May 2008 Archives

L.A. fashionistas, get your credit cards ready! BillionDollarBabes - the biggest on-land buying extravaganza, is throwing a red haute sample sale in West Hollywood this weekend, and you’re all invited!

Not one, but two fun-filled days of discount designer shopping with some of the biggest names in the biz at up to 80% off, all under one roof! Irresistible spring/summer steals can be found on fab frocks from over 40 heavy hitters including Cory Lynn Calter, sizzling VIX swimwear (originally $164, now $80!), butt-firming Deener denim (slashed from $174 to $60!), flirty Samantha Treacy dresses (originally $435, now $175), killer Marcello Toshi kicks (slashed from $145 to $65!) and so many others.

But wait… there’s more! While you’re there, you can even purchase a package of four pampering spa treatments from top Los Angeles beauty havens at insanely discounted prices. Choose one treatment from each on-site vendor (i.e. hydrating facials and movie star makeovers) and pay just $500 for all four treatments (a value of $2100!). You'll have one year from the date of purchase to use your selected services. By the way, did I forget to mention the complimentary cocktails and serious swag?
 
Don’t delay… RSVP for the Billion Dollar Babes spring sample sale today!

The Retail Details!
What: Billion Dollar Babes Spring Sample Sale!
When: Friday, May 30th 12-9pm (VIP Members Only)
Public Sale: Saturday, May 31st 9am-5pm
Where: Smashbox Studios, West Hollywood, 1011 N. Fuller Avenue
Website: billiondollarbabes.com

Some final words of wisdom: make sure to show up at least 30 minutes before doors open so you can get first dibs on all the dazzling merch! Happy shopping!
 

Desperate for a dose of retail therapy? Look no further than W Hotels’ “Ultimate Whirlwind Weekends Shopping Getaway!”

Designed for shopaholics, myself included, this special summer package features insider-only steals and deals from the best boutiques and brands, created exclusively for guests of W Hotels.

All you have to do is book now for weekend stays (Thursday through Sunday) through June 29, 2008 in any W city of your choice.

Make sure to pack an extra bag as you’ll be stocking up on irresistible fashion and beauty finds from the hottest retailers. Plus, you’ll also receive a complimentary tote bag designed by Sex And The City stylist, Patricia Field, filled with the following:

    * a one-year subscription to Lucky Magazine and the latest issue
    * a one-year membership and $50 gift card to Bag Borrow or Steal (an haute
      online handbag rental service)
    * Bliss Softening Socks
    * two Cosmopolitans
    * a wonderful hotel room, and
    * VIP discounts at W Hotels’ The Store, Patricia Field, Flight 001, DKNY and Diesel
   
If you’re too pooped to pound the pavement by foot, you can even reserve a ride to the shopping destination of your choice through The Acura Experience, a complimentary car service filled with all the W essentials needed for a busy day of shopping. Simply dial the Acura Ambassador or the Concierge to reserve your ride.

Book online or call 800-598-9607 and mention the promo code WUS. Happy shopping!

P.S. Shop online at the W Hotel Store through May 31st to save up to 20% off!

As the Steals & Deals blogger, it’s my duty to inform you of all the latest on-land and online deals before anyone else. That said, clearly my head was in the clouds this Memorial Day holiday (blame it on all those margaritas), as I nearly neglected to tell you about the biggest online buying extravaganza of the season (don’t hate me!).  

For those of you who haven’t jumped on the bandwagon, Net-A-Porter.com, the Holy Grail of high-end clothing and accessory e-tailers, is currently holding a massive sale on nearly all their coveted spring merch.

Surf the site right now and you’ll find all your favorite big ticket designer items from the likes of Marni (fierce patent leather wedges), Marc Jacobs (haute quilted leather handbags), See By Chloé (high-waisted carpenter jeans) and so many others, all of which are available for up to 50% off retail prices!

Having tuned-into Net-A-Porter.com two days into the sale, I was mortified to discover that my one wish list item had already sold out: this strapless Zac Posen pouf dress, which I had my eyes on for the last two months. And yes, I’m still mourning the loss.

