The Basement of the Bargains

It’s just past eight in the morning, and I’m already longing to throw myself into a huge vat of ice and not come out all day. In honor of that, I went looking for something very cool to recommend for today.

This superfantastic 100% cotton knit tank top is listed at The GAP as being trimmed in macrame. It doesn’t look like any macrame I’ve ever seen (and I was there for the macrame craze of the 70’s, so I know what it looks like!), but it does look pretty, flirty, and seventeen kinds of fun. It also - and this is big - looks very, very cool and breezy. And for gals like me who lack the shoulders, it also looks like it will stay up where it belongs. Have I mentioned lately that I’m in love with the person who invented the racerback? Because I am.
Available in sizes XS to XXL in your color choice of Optic White or Pink Daquiri, this pretty tank should help you beat the heat. Oh, and the price? Cannot be beaten. Originally $34.50, it’s been marked down to just $19.99. And did I mention it’s pure cotton that breathes?

I know it’s hot out. But remember during winter when I found you all those cool-as-a-cucumber bargains you’re thanking me for now? Well, it’s going to get cold again in a few months, so now’s the perfect time to stock up on things most people are too hot and bothered to even think of.

And so it is that I point out this great deal on a gorgeous cashmere double-fringed scarf over at Vivre.com.

The artist, Meg Cohen, brushes dried flowers across the surface of her scarves to enhance the natural softness and texture of them. And just look at those lucious colors! I can’t decide whether I like the orange, the plum, or the blue best…but the other three colors are also delicious.

In the season, this scarf cost $350.00, but now when the summer’s got us all panting for a little shade, it can be yours for just $140.00. A savings of a cool $210.oo wouldn’t hurt my feelings about now!

Okay, you know I love cooking. You know I love jewelry. Well, I’ve found something that combines two of my favorite things with my absolute favorite thing of all: a great deal.

This lovely sterling silver charm bracelet is exclusively available from Sur la Table and comes complete with seven kitchen-related charms including a cookbook entitled ‘Sur la Table.’ Both the charms and the bracelet are rhodium-plated to prevent tarnishing, and the charms come with a lifetime warranty.

The original price of $199.95 wasn’t at all a bad deal, as these things go, but I like this even more now that it’s been marked down to just $99.99. Now, how to get Mr. Twistie to notice it for my birthday….

With the price of gas right now, a lot of people are staying home for the summer. That means luggage languishes waiting to be taken home by someone who will love it…and then taken somewhere slightly more interesting.

This 4-piece luggage set by US Traveller, for instance, looks ready to go nearly anywhere. What’s more, it’s distinctive enough that it’s unlikely to get confused for someone else’s bags at airport baggage claim! Shown here in chocolate/pink, it also comes in navy/baby blue or spice/orange. It’s made of sturdy 1200 denier polyester with retractable handles and in-line wheels for easy maneouvering in busy terminals.

Comes with a 21″ upright, 26″ upright, 30″ upright, and matching tote to carry on with you. Oh, and a six-year warranty. Not bad.

But best of all, it’s on a great sale at Overstock.com. Originally priced at $599.99, Overstock.com has slashed the price to just $124.99. At that price, you’ll have enough left over to actually get a ticket to ride!

Do you have a slight taste for the goth? If so, you may be as excited as I am about these fabulous opal skull earrings by Zoe and Morgan.

These 18k gold-plated pierced earrings are exclusively available at Net-A-Porter. They’ll add an unforgettable touch to any outfit you choose to pair them with.

Originally priced at $265.00, they’ve been marked down to the bargain price of just $159.00! That’s over $100.00 off!

As frequent readers of this space know, I’m a sucker for a really great bracelet. I have a fondness for bold cuffs in particular. Well, for today I’ve found a real knockout by Ben Amun.

The yellow, black, and white enamel forms a striking pattern reminiscent of Art Deco and bordered by gold trim for an assertive yet elegant piece of arm art. Composed of 24k gold and enamel over solid pewter, this should be a long-wearing bracelet, as well.

