Travel guide: Venice on a budget

TO STAY

You’re going to get lost in Venice, it’s inevitable. Staying off the mainland will save you time and money. Although it takes about thirty minutes by taxi boat to get to Camping Rialto, it beats the hour trying to find your way through the Venetian alleyways with all your luggage. For under 15€, you get a two-bed cabin and shared bathroom.

TO EAT

Meal at Taverna San Trovas

Eating in Venice can be pricey, but it doesn’t have to be. For lunch or a light snack, grab a Mozzarella in carrozza (fried mozzarella sandwich) for only 1.60€ or add ham for 2€ at Rosticceria Gislon. For dinner, you can have a three-course meal (including the best pasta you will have in your life) and a shared half litre of wine for under 25€ at Taverna San Trovas.

TO DO

My friend and I on a 'gondola'

Gondola rides can cost 80€ - 100€ depending on the time of day. What if I told you you could take a gondola ride for 2€? Just hop on a traghetto instead! Traghettos are a shared taxi gondola that take you from one side of a canal to the other. You are only on it for a couple minutes, but it’s long enough for you to snap a picture and tell all your friends you’ve been on a gondola in Venice! If you still want to see Venice by water, take an hour boat taxi for 20€.

Island of Burano

My favourite part of Venice are the nearby island villages of Murano, Burano and Torcello. For 20€, you can see all three islands by taking a Venice Islands Tour.

Do not miss the Venice Free Walking Tour. I have taken many walking tours and this one was by far my favourite. Just tip your guide whatever you think they deserve (5-10€) at the end of the tour.

What are your money saving tips for Venice?

Spring Must Have: Kimono

Although it may not seem like it here in Canada, it has officially been spring for a little over a week. Fortunately, the weather is supposed to warm up this the week (fingers crossed). That means it's time to put away those heavy winter coats and toss on a kimono. Kimono's are my favourite spring trend right now - not only are they super light for spring, but you are bound to be the best dressed gal at the music festival this summer. 

one / two / three / four / five / six

What's your favourite spring trend? 

Feeling Foxy Friday: Joules Review

I don't know how the weather is on your end, but here in Canada it is c o l d. But just because it's cold doesn't mean I have to ditch the warm colours! I am channeling my inner autumn, since I miss that weather oh-so-much. 

What I'm wearing: Boots c/o Joules USA, Dress Urban Planet, Coat (old) H&M, Scarf/Hat/Mits Local boutiques, Tights Value Village 

I'm feeling foxy today with my fox dress and these amazing Fox Rain Boots from Joules.  It's hard to find a good pair of waterproof winter boots, and rain boots take on even the deadliest of blizzards. The winters where I am are also extremely wet. There is actually a puddle so large on my campus right now, we call it Lake McMaster. 

It's also difficult to find a pair of rain boots that aren't hard to walk in, fit right on the calf, and are comfortable. I am telling you that these Joules Rainboots are made in heaven, it feels like I'm walking on a cloud. They are comfortable, stylish, affordable and make me want to go jump in as many puddles (or snow forts) as possible. If you don't feel like channeling your inner Foxy Cleopatra, their boots come in many different styles and patterns. Some of the other pairs I may have to snatch up are: these, these, and these. 

Going to find some puddles to jump in now!

*all opinions are my own

Boxing Day Sales

I hope Santa spoiled you all yesterday. If he didn't, don't fret! Boxing Day is here to help all of you get what you really wanted. I compiled a list of amazing sales going on online so you can avoid all those crazy line ups. Merry Christmas and happy shopping!

Urban Outfitters: $15 off $75, $25 off $100, $50 off $150

Daily Look: Buy one, get 50% off entire site with code BOGO2013

2020Ave: 30% off entire site use code MERRY

Nasty Gal: Sale as low as $5

American Apparel: 20% off store wide 30% off sale items

Shoe Mint: Up to 70% off, Buy 2 get 1 free

Miss Selfridge: Up to 70% off

Forever 21: Up to 75% off, free shipping

Mexx: Up to 50% off

Anthropologie: 25% off Sale Items

Etsy: 20% off selected stores with code BOXINGDAY

Runway Bandits: 26% off everything

Lush: Buy 1 Get 1

Tobi: Up to 50% Off

Romwe: $15 off $65, $25 off $85, $35 off $105

Asos: Up to 50% off

Mary Jane Fashion: Up to 50% off

Victoria Secret: Buy 1 get 50% off 2nd

Frugal Fashion Friday: Trend Drunk + Blogger Fashion Week

You know what I love? Online shopping and thrift shopping. You know what I love even more? A place where I can do both at the same time. Trend Trunk is a Canadian-based online consignment store where you can get brand new to pre-loved items for up to 80% off!

