The Basement of the Bargains

Unless you’ve been hiding under a fashion rock, you know that flowers are big news on the runways and in closets all over. But what’s a girl to do if she’s on a budget? Bargain hunt, that’s what. And you have me to do a lot of the hard work for you. Let’s take a look at some of the great deals I’ve found to help you look your most floral without busting your budget.

First up, this cute flounced tank top from tbd is covered in fun blue flowers. It has a racer back combined with a soft, blouson shape.

It’s perfect for picnics and parties alike.

Oh, and it’s a great deal, too. The retail price is $58.00, but it’s on sale right now at Nordstrom for just $37.90.

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It happens every season. You go to your wardrobe, look through your seasonal tops, and discover that you have nothing to wear. This doesn’t fit properly anymore, that has a stain or a rip you haven’t been able to fix, and as for what’s behind door number three…the less said the better. After an hour of sifting through shirts, you find that you have precisely two that are fit to be seen in public. So what’s a girl to do?

Well, if that’s what you’ve been wondering, I’ve got one suggestion: head over to Victoria’s Secret. They’re not just for underwear, and they have dozens of cute, easy wear tops on sale right now. Whether you’re looking for lace and ruffles or polo collars and tanks, there’s something to fit your style on sale right now. For instance, I was rather taken with this drape-neck sleeveless top.

It’s easy enough to wear for a picnic, but will still hold its own at a nice restaurant or the theater. Comes in your choice of Plumberry (shown) or black.

It wasn’t too bad at the original price of $58.50, but it’s a whole lot better at the current price of $39.50. Add in sale code  TOPS20 and get an additional 20% off the sale price! What’s more, that code works with all tops and tees on the site for a limited time.

Oh, and while you’re there, don’t forget to check out the selections of bras and panties on sale at 25% - 40% off. After all, those need sprucing up now and again, too.

The current fashion story is all about colors, and I’m in full favor of that. Still, there’s nothing like a perfect white blouse for spring and summer. It’s elegant and classic, so it’s hard to go wrong. What’s harder is going absolutely right.

Enter the Meghan Wrap Blouse by Elie Tahari. The soft wrap styling is flattering to a wide variety of shapes, the ruffles are trend perfect, and the 100% silk fabric will keep you feeling absolutely feminine and comfortable. Layer it over a white or brightly colored camisole, slip on a pair of jeans or a pretty skirt, and you’re set for nearly any occasion.

Of course, the perfect white blouse is well worth spending some good money on, but it’s better when you can get it at a great deal. How does 70% off sound to you?

That’s right, 70% off! That is, if you buy it at Shopbop.com. This perfect blouse was originally priced at $348.00. Not too bad for a pure silk designer blouse. But at Shopbop right now, it can be yours for just $104.40.

Yeah. I thought you might like those savings. I know I do!

Okay, so it’s still January. I know that. But the fact is that even while it’s very, very cold in a lot of places, the days are beginning to lengthen, the temperatures are starting to rise in a lot of other places, and dammit, I need to remember that there will be warm weather again and a reason to haul out my best sandals.

That’s where shopping is an excellent pastime. No matter what the season, you can bet that most of the stores have moved on from this one midway through and are merrily on to the next. This may make trying to buy a white, short-sleeved blouse in August more difficult that finding a unicorn to ride in the Thanksgiving Day parade, but it makes window shopping in January (or even real shopping in January) a bit more fun. You’re preparing to say hello to the sun again, and that’s okay by me.

So what can we find that speaks of both spring and good savings? Just take a lookie here:

This cute little satin cami will look cool as a cucumber once the weather warms. Oh, and in addition to basic black, it also comes in floral print. What’s more it comes in average, petite, and tall sizes (sorry, you tall gals only get the black, I’m afraid) atOld Navy.

Oh, and as to price, it started out at a thrifty $24.50, but has been marked down to a mere $3.99! That’s not a typo, folks, this top is really only four bucks right now.

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One day only! Everything at Bluefly is 15% off their already slashed prices!

Take a look at this deal:

These gorgeous double-buckled leather gloves by Portolano are lined in knitted Merino wool. Both buckles are adjustable for a nearly custom fit. What’s more, the look is stylish in the extreme now, but won’t look silly in a few months or a year. You’ll be able to wear them for years to come.

