Day to Night Barbie - One Dress Two Looks.

When I was a little girl I had a 'Day to Night' Barbie. She had a pink business suit for day and for night the blazer came off, you added a fur cape over her bodysuit, and her pencil skirt flipped over to become a tutu. No, I'm not calling myself Barbie. I actually had a crazy boss (that I affectionately nicknamed psycho "J") that liked to call herself the brunette Barbie. She even had it printed in her press kits...still makes me laugh. I've mentioned her before but I'll recap. I was in between jobs and I saw a posting on the FIT job boards for a beauty executive looking for an assistant. I met her for drinks at the W hotel and she seemed glam and mentioned working on collaborations with the likes of Revlon and iBeauty. Sounds fun, right?  I worked for J in her tiny all white apartment and quickly discovered why she couldn't keep any help. But I digress, J was no Barbie, but the one fashion lesson I appropriated was matching cuffs. She had two clear Lucite Chanel cuffs that were TDF. Ever since, I have a penchant for matched cuffs. So for all the holy terror that woman reigned on me, my co-workers, and really everyone in a 100 block radius, I literally walked away with a signature look.

So this look is my tribute to J and my childhood barbie. It's funny what shapes you as a person.

From head to toe:

• Eyes: Korres Volcanic Liner and Korres Professional Mascara, free (thanks Korres!)
• Lipstick: MAC Victoriana, Isabel & Ruben Toledo collab, $17.50 (free with Nordstrom Notes)
• Dress: Anna Sui metallic sheath, Rent the Runway warehouse sale, $32 (retail $480)
• Bag: Katherine Kwei, Rent the Runway warehouse sale, $40.50 (retail $505)
• Bracelets: A.V. Max leather cuffs, sample sale, $10 each (retail for $70-80)
• Shoes: Tamara Mellon bad girls, sample sale, $55 (retail $750)

For night I switched things up a bit.

What's new from head to toe:

• Coat: Alice and Olivia, sample sale, $99 (similar for about $1,000+)
• Bag: Marc Jacobs small Gotham, Nordstrom Rack, 80% off (retail $1,295)
• Bracelet: House of Harlow 1960, Rent the Runway sample sale, $17 (retail $85)
• Shoes: Rebecca Taylor Greta bootie, sample sale, $50 (retail $395)

Once again all pictures are compliments of my amazing niece, Meira.

I'm linking some of these pieces and similar below :)

Have a great weekend! Stay tuned for my weekly roundup with all my latest finds that I've been teasing on Instagram. As for my looks, what's your vote? With or without the coat?

XOXO
Shoppinggal

A Very Accessory Day - Sample Sale Reports and More!

My primary target for today was the Eugenia Kim sample sale. I arrived early and patiently waited...only to walk away empty handed. In past sales they had $5-20 bins of smaller pieces and unfinished hats. This time the cheapest thing I could find was a $25 furry ponytail pom pom. I looked through beat up hats from older collections for $35-75 (too much!) and I was disappointed that there were none of their popular Instagrammable Do Not Disturb beach hats. Only one gray hat had kitty ears but it was a weird shape. All the pom pom hats were $95-150 and not worth the price tags IMO. They did have a shoe section with flats for around $95 and heels for $145 (boots were $295), but if you were a size 37 or 39 they had some press samples for $50 less. Sadly I'm a true 40 and nothing was amazing anyway.

Even though their sale posting stated no photography, Racked managed to get lots of pics on the inside. I seriously have to stop being a goody two shoes LOL. Unless you are a die hard fan and typically pay full price for her hats, I'd sit this one out. Overall it was really only around 50% off retail. Typically later in the week they reduce some prices so if you really want to go, wait.

I'm linking a few pieces (and similar) I saw below :)

Eugenia Kim 
347 W 36th Street, Suite 501
Dec. 16-18, 10 am - 7 pm

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My next stop was around the corner. I'm a huge Haute Hippe fan but unfortunately sometimes when sample sales get outsourced pricing is ridiculous. For $100-300 I can do better at the Rack. In the space they also had Adrienne Landau and Carlos Falchi - also not cheap. I walked out in 5 minutes. It wasn't like Eugenia Kim where I spent an hour trying to love something. Tomorrow is the last day if you want to check for discounts.