Some last words of wisdom: make sure to sign-up for Net-A-Porter.com’s email newsletter so you’re in-the-know about upcoming sales and promotions.

I’m curious… how do you feel when you miss out on a coveted designer clothing item after it goes on sale? Don’t be shy… share your stories with the Steals & Deals community!

Now that Summer Fridays have officially begun (assuming your employer subscribes to what was traditionally a publishing industry phenomenon), we should all have a bit more time to unwind and catch up on those steamy beach reads.

But before heading to your nearest Barnes & Noble, do yourself a favor and check out this cool contest, and you just might get your chick lit for free!

The SAK (a hipster handbag company) is teaming up with Harper Collins Publishers to bring you sizzling summer reads along with the season’s hautest handbags!

Enter the contest and you could be among the 15 lucky winners to receive the stylish satchel shown here (a.k.a. the Silverlake Convertible Clutch) in one of four fashionable colors, stuffed with 3 of the season’s most popular books.

To enter The SAK “Book in a Bag” contest, click here. Better hurry… the contest runs through May 31st!

Don’t be shy… share your favorite fiction reads with the Steals & Deals community!

While the economists might not say it specifically, it’s clear, from where I sit, that we’re currently in the midst of a recession. Gas prices have gone through the roof, the cost of wheat is on the rise, job cuts abound and pricey designer goods such as shoes and handbags aren’t selling as swiftly as they should.  

What this means for you, dear reader: markdowns of spring and summer clothes are already in full swing! Bargains on runway styles can now be found throughout the country’s major department stores, independent boutiques and online retailers.

Case in point, discount e-tailer BlueFly.com is offering current season designer stock with prices reduced as much as 40% off! So rather than wait til’ July to score Prada’s coveted wave-striped handbag at the store, BlueFly is selling the stunner shown here (and similar styles) for 20% off!

Even Barneys New York is throwing a one-week clothing and accessory sale with prices slashed up to 40% off! So although times may be tough, there are still major shopping bargains to be had if you look hard enough.

Steals & Deals wants to know what bargains you’ve come across this month. Don’t be shy… post your winning purchases with the rest of the iVillage community!

Unless you live on Mars, you’re aware there’s only 10 more days ‘til long awaited premiere of The Sex And The City movie (Friday, May 30th to be exact). Like millions of other SATC fans around the country eagerly anticipating its debut, I’ll be celebrating this monumental occasion at a friend’s post-film shindig complete with Cosmopolitans and Magnolia Bakery cupcakes.

While I’m planning on sporting head-to-toe Carrie Bradshaw-inspired frocks, I don’t exactly have the same “columnist” shopping budget. So, I’m doing the next best thing - buying my party threads at HauteLook.com, the by-invitation-only designer sample sale site I recently touted. As luck would have it, HauteLook.com just happens to be hosting an exclusive “Sex And The City” sale online this Thursday, May 22nd!

As of 8am EST that day, you too can to click your way through dozens of Carrie Bradshaw-esque designer clothes, shoes and accessories, all of which will be available at discounted prices. Some items on my radar screen include a dreamy Oscar de La Renta dress, a signature pair of Louboutin heels, a vintage Chanel handbag, a Richard Tyler Chain Mail blouse and a must-have limited-edition Eiffel Tower charm necklace, by MRE jewelry. Think of it as Carrie’s closet, but on sale!

As a naturally-born curly girl, I’ve always been envious of my peeps with pin-straight hair. Grass is always greener, right? It’s not that I don’t like my Shirley Temple corkscrews, it’s just that I’ve always felt more sophisticated with a freshly-blown coif (see the photos below). But in this depressed economy, who can afford to throw away money on pricey professional blowouts?

Clearly there must be a G-d, because Blow, a bustling New York Blow Dry Bar that offers sleek runway-ready strands on the fly, is offering 50% off all blowouts at their new Lexington Avenue location through July 31st! So instead of paying $40 for Pantene-like locks, now you’ll only have to shell out $20. That’s better than Hillary’s proposed Gas Tax Holiday! Having already       been to Blow’s flagship location in the Meatpacking District,
I definitely won’t mind making the trek uptown for the same level of VIP service.

