Quickie Darling Deal & Steal: Chic Jewelry Finds On Sale @Nine West!


When you hear about Nine West, it’s usually for their shoes & handbags, but not necessarily for their other accessories like jewelry. A lot of that jewelry is on sale & I picked out some of my favorite pieces that would look great with any number of stylish outfits!

The multi tone earrings ($11.20) have that gypsy look, but bring together any other gold & silver accessories you may be wearing!  For a little pop of color on your wrist, check out the flower chain bracelet ($21.00).  It’ll pick up on any bright colors in a patterned maxi dress or make for a nice touch with an abstract print skirt.  If you’re into adjustable cocktail rings, then take a look at the green flower ring ($13.00) to add a special tropical touch to your outfit.  I’m really loving this rose gold collar necklace ($15.20).  The different tones of the shells is romantic & unexpected.

A few months back, I posted about Sophie Theallet’s designs for Nine West.  Aside from super cute stylish wedges for the spring & summer, the designer created this adorable Parisian-inspired charm necklace ($17.60).  If you love charms, then you’ll love the charm bracelet ($14.40), adorned with pursed & heels! There’s even enough room on it to add your own charms too!

When it comes to earrings, I’m a studs kind of girl & love these button stud earrings in spirals & flowers, also available in silver ($8.80)!  However, when I’m looking at jewelry, I go straight to bracelets & love this stretch bracelet ($19.00) in copper with turquoise beads.

Unique pieces of jewelry like these enhance your outfit & bring out your personality.  I love that they’re all so feminine & affordable!  Would you wear any of these pieces?  Which is your favorite?  Check out previous posts about Nine West items, including clearance shoes @Piperlime, how to recreate Miranda Kerr’s look, & the end-of-the-summer shoe sale!  Happy Styling!

Quickie Darling Deal & Steal: The Black Peep Toes from Payless That’ve Lasted Me All Day!


I haven’t been loyal to any daily readers out there b/c I failed to post a blog for the day, but it’s still Wednesday & I’ve got a little time left & a little something to dish on.  See these shoes here?  I wore them all day today, from 8:30am until 10:00pm.  Of course my work day consisted of a lot of sitting time in my cubicle & then I drove back & forth to Southampton (1hr – 45min each way), so I’m cheating a little bit here. You dan’t deny that that’s a long day of the same pair of heels & I can’t complain one bit about how my feet feel!

I posted their red companion in a Quickie Darling Deal & Steal blog last month about suede shoes @Payless & I’m definitely kicking myself for not getting the red pair when I had the chance.  The sturdy heel & knot detail just scream a little bit Marilyn Monroe & they’re just so easy to add to just about any look.  Back in April, as seen in a Luxury Look-Alikes for Less posting, I was lucky enough to score the nude pair, which have lasted me all summer & into fall so far! They’re by far, my sexiest, most classic looking heels for when I want to be polished, but playful at the same time!

Right now these Fioni ‘Kutie’ knot platform pumps are on sale for $19.99, marked down from $27.99.  If you’ve got too many black shoes & are looking to spice things up with an unexpected pop of color, the navy ones are also on sale.  However, the black is only available in both regular & wide width sizes.

I wanted to share these b/c they were so stylish to go with my work outfit, consisting of a knee-length abstract print black & white pleated bubble skirt that I paired with a patent red Nine West belt & wore a tucked in black tissue tee to help show off my shape.  On top, I finished off my look with a white short-sleeved cardigan & went about my work day, earning a handful of compliments on my ensemble.  After, when I was headed to an Open House @SUNY Southampton for their MFA program (cross your fingers, I applied for the spring), I wanted to sit more comfortably in my car during the long, rainy commute.  So I changed into my dark denim bootcut jeans & a sparkly black long-sleeved cardigan over my untucked tee.  Somehow I had the time this morning to think of bringing my silver & gold braided belt to complete the very dark look.  I feared for the safety of my peep toes b/c it was raining pretty heavily, but now I’m home & they’ve withstood the elements successfully!

Do you have a pair of go-to comfortable heels?  Do you have any Payless stories?  Would you buy & wear these?  Happy Styling!

Quickie Darling Deal & Steal: My New Favorite (Semi-Formal) LBD!


