maybe it’s just because i went from looking at steven alan’s new spring arrivals to checking out the latest at the gap, but i couldn’t help noticing some pretty striking ‘inspired by’ pieces in the gap’s spring line:

are you seeing it too?  not that i’m complaining…i actually love that breezy plaid/floral thing, especially if you put them together – and layering contrasting patterns is going to be huge for spring.  i can rarely afford to splurge on the real deal at steven alan, but most of the gap pieces are under $60.  even better, this week you can score 25% off all new arrivals with code GAPNEW25 through sunday (2/21).

happy cyber monday, everyone!  i hope you had a fabulous holiday, and got plenty of r&r.  you’ll need it to comb through today’s list of cyber monday specials!

there’s really no particular order here, sorry…this just isn’t a science.  i’m being a little bit discerning with what i share, but i’m erring on the side of more information.  after all, just because we’re hip and stylish doesn’t mean our families are!

i’ll update this today as more steals cross my path – you’ll know the new deals because i’ll put them at the top of the list, in a new “recently added” category.  fair enough?  and, of course, if you know of any great deals, leave them in the comments! the more, the merrier, especially when it comes to steals and deals.

RECENTLY ADDED:

le train bleu:  just got word that the entire store is 30% off with code CYBERMONDAY (good through wed).  ltb is one of my favorite sources for unique accessories…loving their scarves and necklaces this season!

inhabit ny:  how could i forget?!  up to 80% off at my all-time favorite cashmere purveyor, today only.  oh, and did i mention free shipping *and* free gift wrap?  yeah…hop to it, people.

cole haan:  take 40% off a single (full-price) item with code HAPPY40.  also, code CHSAVE30 will get you an extra 30% off sale styles.

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gap, banana republic, old navy and piperlime:  this one might just be my favorite deal of the day.  save 20% off at each and every one of these shops, plus free shipping, with code MONDAY.

goldyn:  30% off sitewide and 50% off sale items with code MONDAY (but all sales are final!).  you’ll find deals on some of my fave designers, including loeffler randall, charlotte ronson and all manner of designer denim.

basic boutique:  40% off sitewide with code THANKS40 – i’ve been eyeing a treesje handbag there for a month, and this might just be the sign i’ve been looking for.

tobi:  you’ll get 25% off sitewide at tobi with code CHEERFUL25 – snap up shoes by sigerson morrison, tees from alternative apparel, and all sorts of menswear for the guys on your list.

henri bendel:  for those of you in manhattan, sorry – this deal’s only good online, but it’s a steal to be sure! save 30% sitewide, plus free shipping, with code CYBER MONDAY.  this is definitely one of my fave gifting spots:  grab bangles, sweets, travel accessories, and all other manner of goodies!

rebecca minkoff:  there are some amazing deals going on at rebecca minkoff’s site.  the sale’s been on since friday, but there are still plenty of goodies to choose from, many as much as 50% off.

one king’s lane:  a fabulous sample sale site for home decor, one king’s lane has a pretty fun offer going for the next couple of days.  if you haven’t signed up for a free membership, do it by 12/1 and you’ll get a $10 credit to use on goodies from the likes of jonathan adler and seda france.

blue bee:  this is a fabulous spot for designer denim, jewels, hot shoes…everything, more or less.  save a modest 10% sitewide with code CM1009.

steven alan:  not a cyber monday deal in the truest sense, but they have a pretty wonderful sale cooking right now.  up to 60% off on some of my favorite picks from the season, as well as some great gifts for the guys.

hlaska:  this is one of my favorite spots for streamlined, un-frilly leather goods, especially for men’s gifts. grab gorgeous wallets, travel bags and laptop cases for 20% off with code HOL20 (good through 12/15).

ideeli:  free shipping all day today at this sample sale site.  today’s sales include free people, la rok, and hobo international – none of which are bad gifting solutions.

bobbi brown: for the beauty maven on your list, take 20% off all bobbi brown goods through 12/2.  this is technically a friends & family event, and the discount is automatically applied at checkout (as is free shipping if your order tops $65).

kiehls:  the lovely folks at kiehls passed along the details on their friends and family event to me and, naturally, i’m sharing! get 20% off all purchases, and free shipping on orders over $30 with code FAMILY (through 12/1). time to stock up on creme de corps!

simply soles:  save 20% storewide at simply soles today, plus free shipping on orders over $75.  it’s a great spot to score frye or tory burch shoes on sale!

shopbop:  don’t forget the spend/save event at shopbop, which ends tonight.  use code GIFT4U and take $50 off your $300 purchase, $100 off $500, and so on up the ladder.

gold & citrus:  i have to say, i’m quite enjoying this jewelry designer’s modern take on gems.  this is a cyber monday deal i’m keeping for myself.  save 20% with code GOLDEN20 on some pretty fabulous statement necklaces.

