Today in Salemail there were two bags I am craving — both from Halston Heritage.

As you may remember, last year it was announced that Sarah Jessica Parker was taking on the role of Creative Director/Designer for Halston Heritage (the lower-priced offshoot of main label Halston).  …I must say, I am liking what SJP’s put together.  I’m betting that both of the below bags would oodles of compliments.  They’re currently available from Nordstrom.com (and, free shipping over $200).

The satchel: Regularly $395, now $329.90

The clutch: Regularly $245, now $163.90, and comes in 3 colors – Bordeaux, Dusk, and Jet (pictured).

We have a very exciting Monday pick-me-up for you… we’ve added Madewell.com (sister brand to J. Crew) as a new retailer in Salemail! Now you can shop their down to earth, city-chic styles for less.

Loved for its heritage denim and downtown-cool essentials, Madewell fashion is all about being totally original and looking stylish from head-to-toe!

Below are a few adorable items we spotted in today’s Salemail (all under $100!), and this is just the beginning…

Hazy Days Tank, Switchyard Blazer, the Suede Sunset Sandal, Slim Slouch Shorts, Skinny Ankle Jeans

*Don’t miss out!! Make sure you’ve added Madewell to your brand preferences. Just login to your Shop It To Me profile, click Edit – Brands, select Madewell, and hit SAVE!

Vince has completely mastered the art of designing leather and suede outerwear. They’ve managed to make the thick, sometimes bulky material form-fitting and even drapey! This asymmetrical olive-colored jacket is no exception.

The only downside of a Vince jacket is they’re typically upward of $800 and rarely go on sale. Until now, that is…

Vince Asymmetrical Suede Jacket (55% off): was $775, now $349

All you lucky size Mediums, hurry and jump on this amazing deal before it sells out!

How could you not love Gossip Girl? Blair and Serena have to be the best dressed gals on prime time! Erin from Ashes of Laughter is here to share some of her favorite looks from these Upper East Side ladies, and show us a few adorable alternatives! Be sure to stop by her blog which documents her love affair with fashion, art, and music!

Let me join the multitudes and say that Gossip Girl is the best styled show on television.  This shouldn’t be a surprising seeing as GG stylist Eric Daman previously was the assistant designer for Sex and the City (you can’t beat that experience). Serena Van Der Woodsen and Blair Waldorf will forever be style icons deemed to go down in fashion history.

Blair. Always stylish, always classic, always exceptionally put together.

One of my all time favorite Gossip Girl style moments… everything was perfect.  From Blair’s Oscar de la Renta dress, to the Christian Louboutin shoes. Oh, and did I forget to mention Harry Winston jewelry?

Who could forget Blair Waldorf at the White Party in the Hamptons?  She was stunning in Marc by Marc Jacobs (but I would have ditched the clutch and worn Chuck Bass on my arm as an accessory, just saying).

One of my favorites, Serena and Blair’s impromptu photo shoot in the matching blue and orange Abigail Lorick Barlass dresses.

Serena. Always trendy, always unexpected, always makes a statement.

In one of my favorite GG scenes, Serena is pushed into a fountain wearing this fabulous Haute Hippie beaded jacket, and Pierre Hardy platform sandals. The things I would do to own that jacket…

Love, love, LOVE this ensemble worn by Serena in Paris.  The jacket is Emilio Pucci paired with Tibi pants and Brian Atwood studded pumps.

If you can’t tell, I’m partial to Serena’s styling.  I don’t know if it’s her wild hair or short hemlines, but I honestly love all of her outfits. What are your favorite Gossip Girl looks?

*images via Gossip Girl Fashion

Let’s face it – we all find pleasure in people watching (even if you don’t want to admit it)! It’s totally entertaining, and you can find fashion inspiration by checking out what other people are wearing! If you live in D.C. or plan to visit, we have good news for you… Katy from Thrifty Threads is here to show us how it’s done!

D.C. is a town filled with tons of things to do. From monuments to museums, hockey games and eateries, there is no lack of entertainment in the nation’s capital. However, one of my favorite activities is also FREE (a glorious word in any vocabulary). I love people watching, and D.C. is prime people-watching territory. Over the past three years, I have found some of the best spots to just sip a latte and take in the sights of all the people mulling around the city.

