Happy New Year: Pop Some Cheap and Cheerful Bubbly

Its the last day of 2010! Au Revoir old year. In preparing for New Year's Eve, bubbly is very much on my mind. And by bubbly, I mean Champagne. One of my dearest friends has called Champagne nothing more than "bad white wine." I disagree. At only 90 calories a glass, Champagne helps me prepare for my coming New Year's diet and usher out the old year in style. For tonight, I will be uncorking

New Year's Event Style: Think Diamante Sparkle

Pictured: DKNYC Sequined Top on Sale at Macy's for approx. $40.00 US
As New Year's Eve parties beckon, I'm thinking of holiday style and sequins.  I bet you are too.  The French called it "Diamante."  Today this mysterious term is more often called "Bling."  But I prefer Diamante.  Diamante is the art of creating a sparkling effect using the reflection of gemstones.  During the Edwardian period,

eBay's Top Shopped in Style for 2010

Now it the time of year that I think about looking into my crystal ball to try to forecast 2011 fashion trends. But before I can look forward, I have to take a look into the past.  One simple barometer of style that I use is to look at what fashionistas are buying is eBay.  What are you searching for either by name brand designer or fashion description? Inquiring minds want to know.  Knowing

Harrods Ushers in the After Christmas Sales

Pictured: Jerry Hall and Lizzy Jagger kick-off the Harrod's Winter Sale.
Jerry Hall and her look a like daughter, Lizzy, kicked off the Harrods' after Christmas sale this morning in London as shoppers queued up for bargains.  While, at least bargains in Harrods' terms. The word bargain can mean so many different things depending on the target market :)  According to the Daily Mail. "Sale

RueLaLa's the Gifts You Didn't Get Sale

Far better than a lump of coal is the cash gift you may have received in your Christmas stocking. Sometimes the gifts we give ourselves are the best. If you were gifted with a little mad money, then visit RueLaLa Gifts You Didn't Get Boutique  today and peruse gifts for men, women and your home. I'm home snowed in , so this sale is a good distraction.  RueLaLa is a private online shopping club

Merry Christmas Dear Readers

Another year has passed, and I want to thank all of you for reading and for stopping by.  I hope you have a wonderful holiday full of light and love.

In the words of Dickens' Tiny Tim, "God Bless us each and everyone."

The Recessionista Reviews William Rast for Target

Pictured: William Rast for Target Women's collection shirts




I finally escaped the torrential rains in California, and got to the cold East coast where I was able to stumble into the local Target, a steaming coffee in hand, to review the new William Rast for Target collection.  I wish I could give this one a rave up, because I like William Rast jeans and their unique, derriere enhancing fit.

The Recessionista's Last Minute Gift Ideas

A Vintage Looking  Card from Rose Bud Designs
 Are you ready shoppers? This is it, the final Christmas Countdown. I have to admit, I'm a little stressed.  California is lost in torrential downpours, mudslides and floods.  The east coast is freezing. And poor Europe is also freezing.  London looks more like  New Iceland.  My well organized early gift orders have gone "awry."   A few gifts

Donate Your Coke Rewards Points to Toys for Tots

'Tis the Season for Giving Coke Rewards to Toys for Tots

Collecting Coke Rewards points is just one of the ways recessionistas can stretch their dollars a little bit further.  In case you didn't know about this program, Coca-Cola consumers have long been able to accumulate "Coke- Rewards" and then cash them in for prizes and offers. You show me a fashionista, and I'll wager that they have

The Outnet features a limited edition Paul + Joe collection and Holiday Gift Shop

If you're still on the look out for some good deals that are fashionable and discounted, then click over to TheOutet today.  I just saw on Twitter that they are having a sale on Paul and Joe. This is the second limited edition collection of Paul & Joe for THE OUTNET by designer Sophie Albou. The line features block-color jumpsuits, graphic printed separates and classic tuxedo cover-ups priced at

Starbucks: Last Minute Shoppers' Deals

Starbucks has a little treat for shoppers out braving the snow, torrential rains (California) and just plain old crowds at malls today. From December 21-22 customers that purchase any 12-pack of any Starbucks VIA® Ready Brew at Starbucks stores in the U.S. and Canada will also receive a free Starbucks card, preloaded with $5. Starbucks VIA® Ready Brew is a good substitute for regular brewed

Walmart Brings Back the Norma Kamali Sleeping Bag Coat

Pictured: Just in time for the Holiday chill: The Norma Kamali  Sleeping Bag Coat is back at Walmart

It's freezing around most of the world, and a lot of you have asked me about the Norma Kamali  Sleeping Bag Coats at Walmart.com.  These coats completely sold out last year when they first came to Walmart.  Now, good news, they are back in stock, and still available for delivery before Dec. 24th.

