Things are hotting up for the chance to win a $300 TJ Maxx gift card. Multiple outfits have already been posted and things are looking good! You have until midnight tomorrow (Friday 6 November) to post pictures of your outfits. Go, ladies! Many of you have flawless Maxxinista style.

A $300 gift voucher from TJ Maxx is up for grabs! All you have to do to participate in the competition is show your Maxxinista style. According to TJ Maxx “a Maxxinista is a confident, savvy woman, who knows that she doesn’t have to break the bank to wear designer labels and look fabulous”.

Here’s how to enter:

• Find a fabulous outfit that represents your best Maxxinista style. Note that the items you wear in the outfit don’t need to come from TJ Maxx.
• Upload a picture of yourself in this outfit to Flikr or Photobucket. You can shoot a photo especially for the competition, or use an existing one. Be sure to post a good quality photograph because it will make your outfit shine.
• Tag your photo “Maxxinista”.
• Link to the photo in the comments below and be sure to tell us why you think it epitomizes Maxxinista style.

We’ll accept entries until midnight Friday 6th November. You may enter as many times as you like, but each outfit must be different.

I’ve asked Dianna, the super stylish Budget Babe to pick the winner of the competition. I had the pleasure of meeting penny-wise, ultra lovely and well put together Dianna at the TJ Maxx event in Boston last year and I trust her style sense implicitly. Good luck lasses! We can’t wait to see your outfits.

Here are this week’s bargains:

• Win a cool Big Buddha handbag over at The Budget Babe. Big Buddha makes eco- and animal-friendly bags inspired by all the latest designer looks and trends. This particular handbag style was inspired by a certain very much coveted Valentino handbag. Quite yummy. The deadline is 28 October.
• Get yourself to Banana Republic if you’re after zippered skinnies. They’re on sale for $59.99 and fit well. Read about how to wear them in this post.
• The Olian Maternity Knot Front Top gets my vote as cutest maternity top I’ve seen all season and its on sale for 40% off.
• This coming week is your last chance to win a $500 TJ Maxx shopping spree at The Budget Fashionista.

Happy shopping!

Some ways to save from around the web this week:

• Get 20% off any one item of your choice with your first online order at Stella & Dot. Enter promo code BENEFIT09 (valid until the end of October) at checkout. I was particularly enamored with their bold necklaces, which might be all you need to refresh last season’s little holiday frock.
• Get 15% off all coats and outerwear at bluefly. Brands like Mackage, Michael Kors, Via Spiga and Marc Jacobs look particularly promising.
• Remember that The Budget Fashionista is giving away one $500 shopping spree at TJ Maxx each week during October.
• A. J. Morgan Eyewear (one of our sponsors) is offering 15% off any purchase from October 17 to 27. Just enter coupon code YLF1009 at checkout to receive the discount.

Nordstrom is offering 33-50% off selected apparel, handbags and accessories. These are my top picks:

• Lodis wallet in a variety of bright colours. Treat yourself to a practical wallet with personality. No more sad, old black wallets that are bursting at the seams with receipts and coupons.
• Fun red tartan belt.
• Halogen corduroy blazer in four colours. This casual jacket fits beautifully and works particularly well if you’re well endowed. So comfy and stretchy. Perfect for any lass on the go.
• Long sleeved plus size sweet pea knit tops (here, here and here). Great for layering under tunic cardigans and jackets.
• Waterproof knee-high riding boots by Sudini in chocolate and black. Quite comfy. Perfect for a stormy Seattle day like today.
• Me Too ruffle ballet flat available in pewter, black and bronze. Fabulous for mild Autumn weather.
• Red patent “Air Penny” Loafers from Cole Haan. Very comfortable. I want these.

Happy shopping!

Columbus Day brings with it the opportunity to save. Autumn collections are on sale virtually everywhere at the moment as retailers make space on their floors for holiday collections, resort wear and real Winter merchandise.

Here are a few specific ideas on how you can save in style this week:

• Bluefly is taking an extra 15% off all sweaters (today only). If you’re after designer cashmere at a good price, this is the first place to look.
• Express is offering 30% off all jeans and outerwear this weekend. There is an extra $15 coupon for any purchase over $60. Look for layering T’s, boyfriend jackets and new look cardigans. Good for Mum on the go.
• If you’re not sick of ruffles, my favourite Ann Taylor sale item right now is this cashmere ruffle top at 40% off.
• Two footwear bargains at Nordstrom: robust Franco Sarto “Moto” boots and hip Cole Haan “Air Penny” loafers. I’ve had both on my feet and they are comfy too.
• The Macy’s Columbus Day Sale is always great. Head straight for the coat and dress areas.
• The Budget Fashionista is giving away one $500 shopping spree at TJ Maxx every week during October.

