I sit in front of a computer all day – in prime shopping hours – and, well, let’s just say I excel at multitasking.  It’s never a problem for me to participate in a conference call while sending work and personal e-mails, reading Perez Hilton and paying for a pair of shoes I found online that I just can’t live without.  That being said, I do not enjoy waisting time surfing the Internet looking for good deals.  Instead, I rely almost completely on the most glorious website - Gilt Groupe (www.gilt.com).

If you aren’t already a Gilt member, you absolutely must sign up immediately.  It’s free – you just have to provide your first/ last name and e-mail address.  Each day at noon, Gilt Groupe sends out an e-mail to its members with the day’s incredible sales on luxury and designer goods for up to 70% off of retail from names like Marc Jacobs, Diane von Furstenberg, Burberry, Dolce & Gabbana, Cole Haan (my favorite!), Theory…the list goes on and on and on.   The sale alert e-mails are very user friendly.  And, unlike other similar websites, you don’t feel overwhelmed or bombarded with sale items – like you are at a massive online garage sale. 

Gilt Groupe Sale Example

Gilt Groupe’s sales are broken up into Gilt (women + home + children), Gilt Fuse (less expensive and funkier items), Gilt Man (for men…) and Jetsetter (Gilt’s incredible travel site).  You can sign up to get e-mails specifically from any of Gilt’s subgroups, if desired, but they are all accessible from the general home page. 

I don’t buy from the site all the time, but I look at the sales every day and use the function on the website to put reminders on my Outlook calendar for specific designer’s sales I am interested in throughout the week.  You have to act fast when the sales start at 12:00 p.m. each day because they only have a limited number of items and they tend to sell out fast. 

Also, you can e-mail a sign-up link to your friends from the Gilt Groupe website and when a friend signs up for the sale alert e-mails and makes his or her first purchase – you get a $25 credit to use on the website towards a future purchase.  That seems like a pretty sweet incentive to me!

I’m just saying – it’s worth a look.  Maybe you’ll be guilty, too…  Enjoy! 

xx, L

I met Erin my freshman year of college when we pledged the same sorority. Hailing from Chicago, IL, her adorable mid-western accent earned her the nickname “Pahms” as she would tell us about her high school cheerleading team.

Anyway. Pahms Erin has always had sensational style and a creative fashion sense. I’d whip out a few rush pictures circa 2000 where she managed to make a t-shirt and khaki shorts chic as evidence…but I promised I wouldn’t.

Erin has been creating jewelry for herself and her friends for the last 20 years and has now decided to share her work by creating her own line!

Introducing…Estell Designs!

I asked Erin what prompted her to start the line, and she gave me the Q+DD: “When I became engaged, I had a blast putting together the perfect ensemble: Badgley Mischka gown, Erin Cole veil, Stuart Weitzman shoes… but it was impossible to find appropriate and amazing wedding jewelry. It seemed like everything available was either insanely expensive or tacky. I could not believe that brides on a budget were being forced into wearing rhinestones and vermeil. I eventually made myself a pair of earrings using 14k white gold and a gazillion white topaz briolettes. Amazing.

Fast forward 2 years…I found myself virtually laid off from a job that was hit incredibly hard by the recession. My husband and I were laying on the beach in Phuket, Thailand and he said, “Why don’t you just try selling your jewelry?” in response to my professional conundrum. I really don’t know what was more romantic – the scenery or his unwavering support. I quit my job, bought tons of supplies, hired a web designer and the rest is history!”

Her pieces are so delicate and feminine and timeless. Witness:

Erin uses solid 14 karat gold wire, chain, and findings in all of her jewelry, but will make custom pieces using sterling silver and gold vermeil if you’d prefer. All the beads are genuine precious and semiprecious gemstones which she hand picks for each lovely piece.

Please visit her website here to view her entire gorgeous handcrafted collection.

Perfect for bridal or new moms…or any special occasion!

I have to wonder, though, Erin…were the gorgeous grape cluster pieces inspired by your pahm pahms?

xx (+LML), L

We all know that I can’t resist a good deal and that I love mixing cheap jewelry + nice jewelry, so Francesca’s is absolutely heavenly to me. I used to shop there all the time in Dallas + Austin, loved dropping by the one at The Summit in Birmingham, but I did flips when I stumbled across the one at Vinings Jubilee in Smyrna! (We just need one ITP now. Immediately.)

Here’s the Q+DD on Francesca’s Collections:

Since opening its first store in 1999, Francesca’s Collections has become one of the fastest-growing women’s fashion retailers in the country. This privately held company, with locations in over 28 states, provides its shoppers with an eclectic, carefully chosen assortment of treasured items. Francesca’s provides this unique shopping experience to our patrons by taking its inspiration from travelers who search the world for beautiful luxuries and gifts to bring to their friends and family. When shoppers visit Francesca’s they will find that each boutique is a treasure chest overflowing with gifts, apparel, home accessories, and jewelry that reflect the most fashionable styles and desired items from all over the world. (www.francescascollections.com)

Francesca's Store Front

The store reminds me of an updated version of your grandmother’s jewelry box and it’s just as exciting when you stumble across some amazingly unique-looking necklace, bracelet or ring. Although the store’s focus is on jewelry, Francesca’s also carries a really nice selection of clothes, picture frames, purses, scarves and random trinkets. It’s an excellent place to find a special gift for a friend or waste away an hour or so trying to conjure up an outfit to match some of Francesca’s adorable accessories.

Inside Francesca's

Francesca’s is surprisingly reasonably priced for the quality and durability of it’s jewelry, and there are always great sales to discover in the back of the store. It’s virtually impossible to leave empty-handed. Drop by today!

Here are all the Georgia locations.

xx, L

Francesca’s Collections
4300 Paces Ferry Rd NW
Atlanta, GA 30339-5703
(770) 431-9672
http://www.francescascollections.com/index.jsp

Karen reminds me that I am no longer 21 (unfortunately, far from), that I already have sunglasses in 12 different shades and that I don’t have a crush on a Jonas brother – so what do I think I am doing in there?? Initially, I understand her reasoning. Generally speaking, the clothes are cheaply made in scary places like Vietnam and constructed for pre-teens with boy-shaped bodies. BUT, as soon as I glance around the store and spot neon fringe, I am quickly drawn inside like a magnet lured to Forever 21’s countless metallic racks.

Some days are better than others. Today was amazing. Truly amazing. One hour and a medium Yoforia (how do they keep the fruit so fresh?) later, my closet is about to look like a Kanye West video. (And, yes, I got my 13th shade of the same sunglasses.) While I walked away with some cute work clothes, a fun bubble dresses (Slick loves them) and a few more pairs of leggings, my best finds were in the jewelry section. Please see Exhibit A below:

Exhibit A

(Sorry, there is not an Exhibit B…)

I think Forever must have just had a shipment, because they had so many great summer clothes. Run, don’t walk, run to Perimeter!

It’s okay if you aren’t obsessed with Harry Potter (like me), Britney Spears (like me) or Twilight (like me) – the pre-teen dressing room discussions can be easily ignored and the young-ins on their summer vacation will only see you in your schnazzy work clothes and aspire to be as put-together-looking as you one day. Plus, I had just purchased a dress at Sage that I swear I saw at Forever for half the price.

I told you so.

xx, L