Borgata mini-getaway :)

For some reason my husband gets free room offers at Borgata all the time so for the first time EVER he surprised me by calling my sis to watch the kids and swept me away to Atlantic City for the night. I swear he's really not much of a gambler anymore. His "big" win last night was at a quarter slot machine that he threw some money in while he waited for me to use the bathroom LOL.

So what does one do without kids for 24 hours? Now that all three are in school I have my days free to sample sale and meet up with clients but it's been a good 10+ years since we jumped on a plane and took a real vacation. He booked us at the Water Club (hotel attached to Borgata) because he thinks it's more upscale - plus kids aren't allowed in their pools. As always, the nicer the place, the more they charge you for extras. To use the gym they wanted $15 (I'll just do my T25 at home, thank you) and Wifi was $10 a day, however in the attached Borgata public facilities it was free. So annoying.

We started out at the Wifi-less Water Club pool and after an hour sans social media I went a little nuts. I'm also not much of a sitter or relaxer.

Had to upload this from the main lobby.

Poolside details.

• Sunglasses: Ralph Lauren, Century 21 (75% off sale), about $15
• Watch: Nixon Time Teller (retail $180), Nordstrom Rack $30
• Ring: $20, TJ Maxx - finally got around to getting a replacement ring after loosing mine in the sand on Miami Beach.

As an organizer I pride myself on packing light and efficiently. I had one bag because it was one night. Drives me nuts when people overpack. I grabbed a couple dresses, a couple pairs of heels, a bikini, cover-up, PJs, undies, a handful of accessories and a small makeup bag. If you create a mini mix and match wardrobe when you travel you can never go wrong. There is nothing wrong with repeating!

He also got free Borgata comedy club tickets and even though it was midweek and the comedians weren't too bad. For the occasion, I decided to experiment with this H&M dress I picked up the day before. Probably not the most flattering cut for me but it wasn't terrible and I've been looking for all things Boho-chic.

• Dress: H&M $24.95 (less 20% coupon)
• Bag: Marc Jacobs (retail $1295), 80% off at Nordstrom Rack
• Bracelet: Nordstrom Rack, less than $10
• Shoes: Rebecca Minkoff, 75% off sale at Century 21

Did I mention I love my haircut?

Once again I pulled out my Kendra Scott earrings from Rocksbox. Use code "shoppinggalxoxo" to get your first month free! My lipstick is one of my new $3.75 NYX lipsticks that I just picked up at the Rack - the color is Brick (a coral-red).

I also brought along my (90% off) Sergio Rossi heels from Century 21 - I thought they would look pretty with the dress but it didn't work with the bag so I saved them for the pool the following day. The shoes are missing a couple crystals and dented on one side but I'll take $1000 shoes for $30 with a few flaws ANYDAY!

The coverup is from H&M last year but they have the same one in different patterns this year for $9.95. Please be kind - this is as close as this 40 year old mama is going to get to a bikini pic...then again ask me again in another 25 lbs.

After a quick swim I changed into another $15 H&M dress and my thrifted Marc Jacobs denim jacket ($25). Yes, this is the black version of my red dress. I also wanted to note I wasn't wearing makeup today (just my new $3.75 NYX lipstick in Hot Tamale) and this is what my new hair looks like when I wash and go.

I spy the Kendra Scott earrings & Rebecca Minkoff sandals again :)

Love the lace details.

Good news is that after taking all these pics, DH agreed to buy me a "real" camera for my upcoming birthday! I think it comes with the condition that he never has to shoot me again but I'm hoping that's negotiable :)

Tomorrow I have a hair modeling highlight appointment with a new place and a fun cocktail party at night. If I have a little time I'll try to squeeze in some shopping too! Stay tuned for my next NYC adventure...

XOXO
-Shoppinggal

BLOG SALE! Lots of Lilly, Minkoff and more...

You asked for it, you got it- it's blog sale time!

Here are my rules:

• All prices are shipped so there are no surprises. Prices will be cheaper for local (Bergen County, NJ) pickup.
• US shipping only (sorry, International gals).
• First come, first serve. A few pieces are being held for clients but feel free to get in line. 
•  To buy an item comment below here (not by text, not on Facebook, not on Instagram) "Sold" and your zipcode & Paypal address so I can invoice you.
• I will combine shipping for multiple items.  

I'm going to start with my Lilly stash. I'm just adding a small personal shopping fee in addition to actual price + (approximated) shipping + paypal fees.

These are all $29 each shipped.
1. Top, pink and green
2. Middle, multi color
3. Bottom, green & white SOLD

4. Charm bracelet - I have two but one is being held for a trade. $30 shipped each. BOTH SOLD
5. Seahorse necklace, $33 shipped

6. SOLD Lilly beach blanket. (I already have a beach blanket I like...) It's heavy but I think I can re-roll it and get it in a flat rate padded envelope. $43 US shipped.

And now it's time for Minkoff! Just a reminder that I'm selling these for a profit. You are welcome to go and fight the masses if you don't like my prices. My prices are fair and WAY below ebay pricing. Note - some of these have tags and dustbags and some don't. They all have some light marks, I will be sure to mention or show if there is anything serious.

My client D asked me to pickup a backpack for her. Feel free to post for it in case she passes.

SOLD 7. $295 Julian backpack. It's actually pretty light. $100 US shipped.

