deal of the day: the elusive shopbop code

today only, kids, so jump to it - 20% off at shopbop.com. some rules, of course - only on tops, bottoms and dresses (no shoes or bags, sadly), and not good on sale items.

but still, if you've been waiting for a little break to justify picking up a really fabulous tank or a lovely new summer dress, now's your chance. or, you could think of it as a sign that you're supposed to update that denim collection with something truly exceptional.

the code is HEATWAVE08, and i don't think they're kidding about it expiring at midnight (PST). post and let us know what you buy...i'm still trying to figure out how to maximize the benefit!

what i want today: giorgio brato pintuck satchel

this pintuck satchel by giorgio brato has absolutely everything i'm looking for in an investment-worthy handbag for fall (which, oddly, is just around the corner). giorgio brato bags are notorious for being impeccably made, so it makes sense to splurge on a style that will stand the test of time.

on this beauty, the styling is classic (the handles remind me of the givenchy nightingale that's been hot for the last year), but it still has plenty of detail to keep it interesting. the pleating is subtle, but oh-so-luxe. and i love that gorgeous grey color. plus, if i decide the grey is too big, there's a lovely cognac version available in a smaller size, which i love.

save your pennies, and nab it at shopbop for $1,197. or pick up its little sister for $400 less.

deal of the day: shopbop designer sale

agh...my wallet is positively groaning. neiman, saks, bergdorf, nordstrom - everyone has started their spring sales, and my restraint is wearing thin. but i was doing pretty well until shopbop's designer sale started.

now, those gorgeous anya hindmarch silver woven d'orsay pumps (wow, that's a long description for a pair of shoes) i wanted a month ago have made their way from a worthy splurge down to a very responsible buy. same goes for that stunning chocolate brown woven elrod. and her stunningly beautiful grey studded shoulder bag.

and these fantastic gatsby pants by peter som do, in fact, remind me of an afternoon soiree circa f. scott fitzgerald. they were just featured in the june vogue, so it's a wonder they've already hit the sale rack. marked down to just under $500, they're still a splurge, but if you have the bod to carry off the volume (read: long and lean), they're a classic style that is well worth your next bonus. while you're at it, check out som's luscious take on the classic cardigan - long, lean and oh-so-stylish, it would definitely be a worthy addition to your wardrobe.

loads of other unmissable options to peruse, so head over and get your shop on!

deals of the day: shopbop, nordstrom sales

what are these retailers doing to me??

new markdowns from shopbop - a couple of my favorites:

this foley & corinna dressis just begging for holiday parties - $250 down from $500. or, check out the hot pink version, surprisingly chic even with the crazy color and sparkles. this one will see you through your summer parties too...if you can carry off the fabulous flapper-inspired styling.


talk about the perfect warm-weather jacket, this all-silk piece by alice+olivia even comes with a matching tote. i love the white with the yellow hood, but i could see the black being slightly more practical. either way, not bad for less than $250.

and, some old favorites are finally on sale over at nordstrom:

that juicy couture jacket i loved is now 50% off over at nordstrom.

and those stuart weitzman shoes i was (and still am) incredibly in love with are now down 40% to $170.

happy hunting!

deal of the day: 20% off at shopbop!

i do so love a shopbop code. so many sites hand out discounts so often that i just know they're jacking up their prices to cover the discount. but shopbop only offers them a handful of times throughout the year. so, seize this opportunity to stock up on everything you're dying to pick up for the summer ahead - all at 20% off! happy after-mother's day!

make sure to share your purchases...it'll be like a day of SMC community shopping!

what i want today: martine sitbon handbags (and a shopbop code!)

this only comes around a few times a year, so it's quite an exciting happening (you know, unlike certain retailers who have perpetual 20% off codes floating around, and inflate their prices accordingly....cough). today through thursday only, at shopbop.com, you'll save $25 on $150, $50 on $250, $100 on $500, and $150 on $750 orders, with code TAXBREAKO8.

sure, i hate those codes that try to trick you into spending more, but hey, everyone's got to make a living. i'm pretty sure they're trying to swipe that tax refund you're hopefully getting, you know, before you wise up and put it into an orange account or something.

so, the real question: how to spend all of this extra cash?? well, if it were me (sadly, the self-employed never get those fabulous refunds), i'd shell out for one of these gorgeous handbags by martine sitbon. i've been dying to tell you about these for months, but now's the perfect time.

sitbon has been an icon of french design for decades, but is finally hitting our shores, and what a smash hit it is. the leather on these bags looks silky soft, light, and slouchy. and the styling has that perfect european "effortless chic" thing down to a T.

