Put on a happy face!

Mark your calendars, ladies, because this just in: on Tuesday January 20th there will be a nationwide distribution of FREE MAKEUP at your local department store!!! No, this is not a drill. Rather, it's what happens when your company is on the losing side of a class action lawsuit. Accused of fixing prices and hiding inventory levels from 1994-2003, "major stores like Nordstrom, Saks Fifth Avenue, and Bloomingdale’s are being forced to give away $175 million worth of beauty products nationwide, for free, to anybody who walks into their stores." (from Fashionista.com). Customers are, however, limited to one item, while supplies last, from a listing of goods which can be found by clicking here. While no one at Saks Fifth Avenue or Macy's was available for comment, Nordstrom at Short Pump Town Center did confirm the giveaway. Knock yourselves out!

The stores:
Nordstrom
Saks Fifth Avenue
Dillard's
Macy's
Bloomingdales
Bergdorf Goodman
...and more!

The brands:
Chanel
Dior
Vera Wang
Clarins
Sarah Jessica Parker
Estée Lauder
Clinique
L'Oréal
Lancome
Ralph Lauren
Armani
Givenchy

Are your latest treasures really just last season's pumps?

Are this season's pumps just a fleeting memory???

I've been pondering this issue for quite some time now and I thought it would make a very interesting topic for discussion: would you buy a pair of fashion heels fresh off the runway? This past season I wasn't so much blown away by the clothing in certain collections but, rather, it was the high heels which captivated me so. From the sculpted pumps at Christian Dior to the tribal-inspired feathered heels at Louis Vuitton, I couldn't keep my eyes off what the models were wearing on their feet. Obviously such fancy footwear is a little out of my league (although I do wish more attention could be given to men's shoes), but I still couldn't wait for those heels to arrive on the sales floor at Saks, Barney's, and Bergdorf. I was just dying to spot a woman walking down the street in a soaringly high pair so that I could yell, "Hey, I love your shoes! Rodarte, non?"

But, as the shows in Milan and Paris ended so did my fantasy and I slowly floated back into my own life. Occasionally, however, I would stumble across a $950 pair of sequined Miu Miu pumps on Net-a-Porter or see those feathered Louis Vuitton heels in ELLE listed at over $2,000. Then they announced "recession" and I began to think, "Who is buying these outrageously priced shoes? I mean not only are they impossible to walk in, but they're also going to be sooooo dated!" It's such a shame. The heels are beautiful and no doubt exquisitely made, but how long are they actually wearable? You pay over $1,000 this season for a pair of your favorite designer's pumps and only to turn around and have them be outshined by another pair in less than 6 months.

A number of factors seem to be at play in this equation. Just how lavish and loud are these shoes? On one hand, a basic black satin Prada heel can be worn for a lifetime, despite their age, while pair of platform, patent leather Yves Saint Laurent booties can only be worn for so long before they're officially chisled into the tombstone for Fall 2008 (R.I.P). On the other hand, this season's platform, patent leather Yves Saint Laurent booties are only going to be available for so long (and quantities are limited) so it might behoove one to purchase a pair immediately. Then, 9 years from now when patent comes back around and people begin to question where you got your shoes you can answer, "Oh my, these old things? They're vintage."

So, what's your take on the issue?

Yves Saint Laurent

Christian Dior

Rodarte

Louis Vuitton

Prada

Save(a)Buck

Well, there may be at least one good thing to come out of this recent recession (hint: it starts with an "s" and ends in an "e"). Yep, that's right, SALE(S)! Retailers everywhere have been slashing prices drastically in hopes of salvaging what's left of this fiscal year, and the deepest cuts can be found online. So, from now until the end of the year (and, probably, beyond if this economy demands it) I'll be filling you in on some of this season's sweetest deals. It's my gift to you, so enjoi!

This week, eLuxury.com is discounting it's closet of high-priced designer duds up to as much as 40% off. Here are my picks:

Dior leather "Plaque" flats, $309 (from $535)

Rag & Bone Pleated Dress, $299 (from $495)

Marc Jacobs "Bianca", $999 (from $2,850)

J Brand Pencil Leg Jean, $79 (from $158)

3.1 Phillip Lim Canvas Duffle Bag, $299 (from $325)

Dior Homme "Butterfly" Print Tee, $109 (from $180)

Maison Martin Margiela Destroyed Boot, $799 (from $1,145)

Rick Owens Jersey Tee, $245 (from $351)

Marc by Marc Jacobs Houndstooth Dress, $275 (from $458)

Fendi "Secret Code" Bootie, $439 (from $730)