Groupon Coupon? Not Just a Clever Rhyme

So I have been using Groupon for as long as Groupon has been around. Remember when Groupon had deals that would only go live if a certain amount of people purchased it? That's how long I have been using Groupon. What I have always loved about Groupon is that they haven't let themselves go stale. There is a lot of competition on the 'nets these days and in order to stand the test of time and the ever changing online landscape, one must adapt. Groupon continues to do that. The recent introduction of Groupon Coupons is no exception. When I am searching for deals at let's say LOFT, I'll be honest, sometimes I just google "LOFT coupon code" and usually I am brought up down and all around. With Groupon Coupons, it appears to me that all the deals and promo codes are consolidated into one spot so that you can see which deal suits what you're looking for. Take a look. I want to see what percentage that LOFT has on sale (because you know they always do)...

Groupon coupons brings you right to the site and then you're free to shop. Easy as that. You don't have to purchase a "Groupon", you're just using their coupon site as a guide for deals. Plus since they must have a lot of existing relationships in place, the coupon side has over 70,000 coupons for more than 9,000 stores. I'm not even sure I know 1,000 stores so that's a lot. New coupons are added every day and you can be sure that you're favorite store has a spot on their homepage (mine are! Hello Target, LOFT, ULTA and Modcloth).

Also, I know that I am always getting coupons for my crafting on my receipts (ie Joann's and AC Moore) but half the time I lose those before I get to use them. Total Bummer. Turns out, I can just pull up Groupon Coupons and print out a coupon to take with me on my next crafting excursion. The whole point is that I am not going to have to search around for coupons as much, and any time saved, is worth something to me!

Will you give Groupon Coupons a shot before you shop?

*This post was sponsored by Groupon. All opinions are 100% my own. I really do use Groupon a lot, OK?

H&M Home Launches in Boston

This past week, I had the opportunity to hit up the Grand Re-Opening of the H&M location on Newbury Street in Boston. Not only was it a super fun event but the new Home section (one of four in the country) is AMAZING. I mean, if I had more space, I would be decorating my entire home from the affordable wares in the HM Home arena. I was sure to take some snaps of the awesome new store as well as the Grand Re-opening celebration, including the blogger breakfast, staff dance off and sneak peek before the store opened! It was a fantastic time and certainly piqued my home decor shopping interest!

The H&M staff gearing up for the Grand Re-Opening!

Take a look at some of the awesome home decor and some of my fave blogging buddies too! Let me know what you think, of all the fantastic goodies... whether you like modern decor or something a little more romantic, H&M's Home collection has got you covered. I even grabbed a lil' something for the lil' man's nursery in the form of a deer pillow... hello, it fit right in with our woodlands theme!

H&M Newbury Street Grand Re-Opening August 7th!

Hey Bostonians, you may have already heard by now but the H&M Newbury Street has undergone some mage renovations and will be reopening with the usual amazing and affordable finds with a dash of their new home collection. If you are a lover of all things H&M, much like me, you will want to get in on the grand re-opening happening August 7th from 10am-noon and guess what? You're invited! Not only are you welcomed into the new space with the dreams of all things H&M, you are also getting the opportunity to win some goodies! They've teamed up with The Boston Fashionista and are also offering an exclusive, secret discount code to those attending the Grand re-opening event! Check out all the details after the jump!

Umm the #PropahBaby SO needs this entire collection!

Wayfair's Daily Deals are Worth a Daily Look

I don't know if you have heard of Wayfair and all the amazing things they offer for home and well. life in general... and if you haven't? This is me introducing you to them officially. I have been a fan of Wayfair for quite some time, even before I was fortunate to be welcomed to their Homemaker blogger family just recently (yay!) so I am excited to tell you about one of my favorite things about Wayfair, their daily deals emails. I know what you're thinking. You are thinking that most emails that flood your mailbox from your fave stores are often deleted with your passing glance but I ALWAYS visit Wayfair straight from their daily emails... everything they offer is just so dang enticing for this home decorator wannabe. My most recent obsession? Sprucing up the deck and my outdoor spaces. In all honesty, Wayfair always seems to have my seasonal needs (mostly wants) under control and in this case, it's dressing up my outdoor oasis. Check out some items that I'm talking about, all plucked from daily deals this week.

Canterbury Hanging Planter in Black, Lincoln Ivory and Blue Outdoor Rug, Oak Bluffs Side Deck Box in Chocolate ,Maru 10 Light String Lights in Warm Ivory, Acasia Wood Bistro Set in Teak Oil

Your Little Black Dress for Spring and Summer

Just because the weather is getting warmer, albeit it slowly in my area, doesn't mean that there are any fewer reasons you might need a little black dress for some of your most fabulous festivities. Every girl needs a little black dress and there are great options to transition from Spring into Summer, with just a matter of a few details. There are a variety of little black dresses out there that fit any style and shape, with little details that I find fabulous. I am sharing with you all, because well, sharing is caring and it's helping me narrow down some options for a future purchase.

