Spring cleaning gadgets

We know us Irish love our Gadgets.  When the newest version of a device comes out, we are looking to buy it.  However you can’t beat the amazing gadgets they sell in the USA and we are going to look at a few here.

1. Window Washing Robot:  Who loves cleaning windows?  Not me!  Well this robot does all the work for you.  It has a powerful internal vacuum pump that seals itself to the glass while two motors drive itself along the glass without slipping. Neat?  For a hefty $399.99 it is available from www.sharperimage.com

2. 3-in-1 Sweeper, Mop and Vacuum:   Also available from Sharper Image a battery operated 3-in-1 sweeper, mop and vacuum that is supposed to leave floors cleaner and shinier.  So site back and relax and let this gadget do the work.  At a price of $249.99 maybe we can find value in time spent cleaning?

3. Brookstone offer this high-power Cordless Vacuum Cleaner – all the power without the cord for a retail price of $349.95

4. If you are fed up with cleaning the house, maybe you wish to clean your jewellery instead.  Brookstone offer this Sparkle Spa Pro Ultrasonic Jewelry Cleaner for $59.95.

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M.A.C Cosmetics

M.A.C make-up is popular amongst Irish women and is something on many lists of those travelling to the USA.  MAC offers a professional make-up product including items such as foundation, powder, concealer, primer, lip pencil and lip gloss.

In NYC, the main MAC stores are located at:

1. 107 E 42nd Street
2. 148 Columbus Avenue
3. 175 5th Avenue  #1

MAC make-up can also be purchased in many of the Department Stores such as Macy’s, Bloomingdales, Nordstrom, Henri Bendel, Saks Fifth Avenue.  It can also be purchased at Newark International Airport (Terminal C).

 

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Shoes, Shoes, Shoes

When we think about shoes & New York, we picture Carrie Bradshaw from Sex and the City. Yes, you can avail of Jimmy Choo on Fifth Avenue, but for the rest of us budget conscious shoppers, we head to the outlet malls for discounted designer shoes.

Jersey Gardens has a couple of factory brand shoe stores selling brands such as Clarks, Timberland & Tommy Hilfiger. Discount designer stores such as TJMaxx and Cohoes offer a great selection of designer shoes at great prices.

Payless is a popular shoe chain offering good quality every day shoes, boots and runners. K-Mart and Target also offer very inexpensive varieties of non-designer shoes.

Journeys is a bit more expensive chain offer brand names such as Uggs, Timberland and Converse also Famous Footwear offering brands such as Guess, Skechers and Nike at moderate prices.

The Department Stores such as Macy’s, Bloomingdales, Lord & Taylor offer a wide range of footwear but are a little more expense.

Jimmy Choo Shoes

photo by Clotee Pridgen Allochuku, on Flickr.

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Debs dress shopping in the USA

Debs dresses

If you are going debs shopping in the USA you will be spoilt for choice. There are many specialist “prom” stores, department stores, discount designer stores and bridal stores that offer a wide variety of debs dresses from short to long, glitter to plain.

Group USA & Camille Lavie specialises in weddings and debs dresses at an affordable price. There is one located in Jersey Gardens mall.
Other prom dress shops include:
Wedding dress stores are great places to shop for debs dresses as many dresses can be worn as bridesmaid dresses. Our suggestion is:
www.davidsbridal.com - many locations
www.rkbridal.com located in NYC
www.jovani.com is a designer of prom dresses located in many bridal stores, check out their collection online.
Department stores always have an excellent selection (make sure you check for any printable coupons for those department stores in advance):
You are sure to pick up a bargain dress at one of the Discount designer stores if you are willing to go through rails of dresses:
If you are in Chicago, check out Peaches Boutique. They carry over 15,000 dresses in their 20,000 square foot store! What’s not to love about a day of shopping there??
P.s. Don’t forget the shoes and accessories!!
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Juicy Couture and where to buy

Juicy Couture is a contemporary casual and dressy wear seller based in Los Angeles, California. it was founded in 1997 by Pamela Skaist-Levy and Gela Nash-Taylor. It was later purchased by the Liz Claiborne fashion company. Juicy Couture has turned into a global seller with fashion that spans from handbags to shoes, swimwear to their signature velour tracksuits.

