Major ideeli Score: Hobo Handbag

And for the final Xmas present of the season...(drumroll) I received a truly groovy Hobo handbag.  And it was the best kind of gift because it was a good deal!  Oh, and I really like it too.  It's black patent leather and has a great interior with all the right compartments for phones, blackberries and pens.  It is also devoid of blaring logos and ostentatious hardware that makes me hate PURSES.  Quality and style speaks for itself.

Thanks to ideeli, this bag that normally retails for $238 was gotten for $129 - and that includes tax + delivery. 

Stay Steamy in Shearling Steals for Men and Women

Don't let the non-descript storefront fool you - stylish Italian, one-of-a-kind jackets and long shearlings in purple, black, brown and many other colors at this wholesale liquidation sale - last 2 days. Many coats in the $450-$500 range. Also hats for just $40. Bundle up and head over to 940 Eighth Avenue between 55th & 56th, 12pm-6pm today (Friday, Jan. 28, 2010) and tomorrow [last day].

Jan. 30 - Calypso Jewelry Sample Sale

Calypso Au Marche on Broome St. is offering great jewelry finds from Chan Luu, Morra Designs, ginette & Lola Rose at prices ranging from $9 - $199.  No, that is not a typo!  Get down (or up in rare cases) there this Saturday!

Tracy Reese: Extra Dressing, Please

Straight from Daily Candy: Extra Dressing, Please

Saks Fashion Fix

Nancy Brenner pontificates...

The Fix is who got the 36 items that were limited to e-mail subscribers.  Great buys, but gone faster than you can say Rue La La - one Alexander McQueen Eiffel Tower Lace Top [MSRP $225.00 - Event Price $67.50] sold out within minutes, as did anything else lustworthy.  For those looking for cheap pick-me up mid-Winter blue accessories - see Kenneth Jay Lane earrings for $12. Shipping will probably cost as much as the earrings.

From the editor:
Visit this link to sign up for Saks emails, including access to "The Fix" and other special events and exclusives, including 10% off your first order and get entered into a Palm Springs resort getaway for two!

MUG Sales: 1.25.10

I was impressed with the breadth of sale information on today's MUG 01.25.10 (Manhattan Users Guide) - Manolo, Burberry, Cole Haan, Agent Provocateur, etc. - so I thought I'd share it with you: http://manhattanusersguide.com/

Klurk: 70% off pea coat

Today Starting at 2 p.m., ideeli Giveaway: Gemma Redux Blue Agate Chain Necklace

Today at ideeli from 2-9 p.m. EST you can enter to win the pictured necklace.  And if you aren't a member you can click the link on the right side of my blog under "check these out" where it says "Ideeli personal invite link" to sign up.

The Gemma Redux Blue Agate Chain Necklace is crafted with deep blue agate entwined in varied chains.  Maybe you love it, maybe you hate it, but either way it's free to try and win it!

Old Navy Tanks: Two for $4.23??

It seems not possible, but indeed it is: I purchased the pictured tanks at Old Navy for $4.23...TOTAL.  I mean, they are practically giving them all away!  I find that the Navy is the best spot for tank tops of all styles and colors, hands down.  They are practical, decent quality, well-fitting and cheap as all hell. There is little need to go elsewhere for this particular item.

Yohji: Brief Update

It's a very complex situation but technically Yohji has closed his wholesale, public relations, and retail operations in the U.S. At least one U.S. employee (there aren't that many) will be OK...but if I tell you what that means I will have to kill you.  If I am not killed first.

Jan 14-18: Sale at Bloomies.

Wow the cold harsh reality of January has really stuck a wrench in my well-oiled shopping machine.  It's too cold to go outside, I have yet to lose the holiday meat ,AND I don't have MLK day off from my day-job!  So all I can tell you now is that there is a sale at Bloomingdale's starting today through Monday AND they have a coupon (see above) for an additional 15% off of most sale and clearance items.  If you are ordering online use promo code MLK15. 

Norma Kamali Sale 'Til Jan. 15 (2010)

At times like these I wish I was independently wealthy (for the free time as well as the free money):

http://fashionista.com/2010/01/20100104_-_0115_nyc_sale_norma.php

Adhere Me Out

Wallpaper reminds me of the 70s, and not in a good way. But that may have all changed - I really liked Eskayel’s amazing line of kaleidoscopic wallpaper from Daily Candy a couple of weeks ago: Adhere Me Out

Racked NY: Skyline's Bookstore Cat Needs a New Shelf to Call Home

Racked NY: Skyline's Bookstore Cat Needs a New Shelf to Call Home

Mott Street: Do Girls Make Passes at Guys With Glasses?