Haute Hippie, Adrienne Landau and Carlos Falchi
519 Eighth Ave (between 35/36th), 21st Floor
Dec. 17, 10 am - 6 pm

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I had never heard of Grinnell designs but I'm a sucker for a jewelry sale. I went in and it was creepy. It seems they manufacture pieces for designers like Escada, Dannijo, Tory Burch...or I should say they used to. Everything was super old. I did buy a $30 Kara Ross for Tory Burch Evil Eye cuff just because it was cute - even if it was at least 5 years old. Kicking myself for not negotiating down the price because I probably could have. It did retail for $350ish once upon a time but still. I got the last white one but they had a couple more in brown. Don't worry, I'll take pics soon. It really is something.

Grinnell Designs
580 Eighth Ave (38/39th), 4th Floor
Dec. 17-18, 10 am - 4 pm

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And then there was the sale that turned my whole day around. It was at the Grinnell sale that I spotted a sign for Carolina Amato in the hallway. I had never heard of her but the sign said her hats, gloves, scarves are sold at Intermix and Shopbop so I figured it couldn't hurt. Bottom line, next sale I'll be there first day.

I've been obsessing over fingerless gloves and there were plenty in leather, wool, cashmere and fur starting at just $15.

I also got my pom pom hat fix - these cute wool ones were just $9 - or free with a cash purchase over $100! So glad I walked away at Eugenia Kim! I also took a pair of matching gloves for $9. Can you guess which color I took?

They had tons of gorgeous gloves, hats and scarves too. They had some mittens for just 3 for $10!

It was mostly for women but they had a few kids and men's pieces mixed in. They even had a doggie sweater for $19.

And now for what you really want to see....the sample table! Lots of hidden gems for $10-40!

Lucky for all of us the sale was extended thru Friday! If you still need holiday gifts she had plenty for under $20!

Linking her pieces online so you can see just how amazing this sale is!

Carolina Amato
270 W 38th St. (by 8th), 9th Floor
Dec. 17-18, 9 am - 5 pm

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After I walked over to Charlotte Olympia to get my free holiday gift. On her website there is a game - A Cracking Christmas Surprise. If you click on the image that looks like my picture below you will get a code for a free gift. Promotion runs thru Christmas so hurry over! If you live near one of her stores it's totally worth the trip :)

Charlotte Olympia
22 E 65th St. (Madison/5th)
10 am- 6 pm daily, closed Sunday

And that's all folks! Stay tuned for my next weekly roundup so you can see all my latest scores - and what's inside my Charlotte Olympia package...

XOXO
Shoppinggal

Bargainista Style; My $1,897 Alice + Olivia Voloshin Embellished Lace Dress...That Cost $119!

I can't tell you how many people asked to see more of my Alice + Olivia Voloshin dress. Thank you to my amazing reader, Julia who found the dress online so I could see that it retailed for a whopping $1,897. And to think I was mad that they priced it as a gown at the sample sale for $119 instead of a embellished dress for $99 LOL. Definitely worth the extra twenty bucks.
Once again it was unseasonably warm so I was able to step outside in short sleeves without a problem. My super talented niece, Meira, shot me so I didn't have to bug my poor husband or kids.

From head to toe:

• Earrings: A.V. Max spiked ear climber, sample sale, $4
• Eyes: Korres Volcanic Liner and Korres Professional Mascara, free (thanks Korres!)
• Lips: MAC Victoriana, Isabel & Ruben Toledo collab, $17.50 (free with Nordstrom Notes)
• Dress: Alice + Olivia Voloshin, sample sale, $119 (retail $1,897!)
• Bracelet: A.V. Max beaded rocker jewel cuff, sample sale, $10 (retail $105!)
• Bag: Maison Du Posh python skull clutch, Century 21, $46 (90% off sale - retailed for $1300!)
• Shoes: Charlotte Olympia Agent Provocateur Bellatrix, sample sale, $150 (retail $895)

This look easily retailed for over $4,000 and it was $329 OOP for me :)

I also decided that going forward I'm gonna need a cropped black fur coat for this dress so I'm on the hunt.

Linking some of these pieces (and similar) for you to see how much other people actually paid for them LOL.

I think this dress may be my favorite sample sale find this year - and this year has been pretty amazing. I'll be sure to do a roundup of all my faves before the end of the year. For those who have been following along, what are your favorites?

