There’s a reason I always ask my DH to rate things on a scale of 1 to 10… Because I can’t make up my mind!  It’s a good thing I’m a woman, so I use that as my excuse with him LOL!

I recently got a sample of pureDKNY, the latest scent from DKNY.  It’s sweet enough for summer, but all I can think about is apple picking and pumpkin pie when I wear it!  For some reason, instead of getting a perfume I’ve grown to like over the last few days, I got Dior J’adore.  It seemed to sit okay with me last night, so I thought I would be okay with it… Sadly, this was not the case.

I was fine last night when I tested it out, and again this morning when I used it.  It wasn’t until this afternoon when I went out to lunch.  By the time I came back, my head was pounding!  I’m not sure if the mix of the summer heat and my skin warming up is what did it, but something about the scent induced a sinus headache like no other!  I called Macy’s to be sure they’d take it back since I opened it, and luckily they said yes.

Of course I almost made a silly choice in purchasing Burberry Brit Sheer since I know I like it from when it was first released over a year ago, but I decided to go with my gut and get pureDKNY.  I tell you what – I’m glad I did!  The sales associate was even nice enough to let me have the free bag and mini body butter you’re supposed to get for purchasing a 3.4 fl. oz. even though I only got a 1.7 fl. oz. bottle.

Goodness knows why I didn’t just bother getting this to begin with last night… I could’ve saved myself from a headache, the torture of making a bad decision, and I could’ve saved some gas!  But, I did end up spending $20 less for the same size as the J’adore and still got a free gift!  I’m now a happy and lovely smelling woman!  I’ll have to write a more formal review on this later, but you’ll have to be gentle on me since I’m definitely not a perfumista!

I’m a bargain hunter… I readily admit to it, and I don’t think that’ll be changing anytime soon. I just don’t see the point in paying retail if there is a coupon I can use. I look for the best possible deal I can get, and then I move forward. Being frugal has allowed me the ability to own genuine Coach handbags on a limited budget. Or own over 200 nail polishes (and counting)!

It’s because of great sites like Cashbaq, Mr. Rebates, and Ebates that allow me to earn cash back on purchases. And because of sites like Retail Me Not, Coupon Chief, Dealigg and Coupon Cabin that I can find a discount code or coupon for almost any store I can think of.

I’ve even found a lovely site, Engineer A Debt Free Life (EADFL), which is the BEST as far as coupon codes, freebies, and all sorts of tips, tricks and promos to help you spend even less while getting what you not only want, but NEED in life! Seriously, it’s because of EADFL that I even heard about BeRuby or Alice.

I do have moments where I need instant gratification, and though I’ll whine because I paid retail, I’ll be happy I received what I wanted when I wanted it. Although, I can say being savvy is what allowed me to get my lovely work shoes for only $3.74 with tax! Yeah, that was a good day…

If you’re even remotely a Southern belle, then you HAVE to check out this site: Southern Belle Store!  The shirts are just too cute with the various sayings and quotes.  Aside from t-shirts, there’s also hoodies, lounge pants, shorts, towels, flip-flips (aka thongs) and totes bags.  The cute whimsical designs are very eye catching, and even makes some of the dullest colors look lively!  And the best part – There’s free shipping on all orders too!  Hello!  You cannot beat free shipping! 

Long ago I saw a shirt that said, “Southern girls don’t drink, they sip.”  I’ve yet to see the shirt again, and I have no idea if the few girls wearing it had them custom made.  Unfortunately, this site doesn’t have it either, but that doesn’t mean my e-mail might not prompt a new shirt from them (Hey, I can dream!).  I’m super excited about this awesome find and I’m definitely going to be placing an order soon! 

Okay, seriously, I’m quite happy in jeans and a t-shirt… But if I wanted to seriously dress to impress, would I want to look like some A-list celeb on the red carpet?  Sure, why not?!

Here’s my problem though: A lot of celebrities are creating their own fashion lines, but charging prices their fans could never afford.  Seriously?!  

I love JT… I’ve loved him since the good ol’ days of the MMC… He’s one sexy man IMHO, and I’ve had a “crush” on him forever.  Now, Mr. JT has started a fashion line called William Rast.  The clothing is nice, and definitely my style.  Let’s just take a quick peek at prices, shall we?

WILLIAM RAST KNIT SCOOPNECK SWEATER - $138

WILLIAM RAST STELLA BOOT CUT TOURMALINE WASH JEANS – $209

So, JT wants me to pay $347 for a pair of jeans & a sweater?  Really?  I can get a similar look from Gap for less than $100!  Sorry JT, I love you, but I’d pay $347 for a date with you before I paid that for an outfit from you!

So, I REALLY wanted OPI “Sheer” Your Toys from the new Holiday 2008 (Toyland) collection.  Alas, I didn’t feel like waiting on 8ty8Beauty to send it, and Head2ToeBeauty doesn’t have them yet.  Only one salon, ONE, in the entire Capital District carried them, and luckily they still had the color I wanted!  And to boot, I happened to have a 30% off coupon I received in the mail today!  How awesome is that?!  Oh, and they happened to be the SOLE SALON to carry NailTek too… WTF is up with this crap?!

Alas, I get to the store, and I almost got myself another color from the OPI France Collection, but I behaved and didn’t.  All I left with was the NailTek Foundation II Ridge Filler, OPI “Sheer” Your Toys, and Seche French Guides (strips to assist with homemade French manicures).

Then, since it’s my MIL’s birthday tomorrow, I used my coupon for $10 off a purchase of $30+ to get her a Moonlight Path gift set with shower gel, body lotion and body splash.  I needed $5 more to get to $30, so I bought myself a set of mini LE holiday body lotions (Twisted Peppermint, Winter Candy Apple & Vanilla Bean Noel).  Oh, and even better!  I happened to have a coupon for a free Signature Collection hand soap, so I got the LE Winter Candy Apple Moisturizing Hand Soap.  AWESOMENESS!  

I must say, I never understood the fanatical appeal of VBN, but after smelling it, it reminds me a lot of fresh sugar cookies!  Nice, but not something I think I could stand daily.  I do, however, enjoy this Winter Candy Apple!  I miss the good ol’ Country Apple scent B&BW carried, so this is nice.  I might have to stock up or something so I can make it through the year LOL!  I think the $10 tube of body lotion will do.  LOL!

So, my total savings for today?  A whopping $21.12 with the free soap, which retails for $5.  Ya know, I might need to get myself two of the Winter Candy Apple hand caddies with the soap and lotion since they’re $15 each, and I got another $10 off $30 coupon.  Lovin’ this!  Gotta love a good deal, right?!

Oh, and as for the polish… I’m seriously thinking I might use “Sheer” Your Toys as a French manicure with OPI Black Onyx!  I just tried it, and really liked it!