Tag Archives: online shopping

Poshmark Review

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Poshmark Review

Hiii everyone! If you guys remember from a post a few days ago, Lil Red tried Poshmark for the first time to get a moto jacket by Kensie. The jacket arrived a few days ago, one day after it shipped because, coincidentally, the woman who I bought it from and I live about twenty-five minutes away from each other! Let me give you a reminder of what this Kensie number looks like if you don’t remember and let’s discuss:

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Overall, I’m really happy with this purchase and I love my new/used jacket. BUT, my major complaint is that it smelled so smokey and I could smell it as soon as I took it out of the packaging. Now, I get why this would be hypocritical of me to say since I smoke. However, if you’re sending out any type of product to someone, I think that it’s important for it to be in the best condition possible and that includes the smell.

Despite that little hiccup, I would definitely use Poshmark again, I just don’t think that I would buy from the seller that I purchased from. This is all hunky dory with me, though, because, at the end of the day, I got the jacket that I was so desperately seeking out. The price was also fair enough although, since the odor was an issue, I wish that I got it for a little cheaper. But, alas, beggars can’t be choosers!

Poshmark seller rating for @sundaygirlpicks:

6

What has your experience with shopping or selling on Poshmark been like? What else do you do to make some money off of used clothes? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Poshmark, Please

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Poshmark, Please

Hi! Have you ever thought about a piece of clothing or accessory that you didn’t buy, but really really wish that you did days, months, or years later down the line? No? Maybe it is just me. Anyways, that’s what this blog post is about today and how my memory of an elephant, some help from a blogging friend, and an obsession with getting some cheetah print reunited me with this beautiful Kensie moto jacket:

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^^^ Thank you, @sundaygirlpicks !!

Once upon a time, I found this jacket at TJMaxx and I have no idea why I didn’t buy it. I guess at the time (Say, two years ago) I just wasn’t interested in cheetah print. And, then, a few days ago, I became obsessed with all cheetah print everything. It’s funny how people’s tastes and opinions can do a complete one eighty in time! I began scouring TJMaxx’s website and all I could find was faux fur cheetah print which, sadly, would make me look like a (Very high class) hooker. You may laugh, but it is oh so true.

After inspecting the site further, I realized that, for once, I was out of luck on TJ’s website. And, like magic, a memory of me trying the above coat on in the TJMaxx fitting room went through my head. All I could think about was how I wish that I just bought the damn thing and began a new quest for a moto or denim style cheetah print jacket. It was so on. I looked through Asos, Nasty Gal, Shein, Romwe, Nordstrom Rack, and Zara but I couldn’t find NOTHIN. I was crushed. And I was desperate.

In this state of frenzy, another little ditty popped into my head, because a similar situation has happened to me before. This took place in the form of a faux fur vest that I had bought years ago, but didn’t have the self confidence to wear. And, once I gained an improved self esteem, I wanted that vest back REAL bad. A fellow blogger left a comment on the post that I linked to and recommended that I try Ebay or Poshmark, because they might have it. And that is exactly what I did with my Kensie jacket…

But, at the time, I didn’t know that the brand was Kensie. So how the HECK did I find it, you might ask? Well, my friends, the revelation came to me in a place where I do my best thinking. On the toilet.

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The toilet. The john. The loo. The porcelain throne. Whatever you may call it, is where a vision came to me. Before doing my business, I was typing brands into Poshmark willy nilly hoping that I would strike gold, but it just wasn’t working. I tried Carolina Belle and Sanctuary and a handful of other brands that TJ’s carries and was having absolutely no luck. I thought that my search was nearing its end when, all of a sudden, I had to WHIZ like crazy.

A combination of coffee and Diet Coke that day left my bladder on the fritz, and I ran up the stairs to my bathroom so that I could have some peace and quiet. It was midstream that my final vision of the night came to me. It was crazy because, in my head, I could see the brand tag on the jacket at TJMaxx so clearly and it said KENSIE. I hurriedly finished the task at hand, ran back to the computer, typed my desire into Poshmark’s search bar, and there it was.

