Last week I took a trip to Clinton Crossing Premium Outlets to check out the January sales bargains. Outlets aren't what they used to be - it is my understanding that most retailers now manufacture clothing specifically for sale at their outlet outposts.

Just when you thought you were getting a breather from the Holiday season, here comes Valentine's day a week later with candies and flowers and all the shades of love in every grocery and department store. Maybe you're single this year, maybe you're taken--either way, this is one holiday not to stress about when it comes to your wardrobe on this special night! The Budget Babe has done all the choosing for you with nine gorgeous and flirty frocks!

This past Thanksgiving when I visited my family in Chicago, we made our routine visit to our favorite shopping mall on the North Shore, and I was stunned to see nearly every other fashionable shopper sporting a Canada Goose coat. I say "stunned" because these coats retail for close to $1,000. How are they affording these coats?! I thought to myself. Then I started thinking of ways to find the look for less. You can find lookalikes on sites like eBay, but I would forego the fakes and just pick up a stylish parka from one of your fave budget retailers, like Asos or Forever 21. Your look for less won't have the same warmth factor, but it will look just as cool styled with cozy boots and chunky knits.

Here are 5 alternatives I found online under $100 to get you started:

1. Navy Parka, $48.23

2. Lined Parka, $50

3. Emily Parka, $80

4. Parka with Hood, $82.99

5. Navy Parka, $66.67

Shown above: Emma Stone combats the winter chill in her Canada Goose coat. Photo via Glamour UK.

Truth be told, I don't shop much at Macy's. (I grew up in Chicago, a loyal Marshall Field's shopper. Can't make the mental switch.) But last week I paid a visit to the department store to exchange a Christmas present, and took it upon myself to browse the Bar III department, which has grown substantially at my local store. Bar III is the contemporary line that Macy's launched back in 2011, and it's one of their strongest collections in my opinion, offering the latest trends at good prices. The new January offerings included lots of light colors, contrasted with a graphic dose of black (reminded me of BCBG). Think day to night dresses, oversized sweaters, and feminine tops with laser cut outs and rhinestone embellishment. With many of these pieces on serious sale online, Bar III is worth a serious look, whether you need new pieces for the office (like this faux-leather midi skirt), a cute Valentine's dress or semi-casual pieces for the weekend (like this sweatshirt).

Check out these photos - see anything you love? Are you a Bar III shopper?

The little man and I have reached our stride shopping-wise. I let him explore, he lets me shop. The timing couldn't have been better because yesterday I made it to JCPenney to check out the January clearance sales and the prices on Joe Fresh were so low, it was awkward. I bought the 13 pieces shown above for $86.11, with a total savings of $344.03. And actually it would have been lower had I remembered to use my 15% off coupon (there were signs everywhere reminding shoppers but, you know, mommy brain is real). Is it just me or when you forget to use a coupon or something do you dwell on what you could have saved instead of what you actually scored? I think the cashier should have reminded me, but oh well. Now my complaining over $12.14 is getting awkward...