XOXO
Shoppinggal

Sophia Webster & Alice + Olivia Hauls...and More!

You asked for it! Here's a rundown of my latest sample sale finds :)

Let's start with Sophia. You can read my sample sale report here. I already shared my Lacey printed leather sandals and my Keira Doiley sandals. Say hello to my lovely Monique rosegold beaded sandals (I convinced Shira of A Sequin Love Affair to also get these) and my Flamingo Flutura sandals - all four pairs were $95 press samples. #LOVE

Last night at the insane Alice + Olivia sale I scored these three beautiful pieces.

My fur collared coat was a sample - the collar isn't even sewn on and I can't seem to find it online. Considering they were selling basic fur scarves for $99 it was a pretty amazing deal to get the whole coat for that price. I adore the blue and everyone kept asking me if I was taking it. This stunner was actually the first item I grabbed when I hit the sample area. Their samples run pretty small (more like a 2/4 and I'm a 4/6) so I can really only get into their coats and a few of their dresses.

Last time I really wanted a embellished leather jacket and the resellers scooped them all up. They had a few but this $2,000 "Jace" was my favorite. I grabbed two and lucky I did because one was smaller than the other. I handed off my second so some of the nicer girls in the fitting room. Can't believe it was just $99?!

And lastly, I figured I'd try my hand at a dress. This has an open back and fuller skirt so I was able to get into it. It is spectacular. Very Dolce and Gabbana and only $119. I can't find this one online but there is a similar gown that has less beading, retailing for $1,698 (I linked it below) - I tried that on as well but this was more special. I'm guessing this is more due to all the ornate detailing.

Not a bad haul for a sick girl. I'll go with my girl gang next time and we'll do some serious damage.

ETA: Thank you to my reader Julia who found the dress online! It's the Voloshin embellished lace dress and it sold for $1,897. I was annoyed that they priced it as a gown when it's a dress but $119 plus tax is a pretty sweet deal considering the retail. It's available right now in a size 8 at The Outnet for $899.18.

I also found a picture of Jessica Lowndes wearing it to the Alice + Olivia Spring 2015 Presentation in NYC. I'm guessing the smaller one that I tried on (or tried too LOL) at the sale was the one she could have worn.

Photo from CelebMafia.

On Black Friday Murad offered a $25 off $100 code (plus double cashback from ebates!) so I stocked up for the next few months. I haven't talked about it for a while but when I was in my twenties I got hit by a severe case of adult acne. It was debilitating and it took me a couple years of trying everything and the kitchen sink until I found something that worked. I even passed out on the subway from Accutane. You name it, I tried it. One night I saw an infomercial and I had nothing to loose. Turns out Murad saved my face. It's been about 15 years and my acne is totally under control but I'm extremely brand loyal - and I strongly recommend their products. I like to order products from several of their lines and mix it up. People ask me all the time what's the secret to my youthful skin. In addition to good genetics, I would probably have to say Murad.

I have to confess that I collect samples of their eye cream from Sephora but I pay for everything else. Their acne mask is pretty amazing - I dab it on a pimple before I go to sleep and I wake up unblemished. Their acne concealer stick happens to be the perfect color for my fair skin with a yellow undertone. I don't have to worry about breaking out while I cover up. Perfection!

Right now thru December 16th you can use code: VIP25 for $25 off $100 and free shipping at Murad.com! You can also use code WINTER for $10 off $40 thru February 28, 2016.

I'm linking some of favorites here:

I earned a ton on Century rewards at the last sale that are about to expire. I have a hard time buying stuff for myself when it's not on sale so I started purchasing holiday gifts.

From head to toe:

• Sunglasses: Moschino, Century 21, free with $60 rewards
• Jacket: Elizabeth and James, sample sale, $100
• Top: Tildon, Nordstrom Rack, $3
• Skirt: Tahari, thrift store, $9
• Bracelet: Dannijo Valentina, sample sale, $50 (retail $595!)
• Bag: Baleciaga Velo, Nordstrom Rack
• Boots: Rebecca Minkoff Ilan, sample sale, $25

I'm linking some of my finds and what I wore (some similar) below:

And again, Happy Chanukah! Saw this Nars photo and it reminded me of a Menorah LOL.

XOXO
Shoppinggal