Chicago's Porte Rouge: Closing Sale, May 2-3

I came across Porte Rouge when I was in Chicago last summer and loved loved loved it. Unfortunately it is closing down. But somewhat fortunately for the good people of Chicago there is a final weekend sale, May 2-3. They have really quality, classy selections of tableware, store fixtures, and antiques, including a vintage butcher block that has been hidden in storage for three years (I can't guarantee it's still there, however). Good luck and let me know if you get anything great (and how much you got it for)!

Friends Don't Let Friends Wear...

THESE SHOES.
These shoes by Guillaume Hinfray are for sale on Ideeli today - prices start at $199. But that's not important right now. What is important is that the sight of these shoes has moved me to finally ask the question that has been swirling in my brains of late, which is...When did shoes that came right out of transvestite-hookerville become normal everyday shoe fashion? I know that these towering infernos of shoe have been kicking it up and down the runway for several months now, but ladies: that is SHOWBUSINESS (and shoebusiness). Unless you get paid for "it," my suggestion is to not buy white patent leather platform shoes with 5" heels (or more). And if you can't help yourself, please don't wear them to work. Well unless "it" is your line of work. And if it is, you can sign up for Ideeli here: http://www.ideeli.com/invite/guerillashopper.

However, so as not to throw Mr. Hinfray under the bus, I am LOVING the Isadora and Giselle flats.

Louboutin at Saks

The price and the height of these shoes hurt my feet already, but I thought it my duty to let you know that there is a plethora of Christian Louboutins at Saks. And like the Coneheads, they are also from France.

Everyone Loves Delman - Sample Sale May 6-8

DELMAN SAMPLE SALE

what: Flat Sandals, Gladiators. Metallics, Ballets and Much More! - ALL SHOES $89 to $109 up to 75% off Retail Prices

when: Wednesday, May 6th and Thursday, May 7th 10:00 AM - 7:00 PM; Friday, May 8th 10:00 AM - 3:00PM

where: 145 West 18th Street New York, NY 10011 (6th - 7th Avenues)

why: Shop for beautifully crafted yet innovative flat sandals, gladiators, metallics, ballets and more - All for $89 to $109!

examples: Metallic Gladiators and Sandals – originally $295, sale $89; Printed Floral Flats – originally $295, sale $89; Supple Leather Wedges– originally $350, sale $89; Brightly Colored Classic Ballet Flats – originally $195, sale $89; Snakeskin Heels– originally $365, sale $109/

Matt & Nat's New Vegan Line: samsāra

Canadian outfit Matt & Nat has just created a new line of bags - the samsāra collection.
Even though not available in the U.S. until mid-July (and in NYC?...TBA), I thought I'd let y'all know because the collection is not only produced with the environment and animal welfare in mind, but also one dollar from each bag is donated to charity - helping to affect change globally. So far more than $15,000 has been raised and will be donated to four charities working on issues such as international aid, domestic violence, animal welfare, and environmental issues.

But back to the wares. The collection includes a range of bags, wallets, clutches and belts. Prices range from $40-$140. The bags are 100% vegan so there's no tanning process, and they don't use any leather.

Other interesting note: the photos you see here were shot by famed fashion photographers Leda & St Jacques.

Macy's Can be Useful: Mattresses & Ugly Shoes

I went mattress shopping the other day at Macy's. They were offering 10% off all mattresses and free delivery if said mattress cost more than $750. So being the dutiful Guerilla, I ran downstairs, called 1-800-Mattres (yes, I remembered to leave off the last "s" for savings), and also ran into a nearby Sleepy's in an effort to get a better deal. Long story short, I ran for my life back to Macy's and bought the overpriced mat. Why? Because they weren't scary used car salesmen at Macy's. I felt that for the service and "normal" experience, I would be willing to possibly fork over an extra $100 or so. I don't get the mattress 'til May 2, so we'll see how it all works out.

