Confessions of a Sample Sale-aholic.

My name is Michelle and I'm addicted to sample sales. I've been sample sale-ing for over 20 years now. Once you've shopped a designer sample sale, it's pretty much impossible to shop at retail. Last week, my blogger bestie, Belle, launched her editorial site, Little Fashion Stylist. I wrote this article for her about the sample sale life, but I confess it's an updated compilation of several posts that have appeared here over the past couple years.

I have a few half-written articles that I planned to share first, but I couldn't finish because life got in the way. Besides the craziness of the Bomb-Cyclone that hit us last week, my boiler decided to crack and die, leaving us without heat since last Wednesday. It dropped to 32 degrees (Fahrenheit) inside my home so we sent the kids to live with my BIL, and ran out and purchased several space heaters so the pipes wouldn't freeze and burst. Right now it's 39 degrees in my house. It's so cold I can see my breath, and it hurts my fingers to type - even with gloves on. Thankfully, tomorrow they're coming and putting in a new one for a whopping $12,000. Ouch. Mine wasn't even that old. Plus I was told it would last for 20 years. Guess not. 

But I digress...

Over the years I've scored everything from $25 Sergio Rossi heels, $100 Choos (that retailed for over $2,000!), countless designer dresses and coats for under $50, even my first Chanel bag for 75% off.  The Chanel actually wasn't from their sample sale - just a crazy end of season deal. But the principals of bargain shopping still apply. Even my $20,000 Badgley Mischka wedding dress was a sample sale score for about $1,000. Name any designer -  they probably have a sample sale.

There are a few caveats as bargain hunting is not an exact science. So much of it is luck, and being in the right place at the right time. If you're looking for a deal you have to be open. If you're looking for current season merchandise and you can't deal with lines, crowds, and digging through countless bins and racks, the sample sale life is not for you. But if you can stomach it, there are amazing deals to be found.

You gotta understand, not all sales are created equal. People always ask me how do I know which ones are the "good" ones. After a while you develop an instinct for where to shop and when the deals are gonna be epic. But you still have to get lucky. At this point I have a network of sample sale friends who share intel and invites. Not all sales are open to the public, but over the years I've talked my way into many a private one.

When you first discover sample sales, it can be overwhelming. You have to fight the urge to shop every sale and you can get yourself into real financial trouble. Luckily over the years I've honed my editing skills and while I still make a mistake or two, these days I tend to under-buy and error in the side of caution. I'm still kicking myself for not buying more $50 Tamara Mellon heels or clothing at her first couple NYC sales or more $99 furs from Elizabeth and James - they haven't had another sale like that one since.

These days the term sample sale is often misused. A true sample sale is when a brand or manufacturer sells off their previous season's samples. Real samples (often one of a kind pieces made for the runway or garments made to show to buyers - some of which were never manufactured for retail) are often the best deals at any sample sale. It drives me nuts when a sale consists of stock merchandise for moderate discounts -  you can often find better deals at end of season department store sales. I always look for pieces that nobody else has for killer prices. My favorite sales are almost always run by the brand themselves in their showroom or a rented space. When you cut out the middle man you often get the best deals. When discounts hit 90% or better, you're speaking my language.

Head to toe:

• Hat: H&M, $1
• Coat: Zara, $29.99 (sale find from last year!)
• Dress: Trendsend/Evereve c/o
• Bag Strap: Rebecca Minkoff, sample sale, $15
• Bag: Chanel, Neiman Marcus, 75% off 
• Gloves: Carolina Amato, Century 21, $5 (Back when end of season sales were good...) 
• Boots: LF/Life c/o

When I hit a sale, I come prepared. Getting ready for a sample sale is like preparing for battle. I love dressing up but I always keep things simple for New York City sample sales. And now I'm gonna break down my five simple rules for sample sale success.

1. Always be first in line.

I can't stress the importance of this rule enough. Waking up an hour earlier can make all the difference at some of these sales. For less popular sales getting there a half hour early is usually enough but when it's a big name you want to be there 1-2 hours early. The first hour of the sale is when all the best/cheap stuff gets snapped up.

2. Be prepared.

I always have a giant blue IKEA tote bag stuffed in my purse to lug home my spoils of war. For $0.99 it's one of the best deals ever. If it's going to rain I have a tiny umbrella and a couple plastic garbage bags to protect the goods. I also do my due diligence. When a sale is announced I immediately Google past sale reports so get an idea of pricing and selection. Then I look online at lookbooks for current and past season collections to create a wishlist. I also check to see if they've had markdowns historically and show up for those days too. It also can't hurt to ask if they'll be replenishing.

