Besides leftovers and everyone’s inability to wear anything without an elastic waist band, the only thing anyone’s been talking about for the past few days is holiday deals. Every store around is slashing prices, including free goodies and even offering free shipping on any and all purchases. It’s a holiday shopper’s dream, but, being the compulsive shopper that I am, it is quickly becoming my worst nightmare.

Yeah, I enjoy a good deal as much as the next guy (I’m Jewish – isn’t that part of my heritage?), and purchasing all those Hanukkah gifts for less money is muy appealing, but I’m beginning to think all these sales will have me spending a lot more money instead of a lot less.

When it comes to holiday sales, I’m torn.

Love It:
Duh, putting things on sale means getting really great stuff for a lot less money. Especially things for myself. OK, so I know that this time of year is all about the giving, but how can you not shop for yourself when everything is so damn cheap!? A brand new TV for only $500? A new laptop for $400? 25% off everything at my favorite clothing store? Sign me up!

And what could be better than waking up every day to find emails advertising your favorite stores’ great deals? You don’t even have to leave the house to indulge in a sale; you just need to point and click your way to a seriously discounted BCBG dress. Heaven. Read More »

You know that really annoying friend of yours who feels the incessant need to point out that they were the first to know about a now really popular band? Every. single. time. it comes on the radio?

“I knew about them before they were famous – like way back in the day. Like, I had to listen to their music on a cassette tape – no, scratch that – I came out of the womb listening to their music. That’s how far I go back with them.” (Let me pause here to say I would like to vomit all over these people. Obviously SOMEONE listened to them back in the day before they were hugely famous. That is how they got famous, genius. Because people like their music. Tough new concept to grasp, I know.)

However, there is something exciting about the knowing of a new band, new clothing brand, great sale, awesome book or recipe, and sharing it with the ones you love. And by ones you love, I mean the ones you go back and forth with right here on the CollegeCandy message boards.

So here’s the deal: every week, we will feature 3 things that YOU think other CollegeCandy readers just have to know about. Read More »

I’ve heard of them all: Gilt Group, Hautelook, Rue La La, Ideeli… The exclusive, invite only “sample sale” sites that promise hot labels to a select group of shoppers at a reduced cost. Once you snag an invite, they seem like a win-win, right? Chi-chi clothes at recession prices! But like many things that seem too good to be true, the cons might outweigh the pros.

Love ‘em:
Obviously, there’s the appeal of getting cheap, cute, designer clothes without having to get out of your pajamas. Or bed. A few weeks ago, Hautelook had a Primp boutique and I flipped out. $88 thermal leggings for $20? Perfection. I figure I can wear them for future online shopping, um, trips. I also probably wouldn’t just waltz into Neiman Marcus or Bloomies sans makeup (and chic outfit) just to check out the Chloe dresses or Gucci purses without any intention of making a purchase…but doing so online is totally acceptable!

The sites also feature a large variety of designers. Sure, these sites feature well-known, crave-worthy brands like Marc by Marc, Seven For All Mankind and Oscar De La Renta, but they also have some surprising finds. Rue La La has offered Birkenstock and Lululemon boutiques, Gilt features Rachel Leigh jewelry, and Hautelook highlighted Ecoskin. It really can’t get better than old favorites and new finds. Read More »

I may not be one of those girls who are into labels, but I am the kind of girl who is into bags.

Call me stereotypical, but I love getting a new bag, a new pair of shoes, a new wallet. And for a deal? And online? Pinch me!

KateSpade.com is currently in the throes of an amazing online sample sale where you can snag anything from a new purse to a new diaper bag (hey, I don’t judge…) for up to 60% off of the retail price. And they aren’t offering up bottom of the barrel duds either.

Everything they are offering seems to be top-notch and, to this shopper who is more H&M than D&G, it’s all beautiful but not stuffy.

Some of the best pieces are found in the handbag section.

This animal print bag is small enough to carry without feeling overloaded and packs enough punch to add some spice to an otherwise simple outfit. And the Hudson bag? It’s so chic and simple that it’s an investment worth making! And at more than half off…now’s the time!

Quantity is limited so scrounge up some cash and get on it! Online sample sales are few and far between so you better take advantage of this pre-holiday convenience, ladies! Read More »