Big Mama Taylor: Deals and Steals

I love clothes and shopping. I certainly don't want to sound shallow but yes, I just love it. I can remember being in the 7th grade and saving for a pair of gold tennis shoes (yes, I was a baller even then) and visiting the mall to pet them until I had enough money to buy them. I can remember standing at the register and purchasing them, as sad as that is. I have always loved clothes, shoes, accessories, and as I have aged and matured (and had kids to shrink my fashion budget), I have grown to increasingly love a deal. I love the feeling that I saved money, I love snagging something and feeling the excitement, and I have done some crazy things in the name of a deal.

The most recent crazy mission was going to Target last Sunday at the time that it opened in hopes of snagging a piece of the Lilly Pulitzer line that came out as a designer collaboration.
Lilly Pulitzer for Target
I included the link even though everything sold out in about 3 seconds, waaaah. If you have followed any of the Target designer collaborations you probably know that people get there when it comes out and often buy things they don't even need or want and resell them for even more money on ebay or some other way. I personally just love Lilly Pulitzer and the fun colors and designs and wanted to see if I could snag a dress or cover up. I knew that I for sure would have to get there the day they put out the collection and figured I might as well go there when the store opened in hopes of more options. I didn't know that when I pulled in 30 minutes before target even opened I would already be behind 200 women already there! I also didn't realize that people turn into absolutely crazy wolves when these things come out as I had never gotten there for the opening of a designer collaborations before, but it was nuts.

Once I finally got the women's area the only things left were a dress in a size that wasn't mine (but it was my mom's size!) and a pair of flip flops that weren't my size (but they were my sisters!). I snagged the two items and they are actually on their way to my mom and sister already. Little buggers totally got a score.

I moped on over to the home section because I knew there was a pineapple plate that Lilly did that I wanted and I did get that! I think it's adorable and I can't wait to use it at my next shower or dinner.

When I was over in home section pouting and watching 2 tiny old ladies fight over a Lilly lawn chair and cushion, I saw a women around my size pushing around a huge shopping cart with at least 20 Lilly clothing items and said, "Man, you must have been first in line!" She confessed she was in the front of the line and also a savvy shopper, and that some of the clothing items were just the largest size for little girls, or the equivalent of girls size 14-16. It hadn't occurred to me that I was in fact around the same size as I was at 16, with boobs hanging about a foot lower. I would have never thought to look in that section but now, at about 11 minutes into Target being open, it was gone. But the adorable girl and I befriended each other over the madness and she offered that I could follow her to the dressing room and take any of her discards.....genius! So, when searching out deals, don't be afraid to be friendly and make a few buddies along the way. You never know how it might help!

I followed them like a sad puppy and waited while she tried on all her items and discarded about half, and as it turned out, I got 3 things she didn't want! All in the largest little girls size. The cut was a little boxy, I guess that's the standard for children's clothing, so during Monday while my kids were at Mother's Day Out, I promptly took them to a local seamstress so that she can take them in a smidge at the waist. This was one of the girl's dresses and as you can see it's a tad boxy so I can't wait to see how it fits when I get it back from the seamstress. Please pardon the bright workout socks

At this point I found a pair of sandals that were my size with a fun pineapple on them. I still think they're really cute but they were $30.00 and not made especially awesome, I after some consideration I felt like I could deal without them. The same goes for the drink stirrers below them. I still think they're ADORABLE but realistically my drinking typically goes something like squeezing myself a glass and a half from my box of wine that's always on top of the fridge, so they're just not realistically going to fit into my every day life. I do feel like we actually entertain a pretty good amount but even when we do it seems it's a shower with mimosas or a cookout with wine and beer. So, life goals include having a signature drink besides boxed wine and LaCroix soda (hello mommy spritzer, delish!) so that I can buy adorable drink stirrers in the future.

Since I am always hunting down a deal I thought I would share a few more Splurge and Steal comparisons I am currently pining for.

1. Tassel earrings and tassels overall are definitely a trend I am loving. I want to tassel my damn body I love them so much. I don't think my style is really bohemian, more like "a little preppy with a touch of funky," but I do like mixing in bohemian moments sometimes. Most of the time if I go too bohemian, like the adorable kimonos that are everywhere, I look more homeless than Coachella chic, so I have to be careful. I have wanted these Oscar De La Renta Tassel earrings for foreeeever and a day. But even if I was Beyonce I don't know that I would get them because that's just a really overpriced beaded earring! But still, I die. I love big jewelry and costume jewelry, it's such a fun and quick and easy way to dress up an outfit.
Splurge
Oscar De La Renta Tassel Earring

Steal
Steal Tassel Earring
I have seen quite a few copies of this fabulous earring but this one has to the best. It's spot on!

2. Lululemon. Oh you vixen. If you would have told me years ago I would be spending upwards of $60 on a workout shirt I would have laughed in your face really hard. It's just so ridiculous. But yet somehow they suck me in every time. I don't know what you put in your wonder under pants Lulu but you're a genius! They just fit so well and make you feel good, and quite frankly workout clothes is what I am wearing 90% of the time at this stage in my life. So there I go to spend all my money. But still, it is really hard for me to wrap my head around a bra that is over $50. Nobody will see it so it's just my dirty little expensive secret. But they are fun and the straps are so fun, they do tempt me. Well luckily one of my favorite retailers for deals and steals, Forever 21, has started to make some bras just like Lulu's!! I even went to try them on in the store to see if they had any support, even though I don't need much because my boobs are like clementines in panty hose, and just need a basic teenager A cup support. But they were fabulous! I felt like I could definitely run a few miles in them. I didn't get one that day because I was just returning something and being strong but it's definitely on my shopping list for May.
Splurge
Lululemon Caged Bra