3. Don't overdress.

I have a uniform. I like slip dresses because I can pop a dress on top of it or try on pants or skirts under it. I'm just not one of those girls who strips down to her panties publicly. Some gals wear the leggings and tank top ensemble but I'm more of a dress girl. In the winter I'll wear Spanx tights under my dress which will help suck me in as needed. This also means no makeup - it's just gonna shmear all over the clothing when you're trying it on in a hurry. If I'm wearing lipstick I wipe it off before I go in. No jewelry either. It can get caught and snag the clothing you're trying on, or fall off and get lost. Shoes should slide on and off easily as well.

4. Check and double check!

Sample sales are final sale so look everything over carefully. Sometimes a small damage or unfinished product isn't isn't a big deal if it's an easy fix or insanely cheap. It's also easy to get caught up in the moment and come home with something stupid. Made many a mistake back in the day. Now I'm a master editor and only buy what I love or can be passed along if I change my mind. OK, maybe that's not true - I still make mistakes from time to time...

5. Bring a buddy.

Some sales don't have mirrors or dressing rooms. You're gonna need someone whose opinion you trust to be your eyes. Plus a buddy can help you snap up all the cheap samples and then you can edit together. I have my sample sale crew at this point - we pass along the pieces that don't work for us and make sure nobody makes any huge fashion mistakes. If I'm solo at a sale I usually make friends in line or the dressing room. Shopping is always better with friends.

Photos by Belle Bakst

Be sure to follow my shopping adventures on LeHoarder.com and/or my Instagram from real time updates. Like I said, once you start sample sale shopping, you can never go back. And be sure to say hello if you see me about town - because like I said, shopping is always better with friends.

XO
Michelle

P.S. Sample sales have started popping up on the schedule again but IMHO there is no must-shop for this week. Keep your eyes focused on the retail sales. Zara just got another markdown but I'm waiting for one or two more before I shop. Designer sales are at second markdown at department stores and a few have an extra percentage off. You should be checking Barneys, Bergdorf, Bloomies, Neiman Marcus and Saks about now. And FYI, deals are always better in store vs online. Happy shopping!

A Local Gal's Guide to Navigating New York Fashion Week

Fashion Week from a local's perspective is completely different than that of an out-of towner's. I don't have to deal with booking hotels because my biggest expense is the subway. But that also means I have to wear one look for the entire day because I can't just pop in to my hotel room to change between shows. I always make sure my look is weather appropriate before I step out the door and I'm wearing comfortable shoes - or I have my favorite Crocs flip flops with me (my secret weapon!) This year was Ella's first NYFW - so we're gonna share our mommy and me style.

Honestly in retrospect I wish I punched up this look with a red beret or some plaid ankle socks but that's what happens when you dress in 5 minutes. Don't be surprised if you see this look again with those. (Read my previous post about the Art of the Fashion Repeat here.) Ella styled herself first so I wanted to coordinate by picking up on the red. I added the heels, fingerless gloves and lipstick and ran out the door. I didn't even bother with jewelry. It was probably enough but for NYFW you really want to do more.

Every morning before I leave for the day I mentally go through my checklist, although sometimes I physically write it out to make sure I don't forget.

So basically this is a what's in my bag, NYFW edition. 

Tote. This is key. When sample sale shopping I always have at least one blue IKEA tote bag stuffed in my bag but for NYFW a regular tote works just fine. I actually picked one up at Trader Joe's for 50 cents. I gave Belle one too LOL. It makes it so much easier to carry your heels and all your front row swag. (Check out my front row tutorial here.)

Metrocard. Until the day I'm a car to door girl, the fastest way to navigate NYC traffic is subway or by foot. Way cheaper and faster than an Uber. If it's your first time using the subway make sure to connect with a local or you may get lost. It took me a couple years to really learn the subway system and it can be very confusing to a newbie.

