Just an average week...

No crazy designer deals this week - it's been slow and slightly stressful. My husband just tried to kick me off the computer. I told him I needed to finish working. He corrected me and said "you mean hobbying? It's not working if you're not making money. Until you do you can't call it work." Sigh. It's just been one of those weeks. And thanks for the support B :)

On Monday I headed to the Rack bright and early because it was shoe markdown day! I'm sure you've seen my crazy photo on Instagram and Facebook. I spent over two hours turning over every single shoe in that store LOL. Paid off!

I also picked up this cute Laundry by Shelli Segal cutout faux leather peplum sheath dress. It looks a little plastic-y for my taste but it was $265 and marked down to $23.90. Do the math and figure out how many pairs of penny shoes I found :)

Not sure why tag reads $148 - it was on their website for $265.

 These were my favorite penny find - my new Delman flats :)




The Rack used to have more $1, $5 and $10 items on clearance but they seem to have changed their markdown structure and I'm not to happy about it. Now they mark things down to a penny and pull them from the shelves to send them off to their clearance center. This is the most penny finds I've found in an outing. Last year in kids I think I got seven in a day.

On Tuesday when I went in for men's shoe markdowns I didn't find a single penny item. I think they were more careful as they were a little upset that so many were not pulled the day before LOL. I did find a $5 Ralph Lauren denim moto jacket for my SIL or sister - whoever fits it.

97% off!

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Wednesday, I headed into the City to Bumble and Bumble to model for their ponytail class. For some reason every time I go into the City it rains. I got up early, grabbed my umbrella and headed in. When I was on the subway by 14th street I got a ping (love WiFi on the subways!) Bumble emailed me an hour before my class to cancel because some stylists from Chicago got stuck in their airport. They graciously apologized and offered me a $10 product credit if I would rebook. I SAW RED. OK, I actually I just got a really bad migraine. I quickly wrote back asking if they could accommodate me as I just came in from NJ just for this class and I've been a model for Bumble for over 10 years. I was pissed to say the least. My commuting costs alone were more than $10. I quickly walked around Nordstrom Rack in Union Square (I was too stressed to shop or take pictures) then I headed west to BbU. If they were going to cancel on me they were going to have to do it to my face - or just give me more free product than a lousy $10 worth. When I showed up they were so nice and made me an alternate, and luckily I was seated. I think they were a little afraid of how I would react if they didn't seat me - I probably would have lost it LOL. I do have to say that nobody else who got canceled had the balls to show up despite their emails and phone calls :) I probably should go back to Nordstrom Rack and pick up that bracelet I tried on...

My friend D said she didn't get it - it's just a ponytail. Clearly you can't tell from just looking at it but this ponytail took over three hours. Each hair is meticulously put in place. I asked my stylist (I think her name was Luz - she's from Atlanta) and she explained that they have to take this class in order to qualify for an exam given by Bumble and Bumble, and if they pass they can work Fashion Week. I was hoping to run back to Sephora to meet up with Cliff again and play with makeup and take more pics but the class ran so late I barely made it back home in time to pick up the kids from school. Instead I took a few selfies with my phone and my camera in the unisex restroom at Bumble and Bumble.

I like this one because my younger sister told me it made me look half my age LOL. Lately I've been getting a lot of complements on my skin. I do take pretty good care of my skin but it's really my Dr. Jart+ Black Label BB cream. If you haven't tried BB or CC creams yet, march to Sephora and sample as many as you can in your skintone until you find the perfect one. This morning at Nordstrom Rack, one of the empolyees actually asked me if I was expecting (I'm not!) because my skin was glowing. I think it was just the humidity that gave me a dewy look. Either that or she was calling me fat and came up with a really good recovery.

From Instagram - just wearing BB cream and my new Laura Mercier Wildflower lipgloss

And this is why I cropped the other one in so close. A- I have creepy man hands and B- the front is super slicked back which is not so flattering on me. Later I took it down and brushed it out and it looks much better today IMO.

I used to just get free hair cuts at Bb.U but I started signing up for styling to get me out of the house, and to earn free 'hairmiles' which you can trade in for free products. With this visit I had $50 coming to me so I cashed in my credits and hairmiles for a $30 shampoo and a $26 hair primer from their new Hairdresser's line. I'm not exactly sure what a hair primer is but I like that it's heat and UV protective which is perfect for summer. Plus it makes your hair less frizzy and super smooth. These two cost me just $6 and change out of pocket. I used to use drugstore shampoo that I got for free from my couponing days but once you start using salon products it's really hard to go back.