During what was supposed to be a hunt for bargains at the Tanger Outlet in Riverhead, I had one of those shopping-with-my-bestie-Rosie moments @White House Black Market & decided (with her consent) to try on the same dress that she was trying on, not thinking for a moment that I’d end up getting it!  However, even though I was very tired- trying to fight away a bad sinus infection- I had enough energy to slip into this strapless satin sheath dress, which hugged my curves in all the right ways. It did not fit my shopping companion, so Rosie wished it well for me.  It was very funny when we both stepped out of our dressing rooms, we looked like bridesmaids.  She eventually found a dress for herself (similar to this one), but in this in-the-moment fitting, I fell in love with the flattering simplicity of the pleated dress & just had to bring it home to make friends with my other dresses!

The very enthusiastic fitting room attendant insisted that I try the confection of an LBD on with heels, which only made it worse- but better really.  Seeing how the whole look would come together with dress shoes very similar to my own, I had to have it.  Although the price tag of $89.99 was way more epic more than what I was looking to spend, making a smart investment in a dress that I can wear to any fancy occasion for any season was reason enough for me. After all, the dress was marked down significantly from $168.00!

In addition, I did manage to score a delightful hot pink bubble skirt for $19.99 & a fun lace-trimmed black & white cami for $9.99 (similar to this one) from their front & center sale racks, which made me feel even better about my time spent there.

When you shop at WHBM, if you give them your info at the time of purchase & spend over $300.00, you’re automatically going to receive another 5% off on future purchases.  Perhaps until you spend some other high bracket amount & maybe that percentage will go up? Not sure- I’m not there yet! Every now & again I’ll take the road trip out to the WHBM outlet just for the sales, which are soooo much better than the sale racks at th elocal store in the nearby mall.

I’m attending a wedding of another close friend in a week & even though I wasn’t necessarily looking for a new dress to wear, this little black number is perfect! Since it is starting to get chilly this September, I’ll pair the dress with a cute lace jacket that I bought a while ago from Charlotte Russe– one such jacket that I wore with another darling WHBM floral dress which was purchased last year & worn to 2 other wedding.  Depending on the weather, I’ll break out some pretty textured tights & probably opt for a bright satin heel.  One of these days I’ll get to posting my actual ensembles, but until then…

Are you a WHBM shopper?  Do you have any fun LBD stories?  What’s the most you’d spend on a cocktail dress?  Do you have any go-to dresses for weddings?  Happy Styling!

Quickie Darling Deal & Steal: Bargain Belt & Tasteful Tights Find @Payless!


During a recent trip to Payless, with my special 20% off birthday coupon, I was on the hunt for some basic accessories to help usher in my in-between-seasons wardrobe since the weather isn’t too chilly for layers, but calls for something a little less light.  Make sense?

Well, much to my dismay, there were no BOGO 50% off sales at the time of my visit, but I did manage to score these scroll print tights in black by Minicci for $7.99.  I love the pattern & it’ll go so well with my tweed skirts for the office or an LBD for a cocktail occasion.  They’re available in sizes small, medium, & large & are the perfect addition to any mini skirt & knee boots look when you don’t really wanna show off too much skin.

Also, while I was there, I was looking for another basic, yet chic belt that I could wear with chunky pullover sweaters or with a flyaway cardigan to help cinch in my waist.  The wide stretch belt in black by Minicci was on sale from $12.99 to $7.99! I love the subtle hardware look on the face of the belt, which would juxtapose so nicely against something lace or pastel.

By the time it came to ring me up, I saved over $13.00 with my coupon & the sale price for the belt, so I didn’t fret too much about not benefiting from the store’s usually fabulous BOGO 50% off sale.  What are your recent bargain finds?  What do you love to shop for @Payless?  Where do you get your most fashionable belts & tights?  Happy Styling!

Quickie Darling Deal & Steal: A Free Beauty Gift from Sephora!


My birthday was quite a few days ago now (which I decided to pass on for personal reasons), however, I do love reaping the benefits as a loyal patron of some of my favorite stores for when they send me discounts, rewards, & free items just b/c it’s my birthday.

