(Recession + Poor Q4 Sales)*Discounts = Merry Christmas!

Since I am a mathlete, let me break this down for you algebraically...
Any way you add it, multiply it, divide it, square it, find the limit of it - you are saving some major bucks* this Holiday Season. Every where you go there is a Friends and Family event, a Black Friday before Black Friday sale, a going out of business liquidation. It is a sign of the times my friend...and that sign says "SALE."

Before you shop, make sure you check my favorite sale sites so you have your coupon** in hand.

• www.retailmenot.com
• www.dealigg.com
• www.slickdeals.net (go to the forums)
• my all time favorite - google it girl!
• or email me if your butt is too lazy to look

And as a professional mathlete, I have to remind you to check your math. Or you may end up like my friend KDog who unfortunately exchanged her great deal for a good deal. Bring your calculator or me (minus the children, who will compound the price you pay in more ways than one) and lets get our shop on!

*Bucks subject to current exchange rate, which currently equals sucks.
**Please shop responsibly. Just because you have checks doesn't mean you have money.

The hunger of the hunt...

Wow, what happened to the summer...and fall...time flies. I have written this post a million times in my head, finally it has spilt upon the pages of this blog. Thank you Millie and Mesia for the effervescent prodding for more Paupstar blog-age. Now on to my summer shopping safari.

So I have a story to tell and a perspective to share. Join me and take yourself there...it is a typical summer morning in the OC, it's 7am, Stephy and I pull into rock star parking at the South Coast Plaza Nordstroms. Ah, this is a sign of good fortune methinks. We approach the stairs leading to the entrance, the morning haze disappearing into the warm glow of store lights...promising me warmth from this cold, inviting me. Spend your money, use your credit cards, buy now - think later. Wait, but before you do, eat some donuts. Yes please, I think I will. Yes please, I think I will again. Despite the sweet temptation of free food (one of my major achilles heels), I am determined to be the FIRST one through the door. Well, at least one of the FIRST...thirty, one more donut.

The Nordstrom smell envelopes me as I walk in and my senses are instantly overloaded, with rushing voices, perfume, saturated displays. People everywhere with armfuls of merchandise, already - stupid donuts?! My first stop, Handbags. When I get there, this is what I see. Women, Women, Women with ten bags on each arm. I'm pissed instantly, I want only the bags that other people already have. Luckily, I did my pre-sale. But still. What is it that makes me so voraciously abhor that woman holding three Marc Jacobs bags? I stalk her, think horrible thoughts about her appearance, demeanor and wait for her to drop that python Stam. My mind is racing, what else am I missing by waiting for her to make a decision. Come on lady! She can't possibly buy all three...so I go in, 'Are you going to buy those?' I ask...'No,' she says, 'you can have whatever one you want.' I take the one I want, and forego the question of why she's holding on to so many bags...because I understand her, we are one.

Fast forward to a month later, Stephy is getting ready for the Nordstrom Rack Designer Event in Chicago. She has been exercising regularly, pilates, elliptical machine, treadmill and she has a game plan. She is ready...body, mind and soul! Stephanie enters the store and b-lines it to the Handbags. You are allowed only 2 bags...she's looking and a-looking...she finds what she wants and out from nowhere a shove and a big old man hand reaches out and takes the bag. She turns and quickly spots the small blond directing her man-crew. Oh no she didn't. Just as Stephy gives the guy an earful, the man-crew followed the small blonds words to their demise, wrong choice bizotch....security, fight fight fight!

I share these stories to demonstrate the reality of the underground bloodsport we call bargain shopping. You have got to be on your game, because it is a jungle out there. For $5 off, you may lose your arm. For $500 off, you gladly give your arm and the arm of your man-crew. And some times it's not even about the savings, its the pure and simple fact that just because someone else has it - you want it. It is animalistic, you can feel it...you know you've felt it! In these times of contentious consumerism, we must pause and consider WWJB.

Get your Spanx on!

Alert, alert...it is Nordstrom Anniversary Sale time. And for those of you who aren't priveleged to be, ahem, Pre-Select worthy (aka, you spend too much money at Nordies)...you can get your pre-order on. Oh and for those who can't keep the sales straight...this is the one where Nordstrom's raises the prices after the sale, and then drop them back down quickly thereafter. But honestly all the good stuff gets gone early on.

