LA Sample Sales

LA based Rebecca Minkoff fans, need not be jealous longer.

Who: Rebecca Minkoff
What: Deals similar to these?
When: December 2-5, 2009. 11am-8pm
Where: 7961 West 3rd Street, Los Angeles, California

Who: Rachel Pally
What: 50 to 80% off Fall 09, Spring/Summer 09 and samples from previous collections including White Label. Cash & credit, no checks.
When: December 3-6, 2009. Thurs & Fri 9am-5pm, Sat 10am-5pm, Sun 11am-4pm
Where: 2301 East 7th Street, Suite C100, Los Angeles, California. 818.512.9575

Who: Geren Ford (a little jealous about this one!)
What: Fall merchandise and samples from previous collections from $10-$200.
When: December 4-5, 2009. Fri 4pm-7pm. Sat 10am-5pm
Where: Smashbox Studios, 1011 N. Fuller Ave, Los Angeles, California

Who: LNA
What: First blowout sale ever, premium jersey pieces at discounted prices
When: Tues December 1 VIP sale 5-10pm, Wed-Sat December 2-5 1-9pm, Sun December 6 12-5pm
Where: 7961 West 3rd St (2 blocks west of Fairfax on northeast corner), Los Angeles, California
*Bring the flier for $10 off purchases of $50 or more!*

Sample Sale Report: L.A.M.B., Harajuku Lovers & Kidrobot

I stopped by The Savvy earlier tonight to preview their upcoming L.A.M.B., Harajuku Lovers & Kidrobot sale. I've been to one of the L.A.M.B. & co. sales before; this one seems to be even bigger than the ones in the past.

L.A.M.B

Lots and lots of bags, clutches and wallets! I saw pieces from just about every L.A.M.B. collection ever created, including the coveted Rasta bags from last year and the current holiday collection.

Some of my favorite clutches and cosmetic bags. My friend Christine helped me set them up. Cute, right?

Lots of wallets and cosmetic bags. Caution, the wallets with the white stripe are known to show signs of wear and tear quickly. One of my friends bought one from a previous sale and within a few uses, the stripe where the wallet folded started to crack.

L.A.M.B. pricing: large handbags $150, medium handbags $125, small handbag $100, clutches & cross-bodies $75, cosmetic & wallets $25

Harajuku Lovers
I don't think I'm the target audience for these bags. These would make gift items though for a younger sister or niece, and with the affordable prices, you could use any extra cash to stuff the bags with goodies.

Harajuku Lovers pricing: totes & luggage $40, small handbags & cross-bodies $20, small accessories $10

Kidrobot
There was plenty of merchandise in a number of signature Kidrobot prints. I'm a Kidrobot fan, but I felt a bit too old for most of the bags. I would consider a few of the bags for travel or the gym though.

Kid Robot pricing: large totes, backpacks & luggage $30, messenger bags & medium totes $20, small cross-bodies & totes $10, accessories $5.

The goods are deeply discounted, up to 70% off retail. I think the most noteworthy finds are from L.A.M.B, but the prices for Harajuku Lovers and Kid Robot goods are very affordable. This would be a great sale to check out if you're looking for a edgy new handbag or hoping to knock out some Christmas shopping.

Who: L.A.M.B., Harajuku Lovers and Kidrobot Handbags
When: December 1-3, 2009. Tues 8am-8pm, Wed-Thurs 10am-7pm
Where: Savvy 42 Greene Street, 2nd Floor (btwn Grand & Broome Streets)

50% off Designer Apparel at StyleQ

In a previous post, I mentioned how I recently discovered StyleQ where I ordered my Funktional cage dress. I received my dress today, and I'm totally into the StyleQ shopping experience. My order was shipped via UPS and came with a return label just in case. And my purchase came with reusable bag made with 20% recycled post-industrial content.
There's not too much on the site right now. The Funktional dress is only left in a couple sizes, but there are a few other gems. I hope this site does well, so they can continue to grow.

Myne Ashton Tweed Dress, $137.50 ($275 retail)
& Funktional Velvet Blazer, $47.50 with code ($95 retail)
For 50% off your purchase, enter coupon code "INSIDER" at checkout. Coupon expires tomorrow (Tuesday) night.

Private Phoenix Show in NYC - Enter to Win

Phoenix is performing a private show in NYC on Thursday, December 3, 2009 at 7pm. This show is by invite only, so enter now at iheartradio.com. They'll ask for your email address at the bottom of the first page, then zip code and such on the following page. Good luck!

