The Basement of the Bargains

What woman can’t use a really gorgeous brooch? Whether you want to hold a scarf in place or soften the look of a business jacket, there’s nothing like a really beautiful piece of jewelry to do the trick.

This fabulous silver and topaz brooch from Kalevala is both handsome and distinctive. It’s also on sale.

Normally priced at $274.00, it’s now 25% off at Finnstyle.com. That means you can have it for just $205.50. And UPS ground shipping is just $5.95 no matter how much you order!

So many gorgeous bracelets, so little cash flow.

I’m sure that’s a situation you know as well as I do. The good news is you have me to hunt down the best deals and show them to you.

My favorite deal of the day? Is this superfantastic sterling silver and denim blue murrano glass bracelet found at Overstock.com.

Bold links of silver and a fashionable toggle closure combine with exuberant blue Murrano glass millefiore heart-shaped beads to create a sassy bracelet awash with attitude. The woman who wears this knows who she is and isn’t afraid to share her with the world.

Of course, she’s also the sort of woman who wants to get the best possible deal because she’s no fool. That’s why she’s getting it at Overstock.com. They took this $205.00 bracelet and slashed the price by 63% so you pay just $75.99.

After all, a girl’s got to have shoes, too.

In the hands of Uncle Frank after he’s had a couple beers, a camera is a dangerous thing likely to produce only blurry images of random people and unidentifiable objects. In the hands of an artist, it’s an entirely different beast that can reveal our world and our true selves.

A camera in the hands of Kendall Nelson, for instance, can produce images as beautiful and moving as this:

Printed in glorious black and white via the giclée process (a sophisticated process that produces fine art prints from a digital source), it will grace your wall and captivate your eyes.

Pottery Barn has produced a limited number of these handsome photographs and framed them using archival-quality materials. Each one is signed and numbered.

And each one is on sale! Originally priced at $300.00, it’s now half off, so you pay just $149.99.

Now if I can just find a bare spot on my wall….

Fabulous new styles are coming in right now at Bluefly. The Fall lines are arriving thick and fast, and with them some superfantastic deals on fabulous designer pieces.

So what am I loving? This fun and funky metallic leather clutch purse by Hayden-Harnett.

It comes in your choice of black, pale gold, or (as shown) bronze with a detachable 10″ wrist strap for convenience and security. From the leather rosette detail and self whip-stitching on the outside to the suede lining on the inside, this light-hearted clutch has it all.

And now you can get it from Bluefly for 40% off the retail price. That means instead of spending $132.00 to finish your look with both style and humor, you’re only going to spend $79.00!

It’s nearly August, so we all know what that means: the Fall lines are hitting the stores. What does that mean for you? Pre-season sales!

For instance, Nordstrom has a great selection of fabulous fall coats and jackets on pre-season sale until August 4. Right now you can get a great bargain on the newest styles to keep you snuggly warm through the winter.

I’m loving this double-breasted, princess-seamed, skirted peacoat in a wool/polyester/rayon blend by GUESS by Marciano. It’s fun and flirty with plenty of detailing to make you look and feel superfantastic. Not wild about the fuschia color? Don’t worry. It comes in basic black, too.

It also comes in both Regular and Women’s sizes up to 3X (22/24). Come August 4, you’ll have to pay $168.00 or $188.00, respectively. If you act now, though, you can get this adorable peacoat for just $109.90 for Regular or $124.90 for Women’s sizes.

And if this one isn’t your style, be sure to check out the whole coat sale. With all the choices, there’s sure to be something that fits your budget and your taste with ease.

Serious cooks agree: KitchenAid stand mixers are exceptional. Not only are they handsome sitting on the countertop, they’re also sturdy and efficient at what they do. More than that, they’ve been known to last longer than even stunningly prolific home bakers. It’s a difficult combination to beat.

But what to do if you haven’t got the counterspace or the cash? What if you only use a mixer once in a very blue moon and were raised with a hand-held? Does that mean you’re forever barred from the wonders of KitchenAid?

No, it most emphatically does not mean any such thing! Why? Because KitchenAid now brings their understanding of mixing technology and strong sense of beautiful design to a hand-held model at a fraction of the price of their famous stand mixers.

The cheerful pastel and retro look of these mixers will make them fun to look at, while the legendary KitchenAid construction guarantees that you’ll be able to mix whatever you need for years.

