Manolo for the Big Girl

Now we all know the Irish are going to get their little green butts whooped up on by the vastly superior Welsh rugby team tomorrow in Six Nations rugby action, but just because the (still vastly superior) Welsh are going to beat up on them like the redheaded stepchildren they undoubtedly are doesn’t mean we can’t support the Irish sartorially.

Here’s a lucky little selection of green kicks on sale that’ll cover pretty much any activity you have planned.

Order them today, get them tomorrow and wear them on Wednesday for St. Patrick’s Day.

Left to right, top to bottom:

Apepazza “Flipper”

Nine West “Beaulah”

Kate Spade “Sabrina”

Onitsuka Tiger by Asics “Lawnship”

Alexander McQueen “Bud/Bud Star” (wah.)

Lucky Brand “Chantel”

Hunter “Hunter Original”

Report “Olwyn”

Converse Chuck Taylor All Stars Hi Tops

Have a great weekend y’all!

I don’t think it will come to a great surprise to any of you that I have what might be described a “a lot” of shoes.

Like China has “a lot” of people and the Vatican has “a lot” of sex scandals.

And while there are a few pairs I regret buying, and a few dozen I’ve never actually you know, worn, I have a fairly well-edited collection and as far as these things go, I suppose you could (though probably wouldn’t) say I’m actually fairly restrained in my shoe purchases for someone whose collection at this point probably had an original retail value of probably close to $40,000.*

And of course I have favorites.

Some sentimental–the baroque Elisa Ferare peeptoes of moss velvet and gold-washed snakeskin with corderie oak leaves that were handmade, the favorite of a boy I loved and lost– and some practical, like the little Miu Miu flats I’ve worn into the ground over the past two years.

But I don’t harbor under the delusion that all my shoes are necessary. In fact, I think if worst came to worst I could make do with one pair of heels for the rest of my life.

The Michael Kors Collection Cairo pumps in natural python. With an almond toe and a slightly conservative cone heel I scored a special edition that had –are you ready for this– gold leaf soles for 90% off (about $100) years ago and they are flaw.less.  I can pretty much wear them with everything except the most formal of evening dresses and they will never, ever, EVER be out of style.

YOOX has an excellent sale on an excellent pair of snake skin heels that will be fabulous for a lifetime:

ELIE TAHARI on sale for $98.

Good almond toe, nice classic detailing and do I even NEED to tell you how fabulous your legs will look in these? If you can walk in high heels, you’d be a fool not to buy them.

These look to me like water snake and not python and YOOX’s color reproduction is notoriously wonky so they might be a shade or two off in either direction, but these are an excellent investment for someone who wants the look of exotics but isn’t quite willing to shell out for python yet.

Incidentally, I sat on this sale for about a week until all my clients had a chance to order theirs, so if you’re one of my girls and you haven’t bought them yet (and why not?) don’t say I didn’t warn  you when they’re gone by this evening.

LAND’S END is having a big winter clearance sale. Many MANY items in plus sizes! Francesca’s picks (pictured): cozy cashmere scarf,  fleece half-zip pullover.

IGIGI has new dresses! What say you of them? Francesca’s pick is the (floor length) Secret Muse Dress with the Bolero shrug (pictured).

JUST MY SIZE has a deal on bras through February 24: Buy any two Glamorize or Bali bras (or one of each), get a third free.

EVANS wants to remind you that if you live in the UK or Ireland, you get free return shipping if something does not fit.

COLDWATER CREEK has reduced prices even further on everything in outlet (these prices are online only and may not match the prices in their physical Outlet stores).

BLUEFLY has new handbags and shoes in contemporary styles. Francesca prefers classic styles, but not everyone has the same taste, so perhaps you will love what is there. Francesca’s pick (pictured):Stuart Weitzman croc patent boots.

CHADWICKS will take $20 off your purchase of $60 or more, through January 31, with code CHTAKE$20. Shop plus sizes here.

ASHLEY STEWART has a “buy one, get one half off” deal on select items  (online only) , and has added new items to their virtual sale rack.

