Kate Spade 75% Off Sale Ends Tomorrow (Sept. 1)

LEATHAAAA at ANNAAAA

A first at Anna!  Leather skirts - knee length ($375) and mini (pictured, $345).  Great, high-qual leather in a straightforward, classic shape, allowing you to be cool when it gets cool.

Chelsea's LINGO Charges Me Up as We Head into Fall...

Oh joy.  Work clothes.  But more after-work clothes.  I spend untold hours with Shin in her store, Lingo, trying on this, that and the other.  And I bought this and that, and am leaving the other until the Fall.

And a lot of it was on sale! 

Check out the shirt, the top, the skirt, the other skirt, and the two pairs of stretch denimish cotton leggings (not pictured).  They were the biggest surprise, because not only do they fit, but they don't make me look 80s hair metal at all.  Oh, and there's no annoying front zipper/button to get in the way of a sleek silhouette.

Aug 18-28: Summer and Sample Sale at Jill Anderson‏

Is it Live or is it...Pany Silk Flowers?

See these magnificent flowers?  SEE THEM?!  Well they are NOT REAL.  And they look just as real in person.  Unreal.

I have nothing left to say on the subject except that you can see for yourself at Pany Silk Flowers at 146 W. 28th St., NYC (between 6th - 7th Aves.).  212-645-9526 - Closed Sundays.

Banana Republic Mad Men Collection - Casting Call Contest

For all those fans of Mad Men, Banana Republic is offering a chance to win a walk-on role on the show as part of their annual “Mad Men” Casting Call contest.  Fans can submit photo entries at http://www.madmencastingcall.com/ for the chance to win a walk-on role on the award-winning program and a $1,000 Banana Republic shopping spree.

Tam fan I am - Sample sale

Downgrade Doldrums? Vivienne Tam sample sale is like buying an under-priced equity. Thirty dollar samples offer best value at fire sale prices that will yield divine dividends in term of compliments.  Tam's selections are current and vintage, both are timeless. Petite have most picks, but many larger sizes available too. If there were a Zagat rating for sample sale staff and clothing quality, Vivienne Tam would score an A.

260 West 39th Street today (Weds.) 9a-8p, Thursday 10a-7p, Friday 10a-6p

/nancy brenner

Banana Republic | MadMen Collection

PRESS RELEASE ALERT (I'm taking this pretty much from press material directly, so sue me)...

Banana Republic’s first-ever “Mad Men” inspired collection has arrived. Designed by Banana Republic Creative Director Simon Kneen in collaboration with “Mad Men” Emmy Award-winning Costume Designer Janie Bryant, this collection offers a modern take on the best of 1960s stylish American sportswear through the Banana Republic lens of affordable luxury and quality. The collection will be carried in Banana Republic’s North American stores and online at http://www.bananarepublic.com/ starting Thursday, August 11.

Banana Republic Facebook Fans will have exclusive access to shop the collection first, before it hits stores and online. An early access Facebook boutique goes live on the Banana Republic Facebook Fan page (www.Facebook.com/BananaRepublic) on Wednesday, August 10th, allowing fans to beat the crowds and shop the collection first.

Banana Republic MadMen Collection

Alexander McQueen Savage Beauty Exhibit at the Met: This is the Last Weekend!

I went and waited in very long lines. All in, it was a 3-hour endeavor.  But it was oh so worth it.  Curated brilliantly, and well...the work speaks for itself.  I was fighting back tears for the first 25 minutes.  Took my breath away.

Crowded as all hell, but I'm glad I went - you will be too.  CLOSING SUNDAY (Aug. 7) NIGHT!  RUN!

Coviello Sale: 70 Orchard Street

Items start at $50 at this in-store sale, with a relatively small selection. Some are stained and hark back to previous seasons.  If you're in the area anyway, it's worth a peek, less so if your closet is already packed.  True finds are the plumage headbands at $56, which isn't even a markdown.

/nancy brenner