Even though I’m usually a fan of black & white in polka dots, houndstooth, or zebra print, I’m getting on board the stripe trend for spring, especially since there are so many different versions of this skirt to pick from. This includes the plus size a.n.a. striped maxi skirt ($19.99) from JC Penney & Dress Barn‘s Roz & Ali two-toned striped maxi skirt ($30.00), which will pair nicely with solid tops in red, pink, or mint. You can find the third option @Forever 21, which is the striped jersey maxi skirt ($15.80), available in sizes XS – L.

My fourth selection is the BCBG striped knit maxi skirt ($48.30) from Last Call by Neiman Marcus, which has been marked down from its original $98.00 price tag. Lastly, the TWO by Vince Camuto nautical stripe maxi skirt ($79.00) from Zappos offers a summer-ready look for boat shoes & a crochet tank.

Which striped skirt do you like the best? How much would you spend on a maxi skirt this season? For more posts from Splurge or Save? check out black peplum tanks inspired by Naya Rivera & Amy Adams, leather moto jackets from True Religion & Jil Sander, Kim Kardashian’s silver Jimmy Choo pumps, & pink skinny jeans by Michael Kors & Ann Taylor! Happy Styling!

Style muse Olivia Palermo matches a tweed Rebecca Taylor top with skinny jeans & silver pumps. Indian beauty Freida Pinto took in Burberry Prorsum‘s recent runway show in a jewel tone ensemble. Aussie actress Cate Blanchett attended the Dubai International Film Festival in a peplum top by Peter Pilotto with a pencil skirt & studded evening sandals.

When you’re planning to invest in a trendy piece, it’s always important to consider how often you’ll wear it to get the most for your money. This is especially true in the case of the Trina Turk peplum top ($228.00) from Nordstrom, which is also available in pink & white to lighten up your tougher looks as we transition from winter to spring. For a more relaxed look, you can head over to ShopBop for the Only Hearts ladder back peplum camisole ($110.00) to wear with skinny jeans, liquid leggings, or a satin mini skirt. Banana Republic‘s ponte knit peplum top ($49.50) offers a chic alternative to stuffy work looks with suit separates or printed trousers.

At a lower price point, the Romeo & Juliet Couture high-low peplum blouse ($34.30) from Last Call by Neiman Marcus has been recently marked down from its original $130.00 price tag. For my curvier Style Darlings, the Mossimo sleeveless peplum top ($22.99) is available @Target in sizes XS – XXL. Also, it’s sold in white stripes & orange stripes so that you can play with prints & mix it with a pair of floral cropped pants or a polka dot skirt. Lastly, the most affordable is the zip back peplum tank ($17.94) from Express, however sizes are limited & will probably run out due to the store’s current 40% off sale.

Clearly, peplums are pretty easy to find so many varieties, especially sleeveless ones that are perfect for layering over long-sleeved shirts in the cooler months, over a sheath dress to add more structure, & with any & every bottom in your current wardrobe. Do you follow the peplum trend? How do you like to wear it? For more from Splurge or Save?, check out previous posts including blue leather moto jackets, Kim Kardashian’s silver pointy toe Jimmy Choo pumps, pink jeans from Michael Kors & J Brand, Diane Kruger’s floral Stella McCartney pants, & polka dot pants from White House Black Market & Ralph Lauren. Happy Styling!

This is the BEST time to stock up on winter boots, coats, sweater, etc. You can never have enough luxe basics. Remember, winter is hard on your clothes and shoes especially if you have to put up with snow like I do. The average shoe life cycle should only be about 1-2 years for a few reasons. First, shoes are not made to last forever. Second, shoes accumulate bacteria from our feet which can cause fungus growth and that can result in athletes foot or fungal infections. Gross!

You would be an absolute fool if you didn’t at least see what this sale has to offer. Neimans has done all the work for you by creating a specific website just for this sale. Indulge in some guilt-free shopping. I know they says money can’t buy happiness, but clearly they don’t know where to shop. Thank you Neimans, I love you!

xoxo

H

First things first, the shops in thisoutlet mall are indoors – so it doesn’t matter what the weather or temperature is like outside. Because Jersey Gardens is an Urban Enterprise Zone, sales tax on non-clothing items is only 3.5% and there is zero sales tax on clothing items – you’ll save money even before you benefit from the low outlet mall prices! There were over200 shops in the mall but quite a few were disappointing with very little selection and/or sizes. Big name shops like Last Call by Neiman Marcus, Saks Fifth Avenue, Nike, Abercrombie Outlet and Calvin klein were massive letdowns.