I don’t usually shop @Sephora (only b/c I find such great deals @Ulta), but I received such a fun & lovely free gift from Sephora, just for signing up for their emails.  Because I gave them my information, including my birthdate, all I had to do was print out the email & bring it to the register.

While there were so many items that I wanted to buy, receiving something substantial like a 16 ounce-bottle of shampoo / bubble bath / shower gel was the icing on the cake!  The flavor is so sweet, yet subtle: vanilla birthday cake. It costs $16.00 too! I saved that much money that I could use towards gas (well, not a whole tank) or for a pair of shoes on sale at the Payless right next to the Sephora in my local mall!

I can’t take all the credit for knowing this little birthday surprise from the beauty giant b/c my good friend Laurie (check out the blog I dedicated to her!) informed me about the very special deal just weeks before my first day as a 28-year-old.  What’s the best gift item that you’ve received from a store?  How many different sites do you receive emails from?  What’s your favorite scent for bath items?  Happy Styling!

Quickie Darling Deal & Steal: Start Layering With Sale Tops From ESPRIT!


Since the weather is changing (at least here in New York it is!), it’s time to start swapping out some of the pieces in your closet for heaviers once, but what’s so great about now is that you can mix & match your tops & tanks to layer them!  I recently checked out the sale section on ESPRIT & so many tops on sale & the ones that I’ve selected are all under $30.00.  Now, before you say that $30.00 is too much for a sale top, just hear me out!  A tee shirt or a basic tank is something that you will always need.  Whether you wanna rock your new bomber jacket or break out your boyfriend blazer & skinny jeans for a night out with the girls, tops like these are the pieces that build those outfits.

Take your favorite button down shirt & throw a tee over with a fancy brooch, or try once of these tanks under your favorite cardigan with a bubble skirt! The brighter shades are perfect for that pop of color for underneath, heavy sweaters, or use the pastel ones to soften a look with heavy sweater tights & knee boots!

In a wide variety of colors, from your basic neutrals to brighter, bolder shades, there’s plenty to choose from.  Don’t think for a minute that there are only solids on this site b/c as you can see, I have a striped top, but there are also plenty of floral & graphic print tops to choose from too!  If you scroll your mouse over the image below, you can see all the names, colors, & prices of the tops to decide for yourself.

While you’re on the site, be sure to check out their new fall knits, denim, jackets, dresses, & accessories! If you sign up to receive emails from the site, you’ll hear about all the latest sales, including the occasional 40% off storewide sale, which is not something you wanna pass up! Not to mention that the store offers FREE SHIPPING & FREE RETURNS on any order $30 & up, another great reason to keep this site among your favorites!  Happy Styling!

Quickie Darling Deal & Steal: Sofia Vergara Unveils Her New Collection @KMart!


If you thought Jennifer Lopez’s latest collection @Kohl’s was a big deal, then watch out for Sofia Vergara‘s new clothing line for Kmart.  True, J.Lo is a much bigger & more established star than the Modern Family star, but Sofia has that down-to-earth / polished / sexy girl style that we all want to achieve while on a budget.

The star, who’s famous for showing off her curvy figure on the red carpet in looks by Carolina Herrera & Dolce & Gabbana, has designed a full line that you can check out on the store’s website, Sofia by Sofia Vergara here.  Sofia recently talked to WWD magazine about why she developed the line: “This is not a new store for me. When you have kids you don’t go to Bergdorf Goodman to buy underwear and socks. You go to Kmart,” hence her decision to join the retail family that also houses Attention, Dream Out Loud by Selena Gomez, & BONGO.

Below are some promotional images from the collection, which feature modern & comfortable separates, fitted dresses for going out, bomber jackets, mini skirts, & trendy accessories that can be mixed & matched with other pieces in your wardrobe.  Sizes on all items range from small to extra large.  The prices are very affordable, ranging from $9.99 – $49.99, perfect for the average Kmart shopper & savvy Style Darling.

Which of the above looks do you like?  Is it the sequined animal print teeDark wash jeansAnimal print ruched mini dress? Black flutter sleeve dress? Or the bustier pencil dress? Also, play the video below to hear from the Emmy-nominated actress in her own words about the very versatile collection & how it matches her own personal style!

Happy Styling!

