Another look for less (home)

I've been on the hunt for a well-priced conversation set for my patio.  Here is one I found at Macy's from Beacon Hill for $2399.

Lo and behold, I stumbled upon this one from Martha Stewart's collection for Home Depot yesterday, when I got an alert that the price had dropped. Here it is:

And here it is all dolled up & accessorized outside:

Total price? $299!  I love finding deals like this.

Birthday wishlist starts with quality denim

It's that time of year again when I start to combine spring fever with birthday wishes. I made a rule about ten years ago that I could not buy any spring items until March 1st, regardless of how badly I want to be rescued from a dreary winter day in January or February.  I'd bought way too many items that sat unused for months in my closet and went on sale before I could ever wear them.
Besides, March is my birthday month so I usually give myself a little spree/spring pick-me-up each year.
This birthday is a special one of sorts because it is the last one before I become a mom.  I'm so looking forward to motherhood and sharing every birthday I can from now on with my lovely daughter.  I have hardly bought any clothes for myself since I found out I was pregnant, mostly because I do not want to spend money on maternity clothes I might never use again, and also because my budget is tighter than ever.
I did however decide that I will treat myself to a couple of things for my birthday.  I'm thinking a new outfit - head to toe: sunglasses, a top, a pair of jeans, a pair of camel sandals and a tote bag.  I've got my eye on a pair of sunglasses and I found the best deal on a pair of dark wide-legged jeans. I can only hope they fit after the birth, but I'm almost positive they will.
Here they are:

 

They were exactly what I was looking for - normal waist, wide leg, dark wash, and Prada to boot. Did I mention I snagged the last pair, in my size, 60% off? ;)

These will truly be a classic piece that's on trend right now but will withstand the test of time.

Hope they are every bit as lovely as they look online. 

Great outlet deals 02/13

I'm not a huge outlet shopping fan at all. As a matter of fact, I hardly ever go, despite the fact that for years I lived ten minutes away from one that people would drive hours to visit.  However, I do have a dear friend who loves going there and begs me to take her there when we visit.  So I put up with the horrible parking in exchange for hanging out with her and must admit we usually have a pretty good time and find some great deals.  That said, I am pretty sure my new favorite outlet store is Kate Spade. 
My most recent scores this weekend were a beautiful black cowhide wristlet, regularly $135 for $27! Wow! I plan on throwing this in my larger tote bags.  I also scored a nice gift set of their new fragrance, Twirl.  It includes a 3.4 oz eau de parfum spray, with matching body lotion and shower gel. It's a $150 value, on sale still for $90 at Bloomingdales.  I bought it for less than $25! What a deal!

 

Other than that, we hit the Coach outlet (didn't see anything exciting except a pair of sunglasses that I didn't end up getting but might go back for - the Maddie in taupe for $63 - worth it or not?). I did buy a cute pair of charcoal yoga pants at the gap outlet for <$11 and a bunch of cute baby clothes for my little bean.  All in all, a good couple of hours :)   

The Look for Less (for home)

I've had plans to set up a little home office where I can work on my laptop, print as needed, and stay organized, while still having access to the tv, a window, etc. So, I've been looking for a desk that doesn't look so much like a desk.  I fell in love with Crate and Barrel's Incognito Desk. 

It's small enough to suit my needs (in this digital age, I don't like to keep a lot of hard copies of anything - and I already have filing cabinets). When closed, it looks like a lovely cabinet.
The only thing holding me back was the price: $999 + tax + delivery.  I have been looking for a suitable alternative for a couple of months, and voila, guess what the wonderful people at Interior Express have come up with, the Ferron Computer Desk:

It is essentially identical for get this, $149!  That's about 85% less than crate & barrel's version.
Love it!

Wintry Look for Less

As you might or might not know, I'm on a very limited budget.  Don't get me wrong, I have a nice roof over my head and a nice car that gets me places.  Those two things do not leave much room for vanity. I do not believe in manicures, pedicures or massages, although I would love to do all of those things if I could.  I only get my hair cut/colored twice a year by a lady out of her house who does it for half the price of any salon.  I only buy drugstore makeup and lotions with the exception of either an amazing deal at a department store or a gift.
Still, I love fashion & dressing up and I do believe in (Rule #1) making the most of what you have and trying to look as presentable and cute as possible within your means. This blog is about that and about how I make my life interesting, happy, and bearable given the circumstances I've been given.
Another big rule (#2) I follow is quality over quantity.  I don't buy much or as often as others might, but what I do buy I make sure I love and is something that will either be used many times, stand the test of time, or make me feel fabulous.   Sometimes this can mean paying a little more upfront, but cost per use is something I always consider.  Third rule: I always buy on sale or with a coupon.  There is no excuse not to these days.  There is almost always a way to get what I want below retail.  There are very few exceptions to this rule.  
Today's post is about a sweater I fell in love a while ago, then fell in love with again when it was featured as the #1 must-have on my-wardrobe.com's top ten list this week.  It's this reindeer cardi by Malene Birger:

 


At over $300, it's way out of my budget.  Alas, I spied a pretty good dupe at Nordstrom Rack of all places, for under $25!  I cannot wait to wear it to a holiday party & finally be that person wearing the reindeer sweater :P
I plan on wearing it with cute leggings and boots.  I'll post pics when I have them.

eBay score

I am both happy and sad to report that not much has been going on in the shopping front for me in this new year.  This is what happens when a single girl buys a house in the fancy suburbs.  Alas, I still do more than my fair share of window shopping and try my best to find the prettiest new things, and best deals where deals are to be had. 
I have a little bit of spring fever and have been wishing for sandal weather and light-colored clothes.  In the spirit of spring, I scored this lovely number off eBay last night, and got a wonderful deal to boot!
Miss Nanette Lepore, circa ??, for thirty-six big ones, yay!

 

Oh, Monique...

From Fashion Week, this Monique Lhuillier is so very gorgeous, my favorite from fall 10.

I believe I saw an ad for her wedding gown version of this, done in a lovely ivory. *sigh*