I couldn’t believe it. My size. The right price. The right brand. MY jacket. Without a moment’s hesitation, I shot up, grabbed my wallet, created a Poshmark account, and made my purchase. I am anxiously awaiting the arrival of my new Kensie moto jacket and I’m not sure why I felt so inclined to share this story but it was so crazy that I just had to. Yes, this was a rambling post but, goddamnit, I’m so excited that I don’t even care. I DID IT! Long live fashion! Long live TJMaxx! AND MANY THANKS TO POSHMARK!!

Has anyone ever experienced a similar ordeal to mine? Who else uses Poshmark or Ebay to update their wardrobe? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Featured Image By: Edena Fashion

Early Holiday Shopping Tips & Tricks

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Early Holiday Shopping Tips & Tricks

Hiiii everyone! If you’re like me, then you like to get your holiday shopping done nice and early. I’ll tell you what, there is nothing better than clearing off your Christmas shopping list in November so that you can relax and be merry all December long. I recently began my shopping for my friends and family and even buying for just a few people has let me breathe a huge sigh of relief.

But, sometimes, holiday shopping can seem like a bit much – especially if you have a large family or group of friends to buy for. And, believe me, I get it. I have a pretty substantial list of people to shop for and that’s why I ball on a budget more than ever during the holiday season with the following tips:

Make A List/Budget:

The very first thing that I do when I prep for holiday shopping is the obvious starter of making a list. I go through everyone in my head that I need to buy for from family to significant others of the family to my boyfriend, BFFs, and colleagues and then write them down accordingly. Then, I include some basic ideas of what to get for each person by their names.

Once I have a good idea of who I need to shop for and what I would like to purchase for them, I set a budget. Normally, I have a pretty set in stone price range that I would like to stay in that applies for everyone. But, there could be certain people that you might want to shell out more or less from depending on the situation. Are you surprising your parents with a holiday gift basket? Awesome, ball out. Do you have a white elephant gift to buy for the office party? Spend a little less. That way your budget will still end up balancing out in the end.

Shopping lists and budgets provide a great guideline for completing your present purchasing in a (Somewhat!) stress-free manner. But, don’t let the price points that you set make you go too crazy! Going over budget is fine if the item is worth splurging on and you know that the giftee will love it. Like I said, there are always deals and hacks to utilize to bring yourself back within your spending limit. Like the following:

Steals, Deals, & Freebies:

My number one rule of shopping is to always get something extra out of your purchases. Whether that be points on a credit card, a free gift, or a BOGO style deal in store, always always shop smart. Do your research on the promotions that your favorite stores are running in store or online. Is a huge Black Friday sale happening? Maybe wait on that big screen TV, then. Is the deal that you can get online even better than what you could get in store? Then you better grab it before it goes out of stock.

Being aware of what promotions that the stores are running is just half of the trick. A good way to go about whether to wait for Black Friday deals or to purchase now is to think about what sales the store ran last year. I worked four Black Fridays in a row and the stores that I worked at ran the same promotions every year and they still do now. So, if those deals are worth waiting for, hold off until Black Friday or Cyber Monday. If not, and a good sale is running already, buying it now is just fine.

The next thing that you should be concerned with, are the deals that you can get with your credit or store rewards cards. Sometimes, it’s worth applying for a credit card just to do your holiday shopping on it. For example, if you apply for an Amazon credit card and get approved, you get a free fifty dollar gift card to spend on the site. Other credit cards will reward you with points or store credit when you use them. Can your cash do that?

And, finally, always compare in store and online prices before you purchase! Some stores will price match if it is cheaper online. And, other stores, like Sephora offer deals that you could never get in store. I spent fifty dollars on their website and got free shipping, two free samples, and two free really nice gifts for spending a certain amount of money. You should try to get the most bang for your buck whenever you’re shopping and free gifts for yourself never hurts!