christine mighion:  this is that gorgeous eco-friendly fine jewelry designer i introduced to you recently, and now it’s 30% off with code holiday09.

emily elizabeth jewelry:  another personal favorite of mine, these designs are just hip, fun and easy (not to mention perfectly priced for gifting!).  especially when you take another 25% off the marked price with code SAVE25.

tory burch:  really only a steal if you’re already in the market for something pricey.  but if you are, you can take 30% off orders over $300 with code TURKEY30.

levenger:  possibly the perfect store for gifting to bibliophiles, or just hyper-organized people like myself.  score 20% off through 12/2 with code MON92.

red envelope:  not my favorite for gifting, but it’s a good spot when you just don’t know what to get someone.  save 15% on a bevy of only moderately generic gift ideas with code 15FORYOU (through 12/3).

blurb:  if you’re feeling extra creative this season, a photo book from blurb is a great handmade gift that would take minimal effort on your part.  take 20% off an order made by 12/1 with code BLURBJOY (only on orders $39.95 and higher).

i had big plans to be lazy today and not post.  but then, this deal arrived in my inbox, and i couldn’t not tell you about it.  a flat $20 off anything your heart desires at gorjana, today only with code SPOILME20.

in keeping with the laziness, yes, this is the exact email gorjana sent me.  that studded leather wrap bracelet is pretty awesome, i have to admit – and the price, especially with the discount, is unreal.  and i’ve been completely in love with their gold stacking eternity rings (di-vine!!!) for ages…i wonder if this is a sign.  whatever you’re after, nab it today…the sale’s over at midnight!

happy weekend, all!

i’m spending today recovering from a surprise root canal.  fun, fun!  but, even through my vicodin haze, i couldn’t keep this from you.  through tomorrow (wednesday 11/18), score 20% off on your purchase of $150 or more at j.crew with code INSIDER.  this is their best deal of the season, and the timing couldn’t be better for my wants (or worse for my wallet) - i was just going through their most recent catalog last week, and found all sorts of goodies.  a few of my favorite picks:

i know the sequin trend is nothing new, but this microsequin cardigan ($198) is the first version i’ve seen that i really loved.  definitely in the graphite…pink could get a little matronly, i think.  i love it styled with a blazer over the top, or casual with a slub tee and distressed jeans. the key is to offset the glitter with a lot of slouch and ease.

i get more compliments on my striped autumn cashmere sweater from two years ago than almost anything i own…so much so that i’ve completely conquered my fear of stripes (well, almost completely…).  this merino version ($98), with the bateau neck and those fabulous buttoned cuffs is destined for my closet as a backup option.  since i already have a navy/grey combo, i’m thinking the black/pink might be in order.

normally, i’m the world’s loudest objector when it comes to textured or patterned tights.  stick to dark, solid colors, unless you’re looking to make your legs look extra wide – which most of us aren’t.  but for some reason, these herringbone tights ($22.50) is working for me – the texture miraculously doesn’t add bulk, and they’re a little bit dressier and more interesting than your basic brown or black.

lastly, ’tis the season, after all, and i have to admit that j.crew’s gift guide is one of my favorites of the season so far.  well worth a look if you’re already feeling stumped by the holiday giving ahead.

okay, i’ll be staggering back to bed now.  but i’d love to shop vicariously through all of you.  what are your j.crew must-haves this season?

sometimes i try to extricate myself from the loveliness that is j.crew…but i just don’t think it can be done.  sometimes i feel things don’t fit just right, and prices are a little high, and they’re a little over-exposed, and maybe i’m not as preppy as i think i am.  but then, i’ll spend a month searching high and low for a couple of specific pieces to add to my summer wardrobe, and – predictably – j.crew was the answer all along.  i guess i really am that preppy.

this month, i’m crushing pretty hard on this gathered waist ikat skirt – such a great twist on a khaki skirt, but much less preppy and no less versatile.  definitely a zero-effort piece.  and the tank dress!  normally, a jersey tank dress can be shapeless and thoroughly blah, but for some reason, the belt and slight bagginess of this one is making it just exactly right.  i will say this:  the color choices for their jersey dresses are less than ideal this season: the grey is bland, and the mango is blinding.  i’m crushing on this one something fierce, but just can’t abide the funky green hue. 

and even though their sandals have wounded me to the core in years past, by falling to pieces after a season of beloved wear, i just can’t get these studded gladiators out of my head.  okay, and the silk bamboo tassel flats.  and maybe the vintage cotton flip flops, which are actually men’s, but way too cute for boys only.  yes, their shoes are a dangerous area for me.

if you have any summer j.crew must-haves, i’d suggest “having” them soon, as you can get 20% off purchases of $175+ with code SECRET, but only through today.  

do you have any j.crew must-haves this season?  i’d love to know what’s making you swoon!

