Streamline Sales

{I've yet to decide if what I'm about to reveal is a good thing or an absolutely terrible thing.} 

If you're anything like me, your inbox is overflowing with emails from Gilt, HauteLook, Rue La La, and the like telling you about upcoming sales on items that you clearly don't need, (but once you see it in writing, you feel like you're going to die without). You'll go so far as to save the emails because you don't want to forget about the sales, and then a few days later you'll sheepishly delete them, half embarrassed that you saved them at all and half still convinced that you're passing up something you'll never be able to find again. This habit can become very time-consuming, and pretty annoying. Checking all of those emails to find one or two (or five) thing that you want is a lot of work!

Enter SalesCast by Splendora. It plugs itself as "The Ultimate iPhone App for Online Sales Addicts". (Sounds about right...)  

SalesCast compiles all of the best sales from it's top 20 sample sale site including Gilt Group, Ideeli, Rue La La, HauteLook, Daily Candy's Swirl, and Billion Dollar Babes. The editors of the app compile all of the best sales from these sites and streamline them into one list right on your phone. No longer is there a need to let your inbox get out of control! 

This app allows you to scroll through current and upcoming sales, flag your favorite sales, make your own reminder lists, and actually purchase the items that you find. It also allows you to filter items by category....no need to be bothered by children's clothing sales alerts when you really just want shoes. 

Genius! And the best part....buy this amazing organizer from the iPhone App Store-    

FOR FREE!

I've bought the app and I'll let you know if I find it helpful....or if it only feeds the addiction :-)

Little Black {Lace} Dress

Every woman should have an LBD in her closet....or two...or five.  Let's be serious, you can never have too many. There is nothing else in the world that can make you look classy AND sexy at the same time, and no other garment in your wardrobe will ever be as versatile.  So why not expand your collection with one of this year's hottest trends- the little black lace dress. These celebs got this look right on!

{Jessica Biel, SJP, and Carey Mulligan try out the hot trend. Image via People}

{Duffy in Dolce & Gabbana, photo courtesy of OMG! Yahoo}

{Zoe Saldana in Vionnet, photo courtesy of OMG! Yahoo}

{Gwyneth Paltrow in Chado Ralph Rucci, image courtesy of OMG! Yahoo}

But alas, we don't all have the bottomless pockets that the stars of stage and screen are lucky enough to have....sigh.....

So aren't we lucky that these lovely little numbers are within our reach...some much more so than others.

{Elena Lace Shift dress, about $600, from J Crew}

{Marc by Marc Jacobs Abigail Lace Dress, about $530, Shopbop.com}

{Lace Sleeve Dress by Love, $88, from Topshop}

{Vero Moda Lace Strap Tailored Dress, about $66, from Asos}

{Hazel Lace Dress, $68 on sale!, from Piperlime}

{Oasis Lace Shift Dress, about $104, from Asos}

I don't know about you, but  I think an LBLD is a no-brainer for all of the holiday parties that the upcoming season will be bringing....now I just have to decide which one to chose! 

WHAAAAAT?!?!?!?!?

Sometimes a deal comes along that is just impossible to believe. Like, too good to be true kind of deal. Makes you do a double take kind of deal. You get the idea. I have found that the place to go for these kinds of sent-from-heaven steals around the holidays is Sephora. 

Check this out....then pick your jaw up off of the floor and get to the mall as fast as possible. 

Presenting the Sephora Collection Endless Color Blockbuster!

This amazing palette includes 98 eyeshadows, 70 lip glosses, 6 cream eyeliners, 3 traditional eyeliners, 2 lip liners, 1 mascara and 4 applicator brushes (and a pop-up mirror, natch). You can snatch up this $435-value palette at the UNREAL price of $48!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I know, right?!?!?! 

And my favorite part? When it's all folded up, it looks just like the iconic Sephora bag. 

Too cute!

Calling all husbands, boyfriends, parents and friends. I know what's at the top of MY list this Christmas. 

Oh, and PS...since there is only 1 mascara in the Endless Color Blockbuster, my Secret Santa may as well throw in the Sephora Favorites LashStash Mascara Deluxe Sampler. It's only another $40*.....

*A $140 Value....crazy!!!

Fashionable Friends: Lisa!

We all have fashionistas in our circle...and I'm happy to say that my circle is exceptionally well dressed (working in retail helps....no cubicle-appropriate dress codes!).  So I figured that I would start posting some of my friends chicest- and cheapest- looks as inspiration. Today's Fashionable Friend....Lisa!

Here's the rundown on Lisa's outfit....and some similar pieces for you to try :-)

The Sweater: Lisa got her awesome cardi from Mango...on sale! Get it here, 

or try this MINKPINK Cocoon Cardigan from Piperlime...only $64. Nice

The Jeans: I love the worn-in shade of the dark wash on Lisa's jeans. She scored them from Urban Outfitters for $54!

{BDG Ankle Cigarette Jean in Ink wash}

The T-Shirt: Lisa and I think alike when it comes to t-shirts. Find 'em cheap and buy as many as you can at one time. One of her favorites....Gap.

{Gap Favorite V-Neck T, on sale now for $10!}

The Shoes: Lisa found these Nine West T-strap heels ages ago at TJ Maxx for about $60

While my pick is more pricey, any Frye shoe will last FOREVER, so spending a little extra cash is well worth it, as you won't have to replace them for quite some time.

