Category Archives: Discounts

Meet Shabby Apple

Posted on June 23, 2010 | Leave a comment

As someone who shops online constantly, I’m often introduced to new online retailers. Some are great (like ShopMamie) and some are not (I’ll be nice and not name names), and sometimes it’s hard to tell the difference when you can’t hold the merchandise in your hand and get a feel for the quality. Well, I’m happy to introduce you to an online store that I would personally vouch for: Shabby Apple. When the folks at Shabby Apple contacted me for the first time and I went to explore, the first thing I noticed was the gorgeous photography. If every website could have shots like this, I guarantee they’d see an uptick in sales.

But of course a pretty website is useless if the clothes aren’t up to par. I was able to try one of their dresses, and decided on the Bugle Boy dress (below). Because I apparently didn’t read the description very carefully, I didn’t realize that the dress is a fairly heavy material, not really for the summer. But I can’t wait for fall to get here so I can pair this dress with some tights because it is ADORABLE. The skirt is voluminous, but not in a way that makes you look bigger, and the top is fitted without being tight.

I love that all of the clothes on this site have real personality, and don’t feel generic at all. There’s a bit of a retro feel, and definitely a European influence that I love. And with prices in the $75-$100 range, the dresses are definitely affordable.

To make them ever more affordable, Shabby Apple is offering a 10% discount to all Beautify My Life readers, using the code beautify10off. Happy shopping!

Disclosure: Sample dress provided for review.
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Posted in Clothes, Discounts, Fashion, Online shopping

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Sale alert: Old Navy’s new spring arrivals

Posted on March 2, 2010 | Leave a comment

It’s been a while since I’ve shopped at Old Navy. I have a love/hate relationship with the brand. On one hand, I have some great basics that I’ve gotten there, as well as some really cute things that I’ve worn a lot. On the other hand, sometimes when I walk into the store, I feel like there might as well be a sign announcing that the clothes are disposable, because the quality seems so low. But I keep going back, because the prices are just so good, and you never know when you’re going to find that adorable tank that will be a staple in your summer wardrobe.

Anyway, I just got word that Old Navy is currently offering 20% off of its new spring fashions today through Thursday, using discount code ONSPRING. So, I decided to head over to the web site and see what’s new. There are a few really cute items that I think will be worth making the trip into the store.

While the cardigans I’ve gotten at Old Navy in the past aren’t comparable in quality to similar items at Banana or Gap, they’ve been decent quality, and a good way to add different colors to my collection. This Lightweight Boyfriend Cardigan is a great basic, at only $13.20 after the discount.

Old Navy might be the last place you’d think of to buy a trench, but I have one that I bought from there probably four years ago that I still wear all the time. I’ve found that their outerwear is some of the highest quality stuff that they offer. This Belted Trench Coat is a great basic style for those of us who can’t afford pricier versions, ringing up at $39.60 after discount.

The Cargo Mini (which comes in khaki as well) is cute, basic and cheap at $15.60 after discount, and would be great for casual summer days. I can envision wearing this while walking on a boardwalk somewhere. Ah, summer.

So if you’re looking to make some inexpensive purchases, check out Old Navy before the sale ends on Thursday. Happy shopping!

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Posted in Clothes, Discounts, Fashion, Sale alert

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Sale alert: Rachel Roy Friends & Family

Posted on February 22, 2010 | Leave a comment

Celebrity favorite Rachel Roy is currently having a Friends & Family sale on the reasonably priced ‘Rachel Rachel Roy’ line. It ends today (sorry for the late notice), but you can get 30% off of all merchandise by using discount code RRRLove at checkout.

This is one of those dangerous sales where everything is priced so well that your tempted to buy a million things even though you know you shouldn’t. Or is that just me?

Combo lace dress, $109 originally, $76.30 after discount.

Chain stitch drape dress, $99 originally, $69.30 after discount.

Mock neck drapey tunic, $79 originally, $46.99 on sale, $32.90 after discount.

‘Pop Rock’ large shopper, $99 originally, $69.30 after discount.