if i splurge on nothing else this summer (a very real possibility), i’m fervently hoping to add this gorgeous wrap cardi from brochu walker to my closet.  at $445, it’s a splurge, to be sure, but it’s possibly the most versatile piece i’ve seen all season.  i know this would hardly have time to catch its breath on the hanger between wears.

i can hardly wait to put together this very ensemble for a casual evening out: great pair of trouser jeans, a nice silk cami, and maybe a nude heel to keep the whole thing neutral and classic.  but this cardi’s also destined to work overtime, helping me dress up those shapeless cotton dresses i can’t seem to resist when the weather turns hot.  it’s just airy enough to work for warmer temperatures, all while fending off that air conditioning chill we suffer through this time of year.  plus, i admit, i love the color name:  sea salt.  so perfect!

the good news is that if you happen to be in splurge-spending position this week, you can score 20% off on this beauty at shopjake, with code summer20, through today only.  hey, every little bit helps!

i do so love it when the shopping fates align.  

i was e-strolling through candystore collective, one of my favorite online haunts, and coveting these digby & iona feather earrings something fierce, when a little present landed in my in-box.  i’ll get a virtual slap on the wrist for sharing the specifics, but let’s just say it would be a very, very good day to sign up for daily candy’s weekly “deals” newsletter, if you don’t already.  at 25% off, those dainty little feathers are much harder to say no to!  whoops…i may have already said too much…

while i’m at it, i suppose i might as well grab this and this, don’t you think?

i am loooving how generous shopbop has been with the coupons this year!  through thursday, score 25% off sitewide (on full-priced items) with code INTHEFAMILY25 because you are my friends, and shopbop is practically family.  or something like that.

now, what to buy?  well, here’s a little taste of what i’m craving this season:

a slouchy, distressed, oh-so-casual hobo, like these by giorgio brato (i’m obsessed!) or this MbyMJ version.

some effortless spring dresses – perhaps this denim version from vince, or maybe i’ll splurge on this amazing dress by milly that’s been on the must-have list for a month.  i’ll be wearing it to every fete in town!

and, some big, bold jewelry to pull any look together…this gold cuff from kenneth jay lane has been on my list for a while now.

but mostly, i’m dying to know what you’re buying – spill in the comments!

ps…to get the scoop on all of the other fab sales & discounts that arrived in my inbox today, check out my twitter-ness!

here’s a little “six degrees of separation” for you – just to let you know how my mind works on a daily basis.

i was playing around on twitter, looking for interesting people to follow (any suggestions, by the way?), and clicked over to a suggestion from decor8 to check out someone called myturtleneck.  

not being able to resist that user name, i took a peek at her twitter feed, and saw that she had linked to a blog post she’d written that sounded interesting.  

i clicked over , and was immediately sucked into her beautiful blog, including a great post about ankle boots and scarves,

where i promptly fell in love with a certain completely perfect striped scarf,

which i then realized was from a local portland obsession of mine, le train bleu.

not five minutes later, an email arrived in my inbox from le train bleu, letting me know they’re offering 30% off sitewide with code mayday all weekend…

including, of course, that lovely striped scarf.

i think it’s a sign.  don’t you?

happy weekend, everyone!

(photo by blissful images – the perfect earth day purchase, don’t you think?)

i think most people that know me would agree i’m not the most green person you’ll ever meet.  i refuse to cancel my catalog subscriptions, i can’t be bothered to sort my glass from my plastics, and it’s maybe one time out of ten that i remember to bring those reuseable bags into the market.

but i’m never one to ignore a holiday, especially when there are deals to be had!  so, here are a few of my favorite ways for you to go green with minimal effort this earth day:

terra collection:  our much-loved sponsor’s decadent organic cotton tees are 50% off for the rest of the week, in celebration of earth day.  use code “earthlove” at checkout, and stock up!  every one is beautifully embroidered, pro-planet, and each purchase means a 15% discount to an earth-loving charity.  

suki hair:  i was browsing the aisles of my neighborhood whole foods the other day and saw that my favorite green beauty line, suki, has released a shampoo and conditioner!  naturally, i had to try them immediately.  if you’re not afraid of low-lather shampoo (it’s never bothered me…), this stuff is fantastic!  it smells as wonderful as their lemongrass cleanser that i can’t get enough of, it left my hair so much more moisturized than it normally is, and just generally is making me happy.  plus, it’s vegan – so my northwest cred is intact.

rume bags:  i get a reuseable tote maybe once a week these days…it seems almost impossible to avoid.  but the ones that actually make it into the store are my rume bags, every time.  and when they do, customers and baggers alike compliment them.  they’re huge, have a flat bottom, hold an unbelievable amount of stuff, and are actually pretty cute for grocery bags.  plus, i do love the velcro fold-up thing…very handy.  get 20% off sitewide today with code EARTH.

so, happy earth day, readers – how will you be celebrating?  i hope you’ll recycle a glass bottle for me!