Currently, Trend Trunk is holding a Blogger Fashion Week from December 9th-December 15th and Oh Summer Candy will be featured on the final day, December 15th! If you want to shop some of my items (including the dress I'm wearing in my bubble gum photo) go check it out and be sure to shop at other fashionable Canadian bloggers closets 

CYBER MONDAY SALES

What would my blog be if I didn't talk about Cyber Monday? It's the most wonderful day of the year for compulsive online shoppers. If your online shop doesn't have a sale going on today, chances are you won't be making any money. I collected a bunch of wonderful sales that are going on on the inter-web today. Have fun and stay frugal. 

Tobi: 50% Off Site Wide Use Code FOODCOMA50

LuLus: Extra 40% Off Sale Items Use Code CYBER40

O-Mighty: 40% Off Site Wide Use Code CYBERSEX

GoJane: 50% Off Site Wide Use Code CYBER50R

Urban Outfitters: $50 Off $150, $25 Off $100, $15 Off $75, Free Shipping Over $50

American Apparel: 20% Off Site Wide Use Code CYBER13

Shoe Mint: 15 Items for $15

Vault: 1500 Items Up To 85% Off

Forever 21: Free Shipping, 30-50% Off Winter Wear, 50% Off Sale Items

ASOS: 30% Off Site Wide Use Code GIMMEMORE

Mexx: Up to 50% Off, Free Shipping

2020Ave: 30% Off Site Wide Enter Code CYBER2020

Modcloth: 20% Off Site Wide Use Code ROBOPUG

Anthropologie: Free Shipping

Victoria Secret: Free Shipping on $50 Use Code FREE50, $30 Off $150 Use Code 30OFF150, 2 Free Secret Reward Cards,

Miss Selfridge: Up To 50% Off Everything

Thread Sence: $10 off $50, $30 off $100, $50 off $150

Society6: Free Shipping

NastyGal: 30% Off Everything

What I'm Wearing Wednesday: I'm a 90's Bitch

Where has Oh Summer Candy been? Well, I have been quite busy. Landing myself a serving job and a PR Internship at my University. I think this is the first time in my life where I feel like I'm going on the path to where I'm supposed to be. Unfortunately, Paul has moved out. Ontario wasn't working for him, I miss him everyday, back to long distance is not going to be easy.

What I'm Wearing: Bart Simpson Shirt/Forever 21, Plaid/Old Forver 21 (similar), Shorts/Vintage, Tights/Value Village, Boots/Just Fab (similar)

This outfit can't get more nineties. From the Bart Simpson shirt, military boots and plaid. So proud to be a 90s kid and ecstatic that I can rock this decade again. 

"You're from the 70s but I'm a 90s bitch. I love it!"

Featured Frugal Female: The Craziest Paradigm

Tell us about yourself and your blog

Hey, I'm Yuen, 17 years old and I blog over at The Craziest Paradigm I run a fashion blog with bits of beauty and lifestyle thrown into it (: Basically, my blog is my little slice of the web where I write about things I love and share ideas and inspiration with others - it's my rambles and thoughts in words!

What is your favourite item in your closet that is under $25? 

This is a tough one...I would say my light blue denim skater skirt because I can pair it with virtually anything (:

What drug store beauty product can you not live without?

Baby Lips lip balm! If there's one thing I hate, it's dry and chapped lips.

Are you more likely to thrift shop or buy brand new?

When it comes to clothes and materialistic items, I love to thrift because you can spend less, buy more and sometimes find really unique pieces ;)

What are you most likely to splurge on?

A dress or a pair of shoes!

Best budget-saving advice?:

Buy items for the next season. i.e buy summer/spring items during autumn/winter (if they stock it of course!) and vice versa because they'll often be in the end of season sale which means it'll be loadsss cheaper and you can just save it to wear during the appropriate time! 

Thank you so much for this opportunity!

Make sure to follow Yuen on her Blog, Twitter, Facebook, and LookBook

If you want to be a Featured Frugal Female email be at : summercandice93 [dot] gmail [dot] com

Frugal Fashion Find Fridays: Graphic Tees

HI EVERYONE. I'm baaaaaack. I apologize for my disappearance. If you follow me on my other social media networks, you would have realized that I was moving across the country, my laptop broke, I was out of internet for a month and getting settled into school. But I am BACK. I missed blogging so much and talking to all of you. I have a lot of plans for this blog so stay tuned and thank you for not abandoning my blog.  

