Tobi.com: Outfitted Perfectly For Summer

Getting dressed for summer takes some thought (at least it does for me).  You don't want to be hot when you're outside, so you wear tanks and dresses.  But you also don't want to be freezing when you're on the train and in stores/restaurants, so you bring a light-weight cardigan/shrug/bolero.  And if you're a jeans person like me, you still want to wear jeans rather than shorts during the summer.  And I do...I just go for my light-weight jeans.  (I feel stumpy in shorts...so unless I'm going to the gym, I avoid Avoid AVOID them!!  They make me ridiculously self-conscious...but rompers are an exception.  I'm not sure why.)

I found a weekend-perfect summer outfit in the sale section of Tobi.com that satisfies all my temperature/psychological-related needs:

• James Perse Tucked Racer Tank Top ($48) in olympic:

• James Perse Ruched Jersey Bolero ($146) in fin:

• J Brand 12" Light Weight Low-Rise Pencil Leg Jeans ($118) in pure:

[Images Courtesy of Tobi.com]

Food Therapy: Two Ice-Related Coupons For You!!

What are ice-related coupons, you ask?  That's a great question!  They're coupons for ice-cream and iced tea!!

Ice-Cream:  Coldstone Creamery is offering 20% off any purchase (excluding gift cards) with this printable coupon:  Coldstone 20% Off Coupon  (expires on 6/30/10).

Iced Tea:  Currently (and I'm not sure how long this link will stay, Snapple is offering a buy-one-get-one free printable coupon for Snapple iced-tea at Snapple.com.  Click on "Promotions" and the BOGO deal should be the 1st one on the page.  (Note:  You'll need to install their coupon printer software.  PITA, I know.)

Stefanibags.com: 30% Off Sale!!

One thing that I really appreciate about Stefanibags.com is that their codes usually apply to their sale items. This is why I'm really appreciating their current 30% off promotion with the code "GOTIT30" (expires 6/11).  If you're looking for a new black bag, you're in luck!  There are plenty to choose from!  Personally, I would get Linea Pelle's Dylan 24hr/Overnight ($416.40) in black:  (Note:  All prices reflect 30% discount.)

I think I actually like the Dylan 24hr's rectangular shape better than the Dylan Medium Tote's square-ish shape.  And I know this probably isn't right (it's too nice of a bag), but wouldn't the Dylan 24hr make a great gym bag??  I'm always looking for larger bags that can double as a nice gym bag and this has potential...

Other black bags to consider:

• Botkier's Howard St Stachel ($279.30) in black (my review: Video Review: Botkier's Howard St Satchel).
• Katherine Kwei's Amber Switch ($465.50) in black (my review: Video Review: Katherine Kwei's Amber Switch).
• Treesje's Crimson ($271.60) in black (my review: Video Review: Treesje's Crimson).

Martin + Osa: 50% Off Sale Loot!!

I  usually try not to purchase the same item in different colors.  However, I couldn't resist doing just that with Martin + Osa's Memorial Day Weekend Sale.  50% off was to good to pass up...particularly on items that were already on sale.  I spent $110 ($109.80 to be precise) on the following SIX items:

• Slouchy V-Neck in indigo heather:  I bought 2 of these...

• Slouchy V-Neck in grey: I already have this in grey but I love it so much that I bought another...

• Slouchy V-Neck in white/grey stripe:  I had to switch it up just a little...

• Front Pocket Dress in cricket navy:  I already have this in violet but at $49.75, I couldn't afford not to buy this super comfy silk dress...

• Hammered Ring in silver:  This is the only item that I'm not loving.  Don't be fooled by the pix...it doesn't look as great IRL.  I know it only cost $10.32 but it feels like it cost $5...a bit like cheap aluminum.  For something that retailed close to $30, I am disappointed.

Loehmann's: Two Promotions This Weekend!!

If you're going to Loehmann's this weekend, just remember that there are TWO different promotions going on this weekend:

• Take an extra 40% off all purple clearance sticker items; and
• Buy one regular-price item, get the 2nd regular-priced item at 50% off!

Note:  The BOGO promotion is from 06/11/10 - 06/13/10 (fri - sun).

I don't think I've ever seen a BOGO promotion at Loehmann's (or has it just been a really really long time??) and I appreciate their effort in trying something different.  :)

Video Review: Treesje's Crimson

Summer technically hasn't started (06/21/10), but Pre-Fall merchandise is already making its way into my thoughts!!  One such item is Treesje's Crimson.  It's an eye-catching cross-body bag that will have your friends wanting one too.  Here's my video review of it!  Enjoy!



I'm loving that the studs are silver and not brass.  :)  This is a slim bag; so in a good way, it forces you to only carry what you need and not what you want.  And let me just point the following out:  the leather of the Crimson is unbelievable soft!!  (You'll want to pet the back of the bag.  If you love bags as much as I do, then you know what I'm talking about.)

ShopBop: Summer Sale...Too Many Great Choices!!

ShopBop.com is having its summer sale and the sale section is splendidly stocked!  Five summer-perfect items are calling my name:

• Rory Beca Venito Romper ($172.90) in deep blue sea:  You'll need a tan for this deep blue sea color.  I'd pair it with flat sandals (like the Thakoon ones below).  This would be my comfy chic outfit for a Monday night movie at Bryant Park (for more info, read this post: HBO Bryant Park Summer Film Festival).

