Friday Finds - Online Designer Deals

Like every other female on the planet, I love to shop. I will also cop to being a bit of a label snob when it comes to certain items....I'm a Coach purse girl all the way and I secretly get a little thrill out of being able to tell people that those shoes they just complemented me on are Michael Kors. Childish, superficial, and immature...yes I know...but I fully realize that and accept it.

Unfortunately, I'm also like a lot of women in that the only thing standing between me and a closet full of designer label clothing is severe lack of funds. More often than not....the designer items in my closet have been the result of very generous Christmas or birthday gifts from my parents.

So what's a girl to do when her bank account doesn't cooperate with her need for those new True Religion jeans or Juicy bag? Get on the internet of course!!! There's been a huge increase in online, exclusive members only shopping websites. Truthfully...the "exclusive" and "members only" titles are a bit of a joke, meant, I would assume, to lend each of these sites some....well exclusive feelings for their members....but honestly...all you really need is an email address...joining each of the sites below is completely free, although sometimes by invitation only...so what are you waiting for? Get joining and start saving!!

Haute Look
This site doesn't limit themselves to just clothing, but holds continuous, 48-hour sale events with the world's top fashion, accessories, beauty, kids and home brands. Each day, HauteLook offers discounts of 50 to 75 percent off to millions of their members.

ideeli
Features the most sought-after brands in fashion, home and beauty–at prices up to 80% off.  New brands are featured each day in sales starting at 12 p.m. EST. Sales last 40 hours, or until items are sold out. They also have weekly giveaways which has a surprise start time and last 7 hours (in most cases).You can also refer friends and receive a $25 shopping credit for each friend that buys. Free Money!!!

Rue La La
Membership at Rue La La is shaped by it's own current members. Membership is free, but is by invite only from a current member. Invite a friend that buys and you'll get a $10 credit. Rue La La's boutiques consist of some of the top fashion brand names in the industry, as well as accessories,  home, health and beauty, AND travel.

Beyond the Rack
Another by invitation only site, Beyond the Rack is a private shopping club for women and men who want designer brand apparel and accessories at prices up to 70% off retail. They obtain authentic designer merchandise and provide it exclusively to their members through limited-time events. Each event starts at a specific time and typically lasts only 48 hours. After each event ends the merchandise is no longer available. Members are notified by email in advance of each upcoming event according to their preferences.

Gilt Groupe
Gilt Groupe provides access, by invitation only, to Men’s, Women’s and Children’s coveted fashion and luxury brands at prices up to 70% off retail. Each sale lasts 36 hours and features hand selected styles from a single designer.

Friday Finds - Skinny Love

I've been on the hunt for a great, flattering pair of skinny jeans now for almost a year. I tried to avoid the trend for as long as possible, I was convinced it wasn't going to stick around plus...frankly....I'm a woman. I gots me some womanly curves and some not so super skinny thighs. To be honest, I was completely petrified of what trying skinny jeans on might do to my self esteem. I just envisioned gathering the nerve to take a pair into a dressing room and then having them get stuck with the waistband around my knees. Bikini season is bad enough thank-you-very-much. 

So....I'm almost afraid to say this in a public forum, but I'll do it anyway....I'm a dedicated shopper of the Target clothing department. I love that place. Granted...pretty much 100% of everything they sell there is made in China, but honestly, I don't make a lot of money, nor do I want to spend a lot of money on trends that are going to go out of style in a few months, but at the same time, I still want to look and feel hip and put together. I was strolling through the clothing department last week looking for black clothing to wear this weekend (long story involving a bachelorette party) and literally tripped over a pair of black, skinny jeans from Mossimo on the floor. 

I figured it was fate. That these jeans had literally been dropped in my path and so I had to try them on.

LOVE. So in love with these jeans. Bought them in black and in a dark wash with some silver studding. 

I wore them this weekend with both heels AND with flats and they were awesome both ways. The best part....they're $25. I'm. Not. Kidding. I'm so enamoured by these jeans, I might go back and buy the gray wash pair they have as well. 

The only thing missing now is the fall weather for me to wear the stitching out of these babies! But for now, I may have to suffer through the heat and wear them anyway!

