Tag: sales

5 Ways to Save BIG at Michaels!

Happy Wednesday! Today I am excited to share more of my money-saving shopping tips with all of you. I love going to Michaels for planner supplies, craft tools, and home goods. There are so many fun items to look at, but I always make sure to stick to my budget and only buy the items I really want and plan to use. Luckily, Michaels runs amazing sales and offers coupons on a regular basis, so there is always a way to save money. Today I’ll share how I maximize my savings at Michaels so you can live a fabulous and affordable life, too.

I am not affiliated with or sponsored by Michaels. I simply want to share my money-saving tips with all of you!

1. Always Use a Coupon

Michaels always has at least one coupon available for use each week. You can find the coupons available in your local area by visiting the coupon page on the Michaels website HERE. Michaels also has a free rewards program that sends out exclusive coupons to its members via email and snail mail. I recently received a flyer in the mail that had three exclusive coupons for the month of July. I was able to get 25% off my total purchase including sale items! You can learn more about the Michaels Rewards program on the store’s website HERE.

2. Shop the Entire Store

When I go to Michaels, I make sure to look at every section in the store even if the items I plan on purchasing wouldn’t normally be there. This is because products often get put on seasonal and holiday displays, on the end of aisles, and in hidden clearance sections. For example, I often get asked where you can find the $1.00 sticker books sold at Michaels. Unfortunately, I can’t give you one answer! I’ve found them in the kids section, on holiday displays in the center aisle, on seasonal displaces in aisles, and more. The trick is to look carefully in each section, because you never know where an item will be. Plus, while Michaels will often have a dedicated section for clearance, it can pop up behind the aisles and in the regular sections as well. Keep an eye out for the red and yellow clearance sings, and blue clearance price tags!

3. Become Familiar with Sale Promotions

My next tip is to familiarize yourself with the sales that Michaels runs each week. Even if you don’t plan to shop, take a look at the weekly ad. Michaels tends to recycle and repeat its sale promotions. For instance, washi tapes often go on sale for 50% off, and a few times a year they are 60% off. If you know that you want to pick up new washi tapes, wait for the sale to take place. Once you know what the regular Michaels sale promotions are, you can time your purchases so they line up with the sale. Of course, if you need to buy something at the last minute, this tip won’t be as helpful. Thankfully you can still use a coupon!

4. See if You Qualify for a Special Discount

Michaels also offers special discounts for teachers, members of the military, and senior citizens. You can learn more about these special discounts on the Michaels website. Click HERE for information on the teacher discount, HERE for information about the military discount, and HERE for information about the senior discount. What’s even more exciting is that sometimes you can stack this discount with a coupon! Make sure to read the fine print on your coupon for any exclusions.

5. Use Ebates to Earn Cash Back When Shopping Online

If you can’t get to a Michaels store in person, you can shop online now! Michaels does offer cash back through Ebates. You can sign up to Ebates for free using my referral link HERE. If you have any questions about Ebates and how it works, check out my blog post HERE.

That wraps up my shopping tips for Michaels! I hope this post helps you to save some extra money at your next Michaels shopping trip. As always, if you have any more tips, please share them in the comments!

Want a savings guide for another store? Let me know in the comments!

#PolishlandPresents | My Birchbox Gift List

All images used in this blog post are courtesy of Birchbox. Please visit the direct product links to see the original source.

Happy Monday! Welcome to the next installment of #PolishlandPresents! As you can guess by the title of this post, today I’ll be sharing with you the ten items on Birchbox’s website that I think are the perfect gift items this holiday season. I’ve gone through the website from top to bottom so you don’t have to spend time searching through all of the products. I absolutely love shopping on the Birchbox website because of the Birchbox Points program. With every purchase, you earn points that you can redeem for money off. For every 100 points, you get $10 off and there is no limit for how many points you can earn and redeem. Birchbox also has great coupons and add-ons, so you are always getting the most for your money. Let me go ahead and show you my ten present picks!

