Who Doesn't Need A New Necklace?

(image courtesy of thebudgetfashionista.com)

Color me excited. August 31st. Pencil, circle or highlight your day planners and save your pennies. Anna Sheffield’s line for Target debuts. In this recession, who can afford whole new outfits (without racking up your Amex bill)? Tis the year for accessorizing on a budget. Sheffield’s sterling silver and rose gold-plated chains, bracelets and necklaces are perfect centerpieces for any blazer, sweater or tunic. Pieces range from $20-$80. Can't. Hardly. Wait.

-M

Gossip girl inspired line was never off: Target

Click for a larger image! :)
(Created on P's trusty mac using images courtesy http://www.cityhammer.com, gossipgirl-blog.cwtv.com and http://www.sugarscape.com)

We never thought we'd devote 3 posts to a collection we didn't even like to begin with, but we believe in setting the record straight...

Pop Culture Paradox brings its readers the REAL (we hope) deal this time around...

Stylelist.com got in touch with officials at Target who stated: "We are moving forward as planned with the four principal leads of 'Gossip Girl' as our creative muses...Unfortunately, there was misinformation passed around and we are still very excited about the collaboration."

According to the website: "....the retailer will be the official sponsor of this year's "Gossip Girl" season premiere: Commercials for Anna Sui's highly anticipated collection will run during the show's equally hyped debut on September 14." Read the entire post here.

Fierce.

(image courtesy of: www.racked.com)

We at Pop Culture Paradox nearly burst of happiness when we heard that the 'fierce' season four winner of Project Runway, Christian Siriano was in the works to design a budget-friendly line of shoes for Payless (of all places!). Now, at long last, Racked obtained a first look at the line of shoes and handbags. Consider me excited. All shoes look stylish, work-friendly and affordable (everything in the line is priced at $45 and under!). I wonder if that large black handbag looks as luscious in person...

-M

The Bargain Maven Says...

(image courtesy of SmartBargains.com)

I know a good deal when I see one. I'm known to act irrationally on good deals, but I consider the action fitting the need. While doing work today, I stumbled on SmartBaragins.com (one of the sites I work for) and found their 2 for $75.00 designer dress sale.

Shocking, actually. Some of my favorite designers and brands. Dresses that are normally priced way more than $75.00 each for two for $75.00? Do my eyes deceive me?

Check out the selection for yourself, but here are my suggestions. A black dress that's perfect for cocktails and first dates (and channels your inner Lauren Conrad). A white dress that's perfect for summertime BBQ's (or any event that might include seeing your significant others' parents or family). Or a frilly dress with tulle skirt that channels an inner Carrie Bradshaw. I'm lusting.

-M

"Don't You Just Love A Bargain?"

(image courtesy of: http://agentsofurbanism.com)

Bargain shopping is not a new activity for me and my group of friends. Although the droopy economy boasts our efforts as now-chic and responsible, we spent the better part of our years in school scouring through racks at our favorite discount designer hotspots. Our closets stand stocked with Juicy Couture sweatsuits, Lacoste polos, Seven for all Mankind jeans, and Theory blazers. Our dirty little secret is that we almost never pay full price. I mean, do I look like I can afford a $455 Theory blazer (seen here, on the left)? It's cute, but not 'I might as well sell my first born' cute. My secret? I paid $30 on clearance at a discount shop on the North Shore of Massachusetts. A recent Wall Street Journal article examined such bargain shopping techniques and what it means for the future of retail and luxury goods. Pop Culture Paradox realizes that bargain hunting is an art - one that we feel that we mastered after years (and lessons from our dear mothers) of practice. Let us share some of our secrets so you too can look like you paid a zillion dollars for your first date outfit, when you really only paid about a hundred.

In the WSJ article, it asks, "...What next then for retail? It looks like the immediate answers might be found in three concepts: designer shopping online, discounted online luxury sample sales and discount designer malls." I will admit, it took a little bit for me to jump onto the members-only, online sample sale bandwagon, but once I did, it hit full force. WSJ showcases Gilt Groupe (where, if you're not a member, join here with me as a reference). Their recent sales include Christian Louboutin (!!!), Tory Burch and J Brand. Gilt Groupe is currently holding a Jack Spade sale (only until noon today) where laptop bags are $68 (normally $225).

