Savvy Shopping

I'm going to go ahead and pat myself on the back because I am a very savvy shopper. If you ask any of my friends they will tell you I'm an expert, so I thought I would share some of my tricks of the trade.

I almost never pay full price, I love reward programs, referral programs and any other type of purchase where I get what I want for less.

1. Ebates- The Ebates Cash Back Button that gives you cash back when you shop! You download the button, and it automatically applies the cash back percentage to all your online purchases (i.e. 6% cash back on Athleta). How does it work? Stores pay ebates a commission for sending shoppers to their websites, and they share it with you.

I've made over $200 in cash back since signing up! Get the button here. You won't be sorry.




2. Ebay- I've been an Ebay shopper and seller since 2001. When I find things I like, I look for them on ebay. My first tip is to "follow" or "save" a search. For example, I was in the market for a new Patagonia down jacket, so I saved the search, "black Patagonia long down jacket small", and within a week one popped up. I got a like new, worn only a few time $400 jacket for only $110! I save searches for the Mini fashionista too. Just a few weeks ago I entered a "Patagonia ski pants size 10" search for next year's pants and ended up getting a set of long underwear at an amazing deal, just because it notified me of the search.

So...long story short. If you find something you love and don't want to pay full price or can't find your size in a store, or saw it on a friend and it's from a previous season, look for it on ebay! oh...and if you sign up for ebates, you will get 2% cash back on all your ebay purchases. BONUS!

3. Consignment/Resale- Not only do I love consignment stores, but I also love consignment shops on social media. A majority of my clothes and the Mini's clothes are "2nd hand". Here are some of my favorite consignment/resale stores and online shops.

- Baby & Me and Rock it Resell- For those of you in Portland, this is one of my favorite shops for the Mini Fashionista, and I occasionally buy from the adult store.

- Recycled Chic & Seams to Fit- These Portland consignment stores focus on high end, like new clothing, handbags, shoes and accessories.

- Consign Design- If you follow C&C, you know this is my favorite consignment store on the planet. It's in Sun Valley, ID and has been my gold mine of consignment finds....Chanel, Jimmy Choo, Oscar de la Renta, Ferragamo, Tory Burch, Vince...I could go on and on.

- Les Petites PDX- I actually started this high ends kids consignment shop on Instagram with two friends over a year ago. They have now taken it over as I focus on my consulting business. Follow the boys account here and the girls account here. AND they are launching a high end women's site called Grayson Rose.

- Shop the Wild Things- This was the first Instagram consignment shop I ever followed, and it was the inspiration for Les Petites PDX.

- A few other online "resale" shops I frequent are: The Real Real, Poshmark, and En Vogue Consignment. 

Happy Shopping!

Consign Design

I spent two weeks in Sun Valley over the holidays, and as all of you know, a trip to Sun Valley is not complete without a visit to Consign Design. As usual, it was a designer gold mine.

There were two INCREDIBLE Victoria Beckham dresses, and my friend SB took one home with her. Doesn't she look incredible in that dress? Hello barre3 booty! And, she only paid $85 for it (the dress that is. The booty...well, that takes more time, money and hard work)!

There were so many other things I wanted to take home with me.

1) bronze chain link necklace ($85) 2) Tortoise patent Christian Louboutin heels ($145)...I wish I could have squeezed my 38.5 size feet into these 36.5 shoes. 3) Dolce Vita animal print booties 

4) DVF printed blouse

I passed up a pair of fabulous Kate Spade black suede platform pumps and some cute studded Steve Madden smoking slippers as well.

But worry not, I didn't leave empty handed....I came home with this amazing jacket. If you can't quite see the label, its a D&G (Dolce and Gabbana) Lambskin black leather jacket, and it's FABULOUS. It's the softest most amazing leather.

What is even more incredible was the $195 price tag. The Mini Fashionista bought it for me as a Christmas gift (i.e. she signed the credit card receipt). Wasn't that generous of her? I can't wait to wear it, so stay tuned for a "What I Wore" post soon.

What I Wore to Work: Consign Design Find

Regan wasn't the only one who scored at Consign Design during our recent trip home. I found a great dress for work and was introduced to a new brand (no pun intended) - Nue by Shani. When I pulled the dress from the rack I thought, "cute work dress," but when I put it on, I realized it had a little something special. Nue by Shani dresses have an inner layer of compression fabric - think built-in Spanx. It's crazy comfortable and slimming all at the same time! Done and done. 

I paired the dress with the Irene Wood necklace I got from my favorite things party. 

I have a feeling this won't be my last Nue by Shani dress (You can often find them on ideeli, Zullily and other flash sites). Here are a few currently available that you might like to add to your work wardrobe. 

