Right on Target

EVERYONE already knows about Target and it's unbelievable deals, but what people forget is their unbelievable clearance deals. Take their current 18K gold over sterling silver jewelry that has ranged from $24.99-$79.99 for the past several months. Take that jewelry and slash the prices and you'll end up with a gold necklace for $19.98 that was $79.99.

That's why today's Live Richly, Shop Thrifty tip is: patience.

Unless you are salivating mindlessly over that one item from that one store that you just don't believe you can live without, WAIT. Check in periodically until you see it has a pretty red sticker (or in Target's case, orange) that reduces the former price 20% or more. Check the other store to make sure they didn't mark it down either (you never know, some staff is slacker than others) and most importantly, LOVE IT! Don't just slap cash on the counter for a trend, make sure it's something classy and classic that can be worn all the time and not something you'll regret wasting your time and money on! Remember, for the real deals, you have to be in the store!

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Trend Steal

Ethan Allen 3-Cushion Hastings Sofa versus Zipper-Stripe Eco-Friendly Biscuit Sofa.

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Trend Steal

Christian Louboutin Rolando Python at Barney's New York versus Gianni Bini Jersey at Dillard's.

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It's All About the O

Overstock.com is the new black.

If you need jewelry, clothes, shoes, handbags, furniture... ANYTHING, Overstock has it, and has it for less. They also incorporate $2.95 shipping on all purchases. Overstock houses designer everything and even has diamond jewelry. Need a computer? A TV? Overstock has it. Want to incorporate foreign decor into your home? Overstock facilitates with it's "worldstock fair trade" link. They even list bestselling books and movies all for low prices!

So next time your "internet" shopping, checking out the O!

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Exploring the Amazon

If there is one thing I've learned from trekking the internet, it's that Amazon.com is good for more than just books. It's also pretty good for watches and jewelry too (nevermind a few import CDs and a Kindle I'm salivating over). You can type just about anything your heart desires into the Amazon search bar and it'll pull up everything from designer handbags to gourmet food and cellphones.

That's why today's Live Richly, Shop Thrifty Tip: Amazon.com

Yes, this may seem like a duh to some people, but I for one am quite thrilled at the Cartier-carbon copy watch I received for my birthday 2-years ago. Was it a knockoff? NO! I do not do knockoffs, at least not anymore ;), but it looks quite fashionable on my wrist. So now when I'm head over heels for a $450 Michael Kors watch I know I just can't live with myself for splurging on, I click over to Amazon and pick up the $50 Fossil one instead.

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Trend Steal

Fossil Analog Black Dial watch versus Burberry Black Chronograph watch and Geneva Platinum Black Round Bezel Link watch versus Michael Kors Black Midsize Ceramic Chronograph watch.

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Trend Steal

Jennifer Meyer 18K Gold Small leaf necklace 18" versus Target 14K Gold-Over-Silver Leaf Charm Necklace 18"

Trend Steal

Givenchy Chain Belt Maxi Nightingale in Ivory Bone versus BCBGeneration Rembrant Satchel in Oyster.

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Music Minute

British girl group Girls Aloud. I've been obsessed with their single "The Promise" for months now, but I decided to venture out and listen to more of their music and it is definitely reminiscent of the 90s wave of girl groups. Their latest CD Out of Control has gone double platinum in the U.K. and they just won a Brit Award for best single of the year. Though they've been around for 6-years (they were founded through a reality television show Popstars: The Rivals in 2003) they have yet to make a splash across the pond here in the U.S.

Lets hope that happens soon. For now, I'll just continue to listen to their 2008 single "Can't Speak French" from their 2007 album Tangled Up. Did I mention, they actually have talent?

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Trend Steal

Cartier Tank Americaine White Gold Women's Watch versus Citizen Women's Eco-Drive Stainless Steel Watch.

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Spotlight: J.Crew

Tanger and Premium outlets are meant to house discounted name brand merchandise, but no ones says it has to be aesthetically pleasing discounted merchandise. The problem with outlets is that they have products from the retail chain no one wanted to pay $89.99 for, so they believe that slashing the price by $20 will make a difference. It doesn't. If a blouse is ugly at $90, it's still ugly at $70. The only time the blouse will become attractive is if it is reduced to $10.

Today's Live Richly, Shop Thrifty Tip highlights one outlet that seems to get it right: J.Crew.

The J.Crew outlet receives similar, if not identical (from last season) clothing reduced heavily and usually with an additional percentage off. J.Crew outlets are filled to the brim with accesories, shirts, shoes and handbags... it's the one outlet where a sale is a sale and you receive your money's worth.

Trend Steal

MICHAEL Michael Kors Goldtone & Tortoise watch versus Pedre Women's Goldtone & Tortoise watch.

