2009! Resolve to be Stylish

Before we even get started, I have to link you directly to Portero's holiday customer service hours and closings over the next few days. Check here to make sure that there are no surprises when it comes to a purchase.

Now, back to fashion.

I've been looking through the runway shows for Spring 2009, and some fantastic looks immediately popped out at me. After then searching Portero's vast inventory, I was able to choose a collection of fabulous items that will make you perfectly on-trend for the upcoming season. We highlighted them all on this week's homepage -- just in time for the new year. Want to create a whole new you for 2009? Here's a few no-fail ways to capture a designer look while saving money:



Oversized Necklaces. The image above is from Vera Wang, a woman who truly loves her statement necklaces. She personally owns a large collection of costume and vintage pieces, and she sent many of her models down the runway with designs that were dramatic in scale.



Printed Totes. While every lady loves a supple leather handbag, this might just be the season for alternate materials. Eye-catching prints adorned many totes on the Spring '09 runway, like this Miss Sixty ensemble. This leaves room for unusual bags in your wardrobe, whether painted canvas or brightly-colored embroidery.



Bold Bracelets. Marc Jacobs overloaded his models with thick bangles, and this is a look that will gain steam throughout the year. You can choose the style that works for you, whether natural materials like wood or more heavily-adorned gemstone pieces.



Modern Bohemian. While Anna Sui, above, is the master of this genre, other designers like DVF are getting in on the look this season. Dress up a similar outfit with a pair of dangly earrings accented with gemstones. These styles are not too refined, but they also aren't over the top.

Customer Service holiday hours:

December 31st from 8 AM to 1 PM

Live Chat
Email
Telephone 877-307-3767

Portero’s offices are closed:
January 1-2

As a result, our shipping cut off times during the holiday weeks are provided below:

Week of December 29 – All orders paid by 1:00 p.m. ET, Monday, December 29 through Wednesday, December 31 will ship the same day. Orders paid after 1:00p.m. ET, Wednesday, December 31 will ship on Monday, January 5.

images via Style.com

Post Christmas Clearance Sale

Here is one more reason to spread holiday cheer: Portero's Post Christmas Clearance Sale!

Take advantage of these stylish savings now through January 1st.
Starting bids like this won't last long so be sure to act now for free
shipping on orders over $1,000.

View All Clearance Watches up to 64% off
View All Clearance Jewelry up to 68% off
View All Clearance Bags up to 85% off
View All Clearance Housewares up to 50% off

Treat Yourself

The holidays are finally upon us! Now that you've shopped for everyone else, maybe it's time to take a minute to think about treating yourself. Luckily, the prices are right on Portero--we are offering up to 75% off designer goods in all categories.

If you want to shop for the best values possible, it's now even easier. We've formatted the site to show you the percentage of savings on every single item: Even on the list pages, your savings are clearly marked. Plus, if you want to browse specific categories by savings, that's a snap as well. Trying to find your best bet in bracelets? Click the 'bracelet' tab on your left, and then click 'best values'. This will sort the site by the biggest percentage off.

There are some great deals to be had: How about these Gurhan 24k Yellow Gold Medium 2.24 ctw Diamond Matrix Stud Earrings? At a whopping 72% off, they are timeless studs with a whole lot of personality. Another classic piece is this Mikimoto 18k White Gold Cultured Pearl Cocktail Ring. Coming in at 62% off retail, this is a piece that will stand the test of time.

To shop by category and savings, click the links below to get started:

Best Value Earrings
Best Value Rings
Best Value Necklaces
Best Value Bracelets

Ferragamo Event!

While it's fun to purchase a designer 'it' bag -- one that the magazines have pronounced the must-have of the season -- I think it's far more chic to score an accessory that will stand out from the crowd. Enter this week's Ferragamo event, a selection of rare, collectible and exotic accessories. From gorgeous python boots to winter white ostrich travel accessories, these are pieces that will make you the envy of every fashionista.

I am particularly taken with the selection of gorgeous alligator bags in a wide variety of colors: Forget trends; these are chic totes that will last a lifetime.

