Forget about sifting through the sale sections of ShopBop, RevolveClothing, Tobi, CoutureCandy and others, I've already done it for you. Come check out my sale picks/tips and enjoy some SALE THERAPY!! While you're here, stay for some Food Therapy and Video Reviews of bags as well! Comments and suggestions are welcome!
Desperately Seeking ______________ on Sale...
What are you desperately seeking on sale?
Food Therapy
Good food is as satisfying as a good sale. So from time to time (probably more than that because I'm a foodie and I love to eat), I'll be providing some food therapy. Be forewarned, I'm an adventurous eater with a HUGE sweet tooth. If you're in NYC, I hope you try some of these spots. If you do, LMK what you think. Bon appetit!
Video Reviews
While picture reveals of bags are nice. Video reviews of bags are better! As such, I will endeavor to post as many video reviews of bags as possible. However, I will only be reviewing bags that I like. Life is too short to review bags that I dislike. Plus, at the end of the day, it really is just a matter of personal opinion/taste.
I finally finished the video review of Hayden-Harnett's Biblio Bag in grape shine! This a GORGEOUS leather bag that would make a perfect travel bag...thanks to its many interior and exterior pockets. And grape shine is a beautiful deep purple.
Special Thanks to Our Sponsor: AsterAlice.com
Here are some pictures for you:
Front View: The Biblio Bag is a large satchel at 19.5" wide and 13.5" tall. It weighs 2.5 lbs...not the lightest bag but not a bad weight for its size.
Secret Pocket View: I know the color is a bit off from picture to picture. This picture is the truest to grape shine IRL.
I've been getting requests for video reviews of Rebecca Minkoff bags...so here's my 1st one! This is the Morning After Bag Mini in concord. It's a GORGEOUS PURPLE!! This is a fantastic, stuffable, medium-sized satchel that you can bring to work, take to drinks/dinner, and hang with over the weekend. It's a no brainer in this color. The MAB-Mini in black is nice, but this purple version is wayyyyyy better!
Special Thanks To Our Sponsor: Luna Boston
Here's a pix of the front of the MAB-Mini...and a side view (so you can see the dog-leash clasp):
Here's my video review of Treesje's Runaway Mini in black! It's from Treesje's JETT Collection. It's a washed lambskin tote with gunmetal hardware (yes, Yes, YES to gunmetal hardware!!). I know what you're wondering...is it a zip tote? There's no zipper for the main compartment but it's not wide open either. There are three magnetic closures at the top.
Here's a pix of the Runaway Mini (without the shoulder strap):
The leather is crazy soft and smooshy! This would make a fantastic black tote for Fall, right? If the Runaway Mini is too small for you (it's 12.5" tall and 11" wide), consider the Runaway (it's 16" tall and 13" wide). That would be a very stuffable bag!
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.)
This is one of my favorite video reviews to date: Katherine Kwei's Amber Switch in black. This is from her Fall 2010 line. It's such a clever bag (calfskin with silver hardware)!! If you're looking for a uber-cool Fall bag, this may be the one for you.
I just had to know more about the bag so I asked Katherine Kwei if she could provide a little background on it. And wouldn't you know it? Kathy has a great story behind it:
"We thought of the Amber by accident. When we received one set of our mock up samples[,] we wanted to change the knot weave so we cut it off the body of the bag. We realized that the weave was completely intact and not falling apart when detached from the bag. Since we always back our leathers with another leather, sometime it's tonal but often it's with a metallic, we decided to see if we could make a bag that someone could switch colours around depending on their mood or desire...So the Amber Switch was born - where someone can change the whole look and feel of the bag with just a quick unzip and zip while you're in a cab from the office to cocktails."
The greatest things always occur by accident, right?
Here's a pix of me using the Amber Switch as a cross-body bag:
I'm not sure why I didn't lengthen the shoulder strap more (there's plenty more to lengthen) since I wouldn't mind having it sit lower, but at least you get a feel for the size of the Amber Switch. BTW, I'm petite. It can fit all your personal items easily (in my case, personal junk), but it won't (and shouldn't) double as your gym bag.
