Shop in Style: Tiger-Striped Memories

For those of you willing to forgo sustinance for a pair of those red soles, a chance to meet THE Mr. Louboutin...

What: Christian Louboutin in the store. Purchase a pair of shoes which Mr Louboutin will sign(shoe must be new and purchase at Neiman Marcus Tysons Galleria, one pair only will be signed). Accessory Fashion Editor for Neiman Marcus and Bergdorf Goodman Roopal Patel
will have a Q&A with Mr Louboutin.

Why: Because red is always chic

When: Saturday October 24 from 1:00-4:00 (Q&A at 1:00pm)

Where: Neiman MarcusTysons Galleria (only)

If I didn't have a child's party and mama duty that day, I might just go and blow our mortgage payment on this pair of boots that reminds me of Ms. Howell. The first "Ms." I knew, she was probably 70+ at the time, with short dyed strawberry blonde hair, zebra-striped stillettos, and had come in on the train from New York City. She was our cotillion dance instructor, leading us mercilessly through the niceties of elegant society (white gloves, receiving lines, and the boys finding the girls seats before offering to get them punch and cookies). She ruled the ballroom at the Kennett Country Club (where my grandparents, avid golfers, were members) with a set of castinets, starting and stopping Sam Tavoni's ivory tickling at whim. In my prized Laura Ashley dress and gloves, I glowed with pride (and probably still have the trophy, somewhere) from winning the end-of-season dance contest with Matt, the trumpet-playing cutie from "the other school" who eventually went on to play trumpet at my BabySis' wedding, a break from his daily life as a father and respected community member owning a group of local funeral homes.

But whenever I see tiger stripes, I fondly remember Ms. Howell. I can still hear them clicking across the floor when she walked - but not when she danced...even at 70, her feet never touched the floor...

Shop in Style: Hitting the Seasonal Sales

Last week I had a flashback. Two years ago, the new H and I jumped on a train and travelled north to NYC for our honeymoon. Time together as a newly married couple, art, culture, dining, music, blah, blah, blah. It was the perfect time for shopping. At the end of July/ beginning of August, stores are clearing out their summer stock to make room for the winter (fall's already been on the racks forever, so even some of that's on sale). Among other things, I scored my still-favorite Chie Mihara pumps, a bluest blue cashmere sweater from Henri Bendel, and my Daslu boots.

I can't make it north this year, or probably even next - The Bean's probably not ready for all-day shopping - and I can barely even make it to the brick and mortar stores here. But I can shop online - and the sales online are at their best right now - sizes might be scant, but if you can find your size - or shop for sizeless items - you can score some amazing deals. Here are just a few I've stumbled across while working very very hard at my day job.

Freshwater pearl earrings at Banana. Every girl, even the edgiest, has to have a pair. If you don't own any, spring the $16.80 for these. Their sale jewelry boxes in-store are always great - I've found some of my most complimented pieces there - especially their enamel costume jewelry, like the turuqoise ring at left. Wait a little longer, then check the store, and you can probably get it for less than $15.

Never too many t-shirts in a drawer, she says. Well, actually, that's possible, but pretty, fitted, long (aren't we always looking for long ones?) versions fly to the top of the list. bluefly.com has this Rebecca Beeson top for $24.99. Not an amazing deal, but good enough to bother for something that fits - and in a couple of colors, too.

Easy to take in any style direction - classic, sporty, funky - with the right accessories, and definitely all-season, in my book, a great deal at $84 (from $240), this Rebecca & Drew shirt-dress is to be had online at Nieman Marcus. Nieman sales are great, percentage-wise, but if you're a gal really on a budget, you have to go to the end of the price-sort list for stuff that makes it in the range. $1000 from $4000 is absolutely a deal, but really.

Here's to brilliant sale shopping - online or in-store...and if you find a great deal, email me - with pics, if you can, and tell us about your find & how you plan on wearing it.

Don't forget the cardinal rule of sale shopping - if you can't picture an immediate way to incorporate it into your wardrobe, don't bother. It's still not worth the money, sale or no sale.