Showroom Seven Holiday Sample Sale: Dec. 8-19

Massive reductions! Lowest prices ever!!
263 Eleventh Avenue (btwn 27th & 28th St.), 3rd Floor
Designer sportswear and accessories at wholesale and below
10 a.m. - 7 p.m. (Closed Sunday)
Credit cards accepted

Orla Kiely, Issa London, Erickson Beamon, Charlotte Ronson, Bloch London, Soundgirl, Tony Cohen, A&G Cashmere, Sharon Wauchob, Robin, Andy & Debb, Tee Party

Black Friday: I told you so

I really can't stand Black Friday, or perhaps I just don't really like Saks. I ran in there this morning to check out the coat sales, and if they had my size in an army green Searle wool jacket, I would have bought it - I think it was only $136 with all the sale reductions. But otherwise I'm just not into Saks, I suppose. There are other sales going on today - Lord & Taylor, Cole Haan, Century 21, Daffy's, Bloomingdale's...if you're into that kind of thing. However, I'm guessing that the sales will continue and even improve between now and Christmas with the state of the economy.

Brooklyn Flea and Time Out New York Present: Gifted: A Holiday Market

OK, so I'm pretty much pulling this all straight from the press release:

Gifted: A Holiday Market

4 Sundays: Nov. 30, Dec. 7, 14 & 21

Brooklyn Masonic Temple, 317 Clermont Ave. (at Lafayette Ave.), Fort Greene (across from the Flea)

11:00am–6:00pm

http://www.brooklynflea.com/

Brooklyn Flea has partnered with Time Out New York to present "Gifted: A Holiday Market," featuring 40 vendors curated by Flea co-founder Eric Demby and Time Out Seek Editor Erin Wylie.

Gifted will take place inside the majestic auditorium of the Brooklyn Masonic Temple—a historic, gorgeous building located directly across the street from the Flea—on the 4 Sundays Nov. 30, Dec. 7, 14 + 21, from 11am to 6pm.

(The “regular” Flea will continue at the schoolyard during this time; Dec. 21 will be the last date of the season.) The mix of vendors at Gifted is similar to the Flea: stuff you can only find there; folks selling beautiful, unique items they made themselves; vintage/antique objects that are distinctive and affordable; snazzy jewelry; cool, quality art; and of course yummy foodstuffs.

Highlights include: Layla, the gorgeous jewelry and Indian textiles shop in Boerum Hill; Acorn, the classy toy shop on Atlantic Ave.; Els Walleyn’s beautiful mohair teddy bears—all the way from Belgium!; Flea regular David Sokosh, who will be featuring amazing antique clocks (“the gift of time for Christmas”)...The full lineup is below; visit http://www.brooklynflea.com/ for images and weblinks.)

DJ Moosaka will provide holiday tunes from the stage, and surprise holiday-theme events will pop up every Sunday.

Make a connection with the person you’re buying from; support someone who lives in your neighborhood; give a gift there’s only one of. That's what 2008 New Yorkers want, right? Right.

For images, interviews, and all other info, contact Eric Demby: edemby@gmail.com; 917.579.7435.

Gifted Vendors (note that not all vendors sell every Sunday):
A.S.I.S.Els WalleynMilton CarterAcorn Toy ShopFlubber GalleryMollie DashAlison TauberHeartisansMoontree LetterpressAlyssa EttingerI LampeOrnaments + ObjectsBien HechoJaybird AntiquesPatrick KeeseyBirdhouse JewelryJezebel StationeryPerch! DesignBlue Canary VintageJohn MurphyPinecone + ChickadeeBrooklyn JuniorJonathan BlumPop JudaicaCastor + PolluxKatie DiamondReiter8David SokoshL is for LinenRick's PicksDavina FeinbergLaylaSara + Mike StraussDeadly SquireLocal LabelsSpecies by the ThousandsErica Weiner JewelryLon Black PostcardsSpecimenFact + FancyMarcie McGoldrickStudio RoxasFarfallaMarilyn HitchcockTreasures + PleasuresFine + Raw ChocolateMast Bros. ChocolateWhimsy + SpiceFoxy + WinstonMcClure's PicklesWinter Water FactoryGeralyn ShukwitMegan CedroWrecordsByMonkeyGreenjeansMelody's AddictionYova Design

Phew!

