ShopDiary

This Week on Ruelala: Ella Moss, Hudson Jeans, Marc by Marc Jacobs, Elie Tahari and More

This week’s sales on Ruelala includes Ella Moss, Anne Klein, Hudson Jeans, Marc by Marc Jacobs, Elie Tahari, Sweat Pea, Tumi.

Discover Ruelala by joining now!

This Week on Gilt: Marc Jacobs Collection, 7 for all Mankind, Diane Von Furstenberg Shoes & more

This week’s sales on Gilt Groupe are all about bringing you the hottest trends for 2009. Find statement pieces like shoes, handbags and jewelry by the most coveted American designers like Marc Jacobs, Diane Von Furstenberg (shoes), Mint Jodi Arnold, Adam, Gryson, M+J Savitt and Isharya; embellished red carpet-worthy dresses and gowns by Notte by Marchesa and Vera Wang Label that will make you feel like a princess; and comfortable casuals by Steven Alan and Trovata, denim from 7 for All Mankind and cashmere by Tim Hamilton. Voluspa Candles are a luxurious way to add warmth this winter.

As always, if you wish to get invited to Gilt Groupe, you can leave a comment here or click through this personal invitation link to join now. Happy shopping!

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Frye Gretta Wedge 70% Off

The Tall Engineer boots were very tempting but since I already own Frye Harness boots in dark brown, and I couldn’t tell from the photos on the website if the color was more caramel brown than dark brown, I decided to pass on the deal.

I should stay away from being online though because I found these Frye Gretta Wedges at 70% off. It was the last pair in 5.5! I knew I wouldn’t be wearing them anytime soon so I got free super saver shipping and no tax. Mwahaha! It’s perfect for someone like me who needs some height. It looks comfortable to walk in all day too because of the cushioned leather insoles and wedges.

The Gretta Wedges come in black, brown and saddle (a honey color). Amazon’s pricing is weird though. It varies by size and color. I got a brown in 5.5 but the same color from sizes 6 to 8.5, 9.5 and 11 are still at full price. Then all sizes in black are still at full price except for size 9. All sizes in saddle are at 70% off but are only available in sizes 6, 9 to 10. Go figure. I’m happy that I got a good deal though. It takes away the sting from yesterday’s shopping misadventure.

Frye Tall Engineer Boots 50% Off

These Frye Tall Engineer boots are 50% off at Sundance Catalog (yes, owned by Robert Redford). These classic boots are meant to last and get better over time so this a pretty good deal for the quality. The style is similar to the Veronica.

I’m still on the fence about buying a pair as I just got callouses from walking around in my Frye Harness boots for the past couple of days, even while wearing thick socks with them. It looks like these Tall Engineer boots are made of softer leather though so maybe I’ll get a pair.

These boots are available in black, brown and slate. Get an extra 10% off when you shop thru today, January 4.

Remind Me To Never Buy Clothing With Security Tags On Even If It’s 90% Off

This post was supposed to be about the fantastic deals I got today. Instead it’s about lessons learned about not falling for a bargain with strings attached, or in my case, the security ink tag attached.

I bought this Tory Burch shift dress today for only $29 or 90% off at a warehouse boutique that I just discovered. It was a very low price but the owner warned that it was because the security ink tag was still attached and they didn’t have the equipment to remove it. I wanted the dress anyway and one of the owners suggested that I could have them removed at a drycleaner. Sold!

The dress came from Bloomingdales so I thought of going there as another option to have the security tag removed. When I got home though, my curiosity and impatience got the better of me. I went online and started researching for a way to remove it myself. I found this helpful thread and started trying the different techniques suggested. Ugh. I should have finished reading the thread because the ink casing broke and stained black ink on the dress when I tried the rubber band method (don’t ask). I think I pried it too soon. Then I used pliers and finally a soldering gun on the plastic bit but the damn thing would not come off until I practically melted the whole thing. It’s a miracle I didn’t burn the dress. Now I’ve got a black blob on the side of a white linen dress. Good thing I saran wrapped the ink casing or the damage would have been more, I think. My consolation from this experience is the Theory jacket that I bought along with the dress. It got it for only $45, also 90% off but with no security tag attached. Hahaha. I’m such a die hard bargain hunter.

Now I’m on to finding out on how to remove the damn stain. Wish me luck. Or leave a comment if you have any suggestions. But please - be kind to me.

Cosmetics Giveaway on January 20th

Ladies, mark your calendars! This is one beauty giveaway you shouldn’t miss.

I got a postcard in the mail recently about the settlement of a cosmetics class action lawsuit. As part of the settlement, $175 million worth of free cosmetics products will be distributed to class members at department stores listed below for a maximum of seven days, while supplies last, on a first come, first served basis, beginning on January 20, 2009. No rainchecks will be issued. Each class member will be entitled to a maximum of ONE free product.

The stores that will be participating are: Bergdorf Goodman, Bergner’s, Bloomingdale’s, Boston Store, Carson Pirie Scott, Dillard’s, Gottschalks, Herberger’s, Macy’s, Neiman Marcus, Nordstrom, Parisian, Saks Fifth Avenue and Younkers.

