TWIMO Thrifty Tips: One person's misery is another's joy

Okay more like one bookstore's misery is my joy (and could be yours too). This installment of TWIMO thrifty tips (Hello, by the way. Sorry I spy in July was a bit of a bust. I got depressed by not having many friends in the ATL and had no desire to be creative and write to you and mostly sat on my couch and had nothing to take pictures of. Sorry) will cover some great summer deals and the bankruptcy of a bookstore that will help fill your shelves with great end of summer reads.

1) Obvi, if you're like me and watch the Today show religiously you know the economy sucks right now. Seriously, Economy, could you get your act together and get better? Anyway out of this disaster has come something to us book lovers advantage: Borders is going out of business. Now I was never a huge fan of Borders. As a big box book store I felt it lacked the "bookstore" feel and experience. First of all they served sub par coffee. Secondly they sold weird things in the checkout line like Diet Coke and Reece Cups. I mean is this a convenience store or a bookstore? So as an avid Barnes and Noble patron, I'm not particularly sad about Borders leaving the market, but I am rejoicing at the SALE they are having. On a recent trip (which I had to bring my own Starbucks to) I picked myself up a great little pile of titles to add to my stash which include:

-The Tipping Point by Malcolm Gladwell (all the boys on my dating websites put this as the last book they read, so I guess I should check it out, so that I can look cool in their eyes)
- Emma by Jane Austin
- Mansfield Park by Jane Austin (I'm going to pretend it takes place in my Ohio hood of Mansfield, Ohio)
- Let the World Spin by Colum McCann (I think my friend-sy, E over at Novel Tease read this at one point and I want to look like a cool literary scholar like her)
-Sarah's Key by Tatiana De Rosnay (duh, it has my name in the title)
- The fundamentals of Marketing (you know,  for when I get my MBA)
- Typography Essentials by Ina Saltz (you know, for when I become a graphic designer)

Perhaps a future post will include a book review, but don't hold your breath.

2) Since you now have a good book to curl up with you need some coffee to sip while you drift into another world so take advantage of the Starbucks Treat Receipt (happening through September). Here's how it works buy a cheap drink before 2pm (ie iced coffee, or the Sarah special an iced americano with sugar free vanilla and room) and then after 2pm go get a grande iced drink (make it something lavish, like a caramel macchiato) for $2. What a deal. That's like 2 drinks for the price of one ridiculously priced brew.

3) This is just a PSA and reminder that you should continue to use this TWIMO tried and true for all your TWIMO thrifty deals, TJ Maxx. I have been shopping and saving money at the Maxx since I wore a size 6X, which has been awhile and I continue to be amazed by its amazingness. I feel bad for those who are faint of heart and need their goods organized by color and limited to like 5 things on a rack (uh humm most of my friends) who might miss out on the great deals the TJ has to offer. For example, on today's trip to the Maxx, which was preceded by a trip to Target where I bought new Sony earbuds for my ipod for $16 (I can't keep those damn things working), I found the SAME earbuds selling for $8. YES THAT IS 50% off my friends. So naturally I bought them and will be returning those purchased at Target. I can buy like 2 Starbucks with the savings (or 4 with my treat receipts).  FYI: I also got 2 bottles of Philosopy body wash for $20 (one bottle retails for $17). Yep, I'm pretty darn awesome.

So go forth my little TWIMOers and save some dough with these TWIMO thrifty tips, because according to the analysts the economy is up and down like a cheap whore so we may need to make like Sarah and be thrifty for awhile longer.

Burning a Hole

On my recent weekend trip to the SAV (Savannah)(I will be posting about the events of the weekend in a future post, so look out!) I saw these bags via Hobo International in Terra Cotta, a super cute boutique, with super high prices. It's on sale at Nordstrom, but I bet I could pull some TWIMO thrifty skills and find a similar one. You know I'm trying to channel my inner hipster.

Geeky Girls are fashionable too

During a recent paralysis from waiting for potential employers to get back to me with their decisions I discovered this blog called Academichic where 4 feminist studies PhD candidates blog about the outfits they wear for their academic pursuits. I think that I really enjoyed this blog because of how it was set up with the CV and class notes section. It really spoke to me. So I hope you can get your inner geeky fashionable self on with its help.

Why October is one of my favorite months.