William Rast for Target Arrives and Temple St. Clair for Target goes on Sale

After much hype, the William Rast for Target collection arrived at Target stores today and online.  As expected, there's lots of denim, leather jackets with fringe, comfy tunics and plaid shirts.  The collection is a snapshot of some of the William Rast brand's greatest hits. So far, the collection is not a sellout or inspiring a buying frenzy.  There are very few reviews of the products

Foley + Corinna Gitter & Glam : Limited Edition Holiday Tops Worth a Look!

Pictured: Blogger Romy Raves and friend model Foley and Corinna's Blue Bling Top.  Blogger LA Stylist Mom is in the background in cream Foley and Corinna top with glitter around the arm holes. (photo: M. Hall) 
Thursday night I attended the Foley + Corinna Glitter & Glam party hosted by the fun and fashionable blogger, The Hollywood Wife.  There's nothing like a group of fashion bloggers

Super Saturday Deals for Holiday Shopping

Pictured: One of my favorite holiday scenes The Beverly Wilshire hotel decorated for Christmas (photo M. Hall on the Olympus EP-1)

Today is Super Saturday, allegedly the last big shopping day of the Christmas season.  Some retailers like Kohl's and Macy's opened early today with special savings to get shoppers into the store and buying. Walmart has special deals on TVs today, so if you are

Holiday Gift Shopping: Remember Free Shipping Day and Coupons

Pictured: The Christmas Tree on Via Rodeo in Beverly Hills (photo: M. Hall on the Olympus EP-1)
 I'm just in from an evening out and I took this amazing picture of a Christmas tree  made of poinsettias all light up on Via Rodeo.  Although there's no snow on the ground in California, the tree really puts me in the holiday state of mind.  Is my Christmas shopping done? Hell to the no! I am way

The Gap Launches Project Reindeer: Daily Deals from Deers, Really

As I write, protesters from Peta are picketing the Michael Kors store on Rodeo Drive for Kors' use of real fur in their garments.  While one company (Kors) is using animals for their fashionable fur, another company, the Gap is using animals for a holiday marketing campaign. Guess which one I like better? That would be the marketing campaign.  Starting today, Dec. 15th, starting through Monday

Shop Style's Holiday Giveaways: Today a Saks Gift Card is the Prize

Love luxury? Most of us do.  We just don't love the credit card bills when we buy luxe.  That's why you might want to check out ShopStyle’s 10 Days of Holiday Giveaways, running through December 18. Each day, the website is unveiling a new prize — and accepting new entries. To enter the daily giveaways, click on over to  www.shopstyle.com/holiday-giveaway 

Today's giveaway is the "big get" a

Kate Middleton Shops her Closet for Engagement Photos

Pictured: Prince William and Kate Middleton. Photo by Mario Testino/Clarence House Press Office via WireImage (Copyright 2010 Mario Testino).
Readers, have you seen the amazing new engagement photos of Kate Middleton with Prince William? The photos are by Mario Testino who took the beautiful photos of Princess Diana for Vanity Fair.  In the more formal portrait (above) commoner Kate looks

William Rast for Target Private Shopping Event in LA with Justin Timberlake & Friends

Justin Timberlake, Trace Ayala and friends premiered the new William Rast for Target collection at a private event in Los Angeles this weekend.  I can't tell you anything about the quality of the clothes, because I haven't seen them yet.  What I can tell you is that Target rallied some celebrity star power in advance of the official launch (Dec. 19th) to hype the collection.   Attendees included

Los Angeles Giveaway: Win $50.00 to shop this weekend's Warehouse Sale

Hear ye, hear designer bargains are coming to downtown Los Angeles.  For those of you who like the best, but only for less, I have good news.  The Warehouse Sale will return to Los Angeles to the LA Convention Center, this weekend, Saturday, December 18 - Sunday, December 19.  So mark your calendars.   The event  will be held in the South Hall at the Los Angeles Convention Center. This is a great

Rent the Runway Clearance Sale offers Holiday Shopping Deals on Designers

A few months ago I wrote about online designer rental shopping club  Rent the Runway.  I was impressed by their selection of designer dresses and jewelry for special events as well as their return and damage policies.  Now they are doing a little closet cleaning of their inventory to stay "au courant." This offers a great shopping opportunity for those of us look for special Holiday or New

Holiday Trend: The Fashionable Flask

Pictured: An array of beautiful flasks in all colors, shapes and sizes at my local mall (photo: M. Hall)
I was out shopping today at my local mall, as is my wont, when I saw the above collection of beautiful liquor flasks for holiday gift giving in one of the shops.  It seems that in the recession that the flask, for the hip pocket or for inside your purse, is enjoying a remarkable resurgence. 

