There's something about the onset of summer that makes me want to let my hair down and buy a new dress.

Summer style is a treasure trove of feminine charm and casual sophistication; it's a time where we get to be playful and prim, or modern and chic.

However, our thirst for a taste of "the good life" often leads to coveting leading designers we can't afford.

That's why I live for words like "designer clearance" and "sample sale", and can't resist the good ones.

Right now, ideeli.com is having their "Start of Summer Red Sale"--this means that they discount their usual steeply discounted sample sale prices and end up with mark-downs of 90% on a huge list of designers, with prices starting as low as $10.

Some of the clothing designers you will catch at this sale will be Just Cavalli, Julie Brown, Malene Birger, Simone Perele, Mac & Jac, Earnest Sewn Jeans, Jay Godfrey, Bedhead Pajamas, Escada, & Nicole Miller.

Also on sale will be handbags/shoes/accessories from the likes of LAMB Shoes, Pade Vavra Jewelry, Melissa Joy Manning Jewelry, Tila March Shoes, Abaco Handbags, Pucci Shoes, Roberto Cavalli Sunglasses, Ed Hardy Handbags, and Marc by Marc Jacobs.

I'm too excited to go on. Happy shopping--and have a great holiday!

--Aly Walansky

Holiday weekends are about more than sleeping late and eating barbecue.

This week, for the Fourth of July, GAP family outlet stores is just one of the places you will find fabulous deals on current summer styles.

At Banana Republic Factory Store, shoppers will receive 40% off the entire-store through July 6.

At Gap Outlet, shoppers will receive up to 70% off the entire-store through July 9.

Also, at all of these locations shorts will be on sale for $10 in the following areas - Chicago, IL, San Jose and San Francisco, CA, and Milwaukee and Madison, WI.

Shopping or no, I hope you are planning for a fabulous holiday!

--Aly Walansky

Dresses are a staple of a woman's existence. How else can you create an entire--coordinated--outfit, in one piece?

This week, Ebates.com sent me their list of the top ten summer dresses under $75. I was impressed!

Note, if you click through their site to get to the bargains, you get up to 6 percent cash back, on top of discount--that's plenty incentive to take a second to sign up. (It's free, so what do we have to lose?)

1. ELLE Floral Maxi Dress: $28.99, Kohls.com, 2% Cash Back
2. Ellen Tracy Satin Sheath Dress: $59.99, SmartBargains.com, 4% Cash Back
3. Merona Collection Boatneck A-Line Dress: $44.99, Target.com, 4% Cash Back
4. Tara Halter Dress: $44.50, Delias.com, 3% Cash Back
5. Boden Tie-Back Dress: $65.00, BodenUSA.com, 5% Cash Back
6. Ruffled Jersey Dress: $24.50, OldNavy.com, 2% Cash Back
7. Jonathan Martin Kimono-Style Dress: $44.99, OverStock.com, 4% Cash Back
8. Moschino Jeans Short Dress: $61.00, Yoox.com, 6% Cash Back
9. Contrast Print Dress: $59.99, JCPenney.com, 4% Cash Back
10. Puella V-Neck Empire Dress: $58.99, BlueFly.com, 4% Cash Back

Ideally, I would love to own a dress that reflects each of the summer trends. However, I'm not sure my closet could handle it all! This list, though, a great way to start!

--Aly Walansky

This weekend, I went outlet shopping and came across some great deals on designer brands. However, I was discouraged to see that even their "deals" are pretty wallet-abusing!

The names we all covet become in reach though at sample sales, and TheTopSecret.com is having a doozy of one this week.

Designer finds include Andrew Marc, Betsey Johnson, London Fog, French Connection, Vix, Ed Hardy, Gucci, and others--all up to 90% off!

Finally, your inner label addict can indulge.

Sale begins July 1 and goes until July 5.

--Aly Walansky

Any of us who grew up on a diet of Thriller and the moon walk will always remember exactly what we were doing the moment we found out Michael Jackson died.

Rather than letting it bring us down, let us remember the huge mark he left--not only on music, but on the world of style.

We consulted Lien Ta, managing editor at Hollywood.com, and she helped us out by offering some advice on how we can use style to pay tribute to the king of pop.

Red Leather Jacket
Michael worked his signature pop color, red, best in the form of a cropped, big-shouldered red jacket. If you wear a lot of black or white, lose the boring black cover-up and amp up your outfit with an everyday red (maybe leather?!) jacket. We're excited over the Red Patent Leather Jacket (pictured at right) at Spiegel.com--right now on sale for a thrilling $99!