BUT! While I was there, I also came across an entire ladies' shoe section devoted to "comfort." I know I am getting old and enfeebled because I actually took a look around for a good 20 minutes. I am having an internal battle and recalling the days when a doctor ordered me to get orthopaedic shoes...but I may have to give in and buy some Naturalizers or something equally as hideous (see pic, HAWT!!). Tears are already streaming down my face. :(

In other completely unrelated news...a "side bar" if you will...

Openhouse Gallery, a pop-up retail events space, is looking to host more sample sales in its venue, for those who have overstock and no place to sell it. Openhouse is a 2,500 square foot location in NoLIta, right off the 6 train at Spring Street. They also have a huge storefront window that receives foot traffic of 1,000+ people per day. For more information, check http://www.openhousegallery.org/.

MaxMara Sample Sale, April 26-29

MaxMara, Max&Co., Sportmax. 'S MaxMara, Marina Rinaldi and Weekend - Prices up to 70% off retail

when:
Sunday, April 26th 12:00 PM - 5:00 PM; Monday, April 27th 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM; Tuesday, April 28th 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM; Wednesday, April 29th 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM

where:
Metropolitan Pavilion
123 West 18th Street
New York, NY 10011
(Between 6th - 7th Avenues)

why:
Elegant, timeless, ready-to-wear pieces synonymous with this venerable Italian fashion house. Look for tailored suits, the perfect LBD (little black dress), swimwear and accessories such as handbags, belts, scarves and jewelry.

examples:
MaxMara Black Double-breasted Long Raincoat - originally $1262.40, sale $379
MaxMara Sleeveless Grey Silk Top - originally $320, sale $96
MaxMara Black Linen Drawstring Pant - originally $470.40, sale $142
Weekend Black Cotton Long Pant - originally $242.40, sale $73
Max&Co. Dress - originally $175.26, sale $53.00

Ooooooo Canada! mo851 Sample Sale April 23-26

April 23-26

Thursday & Friday 10-9; Saturday 10-8; Sunday 12-8

106 Wooster Street (Spring-Prince Streets)

212.431.3069

http://www.m0851.com/

m0851 is a Canadian design house with shops in New York, Paris and throughout Canada. At their annual sample sale savings will be 50% to 70% off regular prices. High-end full grain leather accessories: weekend bags, totes, shopping bags, computer bags, travel pouches, wallets, agenda cover, belts. Full-grain calf skin outerwear: leather jackets, bomber and vests. Summer clothing: cotton voile camisoles, sun dresses, camisole knits.

Major credit cards accepted.

In honor of their downtown sample sale, they will be offering 20% discount on all regular collection in their shop at 748 Madison (64th -65th Streets).

Information about this week's sample sales ... http://www.lazarshopping.com/

Crazy Old Kodak Camera from Circa 1923

This was the other heirloom that we inspected with some level of detail. Again, it's in its original box and all pieces seem to be present. Says in the instruction booklet that it's a Kodak from 1923. The booklet is possibly more interesting than the camera itself. Don't know if it works, but anyone know what it might be worth...or know where I can go find out? Regardless, I thought it was way cool. Like from a Marilyn Manson video or something.

GS Asks: "Anyone Know What These Are?"

Mother Guerilla and I were going through some family heirlooms, of which we have about six, and came across these, in the original JL Hudson's box. Anyone know what they are? Some guesses have included shoe buckles/adornments or a shoulder/scarfy holder thingy. I know, very specific descriptions. If you know or have any ideas, please tell me! I am ready to take on the Antiques Roadshow with this stuff!

FRETTE & LA PERLA Sample Sale, April 19-24

FRETTE & LA PERLA

Sample Sale

Sunday, April 19: 1pm to 6pm

Monday, April 20 to Friday, April 24: 9am to 6:30pm

4 West 58th, 4th Floor, NYC

Home Linens & Women's Lingerie Sample & stock sale. Save up to 80 percent off fine Italian linens and luxurious Italian lingerie. This sale will be held in the New York showroom of Frette and La Perla and will be the only sale this season. Bed sets, duvet covers, light quilts, bed covers, robes and tabletop from Frette. Bras, panties and sleepwear from La Perla.

