The Basement of the Bargains

Regular readers of this space are familiar with the name YOOX. After all, they discount designer fashions and accessories every day of the year. That means when they decide to blow things out, you’re getting them at an incredible deal you’ll never find anywhere else.

Well, right now they’re having a huge sale. If you act now, you can save up to 90% off their already insanely low prices. You’ll have to hurry, though, because the sale ends on the 19th.
This fun yet elegant Emilio Pucci leather wallet features the signature splashy, colorful print typical of the line. It also has a practical snap closure and internal coin pocket. When you pull this baby out of your purse, those in the know will be very sure who designed it, and those not in the know will probably still get a smile from the cheerful colors and exuberant lines.

How much did it cost originally? YOOX isn’t telling. But YOOX was selling it for $301.00. For a limited time, though, they’re selling it for just $150.00. That’s half off the low, low YOOX price! If I were you, I’d get my skates on!

There’s nothing like silk velvet to give an impression of luxury. And there’s nothing like a sale on it to make my little heart skip a beat with joy.

This fabulous silk velvet scarf from the Hippy Chix Shop is richly colored in black, brown, rust, and touches of gold and measures 14″ x 63″. Drape it dramatically around your neck, or use it as a very light weight summer stole. Heck, get two and use one as an unusual and superfantastic table runner! At the price, you can’t go wrong.

And what is that price? Well, normally this gorgeous scarf is a steal at just $29.00, but now through friday only it’s been marked down to a mere $20.30! And while you’re there, be sure to check out their other bargains. The look is fun and funky, the bargains are great, and they carry plus sizes for the more buxom lady. But remember, the sale ends Friday.

Whether you’re looking for a ring to grace any random finger prettily or a really standout wedding ring, this one from Sun Jewelry is well worth checking out.

Three gorgeous cushion cut amethysts weighing a total of 1.80 carats are set in 14k white gold (though you can trade up on the metal all the way to platinum, if you so desire, for a little extra cost) and accented by .04 carats of round cut white diamonds. All in all, this is one superfantastic piece of jewelry. It’s elegant, a touch understated, and very unexpected.

Best of all, it’s also very inexpensive for what it is. The suggested retail price for this ring is $683.00, but it can be ordered from Sun Jewelry for just $273.00! That’s a savings of $410.00! What’s not to love about that?

As the weather grows warmer and the mercury rises ever higher, I find myself thinking fond thoughts of ice cream, sorbets, and frozen yogurt. Delicious icy taste treats fill my thoughts and the tastebuds of my mind…and I long to fulfill my fantasies.

So imagine my delight when I was browsing Sur La Table and found this fantastic deal:

With this baby you can make your favorite frozen treats for yourself, which allows you to control what goes in as well as the fun of making something tasty. And it’s from Cuisinart, so you know it’s a quality product. It’s so easy you can have ice cream in as little as twenty minutes! It features a large spout for adding your favorite flavorings, a double-insulated freezer bowl, and a removable paddle and freezer bowl allowing for easy clean up. A book of recipes is included, and this ice cream maker doesn’t require ice, salt or chemicals. That means you can make your favorite sorbet or ice cream on the whim of a moment, which always makes ice cream taste better, if you ask me.

Best of all, it’s a great deal. The retail value is $110.00, but it’s been marked down to a mere $59.95, and just in time for summer cookouts and family picnics!

Of course, you’ll need a way to serve up those delicious frozen yogurts. And that’s where Cooking.com comes in. They have a fantastic deal on fun dessert bowls in Pfaltzgraff’s Beachcomber pattern.

These charming conch shell-shaped 6 oz. bowls will add a touch of humor to whatever you serve in them. What’s more, they’re dishwasher and microwave safe. They’re even oven safe up to 350F.

The suggested retail price for the set is $69.00, but at Cooking.com they’ve been discounted to just $47.95. Oh, and if you use code C95925 at checkout, this item qualifies for $5.99 flat rate shipping. Not bad.

It’s legendary that after excessive imbibing people are likely to find themselves seeing pink pachyderms. Now you can see the festive elephants without damaging your liver. All you need to do is head over to Amazon.com and check out this whimsical hobo bag by Vera Bradley.

It’s lightweight, roomy, and has interior pockets for holding necessities like your cell phone for easy access.

Not wild about those elephants? That’s okay. It comes in six other brightly-colored fun prints as well as this one.

