Summer Sale Alert!

Shop my pics from the SHOPBOP mega summer sale! See what I've chosen to wear now and to transition into Fall...

READY, SET, SALE!

Twas the night before Christmas, and all through my house, not a creature was stirring, except for my computer mouse.

What are you waiting for? Shop the online sales NOW!

Holiday Gift Guide For Every Budget

With Christmas only 15 days away you may be scrambling for gift ideas. Fear not, Nothing 2 Wear has cultivated a list of over 30 items in every price range for the fashionista in your life. 

Its almost like Oprah's favorite things except there wont be any Oprah, and I'm not giving away one of everything to each and every one of you, so there will be considerably less happy crying and jumping up and down.

Regardless, you should still totally check it out...

Ready....Set...SALE!

 







Happy Thanksgiving! 

Now how do you burn off all that turkey? 

You get your shopping on thats how! Grey Thursday, Black Friday, Cyber Monday, Holiday Season Sales can provide your cardio for the next week. 

To Buy Or Not To Buy

For the past few months I have been obsessing over summer leather. It all started when I laid eyes on a blush colored perforated leather shirt from our friends at BCBG, then there was the stunning beige perforated skater skirt from Anthropologie.  If you haven’t already noticed this past season, leather is not going anywhere, be it faux, leatherette or the real stuff, the trend is going strong and is being carried over into the fall/winter collections.

Not just for keeping you toasty any more, leather is in my opinion, a really versatile addition to any outfit. My favorite is the contrast between a leather skirt and a flowy silk blouse, hello DVF fall collection anyone? Also, the new colored leathers are really wearable, if you want to avoid that “biker” look than stay away from black and pick up a piece in blush, gray or even a bright orange.

In my search for the perfect fall transition leather piece I have found so many sweet leather items, in many different price ranges.

This of course brings us to the age old dilemma; to buy or not to buy?

We kick off this edition with the SPLURGE item. The faux/vegan version by Anthropologie.  Maybe because it’s styled with that AWESOME necklace, or because the back is actually cotton so you don’t sweat your t*ts off, it seems to be the perfect top, I know I say this a lot but; I actually NEED this shirt in my life! 

Also, Anthro claims vegan leather is becoming one of their go-to fabrics, so I’m on board. I am a huge fan of anything Anthropologie has on its shelves, the quality is always great and the designs are unique and not over saturated in the market by other designers, so you don’t see that item you invest in on everyone else the next weekend. Sculpted Katia Top - Anthropologie

This top comes in at $98 US (before taxes)

VS the SALE item, this sexy perforated faux leather shirt from Zara. Currently on sale it comes in at $29.99 ( before taxes).  It is basically just a shell, it doesn’t have a zipper, its 100% polyester, but it is such a  cute perforated pattern and in an off white which can be worn so many different ways. 

 It has the same boxy cut as the Anthro version but with different details. Its the same, but different  figure that one out. Cut-out Faux Leather Top  - Zara

So what do you think? Would you SPLURGE or SAVE when looking for a cool new piece of summer leather? Let me know and please feel free to share any other great finds of yours in the leather category. 

Spectacular Summer Super Sale Showdown

This morning I visited one of my fav online shopping sites,Shopbop, and noticed they were extending their super sale AND adding an additional 25% off for 3 days only. You can shop the sale HERE,and reap the rewards of the 3 day sale by simply entering the code  EXTRA25 at checkout.

Shopbop isn't the only one having a fantastic sale at the moment, oh no. As I have previously mentioned it is that time of year when online retailers are practically GIVING AWAY their goods. So I've rounded up my favorite online shops and decided to share with you some of the best items that are currently on sale at the moment.

Buckle up, it’s about to get crazy… (a bit over dramatic ) I apologize in advance this is a long post, but when you save $400 on a pair of designer shoes you can thank me later, ok?

1. Net-A-Porter: This is where dreamers comes to dream. Checking daily to see if that pair of Gucci pumps or the Proenza clutch they added to their “wish list” has been reduced further. Items come and go so quickly, new items are added daily, and further reductions (up to 70% off) take place constantly, its magical, and the “limited quantities” alerts they provide are quite helpful, while still adding to the thrill of the find.  I have scored some serious items from this sale, in fact, my the first item ever purchased from Net-A-Porter were my pony hair espadrilles by Christian Louboutin; I am wearing them today, four years later, they have served me well at 50% off! :)

Check out my picks from the sale below, and take a look for yourself, I am certain you won’t be able to walk away without creating your own wish list.

