August 2017 | Le Hoarder
Le Hoarder

A NYC -ish* Style and Shopping Blog

Thursday, August 31, 2017

Ombre Walls and Too Much Pink?



How much pink is too much pink? In my opinion, there's no such thing. Gimmie all the pink! My latest pink obsession started with this Johnny Was cover-up that I picked up at TJ Maxx for $70. I was on a caftan hunt and was hoping for cute ones for about 20 bucks and of course I had to stop in the designer department and spot this pink perfection. Belle and I have been hunting down colorful walls so we headed to Brooklyn to shoot this amazing ombre one. I'm not sure why we haven't headed to DUMBO before - it's gorgeous over there!

It was love at first sight for this dress. The cut is insanely flattering because it's cut a little longer and narrower than most caftans. I hate when they are super short and boxy and turn you into a square. Once I tried it on I felt a whole lot better about the price - plus it was selling online at Neiman Marcus for way more. Plus with cost per wear this summer - it came out to pennies a day LOL.

Because of the cut-outs (and the fact that it's a sheer-ish beach cover-up) I added my new favorite Victoria's Secret slip. It's knee length and bias cut - so good. I haven't shopped VS in years but I needed a slip for my new Teri Jon dress that I wore for my niece's wedding seen here. It came with a nude slip and I really wanted a black one. I tore through dozens of stores until I found it. It was $50 (though I used a $50 Visa giftcard that I won) but if it ever goes on sale I'll grab more.




The pouch was also a TJ Maxx score but at $12.99 it was a no-brainer. With all the color going on I decided to wear with my favorite black and white Sophia Webster Lacey heels that I scored at the sample sale for $95. I'm starting to wear them down so they are getting a little unbalanced. It's gonna really hurt when I  have to retire them.




From head to toe:
  • Sunglasses: Posey bifocal sun reader, Readers.com, C/O (RV $17.95)
  • Earrings: AV Max, sample sale, $4 (RV $55)
  • Caftan: Johnny Was, TJ Maxx, $70 (RV $279) - I'm wearing an XS so they run big
  • Slip: Victoria's Secret satin midi slip, $50 - I'm wearing a M
  • Bracelet: AV Max, sample sale, $10
  • Bag: TJ Maxx, $12.99
  • Shoes: Sophia Webster Lacey heels, sample sale, $95 - read about that epic sale here.




You can shop my style here:



After Belle shot me, I snapped a few of her as well :) I actually typically shoot her first because I like to test the lighting and see if the shot will work for me. I really need to go back to shoot the blue part of the wall with a different look. I just liked how my pink dress popped against the yellow and orange. I'm learning that where you shoot is almost as important as what you shoot. I love the contrast of a beach-y look in a more urban setting. And color is always good. A lot of the walls I find are pretty busy so I can't always shoot them because my looks tend to be pretty busy too.





I've taken a mini break from sample sales but not much is going on anyway. With Fashion Week around the bend I need to take a breather to start setting up my schedule. Kids have about a week left before they start school so I'm also scrambling to pick up all the odds and ends we are missing from their school supply list. Seriously, why do my kids need 20 glue sticks each? Good grief.

The Zara clearance sale is pretty much over and I didn't really get much this year. TJ Maxx and Marshalls have been yellow stickering for a couple weeks but I didn't find the designer steals like my $99 Rockrunners that I scored last year. I did find a slightly beat up Rag and Bone straw hat for $5 and a bunch of kid things for $0.50-$3. I popped in my Century in NJ but never made it to the downtown location. From my intel it was better downtown, as it always is, but I miss the days of 90% off when you could take home a huge bag of designer stuff for less than $100.

My only sample sale pick for the week is the Clothingline blowout. Can be a hit or miss but you usually walk always with something. If you go, get there early and watch out for the hoarders - they can get pretty aggressive.

Clothingline Blowout Sale
September 6, 11-7
261 West 36th Street, 2nd Fl

Also heads up, Clear the Rack at Nordstrom Rack starts tomorrow and runs September 1-5. I peeked in this week but didn't really see anything I need to go back for, even with the extra 25% off. But you never know so I'll probably pop in...

There is still one more day left for my Tory Burch bag, Apple watch and Kate Spade sunglasses giveaway - click here and scroll down to enter!

Good luck and happy shopping!