In the normal course of events, you could expect to pay some $250.00 for this handsome bracelet. Luckily, I’ve found it at Saks Fifth Ave for just $150.00. That’s a savings of $100.00…or a tank of gas. Oh, and the shipping is free with code: FREESHIP. That saves you even more!

Greetings all, and a hearty cheer of Happy Fourth of July to all those who celebrate it…and even to those who don’t. After all, it’s still a day and should still be happy if at all possible.

One thing that’s making me happy today is this wonderful Emile Henry Fait Tout on sale at Williams-Sonoma.

In French (and hey, they were America’s allies during the Revolution, so it does tie in), fait tout means quite literally ‘does everything’ and that’s what this charming and practical dish can do for you. Whether you’re baking a casserole, vegetables, or meat, it will get the job done nicely. It can also go from oven to freezer to microwave to tabletop to dishwasher with aplomb. And with a capacity of 4.2 quarts, it will easily feed a family from one dish.
Not wild about the blue color? It also comes in red and yellow (sorry, no white even today). But it is on sale. Normally priced at $128.00, it’s available now from Williams-Sonoma for a mere $49.99! That’s $78.01 off! That makes this Yankee Doodle feel mighty dandy.

A mezzaluna is a terribly handy device. It’s a half-moon-shaped knife designed for easy mincing of herbs, onions, and garlic. Traditionally, it’s used on a slightly bowl-shaped board to accomodate the shape of the knife and keep the items being chopped in order. And here’s what it looks like, for those of you who’ve never seen one:

This lovely neem wood mezzaluna set comes with not only the mezzaluna (what? it’s a fun word to type) and neem wood cutting board with bowl-shaped indentation, but with three stainless steel cheese knives as well. The three knives and the mezzaluna all store neatly in the drawer underneath the cutting board. And the case can be flipped for use as a flat cutting surface as well. As for the wood, neem is a tropical evergreen from Southeast Asia that’s more durable than teak. And just look at that gorgeous grain!

Normally the set you see here would cost $79.95 from Cooking.com, but it’s on sale now for just $59.99! Think of it: four blades and two cutting surfaces all in a compact yet decorative storage case, all for just about the price of a nice dinner out. Plus you get the fun of saying mezzaluna. It’s even more fun to say than it is to type.

I love fiberarts. I make my own lace. So I appreciate a piece based on hand techniques such as quilting. That’s probably why I was so drawn to this delicious patent leather quilted clutch purse by Hobo International.

It comes in your choice of bright, citrussy yellow or orange, either of which would add a bit of sunshine to any wardrobe. Pretty, cheerful, compact, and fun, it’s also practical. It’s guaranteed to hold at least a cell phone, a small wallet, and a lipstick and features a retractable wrist strap for when you need your hands free.

Originally priced at $138.00, Nordstrom has it right now for just $81.90. That’s 40% off, which is a heck of a good deal!

Does anyone out in the Manolosphere love opera-length gloves as much as I do? Because I do quite adore them. So frivolous, and yet so elegant. It’s impossible not to stand a little taller and feel a little more grown up while wearing them. And yet all too often, when we manage to hunt them down, they are made of stretchy synthetic fabrics that constrict our biceps in unfortunate ways or scratchy nylon lace and are only to be had in black or white. There’s nothing wrong with black and there’s nothing wrong with white, of course, but sometimes I long for siren red or a lucious chocolate. I’m bored with black and white, no matter how fashionable or how classic they are. I want color in my life. I want natural materials that feel good against my skin. I want diva gloves.

Caroline Amato has heard my cry and created my ultimate opera-length gloves.

Look at these beauties! Made in Italy of genuine leather lined with 100% silk, they also come in seven different delicious colors including this glorious green, a rich, plummy purple, a tangy orange…oh, yes, and white if that’s what floats your boat. No black, though. Sorry.

Of course real leather opera-length gloves lined in silk are not inexpensive, but they are on sale at a great bargain. Originally priced at $285.00, they are now available from eLuxury.com at the steal of a price of just $169.00.

Now where did I put my tickets to Rigoletto?