Quickie Darling Deal & Steal: Chanel’s Denim-Inspired Nail Polish For Fashion’s Night Out!


In preparation for Fashion’s Night Out, the legendary house of Chanel has created three very exclusive & limited-time nail polishes.  To some, they may just look like blue polish, but they are denim-inspired in shades of the all-American fabric.  As you can see from the image to the right, the polishes have cute names like Coco Blue, Blue Boy, & Blue Rebel.

Courtesy of In Style, I learned that these colors will only be available at Chanel stores or on Chanel.com, starting September 8th, the night of the famed international shopping event in New York City.

There’s no word yet on how much the polishes will cost, but to treat yourself to one luxury item, nail polish seems like a good bet b/c no matter what outfit you’re wearing, if you splash on a little color to your nails, you can go to the grocery store with Chanel, have brunch with Chanel, wear Chanel to happy hour, & even go to sleep with Chanel, without having to splurge on more costly items like silk scarves, cashmere sweaters, or fine leather shoes (although I would love them all!)!

Be sure to check out the website for Fashion’s Night Out to see the countdown to the big day, as well as listings of collections, events, & where to shop! Happy Styling!

Quickie Darling Deal & Steal: Last Minute Clearance Buys @Lulu’s!


I know I’ve been focusing on a lot of the fabulous fall fashions that hit the runways, but I haven’t lost sight of my true Style Darling ways.  I discovered these amazing sale finds @Lulu’s.  All of these pieces are reduced in price from the original & can be mixed & matched with lots of items that you probably already have! While I realize that their size selection is limited, it’s still a steal for those who can benefit from it.

The rich navy velvet dress is striking & regal.  At just $15.00, you can keep it youthful with fishnets & thread earrings for any evening affair. Florals aren’t just for summer & spring, but the floral empire blouse is perfect for any season, especially for $15.00.  Play with the colors in the top to create a neutral, dark, or soft palette, depending on what look you’re seeking.  Or you can just keep it simple with your favorite wash of jeans & ballet flats when you wanna be casual.

I love colored tights for the fall!  The merlot tights are $15.00 & make any pair of metallic platform sandals fall-ready, especially with an a-line skirt & cardigan set.  They also look very rich against a shiny brocade or jacquard item.  Speaking of something shiny, the shimmering skirt is a little bit disco & a little bit 80s at the same time.  Marked down from $48.00 to $33.00, it’s the pop of color you need with a black blouse & boyfriend blazer!

The green one-shoulder dress is $22.00, marked down from $32.00, & can be worn over jeans or with your favorite leggings.  Be sure to add some layered beads with this or stacked bangles for some more dimension.  Slap a belt over the $25.00 cream top with your favorite tea-length skirt, preferably something denim or corduroy to get that crisp autumn deel!

You can never really have enough wedges & these belted peep toes for $24.00 are the essential neutral item of footwear for next year’s summer season!  The dolman jacket for $35.00 is the perfect piece for to play with proportion & edge if you’re pairing it with a sexy pinstripe pencil skirt or with your favorite wide leg jeans.

Where do you find the best end-of-the-season deals?  What’s on your must-have list for next year?  How much do you invest in clearance items?  Happy Styling!

Quickie Darling Deal & Steal: Jennifer Lopez Debuts New Line for Kohl’s!


Seems like Kohl’s is really stepping up their style, what with designers like Vera Wang, Lauren Conrad, & Dana Buchman leading the way, but the big news is that Jennifer Lopez has joined the Kohl’s family (yeah Marc Anthony too).  Her merchandise isn’t coming out until this fall (sometime in September), but you can keep this link among your favorites to get the first look.

Courtesy of Oprah’s O magazine, here’s a look from the line, as well as a YouTube video below, featuring both Jennifer & soon-to-be ex-husband Marc discussing their vision for their respective lines.

By the way, this marks the first official video post on Style Darling!  I’m super thrilled that the site is finally moving up to the next level!

Are you excited about Jennifer Lopez teaming up with Kohl’s?  Don’t forget that with Kohl’s credit card, you get serious rewards, including discount deals & their sales are always amazing! Even if some of the items start off at a great price, they get even better as the fall season sales begin.  When the line finally debuts, I’ll be all over it!  Will you?

