Recently in Designer Discount Category

We all know we love to shop, but do we know the best time to get our engines going?

According to the "Go Frugal" blog at FreeShipping.org, stores begin stocking shelves on Thursday to prepare for the weekend. Weekends are when the most items are sold so the best selection and best prices can be found if you make it to the store before the weekend.

Save additionally by shopping at the end of the season. Clothing stores need to make room for new collections and will mark down clothing significantly to reduce stock. As a new season nears begin looking for deals on clothing. For example, spring is the time to get a good deal on winter clothing.

Keep this in mind when planning your week: The best time to buy clothing is Thursday evening and end of season!

Whether you are hitting the beach, taking a road trip or just hanging out at home, now is the perfect time to stock up on some great summer must-haves.

Here's some sales I'm watching out for this weekend:

Gap: Men's and women's shorts are just $25 (regularly $36.50 to $49.50) from May 22-25.

Old Navy: On Saturday, May 23, shoppers can get a pair of Old Navy's famous flip flops for just $1! But the fun doesn't stop there, Saturday and Sunday, kids can join in the "Toe-tally Cool Flip Flop Design Contest for Kids". One lucky winner's design will be used for a pair of flip flops sold in our stores.

Banana Republic: Shoppers can receive 30% off all regular priced purchases from May 21-25.

Piperlime: From May 18 through May 31, Piperlime's "Sweet Deals" promotion offers shoppers 30% off summer shoes - including sandals, wedges, sneakers - and also a selection of handbags.

I'm all about interactive shopping! If you know about a great holiday deal going on this weekend, please leave a comment below and share it with the rest of us!

Have you recently noticed starlets like Beyonce and Rihanna sporting the Balmain military look? This sent me on a mission to find a way to steal their look on the cheap!

Check out the Go International Line Bandleader Vest, $34.99, at Target.com. It helps us capture the trend with cash to spare!

The double-breasted vest style has been popular since menswear fashions gathered steam. My tip is to wear it with very feminine counterparts, perhaps a ruffled skirt or your sexiest heels. You'll be hot, and on trend!

I'm totally avoiding bathing suit season. However, should I actually purchase one, I will make sure I'm getting a good deal.

This Wednesday, April 22, Shopflick.com is offering five bikinis by emerging Brazilian swimwear line Peonie at up to 82% off for just $29.99 each. Featured styles include the Frans Bandeau Bikini, Sofia Links Bikini, Bea Bikini, Pipa Bikini, and Capri Bikini.

As you may know, Peonie, which is a fave of celebs such as Nicole Richie and Ashlee Simpson, focuses on offering sophisticated swimwear items, featuring unique laces, distinctive embellishments, and refined accessories. The design team hails from Brazil, and they have traveled the most popular beaches in search of what makes the perfect figure-flattering yet sexy swimsuit.

Many of us never enter Neiman Marcus for fear of sticker shock, but from April 17-27, Neiman Marcus is celebrating their twenty-first anniversary discounts of 20-30 percent off the already-discounted prices at Last Call, their outlet stores.

Tip: If you use your Neiman Marcus credit card you get an extra 20 percent off, and if you sign up for the Neiman Marcus Last Call email list you receive a coupon for an additional 20 percent off one item on top of the sale price and on top of the credit card discount.

This week at Victoria's Secret, there's major discounts going on, and as VS is among my biggest weaknesses, I can't help myself from indulging.

Check it out:
1. $15 off any $100 purchase (Just use Spring09 as your code at checkout)
2. 5 for $25 panties
3. 25 percent off on ANY clothing item! (SAV25 is the code)

These deals are in effect on the site through Sunday, April 18, but get there while they have your size!

We may feel like we have nothing to celebrate today, but turns out we do!

Shopbop is having an awesome sale: Save $25 on your order of $200 or more, $75 on orders of $400 or more, $125 on orders of $600 or more and $200 on orders of $800 or more.

This includes all the big-name brands, such as the Velvet Kolora Tube Dresss so it's a chance to go blow that tax refund on something really special. Use coupon code TAXBREAK09 at checkout by 4/16. There's free shipping on all orders, too!

Going green is more fashionable than ever, and you will see more and more designers jump on the eco-fashions bandwagon.

Made of biodegradable materials that do not harm the environment, wearing organic not only looks great, but also helps the planet!

As you know, Earth Day is a few days away, and to celebrate, eDressMe.com is offering 20% off brands such as Trinity, eco-Skin, Dresses by Kate, Synergy Organic and more from Friday, April 17 through Monday, April 20, including this adorable Black Organic Poppy Screen dress at left, which is only $47!

Recessionistas are turning to alternative shopping options like never before, and the designer resale boutique has become the new haute couture. (At least in my circles!)

Check out my newest discovery, Christabelle's Closet, an online resale boutique that has designer duds at incredible prices--as well as a clearance closet with even better deals!

This weekend, I was browsing and found an Iisli gray pleated sleeveless dress--a $400 value--for $25! It's sort of an effort of survival of the fittest--as it is consignment, there's usually just one size of each item, and it goes super fast. More reason to bookmark and visit often!

The competition is heating up at secondhand shops as more fashionistas are becoming recessionistas in the slowing economy.

In fact, Goodwill and the Salvation Army are reporting that sales are up as much as 10 to 20 percent this year. The March 2009 issue of ShopSmart, from the publisher of Consumer Reports, uncovered secrets for navigating vintage, consignment, resale and thrift shops to snag designer clothing and accessories at bargain basement prices.

 "If your taste is Chanel but your bank account is Banana Republic, secondhand shops may be the answer," said Lisa Lee Freeman, editor-in-chief, ShopSmart. "We found armfuls of great designer goodies in like-new condition at secondhand shops from coast to coast."

The Recessionista Shopping feature includes advice for finding the best secondhand shops, determining if an item is worth altering, cleaning out your closet to cash in, and more.

1. Look up shops in fancy ZIP codes. The tonier the neighborhood, the better the booty. Also go to www.narts.org, the site of the National Association of Resale and Thrift Shops, to find stores in a particular area.
2. Surf the Web. Scan eBay and visit great online shops like ShopGoodwill.com, ShopHousingWorks.com and SomeLikeItVintage.com, which all benefit charities and carry fabulous clothing and accessories. DesignerApparel.com is another great find.
3. Support a cause. Select the cause nearest and dearest to your heart, then support it by shopping at its thrift store. Also call local hospitals to ask about their thrift stores.
4. Check by phone. Call periodically to find out when new goods arrive. If you make friends with the owners, you can get them to call you when preferred styles and sizes come in.
5. Shop for evening gowns and cashmere. Wear-once-and-never-be-seen-in-again items like gowns are likely to be fantastic deals. Older cashmere sweaters tend to be thicker and better quality than new ones.
6. Know what to fix and what to forget. Items that are too big, long or long-waisted can be easily tailored so grab them, but skip those that are too small, short or short-waisted. Even if there's enough fabric to lengthen a hem, there will be a telltale line if the fabric is worn at the hemline.
7. Ask when new shipments are available. New shipments tend to be put out on Saturday mornings to lure weekend shoppers. The end of the year is also a good time, when people clean out closets and donate clothes to get a tax break. Designers and manufacturers with showrooms often donate unsold items and samples from spring lines in March and April, and from fall lines in October and November.
8. If you're in Florida, shop for winter clothes. People move to warmer locations and discover they do not need overcoats.
9. Bargain, bargain, bargain (but not at charity shops). Prices are often negotiable.