What To Wear To A Golf Tournament

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Golf season is here. The PGA Tour makes two stops in Dallas/Fort Worth in May with the Dean & Deluca Invitational May 26th-29th and the AT&T Byron Nelson May 19th-22nd. I'm thrilled to be moderating the PGA Tour's Executive Women's Day panels at both tournaments against this year.

I am constantly asked what to wear to a golf tournament. When it comes to dressing for these events, consider style and comfort. You will be walking a few miles in the sun. To that end, you need wear comfortable shoes and lots of sunscreen. Those are key factors to enjoying a day on the course.

RELATED: What to wear to the PGA Championship.
RELATED: Shoes to wear to a golf tournament.

Comfort does not mean you have to sacrifice your style. You can go dressy or super-casual and still look great by using the two looks you see here as inspiration.

Keep in mind PGA tournaments have specific rules on what you can bring onto a course, including purses and bags. Here's a list of the PGA Tour's prohibited and permitted items. Check out my purse policy page for more bags that fit within the PGA Tour AND NFL's purse policies.

I own this Barrington Gifts Crossbody! Perfect for any sporting event. Comes in thousands of team color combinations!

Barrington Gifts Stadium Crossbody is the perfect bag for golf tournaments, football games and any other sporting event. It fits perfectly within any purse policy. Click HERE to see my review of the bag. 

Currently Crushing: Barrington Gifts Spring Collection

Barrington Gifts St. Anne Tote

I have a thing for Barrington Gifts. The Dallas-based company allows you to customize their bags, accessories and gifts so that your piece is a true reflection of your personal style.

Their Spring 2015 collection is on-trend yet timeless featuring a vibrant palette of colors and an updated selection of fun patterns.

The Price Of An Hermès Birkin: More Than A Car, Luxurious Jewelry, Designer Bags & Shoes Combined. Really.

I love luxury goods as much as the next girl but I just don't think I could do this. Moda Operandi is offering Hermès goodies from Dallas' Heritage Auctions. There are a three iconic Hermès Birkins costing $75,000.

Valentine's Day Gifts For Her

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Guys, I'm here to help. I told all my gals what you REALLY want for Valentine's Day. Now, it's your turn to step up to the plate.

I'm the aberration: I think this is a lame holiday. Maybe it's because I was never much of a dater. I was always too busy working to date much. But for 75% of the women out there, Valentine's Day and its gifts are a big deal.

I have had girlfriends complain about getting Tom Thumb carnations, cheap jewelry and bad dinners. If you focus on these categories when it comes gifts, you will likely have the best Valentine's Day ever.

Purses & Jewelry

Purses and jewelry are great gifts. Most women go crazy over a new purse. They go even crazier over a designer one. Think Louis Vuitton, Prada, Gucci, Tory Burch (a relatively affordable designer brand). You can't go wrong.

TIP: if you're at the point in your relationship where that engagement ring might be expected, go with a purse. She'll be heartbroken if you give her some earrings and she was expecting an engagement ring. That's happened to three of my girls.

If you're married, get some bling. Designer stuff is better. She can get the cheap stuff for herself. A simple Kendra Scott necklace is a nice touch. A Cartier Love Bracelet? Amazeballs. Anything in between, ranging from David Yurman to Lagos or gorjana, would be awesome.

Nice Flowers

Women really do love flowers. Don't go the cheap grocery store carnation route. Get some nice flowers. In Tom Thumb's defense they have lovely bouquets. The thing is you will probably have to order them in advance because most guys who wait until Valentine's Day are stuck with those cheap carnations.

If she is a girlie-girl, you can get the bouquet of roses (Gilt City is running a special HERE). If she kills weeds or has a more sophisticated eye, a gorgeous orchid bouquet will knock her socks off. Bonus? Orchids last forever.

Good Champagne and Chocolate

I am not an advocate of dining out on Valentine's Day (AKA Amateur Night). Restaurant menus are usually dumbed down to appeal to the folks who dine out only a few times a year. Get creative and cook dinner or order something. Buy some good champagne (Ruinart, Moët & Chandon or Veuve Cliquot are all wonderful) and chocolate or chocolate covered strawberries (Gilt City has a deal on them HERE) to end the night. My favorite Valentine's Day memory involved a bottle of Krug and chocolate covered strawberries.

Have Fun

Don't be afraid to have some fun with your gift. If she's not into the holiday, like me, this cute pajama set or something else that will make her laugh is perfect.

What Are Your Plans?

Thinking about something for Valentine's Day? Don't be afraid to share your plans in the comments section.

