Toronto Teacher Mom: Shopping Spree

RetailMeNot.ca Shopping Challenge #RMNchallenge

A couple of weeks ago, I was tasked with another shopping challenge. This time, I was required to use RetailMeNot.ca, a digital offers site that collects all the best in-store and online deals for some of my favourite stores. The site is a great first stop since you can find so many great deals and promo codes for places where you probably already shop. We're talking Walmart, Michael's, Indigo and more. The best part? You don't have sign up for an account or log in each time you use it. Simply click on one of today's top coupons or search for savings from your favourite stores. Once you find a deal you love, click on it to activate and a pop-up window will reveal the coupon code. Many deals do not require a code at all. You can also view how many people have used the code and read comments left by others sharing their savings total for that particular deal.

Armed with a $250 VISA gift card, I began my #RMNchallenge with some online shoe shopping at Mark's. I took advantage of a 40% off promotion on the Denver Hayes Collection and purchased three pairs of shoes for work. Since the order subtotal was $119.97, I received free shipping which would have cost me $6.50.

Luckily, RetailMeNot.ca also had a coupon code that saved me an extra $10 off any order of $50. But I was wise enough to check out other coupon codes and discovered that, once you sign up for the Mark's Rewards Club, they will email you a coupon code for 10% when you spend $50 or more. This meant my savings was slightly higher.

RetaileMeNot.ca Mark's Shoes #RMNchallenge

If I had paid full price with shipping, my total would have been $232.43 but thanks to RetailMeNot.ca, I managed to save a little over $110!

RetaileMeNot.ca Indigo Visa Checkout #RMNchallenge

Monday, May 11, 2015
136 Comments

Dixie Outlet Mall Blogger Challenge - The Reveal

Challenge

For those of you who have been following along, I recently took on the She Who Hunts Finds Blogger Challenge hosted by Dixie Outlet Mall. The #DixieDeals shopping experience was honestly more fun than I had bargained for. I had no idea what I would find and to be frank, I wasn't even sure what I was looking for. I thought of purchasing a spring dress or too but there were so many, it was hard to narrow it down. Then I thought of selecting an outfit that would be more practical for work by picking out pieces that could be used with my current wardrobe. After spending the bulk of my time at Guess, I finally went with a pair of kaki Sue capri pants for $29 and a Mick button-up shirt in white for $39. I picked up of tank tops, one in peach and one in kaki, that I could wear underneath the shirt for $5 a piece at Garage. The gold buttons on the shirt were my inspiration to purchase a mixed set of bangles, a cutoff cuff bracelet and some rhinestone hoop earrings at Urban Planet where they had a buy two, get one promotion. And I found a beautiful leather wallet that I could use as a wristlet on sale at Danier for $49. My favourite find was the pair black leather shoes I nabbed at Nine West for a mere $30! To top off the outfit, I found a cute black straw hat at la Vie en Rose Aqua for $7.

All in all, I'm quite pleased with the casual outfit that can easily be dressed up for a night on the town. Or for attending a VIP Big Brother Canada viewing party. When I made my final tally, I think I did a pretty good job finding #DixieDeals, too. In total, I spent $201 on what would have cost me $378! So tell me what do you think of my final outfit?

Friday, May 01, 2015
72 Comments

Shopping at Dixie Outlet Mall

Challenge

As I had mentioned last week, I am participating in the "She Who Hunts Finds" Blogger Challenge hosted by Dixie Outlet Mall. I was tasked with the extremely difficult task (sarcasm intended) of going shopping for a new spring outfit with the aim of finding the best #DixieDeals. Never having visited Dixie Outlet Mall prior to this challenge, I didn't feel confident that I would be able to find an entire outfit in one visit because I had this erroneous impression that outlet stores had limited selection and sizes. Plus, would I have the patience to sift through the endless racks of clothing and then try on every item that caught my eye? I didn't even know what outlet stores I would find or where they were located. Luckily, I did some research in advance and scoped out which stores I would target first using the store directory on dixieoutletmall.com.

On the top of my list was one of my favourite stores. Can you Guess which one? I would have to say this was probably my favourite place to shop while at Dixie Outlet Mall. Not only was the expansive store full of fun and fashionable finds, they were stocked with a large variety of sizes and fashion must-haves at fabulous prices. And the service was fantastic. I think I spent the bulk of my time at Guess since there was so much to choose from and everyone who worked there offered to help me find what I was looking for.

Another one of my favourites is Garage Clothing or what is now Dynamite - The Garage Clothing Co. Depot. Lots of great basics to complement any outfit as well as cute affordable spring wear.

Thursday, April 23, 2015
19 Comments

"She Who Hunts Finds" Blogger Challenge #DixieDeals

Challenge

For those of you who are mythology enthusiasts, you are likely aware of the relevance of my name. In case you need a bit of a refresher, Diana was the Roman goddess of the moon and of hunting. My parents had originally named me after Princess Diana but I often wonder if there were other forces of nature at work when my name was given to me. You see, the moon has always fascinated me ever since I was a child. And the sport of hunting can be likened to my obsession for puzzle-solving, whether it be 3D puzzles, word puzzles or finding Waldo. A challenge that requires a keen eye and mathematical computations would be right up my alley. Hence, I did not need to think twice when I was invited to partake in a "She Who Hunts Finds" blogger shopping challenge hosted by Dixie Outlet Mall in Mississauga. This #DixieDeals challenge had my name written all over it.

On my way to @DixieOutletMall for a "She Who Hunts Finds" blogger shopping challenge. #DixieDeals

A photo posted by Diana (@torontomom) on Apr 12, 2015 at 7:27am PDT

Dixie Outlet Mall, one of Canada's largest enclosed outlet shopping centres, is located in Mississauga near Dixie Road and the QEW. A frequent traveler between Toronto and Hamilton, I have passed this mall hundreds of times and not once did I think of making it a shopping destination. You see, from the vantage point of the highway, it did not appear to be such a large mall. And the one store that stood out the most to me was Michael's, so I never gave the mall much thought since there's a Michael's location much closer to where I live. Little did I know that Dixie Outlet Mall is home to more than 130 stores, including some of my favourites: GUESS Factory Store, Nine West Shoe Studio, and Danier Leather, to name a few. Did I mention GUESS? Seriously, I could have spent all day in that store!