{Frye Miranda T-Straps, $168, from Zappos}

I love Lisa's look because you can accessorize it with a simple pendant and skinny belt like she did, or you can wear the cardigan open with a big, chunky necklace, like this piece. 

{Hive and Honey Multi Color Statement Necklace, $48 from Piperlime}

Who are the chic chicks that you get style inspiration from?

Regis, my Halloween Redeemer

I'll be the first to admit that I'm a total Scrooge when it comes to Halloween (mixing holidays, I know). I just can't get excited about it. I loved it when I was a kid, but as an adult...not so much. I don't have anything against Halloween, I just don't get motivated to put any effort into it, like I do with my extensive Thanksgiving and Christmas decor. However...I have to hand it to my favorite morning show for getting me back on the Halloween train this year (at least getting a foot on the train, let's not get ahead of ourselves).

This morning on Live! with Regis and Kelly, the dynamic hosting duo spent the entire show in MANY different costumes with skits to accompany them all. And I actually laughed! Thanks to Regis and Kelly, I'm actually contemplating dressing up with the hubs when we take our nieces and nephews trick-or-treating this weekend. Thanks guys!! Below are my favorite costume combos from this morning's show....have a giggle

Regis and Kelly as The Situation and Snooki

Kelly as Rachel Zoe

Regis and Kelly as Justin Bieber and Lady Gaga

Regis and Kelly as Jay and Gloria from Modern Family

Kelly and Regis as Katy Perry and Elmo

But my favorite moment, by far, was the portrayal of nearly every member of the Kardashian clan.

Gelman as Scott...hysterical!

Totally brilliant. If you didn't have a chance to catch the episode today, you can watch the whole thing here!

Happy Halloween, everyone!

{all photos courtesy of Live! with Regis & Kelly}

Caped Crusader {part one}

So one of the major trends that we're seeing everywhere for fall and winter is the cape. And I LOVE this trend! There are so many different personas that can be taken on in a cape. There are lady-like capes, preppy tweed capes, east-coaster toggle button capes....I want them all. One of the best features of the cape is that you can layer like crazy underneath, but you won't feel any of the limited arm motion that you get when you try and shove a cable-knit sweatered arm down the sleeve of a classic pea coat! Take a look at these gorgeous pieces...some pricy, some not!

{Kylie Minougue in tweed cape, image from People}

{See by Chloe Tweed Cape, $960, from net-a-porter}

{Everything-in-Place Cape, $200, via Anthropologie}

{Emilio Pucci Cashmere and Wool Blend Cape, $3000, net-a-porter}

{Love the lining on this one! Cape Sartori, $240, from Mango}

{Bound Seam Duffle Cape, $160, Topshop}

{3.1 Phillip Lim Quilt Yoke Cape, $795, Neiman Marcus}

{Contrast Piped Hooded Cape, $160, Topshop}

{See by Chloe Quilted Cape, $1150, shopbop}

{Wool Buckle Cape with Fleece Collar, $160, Topshop}

Now this blog is a two-parter as I have yet to find my perfect cape. Part of the reason is because it's been unseasonably hot and humid in DC, and I haven't been able to get in the mind-set of outerwear shopping. But November is near.....as is pay day....and I think this weekend will be dedicated to finding just the right cape. {That's after I go trick-or-treating with my nieces and nephews, of course!}

A cape can be a wonderful alternative to your everyday coat or jacket, but let's not forget that the cape is a slippery slope. The longer the cut and thinner the fabric, the closer to the Dracula look that you get. For that reason, look for a cape in a thick wool, cut somewhere between the waist and just above the knee. While Halloween is just around the corner, you don't want people to think you're wearing a costume while you stroll down the street!

Over and Out

So sorry I've left you all hanging for an entire week! I was in New York City for work and barely had time to shower, let alone blog. But now I'm back, so let's get right down to it :-)

Not only do I covet autumnal weather for the layering possibilities, but also because its the time of year that I can dust off my boot collection and pound the pavement in style. I love wearing boots. I love how they make you feel tall and strong, and you can pull on a pair and instantly complete an outfit. While the over-the-knee boot really came onto the scene last year, this year has proven to be the dawn of the flat OTK. Perfect for girls like me that are on their feet for 8-10 hours a day! Now my problem is deciding whether I want to sport an equestrian style or rock a biker pair....tough choice!

{I'm dying inside over these boots......oh, the pain of being broke! Dior Over-the-Knee Biker Boot, $1290, Neiman Marcus} 

{Tapeet Donna Over the Knee Boot, $595, from Shopbop}

{Frye Shirley Over the Knee Riding boot, about $450, from Shopbop}

{Jeffrey Campbell Wishlist Flat Engineer Boots, $310, from Shopbop}

{Kelsi Dagger embossed leather boots, $290, found on InStyle}

{Now I know it has a heel, but I couldn't resist the buckles behind the knee! Sam Edelman Suede boots, $225, found on Instyle}

{Steve Madden Sabra boot, $200 on sale!}

It took me a while to come to grips with reality and admit to myself that I just can't afford the to-die-for Dior pair at the top of the page. But my despair turned to delight as soon as I laid eyes on these babies! Motorcycle hardwear, Equestrian color, kick-yourself-for-passing-them-up price tag. Perfection!

{Diba B-Combat Over the Knee Boot, $65, from DSW}