OK, enough of that. down to the goodies. I mean the junx, the bra-fat, the muffin-top. We want to hide it. Well, I have never tried Spanx. Can you believe it?! This product junky has never tried 'em. Well, now they are on sale at the Anniversary sale at Nordstrom and you can get your junk in check at a discount. For those of you who don't know, Spanx are a modern day corset/body slimmer. Check it. On a side note, this thought of hiding, covering...equivocates to deception per some BYU friends (who were obviously guys). They assert that these products (like miracle bra, like spanx) are 'false advertising', pre-matrimonially (or pre-matress-monially) speaking of course. That on the wedding night, they found that certain goods either decreased or increased because of great products like spanx. So true, funny.

Back to the Nordies sale, I just did my pre-order today with my lovely friend Renata in Salt Lake. On my list of pre-orders?

1. Grey Crocheted/3 button Uggs for $99 (sooo cute, do I need these in Austin?!)
2. Shu Uemura eyelash kit for $40 (best eyelash curlers in the biz)
3. Random BP sweater for $30 (do I need this in Austin?!)
4. Spanx (2 different ones) for about $30 each (Spanx me twice baby)

I also heard from Renata that the stores have more than the catalog shows. So head to your local Nordies and ask for a peek at the Anniversary sale catalog. You can try stuff on and buy it before you can buy it. The sale starts the 18th and you can start picking pre-sale orders on July 15th...so hurry in! Shop on sisters.

When in doubt buy it...

I have a shopping philosophy, well many - but this is a big one. If you are hemming and hawing over whether or not to buy something, the rule of thumb is buy it. You can always return it if you don't want it. I exercise these philosophies regularly. In fact I got to exercise a bit this past week when I returned my vanity size 4 shorts to Ruehl. I decided to return them despite the mind-pleasing fact that I can wear size 4's again. But after a rather 'revealing' incident this past weekend, I've decided that butt-cleavage is entirely undesirable. Blegh, must erase image from brain.

So I go into Ruehl, head back to the cash wrap and return the shorts. Here's the convo:
Ruehl guy: Is there a reason you are returning these shorts?
Me: Yes, I'm too old to be rocking butt-cleavage.
Ruehl guy: I don't see anyone who is too old in here.
Me: Touche.

I share this conversation with you because it was a painless and pleasant experience. No hassles about why I didn't want to show my butt-cleavage. No eye-rolls or rudeness. Just as easily as you bought the shorts, you can return them. This is Austin, TX. If you live in Salt Lake City, please be advised that if you choose to return something...be prepared to get the third degree. The salesperson will be personally affronted and want to slap on a rubber glove to inspect you thoroughly before you get your $29.99 back. This Utahism is wack fo' shure. So gird up your loins and prepare your yotch shield when returning in Utah. But the philosophy will still prove fruitful in the end. No pun intended.

Summer Sales Frenzy

This is where I'm shopping today:

1. Gap, Gapkids, BabyGap, Gapbody is giving an extra 25% off sale stuff. Enter GAPSALE25 to get it online. Also you can double dip by using a free shipping code. The one thing you have to watch out for is that in the B&M stores the prices are usually a little lower. But maybe not worth it considering the chaos of the sales racks and size availability.

2. JCrew. Additional 25% off sale stuff. Watch out, cause there's a sales final policy on sale stuff now at JCrew. Sneaky butts.

3. Dillards. OK, I usually doing go there...unless it's with my Mom. But...., they had smokin deals. Additional 30% off all sale merchanidse. I stocked up on my boys Volcom T-shirts, they were like $6 each. They had lots of other stuff too, some nice handbags (Michael Kors, Dooney & Burke, Coach, etc.) that were 50% off plus an additional 30%. Anyways, worth checkin out.

4. American Eagle. I never shop here, but recently got a pair of shorts I love. So worth checkin too. 70% off clearance and free shipping online (if you buy at least 2 clearance items)...lots more sizes online. But also beware that it's a little more expensive online than in the store, by just a few bucks here and there.

Happy shopping! Oh and do it before the weekend...cause lots of these deals end Friday. Or will be waaaay picked over by the weekend. We basically got all of my 5 year olds back to school gear at these little sales. So get your shop on with a purpose!

