American Apparel Discounts

There's something so appealing about a store loaded with basics in every color of the rainbow.

Not so appealing is paying $60 for a hoodie. It's a PLAIN HOODIE. Unless you wear it inside-out no one knows it's not from K-Mart.

AA products are usually well-made, so I do buy them - just not from AA, but rather from these way-cheaper sellers:
HarringtonOutlets (currently an eBay store only)
CheapesTees.com

You can't find the whole American Apparel line in these online shops, but in terms of tees, tanks and hoodies, you're set.

AA also occasionally has some good deals on random sizes and colors of specific items:
AA Special Deals

Trend Alert: Metallic Snakes

Clockwise from top right: Pave snake earrings, $30, emitations.com; Vintage Snake Belt, $9.99, eBay.com; Coiled snake necklace, $12, Torrid.com; Dereon snake bracelet, $68, MaxAndChloe.com; A.B.S. Snake ring, $75, MaxAndChloe.com; Blu Bijoux snake bracelet, $48, MaxAndChloe.com.

If you're unsure whether the snake trend is "you", give it a test run and rent one of these cute Kenneth Jay Lane cuffs in black ($14/week, $30/month) or white ($17/week, $50/month) at Bag Borrow or Steal. Non-member prices are a smidge higher, but not by much, and shipping is free.

American Apparel Flea Market Madness

Well, Pixie insisted I come out of hiding and fulfill my American duty this weekend of braving downtown LA and attending the American Apparel Factory Flea Market. Despite my recently getting laid off and onset of an overspending compulsion, there was no way I was not attending. So I grabbed my good friend, Elisa, and off we went.

I didn't see Dov Charney but was pleased by an impostor who I unfortunately couldn't get a picture of because he kept moving from speaker-pole to speaker-pole to hump it.

One sunburn and forty bucks later, I came home with a bra-cami, two track shirts, a pair of slim denim slacks, and a t-shirt dress (which I suppose is no longer on their site.)

Elisa got the supersexy turtleneck dress, which I give her so much credit for because looking at it made me want to pass out from heat stroke and she actually had the lady-balls to try it on. Dear God, it was a hot day.

Pixie insisted I take a pic of myself with the free taco, but, I'm sorry, Pixie, the taco line was just far too long. Elisa and I hit up a Farmer Boys across the street.

For The Birds

[Click to enlarge]

Diesel "Durem" Dress, $275 (50% off); Diesel "Borneck" necklace, $25; Keds by Loomstate (Barney's CO-OP exclusive) $75; Forever 21 necklace, $5.80 (in stores); Lulu's necklace, $14; Urban Outfitters scarf, $19.99.

One In Every Color

While some 80's trends have been a little hard to swallow, the return of vibrantly colored accessories is one that seemed long overdue. Check out this little rainbow of cute bags we spotted on Lulus and ASOS today:

[Clockwise from top left: Pure Vintage bag, $69.55, ASOS.com; Melie Bianco consort bag, $86, Lulus.com; Daisy chain handbag, $72, Lulus.com; Palmetto handbag, $34, Lulus.com; Turquoise fringe bag, $62.52, ASOS.com; Marc B quilted snake bag, $54.71, ASOS.com]

What style of bag are you carrying lately?
	Hobo
	Tote
	Clutch
	Cross-body
	Nothing

Tie-Dye For

Ahh, tie-dye. Typically it brings to mind state colleges, Phish fans and the dude who bags your sprouts at Whole Foods. Fortunately this spring's iterations are a little edgier and a lot less juvenile, keeping things monochromatic and more fitted than your average made-it-at-camp item.

Click image to enlarge

[Clockwise from top left: Loop wallet, $36 at UrbanOutfitters.com; Anna Sui fringe tank, $37 at ShopBop.com; Beckerman dress by Madeline, $112.20 at ShopBop.com; Karen Millen dress, $156.85 at ASOS.com; Jemima dress by Torn, $31.20 at ShopBop.com; Lantern skirt, $70 at Topshop.com; Tie dye tunic, $22.80 at Forever21.com; Dreamy days scarf, $22 at Lulus.com; Braid dye dress, $29.99 at PinkIce.com]

One Cheap Suit

Victoria's Secret had a big clearance sale recently (including $2.99 bikini tops and bottoms!) which unfortunately was completely wiped out before I even got the catalog. Luckily, this fierce bikini is still available and on sale at $30.98 for the set, and comes in white, black or yellow.

