Lifestyle, business, education, culture & health .... just for women

Lifestyle, business, education, culture & health .... just for women

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Flash Sales: Addictive Yet Hard to Beat

Leigh Greaney - Staff Writer

 

Retail therapy just got a whole lot less therapeutic. It’s buy now or lose out. ‘Flash sales’ are the new Internet craze for shoppers who are convinced that hard economic times don’t have to mean that new merchandise is wallet malevolence.Sales are for limited time only, often members only, and highly competitive. However, the deals are hard to beat.

 

‘Flash sales’ are sold right from the retail stores, unlike E-bay. When unsold inventory starts stacking up, stores decide that some profit is better than none and offer a limited-time bargain. Popular ‘flash sale’ websites include Gilt Groupe, Shop It To Me, One Kings Lane, and Hautelook. Their discounts cannot be discounted as “not bad.” With deals like 70 percent off and rising, they can only be hailed as “woohoo!”

 

The only downside to this down-slide of price is that to catch these deals - your computer becomes your new appendage. Moreover, it’s addictive.Needing a new dress could very easily turn into a new pair of shoes, to new earrings, to new make-up, and then the next thing you know you’re furnishing your apartment.Gilt Groupe even offers a feature called “iCal,” where sales are sent right into personal calendars and also synchronizes with iPhones and Blackberries to remind you when a sale is coming. Now, that’s dangerous for a shopaholic.

 

A pile of discounted items can still add up to a pretty penny. The best way to feel the relief of retail therapy while keeping a level head and a balanced wallet, is to shop with purpose.Know what you want before you shop. Don’t let a new pair of shoes turn into a new wardrobe.

 
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Fall 2010 Fashion Trends: How to get that look for less

By Nicole Dygon-Staff Writer

 

Clean lines and city-chic glamour are what is on this fall’s fashion forefront. From Carolina Herrera to Calvin Klein designers everywhere have adopted this look. How can the women of Western Massachusetts obtain these looks for a much more affordable price? The answer-your local mall.

 

Believe it or not it you can obtain any designer look for less, you just have to be willing to hunt for what you like. Looking for that perfect little black dress you saw in Vera Wang’s collection? Have no fear Kohl’s is here! Although it will most likely not be that same dress, you can still purchase one of Wang’s looks for less at Kohl’s department stores. Her collection is called, Simply Vera by Vera Wang.

 

Want more designer duds for half the price? Stores that designer’s design a less expensive look, like Kohl’s, are everywhere. For example, Target has had a series of designers showcase a less expensive look for them. They have had designers such as, Isaac Mizrahi and Zac Posen.

 

Still in search of those designer ensembles? Don’t limit yourself to the Mall and Department stores. Check out your local Marshall’s, T.J. Maxx and A.J. Wright. When shopping you must be sure to look for any damage done to the clothes (they’re sold inexpensively for a reason.)

 

A final way to guarantee yourself that fabulous fall wardrobe you’ve been dreaming of is cruising the sales racks, especially in those stores that are a little too expensive for your budget. If you search in stores such as, Gap, Banana Republic, New York and Company and Express for your whole wardrobe you’ll spend an arm and a leg. Going to the sales racks will guarantee you a happier wardrobe and wallet.

 

Happy shopping and enjoy your new fall wardrobe.