There are no real “good” restaurants in the mall. With the exception of Johnny Rockets, the rest are clustered in the food court…Sbarro, Nathan’s Famous, Great Steak & Potato Co, to name a few.

This is a very touristy place – everywhere you look you will see an Asian, Hispanic or European. The only reason I will return to this mall is because of its proximity to New York City and that Woodbury is a long drive away. This is the true truth as i say it as it is…

Last Call by Neiman Marcus was especially generous with the bloggers, gifting us with the below beautiful black handbag, cuff bracelet and heart necklace. They also included gift cards to both Last Call and Simon Malls (applicable to any shop in the Great Mall).

Always the smart shopper that I am, I waited until I had ample time to spend in the South Bay then high tailed it to Milpitas to spend my winnings. I arrived, grabbed a Starbucks, took a deep breath and dove into some serious shopping. Firstly I did a few laps around the mall to scour my options then started in with my store-specific cards.

J. Crew is one of my happy places. Though the preppy, Hamptons-esque look is generally not my style (I lean more towards messy, chic boho) there is something about the crisp linens and soft stripes in J. Crew that makes me weak in the knees. Their claim to “make the best t-shirts in the world – literally” is sincerely the truth. Fortunately, they were 40% off! I indulged in a short-sleeved white v-neck, a teal ¾ sleeve boat-neck and a cozy crimson/grey striped cardigan (for $13!). J. Crew was also particularity generous with gift cards and coupons (immensely appreciated!)

My next purchase was at Aldo, where I scored these adorbz pink creepers for $40. Seriously, who doesn’t love a bargain? They’re a delightful spring accessory and uber comfortable. The ‘bowling shoe look’ is charming and pairs perfectly with various ensembles.

I then headed to Last Call by Neiman Marcus where I was on the prowl for premium denim. A downside to outlet malls: searching through unorganized piles of clothing can be challenging and frustrating. While I settled for the perfect pair of Joes Jeans, it took me hours to find them. Literally. The staff I encountered at the bloggers event were lovely and helpful, but the staff working the floor were uninterested at best. The saving grace was Belinda, my original cashier, who made the suggestion that I go down a size with the Joes because they stretch like crazy. I’m so grateful she mentioned it (they are the most comfortable jeans I have ever owned, but they seriously form to your body). However it was slightly frustrating that no one helped me pick them out or offered that advice during my long stint in the fitting room (I tried on about 20 pairs, each of which I found on my own, making multiple trips to the fitting room). At her suggestions I retreated back to the Joe’s table attempting to find the next size down. After rifling through every pair it was obvious my dream pants weren’t there. Belinda was helpful at finding the jeans at another store and having them shipped to me (for $7). However, the rest of the staff seemed to have a bit of an attitude and didn’t necessarily make me feel very welcome or comfortable (Was it because I was shopping with gift cards? I still haven’t quite figured it out.) Either way, I scored dreamy denim originally priced at $172 for $65, so I can’t complain *too* much.

I definitely plan on making a trip to the Great Mall the next time I’m in the South Bay. While the shopping experience isn’t the same as a standard department store the sale prices are absolutely worth it. There were various other shops I didn’t pursue, and I can only assume there are many more deals to be had. Take a trip to Milpitas and let me know what you thought in the comments below!

Flats

Yours Truly,

♥ tiaShanee

Original post via A Girl’s New Best Friend… CitySlips.

I love the holidays (and not just Christmas either). Why? With the holidays come the sales, duh! Since some sales have already started for this Labor Day weekend, I just thought I’d do my American duty and share with you major discounts that retailers are offering:

7 FOR ALL MANKIND
Up to 50% off denim, sportswear, footwear and accessories, plus free shipping on all orders. Prices as marked. Ends Mon. 9/3.

