Online Sale: Laura Lobdell Jewelry, April 22-25

ONLINE ONLY AT http://www.thesavvy.com/

who: Laura Lobdell Jewelry

what: Artisanal Jewelry- Prices ranging between $30 - $104 (Regularly retailing up to $295)

when: Online: April 22nd 12:00 PM EST (Noon) - April 25th 12:00 PM EST (Noon)

where: online: http://www.thesavvy.com/

why: Perfectly handcrafted, tiny yet exquisite artisan pieces that are just the thing for the bon vivant and free spirit in all of us.

Pictured: ‘Wave Worn’ Oval Shape Shell on Sterling Silver Chain – originally $145, at sale $51

April 25: Housing Works to Open New Soho Location

Housing Works Thrift Shops is opening a new location at 130 Crosby St in Soho on Saturday, April 25.

The all-day Grand Opening party from 10am to 7pm, will feature a DJ, refreshments from The Works Catering, Housing Works T-shirts (with purchase), as well as dozens of the clothing and furniture finds.

Housing Works members get exclusive Grand Opening preview shopping from 9am to 10am.

Some of what will be featured at the event includes: Dior fabric bean bags, $50 each; Ostrich leather couch, $500; Marc Jacobs denim zip jacket, $70; Diane von Furstenberg dress, $90 (PICTURED); Marni leather purse, $150; Vivienne Westwood stilettos, $110; Moschino platform pumps, $100; Etro men’s dress shirt, $65; Prada men’s sharkskin pants, $80.

The Soho Thrift Shop is already accepting housewares and clothing donations at Housing Works’ popular Housing Works Bookstore Café next door at 126 Crosby St. Donations are the backbone of Housing Works Thrift Shops, so all New Yorkers are strongly encouraged to donate items at any location.

The new Soho location brings the total number of Housing Works Thrift Shops to nine—plus online shopping available at Shophousingworks.com.

1stdibs ABC Carpet Antique Rug Preview Sale, April 18-29

ABC Carpet and Home is partnering with the luxury online antique marketplace 1stdibs.com to host a special preview sale for their Annual Antique Rug Sale.

Customers will be able to shop more than 300 antique rugs from ABC Carpet on 1stdibs.com, April 18th – April 29th. Then, the sale will begin in-store on April 30th and will run until May 17th.

EVENT DETAILS:
What: 1stdibs ABC Carpet Antique Rug Preview Sale
When: Saturday, April 18th - Wednesday, April 29th
Where: http://www.1stdibs.com/

What: ABC Carpet Antique Rug Clearance Sale
Save up to 65% off the original prices of thousands of antique and vintage rugs.
When: Thursday, April 30th – Sunday, May 17th
Where: ABC Carpet & Home 888 Broadway 6th Fl. New York, NY 10017 212.473.3000
Mon-Sat 10am-7pm Sun 11-6:30pm http://www.abccarpet.com/

EXAMPLES: Vintage Turkish Rug Was $2499 Now $899; Antique Turkish Anatolian Rug Was $4399 Now $1899; Vintage Tibetan Rug Was $1999 Now $999; Antique Turkish Anatolian Rug Was $2499 Now $1499

Oh Furla: Sample Sale, April 22-24

FURLA SAMPLE SALE, IN HOUSE AT SAVVY & CO. NY

what: Handbags, Shoes, Accessories and Small Leather Goods - up to 70% off retail

when: Wednesday, April 22nd 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM; Thursday, April 23rd - Friday, April 24th 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM

where: in-house: 145 West 18th St (6th and 7th avenues)

why: Elegant, contemporary, stylish – beautiful: Capture the essence of Italian craftsmanship at its finest with Furla’s outstanding collection of handbags, shoes, wallets, belts, jewelry and key rings.

What's the ooh la la about Rue La La?

The ever-enthusiastic bargain shopper and writer, Nancy Brenner, pens another insightful piece for GSNYC:

What's the ooh la la about Rue La La (ruelala.com) and all these other "invite only" sample sales that seem to crop up daily? Portero.com's porter private beta launched last week. After what seemed like an interminable wait, the merch from Rue La La arrived and it was a perfect fit - the petite cardigan was just the right size and the color was as posted. The skirt fit fine as well - I admit going online and sorting, selecting and buying in 7 minutes was very fast - even by my seasoned sample sale standards, but I would try again if I knew the brand very well (in this case Beth Bowley), what size suited me in that brand and factored in the cost of delivery (and ensuing risk of return rate).

