H&M Finds: September 2010

My recent discovery of H&M not sucking has turned me into a H&M regular. Its just kinda fun rolling in there to see what you might unearth. I actually had to make a major H&M excursion for a recent styling job and couldn’t help but to pick up a few things for myself on my return day.

The amazing thing about H&M is that you can buy a whole damn wardrobe for a couple hundred bucks. I got a bunch of stuff. I couldn’t find pictures of everything online but I did find a few pics …

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I couldn’t resist this studded bustier. It was only $34.95 and will be useful for photo shoots. I can also see it working under a blazer and paired with some boyfriend jeans … you gotta take the sexy down a notch or two with this top.

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They also had a bunch of the BlackBook for H&M tees on sale for $10. A silly tee is a wardrobe staples for gloomy days where you just want to be cozy. In fact, I am wearing mine right now with an H&M black hoodie and Helmut Lang leggings.

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Yep, I got all this stuff too (plus a bunch more things that aren’t pictured). Out of this bunch my favorite item is definitely the leather shorts. I wear them all the time and get a ton of compliments on them. They are also filling the void for the 3.1 Phillip Lim leather shorts that I REALLY want (please go on sale, please go on sale).

I also really like the navy and grey military style jacket. So amazing! The over-sized white button down will also come in handy. The other items are just fun filler. They are great for those lazy days when you want to look cute but still be comfy.

So that’s that. I’m going to try to stay away from H&M until the Lanvin lines comes out. I am just really curious to see whats there. Not looking forward to the madness. You know everyone in SoCal will be packed inside the Beverly Center for that.

The Art of Bargain Shopping

There are some things that I am great at, one of those things is bargain hunting. I have a deep love for designer clothes and I don’t always have the means to fulfill that deep love. I never let money get in the way of my style, which is why I have really honed in my bargain hunting skills. Also, as a stylist you kind of see how quickly clothing turns over and paying retail is just plain ridiculous. There are bargains to be had out there, so why not go get them?

People ask me all the time how I get such great deals and they also ask if I can go shopping with them. Well I can’t go shopping with you but I can shop for you. I can also give you some great resources for snagging a good deal.

So how did I score a $1,000 Marc Jacobs dress for $70? How did I get a $1500 Proenza Schouler dress for $100? What about those $975 Givenchy shoes I nabbed to under $200? The answer is simple, bargain shopping my friend!! Here are my bargain shopping hot spots and some tips on how get a good deal …

loehmann_spng1.) Loehmanns: This store is the best! I shop at the Beverly Hills location. They get GOOD stuff. Of course with any bargain shopping store, some days are better than others but I pretty much always have a good day at this location. The designer backroom is the place to be. I have scored Helmut Lang,  Maison Martin Margiela, Dolce & Gabbana, Alexander McQueen, Marc Jacobs runway and more. Get their gold card to get 10% off every purchase. They also send you a gang of coupons in the mail.

342032.) Century 21: This is my NYC shopping hot spot. It’s like Loehmanns on crack. I cleaned up (you can read about my deals here). Where else can you get Lanvin at 90% off? Nowhere, that’s where.

2010_07_bwssale3.) Barney’s Warehouse Sale: I had ignored the warehouse sale for years before I decided to go. This sale is the best sale ever! I spent 6 hours at the sale on the first day and 2 hours there on the last day.

4.) Outlets: Outlet shopping is a great stop when you are on a road trip. When you see that giant sign from the freeway, its like a sign from above telling you to shop. I used to get sucked into to all of the outlet stores but now I just stop into the big hitters like Barneys, Saks, and a few of the designer boutiques. Obviously Barneys is the best. They even have sales on top of the bargains, like an extra 60% off.

5.) Nordstrom Rack: I don’t always get lucky here. Its actually like 2 out 10 times will I really score. I did go last week and scored pretty nicely. I got a bunch of Elizabeth and James items on the cheap and I scored that Marc Jacobs dress (originally $1000 for $70). Its the deals like that, that make you weed through the crap.

824338397_e551bcde3a6.) Wasteland and other designer resale shops: Wasteland used to piss me off, mostly because I only sold things there and they didn’t always welcome my old crap with open arms. Now since I’ve actually started using Wasteland as a shopping resource, I am sold. Great designer duds on the cheap. The Wasteland on Melrose has some really great deals if you live in LA.

ac_web_gilt_017.) Online: I do spend a lot of time on the computer, which often leads to a little online shopping. My best deal resource tends to be ShopStyle.com. You can sign up for their sale alerts, which alerts you when the brands you love are having sales. I also find great items on Gilt. I am a member of all of those 24 hour sale sites but Gilt really has the best designer gear. I also keep my eye on The Outnet, Net-a-Porter’s sale-savvy sister site.

