SALE: T BY ALEXANDER WANG SALE

The frenzy around sales are simmering down and we are slowly heading towards the most anticipating sale of the year, Barney's Warehouse sale. However, in the meantime, just to keep us occupied, we spotted that Outnet is offering up to 70% off on T by Alexander Wang. The prices are considerably better than the sample sale they had a week ago. Click here to check it out.

STYLE CRUSH: PENNY PINCHER FASHION

Recently, I stumbled upon Penny Pincher Fashion blog by Kim, a stay-at-home mom, shares frugal shopping  and styling tips to her fellow readers. Her chic sense of fashion has inspired me that being stylish is possible without spending thousands. Just take a look at her blog and be inspired. Kohl's here I come. 

SALE: NANETTE LEPORE

After the post on sample sale, Nanette Lepore is also having a shoe sale up to 70% off. Click here to check it out.

SAMPLE SALE: NANETTE LEPORE

Starting today, Nanette Lepore is having their summer sample sale starting at 9am. The sale will last  only two days and courtesy of Nanette Lepore, they have given us a sneak peak at what to expect at the sale. Location and images are below.

Location: 225W. 35th St. 4th floor
When: July 25th - 26th.
Time: (Wed - Thurs.) 9am - 7pm

SAVE: STELLA MCCARTNEY FALABELLA TOTE

Stella McCartney: Falabella Shaggy Deer Small Tote, Orig. $1095, now $769

BEAUTY: HONEY "GLOW" MASK ANYONE?

Honey has been used for centuries for its medicinal and healing properties. Need more proof? It has  antibacterial activity (helps skin with acne), hydrating (provides moisture) and tons of antioxidants power to help fight the free radicals caused by the environment. Convinced much? If you are, enjoy few of these masks tested and trusted by my family for years. It will help clear skin, fine lines and wrinkles (seriously!), clear acne, hydrate and above all, give spa like glow.

Mask 1. Honey, Milk, and Papaya. *favorite*

One teaspoon Honey

One teaspoon Milk

One teaspoon Papaya, mashed. 

Mix the ingredients together to achieve a paste like texture. Leave it on for 10 minutes till the mask feels dry or stiff. Rinse face with lukewarm water and then splash face with cold water to close pores.

Mask 2. Honey, Avocado.

One tablespoon honey.

One tablespoon Avocado.

Mix the ingredients to make a paste like texture. Leave it for 10 minutes till the mask dries. Rinse face with lukewarm water and then splash it with cold water.

Mask 3. Honey.

One teaspoon honey.

If you don't have above ingredients, then just apply plain honey (preferable, dark colored- more enriched with anti-oxidants) on the face. Leave it for 10 minutes, rinse with lukewarm water, then splash with cold water. 

Try, and tell us about your experience.

SALE: BARNEY'S WAREHOUSE SALE

Barney's warehouse sale dates are announced and this year for the first time ever, the eager shoppers around the world will be able to join the sale online. Yesterday, the sale dates were made public with an email to the inbox-es of people on Barney's mailing list. The sale will officially start on August 23rd and will continue till September 3rd at the usual location in Chelsea, 255 W. 17th street. To join the fun online, please click here to sign up online for exclusive shopping preview and future news,

SALE: TORY BURCH *EXTRA 20% OFF*

Everyone's favorite, Tory Burch, is taking extra 20% off on all sale items. Just use code "EXTRA20" at checkout to apply the discount. Sale ends on July 22nd. Happy Shopping!

SALE: BERGDORF GOODMAN FINAL SALE

As all the store winding down to their final sales, Bergdorf Goodman has also taken up to 75% off. While browsing, I found a Proenza Schouler colorblock tote for $825 from $1650 and Giuseppe Zanotti Chiffon cutout bootie for $497 from $995.

SALE: JUICY COUTURE

Juicy Couture is having a summer sale where sale items are additional 30% off. The sale is going on in boutiques and online. To have a looksie, click here.

SAMPLE SALE: EARNEST SEWN *EXTENDED*

*UPDATE*

If you missed the chance on Earnest Sewn designer jeans, don't fret, because the sale has been extended. The sale will restart on July 20th-22nd with same time and location as mentioned below. From past experiences, they have tons of merchandise arranged in bins with prices. There is some digging required but with a huge selection, you will surely find something to your liking. Enjoy!

If you are in a for some jeans shopping, then head over to Earnest Sewn boutique this thursday to pick up some stock and sample items, all under $75. 

Location: 819 Washington St. (bet Gansevoort and west 12th st.)

