NORDSTROM -  Shop the Fall Clearance Sale for Men, Women & Kids through November 13

Saturday, December 24, 2011

Sponsored Post: Holiday and New Year's Eve Dresses at the OutNet

THE OUTNET.COM US


If you're looking for a New Year's Eve Dress that is really special, Shop THE OUTNET.COM for 200+ designer brands at 40 to 60% off.  Designers on sale now include Roland Mouret, Marni, Halston, Alexander Wang, Tibi, Burberry Prorsum, Chloe and Missoni.  If you are looking for something unique, do give the OutNet a look.

Wednesday, December 21, 2011

The Recessionista's $200.00 Groupon Gift Card Giveaway for Christmas

Enter the $200.00 Groupon Gift Card Giveaway on our sister site, The Recessionista Blog. Groupon is one of our favorite savings and deals sites.   We bet you use it too, so enter and tell us what deals you love on Groupon for the holidays! Contest is open only to US residents.

Saturday, December 17, 2011

Thred-Up, Community Site for Moms Enables Swapping for Kids' Clothes and Toys

A good way to stay on your holiday budget is by swapping, not shopping.  Especially for kids today and clothes. ThredUP (www.thredup.com) is an online site where moms can swap baby and kids clothes, toys, books and more.  Check this site out. It’s a convenient way to get rid of the stuff you no longer need (once outgrown) and also a fun, inexpensive and green way to get some new-to-you things.  The way it works is simple, thredUP sends you boxes to pack up your stuff in (free of charge).  Simply list your boxes on the site, and when another mom picks them, send them free of charge (thredUP will even schedule an at-home pick-up).  You can browse other moms’ boxes and purchase for just $5 plus shipping.  Visit the site to check out the Holiday Toy Swap happening now.

Versace Cruise Collection Coming to H&M eCommerce site in Europe Jan 19



Pictured: A few pieces from the new Versace for H&M Cruise Collection via H&M
The newly announced Versace for H&M Cruise Collection, is all about color and good vibrations. There are bright sundresses, strappy sandals and a gorgeous Elizabeth Taylor lavender top (see above). To see more of the collection, click on over to British Vogue.  According to Vogue UK  the collection will be sold on the eCommerce enabled portions of HM.com starting January 19th, 2012.  Since we don't have an HM.com site with online ordering in the US, American fashionistas won't be able to buy it direct from HM.  We'll have to look for our Versace for H&M Cruise pieces on eBay or call our friends in Europe and ask them to buy for us and ship. Of course, if the eCommerce part of the H&M website crashes like it did during the first Versace for H&M launch, no one will get them.  I'll be calling my chums in the UK to see if they can find the lavender top for me!

Saturday, December 10, 2011

Join a Fashionable #CharlieBrownChristmas Twitter Party with Real Housewife Kyle Richards on Dec. 13


To celebrate Christmas and the new iPhone and iPad app Charlie Brown Christmas, the publisher, Loud Crow Interactive, is having a Twitter party.  You are all invited by me to join the Party. Prizes will be given away every 10 minutes during the party. Here are the deets!

Join the Twitterverse for a holiday Twitter party & on Tues, Dec. 13th 2:00PM to 4:00PM EST/11:00AM to 1:00PM PST; use the hashtag

Prizes will be awarded during the party on Dec. 13th,  2011.  Before the party, you can join a giveaway for some Junk Food tees with the Peanuts characters on them, by clicking here if you are on Twitter, and here if you are on Facebook. 

Tuesday, December 6, 2011

A Bel-Air Treat from the Luxe Hotel on Sunset: The Candy Cane Martini

If you're like me, you might find the holidays a little,er, stressful at times.  Don't even start me on Black Friday stress. When people are shopping defensively with pepper spray, it's time to chillax and step back.  There's nothing like a chilled martini, beautifully presented in a rimmed glass, to exercise and comfort a hand weary from carrying shopping bags. Believe me, I know :)  That's why I want to share this little pick me up  known as the Candy Cane Martini from the Luxe Hotel with all of my readers.  Be forewarned though, it packs a punch with Vodka, Creme de Cocoa, and Grenadine superbly mixed together.  You can make this fabulous concoction at home or you can have it at the exclusive Luxe Hotel on Sunset Boulevard, or, I like to do both.  I can make it at home when I need a holiday special or I can have one at the Luxe when I'm doing my Hollywood/Bel-Air touring and shopping on Sunset.  It all works out.

You know if Gloria Swanson was still hanging around on Sunset Boulevard she'd be sipping these during the holidaze.

Here's the secret holiday martini mix.


Candy Cane Martini Recipe

Shake 1.5 oz Tito's Handmade Vodka and .5oz White Crème De Cocoa Layer the Crème de Menthe and Grenadine on the bottom of a tall martini glass. Add the Vodka mix to the martini glass and serve
with cinnamon-dipped rim and candy cane garnish. 


* Served exclusively at the Luxe Sunset Boulevard Hotel

Pictured: The Luxe Sunset Pool where many a Candy Cane Martini has visited.

If you haven't been to the Luxe, and you're traveling to Los Angeles (or a local looking for a getaway) check this gem out. The Luxe Sunset Boulevard Hotel sits on seven acres of lush, manicured property perched a top Brentwood and Bel Air. Local attractions include the famed Getty Center, Bel Air, shopping on Sunset (huge H&M store) nightlife (House of Blues, The Roxy), Hollywood sights (Mann's Chinese Theater, the Wax Museum and Musso & Frank Grill) and the Santa Monica or Malibu beaches. The hotel makes for a great camp out -- chic bargainista style of course. Our staff really can't do tents or sleeping bags :) Look for discounts by checking the hotel specials page.  Image how good that candy cane martini might taste sitting poolside during an LA style Christmas? :)

Los Angeles: Divine Design Charity Shopping Event this Week



Project Angel Food's Divine Design starts this week in Los Angeles with General Shopping Days from December 9th through the 12th. This unique shopping extravaganza offers fabuless fashion, home, beauty and gift items at 50-90% off. Check their website for details and tickets at Divine by Design.  Be sure to get the $10.00 off discount coupon  offered on the website page. Click here for details about the Gala Opening Event and VIP shopping party. The sale benefits a cause that is near & dear to my heart: Project Angel Food. Project Angel Food is a free meal-delivery program that serves men, women and children debilitated by HIV/AIDS, cancer, and other life-threatening illnesses throughout Los Angeles County. The program literally brings nourishment to the needy. And this week, it will bring retail nourishment to holiday shoppers looking for a bargain. Over 200 designers contributed to last year's sale. Featured designers @ Divine Design include: BCBG, LAMB, Ports 1961, Trina Turk and many more. The sale features men's clothing (Ted Baker), children's clothes & toys, plus designer brands favored by savvy shoppers everywhere.