Labor Day Weekend Sales and Bargains!

Looking for bargains this Labor Day Weekend? You are in the right place! Several great mark downs have come to my attention plus a great one stop shopping listing pf sales called Dealighted.com.

Pictured: A good site with Labor Day Sale Listings, Dealighted.com

Dealighted.com lists the Labor Day sales from sites like Pottery Barn, Eddie Bauer, JC Penney, NY & Company plus websites like Speedo.com. What's unique about this sale listing is it also features coupons and links to user comments. I like this because you can see what other shoppers have already learned about the sale, sizes available and quality of the goods. Click here to see the reviews of the Eddie Bauer 70% off sale.


Here's a quick rundown of some of the Labor Day Specials:

• Bloomingdales: The Big Brown Bag Sale & Save 30% Off Select Items! Ends 9/7
• Macy's has a variety of specials throughout the store and on their website. In their brick and mortar stores furniture and mattresses are discounted. If you buy online shoppers, you get an additional 25% off clearance items and free shipping code for orders over $99.00. There is also a $10.00 off denim deal at Macys.com. I have to check for my beloved DKNY Jeans to see if the discount applies!
  
• BCBG MaxAzaria: Labor Day Sale: Additional 30% Off
• The BedHead Pajamas Labor Day Clearance Sale lasts 5 Days Only. 20% off regular priced items! Sept. 3rd thru Sept 7th. Savings Code: Clearance20
• Nordstrom, the ultimate in shoe customer service is having a shoe sale. Here's the deal: Shoe Clearance - Save 33% or more on select shoes for women, men and kids at NORDSTROM.
• Ann Taylor Loft: Great Labor Day sale with Cotton T's as low as $6.99. I was in the Loft yesterday and was impressed by the selection. My top pick at Loft: the emebellished "petal" tee shirts, and tops with little ruffles at the neckline.
  
• Gap: I stopped in our local store yesterday and saw the bright signs declaring "Buy 3 Items get 25% off." I liked their selection of ballet flats, ruffled shirts and jeans.
  
• Loehmann's Final Clearance: Amazing markdowns. Some items are only $5.00. This is primo Recessionista shopping!
  

• Kohl's : 30-50% Off Entire Stock Simply Vera Vera Wang Collection and more, check Elle, Dana and Apt. 9 deals.
• Martin + Osa Labor Day Shopping Treat: FREE Scarf or Belt with Denim Purchase
• Barnes & Noble: Beatles Remastered CDs and Beatles for Rock Band.
• Plus, Save an additional 10% off one item with coupon code: P8T3T73. My book pick, is the new Ted Kennedy memoir. I'll be using my coupon on True Compass.

Pictured: My Book Pick: Ted Kennedy's Memoir, True Compass

And finally, a "Freebie Alert": Stop by Chick-fil-A on Monday while wearing your favorite sports team's logo and pick up a free chicken sandwich.

If you're reading from outside the US, look for deals on sites like Overstock.com and Amazon.com which ship internationally. In store, check out H&M, Zara and New Look clearance racks. Look for the final clearance Giles Deacon Gold items at New Look.
I'll be updating my "Top Picks" on the Right Nav bar for designer deals throughout the Labor Day weekend.

If you find great deals, please drop me a note or send a comment. Share the savings with all The Recessionista's Readers!

Mad for Plaid? Egads!

Pictured: A bad flash back, a replica of my catholic school plaid uniform

So, I just have to say it. What is up with the fall plaid trend? I was strolling down Fifth Avenue in Gotham City today enjoying all the needful things and window shopping, when there it was. I stopped in my tracks. A very upscale retailer's window display was full of....plaid! And not just any plaid. The display showed a plaid jumper that bore an eerie resemblance to the jumper I was forced to wear by my mother at St. Bartholomew's Catholic School. Most shocking of all, in addition to the bad memories, was the price tag. The jumper was not cheap. It was over $100.00 US. So I just have to remark upon this trend, what is going on with all the plaid? What's next? Will the plaid jumper take over Rodeo Drive, the Mall of America, shops on Oxford Street, boutiques along the Champs-Élysées and more? Plaid has already hit the racks in the new Miley and Max Azria collection at Walmart. And, it's selling out. The plaid tops by Miley & Max are "no longer in stock" online.

