It’s [Black] Friday. I’m in Love.

I love listening to people who have never been on Twitter talk smack on Twitter.  “It’s so stupid.  Why do I care if you woke up and went to the bathroom.”   I sit there and smile, waiting for my chance to graciously inform them on what they’re missing out on.  Not everyone on Twitter uses the platform to broadcast their daily bowel movements, I tell them.

Whether you’re into camping or fashion, you’ll find a wealth of information – and savings – on Twitter.   And what a better time of year to get over your fear of the scary social network than on Black Friday/Cyber Monday. Retailers and consumer mavens are using Twitter to spread the word about deals and steals on every item you could possible want.  I’ve featured some links to my favorite fashion and beauty mavens below.

Check ‘em out.

@chicalert Thanksgiving Holiday Sales

@BeautyStat Online and In-Store Deals

@BeautySweetSpot Online Discounts

Rachel Zoe Picks @ Piperlime (extra 20% off RZPICKS)

@beautyguide Black Friday Shopping Tips in NY http://bit.ly/7Lfza3

@ChicAlert 25% OFF your entire purchase @StevenMadden http://bit.ly/70qXbr

Regardless of whether you pound the pavement or pound your keyboard use Twitter as your Atlas.  Your wallet will thank you.

To follow the deals search Twitter for #blackfriday and #CyberMonday.

http://www.blackfriday.info/

http://bfads.net/

http://www.cybermonday.com/

Gilt Groupe Spreads the Love

One of my favorite invite-only sites, Gilt Groupe, launched three new web services – Gilt Fuse, Gilt Man, and JetSetter.  While this isn’t news to those in-the-know, I thought it was a great way to get back in the game of blogging since I’ve been MIA due to a heavy workload.  Which means that this post wasn’t paid for from the gang at Gilt.  I just love the site THAT much and think you should too.

For those who have never heard or Gilt Groupe, allow me to give you a brief history.  First and foremost – it is an invitation-only shopping experience that launched in November, 2007.  Invite-only, “uggghhhh” you say?  Well, if you love fashion and beauty as much as you say you do the idea of an invite-only online shopping experience has you thinking  “OMG WHYYYY am I not invited!!!” instead of rolling your eyes this very moment.

Here are the basics…

Invitation Only Shopping – You have to be invited by a friend to shop the site, which features inventory up to 70% off retail.

First Come, First Served – Each sale lasts 36 hours and features hand selected styles from a single designer.  Inventory sells out FAST, so pay attention to the advance preview and mark the sale on your calendar.  Be ready shop.  Word to the wise, add anything you think you like to your cart immediately because chances are when you finish scrolling through the fab styles and go back to make your selection it won’t be available anymore.  The sales are THAT great.

Advance Preview
To introduce each brand, Gilt features designer bios and reels to give you a preview of upcoming sales, must-have pieces and featured designers.  Again, take this time to browse and if it is collection you think you might be interested in, mark it the sale on your calendar.

As if the shopping on Gilt wasn’t fab enough (so says I with the great Cynthia Rowley bag purchased with ZERO “guilt”), they geneses behind the glam expanded their offering to include a mix and match haven, a shopping destination for men, and sample sales for the travel-forward.

Gilt Fusion

Born out of membership requests for more styles, fresh talent and fashion that is “sometimes edgy, sometimes boho, sometimes downtown, but always fashion-forward.”  Gilt Fuse is your place to mix and match and play with personal style.

The Gilt Man
Easy shopping for guys.  Plain and simple, but chic and sophisticated. They walk the walk and talk the talk. Even the description speaks to the male target. “We’ve got everything you need for sports, dates, weekends and work.  Shopping here couldn’t be easier: you see a picture of something you like, pick a size and a color, and we send it to you in a box.”

JETSETTER

My newest obsession!  I actually get excited when I see an email from Jetsetter pop up in my inbox.  This site provides exclusive access to insider travel deals.  Sales are limited time offers while availability lasts.  Properties don’t pay to be listed – they are hand-selected by the Gilt/Jetsetter team.

So, if you aren’t already a member, sign up using my invite codes below.

