fab find: discounts @ macy's & bebe

if you're anything like me, you probably look forward to the end of a season, and not for the weather. most retailers have been advertising sales for a few weeks now, but if you can hold out until the weekend before a new season you'll get the most bang for your buck.

macy's is holding it's one-day sale this saturday, june 20, with the preview day tomorrow. most stores will open at 8 a.m. friday and saturday, with morning specials both days. shoppers can save from 30-85 percent storewide - which includes an additional 40-50 percent off clearance prices. as if that weren't enough, true bargainists can click on the macy's coupon for an extra $10 off any $25 or more in-store purchase. with sales like this and the 15 percent off coupons in the newspaper nearly every week, it almost doesn't make sense to ever buy at full price. i've already been browsing the macy's at cityplace and have my eye on a few bcbg pieces and a couple pairs of shoes...

my next big find of the day is the sale at bebe. i received an e-mail this morning for a *private sale* but i'm pretty sure anyone who registers to buy with the site can receive it. from today through sunday, shoppers will receive 65 percent off the lowest ticketed price on clearnce merchandise in store, and online buyers can take 15 percent off already reduced merchandise by entering the code "shhhsale"at checkout. plus, there is a flat $5 shipping rate on all orders, which isn't half bad.


i already cashed in on the bebe bargain by purchasing the above shimmer boyfriend long jacket in powder rose, which i've had my eye on since i saw it in a magazine ad. orginally $159, it was marked down to about $85 last week, but i waited until it was $69.99 today, and then received an extra 15 percent off with the coupon code! with tax and shipping it still only came to $68 total!

i'm imagining it rolled up with gray jeans, a white lacy tank and espadrilles...or with a white pencil skirt for work...any other suggestions on how to wear it?

h&m jimmy choo ~ bless you!

so many of us shopaholics learned some thrilling news today - british brand jimmy choo and swedish retailer h&m are teaming up together. much more exciting than the miley cyrus/max azria collaboration announced earlier this month, i am definitely looking forward to some affordable jimmy choos, mainly because both parties involved are always at the top of their fashion game so you know it will be worth it.

we'll have to wait a bit to see the results - nov. 14 - but h&m's exclusive jimmy choo line will include shoes, handbags, accessories and even apparel. The clothing will be designed to compliment the accessories, rather than the natural other way around, which i am especially excited because that seems the be the way i think...half of my wardrobe is based around my ridiculous amount of shoes. the stylish man can also rejoice because the line will include men's shoes, bags and accessories - maybe something to share with your dad for father's day?

my one complaint - there still isn't an h&m in south florida! yes, i know we're getting one in orlando soon, but it's not the same. someone please fix this before nov. 14 so i can get me some choos.

fab find: anthropologie summer sale

i've been bringing my lunch to work lately so i will not only eat healthier, but save money by not eating out...the only problem is, i work in cityplace...which means i still take my break, and instead of eating, i shop!

good thing i know about the sales then... anthropologie had huge sales on apparel and home accessories when i stopped in last week, and i walked out with four new pieces. this could have been dangerous, but some of the sale prices were almost 80 percent off, so i walked out with only $127 in purchases. with the sale still going on, here's a sample of what you can find:

edme & esyllte cafe awning skirt: marked down from $88 to $39.95.

this striped linen skirt is perfect to dress up a day at work in sunny south florida.

daughters of the liberation jeans: marked down from $88 to $19.95.

i have no idea why these light chocolate and bluish-grey jeans were marked down so much. designer jeans never seem to fit me since i don't have model-length legs, but these low-cut jeans have a great fit and are so light, soft & summery that i can stand to wear them in even in the heat.

elevenses seersucker cropped jacket: marked down from

$128 to $39.95.

i think this may have been my best purchase. i love the sailor-style collar and it works with my new jeans and shimmery sandals for a beachy night at the square grouper, or with a white pencil skirt and navy pumps while working in the summer.

after hearing about my fab finds, my mom and sister rushed out too. my mom bought an embroidered coral tank for $29.95 and my sister really made out with her ashy navy & lace top by velvet for $19.95, and a super-girly striped apron at half-off for only $14.95. she even had the chance to model it for me tonight...yum!

make sure you stop by before the goods are gone! and while you're there, check out the new summer dresses - so cute you won't mind paying full price.

the rise of converse...again

pete wentz and kristen stewart may have caused the recent spread of chuck taylors, but converse sneakers have been alive and 'kicking' since 1908. from basketball, badminton and world war II, to 80s concert stages, twilight sets and even the red carpet, these rubber sneaks have been everywhere.

i bought my purple chucks for $20 on a whim in hot topic about five years ago. it may have merely been an exchange for a gift, but that is still one of the best shoe purchases i've made to this day (considering the heels, sandals and running shoes practically falling out of my closet right now, this is a huge statement).

they added style to my uniform at my college restaurant job. while other students wore rainbows and crocs they helped me pass as a brit during my six weeks in london. and last week they protected my feet from the dirt and rain at the no doubt/paramore concert at the cruzan amphitheatre...which is when i realized...my old shoes helped me fit right in with all the high schoolers! (if my gossip girl and twilight obsession didn't already do that for me...)

my bright plum shoes, which i wore with a long, baggy grey tank and black leggings, stood out among the sea of black converse. check out this other stand-out pair i found on an unsuspecting concert-goer...

if, like me, you are not a fan of those, check out three other options converse offers: the chuck taylor all star slip in conch shell, chuck taylor all star double tongue in blue & yellow bee print or the jack purcell ltt in white & navy seersucker print, all of which are perfect to match a colorful j.crew outfit on a summer day in palm beach. there's a fun make-your-own section on the converse web site you'll want to check out too.

converse also works with target now on some cheaper options of the choice sneaks. my vote is for the converse one star oxford, but definitely steer clear of the mary janes and wedges, which i can guarantee will not be emerging on the feet of our favorite vamps or other celebs.

which converse pattern/style fits your personality? are you a pink & purple checkered low-top girl, or a are you craving the ozzy-inspired, buckled jack purcells?