Style: Best of Labor Day Sales

Banana Republic [office apparel] - 30% OFF everything 
(ends 9/3, code: FALLCALLS)

Bath & Body Works - up to 50% OFF select products, $1 shipping with any $25 order (shipping code: LABORDAY25)

Bauble Bar [jewelry] - Up to 50% OFF

BBC America Shop [DVD, bluray, & homewares] - Up to 30% OFF

C. Wonder [clothes, homewares, & accessories] - up to 50% OFF

Furbish Studio [jewelry] - 15% OFF all jewelry (ends 9/3, code: LABORDAY)

Gap [casual clothes] - 30% OFF everything
(ends 9/3, code: FALLCALLS)

Garnet Hill [casual clothes & homewares] - 25% OFF Select Fall Items + FREE Shipping

Jayes Studio [homewares] - 20% OFF everything + FREE Shipping on $50+ (ends 9/7, code: LD2012)

Loft [office apparel] - $35 & Under Event

Macy's [department store] - 15% OFF (code: FALL)

Old Navy [casual apparel] - 30% OFF everything
(ends 9/3, code: FALLCALLS)

Sephora [cosmetics] - End of Summer Sale Up to 65% OFF

Stella & Dot [jewelry] - extra 20% OFF sale (ends 9/3)

Ulta [cosmetics] - 20% OFF everything (see pink banner on site for code, ends 9/1)

Here are a few of my fave items from these sales:

Labor Day Sales by victoria-harman on polyvore.com

Sale of the Day: Jigsaw London Summer Blowout

Jigsaw London Final Summer Blowout

Special Deal on SALE Items:

Buy 4 Items, Get an Extra 10% OFF

Buy 7 Items, Get an Extra 15% OFF

Buy 10 Items, Get an Extra 10% OFF

Shop the Sale HERE

Stock up on fall / winter clothes 

for work and for the season's cocktail parties!

Here Are a Few of My Favorites:

Jigsaw London Sale by victoria-harman on polyvore.com

Style: Fall Looks for Less at Prima Donna

Love the latest on ShoeDazzle, Net-a-Porter, and more? Too scared to buy something online without trying it on first?

Look no further than...

The Prima Donna accessories boutique 

on 5th Avenue between E 38th & 39th Streets!

They have all of the season's hottest trends at very affordable prices including knuckle-ring handled clutches, smoking flats, chain strap quilted purses, cap toe flats, tweed, skull motifs, and more. 

Most of these items are around $30 or less!

Check out some of my favorite finds below:

 Metallic Snakeskin Clutches 

w/ Knuckle-Ring Handle ~ $38

Compare with ShoeDazzle ($39.95, HERE)

Bow Closure Satin Clutches ~ $38

Quilted Chain-Strap Cross-Body Purses 

~$30, Select SALE 15% OFF

Compare with DSW ($29.95, HERE)

Studded Suede Smoking Flats ~$26

Metal Cap Toe Tweed Flats ~$26

Kitty Cat Smoking Flats ~$26

Compare with Charlotte Olympia 

at Net-a-Porter ($895, HERE) 

Skull Face Stud Earrings ~$5

SALE Suede Smoking Flats with Tassel $9.99

Sale of the Day: 20% OFF at Swoozie's

Swoozie's is Offering 20% Off Any 1 Purchase

Offer is valid now through Tuesday, September 4th.

Use the code "FALL20" at checkout.

Swoozie's is great for: hostess gifts, cocktail party supplies, tech accessories, housewarming gifts, summer fashion, college dorms / back-to-school, tailgating & sororities, & more! 

They also have a fun "Let's Get This Party Started!" collection that's perfect for celebrating the presidential race and the RNC & DNC - available in both donkeys AND elephants ;)

Here are a few of my favorite items on their site:

Swoozie's 20% Off Sale by victoria-harman on polyvore.com

Sale of the Day: 20% Off Clearance at DSW

DSW is offering 20% off ALL Clearance Items

*Discount Taken At Checkout

Now through September 3rd.

Shop the Sale HERE

Most of the shoes are below $50 BEFORE the discount! FREE Shipping if you sign up for DSW Rewards (their free, no-obigation email list).

Choose from a great selection of smoking slippers / flats, wedge sandals, booties, pumps, & more!