If you don't know much about the man behind the brand, let's take a closer look at the life and work of Salvatore Ferragamo. Born in Italy in1898, he found his calling at just nine years old when he made his first pair of shoes for his sisters to wear on their confirmation day. After emigrating to the United States, he quickly found his place in Hollywood as "Shoemaker to the Stars" when he started his made-to-measure custom business. Not willing to settle for the status quo of movie productions, Ferragamo moved back to Florence and began to dabble in more serious innovation. In fact, his unusual approach to footwear spawned both the wedge heel and the cage heel, and he designed for women including Audrey Hepburn and Marilyn Monroe.

Although Ferragamo died in 1960, his legacy lives on. This special collection of authentic, rare Ferragamo goods upholds the most important parts of couture design: unmistakable quality, beautiful craftsmanship and a flair for the dramatic.

To shop our collection of Ferragamo Exclusives, click the links below.


Salvatore Ferragamo Exclusives - Rare Collectible Exotic Accessories

Salvatore Ferragamo Red Alligator Sholder Tote Bag

Salvatore Ferragamo Rare Apple Green Alligator Tote

Salvatore Ferragamo Rare Apple Green and Red Alligator Tote Bags

10% OFF SALE!

Starting today, Portero will be offering 10% off starting prices in all categories -- from handbags to watches, jewelry to art. This is your chance to score timeless designer goods at a fraction of their retail price by merely using promo code EXTRATEN at checkout. We've also made our savings more apparent by clearly showing you the percentage off retail at the very top of each auction page.

If you're shopping for gifts, don't forget to refer to our handy Holiday 2008 Shipping Schedule. Just place your order by the dates listed and Portero will take care of the rest.

Customer Service holiday hours:
Dec. 22-24: 8:30-5:00pm
Live Chat
Email: customerservice@portero.com
Telephone 877-307-3767

A sale this good can't last forever (in fact, it only lasts seven), so start your bidding today.

For the Recession Warrior

There was an interesting article in The New York Times magazine last month that evaluated the New Oxford American Dictionary's choice for word of the year. They often pick something that is ultra current and of-the-moment, and this year's pick was hypermiling, defined as an “attempt to maximize gas mileage by making fuel-conserving adjustments to one’s car and one’s driving techniques.”

The author of the story, William Safire, didn't agree with that choice. He much preferred 'frugalista', a term meaning “a person who lives a frugal lifestyle but stays fashionable and healthy by swapping clothes, buying secondhand, growing own produce, etc.” That word certainly struck a nerve with me, especially after seeing the benefits of purchasing pre-owned designer goods on Portero.

The term frugal often has negative connotations, but in this recession culture, it becomes a bit of savvy. It might seem frivolous to some to buy a pricey brand-name watch or handbag in hard times, but for others, it's economical to purchase something for oneself or a loved one that will become an heirloom one day. Especially when you can save thousands of dollars while doing it.

That's why this week's homepage centers upon the unbeatable savings that Portero offers all year long, and especially now at the holidays. We've created a gift guide that features classic, timeless pre-owned designer goods that are investment pieces rather than bargains that won't even make it to next holiday season. With starting prices at up to 85% off, these are our lowest prices of the year. Shop by gender or price--either way, the savings remain the same.

Shop for Him
Shop for Her
Under $500
$500-$999
$1,000-$2,999
$3,000-$4,999
$5,000-$7,499
$7,500-$9,999
Over $10,000

Biggest Price Drop Ever! Event

This week at Portero is all about extra savings. Dropping prices even further is particularly significant for us because our auction starting prices are already dramatically reduced from retail on a daily basis. Want the details? Our Biggest Price Drop Ever! event starts today and runs through Thursday (just three days means you need to act fast) and features a limited selection of merchandise perfect for holiday gift giving.

