H and M and Wal-Mart Trash Their Unsold Clothes

I don't know about you, but this really got me fired up! Instead of doing a sample sale, deeply discounting the items, or even giving them away to charity, Wal-mart and H&M have been destroying unsold clothes and throwing them away. The New York Times wrote that a graduate student discovered this outside an H&M on 35th Street, saying "to make sure that they never would be worn or sold, someone had slashed most of them with box cutters or razors, a familiar sight outside H & M’s back door." Check out the full story on the H&M and Wal-Mart clothes destroying here.






[photo: NYTimes.com]

Are You Ready for Black Friday 2009?

The biggest shopping day of the year is almost here. After you stuff your tummy, many of your will hit the stores in the wee hours of the morning to catch the best deals. Considering the economy, we can be sure that stores will have some amazing sales. Not interested in hitting the stores early or dealing with the crowds? Shop online instead! There are enough sales on the web to keep you busy.

Black Friday Sites
The Official Black Friday Site 
Black Friday 2009 at Become.com
Deal News
Black-Friday.net

Other Black Friday Deals and Tools
Midnight Madness and Chelsea Premium Outlets
Black Friday Roundup of Online Deals
TGI Black Friday App (yes, there's an app for that!)
Best Black Friday Deals
Black Friday In Store Deals: A Comprehensive List

Dallas Divas: Last Day of FIG Finale Sale!

To all my readers in Dallas, many of you know that the Fashion Industry Gallery (FIG) Finale Sale is one of my favorite sample sales EVER! So, if you didn't check it out yesterday, you must do so today. Here are the details:

When: last day is today, August 29
Time: 11am - 5pm
Where: Fashion Industry Gallery, 1807 Ross Ave, downtown Dallas

Tip: Want the best selection? Go as soon as it opens? Want best prices? Go in the final 3 hours of the sale. Vendors will continue to slash prices until the end!

Happy Shopping!

Be Still My Heart: Nordstrom Rack's Coming to NYC!

Yes, it's allegedly true. Nordstrom Rack is coming to Union Square! My favorite bargain superstore will open sometime in the spring of 2010 right where the Virgin Megastore used to be. As the first Manhattan location of this Seattle-based retail company, fashionistas and bargainistas everywhere will have one more solid store to add to the list that includes Century 21, Filene's Basement, Loehmann's, Marshall's and TJ Maxx. I can't wait for spring!

Free Pastry at Starbucks Tomorrow!

Go to Starbucks tomorrow morning for a free pastry with beverage purchase! All you'll need is this coupon. Enjoy!

Feminine Finds from Etsy

I love going to Etsy to see what unique items I can find. Here are just a few feminine and flirty pieces to add to your summer wardrobe:
1. Tea Dress, $85
2. English Rose Ruffle Dress, $117
3. Tea Dress, $85
4. Ruffled Tunic, $88
5. Ice Cream Sundae Darling Eco Dress, $42

Jimmy Choo Coming to H&M

My bargain shopping dream has just come true: Jimmy Choo is creating a line for H&M! According to WWD, Jimmy Choo has designed a collection of shoes that will be sold at H&M stores. We can expect to see them in 200 stores this coming November.

Is anyone else as excited as I am?
Photo: WWD

Attending a Wedding? Daytime Wedding Looks

Since it is peak wedding season, we're going to feature some inexpensive looks for just about any wedding you're attending.

Add some cute shoes, jewelry and a clutch and any of these daytime looks would be fabulous for your next daytime wedding. Even better, all cost under $100:


Vacation-Ready Dress
Anthropologie
$59.95









Ruched V-Neck Dress
Ann Taylor
$99









City Style Tiered Ruffle Dress
NY & Company
$59.95









Silk/Cotton Floral Dress
Banana Republic
$98

Save the Date: NYC Summer Restaurant Week

NYC Restaurant Week 2009 is coming in July. Make your reservations early - as soon as June 30th. Check back to their site often to catch the list of participating restaurants.

Get Michelle Obama's Look!

Check out Instyle.com's feature of this Michelle Obama look. You can get the floral print cardigan from the Gap for just $35!

