Rag Nation Moving Sale, July 18-21

Rag Nation is closing its Park Ave S. showroom as of July 30th and will be having a moving sale on the following dates:

Friday July 18, 11-7pm

Saturday July 19, 11-7pm

Sunday July 20, 1-7pm

Monday July 21, 11-7pm

Sale merchandise includes a mix of new and used, men's & women's designer clothing, shoes and accessories:

Gucci men's leather jacket (New) was $1000. Now $500.

Manolo Blahnik pumps (Used) Were $150. Now $75.

Assorted Lily Pulitzer print dresses (Used). Now $25.

Assorted pants & skirts from Prada & Gucci (used). Now $25. - $45.

Assorted dresses from Moschino, McQueen, Prada, And Gucci (New & Used). Now $45. - $125.

Assorted T-shirts (New & used) from D&G, Juicy, Custo Barcelona, etc. Now $25. - $45.

They accept American Express, Visa, Mastercard, JCB, Diners Club and traveler’s checks.

Any leftover stock will continue for sale during the following weekend (Fri. July 25 - Mon. July 28).

Chicago: Porte Rouge Table & Home

Porte Rouge on W. Division in Chicago was one of the most exciting stores I encountered during my Wicker Park/Bucktown shopping tour. If I lived in Chicago I fear that I would spend all of my hard earned cash in here, for it is not cheap, but it is full of beautiful, quality housewares, cookware, teas and the like. If you have a wedding or shower present to buy, I highly recommend taking a look in here (even online). I'm actually lusting for the tableware again as I write this. Oh! and the antique old-style colored glass seltzer water bottles are divine (I think they cost about $95).

One of the most interesting items are the teas from Mariage Freres in France, which apparently is sought after from individuals and restaurants from all over the country.

I may become a grown up yet. Stay tuned.

Chicago Shopping: Bucktown & Wicker Park

The other headline I was considering was: CHICAGO TAX RATE IS 10.25% (and you thought NYC was bad!). But more on that later.

Chicago is my second favorite city in the U.S., so when I had the recent chance to go there and stay for free (in my parents' hotel room, like a 12 year old), I took it! I was directed by my Midwestern friends to seek out Bucktown and Wicker Park for fun and shopping. They equated it to the East Village, which is mostly accurate. Except there's a little bit of Fifth Ave.-in-the-teens-vibe at some points as well. And I don't know if it was due to the holiday weekend or that I was shopping on a Sunday and a Monday, but it was ghost-townish by comparison.

Anyway, I spend my days on N. Damen (see photo of empty store front for any of you entrepreneurs), N. Milwaukee and W. Division and found some pretty good spots, including:

bazar apparel, beadniks, daniels antiques, hejfina, michelle tan, noir, new'd, p.45, porte rouge, pump, robin richman, saffron inc., the silver room

So let's go back to this tax issue and compare and contrast NY vs. Illinois, shall we?

New York has a 4% state sales tax. There is no New York City sales tax imposed on the purchase of clothing and footwear regardless of the amount. As of September 1, 2007, New York State has eliminated sales tax on all clothing and shoes if the single item is priced under $110. Most counties and cities have not eliminated their local sales taxes on clothing and shoes. There are however, 11 counties and 5 cities (most notably New York City) that have done so. So this means when you buy clothes and shoes that cost more than $110 in New York City, you only pay the 4% New York State sales tax.

Much to my shock, the combined tax rate in Illinois therefore varies from the State minimum of 6.25% to a current high of 10.25% in Cook County.

This means that everything I bought in Chicago had a ten-point-two-five percent tax tacked on! This is outrageous! And possibly the only thing in Chicago that is not cheaper than New York...

Anyway, I will be providing more in-depth insight into some of the stores I visited, so stay tuned for forthcoming Chicago postings.

Lord & Taylor Sumer Sale & Clearance Thru July 22

Click here for savings pass!

Tory Burch Sample Sale July 8-13

Sample Sale Today (July 9)

Chicago...Chicago...

Hi all, sorry I have been MIA for a while, but I was shopping in Chicago! I will have several tales for you shortly. but in the meantime, enjoy the puppetbike.com, which entertained me outside of the Hopleaf on N. Clark.

Rebecca & Drew: 2nd Sale July 7

Rebecca & Drew's second sale will take place on July 7th with markdowns from 30-65% on Spring merchandise. Examples of great summer fashions offered at tremendous discounts include:

Bebe Tank Dress with Convertible Color Blocking
Original Retail Price: $350
Sale Price: $245
Abby Empire-Waist Dress with Pleat detail (see photo)
Original Retail Price: $335
Sale Price: $235
Annie Boat-Neck Pleated Top with Empire Waist
Original Retail Price: $215
Sale Price: $150

Rebecca & Drew
344 West 13th Street
New York, NY 10014

Naoyo Tareda Jewelry at Kifka + Heller

How great is all of this jewelry, custom made by Naoyo Tareda and available at Kifka + Heller on W. 49th St? I am in love love love with the hoop earrings with the dangling rubies (yes, real live rubies) for $225.

My friend bought his wife a different pair of earrings and a necklace, which she adores. And the better part is, the artist makes tons of other things made to order.

I really like the "not too girly" nature of the designs and materials. I like my jewels to be a little bit rock and roll and not at all country (sorry Marie).

Gilt-y Pleasure.com...

Have you heard of Gilt.com yet? I just did. Here's the deal:

Gilt Groupe is a private online community, which is dedicated to providing its members with access to coveted fashion and luxury lifestyle brands at sample sale prices. You must be invited by an existing member to join, and there is no cost to join Gilt Groupe. For additional information or questions about our membership policies, please send us an email at membership@gilt.com.

Here's the current sale info:

Tuesday, 07.01 - Jill Stuart (pictured) + Elie Tahari

Wednesday, 07.02 - Final Sale day 1

Thursday, 07.03 - Final Sale day 2