Sonia Rykiel for H&M - First Photos

The first photos of Sonia Rykiel's new collection for H&M have hit the internet.

I personally love Sonia Rykiel for her knits so I was not lining up when she did a lingerie line for the store. Well, this time, I'm lining up. This line is very HER. I love the colours and shapes for this line (although I'd like to see them in person to make sure the quality is there too).

My faves (I think) are the black & white striped & yellow sweaters but I kinda also like the pink dress. Let me know what you guys think!

Not sure about prices yet, but I'll fill you in once I've got them!

Happy shopping!

Boxing Day Sales - Did You Score?

I do have to say that my boxing day purchases this year left me wanting more.

As tradition dictates, I hit Holt Renfrew Last Call but I have to say most of their sale was mediocre. I like to think of a good sale at Holts Last Call being at least an additional 70% off their lowest price.

Most of their items had an additional 50% off, which is a deal that is pretty common there so not "Boxing Day" worthy in my opinion. The only exception to this is shoes. They had a lot of shoes at an additional 50% off and these were a score!

The other great deal were the boots / booties, which were an additional 70% off.

After thoroughly walking up and down the isles, trying everything on and then doing a second walk through of the store (in case anyone returned something they were holding on to), I managed to score some Rupert Sanderson Kit Kat booties for $125 (regular price $1100) and some Prada suede zebra pumps for $150 (regular price $780). The Pradas were found during my second walk through.

That was the extent of my shopping, but I am still anticipating post-Boxing Day sales. Look out for my emails and follow me on twitter (CaRecessionista) for quick updates on the latest sales. Today's tweet included Danier leggings for $79 and an additional 30% off sale items at Aldo).

Happy shopping!

Banana Republic Coupon - 40% off your entire purchase

Banana Republic is having another sale.

This Thursday, Dec. 17, take 40% off your entire purchase. The offer is not valid at Banana Republic Factory Stores or BananaRepublic.com.


I've seen some of their recent collection and they have gorgeous pieces for both men and women and their accessories lately have been pretty impressive.

Click here for the coupon (you have to print it out and bring it with you) as well as to find the store nearest you and for any sale "fine print".

Happy shopping!

Online Sales - Wrap Up!

A few of my favourite online sale sites have some great reductions happening right now: Here's some you might want to check out:

TheOutnet.com is having a flash sale on Balmain items at up to 85% off. Balmain is pretty pricey but if you love the brand, this is your chance to get some pieces at somewhat affordable prices.

BeyondTheRack.com has Fendi handbags, wallets, mittens and scarves for up to 40% off and Gucci men's ties for up to 50% off. Both events are perfect for Christmas gifts! Remember that this site is by invitation only. Click here for the invite!

And don't forget about the Hautelook.com sales I told you about yesterday: Elizabeth & James shoes, all at 50% off and Herve Leger dresses (gorgeous) for 75% off. Again, this one's by invitation only. Click here for the invite!

Happy shopping!

Hautlook - Tuesday Dec. 15 Sales

Hautelook.com is having a couple of good sales tomorrow.

These ones will definitely come in handy before the holidays

when you'll need to put on your best party dresses!

Both Herve Leger dresses and Elizabeth & James
(by Mary Kate and Ashley Olsen) items will be on sale.

The site does not mention the mark down, but we'll know in the morning.

Remember, the site is by invite only, so here's your invite: http://www.hautelook.com/invite/521136

Happy shopping!

Gap 30 % off - Dec 14 - Dec 15

Just print this barcode and you'll have your discount.

Not valid in Vancouver, at Gap Factory Stores or online. No adjustments on previous purchases. Not valid on Stella McCartney, babyGap home or Junk Food™ merchandise. Offer must be surrendered at time of in-store purchase. Discount applies to merchandise only, not value of GiftCards purchased or applicable taxes. Not valid for cash or cash equivalent. Cannot be combined with other offers. See store for more details.

Outnet.com - Sale of the Year

Outnet.com always has great discounts on designer goods.

But they've just started a sale that gives an extra 50% discount on selected items.

That means that this Hervé Léger bandage dress is now $593.75 (originally $2375.68).

There's also a gorgeous Calvin Klein tank dress originally priced at $2275 now on sale for $341 and a Chloé strapless dress for $425 (originally priced $2125)

At these prices, a lot of the pieces will sell out so get there fast!
(Get faster updates to these sales by following us on twitter.com/CaFashionista.)

Happy shopping!

UMBRA Warehouse Sale

My favourite sale of the year ... (except for Holt's Last Call on Boxing Day)!


If you like furniture, home accessories, etc., then you can't miss the Umbra annual warehouse sale. I find lots of modern / cool stuff for my house every year and also end up buying lots of Christmas gifts here.

Some of my scores last year: A U+ Pella coat rack for $50 (regular $315), a U+ Vesta Fireplace screen for $50 (regular $475) and Magino stools for $50 each (regular $263).

I also manage to get lots of photo frames and clocks for about $20 each, which make great gifts.

This year I'm hoping to find the Vesta fireplace tools to match my screen, curtain rods for my bedroom (usually around $10) and some large black or white photo frames for my walls.

Can't wait!

Happy shopping!

IKEA Sale - 50% off selected items

Ikea is having a Midnight Madness sale on Friday night.

