Tuesday, March 31, 2009

March 31 - April 4: Elie Tahari Womens & Mens Sample Sale


This is one of the good sample sales - and unfortunately wildly popular - in midtown:

Elie Tahari Women's & Men's Sample Sale
March 31 - April 4
T-F 8:30-7:30 Sat 10-5
510 Fifth Avenue (42-43 Streets) Ground Floor, Entrance on 43 Street
212.398.2622
http://www.elietahari.com/

Savings up to 85 percent off original prices.

• Handbags originally $498-$995 now on sale for $79-$249.
• Shoes originally $228-$525 now $69-$79.
• Women's full length Shearling coats originally $2,498 now $499.
• Dresses originally $398 now $79.

And for men:
• Leather jackets, originally $998 now $199.
• Luxury shearling outerwear originally $1,998 now $199.
• Shirts originally $198-$228 are now $49.

Cash, Mastercard, Visa and American Express accepted. All sales final.

3/30-4/6: Catherine Angiel Jewelry up to 15% Off

Sale Dates: March 30th- April 6th
10-15% OFF SELECT ITEMS
43 Greenwich Avenue (btwn Charles and Perry Streets)
New York, NY
Phone: 212.924.4314
Hours: 12pm-7pm Monday-Saturday; 12pm-6pm Sunday
*American Express, Visa, Mastercard accepted*

Catherine Angiel’s designs are inspired by “street art,” which I like the idea of on paper. I even somewhat like the idea in person (I visited the store a couple of months ago), but it's a little more delicate than I expected and a LOT more pricey. However, I suspect there are a good number of fans, and in that case, now is a good time to get over there and buy things.

Monday, March 30, 2009

AHHH!!! Teriyaki Boy to become Noodle Boy?

I am not happy about this. At all. I have come to rely on "The Boy" for the cheap tuna bowl and salad on many a night on my way home from the gym. And while I enjoy a noodle now and again, I would rather have a fast food sushi option, because there's no way the new noodle shop will be better than Republic -- which is also near my gym -- anyway.

According to the JapanEASE, it looks like some Boyz will remain in tact, like the one on E. 10th St. But that is not helping me, spur-of-the-moment. I blame the students of Baruch. Damn kids and their noodles.

Sunday, March 29, 2009

I Need to Wear Some Glasses Like DMC

After years of trying out new and different contact lenses I finally did the right thing and went to a proper opthamologist. Long story short, he figured out my vision problems, gave me an accurate prescription and sent me off to Leonard Opticians in the west 50s. After trying on at least 20 frames, I decided upon (with resounding support from the fine folk at Leonard) these Paul Smiths, which were coincidentally also 50% off retail.

My quest towards going "Full Fey" continues...

Friday, March 27, 2009

Thursday, March 26, 2009

Mar. 22-29: Shelly & Renee "The No Kids Allowed Sale"


EVEN MORE REDUCTIONS!!
Gowns, Cocktail, Sportswear from Valentino, Donald Deal, Blumarine, D Exterior, Marc Bouwer, Melinda Eng, Peter Soronen and more...

For additional information: Call 212-920-1211, http://www.shellyandrenee.com/
All sales final: cash or credit card
No children or strollers

Tuesday, March 24, 2009

March 25-26: emanuel ungaro sample sale

Sample & Stock Sale
March 25-26, Wednesday & Thursday 10am - 7pm
12 West 57 Street (5-6th Avenues)
212.247.2239
http://www.boutiqueon57.com/

Women's ready to wear, handbags, shoes and jewelry from the Summer 2008 Collection. Romantic looks with voluminous full skirts and blouses with bell sleeves. Cropped trousers and evening robes. Sizes 0-10.
Prices now 75% off.

Monday, March 23, 2009

Sad Psycho T-Shirts on Sale

Not only is the Sad Psycho design back on the market, but T-Shirts for boys AND girls are now only $10! Click here to order.

For when you're having one of those "I wish I had a chainsaw handy" kind of days...

See? Even James Hetfield and Robert Trujillo Shop.

