Tory Burch Greeted Revelers at Fashion's Night Out

The MePa district was mobbed with freebie hunting fashionistas following fellow goodie bag holders. Lucky Loubutin boutique fans scored free Frederic Fekkai updos or Lady Gaga like lashes. Tory Burch was game for greeting guests at her boutique. Were budgets blown in the carnival-like atmosphere in the Meat Packing District while the stock market was gyrating?

/nancy brenner

"Beat the Clock" at Flash Sales Without Breaking Your Budget

Five Tips to Gilt, Rue La La, Haute Look, Totsy and the ever-breeding flash sales, by Nancy Brenner

Put any items you might want immediately into your cart. Invite friends, family and foes to join (you can earn a credit anywhere from $5-$20 each time one person makes a purchase).  Don't want the UPS man to be your new BFF as you race around returning stress-triggered purchases? Send a pic to a shopping buddy and make sure items fits into your budget, lifestyle and CLOSET.

Best categories to buy: items where you absolutely know your fit, like lingerie, or fit is not an issue, like, luggage, baby clothes, picture frames, blow dryers.

Check color before you click - a trigger-happy shopper trying to buy a shoe before it's gone may not realize the switch from the picture in the color (black) to the one that's available (hence I have a Tory Burch nearly never worn pair of orchid hued flat with navy studs in my closet).

Absolute must have - or maybe not so much - if you're teetering, wait for the final sales, when you'll swoop in and get best buys (if there is something left in your size).

And lastly, flash sales can be addictive, someone told me she drops at least $100 every time she goes on Gilt, so try not to log on every day out of habit.

And for more insights, read today's USA Weekend article (GSNYC is mentioned!): http://www.usaweekend.com/article/20100507/MONEY/5090304/Online-flash-sales-offer-quick-savings

April Sales Bring May Card Debt

and sample sale boo-boos. There are more sample sales than tree allergans in the air, but there's no Zyrtec for the reaction to a spending spree contributing to personal bankruptcies which are at their highest increase since October 2005, according to today's New York Times.
What to know before you go over your limit:
- Spring clean first, so you won't come home with another LBD or pencil skirt that looks like the lost identitical twin to the one you already own.
- Shoes, no matter how cheap, no matter how much it goes with THAT dress, don't be seduced by a one-night fling shoe. They will stare at you at you in the middle of the night from your closet screaming MISTAKE. Think of how much money you will be saving at the podiatrist, physical therapy, on orthotics, on cab rides, etc.
- Buttercup yellow is all over the runway, but if it makes you look like, well, a sour lemon, skip it. Don't be a sucker for a trendy hue that's not for you.
- Never give away a classic. I couldn't let go of this super-cool round black grommet cross-body bag by Cynthia Rowley - and now it's this season's up-dater - and a one-of-a-kind!
- Do a reconnaissance mission in advance of the sales - play a little game called "If I were a millionaire, would I pay retail for...you fill in the blank." If you only want it because a "Babe Ruthless" type from "Whip It" is giving you a hip fracture to get to it, skip it.
- Samples sales can be - addictive, so before you hit Vegas, or the Tory Burch, sample sale, set a limit. Preferably cash. And leave your credit/debit cards at home. Your balance sheet will thank you.

<3 Nancy Brenner

Tory Burch Sample Sale July 8-13