Happy bargain hunting.

I believe that one can be stylish on almost any budget, and although I love bargains as much as the next person, that’s not the focus here on YLF. But there are some fantastic budget-oriented sites out there, and great bargains to be had, so we thought YLF readers might enjoy a weekly roundup of opportunities to save in style.

• The Budget Fashionista is giving away a Freya camisole set. Freya designs undergarments that are cut to fit those who have a little extra around the bust line so it’s well worth a look.
• The Budget Babe spotted an adorable toffee-coloured bomber jacket at Target for $30. Weather resistant, casual and super fab.
• The Frugal Fashionista’s inspiring summary of chunky necklaces caught my eye. Bib necklaces are still a great way to add textural interest to a neutral outfit. Flop proof.
• Ann Taylor’s cotton cashmere silk wrap cardigan is deliciously avant-garde and versatile. It’s interesting details make it look like its straight from a prêt a porter collection. Available in black and grey, it retails for $95 but you’ll get 50% off another item if you purchase any of their knits.
• Keep checking out the sweaters, jeans and coat collections at bluefly.com. They run marvelous extra discounted 10- hour sales every few days.

Here are some sales and specials now on at YLF affiliates:

• Boden: Receive 15% Off Plus Free Shipping and Returns on the Men’s Collection at Bodenusa.com today! Valid through 10-31-2009.
• Macy’s: Save more on sale prices with red hot dollars at macys.com. This offer is valid 09-30-09 through 10-04-09.
• Bloomingdales: From October 1, 2009 through October 4, 2009 take 25% off over 1500 Items and take an EXTRA 20% Off With Friends & Family Code BLMFRIEND at Bloomingdales.com! Exclusions Apply.

Share your own bargain tips in the comments.

I was blown away by the number of entries to the Zina’s painters shirt giveaway. My guess was that this level of garment deconstruction would not be popular on YLF. What a surprise!

Congratulations to Rebecca, who was the lucky entrant chosen by our random number generator. Rebecca said:

“Yes, I would wear it. I’ve worn this look for years, starting with a linen jeweler’s smock that I bought in a work wear shop in Paris. Slim trousers or a long, skinny skirt look good below”.

Rebecca, we’d love to see you sport the look if you’d like to post a picture of your outfit on the YLF forum. Enjoy your new acquisition!

I recently mentioned the avante guard painters shirt as an item for fearless fashionistas this season, and you might be wearing one sooner than you thought! An interesting giveaway opportunity came our way and I’m excited to share it with you: the “one size fits most” painters shirt by boutique brand Zina of Beverly Hills. It retails for $245 at Neiman Marcus and looks quite haute couture.

The painters shirt is not for everyone because it takes courage to surrender your waistline to this extent. We’re talking major deconstruction if you wear it as is. But you’ve also got the option of pairing it with a waist-cinching or low slung belt if you’d prefer to rein in some of the volume.

There is definitely a place in fashion for eclectic pieces. I adore voluminous items and feel that they can look stunning when worn in the right way. What are your thoughts on this particular painters shirt? Would you wear it? How would you wear it?

To be eligible for the giveaway, please reply to this post and be sure to write “I would wear it” somewhere in your comment. We will choose the lucky recipient using a random number generator and get in touch using the email address you provide.

Entries for the giveaway will close on September 18 at 5pm (PST).

The Zina Painters Shirt. With this model’s proportions I would have belted the shirt a little higher in the waist, or on the natural waist, to avoid looking long waisted.

There are some great online sales happening over the next few days:

• Dillard’s is taking an additional 40% off all clearance items (until 29 August)
• Bloomingdale’s is taking 20-40% off select styles during the Black & White sale (until 30 August)
• Lane Bryant is taking 30% off your entire purchase during the Friends & Family sale (until 30 August)
• Liz Claiborne will give you the 3rd item free if you buy two sale items (until 31 August)

It must be a sign of the times that Labor Day sales are starting early. Most of the bargains are on Summer merchandise so it’s a good time to stock up if Summer is your dominant season. Remember this season’s list of “must haves” and fill in those remaining wardrobe gaps. Happy shopping!

It is past midnight Pacific Standard Time and that means the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale is officially underway. For those of us in the United States, this is the sale event of the season. And I’ve found the merchandise particularly good this year, so be sure to check it out.