Heels & Steals

Today on Gilt.com you can find an awesome pair of suede leopard pumps - which I want. I just have a feeling these will be very flattering on the feet. I wouldn't worry about the fact that they are suede and we're entering Spring either. This type of shoe is great for the office, because while I like to stick with basic pants and tops (usually black, so I can mix and match) and I still look professional, a more embellished or bold shoe is a great way to add style without looking silly, especially in a sea full of suits (Ex: my job).

Butter pumps on Gilt.com - $308 marked down to $99

Want another deal? On Forever21.com there are actually a couple cool little inexpensive additions to one's wardrobe - no harm in adding because it won't set your wallet back. If you pair them with a few nice pieces, you'll never know they were from Forever21. First, cobalt (my new favorite color) chiffon collared tank with metal tabs on collar. This can be good for work or play, and honestly, you could get the same look (which still might not be silk) at 10x the price and it wouldn't look much different.

Only $15.80 at Forever21.com

I also found this cute nautical shift dress below which is 100% cotton (selling point to me, since I kind of hate polyester) and at $17.80, you will probably be pleasantly surprised and find great value in this dress. Pair with leopard mustard scarf from previous post or any little scarf and some tan flat oxfords to compensate for the fact that this little dress might be a little short. Also, the shifty-ness will make your legs look super skinny ;) and effortlessly chic. My favorite kind of sexy is showing a little leg while clearly NOT trying to be super sexy.

Find it at forever21 for $17.80. 

So I ordered like 6 or 7 items from Forever21 just to have a couple extra additions to my wardrobe (because I constantly feel like I don't have anything I want to wear) and don't want to spend a lot right now, so this is the perfect way to be more excited by your closet but not feel guilty. Try and stick with items that are somewhat trendy so you won't feel guilty throwing away the trend (plus, classic pieces you'll want to spend more on and get at better quality so they'll last longer). BUT I try and stick to items that are also somewhat basic, because I find the less going on, the nicer it actually looks in terms of quality. For example, obvious patterns can make it very evident that it is from this store versus another, but a solid colored top is much harder to detect. Literally this top could be Forever21 at $15.80, or Urban Outfitters at $69, or any contemporary designer (and still polyester) at $198. Best part, if you love the color and style, go find it in silk. Equipment has lots of solid silk tops like this, with great fabric.

Being a smart shopper is kinda fun, isn't it?

Pick Me Up

Need a little purchase (inexpensive) to pick you up this Monday? Grab one of these mustard colored leopard print scarves from Urban Outfitters. They are light enough to wear for Spring, ahead of the game in that it's channeling Fall/Winter 2013 colors and best, it's $16.99 - so not much to think about it. More Bottega Veneta here. 

I am excited to wear this with a little collared chambray shirt dress and some oxfords.

This one's from bloomingdales, but find a better from from Urban Outfitters here

Pulled from here

Sweet Gloss

Look how beautiful a defined lip is anyways!

Just came across this - great deals on sephora.com lipsticks and glosses today. Hello Kitty sheer lipgloss on sale from $16 to $9. Stock up on "Sheer Pinkish Strawberry Red" - perfect for spring (I'm definitely getting this one) and some pale to brighter pinks. For $9, such a great deal.

Get at Sephora.com. 

Here you go!

Makeup - 30% Off

Need an extra mascara or BB cream? Drugstore.com is running 30% of makeup until the end of today. Perfect for people like me who live in NYC and can walk into a CVS or Duane Reade (since for mascara, I actually do like the drugstore brand) and will easily pay $10+ for a general mascara. On drugstore.com with the discount it comes to under $6. Stock up now! Also additional products you might consider: BB Cream& chapsticks!

In my opinion, this is the best because of the texture of the mascara and most importantly, the brush! No Clumps.

Channeling the Dewy face look.. so pretty.

Barneys Warehouse Sale

Be sure to check out the Barney's Warehouse Sale online. I went over to the one on 17th street over the weekend (maybe I was way too late) but I basically found myself in a special kind of retail hell, so I quickly left. Between the woman hoarding Marc by Marc Jacobs iphone 4 cell phone covers (I kid you not, she must have had 75 in her plastic shopping bag - I am only left to wonder which shopping app she is probably going to try and sell these suckers on, and which middle America town they will eventually land in), to getting scooted out of the way by some other "women" my size to picking up like 2 items and finding holes in them, I'm just not that into it. The experience sucked in my opinion, and maybe it would be worth it if I found something worthwhile, but again I think I needed to go earlier. Next time. Maybe. Ok, probably not.

But anyways, online, I made up for the fact that I didn't spend a dollar at the actual warehouse sale. It was great for adding some new work clothes to my collection (which I desperately need given that I've worked at an agency for 4 years wearing basically just jeans, and now that I'm on the client side I need to look like a real work person) so I purchased a couple pairs of pants, black boots (which I'm most excited for), Theory silk top, SEA short sleeved dress and.. I think that's it. These pants are great tho. Check it out.

Find them here - ICB Riding Pants $109, from what they say was  $888!? I don't believe it.

So I'm super excited to get this package. And hoping everything fits, since I don't really think I have another option but to keep it. Fingers crossed.

Also, I picked up these boots below, and OMG I'm excited. I hope they live up to my expectations. They just look so beautiful.

JUNYA WATANABE  

On Sale for $439, 60% off. 

Animus

I titled this blog Animus since It's Carl Jung's (the Psychiatrist, early 1900s) concept about how there is a male aspect of the female psyche, and basically, I wanted it to sound super smart from the headline, but not to worry! I simply was referring to a really good deal on a tigery shirt, which ironically does have a male-ish cut with a leather collar.