Dome Ring: $165

I have to hand it to The New York Times' Urban Eye for finding this one - the Dome Ring by Kenneth Jay Lane for just $165. "Faceted Swarovski crystals line domed curve of faux hematite paved ring. Inner tab adjusts to fit. Choose from green or crystal. Measures 1" wide."

I think this would make for an excellent fancy pants ring. Or even if your pants aren't that fancy, this ring will crank up your cool and/or groovy factor exponentially.

Nov. 28-29 - Michelle Tan: Holiday Sale, Chicago-Style

For all my fashion-forward friends in Chicago, aka my second favorite city.

EUGENIA KIM SAMPLE SALE: Dec. 9 - 12

EUGENIA KIM HOLIDAY 2009 SAMPLE SALE

More than 1,000 Hats, Belts, Headbands, Scarves, all 50-70% Off

Silk headscarves, feathered headbands and skinny belts

Felt velour fedoras and cloches

Equestrian caps

Straw fedoras

Hand knitted berets and skull caps
Men's engineer caps, linen and cashmere porkpies

WHEN: Tuesday, December 9th – Friday, December 12th: 10AM – 7PM.

WHERE: Eugenia Kim Showroom

347 West 36th Street (Between 8th and 9th Avenues)

Suite 502

New York, New York 10018

Nearest subways: 1/9, A/C/E, B/D/F/V to 34th Street/Penn Station

HOW: Acceptable forms of payments: Cash, Visa, AMEX, Mastercard.

FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: P. 212.674.1345

orders@eugeniakim.com

http://www.eugeniakim.com/

Jutta Neumann Fall Sale: 30% Off, Nov. 28 - Dec. 6

Jutta Neumann

Nov. 28 - Dec. 6

Storewide Sale

(Sandals up to 65%)

158 Allen Street

It's your big chance to finally afford some of Jutta's outstanding handcrafted sandals, handbags and shoulder bags, wristbands, belts, and accessories...run there now, as if the blob is after you!!

My Trans-City Quest: Club Monaco Jacket

So as I think I told you, Club Monaco had a 30% off sale on coats and other outerwear this past weekend. And as you may also know, they always have stuff on sale in the back left section in the Flatiron location (my favorite locale). Well, I tried on about 33 items and fell in love with this jacket. Hard to tell from this photo, but it evokes a certain military + Adam and the Ants circa 1981 feeling that just grabs me. However, they didn't have my size. So I asked if they could find out if another store in NYC had one. One salesman called to find out. I'm not sure what was going on, but it took no less than 15 minutes for him to get an answer, which was, "Yes, we have it at our store on Columbus. They are holding it for you."


Great! I asked for the cross street and he told me, "87th St."


So I walked to the subway and off I sped underground to be united with my (on sale) jacket. But when I got to 87th and Columbus guess what? Right. No Club Monaco. But I found one on 87th and Broadway. Oh joy! This must be the place! Wrong. They had it, but only in size "XS." However, they informed me that there was a store on Columbus...and 70th!


"Sigh, well, since I'm all the way up here I may as well check it out." So I walked the 19 blocks over and down, got to the store, explained how someone at their Flatiron store called to reserve this jacket for me.


Unfortunately they had no idea what I was talking about and looked at me like I was a wee bit nuts. My mission was probably too overwhelming to comprehend.

BUT! Just when I thought all hope (and an entire day) was lost, they found one in their basement! I tried it on, liked it, bought it and got back down to my apt. in time to construct a whole outfit around it for my evening plan.

Shoes and Boots and Gloves! Oh My!

Hi y'all, I have two sample/warehouse sales for ya:

1. Delman - Yes, everyone's conservative-and-overpriced shoe brand is having a shoe & boot warehouse sale (60-70% off retail) starting Weds. Nov. 19 thru Fri. Nov. 21, from 10 a.m. - 7 p.m. at the Metropolitan Pavilion, 123 W. 18th St., 4th Fl. (between 6th & 7th Aves.). Fall '08 merch. Credit cards accepted. All sales final.

2. Portolano - Started yesterday, but runs through Fri. Nov. 21. Go to 15 W. 37th St. (11th Floor) and get yourself some new leather gloves - the selection is huge. The prices are OK. Credit cards accepted. All sales final.