Shop Valentine's Day Gifts For Her

Barrington Gifts St. Anne Tote: A Golden Globe Swag Bag Darling

St. Anne Tote Swag Bag Assembly

North Texas will be well-represented at the Golden Globes this Sunday night. Dallas-based Barrington Gifts' St. Anne Tote is THE swag bag for Golden Globe nominees. According to Barrington Gifts, they were delivered into the private hotel rooms of nominees on Friday.

 Click on any bag to learn more about it!

The likes of Julia Louis-Dreyfuss (I LOVE her...Veep is my favorite show), Emily Blunt, Helen Mirren, Viola Davis, Mark Ruffalo received the bag in various patterns: Checkerboard, Navajo Mesa, Glen Plaid, Black Watch Plaid, Reptile and Axis.

Best actress nominee Reese Witherspoon is the only celebrity gifted with the tote in the French Stripe pattern. It's personalized with her initials, LRW. That's the cool thing about Barrington's products: you can get virtually anything debossed with your initials.

I first met the Barrington Gifts team when I discovered their gameday line (click HERE to learn more about it), which allows you customize any of their bags in your alma mater's favorite colors. It's brilliant. They also have a slew of goodies for guys and great corporate gifts.

Get Your Own Golden Globes Bag
Barrington's St. Anne Tote may become a new celebrity favorite but it has an incredibly real world price. It's only $145. You order it online and get your initials on it for an additional $5.

Buy Barrington Gifts St. Anne Tote Bag

The Best Online Outlet Stores That Will Make Your Shopping Pants Go Crazy

Shopping at outlet malls is a passion of mine. It's truly a treasure hunt. A day at an outlet mall can yield a booty full of designer goods for less while other days it can produce a big fat bag of nothing.

Gucci bracelet and scarf purchased at the Gucci outlet in San Marcos

Some of my favorite outlet finds include a Gucci scarf and bracelet from the San Marcos Gucci outlet, Prada shoes from the San Marcos Prada outlet and a YSL Muse bag from Last Call in Allen that has seen better days.

You don't have to slog to outlet stores in remote locations to score designer finds. Although if you do get the chance to visit the Prada or Gucci outlets (whether they're the ones in Florence, Italy or San Marcos, TX) go!

Thing is, a lot of these outlets have an online presence. In general, the offerings aren't as "boutique-y" as in the stores but you can still score some good merchandise for less.

Here is a round up of the best online outlets:

• Neiman Marcus Last Call - I LOVE Last Call. From beautiful jewelry to Bergdorf Goodman and Neiman Marcus arrivals, you can find outstanding stuff here. They have great jewelry like these beautiful Konstantino earrings. 
• Nordstrom Rack - The awesomeness of Nordstrom at a discount! Yes, there is a clearance section where I found this great scarf for under $12. 
• The Outnet - Net-a-Porter's discount sister site has phenomenal finds like this Iro mini-dress. I love their jewelry. Plus you can shop their private label Iris & Ink line for stylish work clothes on a budget. This pink biker jacket is ridiculously cool for fall while this leather and suede dress is an instant classic that can be worn for years. 
• Barney's - Yep, Barney's Warehouse is online featuring high-end leftovers from previous seasons. Free shipping, returns not allowed. I'm crushing on these YSL leopard print slip-on sneakers. 
• Off 5th - The Saks 5th Avenue outlet features wonderful clothing. I'm totally digging this Marc by Marc Jacobs dress. 
• Coach Factory - You can't swing a Coach bag without finding a Coach Factory in an outlet mall shopping center. The handbag maker offers its discount wares online, too, BUT it's a members-only flash sale site. Meaning, you must share your email address and wait for them to email sale details. 
• J. Crew Factory - The clothes here are made specifically for the outlet. They even have a clearance section. Worth your time if you're a J.Crew lover. 
• Under Armour - A discount site for the high-performance apparent. Bonus? Active military members and their families along with first responders get a 10% discount (can't be combined with other promo codes). 
• Tommy Hilfiger - Cute stuff from the one of the original prepsters.
• 6pm - 6pm is the "outlet" of online mega-retailer Zappos. Lots of good deals, including kids' clothing. This little girl's hoodie set is adorable.
• Soft Surroundings - This retailer rates its items by softness. My grandmother would have loved their stuff and this vest. 

What are your favorite outlet sites? Please share them in the comments section.

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Splurge or Steal: Gucci's Fall Collection

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Have you seen Gucci's fall collection? It is full of all sorts of 60's-inspired looks that are beyond fabulous. I love everything about it...except the price.

While I am a believer in investing in quality pieces that last a lifetime, I can't afford to spend $3200 on a dress. So I set out to recreate one of my favorite looks with a more wallet-friendly approach.

What do you think?

