Stocking up on preppy cool at Lands' End's winter clearance

I feel like unfortunately Lands' End is looked over a lot ... maybe people think it's for old fuddy-duddies, maybe people think it's the redheaded bastard stepchild of L.L. Bean, I just don't know. Because from my experience, they make really quality products, which is really important when you're spending your hard-earned dough. I previously blogged about how I got a great swimsuit there last spring, which I totally love, and I think it's a great place to look for ultra cool preppy basics.

I found a lot of those great basics when I was scanning their winter clearance --

I love a good striped cardigan ... and this one in maroon and gray is totally old school collegiate cool. The $19.99 price tag is pretty cool, too.

This tuxedo style ruffle front shirt is such a wardrobe staple -- you could pair it with a pencil skirt, with jeans, with a bunch of chunky necklaces and a cardigan or v-neck sweater over it .... the possibilities you could pair with a menswear-ish buttown down are endless.

You'll probably get the most mileage out of a solid color, but the plaid and stripe varieties are also really great. And you can't beat the $14.99 price tag.

This cap sleeve dress is another great investment piece to have -- you could probably wear it twenty different ways. And if $49.99 seems like a lot, think of it this way-- it's not a trend silhouette that you'll question wearing in five years, either -- it's such a classic shape.

Another preppy piece I would totally recommend investing in is a waterproof, lined trench coat -- something I strongly believe every woman should own. It's a style icon, and this classic version is on sale for $89.50.

I love a good dark rinse bootcut jean, but I love it even more when they're on sale for $19.99. And I'm not sure there's anything better than stretch denim.

(All images courtesy of Lands' End)

Drugstore.com offers BOGO on natural beauty

As I've gotten older, I've definitely started to pay more attention to what ingredients are in the beauty products I use and how they're made ... I want to take care of my self and the environment as well.

In keeping with that, Drugstore.com is offering a buy one, get one 50% off sale on all natural beauty items. The sale includes one of my favorite beauty products of all time -- Burt's Bees Beeswax Lip Balm.

Semi-annual pant event at NY and Company

NY & Company is having their semi-annual pant event -- buy any one pair of pants at regular price and get one free. Sounds like a pretty sweet deal.

Love . . .

... this J. Crew spring preview from FabSugar.

NYCR Picks from the February 2010 Magazines

I can't believe that Monday is February already ... which means that I am a little late with my picks from the February issues!

From Glamour:

This floral ballet flat looks like a gorgeous watercolor painting ... love it. Love the price, too.

(Image courtesy of Target)

I love the feature with J. Crew's Jenna Lyons, where she pairs this dressy, very glam rhinestone necklace with a menswear-ish collared shirt. Genius, and a perfect example of her tip to pair opposites together ... and the necklace is only $26.

(Image courtesy of Lulu's)

From Lucky:

I really like this new nail polish, RGB, in this taupe-y shade which I can't get enough of right now ... I even love the name -- toast.

(Image courtesy of RGB Cosmetics)

These crackle metallic ballet flats could be paired with so many different things -- jeans, dresses, dress pants. A bargain at under $20, too.

(Image courtesy of Forever 21)

From People StyleWatch:

They recommended a belted shirtdress like this for women with curvy figures, so I am all about it.

(Image courtesy of The Limited)

LOFT wants to clean house

...They're taking an extra 50% off their sale items, in stores only. Head to their web site to find a location near you.

Their older sister Ann Taylor is joining in on the action, too, taking an extra 40% off their sale items both in stores and online (when you enter code SALE40 at checkout), but this offer is good today only, so get a move on.

Banana Republic cures your case of the Mondays

Banana Republic is offering to cure your case of the Mondays by taking 20% off your $75 purchase. Offer is good today only, online only, when you enter code BRSAVE20 at checkout.

Further reductions at Gap

The Gap has discounted their sale merch even further, so now there are items up to 60% off that are yours for the taking ... shop their sale here.

NY and Company reworks the mini-skirt

Very cute mini-skirt I spotted at NY and Company last time I was there-- comes in a great stripe, as well as in solid black and gray, a charcoal, and a great military green. I like the fact that it had a nice weight to it, but was still a stretchy knit material. On sale right now for $19.95.


(Image courtesy of NY and Company)

Coming this summer . . .

...Bloomingdale's outlets. What do you think of that -- good thing or bad thing?

Lucky's feature on affordable designer style

Lucky Magazine's web site, which is a great resource for news, style advice, and great shopping directories, has a great feature right now rounding up all of the affordable designer collabs of the recent past -- just click on each square to learn more.

Sephora's seasonal sale . . .

