Mid-Week Roundup! My New IKEA closet, Target, Century & H&M Clearance/Sale Updates!

The Rack has been dead since inventory and the storm. They do have some cute Valentines Day merchandise - love this coffee cup...even though I'm not much of a coffee aficionado.

I also figured I'd share some penny shoes I found for my daughters a couple weeks ago :)

So just one week after I finally caved and purchased my PAX closet I randomly popped back into IKEA and checked out their as-is room and guess what I found? My closet. For $10.

Luckily I had not assembled mine yet (I'll be returning it LOL) so I snapped two units up for 10 bucks a pop. Crazy. The Pax system was on sale so I grabbed a 4 bars and a shelf and my two closets cost less than $80 total. I wanted white but I can totally manage with the light color wood. I'm still not done because these closets only solved my hanging problem. Unfortunately I still have hundreds of shoes and bags scattered around my room. I decided I'll be stalking the as-is room for the next few weeks. I don't know why I thought 15% off would be good enough for me.

I snapped a quick pic so you can get an idea of my progress. I'm still organizing and bringing up clothing from my basement closets. This thing is HUGE - each unit is about 39 inches wide and 93 inches tall (almost hits the ceiling). It actually wasn't that hard to build. You can see that this is only 2/3 of it - you can get an idea of the size by where the door knob falls on the right. I was too lazy to put on a wider lens - sorry.

This time the whole family hit Ikea so the girls hung out in the playroom (Ikea Family members get an extra half hour of playtime!) while my husband and too-tall son explored. This time we found my husband's almost name in a product. His nickname is Bentzy so we had a chuckle when we spotted the Benzy Land cushions. I think it's funnier that they are being discontinued.

I happened to have both cameras on me (my PAS and DSLR) so my 8 & 10 year old's tried snapping my #OOTD. The lighting was terrible and I was blown out on both cameras. Next time I'll have my 6 year old try with my phone too. These were the best of the bunch.

With Fashion Week around the bend I started experimenting with outfits so I took a few of my new H&M sale pieces out for a spin.  I learned the hard way that skinny jeans really have to be skinny. These are way too big so I'm on the hunt for another pair.

From head to toe:

• Hat: Carolina Amato, sample sale, free with purchase
• Sunglasses: House of Harlow 1960, Century 21, $15 (75% off sale!)
• Cape: H&M, $15
• Dress: H&M, $25
• Cuffs: AV Max, sample sale. $10 each
• Gloves: Carolina Amato, sample sale, $9
• Bag: Balenciaga Velo, Nordstrom Rack
• Jeans: H&M, $7
• Socks: JC Penney, free (last year with their $10 coupons)
• Shoes: Ana et Carol, free (they sent them to me - thanks guys!)

I don't believe in putting away open shoes for the winter so I decided to layer with socks.  I've been on the hunt for the perfect sock and nobody seems to sell cute socks in the middle of winter - just warm boring ones. I thought at least the contrast heels were unexpected :)

My heels are by Ana et Carol - they sell some cute Brazilian shoes. These are the Trevor and they are very comfortable. I took a size 9 and it's a perfect fit. These are on sale right now and if you use code MICHELLE20 you can get an extra 20% off anything on their site!

People keep inquiring about the Century sale but there isn't much to report. The store is now 50-65% off. They have new tags which are a little confusing. Their percentages are off retail, not Century's price.

 I have my eye on this Lanvin jacket so fingers crossed for 90% off!

No further reductions at H&M. I did spot my new hat - I'm guessing it wasn't supposed to be $1 LOL. Lucky me!

Online they have 40% off sale with code 3301 - good thru 1/27 and free shipping on orders over $35 with code 3295. ALSO - a little birdie told me that you can return online orders in-store in Manhattan and it would become a company-wide policy come 2017. I previously did not order online because they did not offer in-store returns. It's a bit of a game changer! 

Target has been having some good 70% off clearance. I heard scooters and such were on sale so I headed over and found this one for just $8.98!

The skateboards came up item not found so the cashier matched them to the $8.98 price! Pretty good considering they retailed for around $45 each - making it better than 70% off!

I also found this one unmarked for $17.98 :)

And this luggage set was also 70% off and rang up for $17.98 as well!

My daughter insisted I share this Minion she found for $2.68. Most Targets still have some 70% off toys floating around. This location actually still had an isle-full.