Now Wearing...

I've been dreaming of these tights! Ever since I first saw them I was sort of obsessed...so after much contemplation they are my biggest tight indulgence to date ;) The best price I could find came all the way from the UK on mytights.com...while I was ordering I got myself some Henry Holland Pretty Polly tights as well ;) What do you think?

Scallop Crochet Cape - Vintage (I had to air it out for a month it was so stinky!)
Floral Print Dress - Primark
Wings Metal Bracelet - Forever 21
2 Tone Ring - Topshop
Nails - OPI No Spain No Gain w/ Kiss Nail Decals
Tights - Emilio Cavallini Holes Tights
Velvet & Jacquard Peep Toe Heels - Nine West

Sample Sales This Week NYC

Who: The Warehouse Sale - One Stop Denim shopping!
What: 80% off brands like 7 for All Mankind, AG Jeans, Antik Denim, BCBG, Chip & Pepper, Frankie B, Rock & Rebublic, True Religion, William Rast & mire,
When: December 4-5, 2009. Fri-Sat 10am-8pm
Where: Metropolitan Pavillion, 123 W 18th St. 4th Floor
*BONUS: Shoppers who mention "Sugar Rock Catwalk" at the cash register will receive 10% off the entire purchase

Who: Botkier
What: 50-75% off Handbags, Shoes & Wallets! Bonus. If you come to the sample sale wearing your fave Botkier bag or shoes recieve and extra 10% off your purchases
When: December 3-5, 2009. Thurs-Sat 11am-7pm. Sun noon-5pm
Where: 195 Lafayette St. (between Broome and Kenmare)

Who: L.A.M.B., Harajuku Lovers and Kidrobot Handbags
What: Up to 70% off on handbags
When: December 1-3, 2009. Tues 8am-8pm, Wed-Thurs 10am-7pm
Where: Savvy 42 Greene Street, Second Floor(B/n Grand & Broome Streets)

Who: Thread Social
What: Super cute dresses and more
When: December 3-4, 2009. Thurs-Fri 9am-7pm
Where: 26 W 17th Street, Suite 301, 212-314-8844

Who: Dolce Vita
What: Up to 70% off Spring & Fall Shoes. Up to 80% off on clothing from Dolce Vita, Tsesay, Caroline Hadaya, and Dolan.
When: December 5-6, 2009. Sat-Sun noon-7pm
Where: 156 Ludlow Street, 4th Floor; 212.643.4810

Who: Charlotte Ronson
What: Up to 70% off Fall 09 Clothing & accesories
When: December 2-4, 2009. Wed-Fri 10am-7pm
Where: 1071 Avenue of the Americas, Suite #301

Who: Kidrobot Sample Sale
What: Women's & Men's Apparel & Toys at 60-80% Off
When: December 4-6, 2009. Fri-Sun 10am-7pm
Where: Chelsea Market, 75 Ninth Avenue (b/n 15-16th St)

Who: Hanky Panky Sample Sale
What: Lingere, bridal, thongs, panties, gifts, and everday styles all $10. All thongs, buy 12 get 1 free.
When: December 1-4, 2009. Tues-Thurs, 8:30am-8pm. Fri 9am-1pm
Where: 260 Fifth Ave(b/n 28th and 29th St)

Who: Sweetface & JLO by Jennifer Lopez
What: 70%-90% Off Silk tops, dresses, leather jackets, camis, jumpers, vests, jeans, cashmere, and much more!
When: December 2-4, 2009. Wed-Fri 9am-6pm
Where: 1071 6th Ave(B/n 40th & 41st Street)

Who: Pamella Roland Sample Sale
What: All dresses will be 90%-95% off retail price. Dresses, Gowns, Jackets, Skirts, Sweaters, Pants. Mostly Sample Sizes 4 and 6.
When: December 2-4, 2009. Wed-Fri 10am-6pm
Where: 501 Seventh Avenue, Suite 300 (b/n 37th & 38th St)

Sales Next Week:
Who: AP Bags USA
What: Up to 80% off women's handbags, shoes, luggage and small leather goods from Rafe New York, Missoni shoes (limited quantities available), Mandarina Duck, Coccinelle, Barbara Hulanicki, Braccialini, Gherardini, Amazon Life and more.
Where: 85 Fifth Avenue (at 16th Street) - 12th floor
When: December 9-11, 2009. Wed-Thurs 10am-7pm. Fri 10am-5pm

Who: Lauren Merkin
What: Up to 70% off on Handbags, clutches and accessories
Where: 231 W 29th Street, suite 201 between 7th & 8th Avenues, 212.239.2459
When: December 8-12, 2009. Tues-Sat 11am-7pm

Get $3 in Free MP3s on Amazon

Have you ever ordered MP3s on Amazon? You need to download their MP3 downloader program but the files are compatible with iTunes and other MP3 playing devices. It's pretty easy as when you click Buy-It-Now it leads you through a step by step guide and links you to the downloader program.