my top pick is her gorgeous pleated tote (above, $427). i'm in love with the soft, ladylike pleats matched with the big, bold tote style. the combination makes this the mega-bag you can tote without feeling like you're schlepping your life around on your shoulder. and that pale peachy-pink color is just the thing for summer - light and fun, but not too girly.

or, if you're in the market for a clutch, don't miss this quilted foldover version ($249). the style is perfect for toting all of your daily essentials while still keeping your look perfectly polished.

if the bags aren't ringing your bell, never fear...i have a hunch you'll find something to spend that lovely tax refund on.

what i want today: textural tops

this spring, i can't help noticing that designers are returning to some of the tricks of the trade that really make me ooh and aah. intricate pleating, ruffles, and other fabulous details turn everyday styles into something really extraordinary - finally, you don't have to look like every other girl on the street.

this pleated tunic/minidress by jovovich-hawk ($395) would be endlessly versatile for the warmer months. pair it with a slim black trouser now (just swap out the slip for a cami), and wear it solo for a fabulous outdoor party dress when summer's in full swing. the texture is so striking, i don't even think you need to accessorize this - it speaks for itself. hmm, well, maybe just a bold cocktail ring (which would be 20% off with code CYBR20)...

i love the gorgeous slate blue color and the over-the-top ruffling on this silk top by joie ($185). this would be every bit as cute with a white pencil skirt as it is with shorts - and those lovely ruffles are sure to hide the results of one too many frappucinos.

and the pintucked top and bold belt on this girly taffeta blouse by twelfth street ($192) just scream summertime chic to me - again, love this with a pencil skirt, maybe a wide-legged ash grey pant, jeans, tailored shorts...the options are endless. oh, and it's an additional 25% off (today only!) with code 25TODAY.

these are just a few of my faves - if you're in the mood for a little extra za za zoom in your closet, i'd suggest a stroll through shopbop's spring blouse collection - they've done a really excellent job of pulling some unique options together.

what i want today: marc by marc jacobs spring '08

i am so very, very pleased with the marc by marc jacobs spring '08 line, i had to share. it seems like he's finally shaken the "despondent teenage grunge" vibe, in favor of something a little more retro, a little more colorful, and definitely a little more fun.


take this silk "scarf stripe" dress ($458) for example. an updated but classic silhouette, a fabulously retro print, but the details are still signature marc. this is a look that would be perfect for the office, but you could so easily dress this down with a long cardigan and colorful flats.


this darling silk tank dress is another great example of the new-and-improved marc. the shape is much more tailored than i'm used to seeing from him, and i love the '60s vibe, but those bright enamel buttons make it clear he's sticking to some of his signature style.


i hate shopbop's styling on this piece (i am so not wearing a sweater vest with short shorts), but i love this cropped knit vest ($228). check out the close-up pics for better detail - it's the perfect way to add personality and style to just about any ensemble. this is one of those pieces that you're not sure about, until you get it home, and then you suddenly find you're wearing it with everything. ditto for this gorgeous crocheted cardigan ($348), which i'm pining for in a very serious way.


and once spring officially hits, i'll be dying for this gorgeous silk striped cami ($188). the violet/navy combo is so striking, yet i know it'll be incredibly versatile in my closet.

even this simple silk jersey tee ($158) has me swooning. the color is the ultimate neutral, and the sailor-style tie is so of-the-moment. this would be gorgeous as a layer, or solo when the weather warms up.


i even love his new take on old marc classics. this turnlock teri tote ($428) has become notorious in seasons past for its sinfully soft leather, but this new grass green shade makes it completely irresistible to me.

check out all of the gorgeous options at shopbop.com or net-a-porter.

what i want today: lauren merkin char clutch

i just think this is about the coolest thing i've seen in a while. it's actually made of fabric, knit like a sweater, but doesn't it look just like a gold lame or even leather? fantastic! so cool, and definitely has long-term style potential.

on sale for $199 at shopbop today.

what's next: classic, ladylike shoulder bags

dear readers, i have some lovely news: i think the mega-satchel is finally on its way out. and my bet is that the next look in will be those structured, ladylike shoulder bags i was starting to love months ago. they're already trickling in for spring, and i really like what i'm seeing. best of all, several options are either on sale or very reasonably priced - i do so love it when designers decide to ease us into a new trend with lower price points.

kooba is actually really impressing me these days - the fringe is finally gone! and the ladylike, structured bags they've put forth for spring '08 are stunningly elegant. my favorite is this croc-embossed version with a chain handle. at just over $500, this one definitely has the makings of a classic.