Happy shopping! xoxo

LANE BRYANT will give you shipping for $4.99 if you order $50 or more online (use code 025003055) or click here for a coupon to use in-store. Francesca’s pick. Both will work through January 29 (next Friday). Cute, colorful lingerie here. (NSFW)

FREDERICKS OF HOLLYWOOD is having a clearance sale. Plus sizes here. (NSFW) Also, through Sunday, if you order $75 or more, they will throw in a free lipgloss.

LA GRANDE DAME has new arrivals. Free shipping and free return shipping, as always, with code FREESHIP.

MONIFC has taken even more markdowns on several items, to make room for new stuff. Francesca thinks the prices are now at a very reasonable level, so if you usually cannot afford Monif C, and there is something you like, the time has come (though, unfortunately, everyone’s favorite robe is not on sale). Francesca doubts the prices will get lower than this. For example, the Angelina trench coat (pictured) is down from $245 to $98.

WOMAN WITHIN: If there is something you want from their site anyhow that is $25 or more, buy it today and throw in code WWLOVEYOU and they will give you a personal organizer with a binder, calendar, calculator, notebook, and address book.

SOMA INTIMATES has taken 25% off all lace bras (online only). Also see their semi-annual sale here.

SILHOUETTES will take The money off your purchase with code SAE3, through Monday: $20 off purchases of $100 or more, or $30 off purchases of $150 or more.

SAKS has new bags and shoes by Gucci. Free shipping on orders of $200 or more with code WINTER.

ONE STOP PLUS has many new arrivals.  Francesca’s pick: A cute cami.

CHADWICKS is having a big sale. Many excellent choices for the office!

AVENUE is having a big clearance sale. Through Sunday, also use code AV101006 for an additional $10 off purchases of $75 or more, or AV101016 for an additional 20% off clearance items. With the code, this one-shoulder dress (pictured) is now about $40.

Happy shopping! xoxo

As Francesca noted this morning, Torrid  has the following deals “for a limited time”:  1) Online and in-store, an additional 50% off clearance items(already included in listed price).   2) Free shipping online for orders of $75 or more – no code necessary.   3) Online: vote for your favorite jeans, and receive a code for $15 off purchases of $75 or more.  4) In stores: Try on any pair of jeans, get $15 off any purchase of $75 or more – see cashier for details.

Now, Francesca sees torrid primarily as a fun source of plus-size clothing for the teenage girl. This is partly because Torrid is heavily into t-shirts with all sorts of words and pictures on their fronts, and though Francesca does not think anyone, of any age, should ever, ever wear shapeless cotton t-shirts with words or loud prints in public – except, she will allow, to the gym class – she recognizes that 16-year-olds can get away with a certain level of forced grunginess which does not wear well on anyone over the age of 18.

It is also because Torrid sells adorable items with Hello Kitty on them. There are three kinds of people who can wear Hello Kitty: 1) Earnest little girls 2)  Teenage girls of goth irony and 3) women over the age of 50 who have a certain artistic flair, colorful glasses, and boundless energy.

And here we come to the crux of Francesca’s post today: With the right attitude and a good eye, women of many ages can create outfits out of Torrid offerings. If you are out of the high school, you simply must be able to overlook the Twilight tshirts and fallen-Catholic-schoolgirl plaid miniskirts with black mesh trimmings. For example:

YES

This Cherry Cropped Cardigan is perfect for the spring office outfit, with black dress pants or a red or white skirt. Soften the sweet factor with bold accessories like an oversize red purse, or maximize the spring atmosphere with pearl earrings and white sandals.

This Tweed Cropped Jacket with ribbon trim(and a removable pin),  is a good choice for the office. Francesca could do without the ribbon trim, but it is not bad, and with this jacket on double-clearance for under $20, it is a good choice for the young woman who is building up her work-appropriate wardrobe.

This Black Poplin Laser-Cut Eyelet Skirt can be made more conservative for work with black stockings and pumps and a matte black blouse, or given a bit of sex-kitten appeal with a pink cashmere cardigan. Or wear bare-legged with sandals and a sleeveless top for Sunday brunch with the girlfriends. It is on double-clearance right now for under $12.

