The Best Online Factory Outlet Stores {and how to avoid the scams}

So I don't really do the outlets. Besides the fact that places like Arundel Mills and Williamsburg give me the creeps, the odds of the stores having my sizes (apparently America's most common sizes) in stock are slim and I feel like the gas and food money to get there cancel themselves out. Enter: ONLINE OUTLET SHOPPING. I'll save myself the gas money, greasy food courts, and mother/daughter dressing room meltdowns. Here are my favs:

Nordstrom Rack : Confession: I shop the Nordstrom junior's department- they list women's sizes in size charts so I figure everyone else does too. There are great juniors (and grown up clothes) for under $30 which is my magic number. And they have affordable lingerie too. What more could a girl ask for?

$19 Back Cutout Maxi Dress(juniors)

$19 Pleated Split Neck Blouse (women's)

$29 RBL Jumpsuit

$24 Nalogen Pencil Skirt (women's)

J Crew Factory: J Crew isn't usually my style, but if the price is right...

$19,99 V Neck Sweater (8 colors!)

$19 Factory Enamel Critter Charm Necklace

 $17.99 Factory Bubble Crystal Stretch Bracelet

$8.99 Factory Crystal Studs

Guess Factory Store: Guess makes great pants for big-bootie girls like myself, and occasionally I really like other things I find on the site!

$29 Guess Lena Pull on Grey Jeans

$19 Guess Platinum Mini Check Shirt

 

$12.25 Guess Glenda Sweater Dress

 

$29.99 Guess Wendelin Ponte Skirt (3 colors)

Mango Outlet 

$19.99 Elastic Waist Dress (3 colors)

 

$9.99 High Waist Skirt (2 colors)

 

$19.99 Textured Shopper Bag (3 colors)

Cotton Cable Knit Jumper

Don't think I forgot about the dogs! Amazon has a Pet Supply Outlet Store with everything from food to treats to costumes to dishes.

$17 Pet dish with Automatic motion sensor by Sharper Image®

$16 Dog Raincoats

$10 Football Unifroms 

 A few pointers with outlet shopping:

• Zulily is kind of like a temporary outlet host. I have bought (real) Toms for $20, Under Armour, Land's End and all kinds of other name-brand goodies on here.
• A lot of sites claim to be a Tom's Outlet Store. I have done extensive research and not yet found one that sells authentic Toms. So if you want a knock-off pair, $12 isn't that bad. Here is a website with helpful tips to identify Toms Scams.  

Avoid getting scammed by fake TOMS stores online!

Broke Girl's Work Wardrobe Pieces Under $20

Look I hate to brag but since power shopping isn't a nationally recognized competition yet, I have to give myself my own kudos in this area. Can we just talk about how I have managed to never pay more than $20 (except on shoes- hey, YOLO) on anything I wear? Also I follow a lot of those blogs that are just people showing what they wear to work every day and am almost always like OH I HAVE ALL THOSE PIECES! So a little broke and bougie inspiration for the week:

Monday

• Booties: $20 from JustFab (what up BOGO!) 
• Pants: $19.95 Slimfit Pants @ H&M
• Striped Chiffon Blouse: $11.99 @ H&M (in stores only)
• Black Blazer: $19 at Forever 21 (2 years ago- similar options here)
• Orange Infinity Knit Scarf: $12.99 from Zulily

Tuesday

• Boots: $20 (BOGO!) Jessie Boots from JustFab
• Tights: $10 Shimmer Fit {2 for $20 Sale} at The Loft
• Skirt: $23.99 Mossimo Pleat Skirt from Target (4 years ago, find similar styles here)
• Belt: $4 at Ross (yeah I said it- I shop at ROSS)
• Shirt: $5 Urban Outfitters Silence + Noise Crepe Button Down Shirt via Martha's Outfitters
• Bag: $39.99 Icon from JustFab

Wednesday (it was a desk day)

• Shoes: $15 Caramel Leopard Moonwalk Flats from Zuiliy (they are actually furry. Andi thinks they are animals)
• Pants: $16.95 Mossimo Women's Skinny Premium Denim at Target
• Shirt: $19.80 Longline Chambray Shirt at Forever 21
• Belt: $2 via  Martha's Outfitters
• Cardigan: $12 Merona Women's Cardigan at Target (3 years ago, find similar ones here)
• Scarf: $12.99 at Target (2 years ago, find similar ones here)