Ready, Set, Gift Sets:

Gift sets are the bread and butter of my holiday shopping. They are a crowd and wallet pleaser and they are so fun to assemble. Some stores offer stellar pre-made sets that have a lot of product for not as big of a price tag, and those are great, too. If a family member or friend has a more eclectic taste, gift sets are an excellent way to go, because you can give them an assortment of odds and ends that will speak more to their uniqueness than a gift card. Or, if you’re shopping for nieces or nephews, hit up a Five Below and create a goody bag on a dime. And, always remember, that a nice basket or container is part of the gift so pick something nice that can be used again. 🙂

What are your tips and tricks for holiday shopping? Who has their holiday shopping finished already? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

If The Shoe Fits: Sbicca Platforms Edition

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If The Shoe Fits: Sbicca Platforms Edition

Hello everyone and welcome to the last item from my ModCloth Haul, which comes in a brand new edition of If The Shoe Fits! My favorite department to browse through on ModCloth’s website is definitely their shoes. And, if you know when to shop them, you can order yourself a new pair (Or ten) for dirt cheap. The end of summer and spring are prime shopping times in ModCloth’s clearance section, which is the where and when on purchasing these new retro Sbicca beauties. Take a look:

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Whenever I see a platform heel that I love, it’s really hard for me not to buy them. Platforms are my absolute favorite type of shoe to wear, and I am always looking to add to my collection. There is something about the sexy 70’s shape that transforms any outfit and makes my confidence soar sky high. And, these embroidered denim babies do just that, as per ushe!

These Sbicca platforms are probably my most retro looking of the bunch, and I really like that. But, what I like the most, is that they give a strong tip of the cap to 70’s fashion without looking costumey. And, because the denim with tan embroidery and brass studs is neutral, these heels can be worn with anything and still look chic AF.

During my first jaunt in my new Sbicca heels, I wore black skinnies, a mustard yellow cardigan, a navy crop top, and a Panama hat and the compliments were coming nonstop. The denim on my platforms looked amazing with the mustard yellow cardi and everything in my outfit just fell into place along with it. My heels made me feel confident and cool for my entire day of work. But, the constant questioning of where I got my shoes certainly helped, too!

What is your favorite style of shoe? What does your most well loved pair of shoes look like? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

ModCloth Haul: Jammin Jumpsuit

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ModCloth Haul: Jammin Jumpsuit

Hellooo! One piece of clothing that I have admired from afar but have never found just the right one of is the jumpsuit. With a petite 5’1 frame, it’s damn near impossible to find one that isn’t made for a six foot tall model and I always end up swallowed in fabric. When it comes to my body type, form fitting is key. Which is why my new Fervour brand jumpsuit works just right. Check it out:

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Aside from the fit of this jumpsuit, which we will talk about momentarily, we must discuss the amazing embroidery! As a lover of the morbid, this rib cage with a sweet red heart is right up my alley. It’s goth and edgy but still manages to look adorable. Hearts make everything cute BUT, it also has POCKETS, which takes it that extra step further into absolutely darling.

As you can see above, the bottom half of this jumpsuit more or less fits like leggings, and they hit perfectly at my ankle. It also has a dipped crotch, which sounds weird, but is comfortable as all living hell. The cute as a buttons on the racer back top make it easy to get the jumpsuit on and off once you undo them, too.

All of the details on this little number make for a purchase that was well worth it, even though it was a bit more expensive than I’m used to paying. But, that’s just what happens sometimes when you really want a jumpsuit in your wardrobe! Easy styling of this Fervour piece also made it desirable. Because your entire outfit is already laid out for you when you’re wearing a jumpsuit, all you need do is throw on a cool pair of sneaks or heels and a moto jacket and hit the road for some spooky fun!

Who else has had difficulty finding a well fitting jumpsuit? Which clothing items and accessories are you willing to spend more money on? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

ModCloth Haul: Sweet Socks

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ModCloth Haul: Sweet Socks

Hi! Remember when I had that Super Awesome Great Day a few weeks ago and went hard AF at Target? Well… I went hard AF on ModCloth’s website, too. There were a few things that I have just been dying to get, and since I was already on a spending spree, I figured why not! In my haul, I got an absolutely amazing jumpsuit, platforms, a balloon kit for Valentine’s Day blog fun, and these Sweet Socks:

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For the past year, I have been utterly obsessed with finding frilly little socks to wear with my heels. I have had no luck in stores and I was aware that ModCloth had them, but they only offer free shipping with purchases of seventy-five dollars or more and I felt like I would be spending money just to spend it to get free shipping for five dollar socks. So, when there was clothing that I liked enough on MC to buy, trust and believe that these socks were the first things that went into my cart!