When: July 12th-15th

Time: 10:00 am - 7:30pm

SAVE: LANVIN DORSAY STILETTO PUMP

Lanvin Stiletto Dorsay Pump 110. Orig: $1,190 - Sale: $595

HOW TO: STRETCH NEW SHOES

Got new shoes? But, they are little too tight and needs a little stretching. Just wearing them out would take a while plus it's uncomfortable and possibly cause blisters. The key to stretching is that the new shoes need to start at least close to the real size like half a size smaller. (Do not try on shoes that are significantly small otherwise you will end up with a distorted and out of shape shoes that don't fit)

So how do you loosen those new beauties?

Take a sandwich zip lock bag. Fill it half way with water. Insert the bag in your new shoes that need stretching. Put the shoes in the freezer. When the water freezes, the bag will expand. Take the shoe out and let the bag defrost enough to remove them. Voila, and the shoes will fit.


Image courtesy: Saks FB page
  

SAMPLE SALE: HELMUT LANG/THEYSKEN'S THEORY

After a calm month, sample sales have started to re-emerge. I can't say we have not missed it but we were generously occupied by department stores sales. In any event, we are always excited by Helmut Lang and Theysken's theory who are holding a women sample sale on July 18th till the 22nd.

Tip for you-s: any *foursquare* user who will check-in will get an addition 10% discount at the sale. Awesome.

Location: 93 Mercer St. (bet. spring and broom)
When: July 18th - 22nd.
Time: Wed (10am-8pm), Thurs (8am-8pm), Fri - Sat (10am-7pm),  Sun (11am-6pm)

Happy Shopping!

SAMPLE SALE: FENTON-FALLON

We are always ready for some bling bling, especially when names like Fenton-Fallon go on sale, wait, sample sale. The sale will start today and below are the details.

Location: 347 W. 36th St. - Suite 1204 (Bet 8th ave & 9th ave)
When: June 12th - 13th
Time: Thurs (10am-7pm), Fri (10am-6pm)

SALE: LOEFFLER RANDALL

As the final markdowns are in effect at most stores, Loeffler Randall is taking up to 60% off as their final discount online. There are many styles to lust and grab that also can be used for fall. Click here to check out the sale.

Our pick: Blaise Flat Moccasin $325  $163

TARGET AND NEIMAN MARCUS HOLIDAY COLLAB

There is nothing like designer collaborating with the main street retail stores to make luxury more affordable. The newest collaboration this year is expected between Target and up-scale Neiman Marcus who are bringing 24 American designers together to create a holiday collection. The ultimate collaboration includes Alice and Olivia, Marchesa, Brian Atwood, Tory Burch, Diane Von Furstenberg, Altuzarra, Prabal Gurung, Oscar de la Renta, Jason Wu, Derek Lam, Marc Jacobs, and Proenza Schouler to name a few. They will together create a eclectic and diverse mix of more than 50 gift collection that will range between $7.99 to $499.99. It will launch on December 1st for the eager holiday shoppers but the preview of the collection will be available this fall. If past Missoni + Target was any indication, this collaboration will lead to a lot more crazy shopper lining up comes December.

Image Courtesy: shefinds.com

HAUTE COUTURE 2012: MAISON MARTIN MARGIELA

He is known to be avant-garde, experimental and unique, Maison Martin Margiela displayed his "Artisanal" collection this past week with models going incognito behind crystal embroidered masks. The collection was a reclamation of vintage clothing and accessories.  The raw cotton sleeveless jacket (above) that opened the show was inspired by a 1905 tailcoat with it's closure came from a cystal door knobs found in New York City. Moreover, he turned an antique silk gown's Art Nouveau motif into a bomber jacket and a bolero and a vest from a vintage baseball gloves. This collection was truly unique in every way and the reason why Maison Martin Margiela is so inspirational.

SALE: SAKS CONSOLIDATION SALE

Yeah, it's that time of the year. When Saks gathers it's past season collection on the 8th floor discounted up to 70% off for it's final markdown. The sale officially starts on Thursday, July 12th, in-store and online.

Image Courtesy: new.pentagram.com

BEAUTY: QUICK GUIDE TO SMOKEY EYE

I'm no artist but I'm always looking the artist ways to the smokey eye look. Something that looks like that it took hours to do without it actually being time consuming. Although, I have actually found a routine that has worked well for me, I stumbled upon on this video by celebrity make-up artist Lisa Eldridge that shows an actual 5 minute guide to smokey eye. Here it is and apply to perfect your smokey eye. Click here to get started!

SAVE: MULBERRY ALEXA BAG

Mulberry Alexa bag in Plaster pink - now $1080 (from $1350)

BEAUTY: BIODERMA CREALINE H20

With face cleansing being the first ritual before going to bed (I hope it's yours as well), the cleanser used should be mild, non-abrasive, and gentle to the eyes. Now, many products promise all the things aforementioned, but most of them actually do the opposite of what they say. Harsh, very oily but for me, stinging eye is really the point when the product hits the trash. After looking and looking, I finally found a hero product that has not irritated my skin (honestly) even after stripping make-up off and on like four times within an hour.

