Everyone likes to look and feel fab– and you don’t have to spend a fortune to do it!  Remember, investing in your mental well-being is important too.  Here are the heavy hitters that I reference before I buy.  Feel free to add your finds to the comments below; I’ll update this list periodically.

Beauty/Fashion/Style

I score fab deals mainly by getting  classic investment pieces in the off-season.  $300 cashmere sweaters on sale for $50-60 in July?  Yes, please!

Deals:

Bluefly – Designer clothes, clean interface

Revolve Clothing – Similar to Bluefly, also has a great selection of younger designers; free shipping and returns

Stylenotes – Great online deals on clothes, home furnishings, toys, etc. (Sometimes items will be cross-posted since it’s sister site of Dealnews)

Zappos – Shoes (and handbags and clothes) galore, with free shipping and returns

Staying current:

Daily Candy – Daily posts on hot new local events and products

Shefinds – Blog featuring current fashion and beauty trends

ShopSmart – the Consumer Reports-run magazine with shopping tips and reviews

Designer sample sales online:  the catch– you have to be referred by a member to join.  Referral links below!

Editors’ Closet – sample sales for clothing, accessories, and home decor; occasional giveaways (Click here to join)

Gilt Groupe – high end designers for women, men, and kids (Click here to join)

Hautelook – members-only sample sale (Click here to join)

Ideeli – less high-end names, but you get the chance to enter giveaways.  Love free stuff! (Click here to join.)

Rue La La - mid to high end designers offering clothes, jewelry, as well as home items like Calphalon and Frette (Join by clicking on “Invited by A Member” link, then enter renaissancetrophywife *at* gmail *dot* com as the referring member)

TopSecret – private sample sales lasting 1-3 days (Click here to join)

Guilt-free Gifting

Some of my favorite places to spend when I want to feel like a million bucks:

Doctors Without Borders (Medicins Sans Frontieres) – MSF is an independent humanitarian medical aid agency that provides assistance in regions where people’s survival is threatened by violence, neglect, or catastrophe.  Won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1999.

Heifer International – Funny name, cool concept.  You can buy an animal such as a duck, lamb, or rabbit, or contribute towards a larger one like an ox or water buffalo.  The livestock goes to a family in the developing world, where the milk/eggs/offspring of the animals are used to generate income and provide a way for families to lift themselves out of poverty.  One of my favorite gifts for friends and family members is a donation in their name, attached to a cute little stuffed animal to represent the real animal gift.

UNICEF and Save the Children – provide aid to children internationally.

I try and keep my volunteering local; here are some great options:

Feeding America (formerly America’s Second Harvest) is a nationwide network of food banks, and you can search for one in your area.

Habitat for Humanity is a truly moving, community-building experience, good for teens and adults.

And you can even give with the click of a mouse:  online aggregators like Greater Good, eBay Giving, iGive, or YourCause donate shopping commissions to the charity/cause of your choice. Some charities have their own Amazon referral links, too, which makes giving easy!

Entertainment

Local attractions – museums (free days!), art galleries, parks

Goldstar – ticket clearinghouse for concerts, plays, sports, spas, etc.  Not uncommon to see prices 50-75% lower than retail.  (Click here to join)

Technology

Ben’s Bargains – tech deals updated multiple times a day

Dealnews – the parent of stylenotes, but for cameras, TVs, home appliances and more

Fatwallet – user-posted deals and coupons on pretty much everything under the sun

Travel

Costco – excellent prices on rental cars if you go through their travel website; and you don’t even have to be a member!

Kayak – travel search engine with a ton of functionality

Lastminute – as you might expect, last minute deals on vacations that agents are trying to fill.

SeatGuru – Check this before you book your seats!  It gives you specifics such as extra leg room, limited recline, etc. on your particular aircraft.

Travelzoo – Vacation specials on flights, hotels, and cars…  Oftentimes the best deals are the packages.

VRBO (Vacation Rentals By Owner) – Having a house/apartment can oftentimes be cheaper over the course of a long vacation, especially if you’ve got a big group.  The vacation rentals come in a variety of price points as well.  How cool is it to say that you stayed in a villa with a private waterfall in Kauai, instead of just the regular old resort?  And for half the price, too…