Of course, if you’re seeing it here, you know it’s on sale. The original list price was $61.00. Amazon used to carry it for $45.75. Now, however, it’s been reduced to just $36.99! At that price, why not get two?

A great pair of earrings really finishes a look in a special way. Of course, the best ones are gorgeous in their own right, but don’t take attention away from your face. Subtlety as well as style is important.

These superfantastic rose quartz geometric dangle earrings by Lori Bonn fill the bill nicely. The simple lines and subtle coloring combine to enhance - but not upstage - you. What’s more, they’ll go with most colors you might want to wear. You’ll wear them again and again.

Of course, if you see it here, you know it’s a good deal, too. Normally these fabulous drops of gorgeous sell for $115.00, but right now Nordstrom has them on sale for just $76.90! That’s 33% off the original price…which is nearly as superfantastic as the earrings themselves.

Tax rebate checks are winging their ways across the country. On average, single Americans will be receiving $600.00 in order to stimulate the economy. President Bush has said that saving that money won’t help, nor will paying down debts. Therefore, I’m here to help us all do our patriotic duty to find a good way to spend this windfall. Of course, I believe firmly that just because we’re stimulating the economy doesn’t mean we can’t do so through finding good deals.

So how do you spend $600.00 and still save? I thought you’d never ask.

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I’m usually not that crazy about hyper-specialized cookware for things that can be easily produced another, simpler way. After all, when I want a humble cup of hot chocolate, it’s easy enough to simply whip out a decent saucepan, heat the sugar, cocoa powder and spices (I like to add cinnamon, cloves, and a dash of vanilla extract to deepen and intensify the flavor) with a dollop of water, then add some milk and pour it into a waiting mug as soon as it’s properly heated. Who needs a fancy special pot for making something that simple?

Looking at this handsome Mauviel hot chocolate pot, I think I just might.

It’s made of heat-responsive copper with an elegantly-turned ash handle so it’s well-nigh impossible to burn yourself. You can choose whether you prefer the natural copper color or the version with chrome plating (as shown).

And while my little saucepan will probably continue to be my ‘hot chocolate pot’ of choice when it’s just for me, the 25 oz. capacity of this beauty as well as its attractiveness makes it perfect for when the gang’s all there wanting cocoa. This pot would make that an event.

Best of all, since it’s not really hot chocolate season right now, the pot is on a killer sale at Williams-Sonoma. The copper version was originally priced at $170.00 and the chrome-plated one at $199.95. But you don’t need to pay that much. Right now you can get your choice as an internet special for just $79.99.

And remember, that dash of clove makes all the difference.

If you’re heading to the beach or a picnic or a garden party or an outdoor wedding, one thing you will absolutely need is a superfantastic hat to keep the sun out of your eyes and protect your skin from harmful UV rays. Oh, and to look spectacular, of course.

This Missoni wavy striped sunhat should fill the bill nicely for lounging by the pool or frolicking on the beach with equal aplomb. The cool shades of aqua and green are perfect for waterside fun, but if you don’t care for those colors, it’s also available in pink and chocolate.

Best of all, it’s available at a bargain price from NET-A-PORTER.COM. Originally priced at $420.00, it’s now marked down to just $210.00. Half off a Missoni original? That’s what I call a bargain!

In the normal course of events, I leave all questions of footwear to The Manolo’s superior talents. He is the expert, the master, and the tastemaker. I am but his loyal minion.

Today, however, comes a sale that I cannot pass up and cannot fail to inform you of, and that sale happens to be a gigantic one-day shoe sale at Bluefly.com. Both men’s and women’s shoes are available at a fraction of the original price, and even of Bluefly’s usual discount prices. Shoes like these superfantastic Stuart Weitzman bejeweled Cuando evening sandals.

The combination of elegant black peau de soie with rhinestones and amber-colored beads is timeless with a twist. Delicate yet bold, and just a tiny touch sassy, these sandals would be superfantastic at any formal event.

Best of all, they’re on sale, remember? The retail price on these beauties is $375.00. Bluefly usually sells them for $225.00, which is a great deal. Just for today, however, they are marked down to $112.99! That’s 70% off the retail price and more than $100.00 off the Bluefly bargain price!

Not in the market for evening sandals? Not to worry. There are literally hundreds of fabulous flats, pretty pumps, bitchin’ boots, wonderful wedges, and superfantastic slides available at bargain basement prices from all your favorite shoe designers. Sizes and stock are limited on some of these, so I’d recommend moving fast.