BLOOMINGDALE’S
Big Brown Bag Sale: save up to 40% on huge selection of merchandise. Free shipping over $150. Prices as marked. Ends Mon. 9/3.

C&C CALIFORNIA
30% off sitewide with code CCLABOR30 at checkout. Free shipping over $99. Ends Tue. 9/4.

CLUB MONACO
Extra 30% off already-reduced styles & free shipping on all US orders. Discount applies at checkout. Ends Tue. 9/4.

DIANE von FURSTENBERG
30% off select styles with code SURPRISE at checkout. Ends Mon. 9/3.

INTERMIX
Extra 50% off already-reduced prices & free shipping over $150. Discount applies at checkout. Ends Mon. 9/3.

ISAAY.COM
50% off sitewide sale with code LABOR50 at checkout. Free shipping on all US orders. Ends Mon. 9/3.

KENNETH COLE ONLINE OUTLET
30-60% off online outlet only. Visit the site. Ends Tues. 9/4.

LAST CALL by NEIMAN MARCUS
Extra 30% off sitewide sale, discount applies at checkout. Ends Mon. 9/3.

NAUTICA
30% off entire order with code LABORDAY12 at checkout. Free shipping over $100. Exclusions apply. Ends Tue. 9/4.

NINE WEST
Extra 25% off select sale styles & free shipping over $50. Discount applies at checkout. Ends Mon. 9/3.

NORDSTROM
Shoe clearance up to 40% off & free shipping on all orders. Ends Sun. 9/16.

RALPH LAUREN
Extra 40% off selection of already-reduced prices & free shipping over $195. Discount applies at checkout. Ends Wed. 9/5.

REI
Up to 30% off on outdoor gear and clothing & free shipping over $50. Prices as marked. Ends Mon. 9/3.

STEVE MADDEN
20% off all orders with code BOOT20 at checkout. Free shipping over $75. Exclusions apply. Ends Tue. 9/4.

TORY BURCH
Spend $300 get 20% off, spend $500 get 25% off, spend $750 get 30% off with code WEEKEND at checkout. Free shipping over $300. Ends Mon. 9/3.

YOOX.COM
Up to an extra 80% off on Spring/Summer collection. Prices as marked. Ends Tue. 9/11.

You’ve labored long enough. Shop. Be happy. You deserve it!
I know, I know. You still have a sad face on. It’s okay. Don’t pout! You didn’t think I that I was going to post just that small list, did you?
Check out Penny Pincher Fashion’s Sales Alerts. She updates it everyday. Hooray for sales!

Happy shopping and thanks for reading! Xx

Well you are in luck, they have a great sale going on now! EVERYTHING online is an additional 30% off of the already reduced outlet price. Happy Shopping my friends! There is SO much to look at! From Equipment blouses, to designer denim, even Loeffler Randall shoes, some amazing handbags too! I recently snagged a great one!

totes, Jack Rogers Sandals, high-heel, nude wedge, dress, peplum top, aztec jeans 

*I think the aztec jeans are next on my list!

]]> http://lgfdev.wordpress.com/2012/06/20/last-call/ Thu, 21 Jun 2012 02:52:07 +0000 notdigitalbender http://lgfdev.wordpress.com/2012/06/20/last-call/ I have written several times about my love for outlet shopping, well recently that love has grown even stronger. I may be a little late on this, but Last Call by Neiman Marcus {online outlet} is amazing! I signed up for their email list and lately they have had several amazing flash sales! Where the entire site goes on sale.

Well you are in luck, they have a great sale going on now! EVERYTHING online is an additional 30% off of the already reduced outlet price. Happy Shopping my friends! There is SO much to look at! From Equipment blouses, to designer denim, even Loeffler Randall shoes, some amazing handbags too! I recently snagged a great one!

totes, Jack Rogers Sandals, high-heel, nude wedge, dress, peplum top, aztec jeans 

*I think the aztec jeans are next on my list!

