Join Rue La La invitation only shopping site and get a $10 shopping credit if you join before Valentine’s Day. Rue La La has new designer clothing, shoes, travel destinations and home goods on sale every day. The prices are 30-90% off and you can find high quality designer products for much cheaper than you’d typically pay. If you order, you pay $9.99 for the shipping, and shipping is free for the next 30 days! They also have an iPhone app making it super easy to shop anywhere, and get the deals as soon as they hit the site. Addictive, yes – but this is how you can live life to the fullest and stay on your budget!

Join now.

H&M Bold Colors & Tangerine Tango

Did you already hear..? Tangerine Tango is the Pantone color of the year 2012? H&M is on it! Their spring collection has several pieces in this tangy orange color, for cheap prices that you’d expect from H&M. It’s easy to get on board with the bright and bold tangerine tango craze when it’s as affordable as H&M. Yes, this most likely is a color that you wouldn’t want to wear two years from now.. so you’re OK for getting your clothing and accessories in not so good quality.

You can pick casual or work day looks from H&M spring collection to get a vitamin C boost for your wardrobe. I guarantee you will feel energized and ready to live life to the fullest when wearing tangerine tango.

Also, check out H&M Home Spring 2012 Collection Bold Colors at Skimbaco Home – no, unfortunately the home collection is still not available in the US, but it gives you an idea how to bring these bold colors also for your home.

Vintage Flair

If the bold colors are not for you.. no worries, H&M spring 2012 collection also has a nice collection of clothing with vintage flair.
In the H&M Home Collection you will see rustic influences, like pictured below, and relaxed chic Parisian style, which also continues in the clothing collection.

Nautical stripes, denim and cardigans. Shorts, skinny jeans AND very flare jeans, everything goes. Denim with white for casual and dressy look. I personally wear this classic style all the time, and would recommend a better quality brand that will last for years to come to achieve this look – but if you think this look is just a spring fling, H&M is a great option.

Here are some of our new pairs of shoes.. We got several Puma shoes for $30-45/pair already ready for spring. The black leather Ralph Lauren boots were a steal for around $60 at the RL outlet, the men’s Timberland’s boots also from the outlet, the girls’ Sorels online find…

Two facts: bargain shopping can be an illness and you can never have too many shoes.

I suffer/master both. I’ve been super-shopping for shoes the past three weeks, and I’ve scored nine pairs so far… No – not for me alone (I wish!), but for the entire family! Why I think bargain shopping can be an illness..? Because I rather pay $60 for shoes that normally retail $120 than $50 for shoes that are full priced at $50 – I don’t even go for the cheapest ones! Sale sign is like a shiny penny to me, and I can’t help but getting a kick out of shopping at sales and feeling I got a bargain. Are you like this too.. or is it just me? But the fact is that I have saved hundreds of dollars by buying shoes 35-75% off and getting the brands I like.

Shop for Winter Boots

I couldn’t find the exact long Ralph Lauren boots that I bought from the store online, but polo.com still has the shorter version, the Ralph Lauren LAUREN Quinta Leather-Shearling Boot for $76.99 ($109.99 sale price, and 30% off everything today, automatically reflected on the shopping cart). These are the most comfortable and the warmest shoes you can think of. I love mine! Perfect for après-ski, or in the city with skinny jeans.

I’ve been scouting for Sorels on sale for the past few weeks, and here are the best quality/price I’ve found so far:
Sorel Tivoli Plaid Winter Pac Boots – Waterproof, Insulated (For Youth) $49.95
Sorel Torino for Women $74.90.
Sorel ‘Sorelli Tall’ Boot $99.99
Sorel Sorelia Earhart™ Mid Canvas $179.99

PUMA for Spring

You can’t go without Puma shoes for the spring… I found the Puma red suedes for $39.99 online, but as you’ll find out, it’s men’s model – I still like them :) You can find the same Puma Suede shoes in different colors for women, prices from $47.99 at Zappos.com (with free shipping) and $39.99-$44.99 depending on color at East Bay.

And if you are fast – you can get some super deals on PUMA shoes at Rue La La – more below.

