Image: Macy's

The samples may vary. To get the free stuff, just select $50 worth of qualifying items (products are marked if they qualify), then enter “PRETTY” where it says “HAVE A PROMO CODE?” and hit “APPLY”.

If you love gifts with purchase, Macy’s has a variety of other bonus gifts available right now that you’ll adore. Here are a few of my favorites.

• Elizabeth Arden – Get this free zebra tote plus lots of products ($73 value) for free with any $24.50 Elizabeth Arden purchase.
• Estee Lauder – Get this red tote and over $125 worth or products for $29.50 with any Estee Lauder purchase.
• Laura Mercier – Get this pink cosmetics bag and 5-piece gift set for FREE with any $75 Laura Mercier purchase.
• Prescriptives – Get this gunmetal pencil case, mascara, moisturizer and SLPX for FREE with any $50 Prescriptives purchase.

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Macy’s Bonus: Free Beach Bag and Samples

Neiman Marcus

Jaden Small Tote

I adore safari colors. These types of colors, like the cardinal red of this purse transition so well from Summer into Fall/Winter. This bag, of course, I am infatuated with as well. The Jaden Small Tote comes in the cardinal red, real khaki, or black cotton twill canvas. The handles are made of vegan leather for all you Green folks out there. It is $195.

Neiman Marcus

Melrose Suede Booties

Surprise! Booties haven’t gone out of style this season. It sure looks like I may be buying some booties this fall. These Melrose Suede booties come in the black (as pictured) or a coconut white. Each color has a gold detail and a 4″ 1/2 inch heel. The toe is rounded so they may be a bit more comfy. They are $395.

Neiman Marcus

Augustin Dress

Holy unstructured dress! I love you Tory, but the day that I wear one of your unstructured beautiful dresses will be the day I lose my hips, only weigh 90 pounds and am married to a millionaire. I am in love with them though! And this Augustin dress is no exception. Adding the belt in the middle gives me a tad more structure and the pattern pumps up the personality. The dress is $425.

Neiman Marcus

Simone Cardigan

If I’m going to pick up anything from this Truck Show it’s going to be this Cardigan. I will wear a cardigan every day of the week in the Fall if I have different colors. This one is no exception. The bright pink is awesome! The grandpa cardigan has obviously transitioned to Fall 2009, and I am stoked! This cardigan is

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Tory Burch Truck Show at Neiman’s

Lapis Girl A097 Dress

I haven’t quite decided. Oh wait, yes I have. I am that girl. See, the thing is, this Lapis Girl 097 dress has been stalking me.  I covet luxury items, I dream about luxury items, so when I finally buckle down and buy one it’s a serious affair.

So, this Lapis dress was at Sak’s Off Fifth a few months ago. Then, it moved it’s way down to Nordstrom’s the Rack. And finally, today, while I was waiting for some film to develop at nearby pharmacy, I ran into Marshall’s. There is was. The dress. And that was it. It was decided. The dress would be mine. And not for the listed price at Sak’s Off Fifth, but for the bargain price of $20 at Marshall’s. It was mine.

The Dress Option

And I will wear it to death. I will wear it to work with a swear over it. I will wear it with a white or black top to work or out on the town and I will, for sure be wearing it was a cover up at the river/lake/beach this summer. It’s a win win for me.

The thing is, though, you have to accessorize and do things well with this look. I just snapped a few quick photos with this just to show that the dress can be worn several different ways without regard to that..so the look is not complete. With the dress/skirt fully accessorized this will be an awesome look.

But, again, it is your decision. Are you that girl that only wears something once? Or are you the girl that makes decisions based on how many times she’s going to wear the item?

The Skirt Option

Photos from: Amazon.com & Ashley Shute (apologizes for the bad lighting on the last photo)

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Trend Alert: The Dress/Skirt Option

I may begin to sound like a broken record, but this is this same type of thing as heels. Invest in high-quality, luxury pieces, readers! It saves you in the long run!

Of course you can spot a cute top at a store like Forever 21 and think it looks great, run out and then wash it once or twice and think, “That looked good on me once?”

But, if you follow a few simple rules, you should be able to avoid the dreaded “bad t-shirt” dilemma.

Tip #1: Find a good fit. A t-shirt is like a pair of jeans, if you find a shirt that fits, buy in bulk. Not Sam’s Club bulky, but two or three colors will do. You never know when that store is going to run out your size, have a sale, or someone else is going to find the secret “perfect” tee.

Tip #2 : Accessorize: A t-shirt can be dressed up or dressed down very easily. The same tee can easily be taken from day to night by pairing it with different accessories. Using necklaces, earrings, scarves, and earrings are great ways to start. However, don’t accessorize with a side of crazy like Amy Winehouse in this bright pink shirt.

Tip #3 Find a good quality shirt. Even if the shirt fits, it doesn’t mean it’s good quality. The shirt could be magic money the first couple outings, but after a few washes, because you didn’t buy it at a higher end location, it’s going to stretch, fade, and just be gross. Start with stores like The Gap and Banana Republic, if you’re still not sure how good of a quality you need.