Heading out with your posse? Begin your girls’ night out with “Bubbles and Blow,” signature blowouts with wow ’em waves and gratis Prosecco to get the party started. A one-stop shop for all your beauty needs, Blow also offers manis, pedis, waxing, deep conditioning treatments and makeup applications.

By the way, here’s a before and after picture of me that was just taken at Blow. What do you think… should I wear my strands curly or straight?













I'd also love to hear about your beauty maintenance secrets. How often do you treat yourself to professional blowouts? Don’t be shy… share your thoughts with the Steals & Deals community!

The Retail Details!

What: Blow, the New York Blow Dry Bar
Why: 50% off all blowouts at the new Uptown location though July 31st!
Where: 873 Lexington Avenue, 2nd Fl. (btw 64th & 65th)
Prices: $20-$30 with discount (prices vary depending on length and texture)
Phone: 212-452-0246
Website: blowstylingsalon.com

Attention all fashionistas! It’s time to get into the mix… Intermix, that is! Intermix, the hipper-than-thou clothing, footwear and accessory chain is having a blowout online and on-land sale that you just can’t miss. That means you can shop outrageous steals ‘n deals from some of the biggest designer names in the biz at up to 40% off!

Since I’m fortunate enough to live a stone’s throw away from Intermix’s Flat Iron store, I literally just pawed my way through a plethora of discounted drool-worthy wardrobe staples that I’m happy to share with Steals & Deals readers.


Some highlights include this Lacey Parker one-shoulder ruffle cami, (slashed from $245 to $149!), a Rachel Pally Grecian Goddess twist strap top (reduced from $190 to $119!), a Diane von Furstenberg strapless knit dress (was $355, now $229!), a draped Yigal jersey dress (originally $335, now $199!), Degaine’s butt-firming boot cut denim (slashed from $258 to $159!) and countless other items, which happily, won’t drain my bank account. Woo hoo!

But here’s the catch: the sale ends tonight, so you’d better act fast! Visit intermixonline.com for your discount designer fix. Just make sure to enter the promo code “designer” at checkout to redeem your discount.

And don’t forget to tell everyone at Steals & Deals about all the fashionable things you found!

Calling all frugal fashionistas! If you happen to live in the New York metro area and haven’t already made plans for tomorrow night, here’s something that’s definitely worth checking out.

Lighthouse International's poshsale.org, New York’s leading fashion fundraiser, is selling new and gently used designer duds with prices discounted up to 80% off!

The biggest buying extravaganza of the season (trust me on this one!), the Posh Sale is not to be missed. Chaired by Sex and the City’s Kim Catrall, the Posh Sale is not just one, but four fun-filled days of schmoozing, shopping and sipping cocktails, all under one roof.

This year’s dreamy clothing and accessory lineup includes Oscar de la Renta, Shoshana, Coach, Cynthia Steffe, Dana Buchman, Burberry, Dolce & Gabbana, Giorgio Armani, Jimmy Choo and so many others. Also, make sure to visit the “Splurge Bar” for your chance to purchase hot ticket luxury items and services, including sporting tickets, golf outings, and even interior design consultations.

You can also shop without the guilt, knowing that proceeds from the sale support Lighthouse International’s programs and services for the blind and visually impaired.

Some final words of wisdom: since last year’s sale attracted over 7,500 die-hard shoppers (I kid you not!), do yourself a favor by showing up at least one hour before doors open. Happy shopping!

The Retail Details!

What: Posh Benefit Sale

Why: Up to 80 % off new or gently used items from the hautest fashion houses.
When: Preview party, Wednesday, May 14th, 5-9 p.m. Public Sale: Thursday, May 15th-Saturday, May 17th
Time: Thursday-Saturday, 11 a.m.-7 p.m.

