Do you know I travel a lot? And by a lot I mean over 100,000 air miles a year. So one of the many thrills I get to partake in is buying local. I freakin LOVE IT! Now I don’t always score an awesome find, but when I do, I know that it’s a piece that I’m not going to find elsewhere, it will in my eyes be one of a kind, and I’ll always have that memory “I got that in Bali” – which is where I got this jumpsuit below. For a cool USD $25. I’m thinking not too shabby… So here’s my tips and tricks on what to look for when shopping at a bazaar, markets or local stores, to find that cute chic piece that will make you stand out from the masses:

1. Focus Your Collection – Whether its shoes, jewelry, clothes or bags, picking up a unique piece will add immense value to your collection.

2. Does It Fit – Doesn’t matter as long as its cheap and looks good. You can always get that tailored back in your home country.

3. Search High & Low – Literally when you’re walking down a street, take a look in each store or at least pop your head in. A quick in and out is one thing, but to find those gems, you have to search.

4. More Than One? – If you need time to ponder if you want to make the purchase, ask if there’s another location. In Bali there were two other store like the one I got this, and they pretty much always have 3 sizes – small, medium and large.

5. Cash is King – If your browsing local bazaars, small stores and markets, EVERYTHING is negotiable.

6. Start In The Middle – A lot of small stores, street vendors and stalls will sell the same item a few times over. The first stalls are the most expensive cause you think you will only find it there. Think again. 2 minutes down the road you will find the same items. You can always come back.