Today is the beginning of October, one of my favorite months of the year. First, it is usually in October that fall (my favorite weather season) sets in. Here in the ATL, we're running a sunny 75 with a slight breeze and it's fantastic. October is also the start of my favorite holiday seasons. First we get Halloween (when I scoff at people that say it is just for kids. Trick or treating is for kids. Halloween is for everyone). I LOVE dressing up and pretending to be something I'm not. Last year I was a "desperate" housewife and it was fantastic fun running around Savannah with my dear grad school friends. The best might have been E (a lumber jack) chasing her log, Miss C-line. Good times. Then comes Thanksgiving my all time favorite holiday and then Christmas, which doesn't really get me all hot and bothered, but this year I'm living abundantly, so the fact that I have very little family left is not going to bother me. :) Now other reasons to love October:


1) Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Having a family plagued with this disease (both my grandmother and mother and the very high chance that I too will get to deal with it) makes me want to spread the word. Go out there support the cause! Since it's directed at women, there are lots of cool products you can buy that give money back to research, for instance this new bracelet I just bought from Ann Taylor Loft designed by Me & Ro (really awesome jewelry designers that I could not afford otherwise). $5 of the cost goes to research AND if you're a TWIMO thrifty shopper, like myself you will have scored this beautiful find for 50% off retail ($35) (Loft is currently running a %25 off everything in the store sale and I had a coupon for %25 off full price merchandise, hence %50 off). So go get one!!! If you're less into material things may I suggest a book to read about the language of cancer, Disease as Metaphor by Susan Sontag. Not as fun as a bracelet, but it will definitely get you thinking. Also, PSA, don't forget to do your monthly breast exam. The DJ on the radio this morning wanted me to remind my friends. So you've been reminded.



2) Oktoberfest!

Now as some of you might know, I come from German heritage. Oh really Sarah? With that last name? A few years back when travelling in Europe I checked into my hostel in Munich and the receptionist said, "Welcome Home." So I may not look like Heidi Klum, but I'm German and one of my favorite parts of German culture is their FOOD. That's right. Hook me up with some sausage, German potato salad, mustard, pickles, and pretzel and I'll be all right. Now if I just liked beer... I think that gene got lost somewhere. Anyway back to the point. In honor of Oktoberfest the lovely people over at World Market are having a sale on German food items. I saw the sale advertised in the monthly e-newsletter I get from them and saw the gem of all gems being thrust at me through my computer screen, Curry Ketchup. Now I know what Miss E is thinking. Disgusting. Well, it's not. Trust me. I discovered curry ketchup while travelling with my ex boyfriend in Europe. We were always on the look out for a cheap eat so in Germany we became obsessed with Curry Wurst, which is essentially a hot dog/sausage with this tomato-y curry sauce aka curry ketchup served piping hot with a little fork. Yum. So now I can have all the curry wurst I want since I am now the proud owner of a giant bottle of curry ketchup.



So go out crack open a nice brew (or lovely Germany white wine) and raise your glass to October.

The Unemployed Shopper: TWIMO Trendy Tips

Happy Friday TWIMO-ers!! I bet it has been a rough week, so obviously you need to go shopping this weekend and pick up some TWIMO endorsed trends. Now you may be asking yourself why I, the style maven, Sarah should be advising you on trends? I think I am well qualified as I keep up on my popular culture and fashion by studying magazines, websites, and religiously watching the Today Show and E! News. In fact last night at trivia the only two questions I contributed to involved knowing the names of Angelina and Brad's brood and where Justin Timberlake's clothing line will be sold (Target, obvi.) So here is my latest trend forecast:

TWIMO Trend #1: Chunky Plastic Watches:

I recently have seen these popping up in various stores, so I contemplated whether I should join in the trend as well (I wouldn't want to be a follower or anything). After many hours of going back and forth, I decided to buy into it, after I found one that looked classy and expensive without being so (I find some of the offerings out there look border line cheap and cheesy). So here's the new wrist candy I'm sporting in bright white (although they come in a rainbow of colors. I dare you to get the orange one!).

The Anne Klein watch I purchased (available at Macy's)

The Michael Kors watches that look like the Anne Klein watch, but are like $200 (also available at Macy's, but I'll be very disappointed in your not being thrifty when it comes to something your not going to want in a season.)

