Stefan's Restaurant Garage Sale

Stefan Richter – Top Chef Season 5 just took over LA Farm and everything must go! He is selling a ton of restaurant goodies today, Saturday and Sunday from 10-4 at the restaurant at 3000 Olympic just west of Centinela. Meredith and I rushed over there on our lunch break today and picked up some gems.

They had a ton of dishes.

and silverware
and lots and lots of glasses

~~STUFF I TOOK HOME~~

Very heavy, 100% brass candelabra for $7 – I just love the old, Spanish Mediterranean style.

Two candle holders for a buck each

Four Spanish styled espresso sized cups for a buck each and one ceramic creamer for 50 cents.
TOTAL: $13.50
Final Word: Don’t let Stefan haggle you, he is a fast talking Finn so watch your back!

Banana Republic's Summer Sale 09 - 60%

Update from last week's post
Banana's Summer Sale bumped up to 60% off. Go get your shopping on if you can't wait any longer, you have my blessing, but for those of you who are holding out for the super savings just remember that next week it is going to hit the 70% off mark (gives me goose bumps just thinking about it). BTW - checked today and the blouse I am holding out for is still there - now $34.99 down from $69, I am hoping to take it home for somewhere around $29.99 - I will for sure let you know what happens.

$3.28 Dress & $1.30 Cami

I knew I would have to show this receipt because you would never beleive me if I told you that I got a dress and a cami for 5 bucks. So here's the proof in black and white!
How did this happen? It was a combination of all my clearance contessa tricks coming together for unbelievable savings, I actually surprised myself today. I have to start off with the coupons that I had – because I have a gap card I earn points on my purchases at banana republic, gap and old navy and when I reach a certain point level they send me a $10 gift card (see shopping can pay off). Well last night I discovered two giftcards in my vanity at home that I had completely forgotten about so today I decided to stop into the gap in Manhattan Beach and see if there was anything that caught my eye. Immediately I spotted this beautiful strapless summer dress hanging in the clearance section, originally $69.50 marked down to $21.99 AMAZING! I was already super stoked about it just from that but when I tried it on I noticed that it had little hooks on the inside of the dress indicating that it must come with straps so I asked the manager about the missing straps and they couldn’t find them around the store so he said he would give me an additional 20% off for the missing straps – PERFECT. That brought the dress down to $17.59 ( 75% savings). I actually bought this dress in a creamy vanilla color that I can't wait to accessorize with my athena sandals and lot of bohemian jewlry!Next I found this vibrant green summer cami with lace at the top (gonna go great with my flaming red hair) for $6.99, down from 19.50 (65% savings) added up the total was $24.58, that’s when I whipped out my $20 worth of coupons. Tax was $0.42 (cali sales tax is up to 9.25 freaking percent these days!) so that brought my grand total to 5 bucks even. LOVE IT!!!!! and the best part is that I am going on vacation next week and these items will for sure be coming along.

$3 Dresser Knobs

So I’m leaving Banana Republic yesterday empty handed and I see that Anthropologie next door has a big SALE sign hanging in the window. Of course I have to go check it out. I found these fabulous knobs for only $2.95 each, originally 8 dollars. The great thing about this purchase is that I actually NEEDED new knobs for my antique Art Deco dresser and the last place I expected to find affordable and cute ones was Anthro. The original hardware on my dresser is so old that they have become threaded and fall off all the time (so annoying) but until I have enough money to take the furniture to a professional furniture restorer (that’s gonna cost a pretty penny) these knobs are gonna make my life a lot easier – and I was able to still use the original background plate with the knob so they look really good together! I actually think I might go back and pick up some smaller knobs in different colors to bring a little fun to my kitchen cabinets.

Original Price: $8
I paid: $2.95
Total Savings: 64%

Banana Republic's Summer Sale 09

Banana Republic’s Summer Sale started today and I was there on my lunch hour not buying anything! Why? Because I was there merely doing research, casing the joint if you will. You see, the first week of the summer sale has items marked “up to 50% off”. This really isn’t that special in reality because it means that the majority of items are only 25-30% off which doesn’t really qualify as Clearance Contessa worthy. However, the great thing about the summer sale is that it’s going to get reduced more and more as the weeks pass. Next week the signs out front will read “up to 60% off” and finally they will end up with what I am really after – the items marked “up to 70% off” this is what it is all about. So yesterday was all about figuring out what I want to come back for in 2 weeks time. I tried on a pile of items and was really excited about one silk turquoise number in particular that I think would be killer paired with a dark wash jean and heels. At the moment this top is priced at $45 down from $59 (only 25% off) so I will wait patiently for it to go down a bit more before I take it home. I know what you are thinking . . what if it isn’t there in two weeks time? This is what the stores want you to fear and it is a valid concern, that is the risk you take in clearance dealing but I also know banana republic well enough to know that if that top exists anywhere in LA they will track it down for me. I recorded the style number from the tag so they don’t have it in the store they can punch the number into their computer and tell me where it is. I feel pretty good about my chances because I have about 10 BRs located within a 10 mile radius of my house- someone’s gotta carry it. I will for sure keep you posted!

$4 Bathing Suit Bottoms

How much do we love Target? So freaking much!
This post comes compliments of Debbie who found these adorable bathing suit bottoms with little peep holes on the sides on clearance for only $4.48! She already had a bathing suit and the top fit great but the bottoms didn't (does this sound familiar to anyone else?) with less than 5 bucks she now has a complete well fitted suit for summer!
Final Word: Debbie, with this purchase you are welcome at my court anytime!

$4 Summer Scarf

Its not hard to find deals at Old Navy but my latest purchase there was soo good I thought it was CC worthy.

I found this adorable scarf in the clearance section for $3.99, it is perfect as a summer accessory because it is light weight and colorful. Also it is made 100% from recycled material ~ pretty awesome huh?

Original Price: $12.50

I paid: $3.99

Total Savings: 68%
Final Word: The right accessory can take a plain, inexpensive outfit and make it sizzle!