... try saying that three times fast.

Sephora has some great discounts going on right now in their seasonal sale. You can stock up on my personal favorite -- the on10 collection of completely adorable vintage-y packaged lip balms and other goodies that smell like different sodas and candies. I would so keep the tins long after I used its contents.


(Image courtesy of Sephora)

Gap's spring preview

Gap wants you to get an early start on your spring shopping, so they're offering 20% off their regularly priced new pretties for spring when you enter code SPRING20 at checkout. Offer is available online only, and ends Sunday.

Gap takes an extra 20 percent off sale

Gap is taking an extra 20% off their sale items when you enter code GAPEXTRA20 at checkout. Offer is online only, for three days only ... ends January 22nd.

New items from Grayce by Molly Sims

I'd previously blogged about how Molly Sims introduced a line of vintage-inspired jewelry on HSN and now FabSugar has given us a sneak peek at the new items in the collection for spring 2010.

Love the deco cuff --


(Image courtesy of HSN and Grayce by Molly Sims)

New markdowns at Ann Taylor

New markdowns have been added at Ann Taylor for discounts of up to 60% off ... so have at it.

1940s inspired pieces at UO

If you're a regular reader of this blog, you know that I am a lover of all things vintage, retro, and Mad Men. So naturally, I love that Urban Outfitters has rounded up a collection of 1940s inspired pieces.

Here are some of the highlights --

The pins and needles peter pan blouse -- love the feminine neckline




The peplum linen pencil skirt -- such a simple skirt but the ruffle adds that special something




This grandpa watch literally looks like one my grandfather had




The gathered peplum jacket -- gives you a great hourglass shape




The tweed trousers -- they are totally Katherine Hepburn


(All images courtesy of Urban Outfitters)

Combats are back

I know I'm supposed to dress like a "lady," but the 90s grunge adolescent in me is LOVING this article from The Budget Fashionista about the return of combat boots. To bring them into the '10s (god that abbreviation for the decade looks & sounds AWFUL), I'd probably go with these brown leather ones from Steve Madden.

(Image courtesy of Steve Madden)

They're tres Four Non-Blondes, no?

(Image courtesy of MTV.com)

Again, oodles of kudos to The Budget Fashionista for sharing this!

First look at Zac Posen for Target

Fashionista has the very first sneak peek at the upcoming Zac Posen for Target line and it looks pretty darn interesting.

My new look

As you probably noticed from my 'Under Construction' post and the completely different look around here this week, I went and got my hair did :)

The awesome Penny Lane Designs created this new look for me, and I would absolutely recommend going to her if you are looking for a new design for your blog or site.

It captures the city at my favorite time of day -- just as the sun is going down and the lights are starting to sparkle -- and it has that sixties look to it that I just love.

I hope y'all are enjoying the new look as well!

H&M picks the top 5 spring jackets

H&M has put out their list of the top 5 spring jackets, and I must say, it's hard to pick a favorite.

DSW is discounting their discounts

DSW is taking a whopping EXTRA 50% off their clearance items when you enter code 50CLEAR at checkout.

Ann Taylor takes 40 percent off

You can take 40% off one full-priced item of your choice at Ann Taylor -- this is happening both in stores and online when you enter code SAVE40 at checkout.

AND what's even better is that all sale items are an extra 25% off right now .... enjoy!

The Gap, Inc. family has some fun discounts going on

Gap, Banana Republic, and Old Navy are all offering the following discounts right now --

15% off a $75 purchase
20% off a $100 purchase
25% off a $150 purchase

Online only until January 18th. Simply enter code SAVE123 at checkout.

Forever 21 goes nautical

This totally makes me long for warmer weather ... Forever 21 has gone nautical.

Among my favorites are the trapeze striped top, the striped skirt with belt, and the dead weight anchor necklace.






(All images courtesy of Forever 21)

Banana Republic's great finds

Banana Republic has corralled all their best finds for under $100 into one simple little section for your browsing -- click here to view their affordable goods.

I personally love the look of the chambray dress.


(Image courtesy of Banana Republic)

25 percent off at LOFT

For a limited time, take 25% off your purchase at LOFT, both in stores and online (when you enter code SAVE25 at checkout). I take advantage of it to buy this blooms print dress.


(Image courtesy of LOFT)

J. Crew takes an extra 20 percent off sale items

J. Crew is taking an extra 20% off their sale items, both online (when you enter code EXTRA20 at checkout) and in stores. Offer ends January 17th.

Under construction . . .

Just wanted to let y'all know that today's the day I'll be unveiling the new NYC Recessionista. Please pardon the transition while Penny Lane Designs is in the process of giving me a fab new look!

