My New Motto

I have found myself saying this a lot lately, so I've decided that it might as well be my new motto:

"You win some, you lose some."

Especially when on the hunt for frugal wedding planning ideas. I suppose you can't get everything for as cheap as you want it. But don't worry, I still plan on trying.

I always hate it when I miss out on a perfectly good deal. I didn't miss out entirely, but it was definitely a deal disappointment.

Let me explain.

So I found these linen-blend khaki pants from Old Navy a couple weeks ago when I was on the hunt for what I want my ringbearer/7-almost-8-year-old nephew to wear in our wedding in May. I know, I may be a little ridiculous buying things in August for a wedding next May for a kid who is probably going to grow 4 inches by then (okay..4 may be a slight exaggeration. But you never know with kids and their growth spurts), but don't worry I planned ahead and got him a size bigger than he wears currently. Now let's just hope he doesn't suddenly change his mind and decide to be a midget...

Anyways...my sister was kind enough to look at the Old Navy back home last weekend during the tax free weekend (that I missed out on because California is a jerk...), but to no avail. Apparently the stores don't carry them. Bummer.

But, good news! I get this email in my inbox ridiculously early yesterday morning that says, "One day only! 25% off online orders with this promotion code!" So you can imagine my excitement. That would amount to almost $5 off since the pants were about $20. Sidenote: It amazes me that by the time he is fully dressed, I'm going to end up spending more on my ring bearers clothes than my bridesmaids dresses. But hey, you win some, you lose some.

So I get online yesterday at work, find the pants, add them to my cart, type in the promo code...and voila! 25% off! BUT then they slap the $7 shipping charge on there. Lame. So I realize you can get free shipping for orders over $50. So I justify the extra expense by deciding that I would rather spend an extra $35 to buy actual items rather than $7 on a box and some postage. Due to the fact that I am approximately half a person smaller than I was a year and a half ago, I could use some new shorts anyways!

So I start trying to browse on Old Navy's website to find some clothes for me. And unfortunately, my internet at work is not only painfully slow, it is very tempermental. It was not being cooperative to say the least yesterday. So I think...Oh well, I'll order it when I get home. I even put it on my grocery shopping/to-do list so I wouldn't forget.

Well...I didn't forget. But I left work, went to the commissary only to find them closed (I didn't realize they are closed on Mondays), so then I had to go to Wal-Mart instead. As I've mentioned before, we have a baby Wal-Mart here in Ridgecrest, so definitely not equipped with all the necessities. Example: no produce section. Fail. So I got everything on my list that I could at Wal-Mart, then made my way to Stater Bros to get some fruit and veggies for the week. If I had not let mother hubbard's cupboards get so bare, trust me, I would've waited til today to go to the commissary. It AMAZES me how expensive regular grocery stores are. It actually kinda makes me sick. But I had absolutely no food to make for dinner last night, or breakfast and lunch today, so I kinda had to get it done. I'm still deciding if missing 3 meals might have just been worth it based on the extra expense of shopping at the regular grocery store instead of the commissary...

Anyways...I digress (you're probably used to that by now...). So I get home, unload all my groceries, start picking ticks off my poor dogs, which by the way, is a difficult task when:

This is what a tick looks like...don't worry, it's a google image find. I did not take a close up picture of a tick on my finger...

This is what Koda looks like. Horrid color resemblance = very difficult finding pesky little creatures! P.S. I know, my dog is weird. I didn't put him in the bathtub...he did that all by himself. I guess he felt dirty...

Then I proceed to making dinner and having my evening Skype date with my other half...

We talk until about 9:15pm, and he is tired so he says he's sorry, but he needs to hang up and go to bed. So I say, "No problem, I actually need to get on the Old Navy website to buy these pants for Jaxon," and share my excitement about my 25% off one day promo code. His exact words, "Are you sure it doesn't expire at midnight Eastern Time?" Which of course, my immediate response is, "Surely not! Most of those things are based on whatever time zone you're in."

I was wrong.

I get on the Old Navy website, do my shopping, find a couple of cute things for me in addition to the pants for my nephew, add them to my cart, type in promo code and proceed to checkout. It only gives me 20% off. 

Have I mentioned that I hate being wrong?

I go back to my email and read the fine print, only to find that the 25% off was good on August 8th until 11:59pm Eastern. You could use the same promo code and get 20% off on August 9th, and 15% off on August 10th. So I still at least got 20% off but still...I missed the extra 5% off by like 30 minutes! So frustrating.

