End of Summer Sale

Say it isn't so that summer has to end. I know I have to face the inevitable that Labor Day is just around the corner (is it just me or does time fly after the Fourth of July?), but I'm far from ready to surrender my outdoor sweat sessions, pool workouts and beach naps. Or complete an Ironman in less than three weeks. And don't even get me started on bundling up for chilly temps--I don't even remember what it's like to run in under 70 weather after the mild year we've had.

But if all good things must come to a close, at least let them go out with a bang. A summer-ending sale would do the trick--who doesn't like a little retail therapy as a pick-me-up? Equinox must have read my mind because The Shop @ Equinox's Labor Day sale started August 21 and runs until September 3 at all four of Equinox's Chicago locations. But here's where I really took notice. You can score 50 percent off select fashion and performance brands like Nike, RLX Ralph Lauren and Splendid. But what's better is shop early, as in through August 27, and save an additional 20 percent on sale items.

Ready to shop? Equinox is located at the following Chicago locations: 900 N. Michigan Avenue; Lincoln Park (1750 N. Clark Street); The Loop (200 W. Monroe St.); and Highland Park (799 Central Avenue).

Equinox Lets Freedom Bling

Everyone loves a sale. Credit: ell brown

Stinky workout clothes where the stench won't disappear no matter how many times they toss in the washing machine and get sprayed with Febreze? Exercise gear that's more out-of-fashion than in? Running shorts and shirts that aren't as well-equipped to battle the heat wave that's predicted to happen later this week as you thought they'd be when you bought them? Gear that you wouldn't want to be caught dead in unless you were at home and you knew that Tony Horton and Shawn T wouldn't care what clothes you wore for their workouts?

You know you need some new duds--or you welcome every excuse in the book as a reason to buy more. But the problem is, you're not exactly in the market for buying said gear at full price (it's all about maximizing the dollar, right?). Welcome to the "Let Freedom Bling" sale that runs June 25 through July 8 at The Shop @ Equinox. As a way to celebrate Independence Day, customers can save up to 50 percent off fashion and performance apparel and accessories at all of the Chicago Equinox locations.

The Shop @ Equinox is known for offering top-of-the-line fitness-focused apparel--remember the Nike gear we gushed over? This summer the Shop has new lines available like Mercer & Taylor, an exclusive women's fashion collection that includes breezy woven tanks and blouses in silky, lightweight fabrics; and Bordeaux, another exclusive women's collection that features super-soft tees and tanks great for basics and layering. And there are tons of other designers gracing the shelves, too. The question is: How much can I buy to refresh the closet without breaking the bank? 

Photo grabbed from ell brown at flickr.

I Spy...a Lululemon Sale

You know something has to be big when a Twitter account is created for it. That's exactly what Lululemon expected of its warehouse sale when the company created the Twitter handle @lululemonWHUS. And big is only half of it.

Lululemon's no stranger to hosting massive sales, but this is the first time that such an event is hitting the U.S. But not just anywhere, the lululemon athletica Warehouse Sale opens in Chicago on January 27 at 9 a.m. and runs until 9 p.m. on January 29. Granted it requires a trek out to Rosemont to take advantage of the slashed prices and piles of products--and either paying for parking or the El to reach the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center--but it sounds like it's worth it. As long as the discounts are more than 25 percent off--I passed up a pair of pants at Core Power Yoga because $73.50 was still too much for me to spend. And as long as it's somewhat controlled chaos. With the Facebook attendee list pushing 5,000 and counting, that's a lot of people to push through, no matter how good their pants make your butt look. But it sounds like lululemon has addressed all my fears, provided I can tolerate being patient in line. That's manageable considering the payoff of new workout gear. Hooky-worthy, too!

What's your plan of attack at the warehouse sale?


Photo grabbed from lululemon athletica at flickr.

The Best Sale I'm Not Shopping...Yet

Is it almost summer yet? Winter definitely doesn't have its advantages when you're feeling trapped indoors in the Windy City. Skiing? Not here. Snowshoeing? Not enough snow, or any at the moment. Skating? I'm starting to sound like a whiner, but I'll pass on the tourist trap at Millennium Park. So what happens when I spend too much time inside? I go shopping!

Here's a sale that I accidentally stumbled upon earlier today: Patagonia's offering 30 percent off a closet full of winter gear. The sale's only good for two more days, until January 26, but that's plenty of time to do some damage to the wallet. My first browse sent me lusting already, plotting my next excuse to justify such purchases. You see, I'd have to not only rationalize for myself but for my husband, who's likely had one too many run-ins with my crazy collection of coats and shoes.

What's on my radar? I'll tell you.

