one for the record books

The Urban Outfitters Sample Sale was incredible. BEYOND incredible.

Best $50 I've ever spent.

Lessons learned:

-Get there EARLY! I was about 10th in line and I got there at 10:40am--sale started at noon. Worth it.

-Sorry dudes, but if you are shopping for strictly menswear, this sale is NOT worth the $50. Not even close.

-Don't get excited about finding housewares, their samples were lame-o.

-If Black Friday sales or store like Ross stress you out to the point of paralysis--this sale is NOT for you. This is all about digging through TOTALLY unorganized tables and racks, and fighting ferocious crowds.

-Remember, this is a sample sale. Things are sample sizes--there are smalls and mediums, but nothing bigger.

-Quick judgment skills are key--pick it up, decide what you think of it, and stuff.

-Go for the shoes first (Paige took the cake on this one. See below.)

-Check for holes. A lot samples are destroyed to avoid being worn or sold. Some slashings are obvious (like the whole back is cut out), and others are subtle (a one inch square cut out along the bottom). If you are sewing machine savvy, some of it is salvageable. But inspect before you stuff.

-Wear sunscreen (learned the hard way)

 

Total loot: 

6 tanks

1 purse

3 belts

1 wallet

1 leather jacket

1 pair of jeans

 2 ties for the hubs

2 sweatshirts for the hubs

3 pairs of tights

4 underthings

10 tops

1 dress

1 romper

2 cardigans

1 pair of earrings

1 bracelet

= 40 items

Paige and I decided that I did better regarding being quick and selective--there was literally only one thing that when I got home I said "What was I thinking?"

However, Paige definitely won the award for best bang for her buck--she made out with TWO leather jackets and an AMAZING pair of Frye boots. She also snagged a few more accessories, which upped her total items to 50.

Yeah, I kinda wanna kill her.

I couldn't even count how many times we sang "Ohh, ohh, ohh... Just throw it in the bag!" 

Definitely the song of the day.

the loot

So here they are... The Santee Alley purchases! There were so many other wonderful things that I passed up, but these all just had to come home with me.

This hat is so fun, and it fits my ginormous head. Lauren snagged a brown one. 

The color offering made it really hard to choose!

Straw fedora - $8.50 (2 for $17 split with Lauren)

...

 I bought this for the hubs, but I may be borrowing it...

Scarf - $5

 

Sweater flower headband - 50 cents

Umm... yeah. 50 cents.

 Skinny jeans - $10

The back pocket detailing is really cute. A little hard to see... 

Just try not to stare at my ass too long. 

That would be weird.

 

 My favorite find... One day I will have to tell you of my zebra obsession.

I LOVE this wallet. PLUS it matches my debit card--which I have gotten comments on that fact pretty much daily since I got it.

It's almost a little embarrassing.

Almost.

Wallet - $5

Excuse the dorky face... but these glasses basically blow my mind. I love them.

Another shopper told me "You have to get those. Those glasses are pimp!"

Who says "pimp"?

I didn't need her convincing, but I bought them. :]

Pimp glasses - $5

Did you notice my Give a Shirt? I'm actually wearing the husband's. I liked how baggy and cute it was with leggings!

 $34 well spent... Wouldn't you say?

Shopping Santee Alley

FINALLY ventured out to the LA Fashion District when my lovely friend Lauren came to visit a few weeks ago. 

It was life changing.

First of all, did everyone but me realize that said district is over 90 square blocks? Umm...what?! 

I know my friend, and I know she can get overwhelmed with too much stuff. I told her we should just check out Santee Alley and call it good. Wouldn't you know it, that I was the one feeling overwhelmed after an hour or two in this place! So much good-deal-goodness crammed into one little street.

AND I had an opportunity to barter, which was fun, because if you remember from a couple posts ago, I didn't barter at the Rose Bowl Flea Market.

 

So as not to overwhelm with photo overload, these are just the shopping photos. My next post will show off my [freaking awesome] finds.

Santee Alley reminded me of all the things I love about Canal St. in New York City. Oh how I love creepy alleys with sketchy foreigners selling me illegal goods. Hmm... is that PC to say?

I am already excited to go back!

Rose Bowl Flea Market

Incredibly delayed... But better late than never?

Checked out the Rose Bowl Flea Market in Pasadena. It was beyond fabulous. 

Definitely a full day's worth of stuff to look at, and not for the faint at heart [note to self: never bring my mother--she can't stand cluttery knick knacks or any other shopping experience that doesn't involve a limited number of orderly color-coded racks]. 

Best $10 I ever spent... This amazing vintage leather and brass Dooney & Bourke bag. When I asked the lady the price and she told me $10, I practically choked. I gave her the money and ran away before she could change her mind--and that says a lot, because I LOVE TO BARTER. I was very much looking forward to bartering, actually. But I felt like I was robbing this woman with her asking price, so I couldn't bring myself do it.

  

Long story short, go to the Rosebowl Flea Market. Bring coffee, patience, an open mind, and discerning eye.