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

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: 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)

Lee Angel Sample Sale

Not to be missed on your sample sale calendar is the Lee Angel Fall Sample Sale if you are as into fun sparkly costume jewelry as much as I am.

Not only do they have their signature pieces at up to 70% off, you can score big in their $5 fashion bins. Check out what we've snagged at previous sales here and here.

Who: Lee Angel Sample Sale
When: October 3-5, 2012. Wed-Thurs 11am-7pm, Fri 10am-5pm
Where: 524 Broadway, 6th Floor (nr Spring St)

Sample Sale Report: Fenton/Fallon July 2012

UPDATE: As per Fenton/Fallon's Twitter SALE CLOSED EARLY at 2PM today.

The Fenton/Fallon Sample Sale is one that I make sure that I never miss.  While much of the merchandise moved earlier during the day I went after work at 6:45pm to a much quieter showroom with only a few other shoppers in the spacious well lit space.

While you could snag lapel pins for as little as $10, most of the merchandise was priced starting at $40 plus.  Prices reached up to $120 for the Fenton merchandise and most pieces were individually labelled with price stickers.  If you happen to like a piece you have to act quickly because most merchandise at the sale is a one-off or available in small quantities (ie. 2-3 of any piece).  Since all merchandise is currently on the floor what you see here in these photos are a good indication what is left.

Spring Jewelry You Need

A few weeks ago I stopped by the Succarra Showroom to see what new jewelry they had in stores this Spring.  It was a blast scoping out the latest pieces to lust after all while sipping drinks and snacking on olives (they did also have cupcakes but they don't fit my gluten/dairy/egg free life).  I snapped a few of my fave pieces from each collection.

Sisco Berluti had beaded bracelets galore in every color imaginable.  They looked pretty fabulous all stacked up on top of each other.  You can feel good buying from this company because a portion of the profits from sales goes to Half the Sky Foundation, working to care for orphans in China, and Ovations for the Cure of Ovarian Cancer.


Courtesan had some pretty plays on jewelry using grosgrain ribbon or colorful elastic.  It's jewelry that is great for those hot months when you're afraid of wearing metal on your sweaty body or for winter when you don't want a cold chain freezing your neck in the morning.

DIY Matthew Williamson Pom Pom Bracelet

Matthew Williamson Bracelet Left, DIY Version Right

The Matthew Williamson Pom Pom Bracelet is pure fun with it's vivid neon colors and dangling pom poms.  Upon closer examination I realized that if I could find the right trim, it wouldn't be too difficult to re-create the look for myself for a fraction of the price.  I simplified the way the cord is added to the chain to make life easier but the end result doesn't look too far off from the original.

Supplies:
1 Yard of Brightly colored cord - I used satin Rattail, but you could also use elastic cord
6" or so of heavy chain - depending on your wrist size
6" or so of pom pom trim 
Approximately 21 Medium Sized Jump Rings - I used size 0.8 x 8
1 Lobster Clasp + 1 Larger Size Jump Ring as your closure
2 Pairs of Flat Nose Pliers
Scissors


I picked up the cord and pom poms from Daytona Trimming
Jewelry Supplies and Chain I picked up at Toho Shoji

Spring 2012: CHRISHABANA & Enemy by CHRISHABANA

A couple years ago, Chris Habana and his line caught my attention at Shop Gen Art event. I was drawn to his use of geometric and three dimensional shapes. Since then CHRISHABANA has been featured in quite a few editorial spreads.

This past New York Fashion Week, Erin and I stopped by Chris Habana's presentation.  The presentation featured two collections, CHRISHABANA "Now is Tomorrow" and My Enemy by CHRISHABANA "It's the End of the World as We Know It, And I Feel Fine." 

The CHRISHABANA collection featured signature pieces like the cage cross and cage crystal necklaces and new pieces like the necklaces above and below on the left.  It's really fun and exciting to see him use new materials and colors to create extra bold statement pieces.

My Enemy by CHRISHABANA featured less polished pieces, many made of mini bones.  This collection definitely had a goth rave feel.

The pieces that caught my attention were the ear cuffs.  I've been looking at vintage ear cuffs from the 1970s lately, and I'm excited to see them come back in new form.

DIY: Tom Binns Neon Necklace

I’ve been a fan of Tom Binns for a while and although I had satiated my appetite somewhat with the Saftey Pin & Pearl Necklace DIY, I was still experiencing a Neon Gemstone Necklace hole in my life.  Since owning a necklace that can cost anywhere from between $650-995 does not seem very likely to happen in the near future. I decided to take matters into my own hands and use an ordinary gemstone necklace I happened to own and make it Binns-ified.

Tom Binns Neon Necklaces

I actually picked up the necklace from Forever 21 some time ago but since it was a bit glitzy looking for everyday life I’ve only worn it a handful of times. Something about neon, although it is eye catching makes the piece much more playful and casual. While Forever 21 no longer carries the same necklace, I think this one could make for an interesting variation.

Sample Sale Report: nOir Jewelry

Stopped by the nOir Sample sale after work today.  I almost forgot that in order to find the sale you have to enter an elevator on street level that’s under a red awning.  It smells mildly of fish and is quite slow moving but soon you’ll find yourself at the showroom greeted by friendly staff that require a mandatory coat check.  Wallets and cell phones only.

The sale was moderately busy when I stopped by but no pushing here.  Instead you’ll find everyone silently milling through bins filled with jewels in plastic baggies and collecting them in wooden trays provided for your shopping eases. No matter your price range, this sale ranges from $2-100.  However keep in mind that you get what you pay for.

On the low end of the spectrum $2 will get you a belt in a bin full of chain snake belts (ideal for a Medusa costume perhaps?) or you can find little stamped earrings or necklaces in bronze or pewter tones.  Nothing particularly exciting but it is only $2 afterall.

Budget a little bigger? You can find $10 necklaces that are mostly of the flower power variety, $10 crazy plastic bracelets or even a few pairs of $10 shoes (2 pairs of size 36, 1 pair of size 39).

$15 will get you Keith Haring pins or cufflinks.

Once you hit $20/25 that’s when the real fun begins. $20 will get you a many a pair of earrings including these sweet dagger/crystal numbers. $20 or $25 will also get you a variety of small clutches or purses. $25 will also get you some blinging cocktail rings or a sword ring.  Beware of the sample sale kitty who allowed herself to be pet by some but took a swat as a shopper dug through the ring bins.  Ring sizes vary from 5-10, but are concentrated in the size 6,7,8 categories.

As for bracelets from Spring 2011, I spotted some cute ones starting at $30 but the crystal variety is priced at $50 and if you’re in the mood for a serious cuff be prepared to shell out $75.  I spotted some Spring 2011 earrings for $40 and most of the famed 2-finger/pyramid rings were priced at $50.

My fave pieces of course were at the top tier of the sale pricing with animal rings at $75 a pop and pieces from the Gotham nOir collection including this crazy nail ring at $100.  While I walked away empty handed, many a lady had entire trays filled with sparkly merchandise.