Shopping for Men

My recent shopping exploits, limited as they may be, have focused almost exclusively on man goods. Last week I scored some Vilebrequin at Gilt. (They have epic online sample sales. If you'd like an invite, just click here.) Some very St. Tropez trunks and a baby blue linen shirt for $225.--less than half what you'd pay at Saks or 16sur20. Not cheap, but what a value.

This week I indulged at Grapevinehill.com, which is one of my favorite sites for deals on men's shoes. I picked up a pair of loafers by Ralph Lauren (rumored to be made by Crockett and Jones!) for $228. Not bad, considering they retail for $695.



Disclaimer: These are not the loafers I purchased--mine were tassle-free, in black leather. I guess they sold out of them.

Which leads me to the purpose of this post: You too can snag a deal on Ralph Lauren or Moreschi (another fave) and a handful of other luxury names at Grapevine Hill for 30-60% off. But wait, do it before June 4th, and use code MOVE, and get AN ADDITIONAL 25% OFF!



Enjoy! Gotta go make dinner now. Brown rice pasta from Trader Joe's. Again.

Cheap Tweeps

A whole outfit for under a hundred and fifty? Sure, why not. Here's an $18.99 strappy cotton dress from Hanes (a great summer staple) accessorized with a bag, shoes and necklace from South Moon Under. (When you spend $100. there you get 20% off with code toutie ) So, if you go for the accessories you get $32. off, bringing the outfit total to about $135., give or take couple. Not bad. Roll over items for links and notes. (Click on item first, then the link.)


Create and post your own outfits at Toutie.com!

Mirror, Mirror (Mirror, Mirror, Mirror, Mirror)

Behold, the dress you can see yourself in




The Calypso Charo dress ($225.) is the best of the '70's (no, not an oxymoron, thank you) in one knockout number: maxi, embroidered, ruffled hem, tie dyed, mirrored---like summer camp couture! Love. If you want to do it up '70's style, shaving, as well as a bra, is optional.

Use code MDAY09 for 10% off at Calyspo until 5/10.

An Affordable Bayswater?

Don't have a thousand bucks to drop on a Mulberry Bayswater? Can't abide an "inspired-by" model? Well then, how about a Mulberry Bayswater in coated canvas:



This purple number, with studded leather detail, is billed as a "lightweight alternative" to a leather Bayswater. It's lighter on the wallet, too--ringing in at $650. Saves you a cool $350.

This stunner for summer is versatile enough for work, vacation, evenings out.

Available at Elements. Use code toutie in the "instructions" section at checkout for 10% off.

I'm Charles, and I'm here to save your life; I'm Gwyneth, and I hate fatties

WEtv just sent out an email promoting their new health and fitness show, I Want To Save Your Life, premiering April 25th at 10 PM.

Here's a sneak peek:



I have to say, I adore Charles Platkin. He offers plenty of caring, but is quick to call people on their b.s. Watch how he runs up to a rather hefty woman nursing a Cold Stone cone, and asks to take it from her. "You'll have to walk five hours to burn this off!" It's like a mobile intervention! And so entertaining. (As long as he's not offering to help you.) This is not your average diet show.

Also concerned with our ever-expanding asses is none other than Ms. Gwyneth Paltrow. Read all about it in today's NY Post:



"OVER the years, Mario "Fanta Pants" Batali's weight has ballooned along with his ego. It's gotten so bad, insiders said, that his pal Gwyneth Paltrow gave him a free membership to the pricey gym that she and her fitness friend Tracy Anderson are opening in TriBeCa this summer, saving him the $4,500 membership fee and monthly bills. An insider said, "Mario is the only fat friend she has, and wants him to change." A rep for Paltrow didn't return e-mails."

How very kind.

Beauty of a Buy

A bit late posting this (my apologies), but this piece on drugstore beauty buys is certainly a keeper:

Beauty on a Budget: Advice from a Stylist

Professional makeup artist Ann Orcutt gives readers the inside scoop on budget buys that really shine. For instance, L'Oreal Voluminous ($7.) is one of the best mascaras at any price.

Other highlights:

*Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Double Face Perfector is "almost an exact copy" of YSL's Touche Eclat. Of course, Maybelline is $9, while YSL is $40. (I'll have to check this one out. I am skeptical, I admit. Touche Eclat is always in the makeup bag, and I've yet to find anything that comes close. Also, not to nitpick, but I prefer the name. "Istant Age Rewind Double Face Perfector"? Only for aging, two-faced fraus? )

*Don't skimp on foundation. That's right, go to Bendels or Bergdorfs or Bloomies and sample. Find the exact shade for your skin, and buy. Get in and get out, with military precision---the longer you linger, the more you spend. Just get your foundation, and go. If that means some Krav Maga with the spritz girl, so be it.

*Don't skimp on makeup brushes. Buy the professional quality brushes, and treat them well. Wash them, dry them and store them accordingly. They will serve you well and last you for years.

*Don't waste your money on fancy cleansers. "There’s no point in spending $26 on something with grapeseed extract when you’re just going to rinse it off." Ms. Orcutt recommends Olay Foaming Fash Wash ($4.49), which is what she uses.

La Dolce Vita!

Sure, life might not seem so sweet these days. (By the way, taxes are due next week... You're welcome!) Picking up a pair of Choos to bouy your sinking spirits is no longer an option.

Or is it?

How about a pair of runway-inspired lovelies that will leave them guessing? The masters of outfitting the hoi polloi (Hi Mom!) with uncommon style, Dolce Vita, are having a storewide sale. Save 25% on the hottest styles for spring and summer:



Jaslyn, $165. (Get $25 off $100. with code 25off100 )



Cajun, $120. (Get $25. off $100. with code 25off100)

You got your glads, your platform pumps, your cutout booties, even a tunic top (or two) all for the price of one pair of Choos. Or Loubous. Or whatever other prohibitively-priced designer you've sworn off. (For now, at least.)

Shop the site, use the codes. Go on, use them:

$25. off $100: Use code 25off100
$50. off $200: Use code 50off200
$80. off $300: Use code 80off300
$115. off $400: Use code 115off400


If people think those are $700. shoes, let them. Just fake it 'til you make it.