NYC Day With Mini Me & MAC Sample Sale Haul!

This week I took Ella into the City for a mommy & me day. Our schedule was full but I had a feeling my little fashionista could handle it. Our first stop was Nordstrom Rack where we walked out empty handed. I pulled out my camera to take a few picks before we headed to meet my future SIL at Kleinfeld's Bridal...only to find I left both my memory card and battery charging at home. Ugh. Luckily my phone takes a decent picture. You really can tell the difference in quality between my cell and DSLR pics.

Ella's OOTD from head to toe:

• Barrette: Sequin butterfly hair clip, sample sale, $2
• Sunglasses: Dolce & Gabbana, Century 21, $15
• Dress: Flowers by Zoe, thrift store, $5 (Ava has a matching one too!)
• Shorts: Cherokee, Target, $1.80
• Bag: Rebecca Minkoff Lola, sample sale, $10
• Bracelet: Balenciaga, sample sale, $99
• Shoes: Toms, thrift store, $4

And for those of you who want to look like Ella, you can shop her look below :)

I just wanted to add that Ella styles herself. I make a suggestion here or there but she has her own ideas and doesn't always listen LOL. I encourage my kids to make their own choices and develop their own sense of style.

After grabbing a quick bite, the promise of 60% off MAC's retail prices kept us waiting on line for a little over two hours. For me it was no big deal but the sun was out in full force and Ella burns easily. After spotting several people in line with umbrellas, I ran around the corner to Bed Bath and Beyond to grab a giant umbrella to protect us from the sun. Another shopper also shared some sunscreen just in the nick of time, and fellow bargainista, Practically Haute joined us in line and treated us to cold drinks. Be sure to head to her site and check out her look inside too.

Once inside we forgot all about the wait and proceeded to fill up our basket with inexpensive makeup. I'm not a huge MAC fan but I love their reasonably priced lipsticks. Take an extra 60% off and I'm sold.

Signs said you couldn't apply but many sales associates let you swatch the colors on your hand.

I've never used their nail polish before but for less than $5 it was worth a shot.

Here is our first edit. When we were in line to pay we noticed some other colors in other people's baskets that we needed.

As much fun as we had, Ella was very happy to get on to out next stop.

Next stop was the dOMAIN Integrated Holiday in July preview - we probably spent the most time at the Perverse Sunglasses booth trying on sunnies while waiting for our free manicures. These glasses retail for about $40-60 with a few higher. Of course Ella's favorite was the $75 Eros 1042. We put down our bags while looking around and a few bloggers grabbed Ella's Rebecca Minkoff backpack thinking it was a part of the preview. It seems everyone wants my 9 year old's bag.

Walking to the High Line we passed this wall and thought it was perfect. Then my phone died. We grabbed some dinner then headed home. We were literally out for over 12 hours on our feet.

And now for our MAC haul! These were shot with my Cannon T5 and you can totally see the difference.

All of these MAC Studio nail polishes were $4.80 each. Colors from L-R; Instant Crush, Miami, Impassioned, and Flaming Rose.

Here is Ava modeling one coat of Miami. She's a wiggly little girl so this was the best I could do.

I let Ella choose one lipgloss for herself and she chose Such A Sweetheart Huggable Glass ($8). I choose the Spring Flock blush ($8.80) because it was the only color that looked like it would work for me. Looking back I wish I tried a few neutral colors but I love my bright pinks, corals and reds.

Lipsticks from L-R; Brooke Candy Mind Control, Such a Sweetheart, Be Silly & Silly. These were all $6.80 other than Mind Control which was $7.20.

I've always wanted to try MAC Cosmetics Velvetease Lip Pencils! I purchased (from L-R) Just My Type, Lovers Lane, Anything Goes, and Just Add Romance - all $8 each. Note Ella's green manicure :)

I swatched the lipsticks on top and the lip pencils on bottom - in the order I photographed them above. The lipgloss is to the far right. The top pic was bright sunlight and the bottom pic was in the shade.

It was MAC's first sample sale and I would definitely go to their next. My only future recommendation is to bring lots of water, sunscreen and an umbrella if it's sunny (or rainy) as you're totally exposed to the elements while waiting on line. I heard that the last couple days of the sale had little to no line and they were constantly restocking. Next time I'll be waiting till the end of the sale because the line really was insane. As we left, we saw that the line wrapped from the Metropolitan Pavilion on 18th Street - to all the way around the block down 19th Street. I'm sure there were people waiting in that line for much longer than we waited.

I'd like to apologize for getting this report up so late - typically I like to share during (not after) a sale but this Summer is insanity. I could have had it up Friday afternoon but the sale ended at 4PM and I decided it would be too late if you were only first hearing about it, so I walked away from my computer and hit the pool with the kids. Between my kids being home (no camp - not sure what I was thinking), personal shopping clients, and my brother's upcoming wedding, my plate is full. That being said, if you follow me on social media you were given ample notice - so please don't yell at me for not telling you LOL. You can always follow me on Facebook, Twitter & Instagram for live updates. I'll start Snapchatting more (I'm @LeHoarder over there) as soon as I can figure it out.