Thursday

• Boots: $20 (BOGO!) Jessie Boots from JustFab
• Tights: $10 (2 for $20 sale) Chevron Open Stitch Black at The Loft 
• Skirt: $6 (yeah that's not a typo) on clearance at Macy's last year. See similar skirts here 
• Blouse: $14.50 LC Lauren Conrad at Kohl's  
• Cardigan: $10 at Forever 21 (3 years ago. See similar cardis here )
   
   
  Friday

• Shoes: $25 at DSW (7 years ago)
• Pants: $19.99 Julie Straight Leg at Loft (I'm on their e-mail list and got an alert that these pants were 50% off the sale price and knew I had to track some down in my size)
• Blouse: $17.50 at Forever 21 (2 years ago, see similar ones here)
• Watch: $20 at Hallmark. Yep, Hallmark. Sidenote on Hallmark: they have a lot of random cool stuff. My mom did a part time gig there and I discovered that besides extremely over-priced cards, they also have reasonably priced chatchkis (see- unbreakable wine glasses, wine glass tumblers with LIDS, the list goes on).

STOP EVERYTHING: CHARMING CHARLIE HAS A NEW ONLINE STORE

Charming Charlie has been imperative in my need to accessorize like a Real Housewife of Atlanta while being completely broke, but the struggle of getting to Alexandria or National Harbor (yeah, no) only allows me to make bi-annual trips to the wondrous world of $10 or less jewelry.

So yesterday I received an e-mail that. changed. everything. YEAH YALL CHARMING CHARLIE IS ONLINE! Finally! Check it out here!!! These are the few things that I bought today with zero stress of driving to Alexandria (who are these people living here?) or taking a minute from whatever concert or party I've trekked to freaking National Harbor for.

First of all though, look at this glorious option. We really don't see this in online stores anymore:

Yep. A $0-$10 option that actually has things to choose from.

 Chariot Curved Bangle $13

 

 Good Sport Watch $20

 

Work the Right Angles Dangle Earrings- $3.99 (THAT IS NOT A TYPO- THREE DOLLARS AND NINETY-NINE CENTS!)

Amelie Printed Scarf $15

Winter Wardrobe Essentials: The Leggings

So I feel a certain way about leggings. Thanks to JLo, Kim K, Nikki Minaj, Koko and the rest of the big bootied bunch (whether they're real or not) I feel that it's a lot more socially acceptable for "blessed" people like me to wear tighter clothes and leggings. However, I still feel that me wearing leggings is the same as someone with a large chest wearing a cleavage-baring shirt, so needless to say I feel a strong way about leggings NOT being workplace appropriate but some people seem to disagree with me. Either way you slice it, leggings are here to stay and as long as I'm not at work and my rear is covered I'm happy about it because the right leggings feel like wearing fitted sweat pants.

Last winter in all my broke glory, I wore my running leggings (I spent $50 a pop on those!) as fashion leggings. I know, I know. Sometimes the budget just doesn't permit frivolous buys, and what is the point in wearing crappy $19 super-thin-easily-ripped-see-through leggings from Target? But this year I've discovered jane.com where sub-$10 fleece-lined leggings seem to grow on trees, and today I ordered a pair of maroon fleece lined leggings and black fleece lined leggings and the total came to $19. Two pairs of FLEECE lined leggings, less than $20. Hello Winter!! I also ventured over to the vendors' websites and found some affordable clothes and jewelry. So head over to jane.com and sign up for their daily e-mail so you don't miss a deal!

Sidenote about jane.com: my friend is getting married this summer and our bridesmaids skirts are being specially made by a designer she found on this website. I love stuff like that. And how great is it that I get to wear a SKIRT as a bridesmaid? 

BreeasBoutiqueBargains $6.99 each at Jane.com

BreeasBoutiqueBargains $6.99 each at Jane.com

Cherry Lane Collection fleece lined leggings $7.99 on jane.com

Cherry Lane Collection fleece lined leggings $7.99 on jane.com

Cherry Lane Collection fleece lined leggings $7.99 on jane.com. Sidenote: can someone help me dress like her?

Under Armour Sale- Workout Clothes for $20 and under!

