Manolo's Basement of the Bargains

It’s What’s Cooking

Twistie — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 14:30:35 +0000

Good cookware is worth it’s weight in gold. The more you use it, the better it should be. That’s why skimping on basics like saucepans is always a bad idea.

Of course, just because you’re not skimping doesn’t mean you’re not going to save money if you can. Wasting money is just foolish, and you are not a fool.

That’s why you’re going to head over to Cooking.com and take advantage of the
big sale they’re having on All-Clad cookware.

This is the good stuff. It’s three layers of bonded metal: pure aluminum sandwiched between a black anodized aluminum exterior and a stainless steel interior for excellent heat conduction in a non-reactive cooking surface. It even comes with a lifetime warranty.

Spend $250.00 on All-Clad LTD and you can even get a free bonus au gratin dish ($130.00 value, see site for details and restrictions) to boot. Or to cook in. It’s up to you, but I know what I would do.

As for this handsome, sturdy 4 quart saucepan with lid, it usually runs $210.00, but at Cooking.com right now you can get it for the bargain basement price of just $104.99.

All the looks, all the versatility, all the sturdiness, and all the extras for half the price? Now that’s what I call a good deal!

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Style on the Fly

Twistie — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 14:30:14 +0000

I’ve always had a bit of a thing for butterflies. Unfortunately, it’s sometimes difficult to find a butterfly-themed item that doesn’t raise images of glitter-obsessed pre-teens. I want a butterfly that’s clearly designed for an adult to love. In short, I want something like this:

It’s by Jessica Kagan and is made of carved resin. With the black coloring in the carved butterfly, it gives the sophisticated effect of an engraving. Just gorgeous. Not only that, since it’s such a dramatic piece, it’s sure to attract attention wherever you go.

Of course, I wouldn’t even mention it here if it wasn’t a great deal. The usual price is $160.00, but right now you can get it at Shopbop for just $80.00. That’s half off!

But I’d recommend hurrying. After all, butterflies are ephemeral and don’t last long. Neither do deals like this one.

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Why Tighten One Belt When You Can Tighten These Two?

Twistie — Sun, 28 Jun 2009 14:30:44 +0000

I have to say I’m loving what Francesco Biasia has been doing with purses of late. In particular, I’ve been loving his belted purses. They have a touch of whimsy without losing either dignity or functionality.

Just look at the cheerful color, the rich texture of the weave, the gloss of the patent trim…all in all, it would be difficult to find a purse that would bring a bigger smile to the face.

Add in the easy but secure magnetic snap closure, the neatly divided interior space, and the convenient shoulder strap with 8″ drop, and you’ve got a purse built to handle all your daily needs with style to burn.

Of course, most of us don’t have that much money to burn these days. That’s another good reason to take a second look at this one. It just happens to be on sale at Nordstrom. The original price was $218.0, but right now you can get it for just $142.90!

Who says two belts is a bad idea?

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Oh Fortuna!

Twistie — Sat, 27 Jun 2009 14:30:54 +0000

I’ve been a fan of the incomparable Diane Von Furstenberg for a good many years. Her use of prints is legendary, her color choices impeccable, and her style eternal. It’s immediately recognizable, yet never entirely expected.

Take a look at this example:

This superfantastic silk/linen blend wrap is called ‘Fortuna’ and fortunate indeed is the woman who has it in her wardrobe. It comes in your choice of green (shown) or blue and measures a generous 28″ x 71″. It’s the perfect way to keep comfy on summer evenings, not to mention the perfect way to make a spectacular entrance!

Best of all, you can get that notice at a bargain basement price if you act now. The retail price is usually $200.00, but right now at Saks, it’s on sale for just $120.00!

All the pretty at just over half the price? Sign me up!

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And Now Number One, The Larch…The Larch

Twistie — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 14:02:48 +0000

Okay, it’s not a larch. In fact it’s a Cedrus Libani, or Cedar of Lebanon. And it’s not an actual one, it’s a print. Here, take a look at it:

The original comes from a book entitled The Pinetum Britannicum first published in 1884 and featuring the work of natural artist Edward Ravenscroft. Subscribers to the original three-volume set included Queen Victoria and Napoleon III. The book is legendary among conifer fans. I also happen to think that this beautifully rendered 18″ x 23″ unframed reprint would look handsome on nearly any wall.

So how much for the superfantastic look? Well, originally it would have set you back $238.00. The price has now been slashed, however, to a far more affordable $166.60 ($149.94 for members) at the New York Botanical Garden shop.