If you’re more of an online shopper like I am, look at Bluefly.com. The Monrow Marine Cotton ‘Bold Stripe’ Crewneck T-Shirt looks like a great place to start.

Hopefully, these tips will come in handy for all of you as you look for your perfect tee! I know I use them every time I go shopping!

Photos from: Bauer Griffin

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Investment Alert: The Good T-Shirt

Image: Barcelona Bath & Body

Their hand soaps come in your choice of five “mood-balancing” scents:

• Cinnamon Sandalwood
• Grapefruit Ylang Ylang
• Vanilla Lavender
• Lemongrass Fennel
• Coconut Bay Rum

These hand soaps come beautifully packaged in sets of two 3.5 oz. bars. Each set is priced at $12.

Barcelona Bath & Body also offers bath bars, guest soap sets and other terrific products. Visit their website at barcelonabathandbody.com for more details.

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Barcelona Handmade Soap

Of course, lots of American women and designers come to mind. Women, like Jackie Kennedy, Audrey Hepburn, and even today Michelle Obama get people’s mouths watering. Designers such as Tommy Hilfiger, Calvin Klein, and Ralph Lauren epitomize Americana.

Colors, though, always evoke patriotism. And that’s what what I thought of when I saw this Fendi Tri Color Forever Boston Bag. Fittingly, with Boston in the name.

The Fendi bag has the signature Fendi logo throughout in a navy canvas with a  red leather trim. The little white in the middle just makes it oh so American.  It is $710 and you can buy it at eluxury.com.

Photo from: eluxury.com

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Fendi Tri Color Forever Boston Bag

This tote comes in two colors, a Windowseat blue and a Martinque pink. I personally adore the deep pink that’s almost a purple color. I love the Martinque bag because the bow off to the side actually looks like it belongs on the bag. The Windowseat bag looks like the bow was tied on by a twelve year old. What do you think?

The tote itself is has two shoulder straps and has the signature crown embroidery on the top.  I am in love with the hearts and beads that adorn the actual body of the bag. The tote measures 12½”wide by 11½”high by  6¼” deep. It is $198 from Sak’s Fifth Avenue.

Photos from: Sak’s Fifth Avenue

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Juicy Couture: Daydreamer Terry Tote

Tim Gunn’s Essential Items

1. The Little Black Dress

2. Trench Coat

3. Dress Pants

4. Classic Shirt

5. Jeans

6.  Any Occasion Top

7.  Skirt

8. Day Dress

9.  Blazer

10. Sweatsuit Alternative

Bluefly.com has  some pretty awesome Spring trench coats on sale at the moment. Check these few looks out:

Via Spaga Brown Leopard Print ‘Carpa’ Pleat Back Trench

I don’t know what Tim Gunn would say about the Leopard Print design for this trench coat, but I don’t really care! Leopard  print is always fun, and if you need one, and you want to be the fashionista that you know you are, go for it! This has a notch lapel with double-breasted button front closure and has a belted waist.  It measures 32” from base of back collar to hem, 25” sleeve length from top shoulder seam and is $149.00.

Nannette Lepore French Blue Brocade ‘Violet Eyes’ Walking Coat

This is so my choice! I love it to death. The timeless Parisian style is perfect! This coat has a rounded notch lapel with single button front closure with a rounded three quarter sleeve. It does have a quilted lining, so it is a bit heavier then the Via Spaga trench. This is $372.

Elie Tahari Solstice Sateen Double Breasted Trenchcoat

You’ll stand out in the crowd if you pick this as your trench coat. The bright red, even though not a neutral, is still fun and I think Tim Gunn would approve. It has a spread collar with double breasted placket, includes dual side pockets and has a buckle belt along the waist and cuff.  It is a true rain coat and is $255.

Photos from: Bluefly.com

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Essential Element to Style: The Trench Coat

So, if you’ve decided on splurging for the luxury shoes for that special event this  Spring, check out these outrageous Balenciaga Black Parent Leather Jeweled Sandals from Bluefly.com for $1, 238.

They have a glossy patent leather touch to them with a rounded open toe show you can show off a pedicure. The main event, though, arrives when you see the rhinestones along the adjustable ankle strap.  They don’t have a huge heel either, it is 4 inches.

Photo from: Bluefly.com

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Balenciaga Jeweled Black Sandals

Earlier this week Jessica Biel was spotted bundled up from head to ankle in sunglasses,  scarf, sweater, and jeans. The thing about Jessica is, she’s just so darn cute that everyone knows who she is and we recognize her.  Too bad for you Jessica!

I’m not about to write about where she was or what she was doing, I’m just going to point out that I thought her pants were cute. I only wish I could wear cropped jeans like that. Word to the wise, don’t wear cropped jeans if you are under 5′5.  It makes you look like an oompa loompa. It cuts you off.

So ladies, if you are over 5′5, check out these Citzens of Humanity-Dylan Jeans from Sak’s Fifth Avenue for $220 . And by the way, it’s  Triple Rewards time over at Sak’s, so if you have a Sak’s credit card, get to using it…you want al lthe rewards you can!

Photo from:  Bauer Griffin & Sak’s Fifth Avenue

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Jessica Biel Incognito in Cropped Jeans