ModelCo Party Proof Lipstick Trio

ModelCo Party Proof Lipstick Trio$20.00 [BUY] [REVIEW]

I absolutely love this lipstick range from ModelCo, and Birchbox offers two exclusive trios for an amazing price. If you have a lipstick aficionado to shop for, I highly recommend one of these sets. They make the perfect stocking stuffer. Either give all three to the same person, or break up the trio for different people. Pair the lipstick with a gloss or liner that you think matches, or even match it up with a complimenting nail polish. Plus, if you’re love one of the lipsticks, keep it for yourself!

Laura Geller Beauty for the Love of Baked Value Set

Laura Geller for the Love of Baked Value Set

$39.00 [BUY]

I couldn’t believe the amazing price tag on this Laura Geller set that is also a Birchbox exclusive! Six products for under $40? Talk about a steal! I own the Retractable Baked Powder Brush that comes with this kit and I really love it. I would highly recommend it for beauty lovers. This set comes in four shades, and will make any makeup junkie super happy!

POP Beauty POP Portfolio Eyeshadow Palette

POP Beauty POP Portfolio Eyeshadow Palette$26.00 [BUY]

Buying eyeshadow for the makeup lover in your life can be difficult, but this palette offers a full range of colors so you know some are sure to please! I’ve heard great things about POP Beauty eyeshadows, and they are really affordable. To get a full palette for under $30 is amazing!

Color Club Gala’s Gems Collection

Color Club Gala's Gems Collection$13.00 [BUY] [REVIEW]

I really love the Gala’s Gems Collection from Color Club, and I think it makes a great gift set for nail polish aficionados. The colors are perfect for the winter, and they have great formulas. Plus, this box is small enough to be a stocking stuffer or you can pair it with other manicure essentials for a larger gift.

Kikkerland Wooden Whale Nail Brush

Kikkerland Wooden Whale Nail Brush$12.00 [BUY]

How cute is this nail brush?! Talk about the perfect stocking stuffer! This is such a fun item for those who love to do at home manicures. I can almost guarantee your friends won’t already own something like this either! Kikkerland is such a quirky brand, but they’ve definitely created something practical at the same time.

Toca Crema Quintette Collection

Tocca Crema Quintette Collection$32.00 [BUY]

Hand creams are a gift item I reach for every year. I love buying boxed value sets like this one to split up and give to my friends and family. Plus, you can keep one for yourself! This luxurious lotion smells divine and would be a great pair with the Whale Nail Brush or Gala’s Gems set! Of course, you can gift the entire box set to one person if they love hand creams.

Verloop Rothko Touchscreen Gloves

Verloop Rothko Touchscreen Gloves$29.00 [BUY]

In the modern day technology society we live in, touchscreen gloves are a MUST for all of us in cold weather climates! I wear mine all the time! Birchbox offers these nice Verloop gloves in six different colors. Get a pair for everyone on your list and wrap an iTunes gift card up with it. They’ll think of you every time they use their phone!

Wild & Wolf Scrabble Tile Mug

Wild & Wolf Scrabble Tile Mug$11.50 [BUY]

I adore this Scrabble mug! It’s perfect for board game buffs, and it’s very hipster. If you have a friend who loves coffee or tea, wrap these items up together and you’ve got an awesome present. If you’re feeling crafty, you can also make some Scrabble Coasters to match!

Chambre de Sucre Macaron Limoge Trinket Boxes

Chambre de Sucre Macaron Limoge Trinket Boxes

$13.95 [BUY]

How cute is this macaron box?! I think it is so adorable, and would look nice on a vanity or desk. Place a pair of earrings inside, or even some cash, and you’ve got a sweet gift. These boxes come in four pastel shades, so buy one or more for a holiday treat.

