April 2008 Archives

Like most Manhattanites, I’ve suffer from closet envy, as mine is the size of a Port-a-Pottie. And since my hubbie won’t even rent me any of his closet space, I’ve decided to donate all of my unworn designer duds to Christabelle’s Closet,  a luxury consignment e-boutique.

An alternative to the local consignment shop, Christabelle’s Closet lets you click your way through dozens of designer duds donated from the rich and famous as well as overstock from cutting-edge boutiques throughout the country.

Trade in your new or slightly worn high-end goods in exchange for cold hard cash, as Christabelle’s Closet will split the profits with you 50/50. And if you’re a frugal fashionista, you can even purchase all your favorite designer duds on a budget.

Christabelle’s Closet sells pre-loved designer merch in pristine condition (sorry, Gap and Banana Republic wont make the cut) at up to 80% off the retail price! For even cheaper finds, make sure to visit the Clearance Closet, where half of the proceeds from each sale are donated to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s research.  

Build out your spring wardrobe with a pair of Alaia Paris ankle tie heels (only $275!), a Marc Jacobs satchel (retails for $1200 and sells for only $500!), a copper strapless Cynthia Vincent dress (valued at $255 and available for only $53!), a Dolce & Gabbana denim jacket (valued at $275 and now only $65!) and a luxe pair of Oliver Peoples cat eye shades (originally $240 and now only $90!).

Assuming my closet castoffs sell on Christabelle’s Closet, I’ll soon have a little extra shopping allowance. The only question is…. where will I hang it all?

Looking to purchase pre-loved frocks? Check out my iVillage vintage shopping guide for slews of expert tips ‘n tricks!

Listen up y’all! If you’re looking for must-have clothing, accessory and beauty brands at prices so low, they should be outlawed, look no further than CouponCowgirl.com. Surf the sassy, social shopping site for a bonanza of the best online deals, bargains and coupon codes to use towards your favorite products and brands.

CouponCowgirl partners with a surprisingly luxe assortment of in-demand e-tailers to bring you the latest and greatest online shopping deals! For example, Sephora.com is currently offering free shipping on orders over $50 and Baghaus.com is giving users 10% off Ed Hardy designer bags (a fashionista fave).  

Far from cheesy and even fun to read, the Coupon Cowgirl’s Shop Talk Blog is a great resource for serial shoppers, including yours truly. Other cool features I came across include tips on how to score the best deals (did you know that some stores allow you to combine offers?), insider information about innovative products and daily quotes of inspiration.

And for math dummies like myself, there’s the essential online calculator, which instantly computes how much you can save on any given purchase (now that’s smart!) Make sure to sign up for their email newsletter to get smokin’ hot Coupon Cowgirl deals emailed straight to your in-box. Yee haw!

As a personal shopper who chaperones tourists and locals alike on tailor-made NYC shopping tours, my sixth sense keeps me informed of the best boutiques offering clothing and accessory bargains.

But when a client is too time-pressed to trek the urban jungle, I often send them to shopittome.com – a trusty (and free!) virtual shopper that alerts you when stores put your favorite designer clothing brands on sale in your size!

Simply sign up for your free account and you’ll never miss out on your favorite sale clothing items again. Choose from over 80 cult apparel brands (I selected Theory, Vince, Miu Miu, Prada and Ella Moss, to name a few), the type of clothing you’re interested in (from outerwear to blazers to handbags) and of course, your size.

Shopittome.com will then scour the websites of leading retailers like Nordstrom, Saks Fifth Avenue, Bloomingdales, Banana Republic, Gap, Zappos and Bluefly and email you a daily or weekly summary of those new items going on sale in your size. How cool is that!

Visit shopittome.com to see what millions of registered users have been raving about. Just keep in mind that the day you shop can impact the price you pay, so be sure to constantly check your inbox! Happy shopping!

Now that you’ve read the latest iVillage Weekly Top 10, you’ve become the proud new owner of the season’s must-have trench, right? However, since a trench can only do so much to combat those bone-soaking April showers, you’d also be wise to invest in a pair of waterproof footwear. Enter Hunter Wellies - those fashionable and functional Scottish rubber rain boots worn by celebs à la Kate Moss and Gweneth Paltrow.    

Lucky for you, Hunter Wellies are now available for 15% off the retail price when purchased online at winknyc.com! Although priced at $98 a pop, Hunter Wellies are built to last for life. As the proud owner of not one, but two pairs (my personal faves are the shimmery silver and yellow), I can certainly attest to their endurance!

