Thursday, December 26, 2013

High Style, Low Cost Fashion

It the most wonderful time of the year

Oh my Lord, it is December 26th and for me, this is one of the high holy days of fashion. In the words of the great Martin Lawrence, "for 50% off, Jesus was born on the 26th." Last night, I checked some of my favorite online stores and many had already started their unbelievable markdowns. Even my favorite blog Jezebel got in on the action and listed some of the best sites that would give you the biggest bang for your money. But before you rush into any store and attempt to buy all the things, here's some advice: 

Use this as an opportunity to get the things you normally can't afford. The fashion hierarchy, from highest to lowest, is (generally speaking) coats > shoes > jeans and handbags > dresses > bras > sweaters > skirts > blouses. There are variations and you can always find exceptions to the rules, especially if you shop at fast fashion retailers like Forever 21, but this provides a general overview. Also, I included bras because for the busty gal, you'll have to pay for the support you need. Buying cheap in this category simply is not worth it. 

Now with the list in mind, evaluate your wardrobe and see what things are missing. This will help you to concentrate on the things you need instead of re-buying things you like. I.e., that black peplum shirt that is on sale for 25 euro is great, but not if you already have 15 black shirts and only one pair of jeans that are starting to fray in crotch due to chub rub. 

Another piece of pre-shopping advice is to concentrate on quality versus quantity. Style Digger has a great article about this, which I highly recommend. I think the biggest challenge for shoppers is knowing how to select quality pieces. At one point in time, a designer label was the guarantee of quality craftsmanship. Unfortunately, this is no longer the case and finding good pieces now takes a fair bit of effort. But it is not impossible, if you know what to look for. My mother studied fashion and one thing she taught me was to look at the print. On a well made garment, the print would continue across the seams, e.g, the stripes would match on both legs. On a cheap item, she said, "it looks like they just sewed two random pieces together." Additionally, I try to only buy natural fabrics. I sweat more than a menopausal woman, especially if I'm on my bike, so acrylic sweaters are not an option. I will grudgingly accept polyester, but that is only because it's almost impossible to shop vintage and avoid it. In my personal opinion, leather, wool, cotton, and silk just feel better than manmade materials. They allow my body to breathe which means that smells do not accumulate on them as fast and easily as something that works as a personal sauna. Not to mention, leather ages while plastic falls apart.

Now with these lessons out of the way, let's concentrate on the meat and potatoes of the discussion, sales!

Go For the Good Stuff
To piggyback off of my advice of going for quality versus quantity and use today to buy the things that are normally out of your price range, stay away from cheap stores and go to the more expensive ones. For instance, avoid H&M and head into Weekday. The jeans in the former run on average, about 100 DKK while the latter sells jeans for 450 DKK. But today, you can get a great pair for only 113 DKK. Also available at Weekday are these two lovely jackets. 

The first one breaks my rule of natural fabrics, but it's mostly wool and cute enough for me to ignore the viscose it contains. Both are only 250 DKK and available here and here.
Edited: It appears that the price on the first jacket was 250 DKK only on December26th. So forget that nonsense and only focus your energies on the black asymmetrical bomber jacket instead. 

If you are in need of jeans and crave something a little more high-fashion and you're in the New York area, I recommend getting thee ass down to the nearest Lucky Brand store. Their jeans are everything you could want in a pair of pants. They are slimming, comfortable, and make your butt look amazing. Right now, most of their jeans are on sale for less than $40, marked down from $100+. Check them out here. Lucky also sells lovely handbags and traditionally marks them down by 50%. Right now, this blue tote is selling for $84 instead of the normal sale price of $164. But if you don't mind yellow, you can get the same bag for only $62.49.

If you live in Denmark, things are little more complicated since everything in this country is SO.DAMN.EXPENSIVE. And if you find something that is "cheap", it is usually cheap quality. This is especially true for shoes. So if shoes are what you need, here are two options. The first choice, though it seems counter intuitive,is to take a trip to Magasin. Yes, it is expensive, but just like Irma, it too offers some deals. 