SOLD 8. This $295 quilted affair (it's the regular one, not the mini or large) is also being held for my client R - I thought it would be the perfect date bag for her. Again, feel free to post for it in case she passes. My daughter actually begged to keep it but I told her to go take one of my old mini MACs instead. $100 US shipped.

SOLD 9. This $850 Luxe Hypno Stud MAB - I believe it's from a Saks exclusive collection. There is a faint mark on the top otherwise it's in great shape. It's also very heavy and this style did not come with a cross-body strap. Get this really special bag for just $160 US shipped. One of my regulars saw this bag in my pics at the sale and inquired about it - so I'm putting her first in line.

SOLD 10. NWT $295 blue MAC clutch crossbody. A few light marks, nothing serious. $100 US shipped.

SOLD 11. I got one for me and one for you :) $795 Nikki hypno stud snake print hobo bag. Someone is selling one on ebay for around $300 - get this one for $160 shipped :)

12. NWT Rebecca Minkoff collection woven gray MAC clutch, $100 US shipped. Very pretty - I remember admiring a MAB in this fabric.

13. NWT calf hair houndstooth MAB - it's huge and so luxe. Not sure of the retail but it's from her collection so I'm guessing it's in the $700-800 range. Asking $160 shipped.

That ends the the Minkoff portion of the sale but I have a few random Rack pieces that I'm going to share for close to cost. I wanted to add more but it's getting late and I'm getting anxious messages from you guys on Insta by the minute LOL.

14. NWT size US 6 Burberry London Leather Trim Taffeta Jacket, retail $1050 - asking $395 US shipped. I was gonna keep it but it's a little snug (thanks to all the stupid Matzah on Passover) so I'll just wait for another (cheaper) one. You can look at stock photos and description here.

SOLD 15. Gorgeous NWT $348 Tracy Reese silk dress size 2. There is a tiny imperfection at the bottom of the zipper (stress on the fabric from someone who tried it on who probably shouldn't have). $42 US shipped. You can look at description and stock photos here.

I have to go cook for the weekend so I gotta stop now! I'll review responses and send out invoices on Sunday.

Good luck and happy shopping!
-Shoppinggal

My final 4! Check out my new Rebecca Minkoff sample sale bags :)

I know you really want to see my blog sale already, but first things first - here are my keepers!

Of the four bags I kept, my favorite is hands down the $345 Fiona bucket bag. These were never even put into production so there are only a few samples floating around. It's missing the top handle but I'm perfectly fine with just the crossbody strap. I actually don't have any other bucket bags in my collection so this baby is the perfect addition to my closet.

I wore it yesterday with my thrifted J Crew flats and Kendra Scott Alex earrings in cobalt cat's eye. I love that Rocksbox lets you create a wishlist - I saw the Kendra Scott Lee earrings in cobalt and I lusted after them for weeks but I guess they were super popular. My stylist finally sent me these instead and I have to say that blue does not disappoint.

Thanks to my local fans who have signed up I have enough referral money to buy them if I want to keep them - thanks guys! If you want to try Rocksbox (think Rent the Runway for jewelry) just use code "shoppinggalxoxo" to get your first month free :)

Today I took my Perry for a spin and I have to say I LOVE the size and organization. The pocket placement is perfect and I'm going to be on the hunt for another :) I've always wanted the Givenchy Antigona and I'd say this is a great substitute. Mine is a little smooshed so it's less structured than I'd like but at the sample table you take what you can get LOL.

This is the Givenchy Antigona in a similar color. It retails for over $2000 for a similar sized bag. I still kinda want one but it's not gonna happen unless I find one for a magic price.

You already saw this side saddle bag on Insta and my last post but I'm gonna talk about it anyway. I really needed a brown bag and this one fit the bill :) It was a Saks exclusive from a few years back and it retailed for $795!

Stock pic.

Last but not least is my $795 Hypno Stud Nikki, also from that Saks exclusive collection. It's a smidge heavy from all the studs and hardware but Nikkis are my first RM love. When I was just starting to loose weight and feel better about myself I treated myself to a red Nikki that I scored at the Saks outlet. It was beautiful and it made me feel like myself again. It was that bag that reminded me of my love of fashion (and accessories!) and I'd say that was a huge turning point for me.

When I was in mommy-baby mode I focused on my kids and what they wore, their strollers and toys, but that bag made me wake up and start focusing on me again. That was probably the most I've ever spent on any of my Minkoffs (and by now I easily have a couple dozen LOL) and even though it's pretty worn I just don't have the heart to toss it. I know I have a bunch of black designer bags but I'm sure I can make room for this Nikki :)

And then there were shoes :)

You know I love a good fringe. So when I spotted these $250 Faith flats, I knew I had to take them home. Wore them today and they're so comfortable and fun. Couldn't stop looking at my feet.

So all I can say is I told you so. I told you to go. I shared the Gilt voucher. I hope some of you local gals listened. I'd love to hear about what you found :) When Shira and I were editing our bags someone came over and told me - "I think you won the sample sale." The thing is we barely made a dent in that sample table and they replenished that table all day. I can only imagine what we missed! I picked up a few bags requested by clients and a few more that I thought you guys might like. I took everything that I could lug home via subway and bus. I think I sprained my shoulders but it was so worth it!

Stay tuned for my next blog sale TOMORROW!

XOXO
-Shoppinggal