Hunter Wellies are also available in original “hunter” green, dark navy, iris (a good pick for spring) and jet black. Just make sure to buy ‘em one size smaller than you’d normally wear because they run a bit big. But you’d better act fast as winknyc.com’s Hunter Wellies sale is only valid through May 6th, 2008. Also, make sure to use the promo code “APRL8” at checkout. Happy shopping!

Steals & Deals wants to know how you stay fashionably dry in the face of monsoon-like downpours. Share your stories with us at stealsanddeals@nbcuni.com!

Brace yourself, bagaholics! LineaPelle.com’s end-of-season handbag sale is upon us and they’re practically giving away the rest of their fall/winter overstock with discounts of up to 50% off!

Some sweet shoulder candy you’ll want to snap up: a snow white messenger bag (slashed from $375 to $282!), a double handle shoulder style that looks strikingly similar to, dare I say, the Botkier Bianca (originally $520, now $260!), a buttery, leather burgundy clutch (reduced from $125, now $50!), a quilted caramel leather bowling bag with gold grommets ($490, now $245!) and wow ‘em wallets (slashed from $149 to $112).

Rather than splurge on five designer handbags like I did for fall, I’ll be paring down my spring collection to just one killer carryall. After all, one must cut back in such uneasy economic times. And as luck would have it, now I’ll finally be able to afford that must-have metallic Linea Pelle Gillian satchel I’ve been dreaming about (pictured above). Normally sold for $395, this distressed gold stunner is a steal at only $195!

What excites me most about my pending purchase: I’ll no longer have to rotate my bags on a daily basis. Steals & Deals wants to know what you think about owning just one carryall. Share your stories with us at stealsanddeals@nbcuni.com!

One of the many insider secrets I’ve been meaning to divulge is how to go about cracking those mysterious e-boutique promotional codes. You know, that little blank discount box that appears on just about every online retailer’s checkout page?

I don’t know about you, but it kills me to pay full price for any designer clothes when I know that there’s a discount code lurking around somewhere in cyber space.

Well, there is a quick n’ easy way of tracking down those codes! Just Google the name of the store you’re inquiring about along with the words “promo” or “discount code”. For example, when I type the words “shopbop promo,” dozens of websites such as savings.com and edealinfo.com informed me of shopbop’s current tax-break sale, which means I can now enjoy savings from $25 to $150 on new designer clothing and accessory items!

To take advantage of this promotion, all I need to do is enter the promo code “taxbreak08” upon checkout until Thursday, April 17th. Try it… it works!

Other sites that might help you track down discount codes include:

Salegrab.com: the site scours the web for the hottest sales so you don’t have to.

NearbyNow.com: a new way for shopper’s to find products, brands, or sales sold at your local mall, and even pick up the item the same day from the Internet or phone before venturing outside. Once you register, you can even get coupons sent straight to your cell, so you can walk right into a store and take advantage of the special deal. How cool is that!

CurrentCodes.com: lists coupon codes for hundreds of well-known online stores such as Nordstrom, Saks Fifth Avenue, Victoria’s Secret, Ann Taylor and Armani Exchange, to name a few.

Just keep in mind that online discount codes constantly change, so you have to keep scouring the web to get the best deal.

Steals & Deals wants to know how you go about scoring the best online bargains. Share your stories with us at stealsanddeals@nbcuni.com!

I’m sure you’ve all heard about the 80/20 rule in the workplace (how 80% of the outputs come from 20% of the inputs).  But did you know that the same law applies to the world of fashion? Yep, truth be told, 80% of the time we only wear 20% of our wardrobe! Well, if you’re like me and still haven’t purged your closet for spring, here’s some exciting news to help you get motivated.

Dress For Success, an organization dedicated to helping women return to the workforce with confidence and style, has partnered with Theory and Bloomingdales for a nation-wide clothing swap.

Simply trade in your nearly new suits and blouses to select Bloomingdales locations and in exchange, you’ll receive 10% off all Theory purchases! Plus, a portion of the sales and all clothing donations will benefit Dress for Success.
 
This special promotion is only valid this Saturday, April 19th and Sunday, April 20th at the following Bloomingdales locations: 59th Street, SoHo, Short Hills, Chestnut Hill, Aventura, Lenox, Chevy Chase, North Michigan, King of Prussia, Fashion Valley, Orlando and San Francisco.