Birchbox Subscription

with-100-000-subscribers-birchbox-launches-grooming-kit-subscriptions-for-men-dd550876dc
Image Courtesy of Mashable

$30-110 [BUY]

Of course, the gift of the Birchbox subscription is also a great way to go. Choose from 3, 6, or 12 month options. You can even get a Birchbox Man subscription for the guys in your life! This is a great option if you’re not sure what to get someone, but you don’t think a gift card is a good idea. I personally would love this gift!

That’s it for today’s #PolishlandPresents post! I hope you found my Birchbox Gift List helpful! Birchbox offers so many amazing deals all year round, and the site is constantly expanding to offer more goodies. Be sure to check it out, and stay tuned for more gift guides in my #PolishlandPresents series!

Rite Aid Beauty Hauls | How I Save Money!

Happy Tuesday! I’ve recently scored some amazing beauty deals at Rite Aid, and they were too good not to share with all of you. Today I’ll be showing you two of my recent hauls, and sharing some tips and tricks on getting the most for your money. This post won’t contain any product reviews, but if you would like to hear more about any of these products, let me know in the comments!

HAUL #1

Rite Aid Beauty HaulI took advantage of three sales in this haul. Rimmel Cosmetics were buy one get one for 50% off, plus you got back $5 in UP Rewards if you spent $15. SinfulColors polishes had an amazing deal – simply buy one at $1.99 and get back $1.99 in UP Rewards. That deal could be redeemed twice. Finally, Olay Fresh Effects products were 30% off regular price.

Here is a breakdown of all the products I purchased with the regular price listed first, and the sale price listed second:

  • Rimmel Moisture Renew Lipstick – $6.99
  • Rimmel Stay Matte Pressed Powder – $5.69
  • Rimmel Stay Matte Pressed Powder – $5.69 – $2.84
  • Rimmel Soft Kohl Eyeliner – $3.99 – $1.99
  • SinfulColors Nail Polish – $1.99
  • SinfulColors Nail Polish – $1.99
  • Olay Fresh Effects S’Wipe Out – $6.49 – $4.54
  • Olay Fresh Effects S’Wipe Out – $6.49 – $4.54

Next, it’s time to use coupons! Here is what I used:

  • 3 $1 off Rimmel Products (they were each a bit different, so I could use them all in one transaction)
  • $3 off when you buy two Olay cleansers

Finally, it’s time to add up the totals!

  • Retail Value: $39.39
  • Sale Price: $30.57
  • What I Paid After Coupons: $27.28
  • UP Rewards Earned: $8.98

HAUL #2

Rite Aid Beauty HaulFor this haul, I was looking at two sales in particular. Maybellie Cosmetics were buy one get one half off, plus you got back $4 UP Rewards if you spent $12. NYC products were 30% off, plus you got back $2 UP Rewards if you spend $5. I also kept an eye out for special clearance stickers throughout the store!

Product Breakdown:

  • Maybelline Fit Me Stick Foundation – $8.99
  • Maybelline Dream Matte Powder – $8.39 – $4.19
  • NYC Cheek Glow – $2.99 – $2.09
  • NYC Color Wheel Mosaic Powder – $4.99 – $3.49
  • L’Oreal Single Eyeshadow – $4.89 – $2.44

Coupons Used:

  • 2 $1 off Maybelline Products (again, the coupons had different terms so I could use both at once)
  • $1 off any L’Oreal Eye Product

Totals:

  • Retail Value: $30.25
  • Sale Price: $21.20
  • What I Paid After Coupons and UP Rewards: $9.22
  • UP Rewards Earned: $6.00

As you can see, I only spent a total of $36.50 out of pocket for $69.64 worth of beauty products, and I still have $6 rewards for next time! The reason I take advantage of these sales is to stock up on products that I love, and try out some new things at a great price. I won’t have to buy any powder or makeup remover wipes for a long time now!

