The pull of the "free gift with purchase" is a truly terrifying thing...when items that you normally wouldn't touch with the proverbial barge pole are suddenly elevated to the top of your shopping list. To be fair, in this instance the f.g.w.p. to celebrate Tatty Devine's 10 year anniversary is actually something that I'd buy and use...book bag addict that I am...not that a complimentary £5 bag balances out the purchase of a pricey bit of perspex and international shipping charges...though it would ease the sting a little...

Normally, any sort of 'themed' emails that invade my Inbox are soon consigned to the Trash...there being only so many leprechauns, love hearts, or jovial Santas that I can face in the course of a day...but Urban Outfitters had me with the subject line "Flying Hedgehogs"...the fact that the accompanying image actually featured elevated Erinaceinae just sealed the deal (regardless of the tinge of "please buy something" desperation that accompanies an April Fool's discount).

Thanks to everyone who entered the drawing for a pair of Current Elliott jeans. I was hesitant about doing it at first...and I know that some of you weren't keen on the idea...so I was happy to end up with a good number of entries. Don't expect a mass of drawings from now on...but if I get offered something as a giveaway that I would like to receive...like these jeans (I'm very envious of the winner of these puppies)...then I'll hold another one.

The drawing was conducted by Hebden, Hebden, and Hebden...ie I wrote the names down and placed all the entries in a hat and Mr. Heb kindly consented to do the actual drawing.

And the winner is...rumibean! Congratulations, I'll be in touch soon to get your mailing info...

If the past few days have shown anything, outfit-wise, it's that I have an inescapable love of denim (be it Levis, Gap, Joe's, or Citizens of Humanity denim). That being the case what better contest prize could there be than a pair of Current Elliott Jeans? That's right...someone is going to win a pair of distressed, loved, $229 jeans...courtesy of the lovely folks at chickdowntown.com (Twitter/Facebook). The rules are virtually non-existent...you need to be a U.S. resident (apologies to everyone else, I know that I have a lot of readers from outside the States)...that's it. Just leave a comment containing your email address...on July 14th I'll put all the entries in a hat and select the winner.

You know how it is...Memorial Day is long gone...the 4th of July is still a few weeks off...you're in the mood for a holiday...so you invent one. Thus, in this new found spirit of nonsensical holiday creation, I give you Vena Cava week! Celebrating this holiday is simple...on Tuesday, you stop by the Gap and pick up one of the printed khaki dresses that they created as part of this year's Gap/CFDA collaboration...then, later in the week, you swing by Vena Cava's sample sale. Cupcakes or some other sugary foodstuff can probably be worked into the celebration at some point...the seasonal libation will, of course, be some kind of cava.

“They shall be burnt with hunger, and devoured with burning heat, and with bitter destruction: I will also send the teeth of beasts upon them, with the poison of serpents of the dust.” - the Bible Back at the end of March (egad, how time flies) I knew that I wanted some kind of golden tooth or talon to hang around my neck...I just couldn't decide which one. After (probably too) much deliberation I finally decided on Erica Weiner's raptor talon...and, thanks to a quick visit to her blog, got it for 30% off. The code's good through June 2nd so if you're in the mood for some vertebrae, talons, or other items (and can make a decision considerably faster than I can) check it out.

I get an awful lot of emails from people trying to get me to write about them on my blog...from how to tell if you have bad breath (apparently you lick the inside of your wrist)...to skincare...to updates on "shapewear" for the upper body (think Spanx for your upper arms)...but, as you'll have noticed, I rarely write about them because...well, they're just not my thing (the blogging equivalent of "he's just not that into you").

One email that I was into though concerned a new site called The Black Buoy which sells t-shirts from the New York/Hamptons based art collective Lola...along with clothing from Hamptons designers Max & Suzanne...and (the biggie for me) a nicely curated selection of "Driftwood" a.k.a. vintage and "Seaweed" a.k.a. vintage oddities (matchbooks, lucky wooden nickels, and Beatles collector cards).

They're also very kindly offering 15% off your first order (through March 1st) if you enter bbpreview at checkout. I'd have already used to to snag the vintage Courreges two-toned vest...if only it were a little larger...

As I've done pretty darned well in the sales thus far...and have spent all my spare pennies...it's time to play the "that's a good discount, what would I buy if I was going to splurge?" game. Today's contestant is J Crew...thanks to their 30% off if you spend $200 offer. And the answer to the burning TAGDWWIBIIWGTS question...these python ballet flats. Classic, yet slightly funky, and the kind of luxe basic that makes even the most generic outfit look a little more special. I imagine Holly Golightly slipping into a pair of these when she had to run errands...