So nothing too exciting but I'd like to think of this as the calm before the storm (technically after but YKWIM). My sale sensor is on alert so I have a feeling big things are just around the bend.

Be sure you're following me on Instagram/Twitter/Facebook for updates as sales happen! I'm also a little surprised that nobody commented on my new logo. Is it that bad?

Linking my look so you can shop - some of these pieces are on sale online too!

XOXO
Shoppinggal

This Week in Sample Sales...

Now that the yellow sticker sale is winding down I can focus my attention back on sample sales. This week I have a few picks worth checking out!

Dannijo was a slam dunk last round so I'll be heading over tomorrow. You can read my last sale report here. It's a one day sale that you do not want to miss! Their gorgeous jewels were as much as 90% off last round. This time they are advertising jewelry, shoes, handbags, tech accessories and vintage clothing - for up to 90% off.

Dannijo
1/13/16, 12-8 pm
68 Gansevoort Street, NYC (between Greenwich and Washington Streets)

There is a House of Harlow sample sale tomorrow at In Support Of. It's a multi-brand sale that will also include A.L.C, CC Skye, and more. I haven't been to any sales at this venue so I don't know what to expect in terms of pricing.

House of Harlow
11/13-15, 11am-7pm
342 W. 13th St., NYC

Finally, on Thursday, Rafe will be holding a sample sale - love their gorgeous bags! Plus they are offering complimentary brow shaping at the salon that's hosting it! I need to go for my brows alone LOL.

RAFE NY
1/14/16, 11am-7pm
37 West 20th Street, suite 1208 (between 5-6 Ave)

Today I went back to Ikea and picked up a few pieces for one of my future closets (and there will be several LOL). My husband only shot a handful of pics because he's kinda sick of being an Instagram husband.

This is my no-makeup look. Probably should have popped on sunglasses.

From head to toe:

• Hat: Carolina Amato, sample sale, $19
• Coat: Vintage - no tag (but it looks designer!), thrift store, $15 (As seen here and here.)
• Dress: White House Black Market, thrift store, $15
• Gloves: Century 21, $4.50
• Bag: Balenciaga Velo, Nordstrom Rack
• Tights: Spanx, $13, Burlington Coat Factory
• Boots: Cole Haan, thrifted, $8

And here are my studded leather gloves that everyone raves about. So glad I grabbed two pairs last year.

So it seams my last name (Blashka) kinda means dustpan in Swedish. Why am I not surprised.

BTW, you can still enter the Kate Spade and iMac giveaway here until January 18th!

I'm linking some of the pieces I'm hoping to score on the cheap over the next few days...

Who else is excited for Dannijo and House of Harlow tomorrow? Be sure to come say hello if you see me (and tell them I sent you!)

If you can't make it feel free to message me with personal shopping requests :)

XOXO
Shoppinggal

Cleared the Rack, My Latest Freebies & Designer Scores

I've had a bit of a dry spell at Nordstrom Rack but I'm back, baby! A Chloe Drew has been on my wishlist for a while so when a medium turned up in black I snapped it up. I really wanted a small and in any color but black but you really can't be picky when it comes to the Rack. You take what you get and you say thank you. Thank you for sending a $2,050 bag my way for just $509.98.

This Clear the Rack, they also surprised us with the 50% off dress sale so I've been popping in daily to see if anything new shows up. Their trucks have been light and probably will continue to be until inventory, which is next month. But you never know - so it's always worth a peek.

My favorite dress so far is this $525 Halston Heritage two-tone sequin wrap dress for $90. It's a little too open for me in the front so I found an American Apparel dress for $7 today to wear under it. I still have to try them on together...

Other odds and ends that I got for 25% off include: Kendra Scott Danielle earrings for $11.25 each (retail $55-65)...

I thought this Lanvin Me perfume was a better deal until I saw it online for about the same - paid $26.77.

They finally got some kids transfer shoes in! They didn't have anything for my girls but my son scored $100 Nike sneakers for $11.25 and $60 K-Swiss for $5.62.

Last but not least, I found these Converse marked $20 (so they would have been $15 after PA) but I had a feeling...and I was right! Penny find!!! My niece was begging for a pair for a while but I couldn't find anything in her size for less than $40. Patience is a virtue :)

Century's sale has begun so I popped in to check it out. Despite signage of up to 75% off, most pieces were 33-50% off.

Lanvin dresses made it to 50% off...

And I spotted some Gucci blankets for $299.59 (retail $995).

I don't really take a closer look until things hit 70-90% off so I'll be sure to update when the prices drop. Make sure you're not missing my posts by subscribing to my blog via email (look to the right) and following me on Instagram, Twitter or Facebook.

On the H&M front, the post-holiday sale has begun!

So far the prices aren't stupid cheap so I only took home this Chloe knock-off dress for $25 from $50. 

I haven't thrifted in a while so I checked out a few stores and all I found were these $995 Tabitha Simmons Fleur sandals for $20. Could be worse :)

I actually went back to IKEA today to plan my closet but it was a madhouse. I think I'll head back when people are back at work and I have the store to myself. Now thru January 26th they have the PAX closet system on sale.

If you sign up for IKEA Family they have monthly special offers and you always get a free cup of coffee at the restaurant.

 I'm waiting for the Billy to go on sale so I can build something like this for my shoes and bags :)

So I finally got a new phone (the Nexus 6 for $250) because it was time to give up my slider phone and I wasn't ready to pay $850 for the iPhone I "need." My Instagram husband decided to shoot with my new phone instead of my Canon and in hindsight I wish we used the DSLR. It's a huge improvement over my ancient phone but it's not as crisp as I'd like. Also, I gave my face the day off so this is what I look like without a stitch of makeup.

From head to toe:

• Hat: Eugenia by Eugenia Kim, sample sale, $30
• Dress: Ellie Tahari cashmere dress, thrift store, $13
• Coat: H&M, $24
• Gloves: Carolina Amato, sample sale, $15
• Bag: Rebecca Minkoff Love backpack, sample sale, $50 (retail $355)
• Boots: Rebecca Minkoff Sari boots, sample sale, $25 (retail $495)

I actually won this personalized Coffee/Tea/Chanel cup on Instagram from Party Rock Co. - it took over a month to get it (and I don't drink coffee LOL) but you know I love free. Recognize my new Tory Burch cuff? 

Still waiting on two more prizes I won on Insta - I'll be sure to share when they finally come!

I'm linking up some of these pieces (and similar) for you to shop :)

I don't really have any exciting plans for New Years but I plan on dressing up anyway! After a whole snafu at Nordstrom in the makeup department (long story) the manager called me back and offered to do my makeup tomorrow. I want her to teach me some contouring tricks and a crazy eye. This year I plan on stepping up my makeup game, toning up, getting my house organized, and somehow making it back to NY Fashion Week.

What are your New Year's resolutions?

XOXO
Shoppinggal

My Building a Closet at IKEA Look :)

When you move into a older house, chances are you're going to have tiny closets. Mine are minuscule to non-existent. I gave my husband the two small ones we have in our bedroom because there was no way either (or even both) were going to work for me. So three years later I have mountains of clothing all over my room with nowhere to go. I've been using an old IKEA armoire from my City apartment and rotating out non-seasonal pieces into my basement and attic. For my anniversary I told my husband I was done and it was time to build a closet.

We headed to IKEA with our measurements to see what they had. This is what I wore :)

My look from head to toe-

• Sunglasses: Moschino, Century 21, free with rewards (were $60)
• Earrings: Kendra Scott Danielle, Nordstrom Rack, $12 (had them adjusted at CTR)
• Jacket: Gap denim jacket - this is actually a tall  b/c I have long arms, $8 (Gap code stacking!)
• Top: Gap cropped T, $2.34 (Stacking again!)
• Skirt: Halogen satin skirt, Nordstrom Rack, $20
• Bag: Balenciaga Velo, Nordstrom Rack (Refurb)
• Shoes: Vince Camuto, Nordstrom Rack, $.01 (Yep!)

I forgot my earrings in the first shot so my husband snapped me putting them on.

The following picture is dedicated to my friend Devorah. We spent most of our twenties together in IKEA, especially in that AS-IS room. I always pop in just to see what they have but I really haven't found anything since the good 'ole days.

Linking a few of my pieces (or similar) for you to shop :)

I decided to wait to see if they would be going on sale for Black Friday but I'm getting impatient. Fingers crossed and I'll keep you updated!

XOXO
Shoppinggal