#dbest Featured Blogger – Sarah Sudar

It’s time to feature another wonderful blogger. This week’s featured blogger is Sarah Sudar. Sarah is a fashion blogger from Pittsburgh. She has an incredible sense of style and a way with words. And if you’re looking for someone to show you #dbest of Pittsburgh, Sarah is you girl! Enjoy getting to know Sarah. I sure have.

What is your blog’s name and URL?

Looking Sharp! (http://fashionista0921.blogspot.com)

What do you blog about?

Looking Sharp is my personal fashion blog dedicated to bringing the Pittsburgh fashion and shopping scene to life, as well as documenting my fabulous journey through discovering fashion.

What are some ways you save money?

When it comes to shopping, I try to save money a couple of ways:

  • I only go shopping when I “need.”  I started keeping a journal in my purse of wardrobe items I needed- usually staples that will allow for fversital outfits.  Every time I find myself at the mall or in a store, I try to stick to this list, though I do find myself wondering off of it if a good sale comes around.  Writing the list does make me second guess myself when I want to purchase something I don’t need.  In the end, I usually end up putting that shirt or accessory down and focusing on my list.  Usually.
  • I’m always armed with coupons.  When I started signing up for emails from stores that I love (Ann Taylor LOFT, for example), I started receiving coupons via email that are usually good for in store and online purchase.

What kinds of products most interest you?

I’m mostly interested in accessories and jackets at the moment.  With fall approaching, I want to add a coupel more coats to my wardrobe, as well as accessories- like broaches and pins/belts- to accent my fall and winter coats.  Being in Pittsburgh, I often find myself in a coat for a majority of the year and one way I have found to dress up my coats is with accessories.

What are the 3 main products you CAN’T live without?

I can’t live without bobby pins, trouser jeans and cardigans.

What is your favorite store for saving money?

My favorite store for saving money is Marshalls.  My friend Mandy got me hooked and I am surprised how much of the current trends/pieces by designers they have in the stores.  I can always find something when I’m there.

Where do you shop for bargains online?

I’m not a big online shopper, but I do frequent some of my favorite stores online- Ann Taylor Loft, Gap, Banana Republic, etc.  I usually receive sale coupons from these stores via email and they usually offer some sort of shipping discount or even free shipping.

Tell us about the best deal you’ve ever scored on a product.

Once of the best deals I ever got was a blue cocktail dress from Macys for 10 dollars.  I don’t remember the original price, but it was the perfect dress for dressy holiday party I was going to. I love that dress and still wear it often.

*this was a hard question because often when I see something I am immediately in love with I purchase it. I know that if I don’t, I won”t stop thinking about it and become mad at myself. This has happen to often than not, so I just started purchasing the things I REALLY LOVE, not just like.

Head on over to Looking Sharp! to learn more about Sarah. If you love fashion like I do, prepare to be there awhile – she’s got so much good stuff! And don’t forget to drop us a line if you would like to be a featured blogger here at D Best Of or if you’d like to nominate a friend.

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#dbest Featured Blogger – Melissa Austin

Welcome to a brand new feature here at D Best Of, our blogger spotlight. We feature the very best products for you every week, as well as the best of community. Now we’d like to share with you some of the best bloggers and their very favorite things. Our first featured blogger is Melissa Austin, a writer and mom. Get to know Melissa in her own words.

What is your blog’s name and URL?

I have a few different blogs. The first one is Crayons in my Dryer (http://crayonsinmydryer.blogspot.com) The next one is Diary of a Fat Mom (http://diaryfatmom.blogspot.com) and my business one is Melissa Austin (http://melissa-austin.blogspot.com)

What do you blog about?

Crayons in My Dryer is my mommy blog, as a stay at home mom of 4 kids (3 of them 4 and under). Life gets pretty interesting sometimes. I cover just about anything there.  Diary of a Fat Mom is my new weight loss blog. I am on a mission to lose 80 pounds and run the Chicago Marathon in 2011. My business blog is also new. I am an upcoming author, full time freelance writer, editor, and writing coach.

What are some of the ways you save money?

We buy groceries every two weeks. So I make a menu, then a grocery list. I make sure to purchase ingredients, instead of meals. Meaning I get more for my dollar is I buy noodles and cheese rather than buying a box. I use my crock pot ALOT. I also shop thrift stores. You can find new clothes for a fraction of the cost.

What kind of products most interest you?

I am a huge video game nut. So anything related to XBox360, Wii, or PC (World of Warcraft is my favorite.). I am also interested in anything for my children. Toys that help them learn, encourage social skills, motor skills, things like that. I am an avid reader, so books are always being bought. (Well, I just bought an e-reader, so they are being downloaded ALOT, LOL.)

What are the 3 main products you can’t live without?

My Blackberry. I just got one about two months ago, and I would be lost without it. My laptop. I am a writer, so all my files are here. My third would have to be my iPod. I use it when I am working out, or just want to drown out the noise in the house.

What is your favorite store for saving money?

Walmart. My husband is a manager there, so we get an additional discount. But even without it, they are pretty reasonable.

Where do you shop for bargains online?

Overstock.com, Walmart.com, and Amazon.com.

Tell us about the best deal you’ve ever scored on a product.

My laptop. It’s brand new, updated operating system, but it was returned with a scratch on the top (visible when it’s closed). So I got a 60% discount, then an additional 10% Walmart discount, so it was 70% off. I had a gift card from my birthday. So all told, I only spent $10.00 out of my pocket. It never hurts to check the open box table at places like Best Buy or Walmart. Just because it’s open doesn’t mean it’s bad.

Wow, what an amazing deal! Thank you so much, Melissa, for sharing your bargain hunting strategies with us. Visit her websites to learn more about her, especially if you’re a writer. Sounds like she has a lot of great information and knowledge. And don’t forget to follow her on Twitter, @melissa_austin.



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