Online Sales at Piperlime and Victoria's Secret

My mini-hiatus can be chalked up to traveling (to be with my family for the holidays!) and getting my wisdom teeth removed (yes, really!)  I'm feeling good and will hopefully be back to normal and back to blogging obsessively within the next few days.

Piperlime just announced their biggest sale of the season.  Starting today, over 2,000 styles of women's shoes are 40% off!  (Men's and kid's shoes are on sale too, of course.)  Here are some of my favorites:

Frye Sunny Multi Strap

#298 $207.99

(available in Dark Brown, Fog, and Black)

Cynthia Vincent Beth

$350 $261.99

(available in Red and Black suede)

Oh Deer!  Aquarius

$99 $66.99

(available in Black and Red)

London Sole Henrietta

$175 $121.99

(available in Leopard/Red)

Bettye Muller Chelsea

$540 $404.99

(available in Gray and Black suede)

Everything is expected to sell out quickly, so the sooner you order, the better!

Victoria's Secret began their semi-annual sale yesterday.  Bras start at $12.99; panties start at $3.99; sleepwear is 25-60% off; shoes and clothing are up to 50% off; and beauty is up to 40% off.  I'm not sure whether the sale has started in stores yet, but there are some great deals online!

Point d'esprit full coverage bra and panties

$27.99 (bra); $13.99 (panties)

Ribbon-tie bustier and panties

$29.99 (bustier); 3/$25 (panties)

(panties available in 8 colors)

Ruffle-top fishnet thigh-highs

$20

High-heel mary jane pump

$19.99 (in black); $29.99 (in red)

The VS flannel pajama

$19.99

(available in 28 colors and prints!)

Boucle ruffle-front cardigan sweater

$39

(available in eucalyptus tweed, sweet lavendar, lilac, plum passion, princess pink, camel tweed, and light heather gray)

Capes

Ever since Leighton Meester wore this Trina Turk capelet on Gossip Girl a few weeks ago, this trend has definitely been on my radar.  Unfortunately, that capelet looks like it'd be unsubstantial for the cold weather we're having in New York right now.

Behold, the Tocca cape.  Made of midweight wool and with a longer length and beautiful basketweave pattern, this is a great alternative to a traditional coat that I can wear from now until March - with jeans and a sweater, or with a wool dress and sleek leather boots.

The Tocca cape is available at Bluefly.com for $261.90 (on sale from $485).  The Trina Turk capelet is available at Fashion Chateau for $356.

Collegiate-Chic Jewelry

As far as jewelry goes, my personal taste runs the gamut from simple and whimsical to bold and avant-garde.  But this new trend in jewelry - I'll call it "Collegiate-Chic" - makes me want to eschew gemstones for leather, chaos for structure, Manhattan for Cambridge.

Elfcraft's unisex braided leather bracelet ($119) is dressed up with a polished sterling silver closure and would be a smart addition to a button-down and jeans ensemble.

I'd wear Yarborough's crest button ring ($110) with a wool sweater dress, patterned tights, and oxford pumps.  Accessorize with a cute boy wearing these fleur de lis crest cufflinks, and people will assume you're a beautiful-and-brilliant couple studying law and dramaturgy at Yale.

minimalist-chic clutches and bags

I'm really drawn to this Linear Clutch by Andrea Toyias ($64).  I think it's strangely beautiful, with its minimalist style and red thread detail.  With a removable wrist strap, it's just as wearable with jeans and a henley as with a sleek black dress.  Also check out the equally modern-chic Odyssey Bag ($162) and Tektonic Laptop/Messenger Bag ($259), both of which are also by Andrea Toyias.  Speaking of streamlined messenger bags, I also really like the Fox Nylon Messenger Bag from Germany ($169 - a super-luxe wool version is also available for $330).  To protect your MacBook from damage and scratches while it chills in your messenger bag, this laptopwallet snap from Working Class Heroes is handmade in Austria from grey German felt ($49).

20% off sweaters at JCrew.com

I'm not a huge fan of J.Crew - it's a bit preppy for my taste - but I do love their luxe cashmere sweaters.  Lucky for me (and you), all full-priced sweaters at JCrew.com are 20% off when you enter the code SWEATER at checkout.  That means that this cashmere v-neck sweater, normally $138, is now $110.40.  Or splurge on this so-of-the-moment sequined cardigan that will look fabulous with everything from strapless dresses at holiday soirees to jeans and a white tank when doing last-minute holiday shopping ($396, from $495).  But hurry - this special only lasts two days and ends when the clock strikes twelve (11:59 PM Eastern time) on Tuesday.

Nau

For the environmentally-conscious fashionista, Nau offers sleek, body-conscious clothing and tries to leave a "barely traceable" carbon footprint with its shipping procedures, insures fair labor practices, and uses Zque certified wool.  While technically an outdoor clothing company, many of their styles are stylish enough to double-duty as everyday basics.  This flattering v-neck top is made of light-weight, organic cotton and comes in eight colors ($39.50, on sale from $65).  This simple cashmere sweater is the perfect layering piece for winter ($210).  And this utilitarian wool jacket has extra-long sleeves with thumb pockets to give it a little extra edge ($198).  All insulation pieces (puffer coats and streamlined fleece jackets) are currently 30% off.

I really love my...

Bernardo boots.

The most challenging part of dressing yourself for the cold?  How do you stay warm but still look stylish?  The key, lovelies, is streamlined layers and these Bernardo boots.  Bernardo, makers of the celeb-favorite Marni sandals, also carry chic, comfy flats and gorgeous shearling-lined boots.

These boots are great because with them you're getting two looks in one.  Cuff them, tuck in some skinny jeans, and add your boyfriend's sweater and a chunky knit hat, and you're an adorable snow bunny.

Or wear them pulled up over your knees with wool tights and a cashmere minidress.  Totally sexy and not at all skanky.  The lack of heel, besides being outrageously comfortable, lets you get onboard the over-the-knee-boots trend without having to risk looking like Julia Roberts in Pretty Woman.

And the warmth!  Trust me, wearing these boots is like having your feet wrapped in soft, warm goodness.  And nothing is better when you're walking home from a party early in the morning and it's relentlessly snowing.

Bernardo "Blondie" boots: available in black, chocolate, and leopard for $239-259 at Bernardo Footwear; available in black and black/chocolate for $228 at Barefoot Tess.