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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. Leave your comments here and let us know!!

The Shoe Box, one of my favorite Big Apple boutiques, just called to inform me that I’m on their “preferred” customer list (woo hoo!). I know I’m a likeable gal, but what could I possibly have done to deserve this? Then again, perhaps it’s because of the Luba J. patent leather bag and Loeffler Randall platform shoes I impulsively splurged on last month.

Whatever the reason, one of the many exciting perks I’m now be privy to is access to  “VIP” Shoe Box events such as this weekend’s friends and family sale. Sure my closet is full to the brim, but with 20% off any Spring '08 shoe or handbag, how can I possibly resist? And since I’m all about sharing the wealth, I’m happy to extend the same VIP treatment to my new iVillage family. Yes, that means you!

Head to this friendly, family-run biz for an insane selection of high-fashion footwear and handbags your wardrobe deserves. Glam up your gams with Marc Jacobs (suede booties), Nanette Lepore (peep-toe pumps) and so much more. Also not-to-be-missed are the dreamy Rebecca Minkoff shoulder bags, Lauren Merkin clutches and Anna Corinna totes.

But don’t take my word for it… sprint on over and see for yourself! When you arrive, ask for Fama (the adorable store manager) and she’ll enter you in a drawing to win a killer pair of kicks and shoulder candy. Happy shopping!

The Retail Details:
Who: The Shoe Box Friends & Family Sale
What: Includes Spring items and sale merchandise
When: Saturday, February 9th & Sunday, February 10th, 10am-7pm
Where: 77th and 3rd Ave
Phone: 212-535-9615

In case you haven’t guessed by now, I have a bit of a footwear fetish. One of my favorite New York-based stomping grounds for cool kicks is Clarabella - a cozy store-cum-gallery space that also sells a jaw-dropping assortment of stylish bags, belts, jewelry and even art.

During one of my recent FashionJunkie shopping tours, I discovered that Clarabella is holding an insane end-of-season footwear sale. Since all their current Fall/Winter stock must go (Spring shipments are already trickling in), now is your chance to score some major deals. Read: 40% off all boots and 25% off all shoes.

Some styles worth noting:

Suede wedge heel booties with lamb fur lining like the ones shown here (Tashkent by Cheyenne, originally $420, now $252!), brown suede and knit over the knee boots (Tashkent by Cheyenne, originally $540, now $324), black suede over the knee wedge heel boots with fur lining (Tashkent by Cheyenne, originally $560, now $336), striped leather peep-toe heels (Marcello Toshi, were $320, now $240), red patent leather flats with side cutouts (Faryl Robin, were $130, now $97.50) and brown suede slip-on boots (Marcello Toshi, were $460, now $276).

Having shopped at Clarabella dozens of times, I guarantee you won’t head home empty-handed. That is, assuming there's anything left. Better hurry!

The Retail Details:
Store: Clarabella
Address: 279 East Houston Street, NYC (@ Clinton Street)
Hours: Tues-Sat, 12-8pm; Sun, 12-7pm; Closed Mondays
Phone: 212-979-0270
Website: clarabellanyc.com

Not just a Valentine’s Day staple, the color red has certainly come a long way. From Lipstick Queen’s deep crimson lipstick (the shade du jour), INC’s cranberry baby-doll coat, to Christian Louboutin’s signature fire-engine red soles, nothing feels more empowering than sporting the color rouge. In fact, the power shade has become so big, that February 1st is now officially known as national “Wear Red Day.”

Don your favorite scarlet-colored apparel at any Macy’s department store on Friday, February 1st and you’ll receive a 15% savings pass valid for nearly all their red hot merch. Should you forget to wear red on that day, Macy’s is offering customers a “Go Red For Women” dress pin and a 15% savings pass with any $2 donation to the American Heart Association. You can shop without the guilt knowing that all contributions received will benefit the Go Red For Women Movement.

As for me, well… I’ll be sporting my freshly colored cinnamon hair.

Happy shopping!

Having spent a considerable amount of time in Spain (mmm… Manchego cheese), I’ve developed a bit of an obsession for their food, wine and of course, cheap ‘n chic clothing chains. First I was hooked on Zara, then Massimo Dutti and now, I just can’t get enough of MNG by Mango —the latest rising star to hit the American fast-fashion retail scene.

In case you didn’t know, MNG by Mango is a Barcelona-based powerhouse that produces fashionable, yet affordable clothing that constantly flies off the racks at each of their 800+ locations. And now, you too can add a ton of MNG by Mango to your wardrobe, thanks to their nation-wide clothing and accessory sale. But you’d better act fast… you only have one more day to save up to 70% off on all their drool-worthy Fall/Winter stock.