Splurge
Gucci Tote, $3800
Gucci Dress, $3200
Gucci Boots, $1450
Gucci Bracelet, $450
Gucci Ring, $430
Gucci Sunglasses, $345

Steal
Tory Burch Tote, $295
Ann Taylor Dress, $169 (50% off this weekend!)
Ivanka Trump Boots, $199
Alexis Bittar Ring, $195
Aqua Clara Bracelet, $50
ASOS Sunglasses, $22.86

Shop This Story

How To Buy Designer Purses And Accessories For Less

 From L to R: Hermés H Bracelet | Louis Vuitton Capucines | Chanel Jumbo 2.55  | Celine Pony Hair Luggage Bag | Gucci Jackie Bucket Bag | Dior Quilted Shoulder Bag

I rarely buy luxury designer goods brand new and at their full retail price, except when it's an item I will likely sell in the future such as my Louis Vuitton Neverfull (you can read all about that here). I am a consignment-shopping queen because it's a great way to purchase investment-quality designer pieces at a lower price.

In fact, I scout consignment stores when I travel which led to my discovery of an amazing vintage store in Paris, as well as the better-known Didier Ludot. In Montecito recently, I fell in love with Mattie and Me consignment store (and a Pucci coat that was out of my price range).

RELATED: 25 Great Bags For Work...At Every Price Point

Authentic Luxury Consignment Retailers
For those times when we're homebound, there is a treasure trove of online luxury consignment shops that sell guaranteed authentic items for less. The "guaranteed authentic" thing is a big deal. These resellers stake their reputation on authenticity and will refund your money if an item is not genuine.
Each of the following reseller's offer an authenticity guarantee. Many times the pieces are brand new.

Louis Vuitton Insolite Wallet

• Fashionphile - probably my favorite. They also have a retail locations in Beverly Hills and San Francisco. It's a designer-lover's dream. I recently bought a Louis Vuitton Insolite wallet from them, replacing the one I had stolen. I have consigned a few items on their site, too.
• Bag Borrow or Steal - the one made famous by Sex and the City, the movie. 
• Bluefly - the online e-tailer offers some great designer handbags both vintage and brand new.
• What Goes Around Comes Around - a legendary New York consignment store.
• The Real Real - they have a great YouTube channel which educates consumers on authentic luxury brands.
• Heritage Auction House - the Dallas-based auction house has a Tuesday night luxury accessories auction with some great stuff. You will pay a hefty 25% buyer's premium. 
• Vestiaire Collective
• Luxury Designer Handbags
• Portero
• Ann's Fabulous Finds

The sites are constantly updated so there is always something new to browse. I like to call it virtual window-shopping. If you see something you adore, you should hop on it because once it's gone...it could be gone. I recently missed out on a Hermes scarf (I REALLY wanted this one, too...it was a Paris rooftop scarf) I was coveting on Fashionphile.

You can generally find a lot of bags from Louis Vuitton, Chanel, Gucci , Hermés and Celine. Certain accessories like scarves, jewelry and glasses may be tougher to find. Keep hunting, they usually turn up.

A word on ebay. You can always scout the online auction site. I have even sold some items on there. At the end of the day, especially when it comes to designer accessories, it's a beating. There is a ton of fake merchandise on there.

Watch my all my handbag reviews on YouTube - I bought this Chanel pochette from Fashionpile

If you're in the mood to pick up that investment piece for a bit less, buying on consignment from a retailer that guarantees authenticity is the way to go, in my book. These pieces generally last for decades and, if you buy at the right price, you can sometimes make money on them if you decide to consign or resell them.

Scroll Through For Some Of My Favorite Luxe For Less Finds 

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Why Gucci's Swing Leather Tote Is An Instant Classic

Press play to watch my unboxing video.

Can we talk about Gucci's Swing Leather Tote? I love it. Gucci has created the perfect bag for working women, students or über-moms who need to haul diapers, snacks, wipes and sippy cups yet still want to look stylish.

This instant classic rivals the Louis Vuitton Neverfull as the new carryall du jour because it is chic, elegant and functional. Watch my original unboxing video as well as my "How's It Holding Up?" updated version to find out why I love it so much.

The Swing Leather collection has been popular for Gucci. The Italian house has updated the bag and added a small name tag to the original design of it. The Swing Leather collection also features wallets, wristlets, crossbody/WOC bags and children's totes.

The tote comes in two sizes: medium and small.

Gucci Medium Swing Leather Tote 

Gucci Medium Swing Leather Tote in taupe leather with soft pink interior

The medium version (the one I have) comes in a variety color options and measures 13.4"W x 12"H x 7"D with an 8.6" strap drop, similar in size to the Louis Vuitton Neverfull MM (or medium size).  It features two interior pockets which can hold a cell phone, pens, notebook, etc.  It also has an interior zipper pocket which Gucci says can "fit an iPad." It does. Sold.