Bridging the Gap

Today's Live Richly, Shop Thrifty Tip: The Gap.

The Gap is the best place to find real style steals at deep discounts! If you're looking for classic pieces to add that perfect finishing touch to any ensemble, then your best bet is the Gap where there is a minimal amount of large boisterous prints and an array of plain colored shirts and skirts. Gap can be pretty pricey, with a newly introducted cardigan at $39.99, but one that's been around for a few weeks in a similar color can go for $17.99. With Gap, you have to be patient. That dress you eyed when you first walked in for $69.50 can be as cheap at $24.99 only a week later.

Your best bet is in store. Gap Online may have exclusives, but those usually come with exclusive prices + shipping and handling. All in all, Gap is the best place to score your perfect new piece for a perfect good price.

Trend Steal

Brian Atwood Hidden Platform Pumps versus Steven Madden Trinitie Pumps.

Champagne Taste, Beer Pocketbook

Being a product of middle class America, luxxe celebrity handbags appeal to me, but do not belong to me. A leather carryall by Miu Miu can be identical to a leather carryall by Francesco Biasia, yet one costs $2,000 while the other is $500. Celebrity style websites and entertainment shows would like to make the public believe that the $500 bag is a steal, and it is. It steals from your wallet to make you unable to buy lunch for a month. If they don't feature a bag for half the price, they feature a cheap pleather rip off that rips to shreads after being used for two months.

Today's Live Richly, Shop Thrifty tip comes thanks to Dillards, Marshalls and TJ Maxx.

If you want to carry a leather bag that looks expensive, feels expensive, but ISN'T expensive, then these retail chains are your best bet. While some of their leather purses can hit upwards of a C-Note, they're really good at red-tagging after a few weeks. Dillards is the best place to find a perfectly pretentious purse at $259, that is reduced 50% with an "additional 30% off of already reduced merchandise." Dillards brands include Kate Landry (hit or miss at times with styling, but highly recommended), Antonio Melani and Gianni Bini. Fair warning with Kate Landry: you will not find the most attractive of her collection online; in store is the best way to catch the fab bags and deals. Marshalls and TJ Maxx are the best places to find last season's MICHAEL Michael Kors purses and wallets for over 60% off. This at times can still put the bags around $129-$179, but the best part about Marshalls and TJ Maxx is that they exercise LAYAWAY, which allows you tuck away your find for 30 days and pay in installments. All they require is $5 to store it.

Image c/o Dillards and Brand Antonio Melani "Luci" leather clutch for $74.50.

Trend Steal

Linea Pelle Dylan Folding Tote in Black versus Liz Claiborne "Jackie" Leather Flap Satchel in Black.

Down in the Basement

I love a closeout. I love a sale. I love when they are combined. That's why Filene's Basement is my favorite place in the (shopping) world, today. Sadly, only located in large metropolises (including NYC and DC), Filene's is a bargain hunter's dream.

The store is outfitted with racks and racks of designer jeans, dresses, shirts and shoes. Handbags and jewelry also have room. Prices are generally slashed over 30%-50% before being placed on clearance and no it isn't just the ugly discarded merchandise from Neiman's (though, some of that does find it's way).

Filene's is definitely where bargains were born. PS: It also has Bridal Shop.

House and Home

One store I feel never gets the credit it deserves is Big Lots. Shelved with furniture, rugs, counter top appliances (microwaves, blenders), food and more, Big Lots provides deep discounts on some high quality goods. It even has closeout furniture!

Founded in 1967, and operating over 1400 stores in 47 states, Big Lots is the best place to find that pot set you need for over half off department store prices or that salon shampoo that was overstocked at it's previous home. I highly recommend them for miscellaneous electronic devices like remote controls, computer keyboards or stereos.

Find one near you.

Spotlight

Amy Adams is one of my favorite actresses and soon she will be for the world as well. Adams is one of those dynamic, yet underrated, thespians that must slowly build a resume of outstanding pictures before some big wig takes notice. Then, she'll take one film that will bring the bandwagon and "fan"demonium will ensue.

Adams first caught my attention with her role in Junebug followed by a turn as a princess in Enchanted. I absolutely adored her in Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day. She currently stars in the Oscar-nominated film Doubt alongside the brilliant and subtle Meryl Streep and formerly underrated Phillip Seymour Hoffman. Not to be mistaken with the witty Isla Fisher, Adams should own a room full of trophies from the phenomenal performances she has undertaken since she first began acting.

Hopefully, the Academy and everyone else will catch on soon.

