why i'm loving buying things from china

To be honest, I'm a little nervous to share this secret with you because I don't want my options to go down or out of stock! BUT, I've pretty much made a vow to share my life with you and help you out, so that's what I shall do.

For the past couple months, you may have seen bluelans.com in my What Ya Wearin Wednesday or fashion posts. It's a website that ships straight from China, FOR FREE! Sure, that's cool, but what you also need to know is that everything is super cheap!

I ordered two shipments of jewelry and other things from BlueLans and DressLink, totaling at $31, including any shipping costs! Everything you see here [and two more pairs of earrings] are included in that total!

The two scarves are from DressLink, the clutch from BlueLans. I'm obsessed with the yellow scarf. The clutch might get a little makeover. [but the inside has so many card pockets- LOVE!]

Studs from BlueLans. I got two of the Amurrica ones for a friend. The black bows will become a fave!

All of these are from DressLink. The bracelet on the far left actually fits my wrist which I'm shocked about because I have XL wrists. That necklace is going to be so fun to work with! It's pretty exquisite/fancier than I normally get, but with a plain shirt I think it'll be gorgeous!

You've seen the owl necklace before, and I got the anchor necklace to match earrings I got from BlueLans a couple months back. Those purple earrings are pretty big, but I'm pumped about them. I also got them in black [not pictured].

How great and different are all of those things?! The most expensive item was the big gold necklace, for $3!

Because I'm always honest with you, I will tell you the cons:

• You're ordering from China. Things are going to be made very cheap. If you know how to fix little things like loose chains/reconnect them, you're good to go.
• Shipping takes a while, up to 45 days. If you're getting these things for a vacation, plan accordingly. 
• If you're ordering clothes- beware. I got lingerie for $5 and a shirt for $10 in another order. The shirt lasted for a day before it shrank to half it's size in the wash [without a dry]. The lingerie actually isn't terrible, it's just super simple and required a minor sewing fix at the seam when I pulled it out of the packaging. I'm interested in trying a dress or a jacket, but we'll see... 
• Some of the metal smells a little weird. I don't know how to explain it besides it's cheap metal. I had to get used to wearing the owl necklace.

Those are really the only complaints I have, and they're minor considering what I'm paying for a whole jewelry makeover. 

If you have or will be ordering anything from the sites, let me know and keep me updated! I'm excited to discover more! Also, if you know of any similar sites, please share with all of us in the comments! 

Happy shopping!

love,

elizabethany

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pinspired outfit week: grey jeans and lace

I've had this pair of grey jeans for a couple years now, but I'd be surprised if I've worn them even 5 times. I never know what to do with them besides the whole black/grey/white combination!

Hey, thanks Pinterest! Now I know it's super easy to brighten these suckers up and even wear them in the summertime!

This pinspiration was from Anthropologie, and even though the exact pants aren't available anymore, similar ones are $198. No thank you. I did it all for under $50.

The jeans are old, but I remember finding them in Forever 21 clearance for about $12, I recently got the shirt from there for $13, and the shoes are Nine West from Ross for $20. 

I'm kinda in love with bringing back the old-school topsy-tail, but I put it through and secure almost behind my ear. Also love that my dark red under-hair shows a neat little contrast.

Today I learned that A) I need someone to take these pictures of me, preferably outside. and B) I need to take pictures of the back, even if I feel awkward/as if I'm trying to show my ass. [I hate girls who are constantly like OMG LOOK AT HOW GOOD MY ASS LOOKS IN THIS MIRROR SHOT. Get outta here with that, ya cocky B.]

I instagrammed [follow me!--> luvelizabethany] a peek at today's outfit, but it'll be posted tomorrow or Monday! Totally rockin' the fedora and loving it.

love,

elizabethany

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my thrift store outfit i wore to an important meeting

I had a meeting in DC yesterday [I would tell you exactly why, but because I don't think anything will immediately come from it, I'm going to hold off.. but if you pay attention to tweets and stuff, you may have gotten it], and I decided to dig into my "nothing but clearance, thrift store, and hand me down items" pile for my outfit.

[Sorry, I totally did MySpace pictures for this one in the office bathroom.]

The blazer is actually my mom's, and she got it from a thrift store for $3!! I've learned that's the best place to get them, and if you roll the sleeves up a bit, they become a little "younger" than what they were probably originally designed for.
The black tee is a basic from Forever 21 that I got for $7, the jeans are from TJ Maxx for $12, the shoes are from Charlotte Russe's clearance rack for $15, and the necklace was on clearance at Rue21 for $.99!!!

