Who knew! Jewelry at Target.

I went to this great black tie event not too long ago. I had a gown with a train and beaded straps down the back that I had gotten at a sample sale. Tan lizard heels. An aligator skin with crystal bracelet (sample sale). I was lucky enough to borrow a HUGE pair of diamond and citrine earings. I mean HUGE yellow stone encircled in diamonds! I had never even touched a pair of earings so expensive and needless to say, with all of this stuff on, I felt like a million bucks.

When I got there, EVERYONE had huge pieces of something on - earings, necklaces, rings, watches. I soon realized that while I was loving walking around with the real deal, to my untrained eye, everyone else was walking around with the real deal too. I then quickly realized that really, no one had the time or cared enough to wonder is it real or fake. It just looked good and that was enough!

So, if you don't have stunner, black tie jewelry in your jewelry box, stop waiting to get a million bucks or a Mr. Moneybags. Check out http://www.target.com/! Here are two earrings that are beautiful and priced right. They are each currently discounted by no more than $30 bucks, but they're such great prices that they are a justifiable full retail purchase.

The ones up top are $169 gold and citrine.

These are $97 gold and blue topaz.

$20 at Old Navy. Mix it with a long or chunky necklace, some strappy
flats and a big colorful bag and you're lovin' summer.

Saw it while I was out and had to snap it and grab it. I'm never thinking, "oh let me stop by Old Navy or the Gap today", but ultimately, if I dip in, I find 1 or 2 nice things. And who can beat $20?

Breaking the rule - but it's really good stuff!

Found a bunch of great things on http://www.net-a-porter.com/

They're only 50% off, but if you've been good, you can splurge a little ;)

Beautiful Kenneth J Lane bracelet for $75 from $150.

Another KJL bracelet for ONLY $30. You spend more in a week on lunch.

Super fun Anna Sui shirt for $141 from $282. Convertible bra a must!

Pretty, pretty satin shoes for $165 from $330 by Pedro Garcia. Oh so beautiful to wear now and through fall.

70% off!

Here are some great deals at http://www.shopbop.com/

Jill Stuart wedges are $113 from $378. They're white, and the wedge makes them a little chunky, so wear with care. I would pair them with an at the knee pencil skirt, or one of falls coming fuller, to the calf skirts. Skinny trousers or capris would work too!

This shirt by Ever is $59 from $198. It covers the bell sleeve trend at an unbeatable price. Pair with leggings, jeans, trousers (tucked in for a more bus cas look if you're thinking of wearing to the office).

Start with accessories

Accessories are the easiest and cheapest way to pop your look, create a unique style or look, and are either beyond trends, or can be pulled out and put away for later again and again.

Here are a few accessories from Barney's sale that are hot!

If you don't yet have a BIG bag from a big label, grab this FENDI bag for $389 from orig $1,560. 75% off.

Botkier bag for $239 from $595. Patent is off and on trend, so you can use it when it's in, put it away when it's out, and either way it's fab for less than $250. Only 60% off though....

I'm not a huge flats fan, but these are beautiful! Lanvin, $220 from $550, only 60% off, but these would make an outfit on their own.

Now is the time!

I only really SHOP during markdown season. I look for two things: 1) that the item is at a discount of 65% or more and 2) that the item has a long term us in my wardrobe.

Point 1 means that I won't go broke shopping at full price to keep up with trends that are by their nature designed not to last past a few seasons - forcing you to always "have" to shop. Point 1 also means for every dollar I spend on sale, I can have more in quantity as well as quantity. For example, if I pay $1,000 at full price I could have 1 pair of Gucci boots. But if I wait until everything marks down, I could have 1 pair of Gucci boots plus 1 pair of Prada boots for the same $1,000. The difference is getting 1 or getting 2 no more than 2 months later.

Which leads to point 2. You have to be dissaplined enough to only buy quality, trend-proof items/brands. This way, you always have a closet with bench-strength to draw upon to look fab during those 2 months that your in a new season, but waiting to shop.

So, these next few posts are going to be full of things on sale that I think are great wardrobe builders to buy now and why.

Let's get busy!

Item to watch: TOYWATCH

Will this ever go on sale?

Probably no.

But it may be worth buying at full price.

My iPhone - I LOVE IT!

Makes the Honor Roll - fabulous gadet at half original price.

Sent from my iPhone

My first gilt.com purchase!

My first purchase from GILT.com !!!

I love this site. I HATE this site.

I have never been able to log on in time to get what I wanted on one of these sales until now! A Lorelei bag!

Victory is sweet. A for effort. No extra credit - it was only 30% off original retail.

Game time decision!

Having worked in retail for a while now, I am incapable of paying full price for just about anything. I advise anyone I meet to only purchase statement pieces at 75% off original retail or more. You spend less money and accumulate better pieces. A few years of discipline and you can have a closet full of statement pieces that last forever for the same cost or less of being at the whim of in and out seasons and throw away clothes.

So, I came across this bag (in orange, calf. Not up to the gator price point yet!), unexpectedly, and had to make the play and purchase before some other smart fashionista beat me to it. The final price was almost 80% off! A Ralph Lauren Ricky bag.

A+ with extra credit! This bag will always make a big statement.

How does one get on the Fab Honor Roll?

a) by moving beyond the boring fashion cycle of in one season, out the next

b) by knowing the importance of make, fit and reason when dressing

c) by reading this blog

d) by doing all of the above!

Let's have some fun ladies!