Holiday Sales: Part 1

First of all, happy turkey day everyone!  I hope you all are eating your hearts out and spending precious time with loved ones.  I know I'm going to have an amazing day.  I'm going to a hugeeeee buffet at a fancy schmancy hotel with my parents later today.  It's our tradition, haha. It's just the three of us so we always go out.  I can't wait to stuff my face with green bean casserole, stuffing, turkey, and pecan pie.  Mmm, my stomach's already growling!  Thanksgiving's actually my favorite holiday.   Do I even need to tell you guys why? Delish food + bargain shopping...that's all I'm going to say, ha. In honor of black friday and cyber monday, I'm going to be posting sales EVERY day (until Tuesday or so) to make sure you guys get the most bang for your buck.  In addition to sharing discount codes & faves, I'll be tweeting a ton so make sure you follow me on twitter HERE.

2020Ave - Free shipping until the 27th with code FREESHIPPING.

All Posters - 45% off everything with code NHGZ9399; valid until the 28th.

Anine Bing Global - Up to 60% off until the 30th.

Art.com - 45% off all orders with code NHGZ9399; valid until the 28th.

ASOS - Up to 60% off casual looks for men and women with code BLESSED.  Valid until the 26th.

Bandier - 25% off sidewide; valid until the 27th!

Design Darling - Get 20% off with code THANKFUL until the 30th.

Diesel - Up to 40% off until the 30th.  Free shipping on orders $200+.

DL1961 - 30% off full priced items with code DLBLACK; valid until the 28th.  Free shipping on orders $100+.

Dolce Vita - 20% off + free shipping with code BLACK20; valid until the 27th.

Dolls Kill - entire site marked down!  Free shipping on orders $75+.

Dynamite - 30% off all orders + free shipping with code BLACKFRIDAY30; valid until the 30th.

Express - 50% off everything + free shipping; valid until the 27th!

Gap - Early Access 50% off with code EARLY.

Garage - 40% off fashion $ denim + free shipping until the 30th.

Gymboree - 50% off entire purchase + free shipping.

Hudson Jeans - take an additional 30% off sale items; valid until the 27th.

J. Crew - 50% off in stores and online + free shipping on orders $50+ with code SHIPGIFTS.

James Perse - up to 70% off the holiday sale + free shipping with code HOLIDAYSTYLE15.

Joe's Jeans - 30% off sitewide + free shipping until Dec. 2nd.

Journelle - 15% off $150, 20% off $300, 25% off $500 with code THANKSLOVELY; valid until Dec. 1st.

Kate Spade - Surprise Sale! Up to 70% off until the 28th.

Kurt Geiger Global - 20% off everything until the 30th.

La Redoute - 60% off thousands of products until Dec. 1st.

L.K. Bennett - 30% off sitewide excluding New Season and Signature; valid until the 29th.

Luisaviaroma - 20% off extra discount on sale items until the 30th with code BFR20.

Macy's - Extra 25% off clearance designer handbags, 50% off select juniors clothing, 60% off select women's coats, 50% off women's sweaters, 70% off memory foam pillow & toppers.

Madewell - 25% off your entire purchase with code CALMDOWN; valid until the 29th.

Milly - 25% off site wide + free ground shipping until the 29th with code BF2015.

Modcloth - Up to 40% off until the 27th.

Monsoon - receive 25% off all children's full price products; valid until the 30th.

Murad - $25 off + free shipping on orders $100+ with code BLACK; valid until the 29th.

Neiman Marcus - take 20% off sale items for up to 50% off online until the 27th.

Nike - take 25% off sitewide + free shipping on all orders with code GIVETHANKS until the 29th.

Otte - additional 40% off all sale items with code EXTRAPIE40 until the 30th.

Petit Bateau US - 50% off markdowns until the 30th.

Ralph Lauren - Up to 60% off + take an extra 20% off select already reduced merchandise with code TURKEY20; valid until the 26th.

Rebecca Minkoff - 25% off all orders + free shipping + up to 70% off selected styles until the 29th.

Rebecca Taylor - extra 30% off sale online + in stores with code THANKFUL; valid until the 29th.