Colorblock Ottoman Knit Sheath

Black and Ivory Stripe Sheath

Black Faux Leather Peplum

Azure Blue and Brown Colorblock

Peplum

High Neckline Knee Length

What I Wore

Yes, you read the title correctly! Today is a "What I Wore" post, and it's not coming from Katie. Gasp! I actually dressed myself in something other than workout clothes. Can you believe it?

Let me start at the beginning. Last week in Sun Valley I made a trip to my favorite store on the face of the planet (no exaggeration), Consign Design. I happened upon these fabulous, unworn pair of Michael Kors sandals. At $55 I knew they had to be mine! 

Here's a close up!

And here is how I wore them for the first time, just last night when The Mini Fashionista and I met a friend and her son for dinner.

I paired them with my white Target Merona shorts (from last summer) and a Cynthia Steffe Top I bought on Gilt Groupe ages ago. Nothing fancy, but appropriate for the 85 degree weather and a casual dinner. 

A Merry Consign Design Christmas to Me!

Last week Regan shared her Christmas Consign Design finds and now it's my turn! Remember last Summer when that full-length cashmere coat with a fur collar got away from me? Well, when my mom told me it had sold...but she was the awesome, tricky mama that bought it! I've been on the hunt for a long camel coat and since I saw this beauty, I couldn't stop thinking about it. It's exactly the classic look I was on the hunt for. And it kept me nice and toasty through the arctic vortex. 

But that's not all Consign Design had in store. I scored these brand spanking new (look at the soles) Ferragamo peep-toe pumps in navy for the bargain price of $110! Yes, you read that right - a pair of shoes that sells for $575! In DC these babies would have flown off the shelf (at a much higher price), but when you're shopping in a mountain town where Sorels, Rainbows, and Nikes are the most worn brands, Ferragamo isn't top-of-mind. 

A trip home in July is in the works and will no doubt include more treasures! 

Christmas at Consign Design

No trip to Sun Valley is complete without a visit to Consign Design, and my Christmas from Consign Design was nothing short of amazing!

First let me lament about the shoes that I left behind…these black suede booties with braided leather trim were fantastic…but a 1/2 size too big. Such a bummer!

I scored this fantastic Ralph Lauren sweater for only $50! I've already worn it a handful of times. Totally LOVE!

This Elie Tahari Sateen Coat had to go home with me! The gigantic collar and gathered hemline were just too much to pass up. The pictures do it no justice!

And last but not least, this arrived under the Christmas tree. Apparently Santa shops at Consign Design too (a.k.a my amazing mom). Pinch me! 

Consign Design Finds

A trip home to Sun Valley isn't complete without a visit to Consign Design. Since we arrived on Saturday late afternoon and they aren't open on Sundays, we were in and out like a hurricane. Thankfully they stayed open for us while we tried on all the treasures.

Let's start with what I didn't get. You know when you find something, and you're not 100% sure about it, so you decide to think on it, and then it's gone. Yeah, well that's me and this incredible cashmere coat. Kicking. Myself.

So what makes up for lost cashmere? Nothing Two cute shirts, of course. This Theory silk hidden button front tangerine-colored blouse is not only a great color, but I also love the relaxed fit. I wore it to work last week and it's definitely going to be making frequent appearances. 

Regan also found this grey and white Vince tank with pleated detailing in the bust for me (bonus for shopping with your twin), which I wore out on the town the night before we went on the river. Cute and comfortable. 

Now we just have to wait until Christmas for our next visit.

What I Wore

It's no secret that I'm a big fan of Viviana Volpicella. I have followed her for years and have shared many of her fabulous outfits with you here on C&C.

I am not sure what year this photo was taken, but it's old, and I have loved this top for years. The sleeves are so cool. The look is polished yet effortless.

I have a similar top from DVF, so I thought why not channel my inner VV and style an outfit with her as my inspiration. I happened to be at barre3, so it was the perfect place to get a quick shot!

DVF top from Consign Design, Merona Shorts from Target (last week's splurge vs. save), Wedge shoes (blogged about them here) and Angela Caputi Bracelet

We Heart You

No trip to Sun Valley is complete without visiting Consign Design. This time both Katie and I had great success! And as always, we left some amazing treasures behind....

First, what I didn't bring home with me: an incredible Chanel jacket, red Miu Miu heels and Prada hombre flats, if only they had been a 1/2 size bigger. Anyone who wears a 38, they are still there! 

And sadly, I left these three beautiful dresses behind as well. 1) Bianca Nero $85 2) Nanette Lepore $75 and 3) Horse Print Dress (I can't remember the brand) $40

I don't leave until tomorrow, and I am very tempted to go back for Bianca Nero. 