TWIMO Trendy Tip #2: Fedoras:

Another trend for fall, the fedora. I have always loved hats (I've been told I have the perfect shaped head for them.) Now I've been hesitant to join this trend, because I know it is just that. It will be out the door come spring and like other hat trends I have followed I know the end product will be the hat ending up in a pile destined for Goodwill. So on a recent trip to the mall I spent a good while trying on all the fedoras offered at the hipster haven, Urban Outfitters. I was just about ready to purchase a really cute $28 mobster worthy piece of head gear when I thought better of it. So I left fedora-less. Then later in the week I was at Kohl's (contemplating the purchase of a Keurig coffee maker (so trendy right now btw)) when I saw a cute straw fedora on sale for $7. Now that was a price I was willing to pay for a trend. So I bought it and I'm going to tear the heinous teal bow off of it and replace it with some classy black or gray ribbon for fall. I might even consider spray painting it so that it isn't straw colored anymore. Genius right?

Even Johnny Depp looks cute in a fedora (machine gun not needed to rock this look)!

So fetch right now. You can even use it to hide your face from the paparazzi!

The straw gem I purchased for $7

So the lesson here dear TWIMO-ers is never follow a trend, make the trend follow you. Have a great weekend!

Bargain Bonanza: The Unemployed Shopper

Here are my latest bargains, because obviously I need clothes to wear to my non existent career and social life. At least they look pretty hanging in my closet. Also sorry for the uninteresting phot-oging.

1) Milley Navy Sweater bought at Desu Couture

I got this old lady chic gem at a designer consignment shop in Virginia Highlands (a super cool ATL neighborhood). I didn't really know what Milley was and just liked the sweater (and the fact that it was on the 50% off rack) and because obvi I needed a sweater in July at 102 degrees. I make a lot of sense. Anyway, wanting to know what kind of bargain I had gotten I looked up Milley, which is a brand sold at alll the big boys such as Neiman's and Bloomies and a knit sweater can retail for upwards of $175. So want to know what I paid? Wait for it... wait for it... $32. I'm pretty much amazing.

2) 5/48 Silk Dress with Belt bought at Off Saks 5th Ave

Cute right. Retailed for $218 bought for $25. Someday when I get a date I will wear it and not only wow the lucky lad with my beauty, but with my savings savvy.

3) Magaschoni Silk and Cashmere T-shirt Sweater bought at Off Saks 5th Ave.

This isn't really that exciting but I love the chartreuse color and the super softness of this piece. Bring on the skinny jeans and ballet flats! Retail: $148. Sarah's Price:$27

Remember when I made fun of these...

Today, as my job search job, I went to the mall (always a dangerous thing for me) to get applications from various home stores for part time work, while I'm searching for real work. Well, I parked near Bloomingdale's (Bloomies, is what I believe people that actually shop there call it) and was seduced by the Ray-Ban Wayfarer display. Several summers ago when these were all the rage I made fun of them, because they reminded me of the early ninties plastic sunglass I wore with a fanny pack, because I thought it was cool. Today though... I saw these cute clear/yellowish rims with black arms and kinda fell in love. Should I splurge? I wear sunglasses outside all the time and it's double points with my Nordstrom card right now... Opinions? Thoughts?

The Unemployed Shopper

I was watching a show called pop culture wars and it reviewed a viral video trend where people sit and tell the world what they have recently purchased. As if anyone cares... The big debate in this activity is whether to tell how much one has spent on their purchases. Now I think this activity is as dumb as the next person, but I'm going to grace you with my recent purchases anyway which of course I did not need and will put me in further debt, but makes my job searching life just a little rosier. I just can't resist a bargain.

Purple "Vintage" Mary Janes

$20 at DSW (originally $80)

These are going to be super cute for the fall. I'm thinking with gray tights.

Coral Cashmere Sweater

Slightly More than I could afford at Nordstrom Rack

Okay, so I totally didn't need this KATE SPADE sweater, but I fell in love with the softness and the fringe detailing. It's going to look super cute at my imaginary job.

Boutique 9 Woven Peeptoe Heels

$30 at DSW (originally $130)
Amazing!!! I needed some hot heels for Hot-lanta.

Ralph Lauren Plaid Ruffle Front Shirt
$20 at TJ Maxx (originally $78)

So, I call this old lady chic (which originates from the fact that I often see clothing I own on 60+ year old women, which means they are either super cool or I'm super lame). I'm hoping the plaid shirt trend lasts for fall. I think I could put on some skinny jeans and flats and be all hipster and such.