Swell Savings: Lovely Winter Coat

I love when items that you can wear for the current season are marked way down, because the store needs to make room for all the next season stuff. An example of this would be a coat that I picked up at JCPenny today. It was originally priced at $200, but I got it for $39.97.

It's perfect for wearing to work. I picked the boysenberry color - a good color for any complexion shade.

The green, blue, and yellow could be a bit trickier. You can find it online here, if you are interested - a little pricier than in my local store. If you are in need of a mid-season wardrobe boost, now is the time to look, because your local anywhere-store is in a mad rush to stock swimsuits (which we won't need in my area for a few months, in which time they will be pulling the suits and stocking the back to school items).



Image credit: JCPenny.com

Swell Style: Interview Clothes

I love style blogs. I like to start on one, then use it as a jumping off point to discover new ones. I've learned a lot in my style reading and one of the most important lessons is to be brave in my choices.

When I began my job search a week ago, I had one interview dress, a giraffe-type print black dress  that I found on sale at Target for $19.99. I love this dress. I'm busty and it totally covers that area without making me look dumpy. It nips in at the waist and it's not too short. Perfect for interviewing.

I paired it with a pair of high-heeled, brown leather sandals, but I noticed that a strap had broken on my sandal as I sat in the lobby. Ack!! Panic!! I borrowed a pair of scissors from the receptionist and then drove straight to Kohl's after the interview. I had to have interview shoes.

I texted my sister as I searched Kohl's clearance shoe section. We decided I needed a pair of brown shoes and a pair of black shoes. At home I have a pair of pointy brown faux alligator pumps. I love them, but ouch. I have to be able to walk. I found this pair of black shoes right away. They are cuter on than they look in the photo and incredibly comfortable. I'm wearing them for my interview on Monday.

I couldn't find an inexpensive pair of brown shoes on clearance, but I did find these.....

Holy cow!! I love them!! I called my daughter and she found a Kohl's coupon on our kitchen counter. I was able to get both pairs of shoes for less than $20. The second pair is not an "interview shoe," but I can wear them with a brown shirtdress I picked up at Target.



For some reason Target has this dress listed online at $24.99, but I got it off the clearance rack for something like $17.48. I like my price better. I plan to start sharing my outfits soon, but today my interview dresses are keeping my treadmill warm. Time to clear them off and get busy on my run.

Image credits: Target and Chase Your Bliss Photography

Swell Shopping: FREE Beauty Products

I live in a college town. This weekend shopping has been a serious undertaking - the parking lots are packed, the aisles are packed, it's best to get in and out early.  Or better yet, shop online from the comfort of your own home. Aah, that's the way to do it. 

How about some FREE beauty products?? I've got some FREE Stuff coming right up.......


*Sephora:

Get a sample of Clinique's new Repairwear Laser Focus Wrinkle & UV Damage Corrector free with purchase at Sephora. To recieve your free anti-aging product, use the code REPAIRWEAR at checkout.

FREE Ren Blemish Cleanser. Use code CLAYCLEANSE at checkout.

FREE Strivectin Facial Cream. Use code SCULPT at checkout.

FREE deluxe-size sample of Aquolina Pink Sugar scented Body Mousse. Use code PINKSUGAR at checkout.

*ULTA:

Get 2 FREE deluxe samples of bareMinerals Bare Escentuals products. Choose from a matte or original deluxe foundation, plus a Rare Minerals Moisturizer with purchase of a any Bare Escentuals product.

The FREE Weekender bag offer is still going on, as well.

Image credit: Sephora

Swell Smells: ULTA's Free Tote Bag Offer

ULTA has a great gift with purchase offer going on for fragrance lovers. Make a $40 fragrance purchase and get a free tote. The totes come in great Spring shades like pink, green, white, yellow, and 2010's hottest color torquoise. No savings code is required, you chose your tote color at checkout.

What to buy? How about Marc Jacobs Lola? Described as being a bit like Daisy's older sister, Lola is a warm Floral. Once, while walking through the grocery store with my daughter, I thought, "Mmm, who smells so good?" Then, I realized that it was me, wearing Lola for a fragrance review. Plus, check out that bottle. How cute is that?

Top note: Pink Peppercorn, Pear, Ruby Red Grapefruit
Middle note: Rose, Fuschia, Peony, Geranium
Bottom note: Vanilla, Tonka Bean, Creamy Musk

Image credit: ULTA.com