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Image: bananarepublic.com
This deal doesn't happen very often so I think it's definitely worth a glance. Take 20% off already reduced sale prices at Banana Republic. Use discount code EXTRA20. The sale is good online only for two days: today and tomorrow. Get to clicking!
Most of you know about my devout following of the designer collections at Target. From Proenza Schouler to Anna Sui, I've been ga ga for these drastically reduced collections conveniently housed at my favorite big box store for the chic (and not necessarily the cheap).
But lately I've felt a little shift in my buying patterns. I'm decidedly not shopping as much as previous years. And if I'm buying anything days, it has to fit my lifestyle for the long wardrobe haul. A fair-weather frock won't do! (Okay, I'm going to stop with the corny cliches now. Note to self, go to bed on time to avoid loopy blogging.) Anyhoo, the point is I want pieces that I love and that will last. And I'm especially looking for things with a twist.
The John Paul Gaultier for Target line launched a few weeks ago. Upon first glance, the pieces in this collection look like they're aiming for a younger crowd. I know most of the Go International lines seemingly fall in that same vein, but this collection only had a few pieces that I'd probably buy. The trench coat with black stripes is an obvious pick for all ages since it takes a wardrobe staple and pumps up the style quotient by adding the perfectly placed stripes. Good luck finding this coat since it appeared in just about every major fashion mag as the item to get from this collection. But there is at least one other thing worth checking out. This beautiful halter dress in a fun mustard color.
Also on the racks at Target is the Liberty of London for Target collection of fashion and home items. I really like the all the bursts of print and color in these pieces. Every time I see that dang paisley printed bike, I promise you I consider buying it. Aside from the home collection, I like several of the tops too. My favorite is this pretty green sleeveless top with the floral print. Hmm...sounds like I'll be making a Target run.
Images: Target.com
I think this event is going to be the online equivalent of the pushing, shoving, and grabbing that normally occurs at a designer store bargain discount sale. I'm ready for battle.
The birthday party (don't you just love parties) is on April 16th. You have to RSVP even if you're already registered with theOutnet.com. The list will be open for registration from March 29th - April 11th. I'm going to RSVP tomorrow. Even if I don't purchase anything, I want to know what's being offered.
If you enjoy an enlivened fashion hunt for designer brands at slashed prices, you need to visit theOutnet.com on a regular basis. When you register, you'll get updates on special deals and events (like this one) that are actually worth knowing about.
Images: theoutnet.com
These sale prices are in that middle range. They're decent but not super slashed. I see a few gems worth a second glance like the denim or several cute blouses. And since Banana Republic is my first choice for tanks and tees, I'll be giving those a serious look.
Image: bananarepublic.com
I get an intense feeling of accomplishment when I score a great deal on an item I've been looking to buy. Not that I was looking for these shoes specifically. But I am on a continuous hunt for shoes since my collection has been severely impacted by losing some extra pounds.
I discovered this interesting pair at TJ Maxx on the clearance rack for $7. They're by Ellen Tracy and I was immediately drawn to the leopard print wedge. I believe it's made out of raffia with a leather upper. I grabbed them and sprinted to the checkout line. Okay, maybe I wasn't full out running, but it was pretty close.
Once I got them home, I started to get a little concerned about how I would actually wear them. I had to come up with something other than jeans. But once I started digging around in my recently cleaned closet, I knew I had numerous wardrobe options for these shoes to complement perfectly. And the $7 price tag just made it all that much sweeter.
With the onslaught of established designers doing collections for well-known, traditional retailers (think H&M, Target, and Wal-mart), we've become desensitized to these fashion duos. It's so common we may overlook a fantastic line by mistake. And this latest pairing actually has me not only looking but I'm ready to buy!
The collection comes from Jodi Arnold and it's being offered at The Limited. What I love about this spring line is the use of color, design, shape, and texture. These clothes resemble art.
Click here to check out the Look Book. Some items are available now and more will be offering over the next few weeks.
My favorites are sequin drape explosion top, super cute and wearable cropped jackets, and the various print dresses. The shorts are tweaking my interest too. And the suits look sleek and chic. Think keep forever.
Yes, I love this line. If you're looking to break away from your normal spring routine, e.g. khaki pants and cardigan twinsets (eww!), get thee to The Limited. And please, save something for me.
UPDATE: This weekend The Limited is offering 30% off regular and sale merchandise. Offer good in-store and online. Here's the store coupon. Use promo code 983 for online shopping.
Images: The Limited
For the past few weeks, I've been compelled to wear my off-the-shoulder shirts, ripped jeans, and any clothing that looks slightly mismatched (think navy with black or sweatshirts and heels). And as if the movie fashion gods were smiling on me, Flashdance was on tv last weekend. I had to watch it. I mean, it was Flashdance after all. That's when I realized all my quirky wardrobe choices in recent weeks could be directly linked to the 1983 character that Jennifer Beals so eloquently played.
We've seen a lot of trends that can be traced back to this, dare I say, 80s cult classic. Ripped jeans, leggings, legwarmers. All of these fashionable (and sometimes questionable) pieces are currently taking up space in retail stores. But how do you do adopt the trends without looking like you borrowed your look from two decades ago? The answer is proceed with simplicity.
This top channels Flashdance without the legwarmers or auditioning for a prestigious dance school. The obvious way to wear this pretty blue top is to pair it with jeans. But I think it would work well with a dressy pair of cargo pants too.
