Why I love August....

I have always loved the month of August.  I love the hot summer nights, BBQs, weddings, the excitement of living in a college town with students headed back to school, and most importantly, I LOVE AUGUST SALES!  Stores always put merchandise on sale in August to make room for the Fall collections.  I am generally not psyched about buying at the end of seasons because I suffer from instant gratification syndrome and like to be able to wear my items right away.  But, I do love buying at August sales because you can find great deals and still have weeks and sometimes months to wear the stuff.  

For instance, Neiman Marcus is having a huge sale right now and there are some phenomenal deals to be devoured.  Plus, if you order online and use the code "NMAUG" you can get free shipping.  Amazing! 

Here is what I am craving......

Tory Burch Meryl Dress $114 - Wear this dress all year round.  In the Fall, cover with a blouse and v-neck cardigan and wear to work.  Add tights, over-the-knee boots, and fun jacket for a winter girls' night out.  

Milly Jacquard Skirt $88 - You could easily add brown tights and this skirt will take you through the holidays.  

Marc Bouwer Glamit! Petal Top $82 - Pair with the right accessories and a silk top can be worn all year round. 

 

Coveted Red Soled Shoes on Sale!

For those of you who have always wished you could have just one pair of the famous red soled Louboutins, today is your day!  Select Louboutins are on sale through www.theoutnet.com but sizes are going fast.  Here are my favorites, trying to figure out how to make a purchase without letting my husband see the charge.  

 

Fall Fashion on a Shoestring

Nordstrom just released their Fall's Top Trends but when I started looking through their pieces I quickly realized that it would take $1,000+ to update my closet.  So, I challenged myself with the task of finding a way to re-create the wardrobe for less than $350 total.  You can let me know how I did.  

Boyfriend Blazer - Aqua Boyfriend Blazer at Bloomingdale's $88 

Leggings - Charlotte Russe Buttoned Seamless Leggings $12.99 

Pencil Skirt - New York & Company City Stretch Pencil Skirt $32.95

Sheath Dress - AnnTaylor LOFT Printed Shift Dress $79.50 

Pretty Blouse - ALLOY White Ruched Satin Blouse $28.90 or Newport News Purple Rayon Georgette Blouse $29.00

Long Cardigan - Pink Rose Long Cardigan Sweater at Macy's $38.00

Studs & Chains - Gap Skinny Studded Belt $19.50 and Forever 21 Chain $7.80

All-Season Sandals - Nine West Ellis Sandals $39.99

Think of the possibilities.......

1. Blazer + Leggings + Shoes + Necklace = Night on the Town

2. Dress + Belt + Shoes = Day to Evening 

3. Skirt + Blouse + Shoes = Work Appropriate

4. Leggings + Cardigan + Flats = Lunch with Friends 

Why Pay More When You Can.....

Payless!  I am absolutely in love with these Lela Rose for Payless shoes.  Really, can you beat $19.99 for an adorable bold pair of heels to go with that LBD?  At $38 a pair, the blue and white flats are perfect for Labor Day.  I can't guarantee they are comfortable but I am always willing sacrifice pain for fashion.   

  

Trina Turk at TJ Maxx

Last week I spotted Trina Turk bathing suits at TJ Maxx.  I am guessing they are last year's styles but who really can tell the 2009 bikini from the 2008 edition.  Priced at $50 a set, you can look just as good for half the price.  

Sometimes Fashion Finds Me

Last week while sorting through the mail, I came across a catalog I had never seen before.  The UK company called "Boden" is trying to break into the US fashion scene with a mail order catalog.  The style is J.Crew meets Nanette Lepore at prices that will leave you wanting more.  Sign up to get a catalog and get a coupon for 15% off plus Free Shipping and Free Returns!  Regularly shipping is a flat $10 per order which isn't too bad coming from the UK.  Check out the sale section too, there are some great finds.  Here are some of my favorite pieces from the website www.bodenusa.com. 

Still not quite sure how I made it on the mailing list......I guess my shopping habits have gone international.  

Gap's Denim Revival

While interning at Gap in San Francisco last summer, I was fully informed of the store's effort to re-gain denim customers after losing significant market share to the newer premium denim brands.  Having not bought Gap jeans since approximately 2001 when the Long & Lean style was first introduced, I was very skeptical as to whether they could really compete in today's $200+ denim marketplace.  

So, the other day I ventured to the mall to try out Gap's new line of denim and needless to say, I was pleasantly surprised.  The "Sexy Boot" style fits exactly like my old pair of Paige Premium "Hollywood Hills."  The sales clerk also said she has been told that the "Always Skinny" are similar to True Religion, but I have not tested that theory.  At less than a third of the price ($59.50), the Gap jeans are a steal.  Hopefully, this pair holds up longer than the Paige edition which were retired after a night of break dancing busted a hole you know where.