Bioderma Crealine H20, ubiquitous in the French pharmacies, not easily found in America, has been the most amazing cleanser. After first use, it cleared away foundation, lipstick, eye-shadow and mascara with a sweep. Weirdly, I'm so used to oily cleansers, that the non oily base was so refreshing. It also leaves no residue behind, feels like you just cleansed with water. No dry scaly skin, just feels clean and fresh. This product is soap and detergent free, neutral pH and has essential cucumber extract which is known to be soothing to skin. It is so unique, dissolves any product on the spot and ultra sensitive, that even acne prone skin individuals also benefit from it. 

Although, expensive from the usual cleansers in the market, but little goes a long way so it is worth the investment. Even after long day of work with make-up embedded in my pores, just one cleanse and I can go to sleep in peace. Since I started using Bioderma, I have not looked back at any other cleansers in the market. If I have interested you to give it a shot, click here and share your experience if you are a user.

Image Courtesy: Icovetthee.com

ELIE SAAB *HAUTE COUTURE 2012/2013*

It's couture week in Paris with all the Parisian Couture houses displaying their fine craftsmanship. Inspired by Byzantine Empire, Elie Saab presented the most dreamy and beautiful collection till now. The gowns and cocktail dresses were dipped in beads, sequins and crystals, yet look so light and angelic to the eye. The cut and style of the dresses were nothing not seen before. Nonetheless, the collection can make any girl drift into dreams.

SALE: HAPPY 4TH OF JULY

Happy 4th of July!

Here are some current sales while you are relaxing:

SAKS: The sale section is now up to 70% off. It's in-store and online for two days only.

DVF: Diane Von Furstenberg is taking extra 20% off of sale merchandise starting today till July 6th. Use JULY20 at checkout while shopping online.

BEAUTY: SUNSCREEN DO'S AND DONT'S

Are you a daily sunscreen user or once in a blue moon about to hit the beach type of user? If you are the latter one (tsk tsk!), this post will aim to provide you with more information so you can perhaps add sunscreen to your daily regimen (time to get informed).

Sunscreen, does it help? Yes! UVA and UVB rays emitted by the sun, absorbed by the skin can create free radicals which in turn cause premature aging, fine lines and wrinkles, skin cancers, hyperpigmentation and cell damage (wow!). Therefore, when in the market for sunscreen, look out for the work broad spectrum UVA/UVB sunscreen and ingredients such as zinc, avobenzone which will aim at protecting the skin from both types of rays. 

Ah, putting sunscreen on is so much work! Really, is it that painful to add sunscreen in your daily routine. We don't think so, since, let us think, about 99 percent of cosmetic companies add SPF (sun protection factor) to most of their daytime products including moisturizers, foundations, powders, etc. All is required of you is to purchase a moisturizer that has these letters indicated in the front (SPF). So, NO excuses and time to get protected.

Higher SPF means better protection? Not necessarily. Research has indicated that higher SPF only increases protection by 3%. In fact, this whole matter depends on the user's skin and the activity in the sun. Therefore, we will recommend applying SPF 15 liberally, and reapplying every two to three hours depending on the situation. Let's say if you are doing water activities or perspiring more than usual, then apply more frequently than normally. In another words, do it right and you are protected!

DO's:

• Wash your face thoroughly before the initial application.
• Apply the sunscreen liberally and massage it in.
• Allow the skin to absorb in the SPF before applying make-up.
• Also, apply to the entire body.
• Reapplication is a must!
• Do it daily with a smile (or don't smile).

DONT's:

• Not using enough product will result in very little protection.
• Being lazy and not reapplying (just going backwards on the Do's)
• Binging on the sun. 
• Just the face approach and forgetting the neck and other parts of the body.

Products we recommend: Neutrogena, La Rochay Posay, Clarins, and Chantecaille.

SAMPLE SALE: BLOWOUT SALE AT CLOTHINGLINE

You know what is better than a sample sale? A further discounted sample sale of sample sales (get me?). So here it is. This past season, we been running around sales after sales, some were fruitful while some were just plain waste of time. And at some places the wait was so long that by the time you got in, the sale was out of juice and so were you.

Now, it's mid-July mid-summer, every store in this country is gearing up for fall and most designer sample sales of spring/summer are done. Clothingline, a major sample sale location, is hosting a spring/summer blow out sale where prices will be a lot more cheaper than the usual sample sales and there will be no wait or rush and most importantly, no hoarders. In our opinion, this is the best time to actually go real hunting because you can find nice designer duds with significant discount minus all the hassle.

Clothing Line Blow Out Sale

Designers: Tocca, Milly, Nanette Leopore, Showroom Seven, Free People, Cool Change, Jessica Kagan Cushman and many more.

Location: 261 W. 36th st.
When: July 10th-11th
Time: Tues-Thur (11am-7pm)

Happy Hunting!