A lot of their swimwear is embarassing - emblazoned with stupid text, lame prints and be-dazzling - but this punky number is proof they do have a few good pieces lost in the sea of cheese.

Vitamin C for My S.A.D.

Click image to enlarge

[Clockwise from top left: Earrings, $18 UrbanOutfitters.com; Smocked dress, $36.99 ShopRuche.com; Earrings, $5.80 Forever21.com; Stripe dress, $22.80 Forever21.com; Fringe bag, $32.80 Heritage1981.com; Delanco shoe, $89 JessicaSimpson.com; Seychelles superfly platform, $46.80 6pm.com; Headband, $5.99 ModCloth.com.]

Now is about the time of year where stores start rolling out their spring/summer wares and in turn, pissing me off about where I live and how I get to wear this shit like 3 weeks a year. Still, without those weeks to look forward to, looking at the dismal snow-scum hybrid covering Boston at the moment might have me taking my Girl, Interruptedness to the next level. If you're like me and you need a little color therapy to help you endure, enjoy my little 70's summer collage. If you live in the sunny happyland where all of my birds are vacationing, enjoy wearing these finds now (and fuck you, just a little bit.)

Mirror/Dash is Sweet/Boring

$88 and $98
[Image via UrbanOutfiitters.com]

Just found a few of Kim Gordon's Mirror/Dash designs on UrbanOutfitters.com, and I'm surprised to say that two of the dresses are great. (I'd say three dresses, but the third good one is already sold out. You GO grandma!) Unfortunately the rest of the line goes a little something like this: boring, black, boring, ill-fitting, black. I am, however, willing to take back the preceding statement if she wants to send the dress on the left as a bribe.

FYI: Jeffrey Sebelia Has a Job (Kinda)

Remember Jeffrey Sebelia - a.k.a. neck tats - from Project Runway a few seasons ago? I haven't seen or heard much about him in ages. Then a few months ago he showed up on Rock of Love Charm School, and I though awww shit. Somebody needs some money!

So here's the deal. The Cosa Nostra label (a mafia name, in case you don't watch the History Channel) that he had going on waaay before he started enduring Heidi Klum's ghostwritten criticizms is still alive and kicking, though being sold mostly in Japan and to private clients. As a retail effort it only lasted one season in 2007 and everything from that season is now being sold at a discount. Here are a few pieces from that season that I love (and nope, can't afford - although, the tank dress in the middle is $135...):

This past fall he launched a more affordable line called Good Vig, which supposedly sold at L.A.'s Ron Herman boutique, but after some serious Google effort I still cannot locate one piece of it for sale online.

Sid Vintage: Awesome Jewelry

I was crawling the links lists on Kaboodle.com earlier this evening (I'm addicted to making wishlists of obscenely expensive items) when I landed on the site of a Seattle store called Pulp Inc. As I perused the labels, I was immediately attracted to the name of a jewelry brand - Sid Vintage (c'mon, it's cute) and laid eyes on this fabulous "reasonable splurge" item.

It's all the charm of a stuffed box of vintage jewelry without the frustration of having to pick it apart for use. Pulp price: $142 (about $120 bones less than it is on Sid's site.)

Clearance Finds Under $50 @ Nine West

Clockwise from top: Enricos, $39.99-$49.99; Haydin, $29.99; Hamptonesk, $29.99-$39.99; Goto, $34.99; Ladidah, $49.99. Check out the rest of their huge clearance section for more.

(BTW- Purchases over $50 ship free, and code NWFALLV08 knocks $10 off a purchase $65 or more.)

Ruche: Sorta Like Anthropologie Lite

I happened upon a little online shop today that struck me as something Anthropologie shoppers might dig. It's called Ruche (say: roosh), tagline "a modern boutique with a vintage touch."

Unlike Anthropologie they aren't charging a 4,000% markup on wispy garments cobbled together by third world children. They have some really adorable dresses, most of which hit around the $30 range.

The pieces featured here range from $7.99 to $44.99. It's not a huge selection (think 20-40 products per category) but it's a quality over quantity thing for sure. Oh! And fans of organic fabrics will find more than just t-shirts to tickle their fancy.

Just FYI, Ruche is based out of California and owned by a cute young chick named Mai. Always gotta give entrepreneurial ladies props.

