Lady Gaga has closed down the fifth floor of the Barneys New York Men’s Shop on Madison Avenue and, in EIGHT days, those doors will reopen to Gaga’s Workshop. She’s reported to sell “jewelry made entirely of rock candy; lipsticks in special Gaga red or pink hues; lip-shaped, hand-painted dark chocolate, and a Rubik’s Cube.” I’m guessing it’s not a normal Rubik’s Cube though—maybe it’s made out of latex or it sings “The Edge of Glory” once you’re super close to solving it. Something awesome like that, of course.

Part of the collection has already been released as part of a “12 Days of Gaga” teaser online: a light up yo-yo, a fashion magnet set, acrylic rings and a hand-decorated cookie of Gaga’s face from her “Telephone” music video. Yes, I DO need all of these things this year, and I need them stuffed in a stiletto stocking. Especially if it costs sixty-five dollars.

…okay, so the trinkets released so far are a little overpriced (a fifteen dollar cookie?!), but the fact that twenty-five percent of proceeds are being donated to Gaga’s Born This Way Foundation does supplement the shock to my wallet. The new charity was established with her mother and will focus on “youth empowerment and equality by addressing issues like self-confidence, well-being, anti-bullying, mentoring and career development and will utilize digital mobilization as one of the means to create positive change,” according to Barneys New York.

Plus, the fact that you’re shopping at Gaga’s Workshop is probably included somewhere in the prices, since it’s supposed to be a complete experience—it’s the biggest holiday project Barneys has ever had. The Workshop entrance will be an oversized Monster mouth that shoppers will all walk through. Inside, the store will be divided into eight mini-shops: Candy Shop, Toy Shop, Closet, Library, Gallery, Jewelry, Boudoir and Holiday. Each is set to be ornate, such as “a jewelry shop created out of an oversized Lady Gaga-turned-spider and a boudoir in the shape of a giant wig.” And once you buy me my stiletto stocking, all gifts will be bagged in special shopping bags and boxes that feature signature artwork from the Workshop.

I’m all for this. And I wish I were in NYC on November 21^st, when the store opens at 11:59pm. Shop to your heart’s desire until January 2nd…and if you won’t send me a stiletto stocking, at least take pictures and tweet them to me @cashleelee. Seriously. To the point that I feel I’m on a 360-degree tour. It’d be the best virtual Christmas gift ever—thanks in advance!

Just hit the internet.

While the prices are oftentimes still much higher than those pieces you love grabbing at Target, Old Navy, Forever 21 or H&M, many of these items are much higher in quality and can be wardrobe staples for many years to come.

I am personally obsessed with designer denim, shoes and handbags. I don’t have the salary to allow me to buy whatever I want at their normal price and I don’t own a credit card (for good reason – it would’ve been maxed out ages ago), so I have to look for deals. Enter my saviors for retail therapy on a budget:

Overstock.com: This site is a gem! You may not always find exactly what you want, but you can find some great stuff here at even better prices. I got my bf 2 sweaters and a button down shirt that were each originally $75/piece, for $15 each! You can also find great home goods here for awesomely affordable prices.

Bluefly: While things here are oftentimes still pretty pricey, they do give a good percentage off, and I check here often because when they have sales, you can find phenomenal deals.

Gilt Group: This site is different than the first two…they don’t just have overstocked items that you can pick from whenever you want. They have specific sales on certain brands on a day-to-day basis. The site originators send out an e-mail every day as to who’s on sale. You must be a member to join (it’s free), and I believe you must be invited to become a member. You are now invited.

Haute Look: Very similar to Gilt Group, they have exclusive sales with phenomenal deals. Check on their site daily for the current and upcoming lines they will be selling.

eBags: If you’re a bag horse, this is a great site. I got my bf an amazing $250 Kenneth Cole leather messenger bag for $70, and they gave me a free leather business card case with it!

eLuxury: Again, still not exactly in a college student’s budget, but the prices are slashed by 30-70%

One other tip I have is to check the websites of the high end stores themselves: Barneys, Nieman Marcus, Saks, Nordstrom, Bloomingdales, and Macy’s. With the recession, one of the arenas getting hit the hardest is luxury goods, so these stores are just hoping to get merchandise off their shelves and out of their storage, which means they’re all having kick-butt sales (usually in the 50-90% off range). These sales are sure to pop up over the next few months as the economy worsens. So if you have the chance (and the bucks), take advantage of the benefits of a global economic collapse – you may get a fabulous pair of shoes out of it.

While he is spending his time channeling L. Ron, I have tried to find the meaning of life in the temple of Barney’s. Did I say that? Because I didn’t mean it, in case you’re reading this my Scientology handlers. I meant that I just enjoy shopping. Because my life is so empty. By empty I mean FULL, though, it’s full of – shopping bags and hair cuts and love for L. Ron.

As first lady of Scientology, I must hold it together at all times  and no one knows the pressure that I’m under. Not only am I a fashion icon, I am an important actress and a vessel for scientology’s future. Even if I don’t have sex with Tom.

I must stop writing now. Tom is calling me and it’s time for my auditing, to free myself from the traumatic incidents of my life. Like my marriage. He worries when I start thinking or having friends, even ones as vapid as Posh.

Vapid. I love that word. I used words like that when I was living in Capeside. Oh, how I miss Dawson. He always knew me better than anyone else. I don’t wanna wait for my life to be over, I want to know right now what will it be… Dawson, I’ll leave my window open for you – please come.

Oh, no, Tom’s here. American Express, take me away…

But of course, like most things in life, my assumption would be wrong.

PEOPLE is reporting that rumors of a New Kid reunion are growing, and the once defunct NKOTB webpage is back up.

“The New Kids are coming back” a “well-placed source,” told the magazine. “New Kids On The Block are indeed getting back together.”

As cool as I thought the band was when I was 10, I can’t say I’ll be as enthusiastic about their sound 14 years later. I mean, when I was 10, I also enjoyed showering myself in glitter and wearing giant t-shirts with the Coca Cola polar bear on them.

Besides, the oldest member of NKOTB is pushing 40. 40. Is a 40-year-old man really going to sing the songs of prepubescent lust and angst, and expect the world to listen?

Laugh is more like it. Laugh and throw snap bracelets.