Summer is definitely my favorite season when it comes to fashion.  White jeans, Lilly Pulitzer, fun flirty dresses, short skirts, Jack Rogers, Roberta Roller Rabbit Tunics, and straw bags...minus a few staples, it really is like everything I love has been designated for just one season!  So you can imagine my excitement when the warmer months finally start to come around, and I get to break out all of my bright and bold summer favorites from my closet.

Unfortunately this summer is almost over, and with Labor Day fast approaching, we really just have one more week of summer left to live it up!  So in honor of Labor Day weekend, I put together a fun colorful outfit that would be perfect for your last big night out this summer!

I just love this dress!  It has all the charm of a classic Lilly Pulitzer dress, with the unexpected addition of many non-traditional elements like the tie at the waist, the bias neckline, and the ruffle along the neck.  To find a good deal on this Lilly Pulitzer dress I went to the Preppy Outlet website where I was able to find this dress for 50% off, and marked down from $268 to $134.

The Preppy Outlet has a great selection of reduced prices on many of your favorite preppy brands like Lilly Pulitzer, Vineyard Vines, and CK Bradley.  Right now the Preppy Outlet has a variety of beautiful Lilly Pulitzer dresses marked down more than 50%, so if you want to pick one up a dress on sale before the season ends it is a good place to check out!

I also had to add a straw clutch, because they are my go to bag of the summer.  I have a few favorites that I have collected from straw markets over the years, but at $20, this bright orange clutch is a great deal!

Another thing I had to add was a set of Indian glass bangles.  My husband's family is from Sri Lanka, and I am to lucky to have received many beautiful pieces of jewelry from this region.  I discovered these glass Indian bangles a few years ago after my mother in law brought a set a back for me from Sri Lanka.  These bracelets come in the most beautiful color combos, and it is so fun to stack them up to make a bright statement.  I love the turquoise, gold, and pearl combination in the set I have selected here.  You can buy bangles like this online, or if you live in the New York City area you can go to Jackson Heights, or Edison, New Jersey to find a great selection of Indian clothing and jewelry.

And this Mossimo high heel shoe from Target is only $19.99!  I love the classic design of this shoe, and a nude shoe is a great way to lengthen your legs and make you look naturally slimmer.

Are you going out Saturday night?  Do you know what you are wearing for your last night out of the summer? 

I plan on taking advantage of the last few days of summer and wearing all of my bright warm weather favorites all week!

For as long as I can remember I have wanted to travel to Bermuda for a vacation.  Bermuda is a beautiful island destination, and one of the few places where you can actually find pink sand beaches because of the coral reefs that surround the island.  It also boasts an almost ideal climate because it is close enough to the Gulf Stream that it is relatively warm year round, without being overbearingly hot because of its distance from the tropical equator.  In general the warmest it gets in Bermuda in the summer is around 85 degrees, and the the low for the island in the winter is around 70 degrees.  Hello perfect climate and temperature, please get comfortable and stay awhile!  It also takes less than 2 hours to get from from most major cities on the East Coast to Bermuda by plane, which is probably the shortest trip you can find to get to a beautiful island destination.

Now my husband and I were lucky enough to get away to the One and Only Ocean Club for our anniversary this year, but I'm afraid that that trip is going to be our "one and only" vacation for awhile!  However if I were FORCED  to choose the next spot I would love to visit, it would have to be the Tucker's Point Hotel and Spa in Bermuda.  This hotel is just plain luxe, without the less!  On the Tucker's Point website they say that this hotel is "Minutes away.  A world apart."  Judging by these pictures, this sounds about right to me!  Here are a few photos of this gorgeous hotel... 

The ideal pool overlooking the ocean...

Hello infinity pool, yes I would love to go for a swim!

One of the gorgeous guest rooms...and look at that balcony!

Does everyone get a cabana like this at Tucker's Point?!  That is what I want to know!  This is the most luxurious cabana I have ever seen.  I wish I was there right now with the September Vogue issue and an iced coffee...OK I am off to work soon, but a girl can dream!