Comfortable shoes. If you can wear sneakers or flats all day, good for you. But I'm only 5'5" and it's pretty hard for me to stand out in a sea of models without my heels. My trick is to pack my heels and wear my Crocs Sexi Flips between shows. Before you cringe at the word Crocs, check them out. They are super chic and so comfortable. Unlike other flips flops they won't fall off your feet because they have a back (great for driving too!) and won't turn your feet black because they are made of rubber (other materials always discolor my feet). And because they are so lightweight, you can fold them right into your purse. You better believe I had my Crocs with me that day because I can only do those red heels for 3-4 hours tops.

Cash. I never leave my house with less than $20 in my wallet. In NYC it's so easy to grab a quick snack at a food truck or buy a cute pair of sunglasses on the street - but most vendors are cash only.

Lipstick and Sunglasses. I don't like dragging a whole makeup case around with me so as long as I have my lippie to reapply and my sunglasses (in case my eye makeup wears off - or it's really sunny) then I'm good to go. There are so many free lounges for hair and makeup for touch-ups - not to mention a Sephora at almost every corner.

Camera. Any day I want to shoot I make sure to take it with me - that way I can hand it to a friend or friendly stranger. Thank you to Belle for my pictures this round - I took all of Ella's. Maybe one day I'll work with a photographer, but until then I'll be editing my own stuff. Just make sure you have your battery and SD card - trust me when I say you need to double check. Last week I dragged my camera into the City to find I left my battery charging at home. Ugh.

Charger. Especially for all you iPhone girls whose phones die in about an hour. My old phone cracked so my brother gave me his Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge and it's kinda amazing. Better photos and video than an iPhone and the batteries last forever - it's also half the price. I can sometimes go 2 days without having to recharge. It's life changing. I really want to upgrade to an 8+ (I hear the camera is even better!) but I'm gonna wait to see what pops up on Black Friday/Cyber Monday.

Water/Snack. Sometimes shows are back to back and you don't have the time to grab a proper meal. I usually toss a small water and protein bar or small apple in my bag because you can't always count on free food at the show venues.

From head to toe:

• Sunglasses: Jason Wu, Modo sample sale, $20
• Cape:  Make Me Chic, C/O (sold out but linked similar below)
• Dress: ASOS, $33.50 (I'm wearing an XS - they run huge!)
• Gloves: Carolina Amato, sample sale $10
• Bag: 3.1 Phillip Lim medium Pashli, Nordstrom Rack, $160 after using some Nordstrom Notes (retail $895)
• Heels: Tamara Mellon, sample sale, $50

You can shop my style here:

Mini me's look started with this super cute Zara kids sweatshirt dress. We wanted something bold and bright - and sure to catch the photographers eyes. It was less than $30 and you can probably still find it in store. A statement like the Girl#power on the back is always a bonus. She layered it over Ava's Kidpik lace skirt and plaid Justice top. She swiped my Mini Rockie and Perverse sunglasses (they're a little too small for me anyway) and she borrowed my grandmother's Chanel pin. My fashion gene was passed down from her to me, to Ella, so we were honored to take a piece of my 94 year old Grandma with us to NYFW.

I actually linked Ella's bag and shoes above should you or your mini need them too.

Stay tuned for my last New York Fashion Week look and guide to getting invited to NYFW! This week I'll be hitting one of my all time favorite sample sales, Rebecca Minkoff! Oscar de la Renta is this week too! New to my radar is Rebecca Taylor who is teaming up with a couple other brands and well as Zadig and Voltaire. Unfortunately Zadig will be at 260, not in their showroom, so I doubt the prices will be as good.

Rebecca Minkoff
October 23-29
M 11-8, T-F 10-8, Sat 10-7, Sun 10-4
260 Fifth Avenue

Oscar de la Renta
October 24-29
T 10-8, W-Sat 11-7, Sun 11-4
151 Wooster Street

Frances Valentine, Rebecca Taylor, & White + Warren 
October 25-27, 8-6
80 West 40th Street, Suite 80, 8th Fl

Zadig & Voltaire
October 31- Nov 5
T 9-8, W-Th 10-8, F-Sat 10-7, Sun 10-5
260 Fifth Avenue

Happy shopping!

XO
Michelle

Wynwood Walls

Despite running camp mom for my three kids this summer, I've been sneaking in some me-time (work and shopping!) where I can. I FINALLY got around to editing more of my pictures from my Miami trip. One of my biggest blogger problems is that I always overshoot so I end up with thousands of pictures - and it takes me hours (sometimes days) to edit through them. My photos from my trip to Wynwood Walls was particularly difficult because there were so many beautiful, colorful walls. It's literally an Instagramer's dream. I also made a rookie mistake and only had the one bargainista look I was wearing. Ella on the other hand had just picked up a few pieces at Goodwill for $.99 so she put together a second look in the car. The apprentice surpasses the master LOL.