I can't resist a bit of shameless self-promotion through this blog post, as even better than Gilt Groupe (there, I said it), is the site that I will be full-time Product Writer at, Rue La La (Join as a member through me here!). What's great about Rue La La? For myself and my own benefit, they're based out of Boston, which always gives a company brownie points. But more importantly, their price point is set lower than other sites, allowing the shopper to feel that they truly are getting a deal. Recent sales include Juicy Couture, Kenneth Jay Lane, Moschino Cheap & Chic. Today's new slew of sales include John Hardy and Gottex (whose perfect-for-the-beach miniskirts are selling for $35 -- regularly $98). Later this week expect to log in just in time to nab a new Balanciaga bag or some Hanky Panky necessities.

The other notable online sample sale boutique worth mentioning, Hautelook (If you need to join, comment to this entry with your email address and I'll send a referral your way!). The great thing about Hautelook? Their dead-on perfect sales for twenty-something appropriate casual wear (past sales include C&C California and Habitual) and their focus away from just clothing. Their GoSmile Whitening system sale gave Sephora's price a killing (normally about $50, Hautelook offered the same products for $30 and under), and their upcoming Gaggia sale gives an opportunity for everyone to give their kitchens a facelift through a new espresso machine. On sale right now? Manolo Blahniks. Yes, you read that right.

Before the land of online sample sales - and still my bi-weekly indulgence - are cheap clothing shopping sprees at TJ Maxx, Marshalls and Filene's Basement (which recently filed for Chapter 11, despite my best efforts to personally boost their sales). If you're in the Boston area and looking for a deal, take a short drive down Rt. 495 to the Wrentham Outlets. It almost hurts how great these outlets are, and definitely worth the 45 minute drive from the city. How good you ask? Think Off 5th (Saks Fifth Avenue's own outlet) where I bought a pair of Tahari pants for $14 kind of good. A Barneys New York outlet where I nabbed a Barney's brand black satin evening clutch for under $30. A Theory outlet, where best friend A picked up a a colorblock dress that she had seen in a Greenwich, CT, full-priced Theory store only days prior for 60% less. In this economy, a little retail therapy is needed (and justified) - and these places are all like 90 calorie snack packs. They all allow for you to indulge minus the guilt.

-M

Recessionistas Unite!

(image courtesy of: http://blogs.louloumagazine.com)

It's no secret that I love a deal. While the economy is less than fabulous, the deals that it brings are miraculous to my bargain hunting self. There always is a silver lining, isn't there?

Some bargains to note in the Boston area. Yesterday during my lunch hour I made a mad dash to Filene's Basement (the mecca of all things designer and cheap) on Boylston Street in Boston, MA, to scour through their racks. Lo and behold, I found Coach platform mules (these, to be exact) for $27.00. Yes. You read that right. Coach shoes that retail for $207.00 for $27.00. Twenty-seven dollars. Also on the table, more boots (full and ankle) for 70% off with an additional 30% off. If you're lucky like me, you can then use a 20% coupon on top of it. Even if you don't like them - can you say gift for your mother, sister, aunt, boss, etc. Nothing beats looking like you spent a lot when you got a deal.

Also a deal at the Boylston Street location. Kenneth Lane strawberry necklaces for under $20. That right, the $113.00 necklace you (and I) have been lusting over on shopbop.com and shopkitson.com for months - on sale! Makes me happy I waited. I made it the focal piece of my outfit today. Paired with a Theory short-sleeved turtleneck top and wide leg black trousers, I've received a-many compliments.

This past weekend while on my mini-shopping spree with my mom, K and her mother, I found more cheap goodies at the Filenes Basement in the Northshore Mall than I could carry. The best deal of the weekend? C&C California tops (like what LC used to wear all the time during her Laguna Beach days) for under $10. I paid $3.50 for a gorgeous turquoise C&C tank. Also an amazing deal? The Velvet exclusively for Barney's Co-Op top that I got for $3.50. Original price? $158.00. Sweet.