NO

There are times and places for cleavage, and perhaps — if one stretches the imagination — a time and place for a red cotton t-shirt with blue roses painted on it. But Francesca cannot think of any time or place where both those things are appropriate.

MAYBE

Here we have the Faux Leopard Swing Coat(on double clearance) which is not for the timid. Who should NOT wear this: teenage girls; women who think this will make them look classy. Who SHOULD wear this: tall women with enormous confidence and flair, who are fierce and fun, who love attracting attention but are not b*tchy to others. (If you are not nice to others, Francesca does not care how you dress; you have bigger problems.)

So, browse carefully and have fun. xoxo

CJ BANKS is having a weekend sale (online and in store), through Sunday: an additional 50% off clearance, and 50% off sweaters. The split turtleneck sweater looks cozy. The square neck eyelet tee which Francesca has previously highlighted (pictured) is now marked down from $40 to just $10.

TORRID has taken an additional 50% off clearance items, (online and in-store), “for a limited time.” There are some wonderful deals there for the younger girl of fabulosity, and in perusing the selections, Francesca found that even the women in their 30’s  and 40’s can find select items that are on the more muted side, appropriate for the office.

EILEEN FISHER will take an additional 25% off sale items through Monday, online and in-store.

CATHERINES has several sales going on: 1) today and tomorrow, get $15 off any purchase of $75 or more with code 777003260. 2) Through January 16, get 25% off spring new arrivals. Francesca is feeling “eh” about it, but likes this pretty side-wrap bathing suit (pictured) and the draped-front knit dress for work or evenings. 3) 40% off denim, through Monday.

COLDWATER CREEK has begun their bi-annual Red Tag Clearance.

FASHION BUG has items in the following categories on sale, online only, through Monday: tops for $8 or less; bottoms for $10; sleepwear (terry-cloth robe in 1x and 2x here); dresses (Francesca found a bridal gown in 16W for under $55). Also, intimates are on sale, online and in-store.

SPIEGEL introduces their new “Leather and Leopard” collection, some of which is 50% off right now. Not all items come in plus sizes, but the Misses sizes go up to 18.

Happy shopping and happy weekend! xoxo

My dear internet friends, Francesca has been at her computer, typing away for the Day Job, almost non-stop since Sunday morning, and her head may very well explode. This calls, you know, for retail therapy.

AVENUE introduces their “screens and jeans” collection.

CATHERINES end-of-year clearance sale ends today. Also ending today, bras and shapewear are “buy 2, get 1 free” and panties are “buy 3, get 2 free.” Finally, today only, get 40% off a regular-priced item with code 777003245.

FASHION BUG, too, is having sales on intimates, online and in-store through January 19. Bras are “buy 2, get 2 free.” Panties are “buy 3, get 3 free.” Shapewear is “buy 1, get 1 at 50% off.” They also have some nice new workout clothes.

JUST MY SIZE is having a bra sale through January 18.

IGIGI has added new items to their sale rack. Francesca’s pick: the Jessica dress (pictured) is now under $50 (limited sizes). They also have some VERY interesting new arrivals.

JESSICA LONDON is having a winter sale including coats and boots and other things to get now at good prices to wear next year (and this year). Francesca’s pick: the Leather Trench Coat.

MAKE YOUR OWN JEANS will take 10% off any purchase with code 10JEANS through January 31.

MAXIMUM WOMAN is selling coats at 50% off, and for a limited time if you buy one sale coat you can purchase a second for $50. Use code SUKA. Also see their clearance sale here.

MONIF C is having a “secret sale” through Friday: PHONE IN your order at 1.212.842.1641 and say “secret sale,” and they will take 50% off the original price of holiday items, and 50% off the clearance sale of clearance items. (This also works in person, if you can go to their Manhattan boutique.) If you have been eyeing the trench coat, or if you are on the love side of the “love/hate” divide on the convertible dress, now is your chance.

OLD NAVY is having a clearance sale.

PERFUMANIA is having a big sale on a wide variety of scents, and you get free shipping on U.S. orders over $65.