Normally at this time of year a girl's thoughts turn to Christmas Wish Lists (well, mine do at least) but this year that's not happening. Partially because Mr. Heb and I had already decided on a $50 limit this holiday season...and partially because I currently have a Sales Wish List loitering around waiting to spring into action once the percentages are right. I should say at this point that I realize that it is a little bird-of-prey-ish to be sitting around waiting for prices to hit rock bottom thanks to the current economy but...alright, I can't think of a justification...let's just say that I know I currently resemble a vulture and I can live with that (providing I manage to snag a few things off my list).

Actually I can already scratch one thing off. Regular readers may recall that a few months ago I was lusting over Burfitt's high-waisted, dip-dyed, plaid skirt...in fact the only thing that I was recoiling from was the price...$455 for those who like detail in their narrative. So I maintained a strong grip on my credit card and added the skirt to my "when the price is lowered by a ridiculous amount, or hell freezes over, whichever comes sooner" list.

Then I received an email from Creatures of Comfort announcing their 30% off private sale (through November 27th using the code PFW2008, after that it's 25% off for everyone). I have to say that, mercenary that I am, 30% wasn't going to illicit a response on regularly priced items but...at one point...the plaid skirt had been demoted to their sale section. Wonder of wonders, not only was the skirt available...and in my size...but the discount works on sale goods too! The cumulative discount brings it down to less than a quarter of the original price...for that the vulture flies down off its branch (the skirt should be with me next week).

The lovely folks over at Lulu's are offering readers of this blog 15% off any purchases made until December 1st...like, say, this classical skull wallet...just enter "styleawip" at checkout.

The lovely people at Ekoh, a new eco-conscious online boutique, are offering readers of this blog a 20% discount...just click on the link and enter Splendidcity when it comes time to check-out.

Personally I'm considering some Baggu bags...because I may not be the most environmentally friendly person on the planet but one of the few things that I do actually manage to do is bring my own bags when I go grocery shopping...something from the Caudalie Vinotherapie range...a spritz of their Beauty Elixir is so refreshing on a warm day plus, narcissistically, how can you feel bad when you're dousing yourself with 'beauty elixir'?...and possibly Dr. Hauschka's Body Care Kit...I've been hearing a lot of good things about this range and really wanted to give it a try.

Actually, there's a slew of other things that I'd buy if I wasn't trying to be good at the moment...which, once again, proves that the meaning of "good" is open to interpretation...

And I love a gift certificate... Or, to be more specific...I love a Sunday afternoon...a glass of white wine...a chicken (bathed in garlic, shallots, rosemary, and olive oil) roasting away in the oven...and a (relatively) blank check at Amazon.com. Thanks to which I will soon be the recipient of enough bad television to make Lucille Ball wince...a 4GB Flash Drive (my practical, "work related" purchase)...and these Thunderbird Boat-soled shoes from Minnetonka Moccasins. As I explained to Mr. Heb, "yes, they are kind of preppy lost in a trailerpark but that's why I want them..." plus, they're a comfortable option for pounding the streets this summer.

Something sweet to brighten up a rather dreary Wednesday...the very nice folks over at Mick Margo are offering readers of this blog a 15% discount off any online purchases from now until April 30th. For myself, I’m more than a little tempted by Sunshine & Shadow’s "step up from the norm" t-shirt dress but as the store carries Alexander Wang, Cacharel, Hache, Karen Walker, Rachel Comey, and many more there’s something for everyone. Just enter SPRING15 at checkout to get your discount. Even though I didn’t actually "do" anything I now feel like I’ve done my good deed for the day (like a good Girl Guide)...which means, that I can do something evil to balance things out (a la Eartha Kitt). Once again, rationalization is a beautiful thing.

On this week's installment of "Why am I here when I could be there?"...why am I not in New York...NOW? What's causing this sudden angst, you wonder...three words...Hermès...Sample...Sale.

I'm trying to tell myself (as you do) that even though the sale has clothing, shoes, bags, scarves, and home products there probably wouldn't be anything for me...if I say it often enough I just may be able to convince myself.

If you are in New York over the next few days head over to the Metropolitan Pavilion, at 123 W. 18 Street (4th floor) and pick up some cut-priced luxury...I'll only be jealous for a relatively short period, I swear.

I often feel that, not living in one of the major fashion cities, I rarely see that fabulous beast...the heavily discounted sample sale. Not that I'm complaining...well, not too much...my credit card would probably melt if I had regular access to all those discounts...occasional access though, that's something I can handle...which explains why I was so pleased to run across Catwalk to Closet's online sample sale. All of the satisfaction of a sample sale...without having to fight the crowds...and in a small enough dose for me to avoid financial ruin.

And so, in no particular order, a few things that caught my eye...