If you're interested in signing up for Bumble and bumble. University Model Project you can sign up here. Please use my name as a reference (Michelle Blashka) so we can both get a product credit :) Did I mention all services are free and they tell you not to tip - so it's really free! They do have occasional classes outside of NY so like their Facebook page to see the latest openings all over the country.

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I decided to check out my favorite thrift store this week and I'm sad to report I'm still on a slump. I probably didn't need this embroidered linen Tracy Reese matching 3/4 sleeve jacket and strapless dress but I love Tracy - and it was $15 for the set.

May be a bit 'much' to wear together. We'll see...

I also found this fun sequin midi skirt on the clearance rack at Target this week for $8.98

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Locally there are a lot of consignment stores and every time I think about going, I look online to check their pricing and I'm usually disappointed. I typically find better deals at thrift, outlets or the department stores end of season sales. I got an email yesterday that one local store would be participating in their town's sidewalk sale today, and they were going to have racks for $5, $10 and $20. I figured it was time to visit all the consignment stores in that area :)

Sorry so small - they created this document in word so I copied it into Paint and the jpg came out tiny.

I made the mistake of stopping at the Rack first so by the time I got there they didn't have too much left. I sifted thru their $10 shoes and found these almost-new Repetto ballet flats that retail for just under $300.

I also found these gorgeous Bruno Magli black velvet pumps with the most beautiful golden enameled heel. They are a smidge tight but so pretty (and also $10!) so I'm going to see if I can stretch them a little.

Love!

If you're in the Ridgewood, NJ area their Spring Sidewalk Sale is going on thru Saturday, May 18th. LMK if you find anything!
-Shoppinggal

These are a few of my favorite things...

This post has been in my head for some time now but I keep getting distracted by sale after sale...

For those of you who don't know me, my name is Michelle and I'm a shopaholic. At any given time I have a handful of obsessions that I research to death and hunt down for pennies. There are very few items I pay close to retail - these are among my current favorites and worth every cent :)


Huggable Hangers by Joy Mangano

I'm a sucker for the home shopping channels and infomercials - which is how I've been introduced to some of my favorite things. I first noticed these hangers on HSN so when I decided to organize my closet I picked up some similar flocked hangers at Marshalls. What I learned was not to be fooled by imitations because half of the knockoff hangers broke in the bag before I even opened the package. I promptly returned them and ordered a bunch of Huggable Hangers on HSN. Every so often there are coupons for HSN and they have a today's special from time to time on the hangers sets - that's the best time to buy them.

Best deal right now is $8.95 for a set of 12

I learned the hard way that you need to buy a basic color (like black) as they rotate colors and your favorite color can go out of stock just when you need more. I'm waiting for bright purple to return so I can match my set. I refuse to buy a second color to mix with mine. Luckily I purchased black for my husband, my son and the rest of the house (other than my girls, who have the kids version in cream). Also note that some colors are carried at Target and from time to time they go on sale there as well.

Also, they are not meant for heavy coats. Mine have held up nicely but my husband keeps breaking his with his winter coats LOL. Other than that, I love the pretty colors and how thin they are. Bonus - I can pack a ton of them in my closet. They have clips you can attach to hang skirts and the "velvet" finish keeps your strappy, silky clothing from falling off :)


Next up, Halftees

I found these when I had a sleeveless dress that I wanted to wear to a modest affair.  I'd never purchased a layering shell before and an old high school Facebook friend clued me in to this brand.

3/4 sleeve Halftee $23.99

Sometimes you need a little more coverage. Every girl should have the Halftee 3/4 sleeve top in black in her wardrobe. It's basically a crop top that you layer with your sleeveless or low cut clothing. Genius, right? Yes, there are others shirts like this on the market but Halftees has a nice thick and comfortable material and a wide band that keeps it from riding up. My favorite feature is the reversible neckline - one side is higher and the other cuts lower. I'm not a huge layering fan but I've worn mine and people didn't know I was wearing a layering shell - they simply thought my dress had sleeves. It's that good. Plus they come in XS thru XXXL. They sell more than just black - but it's the only color I wear LOL. They have a several colors and different sleeve lengths. From time to time they offer free shipping and/or a percentage off. Watch for a code and stock up.