For everything: $38. And I think I look pretty damn good and professional. Beyond that: my butt looks incredible in these jeans.

Moral of the story, and all my stories: Check the clearance, go to thrift stores, buy things cheap, and don't feel bad about it. You'll still look great! [You can also get a camera phone with a Best Buy promotional code and take neat photos like me.]

My EBudget tip for this post is to set one day a week, mine is normally Friday because I'm so busy, to just run in your favorite stores and go straight to the clearance racks. Don't look at anything else, but stay up to date with what's on sale!

love,
elizabethany

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EBudget: prepare to get the most out of black friday

As you know, I'm ALL ABOUT saving money, and considering I've spent entirely too much money with this moving process, I'm going to be struggling this holiday season.

Last year was the first year I REALLY got into Black Friday. I went to Walmart at midnight, woke up at 4am to hit Kohl's and a few other department stores, then went to work, and continued shopping after. It may sound like an awful and long day, but I actually had everything I wanted so organized and planned out, that it was easy and enjoyable!

So, this year, I'm going to tell you my tips.

1. First and foremost, get a Black Friday app.
   I'm a loyal Brad's Deals user, and that site/app is to thank for my experience last year, so if you have an iPhone or iPad, get their version of the Black Friday app. If you're an Android person, I got this Black Friday App and am loving it so far.
   They have already started posting several ads from the biggest stores, and will continue to do so. It's organized beautifully, but the best part is that you can save individual items that you want to grab come Friday. When the time comes, your list is organized by store so you can zoom in and out, without getting distracted by other things!
   
   
2. See what sale items are available online
   A lot of stores have started offering most, if not all, of their sale prices online. Obviously, if they do, it saves you a lot of time, gas, and frustration to be able to shop at home than to fight the crowds in the middle of your food coma.
   
   
3. Time it out wisely
   Look at your items you need to get and the stores they're located and separate it all based on times they're available and how important it is that you get it that day. If something is a really good deal, and is the early bird electronics special at Walmart or Best Buy, chances are you need to be there early. If it's a kitchen item at Kohl's all day, go there after you take a little power nap.
   
   
4. Mentally prepare
   It is a storm out there [people have DIED from the stampedes at Walmart!], so don't go in with an attitude or a need for personal space. Get ready to be up close and personal with way too many strangers, and make quick moves/grabs. Wear good shoes. You may even want to pack some boxing gloves, and definitely some snacks. No sense in spending more money on food.
   
   
5. Everything else...
   
   • Some people like to bring friends, and as much as it might help you calm down or have more fun, I think it slows down your process. This is a mission, people. Don't let someone else get in your way.
   • A Black Friday Party AFTER all is said and done sounds like a fabulous idea. Have a meet-up place for you and all your friends to go, relax, drink, and share your buys.
   • We're two weeks away. For a lot of people, that means one paycheck between now and then. STOP. SHOPPING. Two weeks isn't a lot of time to put down the checkbook to save money before you go spending it all.
   • Just in case you're interested in my favorite deals, I'm starting a board on Pinterest dedicated to it today. Follow me or bookmark it!

I'm so excited about this year now that I feel like a pro, so hopefully I can help you enjoy it, too! If you have any additional tips or tricks, let me know!

love,
elizabethany

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ebFashion: i got help from a stylist!

I love looking through celeb's outfits and picking out what I like, what I want to recreate, and what works. I like shopping and going to get everything to make it work. I hate trying to put together cute outfits in the morning or before my work events.

Lucky for me, I'm getting help for four weeks in a row at my Thursday night work event! The owner of The Closet Door, a boutique/store here in College Station, helped me piece together four outfits! Obviously I need to share them with you!

Two weeks have passed, so here's what I was wearing:


Week #1:

• Turquoise off the shoulder tee by Michael Stars
• White shorts from American Eagle [A couple years old]
  
• Silver flip flops from Aeropostale [$10]
  
• White sunglasses from Target [$10]
  

Week #2:

• White/grey striped dress by Michael Stars
• Pink/cork heels from Rack Room Shoes- $7 [All summer shoes are on sale ALL OVER the place right now! Get out and shop before they're all gone! There's still plenty of time to wear them!]
• Added Wet n Wild pink lipstick for an extra color kick ;) -$.99

I'll be honest- Sometimes it's pretty fun to be a girl! I'm excited for the next two weeks! I'm definitely learning that having one piece that's not a super-bargain is okay, as long as I make up for it with the rest.