 South Linen Dress, Rickety Rack Black Diamond Dress,  Very.com Strappy Tunic

Gilt City Boston Warehouse Sale

This Friday, I am going to be hitting the shopping scene hard with my girl Erin. What ever am I referring to? I am talking about the Gilt City Boston Warehouse sale. You know Gilt City, of course you do. You being the ever fashion conscious shopper that you are, know about Gilt and the abundance of awesome deals that you can get, in an area near you. Me? I happen to be near Boston which makes this particular sale sort of perfect don't you think? At press time, there are still tickets left for some Saturday time slots, so be sure to grab yours so you can get your shot at amazing deals and a super fun shopping event.

• Friday, March 8th, 9:30-11:30 PM and Saturday, March 9th from 9AM - 5PM
• Including Gilt.com's Women's; Men's fashion and accessories, Kid's clothing and accessories, as well as Home Goods - up to 90% off
• Ticketed Shopping Event with:
• Complementary Refreshments provided by AQUAhydrate and Coco Cafe
• Onsite bar sponsored by La Marca Prosecco 
• Pretzel Crisps dipping station
• $20 Uber gift card for new users to fashionably get you to the hottest events of the season
• Photo kiosk provided by SMART Pics
• Onsite merchandise from featured Gilt Home vendor, Cunill America
• Music by live DJ

Attendees are also invited to tweet and instagram a photo of what they purchased from the Warehouse Sale by using the hashtag #RaidtheWarehouse to enter to win $100 of Gilt credit. So there are literally a ton of ways to have an awesome time. Drinks, DJs and shoes... this sounds like an amazing night in the making.

Are you planning to hit one of the Gilt City Warehouse Sales?

*I will be attending this sale as a guest of Gilt City. I plan to cover the sale and will, as always, be 100% honest with my opinions.

Azealia Banks for ASOS Christmas Collection [Sponsored Video]

I actually have some places to go this Holiday season so obviously, I have been thinking about some new, somewhat sassy pieces that are the "very rare" type of purchase. I have only been making very prudent purchases lately, you know those staples that you can be sure will earn their keep in the wardrobe. I haven't even been thinking about buying a bejeweled midriff baring top that would stop the show. (editor's note: I would never wear a midriff baring top). What I am saying here, people, is that I need to buy something out of my ordinary... and that's where, seriously, ASOS Christmas and Winter collections come into play. As I write this blog post, I have another screen open to ASOS where I alternate going page by page, looking at the hundreds and hundreds of items that they offer. Ask most girls and they will tell you that they can lose hours on the ASOS site.

I happen to love one of the spokespersons for the ASOS Christmas collection, Azealia Banks, who if you didn't know is a rad rapper and singer. She, unlike me, can pull of a bejeweled midriff baring top and make it look effortless. She is radiant and that's what I want to achieve with my "rare" purchase... something that people will look at me and say #1 you look amazing and #2 where did you get that?

Soooo not only can you buy great duds, you can win them from ASOS as well… sounds pretty good right? For a chance to win Azealia's wardrobe from her video, make sure you pin from the video below and use the hashtag #BestNightEver so that you’re entered. Pretty dang easy, am I right? I am happy to help celebrate my holidays with free stuff and I don’t think we could be friends if you didn’t, so yeah.

Be sure to follow ASOS on Twitter and like ASOS on Facebook for all the updates on this collection, the latest steals and everything glittery. I am really digging so much on the site right now that I couldn't begin to share it all with you. One thing that is on my must have list though is the following fabulous ensemble.

ASOS Pencil Skirt in Baroque Chain Print, $35.18, ASOS APOLLO Studded Boots, $123.13, ASOS Petite Exclusive Sequin Jacket, $114.34

*This post is sponsored by ASOS. All opinions are 100% mine and anything written in this post is content put together by me and only me.

JC Penney Deserves Your Love

Liz Claiborne Active Printed Velour Pullover, $25

I don't know about you guys but I have recently rediscovered JC Penney. Aaaaand, I am pretty stoked about it. My Mom used to order from the JC Penney Catalog back in the day, which was triple the size of phone books with everything from pool tables to bedding back to slippers in it's pages. I can remember going through the toy section and earmarking the pages so my Mom would know which ones she could/should get us for Christmas. In any event, the years went by and I never bothered to shop for anything at JC Penney again because I had it in my head that I couldn't find anything there. When you are growing up, it's all about what's the cool place to shop and what brand name you can be seen wearing (ex: girls clad in Abercrombie, ugh). While that is still somewhat relevant to me ( I like nice things, OK?), I do love getting a good deal and on trend. This is where JC Penney came back into my life.

Who Needs Therapy When You Can Buy Shoes?

I have been very stressed lately, of course all self inflicted stress, but stressed nonetheless. You know when you work yourself up and there really isn't anything you can do besides cry and/or buy a pair of shoes? Well, that was me this past Friday. I am tired, people and while I won't go into every detail, let's just say if I were to let myself slow down, I might not start back up again!