I have five (yes FIVE) video reviews in the works for your viewing pleasure:
Tylie Malibu's Crystal Pyramid King:
Katherine Kwei's Amber Switch (from her Fall 2010 collection):
Katherine Kwei's Joyce Wallet (from her Fall 2010 collection):
Treesje's Crimson (from the Fall 2010 JETT Collection):
Treesje's Runaway Mini (from the Fall 2010 JETT Collection):
I'm very excited to be doing video reviews of these gorgeous bags. Yes, I know. Some of the pictures don't show the entire bag But don't worry, you'll get to see it in the video review! :) I gotta give a shout out to Katherine Kwei's super amazing Amber Switch and Treesje's super cool Crimson. Both are TDF!!
Botkier's Uma Satchel is back by popular demand, so how could I not do a video review of it? It's a fantastic SOFT, SMOOSHY, STUFFABLE and SLOUCHY satchel that can also be used as a cross-body bag! I've reviewed it in emerald but it's also available in black and oyster. Enjoy!
I'm very excited with the following video review. I was able to get into VIP night of Botkier's Sample Sale a little early today and shoot some video before the madness began...and it was slightly crazed once the doors opened. I believe that there was a small tussle over some sample bags. The sample sale is located at 60 Mercer St (at Broome St), NY, NY. If you can make it, go! The selection is excellent!
Here are the prices:
Bags:
Shoes:
Here are some additional pix:
Shoes:
Sample Shoes:
Small Leather Accessories:
If you've been waiting to purchase a Botkier bag, wait no longer!! The prices are too good to pass up! :)
I'm back with another Botkier video review: the Elliot Cross-Body in taupe!! This is a luxe cross-body bag in gorgeous snake embossed cowhide. It is ridiculously more gorgeous IRL than in pictures and on video. And really, can the elephant charm get any cuter? I think not!!
I can't believe I'm writing this but I think it may actually be more perfect for the iPad than my Olivia Harris Washed Leather Knot Satchel! Yes...that hurt to admit it. ;)
Special thanks to our sponsor of this beautiful bag, Stefanibags.com!! (You can purchase the Elliot Cross Body at a 25% discount with code "THERAPY25".)
I am ADORING my Olivia Harris' Washed Leather Knot Satchel!! So it makes me very happy to finally post the video review of this lovely bag. I'm now considering getting the black version...is that bad of me?
I'm not sure why this took so long since it's my shortest video review to date, but I finally finished it! Here's the video review of my Sissi Rossi Zip Tote! This is a fantastic carry-on bag. It's large, light and lovely!!
Here's my video review of Treesje's Port Travel Tote! It's a great travel AND laptop bag. I did a great zoom-in/close-up shot so that you get a feeling of what the anchor motif looks like IRL. Enjoy!
I think I'm a day late with this but the weekend was just too beautiful to pass on. Here's my review for the very gorgeous Howard St. Satchel in cement from Botkier. I ADORE this bag!!
Alright kiddies...it's here!! My 1st video review of a bag, Botkier's Logan Satchel to be precise. I hope you like it. There will definitely be more of these in the future. I will post pix of the bag in a little.
Are you looking a particular style or item? Let me know (saletherapy@gmail.com) and I will post your request so that everyone can help you find your sale!
Have you seen a style or item on sale that someone else is looking for? Don't be stingy and share the wealth! Let me know so that I can post it.
Nicknames
To help clarify the nicknames that I use for the peeps in my life:
Sunshine = My boyfriend (and the love of my life)
Big Buddha = My guy cousin (who shares my love of food)
Mei = My girl cousin (and Big Buddha's sister)
Foodette = Big Buddha's girlfriend and a good friend of mine
J Brand Factory Outlet (LA)
For all you luck L.A. ladies, apparently there's a J Brand Factory Outlet near you. It's located at the following address:
1225 East Washington Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90021
Hours as follows:
Mon - Thrs: 10:00 am - 5:00 pm
Fri: 10:00 am - 4:00 pm
Note: There will be a Memorial Day Sale! All jeans will be $50 on 5/31/10. Buy 4 pairs and get $10 off your purchase.