One of my sly-est stringers alerted me to this shot of Metallica shopping while at SXSW in Austin last week, from his favorite website, "What Would Tyler Durden Do?":

Friday, March 20, 2009

SOS Fashions Sample Sale: March 26-April 5

There shall be an upcoming sample sale in Manhattan at Openhouse Gallery at 201 Mulberry St. ("New York's pop-up retail location and events venue"). They will be featuring SOS Fashions, which offers some high end fashion brands (Prada, Gucci) etc. at low prices.

March 26th - April 5th, noon to 8pm everyday.

Thursday, March 19, 2009

Peachfrog: Lots of Cool Stuff for Cheap

The New York Times Urban Eye just wrote about Peachfrog in Williamsburg:

"A trip to Peachfrog, a new emporium of liquidated and overstocked merchandise... The store carries men’s and women’s clothing, accessories and home furnishings guaranteed to be 70 to 90 percent off the original price."


It sounds like a fun shopping trip to take, albeit perhaps not a very sophisticated one. I shall check it out eventually and report back.

Monday, March 16, 2009

March 19: Issey Miyake Sample Sale


Issey Miyake
Women's & Men's Clothing Sample Sale
March 19, Thursday, 8am - 8pm
145 West 18 Street (6-7 Avenues), Ground Floor
212.226.1334 Ext 231

For one day only ... Women’s and Men’s Collections. Elegant textured wool jackets with gathering and draped collars. Skirts made in shiny, winter-weight satin are draped with an asymmetrical hem. The designer’s runway collection as well as his Pleats Please, Issey Miyake Fete, Cauliflower, and HaaT collections will be on sale at up to 80% off. Mixed seasons.

Cash, Mastercard, Visa and American Express accepted. All sales final.

Sunday, March 15, 2009

GSNYC Commences Closet Cleaning







In hopes that my spring cleaning would have the power to usher in the new season, I took a day off of work and went through my closets. I donated most of my gently-worn castoffs to mother guerilla and to charity, but I offer you some of my best items at wildly reduced prices. And alas, if I have no takers, I intend to donate them to Housing Works on E. 23rd St. and just hope that they pick one or more to grace the artful display windows.
Item #1: Pas de Quoi cotton (very) patterned tunic top. Direct from Paris this size 3 (i.e. large) top can tie around in front or back. I have worn it a few times, but I'm just not comfortable in the style. So it can be yours for $20.
Item #2: This pastel size 4 (i.e. large) Custo Barcelona top is something of a collector's item, as are all Custos. It is several years old and in decent shape, it just doesn't fit me (it's too short for my taste). But it can also be yours for $20.
Item #3: Equipment striped button-down shirt with French cuffs, size medium. I loathe to part with this fab shirt, which I have had for many years, but it is simply too narrow on my..."Rubenesque" body. $40.
Item #4: Size 39.5 black leather Kenneth Cole boots. These fairly pointy, 3.75"-heel, zip-up boots have been worn no more than a dozen times. They are simply too high for me! The whole height of the boot is less than 12" from the top of the boot to the bottom of the heel. In original box. Originally almost $300, marked down to just under $200. They could benefit from new soles, so they are yours for $40.
If you are interested in any of the items email: schoolied@gmail.com. Pickup/cash only.

Friday, March 13, 2009

Orla Kiely Free Shipping (Kinda)

I got word from the good people at Orla, who apparently are "all business":

Shipping Offer
www.orlakiely.com/usa are offering free shipping on all orders over $300.
This offer is available until further notice.

Wednesday, March 11, 2009

Gucci Tat on Bluefly

While I am no fan of logo-obsessed high-end brand shoe-handbag-wallet nonsense, I thought that this might interest some of you. And I must serve my adoring publics.

Bluefly is offering a few Gucci Tattoo products right now for 20% off.

And the black suede 'Tattoo Heart' cork platform sandals are kind of too hilarious in a Peg-Bundy-meets-Betsey-Johnson way. I couldn't help but mention them. And for the reasonable price of $624!