All sales final, cash and credit cards accepted. No strollers please.

For additional information:Call 212-920-1211 http://www.shellyandrenee.com/

WSJ: On Style: Death to Discounts? The Designers Rebel

...an extremely interesting and important article!

On Style: Death to Discounts? The Designers Rebel
By Christina Binkley
16 April 2009
The Wall Street Journal

Eileen Fisher is a mild-mannered woman -- quick to apologize and even timid. But the famously silver-haired designer is pondering a radical shift in the way her clothes reach consumers.
In department stores these days, Eileen Fisher clothes "get marked down before they even have a chance to sell," she told me recently. Perhaps it no longer makes sense to give Saks, Bloomingdales and other department stores so much control over the brand, she posited. She has asked her staff to consider a new model: renting department-store space in order to control prices and inventory.
Ms. Fisher's comments illustrate the rift that has formed between department stores and many brands after decades of close cooperation. The rift means shoppers will see fewer of those deep, early luxury-brand discounts that they have enjoyed for the past year.
The relationship between the stores and the brands cracked last fall, when Saks Fifth Avenue and its rivals slashed prices around Thanksgiving. Consumers benefited immediately. I bought a $1,200 Piazza Sempione dress, still in season, for less than $300 at Saks in Los Angeles.
In a matter of weeks, high-end retail's carefully tended pricing structure began to collapse. Shoppers demanded discounts at brands' own stores. At elite brands like Loro Piana, a flea-market mentality took hold. In Europe, even French stores, which are bound by strict pricing laws, are holding "floating sales" that include deep discounts. In the U.S., spring sales are arriving early, rather than coming at the end of the season.
Bargain pricing, of course, appeals to many cash-strapped shoppers, who couldn't otherwise afford luxury goods. But the onslaught of sales actually dismays other customers -- particularly loyal luxury devotees, who feel duped for having paid full price. Shortly after Nancy Novogrod paid full price at a department store for a pair of spring Jil Sander slacks, the editor of Travel + Leisure Magazine got an email saying the store's spring sale was under way. "Spring sale?" Ms. Novogrod said when New Yorkers were still shivering in mid-March. "That's not buyer remorse. That's buyer rage."
The price swings confuse customers, leading them to question the real value of their purchases. Was my Piazza dress ever really worth $1,200?
"Even wealthy people don't want to be ripped off," Ms. Fisher told me this week. She concedes apologetically that her company's prices -- a jacket might cost $400 and pants $150 -- rose more than necessary during the economic boom. "We sort of let the prices go up because business was so good," she says.
Airlines and hotels faced similar price competition several years ago, when Web sites began buying bulk seats and rooms and sold them at discount. It was often more expensive to book a Marriott room on Marriott.com than on Hotels.com. Eventually, the companies made their own prices more competitive, even as they gave the new Web sites incentives to cooperate and punished the sites if they undercut prices by limiting access to inventory.
These days, many fashion brands are effecting their own pushback, demanding to be left out of department stores' sales. "All our brands are taking great care to ensure that what happened in November will not happen again," says Paola Milani, a spokeswoman for Gucci Group, which owns Bottega Veneta, Yves Saint Laurent, Gucci and other brands. "The idea is to maintain pricing coherence in the regions in which our products are sold regardless of channel of distribution."
It's not that the brands will totally eschew sales; Yves Saint Laurent yesterday emailed customers an offer good next week at its stores: 50% clothing, 30% off accessories. But the luxury brands want to control when they take discounts and on which products. And the deals will likely be less sweeping.
Saks, which was a leader in last fall's discounting, declined to comment. But this week, notices for Saks's 25% off "Friends and Family" sale exclude, in the teensy fine print, more than 40 top luxury brands, including Gucci, Cartier, Chanel, Loro Piana, Oscar de la Renta, Zegna and Christian Louboutin.
Ms. Fisher says she hadn't been aware of this week's sale and wishes her brand had also been excluded. Known for its ease of wear and timeless styles, the brand uses washable silks and wools that are intended to last for years. Her company depends on department stores for 70% of its revenue, which was $273 million in 2008. But she would like to whittle that share down to 50%.
To that end, Eileen Fisher will open six new stores of its own this year in the U.S. -- slightly accelerated from an average of five new stores per year -- and is launching a costly new technology platform for Internet sales that will offer greater flexibility, allowing online customers to pick up items in stores, for instance.
Ms. Fisher is also working to encourage department stores to use what she calls "scalpel markdowns" -- where items that sell poorly are marked down quickly, leaving strong sellers at full price even as new inventory arrives. "We're negotiating harder with all of them," she says of department stores.
Ms. Fisher's most extreme idea -- renting space in department stores -- won't happen anytime soon, but she and her staff plan to broach it with store accounts tentatively. The project would be complex -- equivalent to opening scores of boutiques across the country.
But the in-store boutiques have some precedents. LVMH's Louis Vuitton brand has been doing it for years. Every LV-logoed wallet and handbag at Saks or Neiman Marcus is sold by a salesperson who is employed by Vuitton, on space that is leased by the French luxury manufacturer.
LVMH's fashion and leather-goods revenues, dominated by Louis Vuitton, rose 10% in the fourth quarter. Little wonder: They didn't go on sale last fall.
---
Subscribers, please join my Journal Community, where you can share questions and ideas, at WSJ.com/Community. Twitterers can follow me at Twitter.com/BinkleyOnStyle.

