Price Check Please! - Kenneth Cole Weekend Sale

It's very hard to restrain myself from spending money when my hobby is finding deals. I would love to do some serious shopping on the Kenneth Cole Online shop because there's an additional 30% off select sale items this weekend. So 65% off plus another 30% on some clearance items equal a great deal.

Grey Penny Loafer Pump: $215.00 $34.97

Gold Textured Ring: $35.00 $13.99

"Blind Date": $160.00 $48.98

100% Wool Sweater Dress: $158.00 $27.98

Flap Down Handbag: $288.00 $69.99


How cute is this?

Key Chain Boot: $25.00 $6.98

Since the sale's from Friday 12:00 AM- just an hour ago, head over there ASAP before everything good is gone!

Goodwill Find

A lot of blogger style icons like Rumi and Susie Bubble, who like incorporating vintage, find some of their most memorable pieces at Goodwill stores. Because of them, I've always wanted to try my hand at scouring mounds of toss-aways for that one great vintage find. On a Sunday afternoon, I was having lunch with some friends at a Chinese buffet. It was my first time at the restaurant and in that part of town. While driving there, I noticed a Goodwill store. So after lunch, I was happy and satiated and decided to check out the Goodwill store.

The space was not very large but crammed with donated items. The first thing I check out was the dresses. I was looking for cute, fun, and obviously vintage. Instead I found oversized, polyester muumuus that look like they were bought in the bargain bin of some department store. Feeling disappointed with the dress selection even though there was so much stuff, I kind of just wandered around looking at the shoes and home section. Not feeling too enthused, I took a look at the skirts. Amazingly I found a cute JCrew skirt in my size, for $3.50. Not bad, I nodded my head. Off my bargain-finding high, I browsed around some more but didn't really find anything else I wanted to try. Just as I was about to checkout, I found some purses placed at the end of clothing racks that were separate from the purse section. Among them was a Chanel-like Bloomingdale's purse that was just divine. It had lovely gold hardware and quilted detailing, and was in good condition. Cost: Two Dollars. I can honestly say that was the best bargain I've ever found. I don't even care if it turns out to be a knockoff, I take pride that it was a $2 purse.

Photographed with my roommate's Talbot shoes because they matched.

Close up

20 Fabulous Flats for under $20

For everyday wear, I love buying cheap flats. They are comfortable, cute, and disposable. Once you've worn them down, you can throw them away without guilt because they only cost you 20 bucks. I'm currently running around campus in a pair of silver bow tie flats from Ann Taylor Loft, that I got before Christmas for less than $10. The sides are getting scratched up and the upper is getting dangerously thin. Fortunately, I'm not too sad to see them go because then I can buy a new pair of cheap shoes. Charlotte Russe, Endless.com, and Target have great wallet-friendly options.



Dolce Vita Triple Buckle, Painterly Floral,
Knotted, Sequins and Bow Tie,
Circle Buckles, Fun Floral, Plaid Buckle,
Jeweled Sandals, Paint Splattered,
Woven Patent Leather




Leather Ballerina，Lace Skimmer,
Geometric Print, Croco Print,
Ruched, Fuchsia Moccasins,
Canvas Loafers, Gold Trim Back Bow,
Sparkly Knot, Jewel and Ribbon Bow

Fashion Retake: Key Pendant Necklace

Wow I haven't done a Fashion Retake in a while! This time I was inspired by a page in Lucky Magazine November 2008. Actress Karina Deyko selected a golden key necklace as one of her current obsessions. I found the necklace charming and easy to wear.



A month or so later I found the following necklace at a holiday art bazaar for only $5. I love it so much but it didn't go over so well with my mom who said it made me look like a latch-key kid! Perhaps I'll find a golden chain to hang it from but right now I'm too lazy to change it.

Deal of the Day: Greedy for Boots

A girl can't own enough boots. Even though I bought a pair of knee highs only a month ago and have 5 more pairs of boots in my collection, I want more! If I buy this gorgeous lace up pair of Michael Kors, that would make a lucky seven. They look amazing and I can totally channel Rumi from Fashion Toast with these boots. At 75% off, they are great pair of boots from a designer label, but I'm hesitant about parting with $100. However if you are a size 5.5, 6, 6.5, or 10 and have that kind of money to spend, visit Jildor. There are other sizes available on footnotesonline.com for $197.50, about 50% off the original $395.00 price tag. Still a good deal for a die-hard boot lover.

KORS Michael Kors Mogul in Black Patent
Sale: $99.00
Original: $395.00

My WHBM Bargain :)

As you've probably noticed, most of the blog posts here are tagged with window shopping not shopping. I love to look at the selection of clothes offered online or browse through all dresses 70% off or more on shopstyle.com, but most of the time I never hit checkout. My uncertainty of whether or not the item will fit and the additional shipping costs turn me away from any online purchases. Only when the deal is too great to ignore do I pounce. On Monday, I found the too-good-to-resist deal- White House Black Market had a sale in which a $88 tunic was down to $17.99, and there was free shipping- it doesn't get much better than that! It came in yesterday (in rather shoddy packaging, but you get what you pay for) and I just had to model it.

Budget-Wise: Gypsy Chic for $100

Red Bow Tie Blouse: Norma Kamali for Walmart- $15.00
Velvet Bolero Vest: Forever 21- $17.80

Seven Bracelet Set: Forever 21- $6.80

Prazzo Carpet Bag in Dark Brown: Aldo- $15.98
Triple Medallion Belt: Forever 21- $8.80
Twill Skinny Pants: Charlotte Russe- $14.99
Airwalk Ralston Fringe Boot: Payless- $20.99



Total: $100.36
Yes, that's right, I'm 36 cents over.

