Black Friday + A Plan = Not So Bleak

I'm a shopper, but even I'm wary of hitting up a mall on Black Friday. However, my partner and I decided to team up and knock out our holiday shopping in one fell swoop while saving some dough—and hopefully maintaining our sanity—in the process.

Newspaper in hand, we planned out our shopping venture Thursday night. I deftly clipped coupons and wrote down gift ideas while Brian offered moral support. We got up at 6:30 this morning, made a caffeine stop and then headed to Northgate. We decided to go the nontraditional route and skip the electronic gadgets, toys and fancy clothes because we knew that's where the crowds would be. We craftily headed straight for the Ralph Lauren pillows (not those frou-frou decorative ones but the ones you actually sleep on), which were regularly $20 but were marked down to $7.99 for the big day. PLUS, you guessed it, I had a coupon.

And now when we see our nearest and dearest happily opening all those puffy, wrapped presents under the tree, we can look on with satisfaction knowing all our hard work paid off.

Topics: Notable Sale

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Sidewalk Sale in Ballard

The Ballard Sidewalk Sale is in full swing as part of SeafoodFest, which officially kicks off Saturday. Check out the deals both inside and outside the shops on Market Street, Ballard Avenue and 22nd Avenue, including Kavu World, where I previously couldn't stomach paying full price for an organic bamboo T-shirt ($30) but will now happily take full advantage of the sale.

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Shoe Sale at Anthropologie

These casual kicks were $10, marked down from $62, at one of my favorite places to blow my paycheck, Anthropologie.

The fun new fall clothes are making their way into Anthropologie as well, though they won't be as easy on your bank account. 

Topics: Notable Sale

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Only the Strong Shoppers Survive

I went to the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale on Friday at 8:30 a.m., thinking the pre-work shopping crowd would be heading to their jobs. No such luck. I don't know if it was the worker bees, the ladies who lunch or power moms on the go, but Nordstrom was jumping and I was unprepared.

Scared off by the mayhem in the shoe department, I headed upstairs. The prices for fall coats, tops, dresses, jeans: totally worth the trip. But with the insanity of all these women (I'm sure there were men there too; it was all a blur) storming the racks, hour-and-a-half waits for dressing rooms and me without my morning caffeine fix, I was cowering in a corner within 30 minutes calling my pal, Dominique, who was busy braving the shoe department.

"I'm scared. Come get me."

Next year, I'll be doing my Anniversary Sale shopping on Nordstrom's website. The $5 shipping is a small price to pay for my piece of mind.

Topics: Notable Sale

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Thursday Best Day for Shopping, Friday Best Day at Nordstrom

Super-shopper tip No. 172: Thursday evening is the best time to hit the stores, according to SmartMoney.com.

Why's that? Well, Kathryn Finney, author of "How to Be a Budget Fashionista," says that's the day stores stock their shelves for the weekend, and when many retailers start their weekend promotions.

However, in the case of Nordstrom's anniversary sale, I'll be working out my shopping shoes at about 7 a.m. Friday when the doors open so I can still make it to work on time.

Got to love a sale that works around my schedule. 

Topics: Notable Sale

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Summer's on Sale at La Rousse

Summer is, like, so last season — at least as far as the fashion industry is concerned — which means markdowns just as the weather is heating up. I'll be enjoying the benefits of said sitch at La Rousse on Friday at the store's weekly Mailing List Happy Hour. (The event has such a lame name thanks to Washington's bizarro liquor laws. Check out La Rousse's blog for the details.)

The Belltown boutique is having its semi-annual sale, cutting prices on most items 40-50 percent. Go during Happy Hour 4-7 p.m. Friday to shop, get some free booze and enjoy a 10-minute rubdown (clothed, of course) from an Earthly Rituals massage therapist by spending $50 at the store.

Plus, you can chill with Laddie, the three-legged La Rousse dog.

La Rousse
430 Virginia St.
Seattle, WA 98101
(206) 448-1515

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This Sunday-The Last I Heart Rummage!

Sunday Sunday Sunday!

Be warned, people, this Sunday is the final edition of Urban Craft Uprising's I Heart Rummage until September. Head down to the Crocodile between 12-4pm to browse through at least 50 booths run by "indie crafters and urban designers"

Find everything from jewelry to handmade key chains. From clothing to stuffed animals. Nightlights to hats. All sorts of this's and that's to peek at. And as always, the Crocodile will be serving up their tasty brunch so you wont have to shop with low blood sugar.

 
What: I Heart Rummage
Where: The Crocodile Cafe 220 2nd Ave
When: Sunday June 2nd 12-4pm
Why: Because it's the last one until September, fool!

www.iheartrummage.com 

Topics: Notable Sale

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