Ippolita on Rue La La!!!

AHHHHHH!  Only a few days after I finally decide to spring for some Ippolita bangles at Saks, and moments after I mention in my last post how I bought them, I receive an email from Rue La La informing me that there's an Ippolita sale today!  So against my better judgment, I take a look, and the prices are fantastic.  The selection is pretty great too.  I had only bought 2 bracelets at Saks, with the intention of adding on later, but this is soooo tempting!  On the other hand, I'm still faced with the same problem of alterations-- these are the standard Ippolita size, which means I'd have to go to a jeweler to get it fixed.  And I have NO idea how much that would cost.  As you can see below, this wouldn't be an easy adjustment.  Ok, I'm going to stew a little and try to make a decision.  Hopefully no one buys this bracelet while I'm wondering.  And for those of you who don't have my problems but love Ippolita, go buy some jewelry at Rue La La NOW!

This bracelet is currently in my cart, selling for $219 (as opposed to $425).  Would be a nice addition to my  2 silver bangles, right?  But note the 5 distinct sections that would each have to be adjusted to keep the bracelet proportionate.  Anyone know how involved/how expensive this may be?

15% Off at Alexis Bittar!

For tomorrow only, Alexis Bittar is (a little prematurely) celebrating Halloween by offering at 15% discount on all items online and in store.  As you can see from their flyer below, if you go one of to their stores (in the West Village, Soho, or UES) tomorrow evening, you'll also be treated to cocktails and candy!  To use the discount online, just enter the promo code "HALLOWEEN" at checkout.  If I hadn't just splurged on my long-desired Ippolita bangles (which I'll tell you about soon), I'd be very tempted to take advantage!

Ippolita Look For Less Quest Update

So last week I told you about my hankering for some sterling silver Ippolita bracelets and my accompanying concern that they were so expensive.  I chronicled my quest to find a cheaper version of the same bracelets, and found these.

However, I had some reservations about these bracelets--mainly that they're still expensive, and I also didn't love the multi-colored stones.  Well, I didn't give up in my quest.  I actually found 2 much cheaper alternatives: a set of 3 bangles for $140 on Eve's Addiction, and a set of three on Etsy for $178.  Don't love the Eve's Addiction one, but the Etsy option isn't bad.  Unfortunately, she doesn't custom-size the bracelets. There are also a few other minor issues I have with it.

BUT, I was perusing Endless.com today (oh how I love that site), and I saw that they sell jewelry by Robindira Unsworth, the designer that I had decided came the closest to the Ippolita look.  If you recall, I had found these bracelets on her site-- a set of three for $525.  Well, Endless sells them too!  For $475.  That's $50 off.  PLUS, you can use MrRebates.com and get 10% cash back. Ahh I love Endless.com!  And to make matters even better, Endless actually has some Robindira bracelets that the Robindira site doesn't have, including a sterling silver version with clear quartz stones (see right), very similar to the Ippolita bracelet!  Strangely enough, the individual bracelets are $138 each, so the total for three would only be $414 (so there's no reason to buy the set of three).  So for those of you with normal sized hands, you should totally get the Robindira bracelets from Endless.  They have other metal/stone options too (see right), so you're not stuck with the monochromatic look that I've been going on about.

So problem solved, right?  Wrong.  You may have noticed I advised my "normal-handed" readers to buy the Endless bracelets.  But what about us small-handed folk?  Well, we're SOL.  I finally called up Robindira's customer service, and they do not do custom sizing/special ordering.  I suppose I could price out how much it would cost to alter the Robindira bracelets, but I'm feeling lazy, and I think it would be pretty tricky, because the jeweler would have to take a little bit out of each segment to make sure the stones are equidistant.  That can't be cheap.  Especially for three bracelets.  And I don't know how it would come out.  So that's that.  Ippolita it is!

P.S.  Sorry for the two excessively long posts on this topic which I doubt anyone even cares about except me.

Ippolita Bangles--the Look for Less!