The Down Sweater hoody, which would cost $175 instead of the usual $250. I'm drawn to the color, the warmth (at 800-fill down), and the qualities that remind me all too much of a The North Face primaloft jacket that went from purchase to return last winter after I nabbed a TNF Nuptse-but-not at REI's annual sale.

The Torrentshell jacket, down to $83.30 thanks to the discount. I know I should just buy a can of Nikwax to refresh the waterproof layer to my older shells, but sometimes I'd rather just buy new. And this would be my new addition to replace the leaky jackets.

The Nano Storm, coming in at $209.30 instead of $299 and making my husband a happy camper. His ski jacket has seen better days--it sheds, it absorbs water and it bears a tear--but he constantly resists when I attempt to replace it. Maybe this time he won't.

Ah, who said Christmas had to end in December? Some of my favorite shopping days come in January! And that's even more true when I don't have to pay for shipping (it's free for orders over $75). Get on over to patagonia.com to exercise those shopping muscles before it's too late.

Cyber Monday Shopping Steals

Whether you already braved the stores for Black Friday or you've been holding out until after the

Whether you already shopped to your heart's--and your wallet's--content on Black Friday or your holiday shopping is just getting started now that the family's cleared out of town, you're not going to want to skip the biggest online shopping day of the year. How can you go wrong with shopping in your pajamas, not worrying about what time the stores open and close, not complaining about your aching feet from standing in line (plus no line to begin with), and zero distractions like bumping into your neighbor or fighting over the last must-have item (at least online you don't know if you're nabbing it from someone)? You really can't, especially if you already bought your gifts and now you need retail therapy for yourself. Not only is today Cyber Monday, the biggest online shopping day of the year, but you're also bound to find something for everyone on your list and with savings, too. Here are some of the deals I dug up:

• Skirt Sports. Save up to 60 percent on select items like the Tri Tank or the Gym Girl Ultra. And if you spend more than $125, you'll get your gifts without spending a penny on shipping, otherwise it's a flat $7.95.
• Onlineshoes.com. Need a new pair of running shoes to get you through the winter? Spend $100 or more on non-outlet items at this shoe site and you'll save $25 on your purchase if you enter the code CYBER at step 3 of checkout. Some brands and styles don't apply but you'll have to check the site for those details.
• Under Armour. Brr, it's getting cold outside and you're stuck hunting for more layers to keep the frostbite and chill out on your runs. That's where Under Armour's ColdGear comes in handy: lots of options for tops, bottoms and base layers, and plenty of colors too. And now you can order with free shipping--but it ends today. Use the code UAGIFT when you check out to get the savings.
• Injinji. Some people swear by these socks with individual toe holes, calling them the perfect running socks especially for when the mileage adds up. Score some of these blister blockers at their online store for 15 percent off today--no coupon needed either.
• TriJungle.com. Time to restock that triathlon gear after using it all season long. You can save 20 percent today at TriJungle.com by entering THANKS20 at checkout. And the good news is that even if you don't finish all your shopping today, the deal is still good tomorrow.
• SwimOutlet.com. Want some swimsuits that total two or three for the regular price of one? That's what you'll find today at SwimOutlet.com where savings are up to 80 percent off. So it's on the clearance rack, but you can search by style, color and brand and still score plenty of swim favorites.
• Adidas. Whether you're running and training this winter or need to stock up on gear you destroyed over the last season, you'll save through tomorrow at shopadidas.com. Not only do you get free shipping, but you can also save 30 percent on clothing.
• The North Face. La Nina is dumping snow in ski country already and if you're hoping to get out there sometime this winter and need some warm outerwear, you can find it online at The North Face. Forget the crowds or lack of selection at the retail store and score free shipping at the online one.

All these sales have me yearning for some online shopping before all the deals disappear. Goal: track down a Denali fleece for my dad and not pay full price. What deals have you uncovered for today?

Snow Deals All Day Long

It snowed 20 inches in Breckenridge last night. Park City said it was firing up its snow machines to prep for its opening. Alta has a 41-inch base and plans to open Friday. Vail and Whistler are set to open on Friday, too. With all this snow celebration in the air, it's obvious it's time to pull the skis and boards out of the closets, or plan that next snow country vacay.

But if you're looking at those shreds and noticing a few base gouges--or you forgot you needed new goggles this season--or you simply need an excuse to shop, you want to head over the SteepandCheap for its snow only sale. Known for providing goods at discounts of 50 percent or more (most of the time), it's turning up the winter heat and offering the best from its ski closet all day long. Score new powder skis, a new softshell, warmer gloves or non-scratched goggles--and that's just for starters. The site refreshes frequently with new items but that means you have to act fast to get what you want, or hope it comes around again.

Check it out at steepandcheap.com or download the app to your smartphone to get the latest on the deals.