We got there in the afternoon so I had to choose my walls based on the lighting. If you plan a trip there be sure to go for several hours so you can get all the walls! You can see a mini-tour on Ella's Insta here.

Everything in this look is head to toe favorites, all on repeat:

• Sunglasses: Moschino, Century 21, free after rewards (they were selling them for $59.99), RV $295
• Dress: Shein (sold out), RV $22, gifted
• Bag Strap: Rebecca Minkoff, sample sale, $10 - see other scores here!
• Bag: Chanel, Neiman Marcus, 75% off - read about it here.
• Bracelet: Eddie Borgo, sample sale, $10 (closure was damaged so they discounted it)
• Shoes: Sophia Webster Lacey heels, sample sale, $95 - read about that epic sale here.

You can shop my style here:

We had done some thrift shopping in Florida and Ava was particularly excited about her two new Baby Alive dolls. She's a little obsessed and has a collection of about 15 right now. She can watch those YouTube videos of grown women pretending to be kids playing with dolls all day. I told her to just make her own videos already. She's wearing a thrifted Lilly Pulitzer dress that's a hand me down from Ella. I thrift Lilly left and right for the girls - even used, their colors hold up beautifully.

Ella is the queen of handstands and cartwheels so you know this shot was coming. There's a reason she always has a pair of biker shorts under her dresses.

And now a quick shout out to my super talented 12 year old son, Akiva, my photographer. He found these walls in the streets and insisted on a picture. When he was little I used to dress him to the nines. These days he has a basic formula of tee + shorts = outfit.

As a Justice, Girls With Heart brand ambassador, Ella was toting around Charlie the Dog for most of that trip LOL. Truthfully she didn't wear a lot of Justice until she signed on because so much of her wardrobe is thrifted and penny finds, but lately we've been hitting the Justice sale rack and doing pretty well. Her fringed bag here is Justice and was around $4. Her striped dress was a TJ Maxx $3 yellow sticker find. Anyone else looking forward to the next yellow sticker sale?

It seems in Florida, Goodwill only charges $1.99 for kids items so Ella loaded up her cart. In the NY/NJ area kids stuff starts at $4.99 which is insane for used kids stuff so I don't even bother stepping in to local Goodwills anymore. She snapped up this cute Lilly for Target top and paired it with this colorful pleated skirt. Her sunglasses were $1 Dollar Tree finds - she picked them up on the trip because the ones she brought with her broke. When we got to Wynwood she rifled through her bag which was in the car and put this look together. She did swipe my Jimmy Choo clutch (scored for just $25 at the sample sale a while back!!) which I had in the car as a backup for my Chanel.

As they say in Yiddish, I was totally shepping nachas (loosely translated as taking pleasure) when I was looking these over. I know I'm biased but my kids are pretty awesome.

It's been a while since I shared sample sale picks but the summer tends to be pretty quiet. This week is Altuzarra and I confess I splurged and got myself a birthday bag. Stay tuned for my new pretty. My only other pick is Adam Lippes next week just because I like his stuff but I'm not sure about pricing. I also popped in to Century yesterday to check out the status of the sale and it's terrible. I checked out the sale bags and even with a second cut, most bags were over $1,000 and overpriced. I'm currently waiting for Zara to have another cut before I hit that sale hard. So for now I'm in holding, waiting for the good stuff to start already!

Altuzarra*
July 19-21, 8:30-7
233 Broadway, 14th Fl

* I shared pics in my Insta stories that may still be up. Bags were $300-750, runway shoes (Sz 39,40) were $100, most clothing was under $200. No samples this round.

Adam Lippes
July 25-27, 8:30-7
1133 Broadway, Suite 426

Happy shopping!

XO
Michelle

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

Favorite Finds of 2016 & New Year's Resolutions

Happy New Year everyone! 2016 has been full of ups and downs but I wanted to take a walk down memory lane to celebrate all my small victories. It's gonna be hard, but I'm gonna limit it to my top 10 deals - otherwise we'll be here all day. There have been some finds that I have not even shared with you yet but I'll be sharing with you in weeks to come - and they'll have to sit this roundup out.