The above sneaker is currently on sale at Magasin for the low Danish price of 420 DKK. Sure, they're almost 500 DKK and barely qualify as cheap. But they are marked down from 1,400 DKK and are made of leather instead of polyurethane, meaning that they'll last much longer that the cheap versions on sale on Stroget. 

The second option is using the internet to access things beyond Denmark's borders. As long as you stay in the EU, you won't have to worry about paying VAT and often the shipping is less than what you would pay for in-store prices. Including shipping, the shoes below are still less than 300 DKK from Topshop

Here's a word of caution: It is extremely hard to judge the quality of shoes when buying online. Just as important as material content is comfort and usability. If something hurts, pinches, or chafes they're useless. Also, a pair of heels that are too high for everyday use is equally bad. A pair of shoes that you never wear is just a bunch of money wasted. So factor this in as well as the cost of return shipping before you punch in your credit card number.

ETA: It has just come to my attention that my favorite vintage store in Copenhagen, Second Love, is currently having a sale where most of the merchandise is 50% off.

Photo: cphtreasures.com
This is, hands down, one of the best shops in Copenhagen. Located at Dronningensgade 55 in Christianshavn, it's just a few steps away from the metro and offers a great assortment of hand picked items. I purchased a pair of black wool, high waisted capri pants there that garners numerous compliments every time I wear them. So take advantage of their sale and stock up on high quality, simply lovely, vintage winter items. 

The goal of today is not to buy any and everything. I think a smart strategy is to use the sales to acquire the clothing staples you need and fill in the holes of your wardrobe. Try to buy high quality items that will last you for several seasons. Once that is accomplished, you can then splurge on special flourishes to make your wardrobe unique. 

Hope this helps, happy shopping!



Wednesday, December 18, 2013

Visa Time

Those mountains in the background? The Alps!

On July 31st, my residence and work permits for Denmark expired. In order for me to to get a new one from the Germans, I needed several things. If I worked in a "real" industry like computers or engineering, I would be eligible for the Blue Card which meant that all I had to do to get permission to work in the country is present a job offer. But I'm a creative and my job is in entertainment, so things were a little more complicated. 

The first hurdle I had to cross was a valid work contract. This was accomplished by luck/ prayer/ begging. I scoured job listings and miraculously found someone that was willing to hire me. I would work as an international event planner and organize Oktoberfest events throughout Europe. Plus my native English skills would be put to use and help the company expand in England and Scotland. Score!

The second hurdle was finding a home. As I mentioned in this post, in order for me to submit my visa application, I first needed a place to register as my residence. In order for me to register I needed to present a lease with my address. So that meant that I actually had to find an apartment before my job even started and I received my first pay check before I would be given permission to work. Fuck. My company was registered in Uberlingen (which I call the Alabama of Germany, but that is for another post), but my new boss said that we would be moving to Munich after the Oktoberfest tour ended in November. So that's where I started my apartment search. And ran into wall after wall. Trying to find a place there was so hard and stressful that I was afraid I wouldn't find one before my Danish permit expired and would have to leave the EU. I spoke to my boss about the trouble I was experiencing and he offered me a place in one of the apartments in his house in Uberlingen to use instead. 

So I packed my bags and headed south. I took the train from Copenhagen since it allowed me to take more luggage and after three trains and a stop in Nuremberg to see a friend, I arrived in Alabama Uberlingen. 

Now, I don't expect many of you to have actually heard of Uberlingen before, I certainly hadn't until met with my boss. The only thing you need to know is that it is small. So small in fact that the nearest airport is in Basel, Switzerland, which is about an hour away by train. The only thing going for it is the fact that it is a tourist destination for Austrian and Swiss tourists as it sits on Lake Constance, which is borders Switzerland, Germany, and Austria. Oh, and on a clear day, you can see the Alps. 