Here is what I did come home with, this fantastic DVF blouse for $40! 

 

Katie scored this beautiful Phillip Lim coat jacket and a pair of Dolce & Gabanna trousers! 

Until next time Consign Design. We heart you!

Consign Design Recap

Each trip to Sun Valley requires a visit (who am I kidding...multiple visits) to Consign Design. If you follow C&C, you know that Katie and I have found many a treasure there....it is my favorite store, EVER. PERIOD! It's that good! Let me refresh your memory...Chanel, D&G, Ferragamo, Missoni...need I say more.

I can never walk away empty handed.....and this trip was no exception. I scored a beautiful navy Ralph Lauren cable knit Cashmere sweater (a great basic), and more importantly feast your eyes on my new fur vest.

It's faux....if I wore the real thing in Portland I would probably get paint thrown on me. If I lived in Sun Valley, I would definitely go for the real thing. One of these two would suffice.

The hombre Chinchilla coat is heavenly. It is reversible to a black waterproof so you can wear the fur on the inside as well ($785). I didn't look at the price of the vest.

And as always, there are fabulous dresses. You know how much I die for Oscar de la Renta. This classic shift dress ($485) is to die for, and the detail and work in the crochet dress is exquisite.

You can never go wrong with DVF (especially at these prices...both are $85)! This basic black dress has leather trim and an exposed zipper (excuse the terrible photos).

This DVF has the most fantastic print!

As always, there was an amazing selection of shoes and handbags from the most coveted of brands. I die for these Stuart Weitzman suede wedge boots ($135)! And if you like to show off your labels, some LV and Prada heels!

I saved the best for last....handbags, lots and lots of to die for handbags. First, a Thomas Wylde Cross Body for $1,185. Not my style, but GORGEOUS. Then the two I drooled over, a black quilted Chanel for $2,400 and a Chloe for $485. Wish I had walked out of the store with both.

And, the best news of all to share with our C&C readers who can't make the trip to Idaho to shop at Consign Design....in the very near future, they will be opening an ebay shop! We will be sure to keep you posted! Start saving now! These deals are too good to miss.

What I Wore - Dressed in a Vest

I love vests. Fur, down, sleeveless trenches, you name it. There's nothing better in the winter than a warm vest to bum around in on the weekend. For Sunday's errands I did just that. 

Vest from Consign Design / Old Navy Blouse
Paige Denim Jeans / Sam Edelman Aster Flats

Here are some vests you can add to your wardrobe to keep warm and stylish this winter.

Via Spiga Faux Fur Vest - $128

Ellen Tracy Faux Snow Leopard Vest - $128

Miss Sixty Belted Faux Fur Vest - $79.06

Gallery Reversible Faux Fur Vest - $63.98

Luxe Rachel Zoe Faux Fur Vest - $59.48

What I Wore - Napa Wedding Weekend

Nearly two weeks ago, my +1 and I took our first vacation together without the Mini Fashionista. We spent four fabulous days in Napa, Ca wining, dining and celebrating the wedding of our friends. I spent a lot of time planning my weekend wedding wear, so I thought I would share a few of my outfits.

1) Travel clothes: Zara blazer, Old Navy striped blouse (which I blogged about here), Zara jeans and Cole Haan Wedges.

2) Wine tasting: Tory Burch blouse and shorts (Consign design) and Target wedges. 

3) Sunday Brunch- Polka dot J Crew dress (borrowed from my dear friend SW), NY&Co wedges (from Seams to Fit) and Kate Spade Franca cat's eye sunglasses. 

For the wedding I was so close to getting a dress from Rent the Runway, but I decided to shop in my own closet and save the money. Instead I wore this Trina Turk that I've only worn once (nearly four years ago). I paired it with my gold Ferragamo Sandals (also from Consign Design) and an Angela Caputi chain link bracelet. It's not my favorite dress, but no one was looking at me anyway.  The bride was stunning in Monique Lhuillier, so I guarantee no one cared about my 4-year old dress!

Currently Coveting

Another week, another list of wants...

I am dying over this dress. For $68 I might just have to buy it! 

Belted Crochet Dress $68

You may find this a bit strange, but I sleep with a sleeping mask nearly every night. They get used and abused rather quickly, so I am always on the lookout for new and fun masks. This one from Shopbop is  on my list! 

I pinned this skirt months ago, and now it's on sale for $98 down from $164!

Boutique By Jaeger Color Block Skirt

Since I got the Tory Burch shorts at Consign Design, I have been more drawn to really short, shorts. These from Gap are super cute! And navy and white seems to be the theme of my summer purchases, so these are perfect! That said, $49.95 for Gap shorts? Seriously?

Printed Canvas Shorts $49.95