Just an average week...

No crazy designer deals this week - it's been slow and slightly stressful. My husband just tried to kick me off the computer. I told him I needed to finish working. He corrected me and said "you mean hobbying? It's not working if you're not making money. Until you do you can't call it work." Sigh. It's just been one of those weeks. And thanks for the support B :)

On Monday I headed to the Rack bright and early because it was shoe markdown day! I'm sure you've seen my crazy photo on Instagram and Facebook. I spent over two hours turning over every single shoe in that store LOL. Paid off!

I also picked up this cute Laundry by Shelli Segal cutout faux leather peplum sheath dress. It looks a little plastic-y for my taste but it was $265 and marked down to $23.90. Do the math and figure out how many pairs of penny shoes I found :)


Not sure why tag reads $148 - it was on their website for $265.

These were my favorite penny find - my new Delman flats :)

The Rack used to have more $1, $5 and $10 items on clearance but they seem to have changed their markdown structure and I'm not to happy about it. Now they mark things down to a penny and pull them from the shelves to send them off to their clearance center. This is the most penny finds I've found in an outing. Last year in kids I think I got seven in a day.

On Tuesday when I went in for men's shoe markdowns I didn't find a single penny item. I think they were more careful as they were a little upset that so many were not pulled the day before LOL. I did find a $5 Ralph Lauren denim moto jacket for my SIL or sister - whoever fits it.

97% off!

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Wednesday, I headed into the City to Bumble and Bumble to model for their ponytail class. For some reason every time I go into the City it rains. I got up early, grabbed my umbrella and headed in. When I was on the subway by 14th street I got a ping (love WiFi on the subways!) Bumble emailed me an hour before my class to cancel because some stylists from Chicago got stuck in their airport. They graciously apologized and offered me a $10 product credit if I would rebook. I SAW RED. OK, I actually I just got a really bad migraine. I quickly wrote back asking if they could accommodate me as I just came in from NJ just for this class and I've been a model for Bumble for over 10 years. I was pissed to say the least. My commuting costs alone were more than $10. I quickly walked around Nordstrom Rack in Union Square (I was too stressed to shop or take pictures) then I headed west to BbU. If they were going to cancel on me they were going to have to do it to my face - or just give me more free product than a lousy $10 worth. When I showed up they were so nice and made me an alternate, and luckily I was seated. I think they were a little afraid of how I would react if they didn't seat me - I probably would have lost it LOL. I do have to say that nobody else who got canceled had the balls to show up despite their emails and phone calls :) I probably should go back to Nordstrom Rack and pick up that bracelet I tried on...

My friend D said she didn't get it - it's just a ponytail. Clearly you can't tell from just looking at it but this ponytail took over three hours. Each hair is meticulously put in place. I asked my stylist (I think her name was Luz - she's from Atlanta) and she explained that they have to take this class in order to qualify for an exam given by Bumble and Bumble, and if they pass they can work Fashion Week. I was hoping to run back to Sephora to meet up with Cliff again and play with makeup and take more pics but the class ran so late I barely made it back home in time to pick up the kids from school. Instead I took a few selfies with my phone and my camera in the unisex restroom at Bumble and Bumble.

I like this one because my younger sister told me it made me look half my age LOL. Lately I've been getting a lot of complements on my skin. I do take pretty good care of my skin but it's really my Dr. Jart+ Black Label BB cream. If you haven't tried BB or CC creams yet, march to Sephora and sample as many as you can in your skintone until you find the perfect one. This morning at Nordstrom Rack, one of the empolyees actually asked me if I was expecting (I'm not!) because my skin was glowing. I think it was just the humidity that gave me a dewy look. Either that or she was calling me fat and came up with a really good recovery.

From Instagram - just wearing BB cream and my new Laura Mercier Wildflower lipgloss

And this is why I cropped the other one in so close. A- I have creepy man hands and B- the front is super slicked back which is not so flattering on me. Later I took it down and brushed it out and it looks much better today IMO.

I used to just get free hair cuts at Bb.U but I started signing up for styling to get me out of the house, and to earn free 'hairmiles' which you can trade in for free products. With this visit I had $50 coming to me so I cashed in my credits and hairmiles for a $30 shampoo and a $26 hair primer from their new Hairdresser's line. I'm not exactly sure what a hair primer is but I like that it's heat and UV protective which is perfect for summer. Plus it makes your hair less frizzy and super smooth. These two cost me just $6 and change out of pocket. I used to use drugstore shampoo that I got for free from my couponing days but once you start using salon products it's really hard to go back.

If you're interested in signing up for Bumble and bumble. University Model Project you can sign up here. Please use my name as a reference (Michelle Blashka) so we can both get a product credit :) Did I mention all services are free and they tell you not to tip - so it's really free! They do have occasional classes outside of NY so like their Facebook page to see the latest openings all over the country.

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I decided to check out my favorite thrift store this week and I'm sad to report I'm still on a slump. I probably didn't need this embroidered linen Tracy Reese matching 3/4 sleeve jacket and strapless dress but I love Tracy - and it was $15 for the set.

May be a bit 'much' to wear together. We'll see...

I also found this fun sequin midi skirt on the clearance rack at Target this week for $8.98

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Locally there are a lot of consignment stores and every time I think about going, I look online to check their pricing and I'm usually disappointed. I typically find better deals at thrift, outlets or the department stores end of season sales. I got an email yesterday that one local store would be participating in their town's sidewalk sale today, and they were going to have racks for $5, $10 and $20. I figured it was time to visit all the consignment stores in that area :)

Sorry so small - they created this document in word so I copied it into Paint and the jpg came out tiny.

I made the mistake of stopping at the Rack first so by the time I got there they didn't have too much left. I sifted thru their $10 shoes and found these almost-new Repetto ballet flats that retail for just under $300.

I also found these gorgeous Bruno Magli black velvet pumps with the most beautiful golden enameled heel. They are a smidge tight but so pretty (and also $10!) so I'm going to see if I can stretch them a little.