THE QUEEN OF CHEAP

Outlet shopping

2008-06-23T23:23:00.001+08:00

In the States, this is what I love most. I hope more and more brands put up outlet stores here (I know there are already a few in Sta. Rosa, Laguna). One of the stores I like going back to is the Regalong Pambahay Outlet Store in Mandaluyong, along Pioneer Street. DH and I went there again recently to look around during our spare time.

The place is huge, like a warehouse but nicer

Endless shelves of home decor

They have a section that's black and white. See those Victorian picture frames? They're so pretty! Too bad they'll look out of place in my house.

I want a mirror this big hahaha!

And a lounger just like this for

those lazy moments

This is their Clearance section

If you pay in cash, you get 20% off the tag price
Credit card purchases are subject to
a 15% discount

El cheapo gets a haircut

2008-06-23T23:18:00.000+08:00

I've been looking for an alternative salon for my transition cuts. I'm growing my hair out so I have to make more frequent trips to the salon to have it trimmed. My usual choice is Emphasis in Rockwell. But 900 bucks is quite a lot to pay for a haircut, especially since I need to have one every 2 weeks. I've tried Razzle Dazzle and although they're cheaper than Emphasis and I considered going back to them for a moment, I honestly did not feel up to it today. I wasn't ready to listen to all that sales talk (which I'm sure they would give me because that's what they did the last time). Besides, I had a 2pm meeting to catch and only had my lunchbreak to get my hair done.

Last night I came across Sophie's blog and there was an entry about this stylist from a salon somewhere in Greenbelt. Perfect! At lunchtime, I walked from the office to Greenbelt 3. The place is situated inside First Aid and it turned out to be a Bench Fix Salon. I asked for Rico Gallegos, upon Sophie's recommendation but he was on his day off. What luck! But I had walked all the way there and wasn't about to go back to the office without getting anything done so I asked the receptionist who she can recommend instead. She handed me over to another Senior Stylist, Jun.

Pardon the first pic...there was a bit of a draft in the restroom and I didn't realize that side of my head looked disheveled hehehe.
How much did this cut cost?
A mere 350 bucks
Now that's more like it. For that price, I can go back as often as I want until I achieve my desired length. Next time though, I'll try Rico for sure!!!
(I actually had to stare at myself in the mirror because I couldn't believe it --- mukha na akong babae ulit HAHAHAHAHA)

Getting on the bag organizer bandwagon

2008-06-23T22:53:00.004+08:00

I've put off getting one of these for the longest time, even if deep inside I knew I needed them. I carry big bags all the time, no exceptions! Well maybe not during formal events but trust that carrying a clutch or anything smaller than a tote is something that doesn't really sit well with me. It makes me feel incomplete!

One of the downsides of being a big bag person is this : the bigger the bag, the more difficult it is to find things especially when you need them urgently! So I finally admitted to myself that okay...I'm not exactly a neat freak and yes, I do need a bag organizer to help make my life easier. I first got the expandable type, the one that looks like this:But I later on discovered that this kind would never work for me. It will definitely work for "small bag" people. After looking and looking for the perfect style and size, I finally found it in BUBBLEWRAPSHIRTS! Their bag organizers come in two sizes : the smaller one called All You Need and the bigger one called All You Want. I don't need to tell you which size I got hehehe. The All You Need organizer costs P200 a piece while the bigger one only P250. Is there anyone else who can beat those prices?! Even the colors are so cute, you'll surely have a hard time choosing which one you want. Oh and I've already washed my organizers several times but the fabric is the same as it was the day I got them in the mail. Talk about value for money!

A sample pic of the All You Need organizer

And here's the All You Want organizer (mine is in this color)

I just have to say...this thing has changed my life and has saved me so much time. I change bags almost everyday but instead of moving everything bit by bit, I now just lift the organizer out and dump it in my chosen bag for the day. I should've gotten this ages ago!

Photo credit : http:bubblewrapshirts.multiply.com

My ultimate bad

2008-06-23T22:51:00.002+08:00

I know, I know. I have been extremely neglectful of this space I've created here.
Hey, it's no joke maintaining three blogs! But I promise to be more attentive from now on.

Attack!