Not into the slouchy sweatshirt or sweater look? Consider grabbing some torn jeans. I like the options at Gap because they offer many different styles and washes. And thankfully, they have petite and tall sizes too.
Image: James Perse top on sale for $38.99 at Saks.com.
Here are my current Flashdance faves:
The weather is starting to break. Yes, I see it, spring! With warmers temps comes more social events. And don't many of them seem to fall during the work week? If your calendar calls for you to fly from work to dinner or to a networking event, keep your wardrobe changes to a minimum. It's enough to juggle traffic from one place to another without worrying about what you should wear. Here are some simple tips for taking your look from work to play.
Take off your jacket or cardigan These items can scream stuffy or cubicle. Which is not the vibe you want to exude when you're out mingling. Wear your graphic or ruffle top to work with the jacket and leave it in the car when you hit your after work activities.
Change your footwear We all know that shoes can take an outfit from okay to outstanding. Unfortunately, most jobs outside of NYC don't tend to embrace super high, sexy heels in the office. So save those lovelies for after hours. And watch your confidence shoot up a notch too. There's something empowering about wearing heels while balancing an appetizer on a tiny napkin and talking about your next project.
Upgrade your jewelry If you're like me and you tend to go small when it comes to earrings, swap out those scrawny studs for a pair that dangles or shines. Or grab that chunky ring or arm full of bangles. Don't be shy when it comes to piling on the accessories. Remember, you're not at work anymore.
Every now and then I'll buy something that at the time, seemed like an absolutely fabulous idea. Much later I discover that this absolutely fabulous idea was misguided and typically a complete wardrobe disaster. These shoe definitely fit into this category.
I was at DSW one day last spring when I spotted them on the clearance rack. With the additional discount, these shoes were a splendid $8 in total. And who couldn't use a pair of kick around shoes for under $10? And it's just that type of thinking that will lead you to buy things that just don't work for your current lifestyle. You think because it's so cheap that you'd be crazy not to buy them. You'll find some where to wear them, right? To the farmer's market or maybe to the bookstore to grab a magazine. And while you're standing there inspecting apples or perusing the fashion mags it hits you. You feel a little older or a little less cool. Heck, when I wear these shoes I actually feel geriatric. And that's not something you want to achieve before you hit middle age.
So now, I will be placing these casual, tan wedges in my latest donation pile. I'm sure someone in the 55+ set will be delighted to wear them.
I like what I see at the The Limited these days. The clothes are fashionable and wearable for people who punch a clock every day.
I love this wrap jacket on sale for $58.
And while this top isn't on sale, I'm officially putting it on sale watch! This bow-tie blouse is a great way to add patterns and prints to your wardrobe. I'm envisioning it with a pencil skirt for work or shorts and heels for play.
The sale is good online and in stores on regular prices only. Prices good through Wednesday, March 17th.
How do you prevent your wardrobe from accumulating ever so slightly different black pumps or pants? You have to be very, very diligent. Your brain is programmed to buy what you like and what you feel comfortable with. That's why it's so easy to end up with two items that look kind of the same. Like these brown, strappy heels I purchased a couple of weeks ago. I was so excited to wear them. Until I realized that they look an awful lot like a pair of strappy brown sandals I already own.
Image: New shoes (left) and old shoes (right)
Why should you avoid duplicates?
Having multiple items that perform similar functions can be a huge waste of money and time. You don't need five pairs of basic black pants. No really, you don't. Two pairs, one dressy and one casual, is more than enough to cover your wardrobe needs. Having more causes you to wade frantically through piles of clothing as you attempt to get ready for work. Having more disrupts closet clarity. Ha, in most cases, you end up wearing the same two pairs of black pants anyway. You could have spent that money on something you really needed. Or saved it for something you really wanted.
Why are these shoes considered the same?
When one of my friends saw these sandals sitting next to each other, she commented on how cute they were. I quipped back, "ah, they're the same so I'm taking the wedges back." She looked puzzled because in her mind, they were completely different shoes. But are they really different? I would love to keep the wedges. I mean, they were only $15 and that's a tough deal to walk away from. But when I paired the wedges with a printed strapless dress, I decided to wear my old pair of brown strappy sandals instead. (Which I had conveniently forgotten about when I bought the new pair.) My logic is this: why own two pairs of shoes in the same color that serve the same purpose? I could use the money spent on the second pair to buy a much needed replacement for all of the pumps that are now too big for me.
So alas, these lovely sandals must be returned. And while I'm there, I'll just saunter over to the shoe department and see if there's anything there I can use.
There are several sales worth perusing this weekend. Here are a few to consider in addition to the ones already on your list.
LORD & TAYLOR Save 15% off regular and sale price items. Also take 25% off clearance items. Click here to read all the details. (Cause L&T believes in a lot of details.) And click here for the in-store coupon. The promo code for online shopping is SPRING. Offer good through Tuesday, March 9th.
NORDSTROM Shop the large selection of shoes for women, men, and kids on clearance. I did a courtesy run through of the sale and at least two pairs are calling my name!
ANN TAYLOR I really like the clothes AT is putting out these days. I call them pretty pieces since they're so feminine and romantic. (Think ruffles, silk, and polka dots.) Check out the sale section and you'll discover plenty of wardrobe gems. I'm escpecially impressed with the denim being offered. Finally, someone is producing jeans that are sans glitter, studs or those pesky faded patches on the thigh and bum. And they're less than $100 too!
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