I have to share a big win for me this week. This photo exceeded 550 likes. Not sure why this one but feel free to like it too :) Until now my most liked photo was around 360 and it was just a EOS lipgloss. I just wanted to thank you all for your support. Every like, comment, and share is greatly appreciated! Thank you!

Hope your Summer is going well! Retail sales are starting to heat up just as sample sales take a summer hiatus. I got an email that Neiman Marcus got another markdown - plus an extra 20% off sale. Nordstrom is having their Half Yearly sale but honestly I do better at the Rack. If anything amazing pops up I'll be sure to share!

XO
Shoppinggal

I Love Free Stuff!

I'm a bit of a free stuff junkie so I sign up for lots of giveaways and sites that offer up free goods for reviews. I've been a little under the weather so I took a bit of a shopping break - but luckily I've been having some pretty awesome mail days of late :)

Let's start with Target's June Beauty Box which isn't free but pretty close. Target has been offering beauty boxes filled with samples and a few full size products for $5-10 on a monthly basis now. They tend to sell out quick so as soon as it pops up you need to jump. Some boxes are more worth it than others - so decide quickly! I got my husband the men's box this month but he put it to use before I could photograph it. The women's box wasn't as exciting for me but it has some solid products that I'm sure I'll pay with when I get a chance. I always look for a good lipstick, nail polish, razor, dry shampoo or hairspray. This box was $10 and the lippie was by elf so I probably should have skipped. Live and learn.

FYI - The July box should be available any day now...

These days they mail it this black box with shrink wrap - which unfortunately doesn't do much to protect the goods...

I've been doing Influenster for a few years now but I'm stuck on their mommy list. They send you stuff for free to review and share with followers. While my friends get luxury makeup, I get apple juice and dish soap. That's not to say this box isn't full of useful stuff...I'd really like to try some of the good stuff already! Either way head over there to sign up and see what they send you. Maybe you'll get lucky...or just don't tell them you have kids LOL.

I'm not even sure I remember how this one came about but POPSUGAR sent me this Must Have Box to try and I have to say it's chock full of fun. They cost for $39.95 and have surprises that retail for $100+ The background I'm using is actually a really pretty oversized scarf that came in the box. Also included was a little mirror, nail polish, pretzels, bottle opener, card game and underarm deodorant wipes. My son was quizzing us all weekend with those cards.

Won this WEI Beauty haul on Instagram a little while back. I have to confess I still haven't touched anything because I'm so stuck on my Murad products for my face. I swear by Murad's Clarifying Mask (which makes pimples disappear overnight!) so I'm afraid to touch anything else. I'm gonna read up on these and start playing with them soon.

When Sugar Brand reached out to me and offered me free shoes...you can guess what I said. I choose these crafted sandals because I'm always looking for cute flats. I'm sure you recognize my new Jason Wu sunglasses from the Modo sale but my new Flocking Fabulous MAC lipstick was from the 30% off deal I mentioned here. They still have a few products left on sale but this lippie sold out. Hope you didn't miss that deal!

Thanks to Practically Haute, I was introduced to 0.8l, an online platform where you can try before you buy some interesting Korean beauty products. You have to apply to "win" and so far I've won 3x.

My favorite score was this Vant Sun Cushion - which arrived just as I ran out of my favorite BB cream. I have a hard time with foundations - they don't make a lot in fair with a hint or yellow. It seems I have Korean coloring because this one is perfect for me! It's really dewy and moisturizing, and has just enough coverage :)

This Pongdang Mulbit Glow BB Cushion scared me when I opened it. It looks so dark, yet applies lighter than the Vant. The color is fine but it's a little drier than the Vant. 

Finally, when my Delight 18 U White Pang Cellapy Sun Cushion and lip gloss arrived, my girls flipped for the packaging. So cute! The lip gloss appears clear but applies to a soft, natural pink but doesn't leave my lips as moist as I'd like. The sun cushion on the other hand is white. Literally white. All of these cushions have SPF which is amazing but this one is primarily for whitening - which I don't really need or like. Frankly, I'm pale enough. It's also a little drying. It's just not for me. Too bad because that doggie is so sweet.

We went to my Uncle Bob's pool last weekend so I felt the need to shoot everything in front of the pool. I put my $5 Rebecca Minkoff sample sale sandals to use - if only they were as comfortable as they are cute. But they sure do take a pretty picture!