If you're into super cute and awesome clutches that are perfect for summer look no further. Usually Anya Hindmarch is out of this world expensive but looky look this is 40% off. Still an investment but a special item to add to any wardrobe. 

This is actually pretty outrageous, an Etro blouse for $225 . Regular price was $750, so ya, enough said.

2. Yoox:  I just recently discovered Yoox, they sell everything under the sun. Including children wear and ART! And their sale, well it’s incredible. Currently most of their spring/summer collection is at 50% off.

My picks are below, and p.s they currently have A LOT of Missoni on sale; A-LOT!

Missoni espadrille sandals for $149. 

J Brand denim for under $110, yes please.

3. Far Fetch:I have always loved Far Fetch, the concept is amazing, they carry fashionable items from boutiques all around the world. So you could be shopping in Italy one minute and the Netherlands two minutes later.  Of course they carry all the staple designer lines such as Wang, Stella, Valentino, Versace etc, etc. Bu they also carry many, many contemporary designers, and tons I am sure you have never heard of but would love to own. It’s a great place to become acquainted with a fantastic new designer.

What I believe to be the perfect accessory to liven up any outfit. They are even better stacked, and at half off you can buy two :) Alexander Mcqueen skull bangle 

4.Nordstrom: Toronto is getting a Nordstrom! Yep, my “happy place”, Yorkdale Shopping Center is building a three-level, 188,000 square foot store which will open in fall 2016.  As a first-to-market, it will be a thrilling experience to shop in Nordstrom in Canada, but why not test the waters early by doing someone online shopping? With up to 50% the current sale is pretty kick ass, But if you have some patience, and wait just two more weeks you can catch their bit ANNIVERSARY sale!

This is Nordstrom's biggest sale of the year, and it begins July 19^th.  Next season's styles will be making their debut, and they will be on sale for a limited time at the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale happening July 19th through August 4^th. If this sounds incredible, that’s because it is! I suggest shopping early to avoid missing out on your size and the items you want. 

New fall styles available pre-season and they are on sale! What's not to like?

For now, here are some of the current sale items for you to check out.

These Marc by Marc Jacobs stretch bracelets are so cheap you can buy a bunch and stack em. 

Kate Spade at 30% off is a really enticing deal. Seems like all the spring summer line of accessories is currently on sale. 

6. Shopbop:  as previously mentioned, Shopbop is holding a special 3 day sale extravaganza! Head over and feast your eyes on the goodies, I spent copious amounts of time on their site last night and that was just looking at the SHOES. Sigh….so many sale items, so little time.
 

Shopbop has truck loads of DVF on sale, and this teal clutch with her signature lips is a perfect item to grab before its gone. DVF Snakeskin Clutch 

If you know of any other online retailer that is currently holding a super sale please let me know :)

To Buy Or Not To Buy

I am back, virtually and literally to the blogging world after my second hiatus in less than two months due to vacation. Sorry I am not sorry I took way too many vacations thus far this year. Actually I am sorry, because now I am depressed and forced to face reality for an extended period of time.

What better way to cure my evident lack of enthusiasm for anything real-world related then shoe shopping? I’ll answer that, there is NO better way! Get your shit together ok.

Shoe shopping is better done of course when the SUPER SALES are on, and oh, looky what we have here, the Net a Porter super summer sale!

As advertised on my facebook page yesterday (are you following my page? If not what are you waiting for? Follow my page here ) they started the sale at 50% off and after my extensive research this morning I have concluded there are still many sizes left in so many amazing styles.

It is very easy to lose control in situations such as these, and I have been involved in several super sale impulse purchases in my time. My main concern is buying before they run out of my size, never do thoughts such as  “Do you really need a second pair of patent orange pumps” run through my mind.

See where I’m going with this? If the shoe fits and is cheap does that mean you should have it shipped to you express delivery? Sometimes we are blinded by the sale, and I am currently in this predicament.

For a while I had my heart set on picking up a pair of Miu Miu jeweled flat sandals. I even anticipated the pending sale and hoped for a price point below $400 so that I could indulge in a pair. (Their original price point was $700 let’s get serious that’s just ludicrous) Now the day has come and I am experiencing heart palpitations, mainly because I have noticed another much cheaper retailer also has a cute pair of jeweled flat sandals, coming in at $99.

So take a look below, I will let you decide for yourself do I buy or not buy? 

1. Miu Miu sandals: currently "on sale" via Net-a-Porter. 

Simple, yet totally blinged out, something about these babies gets me excited. Not your everyday sandal (I wouldn't walk the dogs in these) but rather something I would picture myself wearing to a nice dinner, a back yard party, or work on casual Friday with a fun dress. The question is, are they worth it? 