Check out my full article on Culture Mob for more detail of the launch of this line! Happy Styling!

Quickie Darling Deal & Steal: Demi Moore is the Newest Face of Ann Taylor!


Ann Taylor has a new face & that’s none other than the sexy working mother of three, Demi Moore! The actress is no stranger to modeling, having also been the face of Versace a few years back.  However, now Mrs. Kutcher is filling in the very fashionable shoes of the likes of Heidi Klum, Naomi Watts, Milla Jovovich, & most recently, Katie Holmes.

In a recent feature for the new ad campaign, In Style quotes Demi as saying, “The new Ann Taylor is for modern women who want to take on the world in style.” This is the perfect phrase that captures a very polished, professional, & feminine brand that mixes ladylike details with menswear-inspiration for women of the office, working mothers, & Style Darlings everywhere.  Some of the designs at their regular price cost a bit much for me, but if you wait for the end of the season (LIKE NOW), you can find awesome deals on sale items, like sporty striped tees, sequined tanks, & delicate necklaces.

If you’re loving this brand, be sure to click on over to a Darling of the Day post, which features Sophia Bush.  Also, fans of LOFT, Ann Taylor’s sister store, include Hilary Swank & Jayma Mays! Happy Styling!

Quickie Darling Deal & Steal: Super New Suede Styles @Payless!


I post a lot about shoes… but there’s just so much to say! Given the big sales currently @Nine West (see post here), as well as the awesome designer styles currently sold @Payless (see another post here), I’m loving the new fall styles coming out as well.  My favorite texture for the season is suede, but while we’re still loving the summer sun, you can break out some suede this August!

These styles range in price from $19.99 up to $59.99, but most can work for you well into the winter (& that’s the last time I mention winter, until we’re well into fall)!  To start, let’s take a look at the tan double strap sandals that can create a longer legline & make your gams look like they go on for miles, especially with an LBD or printer romper & chunky belt.  The bow ankle wrap flat sandals are adorable to mix with walking shorts & a beaded tank, or with a denim skirt & basic tee. Also, consider the black & camel style for days when you’re donning earth tones!

The chop-out shooties in split pea & berry are designed by Lela Rose.  Those are the pricey shoes, but I do have my eye out for them during the store’s next BOGO 50% off sale since the black pair (not pictured) is just calling out for my black opaque tights & a pencil skirt when the weather gets crisper out!  But when shooties aren’t your type of shoe, I always have a cute flat in mind.  I just love the purple ballet flats, which also come in black & brown, to coordinate with a button-down shirt & bootcut jeans.  The brown clog slides remind me of those old-school Candie’s that Jenny McCarthy used to model, but with the deeper tone, they’re ideal to match with denim, chambray, or corduroy!

Also, during a previous post about the nude shoes trend in Luxury Look-Alikes for Less, I featured nude pumps like the red knot pumps that could really jazz up an office look, also in black & navy.  The tan ones that I’ve had for a few months now are super sexy, recalling an old school Marilyn Monroe-esque feel.  While we’re on the subject of pumps, don’t forget about sky high platforms.  They’re all the rage right now- just ask Kourtney Kardashian & Dianna Agron who’ve been spotted in them at recent press events.  Add a pop of color to your belted sheath or 70s-inspired jumpsuit with these electric blue 5″ platform pumps, which are also sold in black suede & tan patent.

Sign up for emails from Payless so that you can receive all the latest news on their BOGO sales, when the summer styles go on clearance, & to get your feet on 20% off coupons for your birthday!  Also, the best tip I can think of is if you’re ordering from the website, have your purchase shipped to your local Payless store to avoid paying a shipping & handling fee! Happy Styling!

Quickie Darling Deal & Steal: Cute Cardigans Inspired by Victoria Beckham, Michelle Obama, & More!


I’m super lucky to have thought of packing some cute cardigans to go with my dresses & skirt outfits, especially when sitting for up to three hours during a lecture at this year’s Writer’s Conference in Southampton with Stony Brook University.  I’m so inspired by stylish celebrities for my week & a half in The Hamptons, I’ve really been on my style game everyday.  However, getting back to cardigans, here we have a range of looks from Style Darlings like Michelle Obama, Camilla Belle, Victoria Beckham, Ashley Greene, Olivia Palermo, & Reese Witherspoon (who I recently featured in a Basics for a Bargain post too).