Murad Complex Kit $60

Murad Acne System changed my life around 15 years ago. I got hit with adult acne after having perfect skin as a teen and it was debilitating to say the least. I don't know if it was stress from moving to the City or my first job - maybe it was pollution (my skin was great in the burbs), I don't know. You name it I tried it. I passed out on the subway from Accutane. I missed out on opportunities with cute guys because I was so uncomfortable in my own pimply skin. After suffering for almost two years, trying literally everything on the market (prescription and OTC) and learning to spackle on a face so I could go out in public, I saw an infomercial and said why not?

All I know is that it works. You would never know I had a problem. I seriously want to give a kit to every teenager and adult I see suffering from acne. Murad.com had codes from time to time as do other online retailers like Beauty.com and Sephora. I love my skin so much I'm afraid to stop using it. Murad produces several lines so from time to time I'll get a sample at Sephora and try another product and build it into my regimen. My favorite Murad products include the Clarifying Mask (dot it on a blemish before you go to bed - in a day or two it will vanish), Hydrating Toner (must have in the winter) and their Post Acne Spot Lightening Gel (fades marks fast).

A couple other face-savers include my Clarisonic Plus (got mine a few years back with a Sephora friends and family code) and Dr. Jart+ Black Label Detox BB Cream - also purchased at Sephora's friends and family event :) These babies keep my skin looking flawless. I don't bother with foundation or concealer anymore. I do have to say that you have to try several brands of BB cream to find your perfect match - this one is the perfect fair with a yellow undertone.

Clarisonic Plus $225. I use mine 1-2x a week

Dr. Jart+ BB cream $36. I apply it with my fingers after I moisturize.

And finally, there's T25

I was 30 when I had my first kid. I only gained 21 lbs with that pregnancy and a week after he was born I was able to zip up my size 4 skirt. Two years later with my daughter I put on a little more but bounced back to a size 6 in no time. It was my third pregnancy (two years later) that destroyed my body. When I look at pregnant women who glow and talk about their easy and happy pregnancies, I seriously want to punch them in the face. I never liked being pregnant and delivery for me (sans drugs - not my choice) is a nightmare. Needless to say, three pregnancies in 6 years took a toll on my body.

I've had issues with my knees since my 20s. I was the step aerobics queen. I was so good and I loved it...until one day in college when I was taking a step class my knees gave out and I couldn't get up - I crawled out of that class and have not gone near a step since. I had to give up running and anything high impact. It seems I'm not so blessed genetically and due to the alignment of my knees, I've scraped away the cartilage so there isn't much cushion to absorb impact. For years I took toning classes and used the bike and elliptical at the gym because that was all I could do. For a while I even had an elliptical in my tiny NYC studio but I sold it on Craigslist because it was getting more use as valet for my husband's clothing.

Night after night I watched infomercials like P90X and I swore to myself when I had the time or when I had more space I would get my body back. I joined a cheap gym uptown and went a few times but ended up spending more time at the Marshalls next door LOL. Then I moved to a house in suburbia and I decided it was time. I went to several doctors because I was convinced that there was something wrong with my thyroid and went for test after test to find out there was nothing wrong with me. I was just fat. After months of trying to diet and be active I realized I needed something more. The next day I went to Target and purchased a new DVD player, a workout mat, resistance bands and Jillian Michael's 90 Day Body Revolution. I'd say I lost 10+ lbs but I just couldn't get my diet under control and I dreaded my 6 day a week workouts. And my knees hurt - even on the modified program.

I saw Shaun T on an infomercial for Hip Hop Abs and I love to dance and it was on sale for $20...and I loved it. Most of all I loved Shaun T. He's hilarious and I looked forward to working out with him. I decided it was time for something more so when I saw Shaun T's new program Focus T25 I was determined. I didn't think I'd ever be able to do his other program, Insanity, but T25 seemed perfect. Who can't do 25 minutes a day?

I love T25. It's amazing. People stop me and ask what I'm doing because it's totally reshaped my body. I'm not there yet but I'm well on my way. I'm so flexible and strong - I'm currently on my second cycle. All of Shaun T's videos feature Tania (former Britney Spears backup dancer) who modifies his workouts. What I really love about T25 is that when they shot the video I believe she was on her second cycle and she had a post baby body that I can identify with. I follow her on Facebook and I see what's she's done since then. Tania just turned 40 and she looks amazing. I always swore that at 40 I would have a better body than I did in my 20s. I've got the workout down pat but I have less than six months left to get my diet under control LOL.

So that's what makes me tick...and what I spend my money on. Feel free to ask me any questions - I love to talk about my favorite things :)
-Shoppinggal