The Basement of the Bargains

Whether the answer is yes or no, this gorgeous ceramic nautilus shell shaped vase is sure to look superfantastic in your home.

The artist is a fourth-generation ceramicist working in her family’s factory in Italy, where the family has worked for a century. It’s hand both inside and out for a smooth, lustrous finish. Fill it with flowers or just set it out by itself and instantly add a touch of grace wherever you place it.
And of course it’s on sale since you’re seeing it here. Williams-Sonoma Home originally carried this lovely piece for $148.00. Right now, though, you can get it from them for just $99.99. That’s a savings of nearly fifty dollars…which could buy you a rather spectacular floral display to go in it.

Have you ever wanted to look like you’re walking down the runway instead of the street? If so, then you might want to head on over to Net-A-Porter and check out their designer bargains. They’ve got looks that graced the catwalk at Fashion Week on sale right now.

One I just love is this cheerful sunshine yellow trapeze shift by Moschino Cheap & Chic.

It avoids the trapeze trap of becoming simply a muu-muu while keeping the relaxed feel necessary for a good shift dress. The self ruffle adds an unexpected feminine touch while the detachable white bead floral brooch brings whimsey to the design. The 61% silk 39% cotton fabric is both rich and breathable, too.

So what will it cost you to look like a runway model? Well, normally it would run you about $735.00 to get this pretty dress. But nothing I bring you is going to be the normal price. Net-A-Porter is selling it for just $367.50 right now. Alas! it’s only currently available in sizes 10 and 12, but if that’s you, then you’ve got an amazing deal open to you right now. I’d snatch it up right away!

Somehow a late night shaking my generous booty at a concert followed by a distinct lack of sleep (Get your minds out of the gutter, people! My cat kept trying to push me off the bed) has left me with coffee on my mind. As I huddle over a large mug of the Nectar of Life, I think how good coffee makes existance moderately bearable, except when it makes it sweet and meaningful.

If you don’t have one, now might be a good time to toddle over to Amazon.com and take a look at this cheerful and generous French press.

Simple to use, pretty to look at, and a great way to impress your coffee-loving friends, this French press will deliver up to eight cups of the good stuff in no time at all.

And it’s on sale. Regularly priced at a quite reasonable $49.95, the price has been slashed to just $38.58. As if that weren’t enough, it also qualifies for free shipping under the Super Saver Shipping deal. On top of all that, it qualifies for the 4 for 3 program, as well. Buy four qualifying items and get the lowest priced on free. See site for details. Spend the money you saved on a store of top-notch beans. Call me. I’ll bring pie…just as soon as I wake up.

Chokers are my favorite sort of necklace. My neck is long, so they’re a good look for me, even now that I weigh a great deal more than I did once upon a time (and that absolutely unapologetically).

If you’ve got the sort of neck that wears chokers well, I’ve got a fantastic deal for you.

This dramatic choker is comprised of triangular drops of mother-of-pearl interspersed with peridot chips and small beads of 14k gold. It’s 17″ long, so it should fit nicely at the base of most women’s necks nicely. If you need a superfantastic piece of jewelry to set you apart at the next party, this could well be it.

Best of all, it’s on sale. The retail price is a whopping $420.00, but Smartbargains.com has it for a mere $129.99. That’s 69% off! Use the rest to get a killer evening bag and knock ‘em dead at the next cocktail party or theater outing.

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!

…with this fun and convenient little beach table from Pottery Barn.

Just pull it out of its handy canvas carry tote, flip it open, stick it in the sand, slip your long-stemmed wine glasses into the slots, and have a picnic for two at the shore. Now that’s the way to live the beach life!

Originally priced at $59.00, this practical set has been reduced to just $39.00 (wine glasses not included…so if you don’t have any wineglasses you feel like taking to the beach, you might want to check out this deal on a set of four Dansk goblets here).

I don’t know about you, but I feel a quick drink and a nosh at the beach coming on.

Every girl needs something with a sense of humor somewhere in her wardrobe, just as she needs a couple serious pieces. For those light-hearted days when you want to express your more whimsical side, you might want this cheerful leather-belted polka dot purse by Caterina Lucchi:

Lime green dots on a cream canvas background make this a cheery image. The belt adds an unexpected touch of fun that really pulls the look together and makes me smile. A lot.

Of course, the price also makes me smile. Originally priced at $208.00, it can now be yours from Forzieri.com for a mere $125.00.

So, to sum up: great eye-catching design, sturdy Italian workmanship, nearly half off the suggested retail price…nope, I’m not seeing a downside here.

The test of a really delicate, perfectly made pashmina is if the entire shawl will slip through a finger ring.

Overstock.com says this one passes the test…and at the price they’re selling it for, it would be easily worth it to test the theory.

This 28″ x 80″ 100% pure Pashmina cashmere shawl is handwoven in Nepal into a subtle diamond pattern and finished with a lock fringe. It comes in three classic colors to fit with any wardrobe for years to come.

What would you pay for all of that? Well, originally you would have been expected to pay $350.00…but not anymore. If you hurry, you can get it from Overstock.com for just $59.99! That’s a savings of 83%, or more than $290.00!

Now that’s what I call a basement bargain!

It’s my considered opinion that people should wear more hats. Hats add a certain jaunty style to an outfit. They can shade our eyes from the sun and keep the rain out of our faces. All in all, there are a great many reasons to love a hat…particularly a hat like this one by Georgia Hughes.

Hand made, hand dyed, and hand blocked, this handsome hat made of Grade 1 Pari Sissol straw is a one-of-a-kind fashion statement that will last for years and years. The colors remind me of Neopolitan ice cream, which definitely brings a smile to my face.

And of course if you see it here, you know it’s on sale. Originally priced at $340.00, it’s been marked down to just $170.00. This and dozens of other glorious chapeaux are currently on sale at Hatagories. If you’re in the market for a good hat, I’d recommend heading on over right away before all the best ones are gone!

It’s a truism that the higher the thread count, the softer the sheets…well, these Bordeaux sheets must feel amazing because the thread count is 1,000. Yes, you read that right: 1,000!

Imagine sleeping on a cloud. Now imagine the cloud is even softer 100% cotton sateen. Then imagine the cloud comes in your choice of light blue (I’d call it robin’s egg) or soft green (very minty) in a complete set to fit your queen sized bed, and includes extra pillow cases. Mmmm…I could drift off to Dreamland just thinking about that.

But you don’t have to dream because it’s available on sale at Smartbargains.com right now. The original price for the fitted sheet, flat sheet, and four pillow cases was $200.00. Smartbargains was selling it at $99.99, which was a great deal. Now, though, they’ve marked this amazing set down to a mere $69.97!

At that price, you can hire real sheep to be counted if you have trouble falling asleep.