Stay warm, be stylish, leave your puffy vest at home.

I say this of course, after three absolutely beautiful days in Denver, with 70 degree temps and not a fleck of snow in sight.  So I was hard pressed today when walking into Ralph Lauren's 75% off sale to even dream of looking at coats, until I found this.

Ralph Lauren is not usually my speed, probably because it reminds me of my mom, but this coat is fantastic!  It is a super heavy weight wool with adorable closures and a hood.  Originally $600, you can get it today for $150.  I looked online, but it is not available, so you'll have to walk into the store if you want one.  If you love me enough you can buy me one for Valentine's Day.

Landin' Some Lanvin

It felt like spring today, 75 degrees in Denver, the middle of January. I had to walk in Cherry Creek a bit today and visit my friend, Janice at Kouture. So glad I did! She has a whole slew of fantastic handbags for sale that you'd be hard pressed to find elsewhere in Denver.  I found the perfect spring bag, waiting for me (but  not my wallet). This beauty will set you back about $900, which is a steal compared to the normal $3000 retail price..  This bag is in excellent shape, I doubt it was ever worn.

If this bag is out of your budget or not on your list, go check out Kouture anyway.  There is a great variety of never worn shoes, clothes and handbags at a fraction of their normal cost.

Sometimes, when final sale is 85% off, it seems ok to take the leap.

I love a good sale! Finding things discounted beyond 70-80% off the normal retail price is virtually impossible.  However, today Barney's Warehouse decided to offer 70% off their sale price. For those of you going someplace warm this winter, and you don't want to drag out last year's summer gems, hit up the Warehouse sale for some really fantastic options from swimsuits, to shorts, to dresses and shoes.  For those of you not heading somewhere warm, there are a few other cold weather finds in the mix. Check it out here and if you get the stuff home, and it doesn't work for you, you can take it to a resale shop and earn your money back.

Maiyet Abstract Frog-Print Shirt- originally $525, now $72

Edith Miller, Eve Maxi- originally $288, now $31

Thakoon Addition, Jersey and Eyelet Dress- originally $540, now $66

Cynthia Vincent, Python Print High Low Dress- originally $419, now $57

Be Different, It's Very "In"

I think one of my favorite this to shop for is the perfect handbag.  I have a ton in my closet, that I use for a while and then retire because I get bored with it, or find something better. I recently joined a local Facebook group in Denver, where people post about the goods they make. Naturally I joined, because I like to make people look good (those who can't, teach, right?) . Anyway, the founder of the group makes BEAUTIFUL handmade leather bags, all one of a kind.  Her posts really caught my eye a few weeks back, but today, this stunner made me excited.

 Upon perusing the site even more, I came across this clutch, which is equally fantastic.  

All designs  are made from designer, ethically sourced leather,  in different treatments, colors and textures.

These are truly great bags, with a different edge.  The next time you're shopping about and looking at someone's handbag, wondering if it is real or fake, and having some bag envy think of this post and go buy one of these bags.  I promise you'll get compliments and you'll know, your bag is the real deal, one of a kind, beauty.

You can see more bags at www.buxiejobags.com or https://www.facebook.com/buxiejobags
Full size bags range from $125-$175, wallets and wristlets from $45-$60.

It's a Girl....

... Thing!
I don't think men can truly appreciate a good sale. I realize this is a huge over generalization, but for the most part, true.  Today is the start of the Neiman Marcus Last Call sale, where items are discounted up to 65% off.  With over 8000 items on sale for women and just over 700 on sale for the guys, I think Neimans agrees with me; a good sale is gender specific.

This is the time, ladies, when you stock up and/or splurge on the one-of-a-kind item you've been eyeing, but can justify.  For me it is this DFV skirt, that I have obsessed over since mid-October.
Originally $768, it is now marked down to $268. Granted, I have no business buying the skirt, as I don't know where I'd wear it, but there is no denying it is beautiful.

There are a variety of other great finds, ranging from $25 to $10,000+.  You just need to fin the right piece for you!

DVF Cody Floral Maxi

Beauty Intermission

For those of you who've known me since my high school days and especially those of you who met my my freshmen year in college, you know that I am not a make-up and hair whiz. While I can spend my days online shopping, I have also been known to look online endlessly for the perfect hairstyle.  To date, I don't know that I've found it. 

Anyway, last Saturday night, by girlfriend and I were living large.  We left our husbands with the kids at 3:30 for some post-holiday shopping/ deal finding, and a "blue hair special" for dinner (yes, I think we sat down to eat at 6:00 ).  While we were having a blast we, were both lamenting about our less than attractive hairstyles that day.  I looked like I had Peyot and postpartum bang growth combined with a side-part pony tail, I think I girlfriend was wearing a Scrunchie!!!  Really!!!!

To quote my friend, she stated it simply, "I don't really have a go-to hairstyle when I don't want to style my hair."

Mary, this is for you.
http://cupcakesandcashmere.com/beauty/3-hairstyle-hacks-for-a-short-bob#feed=/beauty