And last but not least, my new Benefit Brow products. They ran a promotion to earn free products for referrals and I earned these two - and then they ran out before I could earn their third and final free product. Hate when that happens. Haven't tried them yet but can't wait! I should also thank my girls for their artwork all over my front walkway - I keep using it as a backdrop for photos :)

I'm finally feeling well enough to shop but I'm trying to give my kids a little more attention this Summer. Took them to Finding Dory yesterday and it was sweet...other than the insane woman who started cursing me out for taking her seats - which I didn't do. My husband was already sitting there holding our seats while I went to the bathroom with the kids. She claims she had sent her young son in to save seats while she was buying candy but must not have noticed my husband was there first. Honestly I didn't even see a kid standing there when I sat down - not to mention I saw the two of them walk in behind us because I remembered her grumbling on the way in and tried to stay clear of her. Maybe the kid didn't see the seats were occupied because my tiny daughter was sitting in it and in the semi dark it looked empty? Either way, she went ballistic and called me every profanity in the book at the top of her lungs. Who does that? Who curses in front of their kid like that at a children's movie? A normal person would move on and take an empty seat - that's what I would do. She eventually backed down and found another seat but not without loudly complaining to all the poor bystanders. In hindsight I probably should have looked for a manager and had her thrown out of the theater. All I can say is there are some crazy people out there...and her poor kid who has zero chance for being normal with a mom like that. Ugh. Vent over.

Anyway...hope your mail days have been as successful as mine :)

XO
Shoppinggal

New Year's Eve, Bargainista Style.

Happy New Years Eve! Today I headed to Nordstrom to have my face done to make up (haha!) for an overwhelmed employee who wasn't all that friendly a couple weeks back. Long story short, in my quest for the perfect brow I purchased an Anastasia eye pencil online and picked it up in store. When I went in I asked for assistance and the Anastasia associate told she was too busy to show me how to use it - and she couldn't be bothered to call someone to help. Last I checked Nordstrom was known for customer service so I reported her. The cosmetics manager, Adria Hill called me back and offered to do my makeup for New Year's Eve. I'm always up to learn a few new tricks so I happily accepted.

Adria is amazing. Check out her insane Insta feed here. She showed me how to contour, highlight and do a crazy eye. I hope to collaborate with her again in the New Year because she is so talented. In addition to make up artist, she was also my photographer for the day. Thanks Adria!

My look from head to toe:

• Lips: MAC Ruby Woo, Nordstrom, $17 (free with notes)
• Jacket: Alice + Olivia Jace, sample sale, $99 (retail $2,000!)
• Dress: American Apparel, $7.50, Nordstrom Rack
• Bracelets: A.V. Max beaded cuffs, sample sale, $10 each
• Bag: Dannijo Viper clutch, sample sale, $75 (retail $698)
• Boots: Sergio Rossi, sample sale, $25 (retail $1,100!)

I didn't want to wear full on sequins during the day so I grabbed my new Alice + Olivia leather jacket for some sparkle. I got this little black dress at the Rack 50% off dress sale yesterday - I planned on using as a slip to layer under dresses but I decided to just wear it out because it's an easy, comfortable dress. Basically, this $3,000 look cost $226.50 OOP. #Score!

I had free money at Nordstrom so I splurged on some makeup. Adria recommended getting Ruby Woo pencil and lipstick because I don't have them yet and I grabbed another Miley Cyrus Viva Glam because today was the last day to buy it. It's a limited edition and I was told them are getting pulled so if you want one order NOW. I'm sure you've seen a bajillion pictures of me wearing it and it's become my go-to lipstick.

I'm linking up some of my pieces (and similar) for you to shop :)

So Happy New Year! So excited to see what 2016 brings! May it be a year filled with successful sample sales, discounted designer shoes and many, many fashion adventures! What are you looking forward to in 2016?

XOXO
Shoppinggal

Bargainista Style; My $1,897 Alice + Olivia Voloshin Embellished Lace Dress...That Cost $119!

I can't tell you how many people asked to see more of my Alice + Olivia Voloshin dress. Thank you to my amazing reader, Julia who found the dress online so I could see that it retailed for a whopping $1,897. And to think I was mad that they priced it as a gown at the sample sale for $119 instead of a embellished dress for $99 LOL. Definitely worth the extra twenty bucks.
Once again it was unseasonably warm so I was able to step outside in short sleeves without a problem. My super talented niece, Meira, shot me so I didn't have to bug my poor husband or kids.

From head to toe:

• Earrings: A.V. Max spiked ear climber, sample sale, $4
• Eyes: Korres Volcanic Liner and Korres Professional Mascara, free (thanks Korres!)
• Lips: MAC Victoriana, Isabel & Ruben Toledo collab, $17.50 (free with Nordstrom Notes)
• Dress: Alice + Olivia Voloshin, sample sale, $119 (retail $1,897!)
• Bracelet: A.V. Max beaded rocker jewel cuff, sample sale, $10 (retail $105!)
• Bag: Maison Du Posh python skull clutch, Century 21, $46 (90% off sale - retailed for $1300!)
• Shoes: Charlotte Olympia Agent Provocateur Bellatrix, sample sale, $150 (retail $895)

This look easily retailed for over $4,000 and it was $329 OOP for me :)

I also decided that going forward I'm gonna need a cropped black fur coat for this dress so I'm on the hunt.

Linking some of these pieces (and similar) for you to see how much other people actually paid for them LOL.

I think this dress may be my favorite sample sale find this year - and this year has been pretty amazing. I'll be sure to do a roundup of all my faves before the end of the year. For those who have been following along, what are your favorites?

XOXO
Shoppinggal