Sample Sale Report: Joomi Lim

Last week I went to the Joomin Lim sample sale where her beautiful, vibrant, punk inspired pieces took my heart. I am a huge costume jewelry fan and love a statement making piece with a bit of an edge. Anything too pretty or too polished, just doesn't do it for me. At the Joomi Lim sale there were countless pieces that vied for my attention and my dollars. As for the prices, there is something to suit every budget starting as low as $5 for single statement earrings and maxing out at $200-300 for the most intricate, multi layered necklaces and a limited number current season pieces. The majority of the sale is priced at $100 or less.

If you're a fan of skulls, there are definately more than a few to win you you over. The drop earrings to the left are a steal at $20! And the double skull ring to the right comes in gunmetal, gold, pewter and bronze for $40.  I couldn't resist taking one of these rings home!

Sample Sale Report: Lee Angel

How many sample sales are there where you can shop to your heart's content with hardly a dent to your wallet?

The Lee Angel sample sale is the stuff costume jewelry dreams are made up. The price you pay though is paid out in time. I arrived at about 6:30pm but didn't check out til about 8:10pm.

The sale is utter chaos with lines snaking up and down the sale and it took me a while to realize the best way to shop this sale is to grab a bin from the front and hop in line and shop while you wait.

The after work crowd was plentiful and at times fire safety regulations being broken seemed most certain. However this sale is worth the wait and chaos to pick up merchandise at $1 a piece. It is a $1 a piece if you buy 20 or more pieces. 2 pieces for $5 if you buy under 20 items. It was impossibly easy to find jewelry that I would buy for a dollar and soon my little tray was quite happily full. Other women at the sale resorted to picking up entire bins to store their finds.

Items from Banana Republic, J.Crew, Loft and American Eagle were plentiful, however any branded merchandise will have the tags snipped at checkout. If you are thinking of gifting, gift boxes and pouches are available for $1 each. However by comparison to the jewelry at the sale, seemingly high.

The bins contain a mixed assortment of items that I am sure were organized at one point but as women tear through and discard objects along the way they get more and more random. You have to be willing to patiently sift through ziploc bags to find what you want. Fortunately the Ziploc bags keep items from getting tangled and although you may have to open the bags to see what is inside you don't have to fight to get them apart.

I can't stress that you keep careful tabs on who is in front of you in line and if at all possible, bring cash. It is speedy at checkout and you can often skip 10 people or so in line when trying to leave.

For Lee Angel signature collection prices are $10 for earrings, $15 for bracelets and $20 for necklaces.

Head to this sale soon for best selection. At these prices, in spite of the towering plastic bins around the room things won't last long.

Who: Lee Angel Fall 2013 Moving Sale
What: Everything must go, not to be missed if you are a costume jewelry lover. Jewelry starting at 70% off retail. Fashion Bins 2 for $5, $1 each when you buy 20 or more pieces.
When: October 8-11, 2013. Tues 5pm-8pm, Wed 11am-7pm, Thurs 11am-7pm, Fri 10am-5pm
Where: 524 Broadway (at Spring St), 6th Floor

Sample Sales NYC: August 12-18, 2013

Who: BaubleBar End of Summer Sample Sale
What: BaubleBar is cleaning out their studio with statement jewelry at a deep discount. Must RSVP at http://bbsohosale.eventbrite.com/
When: August 12-14, 2013. Mon-Wed 10am-8pm
Where: 131 Greene St (b/n Prince & Houston)

Who: ABC Carpet & Home Bronx Summer Warehouse Sale
What: Up to 75% off retail prices on furniture, rugs, lighting, linens, and accessories.
When: August 10-September 8, 2013. Mon-Sat 10am—7pm, Sun 11am-6pm.
Where: 1055 Bronx River Ave (b/n Watson Ave and Bruckner Blvd) 718-842-8772

Who: Lauren Merkin
What: Up to 70% off retail prices on handbags, clutches, and accessories. Sydney totes $225 (was $525), Mini Marlow denim and camel clutches $175 (was $325), and the Vivi Coral Shimmer Croco clutch is $125 (was $295). New small leather goods start at $15, and items in the bargain boxes start at $20.
When: August 13-15, 2013. Tues-Thurs 11am-7pm
Where: 231 W 29th St (b/n 7th & 8th Ave), suite 201, 212-239-2459

Who: Cynthia Rowley Summer Sample Sale in Montauk
What: Snag the NYC based designer's clothing at a great price. Crew Neck Sweaters were $295, now $109. Confetti Shorts were $145, now $99. Jeweled Collar Trophy Dress was $595, now $99. Double knit dresses are buy one for $99, get a second style for $49.
When: August 14-18, 2013. Wed-Sun 11am-8pm
Where: 696 Montauk Highway, Montauk, NY. 631-668-8077.

