Hi there,

If you happen to be visiting Steals & Deals for the first time, I thought I'd wish you a heart-felt welcome to our fabulous shopping blog. And if you're a returning visitor, thank you for tuning-in again!

In case you weren’t aware, my name is Dara Fleischer, and I’m a self-confessed shopaholic. Shopping isn’t just my passion, it’s my business. I’m a personal shopper and Founder and Editor of FashionJunkie.com.

Now, as iVillage’s Shopping Expert, my mission is simple: to clue you in on what to buy and where to buy it…before it’s passé. I’m constantly combing the streets and surfing the Web in search of the hottest boutiques, designer deals and steals to keep you in-the-know.

A serial shopper with a sixth sense for all things fashionable, I have a knack for sniffing out the hippest designer hideaways, best vintage frocks and cheap ’n chic places that won’t drain your bank account. Whether you’re fashion challenged or simply too busy to shop, I’m always on call to give you the tips and tricks for tackling the toughest clothing calamities. So be sure to check back on the Steals & Deals blog regularly to see my latest finds!

Since this blogging thing is a two-way street, please don’t forget to post your comments -- the Steals & Deals community wants to know what’s on your mind! Or if you have a fashion emergency or need some retail therapy, you can post that as well, and I'll be sure to answer your questions.

Happy shopping!

(Have a sale, event, or hot item you think Steals & Deals should consider, email me at stealsanddeals@nbcuni.com)

As an entrepreneur who recently depleted my savings to launch my own business, FashionJunkie.com, I’ve sadly had to cut back on my annual clothing allowance.

So rather than splurge on those big-ticket designer items I used to gravitate towards (a.k.a. Loeffler Randall shoes), I now seek out frocks from less pricey, yet more personable emerging designers.

Enter BadJoan.com - a sample sale site that offers members FREE access to dreamy designer clothing brands at deeply discounted prices.

Click your way through a stunning selection of overstock from the hottest indie labels, including Wilen Los Angeles (the founders very own knitwear line), Colin Robertson (sexy leather sandals), Kate & Kass (flirty floral print dresses), Marcello Toshi (the kicks shown here are his) and Stella & Jamie (gleaming gold tops), to name a few.

Sign-up for an account and receive a secret discount code that entitles you to 80% off all their mouth-watering merch. You’ll also be pleased to know that 80% of every final sale goes directly back into their designers’ pockets. Just remember to enter your Bad Joan promo code upon checkout to receive the discount!

Steals & Deals wants to know how you make out at BadJoan.com. Share your purchases with us at stealsanddeals@nbcuni.com!

I admit I’m a bit of a shoe whore. In fact, my closet is crammed with so many footwear boxes (48 at last count), that I no longer have enough room to hang my clothes. Pathetic, I know.

Although I’ve clearly blown my footwear budget for the season, how could I not check out today’s Sigerson Morrison warehouse sale? The mother of all shoe sales, Sigerson Morrison is practically giving away a plethora of unsold product, thanks to ridiculously reduced prices.

To give you an example of the insanity, Sigerson Morrison kicks that originally sold from $250 to $800 have since been slashed from $75 to $200!

Prepare to duke-it-out with other footwear fanatics, including yours truly, over patent leather ballerina flats (the ones shown here are from Belle, their less-pricey sister line), gladiator sandals (so of-the-moment!), metallic wedges, leather booties and boundless other mouth-watering styles. Just make sure to shop smart, as all sales are final.

With a sale of this magnitude, it might be worth playing hookey. Just don’t tell your boss we told you to do so!

The Retail Details!
Who: Sigerson Morrison & Belle
What: warehouse sale on shoes, sandals and boots
Where: Metropolitan Pavilian, 123 West 18th Street, 4th Fl., NYC (btw 6th & 7th Avenue)
When: Wednesday, May 7th (10am-7pm); Tuesday, May 8th (8am-7pm); Friday, May 9th (8am-2pm)
Payment Type: cash and credit only, no checks!
Website: sigersonmorrison.com

In case you didn’t get a chance to read my Vintage 101 shopping guide, you might be missing out on one of the newest names in yesterday’s fashions – Rare Vintage.

A coveted Big Apple boutique, Rare Vintage stocks a mouth-watering mélange of slightly worn European designer frocks, accessories (bags to bondage-inspired bustiers) and kicks (Givenchy to Halston) from the ‘60’s, ‘70’s and ‘80’s.

If you check out their blog, you’ll spot a stunning Hervé Léger evening dress, a slinky Azzaro chain sweater and a gorgeous Gucci web print dress that, much to my dismay, just sold. But I digress…

In honor of Mother’s Day, Rare Vintage proprietor Juliana Cairone (an impeccably dressed mother of twins) is honoring fellow Moms with a special 3-day sale starting this Wednesday, May 7th. With designer pieces normally priced from $150 to $1,100, all you penny-pinching Moms can expect to find some major bargains.

If that wasn’t enough to whet your appetite, the first 20 ladies that come in will receive a pampering Mother’s Day gift bag filled with goodies from Physique 57, Townhouse Spa, Elemis skincare and Matt + Nat, eco-friendly handbags. Just don’t tell my Mom… I want her to think I’m splurging on her gift this year.

The Retail Details!
Who: Rare Vintage
What: Special Mother’s Day Sale!
When: Wednesday, May 7th through Friday, May 9th
Time: 11:30am-6pm
Where: 24 West 57th Street, Suite 501, NYC (New York Gallery Building)
Website: rarevintage.com
Phone: 212-581-7273

Calling all New York-based bargainistas! Get your wallets ready for Showroom Seven’s biggest sample sale yet. Prepare to duke-it-out with other die-hard fashionistas over Spring/Summer ’08 samples as well as overstock from past seasons at insanely discounted prices!

Stock up on cozy A&G cashmere v-neck mini tank dresses with Swarovski trim (retailed for $1000 and now $400!), fluorescent “techno deco” Erickson Beamon bangles (reduced from $475 to $190!), a luxe Issa London silk jersey halter dress emblazoned with blue butterflies (slashed from $700 to $308!), a laminated Orla Kiely flower print shoulder bag (reduced from $184 to $90!), a sexy Robin silk sleeved Barbie dress (slashed from $395 to $158!) and many more irresistible finds.

To get the most bang for your buck at next week’s Showroom Seven warehouse sale, be sure to read my recent “Steals & Deals” blog post about shopping the sales like a pro. Good luck!

The Retail Details!

What: Showroom Seven Sample Sale!
Where: 269 11th Avenue @ 27th Street, New York City
When: Monday, May 5th through Friday, May 16th (closed Sunday)
Time: 10am-7pm
Phone: 212-643-4810
Payment Type: cash, Visa, MasterCard and Amex
Website: showroomseven.com