$1 Flip-Flops at Old Navy

Tomorrow is the day! For one day only - Saturday, May 23, Old Navy will offer their solid colored flip-flops for only $1! Yes, that's right one buck! Now that's what I call a DEAL!

Thanks, TBF.

New Faith21 Line from Forever 21!

Forever 21 just launched their "Faith21" line online and at select Forever 21 stores. One of our faves in the line is this Cheetah Ruffle Shirt. This blouse is sure to turn heads!

HOT Flat Fringe Sandals from Payless!

Last week I was at a cute, fairly high-end boutique in Philadelphia. The sales person there had the most adorable shoes on, so I had to compliment her. I was surprised and delighted when she told me she got them from Payless! These Scarlet Fringe Sandals are only $22.95 and come in both black and blue. These Mork Mirrored Sandals are also pretty hot!

NY Sample Sales Galore!

Here are the latest sample sale listings:

What: Ali Ro and MODO Derek Lam Eyewear (Ali Ro dresses, tops and blouses along with MODO eyewear)
When: Apr. 15 - 17. Thurs. & Fri., Wed. 8 a.m.-8 p.m., Thurs. - Fri. 10 a.m. - 8 p.m.
Where: Savvy & Co's NYC Loft, 145 W. 18th St, (btw. 6th and 7th Sts) www.thesavvy.com

What: Psycho Bunny  (scarves, ties, hats, and polo shirts for men & women - 50 % off)
When: Apr. 16 & 17. Thurs. & Fri., 11 a.m.-7 p.m.
Where: Leffot, 10 Christopher St., at Gay St. (212-989-4577). 

What: Bindya (spring scarves in ikat prints and plaids starting at $10. Also, tunics at 65% off)
When: Apr. 16 & 17. Thurs. & Fri., 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m.
Where: 49 W. 38th St., b/t Fifth & Sixth Aves., 9th flr. 

What: La Perla  (yes, La Perla!!!) - Up to 80 percent off deluxe bras, panties, sleepwear, and goodies from Frette.
When: Apr. 19-24. Sun., 1-6 p.m.; Mon.-Fri., 9 a.m.-6:30 p.m.
Where: 4 W. 58th St., b/t Fifth & Sixth Aves., 4th flr.

What: Kara Janx  (neon stripe tank tops, high-waist skirts, and other stuff for 50-80% off)
When: Apr. 22 & 23. Wed. & Thurs., 11 a.m.-6:30 p.m.
Where: 242 W. 36th St., b/t Seventh & Eighth Aves., 8th flr. (212-594-4797).

What: Mara Hoffman (resort, spring, and swim ’09. Tops and bathing suits start at $15; dresses start at $50)
When: Apr. 23-25. Thurs. & Fri., 10 a.m.-7 p.m.; Sat., 11 a.m.-6 p.m.
Where: 120 W. 28th St., b/t Sixth & Seventh Aves., 3rd flr. (212-505-3020).

What: MaxMara (MaxMara, Max&Co, Sortmax, 'S MaxMara, Marina Rinaldi and Weekend - up to 70% off)
When: Apr. 26-29. (April 26th 12PM - 5PM, Monday, April 27th 10AM – 8PM Tuesday, April 28th 10AM – 7PM Wednesday, April 29th, 9am-4pm)
Where: 123 W. 18th St., b/t Sixth & Seventh Aves.,  (212-388-0339).

What: Miguelina (floral dresses, camisoles, and silk chiffon blouses are up to 50% off wholesale prices)
When: Apr. 30 & May 1. Thurs. & Fri., 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
Where: 20 W. 36th St., b/t Fifth & Sixth Aves., 6th flr. 

What: Ted Rossi (up to 75% on bangles, cuffs, clutches, and more)
When: Apr. 30 & May 1. Thurs. & Fri., 10 a.m.-7 p.m.
Where: 15 E. 30th St., b/t Madison & Fifth Aves., ste. 300. (212-683-1726). 

Thanks, DailyCandy and The Budget Fashionista!

Cute Party Dress - Under $40

With the economy in the toilet, it's hard to justify paying a lot for a cute party dress. Twelve by Twelve by Forever 21 is to the rescue! This adorable, yet affordable magenta ribbon party dress is only $38!