Music Minute

In keeping with my "Right Now, We're Loving..." posts' general inclination towards music, The Beach Music Sound is the perfect compilation befitting of a lazy day around the house (or a more practical one spent doing laundry or cleaning). The sound is that of old R&B in its prime when it wasn't necessarily about a raunchy birthday present or love knocking you down, though those are both quite nice contemporary chart climbers.

My favorite of the album is Bob & Earl's cha-cha-slide precursor, Harlem Shuffle. Enjoy!

Right Now I'm Loving...

Rope of Silicon. This website never ceases to provide valuable information in the entertainment arena. Brad Brevet, Laremy Legal and crew dish out news on upcoming films and television shows.

I rely on Silicon's movie reviews and enjoy the witty snips in the Box Office Oracle posts. Brevet also posts his awards season predictions and favorite mid-year and year end films. If that's not your speed, they receive stills and teaser/full length trailers for upcoming movies. If you need helpful, unbiased info on your favorite programs and films or even to hear about entertainment events like Comic-Con, give them a look.

Music Minute

Santigold's "L.E.S. Artistes". The single, from the singer's 2008 debut Santogold, is featured on a teaser commercial for Lifetime Movie Network.

Santigold has collaborated on/produced songs for several heavy rotation artists. Rolling Stone gave her eponymous album 4/5 stars and placed the album at #6 on it's top 50 albums of 2008. The magazine also listed "L.E.S. Artistes" as #2 on it's 100 Best Singles of 2008 (only behind Beyonce's screechfest "Single Ladies (Put a Ring On It)").

Music Minute

The Notorious B.I.G.'s Duets: The Final Chapter. The album combines some of Biggie's original unreleased material with collaborations from some of today's hottest artists. I've always been a fan of Biggie Smalls, most notably his songs "Juicy" and "Big Poppa."

My favorite Duets include the single "Nasty Girl" featuring Jagged Edge, Diddy, Nelly and Avery Storm as well as the album tracks "Ultimate Rush" produced by Scott Storch featuring Missy Elliot and "Just a Memory" featuring Clipse and Diddy. The album definitely leaves a lasting impression just as B.I.G. has.

Music Minute

Citizen Cope's (real name Clarence Greenwood) sophomore album The Clarence Greenwood Recordings as well as his debut Citizen Cope. I've been a fan since 2004, and Greenwood has become better between albums. His songs have also been featured on a plethora of television shows as well as films.

My favorite's from his first LP include: "If There's Love", "Appetite for Lightin' Dynamite", and "Theresa" and the best of Greenwood have to be "Sideways", "Pablo Picasso" and "Bullet and a Target". I also own Greenwood's most recent Every Waking Moment, released in 2006, but have yet to find a favorite so far (though I'm sure I will). I'm hoping someone will soon catch on to his talent.

Music Minute

Angie Stone's Mahogany Soul. Ms. Stone has never had a dramatic commercial success (though she was number 1 on the Billboard Top Heatseakers). Her soul anthems, Wish I Didn't Miss You and Brotha are wonderful and permanently positioned on my iPod.

She's no longer with J records (according to Wikipedia she is now a Stax) so it may be more difficult to find her most recent albums, but there is always greatest hits or iTunes.

Spotlight

Right now, someone somewhere is on the rise in the entertainment industry. Before we thought it was Jessica Alba (and she has risen), then we thought Megan Fox (she has as well, though with her continually vapid comments she may also fall) and finally with Zac Efron (though, we don't know if he has a fan following anymore). Now, we believe Garrett Hedlund is next.

Hedlund, 24, starred in one of our favorite films, the seriously underrated Four Brothers alongside Mark Wahlberg, Tyrese (who I'm happy has an acting career with Transformers because seriously, what happened to him and the whole singing thing?) and Andre 3000 (who needs to continue with his singing, hello Hey Ya!). He was also in Troy, which I loved because I didn't leave even though it spanned like 3 hours. Hedlund was just tapped to star in Tr2n. I do not know what that is, though I do know it is supposed to have a following similar to Watchmen, though on a smaller scale (maybe).

He was good in Friday Night Lights and made us believe Lindsay Lohan was actually worth coveting in Georgia Rule (yes, I know as if that is possible). Lets hope he has a meteoric rise too, just not as fan driven or crazy as the one experienced by Robert Pattinson with Twilight.

Music Minute

Kings of Leon's Only By the Night. This band is hot in the United Kingdom and slowly on the rise in the United States. Matthew McConaughey gave the band a shout out on his Myspace Celebrity Blog.

Downside, not surprisingly, they are not playing a concert anywhere near me anytime soon, but if you get a chance... check them out! I'm more a fan of their earlier songs (I have Red Morning Light and Molly's Chambers on my Ipod running playlist), but it is still a great listen.