Welcome to Bargain Blitz Blog!

This is our initial post for a blog on Bargain hunting.   I hope to focus on bargain fashion finds and clothes hunting, but I will look at other topics including toys, home wares, collectibles, groceries and other things that make our life fun.  I will be sharing excerpts from my Dress For Success and Book/Media Buying Guides.


I am the owner of a host of other blogs on Blogger, and I am a freelance writer with author's pages on 918studio.net, Amazon.com and GoodReads.  I am the Director of Social Media on Antique Doll Collector.com as well as a contributor, and I have a Pinterest site on Women's Apparel.


It isn't necessary to be a millionaire to be well dressed and to love fashion.  My muse is the great Iris Apfel, who has brought fashion and creative dressing to an art.  My best outfits are a mix of old favorites, Hermes scarves, gold and silver jewelry, dollar general pieces and thrift shop treasures.


Part of my inspiration is a wonderful book called The Scavenger's Manifesto, but I live for vintage patterns, W and Vogue magazine, current and past issues, and fashion plates.

Department Stores with Deals from Dr. E's Dress from Success pamphlet:

 Family Dollar and Dollar General:   They have decent quality clothing for under ten dollars. They also have 75% off sales; it is possible to buy a pair of shoes for $.50 cents.  Most of the professional or dressy clothing is for women, teens, and children.

Farm and Fleet:  They usually sell classic brands like Sag Harbor and Alfred Dunner for women at about 25% off.  Mid summer, they start marking things down drastically; for instance, a $40.00 pair of slacks could cost $6.00.  A $50.00 dollar sweater can go for $4.44.  There is a good line of shoes for men and women, and these can go for as little as $3.00 per pair during the sales.  Most of the outfits are mix and match dressy sportswear for women and teens. 

Dillard's:   Imagine being able to buy a $200+ designer jacket for $4.99!  It is possible if you shop at Dillards in early May.  All the winter and fall lines are marked-down to incredible prices.  Some recent finds besides the jacket: $85.00 women’s dress boots for $7.99, Swarovsky and Tommy Hilfiger jewelry at $1.99 or less [originally up to  $50.00 each], $100.00 blouses at $4.99 each,  men’s dress shirts originally $64.00 for $16.00 or less, boys good dress shirts and tops $1.50 each.  All formal dresses in all sizes were at $4.99. $75.00 handbags go for $1.99 and $2.99.  Other mark downs were already at 75% off, with half off that price on the special sale days.  Look for 75% off sales the rest of the year.  No major lines are excluded, and sale items include Ralph Lauren, Tommy Hilfiger, Napa Valley, and Pendleton.  Another good time to shop Dillards is the Friday after Thanksgiving when there are special sales.  Christmas ornaments go on sale immediately, sometimes before Christmas.  By the second week of January, they are marked down to 75% off.  It’s a good place to look for Secret Santa and office Christmas gifts.

In some locations, Dillard's is opening an outlet store similar to Macy's old third floor at Eastridge Mall, San Jose, and to Nordstrom's Rack all over the country.