If you want to save money like I do, keep these simple steps in mind:

  • Always shop the sales
  • Add on coupons – you can use 1 manufacturers coupon and 1 store coupon on the same product if you have both
  • To earn UP Rewards, your total must meet the minimum amount before you add on coupons – for example, my Rimmel total in haul #1 was $17.51 before coupons, so even though I only spent $14.51 after coupons, I still qualified for the $5 UP Rewards

All in all, I hope you found this post helpful! I am not an extreme couponer, but I shop consciously and on a budget. It is so easy to save big at the drugstore, especially this time of year with clearance sales popping up. If you have any great savings tips, be sure to let me know what they are in the comments!

Winter Wonderland Week | Gift Guide – Beauty & Skincare!

Happy Tuesday! Today I wanted to share some gift ideas with all of you. Whether you’re shopping for someone special, or simply looking for items to put on your own wish list, here are some ideas that I have! This post will be all about beauty and skincare products, but later on this week I’ll have even more ideas to share. Let’s get into the goodies!

L’OCCITANE Hand Indulgences

What:

Trio of 3 shea butter hand creams in the scents Fleur D’or, Cherry Blossom, and Shea Butter.

Price:

 $28 (Retail Value: $36) [BUY]

Why I recommend it:

These luxurious hand creams are perfect for the winter season (especially if you have a nail polish aficionado for whom to shop!). Give the entire set to one person, or split them up for stocking stuffers.

Sigma Essential Kit

CK001-2T

What:

A set of 12 professional makeup brushes, including face and eye brushes.

Price:

 $139 – save 10% with code NOV2013 [BUY]

Why I recommend it: 

All makeup lovers need great brushes! Sigma offers amazing brushes that are more affordable than other high end companies. Spoil your loved one with a set of these brushes, and she will appreciate it for sure.

bhCosmetics Eyes on the ’60s Palette 

What: 

An eyeshadow palette complete with 30 shades in all colors of the rainbow.

Price:

$9.95 (Retail Value: $19.95) [BUY]

Why I recommend it:

bhCosmetics is a favorite of YouTube Beauty Guru Carli Bybel. She uses the shadows so often, it prompted me to purchase a palette from the brand, and I highly recommend it! Plus, the prices are perfect for everyone’s budget.

Sephora X The Twenty-Two

s1550003-main-hero

What:

Set of 22 mini nail polishes from Sephora’s new Sephora X collection. Contains creams, neons, chromes, and glitters!

Price: 

$55 (Retail Value: $103) [BUY]

Why I recommend it:  

Sephora X polishes have an amazing formula, and are great for any nail polish lover. This is another set that can be given as a large gift, or opened up and split up into many gifts. Plus, it’s a fabulous value!

Sephora Favorites Fragrance Sampler For Her

s1562115-main-hero

 What:

A set of 14 perfume samples, a clutch, and a voucher for a free full-sized fragrance.

 Price:

$70 (Retail Value: $140) [BUY]

 Why I recommend it: 

Picking out the perfect fragrance can be difficult. Sephora makes your job as gift-giver easier with this sampler by providing an array of perfumes.

Wantable Makeup Box 

Wantable

 

 What:

A box filled with 4 to 5 full-sized makeup products. What’s inside is a surprise!

Price: 

$40 [BUY]

Why I recommend it:

If you really have no clue what to buy the makeup lover on your list, get her a mystery box! Wantable offers amazing high end products that she is sure to love.

These are all of my top gift picks for beauty and skincare this holiday season! There are, of course, many more great brands and options to choose from, but I hope you can draw inspiration from this Gift Guide as you head to the stores. Happy Shopping!

This post contains affiliate links. All opinions are my own. See my Disclosure Policy for more information. 

Adventures in Polishland Celebrates her 1 Year Blogiversary with Covergirl Outlast Nail Polish!