Gilt Fuse: http://bit.ly/QyAsl

Gilt Man: http://bit.ly/3YHM6m

Jetsetter: http://bit.ly/44rrrC

Stay connected with their iPhone app, follow the inside scoop on their blog, and never miss a sale with their desktop clock widget.

Shecky’s Girls Night Out is Coming to NYC!!!

Have An Awesome Autumn With Shecky’s Girls Night Out

Join us for five hours of the coolest cocktails, delicious beer and food pairings, hot fashions with fantabulous markdowns, fun beauty discoveries, and of course, Shecky’s Famous Goodie Bag. Shecky’s Girls Night Out is heading to NYC Mon.-Fri., Oct. 19th-23rd, 2009.

SAMPLE cool cocktails, beauty treats, games and more from Shecky’s partners.
SHOP hundreds of hot, one-of-a-kind items from indie designers and boutiques across the U.S.—all on sale!
SCORE Shecky’s Famous Goodie Bag, filled to the brim with the newest hair and skincare products, makeup, gift certificates, and more.

Shecky’s Girls Night Out NYC
Date: Mon.-Fri., Oct. 19th-23rd, 2009
Time: 5-10pm
Place: The Puck Building
293 Lafayette St. (@ Houston St.)

TO PURCHASE TICKETS PLEASE VISIT THIS LINK: http://girlsnightout.sheckys.com/?rf=FA09_NYC_J_Dykie

Back for a Quick Fix…

Work has been unbelievably crazy and unfortunately I need to work hard for my money, which means I’m not working as hard for my play.

During my hiatus I’ve been able to test out some more products from the first installment of my Beauty Fix kit.

The first product I tried was the Decleor Instant Radiance Moisturizer.   I always get nervous to try a new moisturizer.  We’ve all spent way to much money on moisturizers that feel like you’re applying sun block that’s been around since you were building sandcastles on the beach in nothing but a superwoman t-shirt, because your mom though you looked cute with your ass sticking out.  Or maybe that was just me.  Regardless, there is reason to proceed with caution when purchasing a new moisturizer, especially one you haven’t heard of.  This was the situation I was in before trying Decleor.  I had honestly never heard of the brand before, but I’m SO happy I gave it a chance to prove itself.

The description on BeautyFix.com says this fabulous light, citrus moisturizer “increases microcirculation, smoothes the surface of your skin, and increases vitality with a cocktail of super-charged ingredients that will make you glow. Grapefruit, Petitgrain and Lemon Essential Oils help keep your complexion clear by fighting bacteria and purifying the skin, while orange extract protects the skin from free radicals. Fig helps to prevent dehydration and keeps your skin moisturized, while a blend of vitamins A, E, F & Pro-vitamin B5 work to improve elasticity. And thanks to the pearly microparticles, your skin will be radiant, just like you.”  Perfect description.  It really is amazingly light-weight and refreshing.  You feel like you’ve just patted your face dry after splashing it with ice cold water.

Well done BeautyFix.  Awesome product.  So happy it was in my kit.  I’m hooked.  Can’t wait for the next kit to arrive.  I’m looking forward to adding more little treasures to my cosmetics bag.

Twitter Deals & Contests – Daily Roundup!!!

@CNTraveler Get a year of Traveler for $10 with the Sept. issue–featuring Queen Rania of Jordan–guaranteed: http://bit.ly/zWtHQ

@Sephora Upgrade your gaze! Score Smashbox’s Glow/Getter Eye Shadow Duo for just $5 (regularly $24)! http://tinyurl.com/m8b8qw

@askelf http://twitpic.com/fbyks – Get a free brush set

@ideeli http://twitpic.com/fbyw9 – Get up to 69% OFF on the Ann Klein suit sale TODAY @ ideeli.com

@UrbanOutfitters All cardigans are $29! In stores only. http://bit.ly/EeH04

@eyeslipsface Buy any Invisible Bra or 3 invisible Bliss Panties at JC Penney & get a free Elf gif: Check out http://twitpic.com/cawwu

@SpaWeek Want $100 to use at the spa? http://www.spaweekblog.com/…

@bbbtweets RT: @HairPop: RT to win a $200 Amazon gift-card from hairstyles blog http://www.hairstyleswatch.com

@thebodyshopusa Last chance to snag those fabulously brilliant colors from our Hot Brights collection for 50% off. Seal this deal! http://bit.ly/3F84HW

@UrbanDecay411 FREE w/ any $60 purchase (code: BG9) -UD Makeup Bag filled w/ Big Fatty Mascara, M.C. e/s, & travel-size 24/7 eye pencil ! Limited supply!