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Thursday, August 17, 2017

Capri Blue and Me



Anyone else have a love affair with candles? Color me happy when I'm surrounded by sweet scents in beautiful packaging. Capri Blue candles are the perfect mix of fashion and fragrance and I'm excited to share with you my love story.

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

I got my first apartment in Manhattan when I was 23 - and after growing up in a household of nine (yep, I'm one of seven kids) I was thrilled to finally have my own space. My queen sized white metal framed bed and my air conditioner were my first two purchases, and then I went on to fill my studio with lots of girlie bits a pieces like picture frames, flowers and candles. Yes, I am a secret girlie girl. I wouldn't say it looked like a unicorn threw up in my place, it was more like English countryside with florals and lots of feminine details. And it was all mine. For five years I spent weekends with my BFF adding inexpensive Swedish furniture and knick knacks to my perfect little apartment.

And then I got married. My husband had an apartment in Queens but I just couldn't leave the City. Eventually I convinced him to move into my place and little by little all my pink and girlie started to disappear. When we started to have kids, little by little, we replaced tables and futons with cribs and toys. And all my pretty picture frames and candles were boxed up and stored away.

I've been in suburbia for about 5 years now and despite my husband's aversion to my pretties, little by little, I've been adding flowers here, candles there - and infusing my home with pieces of me. So when Capri Blue approached me to collaborate, I'm sure you can guess my answer was an overwhelming yes. You've probably spotted their gorgeous products when browsing in Anthropology - every time I'm there I can't help but stop to smell them all. Their line includes beautifully scented (and packaged) candles, lotions, soaps, diffusers and room sprays. I recently scoured their website and put together the perfect candle combo of pinks and girlie-ness that I just had to share.




Candles pictured clockwise from top; Citrus & Violet Haze Gilded Faceted Jar, Volcano Pink Signature Jar, Modern Mint Watercolor Signature Jar, Citrus & Violet again and Paris Watercolor Signature Jar.

When we get overnight visitors, my poor son often loses his room. And yes, that's my old bed frame LOL. I pull out all the boy in his room and replace his sports themed bedding with more neutral florals, and create little girlie nooks. My parents are currently visiting from out of the country so once again Akiva has been ousted. In an effort to make it smell a little less boy I added a few flowers and a few of my favorite Capri Blue scents. Ella has since decided she wants his new and improved room and I keep catching her trying to take over the space.






Candles always take me to my happy place. I'd have to say that hands down, the tropical fruit and sugared citrus scent of Volcano is my favorite. And of course, they had me at hot pink.

Do you have a Capri Blue favorite? What kinds of scents do you look for when shopping for candles? And the real question is, do you shop by packaging or scent? I confess I do a little of both.

XO
Michelle


PS Check out my previous post for my weekly NYC sample sale picks and an amazing GIVEAWAY!


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Tuesday, August 15, 2017

Summer Goals & a Giveaway!

This summer, Belle and I have been on a mission to explore the colorful walls of NYC. We recently headed down to the Lower East Side to checkout the new(ish) Kelsey Montague floral wings mural - and spotted this colorful wall right next to it and couldn't resist. Head to toe, my bargainista look cost less than $50 OOP (I'm on a roll!) and as always I'm happy to break it down. I'm also so excited to announce an amazing Tory Burch, Apple, and Kate Spade giveaway for you - scroll down for more deets!




Head to toe:
  • Sunglasses: Janurary bifocal sun reader, Readers.com, C/O (RV $16.95)
  • Dress: Burlington, $14.99 (Yes I have two, see the other one here)
  • Bag: Larone Artisans C/O*
  • Bracelet: Eddie Borgo, sample sale, $5 (RV $350)
  • Shoes: Jimmy Choo, Thredup, $17 (after coupon codes and gifted credit)

*Just wanted to mention that Larone Artisans will be launching their site on August 20th - use code LEHOARDER for 30% off their beautiful handmade bags.





You can shop my style here:





Belle was super cute and casual in her tee and vintage skirt so I had to shoot her too.




The problem with these wings is the location. Cars can park right in front - and it was garbage day so we had to move mounds of garbage out of the way. Plus thanks to my 40m lens, I had to stand in the middle of traffic to try to get the full wall. Several times we ran for our lives trying to get the shot. FYI, we popped by post-sample sale in the afternoon. If you're gonna go, try for very early morning so there is less traffic and possibly better natural light.