Dec. 11, 2008: SoHo Holiday Stroll To Benefit the Homeless

Shopping for a Cause: SoHo Holiday Stroll To Benefit the Homeless on Dec. 11
100 Stores, Restaurants and Galleries Expected to Participate

The Association for Community Employment Programs for the Homeless (A.C.E.) and the SoHo Partnership are hosting a shopping event to raise money for homeless men and women.

The SoHo Holiday Stroll will take place throughout SoHo on Thursday, December 11, 6:00 - 11:00 pm. Participating businesses will stay open late and shoppers will have exclusive access to discounts and promotions in each store, gallery or restaurant. Promotions will range from shopping and dining discounts to free samples to complimentary cocktails and hors d'oeuvres. The businesses participating in the SoHo Stroll will raise money to support homeless men and women.

At this time, participating venues include: AK Anne Klein, the Apple store, Alex Beard Studio, Balthazar, Barolo, Cardboard Design, Design Within Reach, Design Within Reach: Tools For Living, Esprit, Fragments, Guess, Housing Works Bookstore & Café, Hugo Boss, the Hugo store, ILORI, Kiteya, Lacoste, L'Orange Bleue, Lure, Marciano, Mimi Fertz Gallery, Molton Brown, Nine West, the PUMA store, Solstice Sunglass Boutique, Spring Lounge, Theory, Tretorn Shop and Versani (two locations).

Shoppers can check in to http://www.sohoholidaystroll.com/ closer to the event for a more complete list of stores.

To attend the SoHo Stroll, shoppers will purchase a $20 silicone bracelet, which will qualify them for discounts and promotions. A $150 V.I.P. ticket will also be available; it will grant access to the same discounts and admission to a V.I.P. after-party. Bracelets will be for sale at participating stores. For more information, call (212) 274-0550 x17.

CHECK THIS OUT: Te Casan Sample Sale, Nov. 18-22

WSJ: Drop in Consumer Spending Creates Glut of Name Brands

I knew it would happen! I think 2009 will be my best year ever! Heart, GSNYC.

The Bright Side: Deep Discounts From Retailers --- Drop in Consumer Spending Creates Glut of Name Brands; 31% Off a Croc-Embossed Tote
By Jennifer Saranow and Christopher Lawton
13 November 2008
The Wall Street Journal