2007-09-03T10:19:00.001+08:00

I gathered my latest stash for a "family" photo, so proud of what I've bought lately with my humble housewife's budget (and lots of help from my well-trained, bargain hunting nose hehe!) The newest additions:

Left to right:
Skinny Jeans for Anissa from SM Dept Store, my most expensive purchase @ 600
Bisou Bisou skinny jeans for me from the Greenhills tiangge @ 500 (perfect fit, i swear! even better than the ones I got from Tophsop )
Brown woven strappy wedges from Unlisted @ 500+
Black patent peeptoes from Greenhills tiangge @ 350 (they don't look as cheap as some of the other styles I've seen there. also comes in gold and silver.)
Unbranded dark denim mini skirt from Greenhills tiangge @ only 250! (i haggled to death, the saleslady must really hate me )
American Eagle hunter green pullover from JJ (my favorite overruns store because they don't carry the usual stuff) @ the Greenhills tiangge for 500. They also have it in navy, cream, light grey, dark grey, teal and rust.
Enamel Owl Pendant necklace from mypinkcloset on Multiply for 500 (been looking for this for a while. A store in Power Plant sells the same necklace for a whopping 1,500 blah!)
Assorted Bangkok enamel bangles from the Greenhills tiangge @ only 100 each because I got a lot (the large striped one was 200)
Brown and black patent ballet flats from Shoebox @ 550 each

So what's my favorite shopping place?
Happy happy joy joy!

2007-09-03T08:16:00.000+08:00

2007-08-13T09:57:00.000+08:00

I was recently shocked to discover that I didn't have a single pair of decent black pumps in my shoe cabinet I must have been on a roll when we had our general cleaning/major garage sale here at home a few months before I had Sabine. I think I assumed that my feet would grow half a size after childbirth so I sold all of them Except for a pair of black patent mules from VNC and t-strap stilettos from Nine West, I have nothing else. I have to have several pairs of black shoes for practical reasons. It's my most worn shoe color for work so having a few pairs is ideal. If I settle for two pairs, I know I'll wear them off so quickly because of the nature of my work.

But I've put off buying new shoes because I promised myself I'd wait until I get hired again. However, this week I'm supposed to go to 3 interviews so I found myself rummaging through my closet to see what I can wear and the truth glared at me : I STILL don't have a decent pair of black pumps.
So this morning before the Sunday mall-crazy crowd got there, I went to Megamall in the hopes of finding that perfect pair. The pair that would just be sitting there but calling out my name (sorry...I'm a shoe addict remember? so in my world, shoes talk haha!). I went straight to SM Dept. Store because I was in no mood to walk through the entire mall and hop from one store to another. I wanted as many options as possible in one store and had these styles in mind:

I was pleasantly surprised to see a lot of good-looking styles under SM's in-house Parisian brand. Seriously, some of those styles would have looked so at home on the shelves of VNC and Schu I actually had my eye on two pairs from there but I was careful not to get distracted and lose sight of my objective. After trying on God knows how many pairs, I finally decided on these...

Patent peeptoes with stacked heels from local brand Janeo

I think they look great, don't you?

HAPPINESS for 800 bucks hee hee!

Next shoe color target : chocolate brown =)

Nails at Home

2007-08-09T23:19:00.000+08:00

When it comes to nail pampering, I've tried almost every place in the Metro. For the longest time, I was a very loyal client of Nail Spa at the Shang Mall. That is, until my favorite nail technician left to join Lotus Spa at the Podium Mall. When going to Ortigas Center just to get my nails done proved to be more of a hassle than an opportunity to de-stress, I settled for a neighborhood/village salon which, of course, was nowhere near the places I mentioned in terms of ambience and comfort. But they were able to do their job at cleaning my hands and feet just the same. When we rented out our townhouse in that village, I began to look for another salon near my house in Mandaluyong. I didn't find the ideal salon right away so I would go to places like CANS, Piandre Salon or whatever else I could find. I later on found Strands along Shaw Blvd. (in between Goldilock's and Red Ribbon) and I was impressed because they had all the nail polish brands that I love.

Recently though, I read about Nails at Home in the papers. Because I now spend 90% of my time within the walls of my house taking care of my family, it's become a chore to step out of the house just to get a manicure, pedicure and footspa. So I decided to go for home service this time and tried them out. BOY DID I LOVE IT!!!

