Louboutin at Saks Redeems!

OK, since I dissed the last pair of Louboutin shoes that Saks pimped to my inbox, I thought I should give props when props are due.  These boots are BAD meaning GOOD. 
If I could fit into or afford them (they're $1,695), or hell, if I thought there was a chance in the world that I could walk in them, I might even buy them. 

Friends & Family Offers Flood Fifth Avenue

Lord & Taylor seems to have this best department store discounts at 25% off.
Believe it or not Bergorf has the best buy on cosmetics with a $25 Beauty Gift Card towards a purchase of $100 or more starting on Thursday.
Saks is 20% off, 10% on cosmetics online use coupon code FRIEND3.
Ann Taylor and Ann Taylor LOFT: Friends and Family! 30% off your entire purchase Tuesday, April 20 through Sunday, April 25.

~Nancy Brenner

Saks: These Shoes Are Cool

Yes, I realize these look like Dorothy shoes gone awry, but I can't help but envision the perfect rocker chick wearing the perfect rocker outfit topped (bottomed?) off by these shoes, by Jerome C. Rousseau. $495 at Saks.  Maybe the wizard can get some for you.

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.

The Ugliest Shoe Ever...By Christian Louboutin

I just got an email from Saks announcing the new Spring arrivals from Christian Louboutin, and this was the pictured shoe.  I realize that it's easy to make fun of white shoes, but COME ON.  These are hideous in ANY color, but particularly white.  I think I just got kicked off the demo chart.

Saks Fashion Fix

Nancy Brenner pontificates...

The Fix is who got the 36 items that were limited to e-mail subscribers.  Great buys, but gone faster than you can say Rue La La - one Alexander McQueen Eiffel Tower Lace Top [MSRP $225.00 - Event Price $67.50] sold out within minutes, as did anything else lustworthy.  For those looking for cheap pick-me up mid-Winter blue accessories - see Kenneth Jay Lane earrings for $12. Shipping will probably cost as much as the earrings.

From the editor:
Visit this link to sign up for Saks emails, including access to "The Fix" and other special events and exclusives, including 10% off your first order and get entered into a Palm Springs resort getaway for two!

Report from the Front: Fashion Night Out

Thanks to Nancy Brenner for reporting on the new national holiday (while I was home sick last night!):

Major missed opportunity for men - bevy of fashion forward women who dressed like they were going to sashay down the red carpet at the Emmy's next week. Platform heels, ankle booties, mini dresses and toned thighs abounded - and that wasn't even the celebs. Started at Saks expecting scores of major makeup freebies as widely promoted. Not so much. I went to numerous counters and I'm too much of a lady to name names, but the consensus was sample only with purchase. Estee Lauder did it right - offered nice samples of Private Collection Jasmine White Moss - and you didn't have to go to the counter to beg for it. Blowout from Frederic Fekkai - only one person doing blowouts - until 7 - for thousands of women on the main floor. On the plus side, I got to meet Teri Jon designer Rickie Freeman who was very gracious and thanked me for coming over. I was two steps away from Elie Tahari who was posing for pics with customers. Spotted David Yurman. And met new to Saks, designer Yoana Baraschi who assured me that her stunning black and red knit color block number featured in the catalogue would fit me - and she was right. She even told me the secret to her rockin legs - Pilates. Wish there was a Nielsen's overnight ratings for sales - just curious how many credit card swipes aside from the makeup counters which were jam packed when I left.

Next stop Prada. Grace Coddington striking flaming red hair and all signing stacks of Vogue - standing with September little red riding hood model Sasha - looking teensy, but gorgeous next to her. I asked about the free t-shirts for Fashion Night Out they were supposedly giving out - but again, this was a gift with purchase.

The big B - Bergdorf's was bustling. Headed straight up the escalator determined to meet the Olsen twins at 7 p.m. Escalators were packed and they stopped letting people on to the 7th floor where the Olsens were supposed to be tending bar. Lots of smells mixed in - free chocolate and nut bits, flowing wine and strangely sausages. Seventh floor was packed worse than the A train at rush hour, but Olsens were nowhere in sight at the appointed hour and many of the hoards simply left in search of water. Ground floor packed with paparazzi snapping pics of celebs. Lots of people buying "Fashion's Night Out" tees. Disappointed hot Olsen fans just left. Major line of fashionistas waiting to get into the store. BG - A+ for coolest crowd, food and liquor freebies, empty makeup counters - if you really wanted a makeup makeover, this was your opportunity.

Final stop - Stacy London of "What Not to Wear" fame - pumped up arms, black peep toe ankle boots. Was standing right next to her at Ann Taylor when she picked out a soul in the crowd who needed a little bit of London tough love. Have to admit, it's one thing when you're fashion quarterbacking from your couch, and another when you are just an eyeball away from her as she's deciding who needs a new bra. London's dad was there - I asked him when she started her shopping sprees - he said she as always a big shopper. London offered to help everyone in the dressing room - the ultimate personal shopper.

Fashion Night Out - Where else can you mix with designers, celebs, models and real people? "What's Not to Like" Just paying retail...

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.

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/

Black Friday: I told you so

I really can't stand Black Friday, or perhaps I just don't really like Saks. I ran in there this morning to check out the coat sales, and if they had my size in an army green Searle wool jacket, I would have bought it - I think it was only $136 with all the sale reductions. But otherwise I'm just not into Saks, I suppose. There are other sales going on today - Lord & Taylor, Cole Haan, Century 21, Daffy's, Bloomingdale's...if you're into that kind of thing. However, I'm guessing that the sales will continue and even improve between now and Christmas with the state of the economy.

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.**

Sales Galore! + early returns on iPhone

Wow, I don't think I've ever seen more sales going on in one weeknd in my life! From Lord & Taylor to Bloomingdales, Saks, Macy's, Club Monaco, DSW, TeCasan...and on and on. THIS is a great weekend to go out and renew your wardrobe and possibly your entire home!

And the early word on the street from a Pacific Northwest stringer is that the iPhone lives up to the hype.

Marc Jacobs Flats - cheap?

Today's Best Bets Daily (New York Magazine) proclaims that $155 is a decent price for rubber flats. Granted, they are Marc Jacobs, and nothing with his name on it is actually affordable, however THEY ARE RUBBER FLATS. And when did flats in general become so expensive? Trends and prices hold hands and rise as one! Let's make a pact: No flats for more than $75 (and that's still too much!).

So Shoe Me

BY KENDALL HERBST

Finally a pair of Marc Jacobs that won't drain your bank account. These jelly ballet flats are the perfect way to transition into spring. Made from rubber, they can handle spontaneous showers—replacing giant wellies—and still look cute with skirts or jeans. Plus you can relive your jelly-wearing childhood while still looking like a grown-up. $155 at Saks.com.