From the ThriftyChick shop directory, exclusive deals for our readers:

Pearl Strings

Get 20% off any order at Pearl Strings with the code: thriftychick. Pearl Strings features high quality, well made jewelry at very reasonable prices. You’ll be overwhelmed with all of the gorgeous options!

Offer valid through May 31, 2006.

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Summer Soles

Do your feet sweat in pumps or mules? Has the leather on your sandals been worn down so that it is rough on your feet? Do you wish your shoes were lined with a soft cushion for your feet? Summer Soles has the solution to these dilemmas with their insertable suede shoe liners. Get 20% off any order with the code: PAPIERDOLL.

Offer valid through May 31, 2006.

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Agapantha

Agapantha Jewelry is an online boutique featuring handcrafted semi-precious jewelry. Click our (near) exclusive link for access to Agapantha’s online Mother’s Day special, that you won’t find from the homepage. Each package allows you to purchase a price point, and then your mama gets to choose from a range of jewelry selections at that discounted price—that way, you don’t have to worry about getting the perfect item.

Offer valid through Mother’s Day, May 14, 2006.

And remember, Thriftychick receives absolutely no compensation for offering these exclusive deals. They are a service to our readers.

Sales and Promotions:

New Arrivals and Featured Items:

New styles for May at J.Crew
New Celebrations Collection, and More Summer Arrivals at Ann Taylor
New Summer Styles at Polo.com

Check out Today’s Pick at ThriftyChick.

PANTENE TOTAL YOU TOUR
— Celebrating 5 years of holistic wellness for African-American women
through total sisterhood and beauty - mind, body and spirit –

Featured Panelists:
•Susan L. Taylor, Essence Editorial Director
•Jill Marie Jones, from “Girlfriends”
•Judge Mablean Ephriam, TV Show Host
•Myra J, comedienne
•Donna Richardson Joyner, fitness expert
•Eva Pigford, CoverGirl/America’s Next Top Model

In addition to the intimate, living room style panel discussion, other tour activities include:
•A Fashion show and model call hosted by America’s Next Top Model winner Eva Pigford;
•Live performances from artists such as gospel recording artists and Mary Mary, and R&B artists Tyrese, LeToya Luckett, Goapele and Ju-Taun*;
•A Total You Wellness Expo featuring one-on-ones with wellness experts, makeovers, manicures, product demonstrations and giveaways.

Pantene Total You Tour schedule is as follows:
• Chicago, IL – May 6
• Charlotte, N.C. – May 13
• Atlanta, Ga. – May 20
• Philadelphia, Pa. – June 10
• New York, N.Y. – June 24 (Grand Finale)

For more information about the tour, including event locations, times, and ticket prices, visit www.pantenetotalyoutour.com

The Daily, in an amazing feat of fashion observation, has compiled a laundry list of “Who Wore What” to the Met’s Costume Institute Benefit Gala, themed Anglomania.

The list reveals which designers the hauterfly’s truly prefer, as expressed in their choice of evening wear to fashion’s biggest event of the year.

I imagine this list is not exhaustive, but it is informative nonetheless, and an analysis of the list shows that:

Alexander McQueen dominated with the most A-list celebrities wearing his designs. Of course, this is most likely influenced by McQueen’s British roots and the UK-centric theme of the night.

Sarah Jessica Parker with Alexander McQueen. Why, SJP, would you hide such a gorgeous dress under a tartan? It doesn’t matter that the theme is Anglomania, the point of the event is to look ravishing, not bizarre.

Rivals Kate Moss and Sienna Miller both showed up in Burberry, even though Moss was dumped by the label and replaced by Miller… other starlets to appear in the labels they shill for are the Olsens in Badgley Mischka and Selma Blair in Chanel.

Juicy Couture was one of the most prominent labels worn at the Gala, but the presence was diluted by many unrecognizable names… most likely C-listers who, if they are truly representative of Juicy’s clientele, bridged and tunneled it over from Jersey.

Many designers wore their own designs, and understandably so. But it becomes quite sad and a bit pathetic when a designer is the only person to show up in his/her own designs, as happened to Margherita Missoni.

Oscar de la Renta only had one celeb, Drew Barrymore, represent him. Oscar’s designs are made for occasions like this, and its surprising more celebs didn’t jump at the excuse to don some de la Renta.

Drew Barrymore wears Oscar de la Renta with such class and grace, it makes you forget that she was the woman who was once married to Tom Green.

Fashion’s “it boys”, Marc Jacobs and Zac Posen, both had a rather weak showing. Perhaps the cyclicality of the fashion scene is catching up to them?

And though it wasn’t on the list…

Diane von Furstenberg and some unfortunate woman from Bergdorf Goodman’s didn’t get the memo that tailoring your outfit too specifically to the occasion betrays the awkward middle school kid that still lives inside you.

See more pictures of the Gala at Style.com.

The Veuve Clicquot hosted event achieved a mix of ‘tudes (attitudes that is), style, and just people in general. Being told about the type of crowd that hangs at Reserve, one would expect more pretentious than just plain hyped partygoers. Yes, the pretentious did appear, but were heavily drowned out by those who truly know that a party is where we party, not “oogle” and kiss the derrières of the beautiful people.

Jaime, from Real World-New Orleans fame, was hanging out with several friends. DJ Paul Sevigny spinning, keeping the attention and bodies rocking of every person in Reserve. However, the star of the evening exuded a sexy, yet coyness about her in a black dress that fitted her from head to soul, very Balenciaga meets Comme des Garconne. Squeezing my way between bodyguards and the velvet rope, secured a few seconds to chitchat with Ms. Sevigny. Talking to Chloe, I asked her whom she was wearing and she replied, “My friend Kai Kuhne made this dress for me. He used to design for As Four in NYC. You know them?” I replied, of course I know who they are, what true and genuine lover of fashion and style wouldn’t. After snapping a few shots , Ms. Sevigny surprised me with the comment, “You smell really good.” Taking aback from her comment, all I could think was, “Wow”. I mean what can you say after that…Thank you Irish Spring?

All photographs courtesy of Kieffer Photography, www.kiefferphotography.com