The Basement of the Bargains

Now that we are officially past the vernal equinox, it’s time to start considering the important things in life: partying on the patio, for one. A good garden or pool party is always a lot of fun, but one does need plenty of glasses and pretty ones are usually very expensive.

Luckily for you, though, you’re reading this.

Take a look at these superfantastic Nachtmann Giardino amber water glasses.

The glorious orange color looks fabulous no matter where it goes, the graceful lines draw the eye happily, and the 10 3/4 oz. capacity will allow any thirst to be quenched with ease. Or you could always use it to serve an elegant parfait for dessert.

Each piece is carefully hand crafted of 24 per cent lead crystal via a combination of centuries-old techniques and the most advanced, eco-friendly technology.

With craftsmanship and beauty like this, you’d expect to pay a bundle, wouldn’t you? Well, once upon a time you’d have had to shell out about eighty dollars for a set of four. Right now, though, Amazon has them for just $16.24 for a set of four! That’s a savings of 80%! $16.24! For four lead crystal goblets! You could easily spend that much on plastic! What’s more, if you buy $25.00 worth of qualifying merchandise, these glasses are eligible for Free Super Shipping. Get two sets and don’t pay a penny to have them delivered to your door.

There’s nothing like a good pair of earrings to complete a look. Whether you’re dressing up or dressing down, something sparkly at your lobes can really make or break the finished effect.

If you’re in the market for a good pair of earrings, you might do worse than to take a look at these elegant gold-set garnet and diamond dangles available from Sun Jewelry.

Each earring features a one carat garnet set in 14k gold. That’s a total of two carats of garnets and .02 carats of diamonds.

Whether you’re headed for dinner with friends, the hottest new club or a night at the opera, these beauties will look fabulous.

Best of all, they’re a steal! The retail value is placed at $315.00, but you can get them from Sun Jewelry for just $126.00! That’s a savings of nearly two hundred dollars, which means you might be able to afford orchestra seats.

Is there anything cheerier than a pretty vase filled with bright spring blooms? If so, I don’t know what that might be. If you’re in the market for that pretty vase, you might want to head over to Overstock.com and take a look at this handsome celadon ceramic one in their Worldstock collection.

At 5.9″ high and 3.2″ in diameter, this is a perfect way to display a single bloom or a small bunch of pretty posies. It’s handmade in Thailand and offered in partnership with NOVICA, in association with National Geographic. Artist Duangkamol Srisukr specializes in Thai and Chinese reproductions in order to preserve traditional techniques for future generations.

Normally this lovely vase would cost you $46.95, but it’s on sale right now for just $24.99. That’s a savings of 47%, leaving you plenty of cash to get those flowers.

Animal prints are big right now. For my part, I prefer a bit of fantasy in the execution of these prints. That means this cute sleeveless sweater from Old Navy hits both the trend and my taste perfectly.

The fun zebra print is carried out in soft ivory and a pretty brick red that will look great in the spring and summer sun. It’s machine washable 100% cotton, so it’s easy care and will breathe on days when the heat means you barely can. Pair it with jeans, a pretty skirt, or a flirty pair of capris to finish the look.

Originally priced at just $26.50, it’s been marked down to a remarkable $16.99!

Now that spring is upon us, there are going to be a lot of people looking to set up their first kitchen. Students about to graduate and fly the nest, newlyweds, whatever the reason, lots of new kitchens are being organized as we speak. If someone you love is about to start that new life, why not help out with the gift of really good cookware?

This gorgeous and practical six-piece set of Le Creuset cookware includes a 5 1/2 qt Dutch oven with lid, a 10″ square grill pan, a 14″ x 10″ baking pan, and a 3 1/2 qt braiser with lid. Don’t like the Lemongrass shade? That’s okay. It comes in six other delicious colors, as well.
Usually, this terrific set would set you back $930.00, but right now the Williams Sonoma website is selling it exclusively for the bargain price of $549.95. That’s a savings of nearly $400.00! But remember, you can only get this deal online and only at Williams Sonoma.

Springtime is perfect for bright, vibrant colors and fun details. That’s what makes this fabulous Alexia Admor stretch lace tank dress so perfect right now.

Salmon pink stretch lace and hip-grazing gold trim make this a fun and flirty party dress that will bring a smile to many a face.

Just don’t tell them how little you paid for it! The retail value is $176.00. Bluefly.com originally carried it for a thrifty $105.00. Now, though, they’ve reduced it to just $61.99! That’s well over $100.00 in savings!

Macy*s is having a great sale on jewelry right now, so I headed over to check it out. Lo and behold, this ring caught my eye in a big way:

Those are multicolored sapphires set between two rows of diamonds for a spectacular sparkle.

The original price on this beauty was $1,500.00, but it’s been marked down to just $899.00. Plus, if you buy it right now you can get a pair of diamond stud earrings to go with it for just $59.00! Now that’s what I call a bargain.

Sometimes it takes a little hunting to find the perfect perfume. Even if it smells good in the bottle, that doesn’t mean it’s going to react well with your particular body chemistry. You may find that while it smells pretty, it doesn’t really excite you enough to be your signiture scent. You may simply prefer variety over consistency and not want to settle on just one perfume for all occassions.

But buying perfume gets pricey awfully quickly - particularly if you prefer designer scents.

What to do? Why sign up for Perfume Emporium’s Mini of the Month Club, of course!

<> Each month you’ll receive a new sample bottle of a designer scent. Calvin Klein, Dolce & Gabbana, Versace…this is your chance to try out those wildly expensive perfumes without spending a lot of money. A six-month membership with cost you just $50.00, a 58% savings over the retail value of $120.00. The twelve-month membership is $100.00, down from the retail value of $240.00. The It also makes a great gift for someone who likes to dabble with scents. There’s even a men’s mini club for the guy who likes to smell good, too.

There’s nothing like the perfect purse to complete an outfit. The best ones are both practical in terms of what they carry, gorgeous in their own right, and subtle enough to support rather than overpower or clash with the rest of your look.

You’ll get the best of all worlds with this superfantastic Anuschka satchel.

The subtle palette goes with a wide range of colors, while the fabulous lotus flower motif will catch many an eye. The size is right, too. At 12.25″ x 7″ x 5.25″ you’ll be able to fit anything you need inside this satchel. It’s even easy to keep organized with three top-zipped pockets.

Best of all, if you head over to Amazon.com right now, you’ll find this handsome piece for less than half price! Originally $441.00, it’s been marked down 54% to just $200.95!

Now that’s what I call a good deal on a gorgeous and practical piece of art.

I love batik. Even saying the name is fun. The look is fabulous. It’s usually done in glorious bright colors that make my heart sing, too.

And so it was that I looked upon this batik robe and drooled.

The gold batik print on sumptuous red is both elegant and earthy. It’s 100% rayon, one size fits most. Be sure to hand wash and air dry, so as to avoid shrinkage.

And yes, it’s a bargain, too! Originally priced at $75.95, Overstock.com now carries it for just $48.99. Now that’s what I call a good deal on a great item!