Brass bands and beer in a Bavarian Beer Hall, one of the few pleasures of Uberlingen

My arrival at my boss's (who I will hereafter refer to as C) house cleared the second hurdle. Now all that was left was receiving clearance from the German authorities that I could take the job that was being offered. For many reasons, German citizens have priority when it comes to employment. This means that the only way C could hire me was if no other German or EU citizen living in Germany was better qualified. How they check, I have no idea, but I had to supply both of my degrees as well as a CV and job description to show that I met the qualifications. And then they see if there is anyone that was better qualified. If there was, they would be offered the position and I would SOL. Thankfully, no one came forward and we received preliminary approval for my application. However, the visa would not come for another month, which meant that I had to live with my boss in a tiny bodunk town for four weeks, with nothing that even resembled a nightlife. 

On the positive side (or should I say sides since there were many things to be grateful for) I got to spend the summer in a lovely town, rent free. The lack of social life gave me the opportunity to enjoy the first real summer I got to experience in three years. And looking back, I'm so happy I did get the chance to relax because little did I know, the upcoming months were going to be exquisite torture.

Monday, December 16, 2013

See you later, Copenhagen

Photo: iboriogangi.tripod.com


First, I would like to apologize for my sudden and abrupt departure. This blog was birthed from boredom and unemployment. I needed something to keep my mind sharp and skills current while I prayed for a paying job. And then it came and I pushed this project aside like an old, formerly loved toy. Also, I figured that my new experiences as a newly employed, now financially secure person would have little resemblance to the struggling lifestyle I wrote about. Oh, how wrong I was.

Funny how a steady paycheck fails to eliminate some the problems I once faced. So now I'm back and ready to continue on the journey I started several months ago.

Second, I am no longer in Denmark. Like so many sad immigrants before me, I was forced to leave. I actually received a letter from the immigration office about a month before my residence permit expired which read (and I'm paraphrasing), "Your residence permit will expire on July 31st. Please be sure to leave the country before or on that date or you will face fines and will not be permitted to enter the country again for three or five years. Cheers!"

Of course I was stressed since I did not have 77,000 kroner nor a job offer that would pay the 31,250 kroner per month needed to turn my residence permit into a green card.  

So I looked elsewhere and was fortunate enough to land a job in nearby Germany. I made the leap in June and have been traveling around Europe for work for the past four months. 

Saying good-bye, or even see you later to Copenhagen was hard because I actually liked living in Copenhagen. Unlike many before me, I befriended native Danes. And I mean, they were/ are really my friends; we go out and have dinner together and they don't talk in Danish. I took the train to Germany and as my boyfriend started to count down the minutes before my train arrived, tears started pouring down my chubby cheeks. Leaving him and the life I had created there was like ripping out my heart. I still get a little sad when I think about it.

O well. Shit happens. I am currently in Munich, amassing new stories and having new adventures. So if you will allow me, I'll take you with me to this new and foreign land. There's so much to discover and hopefully you'll be there as I feel my way around. Stay tuned.


Monday, May 27, 2013

The broke guide to Roskilde: Part 1


Photo: Denmark.dk

It's almost June and the days of Roskilde will soon be upon us. Here, I will present a strategy for reducing the cost of an eight day holiday filled with debauchery and booze. 

The first step is the acquisition of a free ticket. The price of a festival pass is 1910kr + a delivery fee. So scoring a volunteer pass is the obvious way to save almost 2000kr. I stumbed upon this Facebook group which currently lists volunteer opportunities for tower guards for this year's festival. 

Update: Since writing this article, it has come to my attention that the Facebook group listed above asks for a 1000kr deposit. That is bullshit. I, nor any of my friends have ever paid for the opportunity of working for free and you shouldn't either. Sure, they say the money will be returned and I suspect they are employing a "paid" system to reduce the number of people that only collect their volunteer bracelet, but never work their shifts. However, 1000kr is not a small amount of money and the amount of time it will take for that money to be returned is unknown. You are free to make the choice that you think is best for you. But I would not pay to work one of the worst positions available at Roskilde, especially since this is the first time I've heard of any position requiring a substantial monetary investment.   