Lightweight for easy handling, this mixer features nine different speeds, including the ’start slow’ feature, which is handy for making sure your flour stays in the bowl and not on your floor! Comes standard with both beater and whisk attachments. The beaters and whisks are dishwasher safe, while the hand unit is best wiped clean. Just choose whether you want orange, yellow, or green and get to work making cupcakes, cookies, and whipped cream to your heart’s content.

Oh, and did I mention it’s on sale? Head on over to Sur La Table and get this baby at a bargain. The regular price is $89.95, but right now you can get it for just $69.99 while limited supplies last!

Sometimes the best way to really make an outfit sing is with a classic piece of silver jewelry. I found just such a piece today at Amazon.com.

This elegant necklace by Netaya is the perfect finishing touch to nearly any outfit. It’s 17″ long with a lobster claw fastening. Whether you’re looking for something to dress up a casual look or add the perfect touch to a great party dress, this one will fit the bill perfectly.

Best of all, it’s a great deal. The list price for this beauty is $175.00, but it’s on sale at Amazon right now for just $63.00. That’s a savings of $112.00!

Need the pot sweetened a little more? No problem! Now through July 29, order a minimum of $100.00 of selected Netaya products, and you’ll not only get an extra $25.00 off your order, but free shipping anywhere in the continental United States as well!

So, to sum up, look superfantastic, save a bundle, save some more, and don’t pay for shipping. I don’t know about you, but I see no downside to this deal…unless it’s the difficulty of choosing between all those beautiful pieces of jewelry. Then again, with this deal you may not need to choose.

Today only, Saks Fifth Ave is offering a great deal: spend at least $250.00 with them, and get free shipping and a gift card good toward your next purchase. Depending on how much you spend, the gift card can be anywhere from $25.00 up to $450.00!

Of course, some restrictions apply, but a careful reading of the rules tells me that sale items count toward the total. That means you could splurge and buy this handsome Ralph Lauren silverplated cachepot which can be used as either a grand centerpiece for your table or as a serving piece

for the bargain price of just $346.50 (regular price $495.00), and get yourself a gift card worth $25.00 off your next purchase.

Or you could choose several smaller items, like this handsome journal and card case set in your choice of black, brown, or orange goatskin leather for $45.50 (regular price $65.00), or this elegant pair of chalcedony drop earrings by Arena CPH for a mere $72.00 (regular price $120.00). Take care of gifts for your bridal party or stock up on Christmas gifts before the rush hits. Then save yourself money both on shipping and your next Saks purchase.

It just makes sense.

Bluefly is having a 20% off sale on all their dresses right now. Vera Wang, Marc Jacobs, Sweet Pea, Betsey Johnson…and the list goes on for a long time. So what design caught my eye? That would bethis one by Nicole Miller:

The feather print in shades of blue and black is embossed on pique silk, and the dress is fully lined in chiffon. It sounds as light and soft as the feathers printed on it. The back is low-cut and shaped with a bit of smocking while the front is held in place by slender halter straps on a ruched U neckline. Just slip it over your head, accessorize to taste, and have a great time!

Originally this dress would have cost you $275.00. Bluefly normally sells it for just $165.00. But if you take advantage of the dress sale going on now, you can get this fabulous, filmy designer party dress for a mere $132.00, or 52% off the retail price.

Also at Bluefly, fans of Bravo’s hit series Project Runway (and I know I’m not the only one who wants to take Tim Gunn home with me) may be interested to know that Season 4 winner Christian Siriano’s new line is currently available at Bluefly for ‘up to 40% off’…though the only sales I saw were all 20% off. My verdict? Fierce, of course!

Whether the answer is yes or no, this gorgeous ceramic nautilus shell shaped vase is sure to look superfantastic in your home.

The artist is a fourth-generation ceramicist working in her family’s factory in Italy, where the family has worked for a century. It’s hand both inside and out for a smooth, lustrous finish. Fill it with flowers or just set it out by itself and instantly add a touch of grace wherever you place it.
And of course it’s on sale since you’re seeing it here. Williams-Sonoma Home originally carried this lovely piece for $148.00. Right now, though, you can get it from them for just $99.99. That’s a savings of nearly fifty dollars…which could buy you a rather spectacular floral display to go in it.