Perhaps because it's Thanksgiving weekend and they want people to check it out perhaps in time to buy the multitude of $5 CD's they are offering on Cyber Monday? You can pick whatever music you like. And with tracks ranging from $0.99 to 1.29, it's 2 or 3 free songs! Choose wisely :)

Click Here for your free MP3s.
PS. offer expires at midnight tomorrow so hurry!

Jewelry Deals: Bliss Lau and Alex & Chloe

As you know, I'm a huge fan of Bliss Lau. Other than at Gen Art and the Vivienne Westwood showroom sample sales, I've never seen discounted Bliss Lau pieces, but just the other night I found a handful of her pieces on sale at 80's Purple and Forward by Revolve. Here are my favorites:

The piece I've been coveting forever - Diamond Top, now $330 (retail $550)


Twisted Skirt, now $120 (retail $200)


Livewire, now $118 (retail $261)
Another one of my jewelry favorites, Alex & Chloe is having a Black December sale on select pieces from the Black Diamonds collection. Here are a few of my favorites:

Zero Carat Diamond & Love Is Not Dead, now $30 (retail $48)

Feather, now $30 (retail $48)

Super Deal: Hayden-Harnett Iskia Link Wedge

If you liked my sandals that you saw me wearing back in September for my "date outfit" and you are a size 5 (like me) or a size 11 you are in luck. Hayden-Harnett has them as part of their thankful sale for a mere $47.60. This shoe was formerly $238 so that's 80% off :)...just thought I'd share!

Black Friday!

RebeccaMinkoff.com/Shop

BingBangNYC.com

Rock&Republic.com

FUEL UP AT TOPSHOP
Set your alarms this November 27th – Topshop will open at 8am! On the
menu are English sandwiches, served up with tea and hot chocolate to keep
you shopping fit on your feet all day.

MORE TREATS & FREE GIFTS
To kick off the shopping madness Topshop style, the first 400 Topshop
customers spending $100 or more will receive a complimentary piece of
jewellery from Freedom. Choose from either a jewel encrusted owl ring or a
romantic beaded necklace. That’s not all! Pick up a Topshop gift card
between $1 and $300 and receive a free stylish wallet. Come quickly, while
stock lasts! Terms and conditions apply, see TOPSHOP.COM.

GET YOUR MAKEOVER MIDDAY
Need of a beauty revamp? For a short time only, Topshop has teamed up with
leading hair salon John Freida, makeup experts Rimmel and nail specialists
M2M to create an in-store relaxation makeover haven to get you party
perfect. Email broadwaydressingroom@topshop.com or call 212.966.9455 to
book for up to 6 friends! First come for served, or try your luck on the
day. December 14-21 daily 1-7 pm. Located on the ground floor. All
treatments are free, guests are asked to kindly make at $5 donation to The
Lower East Side Girls Club.

WRAPPED UP!
Take away the hassle of holiday gift wrapping, and let Topshop
professionals do the work for you. Come visit our complimentary gift wrap
station open December 1 – 24, 12 -9 daily, 1 – 6 pm Sundays.

HALF-PRICE SHIPPING
As if that wasn’t enough, when you shop on-line at Topshop.com shipping
is now half price at just $7.50. Don’t miss out – this offer lasts
until December 25th.

Happy Thanksgiving

Now Wearing...

I seriously have to get to bed earlier! I slept in super late this morning and didn't want to be too late to work so I pulled this outfit from random clothes off my bed. You can see I was hurried as my collar of my jacket was tucked in and I didn't even notice!

