Fashionable Halloween Clearance Rack Steals

As you probably know, the day after (and sometimes day of) Halloween is when stores pull all of their theme items and throw them on a clearance rack for 50-75% off. There's not much you can do with a ceramic jack-o-lantern past it's sell-by date, but there are a few style items worth snatching up at a discount for year-round usage.

1.) Black, purple, glitter and other wild nail polish. Since when do those not work in January?

2.) False eyelashes - even some of the crazier sets can be fun around the holidays and for parties or going out. Falsies don't have to be expensive to look amazing.

3.) Stripe, fishnet and fun colored tights. Also not a halloween-only accessory.

4.) Skull jewelry (but leave the spiderweb and pumpkin earrings on the shelf, please)

5.) Glitter.

6.) Novelty socks. Does anyone see what's under those snowboots in the winter? If you find cuddly ones for 99 cents, stock up.

7.) Next year's costume. Like any end-of-season purchase, stash it away in a box for next year and be so excited when you realize you don't have to fight the crowds and pay full price next October. Suckers!

PS: Two notable Halloween free shipping deals from sweet websites:

- ASOS.com (UK) is offering free shipping to the U.S. this weekend on EVERYTHING.

- MAC Cosmetics is offering free shipping on any purchase during "the witching hours" between 6PM and 3AM tonight.

How to Find Vintage Costume Jewels on eBay

Hobe peridot necklace and Les Bernard necklace

As I've mentioned a bazillion times, I'm a sucker for massive pieces of old costume jewelry - particularly necklaces. Not only were things made better back in the day, but who wants to be caught dead in that dime-a-dozen blue box number?

Vintage shops usually know what they've got and price it accordingly, but eBay sellers are usually either less savvy or more generous. Here are few great old brands to look out for on your treasure hunt: Trifari, Hobe, Monet, Sarah Coventry, Napier, Whiting Davis and Coro.

The two hot numbers pictured above are currently up for bid around $10 each.

Hope Marian by Lizzie Fortunato Necklaces

Hope Marian by Lizze Fortunato Necklaces, 1 ($58), 2 ($38) and 3,4 ($58 each)

How cute are these mixed-media necklaces that NYC sister-duo Lizzie Fortunato Jewels designed for Urban Outfitters? Each piece in the line - called Hope Marian - is very limited edition and exclusive to UO. With a price range of $38-$58 they're actually affordable, and an easy way to make a basic outfit look fresh.

Coach Puts Out Younger Cheaper Poppy Line

Coach is about to release a new youth-geared collection of shoes, bags and accessories called Poppy. The price point is lower (starting at $198) and the items incorporate brighter colors and details like sequins.

If I'm going to drop close to $200 for the cheapest bag by a major brand, I'm sure as shit not buying something that looks like it was designed by a clown and is sold at Claire's. Who is their Target market, Teresa's brood of budding Jon Benets on the Real Housewives of New Jersey?

[Photo via BravoTV.com]

Better get your wads of laundered money ready - Poppy is for sale starting Friday.

Keys This Pricy Usually Go To Something Else

Tiffany & Co. has come out with a new line of key pendants that I can neither afford nor stop drooling over.

I don't know why, but I've always had a thing for keys - especially old skeleton keys. Maybe it was from reading The Secret Garden 9,000 times as a kid?

Regardless, I adore these insanely expensive versions, which are an interesting departure from the very basic charms and bands Tiffany has always sold.

The cheapest start around $100, and go well into the thousands as the keys become more ornate. Sigh.

[Photo via Tiffany.com]
From left: $250, $1050, $6825, $1150, $225, $5825

Nicole Richie: Jewelry "Designer"

Nicole Richie has launched her new jewelry collection "House of Harlow 1960" - complete with a lookbook starring... herself! Gotta love that celebutante modesty.

Surprisingly it's more reasonably priced than even Heidi Klum's collection -although to be fair, Heidi does tend to use higher quality materials. Prices start at $18 for a 14K gold plated ring and go up to $170 for a crystal faceted headpiece.

You can find the collection at Shopbop.com - which incidentally has a sale going on until Thursday. It's only good if you're planning to blow at least $200 though (one pair of jeans on this site can get you there) - you'll then get $25 off. Use code: TAXBREAK09

Around Your Neck

If you love cutting edge design, Etsy shouldn't be the only bookmark on your toolbar. Observe the wares offered by my new favorite discovery, Stars and Infinite Darkness, an online store carrying apparel, jewelry, gifts and housewares, all by small brands who for the most part create their items by hand.

These are a few of my favorite jewelry items:

[Click image to enlarge]

Hint: Join their Facebook group to score special deals and discounts.