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

Irresistible Me.

Until I was thirty I had long blonde hair. It was part of my identity. And then one day I needed a change and had it chopped into pixie by Edward Tricomi of Warren Tricomi. The great thing about being a hair model is that you never know who is going to do your hair. You can just as easily be serviced by a student or a celebrity stylist - for free or a nominal fee. I'll never forget it was him because at his station he had a Edward Scissorhands figure. I grew it out and kept it long until about 40 and then I started cutting again. When Irresistible Me offered me a set of hair extensions I jumped at the chance to try long hair again. Honestly I didn't realize how much I miss my hair until I edited these photos.

So yeah, this dress is kinda amazing. I spotted it on the H&M sale rack for $30 from $99 and knew it was coming to Florida with me. It's a part of their Studio Collection line which I'm a big fan of. Especially on sale. In full disclosure it's a size 8 and super sheer. It has a slip, but it ends just past my behind. I wish it was longer because it oddly ends at my ankles. As long as I was going full drama, I grabbed my oversize House of Harlow sunglasses ($0.01!) and my $90 Jimmy Choo sample sale sandals. I took a gold purse with me but it didn't match at all so I pulled the strap of my Chanel and wore it as a clutch.

From head to toe:

• Sunglasses: House of Harlow, Nordstrom Rack, $0.01
• Necklace: AV Max, sample sale, $10
• Dress: H&M Studio Collection, $30 (RV $99)
• Bag: Chanel, Neiman Marcus, 75% off retail
• Rings: Eddie Borgo, sample sale, $5
• Sandals: Jimmy Choo, sample sale, $90 (RV $595)

Linking a few other romantic maxi dresses should you want to steal my style:

Ava wanted to see what it would be like to be a blonde too :)

This is what the Irresistible Me Silky Touch set comes with. I selected #28 silky honey blonde, 200g and 14 inches. This was the shortest set they offer for Silky Touch - I honestly would a preferred a shorter set but this is human hair and can be cut, heat treated and colored just as you do with your own hair. These really are great extensions for short hair and my set retails for $169. As you can see, I had a hard time blending because my last short hair cut was over layered - plus my hair is pretty fine and thinning on top. Most of my top hair fell out after I had my kids. It's one of those weird hormonal things that they don't tell you about having babies. Thank goodness some of it grew back but for a while I had a bald spot. Honestly I'd love to try a full wig at some point (just for fun) because my hair is thicker and has more volume from my ear-line and down - it's the top that needs more help than the bottom.

I'd say it took several tries to get them in for these pictures but once you get the hang of it it's easy enough to snap right in - even for a novice like myself. I would also love to have a pro put these in just to see what else I can do with them. They actually blend even better with Ella's hair so I plan on trying them on her as well.

Mind you I've since cut my hair again. I didn't mean to but I wanted my lob back and the stylist didn't cut enough of an angle so I thought it would be okay to go shorter to get the shape I wanted. So now I'm super short again but hopeful it will grow quickly because I'm anxious to get it to my collarbone - and from there maybe bra length again. We'll see. For now I have my Irresistible Me extensions should I need to switch things up.

On the shopping front, run to Zara now. Like right now. Their sale just had another markdown today and everything is now $19.99 or less in the woman's sale area. I've been stalking their website daily to try and catch a replenishment and I've gotten lucky a few times! Hint - when you find something on sale put it in your cart and check out immediately. Don't wait or you'll lose it! Don't worry, I'll be sharing my Zara haul and Clear the Rack finds soon!

Century 21 got another markdown this week but I'm so over their not really 90% off sale. I grabbed a $350 Tommy sports jacket for my husband for $24 and a $110 Ted Baker shirt for $11 but that was it. Nothing for me.

As for sample sales, I've been taking a break because the season doesn't really heat up again until May/June. There are a few this week and next but nothing worth mentioning. If anything pops up I'll be sure to add it to my Insta-stories on LeHoarder or my @shoppinggalscloset account - where I share more deals and giveaways.

I also wanted to share how excited I am for Ella - she just won a custom gown on Instagram from Pink Label NY. Not sure what she is gonna do with a fancy gown but she can always wear it to her Bat Mitzvah in 2 years. She's so skinny that I'm sure it won't be a problem LOL.

Have a great weekend!

XO
Michelle with the Good Hair

Dress of My Dreams.