If you're just getting started blogging (or you like to edit your own pictures) find a blogger BFF who is willing to stand in traffic with you to get the perfect shot. Thanks Belle!





In addition to my NYC sample sale picks from last week (seen here - where I also shared my $0.01 Chloe sandals!) I'm adding Club Clio for 90% K-beauty products (I need some new cushions...) and the Shoebox clearance sale, where everything will be $149 or less! So my new picks for the week are as follows:

Sachin & Babi
August 14-16, 9-6
132 West 36th St, 9th Fl

Club Clio K-Beauty Warehouse Sale
August 16-31, 10-6
11 W 14th St

Mahna Mahna Showroom
August 22-25, 11-6
134 Spring St, #304

The Shoe Box
August 22-27
T-Th 10-8, F-Sat 10-7, Sun 10-5
260 Fifth Avenue


Last but not least, it's giveaway time! I've teamed up with a group of amazing bloggers for you to win a Tory Burch bag, Apple Watch, and Kate Spade Sunglasses! Head to the Rafflecopter gadget below to enter!




a Rafflecopter giveaway

Happy shopping and good luck!

XO
Michelle





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Thursday, August 10, 2017

Beachlife & Penny Shoes

While I'm a City girl at heart, every so often we all need a getaway for a little R&R. Earlier this summer my husband booked us a room in Atlantic City on a whim. The five of us piled in the car with two of my niece's in tow. It's been a while since I've shared a look for less than $50 - and this one is especially good since my Chloe Estel fringed wedges retailed for $645 alone.




Head to toe:
  • Sunglasses: free from a friend's daughter's Bat Mitzvah LOL (cute swag, right?)
  • Cover-up: Old Navy, free (I went to an Old Navy and they gifted me a romper which I swapped for this in-store.)
  • Hat: Kooba, TJ Maxx, $12.99
  • Bracelet: A.V. Max, sample sale, $10
  • Shoes: Chloe, Nordstrom Rack, $0.01 (RV $645!)*

*For those of you new to my blog, you can find things for a penny at Nordstrom Rack. Penny items are pieces that should have been clearanced from the floor and pulled - but if you find them (some are actually marked $0.01 and some you have to hunt for) they typically sell them to you without too much of a hassle for a penny. I look for items that have been sitting around a while and make educated guesses. If you're familiar with your location's stock, it's pretty easy to do. Like any bargain hunting, it takes time and patience. And sometimes it's just dumb luck.




You can shop my style here:






As you know, the real star of the show is my daughter Ella. I'm proud to report that her Insta is at almost 3k! This was all shot back by the 4th of July - Justice was running a $3 promotion for all clearance tops so we scooped up this cute navy cold shouldered tee and floral headband for only $2. Once again, her sunnies were another $1 Dollar Tree find. We couldn't find any white shorts (she's particular about fit - wonder where she gets that from...) so she chopped a pair of white Gap capris which we had thrifted for about $1 a long time ago.




I have plenty of cute pics of her but I thought I'd share this one where she was literally attacked by seagulls LOL.




This is pretty much the only shot you'll see Ava in - when she's at the beach she takes playing in the sand very seriously. I don't even bother putting her in a cute suit at the beach because she just destroys them.




And because I don't give Akiva enough love - and because he woke up early to shoot me on the boardwalk, I wanted to share one with him and my niece Emma who I call the "Akiva Whisperer." She's just so sweet and kind and knows how to deal with his quirks. I love my boy but he doesn't always fit in - and she just gets him.




Back to Ella - Justice sent her this towel as a part of her #girlswithheart brand ambassador program. The bikini we picked up in Justice when they were running a $10 swimsuit promo. She usually has a hard time finding ones that the bottoms don't fall off (which is why we do a lot of mixing and matching) but these were ok. She's 10 years old and wearing a size 7 here. Typically with Justice she needs a 8/10 on top and a 7/8 on bottom. Ideally in swim she'd need a 8 on top and 6 on bottom though.




