Saks Friends and Family Event: Food for Thought

Saks 20% off Friends and Family event begins in stores tomorrow and runs through April 25. While I'm not one to look a gift horse in the mouth, I wonder about the term "Friends and Family" when the discount is posted front and center on their website. To steal the title from one of my favorite movies, I'm thinking "Me and You and Everyone We Know" might be a more apt name for it. Between the whole world knowing about the discount and the long list of brands for which the special doesn't apply, there's going to be more competition than ever for the good stuff.  After studying the fine print noting what lines are excluded from the sale, I came up with a few items worth having a look at -- or at least discussing! A lot of times I have trouble finding short sleeve sport shirts that I like because so many of them just look sloppy to me. I like this one from Rag & Bone ($195) for its crisp, clean pintuck detail down the front. These vertical lines are actually slimming, so if you haven't yet sculpted your '10 Summer Beach Body, look to this shirt for a quick fix. Rich chocolate brown leather + Converse hi-tops = cunningly updated old-school style. Check 'em out ($145)..If you typically lean toward a more traditional look but are looking for subtle ways to mix it up without breaking the bank, think about adding colorful socks like these from Paul Smith ($30) to your repertoire. They're a great way to get a flash of color into your look without stepping outside your comfort zone. Extra points if you match them to another part of your outfit..With the warm weather approaching, the lightweight fabric of a knit tie feels very fresh to me.  Most neckwear in this material that I see around is either in solid colors or has contrasting horizontal lines. This one from Rag & Bone ($105), however,  stands out to me with its tone-on-tone diagonal textured stripes. No matter what your age, the knit tie lends a touch of youthfulness to your look, and the unexpected detail on this one will definitely take your outfit to another level.Note: if the thought of wearing the above items all together in one outfit has even crossed your mind (oh noes!), consider scheduling some time with me. Please see my Services page.