Is it just me or is it a lot easier to workout when I have workout clothes I like? Well, everyone who's with me is in luck because Zulily is having a massive Under Armour sale! While it is still cheaper to go to Wal-Mart to get $10 shorts, Under Armour makes quality clothes that last forever- no joke, in the winter I wear the BF's long sleeve Under Armour shirts from high school football...annnddd just an FYI our 10 year reunions are right around the corner. So that means Under Armour maintains the same quality after a decade of disgusting sweaty boy who likely doesn't take care of clothes, and sweaty running girl. Also I have searched all corners of the earth for affordable winter running gear and haven't been able to find a single item under $40, so this is a steal to me. They have Men's and Kid's Under Armour too- makes a great gift! Here are some of my favorites they have in the sale:

Ultra UA Muscle Tank $20.99 

Black Heat Gear Sonic Long-Sleeve Top $24.99

Hibiscus UA Shorts $20.99

Black and Purple Sonic All in One Shorts $20.99

Water Edge UA Hoodie $31.99

Boots on Boots on Boots

Oopsies got paid, ordered 3 pairs of boots from JustFab, assumed I would only like one and send the rest back, keeping them all. And so the story goes. Each pair was $39, but if you order for the first time they are BOGO. It doesn't get better than that people. Also I exchanged the pairs I ordered last time because they didn't fit, and JustFab's return policy is so freaking easy and actually free (no re-stocking fees). I put them back in the box, printed out the return form they e-mailed me, and taped it all together at the Post Office. Annnddd if the post office is too busy you can go to UPS or FedEx or anywhere. They are all good quality, will definitely last a few fall/winters. Definitely a bang for the buck as I just saw Forever21 has a similar black bootie for $37, but it doesn't feel as sturdy as JustFab's boots, and I've never had much success finding comfortable shoes from Forever.

JustFab's Sam

JustFab's Jesse

JustFab's Sharona

Workwear: The Ponte Blazer for Under $30

I have listened to a lot of panels comprised of very important people (CEOs, female leaders in male dominated industries, etc etc), and for some reason one VP's quote has stood out in my head for years: "You have to dress the part of the job you want, no matter what job you are currently working". Maybe this has always stood out to me because I have never made enough money to dress the way I want to dress, add to that being a woman in the workplace presenting millions of questions like what is too racy? what is too conservative? do I look stuffy? do I look like I'm trying to dress like my male counterparts?

Anyway, this season you can't go wrong with the Ponte blazer. Everyone from CEOs to VPs to non-profit workers to artists are wearing these. I like the versatility- I pair mine with jeans if I have somewhere "nice but not too nice" to go; my black blazer goes with colored dress pants; and I have an orange one that I wear to spice up black pants. The fabric and the make of the ponte make it light and somewhat form-fitting which makes me feel like I look skinnier than when I wear my old blazers that are a bit less flattering. Here's where I've found the best steals on the Ponte:

1. Mossimo Women's Collarless Ponte Blazer from Target- Assorted Colors: $30.00. This comes in black, cinnamon cake (great fall color), officer blue, and railroad gray. So basically black, orange, blue and gray. You can only get them online and my experience with Mossimo sizing is that it's pretty much on par with other brands. One of the reviews claims this blazer is friendly for the large chested (not an issue for me, unfortunately).
2. Solid Open Blazer from Forever 21: $27.80. Comes in black only, and sorry about the model who looks like pre-rehab Lindsay Lohan. The sizes generally run a little small at Forever, but I like the look of the sleeves. It is also somewhat slimming as it doesn't have the extra fabric for closing the front.
3. Methaphor Ruched Ponte Blazer from Sears: $18.00. Comes in 8 (yes EIGHT!) different colors- my favorites are raspberry and mustard. Comes in petite which is nice for those of us who were "blessed" with wide hips and narrow shoulders. On that note I think I like these blazers so much because none of them come over the hip, and my big hips/butt make my whole body look much bigger in jackets that cover the bum.
4. Attention Women's Ponte Blazer- Faux Trim from K-Mart: $20.99. Before Sofia Vergara came into the picture I thought K-Mart was extinct, but they've been reincarnated. I like the "leather" trim on this blazer, gives it kind of an edge. You can order it and pay shipping or get free store pick-up, which confirms they are in fact still a physical store.

Cheap Glasses

Halloween themed glasses from Zenni

Rum Cherry Marshall from Warby-Parker

Revolver Black Duckworth from Warby Parker

My vision has been deteriorating for quite awhile, but it wasn't until my aunt claimed her knee-deep crows feet come from squinting all the time that I decided it was time for me to take action and get myself a nice pair of glasses. I went off to the eye doctor, got my prescription, and  gasped when the eye doctor pointed me to the "cheap" wall. Apparently in eye doctor world "cheap" means "$250 or Less"- oh and that $250 is BEFORE you pay for the lenses. WHAT. There is no way my other friends manage to pay rent in DC AND pay for glasses so I took a survey and here's what I found: