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

Target 90% off finds!!!

With three upcoming kids birthday parties I've been on the hunt for cheap chotskies :) This morning I popped into my local Targets to check on their Valentines Day clearance. I went to my "better" store first, only to find one shelf of odds and ends - and everything was 70% off. I got a bagful and then went to my other store where I hit the motherload :) It was 90% off most items, and 70% off candy.

Here are some of my favorites :)

Cute rugs $1.99 each :)

Ceramic coffee cups $.79 each

Baking stuff 90% off

Little prizes 90% off

My girls are going to fight over that apron for sure...

Cute tops for me and my nieces 90% off

Tops were all $1.20

90% off boxers for DH (about $1 each)

70% off candy - I'll be back for more when it hits 90% off :)

And that's all folks -run to your Targets for lots of cheap goodies! And sorry about the bad pictures - my camera broke and this is the best I can do. If you see a great deal on a really good camera PLEASE let me know!!!
-Shoppinggal

Happy Presidents' Day sale weekend!

OK so I guess I lied - sale season isn't quite over. Stores are rolling out the red carpets for their last sale hurrah!

Nordstrom Rack started their Clear the Racks events today with an extra 25% off all sale items thru Monday. Typically the week before their event they do all their markdowns. There wasn't anything I needed so the extra 25% off wasn't much of an incentive to me because I already knew their inventory. However, if you have not been in a while it's worth the trip to your local Rack :)

I also noticed that some local consignment stores are having their winter clearance events too. For example, Second Time Around and Double Take slashed prices as much as 75% off their designer stock. Double Take posted these amazing deals (gone by now for sure) on their Facebook page. I was going to head over today but I was running late due to school delay and digging out my car this morning. Maybe on Sunday...

I did have enough time to hit Target and voila' - I found what I was looking for!

I finally scored a bike (for me) for 70% off!!! I've been stalking them for weeks and I missed the last round of markdowns and I had a feeling the ones that were 50% off would drop today - and they did! I know they had more but by the time I got there this was all they had left - I'm guessing it was still there because it was still marked 50% off but I knew I needed to have an associate scan it for me :)

Got it for $33.52 - love my new 70% off bike!

If you run (now) to Target you might get lucky too! Be sure to check your local consignment stores and see what they have marked down :)

Have a great weekend!
Shoppinggal

It's almost here! My Peter Pilotto for Target collaboration picks - and how to get what you really want for less :)

Technically it's already here if you're a celeb or VIP who hit the Peter Pilotto party yesterday at NY fashion week, but for the rest of us it will be in-store and online Sunday morning. I always skip to big rush and wait for my online friends to post their mod shots so I can see how the pieces fit a real girl. Plus I'm thrifty and I always wait for it to hit 50-70% off :)

L-R: actresses Diane Kruger, Taylor Schilling and models Dree Hemingway & Alexa Chung

As you can see it's a fun collection but with the crazy mix of prints it's not for everyone. I love the mix and match pieces but as always I'm drawn to the dresses.

You can look at all the pieces here but I made my own collage of favorites.

My piece of advice is to wait but some things like the totes, towels and sunglasses will probably sell out before first markdown so for those - grab 'em while you can. I believe most of the pieces are under $80 so it won't break the bank if you do pay full price. If you have any out of town friends, their Targets will probably be well stocked and they can hook you up with your must-haves. Here in the NY/NJ area designer collabs get scooped up faster than a speeding bullet. You can click here to see if your local store will be carrying the collection. It will also be in Target Canada but if you're international you can buy it online at net-a-porter.

I can't wait for it to hit the sale rack so I can scoop up my faves - I scored my favorite Phillip Lim shirt dress for just $11.98 after waiting patiently and hunting it down at 70% off! If you know me IRL, I'm sure you'll be seeing me wear it come Spring/Summer with a nude wedge sandal and one of my trademark cuffs :)

I saw a "real" Phillip Lim dress at the Rack and the cut was identical! Great quality for a Target collaboration.

If you brave the crowds this weekend - good luck! I'll be home taking it easy :)
Shoppinggal

It snowed again...so I went to the mall again :)

After an hour and a half of digging out my car and shoveling my walk all by myself (yeah it was intense due to the heavy wet snow but I do T25 so I it was no biggie) I dressed the kids and headed to the mall. I got there at 10:30 and it was closed till noon???!!! If I can do a little shoveling then so should the people working at the mall. It's not even my job and I managed to get to the mall before they did. LAME.

Luckily JC Penney was open early (as was mini Sephora) so we spent a little time there, hit the new play area and took silly pictures all over the mall. Spotted this cute dress that's on my wishlist for when it gets a better markdown.

Allen B. dress - now on sale for $49.99

My son lost his phone (it's DH's old one - no data plan, he uses it for wifi and games) and after 45 minutes hunting we found it at the security office). Much easier to look in an empty mall LOL.

I specifically went to that mall to go to Neiman Marcus to check out the pre-sale for an extra 25% off sale shoes. Last year I scored Loubs for under $300 so I just wanted to see what they had - and they had NOTHING. I should clarify, they didn't have a single sale Louboutin in my size :( And before you ask, unless you are a size 6 or smaller, they didn't have your size either.

I headed to the outlet mall to follow up on a tip that the Saks outlet has buy one, get two free on sale stuff. Great sale if you can find anything. I couldn't :(

So that's really it for my mini report. Stopped at Target on the way home and nothing exciting there either. So for the cost of a few Dunkin Donuts and Ben & Jerrys (50%) from Target I kept my kids busy all day :)

Oh well, there's always tomorrow...
Shoppinggal

A little retail (sale) therapy for a snowy day...

Today the kids were home due to the crazy snow but luckily DH was too - so this morning I ditched them and braved the treacherous roads to visit my favorite mall down the road. I've only been really driving for two years now (even though I've had my license for years - you really don't need it in Manhattan) and I have to say I truly enjoy it. So much so that I enjoy the challenge of crazy City drivers, bad weather or even just pulling out the GPS and popping in an address to a store I've never been and just going. I'm kinda proud to say I'm really not afraid of driving anywhere. A little snow and wet slippery roads were not going to keep me home today.

Anyway, I just picked up some sale odds and ends for my brother in Century 21, a few groceries in Target and did a few returns before heading back. I did slide a few times and I got stuck in the street trying to get back into my driveway, but otherwise I think I did pretty well. I love shopping in bad weather - the stores are empty :) I'm so lucky to have four different malls within 15 minutes of my home.

I spent most of the afternoon going thru my closet and putting stuff on eBay. I have a lot of stuff. I don't believe in the rule of getting rid of things I haven't used for a year but I do believe in letting go of things that were completely off my radar. If I didn't even pull it out to try it on or admire it -  then it's time to go. Like most hoarders I binge and purge. After last month's Amex bill it's time for a purge LOL.

As I was listing a pair of shoes that are too small for me I googled a stock picture, which I found on Nordstrom. And then I noticed a cute skirt and I decided I needed a couple minutes to share my favorite sale picks and blog about it so all of you stuck at home can do a little bargain shopping too :)

Pick #1:
Here is the skirt I ordered that inspired this post :) Cute pencil skirt with good reviews for 50% off - just $13.99! It's junior's sizing so they tell you to size up. I got a medium and large because I'm not sure of my size these days and I wanted to make sure all my bases were covered.

Frenchi high waisted midi pencil skirt

Pick #2:
Rebecca Minkoff (love her!) leather pouch for 65% off - just $16.99. They have it in black and scarlett red. 6"W x 4"H x 1/2"D. I didn't get it because I won't die without it but when I saw the letter M...I had to share :)

RM Cory leather pouch.

Pick #3:
Minty animal print midi dress 60% off, now $14.97. I know this isn't for everyone - and in this case it's only for you if you fit a junior's size XS or S, but I love a cute cheap dress and I love the length (43" long!) It's a great modest layering piece if you're not brave enough to wear a body-con dress.

Minty animal print boy-con dress

Pick #4:
At $99.97 (60% off from $248) this skirt is a little spendy for me but lately I've been thinking about leather skirts. They only have a size 6 left (my size!) so if you want it - hurry! I have a feeling it's too short for me but if it ever shows up at the Rack for less I'll be trying it on :)

Halogen leather A-line skirt

Pick #5:
This dress is only left in XS but I think it's so cute! The models butt looks a little weird which does concern me (if that's what her little behind looks like what would mine look like?) but it's a nice shape for less than $50. Click on the link to see her weird derierre and you'll see what I mean.

Felicity & Coco contrast panel sheath dress $44.97 from $118

I could go on and on but I gotta get back to work :) LMK if you find any online goodies!
Shoppinggal

Blonde again...and more C21 sale finds :)

Hello, my name is Michelle and I'm addicted to highlights. It's been almost four months since my last highlight so it was time for a little pick me up. Last week I found Jen from Arrojo on Craigslist - she was looking for a partial highlight model and while I'd prefer a full head of highlights, free is free :)

After three hours of pleasant chit chat I emerged a "Blake Lively blonde" (Jen's words) and overall I was pretty happy. I waited three days before I washed it and so far it's holding up beautifully.

Here I am sans makeup again. One of these days I'll get made up for pics. On the right is Jen, she's a dead ringer for my friend Izzy. And she's literally half my age...I can't believe I'm so old.

I didn't have a lot of time to shop in the City so I prioritized and hit the Rack. I tried on a cute Haute Hippy $550 dress that was marked down to $80 - and I would have grabbed it had one side not barely covered my ass. I get the asymmetrical thing but c'mon. If one side is going to hit my calf the other should at least cover my upper thigh. I passed because it was too short and truthfully it wasn't the best cut for me. I'm trying to find a new look and go outside my comfort zone (i.e. not a LBD) but I really have to show my waist and this hid it.

I know it doesn't look so short but on me it was indecent.

So other than Jen's $20 tip and bus/subway fare it was a pretty inexpensive day :)

*********

And of course I had to go back to Century 21 to see what else got marked down. Here are a few more of my favorite finds...

For my SIL V - V Couture by Kooba $15

Pretty purple faux leather with studs - I wish I picked more of these up for friends.

Crocs for V - these rang up for $2.50!!!

Crocs for my sister Oogie, $6.75. I also got a pair in hot pink for my niece A.

Z Spoke by Zak Posen wallet $15. I love the color but strangely it does not have a built in change purse so I'm not sure it's for me. The leather has an interesting pebbled finish.

A girl can always use cheap Spanx. The leggings retailed for $72 and I got them for $10. The tights were about $4.25 each. I got an extra pair of the leggings in sz S if a FOM wants them :)

Ralph Lauren socks for DH, $.80 and $.99. I also got him a black leather Jack Spade wallet for $10 but it's already in his pocket LOL.

Rebecca Minkoff tote, retailed for $198 - I got it for $30! Not sure I need it but it was so cheap!

Saved the best for last! My new BCBG trench coat $42, retail $248. It's such a statement piece - I LOVE it!

Stock pic so you can see back. Loving the shoulder, studs and peplum details!

I was so excited when I spotted the leather jacket that I really wanted for 75% off but the shoulder was torn :( This trench more than made up for it.

So I do have some extras for FOM (friends of Michelle). I already gave a pair of Just Cavalli sunglasses to my sister D but I have tons more left. I decided to only keep four pairs for myself, and you all saw how many I got LOL. I've always picked up extras for friends but lately some of you have been a little flaky. So if you're family or a close friend (and you haven't pissed me off) contact me and I'll show you what I have for you :)

And yes Sheev, I have some stuff for you too. I got you the cutest leather jacket for 75% off. LMK when you want to meet this week.

My brother just told me he needs a few things so I'll be heading back this week LOL. Hopefully they'll be marking more stuff down! Let's see if anything is left after the weekend...

As always, happy shopping!
Shoppinggal