But the website for The Ranch is much more rewarding as they are currently recruiting workers to work the food stall. But don't procrastinate as there are only 5 days left to sign up with them.

Roskilde is one of the largest festivals in Northern Europe and it is predominately run by volunteers. This means there are hundreds of positions to fill, ranging from campsite security to ticket seller. I was lucky enough to work at one of the bars and can say it is the best position to have, especially if you enjoy meeting new people. There are numerous cost saving benefits each job comes with and you should weigh them when presented with several volunteer opportunities. 

Most positions will allow access to the worker's area. Here, volunteers can enjoy a free cup of coffee, phone charging, and storage. But the best part are the free "hot" showers. They're only hot if you go early in the morning when most are sleeping off hangovers. But they're free so no one complains. There's also free messages, but after two years of attempts, I have never had one and cannot confirm their existence. 

Some positions will also include meal vouchers and drink tickets. These are usually given to those working in bars or food stalls (this is why they are best jobs). The meal vouchers are limited to a few options, but they are all pretty tasty. To get the greatest value, save them for the higher-priced places like burger joints and the Roskilde staple, Thai Lanna.

As the festival gets closer and businesses scramble to find find workers, more and more advertisements for volunteers will pop up. Pay attention to message boards around university campuses if you're still looking for a job. Another strategy is contacting the businesses directly and ask if they are in need of additional help. Visit the official festival page to see which business will have a presence there and then email them. Yes this is forward and a bit aggressive, but should pay off. Most of the best positions are advertised through word-of-mouth. So this is the only way you'll find out about them if key players are not a part of your network.

In the next part, I'll discuss the things you should do before and during the festival to save some kroner, including meal plans, travel tickets, and supplies. Happy Roskilde!

Friday, May 17, 2013

Christiania: More than just a stoner's paradise

www.christiania.info

Everyone knows that Christiania is the place to go when you're in search of an herbal high. It is impossible to miss the chunks of dark brown hash on the tables lining Pusher Street. Unfortunately, the highly visible cannabis market often blinds non-smokers to the cool and free activities the larger hippie community offers. 

This weekend will be the 40th anniversary of Loppen, a music venue featuring popular rock, punk, and hip hop bands from all over the world. In addition to free music from popular Danish artists (some of whom are remarkably talented), low priced treats will be available including homemade hotdogs, pickles, and pulled pork sandwiches. The info page also lists cake which I assume will be free since it is a birthday party

Not to be outdone by Loppen, Nemoland will also be hosting a number of free concerts starting this Sunday. The series will kick off with a performance by two artists I want to be my new Bff's, Linkoban and Lucy Love. 


Chinese born and Danish bred, Linkoban is pure awesome sauce. Her style can be best described as dub-pop, the lovely child of dubstep and pop. Her first big hit, Like This, is a never-fail crowd pleaser and brings everyone to their feet. I love her.

As we can see, Linkoban is awesome. And we have the equally fantastic Lucy Love to thank for introducing the world to her protege. 



Lucy Love is more grime than pop, and her courage and willingness to experiment with music as well as appearance makes her a wonderful live performer.  

You can check out the full schedule here. Another performance I highly recommend is WhoMadeWho. The drummer alone, Tomas Barfod, is enough to make me drop everything and run to Christiania. He is walking sex. But he and the rest of the band are more than just (really tasty) eye candy. One of my friends described their performances as parties and he was totally right. The group actually have fun with their fans and their infectious energy simply cannot be beat. 

I had the immense pleasure of seeing this performance live at Roskilde and there aren't enough words in my vast vocabulary to describe how wonderful they are. 