How to shop the sites? Here are my quick tips: try to sign on a few minutes before hand - sizes disappear quickly and how was shocked that the sold out banner appears within minutes; you can easily be tempted to buy too much too fast (I set a mental dollar budget before I went online), so think about what might be complimentary to your existing wardrobe before you sign on or what you truly want to add, pre-spot check the web to make sure the merchandise is current and of course - that the price is right - in checking out a few of these types of sales (but no other purchases), the prices and selection are much better at the "real" "brick and mortar" sample sales where you can often can get that one of a kind piece for a true sample price. The online sales all have limited selections. FYI, the merchandise came with an easy to return pre-printed UPS label for $9.95 for a credit - not a return. There are no returns at sample sales, but not a pressing need to make such split second decisions. Online there is no time to sort through "your pile," or change your mind while waiting to pay at checkout. On the other hand, no long lines to pay, no broken registers to contend with, no mad dash to the garment district or Chelsea Market or some narrow little street lower down, two subway lines away, no women to fend off from trying to rip off your clothes while you're foraging for a try-on mirror, no checking of all your belongings except for you wallet and your cell, no men wandering around claiming to "shop for their girlfriends" while staring at women in various stages of undress (hey - it's time to start banning those guys) and best, but not least, no roving cell phone paparazzi snapping pics of you pre-dawn, makeupless on a long line in the rain as if you were the next Paris Hilton landing up on the latest fashion sample sale blog for all your frenemies, exs and co-workers to see.

So try out ideeli.com, gilt.com (where a "bargain" is a $995 Chloe cropped sequined jacket reduced from $3,600 and already believe-it-or-not sold out), thetopsecret.com or others. But think before you click - will the dress make you look like Gaby in Desperate Housewives, or will you look just plain desperate.

Who knows, this year may be the last big year of sample sales as retailers retract, designers disappear and sample sales, both brick and mortar and online, just may go the way of the IT bag.

Zappos.com Touting Converse Sale (?)

While I am all for marketing the iconic Converse brand, Zappos.com isn't really offering a massively low price point. I remember buying a pair like the one pictured here for $22 max in the '90s. The cheapest ones I found on this "sale site" are $45. Yes, cheaper than many sneakers, but the materials and technology that goes into Chucks are simply less expensive. See for yourself: http://www.zappos.com/search/brand/36/filter/gender/"Mens"

Paul Smith Sale Shop in Brooklyn?

As I was cruising the dim calles of Williamsburg last night, my friend noticed what you see pictured here. And what you probably can't read is what it says on the folded-up awning: "Paul Smith Sale Shop." So, wait, is there a Paul Smith outlet store on Grand St. in Williamsburg? We discussed this grand (pun intended) notion for a few minutes, but then had to carry on to Clem's. However, upon further inquiry this morning, I have found out that yes indeed, this outlet collects items from the other U.S.-based PS stores and sells them here for cheaper (but apparently not that much cheaper). So go check it out - 280 Grand St.

April 6-9: Menswear Sample Sale at Openhouse

Upcoming menswear sample sale at Openhouse Gallery

Who: Summer Select Sample Sale
What: Menswear Items Only: Cheap Monday jeans, 3:33 shoes, Rxmance tees
When: April 6th-9th, 12-8pm
Where: Openhouse Gallery, 201 Mulberry Street
For more information: www.openhousegalleryblog.blogspot.com

I Bought a Joe's Handbag off of Ideeli

The need for a new spring/summer bag with a shoulder strap converged with a need to try out ideeli last week. Ideeli describes itself as: "the first invite-only shopping community in the US." Anyway, I saw the pictured bag from Joe's at a huge discount. Something like regularly $179 for $79. And while Joe's isn't really my style, I kind of liked the look, function and green color, so I went for it.

Well, in the end after delivery and taxes, that $79 turned into $96.45 - not so cheap after all. And in person the bag is a little bit "mid-quality" with too many logo embellishments (some I can thankfully remove). And the shoulder strap - a main selling point - hooks 1/3 the way down the item, making it kind of fold-over in an inconvenient way. HOWEVER! I think I shall soldier through and use it for the upcoming season(s) 'cuz I still really like the color. You can call me Sprout, just don't call me the Jolly Green Giant.

Oh Thank God: 'Project Runway' lawsuit settled

Variety Breaking News
http://email.variety.com/cgi-bin7/DM/y/eBGNI0FHg8z0XIv08gL0Eu

'Project Runway' lawsuit settled After a legal battle, “Project Runway” is cleared to move to Lifetime this summer. NBC Universal, The Weinstein Co. and Lifetime jointly announced Wednesday that they’ve settled a legal dispute that has kept the hit reality competition series in limbo since last fall.

Read the full story:http://email.variety.com/cgi-bin7/DM/y/eBGNI0FHg8z0XIv0HaNt0E3

I NEED MY TIM GUNN!!