Editor's Notes

Are you familiar with the concept of needs and wants related to your personal budget and wardrobe? When you look at an item, are you able to quickly identify which category it falls into? Let me explain.

There are items we need in order to put together outfits that help us land a job or look good on a date. Then we have the “wants,” or the items that make us look fabulous and make our BFFs slightly jealous.

While a little dose of fabulous is necessary in anyone’s wardrobe, it’s important to make sure your needs and wants are in line with your lifestyle and budget. If your discretionary income allows you to have all the wants your heart desires, you probably don’t need to read my advice. If you do stick to a budget, though, a good rule of thumb is to dedicate 20% or less of your wardrobe to wants and the rest to your needs.

Today’s selection is a perfect example of needs and wants for the New York girl.

NEEDS

Starting at 11 am at Ruelala.com: Lafayette 148 New York falls into the needs category.

Why?

A New York brand, the label is a perfect recommendation for a desk-to-date collection, a safe bet, and a must have in my wardrobe.

Starting at 11am at Ruelala.com: Chan Luu Jewelry

Why?

The famous wrap bracelets will most certainly enhance enough outfits to make it a sensible investment, therefore could be a “need” for many of us. I have a purple one and I am looking today for the same style in another color.

WANTS

Starting at 11am at Ruelala.com: Lanvin

Why?

Lanvin is the oldest fashion house in operation, still true to the vision of its founder, Madame Jeanne Lanvin, who valued fine craftsmanship and extraordinary ornamentation above all. While patent leather cap-toes and an “it” bag are necessities, the prices of this reputable fashion house make it prohibitive for most. Do I need it? No. Do I want it? Oh yes.

It appears that April 10th is the 100th day of the year. Who knew?

I have to admit that today I suffer from fashion fatigue. I know it’s my fault, as I have been spending way too many hours researching sales, looking at department store trends, blogs, etc.  I need a break. With that said, I think it will be refreshing for everybody — myself included — if I switch my recommendations for the day from fashion to home items.

Because we recently purchased a house, I am constantly on the hunt for new things. As it just so happens, today there are three sales that I am really looking forward to.

Starting at 3PM at Ruelala.com: The Gourmet Pantry

Why?

I have to tell you that the best thing about having a house is the pantry. I still remember the joy and confusion I experienced after realizing the pantry was bigger than my whole NYC kitchen. As I love buying great olive oils — there is nothing better than fresh bread, olive oil and a good glass of wine — this is the sale for me.

Starting at 9PM at Gilt.com: Pet Style – LoveThyBeast & P.L.A.Y.

Why?

This sale is a must because there is no limit to the love I have for my dog. Some people might call it obsession. I call it love.

Starting at 9PM at Gilt.com: Trend Alert – Yellow and Gray

Why?

I’m shopping this sale because it’s the color combination I chose for my country home living room and I still need wall art and some pillows to finish up the look. The duo is also a strong trend for 2013. If you don’t have a new house to furnish, but you want to refresh the old one, you can always store your current pillows and curtains and swap in new ones. I personally like to move around my furniture from time to time. I think it’s a good opportunity to clean the areas that may otherwise be hard to reach. It also makes you feel like you have a new space.

Now, put on your Martha Stewart decorating hats and go shopping for your home. What are you waiting for?

It’s wedding season and I’d be willing to bet you my Alexander McQueen pumps that at least one out of the first three readers will get invited to an engagement party or wedding reception in the next 45 days. You can wait until the weekend before the event to find a dress, or you can pick up your outfit today and spend the weekend before the event getting a mani/pedi.

Beginning Tuesday in NYC and lasting through Sunday: Badgley Mischka

Why?

The Badgley Mischka sale will offer stunning evening wear and ready to wear items, as well as selections from Mischka’s contemporary line, Mark + James. Badgley Mischka’s stunning and elegant 1940s inspired dresses will be on sale for 60-80% off retail prices.

It’s Thursday, which means that it’s already too late to get a dinner reservation for this weekend. It’s amazing to see how obsessed New Yorkers are with their restaurants. I admit that I, for one, love good food, follow new restaurant openings and have the weird habit of giving grades to each dish. Yes, seriously.

Let’s get back on track and address the main topic: money saving strategies. For example, today I’m following three sales and I am going in prepared.

Above the Belt: Shirts and Ties Featuring Valentino; Starting at RueLaLa at 11 a.m.

Why?

I know my husband’s shirt size, so at 11 a.m. I’ll be ready to hunt. I also know that he has enough white shirts, but can use some additional colored shirts. He owns a Valentino shirt, so I am familiar with the quality. The stars are aligned for a good purchase to happen.

Finally, The Perfect Jeans Starting at RueLaLa at 11 a.m.

Why?

No need here to emphasize the utilitarian quality of jeans in general, or their inherent sexiness. What information could I possibly have about a jeans sale that you might not? Well, I read Womens Wear Daily (WWD), and according to them, it seems as though the colored jeans trend is over. It’s OK you bought those neon jeans last year, just don’t do it again. Dark, classic colors and quality jeans are back, so get ready.

Fine Jewelry by Robert Coin Starting at Gilt at 12 p.m.

Why?

This designer is known for his understated elegant pieces, which, in my opinion, are a good buying decision. If you decide to buy fine jewelry, buy a name that has “a liquid market.” What does that mean? Go to eBay and type in the name of the designer. If there are any items for sale made by that designer, that means that the name of the designer has enough weight for you to be able to resell it later on down the road. Hopefully you won’t ever need to sell it, but if you do, you want to sell it as a designer piece and not just for its weight in gold. Robert Coin is one of my favorite jewelry designers and I approve of buying from him.

That’s it for Thursday, ladies and gents. If you have connections at the restaurant Perla in the West Village, please do let me know; I really really want to have dinner there on Friday night.