I probably have a dozen shots of Ella on the beach doing cartwheels, headstands, and leaping in the air but I'm just sharing my favorite. I don't typically feel mom-guilt but I feel a little bad that we never signed her up for gymnastics. It's really expensive around here - and we already sacrifice so much to send them to private school. I used to sign up my kids for a few after school programs and sports - but they have so much school work, and get home so late that during the school year that it was just too much. I didn't want to spend my life in one endless carpool. I have friends who spend their entire Sunday in their cars shuttling their kids around. Instead I make an effort to actually spend time with my kids. I figure they're gonna remember impromptu beach trips way more than some random little league practice.




But back to the fun stuff in shopping land. Fivestory was a disappointment - low stock and not that cheap. Most items were only 75% off retail - and nothing really drool-worthy. That said I did pick up a 90% off Edie Parker clutch and a pair of shoes that I'll have to share soon. I think I confused that sale with the Scoop sale - which the last one was epic, mostly because they went out of business. Today is the last day of Prabal Gurung which I heard got markdowns so you may want to hurry over. Nothing else really exciting to list from my picks from  previous weeks (which I relisted below).

Prabal Gurung
August 10, 8-7
247 West 37th Street, Suite 1501

Fivestory
August 8-13
T 9-8, W-Sat 11-7, Sun 11-4
150 Greene Street

Sachin & Babi
August 14-16, 9-6
132 West 36th Street, 9th Fl

Mahna Mahna Showroom
August 22-25, 11-6
134 Spring St, #304

Happy Shopping!

XO
Michelle









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Thursday, August 3, 2017

My 85% off Altuzarra Birthday Bag



It's been a while since I've really treated myself, so for my 43rd birthday, I decided to take home something special from the Altuzarra sample sale. Most of you know how thrifty I am so it's rare I splurge on a single purchase. I walked into the Altuzarra sale a couple weeks ago and I made a beeline for this bag. I was hoping for something similar in brown but alas my search is still on for the perfect brown bag. It feels pretty similar to the Chloe I was lusting after but I'm happy to share that this bag is actually MUCH lighter - and it was cheaper than any similar designer bag I coveted. The funny thing is that I have a few inexpensive Rebecca Minkoff knockoffs that I didn't even realize were inspired by my Ghianda bullrope saddle bag. That said, I like this one waaaay more than any of those.

When deciding at the showroom I tried googling the bag but only ever found the studded version on the runway. I asked the employees and they told me the plain version was almost $3,000 - this one retailed for much more. And then I felt much better about taking it home with me.





It's a hard bag to style for summer but I needed to take it for a spin. I packed it up for the last day of the Bottega Veneta sample sale (they promised huge markdowns but failed to deliver) - and paired it with my white embroidered midi dress from last year and a pair of my $20 L.K. Bennett sample sale steals (you can read more about that epic sale here). Ideally I'd like a pair of black espadrilles to wear with it. I found a pair at the Zara sale but the sizes were mismatched. Ugh.





Head to toe:
  • Sunglasses: Posey bifocal sun reader, Readers.com, C/O (RV $17.95)
  • Dress: Zaful, c/o (previously seen here)
  • Bag: Altuzarra, sample sale, $500 (RV $3,000+)
  • Shoes: L.K. Bennett Summer Sandals, sample sale, $20 (RV $545!)




You can shop my style here:







Thank you Belle, @LittleFashionStylist for this round of pictures. I was so cranky from the heat and the disappointment at Bottega that I almost didn't shoot - but then I saw this little spot by the Union Square Café and needed to stop.

In addition to the Fivestory sale I mentioned in my previous post (don't miss it!) a couple other sales popped up on my radar. The Mahna Mahna showroom sale is back (lots of second-hand treasures) as well as Sachin & Babi - promising prices ranging between $40 to $75! On the Zara front, they had another markdown and now everything on sale is $29.99 or less. Keep checking for returns but I'm really waiting for the next markdown where everything is $19.99 or less!!

Sachin & Babi
August 14-16, 9-6
132 West 36th Street, 9th Fl

Mahna Mahna Showroom
August 22-25, 11-6
134 Spring St, #304

Lastly, anyone else watching A Handmaid's Tale? How did I never read the book? OMG I'm dying to binge it on Hulu but I'm trying to get other stuff done LOL. Is there anything on Amazon or Netflix that I need to watch right now? I feel like I've watched everything - which is why I was excited to discover A Handmaid's Tale.

Happy shopping (and binge watching)!

XO
Michelle








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