Century 21: Men's Suits on Sale, April 16-19

Century 21

Tidbit du Jour: Join ideeli...through me!

You may have read my recent post on ideeli (the green bag)...Well as a result I have been granted the encouragement from the kind people over there to in turn encourage you fine people to join ideeli using a special Guerilla Shopper URL: http://www.ideeli.com/invite/guerillashopper

Just click the link and you will be taken to a page where you can sign up for ideeli, which means that you will have privileged access to the most sought-after fashion, home and beauty products. Also, ideeli members enjoy privileged access to luxury lifestyle experiences such as fashion shows and sold-out concerts.

Give it a shot!

Flight 001: 10 Year Anniv. - 30% Off April 15-19

Flight 001...
has stores in Brooklyn, the Village, and those other places known as Chicago, San Fran, LA, and Berkeley.

Online Sale: Laura Lobdell Jewelry, April 22-25

ONLINE ONLY AT http://www.thesavvy.com/

who: Laura Lobdell Jewelry

what: Artisanal Jewelry- Prices ranging between $30 - $104 (Regularly retailing up to $295)

when: Online: April 22nd 12:00 PM EST (Noon) - April 25th 12:00 PM EST (Noon)

where: online: http://www.thesavvy.com/

why: Perfectly handcrafted, tiny yet exquisite artisan pieces that are just the thing for the bon vivant and free spirit in all of us.

Pictured: ‘Wave Worn’ Oval Shape Shell on Sterling Silver Chain – originally $145, at sale $51

April 25: Housing Works to Open New Soho Location

Housing Works Thrift Shops is opening a new location at 130 Crosby St in Soho on Saturday, April 25.

The all-day Grand Opening party from 10am to 7pm, will feature a DJ, refreshments from The Works Catering, Housing Works T-shirts (with purchase), as well as dozens of the clothing and furniture finds.

Housing Works members get exclusive Grand Opening preview shopping from 9am to 10am.

Some of what will be featured at the event includes: Dior fabric bean bags, $50 each; Ostrich leather couch, $500; Marc Jacobs denim zip jacket, $70; Diane von Furstenberg dress, $90 (PICTURED); Marni leather purse, $150; Vivienne Westwood stilettos, $110; Moschino platform pumps, $100; Etro men’s dress shirt, $65; Prada men’s sharkskin pants, $80.