My very first experience turned out to be so worth it, I've already called them back a second time. For a mani-pedi that's done right in the comforts of your own home for just P300, who's to complain??? An additional 200 something would get you a Foot Spa service to boot. I don't know what took me so long but I'm convinced this is how I want things done for now.

The best part is...I can completely tune out while my nails are being done. I lock myself up in my TV room, turn on the airconditioner and watch a movie on DVD while the nail technician works on me hee hee! This is heaven for pamper freaks like myself!

Read more about Nails at Home here and give them a try soon. You won't regret it!

Food review : Razon's Halo Halo

2007-08-05T11:37:00.001+08:00

Still the BEST Halo Halo in town! I think it's the kind of milk they use, plus the fact that their ice is so finely shaven, it's not very difficult to eat. Nevermind if it doesn't have all the other usual Halo Halo ingredients (just banana, macapuno and a slice of leche flan on top), this one still beats all the others! And for P65 an order, how can you possibly go wrong? We always visit the branch in Greenhills (along Connecticut, before the North Greenhills gate). But sometimes we go to the one along Julia Vargas (City Golf?), too. We've also tried the one in Guagua, Pampanga. We just had to stop for a short break while driving home to Manila from a weekend in Subic. Ah basta, Razon's forever!

Cheers, bargain hunters! =)

MEGA bargain find : Couture Shorts

2007-08-05T10:16:00.000+08:00

When it comes to bottoms, I've always been partial to shorts and jeans. As far as jeans are concerned, I have them in every wash and cut imaginable (but lately all I've been wearing are skinnies and straight cuts). When it comes to shorts, I take a look at 2 things: length and width. Because my legs are thin (modesty aside, of course), I can't wear wide width shorts because my gams will look like stilts hee hee! I prefer the shorty short ones, not too vulgar of course because at my age that would be such a shame haha!

This is what you get for being on the internet the whole day, everyday! You find stuff that you don't even need but end up wanting to buy --- I'm always guilty of that. But this is one purchase I do not regret making. Why? Because these couture shorts were on clearance! The magic word haha!

Don't mind the cuffs on the grey one. They don't look like that in actual. They were delivered by the courier yesterday and I tried them on immediately. PERFECT FIT! Oh, I almost forgot to mention how much they cost me --- don't fall off your seat now. They were on sale for PHP 100 each. Is that a steal or what???

I can't wait to wear them hee hee! Eenie meenie miney moe...

Cheers, bargain hunters! =)

P.S. The photos you see here were lifted from the seller's blog. Check out what else she has at DESIGNER REPLICA.

Topshop and Dorothy Perkins Sale

2007-08-05T09:11:00.000+08:00

Today's the third day since the sale started. Last August 3, they opened their doors but only to a select few who had invites to their PRIVATE SALE.

A shopaholic friend who ran to the Podium branch on the first day told me she wasn't too happy but was able to bring home with her a few things. I guess she was prepared to leave the store with bags and bags of goodies hee hee! Another shopaholic friend (this one really buys in bulk each time) says she got more for her DH at Topman and just brought home a top and belt for herself (not even 50% off).

Oh well...I guess it all depends on what you're looking for. I was told that the white skinny jeans (or was it skinny flares) that I've been eyeing is only on 10% off. Blah!!! That means they don't fall under my definition of a bargain. Realistically speaking, I don't think these will go on half-off because the people of Topshop know that skinnies are a huge craze and people will buy them anyway, even without a discount. Oh well...

Hope you girls are luckier than my friends!

Cheers, bargain hunters! =)

Welcome!

2007-08-05T08:46:00.001+08:00

This is officially my THIRD blog.

I created it so I can share all of my great bargain finds.

I find so much satisfaction in discovering inexpensive stuff from clothes, shoes, bags --- even stuff for my kids. I've never believed that in order to look good, one must SPEND A LOT because taste can never ever be bought. Like it says in my profile...all it takes is image management.

Know what looks good on you and what you can confidently carry without having to shell out too much. Brand names? Who doesn't like buying them? I, too, have some trusted brand names in my closet. But a lot of them were bought during end-of-season sales (yes, I sometimes fall in line for hours just to get them) or clearances. Somehow, the level of satisfaction is much much higher after coming home tired from a mad sale in the mall. That's 'cause I know I didn't max out my credit card or leave my atm account dry.

But enough of my small talk. I'll let my succeeding entries do most of the talking here. See y'all later!

Cheers, bargain hunters! =)