]]> http://popsiculture.wordpress.com/2012/06/01/fashionably-frugal-friday-cameron-diaz-in-stella-mccartney/ Fri, 01 Jun 2012 16:22:27 +0000 popsiculture11 http://popsiculture.wordpress.com/2012/06/01/fashionably-frugal-friday-cameron-diaz-in-stella-mccartney/ My blog is ever evolving, so I’ve decided to change Fun Fashion Friday to Fashionably Frugal Friday.  Try saying that three times fast.  This week I’m showcasing Cameron Diaz.  Diaz wore a white Stella McCartney jumpsuit to the London premier of “What to Expect When You’re Expecting” last week.

What to Expect When You’re Expecting UK Film Premiere
Photo Credit: Getty

There are several reasons I should not have picked this look.  First,  I’m not a huge Cameron Diaz fan.  I think she’s extremely overrated as an actress.  She has gone on the record several times saying she has no desire to be a mother.  That’s fine, but she keeps getting cast as one, and she’s not good enough to pull it off.  Did you see “My Sister’s Keeper?”  That’s all I have to say about that.  I feel so much better now that I got that off my chest.

Secondly, white is not my favorite color for clothes or shoes, unless it’s a t-shirt.  But I love, love, love a jumpsuit!  I’m so glad they are making a comeback.  This look is easy and modern and would work for several different functions.  Throw on a blazer and you could even wear a jumpsuit to work.

Lastly, I feel like the pants are a little too long.  Maybe there wasn’t time to hem them?  I’m not sure.  In any case, I chose this look for its simplicity and the fact that I want jumpsuits to come back and stay a while.

Her Look:

Stella McCartney White Jumpsuit – I couldn’t find this exact jumpsuit, but other Stella McCartney jumpsuits retail for $1,000 – $3,000.  I found two options.  The first, by BCBGMaxAzria, is very similar, but has a wider leg and a belt.  It’s $199 at Last Call by Neiman Marcus.

The second is for those of us that might not be so comfortable in a strapless design, but there is still sexiness with the illusion neckline and open back.  It’s from Zara and sells for $79.90.  It also comes in black.  Yes!

http://www.zara.com

White Clutch Purse – I can’t find the brand of this clutch, but I did find a similar one with this Tommy Hilfiger fold-over clutch at Amazon.com.  It retails for $68.

Tommy Hilfiger Clutch http://www.amazon.com

Satin Platform Sandal – Again, I’m not doing too well on finding out what brands Diaz wore besides the jumpsuit, but I am doing well finding alternatives.  These Enzo Angiolini Saniano Peep Toe Pumps from Amazon.com in natural satin are a perfect accompaniment to the white jumpsuit.  They sell for $85.45.

Enzo Angiolini Saniano Pump http://www.amazon.com

Kimberly McDonald Earrings – Diaz’s teardrop, striped, chalcedony and diamond earrings in 18-carat yellow gold probably cost as much as a car.  From what I can see, McDonald’s designs run in price from $3,000 – $19,000.  These Kendra Scott ‘Danielle’ oval statement earrings from Nordstrom.com are $58 and will give the same effect.

Kendra Scott ‘Danielle’ Earrings http://www.nordstrom.com

Have a great weekend!

I absolutely love Neiman Marcus. Housing several brands under one roof, this luxury department store has something to offer everyone. But if your shopping habits are anything like mine, one trip can lave your wallet in a serious depression. But wait…there’s hope! I was extremely excited to discover Last Call by Neiman Marcus, thanks to my parents. The discount version of Neiman Marcus has several shops cross-country, as well as a fantastic website, lastcall.com. But don’t be fooled; just because it’s categorized as a “discount shop”, doesn’t mean it offers any sub-par merchandise. In fact, it carries many of the same brand names as it’s umbrella store, including Alexander Wang, Badgley Mischka, Haute Hippie, Stella McCartney, Andrew Marc and Elizabeth & James, to name a few.

