The Basement of the Bargains

We all have days when we just need to get in touch with our senses of humor. Alas! We still may need to look and act like responsible grownups on those days when we just want to giggle at stuff. On those days you need accessories that are practical and adult, but still express a sense of whimsey.

That’s when a purse like this one from Lulu Guiness comes in handy. At 8″ x 3″ x 7″ with a back wall zippered pocket in the interior lining, it will hold your basic needs in style. Being black, it will give a sense of adult dignity. But the silvertone studs spelling out the word ‘iconic’ on one side, and ‘ironic’ on the other will let everyone know you’re far from stuffy.

Of course, the best thing is knowing just how little you paid for it. The retail value of this delightful nod to the absurd is $250.00. But since you saw it here, you know to head over to 6pm and get it for just $115.00. There’s nothing like a 54% discount to let you have the last laugh!

One of the fastest ways to spruce up a tired bathroom is to change out the towels for something bright and fresh. A new color accent or exciting motif can make the room look as though you’ve upgraded a lot more.

These fabulous, funky poppy towels were designed by Jonathan Adler, who - in addition to his design work in pottery - is one of the judges of the popular Bravo TV show Top Design. That’s not why I love these towels. I love them because they’re bright, cheerful, fun, and on sale. It’s just fun to know who created that wonderful design.

Oh, that sale! That’s right. You can find these delightful towels on sale at Wrapables. The bath towels have been marked down to $9.99 apiece (regular price $20.95), while the hand and fingertip towels are now just $6.99 each (regular prices $10.95 - $15.95 each)! With a deal like that, you can mix and match them with each other or another solid or striped towel to your heart’s content. Give a set to a friend or family member while you’re at it.

And did I mention that there’s more? Right now Wrapables is giving away a free gift of poplar-scented soap leaves. All you have to do is place an order of at least $50.00 that includes at least one item from the bed and bath department.

So, pretty, practical things on sale plus a free gift? I don’t know about you, but I’m sold!

Who couldn’t use a bit of sparkle with the holiday season rapidly approaching? I know I could. In fact, I’d love this little bit of sparkle
:

Imagine yourself with 13 carats of emeralds set in sterling silver circling your wrist. Go on, imagine it. Isn’t that nice?

Of course what makes it even nicer is knowing you got a great deal on something so pretty. The list price on this gem of a bracelet is $300.00, but if you order it from Amazon
right now, you can get it for a mere $129.00. That’s 57% off the original price!

We can all use some new bedding now and again. Most of us can use a high-quality duvet. I don’t know anyone who wouldn’t want to slip into a high-thread-count bed and snuggle up. Well, now is your chance to do just that, even if you’ve taken a small hit in the recent economic crises.

This duvet set comes complete with two matching shams, all in 800 TC 100% Egyptian cotton. Choose from six attractive and versatile solid colors. I like the blue (shown), but you may prefer sage green, chocolate brown, crisp white, elegant ivory or classic taupe.

Oh, and that five hundred dollars I mentioned in the title? Well, you’ll actually save a little more than that if you order the set from SmartBargains today. See, the original price was $620.00, but it’s available now for the pittance of just $89.99 in your choice of Full/Queen or King size!

800 TC machine washable 100% Egyptian cotton duvet and matching pillow shams for less than a hundred dollars? And it’s not for a doll? How can you afford not to take advantage of this deal?

Oh, and while you’re there, check out their anniversary sale on jewelry and watches. Selected styles have been marked down an extra 20 to 40%!

I would probably get this gorgeous topaz and chalcedony choker for myself ($138.98, retail price $350.00, regular Smart Bargains price $179.99) and then find a really great watch for Mr. Twistie.

You know me. I love a good handbag. I love a good sale. When I find a site that combines the two, I just have to share it with you, my readers.

This Prada handbag is practically guaranteed never to go completely out of style. It’s a simple, sleek, classic design that’s going to look good no matter where you go or what else you wear. In short, this is a great investment bag that will be with you for years to come.

At its suggested retail price of $250.00, it’s a great price for such a standby piece. Well, how would you like to get it for only $85.00? If you’re as eager as I am to make that kind of a deal, then head over to ampmfashion right now, because they have this bag for that price!

A graceful piece of glass can make all the difference in a room. For my part, I want this one.

The Drop vase by Salviati is made of Murano glass in a lovely organic shape. 8 1/2″ tall with a 1/2″ opening for a single flower, it will look equally pretty without any flower at all. The soft blue coloring will make a nice accent in nearly any room, too.

And you know if you see it here it’s a good deal. The retail value is $130.00, but Bluefly has been selling it for just $64.99. Right now, though, Bluefly has it on a further sale for a mere $57.99!

What could be better than a gorgeous pearl necklace? How about a gorgeous chocolate pearl necklace on sale?

Take a look at this. Five strands of chocolate pearls that fasten with an elegant silver bar. Classic, yet unexpected, this necklace will win admiring looks no matter where you wear it.

And of course it never hurts that everyone will think you spent a lot more on it than you did. The suggested retail price is $399.98, but it’s on sale right now at UltraDiamonds for just $159.99!

Regular readers of this space are well aware of my long-standing love of Le Creuset cookware. It’s versatile, hard wearing, and gorgeous to boot. What’s not to love?

Okay, I’m not in love with the price tag. I don’t begrudge it, you understand, because it’s worth every single penny. What I don’t love about that price tag is how it’s all too often well out of my budget range when I need new cookware.

And that’s why I’m excited about the Le Creuset deals going on right now at Sur la Table.

This handsome and practical enameled cast iron soup pot, for instance, is a $150.00 value. Well, it’s on sale now for just $99.00! $51.00 off a pot that’s going to last you the rest of your life even if you make soup every single night is a great deal in and of itself, but there’s more for the savvy shopper right now.

If you spend $250.00 on selected Le Creuset items at Sur la Table, you’ll also get a red qt. enameled steel stockpot (retail value, $70.00) absolutely free!

If you love to cook, or you love someone who loves to cook, then you owe it to yourself to check out this incredible deal! And don’t forget, top-notch cookware makes a superfantastic gift to any enthusiastic cook on your holiday list.

Over and over again, people tell us you can’t fit circles into squares. That may be true of personalities, but luckily it’s not true of
earrings.

These 14k white gold square earrings have lovely round 5mm amethyst stones suspended in them. How lovely are those? They’ll add a chic touch to nearly any outfit.

And best of all, they’re on a killer sale at Overstock.com! The retail value is $210.00, but right now you can get them for a mere $91.97! That’s a savings of over $118.00! In other words, you’ll save more than you spend on these.

A great deal on a great handbag is superfantastic. Take for example this lovely Charles David Champs Elysees shopper:

Not only is it handsome, roomy, and practical, it’s also a hell of a deal at Amazon. The retail value is $375.00, but it’s on sale right now for a mere $129.00! That’s a savings of 65%!

But wait! There’s more! Right now if you buy a minimum of $25.00 in a single order from Amazon’s apparel or shoe store, and you can get a one-year subscription to either Lucky or Men’s Vogue, a $10.00 value, for free.