If you want to go back even further, check out my amazing 2015 roundup here.

It's so easy to focus on what went wrong but I'm gonna take a moment to consider what went right.

• My social media channels finally really started to grow. It's a lot of work but it's paying off!
• I partnered with several really great companies - mostly for free stuff but still, it's a start. Got a couple watches, and lots of clothing and beauty products. Life is good.
• Justice found my daughter Ella through me and signed her on to be a Girls With Heart brand ambassador.
• Ava was selected as a Nina Kids shoe fit model and we've scored some amazing shoes from them.

And now, let's have a look at all my pretties of 2016. Most of them are going to be recent finds as sample sale season is always at its best at year's end.

1. Jimmy Choo sample sales are always epic and this last one did not disappoint. Anywhere you can find blinged out $2,000+ shoes for $100, has to go to the top of my list. Feel free to drool over my Kallai swarovski sandals, retail $1,595, Swarovski Whistler heels that retailed for $2,450, and my python Charlize clutch - all for $100 each!! Don't forget my $50 damaged Zoe hobo turned DIY project that I successfully dyed black - see tutorial here.

I scored some amazing Paul Andrew shoes at the sample sale this year as well but it can't officially make my list as I haven't worn a single pair yet. Maybe for Fashion Week...

2. My $1,420 Teri Jon floral lace gown is hands down the most beautiful piece of clothing I've acquired this year. After hunting for something (for what feels like forever) and to finally get it - is just so gratifying. Read more about my dress here.

My honorable mention dress will have to be my $149 H&M Collection kaftan that I found on the sale rack for $30. Seriously worth every penny. I LIVED in it all summer.

3. Chanel at a discount like this almost of unheard of these days, so to find flats for $175 is pretty insane. At this point I have a bit of a love/hate relationship with Nordstrom Rack. They got rid of their app which allowed you to scan for penny items (now it's just a guessing game) and less designer items have been showing up at my store. Not sure if they're just not making it out of the backroom or they are spread too thin between even more stores. And their pricing for designer transfers and refub items has gone up which is equally disappointing. That said, I did get these flats for a steal.

I still haven't shared a Marc Jacobs collection bag that I found for a penny. I have it scheduled in an upcoming look :)

Honorable Rack mention is this Elizabeth and James $965 Iris oversized Mongolian lamb fur collared coat that was just under $60 at Clear the Rack.


4. Charlotte Olympia flats for $100 at her sample sale. Need I say more? I dream of finding kitty flats at this price one day.

5. I only teased one of these on Insta recently but here's a look at my new $99 Alice and Olivia Fawn fur coats from the sample rack. the purple was the first thing I grabbed and the black and white is a little skunky but I like the 70s vibe. Did I mention these retail for $1,395 each?

6. I've had my eye on some Alexander Wang bags for a while but I thought they were too heavy and the price was never quite right. This round their sample sale had some great deals including my $950 Diego bucket bag for $150 and the $650 mini Rockie was $175 (I think). The Diego isn't the lightest but it's not too bad. The mini is actually super light and in-line to be styled. Did I mention I got one in red too?

7. This is gonna be a tie between the Marc Jacobs sample sale and the Vera Wang sample sale. Both really good sales with fun, wearable pieces - and mostly 90% off :)

8. I really love my Betsey Johnson velvet booties - seen here and here. I literally dreamed of these shoes before I found them. When Macy's Backstage sent me a giftcard to shop I hoped to find a chunky bootie - a fun trend piece. When I spotted them putting these out I knew I found the one. And they're so insanely comfortable. They retail for $100 but were priced $50. My goal for 2017 is to find an equally amazing bootie like this - but with a lower heel so I can live in them.

9. You know Rebecca Minkoff has to make my list one way or another. No real standout piece this year but LOTS of good ones. I love my new guitar straps from the last sale, but my best bag was probably from last sale, earlier in the year. This $75 fringed Regan from the sample table is oh so beautiful. I did pick up some amazing shoe samples this time for $40 a pop thou.

As long as we're talking about Rebeccas I should give an honorable mention to Rebecca Taylor. With $10 damages at one sale and $10 shoes at the other...she was very good to me this year.

10. I know it's not a find per se - but byChloe had to make it onto this list. Since discovering it I've probably eaten there a dozen times easy. It's delicious, colorful, Kosher vegan food. Don't get me wrong, I eat meat. But I love good food for good prices. This is just that. And it looks pretty.