What leaves me a loyal Last Call customer for life are their awesome “extra” sales. Prices are already severely discounted compared to original retail prices, so it’s an awesome added bonus to receive any extra percentage off. For example, today Last Call is offering an extra 30% off of handbags, shoes and jewelry (both in-store and online), where you can scoop up some of your favorite high-end pieces, at some very low-end prices. Even more exciting news is their free shipping offer on orders over $75! Just use the code LCMAY75 at checkout, and check out some of my favorite handbag and shoe selections while you’re at it:

Lauren Merkin – Lucy Embossed Patent Leather Clutch in Lemon, $175 (plus extra 30% off at checkout) on sale

Click here to purchase

Oryany – Willow Snake-Print Clutch in Rose, $180 (plus extra 30% off at checkout) on sale

Click here to purchase

BCBGMAXAZRIA – Sequin Snake-Print Clutch, $115 (plus extra 30% off at checkout) on sale

Click here to purchase

Yves Saint Laurent – Baobab Platform Wedge Sandal, $897 (plus extra 30% off at checkout) on sale

Click here to purchase

Sergio Rossi – Colourblock Suede Platform Pump, $669 (plus extra 30% off at checkout) on sale

Click here to purchase

Mark + James by Badgley Mischka – Mariola Suede Bootie in Black, $195 (plus extra 30% off at checkout) on sale

Click here to purchase

Click here to visit the Last Call website in its entirety.

Today I am wearing a 70′s inspired floral cotton dress, forest green tights, and purple knit hat from Forever21, a forest green merino wool cover-up from Marshalls, gold and blue tier disc earrings, brown faux leather belt, rabbit fur 525 America infinity scarf and cognac leather & rabbit fur Neiman Marcus gloves from Last Call by Neiman Marcus, cognac leather knee boots from Bakers Shoes.

Last Call by Neiman Marcus has been having a sale with select items an additional 30-65 percent off! I was then surprised to find that if you were in the store you received a coupon for an additional 40 percent off of one item on top of the 30-65 percent off! Love it! I found five pieces for the price of one! Stay tuned to see what I found…

© Miller Mobley Photography

Where are you from and how long have you lived in New York City? I am from Birmingham, Alabama and have lived in New York City for 28 years.

Tell me a little bit about your journey to get here and was New York a place where you hoped to end up? Oh I knew from grade school. I mean, I just knew. I went to Vanderbilt. God knows, I had a scholarship and all that. A full ride because my dad had run out of money. By the time I was heading to Vanderbilt, I had all this pressure from my aunts. Fit in, fit in, act normal, become a Theta. By the time rush came around, I was smoking pink Sobranies with a cigarette holder and sitting in class wearing a bra and fur coat. So I was already not fitting in. I was considered a freak. I always had a total alternative life to the Vanderbilt life. It wasn’t great for me, but looking back I think it was good that I was a big fish in a small pond. I actually went back recently and did at lecture for the Owen School.

When I graduated, I moved to New York right away. I lied and told everyone I was going to Yale Divinity School…but as soon as I got here, I immediately got into fashion. I was going to make it here. I had no money. None. I lived on pizza and worked three jobs. I was even a maid!

The first year you moved here, what little things did you do that contributed to your success? I just took on everything. I started out just doing menswear sales for Liberty Trouser Company and then they decided to do a boys division- they brought in a designer and I wanted to work and learn from him. So I told my bosses I would do both. I did design in the boys section, sales for the boys wear, continued to do key account sales for the menswear…So after a year, I had learned so much and taken on so much responsibility that I made myself indispensable.  They could not function without me.

After a year, I was the highest paid boys wear salesperson in the industry. Everybody wanted me. I would work like a dog. Got to work before my bosses. I would literally go to work with my hair in curlers but I was doing all the volume, so no one could say anything to me.

So tell me a little more about your career journey? After those first few jobs I, along with my ex-husband, created Kleinberg Sherrill, a luxury accessories company that became famous for its alligator bags. We sold to Bergdorfs, Saks, Neiman Marcus, Barneys, everywhere. I was completely focused on Kleinberg Sherrill all throughout my 20s. After losing the business is my divorce, I thought I’d lost my soul. I’d lost my store, my brand, my home. I started writing columns for a few magazines and wrote a couple of books, I started doing TV, I was doing design for a store in Birmingham, consulting for 1stdibs…I had to pay the bills.

I learned a ton and gained a lot of confidence through those tough years. The Thompsons, Hall and Patricia Thompson from Birmingham, decided to step in and be a blessing to me, because they believed in my current handbag project, Annabelle by Marcia Sherrill. It’s a younger, happy and upbeat, kind of preppy collection-named after my daughter Annabelle. So I am now focused on that along with Sherrill Ltd., which is a high end accessories line that uses only American alligator and 18Karat gold hardware.