@eyeslipsface Don’t Miss our Contest in Myspace! Win $25 MakeUp!

@SavingsMBones $5 off $25 at walgreens – in store coupon. ready? …… GO! http://bit.ly/2bKBq6 #coupons

@budgetfab Lord & Taylor is offering 15% off regular and sale priced items or 25% off clearance (ONLINE ONLY). Promo code BIG. http://bit.ly/2yiAx

@BarneysNY New York Warehouse Sale JUST marked down MEN’S SPORTSWEAR an additional 25%! GO NOW! http://bit.ly/vxam9

@KorsSales 23% off Michael Michael kors Robertson Demi-Wedge Gladiator Sandals @ Lord & Taylor: http://bit.ly/hOjwd

@Rapid_Lash@BeautySweetSpot enter to win FREE RapidLash at www.facebook.com/RapidLash!

@SavingsMBones loving the penny sale at drugstore.com. AHAVA, elf, and more … http://bit.ly/10n18Y #coupons #beauty

@Teen_Vogue Today only, 10 winners will receive a Pier 1 papasan and pad, worth $200! Click here to enter: http://tinyurl.com/mq5ca3

@mommywood Seriously, we’re still giving away a chic bag full of beauty products worth $500+ EVERYDAY! http://is.gd/Pi4S

@Dermstore Deal of the Week: 20% off of Clinicians Complex! http://budurl.com/DSDealoft…

@tartecosmetics we still have some $4 toolbox brow kits available on www.tarte.com … get ‘em while they last!

@folica http://twitpic.com/f8tm9 – Enter to win this snazzy dryer set by becoming a fan of @folica on Facebook. Ends 8/28. http://bit.ly/OzU24

@ShopItToMe Contest-time! Know Your Fashion Lingo? Define any of these terms for the chance to WIN Harper’s Bazaar! http://su.pr/25aJa6

60% Off at LF!!!

Such a great sale!  I got awesome clothes and shoes for an unbelievable price.  Heading back for more today!  Highly recommend stocking up.  Locations below.

The Youth As We Know It

Work has been so crazy lately!  Sorry I’ve be MIA, but what a better product to break the hiatus than The Youth As We Know It Concentrate from Bliss Spa.  I received this product in my BeautyFix kit, which by the way is an “exclusive” beauty club where you receive the “season’s hottest products handpicked by a panel of experts.”  Even though I’ve been totally into my Freeze 24-7® IceCream Double Scoop™ Intensive Anti-Aging Moisturizer I REALLY couldn’t wait to try this stuff.  It’s like when you go grocery shopping and buy a bunch of fun food.  You come home and want to try a little bit of everything all at once.

I gotta be honest, though.  When I pumped out the recommended three pumps I was skeptical that the concentrate would keep my face moisturized.  This is one case where I’m happy to be wrong.  The moisture lotion is A-MAZING.  It is super light-weight, smells like citrus, and does the job.  My face glows and has a smooth, soft feel.

You can buy it online at Bliss or Sephora for $70.  I paid $64 for my entire Beautyfix kit, which included other fab products (more details on that to come).

+ + + + +

The details – from Bliss, themselves.
• pearl illuminators deliver gorgeous luminosity
• skin looks renewed, firm, and more supple
• advanced hydrators bind to the skin for long lasting hydrationThis potent formula is all hopped up with Hydroplex-3 (the same trio of professional-strength moisturizing ingredients used in out The Youth As We Know It in-spa facial), which has been encapsulated to work both on contact and over time-plus pearl extract and potent skin radiance boosters. So, if you fancy a luminous glow, plumper and smoother-looking skin and a rash of compliments (hey, who doesn’t?), look no further. Use alone as a light weight moisturizer or under The Youth As We Know It Moisturizer for a double dose of hydration.

Disclaimer:  I was not influenced in any way – other than the fact that both Bliss, Freeze 24-7, and Beautyfix have great products – to write the above review.