The Basement of the Bargains

Just as the dead of winter is a great time to find a deal on a bikini (assuming you can find a bikini for sale), the dog days of summer can produce fantastic savings on winter items. I once found a gorgeous suede coat in the middle of summer for just $35.00. It kept me toasty all the next winter…and the one after that. I expect it to keep me warm this coming winter, too.

Why do I mention this? Because now is the time to stock up on cozy warm bedding for the upcoming winter months. Right now it’s so hot stores can’t give away heavy blankets and comforters.

And that’s how Overstock.com manages to have this amazing deal on this handsome Trovare lambswool/cashmere blend blanket.

Cashmere blends with the finest Austrailian merino lambswool to create these lucious blankets built to last a lifetime. You’ll still be snuggling up in them during the winter when you’re sixty-four…and beyond. The four soft colors will work in nearly any color scheme, too, so redecorating won’t be a problem.

Normally one of these would set you back $239.00, but during Overstock.com’s Bedding Blowout, you can get it for just $95.99! That’s a savings of 60%, which isn’t half bad…it’s 60% good.

If you’ve been looking at your old wallet thinking it’s seen considerably better days, now might be a good time to head on over to Bluefly.com and take a look at this handsome, practical, yet fun Cole Haan travel wallet.

The Nude (beige) coloring is always tasteful, and that embroidered feather will bring a smile to many a face.

The bi-fold interior includes room for all your necessities with its double billfold, snap coin pocket, two card slots and an ID window for when you need to flash your face at Security…or a store clerk asks for photo ID to make sure it’s really you using your credit card. And when you’re done with your shopping, it zips securely and slips easily into even quite a compact handbag, seeing as it measures just 5″ x 4″ when closed.

So how much is this baby? Well, the retail value is $135.00. Bluefly usually carries it for $81.00, which is quite good. Right now, though, they’ve got it on a further sale so you pay just $67.99! Just stick your savings in the double billfold and the snap coin purse and go. Oh, and send me a postcard when you get there. You can afford it.

Oh frabjous day! It’s the Amazon One Day Kitchen & Home Sale all day today! Now’s the time to head over and save a bundle on all sorts of useful things. Today only, you can save up to 70% on dishes, cookware, bathtowels, pet supplies, furniture…and the list goes ever on and on.

Here are a couple of my personal picks for great deals.

Yes, it’s the KitchenAid Professional 600 Series 6-Quart Stand Mixer. If you bake at all, this baby will be invaluable to you. It’s powerful, efficient, and incredibly sturdy - not to mention the fact that it looks great standing on your counter. My father’s KitchenAid outlasted him, and he was an avid home baker. The list price on this mixer is $499.99, but for today only at Amazon, it’s just $299.99, plus it’s eligible for super saver free shipping. So, save $200.00 and get free shipping on a very weighty item. You can’t go wrong with a deal like that. Oh, and it you’re not wild about the red shown here, don’t worry. It comes in lots of colors both traditional and fashion. Just pick a color you’ll still love years from now because it will be around.
But even if you don’t bake, you can still take advantage of this great sale. Everybody needs sheets, right? Well now’s your chance to get a set of Pinzon 400 tc Egyptian cotton sheets for just $22.99 in Queen size.

With twelve lucious colors to choose from, you’re sure to find something to coordinate with your bedroom…or you can just shop the sale to find a new comforter to match the sheets you like best. Originally priced at $100.00 a set, you save 77%, plus they also qualify for free super saver shipping. The savings on other sizes of these sheets are just as impressive, too, so take a look whether you sleep on a Twin bed or a California King.
Whatever you need for your home or kitchen, it would be a good idea to look at Amazon first today. It’s a good day to shop.

The drama queen, that is.

If you can’t even sleep without a bowl of drama flakes, these pajamas by David and Goliath might well be for you. Made of 100% cotton, they won’t make you raise a fuss over the heat even in the middle of summer.

Even the price won’t be worth complaining about since they’re marked down from $58.00 to just $38.00. In fact, if you type in the code ‘warehousesale’ in the coupon box at checkout, you’ll get an additional 15% off! Now that’s a price that won’t disturb your sweet dreams.

Check out all the sale items at Sleepyheads.com for more great ways to sleep soundly in the knowledge that you didn’t pay a penny more than necessary to be superfantastic all night long.

The other day I got an email from a reader named Joe who asked why I don’t do more men’s items. I do cover the menswear now and again. In fact, I did an article recently on great deals for Father’s Day…but I do admit I can go a long time without pointing out a good deal specifically for a guy. Well, it just so happens that Nordstrom is having their Half Yearly sale for men as we speak, so this is a great time to rectify that neglect. After all, as Joe pointed out in his email, guys love a good bargain, too.

