YOOX so rarely offers coupon codes, so this one deserved to be shared (even if there’s only one day to use it!) – code NIGHTFEVER will take 10% off of the Spring/Summer collection on the site. Some of the brands they have on the site are hard-to-find favorites like Meltin’ Pot, MET Jeans, and more!

Click here to go to YOOX now!

Love,
JP

God knows that I have more jeans than one person should probably own in a lifetime, but I had never tried Big Star jeans before 2012. Crazy, I know – it’s not that I hadn’t heard of the brand, or even that I’d heard negative things (I haven’t). I just never got around to it.

But this pair has impressed me. A couple stats about the jeans:

Name: Big Star Jealousy Skinny
Wash: Toyland
Price: $98
Size: 25
Fit: True to Size
Front Rise: 8″ (the site says 7 3/4″, but I measured twice)
Inseam: 33″ (definitely an easier pair to hem or wear cuffed)

The flatter factor on these is very high; between the dark wash with light whiskering as well as the fit, they do a great job of elongating and slimming. And definitely go with your standard size, because they do stretch a bit (this style of Big Star jeans fits like SOLD Design Lab, Raven Denim and Mavi Jeans).

Though there are some styles of Big Star that are on the louder end (heavy stitching, heavy embroidery on the back pockets, etc), this pair made me a believer. It’s not plain, but understated (the pair can really, REALLY work well in a day-to-night outfit!) and the focus is less on flash and more on the fit and style. Put simply, these jeans made me look good. I got a lot of compliments on how I look in them, instead of how they look on me.

They did require a wash before wearing – the leftover dye from the  dark color was a bit irritating – but one wash took care of it completely.

Buy the Jealousy in Toyland at Big Star’s website, and check out other styles at Buckle, Nordstrom and more.

Do you like Big Star jeans? Share your thoughts about the brand and your favorite styles!

Love,
JP

James Jeans Hector in California Blue

 James Jeans Hector in California Blue

Retail: $180
Price: $41.99
Discount:  77%

Go true to size in this style! These are a great pair to fill in your basic denim collection, especially if you find that you’re missing the perfect boot cut. Dark enough to flatter (and wear to work), but not without a great fade and whiskering.

Let me know if you grab a pair!

Love,
JP

There’s a difference between being with the right person and just being with someone, and it doesn’t take a sparkly diamond to make that known. (Not that it hurts anything. Seriously.)

I’m getting ahead of myself, though. For those of you who missed the post, here’s the abbreviated tale of our fateful meeting: during the second semester of my freshman year of college, I made the decision to take some time off of school and get myself sane (that’s another story), but my father made me get a job. So, your little Denim Debutante began hosting at Bennigan’s.

Talk about a terrible job. It paid sort of well and got me out of the house (plus, I met some amazing friends that I keep in touch with still), but even now, I wince at the slightest whiff of super greasy food.

There is, however, one day when working at Bennigan’s means big tips and bigger emotional scarring. Enter: St. Patrick’s Day.

Little 18-year-old JP was doing all the fun hosting bits (sadly, too close to the bar) and got smacked in the butt one too many times by drunk senior citizens. Frustrated (and a little uncomfortable… I’ve never gotten used to being hit on), I went up to the host stand and said, “God, I could deal with this a whole lot better if I just had a drink.”

C., my Knight in Inebriated Armor, then whispered to me, “I have some SoCo in my car.”

The rest, my dear readers, is history. (Or, rather, the present.)

Let’s fast forward to this past Tuesday.

the dinner!

For C. and I, Valentine’s Day is somewhat without ritual; if it landed on a weekend, either he or I would visit and spend it alone, together. As long as we’re together, we’re usually good. This year, as luck (and another move) would have it, we were without a need for travel plans.

He made dinner (a lovely gift within itself!) – marinated halibut with mango salsa and coconut rice. And he brought home flowers.

I’d spent the evening bragging about my unbeatable gift (a book of boudoir pictures I’d had taken for him) and felt confident. Odds were that I’d get perfume or an equally lovely-but-standard present.

We barely finished eating and I, being dreadfully impatient, ran to get his gift. I gave myself an invisible high five for being the best gift giver award right as he rose and told me to close my eyes.

I heard him shift a few things (the laundry hamper by my feet), open the coat closet to retrieve his gift, then walk toward me.

“You can open them now.”

What I wouldn’t give for a picture of him there, on one knee. He told me how he had loved me every day for the past seven years. That I’m the only one for him. His one true love. And then, he asked.

We cried as I said yes.

We’re not going to be running down the aisle any time too soon – after all, we’ve never been known for punctuality. And while I could not have asked for a more beautiful ring (seriously. You can see it here. It’s freaking amazing.), what matters most is that I have the most wonderful person who wants to spend the rest of his life with me (and, of course, I with him).

I’ll be sharing pictures when they get taken – both of the engagement and beyond – because what kind of blogger would I be if I deprived you of that? A crappy one, that’s what.

Love,
JP

(PS: I’ll be keeping these posts very sporadic, but I wanted to share something: (hopefully) my dress. That would be my Grandmother – her dress. Perfect, don’t you think?)

Did you miss parts one and two about finding the cheapest jeans? Watch them now!

So, you’ve watched the videos and heard my tips. But what you really want to know is where you can score these super deals, right? Your wish is my command! Here are the top places where I really score the best deals on jeans (and more!) online.

1. Flash Sale Sites: if you know what you’re looking for (and what the right price points are), Flash Sale sites are an effing goldmine. Some of the best scores (cheapest, most worn, etc) have been from these sites. The trick is two-fold:

1. Know what you need to get ahead of time (because)
2. Shop the “Final Sale” setups instead of the basic sales.

The first is primarily because of shoddy return policies at some of these sites, especially when you’re shopping during one of the sales that I mentioned second. Most Final Sale boutiques do not allow returns, so if it doesn’t work, you’re SOL. Be prepared, because you can get amazing deals (like my cherished leather jacket, favorite pair of J Brand jeans or some well-worn Siwy jeans) if you’re a fast enough shopper. My favorite sites are Rue La La, ideeli, Modnique & Hautelook.

2. eBay: There are a lot of bad things about shopping on eBay, but the good definitely outnumbers them. As long as you’re smart (watch my video about how to buy jeans on ebay) and know what you want, it’s a stellar option. Some of my eBay scores have included Current/Elliott, Ted Baker, Loomstate and more.

3. Sale Sections: Seems obvious, right? Well, the deals can be even better than you expect when you find sites that offer coupon codes on top of sales. A few of these big scores that readers here have gotten include crazy deals over 80% off – I’ve gotten lucky and taken home some amazing deals myself, too! A few favorites are the April 77 jeans from Yoox, my favorite Current/Elliott Zipper Skinnies from The Outnet (that Paula owns, too!) and my favorite Morphine Generation burnout tee from Revolve Clothing.

The stores with the best sales, in my opinion, are Shopbop, BoutiqueToYou, Revolve Clothing, Singer22 and YOOX.

4. Secondary Shopping Sites: The holy grail! My top spots are 6pm.com, Smart Bargains, Overstock and Bluefly. Think of these as your online outlet mall – often, they’ll carry things at a HUGE markdown from previous seasons.

A warning though: you can get “Seconds,” or items that have some kind of defect or imperfection that is minor and/or easily fixed. Keep an eye out for the keywords (Sierra Trading Post is great about this!) and you’ll be fine. Some of my big Secondary Shopping scores? My Frye Harness boots (only $133!), a pair of AG Flares and my first Furla (an Elizabeth Shopper).

What are your tips for shopping online?

Love,
JP