Brand New Shoes... For Free!

Like most people, I get a lot of "junk" emails. Newsletters, promos, daily deals, LinkedIn network updates, etc etc. I usually scroll through them half-heartedly, occasionally clicking a link if I see something I like - but am usually turned off by the price, even when on sale.

I'm not sure how I got on the ShoeMint email list -- most likely from entering a giveaway, as is the case with most of my subscriptions. In a recent email from them, I clicked on a pair of flats that I liked, and was happy to find them also available in nude, as nude flats are at the very top of my list. Unfortunately, the $80 price tag made them a no deal.

Then I remembered I'd been getting emails from the same company regarding "credit about to expire" and figured I'd see how much of this credit I actually had. Turns out, I somehow had credit that equaled the exact price of these shoes, and shipping was free! I didn't even have to input my card information, and I got a gorgeous pair of brand new shoes for free.

Classic Pointed Flat $79.98

Floral for Free

I found this dress at a bus stop a few weeks ago.

The H&M tag caught my eye, and though it was a little damp from the rain, it wasn't gross and sketchy so I took it.

The tag says size 12, and while it is big on me and will require slight alterations for a good fit, the fit isn't like a typical 12 - more like a 6 or 8. I've noticed the sizing of a lot of H&M clothing is like this, but it's also inconsistent. Perhaps this is a European vs American thing?

dress: H&M | Found
belt: Chinese Laundry | Goodwill Outlet
wedges: Nine West | $8 | Value Village

Free!

This weekend I scored big at the mother of all free piles.

I don't know if this is just a Northwest thing, but people will leave curbside piles of stuff they don't want and its all free for the taking. Sometimes there's a Craigslist ad alerting of the pile, other times you just have to be lucky enough to stumble on it.

I'm kind of obsessed with free piles - they're even more fun than the Goodwill outlet bins. I've acquired some good stuff from free piles, but I think this one takes the cake.

Among my prizes:

-Full size inflatable air mattress, with pump
-Two Thermarest camping pads
-Sewing and beading supplies
-French Press
-Revlon ceramic flat iron
-Bissell shopvac/ vacuum (replacing mine that doesn't work!)
-Heavy wood cutting board/block
-20GB early iPod with all the accessories and a huge music collection
...as well as misc. smaller items.

Are epic free piles common in your city? What is your best free find?