Going Fast – Flash Sale Finds Right Now

No surprise here – I love flash sale sites. I’ve been thinking too long for a few pairs of boots and missed on them, you need to react fast when you find any sale items on invitation only flash sale sites! Here are some of my favorites available today, but shop fast – or they are gone, and keep going back!

Puma shoes on sale right now at Rue La La.

These finds from ideeli

These finds from ideeli

These shoes are on sale right now on Gilt

These shoes are on sale on Hautelook.

Happy shoe shopping!

Ever wish you could just take a chill pill and instantly feel relaxed? Well, maybe you do… Mine is called “wine”.

I admit, there are days I’m looking for some miracle “pill” that will instantly transform my life or how I am feeling!

I think during the beginning of the year it’s always good to remind ourselves to chill out a bit, and not take life too seriously. It’s great to set up goals for the new year, make resolutions and all, but I think it’s equally important to remind yourself to chillax and to live life to the fullest. Take it easy, remember to enjoy life, laugh a little more and remember what really is important in life. On the other words take a chill pill and carpe the shit out of diem. That, and living healthier, looking prettier, losing weight and taking over Europe are my top 5 New Year’s resolutions.

Shop for fun non-medicated pills

I don’t do pills. If you know me, I’m better known for raising awareness for Motrin’s advertising hick ups than taking it for pain, and that even birth control pills get me pregnant. But I could make an exception to the rule, and take almost any one of these chill pills…

LOOK CHILL

Pill Necklace Pendant ($14.50/each) looks cool and “chill pill” makes a trendy statement.

Take a Chill Pill nail polish by Ginger + Liz ($12) makes your nails sparkle. And when your nails sparkle, you can’t help it but chill. You can’t take life too seriously with sparkly nails, and this is exactly what this doctor is prescribing you right now.

CHILLY DRINK

Fred Friends Chill Pill Silicone Ice Tray ($8.95) is great for when you want to share some chillaxing drinks with your friends too. I think one great New Year’s resolution would be “spend more time with friends and invite them over for chill drinks more often”.

Pill carafe ($7.95) is inexpensive yet it looks fantastic. Surround yourself with beautiful objects and serene environment and you will feel a bit more chill too. And when design costs under 10 bucks, well, that’s just too good to be true.

Jonathan Adler turquoise pill carafe ($48) is a bit more expensive but still affordable design. Hydration is important, so keep this by you and get some H20 during your day, and look and feel more chill than ever.

CHILL PILL ON THE GO

Chill Pill speakers are around 30 bucks and these speakers don’t just look cool, but they will make listening music anywhere with your laptop/iPhone/iPod/MP3 player etc. heck of a nicer experience. Because nothing makes you more chill than listening some of your favorite tunes.

Take A Chill Pill Gum ($4.99) is a must. You can’t help but smile when you pull this gum pack out of your purse. Also makes a great gift for the teenager in your life or your BFF with a sense of humor.

Chill Pill iPhone sleeve ($22.50) protects your iPhone and looks cool too in a fuzzy kind of way. Because nothing makes you more raged than breaking your phone. So protect it to keep your cool.

CHILL LOUNGE AT HOME

Ponteur Pillola Pill Lamps look great for chillax feeling in your home, but the price tag of $5,000 and up make me feel everything but chill. But if your allowance gets it, go for it. We already discussed about the importance of great design.

Chill Pill handmade soaps ($4.50 each) may not be design objects, but you nothing beats a little chill time when you lock yourself in the bathroom in your home and just have a little me time. May these soaps be a reminder that you need to equip your bathroom with pampering spa products to make it your ultimate chillaxing spot in your home.

Sofia Vergara looks amazing in the blue sexy Catherine Malandrino off-the-shoulder number she wears in her latest film – “New Year’s Eve.” I happen to know that this New Year’s Eve numerous women will be looking as sexy as Sofia in the exact dress, but they only paid $75 for the dress! The Catherine Malandrino ‘Modern Queen Elizabeth’ dress regularly retails for $525, but you can rent for just $75.00 on Rent The Runway, it’s already rented out for the New Year’s Eve!

