Bag a Botkier Hobo...

...for free by entering the online contest celebrating their new website at http://blog.botkier.com/2010/02/16/enter-to-win-our-harper-hobo.  You could be the lucky winner of the pictured bag!

and while she's at it, Nancy Brenner suggests:

If you don't have the budget of Botkier fans Michelle Trachtenberg or Angelina Jolie, save Botkier bucks by using one of their cosmetic bags as an evening one - I've used a metallic gold one for weddings and no one has ever outed me.  The Maddie cosmetic bag in red snake Italian fabric for under $100 can double as an evening option. If you're craving purple, which is in every collection for Fall, select the Sophia cosmetic as your double duty bag in metallic purple lambskin with antique nickel hardware, also under $100.  Save your sawbucks for their Fall 2010 Prince Crossbody bag which comes in two trend hues:  Army camouflage in lambskin/calfskin or Amazon snake calfskin.  Its larger cousin, the Prince Satchel in black lambskin with antique nickel studs, will be a workday workhorse. 

Jutta Neumann Closes Retail Location

So I had the sale card sitting right there on top of my microwave, and didn't realize that the reason for the "buy 1, get second 80% off" sale was due to the fact that Jutta Neumann is CLOSING the retail store on 158 Allen St. And now the sale is over. I am sad but not surprised as the last time I was in there we had a discussion about how oppressive retail rents are...

Anyway, it looks as though you can still buy the iconic handmade goods online. So do that instead.

July 1-4: Kale Sale (hey that rhymes)

There are so many sales going on during the next week or so...so many that I need to organize them in one post. In the meantime, here's this one, which starts today...

Who: KALE

What: A collection of bags that are the creation of the Kale sisters, Leslie and Jennifer. Great for everyday or travel, the bags are made of durable leathers, every one completed with a zippered interior pocket, cell phone pocket and lined in striking fuchsia suede.

Where: THESAVVY.COM
When: Online sale hours: Wednesday, July 1st 12:00 PM EST (Noon) –Saturday, July 4th 12:00 AM EST (Midnight)

Examples of items at the sale:
Tate Tote, flat tote with 2 exterior pockets and a zippered closure in Dove, washed lambskin, originally retailing for $695, sale price $249

Terra Tote bag with 2 exterior pockets and a zippered closure in Putty, washed lambskin, originally retailing for $625, sale price $219

Chelsea Clutch with pleated exterior and contrast piping detail in Lemon/White, in washed lambskin/patent, originally retailing for $395, sale price $139

Silla Tote with adjustable handle and a zippered closure in Lake, washed goat, originally retailing for $695, sale price $249

Palmer Shopper, an oversized tote with a magnetic closure in Port, washed goat, originally $795, sale price $279

Porter Tote with a drawstring closure in Lime, washed lambskin, originally retailing for $545, sale price $189

Ernest Alexander Messenger Bags Made in NYC

I was recently told about a new line of [overpriced] messenger bags for men, created just in time for the down economy -- such as the one pictured here, which goes for $245. Although not exactly "Guerilla-esque" in price, my source thought I might appreciate the facts that they are made in NYC, and the logo is placed discreetly inside. So perhaps it is more than just a little Guerilla-esque, since I am a fan of the low-key logo and like the fact that they get all their fabrics and leathers from local garment district suppliers. So visit online and check 'em out yo' self: http://www.ernestalexander.com/

Dec. 7-10: LeSportsac Sample Sale

LeSportsac

"Return to Classics"Sample Sale

December 7-10, 2008

Sunday: 10am to 7pm

Monday: 8am to 7pm

Tuesday: 8am to 7pm

Wednesday: 8am to 7pm

Metropolitan Pavillion123 West 18th Street (between 6th & 7th Avenues)

4th Floor Gallery

212-736-6262 x 2007

60%-80% off Current and Past Collections

Classics - Beach - Artist in Residence - Men's - Guys'
Visit LeSportsac.com

Cash, Mastercard, Visa and American Express accepted. No checks. All sales final. No exchanges. No refunds.

Orla Kiely High Summer Sale

Orla Kiely's High Summer Sale is on at ww.orlakiely.com/usa.

Not exactly a ton of sale merch, but if you look under "clothing" "bags" and "accessories" you will find a few items for up to 50% off. The pictured 'multi flower check dress' was $311, now $155.50, for example.

SALE ENDS - Sunday 21st September

http://www.orlakiely.com/

Target: This Bag Looks Cool

From my favorite source to "borrow" from: New York magazine's Best Bets Daily

Leaf It Alone

BY FARAN ALEXIS KRENTCIL

Strong graphic prints stormed Italian runways, but if you can't afford a Marni bag, try a tote from Target. This cotton carryall makes a bold statement with your wardrobe, but not on your credit-card bill. And for those mornings when you have nothing to wear, pairing it with a plain black dress or jeans will instantly give you a look—many looks, in fact, as you strut past the guys on your street.

$16.99 at Target, 139 Flatbush Ave., at Atlantic Ave., Fort Greene, Brooklyn; 718-290-1109.

My Clothes are SAVED!

POST-FIRE UPDATE:
I just heard from Fabric Renewal, the dry cleaning, restoration, drapery/shade cleaning company in Bloomingdale, New Jersey that took all of my clothes, shoes, bags, belts, rugs, curtains, sheets, towels, pillows, etc. to be saved, cleaned and refreshed. It worked!

The cost?
$5,694.82

Believe it or not, I am thrilled! Not only that they have billed my insurance company directly, but because I had this sinking feeling that it was going to cost $10k more than that. I thank New Jersey for being cheaper than New York.

Topshop coming to Manhattan

Word in from one of my "stringers-in-the-know" is that UK-based Topshop is coming to Manhattan this year.

I guess I'd describe it as a British H&M. I will do a thorough review when it hits town for y'all. Round 'em up, cowgirls!

Wikipedia describes it as:
Topshop is a chain of clothing stores situated (mostly) throughout the United Kingdom.
Topshop's primary sales come from women's fashion and accessories. Its male-clothing counterpart is called 'Topman'. Topshop offers a range of products including clothing, lingerie, sweets, bracelets, bags, hats, purses, nightwear, swim wear, shoes, jewelery, belts as well as a number of other accessories. Topshop also offers maternity, tall, petite and retro ranges.
The store has a had a number of celebrities and designers designing collections, including Kate Moss, whose collection will be released in April 2007.[1] The appointment of Moss was announced just before the departure of CEO Jane Shepherdson, who was seen as the force behind the revival of the formerly dull brand.
Topshop's flagship store is located in Oxford Street, London. Other flagship stores are located in Nottingham- Victoria, Manchester- Arndale and Glasgow- Buchanan Street Topshop is owned by the Arcadia Group, which owns a number of other retail outlets including Burton, Dorothy Perkins, Miss Selfridge, Evans, Wallis and Outfit.
Several branches of Topshop can be found outside the United Kingdom, most notably in Ireland, Gibraltar, Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore and the Philippines. The chain also boasts stores in Croatia, Austria and the United Arab Emirates.

Bag Lady

I am finally well on my way to recovery. I have stopped collecting plastic bags, which I use as garbage bags in my kitchen and bathroom, and have determined to reduce my inventory through attrition.

Pictured is the huge bag of bags which takes over half of my coat closet. Even my mother who trained me in the ways of bag saving was horrified by this collection

This is the most exciting blog entry ever.