So there you have it, several delicious reasons to venture to the wilderness that is Christiania, even if you don't smoke or drink. And these are just a few treats of many. The community also contains several restaurants, including two affordable vegetarian places and one rather upscale establishment. There's also a free sauna (edit: since this was written, the sauna has been closed to non-residents), movie theater, and I believe a planetarium (but don't quote me on the last one). 

The hippies founded Christiania with the belief that it should be open to everyone. And forty-one years later, their dream is still going strong. To those on a limited budget, this place was made for you.

Thursday, May 16, 2013

Moving Sucks

Photo: Hyperbole and a Half

I said this blog was going to be about the lessons learned while living on a limited budget in an expensive country. So please allow me this rant.

I am a nomad. I have lived in about 10 different places, in two different countries, over the last 6 years. And while the thrill of adventure can be a wonderful thing, the constant upheaval and lack of long-term stability is starting to take it's toll.

The actual moving of stuff isn't the worst part (though it is close). No, what sucks major donkey balls is the finding the place to move your crap to. And doing so when you are financially challenged is the turd cream on a poop pie. When money is not an object, you can pay bloodsuckers realtors to do the hard work for you. For upwards of 15 percent of the annual rent, someone else will go through the trouble of finding your perfect dream home/ apartment. But if you're like me and every dollar/ euro/ kroner counts, such luxury is not an option.

Apartment searching is difficult largely because people are assholes and the entire process makes me want to crawl into a ball and cry. My latest foray into apartment listings has caused my midday drinking to increase exponentially. The worst room tumblr is only funny when you're not the one showing up to each viewing with the expectation of finding something that is actually habitable. People who list closets as cozy rooms should be gut-punched by every person that answers the ad. 

I also have an intense hatred for people who use apartment listings as personal ads. No, I will not use my vagina in lieu of cash to pay for shelter. 

And if you think intra-city moves are stressful, good lord, try international moves. You have all of the same stress, but now you have the added worry of scammers since you're not in the actual country you're moving to. Here, a trustworthy friend is a godsend (Thanks Tandi). Currently, I'm trying to move from Denmark to Germany so that I can work there legally as an American citizen. Another monkey wrench for me is my work permit is dependent on me obtaining housing. So I can't work to afford a better place until I shell out the money for a crappy one. Did I mention that I will not even live in this apartment for the first three months since I will be traveling for my job?

Just writing this is making me frustrated, where's my beer? 

Monday, April 29, 2013

Adventures in selling: The loppemarked at Cafe Retro

In an effort to raise some cash and clear my closets of lovely, yet rarely worn items, I decided to sell some clothes at the flea market at Cafe Retro. Unlike the popular ones that largely take place outside, this one was indoors, required only a small fee of 70kr, and sellers can use the tables, chairs, and random nails of the cafe to display their items instead of having to bring their own wardrobe racks. 

I figured the low investment would yield maximum profits and estimated how much I could make if I sold most of my items. I packed my large red suitcase full of the clothes and shoes that I loved for years and made my way to city center, hopeful that each garment would find an owner that loved them as much as I did.

So imagine my disappointment when I arrived and the first words I hear while I'm setting up were, "if it's a nice day, we're not going to get anyone in here. And today is supposed to be really nice." Fuck!

True to the speaker's words, a grand total of 20 people came, and three of them were my friends who came to show support. There would have been one more, but she went to the wrong location and brought a supportive latte to the Cafe Retro in Nørrebro (hi Sarah).

Don't we look busy?
To make matters worse, it was freaking hot. So hot that I actually fell asleep in my overstuffed chair. Also, my boyfriend pointed out that it was the end of the month, meaning that few people had cash that they would want to part with. 

The absolute worst part of the whole experience is the feeling of rejection when people don't want to buy the things that you think are great. I once told a worker at a dry cleaner that I loved my clothes the way people loved their children. And meant it. So I was saddened when the few people that did make their way to my section just looked and walked away without even trying something on. 

How can you not love a yellow suede dress?