And of course we can't go anywhere on vacation without a golf course.  I think this one would meet the husband's standards...it looks pretty nice to me!  And I wouldn't scoff at eating at the clubhouse here...
 

Unfortunately for me and I assume for many of you,  I won't be traveling to this luxurious hotel this weekend or for the upcoming Labor Day weekend.  However in spite of not being able to travel to Bermuda any time soon, I plan on making the best of staying in NYC, and I am going to bring a little bit of Bermuda into my home the next two weekends at a fraction of the price by enjoying a Dark 'N' Stormy!
 

Dark 'N' Stormies are the official drink of Bermuda.  This refreshing, slightly sweet cocktail with a bit of ginger bite has got to be my favorite summer beverage!  The Dark 'N' Stormy was created not long after World War 1 ended,  and ever since then has been known as the island's signature cocktail.   However it didn't take long for people in the States to catch wind of this delicious cocktail, and it eventually gained popularity in different ports along the East Coast as sailors would return home from their travels to Bermuda with the recipe for the island's signature drink.
 

The Dark 'N' Stormy is one of the most delicious and simplest cocktails to make!  It requires ice, 2 0unces of Gosling's Black Seal Rum, a splash (or a little more than that) of Barritt's Ginger Beer, and an optional slice of lime for garnish.  Although some people improvise with the ginger beer, if you want to make this cocktail right you have to use Gosling's rum.  In fact, Gosling's takes their affiliation with the Dark 'N' Stormy so seriously that they actually have a patent on the cocktail!
 

Will you be enjoying any special cocktails with friends this weekend?  Any chance you might be mixing a Dark 'N' Stormy?

Happy eating and drinking!

One of the perks to being a Gap card member is that you receive MANY coupons and promotions throughout the year for discounted prices on all the stores that fall under the Gap umbrella. 

While the Gap offers many wonderful discounts and coupons throughout the year, my favorite promotion that they offer is their "Get and Give Program."  This promotion is special because it not only ensures that the customer is getting a great deal in the amount of 30% off all items, but the Gap will also give back 5% of whatever you spend during the sale to your selected charity! 

The "Get and Give Program" starts tomorrow, August 26 and ends on Sunday, August 29.  For my charity I chose to support Feeding America, an organization that helps to feed those in need through a network of nationwide food banks. What a great reason to shop!  Because I plan on making a purchase during this sale I was perusing the Gap, Banana Republic, and Old Navy websites today and I was so impressed by the number of cute items that I saw at Old Navy!  Here are a few items that I am contemplating buying...

Old Navy Studded Ballet Flat, $19.50 (LEFT)
Isn't this shoe gorgeous?  And look at it compared to the J.Crew Reese Flat on the right that is $135!  Ok so one shoe is real leather and one is faux, BUT I would still say that the Old Navy pair is very cute!

Old Navy Women's Cinched Zip Front Jacket, Poison Ivy, $39.50 (LEFT)
What a classic, durable coat!  You will get so much wear out of it...it looks like the perfect light coat for the fall and spring.  It also looks a lot like the sporty field coat that Olivia Palermo has been spotted in lately!  And look how similar it is to the coat on the right that is priced at $449! 

Can you guess which of the shirts from this line-up is from Old Navy??  I'll give you a few seconds...I know it is hard to tell!

The Old Navy Women's Plaid Double Weave Western Tunic, $24.50 AND
The Old Navy Women's Plaid Double Weave Top, $26. 50 are the tops on the left and in the middle!

I would say that both of these tops are just as attractive, and significantly more affordable than the shirt on the right which is $158!

Old Navy The Rock Star Super-Skinny Denim Leggings, $39.50  (LEFT)
Wow..."jeggings" just don't seem to be going out of style, do they?!  I might just have to get myself a pair this year.  And at $39.50 as opposed to the pair on the right that is $172, trying to squeeze my thighs into a new pair of jeggings is somehow a little more appealing!

Women's Striped V-neck Cardigan, $29.50 (LEFT)
Not only do I love the sleek look of v-neck cardigans, but the forgiving long lean shape of them is nothing to scoff at either!  This grey and purple cardigan would be perfect for a casual day at the office, and compared to the  sweater on the right that is $167.99, this little sweater is a steal!
 

