I don’t really get the whole “No white after Labor Day” saying…the practice (if there ever was one) was probably way before my time and amongst a social set I was not exactly a part of. In any case, white and Labor Day are somehow inextricably combined in my mind, so what better day to look into dyeing…er, bleaching your fashion blindingly, brilliantly white?
From my friends at Clorox: (more…)
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As all of you know, I love affordable shopping, and End-of-Summer sales are some of the best places to scoop up some great Fashion Finds on a budget. Enter Nordstrom Rack, a retailer that offers discounted designer brands year-round, and whose Clear the Racks Sale is legendary when it comes to getting the most bang for your hard-earned buck.
The downtown Portland store is a well-appointed two-story affair, filled with handbags, belts, shoes, jewelry, watches, sunglasses, lingerie, clothing, and men’s and kids’ clothing and shoes, as well as housewares, makeup, and beauty products.
In the bag section I spotted bags from Michal Kors, The Sak, Juicy Couture, Trina Turk, and Betsey Johnson. Check out the pebbling on this Badgley Mischka bag! ($159.97, marked down from $398)
The shoe section is vast, with Designer (high-end) shoes separated for the regular-priced merchandise, and then mixed in on the clearance racks. In the Designer section I saw Charles Jourdan, Via Spiga, Kate Spade, Ferragamo, DVF, and Stuart Weitzman – and most of the selection could be termed “work-appropriate” – i.e., perfect for the office.
Beautiful perforated Rag & Bone oxfords. ($179.90, marked down from $395)
I caught my breath at the pretty details on these Coach wedge sandals. $89.90, marked down from $150.
This is where huge deals are to be found: over on the clearance racks, where you can find shoes from Steve Madden, Nine West, Franco Sarto, and Frye, just to name a few.
Trying on an Elizabeth & James platform over-the-knee boot. ($99, marked down from-gasp!-$495) I’m really not sad at all; I was just having trouble seeing the viewfinder.;-)
These Badgley Mischka‘s felt as light as air. Now I know why women put so much stock in high-priced sandals – these were truly comfy!
Super, super steals are to be found in the basket on the desk where you request the matching shoe. Mostly larger sizes (like 9 & 10), but at 90% off there’s some amazing pieces tucked away there!
In the clothing section on the first floor there are some great pieces too, along with a large selection of outerwear and suiting, with Calvin Klein, Theory, Ella Moss, BCBG, and Vince.
A gorgeous stapled and pleated Huge BOSS dress. Can you read the label? $698 marked down to $189.97!
The contemporary area had tons of Paige Premium Denim, 7 for All Mankind, Free People, and True Religion.
But the place where I spent most of my time was at the Clearance Racks, where I found Tarte, Michael Kors, True Grit, and August Silk.
I dragged all this into the changing room. They have a 15-garment limit, which really helps!!
It took awhile, but I finally settled on these pieces to take home with me. I’m such a sucker for icy gray chiffon and wide-leg denim!!
I was given a gift card worth $100, and I managed to shop smart and stretch it to cover…
Brand-names! Huge discounts! And a full outfit to be had with just a little savvy shopping (though I probably wouldn’t wear it all together at once;-). So how much did each piece cost me?
I went the tiniest bit over the $100 because I picked up the golden mustardy-colored tights at the last second. (I’m feeling it as a trend for Fall!)
I got some pieces I’m really thrilled with – not necessarily because of the designer labels (though that is a perk) – it’s more the quality of each piece and the fact that, at its clearance price, it ends up being worth every penny. (Likely close to its At Cost price; or how much the company had to outlay to manufacture the piece, meaning that I just purchased these items with minimal markup. As a consumer on a budget that feels great!)
If you’d like to scoop up some bargains too, head over to a Rack near you (or check them out online), because these huge discounts will only last until September 5!
xoxo
Carly
FTC disclosure: I was provided a $100 gift card to Nordstrom Rack and allowed to use it towards any purchase from the store. See more about my disclosure policy here.
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Pink contrast-lining blazer: Zara (similar here)
White slubby translucent tee: eyeshadow (bought at Fred Meyer!!)
Faux tooth necklace: Forever 21 (similar here)
Beaded bracelets: handmade by me
Watch: Citizen Eco-Drive
Spiked Band Ring : Forever 21
Capri sweatpants: Forever 21 (similar here)
Wedge-heel espadrilles: Alloy Percy booties (similar here)
An outfit for a shopping event I can’t wait to share with all of you!
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1. OPI Here Today, Aragon Tomorrow Nail Lacquer
Summer is almost over, and Fall is quick on its heels! I always feel blindsided by Fall, because living here in Portland it doesn’t get into hot, sticky summer until the last couple weeks of August/first couple weeks of September. You’re like, “Summer’s finally here and I can break out my shorts!!” and then the next thing you know it, it’s September and everyone’s talking about Fashion Week and Fall trends.
This year we’re seeing a pretty, preppy ladylike leaning to the essential Fall wardrobe: charcoal and camel, punctuated by evergreens, plums, teals, and…mustard?! At first I was fairly put off by this color but I have to admit this sophisticated color palette is growing on me. In any case, here are a couple things that are on my wishlist once the weather here catches up with the actual calendar. (And how about that Message in a Bottle Necklace for a quick DIY??!)
xoxox
Carly
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My mother is currently visiting us so today we decided to take her out to see the Oregon coast since she’s never been before.
About a 2-hour drive away is Astoria, OR: a quaint old coastal fishing town that is bustling with tourists and locals alike on a Sunday. We went to the Sunday market, rode the trolley, had fantastic strawberry French toast at an organic cafe with an extremely chatty server and a fridge that had broken and spoiled their hand-made pizza dough, visited “Mikey’s house” from The Goonies movie, stared longingly at the too-cold-to-even-think-about-a-swim Pacific Ocean, saw purses with dogs’ faces quilted onto them, people with corn hats, and works of art rendered in coffee, and gazed on the grave of Ranald MacDonald (no, that’s not a typo – he was a missionary who visited Japan in 1848, believing that the Japanese and Native Americans were one and the same people, and was believed to be the first-ever English teacher in Japan). I poked in an architectural salvage shop and found a pile of glass door pulls and a crib with peeling (possibly lead-filled?) paint, and my mother bought a book of mazes for Lil Tot at The Purple Cow toy store. All in all, a good day.
xoxox
Carly
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Carly J. Cais I am a DIY’er, designer, sewist, maker, and marketer. Chic Creative Life is where I share what I do, and help others bring their unique style into their own lives.