Happy shopping!

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Check out Ideeli's sales today

Posted on February 1, 2010 | Leave a comment

Ideeli really hit it out of the park today. In the course of the week, there are usually a few sales that really test my willpower, but there are three today alone!

I would suggest that you go check them out for yourself, but here are a few of my favorites:

From the Cleobella sale, I love this purple wallet. Original price $135, Ideeli price $65.

I’m obsessed with this fabulous kimono-style dress from Jax. Originally $108, Ideeli price $39.

This ruffled cardigan from Sweet Romeo is absolutely adorable, and great for transitioning into warmer weather. Originally $72, Ideeli price $32.

If you’re not a member of Ideeli, go to www.ideeli.com/invite/beautifymylife to sign up and shop the sales. Happy shopping!

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Posted in Discounts, Fashion, Online shopping

Review: Barbar's eco-friendly hair dryer

Posted on January 18, 2010 | 1 Comment

We take hair dryers for granted. They blow hot air and dry our hair (sorry for the rhyme), so there’s not all that much to differentiate one from the other. Or at least, it seems that way.

With green products becoming all the rage in fashion and beauty, it was only a matter of time before our hair products followed suit. I was given the opportunity to try out the new eco-friendly blow dryer from Barbar, the ECO 8000 Blow Dryer. Here are all of the technical details:

The Barbar ECO 8000 Blow Dryer uses the latest in technology by having an eco-friendly ceramic heating element, as opposed to all standard dryers that have a coil heating element. The difference is use of electricity & output of radiation. The ECO 8000 has 5.0 mG (milligauss) output radiation. A standard 1,800 WATT dryer has over 200.0 mG! This amount of mG is comparable to the radiation output of a microwave. The ceramic heating element lasts 5x longer than a coil heating element. The ceramic heating element uses 90% electricity, turning it into heat. No energy is wasted, but saved. The coil heating element wastes electricity because it doesn’t use it, thus turning it into radiation. Unused electricity turns into radiation! The BARBAR ECO 8000 is truly eco-friendly; everything a blow dryer should be and much more.

In summary: the ECO 8000 is better for the environment, better for your body, and better for your electric bills. Which is all great, but irrelevant if the user experience stinks. And I’ll be honest, when I heard that the wattage was a lot lower than your average blow dryer, I was skeptical. If there’s one thing I can’t deal with, it’s a weak blow dryer. Just ask my sister — I complain about hers every time I use it.

The good news is, the ECO 8000 could nearly take your head off with the strength of air flow…and I mean that in the best way possible. For those who don’t have the thick hair that I do, there are lower heat and flow settings that you’d probably find to your liking.

Overall, I can’t say that the experience is vastly difference from a traditional blow dryer, but if everything else is equal and this dryer is more eco-friendly, that’s an easy decision for me.

The BARBAR ECO 8000 retails for $150, but Barbar has been kind enough to offer a 50% discount to Beautify My Life readers. Use code Blog4fun through March 31st to receive the discount. And if you’re not in the market for a blow dryer, Barbar also makes flat irons, curling irons and more.

Happy shopping!

Disclosure: Press sample provided by Barbar Hair.

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Posted in Beauty, Discounts, Eco-friendly, Hair products, Reviews

Sale alert: Loeffler Randall goodies

Posted on January 5, 2010 | 2 Comments

Warning: this sale alert is NOT for the super budget conscious. But if you like high end designers at still expensive but not crazy expensive prices, keep reading :) Loeffler Randall has some gorgeous shoes and clothing on sale for as much as 50% off. This is a really fun, edgy designer that successfully walks that fine line of being fashion-forward, but still wearable for the average person. And of course, here are my favorites from the sale.

Esther platform pump. Originally $425, now $255.
Triangle fold dress. Originally $375, now $255.
Marti flat buckle boot. Originally $895, now $537.
Knit combo coat. Originally $695, now $417.
Layered skirt. Originally $350, now $263.
Happy shopping!
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Posted in Clothes, Designer, Discounts, Fashion, Sale alert, Shoes

Sale alert: The Outnet

Posted on December 31, 2009 | 1 Comment

If you’ve never been on The Outnet before, it’s a discount shopping site that offers extremely high end fashion items at MAJOR discounts. Kind of like Ideeli, Rue La La, etc. except that it’s not put together in sales by individual designers. I know I’m describing this terribly, but go check it out.

