Buy: Sephora by OPI Nail Polish

I just discovered that Sephora by OPI nail polish is now available for a super deep discount! Seriously, 50% off doesn't happen everyday and OPI's long lasting fomulas and wide range of colors are now available in store and online for just $4.50 a bottle. Just $3 if you want one of the "Blasted" crackling formulations. Trend Tips and Toes are $6 a pack while nail sets are $12 a set. So if you're a bit of a nail polish fiend like me, it's your perfect chance to stock up on colors.

To note a lot of the stock has already sold out at stores! When I asked a sales associate why, it turns out that the cosmetic giant has decided to discontinue the line of nail polish with OPI and will be replacing it with their own "S" brand soon.

Sale Report: Filene's Basement

Filene's Basement at Union Square is taking 30%-50% everything in their store. Heck you can even buy the racks, changeroom doors and other fixtures if you need!

The majority of merch is on the lower end of the discount range (i.e. 30% off) but you can score staples like underwear from Calvin Klein at 30% which isn't too bad. Shoes are all 40% off - everything is all over the place which is expected but I did see some Sperry Top Siders for $48. Clearance items that have an orange tag are an additional 40%.

The racks marked "Vault" are where they keep their designer goods - all of which are 50% off! Sizing is completely random, as are styles, but if you're willing to put in a bit of time you might be able to score something amazing.

Raf Simons Overcoat -$150, Valentino Shirt $50

D&G Dress pants - $80, Dolce & Gabanna textured wool pants-$100

Kriziauomo knitwear - $50

The most plentiful of the designer merch was Missoni Gear - so if you missed your chance with the Target X Missoni madness - maybe you can score something better now! T shirts were going for $40, polos $50, jeans $50 and knitwear ranged from $100-$140. Keep in mind you definitely need to dig around and scour - alot of the merch is there for a reason but you can still find some decent things.

Out of everything I saw, these pieces were one of my favorites (partly b/c they were in the best condition as well). Both were going for $120 a piece.

The sweater shown above left was pretty amazing too. The texture on the knit was incredible which is what Missoni is known for. I tried this on - but it was stretched out quite a bit from being hung on the hanger - otherwise I would have totally picked it up. If you're into prints, the above cardigan (cotton/linen mix) was going for $140.

Patchwork knits were priced on the lower end and will set you back $100. If you can pull off that orange without looking like a pumpkin - go for it.

Overall there's some decent stuff to be had - you just have to look and dig around. I suggest you take a few passes at the Vault racks since things keep moving around by the minute. Things get picked up but they also get put back - so patience is definitely a virtue in this scenario.

Sale Report: Phi Closing Sale

Luxe label PHI is shutting it's doors forever. It's sad as this economy has seen the demise of so many labels, the grave stones are too many. The only plus side? If you are a PHI fan, now is the time to pick up some pieces at some unbelievable prices.

The prices are Sample Sweaters $75+, Sample Tank Tops $25+, Sample Blouses $50+. All production items are 90% of Retail. Pre Spring and Fall'09 stock 70% off Retail.

Leather Jackets $350+, Plain Jackets $150+, Leather Coats $500+, Plain Coats $350+.

Belts $29-100. Shoes $50+, Boots $100+, Current Season Sample Boots $250.

The sale was not very crowded with only a handful of shoppers. Change rooms were not available that I could see, and women were milling around a very large mirror on the sales floor and trying on merch there. Clothing tended to run mostly from size 2-6.

The confusing part of the sale for me was, although there was signage indicating prices, there were no clearly distinct areas that were marked samples, production, pre-spring or fall so it was very difficult to determine what the actual price of each garment was. Some merch was labeled, but many pieces had lost their tags and it was a mystery to most shoppers. You could ask the sales girls each price, but who wants to do that at a sale? It's a little tiresome after a piece or 2.

There were plenty of shoes and boots. Mostly these amazing Mesh ankle boots that zipped and had 2 buckles which were in a variety of sizes from 36-41. The colorful ankle boots that I admired only seemed to be in larger sizes like 40-41. This style also came in a pump version that was similarly larger sized 39-41.

There were also boxes of various strappy sandals and a couple very large boxes filled with miscellaneous shoes that had amazing metal heels and toes. They were in sizes 38-41 and some were scuffed on the bottom deliberately leading me to believe that these are in fact runway shoes that have been used once and tossed in a box. The hard part with looking at these shoes is finding the other side.

Some fun pieces I found were this bralet top for $20 (size 6) and these silky cargo shorts for $110. I also saw some silky pleated shorts for $50, wool pinstripe pants for $50, silky harem pants for $130. I spotted a few zip sweaters fro $80-130.

There were a few gowns left but I believe they were still around $1000, Some sporty pastel color block dresses with mesh detailing were $250.

I tried on a wool coat with cropped bubble sleeves and fur collar, but the lady working there only told me it was 80% off retail. Unfortunately retail was not marked so it left me wondering. Not the sale for you if you like knowing how much things are before bringing to the cash register! Personally it sort of stresses me out...but seeing as merch is up to 90% off...I guess that's the trade off.

Who: PHI Closing Sale
What: Expect 70% off pre-spring and fall '09, 90% off past season merch, and samples priced at $25 to $200—with new merch added this week.
Where: PHI, 71 Greene Street, (b/n Spring and Broome St) 212-966-0076.
When: Now through February 7, 2010. Mon-Sat 11am-6:30pm Sun noon-6pm