Glitter Tube Top
The Michael Jackson way was to "add some glitter." Get a tight-fitting sequined tube top -- in all black, or even better, all gold! -- and wear it under the aforementioned red jacket. Top it off with a pair of cropped skinny black jeans and ...

Little White Socks
Pair little white socks with your high-heeled stilettos. Just like Michael Jackson would.

--Aly Walansky

Sometimes you come across a product you love, but it's such a simple concept you are shocked it hasn't been around for years.

Such was the case last night when I met Charissa Stuart, the founder of Peeky Toes. These toeless socks are a godsend for those of us who are so accustomed to our pedicures that we run down the block in flip flops in the dead of winter.

Peeky Toes are made with a single thong that fits between the first and second toes; they also have arch support! Just slip on a pair of the socks just before the polish is applied, then put on your flip flops and go on about your day.

I love them, and am now the proud owner of both an eco pair (made of organic materials) and a luxe pair (cashmere!).

It's an awesome gift find for your pedicure-loving friends, if you can bring yourself to share! The luxe socks are available right now at PeekyToes.com for $60, the eco-variety will be $35.

I am a huge fan of the ABS line, and was super excited when I came across their Essentials collection this year--the same quality designs at more affordable prices.

Even more affordable is when ABS goes clearance, and tomorrow only, they are having an online sample sale!

Prices start as low as $29, with discounts as high as 90%. The festivities will be held at ideeli.com! (Use invite code "shopdaily" if you are not already a member.)

If you are Whitney Port, you can wear an over-sized t-shirt and it becomes a fashion statement.

Recently, she was spotted en route to lunch with The City co-star Olivia Palermo wearing Wildfox Couture's "Roses" over-sized tee.

Whitney previously wore the same style while out on a recent shopping trip in New York City's West Village, so she must really like it!

"Roses" is available for $77 at WildFox Couture.

My favorite movie of the season, Confessions of a Shopaholic, is coming out on DVD Tuesday. I am so excited!

I think an event like this deserves celebration, and so, in tribute, some fun facts about the movie for those of you who are equally obsessed:

1. The film shot inside of some of the most exclusive stores and boutiques in New York, including Barneys New York flagship store on Madison Avenue, Henri Bendel on Fifth Avenue, Scoop and Catherine Malandrino in the Meat Packing District, Alessi (upscale housewares) in Soho, and Kleinfeld (elaborate bridal shop) in Chelsea.


2. Across the street from St. James Church, windows were re-dressed in actual Yves St. Laurent, Asprey and Sonia Rykiel stores for the film's climax.


3. In the film, costume designer Patricia Field selected clothing and accessories to adorn Isla Fisher's Becky Bloomwood, including Balenciaga, Marc Jacobs, Christian Louboutin, Alexander McQueen, Zac Posen, Miu Miu, Salvatore Ferragamo, Prada, Christian Dior, Todd Oldham, Gucci and Matthew Williamson, among others.


4. To create a lavish display in Henri Bendel's six-story atrium, as well as window decorations, production designer Kristi Zea and supervising art director Paul Kelly had to bring in a full complement of their department to pull an all-nighter with military precision, as they only had enough time between the store closing its doors to the public and reopening them again in the morning to pull off the impossible. Mission was accomplished, with legions of New Yorkers admiring the results before the cameras began rolling later that day.


5. Filming in New York City gave the filmmakers access to the pool of local actors perhaps better known for their work in the theatre than on film, including Christine Ebersole (Tony Award winner as Best Actress in a Musical for Grey Gardens), LaChanze (Tony Award winner as Best Actress in a Musical for The Color Purple) and Kaitlin Hopkins (star of the upcoming touring company of Dirty Dancing: The Musical).

There's some hot sample sales going on this week, and as frugal-minded as we may be, these are can't-miss bargains!

Some of my favorites are at ideeli.com. Ideeli is an invite-only site, but you can join for free and take part in any of the sales by using the code "shopdaily".

Look out for this deals:

Hunter
Lowest price: $34
Highest discount: 63%

Leigh & Luca
Lowest price: $72
Highest discount: 60%

Alisha Levine
Lowest price: $55
Highest discount: 65%

Sample sales are a great way to get the "name" brands at liquidated prices--but shop carefully! They tend to be in super-limited quantities, and once they are gone, that's it!