Back to School Essentials: Saving Money While BTS Shopping

It's that time of year again guys! I know, I can't believe that summer is almost over either! You know what that means, back to school shopping is in full swing. Don't drain your wallet on a few purchases. Get the most out of your money with these thrifty tips.

- Shop for clothes a season or two ahead of time. It may still be warm when you return to school but if you're at a store and see an awesome jacket for a great price that you love, pick it up! Stash it away until cooler weather and then bring it out. Stores will usually put last seasons coats, jackets, and sweaters on the sale rack, so see what you can find. Look for classic pieces that way they'll still be on trend when they're finally season appropriate.

Score this Faux Leather Bomber Jacket from Forever21 for only $18 (orig. $27.80) and then stash it in your closet until cooler weather. Paired with a good pair of skinny jeans and combat boots it would be perfect for a football game in the brisk fall months.

- Update what you already have. Whether you alter an old tee or throw on some jewelry it's super easy to update pieces hidden in the back of your closet. Crop a t-shirt or add some studs to a bag or pair of jeans.

Add some studs like these ones from H&M to your fave moto jacket, jeans, or t-shirt for a quick update that will make you fall in love with your old clothes all over again.

- When you go shopping visit the clearance rack first. There is nothing wrong with buying clearance merchandise. I've found some of my favorite clothes on the clearance rack (like a pair of designer wedges for $7!). If you have an unpopular size or shoe size you may really luck out!

Checking the clearance rack (or tab for all you online shoppers) could help you score an awesome vest like this one for $29.99 (orig. $159). 

- Shop at stores like Marshall's and T.J.Maxx. These stores always have great designer name products like Michael Kors, Betsey  Johnson, Steve Madden, and Juicy Couture. Try it out you may be surprised what you'll find. I've scored great shoes and bags here for awesome deals!

Before splurging on that designer bag you want stop at T.J.Maxx or Marshall's and see what you can find. You may get a great Steve Madden bag like this one for less.  

- Check your receipts for surveys. Lots of stores ask for your feedback at the bottom of  receipts in return for a coupon or money off your next purchase. For instance, Victoria's Secret usually gives you the link to a survey website at the bottom of receipts. Once you answer a few questions you'll receive $10 off a $50 purchase.

Filling out a quick survey could help you get $10 off of this sweatshirt  from Victoria's Secret. It's perfect for gym or a casual day look. 

- Sign up for mailing lists for you favorite stores. Most stores have an email list that you can sign up for. They'll send you email alerts when there's a good promotion going on, a new product comes out, or sometimes even a coupon for money off or a free item! Forever21, Charlotte Russe, Aeropostale, & Victoria's Secret all have email lists. Charlotte Russe even has a service that will text you when they're having a sale. If you don't want emails from stores clogging up your email make an account just for stores.

Know when promotions start or when new pieces, like this jacket, come out by signing up for email alerts from your favorite store. Camo and military inspired clothes are going to be HUGE for fall this year. This Camo Utility Jacket is from F21.  

- Sign up for rewards programs. Some stores have programs that you can sign up for where you earn rewards whenever you buy something. American Eagle and Ulta both have programs like this. All you have to do is swipe your rewards card after each purchase. It's a simple way to save!

Stocking up on your favorite AE jeans can help save you money later on as long as you swipe your AE Rewards card after each purchase. You earn 1 point for every dollar you spend. 100 points = 10% off. Sign up here! 

Stay tuned for more in my Back to School Essentials series.

-BL

What are your favorite money saving tips? Leave a comment & let me know!

Bloglovin' - Twitter - Instagram - Polyvore - Tumblr - Pinterest 

Looking for more exposure for your fashion website or clothing company? 

Advertise with my blog Freshmen Fashion!

Email beverlylorrainefashion@gmail.com for more info or click here. 

*This is NOT a sponsored post.*

Casual Everyday Looks From H&M

Hi everyone! I found this cool feature on hm.com where you can style you own looks using clothes and accessories from H&M. I decided to share three of my favorite looks I created with you guys. All three looks can be purchased in entirety for under $200! 