But even if this dress is already unavailable to rent for New Year’s Eve, I recommend checking out Rent The Runway for other dresses. You know how it is.. you always want to have a new dress for each special occasion and then the rarely or only once used dresses start taking your closet space and even worse – it just gets ridiculously expensive! I love the idea of renting dresses and always looking top notch and in the latest styles without actually spending the big bucks for each dress.

Rent the Runway isn’t just for dresses… If you truly want to dress to impress, check it out for handbags and other accessories as well, like this Vintage Chanel Classic Black Coco Bag that retails for over $6,000 but is yours to rent for that special party for $400. Of course, all of the bags are not this price point, they have handbag rentals starting as low as $15.

Finally there is a way to eat the cake and have it too when it comes to dressing up in your best for the special events.

Sale Find: Keurig B40 Coffee Maker, Elite Single Serve
Normal price: $164.99, sale price: $115.49
Shop: Macy’s

Get 30% off All Keurig Brewers at Macy’s until Monday, December 12th, 2011. Don’t forget to add her/his favorite coffee pods with the gift, now you can also get Starbucks coffee for Keurig single serve coffee makers.

Rue La La is one of my favorite shopping destinations because they have always the top designer brands and the craziest up to 90% off sale prices! If you sign up before 12/8, you will get $10 credit to your account! Signing up is free, but be warned, shopping designer clothing, travel and home products on deep discounts can be addictive.

We just published The Ultimate Holiday Gift Guide for Kids with over 50 gift ideas for kids of all ages from the best baby gifts to best toys. I wanted to highlight some of the favorite gifts for boys this Christmas, but make sure to check out the gift guide, more ideas there!

Muppets Kermit Plush Toy 16” H ($16.50) is a classic AND trendy gift at the same time! Muppets movie (premiers November 23rd) is sure to be hit this Holiday season, and all Muppets products will make a great gift for kids.

Street Surfing GLX Grind Board ($69.60) is a great choice for street boarders of many skill levels, and boys love how they can do tricks with it easier than with regular skateboard. Great for boys over 8 year old.

Fly to the Sky Snoopy ($40.50) is another great classic. Hid dad will remember getting one as a kid.

Trash Amps Speaker ($55) amp up the music in a fun way. Because sometimes headphones are just not enough. Great gift for teen boys who are hard to think of anything to buy for.

iHome Kermit Speaker ($19.99) is another cool speaker for boys for a lower price.

Burton Day Hiker 12L Backpack in Color: True Black Bobber Plaid ($51.95) is a great gift for boys who do snow sports or skateboarding. Trendy and functional.

Mr. Small and Mr. Large Robot Pillows from Ferm Living ($32 small/$42 large) are cute for boys under 5 years old. You might think he doesn’t like soft packages, but this one he will gladly take.

Angry Birds T-shirts ($15.99) come in variety prints and sizes for boys of all ages.

Little Citizens Pajamas by Tea Collection ($39) benefit the Global Fund for Children, and they are adorable! They go all the way up to size 12 and are great for Christmas morning photos.

DC Comics Vintage Comic Covers Pint Size Glass Set ($31.06) is an universal gift that goes for boys of almost any age.

Tommy Hilfiger is having a fantastic pre-Holiday Sale until November 15th. Many of their prices are already lowered up to 40% off and on the top, you can get 15% or 20% off your entire order. Print the coupon here for in-store shopping and use code THSAVE20 to enjoy the discount online at tommy.com

Some examples from the sale.

Knitted Pinstripe Blazer, regular price: $248.00, sale price with coupon: $119.99

Men’s Cable Zip Sweater, regular price: $98.00, sale price with coupon: $54.88

Quilted Vest, regular price: $99.00, sale price with coupon: $59.40

Lurex Striped Metallic Sweater, regular price: $88, sale price with coupon: $43.68

Angora blend pom pom scarf, regular price: $88, sale price with coupon: $70.40

Sweater dress for girls, regular price: $45, sale price with coupon: $31.99

Sale Find: Furla “Classic” Leather Wallet
Normal price: $178.00 Sale price: $79.90
Shop: Rue La La

This is a new feature at Skimbaco Lifestyle. Simple sale alert posts of great deals to help you to save time and money this Holiday season. Many of the deals are available only for a limited time, so don’t wait!