I wish I could tell you about my month of absence but all I can say was that I was really busy and it's not that interesting. The past week was exciting though because I was a Welcome Week Rep for my faculty at my university. I helped all the freshman transition into university. It was hard work but an absolute blast. I gained a ton of new friends, have permanent cheers ringing in my ears, and now I want to get even more involved with the school. I didn't really join many clubs or get involved my first two years of University but now I'm on a high and I just want to get involved. 

Anyways, enough about my boring life and more about helping you all out with your wallets. Today's frugal fashion finds is graphic tee's. I always say you can never have too many graphic tee's and thank god they are on the rise right now. You can style graphic tee's a million ways (watch this ThreadSence video on how to style graphic tees 10 ways). I'm particularly a fan of muscle tee's or dress-shirt styled tees. 

Here are my top picks under $20

one, two, three, four, five

Deal of the Day: Miss Selfridge Up to 50% Off

Featured Frugal Female: Fleur De Moi

Tell us about yourself and your blog:

My name is Mo from Fleur De Moi and I'm a New Orleanian, vegetarian, animal lover, pizza addict, bicycle commuter, women's college graduate who currently works in the film industry.

What is your favourite item in your closet that is under $25? 
I have a lot of "free to me" items that I've inherited from film sets that I've worked on (my favorite being a Phillip Lim cat print button up) but my favorite that I've purchased is a denim dress I bought from the Gap on sale. It's simple and a perfect go-to outfit.

What drug store beauty product can you not live without?
Baby powder. I use it for everything! Skin, hair, shoes, you name it!

Are you more likely to thrift shop or buy brand new?
I'm more likely to buy new when going to store but I'm a Etsy slut when it comes to thrifting clothes.

What are you most likely to splurge on?
Skin care.

Best budget-saving advice?:
There is nothing wrong with window shopping. It helps you plan for what you really want and odds are if you go back and lust long enough the item may go on sale.
(I totally sound like my Mom but she knew was she was talking about!)

Make sure to follow Mo on Twitter, Pinterest and Bloglovin

To people who sent me their interviews to be a featured frugal female I sincerely apologize, I lost all the interviews. I saved your interviews to my computer that broke and the emails you sent to me seem to be long gone. PLEASE, if you somehow have a copy of your interview please email it back to me and you will be featured immediately. Again I'm so sorry for this inconvenience  

If you want to be a Featured Frugal Female send me an email at summercandice93 [at] gmail [dot] com

Featured Frugal Female: Sometimes Z Takes Pictures

Tell us about yourself and your blog.
Hey! I'm Z and I run Sometimes Z Takes Pictures. I love going to sketchy pop punk concerts, eating gnarly burgers, and occasionally snapping a few photos.

What is your favourite item in your closet that is under $25?
I'd honestly have to go with the hi-lo skirt in my photo. I work retail and try to buy as much as possible when we have our 60% sale for staff. I usually hate the hi-lo trend but I loved the color and uniqueness of this skirt and it goes with EVERYTHING. I guess you could say I'm one for statement pieces.

What drug store beauty product can you not live without?
One of those liquid eyeliner pens. I have naturally long lashes so usually the only thing I do for makeup in the morning is put on a bit of eyeliner.

Are you more likely to thrift shop or buy brand new?
I almost always buy brand new. I grew up in a small town where there weren't many thrifting options, but most of my reasoning is that I just don't have the time. I get bored easily when shopping and I find it really hard to concentrate on the "potential" of a piece. When I look at any article of clothing, I immediately start to think of all the different remixing and wear possibilities it has. If I don't see that immediately, then I don't usually bother to buy it.

What are you most likely to splurge on?
Definitely a show stopping statement dress. My closet is full of them (cough cough thanks to Modcloth...) and I never get tired of it. All you really need is to throw it on, and you have an insta-outfit! Perfect for someone who's always waking up late... 

Best budget-saving advice?
If you find an item and are on the fence, leave it be and see if you remember it in a day or two. I've had some pieces just straight up HAUNT ME until I have to run back to wherever it is and buy them. But about ninety percent of the time...I forget completely. Also, if you're on a budget DON'T SHOP. Whenever my spending is tight (usually/always), I don't let myself "casually scroll through Modcloth" or "go to the mall just to look around." Out of sight, out of mind and all that. :] 

Make sure to follow Z on Bloglovin', Facebook, and Twitter

Thanks Z!