Zip front skirt - Richard Chai for Target
Tank - LNA
Textured Chain - DIY, piece of chain tied with ribbon
Buckle Boots - Palladiams via solestruck.com
Trench Coat - Soia & Kyo
Leather Satchel - Botkier Vixen
Bone Print Leggings - Xhilaration, Target

Sales Flash: Marais Oxfords

Just a quick link. I wanted to share a link to the Marais oxford flats that you've seen me wear on a pretty regular basis. They're currently on sale in black and hunter green for $49.99 at Urban Outfitters.
If you order, a quick note about sizing. They run small and narrow. Urban Outfitters suggests sizing up one and a half for the perfect fit, but Marais and I both think one size up will do you good.

P.S. Forget Black Friday; there are sales happening all over the place right now. If food coma doesn't get the best of me this weekend, I'll do a round up of my favorite online finds.

Black Friday 2009 at H&M

Are you prepared for Black Friday? I'm not sure I am! Being a Canadian transplant in NYC the whole experience is a little new to me! I suppose it's a lot like Boxing day but earlier and crazier. An ideal time to pick up Christmas gifts or electronics! My first year here I did wake up at 7am to hit the stores but wasn't impressed by what I found and have since relegated myself to shopping DVDs at Target.

But for those of you who's thrill is in the chase H&M has some pretty sweet deals this Friday and the earlier you get there the better! Most H&M stores will open at 6am; some will open as early as 5am. It might even entice me to get out of bed ;) Who doesn't need a $15 party dress?

H&M Black Friday Specials:
25% off any item of your choice from opening until 10AM
Fashion finds starting at $5 (example pricing included below)
Select outerwear styles at 50% percent off

Example pricing:
Ladies
Knitted shrugs from $24.95 to $5.00
Knitted dresses from $34.95 to $10.00
Party dresses from $39.95 to $15.00

Men's
Patterned shirts from $29.95 to $10.00
Merino wool sweaters from $39.95 to $15.00
Knit pullovers from $24.95 to $10.00

Kids
Little girls sweaters $17.95 to $5.00
Little Boys trousers from $17.95 to $5.00

Ladies/Men's
Winter knit accessories $14.95 to $5.00

Now Wearing...

I bought these gold leggings earlier this year and had been contemplating how to wear them for a while. I'm sure you've seen me rocking the pewter ones but gold seemed a bit more whapack and therefore harder to wear for an everyday look. I decided to treat them like a beige and it made things much easier.

Convertible Cowl Neck Dress/Tunic - Nave via a friends giveaway bag
Gold Leggings - Topshop
Scrunched Socks - Chinese Laundry
Python Booties - Rachel Rachel Roy Genna
Trench Coat - Club Monaco
Leather Satchel - Botkier Ziggy

Unveiled: Saks 5th Avenue Holiday Windows

It's official, the holiday season has somehow crept upon us! I feel like Halloween just passed but already candy canes are on shelves and the Rockerfeller tree has gone up!

So in keeping with the holiday spirit, I ran down to Saks 5th Avenue to check out the window unveiling ceremony sponsored in part by Windows 7. Special thanks to Jordana from Clutch 22 for the invite. I had never been to anything like this and it was a much bigger deal that I expected. They even temporarily closed down 5th Avenue so everyone could have a great view of the windows and had a fake snow machine making spirits bright!

I arrived to the amazing, inspiring voices of Staten Island's own PS22 Chorus if you haven't heard them check them out on youtube! Seriously warms your heart!

According to the press release:
This year the Saks Fifth Avenue holiday windows will be powered by Windows 7 to bring life the children’s book Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Flake with 3-D animations and interactive window displays. With dedicated PC lounge areas in-store, customers can check out chic Windows 7 PCs and share their holiday wishes with the world.

I literally ran across the street to get some shots of the windows before they were swarmed by the masses :) One random fun thing you can do, no matter where you live is have your tweets show up as part of the window displays by adding the #holidaywindows to your message.

Lani and I did have a chance to test out some Windows 7 PCs in the lounge on the 9th floor. I'm by no means super techie but it was fun to see what is offered nonetheless.

Some features I learned about Windows 7:
*is very customizable. You can make your computer feel like you by changing your computer's theme, color, sounds, desktop background, screen saver, font size, and user account picture. If you get bored easily, you can even make your background a slideshow that changes every once in a while!
*you're able to pin programs you use frequently to the task bar so they are always running and ready for you to use.
*you can easily snap 2 windows side by side when you need to see 2 things at once
*if you shake a window you need back and forth it will minimize all the rest
*viewing and organizing photos looks quite similar to the set up of Mac's iPhoto.
*you can easily save your fave TV shows without DVR