WHAT IS YOUR GENERAL SHOPPING PHILOSOPHY?
I'm an "I like what I like" sort of person, so if I see it in the store and it strikes my fancy, it doesn't matter if it's Target or a 60% off Elizabeth & James sample sale - if I'd willingly give up the price in cash in exchange for cuddling with it, it's going home with me. When I've got extra cash in my pocket, though, I beeline for the clearance racks at my favorite department stores. Lots of brands means lots of selection and lots of discounted clothing!

You likely won't see me rifling through luxury pieces until they're on the floor of a super-mega-blowout sale, and I typically don't (truth: am not willing to) wake up early enough for those.

HOW DO YOU DECIDE TO INVEST IN A SPLURGE? WHERE WOULD YOU RATHER SAVE?
Every splurge that I find to be uncontrollably appealing (to the point where I'm reaching for the credit card) gets pinned on Pinterest to a board I have called "Things I Can't Have ". I could never impulse buy something that was expensive enough to be considered a "splurge" but... I can save it and compulsively check on it daily until it goes on sale...! Obsession is one of my strengths, so I might as well use it to my advantage, right?

There is one department where I'm not willing to sacrifice quality in the name of a low price, though. That would be the lingerie department. I'm talking about bras. As a lady of endowment (sorry if that's TMI), let me be the first to tell you that buying a cheap bra because it's cute and affordable is the worst decision you'll ever make. Don't do it. Regret forever.



MOST-BELOVED SPLURGE.
My best splurge probably isn't even that big of a splurge to most people because I am legitimately Broke & Beautiful, but it's still a splurge!

If you're reading Budget Babe, you obviously love to save money, so you'll understand this: I was given cash as a gift. Precious cash! I had all kinds of bills I could pay with it, all kinds of food I could put in my fridge and laundry I could do... but instead, I picked the item at the top of my "Things I Can't Have :(" list: A pair of longed-for wingtip Doc Marten Regina boots. They are tough to find now, so I'm glad I sprung for them, but they were way outside my budget and definitely not on sale. That being said, they are in as good a condition now as they were the day I bought them almost three years ago. Splurge well made!

FAVORITE STEAL.
Scouring clearance sections of clearance stores is one of the most rewarding activities. I was scoping out the clearance selection at 6pm.com one day, and stumbled across a pair of fire-engine red, platform wedges by Jeffrey Campbell. For $13. And free shipping. Yes, please! I snapped them up ASAP and still have them! You can't go wrong with red patent leather wedges, let me tell you.





MOST REGRETTABLE BUY.
Oof, this one is a heart-wrencher for me. I have a hard time spending over $20 on most things (usually I like everything to be $5), but I sprung for a pair of $80 designer shoes from an online sample sale. They were seriously the coolest shoes, and I was unsettled with my spending, but loved the shoes enough to justify it. When they arrived, they were beautiful and great - except for the excruciating pain they caused every part of my foot. Even just putting them on to take photos was horrible. I had to stop wearing them, but I definitely kept them. I'm too attached to give them away. Unfortunately, that means that every six months or so, I look at them and think, "Well, maybe they feel different now! Yeah, maybe my feet changed or something!" and I try them out for a day only to come home with 8 new blisters and pissed off feet. Shoes can be cruel mistresses.

Other than that, when I was 8 I used my Mom's ebay account to purchase 150 pairs of tights with a rhinestone-eyed tiger going down the leg. That was probably the most regrettable shopping decision I've made, if we're really being honest.

WHAT DOES YOUR FALL WISHLIST LOOK LIKE?
My fall wish list always has a few of the same things on it: knits (for everywhere - here I come, knit leggings!), fantastic over-the-knee socks, super dark jewel tones, darker hair, and great boots.

Outside of my staples, I am looking far and wide for the most perfect, faux-fur trimmed, wool duster. I've been on that quest for years! I think I will definitely have to get my hands on some more low-heeled ankle boots - I have one pair already, but I need more! They're great for a city-dweller like me. I'm excited to see how people keep this immortal neon trend alive throughout the cold months!



P.S…. YOUR GUILTIEST SHOPPING SECRET.
I am pretty shameless when it comes to getting what I want for the cheapest price. I am definitely that girl holding up the checkout line because I'm showing the lightly torn seam or fallen button to the person at the register, trying to convince them to knock a few percentage points off of the price. And I do it in discount/off-price stores. With abandon.

Also, if I had one piece of treasure-finding advice to impart: inside of the circular clothing racks, on the "go-back" racks and on the floor of the clearance section is where you'll find all of the best deals in most clothing stores. Tried & true!

Outfit details: Sheer Utility Shirt, Stripes & a Puff ball, Big Black Boots, Tights, Wild Soul Sunglasses, Neon Orange Oxfords