I still have many goals…I want to host my own TV show. A show where I help women. My goal is to guide women who need advice, counseling, who need to be connected, who need to gain the confidence to start over and to execute their ideas, who need to do something for themselves. I also wrote a book about my divorce called Invisible Wounds. It’s being shopped around with a few agents right now and it’s very important to me to get it published.

When you were transitioning from Alabama to New York, what were the biggest things you had to overcome? I had to get over a lot of my Southern-ness. And I don’t think I really did that until I was in my 40s. What I mean by that is, I was taught to be so polite…I was so used to the – help everybody, but ask for nothing – mentality. And that you don’t reveal that you have problems. When I went through my divorce, it was the first time I admitted to having problems. I had  to overcome that and learn to say, “I need help.” I was raised to do for everybody else and worry about myself last. And it is important to do for other people, but it’s also important to gain the confidence to look out for yourself.

Last book you read? Julian Barnes, The Sense of an Ending…really great. The Leftovers by Tom Perrotta.  I read three books a week and am a member of two book clubs in New York – one that’s so fancy, the authors come and speak! The New York Observer came and did a story on that book club. As far as books I think would be beneficial for anyone to read, Napoleon Hill’s Think and Grow Rich and Outliers by Malcolm Gladwell. Outliers tells the truth. It’s not an accident that I’m a handbag designer. It’s not like I just came out of the box with the talent. You’ve got to DO IT for 10,000 hours. And for fiction, I’m a To Kill a Mockingbird kind of gal!

One of the biggest differences you see between NYC and the South…something other than one of the more obvious answers? New York is a meritocracy. It’s based on merit.  In the south, people become used to running with a very set crowd.  People don’t go outside their crowd. If you live in New York and go to a big dinner party- it could be you, a florist, hairdresser, designer, photographer, and the person throwing the party might be a hedge fund person. New York is a place where people want to be around interesting people. New York places value on who is the most interesting person in the room. So if you are a creative, you are a commodity, and you start to meet all of these people who want to connect you and act kind of like cheerleaders on the side. That’s a huge difference, in my opinion. In the South most people stick with the same people that they grew up with. Here, you are constantly surrounded by diverse groups of people.

What about the opposite of that question…What is something about New York City that reminds you of Alabama? I will literally go to my neighborhood grocery store after they are closed,  in my nightgown, with my dog…and they will always let me in. One time I was in a cab on the way to a black tie party and realized I had no cash or debit card…the driver pulled over, I ran into my deli, and they lent me $100.00. If you live here long enough, people will take care of you. People come to know and trust you, just as if you were living in a smaller city. I live as if New York is my personal country club. I have tabs everywhere….the grocery store, the dry cleaners, wherever! New York can feel like a really small town. People think it’s cold and indifferent, but it’s exactly the opposite.

What are your favorite neighborhoods in New York? Of course I love Soho and the Village. Of course. But, I’m an Upper East Side girl, I hate to admit it! It’s like you have to make the migration. You start out in the Village, and then you move up a little bit,  and then BAM…you have a kid and you live on the Upper East Side.

Style Icons? Oh my gosh. Lagerfield. That’s it for me. Karl Lagerfeld is it. And Tom Ford. Because they do it all. I really admire designers who do their own homes, their own furniture, the ad campaigns, the stores…if it were left up to me, I would design my own car. I always wanted to have a 1996 Lincoln Town Car painted red with red alligator! I admire those who live, eat, breath, and sleep design. My two women are Linda Fargo at Bergdorf Goodman and Candy Pratts Price.

Do you have any possessions that you are attached to? My Frank Fleming sculptures. My handbag collection that my godmother started me on. My oil paintings and alligator chairs. And my dog. Other than that, I’m not really married anything, I mean, I’ve lost households of furniture going through my divorce. You have to just let it go. It’s just stuff and it’s not what makes you valuable.

Favorite restaurants? David Burke’s restaurants of course…David Burke and Donatella. Both fantastic. The Waverly Inn has always been a favorite. The Boom Boom Room is a gorgeous spot for drinks. And Robert at the Museum of Arts and Design, not for the food, but for the views. And I LOVE Shake Shack and JG Melon.

