TWISTED KNICKERS

Brand: Vaseline
Product: Petroleum Jelly

Okay, so last time I posted I mentioned that I thought I was on my deathbed. It seems I may have exaggerated. Although I did end up in the emergency room the day after Christmas due to a severe cold, exhaustion and dehydration (for real, not the Lindsay Lohan binge-fueled variety), I did in fact survive the holidays. Being that I am with child, preggers, knocked-up, what have you, I was not prescribed any antibiotics for my suffering. Aiding in my recovery were some very basic remedies such as orange juice, a humidifier and Vaseline. Don’t get me wrong, the dehydration and exhaustion sucked, but the sore, chapped nose that resulted from my constant nose blowing was unbearable. Thank God for Vaseline.
Sometimes in our quest for the next-best-thing, we overlook tried and true antidotes for that which ails us. I attempted to make use of several different moisturizers in my drawer of misfit cosmetics. I hinged my hopes on more than a few moisturizer samples that I’d hoarded. Neither of those strategies cured my nasty nose. Finally, one night I swiped a coat of Vaseline on my schnoz, hoped for the best and went to sleep. The next morning, the crust was gone. I kid you not. Let’s face it, a product that’s been around since the nineteenth century deserves some props. While some beauty bloggers blather on and on about Le Mer, I’m happy to sing the praises of Vaseline. Chapped lips, cracked feet and dry cuticles, beware.
Vaseline petroleum jelly is currently on sale at drugstore.com. A 13 oz jar currently retails there for $4.04.

Cut Costs Cuties!

Now through Wed., 1/7 - The Annual Shoe-Inn Warehouse Sale
Shoe-Inn’s 13th Annual Warehouse Sale features over 10,000 pairs of women’s designer shoe collections by Tory Burch, Ugg Australia, Jessica Simpson, Marc Jacobs, Chloe, Celine, Donald J. Pliner, Michael Kors, Kate Spade, Kors, Juicy Couture, Stella McCartney, Frye, Matt Bernson, Stuart Weitzman, Kate Spade, Burberry, Pedro Garcia, Robert Clergerie, Zalo, Miss Trish, Roberto del Carlo, Acqua Italia, Pucci, DKNY, Ralph Lauren, Anne Klein, Puma, Cynthia Rowley, Calvin Klein, Miss Sixty, Converse, Lilly Pulitzer, D&G, Charles David, Moschino, Steve Madden, Kenzo, Betsey Johnson, Fieramosca, Minnetonka, Jack Rodgers, Fitflops, and many others.

All shoes are $19.99-$74.99. All boots are $34.99-$99.99. New merchandise is added daily. This event has been named “The Ultimate Shoe Sale” by FOX News (2008).
Place & Time: 1356 Broadway Gotham Hall (at 36th & B’way); 9am-7pm

Now through 1/10 - Agent Provocateur
Racy underthings are half off; the Bridgette bra is $65.
Place & Time: 133 Mercer St., nr. Prince St.; Mon.–Sat. (11–7), Sun. (noon–6).

Now through 1/17 - Links of London
Jewelry, small leather goods, and accessories are up to 50 percent off.
Places & Times: 535 Madison Ave., nr. 54th St.; Mon.–Sat. (9:30–7:30), Sun. (11.:30–6). 402 W. Broadway, nr. Spring St.; Mon.–Sat. (11–8), Sun. (noon–7). MetLife Building, 200 Park Ave., nr. 44th St.; Mon.–Tues. and Thurs. (8–8), Wed. and Fri. (8–7), Sat. (10–6), Sun. (closed).

Ongoing - Barneys Co-Op
Check out the denim blowout sale. Find jeans from 7 for All Mankind for $39, Marc by Marc Jacobs for $70, Stella McCartney for $79, and more.
Place: 236 W. 18th St.; 116 Wooster St.; 2151 Broadway; 660 Madison Ave.

Ongoing - Phillip Lim
Men’s and women’s fall ready-to-wear collections from 3.1 phillip lim are 40 percent off. Plus, Kid by Phillip Lim is 30 percent off.
Place & Time: 115 Mercer St., nr. Spring St.; Mon.–Sat. (11–7), Sun. (noon–6).

Ongoing - Daryl K
Noho boutique Daryl K offers 75 percent off their signature line and their sister label Kerrigan.
Place & Time: 21 Bond St., nr. Lafayette St.; Mon.–Sat. (11–7), Sun. (noon–6).

Hope you all enjoyed your holidays and were able to soak in a bit of relaxation.

We’re taking off a few more days and will be back in blogging mode on Monday, 1/5. We wish everyone a safe & Happy New Year!

I scored on my puffer search and just in time. I’m off to Montreal in a few hours where the temps are a balmy 3.

My eye was on the Betsey Johnson, but it just wasn’t exactly what I wanted and the price wasn’t that great either. Again, this is a purchase I don’t care to make in the first place so it’s very difficult to shell out my dollars no matter what the price. A friend suggested Daffy’s. I LOVE Daffy’s. Now why didn’t I think of that?

Jackpot. $30 (yes that’s correct) for a full-length puffer, hooded, little belted neck warmer piece, and pretty cool buckles down the front. I’ll post a picture later. All I need out of this coat is to get through the next few days in Monteal and I can already tell you, it’s WARM. I was actually breaking a sweat in it yesterday in NYC.

A final blurb…why are all the weather women on tv trying to dress like sexy Santa’s helpers today?

Wishing everyone a safe & happy holiday!

Happy Holidays to one and all. Usually, I love this time of year. The holly greens, the ivy greens, the prettiest picture you’ve ever seen, snow crunching, kids bunching, its Santa’s big scene and all that jazz. I know, I know, but it’s all soooo commercial you say. Well, yeah, maybe it is, but I love it all anyway. I love it so much that this year I ran myself into the ground shopping, baking and hitting up any social event I was invited to. Believe me, I’m paying for it. Not only am I broke, but I think I’m on my deathbed.
There are two shopping days until Christmas, and I’m considering mailing it all in. I’ll send my cards out the 26th. My family should love me enough not to care if my house is not absolutely spotless when they arrive on the 25th. Surely I’ve baked enough. There are some great recipes online for homemade kahlua and bath salts. Those would make great gifts! Everyone loves a relaxing bath and some homemade hooch! My mother always said she loved the gifts I made the most.
I know it’s possible to enjoy the holidays without making myself sick in the process. I know it is possible to enjoy the holidays and not blow my budget as well. Why, last year my husband and I agreed not to exchange gifts with my beloved sister-in-law (Nikko) and her husband. We began a new tradition. We celebrated our friendship (who says family can’t be friends) over beer, wine and tappas. A night out together was worth far more than any gift we could have bought each other. In fact, a night in together is just as much fun (Nikko is a tappas Queen). The holidays should be about togetherness, right?
Even though I understand all of this I plan to be at Macy’s at 8:30 sharp just after my three-year-old boards his school bus for preschool. Hey, I have coupons that shall not be wasted! But, you know what they say. Do as I say, not as I do.
Happy Holidays friends,
Gemma