Daily Wish: American Express' Online Marketplace for Holiday Deals

Have any of you heard about the special holiday sales from American Express’ online marketplace? It's called Daily Wish.  The site offers daily special on items for card members including a half-price new BMW.  Now that's a deal. This week, the site will be offering AMEX card members unprecedented deals on the following items.  Some of these will make great holiday gifts others will just be

From People StyleWatch: Irene Inspires Angelina's costumes in "The Tourist"

  Pictured: Angelina Jolie floating through Paris in her Irene inspired dress and shawl. (Photo credit: People StyleWatch courtesy of Sony)
Yesterday, I saw the film "The Tourist" starring Angelina Jolie and Johnny Depp.  The film is a good thriller, Hitchcock like in its amazing twists and turns. The other thing very Hitchcock like is how beautiful Angelina Jolie looks in the film, and how

William Rast Denim and more on Sale at Shopping Club Modnique

In advance of the William Rast for Target launch (Dec. 19th) several online shopping clubs have been offering sales on the William Rast boutique line.  I saw RueLaLa had William Rast on sale this week, but it was an in-store discount only good at two stores in California.  Now shopping club Modnique is offering a super sale on Wiliam Rast denim for both men and women.  I use the adjective super,

Macy's Believe Campaign: Write a Letter to Santa and Macy's Donates to Make a Wish

I'm late getting to this today, because, well, it's that work thing.  I have to work to buy those holiday gifts. But better late than never. If any of you read this tonight, Dec. 10, then think about writing a letter to Santa via the Macy's website.  For every letter collected today, Friday, Dec. 10, Macy's will  donate an extra $1 to the Make-A-Wish Foundation, in addition to the up to $1

Holiday Shopping: Don't forget to look for free shipping and coupon deals!

Every year I check out the shipping deals online as more and more retailers are offering "free" shipping to lure consumers to buy from them for the holidays.  So just a few little tips today as I look around at the online shopping. The shipping costs are very much on my mind. Why ? Because I don't want to pay a fortune for shipping.  In case you didn't know, the third annual Free Shipping Day

Yummi Glass Holiday Special Savings

One of my favorite jewelry pieces is my beautiful Yummi Glass heart necklace.  When selecting a good piece of jewelry, I always recommend that you look for a simple, classic piece of jewelry that will sparkle and become a focal point.  The Yummi Glass Murano Glass Heart rimmed with 24k gold is just such a piece.  These hearts are pricey at retailers and boutiques like Henri Bendel New York

Simply Vera Holiday Collection from Kohl's

 Pictured: This sparkling sequin tank top from the Simply Vera Holiday Collection can take you from the holidays to New Years.High Alert: there's new Simply Vera by Vera Wang in at Kohl's for the holiday party season. If you haven't seen it yet, you'll definitely want to give it a look. The above sequin tank  top ( $48.00 USD) is one of the new pieces that delivers a lot of holiday cheer at a

American Express Gift Card Holiday Giveaway

Here at The Recessionista the staff (me, myself and I) are violently opposed to the mere suggestion of Scroogenomics. Like Dicken's transformed Ebenezer Scrooge, The Recessionista "will honor Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year. " To prove our commitment to the spirit of giving and the holidays, The Recessionista, in cooperation with American Express, has a special holiday

Frugalytics: The Mobile Way to Shop and Price Compare

I have been traveling a bit the last few week and doing more business than ever on my mobile Blackberry Smartphone.  One thing I just discovered, and have frankly fallen in love with is "Frugalytics." Have any of you heard of this web site and Blackberry Mobile application?  It's lets you do price comparisons for hundred of items from your mobile phone.   I find it particularly useful when

Hot Holiday Giveaway: Win a $300.00 Gift Card for shopping at HauteLook

This Tuesday, Dec. 7th, HauteLook is celebrating their 3rd birthday!  Have you tried this online shopping mecca yet? I introduced to my readers to the club in early 2009, and since them I hope we have all scored some great deals.  (If you haven't shopped the club, here's my invitation for you to use to check it out! US and Canada:, Join HauteLook as our Guest)  
To celebrate HauteLook's birthday,

Sears Footwear Sale Dec. 6th: “12Trends of Christmas”

Sears has announced a fabuless holiday promotion that may be of interest to shoe lovers.  Starting Dec. 6th, Sears will be offering “12Trends of Christmas” with 12% off select shoes.  You'll need to check Sears' Footwear Fashion First Facebook and Twitter pages to get the promotion code for the 12 shoe styles that will be offered.   Here's a little hint for shoe lovers, use code "FBSHOES12" to

Lanvin for H&M Doppelgängers

Pictured: Natalie Portman on the Red Carpet in Lanvin for H&M
I'm loving this picture of Black Swan star Natalie Portman on the red carpet at the recent IFP's 20th Annual Gotham Independent Film Awards. She's a study in stylish simplicity.  Her dress is a Lanvin for H&M but it looks like Lanvin Couture.  Her jewelry is minimal, but her earrings are from Tiffany's.  Her little clutch is

First Look: William Rast for Target

The William Rast for Target collection lookbook is out and we got a sneak peak at the collection headed to stores on Dec. 19th.  The pictures look good, true to the casual chic of William Rast that I saw at the recent Beverly Hills fashion festival.  You can expect lots of denim, leather jackets with fringe, comfy tunics and plaid shirts.  The collection is a snapshot of some of the William Rast