There is something so sweet to me about a sexy pair of heels paired with cute as can be socks and I am so looking forward to wearing this combination before the temperatures drop in Ohio. Because it is still hot as the dickens in here, I can finally wear these bad boys with dresses and short shorts to add some sugar to all of that spice! Black and white frills and sunshine daisies adorn my new socks and I am so happy to finally have them after a year long hunt for the perfect pairs!

How do you incorporate Sweet Socks into your outfits? Do you wear matching or mismatched socks? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Sephora Play! Unboxing

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Sephora Play! Unboxing

Hii everyone and welcome to my very first Sephora Play! Unboxing! This subscription box was ordered simply to get me over the free shipping price during my online shopping extravaganza on Sephora. And, I enjoyed all of my goodies from the box so much that I’m definitely considering getting it for the entire year! Check it out:

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Survival Of The Chillest Play! Box:

  • Marc Jacobs Velvet Noir Major Volume Mascara
  • Origins Clear Improvement Active Charoal Mask
  • IGK Mistress Hydrating Hair Balm
  • Sephora Rouge Cream Lipstick in The Red
  • Caudalie Vinoperfect Concentrated Brightening Essence
  • Burberry perfume sample in Blush
  • 50 Beauty Insider points with a purchase at Sephora coupon

I was so completely impressed with my box of travel sized treats from Sephora and I simply adore the Me O’Clock bag that it came in. My sister has an Ipsy subscription and I always eagerly anticipate when she opens her bright pink envelope. But, I daresay, I think that this ten dollar deal from Sephora is even better than Ipsy. The high end products that I get to sample are such a treat and it’s so fun to be able to test out brands that I would never have tried before.

So far, I have used the IGK hair balm and have been loving it. In fact, I want to get it in full sized so that I can continue using it every day! I have also used the Origins face mask, which you can read about on Face Mask Festivities tomorrow and have been mixing my Caudalie essence with my micellar water to make it last. And, as I’m not a huge perfume girl, I gave my mom the Burberry sample and it smells awesome on her! It smelled very floral and powdery on me and it smelled energizing and citrusy on her. Crazy how that works out, huh?

I am looking forward to trying out the Marc Jacobs mascara and will be swatching my Sephora lippie soon, so keep it posted for that. And, definitely be on the lookout for more on the Sephora Play! boxes on lifewithlilred, because I have a feeling that it will become a monthly thing really soon!

Who else gets the Play! boxes from Sephora? Are there any other subscription boxes that I should look into? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Sephora Haul

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Sephora Haul

Hey everyone and welcome to a new week here on lifewithlilred! My most recent online shopping stint with Sephora has been nothing short of wonderful and I can’t wait to share all of my new goodies with you. From awesome products to amazing customer service, this haul had it all. Take a look and let’s discuss:

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^^^ Peep that gorgeous Better Than Sex glitter packaging for Too Faced’s 20th birthday!

The Haul:

  • Too Faced Better Than Birthday Sex mascara
  • Too Faced Melted Matte lip paint in Queen B (Free!)
  • Sephora Play! box in Survival Of The Chillest
  • Givenchy Le Rouge Liquide sample (Free!)
  • Belif Hydrating Eye Bomb sample (Free!)

And, before we talk more about my haul, I have to commend Sephora’s customer service. Two of the samples that I ordered were out of stock and was replaced with the Belif eye cream sample. I called the customer service number, because I was unaware of that, and I got to talk to someone immediately. Yasmine solved my problem quickly by offering to add TWO HUNDRED Beauty Insider points to my account. It was such a generous solution to a little issue and I am so thankful for that. Thanks again, Yasmine!

