Weisel Worth Winging to West Side

Even if you don't have a red carpet moment in your near future, you'll be paparazzi-prepped in Heidi Weisel confections. Skeptical about an "extended" sample sale with new pieces added westward on 14th Street
near Ninth Avenue, I was surprised by the high-end fabrics (ostrich feathers and chiffon cashmere and fur), and fit of the collection retailing at Neiman Marcus (and up to 90% off retail discount). While there were only a few racks, you didn't have to fend off competition for the mirror or candid feedback from the sales assistant. Sample size (2-6). Cash only. Last sale day is Thursday.

420 W. 14th St
10a-6p
Suite 4SE
 
/nancy brenner

Report From the Slush: Boots

Finding waterproof boots after a storm might require a GPS. Finding one that is stylish and on sale is a little bit like winning the lotto. Markdowns are plentiful on a plethora of peep-toe ankle boots, but impractical unless you have a Disney Prince to whisk you over puddles and snow drifts. Bergdorf prices beat out competitors in two picks and Neiman beats out Nordstrom and others. Prices vary across sites, so check carefully. A few for your perusal:

Bergdorf
Valentino Lace-Print Rain Boot Original: $206.00, originally $295.
3/4" heel with lugged rubber sole for traction.
Approximately 10"H.

Neiman Marcus
For the logo lovin' Tory Burch gal $90 boots; originally $150.


Cole Haan - Air Melanie Patent Rainboot $136, originally $228.
Looking for a dash of color and comfort? Nike-Air technology In some sizes available in four colors including loden, black, ironstone and aubergine.

Saks
Jimmy Choo for the Hunter addict who has everything. Now $181.99 (wow - 99 cents instead of $182) reduced from $455.00.

Zappos
Always offers a wide selection, especially on Aquatalia, one of the most stylish brands in this category. If you spot a style you love, look for price drops daily. Watch your mani, because watchful waiting can be a nail-biter, especially if there is only one left in your size and color combo. But sometime patience can prevail - I spotted an Aquatalia Vavoom black patent for $247.48 while many are still selling at $495.
 
~nancy brenner

$15 Wick Trimmer: Cheapest NM Holiday Gift

No wonder they post the Christmas sales book at the first signs of Autumn. You need time to save for the $1.5M fantasy gifts Dale Chihuly Pool Sculpture Installation...

For those with smaller wallets and deep desires for the NM gift box, a search in the $100 category yields Bamboo earbuds $20 which are "made of sleek and renewable natural bamboo and fit all iPod® and iPhone® models. Earbuds include a hands-free microphone and three sizes of ear tips; standard plug works with most audio devices. The case has a soft velvet backing. Imported. "(good to know). Or up the ante with a 2011 calendar silver-plated paperweight featuring the Neiman Marcus logo on the bottom. Only $25. Also imported.

Drumroll, please...
Gift Boxed Wick Trimmer. An elegant gift for your home and theirs, the silver-plated candle wick trimmer arrives in a gift box. Imported. $15!
 
Throw your hands up if you need a wick trimmer.

~nancy brenner

NM Last Call - Prices better than sample sales. And no shoving or stripping necessary.

After perusing the Neiman Marcus Christmas Book yesterday, checked out the new Last Call site today (which offered a 30% Columbus Day discount) and free shipping. Here's some of the discounts - Line Pella mini crossbody bag $61.60 - this brand is worn by starlets and a bag was just featured on the season opener of Courtney Cox vehicle "Cougar Town." A Plenty by Tracy Reese frock for only $42.00 and an on-trend fur pom pom scarf from blockbuster brand Adrienne Landau for only $35.00 in a choice of bright colors. Reasons to cheer.

Linea Pelle Veronica Perforated Mini Crossbody Bag, Pewter
Price $88.00
Promotional Offer (30%)
-$26.40
Promotional Price
$61.60

Plenty by Tracy Reese Lace-Overlay Frock Dress
Price $60.00
Promotional Offer (30%)
-$18.00
Promotional Price $42.00

Item: LCF11_T31FR
Adrienne Landau Rabbit Pom Pom Scarf, Red
Price $50.00
Promotional Offer (30%)
-$15.00
Promotional Price $35.00

~Nancy Brenner

Even Friends & Family Line Cut at Shoshanna: Report from the Front

Experienced shoppers sidled up to the $50 sample sale racks faster than Lady Gaga flipped off photogs at the Mets game. Finds include the one shoulder frock in cobalt or cherry red retailing at Bloomingdales for $305 selling for $50; the rainforest floral sheath retailing at $360 and already sold out at the Neiman Marcus site except for a size 8, here for $150. Cover ups could do double duty as dresses on a sun-drenched city afternoon - a deep V-neck cover-up retailing for $220, a cutwork lace cover up for $255 and a floral one for $240, selling for $75 each. Real finds if you want your assets to look as fabulous on the beach as they do everywhere else.
241 West 39th Street
4th floor