Now that’s an idea that could grow on me…and all my Monty Python quoting friends.

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For the Darling Buds of May…or June…or July….

Twistie — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 14:29:11 +0000

I love having cut flowers in the house. I might prefer plants if I had any talent at growing them, but I don’t. I look at plants, they curl up and die. So cut flowers it is. I love the color and cheer they add to any room.

But if you’re going to decorate with cut flowers, you need a good vase or two to show them off in. Well, I found a beauty at Ralph Lauren and it’s on sale!

This is the Veranda vase. Just look at those graceful lines, the subtle but charming details on the footed base. It’s a hefty lead crystal that will last and last and last, too. And at 11 3/4″ tall, it makes a dramatic statement no matter where you place it or what you display in it.

As for the savings, well, those are fairly dramatic, too. The regular price on this gorgeous vase is $133.50, but right now you can get it direct from Ralph Lauren for just $89.99!

I think I’ll get one for the dining room…and one for the living room…and perhaps one for the kitchen….

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Chloe in Black and White

Twistie — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 14:30:22 +0000

There’s a reason black and white is such a classic combination. It always looks sharp, clean, and elegant. You can’t go wrong with black and white. You can, however, go extremely right with it.

See By Chloe created the Night Out Bag, and it’s about as right as you can get. From the neat lines to the sharp highlight of white outlining the flap, it’s both attractive and classic enough to carry you through the day in style.

So how much will it take to sling this baby over your shoulder? Well, retailers would suggest it takes $495.00, but why would we listen to them? I say we listen to Shopbop. They say it’s just $247.50.

Now that’s a deal, and I’ll say so in black and white.

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Yipes, Stripes!

Twistie — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 14:30:23 +0000

There’s a fine line between a purse that’s festive and a purse that’s a little tacky. In leading the life superfantastic, it’s important to stay on the correct side of that line. One way to make certain you do that is to choose this purse:

In lesser hands than those of Roberta Di Camerino, this bold striped velvet in red, gold, and salmon could easily have wound up looking like a circus tent. But careful choice of shape and hardware have made it utterly delicious.

And of course a good deal doesn’t hurt matters one bit. You would already get one at Yoox, where I found this delightful accessory. That was when they would have charged $542.00. Right now, though, you can get it from the same source for the further discounted price of just $325.00.

If you’ve got the change, you could do a heck of a lot worse than choose this purse to carry it in. I know I would!

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Two for the Price of Less Than One

Twistie — Sun, 21 Jun 2009 14:30:28 +0000

I simply adore things that do double duty. If it’s well-designed, it’s like getting a bonus item for free. So if I can get both a jewelry armoire and a mirror in one, you can imagine how I’d love to take advantage of the opportunity. I’m betting you would, too.

If I’m right, now would be a great time to head over to Domestications and take a look at this beauty in their Sale section. Not only is it a handsome 38″h x 16 3/4″w mirror in a classic bonnet-topped frame, but a jewelry armoire, as well. The inside is lined with felt to pamper your jewelry in style. There are places to put necklaces, rings, earrings, chains and more.

And while you’re thinking about how much space you can save, don’t forget how much money you can save at the same time. After all, this pretty mirror/jewelry storage solution may have started out costing $179.99, but it’s on sale right now for just $69.99! That’s more than a hundred dollars in savings!

Why, that’s a hundred bucks to spend on a really great new pair of earrings to store.

After all, you have to have something to put in it, don’t you?

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For All You Swingers Out There

Twistie — Sat, 20 Jun 2009 14:30:02 +0000

I don’t know about you, but when the weather turns warm, my thoughts turn to how nice it would be to have a porch swing I could sit lazily in while sipping lemonade. Well, today I think I found the perfect one:

This handsome swing by Tropico is the perfect thing to add a touch of grace and refinement to your outdoor living situation. Just look at the elegant lines. What’s more it’s sturdy enough to carry up to 325 lbs. It’s also galvanized, powder coated, and treated with an electrophoresis finish sturdy enough to stand up to both winter and summer weather. Just hang it up, add some festive cushions, and take a lazy afternoon sitting on your porch swing with a glass of lemonade, or a mojito…or even a good book and a couple cucumber sandwiches.

And don’t worry. You’ll have plenty of money to get your cushions and cold drinks. After all, while the retail value of this swing is $399.99, you can get it from Amazon today for just $169.99!

Swing out, sister! It’s a great way to spend the summer.

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