Seriously. It should come as no surprise that I’m a huge online shopper … mainly because I live about 20 miles from the closest department store and/or mall. I find that I really enjoy the convenience of opening up my front door and seeing that my jeans/shoes/makeup have safely arrived as I stand there in my bathrobe.
I do, however, miss the human interaction one receives with a real live person when you actually shop in a store. You can do things like ask the manager for a discount and/or see if you can get tomorrow’s sale price today. Or get that gift with purchase that the store just so happens to have a few extra of after they ran out of the *purchase* and now just have the *gift*. I LOVE all this extra stuff that you don’t receive when you click to add something to your shopping cart online.
So, when one of my local shopping malls, Cottonwood Mall, asked if I was up for putting together a few Valentine’s Day outfit ideas ~ not only was I up for the challenge, I was SO ready to Get Out … and, OH-KAYYY … have a Cinnabon or two. Armed with a $250 gift card, I decided to not just go load up on a bunch of random sale stuff, but to thoughtfully put together a couple of outfits with items that I will really use in the future AND that would be prefect for Valentine’s Day and beyond.
I arrived a few minutes before the stores opened, grabbed myself a sweet treat(s) and prepared to venture in. And this is how it all shook out:
I put together two complete outfits with this first one being a bit more casual, however I think it’s perfect for a VD lunch date, a VD movie date, etc.
Forever 21 career jacket ~ $11.99 // Maurices fire red jeggings ~ $17.00 // EXPRESS love wristlet ~ $24.90 // EXPRESS ~ embroidered strap cross body bag ~ $44.90 // Maurices black velvet heart choker ~ $6.50 // Shoe Department ENCORE XOXO Bowen booties ~ $24.98
Total Outfit Price: $130.27. Pretty good and just a smidge over half my $250 budget.
Now, I knew that my other outfit needed to be a bit dressier for maybe VD drinks, VD dinner, VD snuggles, etc.
Lucky for me I spied this faux suede blush colored trench coat in the FOREVER 21 window and soon it would be mine.
FOREVER 21 faux suede belted coat in blush ~ $59.90 // FOREVER 21 velvet cami dress ~ $22.90 // FOREVER 21 faux fur infinity scarf ~ $7.99 // my own sunnies and earrings // Christian Siriano for Payless Halle point pump ~ $29.99
Total outfit price: $120.78 #ImAPro
And, so seeing as this was not my first rodeo to shop within a budget and accomplish certain fashion goals, I’m happy to report that the grand total for ALL of my Valentine’s Day outfit ideas was $251. 05! And all I’ve got to say about that is boom shakalaka BOOM! OH ~ and two snaps up.
*** Thank you to Cottonwood Mall for kindly sponsoring this post. All of these items should be easily found in your local shopping mall. SHOP IT!
No mall near you?
The pink outfit looks so expensive. I like to shop on the web but I agree that you miss out on sales inside the stores.
(*** pink outfit is my fave. The trench was 1/5 of my total budget but I HAD to have it…. just made the rest work.) Yeah, I’m not afraid to ask for special pricing or inquire if a sale is starting tomorrow, etc. I used my shopular app at EXPRESS and got 15% off my purchase. Every little bit helps.
Love the two looks but I agree the pink trench and faux fur look so classic together.
XO!
WOW—What a shopper!!! The outfits are really wonderful !
STUNNING!!!
Miss u!
You’re amazing as always! Heart u!
Thank you, Patty Crow!!!
I used to buy so much pink! I am going back to that blushing color, now! Love the looks!
yes- I prefer the *blush* over PINK!
Hi Jamie!
This is Stephanie (Ben’s wife). I joined your blog not too long ago and I am loving the looks! I love all of the Valentine’s outfits. The jacket from Forever 21…I must go buy!! 🙂
Hi Steph! Thanks for the follow and, yeah, the blush jacket … a MUST purchase!