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In the USA, Juicy Couture can be found in the following Department Stores:

There are also over 100 Juicy Couture and Juicy Couture Outlet Stores in North America. You will find Juicy stores in major cities such as New York, Boston, Chicago and Orlando.

In the New York region you will find outlet stores in Jersey Gardens and Woodbury Common and Harmon Cove Outlets. The nearest outlet near Boston is at the Wrentham Village Outlet.  Chicago Juicy Outlet is in the Chicago Premium Outlets in Aurora, IL.

If you are looking for a real Juicy bargain, head to TJMaxx, Marshalls or Century 21 where you can get a handbag for under $60!

Follow Juicy on Facebook, Twitter or Pinterest.

Can you spot the difference between a real Juicy bag and Fake one?

 

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Drug Stores

Drug Stores are like a chemist/newsagent and greeting card store all under one roof. You will find everything from magazines to greeting cards, make-up to prescriptions.  Drug stores are great places for stocking up on well known make-up brands such as Loreal and Maybelline, at prices much cheaper than at home.  They are also the place to pick up top-up phone credit if you are using a USA sim card while in the USA.

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You won’t have to walk more than a few blocks to find a drug store and they are widely available in towns & cities in the suburbs.

Examples include:

CVS

Duane Reade

Walgreens

Rite Aid

 

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Diamonds are a girl’s best friend!

Valentine’s day is coming up and diamonds are a girl’s best friend! Whether you are looking for a Tiffany necklace or a swatch watch, there is a variety to choose from when shopping in the USA.

Department stores such as Macy’s or Bloomingdales are great places to pick up reasonably priced jewellery gifts for family and friends back home (especially in the sales when discounts could be up to 50-70% off normal prices).

Zales is known as the “diamond store” and offers a wide variety of wedding and engagement rings, along with earrings, necklaces, bracelets and watches.

If you are looking for an engagement ring, you will have to know the 4Cs – Cut, Carat, Color and Clarify.  Zales Four Cs of Diamonds offers an in depth explanation of helping you understand a diamond.

engagement ring

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

If you are just looking for an anniversary gift, check out the following guide to what type of jewellry to buy for each year.

You will even find great bargains on brand jewellery in stores such as Kohls, Marshalls and TJMaxx.

If you are shopping for a special gift for Valentine’s day, don’t forget to visit Tiffany & Co. where you can get small gifts for not so big prices wrapped in the famous box!

If you want something really special, Cartier is the place to visit!

p.s. In the USA, they spell it as “Jewelry” not Jewellery.

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January White Sales

January is the traditional month for “January White Sales” where stores offer big savings on sheets, blankets and other linens.  The tradition began in 1878 when Philadelphia’s John Wanamaker discounted all the white linens in his department store. Colour and print sheets were not introduced to the market until the late 1950s.

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Today, the “White Sales” don’t only include linen, but also bedding and bathroom accessories such as thick fluffy towels, high thread count sheets, photo frames, cushions and kitchen gadgets. Popular stores for linens and home goods include as follows:

 

Thread Count is simply the number of threads per square inch of fabric. Seemingly the higher the thread, the more luxurious the sheets.  In Ireland, typically thread counts are up to around 300-350 count.  In the USA you can get thread count sheets up to 1000 count.  Sheets around 400-600 count are very silky and smooth to touch.

If you are looking for good deals on high thread count sheets – Target, Kmart and TJMaxx are great places to look (especially for King or Super King size (Irish size) sheets.)

Note: The bed sizes in the USA are different to Ireland so make sure you know the correct size sheets to shop for before purchasing). See chart below for size comparisons:

USA Size (inch) IRELAND Size (Inch)
Twin 39 x 75 Single 36 x 75
Twin XL 39 x 80 N/A
Full/Double 53 x 74 Double 54 x 75
Queen 60 x 80 King 60 x 78
King 76 x 80 SuperKing 72 x 78
California King 72 x 84 N/A

 

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When are the best times to buy?

If you are looking for the best times to buy certain goods, this infographic may be able to help you plan your shopping trip!  As we know shopping is seasonal and certain products are cheaper at certain times of the year than others.  You can start planning your 2013 Christmas shopping now :)

Presented by Savings.com Blog and Save - Click on the image below to view a larger version.
Best Times to Buy Everything Infographic

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