~nancy brenner

Seven Sweeps to Spruce Up Spring

Mama need a brand new pair of Manolos? Try your luck at the Bergdorf Sweepstakes for $5,000 worth of Sex and the City footwear (get hoofed for the Sex and the City Movie 2, May 28th). Neiman Marcus has a
$5,000 sweeps for Valentino Shoes & Handbags. Men, we have not forsaken you - kudos to retailers por homme John Varvatos and women's workwear to wow wear designer Lafayette 148 for offering a new wardrobe worth $5,000. Bloomingdales offers a Hot Spring wardrobe for $2,000, Saks has a Spring Wardrobe one for $1,500, while Spiegel celebrates its 145th anniversary for a grand prize of $1,000.

Moi, I have never won anything bigger than a turtle, but I was the envy of my entire elementary school.

Readers, know of any more worthy sweeps this month? Tip us off. Links below:

Valentino Shoe & Handbag
http://www.neimanmarcus.com/store/user/registerforemail.jhtml?id=1200002&icid=home4

http://www.bergdorfgoodman.com/store/user/registerforemail.jhtml?navid=emailFooterLinks-Blahnik

http://www.johnvarvatos.com/store/sweepstakes.aspx

http://www.lafayette148.com/sweepstakes.php

https://www.saksfifthavenue.com/html/email_popup/email_collect_popup_main.jsp?ASSORTMENT%3C%3East_id=1408474395222441&bmUID=1269747151766&sre=mhpb3$

Bloomingdales Hot Spring Wardrobe worth $2,000
http://www.bloomingdales.com/

Spiegel's 145th Anniversary Sweepstakes - Grand Prize $1,000
http://www.spiegel145th.com/pages/MatchGame.html#

~Nancy B.

Matt & Nat Eco-Friendly Handbags and Such

Matt & Nat design their bags so you shouldn't have to make a choice between being chic and eco-friendly/responsible. These designer bags cost around $300 and smaller items like wallets are approximately $80. Their vegan bags and accessories sell online (mattandnat.com), in boutiques like Fred Segal and Holt Renfrew, and in department stores like Nordstrom, Neiman Marcus, Saks and Bloomingdale's.

Depending on the size, 15-55 recycled plastic bottles go into the material used to make their bags. The bags are 100% vegan, and don't use any leather.

And they've got a bunch of stuff on sale too!: http://www.mattandnat.com/product/search/all_rebate/0/sale/

Til Dec. 24: Neiman Marcus Last Call stores

If you are in a last-minute bind, you might want to check out the event taking place at all Neiman Marcus Last Call stores (http://www.nmlastcallclearancecenter.com/) going on until December 24th. Also, if you use a Neiman Marcus credit card you will save an additional 20% off on top of the sale prices. There will also be an after Christmas sale.

Lord & Taylor: Bellwether that the Retail Sky is Falling

So I knew something was up when I started getting coupons from Lord & Taylor almost everyday. But then yesterday I got the ultimate Friends and Family coupon offering 25% off of pretty much everything and 10% off of fragrances and cosmetics. I didn't think I had ever heard of such a thing, and my instincts were confirmed when a GS stringer sent me an email noting her shock of the same. She also indicated that she was getting similar sky-is-falling sales notices from Neiman Marcus and Bendel's!

And by the way, anyone know the origin of the word "bellwether?"

Magaschoni Sale/Fund Raiser: April 10-11

Shop the new Spring/Summer Collections at the Magaschoni Showroom. Refreshments will be served all day.

Cost and Special Discounts & Benefits:
$25 entrance fee, which includes 3 raffle tickets for prizes from fine dining to luxury items
50%+ off retail prices (wholesale), to benefit children with multiple disabilities. Jackets, dresses, and dressy tops range from $75 - $250+.
Over 20% of sales are donated to the children.

Dates:
Thursday, April 10th, 8:30am – 7pm
Friday, April 11th, 9am – 6pm

Location:
Magaschoni Showroom
525 Seventh Avenue, 21st Floor (between 38th & 39th Streets)
New York, NY 10019

RSVP:
To be admitted to the event, please RSVP to angela.trentanelli@magaschoni.com

**Magaschoni has a store in the East Hamptons, but the clothes are mostly sold at Saks, Bloomingdale's and Neiman Marcus.**