Featured Frugal Female: BreAnna @ Peacoats And Plaid

Tell us about yourself and your blog:

I'm a mommy by day and a dance teacher by night. I call myself a "die-hard creator", so I'm constantly working on some DIY/craft project or being creative in some crazy way. My blog is where I share all of that and more.

What is your favourite item in your closet that is under $25? 

My black maxi skirt that I got from Target. It goes with everything, and it's so comfy.

What drug store beauty product can you not live without?

Palladio Dual Wet/Dry foundation. It's the closest replacement I've found for my expensive salon brand foundation, dare I say I actually like it better...

Are you more likely to thrift shop or buy brand new?

Most definitely thrift shop. And more times than not, when I'm out "regular" shopping I'll turn down something because I know I can find it at a thrift store for way cheaper!

What are you most likely to splurge on?

Being that I was a hair stylist for 5 years, I have a hard time using "store brand" hair care products. The shampoo and conditioner that I currently use retails at $30 for a normal sized bottle :/ Luckily I still get my pro discount on products.

Best budget-saving advice?:

Take the time to do your research. Is it worth the money? Could you find it somewhere cheaper online? And when all else fails... coupons, coupons, coupons! 

Make sure to follow BreAnna on her Blog, Facebook, and Twitter

What I (Wish) I Was Wearing Wednesday

I'm starting to pack all my clothes in order to drive across the country and move back to Ontario. I'm extremely nervous to drive across the country for four days with our beloved cat Duke, and no iPod. Unfortunately, I lost my iPod while on a trip to Lake Louise (it's been terrible). Since all my clothes are packed up, I've decided to do a What I Wish I Was Wearing feature. 

I've been obsessed with overalls lately and I'm searching for the perfect pair for myself. I feel people either hate this trend, or love it, and clearly I'm currently loving it; it's the perfect go-to festival piece. I'm also obsessed with monochrome outfits with a little splash of colour. 

one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight

Featured Frugal Female: Being Erica

i'm so excited to be here on summer's blog today; i have long-been a fan of her blog, and am honoured that she considers me to be an authority on thrifty fashion! i adore summer's frugal fashion features and her weekly round-ups - i'm known to frequently steal inspiration from her thrifty finds! so when you're done here, i'd love for you stop by my blog Im Being Erica and check out just how thrifty (read : cheap) i really am!

Tell us about yourself and your blog:

being erica is my personal style diary. i started it in march 2012, as a way to keep my friends and family in australia updated with my new life in london. since then, it's snowballed into a full-time blog, and has opened so many amazing doors for me. through being erica, i have met one of my closest friends (in real life!), and can count another handful from around the world as friends for life too. i never used to think i was very fashionable. through being erica, and blogging in general, i've learned it's not about what you're wearing, it's about how you're wearing it! wearing anything with a smile and a bundle of confidence is the best ootd you'll ever have.

What is your favourite item in your closet that is under $25? 

oh honey, everything in my wardrobe is under $25! i am known for only buying things that are on sale or with a discount code, because after working 10 years in retail, i know how high things are marked up! i couldn't possibly pick a favourite out of my pretty dresses though, but i do really love this cath kidston inspired chambray dress (attached)  i got at the start of the season for ten pounds! it's so pretty and practical - it looks really smart with a blouse and tights underneath in the winter, or with sandals and floral crown in the summer! i love it - a real bargain!

What drug store beauty product can you not live without?

100% my collection2000 liquid eyeliner. for £2.99 ($4.50, but usually 2 for the price of 1), i literally cannot live without it!

Are you more likely to thrift shop or buy brand new?

i wish i could thrift shop for clothes. london thrift stores are exxxpensive! i do have a couple of amazing pieces i have picked up over the years, but lately my thrifting has been all for my flat! i don't like to wear what everyone else does though, so i will only buy new if it's something really special :)

What are you most likely to splurge on?

shoes and bags. my style used to change so often that investing in clothes was pointless. now days, i'd pretty much got my look down pat, so i probably should start investing in better quality clothes. i would love to have a shopping spree at modcloth, but their international postage is so expensive! one day!

Best budget-saving advice?

i am really good with money - i should charge people for my advice! but seriously - think before you buy, and remember : it's only a bargain if you really need it!

thank you again to summer for letting me be a part of this great feature of hers! frugal fashionistas like us need to stick together!

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