Some designers included in the sale: Jon Josef, BCBG, Marc by Marc Jacobs, Guess, Charles by Charles David, Enzo Angiolini, Betsey Johnson, CL by Laundry, Tommy Hilfiger, Stuart Weitzman, & Badgley Mischka. 

Here are a few of my favorite shoes on sale:

DSW Sale by victoria-harman on polyvore.com

Where To Get FREE Stuff On Your Birthday!

August is my birth month and I figured what better time to share with you all some of the excellent birthday offers I've received from a variety of New York City restaurants and online stores?!! Sign up for these lists and bring in the extra goodies on your special day too!

Please post in the comments below any other offers you're aware of or have received in the past. Share the bday love!

AMC Theatres:
FREE large fountain drink coupon sent to your email ON your birthday
- valid for 1 month after your birthday
Sign up for the AMC Theatres mailing list HERE (bottom of page, red box).

Ayza Wine & Chocolate Bar: 
25% OFF any purchase 
- valid for 1 month after your birthday
Sign up for the Ayza mailing list HERE.

Cavatappo Grill & Wine Bar: 
10% OFF any purchase 
- valid for 1 week before your birthday, 
expires on your bday
Sign up for the Cavatappo mailing list HERE.

DSW (Designer Shoe Warehouse): 
$5 OFF any purchase online or in store 
- receive it 1 month before your birthday, 
expires ON your birthday
Sign up for DSW Rewards HERE.

Havana Central: 
FREE birthday entree and dessert with minimum purchase, max value $30 
- valid within 10 days before and after your birthday
Sign up for the Havana Central VIP list HERE.

IHOP (International House of Pancakes): 
FREE Rooty Tooty Fresh n' Fruity Meal (2 eggs, 2 bacon strips, 2 pork sausage links, & 2 buttermilk pancakes with strawberry, blueberry, or cinnamon apple topping and whipped topping) or an item of equal value 
- receive it 1 week before your birthday, 
valid for 2 weeks
Sign up for the IHOP mailing list HERE.

Jamba Juice:
Any Sixteen Size Smoothie for $2 coupon sent to your email
- valid for 1 week after your birthday
Sign up for Jamba Juice Insider HERE.

Old Navy:
$10 OFF a purchase of $50+ coupon sent to your email ON your birthday
- valid for 2 weeks after your birthday
Sign up for the Old Navy mailing list HERE (bottom of page). 

Panera Bread: 
FREE surprise gift loaded to your reward card 
- valid for 60 days after receipt of email
Pick up a rewards card at your local Panera and register it on MyPanera HERE.

Piperlime:
$15 OFF a purchase of $60+ coupon sent to your email ON your birthday
- valid for 1 week after your birthday
Sign up for the Piperlime mailing list HERE (bottom of page).

Sephora: 
FREE birthday gift (in 2012: FRESH Sugar Lip Treatment SPF 15 Mini Lip Duo for women, Anthony Logistics Glycolic 3 oz. Facial Cleanser for men) 
- valid for 2 weeks after your birthday
Sign up for Sephora Beauty Insider HERE.

Starbucks: 
FREE drink 
(if you make any purchase using your Starbucks Card within 12 months)
Pick up a Starbucks card in your local shop and sign up for Starbucks Rewards HERE.

Supercuts: 
$5 OFF any service or haircare product 
- valid for over a month after your birthday
Sign up for the Supercuts mailing list HERE.

Style: A Few Minutes With...Danielle Colding, 2012 Winner of HGTV's Design Star!

I recently had the fantastic opportunity to ask New Yorker Danielle Colding some of my burning questions about her bargain hunting & apartment decorating experiences in the Big Apple. 

Danielle with "Design Star" hosts:
Vern Yip, Genevieve Gorder, & David Bromstad

This year Danielle cemented herself into design stardom by winning HGTV Design Star, Season 7. If you haven't seen it - think the Project Runway of interior design! 
Although the show ended in July, Danielle is now hosting her very own show on HGTV called "Shop This Room". The show focuses on "creating highly personal spaces for clients around a single inspirational object", something that speaks to them. In addition to her TV stardom, Danielle owns her own company, Danielle Colding Designs, and is a fabulous alumna of my alma mater (yay Stanford University!) where she received a BA in Anthropology.

HauteontheSpot: When did you first decide to become a designer? What inspired you?

In her element: shopping a showroom!