[All images from ShopRuche.com]

OMFG ASOS

I don't know where to begin - I'm literally shaking with excitement about all the sick sale items this Brit store ASOS (yes they ship to the US) has up for grabs! I'll just let these pictures speak 5,584,879 words to your face:




L to R from top: Polka dot dress - $35.51; Religion asymmetric mini dress - $35.51; Religion grecian tulip dress - $40.35; Religion cut out shoulder dress - $40.35; Bellanina wool bandeau dress - $56.49; Religion razor blade detail dress - $64. 56; Miss Milne beaded 20's dress - $61.33; Miss Milne ruffle neck chiffon dress - $80. 70; Chandelier lace dress - $56.49; Miss Milne lightening dress - $80.70; Lipsy strappy body con dress - $56.49.

Introducing: Mildred Made.

So I know you don't wear them, but if these aren't fashion I don't know what is. Allow me to point out the amazingness of these Valentine's cards with adorable girlie images from actual 1950s Life magazine issues. They're up for sale on Etsy by artist Mildred Made, and they beat the hell out of any hipster thing you can find at Urban Outfitters. Here are a few of my faves. At $4 they're a stylin' steal.

Topshop Sale! $40 Dresses

The site sucks for not removing items once they've sold out (often resulting a lot of fruitless clicks) but fortunately at the moment most of the items featured are still available. Including these three cute, formerly-way-more-expensive dresses that are now $40 each.

Just be careful to check the size conversion! A size 6 UK is like a size 0 in US terms.

The black one is so grunge (it's coming back, kids), I would need to buy combat boots specifically to wear with it. Or at least that's my excuse. Detailing on the dusty lavender one is makes it a standout... and the sparkly star one? It's just Liza Minelli crossed with Rainbow Brite ridiculousness. Which is of course why I like it.

(Faux) Vintage (Faux) Jewels

Having just ripped through Season One of the Showtime series The Tudors on DVD in a matter of one day, it's to be expected that my obsession with vintage costume jewelry has kicked into overdrive. Every scene has Catherine of Aragon or Anne Boleyn flaunting some gem-heavy pendant, brooch or headpiece that would have any girl who can recall her youthful (okay, or grown-up) princess fantasies drooling in envy. Even the boys rock amazing shoulder-draped bands of jewels (see photo.)

Jonesing for a few sparkling imitations on the cheap, I hit the website of my favorite contemporary costume jewelry brand: 1928. Here are the ones I could make a royal dent in my bank account for (P.S. - Use code DELIGHT08 for 20% off):




Midnight lace necklace, $28; Cielo rojo necklace, $72; Aquamarine pendant, $16; Gold tone teardrop, $37; Amethyst brooch, $19; Drop earrings, $16; Sapphire set, $9.99.

My Blogging Soul Mate

Yes. I found her. There is finally someone out there on the fashion blogosphere that has the same opinions about Dov Charney as I do:

The Office's Mindy Kaling. Check it out.

Also, AA's new circle scarf seems that it can do just about anything. [Insert a sexual joke that Dov Charney would probably make here.]

Bye Bye Dry

A few weeks ago I got a package from fab California-based beauty retailer Planet Beauty (physical stores are only in CA, but luckily they have a neatly designed online store. Think more like Sephora, less like Sally...)
Since then, I've been enjoying super-soft hair and skin thanks to ICON shampoo and conditioner, and a rich hand and nail cream by the nail gods at O.P.I. called Avoplex.

ICON's Drench Moisture Shampoo and Free Moisture Conditioner are fresh-scented and leave hair feeling clean but not totally stripped. Since using it, I haven't been as addicted to my smoothing lotions and shine sprays, despite my higher frequency of heat styling since the cold rolled in to Boston. They're also light enough to use on a daily basis, and I've noticed no buildup or heaviness after a couple of weeks consistent use. I'd give them both an "A"!

Avoplex is rich and non-greasy with a light citrusy scent, and it does maintain hand softness longer than your typical cream (thanks in part to its avocado oil content.) Still, it couldn't switch me from the Neutrogena "Norwegian Formula" cream that - while a tad greasy due to it's petroleum content- is still my go-to for chapped hands and dry cuticles.

Sigerson Morrison's Target Collection Must-Haves

The Sigerson Morrison mini-collection for Target hit stores this week, and already my two winning picks have been wiped out by online-shopping budget fashionistas. Both pairs have real suede uppers and are studded with silver crystals - giving them that Desperately Seeking Susan glam that 80s-born babes totally eat up.

Flats are $29.99 and booties are $39.99. If you want them, get your ass to a Target store STAT. They have colored crystal versions for sale, but they are just a shade too tacky for me.