Where: Lighthouse International, 110 E. 60th Street (btw Park & Lexington Aves.)
To Purchase Tickets: call 212-821-9300. Tickets also available at the door.
Payment Type: Personal checks (with valid ID), cash, AmEx, Master Card, Visa and debit cards.
Website: poshsale.org

Hi there,

If you happen to be visiting Steals & Deals for the first time, I thought I'd wish you a heart-felt welcome to our fabulous shopping blog. And if you're a returning visitor, thank you for tuning-in again!

In case you weren’t aware, my name is Dara Fleischer, and I’m a self-confessed shopaholic. Shopping isn’t just my passion, it’s my business. I’m a personal shopper and Founder and Editor of FashionJunkie.com.

Now, as iVillage’s Shopping Expert, my mission is simple: to clue you in on what to buy and where to buy it…before it’s passé. I’m constantly combing the streets and surfing the Web in search of the hottest boutiques, designer deals and steals to keep you in-the-know.

A serial shopper with a sixth sense for all things fashionable, I have a knack for sniffing out the hippest designer hideaways, best vintage frocks and cheap 'n chic places that won’t drain your bank account. Whether you’re fashion challenged or simply too busy to shop, I’m always on call to give you the tips and tricks for tackling the toughest clothing calamities. So be sure to check back on the Steals & Deals blog regularly to see my latest finds!

Since this blogging thing is a two-way street, please don’t forget to post your comments -- the Steals & Deals community wants to know what’s on your mind! Or if you have a fashion emergency or need some retail therapy, you can post that as well, and I'll be sure to answer your questions.

Happy shopping!

(Have a sale, event, or hot item you think Steals & Deals should consider, email me at stealsanddeals@nbcuni.com)

As an entrepreneur who recently depleted my savings to launch my own business, FashionJunkie.com, I’ve sadly had to cut back on my annual clothing allowance.

So rather than splurge on those big-ticket designer items I used to gravitate towards (a.k.a. Loeffler Randall shoes), I now seek out frocks from less pricey, yet more personable emerging designers.

Enter BadJoan.com - a sample sale site that offers members FREE access to dreamy designer clothing brands at deeply discounted prices.

Click your way through a stunning selection of overstock from the hottest indie labels, including Wilen Los Angeles (the founders very own knitwear line), Colin Robertson (sexy leather sandals), Kate & Kass (flirty floral print dresses), Marcello Toshi (the kicks shown here are his) and Stella & Jamie (gleaming gold tops), to name a few.

Sign-up for an account and receive a secret discount code that entitles you to 80% off all their mouth-watering merch. You’ll also be pleased to know that 80% of every final sale goes directly back into their designers’ pockets. Just remember to enter your Bad Joan promo code upon checkout to receive the discount!

Steals & Deals wants to know how you make out at BadJoan.com. Leave your comments here and let us know!!

I admit I’m a bit of a shoe whore. In fact, my closet is crammed with so many footwear boxes (48 at last count), that I no longer have enough room to hang my clothes. Pathetic, I know.

Although I’ve clearly blown my footwear budget for the season, how could I not check out today’s Sigerson Morrison warehouse sale? The mother of all shoe sales, Sigerson Morrison is practically giving away a plethora of unsold product, thanks to ridiculously reduced prices.

To give you an example of the insanity, Sigerson Morrison kicks that originally sold from $250 to $800 have since been slashed from $75 to $200!

Prepare to duke-it-out with other footwear fanatics, including yours truly, over patent leather ballerina flats (the ones shown here are from Belle, their less-pricey sister line), gladiator sandals (so of-the-moment!), metallic wedges, leather booties and boundless other mouth-watering styles. Just make sure to shop smart, as all sales are final.

With a sale of this magnitude, it might be worth playing hookey. Just don’t tell your boss we told you to do so!

The Retail Details!
Who: Sigerson Morrison & Belle
What: warehouse sale on shoes, sandals and boots
Where: Metropolitan Pavilian, 123 West 18th Street, 4th Fl., NYC (btw 6th & 7th Avenue)
When: Wednesday, May 7th (10am-7pm); Tuesday, May 8th (8am-7pm); Friday, May 9th (8am-2pm)
Payment Type: cash and credit only, no checks!
Website: sigersonmorrison.com

In case you didn’t get a chance to read my Vintage 101 shopping guide, you might be missing out on one of the newest names in yesterday’s fashions – Rare Vintage.