At the first Teri Jon sample sale I attended, I saw a woman walk away with the previous version of this dress and I died a little. I did score this amazing number but it just wasn't the same. For months I dreamed of this breathtaking dress. From the high-low hemline, to the teeny tiny flowers, right down to the perfect lace. This past sale I got there over an hour early and was first thru the door...and they didn't have anything like it. Again, I died a little. In my head it was the most beautiful dress in the world and I neeeeded it.

And then an opportunity popped up - I accepted a project with Teri Jon in exchange for any dress. It was kismet. Let me tell you, in person it's even more spectacular. I got it right in time for my Nephew's Bar Mitzvah party.

I've been looking for the perfect choker for months. At the AV Max sample sale last week I finally picked up a bunch! It's seriously my go-to sample sale for jewelry - and the best part is that everything is under $25.

Unfortunately I forgot my bag and I was over 200 miles from home...so I went to Target. Found this clutch for less than $20. Seriously, where else can you go at 9am on a Sunday? Target to the resuce!

My mothers requests that I have a head covering at religious gatherings so I brought along my favorite fascinator. Married orthodox Jewish women cover their hair and for the longest time I struggled with it. This hat is more of a token covering (as it doesn't cover much LOL) but I've made my peace and I'm okay with that. I grew up in a pretty strict household and you can say I'm a bit of the black sheep. I like to think of myself as a little more modern orthodox and I do modest-ish at best.

These days it's more my vanity than religion that motivates my covered up looks. Your body changes when you have kids. Add being over 40 and it's an uphill battle. Right now I'm the heaviest I've ever been. Sigh. But it's so important to have beautiful clothing that you love - even when you've put on weight. Last time I was this heavy I hid. Literally. I didn't recognize myself. I refuse to hide anymore. In full disclosure I'm 5'5" and 176 lbs. right now. By some miracle my dress is a size 8. I've always looked lighter than I weighed (heavy bones?) so numbers don't bother me. I may not feel my best right now but when you look like crap you feel like crap - so I put on a pretty dress. Some days even a little lipstick can go a long way.

From head to toe:

• Fascinator: Scala, Century 21, $25
• Choker: AV Max, sample sale, $10
• Dress: Teri Jon, gifted (RV $1,420)
• Clutch: Merona, Target, $16.99
• Shoes: Shoes: Jimmy Choo Swarovski Whistler heels, sample sale, $100 (RV $2,450)

My eye makeup was all thanks to my Lancôme Voxbox from Influenster. (Be sure you sign up here to get your free boxes of stuff!) I wanted to try something different so instead of using a colored liner on my top lid I used it on bottom. I love this Drama Liqui-Pencil - I often play with blues, golds, greens and purple to set off my hazel eyes. The Définicils Mascara was not my fave thou. It clumped and didn't give me the long fanned out lashes my Korres mascara does. The lipstick is actually by Korres - it's the Morello Lipstick + Cotton Seed Oil Lip Liner Duo in Classic Red. I was very impressed. It's the perfect shade of red and it stayed on for hours. The company Octoly gifted it to me. If you have over 10k on YouTube or Insta you can apply to Octoly here.

For my girls, I used my giftcard that Macy's Backstage sent me to purchase these dresses for $15 each. I layered them with $1.50 H&M shirts and $1.50 tights from a sample sale. The hair accessories were also sample sale scores. The shoes were sent to us from Nina Kids Shoes - they seriously have the cutest shoes! These are the Alicea ballet flats. LOVE!

It was actually freezing outside but the lighting in the restaurant was terrible. The girls were huddled together in most of the pictures I took of them LOL. I really wanted to find a prettier location to shoot but as always we were running late (and it was 20 degrees out) so we had to quickly shoot in the parking lot.

Nina Shoes sent me these Idabell pumps and let me tell you - they are gorgeous! Even my flats wearing mom wanted to try them on. I should mention they run a little big. I tried sizing down but they were too small in 8.5 so I took the 9 and figured I'd pad them. For some reason I thought they would match my new dress but the color was off. I still needed to take a picture with them anyway. Check out the beautiful crystal heels!

My pics were taken by my son and teenage nephew B. Thanks guys! If you have kids, train them young!

You can shop our looks here:

Last but not least, check out my new Daniel Wellington Classic Black watch. I'm all about rose gold right now. It came with a matching cuff and you can get 15% off their website with code LEHOARDER. I'm also wearing my new Carolina Amato leather gloves ($15) and Marc Jacobs scarf ($20) that were both sample sale scores. Can't forget my new Baci Outlet jacket! I'm extending my Baci Outlet giveaway so you too can get this jacket with the gift card I'm giving away on Instagram! Enter here.

