Economy Got You Down? Consign THIS!

Whether or not your finances have been impacted by this plummeting economy, now is a great time to get rid of the goods in your closet and home, and make some money while you're at it. I have begun to do this during the last year or so, and while I have not gotten rich, it has given me a sense of pride, as though I am building my cred as an independent business woman. A "wee"bay, if you will.

And a funny thing happens - the stuff you think nobody would ever buy, goes in a blink, while the stuff you are sure that people will be dying for is e-ignored. Examples - I have been trying to get rid of a chair for a year to no avail, but my speaker stands and 18-year-old Nakamichi stereo receiver got snapped up in less than 3 days after posting them on craigslist.

And, on the flip side, if you are relatively broke and in need of some new items, shopping this way is not a bad way to go. Especially if you are in dire need of couture.

For example, La Boutique Resale with its three NYC locations (one UWS, two UES) is both a great place to GIVE (i.e. consign) your gently used top designer fashions and BUY such items - and right now during their winter sale you can score such duds at up to 70 percent off (through March 15).

Plus, if you have a postcard from them like I do, you can get additional 10 percent of your total purchase. I have gotten a few things here this way, even I give into Fendi, Escada and Dior from time to time...

La Boutique Resale Gives You Gas Money

I found La Boutique's sale tactic to be somewhat amusing:

"Bad economy, inflation & high gas prices got you down? Come in for some retail therapy" and "FREE GAS to move your ass!"

No I'm not kidding.

So, if you spend more than $60 you get $5 in gas money and if you spend $250 you get $20.

With locations at Madison and 80th, Lexington and 62nd and 81st between 2nd & 3rd, I wonder how many of their customers actually drive...

But what the heck this and other sales are going on through August 31. I have scored large here before, so it is worth the "drive."

La Boutique Resale...Sale

La Boutique Resale, the high-end resale shop located thrice:

• Madison and 80th
• Lexington and 62nd
• 81st. between 2nd & 3rd Ave...

...is having their "Winter Clearance Blowout Sale" now through March 9. Prices slashed up to 70 percent.

Convoluted Sale at La Boutique Resale

...but a sale nevertheless!

La Boutique Resale, a resale consignment shop where I have scored some fab duds, is having their Summer Clearance Blowout Sale now through August 31, when prices will be slashed up to 70%. If you get "the postcard" you can also take an additional 10% off of your total purchase...um...excluding 60%, 70%, and over 70% off items; excluding all handbags...oh and wait...not to be combined with other coupons/offers. Hang on...10% off taken after all other deductions calculated. Phew. Talk about disclaimers!

La Boutique Resale - Madison Ave.

One of the best things about being a woman living on the Upper East Side - or so I have been told - is the easy access to scores of resale/consignment shops filled with last season's top designer castoffs.

So this past weekend among the Puerto Rican Day parade, I did my own parading along a few Madison Avenue blocks. After perusing Dolce & Gabbana (where, incidentally, there's a 40% off sale on shoes, bags and 'ready-to-wear') and falling dangerously in love with a pair of $275 sunglasses, I came upon La Boutique Resale. I think that is French for "The Resale Boutique."

Located on the second floor of 1045 Madison Avenue, LBR immediately struck me as particularly well-organized, something I very much appreciated. It is basically run and set up like a real-live retail store, making it very easy and enjoyable to peruse...and ultimately BUY. A brilliant marketing tactic, indeed.

While many of the choices seemed a bit "old" at first blush, a bit of digging revealed some fresh gems. I scored the pictured Nanette Lepore skirt for $47.20 and Fendi shoes for $74.40. I also purchased a brand new Andrew Urbain top for $35.40 - who knows how old it actually is, but it goes with the outfit! So for a total of $157 I own my first Fendi anything, my first Nanette L. skirt and my first (and probably last) Andrew U. anything. Not a bad accidental score.

Other locations include: 803 Lexington Ave. @62nd St., 2nd Fl. and 160 W. 72nd St. near Broadway (for men & women). The store manager explained that the west side location has "younger" styles and that I should go check it out. Bless him.