And, finally, the haul. I am so pleased with everything that I received in my latest order. I LOVE the packing on Too Faced’s Better Than Birthday Sex mascara. Nothing screams ultimate girly girl like some baby pink and glitter! So cute! And, it was so nice to receive a free lip paint for purchasing something that I needed to buy, anyways. It made me feel like I got a lot of bang for my buck and I really like that since the BTS mascara is the most expensive thing in my makeup arsenal.

We will be discussing my Play! box tomorrow, but just know that I am freaking obsessed and already want another one! I am also very pleased with the Belif eye cream sample that I got. It has about three uses in one little packet and it felt so nice on the delicate skin around my eyes. I might just have to give it a try if the price is right once I finish my Nutriganics eye cream from The Body Shop.

And, can we please talk about the Givenchy lippie samples?! It came with an application wand and three single use colors. How nice is that?! I’ll be sure to do some swatches of each color, as well as the Too Faced lip paint and the lippie that came in my Play! box, so keep it posted!

I consider this haul to be money well spent. I got a lot of good stuff for about sixty dollars as well as free shipping on my order. I’m looking forward to online shopping with Sephora again once I need a reup on my products and it will be so fun to share them with all of you! 🙂

Which store offers the best freebies and rewards? Have you ever had a really successful customer service experience? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Sephora Shopping Steals

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Sephora Shopping Steals

Hi everyone! I regret saying this, because the last thing I need is another store to obsess over – BUT, I am definitely doing that over Sephora! Seriously, their online deals are FABULOUS. I recently got an email saying that if you spend over twenty-five dollars on Too Faced products, then you could get a free mini lip paint with your purchase. I needed to reup on my Better Than Sex mascara, anyways, so I figured that I might as well get it online.

After spending just five minutes on their website, I decided that I will be doing all of my shopping online from now on. You get three free samples with your order, free shipping if you spend over fifty dollars, and there is almost always a promotion to get a freebie gift with your purchase if you spend over twenty-five dollars. Shopping in store is fun, but you get nowhere near that value when you are in person. And, why not get free stuff if you have the option to?

I’m lucky, because I haven’t fallen too deeply into my Sephora shopping to be spending a small fortune on beauty products. Normally, I just get my sister’s prezzies from there for gift giving occasions and stock up on my BTS mascara. But, that doesn’t mean that I shouldn’t get maximum savings when I do so. If I ever feel the urge to explore makeup more closely, I will definitely shop in store and then make the purchase online.

I ordered a Sephora Play bag to get myself over the fifty dollar free shipping mark, so maybe the day will come sooner than later where I feel like experimenting with more of the products at Sephora. And, if that ever happens, it’s nice to know that I will be getting a lot of bang for my buck by shopping with Sephora online!

Which stores offers the best freebies or rewards programs? What are some of your savings tips for when you shop Sephora? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Dress Obsessed: BCBG Pt. 2 Edition

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Dress Obsessed: BCBG Pt. 2 Edition

Hi everyone and happy Hump Day! Welcome to the second part of Dress Obsessed with another lovely number by BCBG. This piece is quite a bit different in color palette than the one from yesterday, but the shape and style remain really similar. In true Sarah fashion, since I liked the overall look of the dress, I had to get it in multiple colors! Take a look and let’s discuss:

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(TJMaxx Price: $40)

What I love about this dress is the incorporation of the color white, because I’ve really been trying to work that color into my wardrobe. There is something so pleasing to me about a crisp, white piece of clothing and, I hate to brag, but it looks great on me, to boot! The white turtleneck looks so sweet underneath the pebble grey jumper and is a stark contrast to my dress from yesterday, although the shape is still the same.

I love how cozy this dress feels, because the turtleneck is nice and thin, but the grey portion is made from a more sweater-like material. This will be perfect with a thick pair of tights and a scarf around the neck to accessorize during a warmer fall day. My new BCBG dress reminds me of an old school cheerleading uniform and I really freaking dig it. The more forgiving material adds some flounce to it, which will be perfect for an on the go day of work or play.

How would you style this dress? How would you style a perfect fall outfit? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah