Today I am featuring one of my favorite online resources for unique and stylish home and fashion accessories: Layla Grayce! 

Layla Grayce has a large and luxurious selection of items that range from home furniture and accessories, to baby clothing and bath items.  This is a great place to find an affordable and attractive hostess gift, or something new and exciting to spruce up your own home!

I am also excited to share that Layla Grayce is currently offering a Friends and Family Promotion of 25% off almost the entire site now through Tuesday, November 30 at midnight!  Just use the online code HOLIDAYJOY to take advantage of this great deal!

Here are just a few of my favorite things from Layla Grace...

Blue Waverly Decoupage Frame: Orig. $44.95 ON SALE $31.71
Sea Urchin Decoupage Frame: Orig. $44.95 ON SALE $31.75
 

Clairebella Personalized Tray Hoopla: Orig. $43.00 ON SALE $32. 25
Clairebella Personalized Tray Diamonds: Orig. $43.00 ON SALE $32. 25
 

Bungalow 5 Claire Mirror: Orig. $575.00 ON SALE $431.25
Shelby Mirror in Gold Leaf: Orig. $408 ON SALE $306

Aden & Anais Swaddling Super Star 4 Pack: Orig. $45.00 ON SALE: $33.75
Baby Jar Swaddle Blanket Pack of 2: Orig. $42.00 ON SALE $31.50

Jessie Steel Hostess Apron: Orig. $30.00 ON SALE $22.50
Espresso Swirl Hostess Apron: Orig. $39.00 ON SALE $29.75

Do you see anything here that is calling your name?

This is the perfect store to find something for that hard to find person on your list...so if you haven't already started your holiday shopping, this is the perfect place to start!

The theory sample sale is this week in NYC and it is going to be a great opportunity to stock up on this timelessly chic designer line of classic suiting that never goes out of style!

The sale will include Women's fall merchandise in all sizes, and will be restocked daily!

Here are the details:

Tuesday, November 30 to Friday, December 2: 10:00am to 7:00pm
Saturday, December 3 to Sunday, December 4: 10:00am to 5:00pm

@ Clothing Sample Sales, 261 West 36th Street, New York, NY

Happy Shopping!

I hope that you all enjoyed restful and enjoyable holiday weekends with your family.  We are back at home in NYC, but had a great holiday with our family in NJ and CT!

Our Thanksgiving weekend started on Thursday when my husband, his brother, and I embarked on what should have been a short drive to his cousin's home in New Jersey.  An hour later, and only 30 blocks down the FDR, we realized that we were in for a long trip to our Thanksgiving dinner...

But we didn't let the traffic dampen our holiday spirits.  I got creative and started looking for a free app to help us pass the time during our extended car ride.  The app we all settled on was:

VH1's I Love the 80s Trivia offers 50 free 80s trivia questions all from the writers of VH1's I Love the 80s!  It also includes 20 I Love the 90s Trivia questions.  And, if you want more than just 50 questions, you can upgrade this application for just 99 cents and get over 500 80s trivia questions!  We decided to splurge and upgraded for the full version.  It was definitely 99 cents that were well spent!

An hour and a half later when we finally made it to our meal we didn't even notice the time that had past!  Wow my husband and his brother definitely know their 80s trivia...I am going to have to brush up on my 80s TV and rock bands before I play this game with them again!

Do you have a favorite app to help pass the time on extended car rides?

I hope you all had wonderful long weekends and safe travels home!

Yesterday I updated my Black Friday Sale Report with 40 sales that you can take advantage of this weekend to treat yourself and your family for less.  And now I have one more great sale to add to the list from one of my favorite designers, Tory Burch!

Now through Monday, November 29, Tory Burch is offering:

*A FREE TOTE BAG with any $150 or more purchase.
* 30% Off all Orders of $300 or more! Just use code: GetGifts
* Free gift wrap on all orders!
* Free shipping on all orders of $350 or more!

Happy Shopping!

Image via Country Living

This Thanksgiving I have so much to be thankful for...a husband who is incredibly supportive, and who makes me feel like the luckiest girl in the world every day; a family that is always there for me, and that never ceases to make me laugh and smile; and a second family (my in-laws) who have accepted me as a second daughter...I never knew I could love a family as much as my own until I met my husbands' loving, loud, and incredibly generous clan of cousins, siblings, aunties, and uncles!

I also want to take this moment to thank all of YOU: my amazing readers!  When I started this blog this summer I was nervous and did not know what to expect, but I want to thank all of you for taking the time every day to read, contribute, and comment on Living Luxe for Less.  This has been an incredibly fulfilling endeavor for me, and I look forward to all of the fun posts to come on how to live well, but spend less in the weeks to come!

But I also think its important to at least take ONE DAY to step back from the stores and shopping, and instead of thinking about our things, think about the people that truly make our lives meaningful.  I know that I often get consumed with having the right bag, or the perfect pair of shoes, but the fact of the matter is that if I didn't have my husband, family, or my best friends, none of these things would even matter!  It makes me think of this thought by Linda Henley:

So many of us define ourselves by what we have, what we wear, what kind of house we live in and what kind of car we drive...If you think of yourself as the woman in the Cartier watch and the Hermes scarf, a house fire will destroy not only your possessions but your self.

It just goes to show what really matters...and that's all of you.  Thank you for making my life so special, and giving me so much to be thankful for.  I hope that no matter where you are today, or who you are with, you have at least one amazing person, moment, meal, or memory that you can be thankful for too.

Happy Thanksgiving!

As promised, here is the follow up to the Black Friday Sale Report that I started earlier in the day.  I have tried to compile the most complete list of Black Friday Sales possible, but please let me know if there are any sales that I am missing, and I will add them to the list below!

Abercrombie & Fitch: Get a $50 Gift Card with every $100 purchase before 12:00pm on Friday!

Amazon: Amazon is doing a whole weekend of Lighting Deals that will go on sale at select times throughout the weekend!  At 4:30am on Thanksgiving day, check out Sex and the City: The Movie which will be on sale for $1.99!  And stay tuned for other great deals on Black Friday like the Amazon Kindle 2 which will go on sale for $89 at 9:00am on November 26!

Annechovie: As I wrote earlier today, Anne Hartwell is offering 25% off her amazing collection of prints, notecards, and home accessories...all of which feature her signature original artwork! Online Code: BLACK25

Ann Taylor: Get 40% off your entire purchase, online and in stores. 
Online Code: THANKS

Apple: They are being extra quiet about their approaching Black Friday Sale over at Apple, but I hear it is going to be GOOD! 
 

Armani Exchange: Get $50 off every $150 you spend in stores and online, now through Sunday, November 28!

Banana Republic: Get 40% off your entire purchase on Friday until 12:00pm online and in stores!  After that, get 25% off all weekend. Online Code: BRTHANKS

Bloomingdales: Save 20-40% off select merchandise, and get a $15 Bloomies Gift Card for every $100 spent from now until Sunday.

Bobbi Brown: My favorite beauty brand of all time!  Now through November 30 get a gift of 3 travel sized favorites from the Bobbi Brown collection with any online purchase.  Gift includes: Extreme Party Mascara, Crystal Lip Gloss, and Intensive Skin Supplement...and free shipping!

Calypso: Take an additional 40% off Fall Sale!  Online Code: THANKS10

Century 21: Get 25% off your entire purchase through Sunday November 28 with this coupon!

http://m.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=461511762547&set=a.450876917547.239642.256318337547

Crate and Barrel: Now through November 29 get 25% off dinnerware and wine glasses, PLUS, if you have the Crate and Barrel Gift Guide 2010 catalog lying around, make sure to look on the inside for a coupon...you should find one for 15% off your next purchase online or in store before November 29.

Endless: The most amazing source for stylish and affordable shoes and accessories.  If you have never checked out this incredible website what are you waiting for?!  And for Thanksgiving they are offering 30% off regularly priced items and a 10% cash back coupon!

Express: Get 40% off online and in select stores now through 12:00pm on Friday!  Discount taken automatically at check out.

Gap: Get 50% off the entire store until 10:00am on Friday, then get 20% off your entire purchase through Sunday, November 28.  Online Code: GAPTHANKS

GoDaddy: Are you thinking of creating your own website or blog?  Now is the time to do it!  This popular website and domain provider is currently offering 30% off all .COM, .NET, and .ORG addresses!

Godiva: Get 20% off site-wide, now through December 3. Online Code: PEOPLE

Horchow: Accoding to Lucky Magazine, this amazing home decor store is offering 40% the entire website tomorrow for Black Friday...plus free shipping!  I can't wait to check this one out for myself tomorrow!

Indego Africa: Is offering 10% off everything in their online store, plus free shipping on orders of $50 or more!  If you would like read more about this incredible fair trade non for profit organization, read more here.

J.Crew: Get 25% off all purchases of $150 or more, online and in stores.
Online Code: TURKEY

J.Crew Factory Store: Get 40% Off everything at the online factory store for November 25-26!  This is a great deal!

J.Press: Get 25% off at this classic menswear store that has been getting men's fashion right since 1902! Online Code: PSNOV10B

Kate Spade: Is offering their own online version of Black Friday Hide and Seek!
Spot the Penguin on the Kate Spade website and get 20% off the item he is hiding behind!  ALSO, get 25%  off all sale items through Monday, November 29. 
Use Online Code: Cyber25

Kate Spade Outlet: Get 40% off your entire purchase all weekend!  AND, if you have the energy to brave your local outlet mall at midnight, you can get 50% off your entire purchase from 12:00am to 6:00am on November 26! (excluding clearance items)

Kiehl's: Get 20% off your purchase through November 30. 
Online Code: FAMILY10

Kohls: I don't know why, but of all the stores near our parents house in CT, this is always our Black Friday destination of choice!  Maybe it's because the deals that Kohls offers for Black Friday are just too GOOD to pass up year after year, or maybe it's because you just never know what you are going to find at Kohls.  For example this year all Women's Apt 9 Cashmere Sweaters are marked down from $100 to $34.99 for the Early Riser crowd!

Land's End: Long Sleeve Cashmere Tees have been marked down to $69.50! 
Also, get $20 off any $75 purchase, and $50 off any $150 purchase through Sunday, November 28.  Online Code: TIMETOSHOP

Layla Grace: Get 25% off almost the entire store until midnight on Tuesday, November 30.  This is one of my favorite sources for luxe home decor and gifts.  Don't miss this great deal!  Online Code: HOLIDAYJOY

Loft: Get 40% off your entire purchase online and in stores. Online Code: ENJOY

Macys: Too many deals to mention but this is another one I know is going to be good!  Here is a link to their Black Friday circular if you want to see a selection of what will be on sale on Friday.  Stores open at 4:00am!

New York and Company: Get 50% off EVERYTHING in stores and online.  This promotion has already started!

Nordstrom: They are offering 50% off select seasonal merchandise for the whole family.  Check out these beautiful Tory Burch black stretch pants that are 40% off!

http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/3117816?origin=category&resultback=3566 

Piperlime:  My Piperlime addiction can now be your gain!  Get 25% off your purchase now through November 28.  Online Code: VIP

Pottery Barn: 20% of all wreaths, garlands, and ornaments!  Now through Sunday,
in stores and online.

Pottery Barn Kids: For every $100 you spend in stores Friday-Sunday, you will get a $20 coupon!

Rugby by Ralph Lauren: Get 25% off ALL FALL AND HOLIDAY STYLES now through November 29.  Online Code: RUGBYHOLIDAY

Saks: Check out Saks for a variety of sales including 25% off Select Denim, 50% off Select Cashmere, and a $25 gift card for every $100 spent on beauty. 
Online Code for Beauty Sale: BEAUTYSFA

ScoopNYC: Get 20% off all full price items at check-out.  Online Code: SCOOP4PSW

Shopbop: Get $50 off any purchase of $250 or more, and $100 off any purchase of $500 or more!  Online Code: BIGEVENT

Target: Another sale that is going to be great!  Discounted clothing, electronics, and toys...you name it, it will probably be at the Black Friday sale at Target!  A few of my favorites include: the 8GP iPod Touch for $225 along with a $30 gift card with purchase, TOMTOM GPS for $79, select DVDs starting at $1.99 like Punky Brewster Season One, and they also have board games starting at $3.99 while supplies last! 
Here is a copy of the circular...

Talbots: Get 25% off your entire purchase through Monday, November 29. 
Online Code: GIFT

Tiny Prints: Do you know you will be ordering your holiday cards from Tiny Prints this year?  If so why not take advantage of this deal...buy a $40 Tiny Prints gift card for $20 here! Offer good through 11/25 at midnight.

Tory Burch: Get a free tote bag with any $150 purchase or more; get free gift wrapping on all orders; free shipping on orders of $350 or more, and get 30% off any order of $300 or more!  Now through November 29.  Online Code: GETGIFTS

Victoria's Secret: Bras are Buy One, Get One Free now through Monday, November 29.  Select PINK sweatshirts and sweatpants are on sale for $25. Also get Free Shipping on ALL orders of $25 or more!

Williams Sonoma Home: Free shipping sitewide and 30% off "iconic favorites" like the Hempstead Mirror!  If you are like me and have had your eye on this faux bamboo mirror for some time, this is the perfect time to splurge!

I hope that you are able to enjoy a few of these sales this week, and if you found this list helpful, please pass it along to your friends! 

Happy (Black Friday) Shopping!

It's that time of year again...Black Friday sale season!  I'm sure you have been bombarded with circulars and TV commercials for big name stores like Walmart, Best Buy, and Toys R Us, with their newest promotions for this mad seasonal shopping day!

For my Black Friday sales update I am focusing on a diverse group of less publicized sales that will offer you great deals for this Friday, and every one of these sales can be taken advantage of online! 

Here are five sales that I am excited about for this Black Friday...

2. Apple: For all of you who have  iPads, iPhones, Macs, and other Apple related items on your holiday shopping list this year, I have one word for you...WAIT!

Apple basically has one sale a year: Black Friday!  Although Apple has still not released what exactly will be on sale this year, they just sent out a teaser message to get you excited about their super sale approaching on Friday! 

3. Amazon
Check out this online super store for hundreds of amazing Black Friday deals, like the Amazon Kindle 2 for just $89!

And for anyone with a baby or child on your gift list this year, be sure to take advantage of Amazon's new program: Amazon Mom!

Signing up for Amazon Mom will guarantee any parent, aunt, uncle, or grandparent a three month free membership to Amazon Prime just in time for the holidays!  Procrastinators with children rejoice!  Even if you wait until the last minute to order those Legos, you can receive them in just two days for free, and overnight for just $3.99. 

For more information on getting a free Amazon Prime membership, click here!

4. Bahama Hand Print
BHP is a great resource for all things island inspired.  They have a beautiful collection of home furnishings, tunics, fabrics, and accessories.  And they are offering...

25% Off Handbags this week!
Madison Bag: Orig. $98.00 ON SALE: $78.40

5. J. Press
Get 25% off Fall Merchandise this week at this classic Ivy clothier which specializes in preppy and put together clothing and accessories for men!  My Dad is a big fan of J.Press ties, and so am I!

Use the code: PSNOV10B

And because there are SO many great sales approaching this weekend, some of which have still not been announced...STAY TUNED for more sale updates throughout the day!

What sales are you excited about for Black Friday?  Please share them with us in the comments section below and I will add them to my Black Friday Sales Report List!

Even before Kate Middleton and Prince William announced their engagement last week, I have always admired Kate's simple and elegant sense of style.  I know some people may say the way she dresses is a little plain for a princess, but I could not disagree more!  I think she does an impeccable job of balancing quality pieces with simple, but stunning accessories to polish off her look.  In my opinion, Kate's style is the true meaning of the catch phrase: less is more!

And besides loving Kate's elegant sense of style, the princess to be and I have one more thing in common...we both have Ceylon sapphire engagement rings! 

Now Kate's ring is of course on a different scale than mine, but I love the unique character of the cornflower blue sapphire stone, and I believe no one can argue with how gorgeous the late Diana's engagement ring is!  Diana who had impeccable taste herself actually went against the grain and chose the blue sapphire and diamond ring when given the choice of a number of rings from Prince Charles.  For me the ring is special as my husband's family is from Sri Lanka, and it's obvious why this gorgeous ring is special for Kate for so many reasons!

And here is Kate in her most recent public appearance in the beautiful blue Issa dress which has been buzzed about around the world, and her new sapphire engagement ring!

This weekend while catching up on one of my favorite blogs, Lanalou Style, I came across another stylish and clever site that I just had to share with you...
Paris versus New York: A Tally of Two Cities!

Paris versus New York is an amusing and beautiful website where the graphic designer, Vahram Muratyan, has juxtaposed two fantastic cities through creative illustrations and references to pop culture. 

As a New Yorker I am always interested in anything that pertains to the beloved city that I call home, but for years I have also had a fondness for this other timelessly chic city. 

In fact, my best friends and I even made a pact that when we all turned 30 we would treat ourselves to a trip to Paris to celebrate this landmark birthday.  Unfortunately a few years later, a trip to Paris is not in the cards for us, but we still laugh and dream about the day when we will be able to afford our luxe ladies trip to the grand City of Light!

In the meantime, we all can get a dose of Parisian art and humor by checking out Paris versus New York.  The illustrations and captions on this site are so creative! 

Here are just a few of my favorites...

And the good news is that Paris versus New York is now selling select prints at their new online shop!

Can you guess which one will be on my holiday wish list this year? 

The l'obsession cupcake and macaroon print is definitely calling my name! 

Which one is your favorite?

Music: La belle et le bad boy - MC Solaar

As we gear up for Thanksgiving next week, the proximity of December shopping and gift giving is right around the corner.  Now I'm sure that many of you are completely organized when it comes to your holiday shopping, but if you are anything like me, than you may need a little extra help when it comes to tracking your gift list and budget!
 
I promise I have the best of intentions when it comes to shopping, but it's just so easy to forget who you have shopped for on your list, and before  you know it you have bought the same person two gifts and another person on your list is sadly left without even a stocking stuffer!

That is why I am so excited about the free Gift List  app new to the iPhone this fall. 

The Gift List application by Gennubi is a a free app that will help you:

- track gift lists by person
- track budgets and amount spent per person
- keep notes about each gift purchased
- check off gifts you have purchased
- keep a running tally of money spent