Financial markets are in the tank, and the economy is grinding to halt -- a great time, it turns out, to shop.
Shoppers can find a bonanza of deals on everything from Prada shoes to premium jeans and smart phones. Discounters like T.J. Maxx and Overstock.com and outlet stores like Saks Fifth Avenue Off Fifth are all stocking some of the best selections of apparel, accessories and electronic goods -- at some of the best prices -- due to the sharp falloff in consumer spending that has forced full-price stores to unload excess inventory.
Shoppers like Kristle Bonfield, a 23-year-old nurse technician and regular T.J. Maxx customer, have noticed the difference. The store she frequents in Manhattan has lately been stocking a wider selection of high-end jeans from labels such as True Religion, Joe's Jeans and Paper Denim & Cloth, she says. Ms. Bonfield says she was able to pick up a pair of 7 for All Mankind jeans for about $80 that she later saw at Bloomingdale's for more than $200.
Kimberly Greenberger, an analyst at Citigroup Inc., expects the deals to only get better into next year if consumer spending stays weak, which industry-watchers are expecting. In a survey of 1,000 people earlier this month by America's Research Group, nearly half of the respondents who said they've shopped at luxury stores in past Christmas seasons say they won't be shopping at those stores this year -- meaning more merchandise could be headed to off-price stores, online discounters and outlet stores.
Overstock.com, an online discounter based in Salt Lake City, will be selling items at 15% to 45% off full retail price for the holidays. Even now a gray crocodile-embossed tote bag from Yves Saint Laurent sells for $1,300 on the site, a discount of 31% from the retail price of about $1,900. Since mid-September, the company has been snapping up high-end apparel, boots, shoes and handbags from brands such as Prada, Gucci and Jimmy Choo that it has never carried before. Its inventory of shoes alone has swelled to 55,000 pairs from fewer than 2,000 before September.
Retail Ventures Inc.'s DSW stores are offering up to 75% off designer shoes from brands like Ralph Lauren and Sergio Rossi, compared with discounts of up to 50% last year, while Loehmann's recently advertised a "big fashion event," with discounts of up to 70% off on apparel from designers, including Nanette Lepore and Marc by Marc Jacobs.
"We are really seeing more and better brands across the board, in all categories of apparel, accessories, footwear, bath and body, and home fashions," says Sherry Lang, spokeswoman for TJX Cos., which owns T.J. Maxx and Marshalls stores, two of the largest off-price retailers.
Rival Ross Stores Inc. has also "been able to take advantage of an increased supply of better merchandise, including getting some new brands in our stores," says spokeswoman Bobbi Chaville. And Stein Mart Inc., which recently rolled out a premium jeans section in all its stores, says it now carries at least half a dozen premium jeans brands, up from one or two last year.
Many of the stores generally won't name the new brands for fear of being cut off by the labels, which face a delicate balancing act in times like these. The ability of designer brands to command high prices depends on their image as luxury items sold exclusively at high-end stores. But if orders are canceled or the goods don't sell once they hit a store, the labels often show up in "off-price" stores.
Shopping at off-price retailers, of course, isn't easy. Most of the stores try to create a treasure-hunt atmosphere that requires sorting through racks crammed with a jumble of brand names. And some of the merchandise is so picked over that it is damaged, like a Vince cashmere cardigan with a hole near the collar that was being offered recently by T.J. Maxx for $149.99.
But Maria Elena Friskel, a retiree from Kansas City, Kan., and a regular shopper at B&H Factory Outlet Inc. on eBay, says she likes the fact that the site starts bidding on all dresses at just 99 cents. Last month, she purchased a Calvin Klein velvet evening dress that was originally priced at $198 for just $25, a price that included shipping.
Today's deals aren't limited to fashion. Dyscern LLC, an Amazon.com and eBay seller of handheld electronics, says it is now getting good prices on MP3 players, smart phones and portable DVD players that have been returned to big-box electronics stores. Dyscern then passes along the savings to consumers. For example, a Palm Inc. Treo smart phone, which retails normally for $579, is selling for $189 on the site, a discount of 67%.
And TigerDirect.com, a unit of Systemax Inc., has been snapping up TVs, laptops and LCD monitors from manufacturers in the past three to four weeks, in part because of big box retailers canceling orders, says Chief Executive Gilbert Fiorentino.
Such deals, at savings of up to 20% off retail prices, can be found near the bottom of the Web site under the "e-deals" section and usually sell out in 24 to 48 hours, he says. On the site, a 46-inch high-definition liquid-crystal-display television set that would retail for about $1,300 is discounted 30% to $900.
---
Bargain Hunting

Tips for cost-conscious consumers:

Expect bargains throughout the holidays and even into the new year if sales continue to disappoint retailers.

Markdowns extend to more designer brands and a greater selection of items than in the past.

At some stores, be prepared to sift through racks of picked-over merchandise.

Dakota Martin Trunk Show 11/19‏

Case Study: Guerilla Shopper Works!

See the note from an avid GSNYC reader, regarding how my guerilla shopping tips helped her to achieve 'maximum sexy' at a reduced price on the pictured RL dress from Bloomingdale's:

"Got a great deal online 20% off, then another 20%, then another 10%...now I just hope it fits!!! Do you think it will make me look like the girl in the picture??
Originally $144.00 got it for $93.00 and free shipping...
Thank you oh wise and wonderful guerilla!!!"

Lord & Taylor becomes Crazy Eddie

They really are practically giving it all away! Click here for all kinds of sales and money off, including 15% off storewide pass and $50 off if you spend $200 or more. Now through November 18, 2008.

Cheap Ralph Lauren Sweater at Bloomingdale's!

I did a little Web crawling today and found a great deal on a cute red sweater/jacket for all of you "small" ladies, thanks to Bloomingdale's. Depending on where you buy it (online vs. in-store) it will end up costing you somewhere between $26.00 and $36.00. Until November 16, if you are shopping online enter promotion code "BDFF," otherwise, find yourself a 20% off in-store coupon - they are out there!

