Mother's Day or Father's Day, you choose.

I came to a conclusion this morning, that Mother's Day is about the moms.  Dads of the world take their kids for the day, so moms can take a break.  Father's Day is also about the moms.  Moms convince their husbands that they need to spend much needed time with the kids, alone. Being the methodical creatures that we are, we support this bonding activity in an attempt to have another "break."

After wearing this kids out at the pool this morning, we went home so they could take a nap. Sadly, the hubs needed a little rest too, so off I went.

 If you've never been, Gabarini's is a fantastic boutique in Cherry Creek, with great labels and amazing selection.  I normally save my shopping trip to Gabarini's for July's sidewalk sale, when it is common to find items originally over $100 for 75% off or more. But today, while on a detour to Target "Boutique" I stumbled upon sales signs, outside their door, calling my name. I had to go in.


Let's say is together now, "buy one, get one free".  I couldn't believe it.  Racks upon racks of goodies.  Here is the shoe rack, where I easily could have bought every pair in my size. 

But then I hit the clothing racks, only to find more things I wanted.  Thankfully, the sale wasn't full of stipulations.  If I wanted, which I did, to buy a pair of shoes and get a pair on pants for free, that was o.k.  Simply put, this sale was like a dream come true. Below are just some the amazing finds from today, from left to right.

Benson NYC camo pants- $29, originally $113.
Monrow purple linen pants- $49, originally $140
Etienne Marcel printed jeans- $98, originally $175
Marrakech stripped linen pant, with the cutest ruffle pockets- $109, originally $135.

 The sale lasts until the product is gone. So go in, buy the pants I love, since I didn't, and get a free pair of something else awesome.

The pants I could live in. 

 

 

My Case for Dresses

Nothing says summer like a breezy dress.  Well, one hundred degree heat also says summer, but I digress.

Dresses are the end all be all of easy dressing.
1) There is nothing to mix and match
2) Getting dressed is a one step process
3) Buying a dress can be the most economical way to get dressed, especially when they are on sale and the marked down again.

Imagine this... Monday morning, after hitting the snooze button five times and now running more than five minutes late and you have no idea what to wear to work (I am not saying this always happens me Monday through Friday ).  Quick check of the weather and sweltering heat is in the forecast.  You go to your closet and find this or this....

Whit Cow-Print Swingy Dress, $86.80

Halston Heritage Sleeveless Ruched Dress, $72.28

You think to yourself, life is good, your dressed in two second flat and walk out the door.  You might even have time to get a Starbucks coffee with the time and money you saved.

True Love + Frugality = Closet Disasters

We all do it, buy clothes for our husbands, in the style we wish they were, instead of how they are.  Thank God for this, or we would have a bunch of men running around in gym shorts and sports jerseys. I have officially stopped buying clothes for my husband.  Ninety-nine percent of the time when I come home with something for him, it is returned for a plaid shirt of some kind.  My husband has the short sleeve version, the sporty version, the going out version, and the flannel version, all of which he owns in a variety of colors.  Fortunately time is measured by the change of seasons, not the change of clothes.  I guarantee I wouldn't know how old I am if I had to use my husband's weekend "uniform" as the gauge.

Yesterday I spent the afternoon with a wonderful couple and their three kids. Lindsey hired me to help her husband go through his clothes and organize what he wears.  She felt like he was lost when getting dressed, whether for work or going out.  

In any closet edit the one of the questions I ask about every article of clothing is "do you wear this?"  Responses to the tune of "I didn't know I had it" or "I haven't ever/ in a few years" means it needs to go. Lindsey's husband was holding on to stuff because she bought it for him, and she was buying him stuff because it was a good deal.  This combination of true love and frugality can only turn out one way...

 I present to you the donation pile.

In these bags are clothes that have never been worn, AC/DC t-shirts from the late 80's, pants so wide Lindsey and her husband could have fit in them together.

When your closet gets to the point that you have more swimsuits than shorts, you never have to wear the same pair of jeans twice in a month, and you can't see what you own, something has to give.  Thankfully, we created five bags for donation, two bins of seasonally inappropriate clothes, and recycled about one hundred dry-cleaning hangers.  Our day was officially done!

Viola

My suggestion to women of the world, stop buying things for your husband because you think they need it.  I promise when they are down to their last dress shirt and all the buttons have fallen off their pants, with replacements no where in sight, they will let you know they need more clothes.  At that point you can go crazy, have a heyday.  Until that happens, spend the money on yourself! 

Buy more, save more, no shipping, no tax- sign me up!

I have been eyeing this Helmut Lang skirt for well over a month. Every day I check the price at Nordstrom, Neimans, Saks, Bloomingdales, Yoox, etc., waiting for the best deal.  At $335 I cannot even think about it. 

Nordstrom has it on sale for $200.98, which is far better, but still not discounted enough.

So today,  in going through my normal online search,  I noticed that Bloomingdales finally marked it down.  If you don’t know, Bloomingdales is like Macy’s is that they are ALWAYS offering some sort of deal, discount, promotion.  With a quick online search, I found a promo code for online shopping- SUMMER.

The more you buy, the more you save, ranging from 20%-40% off your purchase of qualifying items.  Orders over $150 ship for free, and if you live where there isn’t a Bloomingdales, (helloooo Denver) there is no sale tax.

This savvy shopper saved well over 50% and can hardly wait to live in this skirt this summer.

Helmut Lang, Blaze Skirt. Originally $335

I am a little nervous to post this.

About a month ago I was at my favorite Denver store, Last Call, and saw my dream Gucci bag for $800, marked down from $3000.  But guilt got the best of me, and I passed it up.  I have been thinking about it ever since.  So I spent yesterday, calling EVERY Last Call store in the country looking for it. Don't judge me, we all have our vices. Alas, the bag is sold out.

I found out from another fashion blogger that Gucci is having a 1/2 off sale that started over the weekend. I thought I could find my dream bag on sale and call it a day.  But of course, Gucci doesn't make the bag anymore.  I searched every resale online site, I called every Gucci outlet, and I swear my dream bag is not available at my dream price point.

My dream bag, priceless

I am now really kicking myself.  But then today I decided to call the Gucci store in Aspen.  Since 4:30 this afternoon Danielle in Aspen has been sending me sale pictures, quoting me prices, digging in the back closet to find a steal for me.  If you are in the market for a designer bag, you should call Danielle in Aspen.  Here are a few pics of the goods and the phone # for the Aspen store, 970-920-9150

Prices range from $650 to $1500.  You can see some additional bags online, but you have to ask Danielle for the website.

The Mothership Pulls One Out

Much to my surprise, Nordstrom had the steal of the day today.  I love Nordstrom, don't get me wrong, my college girlfriends and I refer to it as "the Mothership." However, they don't have the best sales.  Their discount percentage rarely goes more than 40% off, so I was really caught off guard today when I found this bag, at the Nordstrom in Cherry Creek, for just about $700ish.

The picture doesn't do it justice. No online link today, as the web says it is sold out.  First come, first serve in Cherry Creek.

Jimmy Choo, Large Biker Shoulder Bag, originally $1436

Heaven for Betsey this was a steal

Wedding season is upon us and it can get really expensive, especially if you're attending a destination wedding.  If you can save on the dress you wear, when you likely won't be saving elsewhere, it can be a good deal all around.

I found this Betsy Johnson dress for my gorgeous client who was on a dress budget this summer (with three weddings to attend).  The second she put this Betsey Johnson dress on, she fell in love. It was an instant hit with her and with me. I was tempted that same day to go get one.

Betsey Johnson, Tiered Cotton/Linen Maxi Dress, originally $178 now $90.99