Who: No. 6
What: Up to 70% off retail prices on vintage womenswear and shoes.
When: August 15-17, 2013. Thurs—Fri noon-7pm, Sat noon—5pm.
Where: 6 Centre Market Place (b/n Broome and Grand St). 212-226-5759.

Who: Scoop NYC Warehouse Sale
What: Up to 85% off retail prices on menswear and womenswear. Women's brands include Rag & Bone, Helmut Lang, IRO, Alice and Olivia, Phillip Lim, Roberto Cavalli, Current Elliot, Alexander Wang, Ved, SEA, and Pierre Balmain. Men's brands include Gant by Michael Bastian, Paul Smith, Rag and Bone, Dsquared, John Varvatos, Martin Margiela and Etro.
When: August 15-September 2, 2013. Mon-Sat 11am-8pm, Sun 11am-7pm.
Where: 430 West 14th St (b/n 9th Ave and Washington St) 212-633-6535. Also online at http://www.scoopnyc.com/sale.html

Who: Kisan Sample Sale
What: Up to 70% off on their Spring/Summer '13 collections. Women's brands: Vanessa Bruno, Tsumori Chisato, Giada Forte, Pas de Calais, Pedro Garcia, Jerome Dreyfuss and much more. For kids: Bonpoint, Bonbon, Simple Kids, Finger in the Nose and much more… Shop in store and online.
When: August 2-14, 2013. Mon-Sat 11am-7pm. Sun 12pm-6pm.
Where: 125 Greene St (b/n Prince St & Houston) 212-475-2470.

Ongoing Sales:
Who: Seize Sur Vingt
What: Up to 80% off retail on menswear. Jackets now $150-$400 (was up to $2500), suits $200-$800 (was up to $3500), shirts $60-$90 (was $150-$400), sweaters $60-$160 (was $180-$380), pants are $80-$120 (was $240-$450), polo shirts $55 (was up to $130), ties are $45 (from up to $140), shoes are $120-$150 (from $340-$580). Full suits also available.
When: From August 2-15, 2013. Mon-Sat 11am-7pm, Sun 12pm-6pm.
Where: 78 Greene St (b/n Spring and Broome St) 212-625-1620

Who: Dalaga
What: Up to 80% off retail prices on women's clothing and accessories. Designer brands on sale include Alexandra Grecco, Krystalrae, BB Dakota, and Ark & Co. Receive a free Dalaga-exclusive leather necklace handmade by owner Michelle Mangiliman with purchase of more than $100, August 9-11 only, or while supplies last.
When: August 9-31, 2013. Mon-Sat 12pm-8pm, Sun 12pm-7pm.
Where: 150 Franklin St (b/n Kent St and Greenpoint Ave) 718-389-4049

Upcoming Sales:
Who: The Bridal Garden
What: Take an extra 35%-50% off already-reduced bridal gowns. Prices range from $495 to $1495. Designers include Vera Wang, Ulla Maija, Junko Yoshioka, Angel Sanchez and Lela Rose. Proceeds benefit education for disadvantaged children in NYC. By appointment only.
When: August 22-23, 2013. Daily noon-6:30pm.
Where: 54 West 21st St (b/en 5th and 6th Ave), Suite 901. 212-252-0661.

Bauble Bar Pop-Up Shop in Soho

Have you been to Bauble Bar's pop-up shop in Soho yet? Before wedding madness took over I had a chance to stop by last month to take a peep at the online e-tailer's spacious set-up on Greene Street.

Whether you're looking for that great statement necklace or just some every day essential, there's a lot to covet at at the pop-up. If you have questions about buying costume jewelry online, this is your perfect chance if you're in the NYC area to see the goods in person. The pop-up shop will be featuring the same items that are available online through August 13, 2013. 

In addition to jewelry, there are a number of fun events happening and the next one features one of our favorite crafty ladies, Jenni Radosevich of I Spy DIY. So if you're around this Wednesday, July 17th, stop by for a chance to DIY with Jenni, sip Godiva cocktails and receive a complimentary leather pouch for attending. Just make sure you RSVP to rsvp@rmo-weatherly.com.

If you can't make the event, the pop-up is open Monday-Saturday 10am-8pm and Sundays 11am-7pm.

Sample Sale Report: Lee Angel

If I seem a little M.I.A. lately I have been. It's just 9 days until I get married so I've been filling my time with anything but sample sales and crafting up a DIY storm in my spare time. However as history has taught me some sample sales are too good to be missed and I stopped by the Lee Angel Sample Sale in Soho last night to find great prices on the signature collection in addition to bargain basement pricing on a plethora of other accessories. Winning!

The Lee Angel signature collection which usually tops $150 per piece was at the best price that I can remember seeing it with necklaces for $20, Bracelets for $15 and Earrings for $10. At a sale when nothing tops $20, you can afford to get carried away.

The Lee Angel collections featured had a black heavy group, a multi color ethnic group, a frosted silver heavy group, a glittering gold group and a pearl group.