To help you get started, here’s a few rules of thumb for purging unworn clothing from your closet:

•    If you haven’t worn something for at least one year, it’s time to let it go.

•    Whenever you add something new to your wardrobe (i.e. shoes, a shirt or a bag), at least one thing must go.

•    Get rid of anything that’s stretched, small, smelly (beware of mold!) or stained. And be realistic about what
     you’ll wear!

•    To help you decide what wardrobe items to bid farewell, make three piles: one for donations, one for alterations
     and one for maybe. When in doubt, ask a friend for advice. 

Steals & Deals wants to know how you pare items from your wardrobe. Share your stories with us at stealsanddeals@nbcuni.com!


 

With Mother’s Day only a few weeks away (Sunday, May 11th to be exact), now’s the time to ponder what gifts to purchase. But before you even think about dialing 1-800-Flowers for yet another predictable bouquet of roses, why not treat Mom to something she really wants, like a pampering afternoon at the spa-ahh!

Lucky for you, there’s WaySpa.com, a trusty online spa booking agency, that makes gift giving a snap. In a nutshell, WaySpa is a network of top quality day and resort spas, which are located throughout L.A., San Diego, Orange County, Dallas, San Francisco and New York.

So when you present your Way Spa gift certificate to Mom, she’ll be able to choose from hundreds of soothing spas within her locale. And as a special Mother’s Day promotion, WaySpa is offering a $50.00 spa gift certificate for only $39.99. That's a savings of 20%!

Coincidentally, this year my birthday happens to fall on Mother’s Day. Hey mom, should you happen to be reading this, I’m a fan of Great Jones Spa… hint, hint!

Steals & Deals wants to know what you're planning for Mom this Mother's Day. Drop us a line at stealsanddeals@nbcuni.com!

For the past few months, I’ve been blogging about where to score the best national bargains. But it suddenly dawned on me that I haven’t offered advice on how to shop the sales. Yes, there is a method to this madness! Here are some tips and tricks that will help you better navigate the crowds and the merch at the next red-haute sample sale so that you get the clothes you came for.
-By: Dara Fleischer

• Arrive early. Showing up at least 30 minutes before the doors are scheduled to open will help you avoid long lines and get first dibs on all the best merchandise!

• Fitting rooms are gold mines. If you can’t find your favorite pieces hanging on the racks, check the “reject piles” to find your size.

• Shop solo. In the past, I’ve made the mistake of shopping with friends who wear the same size clothing and we inevitably argued over who should get that last pair of butt-firming blues. By shopping solo, you’ll be able to avoid these distractions.

• Budget beforehand and pay with cash. Keep a checklist of what you really need or you’ll risk blowing your paycheck. And always leave your credit cards at home to help you stick to your plan and shop smart!   

• Wear comfy flats and casual, easy-to-remove clothes. Fitting rooms are often scarce and you might find yourself disrobing in a corner of the store.

• Speed shop! Since frenzied shoppers immediately pull sale items off the racks, everything in your size will sell out if you don’t grab what you want to purchase from the get-go.
 
• Buy pieces that fit. While sample sale items are deeply discounted, it’s not worth it if you have to pay for alterations that cost more than the garments themselves!

• Befriend the sales staff. Make sure to get added to a store’s mailing list so you’re in-the-know about presales and insider shopping events.

Steals & Deals wants to know how you tackle the racks at your neighborhood sample sale. Share your thoughts with us at stealsanddeals@nbcuni.com!


 

I read a funny article in last week’s Wall Street Journal about a woman who owns so many pairs of shoes that she has no choice but to display them on her dining room table and bookshelves like works of art. At first I thought this sounded absurd (don’t they get dusty without the shoeboxes?), but after deliberating for a moment, I said to myself, “what a brilliant idea!” You see, my closet is so crammed with kicks that I’ll either have to move or turn my shelves into a shoe-library.

Thanks to Dolce Vita’s blowout online and on-land shoe sale, you too may soon find yourself decorating your home with such wearable works of art like the snakeskin leather pumps shown here, slashed from $127 to $99!

Peruse shopdolcevita.com for deep discounts on flirty patent leather flats (originally $87, now $49.99!), luxe leather boots with ruching (reduced from $256 to $80!), glimmery gold ballet slippers (slashed from $93 to $25), edgy cork wedges (originally $119, now $20!) and so much more

And if you happen to live in New York City, don't forget to check out Dolce Vita's showroom sample sale on Thursday, April 24th through Saturday, April 28th, 2008. Sample and overstock shoes, clothing and accessories (stunning clutch wallets) will be slashed up to 80% off the retail price (nothing will top $80!)! In the meantime, visit shopdolcevita.com to start living the sweet life!