So I ordered this shirt the other day. I found it on Piperlime first and was in love with it, but it was around $160 and there are too many other things I also want. I waited and found it the other day on 6pm.com, a site I just recently found that has random good deals. I got it for $90. Such a good deal, I thought. BUT JUST NOW I looked on Piperlime.com and noticed it's now $69.97. I'm getting another color (green).

Find it here

1. All sizes are still available and it's 100% silk.
2. It has this leather looking (I'm not gilt.com so I am telling the truth about how it's not leather.. actually.. this site says it is so who knows) collar that is my favorite part.
3. The boxy shape lays very flattering because of the silk fabric, so don't be turned off by my using the word "boxy."
4. It's perfect for work or other stuff, and doesn't need much more than black paired with it. Great class piece!

For the record, I have found by far the best deals on Piperlime.com lately.

Bluefly Deal

50% Off 1 apparel item today on Bluefly.com! Their sales fluctuate a lot but this is a good one.

Follow for Money!

Before cutting straight to the chase and ordering that not-on-sale $750 coat you need right at the end of Winter (not a good "deal," I know - but this site is about VALUE, not just low prices, and I will wear this for a while) from Bloomingdales.com, did you know that just for following most retail websites you usually get 10% off your first purchase? This is just for allowing them to send you emails - which can be good for you AND them.

You have to get feisty when you're shopping online. Just kidding. I only added this pic because I like it. It's taken from revolveclothing.com. 

If I wasn't already on Bloomies' email list, I would have pounced on this opportunity like the little rabbit or Asiatic racoon that my new jacket is lined with (effed up, I know), because I would have saved nearly $100 (taxes on this are a biotch)! But too bad for me, I didn't. But... you can! I know piperlime.com offers the same thing (15%, see below), and so do many other sites like revolveclothing.com.

Piperlime Discount - See!?

Check it out before making a big purchase! PS. And I hope you know to never pay for shipping, (almost) EVER.

Making Eyes

Did you know that Sephora had sales on their website? I don't think they really advertise it, but if you search, you shall find! (Or just let me.)

A great deal right now (and these deals go quick for the good stuff - I warn you) is this Tarte 3-part eyeshadow set that is actually a $406 value, so they say. BUT it was $48 and now is down to $32. I just spent like $32 on one Laura Mercier eye shadow over the weekend, and I am still debating on whether it is the cause of this "stoner red-eye" look I've been rocking for the past couple days. (I am testing it again today, will draw conclusions this afternoon.)

Tarte - On Sale for $32 at Sephora.com

Anyways, included in the eye shadows are smaller portions of their shimmering bronzer. I love the "park ave. princess" one, obvi. ;) The colors look relatively neutral, which is hard to find in a gift set like this. I find that personally, my eyes are drawn (haha, I made a funny..) to the colorful sets (those that aren't 50 shades of brown) and then I get it and I'm like "What the hell am I going to do with the violet, blue, green, cream and every other shade that isn't neutral!? I'm NOT A STRI..." BUT, on the other hand maybe I have boring eyes and this is a good opportunity for you to try some new tones from a great brand. You choose.

Reasons to Buy:
1. Um, pretty sure I already listed these but it's just a good deal for good quality stuff.
2. OMG, I didn't even mention the little case or the lip gloss!! See, it's like it's free. Value just got better.
3. Keep track of your sephora points online and when you hit 100 or 500 points you get a pea sized sample of something, but this is actually a great way to find good products. Ex: Why would they waste time packaging something that wouldn't sell itself in one test?
4. Make sure you also pick samples when you make your online purchase at checkout!

5** This is a bonus part, obvi. I would suggest that when you make your Sephora purchase, add a free GIFT CARD. This allows you to write yourself a love note. Mine usually says something like "How are you even so pretty and so smart!?" And by the time you get the "gift," you'll have totally forgotten you even wrote yourself the note! Hell, if you're ADD, you'll have totally forgotten you wrote yourself the note right after checkout! Anyways, daily affirmations are good. 

Buttoned Up

These collared button up blouses from ASOS I love. They are very practical, too. Wear to work or tuck in to a skirt or pants for a more tailored look for dinner. Add a necklace to the collar if you are so inclined. I am very tempted to buy both.

ASOS Button Up. Was $58.13. NOW: $28.06

Great color too. Also good for spring. MOST SIZES AVAILABLE STILL in both colors!

Love it with just black. Great contrast and so pulled together.

Reasons to Buy:

1. So cheap. Who cares, just buy.

2. When I like something, I want a million colors. I am excited by the fact that this comes in 2 colors. If I am going to go through the effort of buying and paying for this (plus shipping), why not buy both?

3. Classic look. This could be your new go-to blouse.

Let's Make a Deal

And today the first deal is, drumroll... First deal:

Alice & Olivia bright pink skinny jeans - sizes 2, 6 & 8 availble. Recently marked down to $68.59 - the pair in red I bought 3 days ago is now sold out. Spend $150 and use coupon code "FAN30" for $30 OFF!!

Purchase from Bluefly.com

Reasons to buy:
1. Spring is around the bend (or so I pray) and once Spring has Sprung, you are going to want a bright WELL FITTING pair of designer denim jeans, but you're going to think "Eh, why would I pay $180-$250 for a color so bright that people will remember?" Perfect reason to get these at a great deal!

2. Alice & Olivia always seems very well fitting to me.

3. Are you TALL? 33'' inseam!! Usually these bright colored pants come in hobbit sizes which doesn't work for me at 5'8".