Now and Later

One of my favorite features in one of my favorite magazines is the "Now & Later" feature in Lucky Magazine-- it shows you how to take pieces you thought might only work for one season (say summer, for instance) and make it work in another (like winter) ... it's brilliant.

(Image courtesy of Lucky Magazine)

Check out the latest edition of Now & Later by clicking here.

Eternity scarves

This freezing weather makes me want an eternity scarf. Badly.

Gap takes 20 percent off

Gap is taking 20% off your online purchase for a limited time when you enter code GAPNEW20 at checkout... offer ends January 10th at 11:59 p.m. EST.

Real Simple has party-perfect clutches

Real Simple has a great feature up right now of 7 party-ready clutches. My personal favorite is the cinched satin clutch from Spiegel which is a steal at $34.

(Image courtesy of Spiegel)

The 12-hour clock is ticking at Banana Republic

Banana Republic is having a sale for the next 12 hours only ... take 20% off your $75 purchase from now until 9 p.m. EST tonight... just enter code BR12HOURS at checkout.

Ann Taylor's semi-annual sale

Ann Taylor is having their semi-annual sale right now, with discounts of 30%-70% off. They're also taking an extra 25% off certain sale items when you enter code SALE25 at checkout, so look out for those as well.

Gap and Piperlime take an extra 20 percent off sale

Gap and Piperlime are taking an extra 20% off their sale items online--

- For Gap, simply enter code GAPEXTRA20 at checkout. This is for the next 3 days only; offer ends January 7th.

- For Piperlime, this offer is only good TODAY ... so hurry! Enter code TREAT4ME at checkout.

Enjoy!

LOFT takes an extra 25 percent off sale

For a limited time, LOFT is taking an extra 25% off their sale items, both in stories and online ... no discount code necessary.

Enjoy!

Gap goes back to basics

Just checked out Gap's web site to see what was new in their neck of the woods, and I noticed that they have a new section called The Utility Collection. It appears as though Gap is going back to the very basics that made them a household name. Classic styles, great colors, all versatile pieces... very cool.

My favorite picks?

The Military Anorak

The Supersoft Striped Henley

The Khaki Drawstring Shirt Dress

The Ultimate Cardigan

The Rugby Preppy Crewneck

(All images courtesy of Gap)

My New Year's Resolutions

I really don't make resolutions ... I actually kind of hate them. I feel like they are completely unattainable, and all they really do is just make you feel like garbage when you can't make them stick.

That being said, there are some things I'd like to try and tackle this year though, which I'll share with you:

#1 - Make sure my wedding dress still fits (and that I maybe even have a little "wiggle room" in it) when I go for my first fitting in June-- I plan to continue trying to eat well and indulge in moderation. No crazy dieting, no cutting out carbs or sugar ... just behaving myself. Just the thought of my dress not fitting, I don't even want to go there.

#2 - Exercising more often, i.e. exercising at all-- I am not really as concerned about my weight as I am concerned about my arthritis ... yes, I have arthritis at 27 and it's a well-known fact that if you have arthritis, that exercise can help manage the pain and help you overcome your stiff joints ... yet, I never exercise. It's terrible. Sure I walk a lot, as any New Yorker does when they don't have a car, but I really need to get my ass in gear so I can stay pain-free. You'd think that would have been enough motivation before, but no. At least now I have the motivation from goal #1 to help me reach this one.

#3 - Give NYC Recessionista a fresh new look -- I decided I wanted to switch things up a bit for the new year, and give the blog a makeover. This one is already sort of underway, as Penny Lane Designs is working on a new look for my blog as we speak ... looking forward to it! So, as they say, stay tuned :)

#4 - Shop smarter-- given that in 2010 I'm going to be forking over a lot of dough on our wedding, I want to make sure that I shop smarter ... scoping out sales or special deals, making sure I get the best prices, not to mention really maximizing my current wardrobe and making sure it's working well for me. Hopefully this will help me save as much "rainy day" money as possible along the way. As always I'll be sure to share my tips and tricks with all of you ... everyone loves a bargain, but I love an efficient wardrobe, too.

#5 - Stay calm-- speaking of the wedding, we're pretty much refusing to let things get out of control with planning ... we're being very chill and relaxed about the whole thing, keeping it so casual and fun, and I love that. I refuse to get caught up in all the minutia of everything surrounding the big day and allow us to forget for one second that there's this little thing that happens after that big party is over called OUR MARRIAGE, and it's kind of more important than the big day.

Well, there you have it! I am hoping that these goals aren't too hard to reach.