Tuesday, March 10, 2009

Anna & PA: My Early Season Purchases





I was so happy when I awoke this past Saturday to discover that it was finally nice outside! So I took advantage of my great good fortune and practically ran down to Momofuku noodle bar to prepare myself for an afternoon of shopping. Yum, by the way.

So after meandering around I was sucked in by the tractor beam at Anna on E. 3rd St., where I scored the striped turtleneckish tunic* for half price and the short-sleeved top* with elastic on the sleeves and a drawstring around the waist for 20% off.
Then Sunday arrived, and while it was a little bit rainy, it was still warm enough to continue on my downtown death march. I travelled through Chelsea, the West Village, Soho, the Lower East Side and then, surprise!, back to the East Village. Specifically, pa (personal affairs) on E. 7th St. After spending a couple of hours here, I emerged with the interestingly embellished black jacket* you see above for half price. And although I feel like their website does not depict the relaxed-but-sophisticated vibe of the store or the nature of its unique apparel (hint: revise it!!), I found a special-offer coupon for first time customers: here.
*Photographs do not sufficiently depict each unique work of apparel very well. In fact, they are terrible. Blame the photographer (me), not the subjects!

Monday, March 09, 2009

Guest Blog: Tracy Porter "Crazy Sale"

The contributions from GSNYC friends and family are at a fever pitch...read on:

So back in December I got a catalog in the mail. Tracy Porter. I was diggin' most of her stuff, but it was super expensive ... like $250 for a shirt. ... Today I was cleaning though a pile of papers & came across the catalog. I went online to checkout the website ... & they are having a crazy sale. Like jewelry that was $150-$300 is now about $25. ... It's all pretty big bulky pieces but I did find a couple of cute things ... & did a lot of gift shopping. Note that there are a lot of clearance items on the site which don't appear in the "clearance" section, so you have to poke around. I feel like she MAY be going out of biz b/c the site has a much smaller selection compared to what was in the catalog a few months ago. Anyway just thinking about GSNY & wanted to let you know :)

Case in point from GS: The pictured disco tunic was $265, now $28...is it possible?!?

Saturday, March 07, 2009

Marc Ecko Has the Hookup

Get hooked up this weekend with Ecko's super secret weekend sale. Take an additional 30% off your entire order when you use the promo code "HOOKUP" at checkout. This offer is good this weekend only at:
http://www.shopecko.com/home/index.jsp

*Offer expires on Sunday at midnight PST. Excludes all watches and Limited Editions. Online Only.

Wednesday, March 04, 2009

My Visit to Yohji's Sample Sale

Yes, it's true. The GSNYC was on the double secret probation Yohji Yamamoto sample sale list. It's also true that everything was 70-90% off. But sadly, the items that I liked best didn't fit. So I left with hands empty and wallet full. Because even with 70% off, this stuff ain't cheap!

Most everything remaining was black - but interesting pants, skirts and jackets. Oh and sweaters and dresses. And boots and sneakers. But I think the jackets were the best. Maybe next time!

Tuesday, March 03, 2009

March 5-9: Stickley Oriental Rug Sale & Clearance

The fine people from the fine furniture retailer Stickley Audi & Co. have assembled a selection of Oriental rugs from their showrooms across the country at their White Plains and Manhattan showrooms. They are marked at substantial savings (55%-80% off retail). Chose from thousands of authentic handmade rugs from Pakistan, India, China, Persia and Nepal. Consider it good international relations.

Locations:
207 W. 25th St., NYC
50 Tarrytown Rd, White Plains

Guest Blog: Confessions of a Recessionista

Confessions of a Recessionista
By Nancy Brenner

Long before it was fashionable, I was a recessionista. I'm not the"Girl in the Green Scarf" alter ego of Rebecca Bloomwood in"Confessions of a Shopaholic," I'm more the girl in a purple shearling purchased at wholesale. Yes, I would dash off to sample sales like the mad women of "Confessions of a Shopaholic," but I went with a battle plan that would make Tzippy Livni envious. I knew the brands, size and price range of what the merch was worth retail. I tried them on in brick and mortar stores to see if they fit and decide if I could afford them.
I am not moved by a generic "multidesigner sample sale" flyer. I am not moved by e-mails offering "free shipping," or "as seen on Michele Obama," even if she is gracing the cover of Vogue. I am not a model,or a rock star, or an Olsen twin – I am an ordinary citizen. Even the fabricated Ms. Bloomwood can't rock a $5,000 frock at sixty-percent off if she has a bill collector chasing her all about town.

