Extended Winter Blues

Today I spent the day editing the last of my winter looks - though thanks to this unseasonably chilly weather I could have taken my pretty little time because I could have worn this look today had I wanted to. I lived in this blue plaid shirtdress from Target ALL WINTER (as seen previously here). It was seriously the best $11 bucks I spent all season.

Of my final winter looks I wanted to share this one first as a reminder that the Phillip Lim sample sale is just around the bend. I scored my adorable Pashli Mini Messenger for just $200 a few sales ago (read about it here). Scroll down for sale deets - with my other NYC sample sale picks for the week :)

From head to toe:

• Hat: BeMine NYC, Macy's Backstage, $12.99 but used gift card they gifted me
• Sunglasses: Moschino, Century 21, free with rewards (Century price $60, RV $295)
• Necklace: AV Max NYC, sample sale, $10 (RV $70)
• Dress: Merona, Target, $11 (on sale!)
• Vest: Coalition LA, gifted
• Coat: H&M, $30, on sale from $199
• Gloves: Carolina Amato, sample sale, $15
• Bag: Pashli Mini Messenger, 3.1 Phillip Lim sample sale, $200 (RV $825)
• Pom Pom: Adrienne Landau, Century 21, $20
• Boots: Sergio Rossi Rockstar Boots, sample sale, $25!!! (RV $1,260)

My formula this season has pretty much been a shirtdress + coat + hat + designer shoes and/or bag. I've been covering up more as my weight increases - and not for modesty sake. When the weight comes off, so do the clothes LOL. I gained another 8 lbs. this Passover and I'm having a hard time getting my eating under control. My sister and SIL cooked up a storm for the holiday and I just had to try everything. I'm now 186 - which really is the biggest I've ever been. To put it in perspective I got married at 123 and maybe I was a little too skinny then. I know I still look good - with a little confidence and the right clothing I think anyone could look good at any weight. I just don't feel right at this weight. I'm really flexible but I had a hard time painting my toe nails last week. And my energy is gone. I think I'm just in a funk and waiting for the sun to come out already. I have a closet full of gorgeous stuff that doesn't fit and I still can't seem to get motivated. I know what I'm supposed to do. I've lost the weight before - but it's all back and then some. What do you do to snap out of a funk?

You can shop my style below:

Once again, thanks to my super talented 12 year old son (it was just his birthday on the 15th) for this round of photos.

Right now we have a HUGE problem. There are just so many darn good sample sales. I try to pick my faves and not go to all of them anymore because it's so easy to blow money on things you don't really need when you get caught up in all the excitement. That said, I do get FOMO when I miss a good one when I'm trying to be good. Tomorrow I'm heading in for a few so we'll see if I can behave.

Karen Millen went stupid cheap and tomorrow is their last day. Manolo Blahnik also popped up for a one day sale and Edie Parker also opens tomorrow. Balenciaga has a private sale that I'll be checking on and I'll also be attending the Nina Shoes preview with my girls - so be sure to check my Insta stories tomorrow for my adventure.

Also on my radar is Rebecca Minkoff coming next month (yay!) but as always stay tuned for updates!

Manolo Blahnik
April 27, 11-3
Warwick New York Hotel, 65 W 54th St

Karen Millen
April 27, 11-7
Clothingline, 261 West 36th Street, 2nd Fl

Edie Parker
April 27-28
Th 9-8, F 9-5
Bryant Park Hotel, 40 West 40th Street, 24th Floor Terrace Loft

Oscar de la Renta April 25-30
T 10-7, W-Sat 11-7, Sun 11-4
260 Sample Sale, 151 Wooster Street

3.1 Phillip Lim
May 2-7
T 11-8, W 9-8, Th 10-8, F-Sat 10-7, Sun 10-5
260 Sample Sale, 150 Greene Street

Rebecca Minkoff
May 8-14
M 11-8, T-F 10-8, Sat 10-7, Sun 11-4
260 Sample Sale, 260 Fifth Avenue

Happy shopping!

XO
Michelle the Overwhelmed Shopper

Shades of Gray

Now that it finally looks like Spring around here, I'm trying to finish up sharing my winter looks. I wore this 50 shades of gray look to a casual Sunday pre-NYFW week influencer event, thou I do confess I had a pair of Converse in my Prada. And because you know I don't do monochromatic, I had to pop it with my yellow heels.

This outfit cost me less than $100 out of pocket and retailed for over $3,000. It helps that I borrowed my mom's Prada again but my $965 Elizabeth and James Iris oversized Mongolian fur collared coat was less than $60 and Nordstrom Rack. Oh and my Dolce & Gabbana sunglasses were a penny at the Rack. Pretty good, right? 

Head to toe:

• Hat: Maniere Accessories, Zulily, $.99 (after $25 credit, RV $50)
• Sunglasses: Dolce & Gabbana, Nordstrom Rack, $0.01!
• Coat: Elizabeth & James, Nordstrom Rack, $59.95 (RV $965)
• Shirt: H&M (my husband's shirt), $5
• Jeans: H&M, $10
• Bag: Prada, borrowed from my Mom (RV $2,390)
• Heels: LK Bennett Florete, sample sale, $20 (retail $305)

You can shop my style here:

Thank you to Belle @littlefashionstylist for another great round of photos.