The products that will be distributed, through the stores listed above, are (listed by manufacturer):
Boucheron (USA) Ltd.: Femme Eau de Toilette (1 ounce/30 ml)
Chanel, Inc.: Coco Mademoiselle body lotion (3.4 fluid oz)
Christian Dior Perfumes, Inc.: J’Adore Eau de Parfum (15 ml)
Clarins U.S.A., Inc.: Clarins Energizing Morning Cream (30 ml) OR Clarins Beauty Flash Bomb (30 ml)
Conopco, Inc.: Calvin Klein Euphoria Bath and Shower Crème (6.7 oz) OR Vera Wang Princess Body Polish (5 oz) OR Lovely Sarah Jessica Parker Shower Gel (6.7 oz)
The Estée Lauder Companies Inc.: Estée Lauder Advanced Night Repair (15 ml/0.5 oz) OR Clinique Moisture Surge (30 ml/1 oz)
Guerlain, Inc.: My Insolence Eau de Toilette (15 ml)
L’Oréal USA, Inc.: Lancôme UV Expert 20 OR Lancôme Cils Design Pro Mascara OR Lancôme Fatale Mascara OR Lancôme Courbe Virtuose Mascara OR Lancôme Primordial Skin Defense OR Ralph Lauren Romance Shower Gel (6.7 oz.) OR Giorgio Armani ACM Shower Gel (6.7 oz) OR Lancôme Hypnôse Shower Gel
Parfums Givenchy, Inc.: Very Irresistible Givenchy Eau de Toilette (15 ml)

To determine whether you are a member of the class and view further details visit the settlement website at www.cosmeticssettlement.com. Not all products will be available in all stores; stores will only only be distributing products of brands that the particular store ordinarily sells.

Apartment 3 on eBay

Los Angeles based retailer Apartment 3 is now on eBay. Don’t miss out on these vintage finds and tons of other super cute stuff. Many of these items will go for for under $10. If you live in the Los Angeles area, you can still visit their brick and mortar store at:

apartment 3
1855 Industrial #103
Los Angeles, CA 90021

Discover Apartment 3 on eBay –>

Check out current auction listings after the jump.
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Splurge vs Steal: Makeup Brushes by Bobbi Brown vs BeautiControl

Here’s a tip from a friend: A direct market cosmetics brand called BeautiControl (model Coco Rocha has just started using their spa line) has a make-up brush set that is made by the same manufacturer of Bobbi Brown make-up brushes. Everything is the same - from the blonde wood handles to the silky brush fibers - except for the brand name stamped on the handles. Bobbi Brown has since slightly altered the design of their make up brush handles, removing the concentric rings on the black part of the brush handles so they don’t look exactly the same as BeautiControl’s, but the quality is still the same.

If you’re looking for similar quality brushes at a lower price, BeautiControl’s brush set is a steal. The only thing is, they are not sold by BeautiControl. They are given as hostess gifts when you host a BeautiControl party. So if you can get them as a hostess gift, great. But if you’re like me who won’t go to the trouble of hosting a make up party (what?!), you can get them for as low as $14.99 on eBay. I have a set that I’ve used for three years and they are excellent - not professional grade quality but decent enough. And compared to the $158 before tax that I would have paid for the same brushes by Bobbi Brown, I’d say it was money well spent.

Castor Oil For Your Lashes

After reading about the side effects of Latisse, the FDA approved prescription drug for lengthening and thickening eyelashes, my enthusiasm for the product waned. I then resolved to splurge on Jan Marini’s Eyelash Conditioner until I remembered something I read and tried a long time ago.

I was in my early teens when I read about the age old remedy of using castor oil to thicken and lengthen eyelashes. Luckily, we had a small bottle of castor oil in the medicine cabinet then so I tried it out. I applied the oil to my lashes every night and only after a few days, my lashes were thicker and longer! I remember it as a goopy and smelly oil so I stopped using it (it could be that the oil was not as “fresh” as it should have been).

It’s been many years since then and I’ve always meant to buy a bottle to use and try again but I wasn’t sure where to get castor oil. I checked around online today and it turns out you can get them at regular drugstores or health stores. Even Makeup Alley reviewers highly recommend castor oil for its beauty remedies (reviewers say it also works for clearing the skin). I’ll see if I can find a bottle of cold pressed castor oil at Whole Foods tomorrow. Stay tuned!

New Year’s Day Special on Linea Pelle Dylan Croco

Linea Pelle is offering 50% off all Dylan Croco on the 1st day of 2009. The bags come in a variety of powerful colors to match all your new wardrobe additions. Use code HAPPYCROCO at check-out. Promotion ends today 1/1/09 at 11:59pm PST. Code may not be combined with any other special offers or coupons and may not be applied to previous LPCollection.com orders. It can be combined with your LP eVIP discount of $15 off orders over $150. Shop now at LPCollection.com or order over the phone (800) 770-0027 M-F 9am to 5pm PST.