Cardies are no longer boring since they come in a range of fabulous styles, as seen here.  These are essentials for any time of the calendar year & (in my opinion, give the blazer a run for its stylish bucks!).  With the latest rage in boyfriend cardigans, they’re definitely no longer for librarians or bankers (ha!).  Layer one over a graphic tee & a denim mini skirt, or try something soft & feminine with leather leggings.  There’s always a summer dress that’s just calling for a cardigan companion as well!  Take a look at some of these celebrity looks to help get some cardigan inspiration, not to mention the above choices, ranging from $16.00 – $59.90!  If you’re looking for links to these picks, check out Gap, The Limited, Forever 21, Target, & LOFT.  Happy Styling!

Quickie Darling Deal & Steal: Lauren Conrad’s Newest Collection @Kohl’s!


Summer is in full swing, but all the department stores are getting geared up for fall.  The only good thing to come out of those silly MTV reality shows about the pretty people living up in some hills is the fabulous & fashionable Lauren Conrad whose line LC by Lauren Conrad is sold @Kohl’s.  Her latest designs are causal, breezy, & super sweet.  These items, thanks to a sneak peek from In Style, look very easy to add to your (affordable) fall wardrobe wishlist.  These are just four of her latest looks. I love how each of them can be worn for several different body types & occasions.

Starting from the right to the left, the gray rosette chiffon top (which is also available in purple) is on sale for only $20!  This can be tucked into a pencil skirt for a night out with the girls, or worn casually with denim shorts & wedges!  I naturally gravitate to gray, I guess, but I just love this striped maxi dress, currently marked down from $60.00 to $45.00.  It can go from day to evening with just the switch up of a few accessories, like a chunky belt & platforms, or a thin chain necklace & jeweled sandals.  Eyelet, like in this blouse for example, isn’t a fabric that is easily translatable b/w seasons, but paired with these cuffed linen shorts, your look hits all the right faashion notes.  With a crochet shoulder bag & some neutral espadrilles, your ready for a day date or family barbecue!  Lastlty, I picked something with some pattern like this floral chiffon top, which is marked in half to $18.  This top is the perfect length & is very forgiving around the waste.  Happy Styling!

Quickie Darling Deal & Steal: Old Navy Tanks Perfect for Skirts, Shorts, & More!


Over the last few weeks, I’ve been giving my Old Navy credit card quite the work out & it’s nobody’s fault but my own- in that I have a terrible weakness for stylish deals!  While these four tank tops may not look like anything special, they have become very versatile & vital items in my closet in a very surprising way.

I’m not usually a stripes girl, maybe wearing them in skirt to look more flattering, but I found the purple & green striped tank, which are marked down as low as $3.97.  They fit perfectly & I knew they would be simple selections for my cropped capris or denim skirts this summer.  Not to mention that I have coordinating flip-flops for them.  However, I surprised myself when wearing them both with the mixture of other more feminine items.  I broke out the purple tank for a jersey knit tiered skirt & a thick white crochet belt.  All I needed were some cowboy boots & I would’ve looked like I stepped off of a Carrie Underwood music video, but somehow the look felt very appropriately me.  Although the tops were striped, I opted for floral patterned flip flops for my day out & about over the weekend & felt every bit a Style Darling.  Also, I selected the green striped tank to be layered under a white cableknit short-sleeved cardigan & a linen drawstring skirt, recalling a very preppy / nautical look. For casual & effortlessly stylish days, I was very proud of myself.

Next, the black tanks are invaluable, marked for $8.50 & $10, serving for perfect basics to pair with brighter & bolder items.  I even like the lace-strapped tank with a crochet bolero & my cargo crops with some animal print strappy sandals.  These are the essential items in which a Style Darling can build the foundation of a fabulous wardrobe. The spaghetti strap tank was worn with a teal wrap dress, so as not to provoke a wardrobe malfunction which walking around the office & I loved that I didn’t have to sit & adjust it all day like I usually do with layering items.