Visit mngshop.com today to take advantage of insanely accessible prices (nothing tops the $200 range) on all of their red-hot merch including the limited-edition Cruz collection (as in Penelope and Monica). Standouts include a sexy leopard print overcoat (slashed from $219 to $108.99), a billowy one-shoulder tank (went from $69-$33.99), a punchy red patent-leather trench (reduced from $89 to $43.99!), a sexy mens-inspired vest (went from $59 to $28.99) and the foxy fur vest shown here (slashed from $89 to $43.99).

MNG by Mango Factoid: The company name “Mango” was chosen by its’ founders when they visited the Philippines and tasted the fruit for the first time. A mango represented exactly what they were looking for: something fresh and exotic. With an ultimate goal of opening Mango stores all over the world, this became the ideal name due to its’ easy pronunciation and universal translation.

Looking to load up on nearly new designer threads without breaking the bank? Then you’d better strap on those stilettos and sprint over to Ina – the coveted New York-based consignment shop.

Known for daily deliveries of unwanted designer duds courtesy of fashion editors, stylists, celebs and models, Ina is holding a hot end of season sale at each of their 5 locations staring today through Sunday, January 27th.

Set aside at least a few hours to sift through the latest mint condition clothes, shoes and bags, which are practically being given away with prices up to 70% off retail!

Expect to duke-it-out with other vintage die-hards over a Marc Jacobs yellow silk dress with beaded trim (reduced from $495 to $149), a purple Marni print T-shirt (reduced from $115 to $35), a green Mayle silk blouse (slashed from $150 to $45), a killer pair of Manolo Blahnik croc pumps (reduced from $445 to $134!) and a pretty Rochas floral print blazer with lace trim (slashed from $325 to $163).

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

Visit inanyc.com for store locations and hours.

I’ve always been a fan of all things Australian, from the wine to the licorice (mmm… Kookaburra), the peeps (so friendly) and even the frocks. But since I can’t bare the thought of being cooped-up on a 21-hour flight from New York to Sydney, I’ve found a less stressful way to get my Aussie fashion fix locally… by shopping at Elizabeth Charles. A chic boutique that stocks dozens of under-the-radar and established designer clothing and accessory labels from Down Under, Elizabeth Charles is the go-to spot for trend-setters like Kate Hudson and Helena Christensen.

In honor of Australia Day (who knew?) this Saturday, Elizabeth Charles is celebrating by unloading their current Fall/Winter inventory at prices so low it will make the Tasmanian Devil’s head spin. Prices will be reduced up to 90% off (stop the insanity!). And don’t forget the $20 clothing rack!

Choose from designer darlings such as Camilla and Marc (the red jacket pictured above was slashed from $699 to $175!), Karen Walker (flirty ‘n feminine skirts and shirts), Zambesi (the metallic gold bubble dress for $234.50 is a must), 18th Amendment (high-waisted stovepipes) and Juliette Hogan (billowy tops). Don’t forget to load up on Nearly Nude lingerie and Lipstick Queen’s sultry Red Sinner gloss ($18).

Stop by the San Fran or New York outposts from Thursday, January 24th through Sunday, January 27th as soon as doors open to take advantage of all the decadent designer stock.

A hot tip: to avoid all the insanity, shop online at Elizabeth-Charles.com

New York: 639 ½ Hudson Street, 212-243-3201
San Francisco: 2056 Fillmore Street, 415-440-2100

When it comes to New Year’s resolutions, most people tend to focus on diet and fitness. While I won’t be disregarding either of those (I’ve been gorging on way too much cheese and dark chocolate), my personal goal for ’08 is to stop spending frivolously on clothes, shoes and bags. Gotta save for retirement, right?

But having just been alerted about Shopbop.com’s Winter blowout sale (think savings up to 70% off retail!), it’s apparent that I won't be retiring anytime soon.

In case you didn’t know, Shopbop.com is a designer e-boutique that stocks the latest must-have labels from Ella Moss to Marc Jacobs. Having perused the entire site last night due to a severe case of insomnia (oops… that 4pm espresso was a definite no-no), I inevitably came across a bevy of irresistible bargains.

Break the piggy bank with a pair of army green, patent leather Georgina Goodman booties (slashed from $565 to $282.50!), a charcoal Grecian mini dress by Jenni Kayne (reduced from $390 to $195), a candy-colored bubble hem T-Bags tunic (only $97) and the jaw-dropping Erickson Beamon necklace shown above (slashed from $439 to $219.50!).

Some final words of wisdom: sign-up for ShopBop’s e-newsletter so you don't miss out on all their irresistible sales and deliveries.