For instance, if I were a guy, I’d be excited about this handsome, classic dress shirt from Faconnable:

The subtle black and white houndstooth check pattern is contrasted with a pure white collar for a snappy yet work-appropriate look. It’s also machine-washable pure cotton for easy care and breathability. Nice. Oh, and it’s also 33% off right now. Originally priced at $145.00, it’s on sale for just $96.90. Oh, and one more thing I love about this shirt is that it comes in long and extra long as well as regular length…and all at no extra charge.

But this is far from the only great deal for guys going on at Nordstrom right now. Don’t take my word for it. Shop the sale. Whether you’re a man or a woman who loves a man in her life, this is a terrific chance to save money while shopping. What could possibly be better than that?

You can if you head over to Pottery Barn right now.

This whimsical piece of wall art consists of five hand-carved mango wood buttons that you can hang any way you please. They’ll add a rustic flair to any room in your home.

Art may be priceless in value, but there’s nothing wrong with getting it at a good price. These buttons were originally priced at $99.00 for the set, but they’ve been marked down to just $49.99. That’s roughly half off. At that price, you might consider getting two sets. After all, it never hurts to have a spare button on hand.

Even in the heat of summer, sometimes a girl just needs a really great, lightweight wrap. This Dianora Salviati silk voile tie dye scarf is plenty big at 78″ x 78″ to add a not-too-warm layer on a casual July date night.

Toss it on over jeans and a tank, or wrap it around your shoulders over a simple dress. Either way, you’ll look superfantastic. And if blue isn’t your color, don’t fret. It also comes in fuschia or black.

Oh, and of course it’s a great deal when you see it here. How great a deal? Well, it originally sold for $265.00, which isn’t that bad for so much silk and a designer name. Now, however, it’s on sale at Saks Fifth Ave for just $63.56! That’s more than $200.00 off!

That’s what I call a bargain.

Baking a cake from scratch is a great way to impress your friends and family. It’s really not as difficult as it looks at first glance, and there’s nothing like saying ‘I made it myself’ to make people ooh and ah over your creation.

Of course, it doesn’t hurt if you can present it with a proper flourish on a proper cake plate.

I’ve long had a love affair with Emile Henry bakeware, so it stands to reason I love their serving pieces as well for much the same reasons: they’re sturdy, attractive, practical, and come in fun colors. This 12″ cake plate is no exception to the rule.

The exclusive ceradon process Emile Henry employs results in hard-wearing pottery pieces that can go straight from freezer to oven without crazing or cracking. The bright colors bring a smile to nearly any face while showcasing your food to its best advantage. And check out that delightfully whimsical ruffled edge. Your cake will look its best (as will your cookies, cupcakes, or other treats) and your guests will be wowed. What more could you possibly want?

A great deal, you say? Well, you get that, too. This bright, sunflowery yellow color is on a closeout sale at Cooking.com. They normally sell it for $33.95, but it’s now just $16.98 while supplies last. That’s half off!

What superfantastic lady doesn’t want a convertible? Of course, a convertible doesn’t have to be a car. It can be nearly anything. Take, for instance, this cute terry beach tote from Maison Martin Margiela MM6.

Not only will it carry your sunscreen, thermos of (ahem) lemonade, and deliciously fluffy novel down to the sand in style, it will then unzip into a convenient mat for lying out in the sand, drinking and reading to your heart’s content.

When you’re ready to leave, just zip it back up into a tote and carry everything away again. Simple, chic, superfantastic!

Oh, and did I mention it’s on sale? Normally, you could expect to pay $235.00, but eLuxury has it for just $139.00 right now. That’s nearly a hundred dollars off! I call that smart in both senses of the term.

Flower motif jewelry is a classic for a reason. It’s appropriate no matter the age of the wearer and is infinitely adaptable to personal style. Flowers can be represented in nearly any medium. They may be hammered out of silver or sculpted out of clay, or - as in this case - carved out of lucious, cool jade.

This elegant camelia brooch is carved of jadeite jade set in sterling silver with a single button-shaped cultured freshwater pearl to enhance it. What’s more, if you don’t care for the green color shown, it also comes in white, pink, or lavendar.

The retail value of this beautiful piece is $185.00, but I know where you can get it for a lot less. QVC. That’s right, QVC. They intend to carry it for only $146.00, but right now you can get it for even less. As an introductory deal, it can be yours for just $132.36. But hurry! A deal like that won’t last forever, but this fabulous brooch will.