Gucci Small Swing Leather Tote

Gucci Small Swing Leather Tote in rose beige leather with light blue interior

The small version also features a variety of color options while measuring 10.6"W x 9.5"H x 6.3"D with an 8" strap drop, similar in size to the smaller Louis Vuitton Neverfull. This roomy bag can also hold a lot.

UPDATE: As of 5/8/15, Fashionphile has two Gucci Swing Leather Totes on sale red and pink. If you want one, hurry! These go quickly.

The Takeaway 
At $1000 for the small and $1350 for the medium, these bags are investment pieces. I believe they are a better value than the Louis Vuitton Neverfull for two reasons: the generous interior pockets and the beautiful, supple leather construction. (Tweet this). The Neverfull is simply monogrammed canvas and starts at $1180 for the smallest version.

If you do invest in one of these, I feel it's a wise one.  They are timeless classics you can carry for years.  If you do tire of them, you can always consign or resell them and get a portion of your money back.  My Louis Vuitton Neverfull practically paid for itself.

Shop The Gucci Swing Leather Collection

Why Quality Counts: A Lesson From a Louis Vuitton Tote

"In this world, you get what you pay for."
Kurt Vonnegut, Cat's Cradle 

"Cheap is cheap."
Inez's mother, "Midnight in Paris"

You get the idea.  I am a believer in investment purchases but I hate paying the full retail price for them.  Whether it be a better price on a Gucci bamboo shopper tote, Louboutins for less or Prada for pennies, I've blogged about my love of discounted designer goodies.  But after this weekend, I might just be changing my philosophy on certain items.

Christian Louboutins, Hermes & Prada for Less!

Rue La La's Christian Louboutin sale Thursday morning ignited a shopping bug across the sample sale world.  Not that I need another pair of red-soled beauties but any time these are discounted, it is worth inspection.  Most of the shoes in this sale were a sellout almost immediately.

I rarely buy shoes at full retail price and neither should you.  You can almost always get a great pair on sale.  I even found a pair of the uber-popular flaming Prada lovelies at the designer outlet in San Marcos for a few hundred dollars.  For more on my new favorite Texas store, read my previous review here.  

While I'm all for scoring designer merch on the cheap, I don't recommend buying shoes secondhand, unless they are brand spanking new.  You never know what kind of foot funk the previous owner had.

Perfect for giving your Sig O a swift kick

But when you find new shoes at the secondhand shops, go for it.  When I came across these gorgeous, never-worn Louboutins on Fashionphile, I had to share.

Full red-sole!

These are as ridiculous, fabulous and as "out there" as they come.  I think they are the perfect shoe for a prim and proper sheath dress.  What a way to add an unexpected surprise to an outfit.  They're "New Without Tags," size 39.5 and cost a steep $1195.

Anns Fabulous Finds wrap bracelet

I'm also loving this Hermes Rouge H Rivale wrap bracelet.  It's a great way to get that Hermes Collier de Chien look for less.  Those bracelets typically start around $1000 and go way north of that.  This one from Ann's Fabulous Finds is $500.

Prada Shoes & a DVF Blouse for Less at the San Marcos Outlet

I score these Prada pumps for a song! 

You can get Prada and other luxury designer goods for pennies.  Relatively speaking.  The outlet mall in San Marcos is the absolute real deal when it comes to great stores. The shopping center features Gucci, Etro, Vince, Last Call, Burberry, Prada, Salvatore Ferragamo and more. 

Here are some pics of perhaps my best frugal find ever, these gorgeous Prada pumps cost only $75.  I purchased them at the Prada outlet this weekend at the San Marcos Premium Outlets.  The pictures simply don't do them justice.

Turns out, my booties in the YouTube video only cost $150!

Here is also a picture of the Diane von Furstenberg top I scored for only $71.25.  Again, the snapshot doesn't do it justice.  It's something I can wear for a few seasons, dressed up or down depending on the accessories.

I love outlet malls. What's your favorite? Share yours in the comments section.

A Heck of a Shopping Haul.....At a Hotel?

Trina Turk Cover-Up I bought at the Ritz Carlton Marina Del Rey

You can score fabulous finds at hotels.  Really.  The Wall Street Journal explores the rise of niche luxury hotel boutiques in Thursday's edition.

"The traditional hotel gift shop is getting an overhaul. Upscale properties hope to turn them into places where guests, and even locals, will want to linger and spend money—day after day."

The thing is, you don't have to spend a ton of cash.  Sure, there are some hotel boutiques that stock items that cost a fortune but many will discount their goods in effort to move them.