So there you have it, all of my secret sale spots. Now go get some great deals and don’t forget to tell me all about what you find.

Save 20% at Pretty Pennies

I just discovered a cool new shopping site that has cute clothes AND is affordable too. For me that’s a good thing, considering I am trying to save some money/pay off my mountain of credit card debt 🙁 The site is called Pretty Pennies and if you use this special discount code (Schoolofstyle) you save 20%.

Here is what is on my Pretty Pennies shopping list …

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BB Dakota jacket- $95.99

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We Are Handsome One-Piece- $219.99

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Leopard Print Keds- $32.99

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Obey Denim Dress- $83.99

What’s on your shopping list?

H&M, Who Knew?

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I know, it’s like I was born yesterday or something but I just recently realized how cool H&M really is.  Well that statement isn’t entirely true. I first discovered H&M in New York City when I was in high school. It was like the coolest place on earth and it made me the coolest person on earth when I could say “I got it in New York.”  Then H&M start popping up in every mall in America. It started to lose its luster and I stopped going to H&M all together.

Today, shopping at H&M has literally become part of my job. H&M is a great place for a stylist to find clothes on a limited budget. Because I am now a pro at combing through racks and finding what will look cool and expensive, I’ve started shopping there for my personal wardrobe as well.

Some recent H&M finds include: a great faux leather pair of shorts (wearing them as I type this), a giant black hooded poncho, a brown leather mini skirt, some awesome blazers and jackets, and I even managed to find a great looking pair of pumps there that are actually comfortable.

A couple of H&M shopping tip for you …

1.) If you find something awesome you need to get it that day. I have seen items that I liked and returned the next day to purchase only to find out that its gone and never coming back.

2.) Ignore the sizes. Seriously, H&M clothing can really hurt your feelings if you aren’t careful. I picked up a size 4 skirt only to have it fit me like sausage casing. However in other pieces a size 4 is too big. If the dressing room lines are too painful (I still never try on), give the clothes a serious eyeball before purchasing. If your normal size looks too small, then it probably is. Just go a size or two up if you have to. It’s H&M … not you.

3.) Shop the sale rack- I don’t recommended waiting for something you love to go on sale (because the chances of it making the sale rack are slim) but I do recommend shopping the sale rack. Items on the sale rack can be priced as low as $5. I did an entire sale rack shopping spree and scored big time. It was pretty fun too.

Jenny Dayco’s End-Of-Summer Sale!!

Friday, August 27th + Saturday, August 28th
12pm – 7pm on both days!
7428 Hollywood Blvd, #305
Los Angeles, CA 90046

All Jenny Dayco jewelry is 60% to 75% below retail!
All one of a kind, vintage jewelry is also on sale!
Prices starts at $10!
Cash only please!

Building is on southeast corner of Hollywood Blvd and Vista St.
Two hour parking is available on Vista St, until 6pm
After 6pm, park on Gardner or Hawthorne
Entrance to building is on Vista St.

Get Ready, Get Set for Simply Stylist

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See through the eyes of a stylist at Simply Stylist!

Self-declared fashionistas and aspiring stylists can now take part in the fourth annual Simply Stylist event. On October 13th, 2010, from 8 PM – 11 PM, the stylish public will have the chance to see the “pop-up” PR showroom exactly as their favorite stylists see it: full of beautiful garments and accessories.

Have you ever hoped to work in the fashion industry?   This event will give you a chance to meet and network with the top tier of stylists and style influencers. You will also get an opportunity to be featured in a viral video on www.simplystylist.com discussing fashion, designers and emerging looks. Included in the ticket price, you will receive a glass of Barefoot wine, a gift bag, three informative seminars and networking opportunities.  The most beneficial part of the evening will be the three seminars featuring top style experts.  The three experts of the evening include Lindsay Albanese, Luke Storey and Monica Rose.  www.lindsayalbanese.com; www.theschoolofstyle.com; www.monicarose.com

Caroline Rothwell will be hosting the seminar.   Caroline is known for founding the company Caro Marketing; a company that focuses on marketing and PR in the fashion world. Caroline is also responsible for co-founding the Simply Stylist event four years ago with her sister and partner, Sarah Pollack.

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