• Karina Grimaldi Lizzy Romper ($92.50) in coral:  You'll really need a tan for this coral color.  Add some gold jewelry and heels (like the Pour La Victoire ones below), and you're ready for your dinner date!  Since the sun will still be out, make a statement with color rather than sequins/beads/studs.  You don't want blind him with sparkles, right? 

• Alexander Wang Suede Donna Hobo ($556.50) in denim or grey:  Ok...suede is not a summer material but really, how gorgeous is the Suede Donna Hobo in both denim and grey?  The colors are light enough (especially the grey) for you to get away with summer-use.  

• Pour La Victoire Tarissa Wedge ($203) in cognac:  These wedges are perfect nude wedges, and thus, a no-brainer purchase!!  You can wear them with almost any outfit!!

• Thakoon (Giuseppe Zanottie for Thakoon) Flat Sandals ($525) in bone:  I have been obsessed with knotted leather sandals lately (it's a nice break from studded sandals) and these Thakoon Flat Sandals simply look amazing!!

[Images Courtesy of ShopBop]

DVF Sample Sale: Beautiful Day = Long Line

The DVF Sample Sale starts today (260 Fifth Ave (b/w 28th & 29th St))...and what a beautiful day it is!  This means that eager DVF fans are out in full force, hoping to snag a DVF dress/top at a great price.  

Despite the pictures you see above, the wait is not super long.  Foodette made it into the sample sale in less than 30 minutes.  I hope she comes out with some good loot!

A meal at Shake Shack would round out the afternoon nicely!!

FREE READ Of The Short Second Life Of Bree Tanner (Stephanie Meyer)!!

OMG!!

As a gift to her fans (and most likely to build up hype for Eclipse), Stephanie Meyer's has posted The Short Second Life Of Bree Tanner: An Eclipse Novella on-line for your FREE viewing pleasure until 07/05/10!!  

To read, go to:  BreeTanner.com

Lord & Taylor F&F Sale: Shop for Shoes! (And for ClariSonic/Spanx/Ray-Bans)

Take advantage of L&T's F&F Sale:  (06/07/10 - 06/13/10)

• Take 25% off regular/sale-priced merchandise (excluding Coach, Juicy Couture, Marc by Marc Jacobs, and Ugg); and
• Take 10% off cosmetics/fragrances!

L&T's F&F Sale starts:

• On-line today (06/07/10) with code "FRIENDS"; and
• In-stores on 06/09/10 (wed) - bring this coupon:  L&T F&F Sale Coupon.

Lord & Taylor may not be the most stylish of department stores but it does carry some stylin' shoe brands: (Note:  Lots of styles are already on sale...if you take an additional 25% off, you're getting some GREAT deals!!)

• Charles Jourdan
• Chie Mihara
• Cynthia Vincent
• Dolce Vita
• French Sole
• Frye, Hunter Boots
• Miss Sixty

Bonus: 

• Get 10% off ClariSonic!!  (It's covered under the 10% cosmetic discount.) 
• Get 25% off Spanx, Wacoal and Warner!!
• Get 25% off Ray-Bans!!

RevolveClothing.com: Show Some Shoulder

I've been gravitating toward tops and dresses that showcase my shoulders.  Why??  Because you don't have fat shoulder days!!  So I was very pleased to find these two shoulder showcasing items on sale at RevolveClothing.com:

• SHIN Tank With Armhole Detail ($84) in black (available in size M):  Can we say perfect top for bar hopping??

• Erin Kleingberg Sunny T Dress ($117) in cream/gold (available in size M & L):  Brunch!  This dress is screaming brunch and then shopping with the girls!!

[Images Courtesy of RevolveClothing]

Re-Review: Nordstrom Rack At Union Square

Now that all the hoopla has died down around the opening of Nordies Rack at Union square, I decided to revisit it this past week.  When I went during opening week last month, it was simply madness (read this post: Review: Nordstrom Rack At Union Square).  And since opening week is never a good gauge as to what a store will really be like, a re-review is necessary (and I'm sure there will be many more).

My 2nd visit to Nordies Rack was surprising and not all of it was in a good way.  (Note:  I went during a weekday lunch hour.)  Here's a breakdown of my thoughts:

Pro's:

• It wasn't empty but it wasn't anywhere near packed.  I'd say it was 30% filled?  
• There was no wait for a dressing room, and the dressing room was nice (when compared to Loehmann's).
• The racks were still nicely organized and neat.
• Most of the clothes were in good condition...only a few items showed "wear and tear" of being tried on and on and on...
• The prices were reasonable.
• The selection of accessories/handbags/sunglasses was good.

Con's:

• The selection of clothes was NOWHERE AS GOOD as opening week.  I don't know if everything got purchased opening week and they're in the midst of restocking, but they really need to ship in more stuff from their Via C, Savvy and t.b.d. departments and less stuff from their Juniors BP. and Narrative departments.  Too many tween tanks/shirts and crazy flower dresses for me.  Out of the entire store, I found only one thing that I liked; it was this Haute Hippie dress for $159.97:

• The signs that read "Brands Too Hot To Mention" above the racks are still there and I still think that they're ridiculous.  They force you to shop inefficiently by going through all the racks (which yes, it probably a good marketing technique on their part, but annoying for the customer).
• The prices were reasonable...but not cheap.  I was expecting some sort of Memorial Day promotion (any kind of promotion) and all I got was nada.  With Loehmann's handing out coupons left and right almost every week (and a nicely-priced Filene's Basement down the street), Nordies Rack will need to step it up in the pricing department.  

Summary?  I think I may head on over to Loehmann's for clothing but visit Nordies Rack for accessories/handbags/sunglasses...for now.