Danielle Colding: I first decided to become a designer after my career as a modern dancer came to a close. I was working seven days a week in order to fuel my dance career and after four years of this rigorous schedule I was spent. At that point, I decided that I was ready for a different career but I wasn’t willing to give up being an artist in some way. As I contemplated my next move, I reflected on all of the things I was naturally good at — problem solving, working with people- and all the things I love to do- I had always had an eye for things design related and loved shopping. And since I'm not a nine to fiver, I knew it had to be something I was passionate about. I came up with interior design as the perfect blend of my talents and my passion and have never looked back. 

HotS: You have a great ability to understand what others want rather than focusing your designs on your own personal style. What project was your biggest challenge?
DC: The toughest project I have faced is one where I was not able to finish executing my vision. That is the most frustrating part for a designer. On one project, I was only able to get to about 60% of the scope completed. The best spaces are the ones that are layered and that evolve over time- with this project I was only able to get in the big, foundation pieces. It is a real challenge when a client doesn't appreciate the process and the time it takes to have a fully completed space. 

HotS: From the show, I know that you love vintage shops. What's been the best bargain you've found? What do you think are the best finds in vintage shops?

LA artist's home designed by Danielle

DC: I do love vintage shops!!! I love finding pieces with history and detail and wear just makes them more beautiful. Knowing that a piece has had a past and has been lived on or lived through just makes that piece more compelling. The other part and I don’t think it is debatable is that the craftsmanship is better because most things made then were done by hand literally crafted by artisans. Now everything is machine made and the focus is really on getting items made as quickly and as cheaply as possible. One of my favorite finds was a charcoal drawing of a blues singer playing a harmonica. It was just beautiful. It was an original piece that was bursting with detail and it was a steal at $20! There is absolutely nothing comparable to finding a great deal! When vintage shopping, I am usually most successful with chairs- vintage chairs usually have such great lines and silhouettes. And once you have a great piece with good bones it’s super easy to clean it up and reupholster as needed. 

HotS: A common theme on Design Star is helping clients create better storage solutions for their space. What are your tips for cramped New York apartments?

A Harlem apt. designed by Danielle

DC: New York apartments are notoriously small so no piece can have a single use. I always suggest to clients to use furniture that is multi-functional, so a desk that can also be a dining table or dressers that can be used as night tables. For tight spaces you want to use every square inch. Everything must serve a purpose and in NYC where space is at a premium you have to get very creative.

HotS: Your new show focuses on the shopping aspect of design and finding items that really speak to you. What are your favorite places to shop for budget-friendly and unique home decor in New York City?

Vintage chair from Housing Works

DC: I love Housing Works. Not only do they have great things but its for a great cause. I also love the parking garage flea market in Chelsea because the inventory is always changing and the range is anywhere from valuable vintage to junky stuff and you can always haggle prices. Not to mention they have everything from world art to lighting. For big box stores, I’m a West Elm girl hands down. Their collaborations with artists have taken them to another level.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Tune into "Shop This Room" - 

Tuesdays @ 8:30pm EST on HGTV!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Sale of the Day: Up to 25% Off at Wallis

British clothing retailer Wallis is hosting an excellent sale.

They are offering up to 25% off EVERYTHING. Founded in 1932, Wallis offers an excellent range of both office and cocktail party attire.

FREE Shipping on orders $30+.

Shop the sale HERE.

They have lots of affordable items reflecting the fall's hottest trends, including:

- silver cap toe shoes 

- shades of purple and teal 

- asian-inspired motifs

- peplum dresses

- menswear-inspired blazers

Here are my 23 favorite items on their website right now:

Wallis Sale by victoria-harman on polyvore.com

Orient Express: Asian-Inspired Looks F/W 2012

I just loved opening this month's Marie Claire and reading fashion editor Courtney Weinblatt's description of one of fall's hottest trends gracing the pages of nearly every high fashion blog and magazine, asian-inspired design & brocade:

"To mark the year of the dragon, follow the Silk Road to gilded chinoiserie and empress-worthy extras."

This trend is showing up in all of the hottest designers F/W 2012 lines, including: Alexander McQueen, Proenza Schouler, Marni, Jason Wu, Oscar de la Renta, Elizabeth & James, Opening Ceremony, and more! 

Features include: bold exotic florals, dragons, cranes, clutches with tassels, embellished fur vests, meditation beads, stylized high collars, and golden brocade.