 

Anyways...I'm done complaining. Here are my final purchases :) (looks like I'm going to have to add pictures later...my work computer is not cooperating...again...)

Boys Linen-Blend Khaki Pants - Size 10, with adjustable waist. I really wish they had these in slims, because Jaxon is a skinny minny, but I guess I will just have to settle for the adjustable waistband :) - regularly $19.94 - 20% off ($3.99) = $15.95

Silver Earrings - I could use some new earrings, and these look kinda fun :) Regularly $7.50 - 20% off ($1.50) = $6. I better like these though, because I am stuck with these. No returns on earrings apparently.

Cuffed Khahi Shorts - Gray. They come in navy, gray, khaki, and white colors, and I kinda wanted white shorts, but I ended up going with gray because they only had size 18 in the white...those won't fit. The gray had either a 0, 6, 10, 18 or 20...so I went with the 6. I'm really not sure what I wear in Old Navy sizes, so I'm hoping the 6 fits...if not, at least they helped me qualify for free shipping, AND they can always be returned :)  These were regularly $22.50, but were on sale for $16.50 - 20% off ($3.30) = $13.20

Pleated Charmeuse Shorts - Black. I have been wanting a pair of "dressy" black shorts for a long time, so I really hope they fit well. I also ordered a size 6 in these, so here's to hoping I picked the right size. If not, I can always exchange/return them :) These were a little pricey, but I have been on the hunt for a pair, so I figured it was still a good find with the 20% off. Regularly $26.50 - 20% off ($5.39) = $21.11

So with tax, I ended up with all that for $60.81, with a savings of $14.18, plus the tax would've been on the $14.18. Not bad if I do say so myself :)

Now I still have to find just the right color of a turquoise shirt for my adorable nephew to wear...I think I like this one (minus the tie...not what I'm going for..) but I am still on the hunt. I also haven't entirely decided if I want to just have him wear a white button down shirt instead. I found this one at Old Navy for $10. Quite tempting. And it would probably match my groom and his best man better, because I believe they are wearing white shirts...but I just really love the turquoise! Oh, decisions decisions...

By the way, the Old Navy 20% off sale is going on today until 11:59pm ET, and 15% tomorrow until 11:59 ET. Don't miss out. Just use the promo code ONSCHOOL at checkout. And don't forget...You win some, you lose some :)

Completely random sidenote: All documents are officially off to the scholarship company that has to approve my extension request that, if approved, would result in me getting to live in God's Country for a whole extra year. Cross your fingers, and let's hope this turns out to be in the "you win some" category ;) I will keep you posted!

Online Shopping Spree

So...one of the most impressive things about Ridgecrest, this *beautiful* little place I currently call "home", is the extreme lack of places to shop.

Now honestly...big picture here...I really kinda have a hatred for shopping, so this works out in my favor...most of the time. The downside....when you really NEED to buy something, you have to drive a minimum of an hour and 45 minutes just to get somewhere that has anything remotely worthwhile. I mean really...I come from God's Country, a.k.a. Arkansas, where I can buy just about anything, anytime, at Wal-Mart. Here in Ridgecrest...the Wal-Mart is not only not a Supercenter, it also closes at 9:00pm most days. Not that I'm complaining...but it's really just a bit of culture shock.

There are times when you really do need to buy something...and well...I dislike shopping as it is. Add an hour and 45 minutes of driving in each direction, and I might pull my hair out. Not to mention...what if you complete the hour and 45 minute drive through the marvelous desert, get to the store, and STILL can't find what you're looking for? This in no way appeals to me.

All that to say, I have recently become a fan of online shopping. There are definitely pros and cons, but overall, I'd say the good outweighs the bad (in most cases). I thought I'd take a moment to share some recent purchases with you...all of which I made online from the comfort of my own desk at work, or bedroom at home :)

I already shared with you about my bridesmaids dresses and wedding shoes finds....both of which I felt were a steal! I also mentioned in that post that I had been on the hunt for a dress to wear to an upcoming bachelorette party...



Dress for jungle themed bachelorette party - $26.99

So if you know me at all, I know what you're thinking. "Lauren? Animal print? What?" I agree. I normally wouldn't pay money to wear something leopard or cheetah print, but my dear friend Jesse that is getting married in September, she really has a thing for leopard print! So I caved...and bought my first animal print dress. The only other animal printed things I have ever owned have been Zebra...and that is because it was my high school mascot. My soldier, who is also not a huge fan of animal print things, helped me pick this one out. I kept emailing him pictures while we were on Skype one evening, and almost every one of them, he crinkled his nose and shook his head on. This is the only one that he said, "You'd look good in that one." So I splurged a little (I normally wouldn't pay $27 for a dress I know I wouldn't wear much) and went for it :) Not that he will be joining the bachelorette festivities, but who knows when I might go to another jungle themed party later on in life that I'll fully intend on dragging him to? I at least want him to think I look good, even if he hates my dress. haha. I plan on wearing this with my red heels when we have the bachelorette party in a few weeks...stay tuned for pictures!