Happy Wednesday! Today is my one year blogiversary! Exactly one year ago today I began this blog and uploaded my first post. I can’t believe how far I have come, and I am always so thankful for your support. I thought today would be the perfect opportunity to share with you some of my new favorite nail polishes. The Covergirl Outlast Stay Brilliant line has been catching my eye at drugstores lately, and I knew I had to try a few. I purchased two for myself, and then won two in a giveaway! I can’t wait to show you these fabulous and affordable polishes!

IMG_1084

Here is a quick photo of the four polishes I’m reviewing today! I love the square bottles, as they are eye-catching and great for storage. As you can see, I have four shades that are perfect for spring and summer, but Covergirl also offers dark colors, shimmers, and some glitters as well! There is so much to choose from!

 

IMG_1052 IMG_1054

First up is Coral Silk, a bright peach creme. Coral Silk is the one disappointment I’ve had with these Covergirl nail polishes so far. The formula was a thick, streaky mess. Although it was opaque in two coats, I wanted to add a third to even everything out. I also found that this formula was very tacky, and would probably take a very long time to dry. It’s hard to tell in the photos above how messy it was! Alas, Coral Silk was no fun to deal with despite the pretty color.

 

IMG_1062 IMG_1067

Up next is Out of the Blue, a stunning bright blue polish! This polish has an absolutely perfect formula and application and is opaque in just one coat! I love any one coat polishes, but Out of the Blue is so beautiful! It is just a great shade for spring and summer, and makes me happy when I wear it. The shade is also exactly the same on the nail as it is in the bottle. I highly recommend Out of the Blue!

IMG_1081 IMG_1078

Mint Mojito is the next Covergirl nail polish I have to show you. This is a dusty mint green creme polish. The formula is a little streaky, but otherwise a good consistency. Mint Mojito is opaque in two coats, and dries very quickly! I love the color of this polish! It is right on trend for spring, and would look good on almost any skin tone. This is the first of the two polishes I won in the giveaway, and I am so happy to have it!

 

IMG_1069 IMG_1071

Last but not least is Tickled Pink, the perfect bright pink nail polish! This has an amazing formula that is opaque in two coats. It also dries very quickly! Tickled Pink is a color that I think can be worn all year long and always look fabulous. As a pink aficionado, I am in love with this polish!

All in all, I am quite impressed with the quality of the Covergirl Outlast Stay Brilliant nail polishes. While Coral Silk was a dud for me, the other three had great formulas and beautiful colors. The best part is they retail for just $5.99 at drugstores, but are often on sale! Plus, you can use the Covergirl coupons that come in the Sunday paper for an even better discount. I find these are so fabulous and affordable that I went back to the store and purchased another for myself. Keep an eye out for that in a future post, and thank you again for joining me on my Adventures in Polishland!

Bigger and Better

I’ll admit it. For the past week I’ve been a bit obsessed with all things nails, including nail blogs. After sifting through dozens I’ve realized I have so much to learn! As this blog is for the average girl on a budget, I’m not worried with reviewing all of the top notch brands out there (though I will with the right opportunity!), but I am still focused on building a blog that is accessible and in touch with its followers. With that said, I’ve done some upgrading!

I now have released a Facebook page for Adventures in Polishland! With this page those who are not subscribed to my site through WordPress will know when I have posted new entries. It will also allow me to make more frequent updates about sales and bargains that I find, and give sneak peeks on my manicures. Please go HERE to like my page, or click “Like” on the Facebook badge on the right side of my blog.

Here are a few other cool things I’ve learned about my blog:

  • Click the “Follow” button at the top of the right hand column and you will receive an email whenever I update
  • Not a WordPress member? You can still comment on my entries using your Twitter or Facebook
  • If you like something I’ve written about, let me know! You can click the “Like” button under any entry or share it on Facebook, Twitter, or Pinterest.

I am so excited about this blog, and I hope you are enjoying my Adventures in Polishland! Of course, while I was upgrading my blog I also upgraded my last manicure. What do you think?! I underlined the glitter in my manicure with a hot pink detail.

Hint of pink is L.A. Colors Art Deco