Saxon Back Room Never Disappoints

I got two pairs of shoes for less than $100! Yes, I was supposed to be shopping for a wedding present. Yes, I wasn't supposed to be spending money on myself. But hey, in my defense, had I bought these babies at retail, I would have paid $264 plus tax. My total came in at $101.54. I didn't have any coupons. My secret: the back room at Saxon. Any time I hit Short Pump Town Center, I end up walking through this hidden gem, and today there were diamonds aplenty.

My two pairs: Luichiny gold strappy sandals with thick, sculptural heels that will go perfect with a one-shouldered dress I'm wearing to a rehearsal; and a pair of black snakeskin A B S by Allen Schwartz sling backs with hidden platforms that make me feel very Lauren on "The Hills." The Luichiny sandals were 70 percent off and the A B S kicks were 60 percent off. With those deep discounts, I just couldn't leave them behind.

Other brands on super sale that I managed to skip included Nanette Lepore, Chinese Laundry, Stuart Weitzman, Coach and Betsey Johnson. I don't know if it's just because fall's coming, but it seemed like the selection of super-cute must-buys were extra plentiful.

Also on a shoe sale note, Que Bella is having an end-of-season sale as well. I haven't made it in yet, but this is usually one of my favorite sales to hit as it's one of the few times I can afford to load up on the oh-so-stylish and comfy shoes they sell. With shoes marked between 50 and 75 percent off, you'd better stop in soon before all your size is sold out. I'm hoping to make it in soon!

DSW Shoe Sale Time

I usually try to keep myself out of DSW. The store is so big and everything's so cute. It's hard to get out without buying something. I recently got an email about new markdowns, though, and since I was near Chesterfield on Friday, I decided to stop in. I love the location across from Chesterfield Towne Center because it's big and new and nice. Well, as I expected, the sale racks in back were two thick and packed with great shoes. I ended up taking home one pair of Michael Kors peep-toe wedges for 40 percent off of $79.94. The shoe is black patent leather with a black-and-white-striped foam wedge. I had been ogling the fresh take on a classic preppy style all summer at Dillard's. I'm also planning to try and hit the West End store this week to look for these adorable patent leather topsiders that weren't available there in my size.

Other great styles I left behind: a super high pair of tan leather platforms by Jessica Simpson (oh Jessica, I hate that I love your shoes) that would make anyone's legs look long enough to make others jealous; a pair of ombre round-toe pumps by Moda that faded from white to black, super trendy; and an array of shoes by designers like Tahari and Coach. I had to tear myself out because I knew I was heading to Potomac Mills, the discount shopping mecca the next day. More on that trip to come.

If you haven't, get thee to DSW!

Intermix Online

Here in Richmond, we are not lucky enough to have an Intermix. This high-end shop stocks an amazing selection of designer duds and accessories that are completely to die for. Even if we can't have one here, it's worth signing up for the emails. First of all, they send out a weekly email with the amazingly drool-worthy high-end goods. Second of all, you get emails when they have sales.

And so we move on to my next splurgey purchase. For the entire season, I have by dying for the Diane Von Furstenberg "Comfy Chic" sandals, but at a retail price of $255, they are sadly outside the price range of a budget-conscious fashionista. I had been envisioning the gold version on my feet pairing adorably with nearly every sundress I own when I got an email alert from www.shopstyle.com (the amazing-ness of that site is a whole other post) that they'd gone on sale. Sadly, the gold were out of stock in my size. I debated back and forth on the other color, black with an ethnic print on top and gold soles, but decided not to make the leap. They were still $155 after all. I recently got another email that they'd dipped below $100 and I decided it was fate. I took the plunge and bought them.

They arrived in the mail next week and they are everything I'd dreamed of. While the new color tone won't pair perfectly with as many outfits, they are perfect for making a statement without going overboard. They are super high, but the flat level of the wedge means they'll be pretty comfy. I'll still be keeping my eye out for a discount pair in platinum or gold, though (the gold is back up to $159 on Intermix and they're out of my color). I adore the way the fabric wraps around to the ground.