Bottega Veneta intrecciato blue leather flats...sadly, they're for children...though at £25 I'd be tempted to buy them just to admire the color and stroke the leather...yet another demonstration, if it were needed, that I have "issues". Marc Jacobs floral mouse flats a non-overwhleming way to do this Spring's overwhelming florals...for £70. Trosman necklace, it's £5...and it's cute...need I say more? Miu Miu whipsnake moccasins because I have an unnatural urge for a pair of moccasins for this summer, at £55 these would be perfect if they weren't too small. Anna Sui embroidered Donegal tweed skirt, I stalked this on Net-a-Porter and now it's reduced to £70 but, again, not in my size. Miu Miu pink & brown structured tweed skirt, perfect for "business casual" and reduced to £80. And the big gun...Chloe 's crinkle chiffon dress at £580 this is as much as everything else combined, though to be fair, this is marked down from £1,940 and would give years of wear.

Well, not yet, but there will be soon and it could be you. You may have noticed the addition of a Splendicity member badge to the area on the right. Well, today is Splendicity contest day...see below for the rules of engagement...and good luck!

Well, almost a month of contests, and this is it. Our final contest is a biggie, and I hope that a lot of you enter this final contest as the prizes total over $325!

To enter today's contest:
*Visit "20" Splendid Member blogs, post a comment on their latest post that is not a contest post. Read the post, and make it a real comment about the post. You can also view the Splendicity member list right at the homepage: Splendicity.com .

*Go back to Splendicity.com and report the Splendid Member blogs that you commented on in today’s Splendicity blog contest post WITH A LINK TO THE POST. If there is no link to the post you commented on, we cannot check your comment and your entry will not be valid.

All readers that complete the process correctly by leaving both comments and the link to the posts commented on will be entered to the contest.




As always, please be sure to read the contest rules before entering.

Todays prize:

Splendid Swag Bag worth over $325!

Inside the splendid swag bag will be the following:
InStyle Magazine ($3.99)
Glamour Magazine ($3.99)
Allure Magazine ($3.49)
Lancome Color Design Lipstick ($21.00)
Lancome Juicy Tube ($17.50)
Boscia Skin Care Travel Kit ($42.00)
MAC Cosmetics - 2 - Mattene Lipsticks & 2 - Matte2 Eyeshadows ($50.00)
Urban Decay Eyeshadow & Liquid Liner ($34.00)
Bare Escentuals Eye Collection ($39.00)
Kimberly Sayer Night Cream ($32.00)
Philosophy The Supernatural Airbrushed Canvas in Bronze ($35.00)
DuWop Revolotion Tinted Body Moisturizer ($25.00)
Benefit Cosmetics Sexy Gold Lip Gloss ($20.00)
GRAND TOTAL VALUE: $326.97

Good Luck!




We wish to thank of all the sponsors for donating prizes for our readers.

While I loved the cover of the September issue of French Vogue...and I adore the Givenchy outfit that's featured on it, right down to the matching hat...I generally prefer my animal prints a little less literal. Which is why I much preferred the original red and black version of Vuitton's Stephen Sprouse scarf to its current, reasonably lifelike, incarnation. It also explains why I'm rather drawn to these ballerina flats by Maloles...they're muted, but funky, and have those vague 80's overtones which are almost inevitable with colored animal prints. The good news, if you also feel the sheer "animal magnetism" of these shoes, is that La Garconne is offering free shipping through (you guessed it) Labor Day...just use the code LGSEPT.

I'm happy to let you all know that Lulu's Fashion Lounge has offered readers of this blog an exclusive discount worth 15% off anything on their website. The discount is good through August 23rd...to take advantage, just type in "ilovefashion" at the checkout.

Though they have a large stock of clothing my personal favorites are all accessories (quelle surprise)...the patent bow bag, a fun and inexpensive way to add one of Fall's favorite fabrics into your wardrobe...a pair of funky librarian plaid flats...a Sonia Rykiel-ish elastic belt...and last, but not least, an accessory staple (at least for me) oversized sunglasses.

Let the shopping begin!


Artwork - Barbara Kruger

Once again, the nice people at Yoox are offering readers of this blog free standard delivery on any purchases made on weekends, starting tomorrow and running until August 26th. Just insert the promocode, happyweekend@yoox, in the YOOX CODE space found on the first page of the shopping basket and press new total. Another barrier removed from me getting my hands on this Marni cosmetics bag, a.k.a. a really cheap evening bag.

There are so few times, outside of dressing up as a knight, that you can use “Gadzooks” so I had to take the opportunity...but it made sense as the kind people at Yoox are offering readers of “Style...a work in progress” free standard delivery on any orders made from June 27th to July 1st.

Just enter summerparty@yoox in the YOOX CODE space that you will find on the first page of the shopping basket and click New Total to eliminate standard delivery costs.

Please note: no suits of armor are included in this offer...