If you're in the BCS area, The Closet Door is on Harvey Road, right by The Tap, and across the street from my Party on the Patio location- Ozona! Come play every Thursday night at 6pm for 90s fun!

love,
elizabethany

PS: Because I love my job and my Thursday nights, I think you should enjoy everything I make these people do when we play Simon Says, 90s style.



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ebudget: every gal needs birchbox in their life

I'm all about saving money and not spending even a dollar on something little or something that won't be used, but I'm also all about giving yourself small gifts. I also love getting things in my mailbox.

Ladies, if you've never heard of "BirchBox," you need to check it out.

For the past couple months, I've been paying $10/month and receiving a fun little gift in the mail. It's a cute little box filled with 5 or 6 samples of different beauty products, wrapped up nicely and tied with a bow. It even comes with a note to explain everything I'm getting!

I've gotten anything from Bare Minerals mascara, to Stila lip gloss, some face wipe stuff that almost instantly made me tan without looking fake, lotion, masks, some awesome all natural chapstick, and tons more. It's a lot of products that I haven't heard of, but am falling in heart with.. and I could buy, if I had the money to do so. [Woops. Let's hope they don't cancel me for this...]

This month I got this awesome piece of handmade paper that can be planted into the ground for it to grow into flowers! REAL LIFE! I also got some nail polish, a moisturizing peel, Zoya nail polish, body butter, and a perfume sample!

It's a cheap monthly bill, and it's an awesome day when you get this unknown present in the mail. It's kinda like a secret admirer is sending you some love.

I love it, and I really think you would do! Dooo ittttt.

love,

elizabethany

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ebudget: turning one into three

Tweet I'm so excited about this dress I bought this weekend that I have to post it ASAP for my new EBudget column.

I went to Kohl's to check out Lauren Conrad's new line and started with the Clearance rack, as usual. I know every Kohl's is different, but the one here in College Station always has a PACKED Clearance rack. Whatever you do- Never go to a store without checking out the super sales!

There were a few things of LC's there, but for some reason this rather fancy dress from Apt. 9 had me pumped.

It's longer than I normally buy. It's much fancier than what I normally wear, but I have a fancy event coming up... The best part: Once I got into the fitting room to try it on, I realized I could totally wear it inside out!

The dress is not supposed to be worn inside out. It has pockets in the front, and the zipper is not reversible, but the lining is clean, and with a few quick and simple alterations/adjustments, it becomes a little black dress!
THEN! If I really want to get creative, with a few pins, I can make it an itsy bitsy LBD.

So BAM! I paid $17 for this dress that's definitely not cheaply made, and I could get two or three dresses out of it! And it has POCKETS!

There are a lot of things that can be worn a million different ways, so always be on the lookout for those pieces! It'd be silly to buy a bunch of things that you can really only wear one way. [I know that with a Meijer promo code you can find a variety of add-ons that will make any wardrobe have a different look.]

love,
elizabethany

ebudget: my guide to curing your shopping addiction and empty bank account

Tweet I've been meaning to do this for a while, and now's the time I'm starting it. Say hello to a new "segment" on love, eb: "EBudget."

For all of you who are broke like me, but can't help but shop all the time. For all of you who love a good bargain. For all of you who love free stuff. Once a week [I think I should be able to do this] I'll post one way I've saved a bunch of money on my car insurance recently.

This week I have to point out my favorite way to find out some of the day's best deals: BradsDeals.

Every day I get an email from them that gives me a variety of sales on the Internet.

Anything from 70% off name brand shoes, to TVs, to stuff for your home, cheap diamond jewelry, and the other day they even had DJ Hero for only $27, including shipping!

I've also gotten a down comforter for only $30, a customized iPhone cover for hella cheap, and 30% off at Old Navy.

Basically, it's pretty legit.

Sometimes getting daily emails about sales are annoying, but I've found this one pretty helpful, especially because I know what I need, what is expensive, and what to look out for. As long as you're not a super-compulsive buyer, I definitely recommend signing up for these emails.

If and when you do- Please share what you got! I like knowing that I helped people save money.

And BTW- I've been tweeting, and will continue to do so, about deals that I find... just FYI. :)

love,
elizabethany

PS: No, I'm not getting paid or any extra deals to do these. Just trying to be helpful.