I'm a chubby gal with a bountiful bosom and when another seller said that my DKNY coat was beautiful but that she would be swimming in it, I felt like Fatty McFatterson trying to sell a bunch of Walmart styled muumuus. My spirits were lifted when a woman whose cups also runneth over picked up a semi sheer black dress with white embroidery (shown in the first picture). But then hers were crushed when it became apparent that she had too much for the fabric to contain. 

In the end, I sold one dress for 40kr. And bought a Kelly styled handbag for 25. Add to that, the 70kr fee and I made a net loss of 55kr, more if you include transportation costs.

But all hope is not lost. I also signed up for the flea market at Studenterhuset which is much more popular. It's prime location near Stroget means that it sees much more foot traffic than Cafe Retro which is located on a side street close to Parliament. So wish me luck with this one. I'll be bringing a few more random items, including Roskilde supplies and some electronics. If anyone is interested in checking it out, details are available on Facebook

Monday, April 22, 2013

Spring is here (finally)!


The ice cream trucks are rolling around and the sun is out (for the most part). For those who arrived in Denmark during the dark months of winter, you're in for a real treat.


When I first arrived, I thought there were few people actually in Copenhagen. Little did I know that everyone was simply hibernating in their nests. And then the sun came and brought with it a population explosion. The streets were buzzing with activity and even when the temperature barely reached double digits, the outdoor seating of cafes was finally put to use (with the help of fleece blankets). Even though the wool scarves are still in full swing and going outside without a jacket is just a fantasy, the bright sun (or suggestion of) is enough to seduce the Danes into leaving their caves and provides ample opportunities for free or low cost entertainment.

The free events are coming!

Everyone knows about the Copenhagen Jazz Festival and Distortion, but there are dozens of smaller ones that pop-up all over the city. The past weekend saw the 48 Hour Festival of Nørrebro as well as numerous weed related parties celebrating the smoker's holiday of 4-20. 

But that is just the tip of the iceberg. The upcoming weeks will be filled with festivals, open-bars, club anniversaries, and free parties. I will try my best to post information that I find pertaining to Copenhagen nightlife. But as a word of advice, pay attention to the events your Facebook friends are going to as that is the best way of finding cool things to do. Copenhagen is terrible, simply terrible, at advertising the various events that the city hosts. I've often found out about an event AFTER it has taken place, usually by spotting a poster for it in an obscure location, like a lightpole on a bridge. 

Mayday

The next big day that will be filled with free treats is Mayday, or known in every part of the word except the US as Labor Day. Fælledparken is the place to be with numerous artists taking the stage to celebrate workers' rights. Bring a grill and cheap beer from the nearest kiosk, the atmosphere will be BYOB barbecue with a touch of communism. For more information, check out the Facebook page.

Also, Mayday will give you the opportunity to attend a party at Culture Box for the low price of 25kr. Culture Box is largely regarded as one of Copenhagen's best clubs for electronic music and with a cover so low, you can afford to see if the rumors are true. More information available here.

Saturday, April 13, 2013

Free Opera Experience

 ©  Det Kongelige Teater
Today, guests can enjoy a free concert starting at 5:30, when Tenor Johnny van Hal sings Britten's The Holy Sonnets of John Donne in the foyer of the Opera House. 

The performance is part of a series of free cultural events hosted by the Royal Theater. Ranging from practice performances of the Royal Ballet to relaxed snippets of popular operas, The Royal Theater hosts a number of events which make the arts more accessible.

While today's event does not require registration, some do. For more information about this and future performances, check out the web page,  Det er gratis!

Wednesday, April 10, 2013

Survival Tip: Where the bargains are


Living in Denmark means that after rent, your greatest expense is food. And with fast food staples like McDonalds and KFC costing upwards of 100kr per meal, eating out everyday is simply not an option. But even if you try to eat in to save some cash, the price of groceries can vary widely. 