Pictured: Miley Cyrus plaid top from her Walmart collection.

There are also half-bred, hybrid plaid garments rearing up. By this, I mean a garment with a solid top and a plaid bottom.

Pictured: A Fire Buffalo Plaid Dress from Macy's

I just don't know what to think about this. Do I call Sister Hilda and tell her to recycle all the old plaid uniforms because she could make a fashion statement and maybe a little cash? Or, do I get into the spirit of the season and run to my favorite plaid retailer, Burberry, for tasteful fall plaid cover once it hits the sales racks?

Readers, what do you think? Are you loving the new fall plaid trend, or are you also having a bad school uniform flashback? I've already sighted plaid at Topshop, Juicy Couture, Macy's and the Gap. Were any of you forced to wear plaid as children?

Rodarte Announced as new Target Go Designers: Laura and Kate Mulleavy Will Make It Work

Pictured: The Rodarte designers Laura (in stripes) and Kate Mulleavy at Pasadena's Huntington Gardens

A lovely early holiday gift has just arrived: the announcement that Pasadena designers Laura and Kate Mulleavy are doing a line for Target that will be on the racks in December 2009. I'm so excited about this one. I bought their white shirts from their Gap collection a few years (2007) ago. I still treasure my scoop neck white top with the little bows are over the bodice. It's so beautiful.

Pictured: Rodarte top with little bows from their Gap collection.

Rodarte is well know for their vintage inspired, romantic looking dresses from their runway collections. Their models sometimes look like little Degas ballerinas walking in their tulle.

Pictured: The Rodarte Spring 2008 "Degas" ballerina look

Natalie Portman is a Rodarte lover and has worn their classic styles to film premieres. Check her out below in this 1920s inspired frock.

Pictured: Natalie Portman in a vintage style Rodarte dress at a premiere last year with Scarlett Johansson.

Only a few sketchy details have been reported about their Target line. According to British Vogue, the line will be a 55 piece collection. It will be part of the Go Collection, so I am hoping that is will be sized for more than teenage girls. :) I have hope for that, since the pieces in their Rodarte collection and their Gap line have been sized appropriately. You can see that below in the pictures of the sisters in their own designs with their models.

Pictured: The Rodarte designers with their models.

Many Rodarte designs retails for thousands of dollars. So, I look forward to seeing their Target line for much less. If you live outside the US, take heart. You know the whole line will find its way to eBay.

Watch this space for the Target collection images when they are available in November. It's good to see the democratization of fashion marching on. Now we just need Walmart to announce a new Norma Kamali holiday collection. :)

Chic n' Cheap: Easy to Do Summer Hair

As frugal living becomes the new "black", I've received quite a bit of mail from readers asking how to do their hair in chic n' cheap styles. All over the world, people are cutting back on expenses. And part of this scaling back, is looking for new ways that we can style our hair.

Speaking for myself, I am afraid to cut or highlight my hair at home. However, I know some of us are currently doing this to save money on salon visits. It's great if you can do it. I'm more comfortable finding some basic styles I can do myself, and some products to help me keep my hair in "tip top" shape. To research this area, I called my stylist David Jensen at Santa Monica's hip celebrity boutique salon, The Shampoo Lounge. The Shampoo Lounge is discreetly tucked away on Pico Boulevard a short distance from Shop Intuition. David was full of great information and sample ideas for easy summer styles. Following is my interview with him and some pictures to illustrate his tips. Listen up Bargainistas!

Q. What are some of the current hair style trends that you've seen? Popular looks?

A. David, The Shampoo Lounge: I am seeing a lot of braids; they are quick and easy for everyone to do with just a little practice. This is an easy and chic look. I'm seeing more braid styles turning up on celebrities and my clients.

Pictured: Linda McCartney's Band on the Run "accent braids" from an old Wings album cover.

Pictured: Actress Anne Hathaway's braid up do, a new twist on an old favorite.

Pictured: Actress Jennifer Anniston's braid accent at the Academy Awards this year.