THIS IS GSNYC'S 1,000TH POST!  HAPPY ANNIVERSARY TO US!

Always seeing the deals...Nancy Brenner reports:

Rhianna's ex Chris Brown sports specs in his new video "Crawl." Dapper dudes Justin Timberlake, Johnny Dep and Jay-Z are all gaga over glasses - so where can you score a hot pair without scorching your wallet? Head to Mott Street where several spots offer a wide range including Prada, Dolce & Gabanna, Lafont and too many to name.

Didn't have a clue that the nabe famous for Fendi fakes was home to these shops? Neither did I. You don't have to wait for a sale, or scour coupon websites or even ask for a discount, most shops will offer you one. No huge pressure to buy. No attitude. The Mao Chang Vision Center was spot-on in selections that flatter your features, coloring and size. Most pairs are ready in two hours, so you have time to savor the area's gastronomic delights and pick up inexpensive colorful chopsticks at one of the many souvenir shops dotting this narrow thoroughfare.
Three stores to scout:

• Mao Chang Vision Center, 72 Mott Street
• Mott Street Optical, 52 Mott Street MottOptical.com (also in Flushing)
• Eye Solutions, 33 Mott Street (also in Brooklyn)

Want $25,000? Sign Up for Menupages' Weekly Newsletter

Sign up here: http://menupages.com/sweepstakes/newyork/ and perhaps YOU will win $25,000.  If you do, I will accept a small tip as a thank you.

And here's their homepage, where you can see menus for about every restaurant in the city: http://www.menupages.com/ (at present they have 8,672)

50% Off Selected Merch at Lingo (in Chelsea)

My new fave store in Chelsea has marked down select items by 50%!  It may be freezing out side, but it's getting hot in there, so buy up all their clothes!

LINGO
257 W. 19TH STREET
212-929-4676

TUES - SAT 1-8 P.M.
SUNDAY 1-7 P.M.
CLOSED MONDAYS

The Necklace Quest Endeth at...Versani

I was in dire need of a multi-layered sterling silver chain necklace of above-average quality.  I scoured the web, I looked in every jewelry case I walked by.  And in the end I went back to a place that has delivered for me in the past: Versani (the one on Mercer St.).  I am glad I went to inspect it in person, because when I spied it on the Versani website, I was not an automatic convert.

They did have to remove the top, inside chain, as it was literally choking the life out of me, but once that was quickly and effectively completed, I became the necklace's proud new owner (see photos taken on a mousepad).  In fact I am wearing it now.

And no I didn't buy it for myself.  It is Xmas present #5 of seven.  I love presents, and especially seven of them.

Free Personal Training/Workouts for the New Year!

During the past two years I have undoubtedly enjoyed the magnificent food and drink that New York has to offer -- certainly more than during any other period of my life.  And it has been a joyful experience.  But with every action comes a reaction, such as unfortunate and continual weight gain.  As my food intake increased, my health and fitness has decreased.  I do work out two times a week (boxing, mostly), but my body has gotten too used to my regimen.  I need to change it up and add to it - time & intensity - while decreasing my regular rendezvous with ice cream and cupcakes.

I am still mourning the loss of my footloose, fancy-free lifestyle.  And working out, well it HURTS.  Almost as much as denying myself cupcakes.

However, and especially during this time of year, gyms are offering special workout programs FOR FREE.  Indeed, they are attempting to get you to eventually commit and PAY.  But I have spent the last week trying out three new workouts at two different gyms without spending a cent.

To be clear, I do already belong to Equinox, for which I pay $128 a month.  However, I managed to get an hour-long personal training Pilates session (on the reformer and other machines) at the 33rd and Park Ave. gym, as well as a one-on-one 30-minute circuit training introduction at the 19th and Broadway location. 

Additionally, a family friend directed me to The Black Box on W. 25th St., which is the CrossFit outpost in NYC.  Hearing about the insane puke-enducing workouts that CrossFit is known for, I was more than a little tentative about checking it out, however I discovered online that they offer a few free "beginners" classes a week to help you see what it's all about.  So I went to one of those this morning.  And while I didn't barf, it was not for the faint of heart.