shopping truth:  after a promotional discount code shall quickly follow massive markdowns.  case in point:  both shopbop and saks have cut prices on all of their pre-fall pieces just days after their respective “shop and save” events.  typical.  the shopbop sale wasn’t thrilling me, but saks has me all aflutter.

hurry over now to score this morning’s 40%+ markdowns on early fall pieces i’ve been dying to own, like this vince boyfriend cardigan i mentioned a few weeks ago, and this gorgeous quilted tory burch leather jacket.  and the dresses…my god, the dresses.  this robert rodriguez is an amazing classic, and a piece you can wear year-round.  or this lovely DVF that’s making me oh-so-happy right now.  i even love this elizabeth & james wilde vest jacket - so preppy, but so cool…and about 60% off, so it’s actually reasonably priced now!  but move fast…the good pieces are going to be gone the moment i find my american express card! 

now there’s a title i never thought i’d write.  true, at $247, it’s not exactly a deal in the truest sense of the word…but this oh-so-classic calfskin slingback from manolo blahnik is marked down 50%, and available in all sorts of sizes (and two colors)…and that’s just something you don’t see every day.  so, i’m calling it a deal-slash-worthy investment…i think it’s the best of both worlds.

you may have to call the store to order, but nab it now…before everyone else discovers all of the fab finds over at footcandy’s pre-fall sale.

some people love a parade, but i love a sale.  so when the lovely folks over at doie designs emailed to let me know they were offering a coupon code for 50% off their entire site (yes, even sale prices) in an effort to clean house, i was first in line to check it out.

for those of you that are into the eco-fashion trend, doie is definitely the place to be.  we’ve talked about doie before, but as a refresher, pieces are made from either earth-friendly bamboo jersey or pure silk.  for me, the silk/jersey combo just means each piece is light, comfy, and amazingly soft…i know, my commitment to the environment is astounding.

the site is organized by season, which means no direct links, i’m afraid.  but i’ll be picking up the kimono robe from spring ‘07 (left pic) in chocolate brown, which has that perfect blend of sexy and comfy and is now under $50.  i’ve been coveting the all-silk pulau top (center pic) from her spring ‘08 collection since i first spied it - and now that it’s down to $55, i may just have to take the plunge. 

and, for my newly pregnant friend M, i feel duty-bound to point out the pesar and ubud dresses from spring ‘08, as well as that lovely nagameru dress (right pic), all of which would be perfect belly-camouflage options.  ooh, and the gaucho pants from spring ‘07 - the length is great for lounging, and the tie at the belly will keep these working perfectly until the weather cools off.

use code DAILY08 to score this deal.  and as always, get there early before the best goods are gone!

that’s right, it’s time for my favorite holiday of the year:  the nordstrom anniversary sale!  ignore the half-yearly…this is the sale to watch for.  for those that aren’t familiar, this is the sale in which nordstrom orders in mass quantities of select pieces from the fall collections, and marks them down (usually 25-40%) for about two weeks - then, the prices go back up to regular retail.  here are a few of my faves that are well worth picking up while they’re a steal:

this taupey grey color is going to be the hit of the fall season - it’s a much warmer, more flattering shade of grey than we saw last year, and it will be everywhere.  normally i advocate bright colors for overcoats, but the tailoring on this was too pretty to pass up.  calvin klein wrap coat, $248 down to $159.90. 

if you want a look at the sculptural tailoring trend that’s going to be so hot this fall, check out this gorgeous boiled wool coat from alice+olivia ($365 down to $219) - zoom in and notice all of that stunning detail.

and another trend i’m looking forward to this fall is tonal texture - things like jacquard and lace overlays to give substance to traditional dark fall colors.  if you’re in the market for an evening coat, this jacquard version from milly ($675 down to $399) will round out your fall wardrobe beautifully. 

speaking of sculptural detail, this drape sleeve tee by 3.1 philip lim is about as on-trend as you can get for fall.  go classic with the black, or branch out a little with that gorgeous lagoon shade - but either way, less than $100 (down from $175) for a current-season philip lim tee is a deal not to be missed.

i’m also oddly excited about this puff-sleeve cardigan from a brand called fever (never heard of it, can’t vouch for it, but it’s $50).  it’s kind of odd in the black and “treetop” colors, but that sweet potato shade is just what the doctor ordered.  again with the sculptural detail, this is a piece i’ll be wearing all winter long.

i think i’ve just been sucked in by the fabulous electric blue color and that gorge pleating at the neckline on this classiques sweater ($158 down to $99.90).  but that’s enough - i have a feeling this will be on major closet rotation when the weather cools off.

can’t explain it, but i’m gaga for this daytripper bag from see by chloe (okay, and the matching wallet).  this is another one you should take a close look at - i love the edgy styling, and the bowler/satchel hybrid.  and that little detail on the front?  i was shocked, but it’s just zipper teeth of different colors.  i love it when designers surprise me, and chloe has done it…especially in lambskin and for $500.