I've had a flurry of goodies showing up in my mailbox that I typically share in my Insta stories but here are a couple of my faves :)

I've mentioned Octoly before - they basically have a free store for influencers over 10k and in exchange for product you post reviews on Instagram or YouTube. I've slowed down working with them because I noticed other influencers getting paid to collaborate with some of their brands - and personally I'd rather get paid for the same work from other sources. However, recently this Givenchy Beauty Prisme Libre Loose Powder in Mousseline Pastel popped up and I couldn't resist. It helps with redness and the packaging is beautiful. And a free $55 luxury powder is totally worth it for me. Plus it was the perfect opportunity to showcase my new $1,195 Paul Andrew Blossom sandals that I scored for $50 at the sample sale. Like I always say, it totally pays to be first thru the door at any sale!

ThredUP gave me a credit to shop with them and share on Insta and I ended up getting these brand new Jimmy Choo sandals for about $17 OOP!!! I have a similar pair of Choos (last seen here) that are starting to fall apart because I wear them to death so it was time for a replacement. It takes a lot of patience to comb thru everything and it can be frustratinng when you finally find something amazing....and it's not your size (argh!) but it clearly can pay off big time! Sign up here and you can use code HOARD40 for 40% first-time orders (discount up to $50) and it expires on 5/1/17. Be sure to tell me what you score!!

Sample sale season is back with a vengeance! So many good ones coming our way!!! It seems I made a mistake with Eddie Borgo last week because the $5 damage box was full and all the prices were back to normal. UGH. So next time I suggest we all go. I'm super pissed that Marc Jacobs is opening on the last day of Passover so hopefully there will be something left on day 2. I also got an invite to the super private Balenciaga sale - I can't share anything publicly but I can say you should check my Insta stories on the 27th and/or 28th.

My top weekly sample sale picks include:

Marc Jacobs
April 18-23
T 11-8, W-F 9-8, Sat 10-8, Sun 10-4
260 Sample Sale, 150 Greene Street

Marissa Webb
April 22-23, 11-7
104 Grand Street

Oscar de la Renta
April 25-30
T 10-7, W-Sat 11-7, Sun 11-4
260 Sample Sale, 151 Wooster Street

Edie Parker
April 27-28
Th 9-8, F 9-5
Bryant Park Hotel, 40 West 40th Street, 24th Floor Terrace Loft

Can't wait to see what turns up next. It's getting good people!

Happy Passover to everyone celebrating. I'm with my family this week but I'm waiting on pins and needles to see if I'm a finalist for the Redbook Real Women Style Awards. They are announcing someone new every day on their Insta and you then have 24 hours to like the picture and vote for that person. I'm not sure it's the best voting system but something tells me it's not just about the public votes. I decided to be positive and visualize myself on that cover so let's see if I get nominated. My wish to have my picture taken by Bill Cunningham is clearly off the table (I saw him at New York Fashion Week before he died and he looked at me and walked the other way LOL) but getting on the cover of a magazine is still up there on my bucket list. Watch them announce my name on a Saturday or on Passover when I'm offline so I can't even vote for myself. Even if I don't make it this time I am not going to give up until someone puts me on their cover. Hey, a girl can dream...

XO
Michelle the Future Cover Model

Rebel with a Cause

Spring has sprung and I'm so excited that all the snow is finally gone from NYC. In keeping with one of my New Year's resolutions to get healthier I decided it was time head to the City to try a new workout class. Because I'm a practical girl and didn't want to drag gym clothing with me, I embraced the athleisure trend and hit the streets in my workout gear. I was super excited to wear my new Puma Rebel Mid Sneakers that I just picked up at Famous Footwear. They're the perfect combo of street and chic, and I can't even begin to tell you how comfortable they are.

These Pumas are now on sale for $64.99 at Famous Footwear and they come in hot pink too! I was so tempted, but the black and white styling called to me. The Rebel is lightweight and don't even get me started about the cushion-y insole. I was on my feet all day and these wore like a dream.

From head to toe:

• Sunglasses: Ray Ban, Century 21, $8, RV $145 - back when they had 90% off!
• Coat: Zara, $29.99 from $199.99
• Workout wear: all BooHoo Fit, gifted
• Bracelet: Balenciaga, sample sale, $99
• Backpack: Rebecca Minkoff, sample sale, $10 (RV about $200)
• Sneakers: Puma Rebel Mid Sneakers, Famous Footwear, gifted (RV $69.99)

Thank you Belle @littlefashionstylist for taking my pics! We met up that day to hit the SJP sample sale which was right around the corner from the LOVE sculpture by Robert Indiana by 55th & 6th. Little known fact - he hadn't expected it to be so popular so he didn't copyright his work. So if you think it made him rich and famous you'd be wrong.

After a little shopping (didn't get anything) & shooting we headed downtown to grab a bite and by the time I got to the gym I missed my yoga class LOL. Some people might think that spending the day on your feet running around the City is enough of a workout, but when you've over 40 your metabolism slows down - and you really have to make a effort to stay fit. I'm still figuring things out but I'm proud that I'm taking steps to get there. Literally :)

Thank you to Famous Footwear for kindly sponsoring this post. All opinions are 100% honest & completely my own.

Next week is Passover so I'm going be taking a little break from shopping and social media. Because you know I won't leave you high and dry, let's talk sample sales for a minute. Tomorrow is the first day of Eddie Borgo (deets mentioned here) that I'm probably going to skip after they raised prices at their last sale. But later this month we have Marc Jacobs which was epic last time, Edie Parker, & Marissa Webb. I'll get you all the details as they come a little closer.

XO
Michelle in Kicks