The original price was $165.00, which is not at all a bad deal for such a perfect investment. Still, Bluefly has been selling them for $99.00, which is much better. But just for today, you can get them for just $84.15! That’s nearly half off the original price!

Not in need of gloves? Not to worry! Everything else is on sale, too. You’ll find gorgeous goodies by Marc by Marc Jacobs, Furla, Tory Burch, Kenneth Jay Lane, and dozens of other top designers.

But hurry! Tomorrow the sale goes away.

With the cool fall weather just around the corner, it’s time to start thinking of how to keep ourselves warm in the months to come. Of course, while we’ll want to keep warm, we’ll also want to keep stylish.

That’s where the Labor Day sale at Vivre comes in.

Among other fabulous deals, there’s this superfantastic cotton pincord shirt by David Chu in your choice of lime, sky blue, brown, orange or navy. Whether your personal taste leans toward the classic or the avant-garde, you can find a color to make you happy. It’s perfect for layering, too.

Originally priced at $225.00, it’s been marked down to just $112.50. That’s half off, which is nothing at all to sneeze at. Even at that, it gets better. Today and tomorrow, if you enter the sale code: LABORDAY08, you’ll get another 25% off selected items. Choose from footwear, jewelry, coats, belts, hats, purses, oh, yes, and the pincord shirt featured here today, and knock a quarter of the sale price off the bill.

It’s time once again for Bluefly’s Blue Sale. That means that for a limited time you can get all sorts of designer clothes, accessories, and household items for up to 70% off the retail price!

I’m loving this fabulous halter top by Yaya Afalo.

Made of a lucious ink blue pure silk chiffon, it features a one-button fastening at the front, and slightly frayed hemline with metallic threading. Wear it loose and flowing for comfort, or belted for body-conscious pizazz.

And the price? Well, the retail price on this gorgeous top is $268.00. Bluefly has been selling it for $160.00. Now through August 27, this elegant designer silk top can be yours for just $79.99! That’s 70% off the retail price.

While you’re there, be sure to check out the entire Blue Salefor more superfantastic bargains on designer clothes, accessories, and household items. You’ll be glad you did!

Nordstrom is having a huge pre-season Fall sale right now. Instead of waiting until after the season is over and then digging for treasures in the limited styles, sizes, and colors other people passed up, you can get what’s happening nextseason , choose between all the styles, all the sizes, and all the colors before anyone else gets to them. Women, men, children, petites, plus sizes, it’s all on sale right now.

Here’s an example of what you can find.

This adorable cap sleeved jersey dress is pretty as a picture in magenta, and is also available in brown. On August 4, the price will be $220.00, but until then you can get it for just $129.90.

Of course, not everyone is a size 4. That would be boring, even if it were possible. That’s why I’ll be more likely to be getting this glorious black and white scroll printed blouse by Foxcroft available in Women’s sizes up to 24.

Made of pure cotton trimmed with ribbon at the cuffs, this shirt is pure style. After August 4, it will be an already great price of $68.00. Right now, though, you can get it for the bargain basement price of just $44.90.

<>Look, whatever your age, size, or gender, there’s a good chance Nordstrom has something fabulous on sale for you to wear right now. Get there before August 4, and get a jump on the crowd for great fashion!

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 love long sleeves. Even in the summer I wear them as much as I can. I always have. It’s not that I’m ashamed of my arms. In fact, I often wear short-sleeved or sleeveless things, too. It’s just that given the choice, I have always preferred a sleeve, and always preferred elbow length or longer. Of course, it can be a challenge to find an attractive, lightweight top with long sleeves that’s cool enough to stand the summer heat and pretty enough to make it clear that sleeves are a preference rather than an act of shame.

Well, I found just such a tunic top at Monterey Bay Clothing Company in their clearance section this morning.

The lightweight cotton/ramie blend will keep you cool even with full coverage of your arms. The design is pretty, too, with a modest v-neck, criss-cross detailing, and airy side vents. And if you’re not as big on orange as I am, don’t worry. It comes in four other colors, as well. Oh, and it comes in sizes up to W24 as well as a Misses Small. Sorry, mid-sized girls, but this one is out of stock in your sizes. Still, there are plenty of other great deals to be had in every size.

This pretty tunic used to cost $49.99 - $59.99, depending on size range. Now, however, there is no price differentiation. Whatever size you need, it’s just $24.99, which is a great price any way you slice it.