Finally today, I wandered around the Prudential in Boston during my lunch hour, sipping my Teavana iced tea (today's choice? Ginger Peach Apricot and Strawberry Slender) and found a new store where my beloved Mango once stood. Introducing Item. Basically a 344 outlet (which for all of you twenty-somethings that boycotted 344 since the closing of Jasmine Sola, means a store that's the equivalent to the former Jasmine Sola outlet on Commonwealth Avenue). With this post, I officially lift my boycott on 344, as I found cocktail dresses for a mere $19.00 and C&C California tanks (apparently the deal of the week everywhere) for $10.00. Tops by Splendid were priced at a reasonable $19.00 and $29.00 and sunglasses were $10.00. At those prices, anyone can afford to stock up!

While we can find plenty of fashion deals, where is one to get a drink (or a night out with the boyfriend, friends, whoever) for cheap? K just tipped me off to Roggies. Located on Chestnut Hill Avenue, just outside of Cleveland Circle, Roggies serves draft beer for $1.00. A dollar! Also a find? The Avenue, a hole-in-the-wall bar on Commonwealth Avenue with drafts for $1.50 (with a $5.00 cover charge). Even in a recession we can still go out for drinks. Thank gosh!

-M

Could have been a good idea in Theory?

I got bit by the shopping bug yesterday afternoon. After cruising Saks, Mango and Neimans on my lunch hour and finding nothing that completely satisfied me, I thought some bargain hunting might do the trick. I stopped off at the Marshalls and Filenes Basement on Boylston Street in Boston. Although I found a few good buys for my work and casual wardrobe (a brown Vince tank for $8! a Red Sox sweatshirt for my brothers upcoming 19th birthday for $25! pink Vineyard Vines pants for $29! a wrap dress by Toast for $20!), I was moreso appalled by some of the heinous designs by some of my favorite designers.

Case in point. Theory. I love Theory. To me, it might be one of the most young professional, twenty-something, about to enter the job market appropriate brands that is available. To anyone who is trying to "mature" their wardrobe, I push them towards the Theory racks at Neimans or any major department store. I find steals (because really, what twenty-something who enters the job force can afford a $350 blazer by Theory when you can find it at Filenes Basement for $30?) at discount stores and wear them to pieces. I have blazers, skirts, tops -- oh and their stretchy tank tops? They're amazing. However, some of the pieces that I found on the racks yesterday hurt my heart -- maybe a little less because, I do understand, they're at Marshalls or wherever, but still, that means at one time, not too long ago (some of it as recently as this past summer, or still sold for full price online, because I remember seeing it then and saying 'ew'), they were on the racks of a Neimans, Saks, Bloomies. I tried on one purple blouse that looked like a Hefty bag that Barney threw up after a night of drinking. One dress looked like it belonged to a woman on the Mayflower (and not in that quasi-cute Blair Waldorf pilgrim bow way). One pair of pants looked like it was made out of my mothers' windbreaker, circa 1982. Ick. Ew. Gag.

It really does make me think, 'What were they thinking?' We all have questionable fashion moments - for me it was when I cut my hair short and went through a flowy skirt phase (but didn't we all?). I wore graphic tees and ripped jeans as an Abercrombie & Fitch employee, but still looked cute (I think?). My efforts don't go unnoticed, but I can't say the same for some of the designers I find while shopping on a Tuesday night. Please fashion world, hear my plea. Lose the bright fabrics, I don't want to look like Big Bird. Give me a top that makes me look like I have some sort of shape - don't just cut two squares and think I'm good to go. And please, please, please do something about these matronly collars. It's 2008 for crying out loud, I'm not looking to look like I just rolled onto Plymouth Rock for Thanksgiving.

-M

Sample Sales From My Cubicle?

Oh dear bejezbus in heaven, here goes my paycheck even quicker.

My fashion hound friend has pointed me in the direction of online sample sales. Although nothing beats forking through racks of clothing (I'm in impulse shopper, I like to get my stuff the moment I purchase it. This explains why I never quite got into the ebay.com craze, although, they do have a good selection of Tory Burch and dVf stuff...) The best that I have found so far? Hautelook.com. It's invite only, so find someone (like me!) that can refer you. Believe me, it's worth it. Look at the screenshot up there - do you see what I see? As in a James Perse sale coming up very very very soon. Look at that countdown ticker for when sales start and end. It's like I'm running a fashion marathon (which definitely makes up for my lack of gym-going). Oh paycheck, how quickly you leave my bank account.