Lauren Ralph Lauren Women's Ariane Double-Breasted Cotton Sweater:
A classic sweater is updated with a chic double-breasted front and rendered in soft combed cotton for refined, easy wearability. Shawl collar. V-neckline. Single toggle closure at the front. Ribbed collar, cuffs and hem. And it's machine washable!

25% off Cole Haan Boots thru Nov. 16

Concentric Earrings

As promised, here are my new favorite earrings from Ike Designs jewelry. The original pair I laid my desirous eyes upon were almost exactly the same - except the bead in the middle was a black diamond.

Since I am the Guerilla Shopper, I figured my way out of spending that much on jewelry I was purchasing for myself and got something that looks almost the same, but for 40% less (i.e. it's not a black diamond).

Ted Baker sale Nov. 12-14

Speak of the Devil! The Devil! Anyway, I took this right from Urban Daddy NYC:

Ted Baker, the London menswear magnate, tries his hand at financial stimulus with men's cashmere sweaters for $175 and woven shirts, trousers and suits as low as $400—a record low.

11am-7pm, Nov 12-13;
9:30am-2pm, Nov 14,
215 Park Ave S. (between 17th and 18th St),
20th floor

THE BIG FALL SALE in November

P. Diddy and Q-Tip -- Election Fashions

OK, yet again, not really a Guerilla Shopper tale, but I am behind the camera on these photos featuring my friend with P. Diddy and Q-Tip during the quick, painless and excellent election results party thrown by Q-Tip at Santas downtown -- with the infamous "F-Off SP" T-shirt, front and center.

Be Fashionably Late to Work Today: VOTE

See they're doing it in New York City! Don't you want to be as fashionable as they are in the Big Apple? And it's free!

Unless you are voting R, in which case you are allowed to be as unfashionable as on any other day of the year.

Make Him Cool, Ted Baker & John Varvatos

I feel like Ted & John create special items for men that are modern classics. Keep in mind that neither are inexpensive. Neither are for ultra conservative folk. And I wouldn't recommend anyone wear full Ted or John garb on a regular basis (overkill!). But if you are in need of something special or cool and have some money burning a hole in your old, boring pocket, I suggest checking these two stores out. Here's my p.o.v.:

Ted Baker 107 Grand Street - As I meandered the fashionable downtown streets on my day off, I visited Ted Baker for the first time in years. Not only have they expanded their square footage with a full section for women, but they have also held their own for the men. This UK-based outfit is fun and always incorporates a bit of colorful surprise into each piece. I really like their suits (see photo, left) although some of the flowery print shirts may be a bit too over the top for the American boys. But remember, these chaps hail from the motherland, so try to go with the flow. And if you shop online now, you can get 30% off some items for men and women - although I can't tell if that applies to deliveries to the U.S. The Web site does not do the brand or the stores justice - so try to ignore the discount retailer look and feel. This brand is anything but.

John Varvatos 315 Bowery (ye olde CBGBs) - I visited this shop the day it opened, loved it, and thought I'd make another pilgrimage last week. It's really cool. Yes, totally overpriced, but I am a sucker for marketing in this case. If you have a rocker's look and/or attitude, you can pull this stuff off at any age. If you don't, then you can still buy a jacket or a shirt and start to transform yourself into the rock star you've always wanted to be. The current campaign with Perry Farrell does it for me. As does all of JV's advertising. Yes, yes, I get that it's flying in the face of what rock and roll is supposed to be about, but let's get serious -- everyone from Janis to Diamond Dave have been paying out the waaz for their cutting edge outfits for decades, so be honest with yourself (unless you subscribe to the Grateful Dead's approach to tie-dyed T-shirt fashion, bleh).

Cole Haan 30% Off: Oct. 30 - Nov. 9

Metal Pointus Jewelry: From Paris to Soho

I took the day off of work yesterday...got my hair done at Mario Diab salon, ate upstairs at La Esquina the cool little Mexican take-out joint on Kenmare (where a nice lady shared her food with me!) and then found my way to Anna by way of a new jewelry store on Elizabeth St: Metal Pointus. The jewelry in this store reminds me of my fave, Versani, but by way of Paris. This jewelry is not for the faint of heart - each piece makes a significant statement. And I want all of it! Talk about heavy metal.