SHOPPING TIP: Read The Return/Exchange Policy 1st!!
Before you pull the trigger and buy your next pair of shoes or bag, read the return/exchange policy of the store/e-tailer first.
Here are some things to look for:
* Return/Exchange Policy: Under which circumstances do they offer a return/exchange?
* Return/Exchange Period: How many days do you have?
* RMA #: Do you need a return merchandise authorization # (RMA #) before you can return/exchange it?
* Refund or Store Credit: Will you get a refund or store credit?
* Return/Stock Fee: Will you get charged a return/stock fee?
* Shipping Costs: Will they provide a return label or will you have to ship the item back yourself? If they provide a return label, is it free or is there a charge?
* Final Sale Policy: Is the discounted/clearance item a final sale? Are all items a final sale in general?
* Invoices/Tags: Do you need the invoice for a return/exchange? Do you need the sku/security tags for a return/exchange? (Note: Some bag e-tailers will not permit a return if the store's security tag is cut off from the bag.)
SHOPPING TIP: Don't Forget to Take Pictures When Returning/Exchanging Damaged Goods
If the item you ordered arrives damaged (or is the wrong item), takes pictures of the item and the tag(s) before you send it back for a return/exchange. Make sure to take a picture of not only the item, but the a close-up of the damage. Just in case there's some confusion/misunderstanding with the return/exchange department, you'll have pictures as back-up.
SHOPPING TIP: Don't Forget Price Matching
Most department stores and some boutiques will price match their competitors. For retail websites, this mean other retail websites. For brick-and-mortar stores, this mean other local brick-and-mortar stores (and possibly retail websites). Price matching may save you time, tax and/or shipping costs.
SHOPPING TIP: Don't Forget Promotion Codes and Cashback Websites
Before you click to purchase on a retail website, stop and ask yourself these two questions:
1) Is there a promotion code that I can use?
2) Can I get cashback through a cashback website?
Always check to see if there's a promotion code that you can use for your purchase. Do a quick Google search and surf the various coupon websites (e.g., RetailMeNot). Even if the code is for free shipping, you've saved yourself some $$. Certain websites will permit you to "stack" promotion codes (i.e., use more than one promotion code), so don't be shy about trying to apply more than one promotion code to your purchase. Be aware that certain promotions code invalidate other promotion codes and most promotion codes have restrictions/exclusions.
Join a cashback website (e.g., Bing Cashback or Ebates). It may take awhile for you to receive your "cash back", but you do receive your $$ back. Be aware that certain cashback websites (e.g., Bing Cashback) are very strict about how you earn your cash back; they may not allow you to use a promotion code. If you do apply a promotion code, you may not receive credit for cash back.
SHOPPING TIP: Don't Forget Sample Sales and Warehouse Sales
If you live near LA or NYC, don't forget to check out the samples sales and warehouse sales. You can find great pieces at great prices. For sample sales, go early for popular designers because it's a pretty good bet that there will be a line. Barney's has its warehouse sale twice a year. They start slashing prices towards the end, but don't wait too long because all the good stuff will be gone. Be aware that there may or may not be dressing rooms at these sales. If you're the type that needs to try something on before you buy, wear tights and a tank (we've seen women in leotards before). You don't want to end up flashing anyone, do you?
SHOPPING TIP: Subscribe to Your Favorite Stores' E-Mail Updates
Most retail websites will send you promotion codes and/or notice of sales when you sign up for their e-mail updates. To avoid e-mail clutter in you main/personal e-mail account, create a separate e-mail account for this purpose. Brick-and-mortar only stores, especially discount store (e.g., Loehmann's and Filene's Basement), will send to you printable coupons for in-store purchases.
Shopping Tip: Research Travel Accommodations On TripAdvisor.com
Before you book a vacation, spend a little time on TripAdvisor.com, my favorite travel site. The travel reviews are abundant, honest and helpful. Someone else's idea of a 4-star hotel may not be your idea of a 4-star hotel. Know before you go because once you're there, it's too late.