If you have any questions, post 'em!

Vanity sizing, abused.

I did do a bit of shopping this past week and I came to find out something I did not know about a couple retail stores. So you know Abercrombie, there's a high end version called Ruehl. I think it's technically Ruehl, 925 or some concoction of unnecessary numbers. I also found out that American Eagle has a high end version called Martin + Osa. You don't find many of these stores around, so if you are interested and want to puruse online...I'll give you a quick rundown. BTW, the sales online suck for these stores. Much better at the B&M. B&M stands for 'brick and motar,' get your mind out of the gutter!

Martin + Osa (aka high end American Eagle). Kind of JCrew meets Eddie Bauer. Does that disgust you? Well, it shouldn't - though it may bore you. It's alright for basics and some Skidoosh pieces. The best part of this store, how nice they treat your kids! Seriously. Me and my sister-in law had all my kids plus her one in the store with us. The store clerk offered us juice for the kids and Fiji for Missy and I. The kids were excited and it made me mercy buy some grecian sandals. Dang, those Fiji's and juice boxes just cost me $70.

Ruehl. A smellier, louder and nakeder version of Abercrombie. I didn't realize those photos could get more nakeder. Maybe the music and smellfume are supposed to distract you into some sexual abyss whereby you are entranced to purchass...I mean purchase. Ruehl actually had some cute pieces and had quite the sale going on. If you have one near you, I'd hit it for sure. Lots of good summer pieces for $19.90-$29.90. And if the smell, music and photos don't get you, their vanity sizing will make you feel good all over. Oh and by the way, the non-ho section is again - to the back...incidently that is also the sale section. Apparently all the ho's got their gear first. Boy am I mean.

For those of you who don't know what 'vanity sizing' is...it's size inflation. Which in layman's terms mean, you are actually that fat. I'm not saying a size 12 is fat, I'm just saying you are just as fat in a vanity size 8. What's interesting is that designer brands tend to do this more. So if you like to get your shop on at Forever 21...then your size 12 butt is probably not going to fit into anything but a size 12, or bigger. Sorry girlfriend.

So I find these cute pair of plaid shorts at Rhuel. I hold them up to my size, um, two month-post baby body...they look wide enough. I don't look at the size. I go into try them on and find that I can actually button it. Nevermind the full-on Costco-size muffin top I have. Hmm..I think I can actually pull these off with a big shirt. I look at the size, Size 4?!?! WTH...yeah right. I know this butt is not a size four. But I buy them cause they are a Size 4. Those Vanity Sizing jerks at Rhuel got me. This is me in my shorts, sweet muffin huh?



Theoretically, I think vanity sizing is wrong. It's like a big old lie. Which is so wrong, especially for those people who are trying to lose weight - like me. They are lulling me into security with my size...'you are skinny' they say, 'buy me cause I'm a size 4.' Damn those corporate apparel wizards.

Bottomline: If you want to feel good about your size, go to high-end stores. Just make sure you have a fun house mirror that makes you look tall and skinny to go along with that dream :)

An unwritten shopping rule?

Last night I did a little shoppin' with my Mo and Bro in-law. I decided to try a little anthropological experiment. I didn't wear my uniform of black (fine, now they are faded-grey) sweat shorts and skater T. Instead, I put myself together a bit (OK, no make-up but I did brush my hair). Do people treat you better when you look like you can actually afford to buy something? Does it matter if you are in Nordstrom versus Abercrombie, or...umm...The Men's Warehouse (I was a TMW virgin, I swear!). Anyways, this is what I found.

• Nordstrom: No difference between put together Lisa and scrub Lisa. The Salon Shoes salesguy even invited me to a Trunk Show. Maybe it had something to do with the HOT L.A.M.B. shoes I'm salivating over. I'm now on the hunt for a way to get these less than $315, check 'em here.

• Abercrombie: I don't know if the music and over-use of perfume makes these monkeys brain dead...or if this is as good as it gets for these peeps. No service for me...my daughter had to climb under the dressing room doors to open one up. I think maybe it's an age thing at this store...or, maybe they were giving me the customer-service finger since I had to ask where the non-ho section was. By the way, it's in the back.
  

• TMW (The Men's Warehouse): Great service, aren't they just happy that people will come in.