The Soho Thrift Shop is already accepting housewares and clothing donations at Housing Works’ popular Housing Works Bookstore Café next door at 126 Crosby St. Donations are the backbone of Housing Works Thrift Shops, so all New Yorkers are strongly encouraged to donate items at any location.

The new Soho location brings the total number of Housing Works Thrift Shops to nine—plus online shopping available at Shophousingworks.com.

1stdibs ABC Carpet Antique Rug Preview Sale, April 18-29

ABC Carpet and Home is partnering with the luxury online antique marketplace 1stdibs.com to host a special preview sale for their Annual Antique Rug Sale.

Customers will be able to shop more than 300 antique rugs from ABC Carpet on 1stdibs.com, April 18th – April 29th. Then, the sale will begin in-store on April 30th and will run until May 17th.

EVENT DETAILS:
What: 1stdibs ABC Carpet Antique Rug Preview Sale
When: Saturday, April 18th - Wednesday, April 29th
Where: http://www.1stdibs.com/

What: ABC Carpet Antique Rug Clearance Sale
Save up to 65% off the original prices of thousands of antique and vintage rugs.
When: Thursday, April 30th – Sunday, May 17th
Where: ABC Carpet & Home 888 Broadway 6th Fl. New York, NY 10017 212.473.3000
Mon-Sat 10am-7pm Sun 11-6:30pm http://www.abccarpet.com/

EXAMPLES: Vintage Turkish Rug Was $2499 Now $899; Antique Turkish Anatolian Rug Was $4399 Now $1899; Vintage Tibetan Rug Was $1999 Now $999; Antique Turkish Anatolian Rug Was $2499 Now $1499

Oh Furla: Sample Sale, April 22-24

FURLA SAMPLE SALE, IN HOUSE AT SAVVY & CO. NY

what: Handbags, Shoes, Accessories and Small Leather Goods - up to 70% off retail

when: Wednesday, April 22nd 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM; Thursday, April 23rd - Friday, April 24th 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM

where: in-house: 145 West 18th St (6th and 7th avenues)

why: Elegant, contemporary, stylish – beautiful: Capture the essence of Italian craftsmanship at its finest with Furla’s outstanding collection of handbags, shoes, wallets, belts, jewelry and key rings.

What's the ooh la la about Rue La La?

The ever-enthusiastic bargain shopper and writer, Nancy Brenner, pens another insightful piece for GSNYC:

What's the ooh la la about Rue La La (ruelala.com) and all these other "invite only" sample sales that seem to crop up daily? Portero.com's porter private beta launched last week. After what seemed like an interminable wait, the merch from Rue La La arrived and it was a perfect fit - the petite cardigan was just the right size and the color was as posted. The skirt fit fine as well - I admit going online and sorting, selecting and buying in 7 minutes was very fast - even by my seasoned sample sale standards, but I would try again if I knew the brand very well (in this case Beth Bowley), what size suited me in that brand and factored in the cost of delivery (and ensuing risk of return rate).

How to shop the sites? Here are my quick tips: try to sign on a few minutes before hand - sizes disappear quickly and how was shocked that the sold out banner appears within minutes; you can easily be tempted to buy too much too fast (I set a mental dollar budget before I went online), so think about what might be complimentary to your existing wardrobe before you sign on or what you truly want to add, pre-spot check the web to make sure the merchandise is current and of course - that the price is right - in checking out a few of these types of sales (but no other purchases), the prices and selection are much better at the "real" "brick and mortar" sample sales where you can often can get that one of a kind piece for a true sample price. The online sales all have limited selections. FYI, the merchandise came with an easy to return pre-printed UPS label for $9.95 for a credit - not a return. There are no returns at sample sales, but not a pressing need to make such split second decisions. Online there is no time to sort through "your pile," or change your mind while waiting to pay at checkout. On the other hand, no long lines to pay, no broken registers to contend with, no mad dash to the garment district or Chelsea Market or some narrow little street lower down, two subway lines away, no women to fend off from trying to rip off your clothes while you're foraging for a try-on mirror, no checking of all your belongings except for you wallet and your cell, no men wandering around claiming to "shop for their girlfriends" while staring at women in various stages of undress (hey - it's time to start banning those guys) and best, but not least, no roving cell phone paparazzi snapping pics of you pre-dawn, makeupless on a long line in the rain as if you were the next Paris Hilton landing up on the latest fashion sample sale blog for all your frenemies, exs and co-workers to see.