A few of your favorite shops? Obviously Bergdorfs. I love Scoop. I hate to admit it, but I’m a big online shopper. I love Last Call by Neiman Marcus and 1stdibs. The chicest store in the world is 10 Corso Como in Milan.

Do you have any advice for people who want to raise their children here in New York? This is the best city in the world to raise children. The reason it’s so easy to raise your kids in this city is because you don’t have to drive. And most people have live in help. They are unbelievably cheap and unbelievably happy to have the job…they are so great and loving.

New York city is a walking city, a cabbing city. You don’t have to waste quality time together in a car. By the time children are 11 years old, they can take public transportation alone. My daughter must have done 5 after school activities at a time all through her childhood and everything was literally within 10 blocks. And when they turn 16, you don’t have to worry about them driving!!

Everyone indulges children here and really takes care of them. Sometimes it feels like raising your child in a small village. And these kids are so savvy…They have traveled, they are worldly, kids will eat sushi and use chopsticks by the age of three. In lower school, my daughter would take field trips to the MET and the Natural History Museum- it is a totally different life for a kid. And the kids are blessed by going to school with diverse kids and parents- parents in all sorts of different career fields.They end up getting incredible internships and job opportunities as a result. It’s such a rich experience for children.

Do you have any advice for those hoping to move to the city? Connections, connections, connections. Look for every mentor you can find. You meet older people from Alabama or from the south, and they are going to help you. Reach out.

Also, the things that are your hobby, can wind up being your job. So I always tell people to follow your passions. I know that sounds trite, but you have to stream your time and energy into your passions. If you have a 9 to 5 but are working hard on the side doing something you really, really love, that thing on the side can wind up being your job. You just CAN’T GET LAZY. Not only the most talented people are in New York, but the most perseverant. A lot of people move here and then they leave. If you persevere and you make it here, have your children here….you automatically gain a certain level of respect.

Is there anything you miss about the south?  Of course family. I have 45 first cousins on one side. I think Birmingham is beautiful physically. And I need that downtime. New York is so supercharged that being in Birmingham is nice because I can truly relax. I could never completely leave Alabama. I keep a place there and my dream is to buy my grandfather’s old house there. You can’t get the Alabama out of the girl!

So I took one crappy viscose jumper from H&M (read: Sweater, for the non-Irish) in a colour that can only be described as Clown Lipstick Pink or Cheap Hooker Coral and lashed a few outfits together to show how industrious I am. I actually do like this jumper. It’s big and slouchy and warm enough for the current Irish weather: gale-force winds that are slowly blowing us closer to the English coast, or with a bit of luck, towards Iceland!, and icky spitting rain. I’m so glad I came home….*sigh*

To start, this is the outfit I wore on my (brief) charity afternoon with my mum.

Jumper: H&M

Scarf: H&M

Black slip: Marks & Spencer

Tights: probably Marks & Spencer

Boots: Office

So I took the crappy H&M jumper and put it with a gorgeous red sequinned belt from a cool vintage shop in Brussels. In my mind, this colour red should not have gone well with the colour of the jumper but it just worked. I later added a primary red wool scarf – my new favourite thing which I am wearing right now – and again, it should have been an offense to the eye to pair these colours together but they just went oooohhh!

In order to demonstrate how good the red belt and corally-colour jumper look together, I had to lie down on the floor and look pensive. But look how clean my carpet is!

Time for outfit Number Two, which has been road-tested. I liked the sort of eighties feel of the big, baggy jumper and skinny stone-washed jeans (I think I’d had recently been studying Demi Moore’s look in About Last Night). I don’t know if my pirate boots count as eighties, they’re just fun for me.

Jeans: BDG from Urban Outfitters

Pirate Boots: Irregular Choice on ModCloth.com

Smoosh up the sleeves….

Look at my range! Sorting through a big jumbled pile of jewellery.

And now for look Number Three, my personal favourite – perfect for blustery days! I think this look needs tights…

Jacket: Zara

Skirt: Lafayatte 148 on super sale through Last Call for Neiman Marcus, via ShopStyle.com

Brogues: Office

Yep, there it is. Perfection.