Linking up as many of these pieces as I could find - and some of them on sale!

As I move away from straight sample sale reports and haul posts, I'm gonna to continue to share my scores integrated into looks that I put together. That's not to say I won't still blog about them, but I want to start doing more video (be it Facebook or Instagram live or YouTube) to document those experiences. My intention was always for LeHoarder to be my fashion journal where I share my style and deals - which is why I disclose what I pay for each item. I can't see myself doing straight style posts because that's not who I am either. For me it's the thrill of the hunt and sharing the find.

I think it's easy for the tall skinny young girls who are gifted designer pieces to look effortlessly chic. Maybe I should say easier LOL. Not everyone has style. To me, fashion is expressing yourself creatively and uniquely. Pretty clothing is just that, pretty clothing, not necessarily fashion or style. My challenge has always been hunting down a crazy deal and putting it together with pieces already in my wardrobe. That and dressing for my shape. I've packed on 30 lbs. this year - the same 30 lbs. that I worked so hard to lose 3 years ago. Like a lot of women I struggle with my weight and eating habits. Add being over 40 and having a few kids - your metabolism changes. Your body changes. I'm not 20 and size 2 anymore. But I honestly believe you can look amazing no matter what number comes up on the scale. And that's what I'm trying to share.

When I first put on a significant amount of weight at 35 with my third pregnancy I didn't know what to wear. I wore shapeless mommy dresses and totally lost my joy. I wore Uggs or Crocs and none of my designer shoes fit anymore - even my feet got bigger. As my kids grew up and I woke up from my baby fugue I started to remember who I was and what I was missing. I had to re-learn how to dress for my new shape and make some changes. I lost a bunch of weight, but more importantly found myself again. The funny thing is I didn't appreciate it. At the time I still felt heavy. Right now I look back to even last year and wish I looked like that again.

This year has been an extremely stressful year due to some family issues that I'd rather not rehash. Conflict is hard. My parents leaving the country and leaving me and some of my siblings to pack up our family home of over 30 years was a trip too. When I get stressed I get migraines and compulsively overeat. It's not an excuse, it's just how I deal. I've decided to try to move forward and take control once again. I used to feel like I could only really express myself when I was a smaller size - when I was bigger it was all about strategic hiding. To some degree it still is, but I'm going to try to forgive myself and just be me - no matter my size.

My wish for 2017 is to be brave. That's the one thing I look back and wish I could change in my youth. I'd get so close and then give up because I was afraid or thought I wasn't good enough. And sometimes I just didn't even try. Age gives you some perspective. I wish I had more confidence then. While it's hard to be in what feels like a young girls game, I know that I can't beat myself up for not trying sooner. At least I'm doing it now. It sometimes feels like an uphill battle but I'm not giving up this time.

BTW, congrats to Brigitte B. on winning my Rebecca Minkoff Cleo glitter wallet giveaway. Good news - I'm giving a second away on my Insta right now! Initially I was going to end it Friday but I'm going to extend it for a few days :)

I planned on adding in my favorite looks of 2016 to my I'll have to save that for another day.

On the sale front it's time to start checking department stores for second cuts and TJ Maxx and Marshalls yellow stickers should be right around the bend! I went this morning because last year the first Thursday of the month was the big day but this morning I found them red stickering. Meaning yellow stickers could be a couple weeks off.

Speaking of yellow stickers I would be remiss in mentioning my $99 Valentino Rockrunner sneakers (RV $745) from the last sale. That was my first viral picture with over 2,000 likes. Okay - we knew this was gonna be more than a top 10 anyway LOL.

I'm a little over the Century 21 sale because now that it's 90% off retail instead of 90% off Century's already discounted prices - I'm probably gonna pass again. It's just not worth it when the goods are so badly manhandled. I can find those prices elsewhere - and with pieces in better condition.

There are a few sample sales coming up but the one I would recommend for next week is the Rachel Zoe blowout sale. Last time I scored my $1,395 studded leather jacket for $109! With prices of up to 95% off,  this sale is worth checking out.

Rachel Zoe
1/10-11, 11-7 daily
Clothingline 
261 West 36 Street (7-8 Avenues), 2 Fl

Good luck and happy shopping! If I'm feeling better I'll be sure to come out and play!

XO
Michelle