Check out some of my favorite asian-inspired finds below. I've included a few inspirational pieces by high end designers, several by budget friendly alternatives from stores like Asos, Urban Outfitters, French Connection, and Wallis, - and everything in between!

Check out my editor's picks below:

Orient Express by victoria-harman on polyvore.com

Style: 25% Off at Old Navy ENDS AT MIDNIGHT

Old Navy 

is having an amazing sale today!

HURRY - ENDS AT MIDNIGHT

25% off everything with the code ONTAKE25

Get your work wardrobe for less:

shoes $20, dresses, $30, scarves $15.

FREE Shipping on orders $50+

Shop the sale HERE.

Check out my 24 picks below:

Old Navy Sale by victoria-harman on polyvore.com

Style: Fall Collections at Laila Rowe

I visited accessories boutique Laila Rowe on 42nd Street between 5th and Madison on Thursday. While there I found some extremely budget friendly alternatives to stylish designer trends. If you haven't been, it's definitely a store worth checking out. Everything is SUPER cheap (often cheaper than H&M & better quality) and very fashionable. 

They have 8 locations in NYC in Midtown East, Financial District, Upper West Side, and Midtown West. To view all of the locations, click HERE.

Check out a few of my favorites finds below:

Loafers / Smoking Slippers, $20

Leopard Rain Booties, ~ $24

"Schoolboy Bag" style purse ~$30

 E.L.F. Studio Lotion Wipes $4

in Milk & Honey, Vanilla Coconut, or Cucumber & Melon

Tasseled Rain Boots ~$24

Colorful Notebooks $8

Gold & Brown or Silver & Black 

Adjustable Friendship Bracelets $10

Foldable Flats ~$12

E.L.F. Mineral Foundation & Eyeshadow ~$4.20

Style: Sally Hansen Magnetic Nail Color - The Perfect Look for Fall!

 

Last month I received a bottle of Sally Hansen Magnetic Nail Color for free, for testing purposes, from Influenster. There are so many things I really loved about this product and after trying out Sally Hanson Salon Effects (read my previous post HERE) and now the Magnetic Color, I am officially in love with Sally Hansen products! I'll definitely save a lot of money I used to spend going to the salon.

The Magnetic Nail Color was so easy to apply! You simply add one coat as you would normally and let it dry. Then, you add a thicker second coat. Before the second coat dries, you take the cap of the nail polish and place it over your finger nail. The cap has a small piece of plastic sticking out that allows you to rest it just ABOVE the nail polish so the polish gets the desired effect without getting smudged. 

The only thing of note is that the color I was given, "Red-y Response", was definitely not red. It was much more of a purple color. Personally I loved and preferred the purplish shade but don't purchase it thinking you will get anything that looks remotely red. When I received the sample in my Summer VoxBox I was a bit hesitant about the color because it was July. However, I think this color and the other ones that are offered are absolutely PERFECT colors for fall! 

The nail color lasts about 5-7 days without a topcoat and significantly longer with a good quality top coat and base coat. It runs for about $8.99 at Target, Walmart, and most pharmacies.

Style: Check out StyleSaint & You Could WIN a $300 Asos Gift Card!

Fashionistas, rejoice! Now you can publish your very own online fashion magazines in just minutes on StyleSaint.com. Like Polyvore, Have to Have, and Pinterest which I've mentioned on this blog before, StyleSaint has a bookmarklet that allows you to "tear" your favorite products and photos from nearly any page on the internet. 

However, what makes StyleSaint so unique is its exciting "StyleBooks" feature. On the site you can select your favorite "StyleSheets" (i.e. "tears") from your own profile and everyone else's to add to your own customized look book! In minutes you can create a themed collection that you can share via social media and embed on your blog. Read more about the StyleSaint story HERE. 

Here's my example of the kind of "StyleBook" that you can create on StyleSaint using products from your favorite online shops, celebrity photos, runway photos, or anything else that inspires you on the web:

To check it out and see for yourself, submit your email in the box below. In the coming month they are launching the raddest ever, "StyleSaint Magazine" which will be chock full of go-to guides on how to style the latest trends, lessons in pairing, and DIY tutorials. 

Your entry will give you the chance to WIN a $300 gift certificate to Asos, my favorite online retailer. You may remember Asos from my "Fake It Til You Make It" Part I & Part II posts. They have a truly awesome selection - so sign up and keep those beautifully manicured fingers crossed!