Vente by Vanessa

Black Friday isn't what it used to be. The days of going to bed thanksgiving night with visions of early morning door buster deals is long gone.  Sadly, the best deals are available when we should still be enjoying our friends and family around the table. Whatever your plans may be for shopping next week (or this one) check a couple of my favorite resources before planning your purchases. Www.blackfriday.com and  www.bfads.net are two websites that "leak" Black Friday ads and allow you to create your own printable wish lists.  At this point almost all of the major retailers have leaked their ads. Here are a couple of early sales to be aware of and thankfully they all have online deals available so you can shop from the comfort of your couch! Walmart is promoting an early Black Friday sale this Friday at 8:00 am both in store and online.  They are offering a few of their big deals a full week early.  Likewise, Amazon begins Black Friday "week" on Monday with a we

I tend to forget that the popular teenage boutique, Forever 21, is a great place for moms, and dare I say middle aged gals, to shop.  I usually remember what a great place it is when I'm in a really fancy mall and stumble across one of their GORGEOUS, shiny, marble laden exquisite stores. Aside from the sheer beauty of the upscale versions of the shop, the selling point for me are the extreme deals.  Look at these beauties I recently picked up: Love this Bee pendant. And for $3.80 who wouldn't love it?  No sale, no clearance, this is regular price!!  And this beauty... $8.80!!! Forever 21 is full of great, affordable accessories including scarves, tights, etc.  On a completely different note, but still blingy, look at this beautiful blouse from J. Crew... Love that gem encrusted collar!! Ok, you see that it's on sale but, if you know me, you know that's not nearly good enough.  Here's what I found at Kohls last night... Amazing, I know.  But look at this... Not $79.

These deals come to you courtesy of my friend Cathy!  While admiring her shoes, bracelet and ring at an event this weekend she told me about the super sale where she bought all three items (and then some.) There is a new boutique that has opened in the North Hanover Mall called Carriage House by Diaa (located directly across from Gertude Hawk's and JCPenney's).  Owned by a mother/daughter team, they feature a variety of clothing items, accessories and shoes. If you can't see that sign in the front of the store, the "Super Sale" is 50% off of the lowest price marked price on ALL ITEMS!!! Here's a sampling- Tons of GORGEOUS belts- final price? $3.75!!!!!  Some were even less.  Great variety- lots of colors and styles. The designer calls these "Bandage skirts" (think Ace bandages), I call these "super skirts."  They may be the most flattering, slimming pieces of fabric I've ever put on my body.  Final price?  $12.50 each!