Ippolita "Rock Candy" 5-Stone Sterling Silver Bracelet
 each $295 at Nordstrom

I've mentioned before how I've been looking for a cool silver (or white gold) bangle for my wrist, but have a lot of difficulty because I have really small hands, so bangles usually slide right off me.  I think I've also mentioned how I really like Ippolita jewelry.  I especially LOVE their bangles.  After doing some research, I read that Ippolita bangles run small.  You have no idea how much this excited me.  So the other day, I went to Bloomingdale's to try one of them on, hopeful that this wonderful bangle would fit.  But, you guessed it, it slid right off my hand.  However, the salesperson informed me that at no charge, I could special order different sizes in the Ippolita bangles.  He brought out a special Ippolita bangle sizer (which was like a giant ring sizer), and for the first time in my life, I tried on a bangle that actually fit me.  It was pretty weird--I've never felt a bangle have friction over my hand when putting it on.  In case you were wondering, standard Ippolita bangles are a size "2."  I need a size "0" (and if you need a larger size, you can special order that too!).  Unfortunately, you have to allow up to three months to receive the bracelet.

While I'm pretty excited at the prospect of finally ending my search for a silver bracelet, I have to note that these bracelets are pretty expensive.  I know that there is a mark-up for the designer itself, and I know the price of gold and silver have gone up dramatically recently, but I can't seem to wrap my head around that.  I remember when I was in middle school, my friends and I would walk to the local Marshall's (it was pretty much the only store within walking distance from where we lived), and we'd buy sterling silver earrings for under $10.  Or my dad would pick up a sterling silver bracelet from Macy's for around $25.  What happened to those days?  The Ippolita bangle that I want is $295.  For one thin silver band?  Really?  And the problem is, that I want two or three of them to wear together!  That adds up.  Years ago, I wouldn't even consider getting silver, and would have insisted on white gold.  Now, you can't even find white gold anymore!  

So what's a girl to do?  Well, I can suck it up and just buy the Ippolita bracelets.  Or I can look for more reasonable options.  I was actually surprised how difficult it was to find worthy substitutes, but I did find a few:

1. Kendra Scott Leanne Bracelet--$106 at Layla Grace.  Pros: great price, comes with multiple bracelets.  Cons: while it has a similar look to the Ippolita bracelets, it's still pretty distinct.  Also, I want silver bracelets, and these are gold-plated.  But I still really like these!  Lastly, I'm not sure you can adjust the size.

2. No. 7 Multistone Bangle--$98 at Henri Bendel.  Pros: like the Kendra Scott bracelet, it's a great price and comes with multiple bracelets.  It also has a pretty unique look.  Cons: Same as the KS bracelet re size and metal.  While I love rose gold, I'm looking for a silver bracelet.

3.  Bangle from Etsy seller BrooklynArts--$48 for one.  Pros: for those unfamiliar with Etsy, it's a great forum where independent artists and designers sell their wares--so if you buy something, you're supporting one of those artisans.  Also, prices tend to be a little lower.  This particular bracelet resembles the Ippolita one the most.  Cons:  Gold (18K gold plate), don't think I can change the size.  But we're getting closer!

4. Bangle from Etsy seller Delezhan--$48 for one, or $125 for three.  Same pros and cons as #3.

5. Robindira Unsworth Juicy Bangles--$450 for a set of three.  After much searching, I finally came across these bracelets.  Pros: This is an established jewelry line, more high-end than Kendra Scott, but still cheaper than Ippolita. Also, according to their site, all jewelry is handmade upon order and that they can assist you with special orders.  This leads me to believe that you could get a custom-sized bracelet.  Cons: More expensive than the Etsy options.

6.Robindira Unsworth Juicy Bangles--$525 for a set of three.  Pros: Looks like this may be the look for less winner!  This was the only sterling silver option I could find.  It's definitely a nice alternative to the Ippolita bangles, and while the price is still pretty steep, it's still significantly less than Ippolita. Also, as mentioned in #5, I think I could special order this in my size.  Cons:  Still expensive.  And while I like the multi-colored stones, I can't decide is if I like them as much as the clear quartz in the Ippolita version.  Also, I kind of prefer how the Ippolita stones are more of an oval shape.  I wonder if these kinks could be worked out in a custom order?  

So there you have it--if you're like me and love the Ippolita bangles but not their price, I hope this helped you a bit!  And if anyone knows where I can find more reasonable sterling silver options, please share.  I suppose one option I have is to wait for a friends and family sale at one of the big department stores (Bloomie's, Saks, and Bergdorf all carry Ippolita), or open up a credit card to get a discount.  Such decisions . . . what do you think I should do--spring for the Ippolita, or give the Robindira Unsworth a try?

