best deals: Alderwood Mall

I spent some time today at Alderwood Mall soaking up the post-holiday super sales and practicing self-restraint. It's easy to get totally confused and disoriented when you're surrounded by clearance signs. Everything seems "worth it" when it's 90% off.

Here's the golden sale rule: Look at the ORIGINAL price, and ask yourself if you would be willing to pay the full amount. If the answer is NO, then leave it.

Ready to practice? Here are my top 5 sale destinations at Alderwood:

1. ROMY. I think the entire store is on sale. Ignore everything but the romantic blouses (starting at $12.99) and the dresses ($39.99).

2. The Limited. All my favorite suits from this Fall are now priced to move. I was seriously eyeing a gorgeous winter white suit (under $75 for the jacket AND slacks).

3. Papyrus. All the holiday cards and gift items are 50% off. Selection is still good.

4. Banana Republic. 40% off dresses, sweaters, and COATS! I love the emerald green wool coat-- very Peter Pan chic--and the satin trench will be brilliant on New Years Eve. 

5. Forever 21. No sale, per se. But I never miss an opportunity to dig at Forever 21. If you understand that 80% of everything in there is unwearable and cheap-looking, while another 10% is totally unnecessary (a faux fur cape isn't exactly a wardrobe staple. Leave it.), then you can focus your search. Make sure to try EVERYTHING on, because the sizing is not predictable and the return policy is iron-clad.    

etiquette: exchanging a gift

This is a very touchy subject: What to do when someone you love gives you a gift that begs exchanging. We're not talking full return, as in "I'd rather have store credit or nothing than this disaster." But rather, a simple trade. 

This is a hard one.

My lovely boyfriend surprised me this holiday by traveling hours by plane, showing up at my doorstep dressed in a suit (and he's not a suit-wearing kind of guy, so the very act of wearing the suit through the airport and on the plane was a gift in itself). He was carrying a dozen pink roses, and he somehow--in a single motion--handed me the flowers AND scooped me up into his arms...

Then he whipped out the Tiffany's box. 

(No, Mom. Not a ring-sized box). 

Anyway, (fair warning: the ending of this story is kinda anti-climactic) he gave me the signature heart-toggle bracelet--beautiful!; but, after much thought, I decided that another, similar bracelet is more my style. So I even-exchanged, and we all lived happily ever after. 

 

The moral of the story is this: if someone gives you a special (read: expensive) gift, with the intention that you will wear/use it often, then I believe you should honor their intention, with honesty and sincere gratitude. 

Thank you, darling. I love you, and I love the bracelet.

Hunt for the perfect New Year's Eve dress

I think New Year's Eve is amateur night for party people (kind of like Valentine's Day is amateur night for lovers). But I never pass up an opportunity to wear fancy, sparkly clothes on a Tuesday, so I'm currently hunting for the perfect outfit for my New Year's soiree. 

Here's my search criteria: must be sparkly, but not sequined. I did sequins last year, it's very 2007. If it's short (and I am envisioning short), it must have sleeves and a modest neckline. Let's be clear: New Year's is a holiday to look hot, but not slutty. Slutty is for Halloween.

So I employed the help of ClayValet shoppers and received this recommendation. I don't actually consider Sean John "designer", but the dress is not bad.

Naturally, I hit the day-after-Christmas sales and was delighted to find every cocktail dress at Banana Republic is on sale. This 20's-inspired beaded flapper number is delicate and vintage looking; however, I don't recommend it for blondes, and--unless you're going to a Gatsby-themed party--I strongly encourage anyone who rocks this look to wear a modern shoe and minimal accessories. 

I'm planning to dig through the Designer racks at Nordstrom Rack tomorrow (and check every tag for the elusive red 75% off sticker), so I'll keep you posted.

in and out in '08: Part 2

I like to start the New Year by cleaning out my closet and purging all the items (ahem, leggings) I've been wearing to death. Out with the old! In with the IN!

I recently did a segment on NWA called "In and Out in '08": and here is a list of everything I officially declare OUT (let's have a moment of silence for each): Ponchos. Uggs. Giant sunglasses. Chunky Necklaces. Leggings. Colored Jeans. Ankle booties. Denim minis. 

Rest in peace :)

gift idea: professional guy friend

Guys are hard to shop for. They don't require many accessories, save for neckties; and no one really gets excited over a necktie. Guys like gadgets, but most gadgets are pricey. Guys like sports, but most sporting equipment is awkward to wrap. Stumped? Here's your answer:

My best friend Cameron found this amazing golf ball personalizer at Restoration Hardware. We love this gift, because it's unique, personal, and only costs $20. Your professional guy friend will be a rock star on the links next year, and he'll think of you every time someone compliments his balls. 

in and out in '08: Part 1

Here's the question I get asked constantly: "How do I know if what I'm wearing is outdated?" Because some people would rather be naked in public than wear an outdated trend, everyone wants to know which clothing items to keep in regular wardrobe rotation and which to pack away. 

My general rule is this: if something is available in stores RIGHT NOW, it's probably "In." If you are wearing an outfit that you could literally go out tomorrow and buy again (or at least, something like it), then you can probably rest easy.

Now, predicting trends is a little harder. You can keep tabs on all the celebs (involving WAY too much information about their dating lives and trips to rehab),  study your InStyle cover to cover, and spend LOTS of time/money shopping. You also have to be willing to proudly sport the "hits" and the "misses." 

You can drive yourself crazy trying to stay one step ahead of Mischa Barton, or you can forget about "in" vs. "out" and only buy clothes that fit you well, look good and make you feel hot. Something that fit you well and looked good last month will probably still fit you well and look good in 6 moths. You'll find that if you have a closet full of clothes that make you feel good, you won't care as much about staying ahead of the trends. And that kind of confidence never goes out of style!