Q. Any styles that you recommend that are particularly easy to care for ?

A. David, The Shampoo Lounge: We are definitely seeing a return of curly hair. Once you have taken some of the water out of the hair, with a towel or a quick squeeze, I recommend putting on some Fresh Curls (from Redken) or another curl relaxer or refiner (Glass, Vinyl Glam or even Fast Food). Then simply leave your hair alone and let it dry naturally. The less you fuss with it the better it looks. I used to spend time blow drying and straightening some of my client's hair. Today, many of them no longer want that---they are happy to just let their hair go naturally curly. I have one client who writes a popular blog that is now doing this! :)

Pictured: Actress Drew Barrymore's easy curl/wavy hair look

Q. What are some simple tools that you recommend Recessionistas keep in their Hair Care tool box?

A. David, The Shampoo Lounge: I love Glass (from Redken) it is the best product, for ultimate shine and frizz control, and the best priced of all its competitors and expensive imitations. ( I looked this up on ePinions, and the reader reviews give Glass a strong thumbs up.)

Pictured: Redken products recommended by The Shampoo Lounge

Outshine is great and gives a nice conditioning treatment. I recommend using this when it is dry due to Southern California's Santa Ana winds or being inside with air conditioning. In the summer, beware of AC as it does dry the hair out.

Fabricate is the best for giving support to a heat set. If I am going to take the time to curl hair with a curling iron or hot rollers, this product gives great long lasting shiny curls and works fast. Using rollers at home or curling iron is a good way to give yourself a special hair look at a low cost. Just make sure to use a product like Fabricate to get the most of our your curls.

I recommend Redken's Rough Paste for fine hair when you want a little volume without teasing.

Q. Any secret products for men?

A. Often over looked, but a classic, is Redken's Cleanse bar for men. It smells great. Men tend to shower a lot and Cleanse keeps the skin clean but not tight and dry. And at under $8.00 US, it is a great price.

Q. For a special evening out, what would you recommend? An up do? A chic blow dry style?

A. For an evening out the pony tail seems to be the new up do. I recommend doing your ponytail up high and then pulling it tight so the hair volume is at the crown.

Pictured: Keira Knightley looks tres chic in a ponytail and Roland Mouret dress.

Pictured: An easy high pony tail style. The look is swept back in a colorful clasp.

For more information, and some discounts, visit The Shampoo Lounge website. If you live in the Los Angeles area, check out their Happy Hour promotions. There's nothing better than a little hair care, some gossip at the salon and a great Cosmo-tini!

Leave a comment and let us know if you have any summer style tips of your own

The Real-Life Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants Suit: New York Teachers in Norma Kamali

Pictured: A Real Sisterhood of the Traveling Pant Suits: The Teachers at Gramercy Arts High School in New York, NY in Norma Kamali

Today, I'm writing about some real-life heros, the teachers at Gramercy Arts High in New York. This is a story near and dear to my heart as my mother taught school for 35 years. She did it because she loved it. And growing up, I always remember her struggle to look stylish on a teacher's salary. She was always looking for a bargain, but it was harder then because it wasn't chic at that time for high-end designers to do lower priced versions of their fashion lines. Today, all that has changed. The picture above shows a variety of beautiful women in all shapes and sizes wearing Norma Kamali's wonderful $35.00 suits.

The designer notes, ""My goal is to help women build self esteem, as well as a strong commitment to education." Not to mention a dedication to helping these ladies live the Bargainista lifestyle. Norma Kamali's low-priced suits are easy on the eyes and the pocket book.

If you are interested in checking out these well-priced looks, they are available through Norma Kamali's partnership with Walmart. My "bargainista" advice is order them online if you are interested. NK is not available at all brick and mortar Walmart stores. Furthermore, this shopper has a hard time parking, standing in line and just generally finding a place to stand at the store chain. The online experience is much more aesthetically pleasing :)

To browse the collection online, check out Norma Kamali's website. The career skirt in the collection is now on clearance at Walmart online for $14.00. The jackets are no longer available online, but I did see them in the Walmart stores on a recent shopping trip. Another good deal from the collection are the handbags which are now on clearance. Not all are available online, but there are still some in the stores. If you are reading from outside the US, many of the NK collection pieces are for sale on eBay from sellers who will post outside of the US.To learn more about supporting the New York City public schools, visit www.pencil.org. Many business leaders like Norma have built relationships with Pencil to help the NYC schools. To learn more about becoming a Pencil partner, click here. I love the Principal for a Day® concept. I would love to govern for a day. Norma Kamali for everyone would be the first order of the day!