While on the animal print kick...

Zebra Print Swimsuit Top - $9.78

Zebra Print Swimsuit Bottoms - $9.79

 I actually don't mind zebra print...like I said, it was kinda a requirement for the high school I graduated from. I found this swimsuit and thought it was a good buy, so I couldn't pass it up. Can't really go wrong with a good price on a swimsuit that's actually available in your size...even when your man doesn't like animal print. He's sure to like it if it involves you in a swimsuit. I actually sent him a picture via email when I got it in the mail...he approved ;)

Red Dress - $12.14

 This is something that looked like a great deal at the time...but turned out not so much. I got the dress, and it looks way cuter on the model that it did on me. Plus it was sized kinda odd...it was really big on the top, and the type of fabric (stretchy/spandexy material) combined with the fact that it was tighter on the bottom, just made it an awkward fit. I don't typically have that problem...I almost always have the opposite problem. But hey, you win some, you lose some. I've considered sending this back, but I figured the cost of shipping almost wouldn't be worth the refund. Who knows, maybe I'll make it work (have the top taken in and go commando because it shows every freaking detail...including panty-lines), or maybe I'll just throw it in the garage sale/Goodwill pile. Who knows? Might make someone really happy one day!

All of the above items (including the bridesmaids dresses for my wedding) were found at charlotterusse.com. At the time I ordered the red dress, the swimsuit, and the animal print dress, I had just signed up for the Charlotte Russe BFF program. While I don't really think Charlotte Russe is my BFF, it was an opportunity for a free 10% off coupon...and I never say no to free discounts :) After I ordered that lot of items, a fancy little $10 coupon code showed up in my email inbox...all I had to do was spend $60 or more. So...I ordered my bridesmaids dresses, originally priced $32.99, two at a time, and used the coupon code for both orders. Awesome, right? :) Now if only I'd waited a couple days...because NOW Charlotte Russe is offering free shipping on orders over $60. I had to pay $6.99 per order on all three of my orders. Oh well...again, you win some, you lose some :)

Now for my perhaps most impressive online find...

Bridesmaids dress for Jesse's wedding - $9.50

This was such a good deal, that by the time I went back to look for a picture, it was sold out. So I posted a picture of actual me in the dress :)

I had been on the hunt for a dress to wear in Jesse's wedding in September. She is having 9 bridesmaids (yikes!) of all different shapes and sizes, so trying to find a dress that would look good on everyone was pretty much out of the question. So she decided to leave it up to us to pick out our own dress. These were the requirements: Black (preferably flat, not shiny), knee length-ish, any style on top, as long as there were no sparkly things (like sequins) and no other colors besides black. Easy enough right? I found this one that fit her description on forever21.com, and could see it being something I could wear again in the future. Jesse approved. My favorite part...this dress was only $9.50! I had to pay $1.12 in sales tax, and $5.95 in shipping...so I still ended up getting this dress for $16.57 total...without having to spend $30 on gas to get to the nearest shopping...I'll take it :)

So...after my recent online shopping spree, I'm now going to share with you a few of the pros and cons I have found when it comes to online shopping:

PRO: You don't have to drive to get what you want/need.

CON: You have to pay shipping...

PRO: I've spent less on shipping than I would have on gas. And sometimes your orders can even qualify for free shipping! :)

CON: You can't try things on.

PRO: You can always return/exchange things if they don't fit to your liking.

CON: You have to pay the shipping charges to send it back in order to get your refund/exchange :(

PRO: If you get a good enough deal, you could just sell it in mom's/sister's next garage sale and still not lose a whole lot :)

PRO: Most companies offer coupon codes and/or gift certificates that can save you some money. Some even give you incentives like reward points for every $1/$10 spent, which you can later exchange for discounts.

CON: You typically have to give them your email address.

PRO: You can always unsubscribe if they send you too many emails :)

PRO: You can get good deals on things online for lots a reasons, some mentioned above.

CON: If you're not smart, you'll end up buying something you don't really need and end up spending more money.

PRO: Being dumb is your choice :)

Happy shopping!