What to Shop for in April: Get More For Less!

If you follow the retail sales calendar, you'll find the best bargains each month. In April look for deals on:

• Clothing: Spring Clothing  (Clears Out for Summer Wear)
• Cruises
• Digital Cameras
• Easter Clearance
• Fabrics
• Paint
• Patio Furniture
• Sneakers
• Vacuum Cleaners
• Yard and Garden Supplies

This is the 5th in a series of blog posts on how to Get More For Less.

Check out: What to Shop for in: March, February, January and December. See also 10 Shopping Tips: Get More For Less.

Straw Bags: Trend for Spring 2010

I was happy when I read what Vogue.com said, "Chic, sturdy and classic, bags and shoes spun from real straw introduce a new category to the growing trend of natural looking accessories."

I am so there. 

My small straw purse goes with just about anything I wear in the summer--from shorts and jeans to skirts and dresses. Very chic.

And when I go to the beach I take my big straw tote, similar to the bag in the above photo (was $34 now $15). I throw everything... and the kitchen sink... into this bag. And then I'm ready to go! I can almost smell the sunscreen!

Here are some of my priced-right picks so you can be on top of the trend. Some bags are on sale:

Magid Milan Straw Shoulder Bag $19.95

Nautical Striped Straw Tote $12.80

Oversized Straw Tote $24.00

Metallic Straw Clutch $19.00
Magid Straw Tote $20.90
Straw Studios Double Handled Basket Bag  was $48.00  now $19.99

Aurielle-Carrryland Laguna Beach Straw Hobo was $30.00 now $24.00

Bamboo 54 Pandanus Tote Rectangle Coconut was $36.00 now $23.99

The Look of Vintage: Jewelry

I am a sucker for jewelry that looks like it came from grandma's jewelry box. Delicate floral necklaces. Dramatic art deco earrings. Statement Rings. Or a sweet cameo pin, like the one above. Jewelry that is timeless.

Here are some jewelry picks with prices more like grandma paid:

Linda Lacquer Earrings: $4.80

Multi-stone Cluster Ring: $24.00 (also in Coral)

Gold Vintage Floral Necklace: $8.98

Rose Embossed Bangle: $5.80 (also in Cream and Rose colors)

Vintage Lace Filigree Earring: $16.50

Vintage Filigree Stud Earrings $14.00

Kennice Ring: $24.00

Rhinestone Bracelet Set: $10.90 (set of 4)

Delicate Initial Necklace: $18.00

Mixed Chain and Pearl Bracelet $19.00

3 Easter Surprises... Hoppin' Down the Bunny Trail

With Easter around the corner, I'm in a bunny state of mind. Bunnies bouncing all over the place-- chocolate bunnies, colorful stuffed bunnies and a charming silver bunny necklace.

First up, the cutest chocolate bunny (above) I've ever seen. Those adorable floppy ears, get me.


Almost too cute to take a bite... almost! But who can resist nibbling on this Toffee Bunny from Vosges Haut-Chocolat. The interior is deep milk chocolate, butter toffee and a pinch of pink Himalayan salt. The 2.5 ounce bunny is solid chocolate. Yummy bunny!


In addition to Toffee Bunny you can buy 3 different flavors: Amalfi Bunny: White chocolate with lemon zest and pink peppercorns, Barcelona Bunny: 45% deep milk chocolate, hickory smoked almonds and grey sea salt and Orchid Vanilla Bunny: 62% dark chocolate and Tahitian vanilla bean.


Who can resist this bunny? Not me!


Online: Vosges Haut Easter Bunnies: $12.00
web: www.vosgeschocolate.com
or retail stores: Vosges Boutiques

High Flying Easter Bunnies by Bliss Forest

Woo-Hoo! A basket of bunnies in jelly bean colors! Your very own soft, snuggle bunny is waiting for you.

The high flying Bunnies are made with care by Bliss Forest.

Say hello to Sunny Bunny!

Love that cotton tail!

Each bunny is sewn sturdy with no removable parts, out of cotton and anti-pill fleece. Your high flying Bunny of choice is 8" tall and full of love.


One sweet bunny or a bunch of bunnies in your child's basket on Easter morning is sure to bring a smile.


High Flying Easter Bunnies: $18.00 (NOTE: For Easter Shipping: Last Day to Order is Friday, March 19th.)


I found Bliss Forest on Etsy.com
Web: www.etsy.com/shop/BlissForest

Hello Bunny Necklace by ForevermoreCreations

Hippity Hoppity Easter's on it's way!


What better way to welcome the holiday then with this adorable bunny charm necklace. Exquisitely crafted by ForevermoreCreations, this delicate necklace with its modern look, is a fashionable pick all year round.


The bunny charm is made of antique-finished pewter and measures 1/2" tall and 3/8"wide and comes on a 16" silver-plated chain with a lobster clasp. Your bunny necklace arrives in a organza gift bag.