as long as we’re talking handbags, the pic on the website would have had me totally passing by this nordstrom brand pleated tote.  fortunately, i got a sneak preview of this one in person, and i can tell you it’s well worth another look.  purple is oh-so-hot for fall, and the styling on this bag will keep it on-trend for years to come.  plus, it’s not often i suggest a bag under $250.

the shoe department has a tradition of lackluster options for the sale, and this year’s no exception.  but if you were in love with those flat loeffler randall matilde boots from last year (i’m still kicking myself for missing out!), but couldn’t stomach the $700 pricetag, never fear:  steve madden has actually managed two very similar versions, both under $150.  naturally, i’m going for the higher-end (a term i use loosely here), priced at $129.90 for the sale. 

last but not least, remember those extra-long scarves i was just talking about yesterday?  you won’t find another chance to scoop up an 8-foot piece of cashmere for $60…time to pounce!

so, what did you all end up buying??

i know, the sample sale sites are everywhere now. but truth be told, i’m glad they’re there…i get a little sick of bluefly being my only option for great deals on designers goods, and honestly, even they’ve been lagging lately.

regent’s secret is the newest incarnation, and they have a style all their own. for my readers that eschew the more preppy, styles you can rely on from hautelook, and can’t afford the high-end couture at gilt, even at sample sale prices, regent’s secret offers sample sales for the cool kids.

this week, you can hook your other half up with some style at the frankie b. sale that starts tonight at midnight - i’m anxiously awaiting this opportunity to make my hubs even cuter than normal.

or, hang on to your wallet until monday, and pick up some of the darling, tattoo-inspired wares from SMET.

hold out even longer, and you’ll be able to score some ultra-cool cavalli sunglasses on the 10th. that’s the one i’m saving up for!

to get signed up, make sure you head over to regent’s secret via the links here, and then you can just enter my email addy - shoppingsmycardio at gmail.com - to bypass that whole ‘invite-only’ madness.

again with the juicy couture…i’m scaring myself a little. but gah, this top is so cute! and marked down 40% in the net-a-porter summer sale. it’ll be darling with shorts this summer, and i can totally see this dressed up for work with a contrasting cardi and trouser jeans. nab it for $106 while you can. fab.u.lous.

i know at least one of you lovely readers was looking for “the perfect orange bag” for summer. i think this gustto just might be it - great summer size (holds your summer reading, your huge sunglass case, etc), the color is fantastic, and the price ($258) is definitely right if you snag it (or any of its lovely siblings) during the gilt groupe sample sale. it started this morning, so snap to it!

as always, if you need an invite, just email me - shoppingsmycardio at gmail.com - and i’ll take care of you!

i’m losing steam on sale posts this week, but i couldn’t resist sharing this one. kate boutique has just finished some serious spring markdowns that are well, well worth your browsing time. kate really emphasizes drape in absolutely everything she buys, and the results are exceptional - i can visualize myself wearing every piece in her store.

this cashmere turtleneck by inhabit retails for $350, but is marked down to $150.

or this delectable grey leather tote by abaco, marked down from $600 to $180. yes, really.

nearly every piece in the “sweater bin” has me swooning…i know it’s not sweater weather yet, but i’ll be so glad when it is, because i’ll be cuddling up in this gorgeous cardigan by souchi and keeping toasty warm.

and if you’re in the market for a fabulous leather jacket, well, i don’t even know where to begin.

enjoy!

because the sigerson sale has me obsessed, and because these amazing flats are just too pretty not to share. if i didn’t have literally the exact same shade of gold in a tory burch reva flat, i’d snap these up in a new york minute. in fact, it’s particularly distressing because…i like these better (shhh….).

how could i have forgotten this most fabulous of spring occasions? so much to show, i’m just going to get right to business.

this pleated shell is an absolute must for the coming fall trends you’ll be seeing. trust me: structure, sculptural detail…this piece has it all, and for under $200 (one of the challenges of an “impeccable tailoring” trend is the high pricetag of perfection). the neutral tone keeps it seasonless and really sets off the detail.

this tunic ($199) is the ultimate universally flattering piece. that raspberry color is fantastic on all skin tones, the belt creates a waist, and those wide kimono sleeves disguise any arm pudge. all in all, it’s just about perfect.

true, this tee by splendid doesn’t look exciting. but it’s one of those rare and coveted closet staples you’ll turn to time and again…and it’s $39. so, you can afford to trust me on this one.

i absolutely loved this dress when it came out this spring - and i love it still. by vince, an old favorite of mine. love the ombre, love the twig print - this is just a gorgeous, effortless summer look…especially for $119.

and i had to include this silk daisy print dress ($279) just because i love the print so. that grey color is right on trend, and the pattern keeps it from fading into the background. darling for work or weekend.

last but not least, don’t miss the denim. seven’s classic “ginger” cut is on sale for $119, along with all sorts of other lovely denim options.

i could go on and on….but this is a sale worth exploring yourself. happy hunting!