Pictured Above:

Maternity Red Stripe Elasticized Waist Tunic, $45, Topshop

Badgley Mischka Formslag Satin Pump, $159.99, Last Call by Neiman Marcus

Franchi Handbags, $128.80, Zappos

House of Harlow 1960 Olivia Clutch in Red Croco, $220, The Trend Boutique

Blackwatch Slingbacks, $348, Anthropologie

Versace Crest-Embossed Medal Brooch, $225, Net-A-Porter

Kenneth Jay Lane Owl Pendant Necklace, $45, Last Call by Neiman Marcus

Watercolor Floral Scarf, $59.50, J. Crew

While spitting out food as a weight management technique– and good food at that– is worrisome and not something to imitate, I can relate to his feeling of wanting to indulge without paying the consequences, which is why I do something I call fake shopping. I go onto the website of my favorite online clothing retailer, NET-A-PORTER.com and create a shopping bag filled with silky Lanvin shoulder bags, snappy Smythe riding blazers, Stella McCartney suits, Roland Mouret dresses and Jason Wu gowns. In total, I easily rack up an imaginary $60,000 bill in clothing. Sometimes, I save the list, other times I just close out the window. It’s a strange habit and totally a waste of time, but, hey, it’s not harmful to health or my budget, and there’s no law against it– although I’m pretty sure clothing websites created time-limited shopping carts because of me.

The problem with this habit is that I know what’s out there; I’ve seen the best-of-the-best in the world of fashion. Now, a simple dress from a run-of-the-mill store just won’t cut it, so I’ve learned to be a bargain shopper. I NEVER pay retail and I love designer clothing. Sure, a pair of jeans for kickin’ around in on the weekend is essential. Or a maxi dress from Target. There’s no need to be a brand snob. But quality clothing looks better, feels better and you’ll feel more comfortable wearing it.

Here are five great sites to find designer clothing, (plus a bonus site) at discounted prices:

6 p.m.

http://www.6pm.com

Find savings up to 75 percent off on shoes, clothing for men and women, and handbags at this online outlet. I know, I know—tons of online outlets claim to offer massive discounts, but this one usually lives up to its reputation. They also carry a wide variety of brands and popular styles that have already sold out in stores.

Zappos

http://www.zappos.com

It’s no secret that Zappos has a good thing going on. Purchased by Amazon in 2009 for $1.2 billion, Zappos carries nearly every brand of shoe imaginable. They also sell clothing for women, men and children. With good discounts, a massive selection, lightning speed delivery and excellent customer service, Zappos is a great first-stop in the online shopping world when you want to browse a wide variety of items. Use the search bar at the top to narrow your criteria down by size, color, heel height and occasion.

The Outnet

http://www.theoutnet.com

What can I say? I. Love. This. Site. You can get excellent deals on designer clothing. But you have to act fast—the best items go quickly. Items with only a few left in stock will taunt you with a banner that reads, “Only a few left in this size!.” Other banners alert you to Outnet exclusives. I found several Adam dresses here for about $100. Other items, however, even deeply discounted are still in the astronomical price range. Despite this fact, I did create a “wishlist” where I can keep all of my favorite “imagine I have the budget to buy a $2,200 Missoni house coat, (originally $13,000!).”

Last Call by Neiman Marcus

http://www.lastcall.com/

Another site where you can find great deals on high-end duds, but you have to browse, and browse often.  If you’re a bargain shopper, don’t be intimidated by the fact it’s Neimans—the prices are really reasonable.

Light In The Box

http://www.lightinthebox.com/

Love the Marchesa dress your favorite celeb wore to a recent award show but can’t afford the 5-digit price? Buy a knock-off on this site that specializes in making custom designer-inspired dresses. I love that they can create something so couture-looking for less than $200 in most cases. You can even send your measurements, so they get the sizing just right.

Bonus:

Want nice things for your home? Don’t want to pay retail? Check out this site:

One Kings Lane

https://www.onekingslane.com

Buy fabulous pieces that look fit for a pied-à-terre in Paris. One could imagine the worn leather settees, gilded urns or faded butterfly framed prints that are often on sale were once decorating the estates of Marchesa Luisa Casati.