So try out ideeli.com, gilt.com (where a "bargain" is a $995 Chloe cropped sequined jacket reduced from $3,600 and already believe-it-or-not sold out), thetopsecret.com or others. But think before you click - will the dress make you look like Gaby in Desperate Housewives, or will you look just plain desperate.

Who knows, this year may be the last big year of sample sales as retailers retract, designers disappear and sample sales, both brick and mortar and online, just may go the way of the IT bag.

Zappos.com Touting Converse Sale (?)

While I am all for marketing the iconic Converse brand, Zappos.com isn't really offering a massively low price point. I remember buying a pair like the one pictured here for $22 max in the '90s. The cheapest ones I found on this "sale site" are $45. Yes, cheaper than many sneakers, but the materials and technology that goes into Chucks are simply less expensive. See for yourself: http://www.zappos.com/search/brand/36/filter/gender/"Mens"

Paul Smith Sale Shop in Brooklyn?

As I was cruising the dim calles of Williamsburg last night, my friend noticed what you see pictured here. And what you probably can't read is what it says on the folded-up awning: "Paul Smith Sale Shop." So, wait, is there a Paul Smith outlet store on Grand St. in Williamsburg? We discussed this grand (pun intended) notion for a few minutes, but then had to carry on to Clem's. However, upon further inquiry this morning, I have found out that yes indeed, this outlet collects items from the other U.S.-based PS stores and sells them here for cheaper (but apparently not that much cheaper). So go check it out - 280 Grand St.

April 6-9: Menswear Sample Sale at Openhouse

Upcoming menswear sample sale at Openhouse Gallery

Who: Summer Select Sample Sale
What: Menswear Items Only: Cheap Monday jeans, 3:33 shoes, Rxmance tees
When: April 6th-9th, 12-8pm
Where: Openhouse Gallery, 201 Mulberry Street
For more information: www.openhousegalleryblog.blogspot.com

I Bought a Joe's Handbag off of Ideeli

The need for a new spring/summer bag with a shoulder strap converged with a need to try out ideeli last week. Ideeli describes itself as: "the first invite-only shopping community in the US." Anyway, I saw the pictured bag from Joe's at a huge discount. Something like regularly $179 for $79. And while Joe's isn't really my style, I kind of liked the look, function and green color, so I went for it.

Well, in the end after delivery and taxes, that $79 turned into $96.45 - not so cheap after all. And in person the bag is a little bit "mid-quality" with too many logo embellishments (some I can thankfully remove). And the shoulder strap - a main selling point - hooks 1/3 the way down the item, making it kind of fold-over in an inconvenient way. HOWEVER! I think I shall soldier through and use it for the upcoming season(s) 'cuz I still really like the color. You can call me Sprout, just don't call me the Jolly Green Giant.

Oh Thank God: 'Project Runway' lawsuit settled

Variety Breaking News
http://email.variety.com/cgi-bin7/DM/y/eBGNI0FHg8z0XIv08gL0Eu

'Project Runway' lawsuit settled After a legal battle, “Project Runway” is cleared to move to Lifetime this summer. NBC Universal, The Weinstein Co. and Lifetime jointly announced Wednesday that they’ve settled a legal dispute that has kept the hit reality competition series in limbo since last fall.

Read the full story:http://email.variety.com/cgi-bin7/DM/y/eBGNI0FHg8z0XIv0HaNt0E3

I NEED MY TIM GUNN!!