The Basement of the Bargains

With the current popularity of French cuffs for both men and women, a good pair of cufflinks is a great accessory to have on wrist, if not on hand. The key is to pick something both attractive and a bit understated. After all, you don’t want your cuffs to distract attention from your face or what you’re saying.

The solution? This handsome pair of enamlled sterling silver cuff links by LBB.

The soft blue and silver coloring is both dignified and understated, but the polka dot pattern adds a touch of good humor.

The best thing of all, though is the price tag. Saks originally carried these links for $75.00, but they’ve been marked down to just $44.90.

With the weather getting warmer and the birds chirping outside my window, my mind turns to the fun of having an al fresco dining experience or two. Alas! I’ve gone picnicking before only to break a precious plate, and goodness knows there’s no delight in dining on paper ones. So what is a superfantastic outdoor diner to do?

She should head right on over to visit Rosanna and check out her sales section.

These witty and charming plates are made of sturdy, practical, lightweight melamine which is perfect for a picnic. The designs are taken from Victorian woodcuts and rendered in classic black on white. They’ll look elegant straight from the basket, and make an appetizing backdrop for your best finger foods and salads.

Not so long ago, a set of four dinner plates in this pattern would have set you back $44.00 and the salad plate set would have cost $32.00. Now, though, the dinner plates are just $33.00 and the salad plates $24.00. The platter is - alas! - sold out. On the other hand, you can still get the charming black polka dot glasses shown here, and they’re also on sale.

If there’s one accessory I believe every woman should own, it’s a really fabulous necklace to fill out those empty evening necklines. This dramatic Lee Angel leaf and branch necklace would fill the bill beautifully.

With its gold tone hardware and freshwater pearl details, it’s sure to be a hit at your next party.

Normally, it would cost you $345.00 to make that impression, but you can have it all for a very impressive 50% off. That’s right, Net A Porter has this gorgeous necklace for just $172.50.

I was amused to see this cheerful, colorful rug

by Colorfields given the clearly inappropriate name of ‘Melancholy.’ I, for one, can’t help smiling when I look at it.

My smile got even wider when I realized the great deal it is at Smart Bargains. Originally it ran up to $190.00, but it’s on sale now. You can get the 2′2″ x 7′10″ runner for just $89.99, or you can get the 3′6″ x 5′6″ version for a mere $99.99. That’s a great deal on 100% wool with hand hooked loop pile and handsewn edges for durability.

But hurry if you want this one! They’re nearly gone!

Go on. Make your feet happy.

Sometimes it’s hard to be both fashionable and professional. Then again, sometimes someone comes along and makes it a little easier.

This lucious Piquadro briefcase is a case in point. It hits the current bright color trend perfectly, but remains a respectable and adult way of carrying important files from office to client and back again. The sleek lines will impress your boss, while the delicious ochre color will bring smiles to those who see it. Of course, if you’re not ready to take the plunge of a bright golden briefcase, it’s also available in a more discreet, but equally pretty, navy blue.

Best of all, it’s less expensive than you’d think. Why? Because you can get it from YOOX.com for just $173.00. It would be easy to spend twice as much on something only half as nice. But that would be silly, wouldn’t it?

There’s nothing like a relaxing cuppa and a little something either sweet or savory in the middle of the afternoon. Of course it’s more than possible to simply dunk a Lipton’s tea bag into any random mug and snag a Krispy Kreme…but then the ritual and the sense of self-nurture is lost.

To have a good, soul-sustaining afternoon tea (high tea is, ironically enough, not the fancy one but a working class version of dinner) there needs to be a bit more. A pretty tea pot, some good quality tea, and hopefully cucumber or watercress sandwiches can really make the experience something more than a simple snack.

Ralph Lauren clearly understood the concept when he designed this charmingly festive tea set.

There’s a nod to the East in the bamboo handle on the pot and the four Asian style tea cups with no handles or saucers. Add some simple dessert plates, and you’ve got the perfect look to delight the eyes along with your taste buds. And since the set has been marked down from $135.50 to a mere $99.99, you’ll have enough left over for some good tea and a couple small treats, besides.

Make mine Darjeeling, please.

Good knives make a big difference in the kitchen, and all knives are definitely not created equal. Some of the best on the market are made by Wusthof. Alas! Such quality does not usually come cheap.

Usually, however, is not always.

Through the end of March, cooking.com is holding a huge sale on Wusthof knives. This 18-piece set with handsome wooden knife block would normally sell for over $650.00. Cooking.com usually sells it for the excellent bargain price of $249.95. But this month, they’ve slashed even that price down to $199.96! That’s less than one third of the usual retail price!

One of the great ironies of the world is that when you need something, it’s often difficult to afford it, but the instant you have little use for it, the darn thing goes on an irresistable sale. Of course, for the smart shopper, this is useful to know. We seek these deals out when everyone else is looking the other way.

And so it is that you might find it a good idea to head over to the Nordstrom website today. You may not need a coat right this instant, but with the huge coat sale they have going on, you can be the lucky woman who isn’t trying to figure out how to afford a new winter coat right before Christmas.

For instance, this spiffy Calvin Klein quilted satin jacket manages to be both puffily warm and sleek at the same time. It will keep you warm and toasty without adding a lot of bulk to your silhouette. It even includes a pocket specifically designed for your cell phone and is machine washable. That makes it practical as well as stylish.

It’s available in both Misses and Petite sizes and comes in four colors. What’s more, it’s been marked down from $138.00 to just $68.90!

So head over to Nordstrom. Whether you’re looking for a warm up jacket, a winter coat, or an elegant evening wrap, chances are they have what you’re looking for…and at a great deal.

It’s no secret to anyone who’s read this blog for long that I love bracelets. It’s my considered opinion that the right piece of jewelry can easily make the difference between an outfit that looks pulled together, and one that looks unfinished. Having a few really great bracelets is a great way expand your repetoire of looks without expending all your cash, too.

Take a look, for instance, at this elegant Ted Rossi double bangle bracelet finished with an outsized, yet oddly understated, Swarovski crystal.

It’s dramatic enough to go with a sexy evening dress, yet sophisitcated enough to really sell a simple black turtleneck when you’re feeling terribly Bohemian. In addition to the champagne color featured here, it also comes in gold and silver tones.

Best of all, this wonderful little gem is on a killer sale right now at Pink Mascara. Originally priced at $124.00, it’s been marked down to a thrifty $62.00. In the words of a famous hair dye brand, aren’t you worth that?