Mrkt Lauren Pump, DSW.com, $69.95

I am sure you know that my Bridal shower is coming up so I, of course, felt justified in picking out a new pair of shoes to match the dress you guys chose but also a pair of shoes that I could wear this Fall... I mean, might as well get a versatile pair of pumps right? I had some DSW points burning a hole in my pocket AND it was double points this past weekend so all signs led to: NEW SHOES. I picked out these lovelies, what do you think? I know they made me feel better!

Kirna Zabête for Target

Parisian Nights Shirt Dress, $39.99

Kirna Zabête for Target hit the shops at Target touting chic designs smartly edited for the style-savvy woman... and I would have to agree with the claim. While I was not crazy about The Shops at Target launch, because I had sour experiences in the past (remember Missoni for Target?)

 

Kirna Zabête for Target hit the Shops at Target touting chic designs smartly edited for the style-savvy woman... and I would have to agree with the claim. While I was not initially crazy about The Shops at Target launch (remember my sour experience with Missoni for Target?), I really do love a TON of the looks that this mini collection for the mass retailer has brought to a very attainable market. The dresses are smart, the prints are modern and above all else, damn that shiz is affordable.

 

Outfit Post: I'm Thrifty

I always like to boast about a good deal that I get, even if that deal is from a thrift shop or vintage clothes boutique. If it's a steal, it's a steal! Just this past weekend, the man was out of town so what better to do with  my time than to take a trip to the Salvation Army a few towns over and much larger than my local joint. I came home with lots of goodies to wear and also to re-purpose. You can get so many interesting and somewhat outdated prints at a thrift store that you can bring right back up to speed if you really want to funk up your style. This outfit was pretty thrifty, so I am pretty proud.

Some of my steals from this past weekend

Bridal Shower Dresses, the Finalists

So it's about today that I am 4 months out from my wedding, I know crazy, right? So the next few months are going to be pretty fast paced and full of projects and things to do. One of the more exciting things on a bride's to do list is of course, her bridal shower. I want to look fierce that day so even though I have about a month to go before the day of my shower, I want to make sure that I have got my look planned to a t. My friend Steph tipped me off to having your make up trial the day of your shower, so, well, you have your make up professionally done for the occasion. I made that appointment. Now what am I going to wear? I have narrowed the dress down to three and I am hoping that you guys can give me your honest opinion, plus, I am trying this whole "put a poll in your blog post" thing.

So which dress do you like the best for a Fall bridal shower?

1. Nanette Lepore's Freshman Dress, $139,  2.Warehouse Paisley Dress, $82, 3. Topshop Ombre Paisley Pinafore Dress, $92

Find the Shoes You Love at the Price You Love

The old Amanda would have seen a pair of shoes that needed to be on her feet and buy them impulsively, wherever it was that she saw them. The new Amanda, however, is more frugal and wise with her sweet moola (see how I waited for my dream wedding shoes...er or how my man convinced me to wait) so when I embarked on finding shoes my my girl Nathalie's wedding (of which I am a bridesmaid) I wanted the shoes I wanted but I looked for the best price, hands down.

Our only requirements were silver and glittery. There was not a heel height, no shoe style, no nothing... the shoes were a free choice as long as they were silvery and glittery. All the bridesmaids have a different version of the same J.Crew dress in a bright turquoise-teal-cobalty blue. The maid of honor has already chosen a pair of gun metal colored peep toed heels with chunky rhinestones. The other bridemaid is wearing her Jimmy Choo's circa her wedding in April, which are most definitely glittery. My goal was to find something that complimented the two of them... and that is what the Notty from DV by Dolce Vita's (in Titanium Glitter) came into my life.

DailyLook.com, did I Like?

So if you saw my most recent outfit post (I Walk my Dog in Platforms), you might be wondering about the teal button down/button back blouse that I was wearing. Well, I picked that beauty up from DailyLook.com for a great deal. My introduction to DailyLook.com is another instance of Klout giving me a perk that I actually was happy to use. As an incentive to try out the site for the first time, Klout Influencers were given a $10 gift code to use towards a purchase. My first thought was "What the heck am I going to get for $10?" ... well, Dailylook.com has some really affordable looks; I was actually surprised the bang for your buck on this site.

Sales, Deals, Coupons... and How I Should Always Abstain

I don't know about you guys, but I have three email addresses. I have one email for my work/family/friends to reach me pretty quickly and on my phone. I have one email specifically for my blog stuff and I have one email that is purely dedicated to my "junk" email. When I say junk, this is where I have all of my promotional emails go... my Groupons and Livingsocial deals, my store sale prompts and my coupon codes, oh the coupon codes. I don't want these hundreds of emails to clog up the works on email addresses that should be more streamlined and efficient. Regardless of this being my junk email address, I check it religiously. I could totally miss a great deal if I don't right? Well, I have come to realize that this junk email is one of my biggest sources of shopping temptations, especially if I am bored.

This is good at GAP until 06/15