That should take care of Francesca’s headache! xoxo

SILHOUETTES will take an extra 25% off clearance with code SCL25. Ends tonight at midnight.

KIYONNA will take 20% off everything from their site, and give free shipping on orders of $100 or more, through midnight tonight. Use code RESOLUTION.

CHADWICKS is having their first sale of 2010.

TORRID has new swimwear. Francesca’s pick.

SHOEMALL is having a sale.

LA GRANDE DAME will take 25% off everything on the site with code NEWYEAR, through Friday.

CHICO’S will take $25 off purchases of $100 or more with code 6712, through Sunday.

B & LU is having a terrific post-holiday sale, with many fantastic party/night-on-the-town tops now for under $20.

JESSICA LONDON is having a winter clearance sale.

AVENUE is having a “winter sidewalk” sale. If you can wear empire waists, check out this fun “Sosie Geo Print” dress for the summer, costing just $12.96 on clearance.

FIGLEAVES is having a nice sale, with items up to 50% off.

ALIGHT has a sale going on.

ZAFTIQUE’s clearance sale ends on January 11.

JUNONIA, the wonderful source for cold-weather clothes and activewear, is continuing their after-Christmas clearance sale.

SMART BARGAINS is having a big liquidation sale with truly excellent deals. Women’s apparel. Shoes. Fine Jewelry. Women’s watches. Handbags and other accessories.

Francesca’s picks: Check out these incredible designer-shoe opportunities:

• Charles David leather boots for $72.
• Isaac Mizrahi satin peep-toes, $72.
• Taryn Rose Cap-Toe Wedges, $143.
• Charles David crocodile stiletto boots, $192.
• Cole Haan “Genevieve” copper pumps, $98.
• Taryn by Taryn Rose double-strap Mary Janes, $66.
• Cole Haan “Lucetta” Mary Janes, $104.

To kick off 2010, Francesca reminds you to take certain life-saving measures (and directs you to designer shoes on sale at terrific prices):

Always wear your seat belt, whether you are in your own car, or in a friend’s, or in a taxi.

Make a fire evacuation plan with your family. Make sure everyone in your house knows where all the exits are, and decide now on a rendezvous point outside. When you have sleepover guests, show them all the exits, too.

Burn prevention tip: If you have small children, put down tape on the floor a few feet around the stove, and make a rule that they may never cross the tape.

Tell your spouse/parents/medical proxy that if anything should happen to you, you want to donate your organs to save someone else. Signing a donor card is nice, but ultimately the decision will rest with those who love you. Don’t leave them with the burden of wondering what you would have wanted!

Have a safe and life-affirming 2010!

AVENUE has a large selection of items up to 80% off (online, and some are in-store only), “for a limited time.” Also, ending today, use code AV91143 for 25% off your most-expensive item and 30% off the next-most, if you buy 3 or more items.

TORRID has taken 50% off Clearance, and is having a holiday sale, including 25% off dresses. If you order $75 or more, use code CELEBRATE for free shipping. Francesca’s picks: Purple Fur Collar Cardigan for $17.50;  Black Rosebud Print Tiered Skirt $15; floral pencil skirt $15;  Black Corset Top $20.

CATHERINES will give you free shipping on orders of $75 or more, ending tonight at midnight Eastern. Their end-of-year clearance goes on through January 12 and is here. Also through January 12, bras and shapewear are “buy 2, get 1 free” and panties are “buy 3, get 2 free.” These offers exclude Goddess and (sadly) Spanx brands. Francesca’s Picks.

NORM THOMPSON is having their winter sale.

CJ BANKS is offering $5 shipping on any order. Francesca sees that they have some nice, classic, wardrobe basics in their section for sizes 4x and 5x.

ASHLEY STEWART is having an end-of-season sale, online only and “for a limited time,” with 50% off your entire purchase.

SAKS FIFTH AVENUE has new styles in by Christian Louboutin. Go look at the pretty $800 shoes here.

TALBOTS is having their famous Red Hanger sale. Note that they sell both Woman and Woman Petite sizes.

COLDWATER CREEK will take 60% off your entire purchase (online only), through January 4, with code WKH8281.