When I lived in Ørestad, the nearest shops were Bilka and DøgnNetto. Both seem like descent places to shop when you have nothing to compare it to. But Bilka is like the Costco of Denmark, only offering deals when you buy in bulk. Those ten, 500 gram bags of frozen vegetables for only 10kr each sounded like a great bargain. That was, until you got home and realized that your freezer can only hold 5 and there's no way you're going to eat the rest before they go bad. And you pay for the convenience of DøgnNetto's later opening hours with significantly higher prices.

Only when I moved to a more populated area that had several stores to choose from, including (normal) Netto, Rema 1000, Fotex, Fakta, and Irma did I realize how much I was being overcharged by living in a food desert. So here are two things I learned that helped to significantly reduce my grocery bill:


Reconnaissance

Like I said, prices vary from store to store and even week to week. So make use of the circulars that get stuffed into your mailbox.


Tilbuds are like my women's magazines, difference being, they offer information that helps instead of hurts my self-worth. I actually get excited when I see the shiny paper sticking out from the black boxes in my hallway. 

Did you know that the price of broccoli can be anywhere from 5kr to 12kr per head? Or that Netto and Fotex sometimes sells delicious Lurpak butter for only 10kr instead of 20kr? If you only stick to one store out of brand loyalty, you'll miss the amazing bargains offered elsewhere. Not to mention, stores like Aldi and Rema 1000 often sell non-food items, like name brand smart phones, for rock bottom prices. And this leads to my second recommendation,

Know your stores

Last week, Aldi (I think, but I'm not sure since I threw out my circular) was a selling a gigantic portable speaker system that was mp3 player compatible for only 300kr. For those planning on attending Roskilde, such an item would have been perfect. But how many of you would have thought to get your Roskilde supplies from Aldi or even Rema 1000 instead of Silvan? 

When the phone my friend gave me started to die (thanks Tandi), the first place I looked was NOT Elgiganten or any of the similar electronic or phone stores. I went to Bilka and bought an unlocked Samsung Galaxy mini for 500kr. Experience taught me that Bilka, Aldi, and sometimes Rema 1000 would sell phones at prices that rivaled those of American online retailers, minus shipping & handling. 

Knowing your stores means familiarizing yourself with their inventories and pricing schedules. For example, I stayed away from Irma for a long time since I assumed they were out of my price range. And they are, for the most part. But I've found that they are often cheaper than Netto or Fakta when it comes to certain produce. Their running price on avocados is 24kr for a bag of six. And the avocados usually range in ripeness, giving a few to use now, and a few that will ripen over the next few days. Plus, if you're lucky, you can find a sale on rotisserie chicken. 

Items in this picture appear much larger on my table

Depending on the day of the week, Irma will sell quarter chickens, two for 30kr. Stay away from the legs and go for the breasts. Each piece is almost one full breast and a wing, yielding enough meat for two servings per piece. Sure, you'll pay more than if you were to buy frozen chicken, but do you want to wait 20-30 minutes for it to cook?

One final word of caution. Just like I wrongly assumed that everything in Irma was ridiculously expensive, do not make the mistake of assuming the little ethnic shops will always be cheaper. I noticed the Middle Eastern grocer nearest me will change their prices, depending on the season (normal) and day of the month (not normal). Their prices are the highest at the beginning of the month, when most Danes receive their salary or government benefits, and lowest when people have the least amount of money. This contrasts with the habit of most stores offering deals at the beginning of the month, to lure customers in. 

Hope these tips help, Happy Shopping!

Tuesday, April 9, 2013

Sale!





Cheap Monday, maker of the cool high-waisted skinny jeans all the Danish girls are sporting, is having a special sale tomorrow at their Kronprinsensgade store. From 7-9pm, lucky shoppers will enjoy 20% off all non-sale items, free booze, and a free tote bag with purchase. 

For those of you who are unfamiliar with the brand, check out their newest collection  for girls here

Don't forget to RSVP here to make sure you actually get in. With the promise of low(er) prices and free beer, I'm certain the place will be filled to capacity.

Full details available on Facebook.