What's a girl to do, when shopping and saving money vie for top place in her 'I heart' list?

You marry the two and live happily ever after with an expanding closet and, hopefully, bank account.

Hello, I'm Lynn and I have two rules when it comes to shopping.

Don't buy stuff just because it's cheap. Most likely, you'll look like crap. Buy items that look, feel and smell good but try not to pay the full price.

I call my style El Cheapo Glam: Except for a few indulgences and cheap buys, 80 per cent of what I own were not bought at their original prices.

Recent prized possessions (above) include a metallic gold Kate Spade tote (US$220 or S$312, down from US$590) and black Steve Madden ballet flats (US$30, down from US$60) from American discount chain Nordstrom Rack; and a black silk dress from high-street label Warehouse ($62, down from $170 after sale and credit card discounts) here.

I got these items by sticking to a few budget fashionista rules:

Homework pays the bills

I make notes of when my favourite labels go on sale - Mango in end June or early July, followed by Zara and Warehouse in August.

Before I travel, I read online forums and guidebooks to find out where the factory outlets and discount chain stores are. Worthy pit-stops in the United States include Nordstrom Rack, TJ Maxx, Loehmann's, Century 21 and Filene's Basement.

While back in the US for my college reunion in May, I picked up a pair of Mia gladiator sandals from Nordstrom Rack in Oregon (US$30) and a Nike Bridge Runner tank top (US$19) from Clinton Crossing Premium Outlets in Connecticut.

In Hanoi last year, a guidebook pointed me to a street in the Hai Ba Trung area where one can buy Nine West shoes (US sizes 4 to 7; most cost around US$20) and Union Bay cargo shorts (US$5 to US$8).

Don't be a snob

I'll wear anything that makes me look good. So I have few qualms about picking up trendy dresses for $10 at shopping mall pushcarts or cute polka dot tops for $5 at flea markets.

Early last year, when well-known label Song+Kelly21 was bowing out, I scored this black cocktail dress for $130, or half-off, on my way to yoga class.

Love your friends and the Net

Love Victoria's Secret stuff? I do, because its lingerie is a steal when it goes on sale (US$2.99 and up). I also google for free coupon codes (forums.slickdeals.net has updated ones) to get discounts or extras like free garment bags.

For skin and haircare brands not commonly found here - Aveda, Cellex-C, Frederic Fekkai and Smashbox - there's Strawberrynet.com which ships to Singapore for free.

Be nice to your friends. My buddies have saved me many precious dollars by bringing back Kiehl's Calendula toner from the US (US$20 or S$28.35 for a 125ml bottle, compared to $54 here) and SK-II facial essence from duty-free shops ($73.50 at the airport versus $96 in stores).

This article was first published in Urban, The Straits Times on August 29, 2008.