1) The National Mall: One of the prime tourist attractions in the city also provides a plethora of diverse people to gaze upon. Whether it’s the spring and the cherry blossoms are blooming or fall when all the leaves are turning, you can sit for hours watching people pass by. My spot of choice is one of the benches that lines the sidewalks near the Smithsonian Metro stop.

2) Georgetown: This quaint neighborhood around Georgetown University feels like a different city compared to the hustle and bustle of Capitol Hill and K Street. While walking around window shopping at Zara or Anthropologie, take in the variety of people around you. From college-aged students to tourists waiting in line at Georgetown Cupcakes, there are always plenty of interesting people to view.

3) Old Town, Alexandria: I’m leaving the city limits for this one, but seeing as I am an Alexandria resident, this one is near and dear to my heart. Old Town is home to some of the best eateries and shops around, and has that small-town feel in one of Virginia’s largest cities. Benches line the street which make for prime people watching, or head to the waterfront and watch the water taxis or the plans take off and land from the airport.

Time to layer up for fall!  When I spotted this Tory Burch striped sweater on sale today for 52%-off, I imagined it absolutely worn to death.  Over leggings, dark jeans, or black pants, it seems like the perfect transitional-weather, versatile addition to a wardrobe.  And, if this one isn’t your cup of tea, there’s plenty more finds to be had at the Saks.com Friends & Family Sale this week.  Use code FRIEND7 at checkout for an additional 20%-off many styles.

Tory Burch striped cardigan sweater

Regularly $325, Now $155.99

Use code FRIEND7 at checkout for this price

Lucky magazine’s 4^th annual Lucky Shops extravaganza is almost here — and we’re giving away tickets to VIP Night!

If anyone knows how to throw a shopping party, it’s our friends at Lucky. Top designer brands at up to 70% off + free cocktails and music = one heck of a get together.

We’re giving one Shop It To Me member two tickets (worth $185 each) to VIP night in Manhattan on November 4th.

What: Win two tickets to Lucky Shops VIP Night
When: Thursday, Nov. 4^th 6 – 9 pm
Where: Metropolitan Pavilion, 125 West 18th Street (between 6th and 7th Avenues), New York, NY

To enter, just do the following:

• Comment on this post letting us know who you’d take with you if you win and why. (And then tell your friend so he or she can enter too!)
• For an extra entry, tweet this: “I entered to win VIP Lucky Shops tickets via @shopittome. RT to enter! http://bit.ly/ddwdDg”

We’ll conduct a random drawing on Friday Oct. 22 at 5 pm PST from eligible comments and tweets to determine a winner. Open to US residents only and you must be a Shop It To Me member to win. If you’re not already a member, just visit www.ShopItToMe.com and click Start Now. It’s free and only takes two minutes to sign up.

We only wish we could be in Manhattan to experience the event firsthand, but trust us – we had our eyes and ears there last year and they can vouch it was nothing short of stellar.

Want to make sure you don’t miss out on the shindig? Click here to purchase tickets.

Changing seasons doesn’t have to mean a whole new wardrobe! Shannon from Thrifty Threads is here to show us just how to make certain summer styles wearable for fall.

Be sure to check out the collaborative style blog featuring five friends who catalogue their closets and shopping adventures, from NYC to D.C. to Atlanta.

Autumn is officially upon us, however, you may not actually need to dress for the season just yet. Eventually though — if you haven’t already started — you’ll be carving pumpkins and then turkey, and before you know it, you’ll be ringing in the New Year.

But autumn has always been my favorite season, I’m thankful to live in a place — New York — where it arrives right on time. I’m already donning my trench coat on my morning commute and figuring out exactly what color tights I need to buy.

All that’s fit to print
I’ve seen many a floral dress that wouldn’t be out of place at Bayside High, and tribal prints aren’t going anywhere, either. To make the trends last, be sure the prints have a darker base — anything too pastel will scream “Easter.” Also, don’t shy away from animal prints. Throw on black tights with a boyfriend blazer, or layer a turtleneck underneath for some warmth without the bulk.