this linen-and-leather option from banana republic is a great way to try out the trend without a serious commitment. the shape is mod, the hardware is perfectly styled, and i love the gorgeous navy color (though it's also available in white). for $138, you can afford to try this one on for size.

jill stuart has some gorgeous options out as well - my faves come in navy, white and silver. best of all, none will set you back more than $400, which is pretty remarkable for a designer bag these days.

nab one of these beauties while they're still a great deal - if nothing else, your upper back will thank you.

deal of the day: 70% off designer sale at shopbop

shopbop just sent me a lovely pre-MLK day present: a 20% off code for everything marked down 50% or more in their designer boutique. normally i wouldn't be quite this excited, but there are many, many fabulous deals to be had. now, remember - this is the designer boutique, so you're not going to score any $10 bargains. but 70% off on a michael kors bag or a peter som dress is nothing to sneeze at.

to score the deal, just head over to the sale section in their designer boutique, pick out your favorites, and use code DESIGNERSALE at checkout.

a few of my picks, in case you need help spending your nest egg:

i love this erickson beamon necklace - it's completely unique (in fact, exclusive to shopbop), will work with a variety of styles, and is sure to be in your closet for decades. i loved it at full price ($785), and i love it even more now that it's $392, plus an additional 20% off, making it, what, about $315? not an unreasonable price at all for a really spectacular piece of jewelry.

this peter som dress is also completely fabulous. still a splurge, certainly, at about $600, but considering it was $1,500 initially, this is a pretty amazing opportunity to pick up a designer piece. you know, if you happen to be a size 2 and have $600 lying around.

this michael kors satchel is gorgeous and classic, both in vanilla (perfect for spring/summer) and in black (a stunning every day bag). and his high-end bags are really divine. the michael by michael kors line is lovely too, don't get me wrong - but it's nothing compared to this. and you can pick up this beauty for not much more than you'd pay for the budget version - about $450.

i'd suggest more, but i have to run before my shopping cart expires and that zac posen clutch and anya hindmarch flats i've somehow snapped up get sniped by some other shopper!

okay, okay...one more post before christmas...

i can't resist...the shopbop designer sale started today, and there's loads of holiday temptation to be had. here are a few things that just made it to the top of my christmas list:

this gorgeous cashmere dress by chris benz is a classic waiting to happen.

something about this amazing erickson beamon necklace (above) just screams serious glamour to me. it would have been just the thing for a holdiay dinner i'm attending tonight, but too late for that. i'll have to save it for next year's fetes.

this leather trench by jenni kayne is a splurge, even on sale...but what a splurge it is!

derek lam's handbag line includes several gems, but i love this ultra-ladylike shoulder bag, which just makes me want to dress up and go for tea.

shop fast...i was after an anya hindmarch satchel that sold out before i could click "add to cart".

start your engines....the holiday sales are upon us

i can hardly believe we're here already....and i hardly know where to begin. today, just a quick little spin around the eluxury sale. but tomorrow....hold on to your hats! and maybe start browsing around tobi.com. you know, just window shopping....

anyway, elux has some pretty fabulous markdowns happening - amazingly, no bags i love, but i would definitely direct your attention to the tods ballerinas, the marc jacobs pumps i've been lusting after for 3 months, those michael kors flat boots i've also been lusting after for months, and what i have to admit is a really darling sweater dress by juicy couture (love the ruffled bib front - i can completely see this with a cardigan and some colored tights).

the best news? every last thing i've named here is under $250. see? i'm not completely evil...

ooh, and while we're talking sales, the one-in-a-blue-moon shopbop sale event is upon us. i don't think i need to give you much help on maxing this one out! details are below...happy hunting!

what i want today: goldenbleu marni bag

so lately, i've had this weird calling toward really ladylike, structured bags. could have something to do with my fascination with/lust for the hermes kelly bag...but then again, could just be that i'm tired of wearing jeans and tanks all the time, and i'm ready for fall.

anyway. i find myself gravitating toward structure. and clutches. and pretty much anything that looks like it belongs in a black-and-white flick, circa 1949.

the marni bag by goldenbleu caught my eye almost instantly, and literally every time i run across it, i'm smitten all over again. love the shape, love the navy color, love the croc, love the patent...this is definitely a bag with vintage chic written all over it. it'd be the perfect complement to your work wardrobe, natch, but it would also add insta-polish to most of your casual weekend wear. and, considering it's about 1/10 the price of that kelly bag, well, what's not to love??

if you love it too, pick it up over at shopbop for $795.