Casual Day Look - from H&M

http://www.hm.com/us/s/045B1L

PRODUCTS IN THIS LOOK:

Super Skinny Super Low Jeans, Boots, Top, Necklace, Jacket, Bag

www.hm.com

Edgy Casual - from H&M

http://www.hm.com/us/s/045B1N

PRODUCTS IN THIS LOOK:

Bikini Top, Boots, Hooded Jacket, Jeans, Top, Jacket

www.hm.com

On The Go - from H&M

http://www.hm.com/us/s/045B1O

PRODUCTS IN THIS LOOK:

Sneakers, Skinny Low Jeans, Top, Jacket, Clutch, Scarf

www.hm.com

Some awesome feedback from H&M USA! 

I hope you guys enjoyed this post! All of these outfits are perfect for running errands  lunching with friends, the weekend, and fun shopping trips. All three outfits are easy to recreate and put your spin on as well. 

This is not a sponsored post. All opinions are my own! 

XO, BL

Gift Guide: What to Buy the Boys

Boys are difficult to shop for. There I said it. I am a self-proclaimed amazing gifter buy truthfully shopping for guys can be extremely difficult and usually always is. If you shop for the same guys each year their presents can get a bit predictable and who wants a predictable gift? Not this girl. So here I've tried my very best to think about any type of boy, man, or guy you could be shopping for this holiday season and put together a nice versatile collection that any guy would want. At least I would want if  I were a boy.

1.) The Fashionable Fellow- A nice well-made leather jacket. This one shown in the picture is from H&M and for a real leather jacket with a lining I think $249 is a great deal especially if you're shopping for someone special that also has some serious style.

2.) The best guy friend -  The holidays are a great time of year to show your guy friend how much you appreciate your friendship. What better way to do that than with an awesome fashionable but still masculine hoodie? The one pictured above comes in a range of colors to fit any personality or style. I like it best in gray or maroon.

3.) The secret Santa / gift swap guy - Everyone knows that feeling when you get someone for Secret Santa that you know nothing about. If it's a guy it can be even more difficult. An awesome (and inexpensive) gift that is perfect for this situation is a fun pair of sunglasses. The ones featured in this post are by H&M and are only $9.95.

4.) Any guy - A nice leather belt is perfect for any guy that you need to shop for and is a perfectly versatile gift. A simple classic one will never go out of style and can be worn again and again.

5.) The boyfriend - Boyfriends can be tough to shop for especially if you've only been together for a small amount of time. A great gift that won't break the bank but that still looks really nice and thoughtful is a bottle of his favorite cologne. This gift set pictured above is by Giorgio Armani and it smells amazing if you ask me.

6.) The brother - DVDs are great gifts for anyone but they're perfect for a brother. Who knows maybe you can book some sibling bonding time to watch the movie too. Grown Ups is a favorite of mine and is available at Target.

7.) The father - Fathers are all different and have all sorts of hobbies and interests. If you're not sure what to get your daddy this year invest in buying him a really nice watch that you'll know he'll wear. This may seem like such a simple gift but if your dad's anything like mine this present will be greatly appreciated and used. The watch shown is from Target and is reasonably priced at $34.99.

8.) The music buff - Buying that music loving guy in your life's favorite band's new CD for them as a gift  probably just won't do. You know that they've surfed through iTunes for hours on end downloading every single, EP, and live album that they've ever released. Instead buy him that awesome pair of headphones that he's been talking about nonstop might be the way to go. With this gift you might just earn the title of person around. This gift is perfect for someone special because super cool headphones usually come at a slightly high cost. You can get the headphones featured at Target for $199.99.

9.) That guy who is completely and entirely impossible to shop for - You know that guy I'm talking about. The one who is too cool for video games, only likes indie music that you've never heard of, and dresses so uniquely that his clothes are only bought at thrift stores. When in doubt, buy him a really cool phone case and an iTunes giftcard. You can get cases in all sorts of colors and designs and they're also very practical too the one pictured is from Target.

The collage used in this post was made using www.polyvore.com.
Love this blog? I'm happy to hear! Make sure to follow Freshmen Fashion on www.blogger.com and www.bloglovin.com!
For fabulous fashion randomness make sure to follow me!
Twitter (www.twitter.com/beverlylorraine)
Instagram (@beverlylorraine)

XO, BL