Hello Bunny Necklace: $13.00


I found ForevermoreCreations on Etsy.com.
Web: www.etsy.com/shop/forevermorecreations


photo credits:
Chocolate Bunny: Vosges Haut-Chocolat
High Flying Easter Bunnies: Bliss Forest
Bunny Charm Necklace: ForevermoreCreations

Two Spring 2010 Sandal Trends: Wedges and Espadrilles

Rock wedge heels or espadrilles this spring.

About.com's Fashion Shoe Editor, Desiree Stimpert says wedges are "great for showcasing some of the season's other top trends like rope and cork accents."

I'm loving these cork wedgies (above). I'm loving $19.99.


Espadrilles have been around forever, but are a big trend this season. Burberry and Tory Burch are each offering an adorable espadrille flat at a designer price point.


How about this cute and comfy-looking espadrille from TopShop that comes in a variety of colors for $24.00.


This lovely canvas espadrille from Old Navy (below) has a wedge heel. With this look, an espadrille wedge--you're hitting both trends. It comes in 5 different colors for $24.50. The gloss.com says, "this spring espadrille wedges are back in every color and fabric imaginable."


"We're seeing a lot of navy this spring," says the StyleObserver.com. 


That's why this sandal would be a great choice, and a perfect complement with this season's nautical trend.

What to Shop for in March: Get More For Less!

This is the fourth in a series of blog posts on how you can get the best bargains every month by following the retail sales calendar.


In March, think spring and go clothes shopping for a new wardrobe. (I don't mind, use me as an excuse.) Plus you want to start planning that summer vacation and buy your luggage now!


Winter might be almost over, but it's time to look for deals in ski equipment.


Here's what to look for:

• Air Conditioners
• China and Glassware
• Frozen Foods (National Frozen Foods Month)
• Garden Supplies (pre-season)
• Luggage
• Pre-Easter Sales
• Spring Clothing and Shoes
• Storm Windows
• Washers and Dryers
• Winter Sports Gear (skis and skates)

Check out the retail calendar for: December, January and February. Plus you can also check out my post on 10 Shopping Tips: Get More for Less.

photo credit: 

http://www.flickr.com/photos/markhillary/ / CC BY 2.0

20 Things Under $25 I Love...Part 4 (Stuff that Would Not Fit In A Category)

This is the 4th in a series of posts of "20 Things Under $25 I Love." Part 1 focused on 5 Favorite Foods... Part 2 on Beauty Items... and Part 3 on Fashion. 

ThomasPaul

The designer, Thomas Paul, got his start working as an intern for DKNY. He moved from designing neckties for Calvin Klein and Bill Blass to designing his own neckwear line. Then he launched into the home accessories business with his lovely modern pillows. Don't you love his big bold patterns. You can drool over his trays.

14" Thomas Paul Hong Kong Tray  $12 (top, clockwise)

14" ThomasPaul Aviary Tray $12 

14 " ThomasPaul Folk Tray $12

I featured a Floral Tray of his that made me go "wow!" See "Pamper Yourself in 2010: A Cup of Tea, a Book and a Smile."

Wallpaper City Guide Florence 

Wallpaper City Guide Rome 

Wallpaper City Guides are beautiful little paperbacks chock full of photographs and insider information on every page. From landmarks to shopping, escapes, urban life, hotels and much more. Phaidon offers over 80 city guides from Amsterdam to Zurich.


If I can’t go to Italy tomorrow, I can always dream today.


Wallpaper City Guide Florence: $9.95
Wallpaper City Guide Rome: $9.95

Phaidon Store online store
New York Store: 100 Wooster Street, New York, New York/212-925-1900

Orla Kiely Scribble Spot Flower  a6 Notebook

I received this Orla Kiely notebook from a dear friend. I am a big admirer of the Orla Kiely brand. Kiely’s purses, clothes and home accessories always look fresh and modern. 

The notebook is great for jotting down ideas for projects or lists of things...I’m always making lists and now I can keep them in one place. 

You can tell I love it. It has gotten a lot of use. 


You, however, can pick up an un-used one for $13.00.


To purchase: Orla Kiely Scribble Spot Flower a6 Notebook

20 x 200

Art for $20? Yes!

Jen Bekman, the curator of 20 x 200, had an idea to make art available for everyone. The gallery offers two new pieces a week: one photo and one work on paper. There are a number of sizes and price ranges. I bought an 8 x 10 photo by Dan Broadman. I am so happy with it. (of course, I am not a photographer. The photo looks so much nicer in person.)

The Beach

Okay, technically the beach is not really a thing. But I'm a real water junkie and I can't help but include it.


Fire Island, NY has one of my favorite beaches (see above photo).  A 31-mile narrow strip of clean, white sand off of  the south shore of Long Island, it includes a national park, a state park and a federal wilderness area. Fire Island also has approximately 17 communities, which do not allow cars. It is a unique place.


When the weather gets nice, enjoy a day trip to the barrier island. You can pay a nominal fee per car and take the 8.1 causeway over to the Robert Moses State Park. 

Photo credit: Fire Island beach: 

http://www.flickr.com/photos/eoringel/ / CC BY 2.0