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. 

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!

Aug. 31: Calvin Klein Day at ideeli

ideeli is hosting Calvin Day on Monday, August 31st: a full day devoted to this label's simplicity and style! This event will have items ranging from sportswear to suits.

If you want "in" sign up here: http://www.ideeli.com/invite/guerillashopper

Calvin Klein Sportswear/Active wear

Save up to: 60% Off

Prices start at: $12

From tailored blazers, to breezy skirts, to crisp blouses.

Calvin Klein Coats

Save up to: 69% Off

Prices start at: $69

Calvin Klein Dresses

Save up to: 75% Off

Prices start at: $59

**Please note that there will also be Petite and Special Sizes/Plus available in the Calvin Klein event.**

May 15: Thompson London Accessory sale on ideeli

SKULLS!!

ideeli is having a Thompson London men's accessory sale this Friday. Perfect Father's Day gifts for the trendy, hipster Daddy-O.

Join via this URL to get the goods: http://www.ideeli.com/invite/guerillashopper

Thompson London Sale

Save up to 65%

Prices start at: $99

Sale Starts Friday, May, 15th

11:00 am
Thompson London’s line of cuff links, tie-clips and key chains utilizes unique and striking elements such as enamel and Swarovski crystals, and unusual semi-precious materials including onyx, tiger’s eye, coral, garnet, abalone and mother-of-pearl, all set off beautifully with sleek rhodium-plated metal.

Friends Don't Let Friends Wear...

THESE SHOES.
These shoes by Guillaume Hinfray are for sale on Ideeli today - prices start at $199. But that's not important right now. What is important is that the sight of these shoes has moved me to finally ask the question that has been swirling in my brains of late, which is...When did shoes that came right out of transvestite-hookerville become normal everyday shoe fashion? I know that these towering infernos of shoe have been kicking it up and down the runway for several months now, but ladies: that is SHOWBUSINESS (and shoebusiness). Unless you get paid for "it," my suggestion is to not buy white patent leather platform shoes with 5" heels (or more). And if you can't help yourself, please don't wear them to work. Well unless "it" is your line of work. And if it is, you can sign up for Ideeli here: http://www.ideeli.com/invite/guerillashopper.

However, so as not to throw Mr. Hinfray under the bus, I am LOVING the Isadora and Giselle flats.

Tidbit du Jour: Join ideeli...through me!

You may have read my recent post on ideeli (the green bag)...Well as a result I have been granted the encouragement from the kind people over there to in turn encourage you fine people to join ideeli using a special Guerilla Shopper URL: http://www.ideeli.com/invite/guerillashopper

Just click the link and you will be taken to a page where you can sign up for ideeli, which means that you will have privileged access to the most sought-after fashion, home and beauty products. Also, ideeli members enjoy privileged access to luxury lifestyle experiences such as fashion shows and sold-out concerts.

Give it a shot!

What's the ooh la la about Rue La La?

The ever-enthusiastic bargain shopper and writer, Nancy Brenner, pens another insightful piece for GSNYC:

What's the ooh la la about Rue La La (ruelala.com) and all these other "invite only" sample sales that seem to crop up daily? Portero.com's porter private beta launched last week. After what seemed like an interminable wait, the merch from Rue La La arrived and it was a perfect fit - the petite cardigan was just the right size and the color was as posted. The skirt fit fine as well - I admit going online and sorting, selecting and buying in 7 minutes was very fast - even by my seasoned sample sale standards, but I would try again if I knew the brand very well (in this case Beth Bowley), what size suited me in that brand and factored in the cost of delivery (and ensuing risk of return rate).

How to shop the sites? Here are my quick tips: try to sign on a few minutes before hand - sizes disappear quickly and how was shocked that the sold out banner appears within minutes; you can easily be tempted to buy too much too fast (I set a mental dollar budget before I went online), so think about what might be complimentary to your existing wardrobe before you sign on or what you truly want to add, pre-spot check the web to make sure the merchandise is current and of course - that the price is right - in checking out a few of these types of sales (but no other purchases), the prices and selection are much better at the "real" "brick and mortar" sample sales where you can often can get that one of a kind piece for a true sample price. The online sales all have limited selections. FYI, the merchandise came with an easy to return pre-printed UPS label for $9.95 for a credit - not a return. There are no returns at sample sales, but not a pressing need to make such split second decisions. Online there is no time to sort through "your pile," or change your mind while waiting to pay at checkout. On the other hand, no long lines to pay, no broken registers to contend with, no mad dash to the garment district or Chelsea Market or some narrow little street lower down, two subway lines away, no women to fend off from trying to rip off your clothes while you're foraging for a try-on mirror, no checking of all your belongings except for you wallet and your cell, no men wandering around claiming to "shop for their girlfriends" while staring at women in various stages of undress (hey - it's time to start banning those guys) and best, but not least, no roving cell phone paparazzi snapping pics of you pre-dawn, makeupless on a long line in the rain as if you were the next Paris Hilton landing up on the latest fashion sample sale blog for all your frenemies, exs and co-workers to see.

So try out ideeli.com, gilt.com (where a "bargain" is a $995 Chloe cropped sequined jacket reduced from $3,600 and already believe-it-or-not sold out), thetopsecret.com or others. But think before you click - will the dress make you look like Gaby in Desperate Housewives, or will you look just plain desperate.

Who knows, this year may be the last big year of sample sales as retailers retract, designers disappear and sample sales, both brick and mortar and online, just may go the way of the IT bag.

I Bought a Joe's Handbag off of Ideeli

The need for a new spring/summer bag with a shoulder strap converged with a need to try out ideeli last week. Ideeli describes itself as: "the first invite-only shopping community in the US." Anyway, I saw the pictured bag from Joe's at a huge discount. Something like regularly $179 for $79. And while Joe's isn't really my style, I kind of liked the look, function and green color, so I went for it.

Well, in the end after delivery and taxes, that $79 turned into $96.45 - not so cheap after all. And in person the bag is a little bit "mid-quality" with too many logo embellishments (some I can thankfully remove). And the shoulder strap - a main selling point - hooks 1/3 the way down the item, making it kind of fold-over in an inconvenient way. HOWEVER! I think I shall soldier through and use it for the upcoming season(s) 'cuz I still really like the color. You can call me Sprout, just don't call me the Jolly Green Giant.