I've never had a credit card denied - unless it was a mistake of the card company. Or tried to pay the piper by splitting the pot with a combo of cards plus cash. I usually favor sales that were cash only -chiefly because they offered the best deals. And I knew exactly how much money was literally leaving a hole in my wallet. I never came home to a bill and wondered what was on my statement and why.

In the past year I have dozens of converts, who have discovered the joys of "black opps" shopping and my Krav Magna retail techniques. They learned that 70 percent off retail is not the "new black." Not in my closet - if you can get it 20 percent off of wholesale. There is no greater joy for a recessionista shopper than finding an item cheaper than any Bluefly, Gilt.com, Rue La La, E-Bayor a froogle search. It's not a new cure for heart disease, but it's a cure for a cautionary era. When I found an out-of-town designer outlet store would take a picture of a sale shoe and e-mail it to me - I felt like I had unlocked a whole new sequence of savings genomes.

While it was the worst market in 60 years, it was my best shopping season on record - there was rampant deflation - a brilliant ballroom skirt that was selling at toney retailers for hundreds of dollars was had for $20, another top that was retailing in the $200 range was scooped out for $10. My sniff test for shopping - would I have coveted it retail? Would have I undergone "watchful waiting"until it went on sale to an "affordable price?" Would it be a one-hit-wonder, or would the quality and style hold up for many Fashion Weeks to come?

Coupon clippers have been proudly savings for years – mostly to the snickers of a consumerist nation. I am the clippers evolved equivalent. I would encourage everyone I know to go "off the grid"and steer them away from retail, or at least paying full price. If I was made to feel frugal, I didn't mind, since I was often the best dressed in the room. In the past, I would gladly regale dinner companions of grand tales of savings - like the time I went into a Fifth Avenue department store during a transit strike, figuring foot traffic would be low to minimal, as would the prices. I turned out to be right and scored a wedding quality velvet skirt for pocket change.
I liked the equal billing that men were given in the Shopaholics anonymous group in "Confessions of a Shopaholic" - men too can overspend and buy a watch for each day of the week - a frivolous purchase even by a man of means. Men are equal opportunity over spenders - now the economy is forcing them out of the consumerist closet. But c'mon guys, do you really need a spanking new $7,000 off-the-rack suit from Saks? Even Anna Wintour is selling "value" dressing and says anything "Too Dubai" is over.

Does that mean I never regret a purchase? Of course I do, I have at least half a dozen pairs of shoes that called my name, just like the department store mannequins who tried to seduce the protagonist Rebecca Bloomwood. But while others bought houses, SUVs, remodeled kitchens, digital cameras and stood in long lines for I-Phones; I still have my 35 M -and have not yet succumbed to digital - my Minolta Freedom zoom still takes great shots. I have not trashed my DirtDevil just because I couldn't locate the filters - I called the company directly to get them. And yes, I am one of the few remaining people on the planet who still have AOL dial-up, at least the fine people at Circuit City would like to have me believe.

On rare occasion, I have paid full price. If you see a party dress or suit, don't wait until last minute - unless you are a total hermit, assume that invitations, even during a dire downturn will still be forthcoming, -- weddings, bar mitzvahs, anniversaries. And while the scale of the celebration may be downscaled and the menu may be more mac and cheese than foie gras, you will still need something to wear. Consider this too - with unemployment still climbing, it will also help to be well-turned out for job interviews that will be so uber-competitive, it will make shopping at Wal-Mart on Black Friday seem like nothing.

So, dear Pres and Congress, will be there be a bailout for Fashionistas who weren't frugal? Please make the bill pretty in pink.
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While Nancy Brenner can't outfox a bear market, she can find you a warm coat to stave off the market's chills for wholesale.