2. Zara sandals: currently not even one sale, this is just the regular amazing price - $99.00 

These are cute right? They sure aren't Miu Miu but they do represent bling factor. If anything I am leaning towards these now because of the fact that they are beige leather not yellow like the Miu Miu's. 

So what are your thoughts? To buy or not to buy? 

Keep Your Eye On The TARGET

If you’re looking for a bargain I feel bad for you son…..

Target opened for the first time in Canada earlier this month; with three stores in Western Ontario and then yesterday several more stores finally opened their doors in Toronto. What I envisioned for these first in a life time ‘soft’ openings was a rush of crazed discount shoppers lining up for days outside, with a Tim Horton’s coffee in hand, rushing through the doors upon the store opening, running through the aisles grabbing whatever they could, filling up their cart and leaving with a surprisingly short receipt.  While the shoppers did come out, there were lines, of a bout a couple dozen and over 100 at certain locations, the discounts and low priced items were missing in action.

Prior to the opening of the first three stores I learned that the Canadian Target pricing would be “competitive for the market” if you don’t know what this means then simply put; retail products are priced higher in Canada often, because retailers can get away with it, therefore “competitive” just means on par with other Canadian retails already present in our market.  Target is not necessarily considering their pricing in the US but rather want to be on par with other Canadian retailers. Makes sense, but that would mean there is still a gap in our market for the super-awesome discount chain we Canadian had been searching for.

It seems that these days everyone is looking for a bargain, understandably, I know prices of our favourite products have been rising and I'm not just speaking fashion but groceries and gasoline (oh gas, hold me back before I go on a rampage). I only think it’s fair that us Canadians get our hands on some of the same products our American friends do and at the same price point. 

I guess that being Italian has made me keener for a deal. Let me explain, I've yet to meet an Italian who doesn't think that bargaining at a retail chain is perfectly acceptable behaviour.  Speaking to the manager and asking if she can “bring the price down a bit” is common, and feeling “ripped off” is what often causes a scene to be made and a flee from said store when the manager explains that she doesn't set the prices nor can she change them. Sigh…

While I have yet to venture into the new Canadian stores to see for myself, I have been across the border to shop at Target in Buffalo NY and wasn't overly impressed with their selection of products; I was in fact impressed with the prices. An entire cart of items for under $130 was the best deal I had ever encountered (except for my 80% off Louboutin espadrilles, but that’s a whole other story for another day)

On the other hand, while living in the UK I fell totally in love with Primark. Our Primark in Cardiff had two full floors of women’s clothing and accessories, an entire floor dedicated to home wares and decorating and several other floors full of stuff you defiantly don’t need but can’t say no to because it’s so damn cheap.  The clothing in Primark “boutique” is sometimes so cheap it falls apart as you’re wearing it, but it’s always on trend and you can’t go wrong with the price point. You can get an entire new outfit from head to toe + accessories on a student’s budget (READ- non-existent shopping budget)They never let me down, and ever since leaving Wales I had always wished they would cross the pond and open up some stores in Canada.

I do believe that you get what you pay for, but sometimes you just want a cool cheap outfit to fill that shopping void and from my experience here in Toronto there isn't really a place you can go to find that, at least nowhere that compares to Primark in the UK or Target in the US.

So tell me, wherever you live where is your go-to for cheap fashion? Also, to my Canadian peeps, if you've been to one of the new Target or Tar-jay boutique as they like to call it what did you think? Is it worth me venturing over this week or wait for the line ups and hype to die down? And most importantly, does anyone know if they will be carrying all of the cool collaborations (Missioni, Prabal Grung in the past) that Target does several times a year?" Because really lets face it, that's what we are most excited about. 

Super Sales

At this time of year while everyone is focusing on gifts for the holidays and what to wear to the many festive parties I can be found curled up with my IPad scouring the super sales on the net. Only twice a year does my fav luxury goods site Net- A -Porter have their massive blow out sale; December-Jan and all the month of June. I patiently wait for these sales and splurge on something (shoes, always shoes) that I had coveted all season but couldn't afford at its original $1,600 price tag. Some of my big scores from the past few years have been crystal embellished silk Miu Miu pumps, Bottega Veneta three-tone leather sandals, raffia and patent leather Pucci pumps....the list goes on and on. 

At the moment I have my heart set on this pair of red Caraven bow pumps

But my ultimate purchase would be these Charlotte Olympia crepe de chine pumps. Im waiting for these puppies to be reduce a bit further before I dive in. 

Check out the sale for yourself over here Net-A-Porter and good luck refraining from indulging in this years super sale.