A coveted Big Apple boutique, Rare Vintage stocks a mouth-watering mélange of slightly worn European designer frocks, accessories (bags to bondage-inspired bustiers) and kicks (Givenchy to Halston) from the ‘60’s, ‘70’s and ‘80’s.

If you check out their blog, you’ll spot a stunning Hervé Léger evening dress, a slinky Azzaro chain sweater and a gorgeous Gucci web print dress that, much to my dismay, just sold. But I digress…

In honor of Mother’s Day, Rare Vintage proprietor Juliana Cairone (an impeccably dressed mother of twins) is honoring fellow Moms with a special 3-day sale starting this Wednesday, May 7th. With designer pieces normally priced from $150 to $1,100, all you penny-pinching Moms can expect to find some major bargains.

If that wasn’t enough to whet your appetite, the first 20 ladies that come in will receive a pampering Mother’s Day gift bag filled with goodies from Physique 57, Townhouse Spa, Elemis skincare and Matt + Nat, eco-friendly handbags. Just don’t tell my Mom… I want her to think I’m splurging on her gift this year.

The Retail Details!
Who: Rare Vintage
What: Special Mother’s Day Sale!
When: Wednesday, May 7th through Friday, May 9th
Time: 11:30am-6pm
Where: 24 West 57th Street, Suite 501, NYC (New York Gallery Building)
Website: rarevintage.com
Phone: 212-581-7273

Calling all New York-based bargainistas! Get your wallets ready for Showroom Seven’s biggest sample sale yet. Prepare to duke-it-out with other die-hard fashionistas over Spring/Summer ’08 samples as well as overstock from past seasons at insanely discounted prices!

Stock up on cozy A&G cashmere v-neck mini tank dresses with Swarovski trim (retailed for $1000 and now $400!), fluorescent “techno deco” Erickson Beamon bangles (reduced from $475 to $190!), a luxe Issa London silk jersey halter dress emblazoned with blue butterflies (slashed from $700 to $308!), a laminated Orla Kiely flower print shoulder bag (reduced from $184 to $90!), a sexy Robin silk sleeved Barbie dress (slashed from $395 to $158!) and many more irresistible finds.

To get the most bang for your buck at next week’s Showroom Seven warehouse sale, be sure to read my recent “Steals & Deals” blog post about shopping the sales like a pro. Good luck!

The Retail Details!

What: Showroom Seven Sample Sale!
Where: 269 11th Avenue @ 27th Street, New York City
When: Monday, May 5th through Friday, May 16th (closed Sunday)
Time: 10am-7pm
Phone: 212-643-4810
Payment Type: cash, Visa, MasterCard and Amex
Website: showroomseven.com

With Mother’s Day only one week away, now’s the time purchase those gifts! Since “Steals & Deals” is all about bring you the best bargains, you’ll be pleased to know that I’ve arranged an exclusive iVillage promo with our friends at TheCosmeticMarket.com – a cutting-edge e-boutique that carries the best beauty brands.

Starting today through June 1st, 2008, when you shop online at TheCosmeticMarket.com, you can purchase any of their cult beauty items for 20% off the retail price. Woo hoo!

Treat Mom to a plethora of pampering products ranging from fragrance (Comptoir Sud Pacifique Vanilla Apricot), haircare (Philip B Rejuvinating Oil), makeup (Lipstick Queen Sinner Opaque Lipstick), skincare (LaRoche Posy Sunscreen), bath and body (AHAVA Bath Salts) and other must-have lotions, potions and toiletries you know she really wants.

While you’re at it, make sure to click your way through the Beauty Center, where you’ll find fun and informative video Podcasts (the smoky eye application tips are very helpful) as well as a “What’s New In Beauty” blog.

Visit TheCosmeticMarket.com today to take advantage of this exclusive deal. Just make sure to enter the promo code “stealsanddeals” upon checkout to redeem your discount. Happy shopping!