As for everything else at the sale? The world is your oyster with most everything from necklaces, earrings and bracelets at just $5 a pop.

Statement bib necklaces in smoked crystal beads, faux pearl baubles and chain link items that are made for the likes of "Loft", "J.Crew" and "Gap" are now just $5 each. Most items are not marked but in the rare case that you find a tagged item, they snip the tag before purchase.
If  $5 a pop is too steep, they have even cheaper offerings available with items from American Eagle at 2 for $5! Seriously it doesn't get much better than this. I ended up buying some fun baubles to use for my wedding's photobooth that had a "Great Gatsby" feel, including glittery headband and a feather necklace here.

Who: Lee Angel Sample Sale
What: Save up to 70% off. $5 Bins with bangles, earrings necklaces from J. Crew and many other brands.
When: June 19-21, 2013. Wed-Thurs 11am-7pm Fri 10am-5pm
Where: 524 Broadway (nr Spring Street) 6th Floor

Sample Sale Report: Lulu Frost

I stopped by the Lulu Frost sample sale last night before closing and it was moderately crowded at the sale. Ladies were busy filling up their trays with baubles galore and I noticed quite a few leaving with Lulu Frost shopping bags. Unlike most sample sales where you walk away with a brown paper bag, at this one they give you the real deal.



The sale abounded with statement jewelry galore and if you are a fan of Lulu Frost's unique aesthetic which combines the best elements of estate, vintage and modern jewelry to create new classics with a grand Great Gatsby sort of feel.

The sample sale had a relaxed vibe in spite of the crowds and encouraged ladies to be social by tagging @Lulu_Frost and the hashtag #LFSampleSale on Instagram for a special coupon code redeemable for your next purchase.


Prices started at $20 and go up to $225 but aside from the bangles that were $20 for thin ones and $30 for thick ones I didn't spy much at this end of the price spectrum aside from plenty of choices in chain and leather bracelets. Items are marked by color coded string/ribbon carefully tied around each item. The majority of what I wanted was in the $115-$225 category. If you can't make it to the sale, what I've discovered is that a few of the pieces are available at the online sample sale for the same price.

For the necklaces above, the necklace with all the faces is $225, the medallion beside it is $115. Sparkly earrings are $45-75. The necklace with triangles is $115, the lion necklace is $130.

While prices are significantly reduced from retail it is still a bit of a splurge for this sale. However if you have been wanting to snag some Lulu Frost, now is your chance!

Who: Lulu Frost Sample Sale
What: Up to 80% jewelry
When: May 16-17, 2013. Thus 12pm-8pm, Fri 10am-7pm
Where: 12 E 20th St (b/n 5th & Park Ave)

Kensie Jewelry Party

A few weeks ago I was invited to hang out and have a drink, while scoping out the latest jewelry collection from Kensie. Bloggers mingled over treats from both Crumbs Cupcakes and Baked by Melissa. We were also treated to our choice of a pair of super cute Kensie Jeans or lingerie for attending the party (Full disclosure: I was gifted a pair of bright blue skinny jeans).

I learned that Kensie's jewelry collection is pretty darn adorable but also quite affordable with prices starting at just $16 and nothing over $58! There were plenty of pieces that I thought would make great additions to any wardrobe.

Bracelets with chevron patterns are modern and bold. The fringe necklace adds a lot of drama to any outfit for $58.

Tassel beaded necklaces and bib necklaces are playful and add a fun touch of glamor.

Horn shaped jewels and bracelets give a rock and roll vibe.

3-D Jewelry Print-a-Thon

When I first heard about 3-D printing from my fiance, I didn't really realize the implications of what it would mean for the world of fashion and the world in general. The idea that a printer could create designs that were real and of just about anything was completely foreign to me and I could not even imagine what the results would look like until I saw Iris Van Herpen's 3-D printed designs in January. So naturally when my friends at Small Girls PR invited me to check out a 3-D jewelry print-a-thon at the Ace Hotel I jumped on it.


The print-a-thon featured Jewelry designers like Ten Thousand Things, Ursa Major, Verameat, In God We Trust, Lindsey Adelman, Anna Sheffield, Chris Habana, Kostika Spaho, thefuturefuture and Duan Scott. These designers paired with the creative technologists to create sustainable 3-d designs forged out of nylon powder.

iWant: Gypsies and Debutantes Friendship Bracelet

Gypsies and Debutantes is the jewelry line that is the brainchild of Boston resident Lana Soussan who transforms a classic friendship bracelet into something that is upgraded from something you made at camp into something much more luxurious, bold and modern. Drawing inspiration from Native American textiles and a desire to mix preppy, bohemian and punk, Lana uses vintage Swarovski rhinestones, Austrian crystals, spikes and studs to accent the bold colors and patterns of each bracelet.

The bracelets retail for $98 a piece and are available for purchase online.



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