1. Shop the sales
   Every year stores that sell school supplies fall over each other to provide the best deals to get you to buy in their stores. Watch the flyers every week (Google the store name and the date of the flyer and you’ll find sneak previews of future sales).
2. Use coupons
   Be sure to get your Sunday paper to clip the many coupons that are now out for school supplies. Check out Slickdeals.net for great coupon match-ups with your local grocery store – to make packing your kid’s lunches much easier on your pocketbook.
3. Hit the Dollar Store
   I was just in the Dollar Store last week and there are tons of school supplies (and lunch snacks) for only $1. You’ll be nary to find school supplies anywhere for that price, so stock up while the deals last.
4. Target & WalMart are your friend
   Why spend hundreds more at those malls stores when you can pick up some really great fashions at Target or WalMart. Sure, your kids may give you a hard time about it. Make a deal with them – one item at their favorite store and the basic staples (socks, underwear, jeans and t-shirts) at the discount chain.
5. Don’t overlook TJMaxx, Marshalls and AJ Wright
   If your kiddies just can’t get enough of those brand names, be sure to hit the designer discount stores. Often you’ll find the labels your kids want at much, much less than department and specialty stores.
6. Get Cash Back
   If you’re doing your shopping online this year, be sure to start off at Ebates. Not only do they have some of the best discounts online, but you also get a percentage (up to 10% in some cases) of your purchase right back in your pocket. Sign up at Ebates and get an additional $5 cash back with your first purchase.
7. Get Points
   If you use a credit card and you aren’t getting points for your purchases, you’re definitely missing out. There are so many rewards cards out there with great rates and great programs that provide points for each purchase redeemable for anything from cash back to gift certificates to flights around the world. Be sure to pay off your balance each month to make the most of this benefit.
8. Take advantage of tax-free holidays
   Many states are jumping on the tax-free holiday bandwagon by announcing special tax-free shopping days at this time of the year. If your state taxes clothing purchases (unlike Massachusetts) be sure to take advantage of these great holidays. Be sure to plan your day and get out early – it’s always a big shopping day!
9. Go Thrift-y
   You’ve probably noticed the trend towards worn-out, raggedy type clothing. In fact, many of those higher end retailers are charging sky-high prices for something that looks like it came out of a thrift store. Wait a minute – why not go to the actual thrift store? You’re likely to pick up some great retro and lovingly-worn clothing that your kids will love. And reusing clothing is good for the environment.
10. Hit Craigslist and eBay
    They’re the thrift stores of the information age. You’d be amazed at the deals you can find! Be sure to check out the “free” section on Craigslist. One person’s trash is another’s treasure.

Disclaimer: I wrote this blog post while participating in the TwitterMoms and Staples blogging program, making me eligible to get a $50 gift card. For more information on how you can participate, click here.

Melanie and Bruce Jenner

I’d like to take a moment to thank our BlogHer ’10 sponsor, Stella & Dot by Brooke whose generous donation paid for my BlogHer ticket.

Brooke sent me some gorgeous jewelry to wear at BlogHer, but I felt that the jewelry fit Mel’s sense of style better than mine. Here she is, wearing her Piper Turquoise Link Necklace and Starfish Earrings while posing with Bruce Jenner.

She was also wearing these items during the filming of her Yahoo! Shine Reinvention video.

Stella & Dot has a ton of wonderful jewelry at great prices. Check em out today!

I’ve featured the Moda di Magno Etsy Shop before – Lori is a lovely, talented craftsperson (and I would say the same about her even if she wasn’t my friend!) who can take an idea and make it a reality – an even better reality than you’ve ever imagined.

Magno even created his and hers pendants for my husband and I when we “eloped”. We got married six months before our actual wedding date (for insurance purposes) and kept it a secret. We wanted a keepsake, but a wedding ring was out of the question, so Lori put together these great pendants that served as the “ring” to our elopement.

You may also know Lori from her “Frail Whale” fame. She created a “Frail Whale” pendant mocking Twitter’s fail whale page that periodically shows up when Twitter can’t handle the volume of tweets. It got picked up from a number of media sources and was blogged by Blink182.

Head over and check out Lori’s latest designs. Tell her I sent ya!

And what’s the best treat made of marshmallows? S’mores! Lydia doesn’t make just any kind of S’mores, she makes chocolate-covered smores. You’ll bite into one and be hooked for life. Lydia gave me some samples and I haven’t been the same since. I’m a s’mores junky!

Check out Lydia’s site for marshmallows, s’mores, pretzels and more. Her gift baskets make excellent presents and hostess gifts. She also creates custom s’mores and favors for weddings, showers or any occasion.

National S’mores Day is here! What better way to celebrate than 50% everything at Sweet Lydias with the voucher code SMORESDAY. Enter at checkout to claim your discount!

Well, when I realized how many of you wanted specific items, I went back the next day to get some more. And get some more I did. Dedicated shoppers that we are, my pal Melanie and I hit the expo floor on day two to score swag for you, our dear readers.

There was also a recycle room, but it wasn’t for paper and plastic. Nope. It was for swag! Since so many people flew into NYC, they were limited to the amount of swag that they could take home with them. So, they brought everything else to the swag room and Mel and I pounced on the goodies to bring them to you, dear readers.