Budget-Wise: The $100 Head to Toe Party Outfit

For this party look, I wanted to create something both sweet but edgy. The bow necklace, clutch, and tiered dress are the feminine details. The buckle and stud booties and mineral wash vest suggest something more rock star. They keep the whole look from being to saccharine. Leave the vest open so it frames the ruffle details of the dress.

Clockwise from top left: Aldo Deroruce, Ann Taylor Loft Strappy Tiered Dress, Target Mini Bow Clutch, ASOS Side Buckle Cowboy Ankle Boot, Hue Opaque Tights, and Forever 21 Mineral Wash Sleeveless Cardigan

Calculating total cost: $9.98 + $19.99 + $16.99 + $27.00 + $6.25 + 18.24 = $98.45

Leaving us with $1.55 to spare.

Sweet Sale

Ahhh... sample sale season, best times of the year. Too bad most sales only happen in stores that are only in NYC. Fortunately there are a few labels that have brought sample sales to the masses (outside of New York City) through the internet. Just last week Fashionista posted a 80% sale at Inhabit and I was terribly tempted to get a $40 cardigan (sorry, the sale's over now). However, I'm even more tempted now by the MaxStudio sale. Here are some of my top picks:

Tencel Jersey Sleeveless Dress- $38
Dip Dyed Cotton Voile V-Neck Tank Dress- $48

Printed Silk Shirred Empire Dress- $78
Silk Chiffon Embroidered Dress- $78

Deal of the Day: Max Studio Weber Shoes

It seem like I'm always on the lookout for hot shoes (despite my already overflowing collection). While skimming through Piperlime I found these cute sandels by Max Studio. In my experience, the slightly inclined wedge and multiple straps are sure to be comfortable. And at $56, they are comfy on your wallet too. Unfortunately, the only size left now are 9.5s so I can't wear them (perhaps this for the best). But if you are a 9.5, I encourage you get them asap- Max Studio Weber.

Max Studio Weber: Size 9.5; $55.97

Comfy New Shoes

I bought so many shoes these past few months that I imposed a self-ban on any further shoe purchases. But after reading the glowing reviews on Fashionista, I’m been dreaming of these comfy sandals from Old Navy. They were only $34.50 original price, but my wallet was hurting so I figured I would wait a while and then maybe, just maybe, consider them.

For some reason, yesterday I decided to stop by Old Navy. While rummaging through their sales racks, I found a black pair and I succumbed and bought them. I came up with all these reasons for me to get them to assuage my guilt.
I reasoned that:

1. They were way cheaper ($23)
2. I would wear them all the time since they were comfy, cute, and trendy
3. There was only one left in my size and if I didn’t snap them up now, I would regret it.

I also found this cute green shirt dress for $23. I loved my shoes but only just liked the dress. I don't know, should I return the dress?

Confessions of a First Time Ebay User

I have always been an ebay watcher, but never a buyer. I was too afraid of getting ripped off and who wants to pay $10+ shipping fees for a $7 dress? Anyway, two nights ago I googled Patrick Cox (of wedding shoe fame). Somehow I stumbled upon these pink Patrick Cox shoes on ebay... that were in my size... and only $20 including shipping cost!! What a deal!

They were such a bargain that I decided to sign up. The auction ended at 8:10 PM, so I checked back on those shoes at 8:00. To my surprise, only 1 person had bid on them so I thought I could snatch those shoes under her nose. I waited until one minute before to place in my bid. I was sure I was going to get those shoes. When the bid got entered, an error page showed up instead, saying I had to enter my credit card information. What?!? Nobody told me I had to enter my credit card info before I could even bid. I quickly filled in my info and tried to bid again. Arrrggg! The auction ended... and someone else had MY shoes for a bargain. I wanted to cry, I wanted to scream- instead I settled for hitting my bed with a stack of papers. I hope those shoes were fake, fake, fake. I know, I'm pretty vindictive.

Deal of the Day: Bargain Too Good to Keep to Myself

$6.99 Red Croc Satchel from New York and Company

Fashion Retake: YSL Shantung Jacket

I’m sure you’ve seen it, the oh so classy YSL Shantung Jacket. It was featured in the Neiman Marcus Christmas catalog and costs a whopping $2,570. As much as I liked YSL’s clean, beautiful, black and white look, it is way more than I can pay for even at its now reduced price of $1,002.60 (Neiman Marcus after extra 40% off). Instead I managed to scrounge up this cute I.N.C jacket from Macy’s which I only paid $36.65 for (orig. $119). The INC version is not a complete knockoff (the INC is less classy, and more cutesy), but for $2,500 less, I’ll take cutesy. Besides, I’m young enough to pull off this dainty jacket.

Steve Madden Sale

Steve Madden is having an up to 75% shoe sale, which really means most of the shoes that you like are about 50% off. Still not a bad deal. I spotted some cute shoes for summer. Let's see if I can actually walk in them.

Fossil Mariposa Wallet

Ever since Black Friday, I have been craving this gorgeously cute mariposa wallet from Fossil. Unfortunately I couldn’t really justify spending $30 on a wallet because I never use wallets. Instead, most of my things are stuffed in three different purses and I have to fumble around for cash and my cards. Oohh, but I couldn’t get the wallet out of my mind! I walked into Macy’s a second time right before Christmas. I went directly to the Fossil section to seek out my prized wallet and check the price yet again. Lo and behold, there were no more left! I was heartbroken… but decided to check again after New Years, in case somebody decided to return one.

Sitting right on top of the Fossil shelf was a boxless, tan mariposa wallet. I snatched it and checked the price… $10.50. Of course, I bought it. I admit, I actually wanted the cream version, but bargain-hunters can’t be choosers. If you want your own butterfly wallet, there’s some on ebay including one in cream. However, they are nowhere near as good as a deal as $10.50.