Earrings: BR Outlet | Scarf: “borrowed” from my Mom | Sweater: Old Navy (similar) | Jeans: AE | Boots: Aldo
1) Great reads.
I participated in my first ever book club! It’s a monthly book club with some great gals. Katie did a great job organizing it, and I loved the book. I moved to the Chicago ‘burbs about three years ago, not knowing anyone, and Rachel Bertsche’s book really summarized how I felt when on my quest to make friends. Plus, the her friend search takes place in Chicago, and I definitely recognized some of the places she referenced. It’s a quick read (even for me…and quite frankly, this was the first book I read in a looong time!)
2) Great deals.
I have a soft spot for CVS in my heart. That is my go-to store for health products, toiletries, etc. (Plus, now that CVS will stop selling cigarettes & tobacco, I love them even more!) Anyways, I love to score great deals and this week’s haul was no exception:
That is TP (my husband’s initials) carrying TP. It was only fitting that I get a photo. 
I scored 6 boxes of Kleenex and 3 packs of toilet paper and paid $6.67 out of pocket after rewards, sales, etc. then got $10 back in ExtraBucks (ECBs). It isn’t uncommon for me to walk out of CVS making money. The key is to stack sales with manufacturer’s coupons and in-store specials. It doesn’t have to be time consuming either! I started couponing after attending a Chicagoland coupon expert’s workshop and have taken it from there…it’s really a fun game for me!
3) Great insight.
On a recent Bethenny show, she did a fascinating segment on how retailers mess with our minds as female consumers. She showed how three pairs of the same size jeans had drastically different sized waists, how identical twins weighing the same could wear TOTALLY different sizes at different stores, and had audience members guess the sizes of a LBD. Check out the segments here.
I think retailers definitely mess with your mind by oversizing. There a term for it called “vanity sizing” where a smaller size on the tag makes you feel better, enticing you to buy more. I have definitely been taken by this practice…I know I’m not defined by a number and try not to buy based on that, but it’s definitely in the back of my head! It’s incredible that retailers can get away with this. Have you ever fallen victim to vanity sizing? (I must say, though, that this is a good explanation as to why it takes us so long to go clothing shopping! I am definitely telling my husband that this is why! haha!)
Linking up with Vodka Infused Lemonade and Mix and Match Fashion.
Oh my goodness! I knew vanity sizing was real, but that’s crazy. I know Target is really bad for this. One time a Size 2 dress was too big on me. THAT SHOULD NEVER HAPPEN. I will never nor would I ever want to actually be a size 2! But anyway, that’s crazy. It would be nice if there was more consistency just so I could better guess my size when shopping online. I would rather try things on in the privacy of my own home than get frustrated in stores ;)
Also, love your outfit! That scarf is adorable :)
I was going to say, love the scarf! And love that you stole it from your mom ;)
Was CVS always your go to for those things, or after you figured out all the couponing? That place is a total convenience store for me since the prices are higher (we get a lot at ALDI) but you seem to be doing it right!
Ahh, vanity sizing. I have discussed this with a few people lately, because I ordered something online and was going to go off my numerical size, which made me a large, then I decided to check my measurements, and I was happy I did – I was actually an XL. We should just go off of measurements, all the time. LOL!
The worst is when stores change their sizing! I used to be able to buy a skirt or pants off the rack without even trying them on at The Limited and now I have to try them on just to make sure they fit. Either that or they’ve forgone vanity sizing and actually made their sizes smaller or I’ve just gotten bigger.
Love these segments on Bethenney! It is crazy the differences at stores.
And I love that book as well! I read it last year and just loved it. I felt the same struggle when I moved with my husband!
The sizing is crazy, it is hard to buy when you don’t know your size from store to store. Cute casual outfit today. :)
I saw that episode of Bethenny- pretty interesting! I’ve gotten to the point where I just order off what my measurements are, because it’s so crazy!!!
I hate the sizing games retailers play – if nothing else, it makes online shopping so hard! I wear two different pants sizes at Gap, depending on the cut, I’ve been known to completely drown in their size ‘mediums’, but sometimes still need to buy a large? The sizing world has lost its mind and causes us to lose ours!
I love CVS too…luv their extra bucks! I also wind up walking out of there w/ 4 bottles of lotion or 6 packs of TP :)
Merrie @ http://www.PetiteCareerGirl.com
i am a major couponer too but it seemed like too much effort to try to use coupons, track sales and reward card rules at more than one store so now i just stick to target. i know there are so many good deals that can be found at drug stores, too, though. i always feel good when i have a big stockpile of TP and kleenex because that stuff never goes bad or expires and you know you’ll always use it. :)
-heidi @ literate & stylish
As my husband and I prepare to move in the next couple of months, I’m eager to look at the book you mentioned. I am not great at making friends, so I’m hoping it has some good insights for me in our next phase in life! :)
Are you moving far from where you currently are? You’ll definitely love this book…very motivating!