Dolce & Gabbana, Alexander McQueen Fall 2010

All that glitters
Too many sequins on a too-skimpy outfit can look a little “Pretty Woman” (and not in a good way), so I’m excited to see the glittery trend carry over into fall. Pair a sequined shell with a leather jacket and play up the contrasting textures, or keep it simple with a sequined clutch.

3.1 Phillip Lim, Marc Jacobs Fall 2010

The ‘60s silhouette
Not only am I mad about Don Draper (swoon), Joan Harris, and Peggy Olson, I’m mad about ‘60s style as well. The ladylike ‘60s are making a comeback; play up your silhouette with high-waisted pencil skirts or a full-skirted dress. Low pumps are — blissfully — making a comeback as well.

Prada, Marc Jacobs Fall 2010

Not-so-schoolgirl
Honestly, I’m not sure who wore knee-highs in the summer, but anything Cher Horowitz-approved is OK by me — especially as temps start cooling down. Style a black pair with some cognac boots for contrast, and show a little leg before it gets too chilly.

Prada, Michael Kors Fall 2010

(all photos via Style.com)

Sometimes the best part about fashion is pairing unexpected styles together. It’s all about being creative and expressing yourself! Sahi from Barely Vogue is here to share a few stylish clothing combinations that you never saw coming.

Be sure to check out her fashion and style blog covering trends, budget friendly finds, celebrity style, make up tips, and unbelievable steals!

Florals and Military -style Jackets

Military-style jackets are huge this season but can tend to look costumey or masculine without the right styling. The best way to make the military jacket work is to pair it with your most feminine floral dress or a blouse.

Balancing the Sequins (via Garance Dore)

One of my favorite trends is sequins, which now can be worn day or night if you pair with off-beat tees or sweaters!

Shiny- Fur (via J.Crew catalog)

A hint of gold sparkly brocade peeping from a furry thing is the best look ever.

Polka dots with animal prints

How to tame your leopard prints? Just add some innocent polka dots.

The winner – Leather & Lace (via Topshop catalog)

Lace can be boring on it’s own, but you can make your look more interesting by adding an edgy leather piece to a simple sheer dress!

Don’t be afraid to mix and match… have a little fun with fashion!

This year, smart shoppers are waiting for fall sales to snag must-have items for their seasonal wardrobes.

Results from a new Shop It To Me Fall Trends and Holiday Season survey of shoppers show that 63% have bought a few items, but are waiting for sales to purchase the rest, while 25% are completely waiting it out.  The pressure is on for retailers — if an item is marked down under 30%-off, only 23% of shoppers considered it to be a “good deal”.  And, according to a recent WSJ article, consumers can expect very competitive pricing from retailers this holiday season, good news for the majority of shoppers who are patiently hanging on.

As for spending habits, 60% of shoppers will be spending about the same amount on others this year as compared to last year, but 25% seem to still be feeling the economic pinch: they plan to spend less this year on others than last.  And, even more true for shopping on self: 35% plan to spend less this year than last on purchases for themselves.

Where will people be shopping this year? Nearly 70% said they’ll be shopping both online and in stores with more than half (58%) doing the online shopping at work!

While consumers want to take advantage of sales, most (56%) consider themselves over inundated with e-mails and alerts from retailers.  Charlie Graham, Founder & CEO of Shop It To Me said, “Internet shoppers are receiving more e-commerce emails than ever before (some getting 30-50 emails a day), and quite frankly, it is overwhelming!  Shop It To Me was created as a way to help shoppers alleviate this pain-point, yet still be able to take advantage of the abundant sales most relevant to them.  We deliver just the brands and sizes you personally are looking for, so you don’t have to sign up for every email on the planet.”

The survey also revealed which trends are most popular this season among the ladies. Currently, the top three coveted styles are menswear-inspired items (35%) followed by leggings (34%) and military looks (32%). As for fall footwear, ankle booties were the clear winner (38%), with ballerina flats taking second place (20%).

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For complete survey questions and results, click here.

Methodology:

Shop It To Me (www.shopittome.com), the free online personal shopper, surveyed a sample of shoppers about their fall/holiday spending habits, and received over 350 responses between October 8-12, 2010.