We took 20% off of already reduced starting prices on a selection of jewelry, watches and handbags. Then, to make shopping simple, we created event pages that show you each item and exactly how much you can save. These designer goods are definitely priced to move, and big price reductions mean the competition could be fierce.*

Sales like this don't last long, so click each category below to start saving:

Click here to see pre-owned designer watches
Click here to see pre-owned designer jewelry
Click here to see pre-owned designer handbags

* Want to get it right now? Beat other bidders to the punch by paying a small premium to end the auction early.

12 Days of Christmas Part 2

We've been saving up some of our big guns for the 12 Days of Christmas, so there are some BRAND NEW just-launched items up for grabs right now. While some are certainly splurges, you'll see that the savings are pretty substantial. Plus, if you're like me, you often appreciate one spectacular gift much more than a bunch of presents that won't be around long into the new year.

To highlight some of the best and the brand-new...

Van Cleef & Arpels 18k Yellow Gold Mother-of-Pearl Alhambra Necklace & Earrings Set. This set is featured on our homepage (and above) and is the perfect choice for the lady in your life who knows what style and substance is all about. This is a classic design that can be worn day and night.

Signed Joan Miro Espriu Series Plate 7 (Blue Half Moon) Engraving in Etching and Carborundum. This 1975 limited edition (7 of 50) engraving is by Spanish abstract surrealist Joan Miro. Perfect for the art lover who has a keen sense of history.

Hermes 30cm Barenia Alligator Birkin Bag. The mother of all handbags, this gorgeous Birkin is in pristine condition and will undoubtedly last forever. Skip the waiting list entirely and save money by bidding now!

To check out all of Portero's favorites for the 12 Days of Christmas, click right here.

To link directly to each day, click below:

6 Statement Necklaces
5 Golden Rings
4 Bewitching Birkins
3 Diamond Watches
2 Modern Prints
1 Vintage Gucci Train Case

Monogram Madness

I was just alerted to the fact that Portero recently received a big selection of Louis Vuitton monogrammed bags and luggage. (These are sure to go fast so start your bidding now!)

Did you know that the LV monogram was actually introduced way back in 1896? Considering its age and heritage, it's really no surprise that the LV logo has become something of an icon of high-end handbags and fashion. These pieces are perfect gifts because they never go out of style and the signature canvas is really quite indestructible.

If you're looking for something a little more unique, why not take a look at a few of Portero's limited edition pieces:

Louis Vuitton Limited Edition Olympe Cirrus Show Bag. Made from winter white lambskin, I love the vintage-looking clasp closure that has been updated with faceted balls.

Louis Vuitton Blue Lizard & Jewelled Special Edition Les Extraordinaires Collection Clutch. Part fashionista and part urban cowgirl, this wristlet contains the signature logo, lizard and rhinestones.

Louis Vuitton Limited Edition Monogram Ostrich Snake Lizard Macha Waltz Show Bag. Exotic but totally ladylike, this handbag merges uptown and downtown chic.

Click right here to see our entire selection of Louis Vuitton monogrammed handbags and luggage.

Pretty in Platinum

I just received a beautiful set of brand new images from Platinum Guild in the mail and had to share them. I love seeing innovative wedding designs, and these three from a few of the world's top jewelers allow you to think a bit outside the box in terms of the standard old bands and engagement rings.

The faceted bands above are by Boucheron, and I really like their modern edge. Perfect for a couple that appreciates contemporary lines, the small diamond accents can work for either a man or a woman.


I've also always been fascinated by tension settings, like the one above by Niessing. Known for its experimental designs since 1873, Niessing really perfected the art of placing diamonds in metal without prongs or bezels. Based on a scientific formula, this Square S platinum ring is certainly a conversation starter.


Finally, my favorite unusual engagement ring is the Conversion, above, by Van Cleef & Arpels. Set with pear-shaped fancy blue and white diamonds, this is a total stunner. Instead of having a stone that sits right on your ring finger, these spectacular diamonds rest beautifully on either side. Swoon.

If you're looking for an unusual engagement ring, what about this unique piece from Buccellati? Other women prefer colored gemstones over diamonds, and this gorgeous vintage platinum Cartier ruby ring fits the bill perfectly.

Images courtesy Platinum Guild