The Retail Details!
What: Dolce Vita Showroom Sample Sale!
When: Thursday, April 24th & Friday April 25th 1-7pm, Saturday April 26th 12-4pm
Where: 126 Ludlow Street, 4th Floor (btw Stanton & Rivington)
Payment: cash and all major credit cards
Phone: 212-529-2373
Website: shopdolcevita.com

Have a fashion emergency or need some shopping advice? Drop us a line any time at stealsanddeals@nbcuni.com!

As a shopping editor, most TV morning show segments on the topic leave me yawning or force me to change channels. However, last week I was caught off guard after watching a particular segment on The Today Show on the art of haggling.
Unbeknownst to moi, major retail stores throughout North America are apparently willing to reduce prices on brand new clothing items and accessories, so long as you ask!

All you have to do is approach a salesperson about the particular item in question, attempt to negotiate on the price, and they’ll likely shave off a few dollars. Sounds crazy, I know, but in this depressed economy, it can’t hurt to ask.

Since haggling in major chain stores isn’t exactly common knowledge, I thought I’d offer a few tips:

•    Politely ask the sales associate if they can reduce the price of a garment
     when you get to the cash. If they refuse to offer the discount, you’ll just have to
     pay full price.

•    Shop around! If you know that an on-land or online retailer offers the same
     clothing item at a cheaper price, politely mention this to the store manager, as
     they might be willing to match the price.

•    Deals are often left to the discretion of salespeople. If you're denied once,
     it doesn't hurt to find a different salesperson and ask again.

Steals & Deals wants to know if you would you be willing to haggle at a trendy chain store. Share your thoughts with us at stealsanddeals@nbcuni.com!

If you’re a pop culture fan, you’ll flip for Soundgirl.com – a one-stop-shop for one-of-a-kind threads and emerging musical talent. Peruse the site to preview their current Spring ’08 clothing collection, which includes an assortment of vibrantly-colored dresses, butt-firming denim, chic novelty knits, graphic tees and haute hoodies. And for you music junkies, don’t forget to check out the exclusive artist interviews, record reviews and free music downloads (cool!).

In celebration of spring, SoundGirl’s New York-based brick and mortar store is selling its fall, spring and summer overstock with prices slashed up to 50% off retail! Head to the swanky SoHo-based hideaway this Wednesday, April 2nd through Friday, April 4th and get tuned into all the mouth-watering merch.

Expand your spring wardrobe with Lovely People heels and flats (from $5 to $65!), a paint-splashed Pollick pullover (reduced from $62 to $28!), a pretty pleated cocktail dress (originally $88 and yours for $39!), a timeless dove gray trench (originally $128 and now only $58!) and the stunning puffy-sleeved Simone jacket shown here (slashed from $92 to $42!).

Happy shopping!

The Retail Details!
Who: Soundgirl Sample Sale
What: Selling Soundgirl overstock at deeply discounted prices ranging from $5-$60!
Where: Soundgirl, 1385 Broadway, 5th floor, New York (btw 37th and 38th)
When: Wednesday, April 2nd- Friday, April 4th
Time: 10 am-6:30 pm
Payment Method: cash, Visa and MasterCard
Phone: 212.730.0377
Website: Soundgirl.com

Can’t cope with the chaos of brick-and-mortar sample sales? Better check out RegentsSecret.com - an invitation-only sample sale site that offers members FREE access to dreamy designer clothing brands at up 70 % off retail, minus the catfights.

Sign-up for their email list and you’ll gain instant access to 575’s butt-firming blues, including the stunning $39 stovepipes shown here (they were originally $189!), but only ‘til midnight!

Don’t fret if you miss out on today’s exclusive denim sale. Sharagano dresses will be offered at deeply discounted prices starting Wednesday, April 2nd through Tuesday, April 8th. Yes, that’s tomorrow!

But wait, there’s more! Once you become a member, you’ll also be entitled to earn rewards points. Simply invite your friends to join and earn 5% of their Regents Secret purchases, which can be redeemed for  merchandise! Every 1,000 points equals $10.

Think this is all an April fools joke? Join the hautest shopping club in cyberspace and see for yourself! Visit RegentsSecret.com for more information. Happy shopping!