Anywho, The Outnet is currently having a major sale on more than 70 items. The clothes are already hugely discounted (I’m talking up to 80% off) and then there’s an additional 50% discount temporarily.

I just got this Marc Jacobs blouse (originally $228) for $22!!

Get there fast–quantities are very limited! Happy shopping :)

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Posted in Clothes, Discounts, Fashion, Online shopping, Sale alert

Beauty Week on HauteLook

Posted on November 9, 2009 | Leave a comment

This week is Beauty Week on HauteLook, one of the many discount shopping sites that I frequent. They’ve got some great sales lined up:

shu uemura — 11/9 (today, obviously)
MD Skincare — 11/10
MOR — 11/11
Juice Beauty — 11/12
Tei Spa — 11/13

Expect some great items for sale. The shu uemura sale just went live a few minutes ago and it includes their famous eyelash curler, cult favorite cleansing beauty oil, and some gorgeous eye and lip colors.

If you’re not a member yet, you can sign up here: http://www.hautelook.com/invite/beautifymylife. Now excuse me while I go blow my paycheck ;)

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Posted in Beauty, Discounts, Makeup, Online shopping

Cozy up with a pashmina

Posted on October 8, 2009 | 1 Comment

I don’t know about you, but I own a pashmina in every color of the rainbow (except maybe orange), and several in between. When it gets cold out, I wear one almost every day, whether as a scarf or a wrap. And with all kinds of outfits from jeans and a tshirt, to a little black dress at a wedding.

So, when Pashmina International asked if I’d be interested in checking out their wares, it was not a hard sell. They kindly sent me a beautiful pale blue pashmina so that I could see/feel it for myself. If you’re a pashmina fan, you know that they range from the $5 version often found on the streets of New York City, to designer versions which can set you back hundreds of dollars. And the quality of the products often fits the saying “you get what you pay for.”

Pashmina International prides itself on using authentic pashmina materials:

All our products are made from fine Chinese and Indian silk blended with Himalayan cashmere wool, to create soft pashmina. We only buy from countries will access to the real thing – India, Nepal and China. We do not sell or supply any viscose, acrylic or other low-quality fabric – everything you buy from us is guaranteed to be the real thing.

I have to tell you, I could certainly feel the difference from my cheapie street vendor purchases. And with most of their shawls in the $25-35 range, these are much less expensive than similar versions that you might find in a department store.

If you’re looking to stock up for the fall and winter, Pashmina International is offering a discount to all Beautify My Life readers. Through December 31, 2009, use the discount code “beautifymylife” to receive 12% off of your order.

Happy shopping!

Disclosure: Press sample provided by Pashmina International.
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Sale alert: BCBG on Gilt Fuse

Posted on September 28, 2009 | Leave a comment

I posted back in early August about Gilt Fuse, the new lower-priced designer sale site launched by the Gilt Group. I haven’t posted about it since, but I have been keeping an eye on the sales. And while I haven’t bought anything yet, there have been some great deals that have caught my eye. While Gilt sales tend to be pretty expensive despite deep discounts, Gilt Fuse offers a lot more options at the $50-$200 price range, which is much more my speed.

If you haven’t registered to receive sale alerts yet, you can sign up via this link: http://www.giltfuse.com/invite/beautifymylife.

If you’re not a member yet, I’d highly recommend joining today, because they have a BCBG sale starting today at 12pm EST. And I don’t know about you, but I love me some BCBG.

Another notable sale this week is LNA, which will start at noon on Wednesday. Remember the cute LNA tee I posted about last week in my Lucky Mag roundup? I’m crossing my fingers that they have something similar for sale.

Happy shopping!

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Posted in Discounts, Lucky Magazine, Online shopping