The holiday shopping season is offically beginning this week and many retailers are kicking it off with a fabuluos Black Friday through Cyber Monday (30-November) sales and offers. Shopping is so much fun but we can easily get side tracked because of all the many temptations around, so learn to shop smart with tips below. You can bid impulse purchases and wrong choices farewell.
Step 1 : Stick to the plan
Wardrobe check, know your budget and shop only when you feel good are important steps but many miss it out and end up in the wrong sort of purchase. Take stock of what you already have and what you need, then set priorities. It's alright to deviate a little from the plan but if you find yourself overspending, then alarm bells should be ringing. When you feel tempted, take a look over your priority list and budget again as that will serve as a good reminder. Always remember, stepping into a store when you are feeling down presents two dangers and these two are the common pitfalls for shoppers. The first one is the shopping frenzy where you buy for the thrill and more often than not, end up with quantity rather than quality. Then other danger is self-loathing. Shopping is supposed to be fun and there's a degree of truth to retail theraphy but when you can't find anything that fits you, you're going to end up feeling even more depressed. Spare yourself the misery and just go shopping when you feel better.
Step 2 : Focus
Practical buys. I made this my new mantra when I am shopping during sales - bargain is only a bargain if it's something I will actually wear. Buy for your everyday life because you want you want your attire to allow you to be comfortable and to let you move with ease. Trust your instinct - if you know Clarins facial products work best for you then stick to them. A large part of being chic is being comfortable and confident in whatever you wear.
Step 3 : Invest
When you invest on quality items even though they might cost twice as much, it's an investment that will pay off. You'll need fewer garments because better quality clothes are generally more durable and versatile. And you always feel great wearing them, which, in itself, is pricessless.
So Are You Ready To Shop Smart?
So are you now be ready to shop smart for your essentials during this year-end festive sales? If below are the items in your planned shopping list, then you can grab them during this Black Friday sales at slashed prices or with additional free gift. Remember, stick to the plan, focus and invest! Here we go!
Black Friday through Cyber Monday Offers
Clarins offers a FREE Luxury Make-up Case filled with Deluxe-Travel Size Essentials (valued at $204), with any $100 purchase of Clarins products with code THANKS at checkout. Click on banner below to check it out! It's valid through 26 Nov - 30 Nov.
MyStrollers.com has slashed prices on some great products during Black Friday sales. Check out the incredible deals being offered below!
There're thousands of products are also on sale for a limited time at Amazon. You can browse through Amazon Black Friday deals online and so as you don't have to stand in line to get a great deal.
For those you wish to radiate your natural beauty through mineral makeup, you can take an extra 25% off all mineral makeup at E.L.F. Cosmetics, from 17 November through 31 December 09. Just use 25% off mineral makeup coupon with code NATURE
at checkout to take advantage of this offer. 
With dozens of predesigned kits to choose from, there's a kit for every taste. And with a coupon for 25% off every single one of them, this deal is even more enticing! Use coupon code PDKIT25 takes 25% off all predesigned kits through 31 December 09.
Have a great Thanksgiving!
Adapted from Secrets of Style by the editor in Style
