Living stylishly on a budget

NEIMAN MARKDOWNS

While trolling the Web for fall shopping deals, we hit upon the Neiman Marcus Fall Sale Book. For him, we found Armani Collezioni and Dolce & Gabbana dress shirts and 7 For All Mankind blazers, some at 65 percent off the original price. For her, we spotted cheery Michael Kors dresses and cozy cashmere tops and sweaters for around 30-50 percent off. To browse the sale book and last-call clearance items, go to www.neimanmarcus.com and click on Sale & Values.

HALF-YEARLY SALE

While online, we also saw Nordstrom is having a half-yearly sale on women's and kids' items. We clicked through the dozens upon dozens of pages of sales items and found, among many other goodies, Jessica Simpson pumps, UGG boots, Donna Karan bags, and Juicy Couture pants and hoodies for kids, all for 40 percent off. (Some items are at even steeper discounts.) Sale ends Sunday. Visit shop.nordstrom.com or store locations in the Natick Collection and the Burlington Mall.

GET ON THE GOOD FOOT

With Thanksgiving just two weeks away, pre-holiday sales are already in bloom. Clarks (200 State St., Faneuil Hall Marketplace; 67 Central St., Wellesley; and Natick Collection) is offering up to 40 percent off on select men's, women's, and kids' shoes, as well as on handbags, wallets, and other leather goods. At the Faneuil Hall store, we fell for Clarks' Indigo brand pumps (below, for $89.99, or 10 percent off) and admired some stylish Italian leather bags in brown and black for $134.99 (originally $195).

THE EYES HAVE IT

Maybe it's because our heads are so firmly tucked in our scarves as we scurry through the streets, but Bostonians tend not to buy sunglasses when it's cold. The bargain-savvy, though, would do well to head to

I Boutique (251 Newbury St., 617-266-1988) and peruse its steeply discounted selection of designer shades. Most are 40 percent off, meaning a pair of Roberto Cavalli sunglasses, originally $455, is now $286.65 (including tax). Chloé, Versace, Dolce & Gabbana, and many other brands are available as well.

COLOR YOUR WORLD

If the thought of nesting is bringing out your creative impulses, head to Artist & Craftsman Supply (580 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge, 617-354-3636) for deals on paints, fabric dyes, handmade paper, and anything else you might need to release your inner Michelangelo. Until the end of the year, Liquitex brand acrylic paints are 50 percent off; Old Holland acrylics, oils, and watercolors are 33 percent off. Check www.artistcraftsman.com for other deals. AMI ALBERNAZ