Have a great weekend ya'll!!

Friday Finds - Consignment Clothing Boutiques in South Tampa

Jennifer was in college at UMASS-Amherst the first time she stepped foot into a Salvation Army. Ok...you can stop laughing or gagging or both but let us tell you she found the coolest Mickey Mouse t-shirt there in their little kids section. She wore that thing till there were holes in the arm pits and the color was almost unrecognizable. Since that day, her taste in pre-worn clothing has changed dramatically, sure the Salvation Army is still great for incidentals, but if you're looking for great designer or brand names, the consignment shops in South Tampa are the way to go! Here are a few of our favorites...

4225 W Bay to Bay Blvd

Tampa, FL 33629

Phone: 813.390.5180

Tues- Sat: 11:00 am-6:00 pm

Facebook

Formerly South Tampa Consignment, we love this little gem of a consignment store! Not only is Monica a consignor there but also a very frequent shopper (don't tell her hubby)! Sacre’ Bleu is owned by two savvy young women Amber and Angel who are super friendly and helpful. They focus on contemporary women’s clothing and accessories and they carry anything from department store brands to boutique brands. There really is something for everyone at every price point!!  Right now they have a ton of adorable sundresses and most are under $40. Get in there before they are gone!

Mention this blog and receive 10% off your purchase!!

4230 S MacDill Ave Ste F

Tampa, FL 33611

813.313.7210

M-F 10:00 am -6:00 pm

Sat: 10:00 am -5:00pm

http://www.shopfreshthreads.com/

Facebook

Monica checked out Fresh Threads last week and she was so glad she did! This quaint consignment boutique just opened up at a new location after sharing space with “Blue Moon Trading Company”. The new space is lovely, inviting and cheerful. She stayed for over an hour and sat in one of their big comfy white chairs and chatted with Elizabeth( one of the two owners) who filled her on the inventory. Fresh Threads specializes in women’s contemporary designer and vintage clothing and accessories. Elizabeth told Monica that so many of the items they have in the shop have never been worn before or have only been worn once!  Some of the pieces they currently have on consignment are by well known designers like Ella Moss, Lily Pulitzer, Hale Bob, Plenty by Tracy Reese and Milly. Their shoes and handbag collection varies from Steve Madden to Gucci and Louis Vuitton…Yes ladies we said Gucci and Louis Vuitton!!

Monica's lust items...

Louis Vuitton Monogram Viva Cite GM Shoulder Bag Purse. Approximate retail price $1080. Fresh Threads price $550!

Chanel cork and white patent wedge. New, never worn, in box. Size 37. Retail price $475. Fresh Threads price $356!

And Monica can’t stop thinking about this Ella Moss top! What a great price!

Ella Moss size Medium. Approximate retail price $118. Fresh Threads price $48!

Like these great steals aren’t enough, Fresh Threads has a very giving spirit. Every month they pick a charity and 10% of their profits are donated to that month’s charity. Shopping just got better! Plus they do monthly “Sip and Shops” where they spoil you with wine and munchies!

Become a fan on facebook (they're ALWAYS updating their pictures with new merchandise) or visit them online at http://www.shopfreshthreads.com/ for more information.

4912 S Lois Ave

Tampa, FL 33611

813.805.7600

http://www.triageconsignment.com/

Triage is South Tampa's biggest and oldest consignment store. In fact its as old as we are! It's been serving South Tampa since 1981. With 29 successful years under its belt, Triage definitely knows what they're doing. They not only carry women's clothing and accessories but a huge selection of furniture and home decor.

A trip to Triage won't leave you dissappointed they carry everything from casual wear to cocktail dresses. Their assortment of clothing varies from Ann Taylor to Lily Pulitzer with lots of boutique brands mixed in.  If you have money left over after shopping their clothing side stop over and check out their home section.

Interested in Consigning? Most feature shops are accepting consignors please contact them individually for their policies and procedures.

Personally, we love cleaning out our closets and consigning pieces that don't fit any more, we never wear, or are no longer in style. It’s so fun to pick up a check after our items have sold at our local favorite consignment stores. It’s like free money!! And you know what that means!! Time to shop! Spend your extra mad money with us!! You know you want to!!