good staple in my wardrobe.  and, what? extra 30% off sale, that's 2 promos going on on the site that didn't require a coupon code.  sign me up!  at this point i was already saving at least 30% on everything in my cart.  now, is when coupon hunting actually begins.

my 1st go-to site is always ebates.  ebates is what you call a cash back/loyalty site.  they give you cash back for any purchase you make from a participating web site.  they usually offer 3% cash back on your LOFT.com order.  but this time they had an additional savings offer of 25% off your order if you buy any full-priced petites item.  lucky for me, i am short and need petite length pants.  i found some cute green chords to add to the order to get the extra savings.  if they don't end up fitting, i can take them back right?

my work is not done... 1 site is never enough when coupon searching though.  my next 2 go-to coupon sites are retailmenot.com and couponcabin.com.  RMN had the same petites coupon, but 30%!  coupon cabin only had the 25% off petites deal.  thank you RMN!

so, i clicked through the ebates button to get my cash back tracking attached, and used the RMN coupon to get my additional 30% off.

percent savings = 55%

your digital shopper

i am happy to be your digital shopper.  this is your destination find great deals, shipping tips & coupon stacking tricks.  have fun out there!