This week I took the week off from sample sale-ing. There are tons of great sales but so far I'm resisting the urge to shop. If I cave I'll be sure to share my adventures on my Insta stories :)

And I still can't believe I own the dress of my dreams. Thank you Teri Jon! Can't wait to wear it again!

XO
Shoppinggal

And on the last day I wore Prada.

After playing chicken my first two days of New York Fashion Week I decided to wear at least one outfit that felt like me. And in true bargainista fashion, I put it together for less than $100 head to toe.

When you put on weight it's easy to feel like you need to cover up. The trick is to show a little skin and show your shape. I started with a bodycon dress and took a page out of the Kim K playbook and covered with a sheer oversized coat. I really like to be comfortable in my heels so I put aside my stupid shoes and pulled out my favorite Tamara Mellon Bad Girls. I could seriously run a marathon in these. And let's talk Prada for a moment. My mom recently moved out of the country for a simpler life and left her designer bags in my care. Thanks Ma!

From head to toe:

• Sunglasses: Jimmy Choo, Nordstrom Rack, $10 (RV $325)
• Dress: H&M, $3 (I think it retailed for $49.95)
• Coat: LAMB, Nordstrom Rack, $0.01 (RV $350)
• Bracelets: AV Max leather cuffs, sample sale, $10 each (RV $70 & $80)
• Bag: Prada, borrowed from my Mom (RV $2,390)
• Shoes: Tamara Mellon Bad Girls, sample sale, $50 (RV $750)

So I spent a little over $80 on this $4,000 outfit. It's probably a record for me LOL.

You can shop my look below:

My pics were taken by Belle, Little Fashion Stylist who I'd met the previous week at the StyleWatch party. Thanks girl! We met up for the Miguel Vieira show by Pier 59. I had a seat so I went in and saved us both front row seats. Most shows I'm not lucky enough to sit with a friend so this was a treat.

The show included both men's and women's designs and lots of graphic black and white patterns. And lots of pretty boys :)

I shot Belle on the way out. How cute is she??!! She's wearing her prom dress with a H&M top underneath that she had picked up that day. So clever.

Afterwards we decided to hit a sample sale and then to the Lane Bryant store to meet Christian Siriano who was having a party for his latest plus size collab. I ended up skipping out in another show because like I said, Fashion Week is way more fun with a friend.

I had a few shots with Christian (who I'd previously met at Couture for a Cause last year) but my vanity prohibits me sharing them LOL.

In the end I had a great Fashion Week. It was short and sweet but I'm hoping to be bolder and to take NY by storm next round. I'm excited to share that I have a few new collaborations in the works and it's looking like an exciting fall.

Who else is excited for fall! I can't wait to take out all the coats I've collected this past summer!

XO
Shoppinggal

Floral Dreams.

I picked up this floral embroidered dress at the Teri Jon sample sale a few months back for my brother's wedding. When they changed the color to navy a couple weeks before, I had to scramble to find another look - seen here. Luckily a week after his wedding I had another family affair so I finally got to wear my amazing dress.

This confection is a one-of-a-kind sample and was never produced. It makes me feel like I just walked out of a Dolce & Gabbana dream. I matched up the shrug at the sale and it honestly looks like it came together. I love sample sales for pieces just like this. Special. Unique. And it's the closest I'm gonna get to couture.

When I got the dress I immediately matched up my Kotur clutch from the Net a Porter sale. For some reason I don't seem to have a black satin evening shoe (go figure?!) so I matched up my patent leather Charlotte Olympia sample sale heels.

Head to toe:

• Earrings: A.V. Max, sample sale, $4 (approx RV $40)
• Dress & Shrug: Teri Jon, sample sale, $70 (est. retail $800)
• Ring: Lionette double Ashley ring, sample sale, $20 (RV $135)
• Bag: Kotur Fitzgerald perspex with dragon and tassel clutch, Net a Porter sale, $100 (RV $895)
• Shoes: Charlotte Olympia x Agent Provocateur Bellatrix, sample sale, $150 (RV $895)

So retail value $2,765, and I spent $344. Not bad :)

You can shop my look here:

Thank you to my photographers. My husband got a little grumpy after 10 minutes of shooting (it's hard to tear him away from a smorgasbord) so I enlisted my SIL who was a good sport but took lots of blurry photos. I also grabbed a cousin who took the wall pics. It takes a village, people. I can't always take my trained Insta kids with me :)

So fashion week has begun. I hit several shows last week and I have a bunch this week too. Be sure to follow my Insta stories for a peek inside my adventures!

XO
Shoppinggal