 

Alexis Bittar Sale!

There's a big sale going on at Alexis Bittar...so go now to stock up on his awesome jewelry!!

Deals at Lord & Taylor, and Layla Grace for Beautiful Jewelry and Homegoods

There were a few noteworthy deals that I wanted to share with you today:

The first is a $50 voucher to Lord & Taylor on Rue La La, available for $25.  After reading the fine print, it seems as though you are able to use this voucher with L&T discounts, which are amazingly frequent.  Between this voucher and the omnipresent L&T sales, you can really score a good deal there.  The voucher is only good until June 30, so you should only buy this if you think you'd go shopping before then!

The second deal today is from Casasugar.com for a $100 certificate to Layla Grace.  The certificate costs $50.  Layla Grace is basically an online Anthropologie-esque homegoods store, but it also has a large selection of accessories, children's items, and jewelry.  I actually really like their jewelery and find their prices to be better than other places (for instance, their selection of Kendra Scott jewelry is cheaper than the Kendra Scott website!).  And since I'm looking for new throw pillows for my couch, this offer is right up my alley!

These earrings on Layla Grace immediately caught my eye!

Tara's List: Alexis Bittar Cuff

On this blog, I pretty much talk about things that I've bought, or are planning to buy, and the discounts I find for those items.  But sometimes, there are things that I fall in love with, and just lust after for awhile without actually buying, for various reasons.  Because I don't buy them or find discounts for them, I haven't really shared them with you, and I think it's time for that to stop.  In Tara's List, I'm going to show you the things I am coveting, for which I haven't found a deal, or can't justify buying.  I may eventually buy them, with or without a discount, or I  may deprive myself forever.  Either way, I'm going to share!

Today's item is a crystal-encrusted Alexis Bittar cuff.  First, I have to say I LOVE Alexis Bittar jewelry--there's something so pretty and feminine about his crystal-encrusted Lucite and metal jewelry.  I've also been searching for a silver-colored bangle forever that would fit my abnormally small wrists (I don't really care what the material is).  So when I saw this cuff, I got especially excited, thinking I could push the ends closer together, and the bracelet would actually fit me!  But I was wrong.  When I went to try it on, the salesperson told me I couldn't make it smaller (and I was afraid of ruining the bracelet so I didn't try).  I guess this bracelet is going to fall into that growing category of things I want but can't have.  While we're at it, I might as well show you some of the other Alexis Bittar bracelets I was eyeing (which clearly won't fit me either).

LOVING these!  From Nordstrom

 

   I want this one too!  Stupid wrists!

David Yurman Sample Sale Tomorrow

I think everyone and their mother knows David Yurman jewelry (my mother certainly does), so you will all be excited to learn that there will be a David Yurman sample sale starting tomorrow and running through Sunday, March 27.  Since it's hard to find David Yurman discounted, the sample sale will afford some rarely encountered deals on the jewelry (though supposedly the DY outlet at Woodbury Commons offers comparable deals).  The discounts are expected to be as follows: 30% off silver jewelry, 40% off gold jewelry, and a few items at 60-70% off.  The sale is located at the Altman Building at 135 W. 18th Street.  Sale hours are 3-8 on Thurs, 10-7 on Fri and Sat, and 11-5 on Sun.

Good luck at the sale!  Your wrists will be thanking me!

Deal of the Day--MAJOR Discount on Jewelry

Today's Deal of the Day is for a $525 voucher for Love Rocks jewelry.  The price for this voucher?  Only $150.  That's a $375 discount! This deal is courtesy of 8moms. I'll be honest with you, before I saw this deal, I hadn't heard of Love Rocks, but after checking out their site, I definitely saw many pieces I would be more than happy to wear.  And apparently, quite a few celebrities have donned some Love Rocks.  For you guys out there looking for Valentine's Day gifts for your lady, I bet she'd love one of their initial pendants!  And, she'll think you spent a lot more on her than you actually did! That's still in the spirit of giving, right?  For you ladies, what better excuse is there to treat yourself than a great discount?  There is none. The voucher is only available until midnight tonight, so take advantage of this great deal while you can!

from  8moms