So the net of my highly scientific experiment - I don't think it matters what you wear to shop in, you get treated just as you are. *Disclaimer: these results were based on my experience in Austin. I would be willing to bet that in Utah, the grooming capital of the world, that you get treated just as you look. Utah must be the only place where there are dress codes for going to the grocery store. The inversion there - that's not due to geophysical topographical reasons - it's due to excessive use of hairspray and Axe. Don't agree? Bring it...

Bottomline: What did I buy? I found a few little things at the Gap, kids shoes at Nordstrom...not much fun stuff to report. However, it looks like the Gap is getting ready for their next flow so there is some cheapie stuff there.

Get it?

This is my first official post on Paupstar, drum roll please (finally). I start this blog as a means to reach the masses out there who love to shop, eat, shop, read, and shop. These are a few of my favorite things, especially the shopping part. I may be willing to forego the eating in lieu of shopping...well, maybe not. I digress. The purpose of this blog is to reach out to those of you out there who love the finer things in life, but maybe don't have the budget...or more importantly don't WANT to spend a ridiculous fortune on these things. I'm a firm believer in the "why pay retail" mantra. Doesn't it always feel better when you get a deal, the shoes look cuter, the bag is more luscious, etc. etc.

Oh I should mention, I don't discriminate. I am a shoe, bag, clothes, product fanatic. I love it all. The one thing you won't find on my shopping likes list is supermarche shopping. I abhor the thought and action of grocery shopping. It shouldn't even be associated with the word shopping, it's misleading - grocery shopping - for shopping should be of pure enjoyment. Purchasing groceries should be called grocery procurement, or grocery stocking...call it was it is a...chore.

Anyways, a little about me. My name is Lisa, I am a Sagittarius and am um, 30+...don't ask don't tell is my motto...so back off. I am an ABC. ABC to most people means "American Born Chinese". But to me it also stands for "Always Buy Cheap" (trademark by Lisa). I was born in Provo, UT and raised in SoCal and Salt Lake City, which explains my schizophrenic wardrobe choices. Sometimes I'm an overaged skater chick and sometimes I'm a molly Mormon. And yes, I am Mormon (thats the automatic question after Utah is mentioned isn't it?). And no, I am not a Republican. I am a Democrat through and through. Now that's a dichotomy isn't it.

Born of sad clothes and few accessories, my early years emblazoned me to become a fearless, thrify shopper of great power. I have four kids and live with my handsome, rugged, techno-geeky husband in Austin, TX. I work full time, at a large Fortune 100 Company. But since I work from home most of the time and the people at the office are, um, less than fashion saavy, my wardrobe has steadily deteriorated from power suits to sweat suits. Most people don't recognize me when I morph from slobby house wench Lisa to out on the town Lisa. No, I didn't just get a haircut or makeover - I actually brushed my hair and washed my face - Thank you very much.

We have been here in Austin for almost four years and I am sad to report that the shopping in this town is abysmal. However, this lack of local shopping has enabled me to hone my remote shopping abilities. I do the majority of my shopping online these days, or through my equally devout worshipper of shopping sister, Stephy (who lives in Chicago - fab shopping). I will post to this blog the deals I find. I won't waste your time with whats on sale at Gap or Target - unless it's too good to pass up. We're talking fab deals that will make you buy a Marc Jacobs even if you don't know him. And you know what - if you have a question on where to find the best deals - I'm here for ya peeps. Just send me an email or post a comment. I find great joy in saving people money, I find even greater joy in helping you spend it.

Since I just had baby number four, the deals I'm finding are/will be more, um accessosorial (is that a word?). My waistline has yet to retract, contract - it is more, how you say, protracted at present. If I don't find a fab deal to blog about then, this will be my opinionated spew on what has transpired in my maniacal life as a working, but currently maternity leaving SAHM (Stay at Home Mom).

Oh, I should explain the name of this Blog. OK we all hate to admit it, but those cutesy, skinny, rich little Popstar sirens have it good. Even with Brit's craziness of a life - that girl gets her shop on! And some times she can even look cute again...anyways, so I call this blog Paupstar - for those of us who want to look like a Popstar on a paupers budget. OK, I won't look like a Popstar ever, how many middle-aged, four kid-totting Asian Popstars do you see out there...but YOU could look like one and no one would ever know you got it all for a great deal.