These are great pieces for any time of the year, especially in the fall & winter when it’s time to break out the chunky sweater or long-sleeved tops.  These make for fun contrasting layers when you want to add more dimension to your outfit.  All four of these items are reduced in price & have been for a while, so they probably won’t last long online or in stores.  So check out all the tanks & sale items at Old Navy.  Don’t forget to use your Old Navy credit card to get rewards points & future discounts, as well as taking the survey to receive a code for 10% off your next purchase!

Quickie Darling Deal & Steal: Super Savings on a Skirt from JC Penney!


During all the big sales for the 4th of July last week, I took advantage of a coupon from JC Penney which was $10 when you spend $25 or more.  Of course, I’d been shopping in the store a little more often than I usually do, knowing that there was no possible way to fit anything else in my closet, including another skirt, but I went ahead & checked out the store anyway.  I’d been very successful in finding cute a-line, pencil, or sateen.  This skirt by east 5th popped out at me, especially since I’m trying to get away from the darker colors.

It was originally priced at $36.00, but was on sale for $19.99.  I picked up a few super cheap clearance items to make my coupon eligible.  These items included a graphic printed floral skirt with some illusion ruche details & a black scoop neck pullover, both under $7.  When I walked out of the store, the super long receipt read “You saved $69!”  I couldn’t believe it.  Aside from that, at the bottom of it, there was a provided website address where I cold fill out a survey about my shopping experience & get a 15% off coupon for my next purchase.  I’m super stocked b/c I also know that JC Penney often has sales where you get 15 % off just for using your JCP credit card, so that’s already 30% off & all I have to do is show up for the sale!  If you’re a skeptic about all this sale stuff & think JC Penney is just for frumpy old ladies, well, you’re wrong.  With brands like I Heart Ronson, Nicole Miller, Mango, & a.n.a, you definitely can’t go wrong!

Even though I’m a skirt-aholic, you can find just about any & every stylish design of a well-structured skirt at the store.  If you’re looking for a reliable black pencil skirt, or need something floral & whimsical like this one, check out their entire skirt department.  I don’t think I’ve ever walked in there when there wasn’t a sale going on.

I’m looking forward to wearing this skirt not jut for the color, but b/c even though it’s a seriously bold floral print, I could try to pair it with some black opaque tights & suede peep toes.  Also, I have a pair of pointed toe pumps in the same teal color in the skirt.  If I find the right olive-green cardigan, it could make for a well-coordinated look.  Any suggestions on how to wear this skirt?  Have you had any super crazy fashion finds at this store? Leave some comments!  Happy Styling!

Quickie Darling Deal & Steal: All Dressed Up For Summer!


Rather than the usual slew of budget-friendly details, I’m gonna tell a little story.  I recently decided to treat myself to a shopping splurge, in a search for some new, cute capris to wear this summer, but of course, that didn’t happen (otherwise the name of this post would be about capris).  I ended up bringing home 5 dresses, 4 of which were from my old stomping grounds, New York & Company.  Having worked there this past holiday season, while saving up some extra cash for my recent trip to Italy, I got to see some of the best sales in action- or so I thought.

When I went into the store, during this particular trip, most items were BOGO 75% off & I had a spend $150, get $80 off coupon.  Now, I had set a spending budget for myself, so my best friend / shopping partner in crime combined our purchases to get the best deal & use the coupon & between the two of us, we did pretty darn good.  Naturally, as a way to get out of the crazy unexpected heat wave that was going on that week, later in the evening, I returned to the store with a second coupon in tow & really went at it.

Long story short, these were just 2 of the fantastic items that I bought & b/c of the super sale that was going at that weekend, I think the total of these 2 dresses alone came to about $36, which is why New York & Company is my dress destination for the summer.  The black & white pinstripe summer dress was originally marked up to $59.95.  I should also mention about the rosey pink dress, which originally went for $42.95, I also took home in black too!  I was able to get some super cozy tanks with ribbon details, as well as a few pullover tops that would work well all year long for work looks with pencil skirts or for at night with an embellished cardigan & animal ankle booties.

These will come in especially handy since I’m headed out to Southampton in July for a Writer’s Conference! These are just two of the looks that I’ll be wearing, as I’ve already been forewarned that there will be come evening events where dressier clothes are recommended.  Now.. what shoes to pack?!  Happy Styling!