Zannee’s Blog at BargainsLA.com

On Saturday morning I dragged my daughter to the Isabella Fiore Warehouse Sale. Though at most sales woman are well behaved, I warned her that she may see a side of women she hadn’t seen before. Very aggressive shopping… and if the right circumstances present itself it can turn into a full on fight. (The best one I ever saw was at a store closing liquidation sale in Beverly Hills).

I arrived at 8:40am to a line of over 50 women. It was a two day sale, which to me translated into a lot of stock that would be on sale. There were several bags I really loved, but I wasn’t set on any one bag. My daughter was just along for the ride. At 9:05 the line was over 100 strong and they let all of us in. Oops.

We were in the middle of the group and when we walked thru the door the throng of aggressive shoppers had already cleaned most the shelves bare. Women were accidentally slamming into other women with arms loaded with dozens of bags. It was so crowded I couldn’t even get to the shelving. So I slowly scanned the room. Nothing thrilling for me, but then I couldn’t see 90 % of the stock because of the throng of obsessed shoppers. I knew I now had to wait till the sorting and trading started taking place.

My daughter, who at this pointed hated being there, wandered over to the small leather goods area and found a wallet she liked. Cute as it was, I am not buying a 12 year old an $80 wallet when I can’t even get her to use the wallet she has. She went to put it back and that was when they brought out half a dozen pirate leather makeup cases. She grabbed one and some large woman apparently slapped her hand, took it out of my daughters hand and told her it was hers.

Now, I didn’t see the incident or a full fight would have taken place. I won’t fight over a thing… ever, but if some chick thinks she can bully my daughter and grabbed things out of her hand, those are fighting circumstances. But by the time my daughter made it back to me, it was all over. Plus she didn’t get a good look at the woman who did it. I had nothing to go on.

By now the initial aggressive push had tempered and the sorting, putting back and trading had begun. I tried to get the bag I really wanted, a large black & white tooled framed doctor’s bag.  But the woman who grabbed it first loved it as much as I did and there was only one. I didn’t get any of the handbags that I originally wanted but I did walk away with a really nice, leopard print pony hair and leather bag for $292 that originally retailed at $695. I think the best way to work this sale is either be the very first in line (arrive at 7:00am ) or show up an hour after opening.

To ease my daughter’s day I took her to the Grove to visit the American Girl store after the Isabella Fiore sale. She got an outfit for one of her dolls. I then let her eat anything she wanted to at the Farmers Market… Sushi, lemonade and fudge.  Opps!  She had a stomach ache the rest of the day.

Finding good quality cosmetics at less than retail isn’t easy. We often wait for gifts with purchase or specials before we buy so afford some of the better lines out there.

Happily one company, Branded J Collections is giving us a price break. Developed by Peggy Hannaman-Jones. Peggy, an Emmy-nominated Hollywood hairstylist and makeup artist, Branded J is famous for developing high quality, all synthetic fiber brushes and applicators. They have 16 ultra-soft brushes made from custom-cut synthetic Taklon fibers which have anti-bacterial effects and are complemented by sleek, cayenne-colored acrylic handles.

Along with their signature collection of makeup brushes are a terrific selection of quality color cosmetic palettes for lips, face and eyes.

Branded J is offering BargainsLA visitors a 20% discount on all products. This offer is not valid on their “Special” page. The code for the 20% discount is Jnews
www.brandedjcollections.com

I guess Spring is here. It was a clothing shopping extravaganza at the O’Connor household this week.

On Saturday I stopped by the Flux Nouveau Warehouse on Saturday and grabbed a few tees for both hubby and me and a totally cute cotton dress for my daughter. Spent $40 on 6 items. But I  saved $160. Not bad. The quality and cut of their tees is phenomenal. I am now a devoted fan. Simple, well cut, and sexy.

Then I drove across town to the LF Warehouse Sale. I passed on the Charles David sale with the heavy crowds and lousy parking that was on route. I went last time and though it’s a great sale, I didn’t want to struggle with the parking.

The steals at the LF warehouse sale were plentiful. Instead of going the first day as was my mode, I went on the last day at 1pm. I though I was just gonna say hi to the hard working crew, browse a few accessories and maybe find one special something. But no, I went ape and scored big time on spring wardrobe staples: tops, tees and jeans. I got 4 pairs of jeans, 6 tops (2 were doubles for my daughter) for $157. Regular retail at the LF Stores would have been $700.

Hubby also scored this week, stopping by his fave, Armani Wells.  He’s a tough to fit guy.  My rocker /musician /web dude is on the shorter side, but owner Claudia totally gets how to dress him and holds things just for him. He came home with a couple of casual cotton summer trousers, a pair of army type Nike boots and an amazing Michael Kors cashmere windbreaker. Retail would have run him $840. He paid $200.

Shaelan scored as well with two tees from the LF sale, Paris Blues jeans from Ross, and a couple of graphic tees. The scary part is she is wearing a size one now. No more baby kid clothes for her. I am trying to teach her to never pay retail.

I am sure we will get more summery clothes at several upcoming sales. But this is one heck of a good start and a nice little pick up from a rather difficult winter.