As you can see from the photos below, I’ve got lots of swag and I want to give it away to as many of you as possible. Problem is, all that shipping would put me in the poor house. So, you can pick your swag, but you’ll have to pay the postage.

Just click on the images below to see all the swag I’ve amassed, and leave a comment with your top three items. I’ll give away the items on a first come, first serve basis.

We’re also giving away our own swag bags to BlogHer attendees.

Wish you could have some swag?

Well, you’re in luck! A Girl Must Shop is giving away 3 swag bags to 3 lucky readers. Sorry, BlogHer10 attendees – this contest is open to non-BlogHer attendees only.

How to win?

Check out the picture of our BlogHer swag on the right and leave a comment on this entry telling us which item you’d like to have for yourself. (Click on the image for a larger, more detailed view.

Contest ends Monday, August 9, 2010 at 11:59pm EST.

Three winners will be chosen at random to receive a bag of swag.

Well, I didn’t end up with the pair that everyone would swoon over – nooooooo, I had to be blessed with really wide feet with a midget toe that keeps me from fitting into all of the swoon worthy shoes. By the time I left the store, I wanted to cut my pinky toe off.

I did end up with a pair of dress heels to wear to all the great parties – and since my big dogs wouldn’t fit into anything else, I opted for the comfort shoe – these cute little Clarks patent leather mary jane’s. For 50% of the original $100 price tag. A bargain, cute and ultimately comfortable, I think this was the right choice.

You’ll also find me in these two dresses and my favorite skirt in the who entire world – one that doesn’t require that I wear spanx – it has a built in lycra short! So comfortable my favorite item in my closet.

So now we’ve packed up the car and we’re hitting the road at the crack of dawn to meet up with Melanie and the Chevy Malibu. I’m hoping we can fit all 50 of my bags and 50 of hers into the Chevy Malibu. Cross your fingers for us!

Then I got an email from the lovely guys at Necklush (check out their scarf in the top left image in the mosaic to your right) encouraging me to check out their new necklushes – a hybrid necklace/scarf combination made up of endless cotton loops that allow for limitless styles and forms.

A trend is formed! Also check out the…

Beaded Skinny Scarf (top right) $7.80 at Forever 21

Woodland Knot Scarf (bottom left) $20 at BeautifulBridget at Etsy

Bindya Geometric Jersey Scarf (bottom right) $38 at Nordstrom

Now which scarf would you wear?

Here are five solutions to common summer “bra” issues:

1. Strapless dress or top. You’ll need to try a strapless bra for this look. If you have a smaller chest you may be able to do a strapless bandeau tube; otherwise, for larger busts, consider investing in a well-fitting strapless bra. Just be sure you find the best-fitting one for your body as no one wants to spend the night adjusting and readjusting. Go down one bandwidth from what you are in a regular bra for firm support and lift in a strapless bra. For example if you are typically a 34C go down to either a 32C or 32D for the support you need. This is what we call a “sister size.”
2. Skinny straps, one-shoulder, racer-back. A convertible bra is best for any of these summer styles. Most of the convertible bras include options to wear your bra several ways including one-shoulder, racer-back, halter, traditional and strapless. This type of bra typically works well on most chest sizes.
3. Low-back or v-back. If you have a top that dips in the back, or a great dress with a v-back, you’ll be happy to know you have great bra options! If you are more petite on top, opt for an adhesive bra that attaches in front only. If you have a larger chest try some of the excellent bustier options that are backless and strapless. You can also find many bras that are designed for low back, or you can attach a nifty device that does it for you. Your local lingerie store will help you find the right bra – just be sure to bring in your outfit with you when you get fitted.
4. Sheer. For a semi-sheer top or dress, flesh tones undergarments work best – leave the white behind because white bras show through white tops. If your outfit is still too sheer – consider wearing a camisole underneath for more coverage. There are also “pasties” for nipple coverage should you feel comfortable going commando!
5. White t-shirt. Wearing lighter colors in the summer months is a must and so is investing in a great t-shirt bra that is seamless and perfectly fitting to avoid any bra lines or gapping. A nude-colored bra may be your best option or try to find a convertible bra so you can have the best of all worlds!
6. Plunging neckline. For those fabulous v-neck summer tanks, try a demi-bra with a plunging neckline to avoid a bra showing in the cleavage area. If the bra shows at all when you bend over, have a tailor add a little rhinestone (bling!) to the middle of the bra. Don’t forget the pretty summertime bra straps that you can change out from the good old standbys. If your bra is convertible, search your local lingerie store for beautiful designs and flaunt your bra straps and your sexy shoulders!

Remember, when shopping this summer, don’t eliminate an outfit just because of the bra. Instead, get a bra to match your outfit!  There is always a bra solution to any outfit. That top you love that makes you wonder, “What bra will I wear with this?” – don’t be afraid to buy it. Simply visit your favorite local fine lingerie store for assistance – they are bound to find you something perfect.

Alicia Vargo is a lingerie expert and owner of Pampered Passions Fine Lingerie, an online and Denver-area boutique.