Boat-Neck Sweater Dress, $36.50
Skinny Cords, $29.50
Print Tote, $10.00
Tear-drop Earring, $8.50
Faux-Leather Braided Belt, $19.50
Cropped Active Pant, $16.50
Geo-Floral Scarf, $12.50
Tall-Heel Boot, $49.50
 

If you don't have an invitation to the Gap's "Get and Give Program" please leave me a comment or send me an email and I will send you an invitation.  Not only will you be getting a great deal but 5% of your purchases will benefit a great charity!

Happy shopping!

It's Wednesday Wildcard on Living Luxe for Less, and I am introducing another new feature that I cannot wait to share with you!  As you may know, my motto is to live well and spend less whenever possible, but I know that I am not the only one who feels this way! 

That is why today I am starting a new series, Luxe for Less Interviews, where I will be interviewing friends, family, acquaintances, and a variety of other trendsetters who I believe are experts in their field, and also have clever and creative ideas that all readers can utilize to "live luxe for less" on a daily basis!

So as the beginning of a new school year is almost upon us, I thought it would only be fitting to interview two of my cousins who are both going to college in just a few days, and ask them to talk about how they look good and have fun with their friends for less.  One will be a freshman this year, and the other will be a senior!

I chose to interview A Freshman and A Senior for this series because they both have amazing taste, are always in adorable outfits, and I know that they both love to get a good deal too!  The girls go off to school this weekend, but luckily I was able to get in touch with them before they left for school! 

LL4L: Thank you so much for taking the time to meet with me before you go off to school!  No matter what you are doing, you girls always look great and are dressed just right for the occasion.  How would you describe your signature outfit?
A Senior: My go to outfit would have to be dresses!  They are so easy because you don’t have to worry about matching tops and bottoms.  I really like to shop at Urban Outfitters for dresses because they have a great selection that is always reasonably priced.  Also, if you take advantage of the Student Advantage Card, a discount card for college students, you can get 10% off at Urban Outfitters every time you shop there.  Oh and at my favorite store, Madewell, you can get 15% off when you use your college ID card!
A Freshman: Definitely a romper!  They look dressy, but they are as comfortable as a t-shirt and shorts, and you can dress a romper up or down.  I have worn them to the beach as a cover-up,  or out to dinner with friends by adding jewelery, heels, and a clutch!  My favorite romper is from Brass Plum, the Juniors section at Nordstroms, and I got it on sale.  If you see jewelry or a purse on another floor at Nordstroms that you like I would definitely recommend checking Brass Plum before you make a purchase!  Brass Plum's selection of purses and jewelry is similar to the rest of Nordstroms, but their lines are at a lower price point than the rest of the store because they are part of the Juniors section.

LL4L: What is your favorite “cheap and chic” clothing item or accessory?
A Senior: A few years ago I found a gold clutch at the Marc Jacobs Accessories Store for $10!  I love it and I carry it all the time!
A Freshman: Buying jeans at Loehmann's…I have found J brand, True Religion, and Hudson, all for 50% of the original price!
 

LL4L: What is the best deal that you have found in the past month?
A Senior: I went to the Ralph Lauren Rugby store a few weeks ago where they were having a big sale, and I got a bunch of sweaters in the Mens section.  They are button down varsity sweaters.  I love how they fit.  They are cable knit and they are a bit oversized...they look like they could be for women, but I just like the way these sweaters fit better than the ones in the Womens section.  So I definitely recommend looking around the whole store when you are shopping...I got six sweaters for $170!
A Freshman:  When I was out for lunch in NYC for my cousin's birthday I saw a store with an 80% off closing sign in the window that caught my eye.  After lunch we stopped in and I found a black strapless dress that I wore to my graduation party in July.  It was marked down from $300 to $89, and I know that I will be able to wear this dress again!

LL4L: How do you decorate your dorm room for less?
A Freshman and A Senior: Target!  A Freshman just got a cute mini-fridge with a whiteboard from Target…Loehmanns for towels...Homegoods for towels and accessories...and A Freshman just got a pink and orange Tracy Reese duvet and bedding set from Rue La La! (Editors Note: LL4L wishes that this was her new set of bedding because it is so beautiful!)
 

LL4L: How do you and your friends go out and have fun without spending a lot of money?
A Senior: Get ready together, and hang out together before we go out!
A Freshman: Concerts!  Live Nation and Ticketmaster both release tickets the day of concerts, and the tickets are always $10 to $15 cheaper when you buy them the day of the show!  I went to a John Mayer concert a few weeks ago, and O.A.R. tickets for the same venue were on sale for $10!

LL4L: What’s the most fun thing you and your friends do that’s free?
A Senior: Fraternity parties, and sharing clothes with my friends.  It is so fun getting something new for free when you swap clothes with your friends! 
A Freshman:  My friends and I go to each others house, we bake, watch movies, and watch our favorite TV shows...like Pretty Little Liars!

LL4L: What is your favorite store for a great deal?
A Senior: Nordstroms!  Every summer they have their Anniversary Sale and it’s so great because you can buy items for the upcoming Fall season on sale!  And Nordstroms also offers a "presale" option where you can buy items before the sale even starts if you have a Nordstroms card. 
A Freshman: If you are looking for something that is in style now but is going to go out of style soon, than Forever 21 is a great choice.  I also love Nordstroms Rack…they have everything there!

LL4L: Where do you shop online when you want to find a bargain?
A Senior: I don't really shop online.  I like to try things on in person and see things before I buy them.  Although I did just find out about Piperlime which is great...
A Freshman: Forever 21! They have such great prices, but if you go to the store it can be picked over and very hit or miss.  If you go online you can find everything, and you will have a much better chance of finding what you need.  And sometimes they only sell certain items online so it is definitely worth checking out!

LL4L: What is your favorite inexpensive beauty product or tip?
A Senior: Vaseline.  I always carry a tin, it's the best and most affordable lip gloss!
A Freshman: I paint my own nails.  Some of my favorite colors are Essie Lady Godiva for when I want to go dark, and when I am in the mood for something pink I like OPI Bubble Bath.
 

LL4L:And if you were really going to splurge on something for yourself, without having to look for a bargain or be on a budget, what would it be???
A Senior: A really nice evening bag like the Chanel 2.55.  It will never go out of style, and it is so versatile!  I can wear it out shopping, on a night out with friends, or to something more formal like the opera.  (Editor's Note: This is the handbag that dreams are made of...it's the ultimate, so classic and chic!)
A Freshman: A Van Cleef & Arpels clover necklace.  I love it!  Each of these necklaces are one of a kind...only 1% off the stones pass inspection for this necklace, and each item is checked 20 times before it goes to the store!  (Editor's Note: I hope my husband is reading this post...who wouldn't want a necklace that was checked 20 times before it went on your neck?!  And my 30th birthday will be here before you know it...)

And on that note I will leave you with these beautiful splurge worthy images to dream about!  Thank you so much to A Freshman and A Senior for taking the time to meet with me, and for sharing with my readers about how you "live luxe for less!"  I hope you have a wonderful start to the school year, and I can't wait to visit you at school soon!

Do you like the new Luxe for Less Interviews series?  I hope you enjoyed it and you were able to pick up some new ideas to live well and spend less from these stylish and savvy shoppers!

Last week while catching up with my good friend Ali, she mentioned that she was looking forward to her upcoming family vacation to VT.  I asked her what her plans were for her trip, and she said that she would definitely be doing some relaxing, hiking, and of course a little outlet shopping!

My friend's trip to Vermont got me thinking, do I actually think about what I am going to wear when I exercise or spend the day hiking with friends?  I know that I put a lot of thought into what I am going to wear and pack when I go to the beach, and after our conversation it dawned on me that looking good, being comfortable, and having functional activewear for a day in the great outdoors is just as important as being prepared for a day at the beach!

So if I were going on a hike tomorrow here is what I would wear...it's sporty, fashionable, and affordable!  Who could ask for more?!
 

Lacoste Since Baseball Hat, Sale $16.99
Nike Dri-Fit Cotton Tank, $20
Full Tilt Rubber Bracelets, $3.99
Urban Eyes "Aviator" Women's Sunglasses, $16
Patagonia Women's Borderless Shorts, $37
Nike Women's Air Wildtrail ACG Hiking Shoe, $60
Hanes 6 Pack  Women's No Show Cusion Socks, $7
Women's Timex Expedition Digital Watch, $30
Kind Almond and Apricot Bar, $15. 20 for 8
Camelbak Water Bottle, Sale $11.00
 

And if you are a person who is interested in sports, the outdoors, hiking on the Appalachian trail, and looking good while you get active, I suggest you check out a new store in Salisbury, CT: Peter Becks Village Store.

As it indicates on Peter Becks Village Store's website, this store was founded by Becky Belcher and Pete Feen who created the store as a reincarnation of an old Salisbury staple, The Village Store.  Since the late 70’s the Village Store was a place for local residents, Appalachian Trail hikers, and visitors to find outdoor gear, sporting equipment, and clothing that could take travelers from a day spent on the area's trails to a local coffee house or antique shop.

According to an article about the new store posted on Rural Intelligence, a great source for all things related to culture and country life in Berkshire, Columbia, Northern Dutchess, and Nothern Litchfield County, Becky Belcher, one of the store's owners described the local area and what they hope to accomplish at Peter Becks by saying, "It’s a very outdoorsy town and we are filling a void. People enjoy shopping locally, and we want to make shopping locally as fun as possible.”

And it sounds like they are already doing a great job of making the Peter Becks' experience a fun and enjoyable one!  Here's a shot of the store's cozy seating area where you can find an electric fireplace, comfy chairs, a flat screen TV, and local guidebooks:

Photo taken from Rural Intelligence

So if you like the Patagonia shorts that I featured in today's post, you should stop by Peter Becks Village Store soon to check out their selection of Patagonia, and other sporting goods for men and women! 

I know that I can't wait to check out this store the next time I am in Litchfield County.  If you are interested in finding out more about Peter Becks Village Store, here is their contact information:

Peter Becks Village Store
19 Main Street
Salisbury, CT 06068
Tel: 860-596-4217
info@peterbecks.com
http://www.peterbecks.com
 

Happy shopping and hiking!

Ok I admit it, I am a self professed beauty product junkie!  I am a sucker for a salesgirl telling me that "this cream will take away all of your crows feet in less than a week", or that "this mascara will make your lashes look a full 2 inches longer...literally!"

Being in love with beauty products does have it's perks though...like when you find that product that really does make you look as good as you feel, or cause you to get carded the next time you go stock up on prosecco!  But being a beauty babe can make you feel really bad, really fast, when you realize that you just blew $20 on a lip gloss that is so bad no one can look you in the eye, and you realize that your lips actually looked better before they were glossed!

So considering my love for beauty, but my disdain for "beauty product buyer's remorse," I am very intrigued by the new beauty website: www.birchbox.com. 

According to the Birchbox website, this is how the company works:

"Every month, you'll receive four or more deluxe samples from high-end beauty brands, spanning makeup, skincare, hair products, fragrance and more. We promise no skimpy, messy foil packets...you'll also get access to the Haute Box (coming soon), your go-to source for useful product how-tos, insider finds, and video tutorials that will help you get the most out of your samples. 

We offer three membership styles:

• Yearly — $110 for 12 boxes, plus $10 off your first full-size product purchase
• Monthly —$10 per box, cancel at any time
• Gift —$110 for 12 boxes, plus $10 off their first full-size product purchase

Love your samples? Great! You can purchase full-size versions directly through Birchbox.com. All your purchases earn you points that can be used toward more products."
 

So what do you think?  I must admit that I am quite intrigued by the possibility of getting 4 new beauty samples a month, without the commitment of buying a full size bottle of each of these products! 

I am tempted to sign up for this but is it worth $10 a month?

What do you think...is this a BEAUTY DEAL or a BEAUTY DON'T?!

For today's Monday  Home post I am introducing a new feature called "A Few of my Favorite Things for $25 or Less."  In this feature I will share my favorite home, fashion, beauty, food, and wine finds that make me smile on a daily basis, and that all cost $25 or less!

So to start off this new feature I am writing today about a few of my favorite home accessories that I believe add character to our home for a relatively low price!
 

White Ceramic Fish Lamp, Home Goods, $14.99
We have this lamp on our yellow West Elm Parsons Desk, and the white lamp provides a great contrast to the bright yellow desk.  I was so excited when I found this lamp because I needed a very small lamp for this space, and almost all the lamps I had found in the past were too big.  This lamp was the perfect size, although I am still on the hunt for a better lampshade!

Blue and White Ceramic Balls, Pearl River Mart, $1.99 
I love the way these blue and white Asian balls look gathered in a glass bowl.  It's an easy and affordable way to add a classic touch of chinoiserie to any room.  It's also much more practical than fruit or flowers because they never go bad!  We had a few decorative glass bowls already when I decided to create this arrangement, but Jamali Garden usually has a great assortment of inexpensive glass bowls if you don't already own one.
 

Plastic Guest Napkin Holder, Bed Bath and Beyond, $9.99
Caspari Guest, Napkins, Gracious Home, $7.00
I believe that having beautiful guest towels in your bathroom adds a great deal of elegance for a small price.  I also added a starfish to my guest towel holder for an added nautical touch.  I have had this napkin holder for a long time and I do not know if it is still available in stores, but I found this similar guest towel holder on Decorative Things for $20, and it comes with your choice of Caspari Guest Towels!

L'Occitane Shea Butter Liquid Soap Verbena, $22
This shea butter liquid soap does it all!  It cleans, moisturizes, and has a light and fragrant aroma of Verbena.  I know that $22 may seem steep for liquid hand soap, but I promise that this bottle will last you a long time, and besides being multipurpose, it instantly brightens up your sink area and adds a level of luxury to your bathroom which far surpasses that of every day liquid or bar soap.
 

White Ceramic Pineapple, Home Goods, $14,99
This pineapple has moved around many times in our apartment, but no matter where it is stationed it always makes me smile!

Orange Foo Dog, HomeGoods, $10.99
I found this beautiful orange food dog with the Greek key print for $10.99 on clearance at the Home Goods in Paramus, NJ.  Unfortunately I was only able to find one dog from this set, and at first I hesitated to put just one Foo Dog on display on it's own.  I'm sure this Foo would look great in a pair, but I have found that having just one Foo Dog on it's own is a fun variation on this classic look, and it looks surprisingly good solo!  It's also a great bookend, and adds a fun splash of orange to our living room!
 

This Vino carafe and set of Vino wine glasses from Crate and Barrel is adorable and great for entertaining!  I use this set all the time and get so many compliments on it.  And at $17 total I would say this carafe and wineglass set is definitely a great deal!

I hope you enjoyed seeing a few of my favorite attractive but affordable home accessories! Do you like this new feature?  Do you have a favorite home accessory that cost $25 or less?

Yesterday I had a long to-do list for the weekend like laundry, cleaning the apartment, shopping for groceries, etc...but when I received a call from cousins that they were going to the Woodbury Common Outlets, how could I resist my boring to-do list and meet them for some Saturday afternoon shopping?!

Before we left I also made sure to remind them about the Premium Outlets VIP Club!  Premium Outlets has centers around the country, and there is a good chance that they have a shopping center within driving distance of you.

Signing up for their VIP Club is free, and it gives you access to online coupons, and vouchers for the Premium Outlets coupon book.  All you have to do is sign up online, then print the voucher and go to their service desk to pick up the coupon book before you start shopping.  The VIP coupon book gives you access to even better deals than you can already find at your favorite outlets, and you are allowed to use these coupons on top of the already great reductions that you will find at the Premium Outlets center.

Yesterday we had a fun and productive day of shopping, and we were able to get even BETTER deals my using our VIP coupon books!

Did you get any great deals this weekend?