Save 50% off select items and store wide specials.


With Ikea's new designer line in stores, it's worth popping by your nearest store for a look.

The sale is on from 8 p.m. to 12 a.m.

Happy shopping!

Montreal Sample Sales

ILoveSampleSales.com has released its list of current sample sales.
Here are some of the highlights:

Kelly Opticiens: 25% off and more
Designers include Jimmy Choo, Gucci, Dior, Tom Ford, Marc Jacobs, Prada. You also get a free sample of contact lenses when you purchase glasses or sunglasses and 50% off on all frames when you purchase lenses.

When: now until Dec. 15
Mon/Tues/Wed: 10 - 6, Thurs/ Fri: 10-5, Sun: 12-5

Where: Les Cours Mont Royal Shopping Center - 1455 Rue Peel, suite 204, Montreal


Bedo Warehouse Sale - Up to 80% off.
Find pants and denim at $30, coats at $100 and shirts at $20

When: Dec 10 - Dec 13
Thurs / Fri: 10-9, Sat/Sun: 10-5

Where:4908 Jean Talon Ouest, Montreal

Jeans and More - Sample Sale

If you happen to live in Toronto, check out the Vanguard Apparel Sample Sale.

You'll find deals on Citizens of Humanity; Robins Jeans; Christian Audigier, Dylan George; Paco Chicano, Crystal Rock and more.

When:

December 9: 10am - 8pm

December 10: 10 am - 8 pm

Where:

Vanguard Apparel - 90 Wingold Ave, unit 7 (near Dufferin & Lawrence)

Thanks to my friends at ilovesamplesales.com for this one!

Happy shopping!

Vancouver Sample Sales

Thanks again to my friends at ILoveSampleSales.com for the head's up on these sales:

Vera Wang, Elle Macpherson, Nordstrom's, Neiman Marcus
There's 50-70% off pyjamas, robes, nighties, tap pants, etc. in silk and cotton -- buy 2, get 1 free. Also at the sale, excellent deals on a wide selection of Christmas decorations, candles, gift cards and more.

When:
Tuesday Dec. 8 - Tuesday Dec. 22: 10am - 6pm daily

Where:
1578 Marine Drive, West Vancouver

Skout Agency: LnA, Colcci, Sam Edelman, 80/20 NYC, Eryn Brinie, Zoe Tees, Samsoe Samsoe, Muchacha, Designer's Remix
Get up to 90% off on women's clothing, shoes, accessories and more. Items restocked daily. Cash only!

When:
Wednesday Dec. 9, Thursday Dec. 10: 10 am - 8 pm daily

Where:
#130 - 1355 Parker St. (buzz 130), Vancouver

Happny shopping!

TWITTER --- Finally

I've realized that a lot of you are missing the opportunity to be the first to check out the sales I blog about. Let's face it, once-a-day emails are great, but sometimes you need to know about a sale the minute that I know about it.
That's why I've joined twitter. Now you can find out about sales as they happen, and before other recessionistas steal the best deals.

Follow us on www.twitter.com/CaRecessionista.

Happy shopping!

HOLTS Annual Sale

Holt Renfrew is having their annual 50% off sale. Last year I scored a gorgeous D&G corset dress as well as Marc Jacobs casual dress for a great price.

Ooooh, maybe I'll find the Dior and / or Chloe wedges I'm dying for.




The sale is on now until Dec. 24 when the prices will be slashed for Boxing Day. But on that day, I'll be at Holts Last Call where the deals will be insane.

Run, yes run, to your nearest Holts now.

My Recessionista Experience (or "How Far I Would Go For a Deal")

Not sure if I've mentioned this before but I'm getting married. And in true Recessionista mode, my wedding dress needed to be both amazingly beautiful AND an amazing deal.

Well, this weekend I succeeded in finding the perfect dress.

After visiting the Vera Wang boutique in Toronto, I realized that I really, really wanted a VW for my dress. Only problem is, the most reasonable dress I tried on was $3950. I walked out of the boutique in love with that dress but thought that there must be a better price out there.

I called the VW boutique in NYC. They also had the dress ... for $2950 AND they were willing to give me a 10% trunk show discount.

So yes, a deal ... but was it the BEST deal?

Thanks to a fellow recessionista, I found out that Saks was having a 70% off sale on their sample wedding dresses, including Vera Wang, Monique Lluillier, Kenneth Pool, etc., etc.

And thanks to my amazing fiance, we drove down to NYC the same night in time for the second day of the sale. I thought it would be picked over, but there were still tons of dresses left and they were all 70% off (not "up to 70% which is what most sales are at) and there were no lines and no crazy shoppers. Compare that to the Vera Wang sale happening in NYC this weekend when the line ups will start the night before for savings of "up to 70% off, I think I did well.

In any case, after sending my fiance to stroll 5th Ave., I tried on a bunch of dresses and found a beautiful, beautiful gown at 70% off. AND on top of that, the ladies at Saks opened a Saks account for me so I got an extra 10% off.

That's right ladies. My dream gown at 80% off. I only wish I could show you photos, but since my fiance follows this blog, I can't risk it.

My next mission - a beautiful and classic pair of wedges (I'm getting married on the beach and my fiance is tall). I'll let you know once I score those too!

Happy shopping!