Shoescribe - extra 25% off all items with code CYBER15; valid until Dec. 1.

Shopbop - Spend $250+ and save 15%, spend $500+ and save 20%, spend $1000 and save 25% with code GOBIG15; valid until the 30th.

Wilsons Leather - 50% off entire purchase + free shipping on orders $50+ with code BLACKFRIDAY; valid until the 27th.

How-to: look 10lbs Lighter

Hey guys! I'm extra excited for today's post because I think it'll be quite helpful.  As you all know, I'm big into visual illusions.  People often compliment me on my figure, but they don't realize it's not actually my body.  Well, technically it is, but I'm a lot "bigger" than I look.  To be honest, this is the heaviest I've been in years.  I just simply know how to dress myself.  I'm very picky about what I wear, and I always make sure to highlight my best assets and mask my flaws if necessary.  Keep reading to learn my secrets...

1.  Highlight the small of your waist with a skinny belt.  If you're wearing a dress, belt it to draw the eye upwards.  It'll create the illusion of longer legs and give you an hourglass figure.  Also, opt for high-waisted bottoms because they're comfortable AND flattering.  Go for dark skinnies - I personally own two pairs in this style (pictured below) - to conveniently mask your muffin top!

2.  Throw on a pair of nude heels.  Make sure they match your skintone - the closer in color, the better! You want to create one long line so you look taller.  You'll look skinnier by default because you're elongating your legs, creating a leaner silhouette.  For affordable options, browse Marshalls, TJ Maxx, Ross, and DSW.

3.  Wear the right undergarments.  If you haven't already, make sure you get yourself fitted.  I had issues with bra bulge and couldn't figure out why for the longest time.  Turns out, I was wearing the wrong size!  Regarding underwear, look for elastic waistbands with lace trim.  In my opinion, they're the most flattering, and as a plus they're super cute!

These are two of my favorites!  Left from Victoria's Secret and right from Kohls.

4.  Experiment with shapewear.  If you want to kill it for a special occasion, throw on a pair of spanx to look 1-2 sizes smaller.  It's not particularly comfortable, but you'll look good, ha. Bandage pieces work magic as well.  I own several mini-dresses and skirts, and they're basically wearable shapewear.  Don't skimp on them though!  If you want them to be "effective," you're going to have to purchase high-quality versions.  Check out BCBG, but don't pay full price.  Go to their factory outlets during blowout sales to get discounted designs.

5.  Wear black tights with black heels.  Like tip #2, this magical formula will elongate you!  Sport this combo with itty-bitty mini-skirts to look oh so chic in the winter.  Sub out heels with boots and tights with leggings if you're looking to get extra warmth!

6.  Befriend your tailor.  Fit is everything.  You can have a perfect body and still look "off" with ill-fitting clothing.

7.  Experiment with vertical stripes.  They'll lengthen like no other.  Remember, you want to create long lines. Theme of the day:  elongate like it's nobody's business!

Do you guys have any tips?  I'd love to hear 'em if you do!  

#TRYDRY with Dove Dry Spray

Introduced by Simply Stylist, I've partnered up with Dove to review their new Dry Spray for you guys today on Sensible Stylista.  As you all know, I lead a pretty crazy life.  I'm a doctoral student (pursuing two degrees), full-time blogger, concert pianist, AND piano teacher so I'm literally running from place to place...and sweating all over because I'm disgusting, ha!  So yeah, deodorant is must for me.  I've only used sticks in the past, but I've officially converted to sprays because of Dove.

I got to try two different sprays (pictured below) for the review which was awesome because they both smelled ah-MA-zing! They also felt really good against my skin.  I know that may sound weird, but you gotta try it to know what I mean, ha.  It's one of those situations, but trust me when I say you want to purchase this spray.  It doesn't leave any visible residue which is bomb. Oh, did I mention it also protects from perspiration for 48 hours?  Yep.  It shouldn't get much better than that, but... it does.  It goes on instantly dry and gives you softer, smoother underarms thanks to Dove's unique moisturizing technology.  For those of you interested, this spray is available in 6 different scents at food and drug retailers nationwide.  Make sure to try one out for yourself!